The Effect Of Dance And Team Sports On Mental Health, Kayla Hulburt

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

This study uses the World Health Organization model of physical, social, and mental health to examine the effect of participating in dance and team sports during childhood on mental health in adulthood. Prior research has suggested that physical activity is strongly integrated with mental and social health and therefore is a protective factor among mental illness. However, there is not sufficient research comparing the differences among dance and team sports on mental health. This study hypothesized that dancers would experience more positive mental health in adulthood than team sports due to the basis of physical activity in dance, but the …

Poverty Through Simulation: Examining Concerns With Affordable Housing In Relation To The Cycle Of Poverty, Emily Mccaffrey

Community Engagement Student Work

This social justice-based project used evaluated the level of understanding that students of Endicott College had regarding poverty within the United States. This project provided a space for students to communicate with each other using discussion questions about poverty to guide the conversations. All students were given the chance to participate in an online simulation during class that provided them with an opportunity to live in someone else's shoes for thirty days, after losing their housing. This project was conducted with one traditional class setting while the other was conducted completely online using an online platform provided by Endicott. The …

Assessing Psychological Inflexibility In University Students: Development And Validation Of The Acceptance And Action Questionnaire For University Students (Aaq-Us), Michael E. Levin, Jennifer Krafft, Jacqueline Pistorello, John R. Seeley

Psychology Faculty Publications

This study sought to develop and validate a domain-specific measure of psychological inflexibility for university students, the acceptance and action questionnaire for university students (AAQ-US). Generic versions of the AAQ tend to not be as sensitive to changes in campus-specific functioning —a key outcome of interest in this population. An online survey was conducted with 425 undergraduate students. Psychometric analyses led to the refinement of a 12-item, single factor scale with strong internal consistency. Evidence for convergent validity was found with moderate to large correlations between the AAQ-US and measures of academic outcomes, mental health, and psychological inflexibility. The AAQ-US …

Persistence At A Tribal University: Factors Associated With Second Year Enrollment, Thomas C. Motl, Karen D. Multon, Fei Zhao

Education, Health & Behavior Studies Faculty Publications

Participants include 89 college students from a tribal university in the Midwestern United States. A survey regarding attitudes and adjustment to campus was administered to all students during their first semester of college. Variables assessed included psychosociocultural integration factors, such as educational goals, trust of others at college, longing for home, school pride, and fair treatment from others (Motl et al., 2009). Objective variables indicating level of academic preparation for college (high school GPA, ACT scores, and class percentile), academic integration (college GPAs), and persistence (2nd-year enrollment status) were gathered from the university. Using logistic regression procedures, a model was …

Creating An Institutional Web Of Support For Students By College Leaders: An Exploratory Case Study Of Social Capital At One Ontario Community College, Marilyn A. Ott

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Social Capital can have a positive impact on a student’s ability to be successful in their schooling (Coleman, 1987, 1988, 1990 & 1994). Coleman’s research identified norms, networks, and trust as being crucial to the definition of social capital. This dissertation explores the manifestation of / or what it “looks like” and particular outcomes of social capital within the context of a college in Ontario. Specifically, this exploratory case study (Yin, 2014) examined the perspectives of senior leadership on the ways social capital is currently evident in their college and how it contributes publically to positive outcomes for students. Data …

Deconstructing The Model Minority Myth: Exploring Health Risk Behaviors Of American Asian And Pacific Islander Young Adults, Todd M. Sabato

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The model minority stereotype describes Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) as the epitome of assimilation into U.S. culture using hard work, intelligence, high educational attainment, and economic success to overcome the challenges of discrimination and recent immigration. Adopted model minority pressures assume a life of their own, with origins in childhood that are amplified during adolescence and young adulthood. In response to evidence of increased vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infection exposure, the present study compared prevalence estimates of health risk behaviors of API and cross-ethnic college students (N = 1,880). Self-reported alcohol use and abuse tendencies, …

Assessment Of Stress Related Issues And Coping Mechanisms Among College Students, Emeka Okoro

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research was to identify frequency of stressors and evaluate current levels of stress of undergraduate students. This study also analyzed and identified coping strategies implemented by college students. Two surveys were used in this study. The University Stress Scale developed by Stallman (2009) was used to identify perceived stressors and measure stress levels of participants. Brief Cope Inventory developed by Carver (1997) was used to assess coping strategies.

SPSS was used for data analysis and computation of scores. Academic/coursework demands was the highest perceived stressor among sampled undergraduates. Procrastination, study/life balance, finances and money problems were …

From Science Student To Scientist: Predictors And Outcomes Of Heterogeneous Science Identity Trajectories In College, Kristy A. Robinson, Tony Perez, Amy K. Nuttall, Cary J. Roseth, Lisa Linnenbrink-Garcia

STEMPS Faculty Publications

This 5-year longitudinal study investigates the development of science identity throughout college from an expectancy-value perspective. Specifically, heterogeneous developmental patterns of science identity across 4 years of college were examined using growth-mixture modeling. Gender, race/ethnicity, and competence beliefs (efficacy for science tasks, perceived competence in science) were modeled as antecedents, and participation in a science career after graduation was modeled as a distal outcome of these identity development trajectories. Three latent classes (High with Transitory Incline, Moderate-High and Stable, and Moderate-Low with Early Decline) were identified. Gender, race/ethnicity, and competence beliefs in the first year of college significantly predicted latent …

Using The Health Belief Model To Assess Undergraduate College Students Knowledge And Perceptions Of Human Papillomavirus In Order To Better Understand Vaccine Intentions, Kelly Mcmahon

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

According to the Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC)(2016b), Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly sexually transmitted infection in the United States. HPV is so prevalent that nearly all sexually active people will obtain a strain of HPV at some point in their lives (CDC, 2016d). Approximately one in four Americans are currently infected in the United States with HPV, and approximately 14 million new infections of HPV spread each year in the United States (CDC, 2016b).

Ultimately the HPV vaccination is a form of cancer prevention. With the vaccination uptake, the burden of HPV related health problems …

Testing The Effectiveness Of A Sct-Based Peer Wellness Coaching Training Program In Enhancing Health Self-Efficacy And Outcome Expectations Among Undergraduate Peer Educators, Abigail Dubovi

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Peer health education (PHE) is a widely implemented approach to health promotion on college campuses. Based on its emphasis on vicarious learning and social persuasion, social cognitive theory (SCT; Bandura, 2000) is frequently cited to account for the proposed mechanisms of PHE. However, to date, no prior studies have developed and tested the utility of a SCT-based PHE training program in improving theoretically consistent outcomes among peer educators. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and test the effectiveness of a 15-week, SCT-based peer wellness coaching (PWCTP) training program in enhancing health self-efficacy (HSE) and outcome expectations …

The Big-Fish-Little-Pond Effect In Gifted Youth In China, Yehan Zhou

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Research has demonstrated that academic self-concept is subject to change throughout the course of schooling due to contextual factors. Students placed in highly selective programs tended to have lower academic self-concepts than their peers with similar ability levels in less selective programs or schools due to the shift of frame of references, which is known as the “big-fish-little-pond effect”. However, there was research demonstrating individual factors play an important role in driving changes in academic- self-concept. The first aim of this study was to investigate the big-fish-little-pond effect (BFLPE) in gifted college students in mainland China and to examine whether …

Perceptions Of Nursing As A Career By African American College Students Attending Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Brenda Marie Owens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous studies and official organizations have indicated that African Americans are underrepresented in the healthcare workforce and that patients belonging to minority groups feel they are treated slightly differently in healthcare settings. Limited research examines perceptions of the nursing profession among a variety of demographic groups, and exploratory investigations into the perceptions of nursing as a career by African Americans are limited. The purpose of this quantitative descriptive study was to explore perceptions of nursing as a career by African American students who attend an undergraduate program at a historically black college or university (HBCU) in an attempt to further …

Political Activism And Mental Health Among Black And Latinx College Students, Elan C. Hope, Gabriel Velez, Carly Offidani-Bertrand, Micere Keels, Myles I. Durkee

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

Objectives: The current study investigates the utility of political activism as a protective factor against experiences of racial/ethnic (R/E) discrimination that negatively affect stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among Black and Latinx college freshmen at predominately White institutions. Method: Data come from the Minority College Cohort Study, a longitudinal investigation of Black and Latinx college students (N = 504; 44% Black). We conducted multiple regression analyses for each mental health indicator and tested for interaction effects. Results: For Black and Latinx students, the relationship between R/E microaggressions and end of freshman year stress varied by political activism. For Black students, …

Repairing The Leaky Pipeline: A Motivationally Supportive Intervention To Enhance Persistence In Undergraduate Science Pathways, Lisa Linnenbrink-Garcia, Tony Perez, Michael M. Barger, Stephanie V. Wormington, Elizabeth Godin, Kate E. Snyder, Kristy Robinson, Abdhi Sakar, Laura S. Richman, Rochelle Schwartz-Bloom

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The current study reports on the efficacy of a multi-faceted motivationally designed undergraduate enrichment summer program for supporting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) persistence. Structural equation modeling was used to compare summer program participants (n = 186), who participated in the program between their first and second years in college, to a propensity score matched comparison sample (n = 401). Participation in the summer program positively predicted science motivation (self-efficacy, task value), assessed eight months after the end of the program (second year in college). The summer enrichment program was also beneficial for science persistence variables, as …

An Intervention Study On Mindfulness Meditation And Mindfulness, Stress, Flourishing, And Academic Achievement In A First-Year Experience Seminar, Elizabeth S. Bambacus

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the two research questions, 1) what are the relationships among the pretest latent variables mindfulness, stress, and flourishing and the manifest variables GPA and retention in first-year college students in a first-year experience seminar and 2) will there be differences in mindfulness, stress, flourishing, GPA, and retention between groups of students in a first-year experience seminar who received a brief mindfulness intervention and those who did not? To answer these questions, the author analyzed secondary data collected from 373 first-year college students at a large public research university who took Introduction to the University (UNIV 101).

The …

A Study Of Undergraduate Personal Finance Courses At Public Universities In The Pacific Northwest Using An Action Research Approach, Melody Bell

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this action research study was to examine undergraduate personal finance course instruction with a specific focus on student loan debt instruction at public universities in Oregon. This study focused on the central research question: What is the scope, sequence, and emphasis on the curriculum in undergraduate financial education courses and how could it be improved? Four personal finance professors from four public universities in Oregon participated in the study; with one of the universities serving as the focus. The first stage after the proposed study was to audit the personal finance course at the focus university. The …

Growing In Favor With God And Man: Attachment To God And Psychological Separation Of Christian, Millennial College Students, David Allen Gregory

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine whether Christian, Millennial college students’ secure attachment to God relationship could contribute to their psychological separation. This question was addressed by examining (a) the correlation between attachment to parents and psychological separation, (b) the correlation between attachment to parents and attachment to God, and (b) the correlation between attachment to God and psychological separation. Bowlby’s (1969, 1973, 1982) attachment theory was used as the theoretical foundation to explore both the students’ relationships with parents and God. Attachment to parents of Christian, Millennial college students attending a Southern Christian college was …

Faculty And Staff Knowledge And Perceptions Of African American College Students With Bipolar Disorder Experiences While Attending A Predominantly White Institution, Tiffany Sharell Zachery

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

There are few qualitative studies that document the knowledge and perceptions of faculty and staff about college students that has bipolar disorder. Previous studies of college students with mental health challenges have been found to focus only on a particular race, be outdated, largely quantified (Stein, 2014), or only focused on certain disorders such as: autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, or depression. This qualitative study responded to this gap in the literature by gaining an understanding of university faculty and staff knowledge and perceptions of African American college students with bipolar disorder experiences while attending a Predominantly White Institution, their perceptions …

Becoming A Librarian Bff: Three Tips To Connect With Your Students, Erica England, Leo S. Lo

Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

The article focuses on the "The Librarian BFF Program for Distance Graduate Students" poster program at the ACRL 2017 conference in Baltimore, Maryland that offers suggestions for librarians who seek to add to their liaison and instruction repertoire. It also mentions that main purpose of the Librarian BFF Program was to provide a personalized service to students and faculty.

The Mediating Effects Of Positive Thinking And Social Support On Suicide Resilience Among Undergraduate Students, Denise Marie Matel-Anderson

Dissertations (1934 -)

Suicide has been the 2nd leading cause of death for 18-24-year-olds in the US since 2011. The stress experienced by undergraduate college students has the potential to increase ones’ risk for suicide. Resilience theory was used as a theoretical framework to examine the interplay between risk and protective factors. A cross-sectional and correlational design was used to assess the mediating effects of positive thinking and/or social support on suicide resilience in 131 college students 18-24 years old who completed an online survey. An indirect effect of self-esteem on suicide resilience was found through positive thinking and social support indicating that …

Inferential Style, School Teachers, And Depressive Symptoms In College Students., Caroline M. Pittard, Patrick Pössel, Timothy Lau

Patrick Pössel

Depressive symptoms affect around half of students at some point during college. According to the hopelessness theory of depression, making negative inferences about stressful events is a vulnerability for developing depression. Negative and socio-emotional teaching behavior can be stressors that are associated with depression in school students. First-time college freshmen completed the Cognitive Style Questionnaire (CSQ), Teaching Behavior Questionnaire (TBQ), and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). While completing the TBQ, participants reported on a teacher from prior education to college. Multiple regression analysis found significant effects of the independent variables (four teaching behavior types, inferential style, and interactions …

Success Of Twice-Exceptional College Students Screened By Act Versus Sat Scores And Major Declaration In Line With Academic Strength, Kelly Harrington Smyth

Doctoral Dissertations

Educational outcomes of college students (e.g., GPA, retention, graduation, and years to graduation) of undergraduate students screened and selected for 2e status (2e; giftedness with a learning disability) did not differ significantly (p > .05) based on two operationalizations (of 2e status): ACT or SAT scores. However, significantly more 2e students were screened from ACT scores relative to the number screened from SAT scores (p < .05). Further investigation into academic outcomes revealed that students screened as 2e by the ACT were significantly more likely to be retained after their first year of college when they declared a major in line with their academic strength (p < .05), relative to the number retained by the SAT. Finally, 2e students screened by the ACT were less likely to graduate within six years of initial enrollment at UT when they did not declare a major in line with their academic strength, though the difference was not statistically significant (p > .05). Implications are discussed, and particularly suggestions regarding how these data may improve advising practices.

Retaining Black Female College Students: The Effects Of Meritocracy On Their Ideas Of Success, Tiffany Steele

College Student Affairs Leadership

The idea of merit-based education has plagued institutions of higher education for a substantial amount of time. The notion that ability, talent, and effort ultimately determine the success of an individual perpetuates the false ideology of all people have equal opportunities at success. In terms of education, using a merit-based lens magnifies the oppression of marginalized student groups specifically, Black female college students. Through a synthesis of the current literature, intersections between the use of merit in education, defining academic collegiate success and Black female students in higher education were discussed to explore the potential influence meritocracy has on how …

Psu President’S African American, African, And Black Student Success Task Force Report, Shirley A. Jackson, Yves Labissiere, Lisa Bates, Tom Bull, Shanice Clarke, Steven Christian, Tara Cooper, Abel De La Cruz, Noni Causey, Alex Herrrerra, Rene Ingram, Vanelda Hopes, Vandy Kanyako, Marlon Dewayne Marion, Taremeredzwa Mutepfa, Marshawna Williams, Ebony Oldham, Tiffany Ganir

Global Diversity and Inclusion Publications and Presentations

This report is in response to the President’s Charge to the Task Force on African American/African/Black Student Success at Portland State University. As included in the charge, the report assesses the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for PSU in continuing to serve the African American/African/Black community at PSU. In conducting its work, the Task Force reviewed a variety of reports and databases from various offices at PSU. Based on its findings, the Task Force provides recommendations under five main areas:
1) Student recruitment and retention
2) Student Experiences
3) Courses and Programming
4) Faculty and Staff at PSU
5) Best Practices …

An Examination Of Collegiate Extracurricular Activities And Career Aspiration Levels, Chelsey Lynn Ingram

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to evaluate the career aspiration levels of college students who participated in college-related extracurricular activities compared to students who did not participate in extracurricular activities. Additionally, this study compared each domain of extracurricular activities (e.g., athletics, the arts, service clubs, etc.) to determine which domain has the highest levels of aspirations. Survey responses provided a representation of participants' intended future career achievements and perceptions of participation in collegiate extracurricular activities. Data was collected from a sample of undergraduate students through online survey responses via Rowan University's SONA system. Bivariate correlation tests in SPSS for Windows were utilized …

Connections, June 2017, University Library

Library Newsletter

No abstract provided.

First Generation College Students In A Trio Program, Katherine S. Marble

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

This research study was completed to explore how a specific population of college students strive to reach their educational goals. The purpose of the study concentrated on how TRiO first-generation college students (FGCs) at a community college perceived their success in accomplishing goals in a college educational setting with the assistance of the TRiO program. Theories guiding the study include Astin’s I-E-O model and Bean’s model. The research utilized interviews and a focus group with TRiO FGCs. Thirteen students participated in an interview and two students participated in a focus group. During the interviews and focus group, participants provided insight …

Academic Emotion And Self-Efficacy Impacting Sense Of Math Class Belonging In College Students, Kaitlyn Yavorsky

Theses and Dissertations

A student's sense of belonging has been shown to have positive effects on a student, such as increased motivation and performance (Neel & Fuligni, 2013; Mcmahon, Parnes, Keys, & Viola, 2008). Positive emotions within the academic setting as well as strong self-efficacy have also been found to have these implications (Pekrun, 2006). The impact of emotions in an academic setting and self-efficacy on student's sense of belonging in the classroom is a relatively novel research topic especially in college students. If found, the correlation between academic emotions and self-efficacy along with their impact on sense of belonging can be used …

The Relationship Between Academic Motivation And Parenting Styles In Multiple Socioeconomic Status Areas, Stephanie Rubin

Theses and Dissertations

Academic motivation is an important topic that has been discussed in hopes to increase the levels within students, especially during college. Many factors can influence academic motivation, including the student's perceived parenting style and socioeconomic status. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between undergraduate student's academic motivation and perceived parenting style as well as the relationship between academic motivation and socioeconomic status of the student. An anonymous survey was given to undergraduate students through Rowan University's SONA system. Bivariate correlational tests, one-way ANOVA tests, and Post-Hoc tests in SPSS were used to determine if the relationships …

Self-Directed Learning Readiness Of College Students In Thailand, Denchai Prabjanee, Mahachart Inthachot

Journal of Educational Research and Innovation

In the knowledge-based society, where information rapidly changes and disseminates worldwide, self-directed learning is an important ability for college students to possess. In the current study, self-directed learning readiness of college students in Thailand was investigated, and comparisons of this readiness were made across years of education and majors. Undergraduate students (n = 156) in colleges of education in Thailand completed an online survey. The results revealed that Thai college students reported having self-directed learning readiness at a moderate to high level. The two dimensions (creativity and openness to learning) were at a moderate level, but the other six dimensions …