Psychology Commons^™

How The Lockdown Of Covid-19 Influenced The Neurocognitive And Psychosocial Development Of Preschoolers, Kay Picson

Nursing | Student Research Posters

The COVID-19 pandemic instilled a new normal across the world. Businesses turned to take out services and faced financial struggle. Hospitals enacted a visitor policy, limiting contact with patients, their families, and their friends. Schools closed their classrooms and moved to online learning from home, isolating children from their teachers, peers, and an optimal learning environment.

The literature review consists of six articles pertaining to the influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on preschoolers neurocognitive and psychosocial development. Specifically, the influence of the lockdown on preschooler mental health, executive function, and social skills. According to the research, the results were differential, …

Icu Nurse Mental Health: Telehealth Vs In-Person Therapy, Ariel Mach

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background Nurses working within high-stress specialties, such as Intensive Care Units (ICUs), often face a lack of resources aimed at supporting their mental health. The expectation for the nurses is to independently manage their psychological well-being based on their knowledge and educational background. However, many times it is difficult to manage persistent stress, anxiety, or depression and this could adversely affect the quality of patient care and eventually lead to burnout. Telehealth therapy has become more readily available and used since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to two forms of treatment delivery. Currently, there is limited research on the effectiveness of …

Male Caregiver Strain: The Mental Effects Of Being An Informal Caregiver For A Family Member With Dementia And Alzheimer's Disease, Alessandra M. Barillas, Elijah Rammel B. Borja

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Caregivers are vital in fulfilling patients' primary care needs, and families prefer them over sending their loved ones to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia are prevalent conditions necessitating continuous assistance due to memory and cognition impairments. As a result, support is essential for tasks like mobility, feeding, bathing, and perineal care, as well as emotional and physical challenges inherent in caregiving. Purpose: Upon diving into the mental health impacts of serving as an informal caregiver for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, a notable research gap becomes evident, especially concerning male caregivers. This lack of information …

Feathered Friends: The Positive Effects Of Owning A Companion Bird, Nicole Lea

Psychology | Student Research Posters

Loneliness is an epidemic whose full impact is only recently receiving the attention it urgently demands. While many solutions are suggested, a time-tested remedy is a companion animal. People report as deep a connection with a companion animal as with the humans in their lives due to the pet’s unconditional love and consistency. While much research has been dedicated to studying companion animal-human bonds with emphasis on dogs and cats, little has been conducted on the less popular household pet, the companion bird, even though bird owners report that their pets show just as much unconditional love and affection as …

The Effects Of School-Based Art Therapy On Depressed Adolescents, Jasmine Nicolas

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Depression in adolescents is associated with deficient behavioral and health outcomes (Fletcher, 2019). Art therapy has been shown to be effective in treating mental health condition such as depression. A student’s academic success heavily depends on treating their depression. Community health nurses can play a vital role in advocating for adequate mental health support to improve a student’s overall well-being and academic success. The literature review contains six articles on the prevalence and impact of depression among adolescents, art therapy as an intervention for improving psychological outcomes and resilience among adolescents, and experiences of adolescent clients in art therapy within …

The Relationship Between Childhood Maltreatment And A Woman’S Desire To Have Children, Tayah Simpson

Psychology | Student Research Posters

One life task for many adults, especially women, is the task of parenting. Many factors can be associated with becoming a parent, but one of the most foundational is the desire to have children.

Rholes et al (1997) concluded that regardless of attachment style, a lower desire for children was associated with more negative perceptions of parenting abilities.

Harel and Finzi-Dottan (2018) found that a history of childhood maltreatment was associated with viewing parenting as potentially threatening.

Bailey et al (2012) found that;

• emotional abuse, neglect, and witnessing family violence were associated with hostility towards future children
• a mother’s experience …

The Relationship Between Parental Personality, Attachment Style, And Subjective Well-Being, Mia Nguyen

Psychology | Student Research Posters

Parents play a critical role in helping children develop into happy and well-adjusted adults. Factors such as secure attachment, parental rearing behaviors, and parental personality all interact to create a developmental context that impacts a child’s experience. Attachment between parent and child, for instance, is the foundation of later relationships in life. However, a variety of other parental factors including parental rearing behaviors and parenting style can influence attachment (Roelofs et al., 2006). Parenting styles that are nurturing, authoritative, and emotionally involved have not only demonstrated more secure attachments in children but have also been reflective of parents who score …

Intergenerational Trauma And Cultural Dissonance In The Face Of Ongoing Social Issues: A Case Study With Vietnamese Youth, Mia Nguyen

Psychology | Student Research Posters

Intergenerational Trauma (IT) occurs when the effects of traumatic events are passed down across generations (Isobel et al., 2020), typically through family dynamics and interactional patterns (Hesse & Main, 2000). In the Vietnamese American population, IT is exacerbated by a culture that has historically deprioritized/ignored mental well-being. Which is exacerbated by pressure to adhere to the Model Minority Myth (Hall & Yee, 2012), and by Intergenerational Cultural Dissonance (ICD; conflict caused when the values of younger generations diverge from the traditional culture of their parents (Choi et al., 2008)). While mental health resources for this population were severely inadequate before …

Effects Of Latinx Parental English Proficiency On Stress, Maria Alvarez Pineda

Student Research Posters

In the United States, patients who have Limited English Proficiency (LEP) report having more problems communicating with their children’s doctors (Eneriz-Wieme et al., 2014) and experiencing more discrimination (Zhang et al., 2012) which can lead to increased psychological distress (Torres et al., 2012). The goal of this study was to determine if level of English Proficiency is related to stress levels and discrimination among Latinx parents. Participants consisted of 22 Latinx parents (86.4% Mexican and 90.9% female) in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Acute Stress Appraisals scale (Mendes, et al., 2007) measured parents' stress levels before and after an …

Adults With Asd: Therapeutic Riding And Observed Social Behaviors And Stress Levels, Kayla Andersen

Student Research Posters

Therapeutic riding (TR) is a multisensory experience that increases mental and physical heath by emphasizing skills such as verbal and non-verbal communication, behavioral and emotional control, and attention; additionally, improvements in balance and muscle strength occur in the rider (Bass et al., 2009). However, the present literature is lacking in research on how adults with ASD are impacted by participation in TR. The goal of the present study is to determine the impact of TR on social responsiveness and stress levels on adults with ASD which included a sample of 8 therapeutic riding instructors from the United States. Instructors reported …

The Hard Facts: The Influence Of Crime And Education On Public Perceptions Of Criminals, Elicia Lastra

Student Research Posters

The societal view that criminals are inherently dangerous is a view exceedingly present in American culture. Prior research suggests that education significantly improves knowledge and positive attitudes towards stigmatized groups (Lam et al, 2019) which this present study hopes to expand on. The present study tested the impact of a brief educational intervention on stigma against criminals. Participants included 141 participants (81.8% females and 17.5% males), recruited from a private university in Northern California and through various social media platforms. Participants were randomly assigned into four different conditions created by manipulating two variables (educational video vs. no video; vignette about …

Peer Perceptions And Social Support For Young Adults On The Cancer Continuum, Emily Lehman

Student Research Posters

While on the cancer continuum, individuals report a sense of social isolation due to a lack of understanding among peers about their experiences and diagnoses (Iannarino et al., 2017). Increasingly, social support is given online rather than in person due to the positive language and communication that relies on the written word more than social cues (Warner et al., 2018). Participants in this study were 152 young adults recruited from a private university and via social media platforms. Participants were asked to complete a survey including The Measure of Interpersonal Attraction Social Attraction sub-scale (McCroskey & McCain, 1974) and a …

Single Parents Level Of Hope To Achieve Graduation From College, Rhoda Maunupau Robertson

Student Research Posters

Despite the growing number of single parents returning to college to gain a better future for their families, 53% of student parents leave college within 6 years without a degree (Beeler, 2016). However, being hopeful enables student parents to focus on success which increase the probability to attain their goals and success (Snyder et al., 1991). The ability to achieve those goals comes from help-seeking, mentoring, and the ability to seek resources (Snyder et al., 1991). The goal of the present study is to examine levels of hope which enhance help-seeking skills to increase academic success within this population. The …

The Effects Of Sad Music On Mood, Tiffany Velasquez

Student Research Posters

Studies investigating motivations for listening to sad music typically report claims by listeners that an improved mood is amongst the primary reasons for listening to sad music (Saarikallio, 2008). But, evidence shows that moods generally decrease when we listen to sad music (Saarikallio & Erkkilä, 2007). However, sad music can also bring about some psychological benefits. People with high tendencies towards reflectiveness may find that sad music can be used as a tool for processing their negative emotions resulting in an overall improvement in mood (Garrido & Schubert, 2013; Trapnell & Campbell, 1999). Sample consisted of 50 participants of college …

Supporting Marin County Youth Suffering From Anxiety And Depression, Victoria L. Grajeda

Student Research Posters

This toolkit was created to help shed light on the impact a stressful high school environment can have on today’s youth, and provide teachers and parents with up-to-date information on what resources are available within the county of Marin. When working with adolescents, it is important to consider environmental threats to their mental health (i.e., lack of sleep) in order to make proper referrals and treatment plans. A study done by Kelley, Lockley, Kelley, & Evans (2017) implemented a 10:00 a.m. start time at an urban school in England. By delaying school start times, Kelley et. al found that absences …

Informational And Educational Support For American Women During Labor And Delivery, Camille Hildebrand

Student Research Posters

The CDC recorded an increase from 7.2 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 1987 to 18.0 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2014 with 60% of those being preventable (Reproductive Health, 2018). Birthing a child can be a significant and emotional experience (Hans et al., 2013). Unfortunately, continuous support during labor and delivery has become a privilege instead of a basic right in a hospital setting (Hodnett, Gates, Hofmeyr, & Sakala, 2005). A study on doula support during labor and delivery showed that women feel there is a lack of information being provided by medical staff in a …

The Efficacy Of Live Music Therapy On Stress, Anxiety, And Depression Among College Students And Working Adults, Annalisa Hopper

Student Research Posters

• There are an estimated 264 million people living with Anxiety Disorders, and an estimated 322 million people living with Depression (WHO, 2017)
• Live music has been found to be more effective than recorded music in decreasing anxiety levels in cancer patients and patients with mental health disorders in various studies (Bailey, 1983; Ferrer, 2007).
• Chiasson et. al (2013) demonstrated that patients observed in an intensive ward unit experienced a decreased pain by 27% when exposed to live spontaneous harp music.
• This study aims to explore how frequent exposure to live & recorded music can be therapeutic to help cope with …

Effects Of Self-Efficacy And Stigmatization When Managing Patients With Addiction And Substance Use Disorders, Catherine Spaccia

Student Research Posters

People who suffer with addiction are more likely to be treated as outsiders, which result in social disadvantages and maltreatment in a medical setting. This is because substance abuse can be perceived as deviating from social norms (Henderson & Dressler, 2017).

Higher post-secondary education on addiction could reduce stigmatization and improve self-efficacy for better healthcare outcomes. Previous research has revealed that appropriate training is important when forming nonjudgmental attitudes towards drug users (Baldwin et al., 2006).

The purpose of this study is to address the gap between post-secondary education, reducing stigmatization and improving self-efficacy among healthcare professionals

Misrepresentations Of Adhd & Benefits Of Inclusive Classroom Training, Emma Fitzgerald

Student Research Posters

The question of whether attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is over-diagnosed in adolescents has been a recent topic of research. Through research studies, a trend for potential over-diagnosis has been found. Misdiagnosis and over-diagnosis mainly occur due to societal norms clouding perceptions of the disorder. (Bruchmüller et al., 2012)

Classroom inclusivity is an area that could potentially improve misdiagnosis and over-diagnosis of ADHD. Inclusive classroom training can spread both awareness and understanding about the disorder, ultimately reducing misconceptions about ADHD.

The present study explored several hypotheses: Hypothesis

1: Students’ perception of their ADHD knowledge is not correlated with their actual knowledge of …

Gender Stereotypes And Relationship Equity And Satisfaction, Justin Newsome

Student Research Posters

• Gender stereotypes divide men and women along biological, emotional, and cognitive lines. This social construct can be summed up by the phrase “men are from Mars, women are from Venus.”
• The sex of a person is the biological category of male or female and gender is the social aspect of being male or female (Robinson et al., 2001).
• Social constructs thatpromote gender stereotypes can have an impact on the suppression of biological responses (Brody, 1997). This thinking influences behaviorin men and women that is self-fulfilling to gender stereotypes (Baez et al., 2017).
• This may have an effect on how men …

The Effects Of Perceived Discrimination And Acculturative Stress On Ethnic Minority Your Adult Self-Esteem And Anxiety, Danielle Davis

Student Research Posters

• Minority college students are at increased risk for negative mental health outcomes and self-esteem issues considering acculturative stress and perceived discrimination(Gomez et al.,2011).
• How discrimination is viewed by the individual and how they adjust to dominant culture plays an important role in self-esteem(Halletal.,2015).
• Studies following the relationship between perceived discrimination and acculturative stress rarely look into mental health outcomes along with self-esteem(Paukertetal.,2006;Weietal,2013).
• This research may provide insight into the mechanisms which affect psychological distress(Tonsingetal,2016).

Relationship Between Exposure To Nature In Childhood And Environmental Identity In Adulthood, Samantha Koss

Student Research Posters

It is a universal understanding that in order for nature to survive, humans must live responsibly. In October 2018 at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world’s leading scientists issued a twelve year ultimatum to change our environmental habits (National Geographic, 2018). However, the critical issue of climate change has not evoked a correspondingly serious and crucial response among the general public.

Ecological identity, otherwise known as Environmental identity, refers to how one views oneself in relation to the natural world, and a part of how we form our self-concept (Clayton, 2013).

Past research has shown that humans feel …

Have A Safe Trip: Ecstasy Exposure, Perceived Risk, And Harm-Reduction Practices Among College Students, Nicole Alexis Ladines

Student Research Posters

Ecstasy – also known as 3, 4-Methylene dioxymetham-phetamine, or MDMA - has become one of the most notorious “club” drugs (Havere et al., 2011). SAMHSA (2015) reported that 6.8% of the U.S. population over the age of 12 had reported lifetime use of ecstasy. It has become popular as a social activity due to its subjective effects, such as feelings of connectedness, empathy, and heightened sensuality and sexuality (Leslie et al., 2015; Lee et al., 2010). Because of this, ecstasy use is prevalent among musical events such as nightclubs, festivals, and raves (Leslie et al., 2015). Prior studies on ecstasy …

The Relation Of Seasonal Patterns To Mood Changes And Gender Differences In College-Aged Students, Mariah Meza

Student Research Posters

This study examined college students’ moods during different seasons patterns throughout the year. Previous research has indicated that many individuals feel more lethargic, lonely and moody during the winter months (Rohan & Sigmon, 2000). These mood and behavior patterns clearly depend on specific seasons of the year. However, many studies have produced inconsistent findings and current data on how weather impacts college aged students moods in California (Lucht & Kasper, 1999). There are many inconsistent studies in the United States that indicate whether there is a higher fluctuation in women’s moods during seasonal change than there is with men(Chotai, Smedh, …

Coffee Consumption, Perceptions, And Patterns, Shannon Rodriguez

Student Research Posters

Coffee is a substance people consume daily, but there are inconclusive and conflicting results from studies about the positive and negative effects of coffee and caffeine. For example, evidence from one study links lower levels of stress with coffee consumption while another study concluded drinking coffee results in sleep disruption. Given this information, there are numerous factors that contribute to why people drink coffee and the effects it has on each individual. The purpose of this study is to see if there are patterns between demographics, coffee consumption, and perceptions to understand how students, staff, and faculty at Dominican University …

Quality Of Life And The Prevalence Of Depression In Cohabitants And Marrieds, Stacey Kayondo

Student Research Posters

Cohabitation has become part of romantic relationships in the United States; cohabitation has become a normal experience for both men and women. With the rapid increase in cohabitation this raises important concerns about its consequences for the institution of marriage and the lives of individuals involved in this family form, as research indicates that cohabiters hold lower levels of commitment, and cohabiters are more likely to be depressed than marrieds( Brown, S.L 2003). Some studies have been done to find out whether marriages are beneficial to one’s mental health, Pro marriage initiatives and policies like tax breaks for married people …

Older Adults’ Experience In Owning A Guide Dog, Jeffrey Kou, Yvonne Lam, Patricia Lyons, Susan Nguyen

Student Research Posters

Low vision is an age-related condition that affects many older adults, and may create challenges in everyday activities in older adults. Guide dogs have been shown to be an effective assistive device that can help older adults within their community. Despite vast research on dog companionship, there is limited research on the facilitators and barriers of owning a guide dog among older adults with low vision. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to explore the facilitators and barriers of owning a guide dog as experienced by older adults with low vision participating in Guide Dogs for the Blind …

What Do We Think About Birth Order?, Jessica Garcia

Student Research Posters

Stereotypical beliefs people have of personality traits that are expected from children in relation to their birth order has become a popular area of study. Parents can be consciously or unconsciously swayed to form impressions of their children based on birth order personality attributes formed by society and family. How parents act towards their children can impact a child’s cognitive and behavioral development (Eckstein & Kaufman, 2012). Using Adler’s psychological perspective theory, the present study hypothesized that there is a positive correlation between people’s perception of birth order traits and self-reported personality. Participants were 50 adults (84% female) 18 to …

Relationship Of The Openness Personality Trait And Development Of Belief In God, Anne Njenga

Student Research Posters

The development of an individual’s beliefs about God is significantly influenced by teachings of parents. However, not all children have the exact same beliefs as their parents. The present study will examine what may be the characteristics of individual who have similar or differing beliefs than those to which they were exposed as a child.

Although not identical to a “belief in God”, much of the past research evaluating belief systems has focused primarily of “religiosity”. Caldwell-Harris (2012) noted that openness to experience was the personality characteristic that differed most between the religious and non-religious respondents. Even controlling for education, …

The Relationship Of Anxiety, Depression And Low Self-Esteem On The Tendency To Have Compulsive Buying-Type Behaviors, Ingrid Granados

Student Research Posters

“Retail Therapy” is a term commonly used to describe the action taken to relieve or compensate for negative feelings by purchasing things not planned or necessary. This is also considered the first phase of shopping addiction (Sohn et al, 2013), and like other behaviors (e.g., drinking alcohol, eating, gambling) these can be problematic if not done in moderation.

When shopping involves a preoccupation or uncontrollable urge to buy and also leads to significant social and financial problems, it is called Compulsive Buying (CB). This problem behavior is a cycle that maybe initiated by negative feelings, followed by a short-lived euphoria …