Digital Commons Network^™

College Students Experiencing Food Insecurity At San Jose State University, Elizabeth Agramont-Justiniano

Master's Theses

The purpose of this research was twofold: to learn more about how students at San Jose State University experience food insecurity and to learn how food insecurity is addressed by this public university given the rise and prevalence of neoliberalism in higher education. Three focus groups were conducted gauging how 16 students defined food insecurity and what their experiences with food insecurity at college were like. A total of eight individual interviews took place after the focus groups, delving further into how it feels to experience food insecurity at SJSU and the students’ recommendations for improvement. The overwhelming majority of …

Effect Of Stress Mindset And Adverse Childhood Experiences On College Students' Academic Success And Psychological Well-Being, Alice Cathryne Long

Theses and Dissertations

Adverse life events that occur in childhood may decrease an individual’s ability to effectively cope with challenges throughout their lives. The proper management of stress is essential to avoid problems that can crop up in all areas of life. College students who employ stress management tactics are better able to achieve well-being and academic success. This study examined the potential moderating association between “from within” coping supports or internal risk factors and academic success, mental health, and resilience qualities. Using a sample of college students at a large public university in the southeastern United States, this study demonstrates that viewing …

Posttraumatic Stress And Hazardous Alcohol Use In College Students: The Moderating Role Of Alcohol Protective Behavioral Strategies, Hallie R. Jordan

Master's Theses

The present study evaluated the moderating role of alcohol protective behavioral strategy subtypes (Al-PBS; Serious Harm Reduction [SHR], Manner of Drinking [MOD], Stopping/Limiting Drinking [SLD]) and gender on the relationships between traumatic stress symptoms and both hazardous drinking and alcohol-related negative consequences. Participants were 915 traditional age (18 to 25 years old) college students from nine universities in the United States who reported drinking in the past. All participants reported their gender and completed measures of traumatic stress symptoms, Al-PBS use, hazardous drinking, and alcohol-related negative consequences through an online survey. Experiencing greater traumatic stress symptoms was associated with both …

The Influence Of Socioeconomic Status And Subjective Social Status On The Career Development Of College Students, Dylan Richard

Master's Theses

Social class is often examined across social science disciplines and contains two distinct parts: socioeconomic status (SES) and subjective social status (SSS). Researchers have established that college students from various SES backgrounds experience college differently, however little research has examined how universities and those that work with college students can help aid the career development of students given their SES. Career development is a broad area of research; therefore, the current study examines a number of career development variables that are key in understanding college students’ career development, such as career adaptability, career decision-making difficulty, work values, and vocational interests. …

First-Generation Latinas’ Perspectives Of College Involvement: A Phenomenological Study, Melissa E. Aponte

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this study was to understand how first-generation Latinas define college involvement and how they feel this involvement contributed to their successful graduation from a community college. Because more Latinas are successfully completing college than their male counterparts (Latinos), this study sought to better understand the validating and student involvement factors that allow Latinas, who are also first-generation college students, to graduate from college. Community colleges are the primary entry into higher education for this student group; therefore, the study sought to explore college involvement at this type of institution. This study utilized a phenomenological approach to describe …

Money And Happiness For College Students, Robin Leonard

Honors Theses

This study was designed to expand the field of positive psychology and to investigate the relationship between money and happiness in college students. “Money” was further defined as financial satisfaction, and “happiness” was further defined as overall satisfaction with life for the purposes of the study. Existing psychological research demonstrates that many factors influence overall satisfaction with life, including face consciousness, perceived material wealth, goal setting, motivation orientation, cultural value, and the wealth of one’s home nation. However, less research has been conducted on the effects of finances on happiness. The research that does exist focuses on a specific range …

The Bully And The Beast: Correlations Between Psychopathic Traits And Bullying In A Sample Of University Students, Nascha Streng

Student Theses

Bullying is a concept mostly investigated in children, teenagers, and adults within the workplace. While there is research on bullying in college in general, gaps in the literature remain considering how personality characteristics in bullies relate directly to psychopathy and specific psychopathy traits. Although the literature suggests bullies have a tendency towards psychopathic traits such as violence, impulsivity, egocentricity, manipulativeness, rule-breaking, and intolerance, researchers have yet to assess the connection between college students who bully and psychopathy. The research on psychopathy suggests that those high on psychopathic traits may be more prone to use bullying as an apathetic means to …

Self-Determined Motivation In Foreign Language Learning: Examining The Effects On Students' Achievement, Yawo Badagbo

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between foreign language motivation and self-determined motivation, as well as the issue of students’ perceptions of strategies used to improve foreign language motivation and achievement among undergraduate students in the department of foreign language. This research was conducted in two mid-western universities among undergraduate foreign language learners. The participants were undergraduate foreign language learners. A total of 391 students from 18- 43 years old started the paper-and-pencil surveys in which they shared their views and perceptions about foreign language learning motivations and strategies to improve motivations and achievement. However, only 380 completed the majority of …

A Qualitative Comparison Case Study Evaluation Of The Emotional Intelligence Of College Health Care Business Students, Cheryl Nutter

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Health care is undergoing significant transition in practice models, payment structures, and assessment strategies requiring health care leaders to adapt to support transition and lead change (Larkin, 2015; Miles, 2017). There is speculation that current health leaders lack the necessary awareness to connect the patient’s needs with critical business decisions (Quy, 2017). If this ability is lacking in current employees, academic institutions should evaluate college students to determine if there is a gap in knowledge that can be identified. Using emotional intelligence (EI) as the conceptual framework, this study aims to evaluate EI in college health care management (HCM) business …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Health Literacy And Dietary Practices Among College Students: A Test Of The Integrated Model Of Health Literacy, Alison B. Oberne

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Overweight and obesity continue to plague Americans and contribute to decreased quantity and quality of life. Americans of all ages experience overweight and obesity; however, increasing rates occur during young adulthood. Young adults develop dietary practice behaviors that persist into adulthood and can contribute to weight-related chronic diseases. Approximately half of all young adults are enrolled in college, and, approximately 38% of college students are either overweight or obese.

Dietary practices are health behaviors that can either increase or decrease risk for overweight and obesity. Much research has explored predictors of dietary practices among college students; however, there is a …

Using The Health Belief Model To Identify Factors That Prevent Non-Prescription Stimulant Use, Brittany A. Kinman

Theses and Dissertations

The present study used the Health Belief Model (HBM) to better understand how perceived susceptibility and severity (perceived threat) can contribute to college student’s willingness to use non-prescription stimulants (NPS). Prior research has shown that as the perceived threat of use increased college student’s intentions to use NPS has decreased (Sattler, Mehlkop, & Graeff, 2013). The psychology research pool was used to recruit 1067 non-user undergraduate students to complete the vignettes and the survey. Participants were given one of sixteen different vignettes that manipulated the perceived threat for academic and health consequences associated with NPS use. Data analyses showed that …

Mind Over Matter: Evaluation Of A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program For College Students, Jim Kasper

Public Health Theses

Mind Over Matter: Evaluation of A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program for College Students

By

Jim Kasper

Background: While there is increasing evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness practice to reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress, and elevate self-compassion and awareness, the impact of brief mindfulness programs on these domains among urban, college-aged populations has not been explored fully. The current study aims to explore the impact of a brief mindfulness program upon student experiences of both positive and negative thoughts and emotions.

Methods: A mixed-methods study was designed to evaluate the impact of a 6-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) …

The Buffering Effect Of Mindfulness Between The Stressors And Perceived Stress In Faith-Based University Students, Amber Glantz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of study was to research the buffering effect of mindfulness between the stressors and perceived stress in faith-based university students. Literature suggests that as mindfulness increases, stress decreases. This study attempts to provide information on college students’ perceived stress levels, stressors they face, and mindfulness awareness. A multiple linear regression was conducted to examine the association between perceived stress, stressors, and mindfulness levels. A sample of 91 students in the Spring of 2018 at a faith-based university in Texas were asked to participate in an online survey. Some findings were not congruent with the literature. The results of …

Role Of Executive Function And Alcohol-Sex Schema In The Relationship Between Alcohol Use And Sexual Assault, Michelle Seulki Lee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Heavy alcohol use and sexual assault are significant problems among women attending college. The current study examined the relationship between sexual assault and alcohol use across a four-month period and the role of executive function (EF) and alcohol-sex schema in this relationship. Participants were 176 women undergraduate students with a mean age of 19.50 years (SD = 1.30), with 85 participating in a second survey four months later. Participants completed self-report questionnaires regarding alcohol use and sexual assault, a battery of EF tasks, and a lexical decision task assessing alcohol-sex schema. Sexual assault significantly predicted alcohol use four months …

The Role Of Hardiness In The Relation Between Perceived Daily Discrimination And Depressive Symptoms In Community College Students., Rosamond J. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the current study, perceived daily discrimination (PDD) is conceptualized as a chronic stressor which repeatedly activates a stress response and results in depressive symptoms, per the theory of allostatic load. Psychological hardiness is explored as a potential moderator of the relation between PDD and depressive symptoms, because individuals who repeatedly demonstrate hardiness may be primed for making cognitive reappraisals of potential stressors and/or for mobilizing appropriate coping strategies, thus limiting the body’s repeated stress responses and subsequent depressive symptoms. This cross-sectional survey of a diverse sample of 305 community college students included measures of hardiness (Dispositional Resilience Scale, …

The Relationship Between Brooding, Cognitive Anxiety Sensitivity, Physical Anxiety Sensitivity, And Suicide Behaviors In Latino/A College Students, Eric E. Escamilla

Theses and Dissertations

The current study explored if (1) brooding, cognitive anxiety sensitivity (AS), physical anxiety sensitivity (AS), and suicide behaviors will be strongly correlated; (2) brooding will mediate the relationship between cognitive AS and suicide behaviors; (3) brooding will mediate the relationship between physical AS and suicide behaviors; (4) physical AS will moderate the relationship between cognitive AS and suicide behaviors, (5) brooding will mediate the relationship between the physical AS and cognitive AS interaction with suicide behaviors in a Latino/a college student sample. All hypotheses were supported except for physical AS significantly moderating the relationship between cognitive AS and suicide behaviors. …

Potential Biases And Social Stigmas Toward Mental Health On Georgia Southern’S Campus, Brandi N. Hawkins

Honors College Theses

Aims: The purpose of this study is to examine the potential biases and social stigmas toward mental health on Georgia Southern’s campus. The research questions explored are as follows: (1) Are there mental health biases on campus? (2) Are there any differences between college, class status, marital status, race, age, or gender in terms of mental health bias? (3) Do students feel as though there are available resources on campus? (4) Do students feel comfortable reaching out for help?

Methods: Data was collected from 350 undergraduate students over the age of 18 via a Likert-style questionnaire. The questionnaire …

Open Space, Thin Blankets, And Snores: An Examination Of Sleep In Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness, Claire Olivia Moore

Honors Projects

Sleep has been identified as a public health concern, especially among college students and young adults, which are defined here as adults ages 18-25 years old. Individuals who are homeless also face specific challenges to getting high quality, restful sleep. The purpose of this review is to investigate the potential health burden of impaired sleep quality in young adults experiencing homelessness. The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Ebscohost, Medline, Google Scholar, and PsychInfo databases were searched using the following terms independently and in combination: sleep, sleep quality, young adults, college students, emerging adults, sleep hygiene, homeless, …

Increasing Follow-Up In College Students With Latent Tuberculosis Infection, Emily Middleton, Dnp, Aprn, Ccrn, Kathy James, Dnsc, Aprn, Faan, Kimberly Woodruff, Md, Mph

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Around 13 million people in the United States have latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) with a 5-10% chance of developing active tuberculosis (TB) in their lifetime if not treated (Center for Disease Control, 2015). At a University Student Health Center (SHC), there is a matriculation requirement for TB testing for students that screen as high risk. Many students have these testing requirements performed at outside clinics, including foreign clinics, and follow-up regarding education about LTBI and treatment recommendations was often missing. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to increase follow-up, education, and treatment options after diagnosis of LTBI. …

Assessing Food Insecurity Prevalence And Associated Factors Among College Students Enrolled In A University In The Southeastern United States, Ruth Zegel Wooten

Masters Theses

Background: Food insecurity is defined as the inability to access adequate and nutritious food. There is a relatively small, but growing body of published research on the prevalence of food insecurity among college students, with most studies finding food insecurity prevalence to be higher on college campuses than in states in which studies were conducted. Two published studies at large, public universities in the Southeast found inconsistent rates of food insecurity, 14% and 46%.Objective: To assess rates of food insecurity among college students enrolled in campuses of a large public university system in one state in the Southeastern United …

Motivations For Sex Among College-Attending Emerging Adults: A Developmental Perspective, Kayley Nicole Davis

Masters Theses

Emerging adulthood (ages 18-29) is theorized to be a distinct developmental period in the life course that embodies many unique experiences, including within the realms of sex and sexuality. Sexual activity among emerging adults is well documented; however, limited attention has been given to the association between developmental perceptions and endorsed motivations for sex. This study examined how perceptions of emerging adulthood status are associated with college students’ (N = 1,109) endorsed motivations for sex (i.e., enhancement, intimacy, and coping), after controlling for demographic and known correlates of motivations for sex. Identity exploration, experimentation/possibilities, and negativity/instability were positively associated …

The Relationship Between Loneliness, Stress, And Alcohol Consumption Among College Students, I'Esha Baber

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the misuse of alcohol among college students remains a public health concern in the United States, students are participating in problematic drinking for various reasons. Loneliness and stress have both been associated with the reasoning behind why some college students participate in heavy drinking. Studies show that students who perceive themselves as under a lot of stress tend to drink more and that students who feel they need to overcome structural and emotional barriers such as loneliness and shyness, use alcohol as a resource. This paper examines the relationship between alcohol consumption, loneliness, and stress. Sixteen students, who attended …

College Students’ Understandings Of, Perceptions Towards, And Usage Of Canned Foods Based On Exposure To Canned Foods During Childhood, Robert H. Drury, Lora Beth Brown, Pauline Williams, Dennis Eggett, Rickelle Richards

Undergraduate Honors Theses

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate if frequent usage of canned foods in childhood households affected college students’ current understandings of, perceptions towards, and usage of canned foods.

Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted based on data collected from students who completed The Perceptions and Use of Canned Foods questionnaire. ANOVA statistics were used to make comparisons between students exposed (ECF; n=65) and not exposed (NECF; n=237) to canned foods during childhood.

Results: Compared with NECF, the ECF more strongly agreed that canned foods counted towards United States’ dietary recommendations (p

Conclusions and Implications: Frequent usage of canned foods during childhood …

From Critical To Calm: The Development And Implementation Of A Brief Unified Mindfulness Workshop For College Students, Mandi Eggenberger Quay, Mandi Quay

Dissertations, 2014-2019

Dramatic rises in levels of anxiety, stress, and depression in college students have been observed over the past decade and is so pervasive that it has been deemed the College Student Mental Health Crisis (CSMHC). A number of experts have argued that much of this crisis can be attributed to students’ overall lack of basic knowledge of emotions and adaptive emotional processing. To address this problem, this study sought out to develop a brief mindfulness workshop as an intervention for college students to help increase student well-being, decrease anxious and depressive symptomology, and allow for material to be easily internalized. …

A Comparison Of Health Literacy Measurement Tools For A Sample Of College Students, Oyenike Ilaka

Public Health Undergraduate Program

PURPOSE: Different measurement tools can be used to measure the health literacy of college students, and each measure different aspects of health literacy. The purpose of this thesis is to understand how health literacy assessments vary. Identifying strengths and weaknesses of the different tools may lead to improved studies of the predictors and outcomes of health literacy in college students. METHOD: The data were collected from college students attending a public university in the Northeast region of the United States. A total of 249 participants were recruited by class survey administration and flyer recruitments. With the exception of the Single …

Collective Experience: Race And Perceptions Of Christian Suffering Amongst College Students, Abbey Green

Honors College

This research sought to examine the relationship between race and perspectives of Christian suffering amongst college students. A total of 1073 respondents participated in a mixed methods survey. Results indicate that race amongst college students is not as influential on perspectives of Christian suffering as predicted. There was, however, a significant relationship (F=11.09) between race and college students’ level of agreement with God’s role of protection in suffering. Black students were most likely to agree that God protects Christians from suffering (x = 2.97), while White students were the least likely (x = 2.47). This data did not support the …

Play The Game Or Change It? A Study Of Capitalism, Control And College Students, Jacqueline Streur

Honors Theses

In the literature of capitalism, there are many studies concerning the effect of capitalism on stress (Kasser, 1993; Olson, 2006; Thompson, 2013). There are also many studies regarding how capitalism affects college students (Macdougal, 2014; Ritchie, 2001). The present study investigates how students graduating from college feel about our current economic system. It looks for a correlation between perceptions of capitalism, socioeconomic status, and perceived job prospects. The present study had approximately 12 participants, all in college, most were white and of higher socioeconomic status. Results show that those with higher perceptions of employability also had higher economic locus of …

Risk Reduction Programming: Understanding Feasibility And The Role Of Rape Myths, Cari Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Although risk reduction programming is a promising approach against college sexual assault, we need a better understanding of what makes the programming effective including understanding the role of rape myths. Additionally, it is unclear how college women perceive the programming which may affect feasibility. The present study evaluated a novel risk reduction program that utilizes Group Motivational Interviewing. Eligible college women with a sexual assault history were randomized to complete the program or to a control condition. Feasibility results indicated that students were interested in participating, were eligible at high rates, and had positive reactions to the program. Difficulties with …

Interactions In Social Settings: The Relationship Between Alcohol And Sexual Assault Among College Students, Heather Lepper

MSU Graduate Theses

Research has linked alcohol to violence and sexual assault, especially within the college student population. Most of this research focuses on the effects of alcohol on victims or perpetrators of sexual assault and not on bystanders of such situations. This study examines how self-reported drinking behavior affects students' ability to recognize risk of sexual assault in written scenarios and the various barriers that would inhibit their willingness to intervene. A sample of 275 students (183 female, 92 male) were asked to read one of three scenarios and respond to a brief questionnaire adapted from Burn's (2009) Barriers to Bystander Intervention …

The Moderating Role Of Pbs In The Relationship Between Positive Expectancies And Alcohol-Related Negative Consequences, Kray Scully

Master's Theses

Hazardous drinking college students have become an increasingly focused upon group within alcohol research, especially considering the extent of negative consequences they experience. Recently, increased positive expectancies has been identified as an influential contributor to increased hazardous drinking and alcohol-related negative consequences. However, more comprehensive evaluation of the domains of positive expectancies (e.g., sociability, tension reduction, sexual enhancement, liquid courage) is warranted to ascertain which types are more salient in predicting hazardous drinking and alcohol-related negative consequences. Further, research has yet to explore how protective behavioral strategies (PBS) affect the strength of the associations between specific positive expectancies and alcohol-related …