Digital Commons Network^™

Native American Students' Experiences Of Cultural Differences In College: Influence And Impact, Leslie Elizabeth Clark

Theses and Dissertations

The culture of most colleges and universities is very different for Native American students with close ties to their traditional communities. "Traditional," in a Native American sense, means multiple interconnections of emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual identity that combine to define expectations for the Native American way. This traditional cultural perspective is often in conflict with college cultures where typically only the academic or social aspects of identity are addressed. Research on college students of several ethnicities has found that the experience of post-secondary education can change individuals' attitudes, values, and behaviors. However, none of these studies focused on the …

Efficacy Of An Expectancy Challenge To Reduce Non-Prescribed Use Of Stimulant Medications Among College Students, Allison Kathryn Labbe

Psychology - Dissertations

Non-prescribed use of stimulant medications among college students, such as Ritalin®, and Adderall®, has become a public health concern. Expectancies, which are beliefs that individuals hold regarding the consequences of engaging in a particular behavior, are known to play a prominent role in the initiation and maintenance of alcohol and drug use. This study had two aims: (1) to determine if an expectancy challenge could reduce participants' academic performance expectancies related to non-prescribed use of stimulant mediations, and (2) to determine if change in expectancies mediates consumption of the drug. Seventy-eight undergraduate students were randomized to either the expectancy challenge …

Relationships Among Acculturation, Self-Positivity Bias, Stigma, And Condom Use In A Sample Of Urban College Students, Molly Neff

Theses and Dissertations

Despite an increase in interventions targeted at lowering the rate of HIV/AIDS among college students, the rate of HIV/AIDS infections has not decreased. The purpose of this study was to identify factors (i.e., HIV-sexual knowledge, self-positivity bias, peer norms, acculturation, perceived risk of HIV, HIV-related stigma, and condom use) that may affect condom use among college students who live in an area where the prevalence of HIV is relatively high. The current study utilized a sexually active sample (N=397) of diverse college students (predominantly African American and White) in an urban setting to examine the relationships. Path analysis was used …

Gender, Masculinity, Femininity And Help Seeking In College, Heath Marrs, Ellen A. Sigler, Robyn D. Brammer

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of the Sciences

The current academic performance struggles of college men is gaining increasing research attention (Sax, 2008a, 2008b), but few studies have explored the possible impact of gender-related attributes such as masculinity and femininity on academic help-seeking behaviors and academic performance. In this study of 567 college undergraduates, students who classified themselves as androgynous on the Bem Sex-Role Inventory were more likely to engage in academic help-seeking behaviors than those classified as male sex-typed, female sex-typed, and undifferentiated. No significant differences were found for academic performance. These results highlight the importance of exploring the potential influence of gender-related constructs on academic behavior …

I Can Play All Night: Examining The Relationship Between Perceived Tolerance And Drinking Game Alcohol Consumption, Phillip J. Ehret, Joseph W. Labrie, Justin F. Hummer

Heads Up!

The present study examined the impact of perceived tolerance to alcohol on maximum alcohol consumption while playing drinking games. Participants were student drinkers (N=3,546) from two west coast universities. Among these students, 69.2% (n=2,290) reported playing a drinking game in the past month. Analyses demonstrated game players had higher perceived tolerances, and consumed more alcohol than non-game players. A regression model revealed that higher levels of perceived tolerance were related to increased maximal alcohol consumption while playing drinking games. Study limitations and implications for future research are discussed.

Putting Their Best Foot Forward: Emotional Disclosure On Facebook, Lin Qiu, Han Lin, Angela K. Y. Leung, William Tov

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Facebook has become a widely used online self-representation and communication platform. In this research, we focus on emotional disclosure on Facebook. We conducted two studies, and results from both self-report and observer rating show that individuals are more likely to express positive relative to negative emotions and present better emotional well-being on Facebook than in real life. Our study is the first to demonstrate impression management on Facebook through emotional disclosure. We discuss important theoretical and practical implications of our study.

Predicting Driving After Drinking Over Time Among College Students: The Emerging Role Of Injunctive Normative Perceptions, Joseph W. Labrie, Lucy E. Napper, Tehniat M. Ghaidarov

Heads Up!

Objective:

Despite prevention efforts, driving after drinking (DAD) is a prevalent high-risk behavior among college students and is a leading cause of death and injury. Examination of factors predicting future DAD behavior is necessary to develop efficacious targeted interventions to reduce this behavior among college students. The current study evaluated demographic, social cognitive, and behavioral predictors of DAD using longitudinal data.

Method:

Participants were 655 nonabstaining college students (67.2% female; 60.3% White; Mage = 19.3 years) who completed online surveys at two time points 12 months apart.

Results:

Results revealed that participants consistently overestimated their peers’ approval (injunctive norms) …

Screening And Brief Intervention For Hazardous Alcohol Use: A Pilot Study In A College Counseling Center, Danielle Terry Lynnette

Psychology - Dissertations

In the United States, college drinking has been identified as a public health concern. The pervasive and detrimental use of alcohol on college campuses inspired calls for wider implementation of empirically supported interventions in college settings. Despite strong evidence of the efficacy of brief interventions, no studies have examined the efficacy and feasibility of integrating a screening and brief intervention (SBI) into college mental health services. The aims of the following study were to (a) to determine the feasibility and acceptability of implementation and, (b) to examine the short-term impact of SBI on alcohol use, treatment utilization, client satisfaction, and …

Exploring Genealogical Roots And Family History And Their Influence On College Student Development: A Qualitative Study, Matthew L. Reiser

Theses and Dissertations

Family genealogy research has grown exponentially over the past decade, making it an area worthy of scholarly inquiry (Smith, 2010). Genealogy is now one of the world's most popular hobbies, with hundreds of millions of people worldwide actively engaged in some form of family research (Veale, 2004). In the United States, there has recently been a significant increase in the interest of searching out one's genealogical roots (Triseliotis, 1998). For most young people, the years from late teens to early twenties represent a period of profound change (Arnett, 2000). Many young adults search for and solidify their identity during the …

Spirituality And Hallucinogen Use: Results From A Pilot Study Among College Students, Adam Stasko, Satya P. Rao, Amy Pilley

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

Anthropologists have studied the use of hallucinogens as a spiritual tool by indigenous

populations since the turn of the 20th century. However, literature is sparse in describing

use by non-indigenous populations. Using a study population of students from a university

in the Southwest United States, the current study investigated the spiritual development and

meaning that college students place on their use of hallucinogenic substances. The spiritual

framework developed by Love and Talbot (1999) and a transpersonal anthropological

approach were used to guide the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with

each participant. Results indicated that participants used hallucinogens for both spiritual …

Caffeinated Alcohol Use And Anxiety Symptoms Among College Students, Ashley N. Linden

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Recently, the combination of alcohol and caffeine (i.e., caffeinated alcohol) has been growing in popularity among college students. Consumption of caffeinated alcohol has been shown to result in negative consequences (e.g., required medical attention, engaged in driving and sexual risk behaviors). It may be important to investigate the potential risk this may have on students with mental health issues, such as those with anxiety symptoms, as they may already be at heightened risk for substance-related problems. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between anxiety and caffeinated alcohol use in a college student sample. The aims …

Measuring Employability Among College Students: A Validity Study, Megan Rodgers

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The practice of assessment in higher education is often focused on measuring outcomes of student success. However, the potential for a student to obtain a job (i.e., their employability) after graduation is often not directly measured. This reality is unfortunate given the competitive job market and rising cost of an education. One scale, the Employability Skills Inventory (ESI) has been identified as a potential assessment instrument that purports to measure skills necessary for employment in most occupations. Before deciding to use any scale for a particular purpose, one must establish that the scale is both reliable and valid. The focus …

Estimates And Influences Of Reflective Opposite-Sex Norms On Alcohol Use Among A High-Risk Sample Of College Students: Exploring Greek-Affiliation And Gender Effects, Justin F. Hummer, Joseph W. Labrie, Andrew Lac, Ashley Sessoms, Jessica Cail

Heads Up!

Reflective opposite sex norms are behavior that an individual believes the opposite sex prefers them to do. The current study extends research on this recently introduced construct by examining estimates and influences of reflective norms on drinking in a large high-risk heterosexual sample of male and female college students from two universities. Both gender and Greek-affiliation served as potential statistical moderators of the reflective norms and drinking relationship. All participants (N = 1790; 57% female) answered questions regarding the amount of alcohol they believe members of the opposite sex would like their opposite sex friends, dates, and sexual partners …

Generativity In Young Adults: Comparing And Explaining The Impact Of Mentoring, Lindsay J. Hastings

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this embedded explanatory sequential mixed methods study was to examine the impact of mentoring relationships on generativity in college students. Generativity refers to concern for establishing and guiding the next generation The first, quantitative phase compared generatvity levels among general college students, college student leaders who do not mentor, and college student leaders who mentor through a program called Nebraska Human Resources Institute (NHRI) at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Data were collected via surveys (N = 273) using the Loyola Generativity Scale (LGS), the Generativity Behavior Checklist (GBC), and the Personal Strivings measure. A multivariate …

How Helpful Are Academic Advisors For College Students?, Andréa Conver

Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal

“Advising is an essential element of student success,” (Sayles & Shelton, 2005, p. 99). There seems to be a correlation between quality academic advising and student retention among schools that purposely pursue high quality in advising their students (Bahr, P. R., 2008; Fields & Barrett, 1996; Sayles & Shields, 2005). Though there are existing forms of academic advising within colleges and universities, the structures and goals for each strategy seem to differ. For example, local nursing schools were seeking to improve the quality of nursing education and retention through their advisory programs (Sayles & Shelton, 2005). In this article, the …

Evaluating Complementary And Alternative Medicine (Cam) Utilization In A College Sample: A Multisite Application Of The Sociobehavioral Model Of Healthcare Utilization, Kimberly M. Pratt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among U.S. college students and the general public is substantial and growing; however, research on the characteristics of college students who use CAM and the factors that influence their decision to use CAM is scarce. Even fewer studies have explored such factors within the framework of an empirically supported theory. The college years are seen as an important time for developing long-lasting health behaviors and in many ways college students play an important role in setting the foundation for future healthcare. Thus, it is important for healthcare practitioners to have a clear …

Global Sleep Quality As A Moderator Of Alcohol Consumption And Consequences In College Students, Shannon R. Kenney, Joseph W. Labrie, Justin F. Hummer, Andy T. Pham

Heads Up!

The authors examined the relationship between global sleep quality and alcohol risk, including the extent to which global sleep quality moderated the relationship between alcohol use and drinking-related consequences. Global sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and alcohol-related consequences were assessed using the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI). The sample consisted of 261 college students (61.3% female, 58.2% Caucasian) who completed online surveys. Using a four-step hierarchical multiple regression model, global sleep quality was found to predict alcohol consequences, over and above assessed covariates (demographics and weekly drinking). Further, global sleep quality emerged as a …

The Effects Of Personalized Boosters For A Computerized Intervention Targeting College Student Drinking, Abby L. Braitman

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Heavy episodic alcohol use within the college student population is both widespread and problematic (Benton et al., 2004; Core Institute, 2006; Hingson, Zha, & Weitzman, 2009; O'Malley & Johnston, 2002; Perkins, 2002; Singleton, 2007). More than 40% of college students report at least one symptom of alcohol abuse or dependence (Knight et al., 2002). Computerized interventions are widely used because of their advantages over in-person interventions. They are more cost-effective and can quickly deliver tailored individual feedback to more students. Computerized interventions can be administered to large groups of students (e.g., incoming students, athletes, fraternities/sororities). However, a (2007) meta-analysis by …

The Impact Of Service-Learning On College Students' Civic Development And Sense Of Self-Efficacy, Rachel Gershenson-Gates

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Sources By Which Students Perceive Professional Counselors' Effectiveness, Michael W. Firmin, Richard A. Wantz, Ruth L. Firmin, Courtney B. Johnson

Psychology Faculty Publications

Using qualitative research methods interviews were conducted with college students regarding the sources they used in generating perceptions of professional counselors. Respondents believed that word of mouth, media sources, and personal experiences were responsible for their understandings of professional counselors. The findings have applications for leaders in professional counseling organizations.

External Dynamics Influencing Tattooing Among College Students: A Qualitative Analysis, Michael W. Firmin, Luke M. Tse, Janna Foster, Tammy Angelini

Michael W. Firmin, Ph.D.

The study utilized qualitative research methodology to assess external dynamics and their influences on tattooing practices among college students. Twenty-four undergraduates supplied in-depth interviews regarding the external variables related to college students' decisions to tattoo. The present research follows (Tse, Firmin, Angelini, & Foster, 2006), which reported findings regarding college students' internal dynamics for tattoo choices. Present findings suggest that health concerns, parental and peer influences, and social stigmas are particularly cogent external influencers in college students' decisions to tattoo.

External Dynamics Influencing Tattooing Among College Students: A Qualitative Analysis, Michael W. Firmin, Luke M. Tse, Janna B. Foster, Tammy L. Angelini

Luke M. Tse, Ph.D.

The study utilized qualitative research methodology to assess external dynamics and their influences on tattooing practices among college students. Twenty-four undergraduates supplied in-depth interviews regarding the external variables related to college students' decisions to tattoo. The present research follows (Tse, Firmin, Angelini, & Foster, 2006), which reported findings regarding college students' internal dynamics for tattoo choices. Present findings suggest that health concerns, parental and peer influences, and social stigmas are particularly cogent external influencers in college students' decisions to tattoo.

External Dynamics Influencing Tattooing Among College Students: A Qualitative Analysis, Michael W. Firmin, Luke M. Tse, Janna B. Foster, Tammy L. Angelini

Psychology Faculty Publications

The study utilized qualitative research methodology to assess external dynamics and their influences on tattooing practices among college students. Twenty-four undergraduates supplied in-depth interviews regarding the external variables related to college students' decisions to tattoo. The present research follows (Tse, Firmin, Angelini, & Foster, 2006), which reported findings regarding college students' internal dynamics for tattoo choices. Present findings suggest that health concerns, parental and peer influences, and social stigmas are particularly cogent external influencers in college students' decisions to tattoo.

The Effects Of Distraction And A Brief Intervention On Auditory And Visual-Spatial Working Memory In College Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Tara T. Lineweaver, Suneeta Kercood, Nicole B. O'Keeffe, Kathleen M. O'Brien, Eric J. Massey, Samantha J. Campbell, Jenna M. Pierce

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

Two studies addressed how young adult college students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n = 44) compare to their nonaffected peers (n = 42) on tests of auditory and visual–spatial working memory (WM), are vulnerable to auditory and visual distractions, and are affected by a simple intervention. Students with ADHD demonstrated worse auditory WM than did controls. A near significant trend indicated that auditory distractions interfered with the visual WM of both groups and that, whereas controls were also vulnerable to visual distractions, visual distractions improved visualWM in the ADHD group. The intervention was ineffective. Limited correlations emerged between …

The Spatial Properties Of Music Perception: Differences In Visuo-Spatial Performance According To Musicianship And Interference Of Musical Structure, Christa Theresa Vassillière

Honors Papers

Spatial cognition has been implicated in the perception and production of music within both behavioral and neurological experimental paradigms. Using performance on mental rotation of a three-dimensional object, the present study examined the visuo-spatial abilities of conservatory and non-conservatory students. Participants performed the rotation task under no distraction followed by performance with an interference task, which consisted of detecting either tempo or pitch changes. Conservatory students performed better on the mental rotation task both with and without interference. Musical structure (Western classical versus Indian classical) and musical aspect (tempo changes and pitch changes) influenced how much interference was produced in …

Implicit And Explicit Alcohol-Related Motivations Among College Binge Drinkers, Laura C. Herschl, Dennis E. Mcchargue, James Mackillop, Scott F. Stoltenberg, Krista B. Highland

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Rationale: Positive alcohol outcome expectancies and behavioral economic indices of alcohol consumption are related to binge drinking among college students and may reflect explicit and implicit motivations that are differentially associated with this behavior. Objectives: The present study hypothesized that implicit (alcohol purchase task) and explicit (positive expectancy for alcohol’s effects) motivations for drinking would not be correlated. It was also hypothesized that greater implicit and explicit motivations would predict alcohol-related risk. Methods: Participants were 297 college student binge drinkers (54% female; 88% European-American; Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: M = 9.53, SD = 5.04). Three indices from the …

Correlates Of Marijuana Use In A Hispanic College Sample, Joseph Ephraim Charter

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Currently there is a dearth of literature regarding marijuana and its correlates of use, particularly in Hispanics. Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug, and its use has increased in recent years. This study aimed to assess correlates of marijuana use in a Hispanic college student sample. Data were collected from 549 participants from University psychology courses. Participants completed a comprehensive survey packet consisting of: demographics, marijuana use history, tobacco and alcohol use, depression, anxiety, stress, and acculturation. Descriptive analyses were used to provide a characteristic profile of Hispanic college student marijuana use. Eight percent reported past 30-day marijuana …

Understanding And Exploring Narcissism: Impact On Students And College Campuses, Emily J. Hudson

CMC Senior Theses

"Narcissist" is a term that may be used lightly to describe or label someone that is self-centered. However, research that suggests a possible increase in narcissistic personality tendencies among college-aged American students has a very real and serious impact on society. The goal of this paper is to examine the evolution of the concept of narcissism and its detrimental effects on society. This will then be applied to the impact that narcissism has on college students and campus environments. It is important to note that individuals high in narcissistic traits encounter many problems including difficulties with interpersonal and professional relationships, …

Prevalencia Del Trastorno Por Déficit De Atención-Hiperactiviad En Estudiantes Universitarios Venezolanos. Reporte Preliminar [Prevalence Of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder In Venezuelan College Students. Preliminary Findings], Cecilia Montiel-Nava, Silvia Ortiz León, Aurora Jaimes Medrano, Zoila González-Ávila

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of the at-tention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in college students. The sample was con-stituted by 411 college students, ages between 17 and 47 years, attending the School of Education at the Universidad del Zulia, 1st thru 5th semester. The identification of probable cases was performed by using the ASR-S v1.1 and FASCT as screening instruments. For the second part of the diagnostic pro-cess, students with positive scores in both screening measures were selected to be interviewed using the M.I.N.I plus. Results indicated that the estimated prevalence of ADHD in college students is …

An Alcohol Intervention Model With College Students: Effectiveness Of The Basics Program, Francisco Gil-Del-Real

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) program was designed at the University of Washington to provide treatment for high-risk drinkers in the college population. This program was evaluated in 2002 as a part of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA, 2002) report on college drinking. However, this evaluation was based exclusively on a narrative review of the available intervention literature. The purpose of the present study was to conduct meta-analyses on select empirical literature related to the efficacy of the BASICS program in order to serve as a complement to the already extant …