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Adverse Childhood Experiences, Anger, And Violence Among Justice-Involved Youth: A Network Analysis, Nan Li, Matt Shelton, Elena L. Grigorenko

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a complex construct that can be viewed as a network of interconnected adversities, with some interactions being substantially stronger than others. However, relatively little is known about the complex interactions between adversities in justice-involved youth (JIY). Moreover, even less is known about the pathways through which early adverse experiences contribute to violent offending.

Objective: The present study aimed to identify the most influential adverse event(s) within a network structure of adversity. It also investigated one of the pathways through which ACEs contributed to violent offending.

Participants and setting: We used archival data consisting of …

Plasma Proteomic Characterization Of Motoric Cognitive Risk And Mild Cognitive Impairment, Gabriela T Gomez, Sanish Sathyan, Jingsha Chen, Myriam Fornage, Pascal Schlosser, Zhongsheng Peng, Jenifer Cordon, Priya Palta, Kevin J Sullivan, Adrienne Tin, B Gwen Windham, Rebecca F Gottesman, Nir Barzilai, Sofiya Milman, Joe Verghese, Josef Coresh, Keenan A Walker

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Motoric cognitive risk (MCR) is a pre-dementia syndrome characterized by mobility and cognitive dysfunction. This study conducted a proteome-wide study of MCR and compared the proteomic signatures of MCR to that of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

METHODS: Participants were classified as MCR using a memory questionnaire and 4-meter walk. We measured 4877 plasma proteins collected during late-life and midlife. Multivariable logistic regression related each protein to late-life MCR/MCI. MCR-associated proteins were replicated internally at midlife and in an external cohort.

RESULTS: Proteome-wide analysis (n = 4076) identified 25 MCR-associated proteins. Eight of these proteins remained associated with late-life MCR …

Covid-19-Related Risk, Resilience, And Mental Health Among Mexican American Mothers Across The First Year Of The Pandemic, Amy L. Non, Elizabeth S. Clausing, Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo, Kimberly D'Anna-Hernandez

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Latina mothers have been especially affected by the pandemic and historically exhibit high rates of depression and anxiety. However, few longitudinal studies have assessed the effect of the pandemic on this vulnerable population. We hypothesized that COVID-19-related stressors would associate with psychological distress among Latina mothers across the first year of the pandemic.

Methods

We investigated COVID-19-related impact, stigma, and fears across two critical time points and changes in these measures in relation to changes in maternal anxiety and depression among mothers of Mexican descent living in Southern California (n=152). Surveys were administered within 5–16 weeks of …

Neural Processes Of Emotional Conflict Detection And Prediction Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Clusters In Traumatic Injury Survivors, Kaley E. Davis, Carissa W. Tomas, Kate E. Webb, Ashley A. Huggins, Terri A. Deroon-Cassini, Christine L. Larson, Jacklynn M. Fitzgerald

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: Given the prevalence and significant burden of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), identifying early predictors of symptom development following trauma is critical. PTSD is a heterogeneous disorder comprised of distinct symptom clusters-reexperiencing, avoidance, negative mood, and hyperarousal-that contribute to the broad range of possible symptom profiles. Affective and attentional regulation processes, such as emotional conflict detection, are impaired in individuals with PTSD; however, the neural mechanisms underlying these alterations and their predictive utility for the development of PTSD symptoms remain unclear.

Method: Traumatic injury survivors (N = 49) without traumatic brain injury were recruited from the emergency department of …

Beyond The Sum: A Network Analysis Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Behavioral Outcomes In Justice-Involved Youth, Jennifer Yang

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation examines gender-specific patterns of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among justice-involved youth using network analysis. Despite experiencing higher rates of childhood adversity, female youth show lower recidivism rates than males, presenting an empirical paradox. Using a sample of 19,454 justice-involved youth (75% male), this study applies novel network methods to understand how ACEs and behavioral outcomes are organized across gender. Findings reveal distinct network architectures: female youth maintain more integrated but vulnerable networks, while males show more compartmentalized but stable structures. Female recidivists demonstrate systematic network destabilization when compared to non-recidivists, characterized by a 39% reduction in network density, …

Category Learning Reorganizes Internal Representations Of Visual Artworks, Aishwarya Gurung

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

How are categories of art internally represented, and how can we capture those representations systematically? Investigating category learning in the context of complex, multidimensional stimuli like visual artworks presents unique challenges due to their inherent variability and perceptual complexity. Artworks engage multiple cognitive processes and are shaped by both sensory-driven mechanisms and top-down influences like prior knowledge, making them uniquely suited for studying how structured categorical knowledge interacts with perceptual and aesthetic judgments. The present study addresses these questions by utilizing machine-learning tools to construct and implement a two-dimensional similarity space of 400 existing artworks painted by two artists from …

Proximity In Pixels: The Moderating Roles Of Structural And Psychological Distance On Behavioral Leadership Effectiveness, Ethan J. Ray

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

With a sharp increase in virtual working arrangements in recent years, there is a distinct need to reevaluate what constitutes effective leadership at a distance. Although research on virtual leadership exists, it has often lacked a focus on specific leader behaviors and the psychological intricacies unique to virtual work settings. The present study examines followers' perceived effectiveness of two enduring leadership behavior categories: task-oriented and relationship-oriented. Utilizing dyadic distance theory, the study tested whether perceived effectiveness of these behaviors is contingent not only on the tangible effects of virtual work, referred to as structural distance, but also on the intangible …

Constructing A Parameterized Stimuli Space Suitable To Induce Controlled Changes In Human And Machine Perceptual Systems, Andrew Frankel

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Traditional computer vision applications focus on objective tasks, such as object detection, classification, or segmentation. Much of human experience is inherently subjective, such as our personal response to artwork. Individualized experiences are challenging to replicate in a controlled laboratory environment, as those experiences depend on the unique history and internal models of the observer. This work presents a technique to construct a 2-dimensional parameterized stimuli space suitable to induce controlled changes in the perceptual systems of both human and machine observers. Our contributions are threefold:

1. Using a balanced dataset of 8,800 fine art images spanning 11 art movements and 88 …

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Behavioral And Neural Effects Of Distributing Visual Attention Across Location And Feature Space, Mert Özkan

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Visual attention refers to the mechanisms by which relevant visual information, such as location, simple features (e.g., color, orientation), and objects, is selected and prioritized for further processing. The current dissertation investigates capacity limitations on spatial and feature–based attention in early visual processing and behavioral performance. Specifically, I examined whether attention could be efficiently tuned across narrow and broad ranges of locations and colors, or even be split across noncontiguous locations in the case of spatial attention. I used several behavioral paradigms and frequency–tagging methods in electroencephalography (EEG) to illustrate the effects of narrowing or broadening the attentional focus on …

A Benjaminian Rumination Of Grasses And Tomatoes In Contemporary Anatolian Film, Ceren Izci

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This thesis interprets the intersection of history, ecology, and politics through two contemporary Anatolian films: Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s About Dry Grasses and Murat Fıratoğlu’s One of These Days When Hemme Dies. We focus on the films’ portrayal of social relations and relationships to other living beings through interpreting the temporal layers and historical tensions present in the plots of the films. We introduce the paper by pondering over the question of whether these films are political. Drawing on Walter Benjamin’s concepts of “first nature” and “second nature”, the first chapter introduces the philosophical framework for understanding the connection between …

Differential Mechanisms Of Access In Working Memory: Comparing Global And Selective Retrieval, Jade M. Turbides

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Working memory (WM) is essential for numerous cognitive tasks, yet the mechanisms underlying selective access to specific subsets of its contents vs. global, nonselective access remain incompletely understood. Context-specific selection of individual items from WM has been found to be more time-consuming and error-prone than globally accessing all memory contents. This study investigates whether the performance costs of selective WM access arise primarily from demands on item-context binding memory. Previous research has suggested that only selective access relies on memory for item-context bindings whereas global access can solely rely on item memory. Across two experiments, we employed task paradigms that …

Beauty Comes With A Price: But How Much Is It Worth It, Fabliha Afia

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The global skincare market, valued at 104.24 billion dollars in the year 2022, is very heterogeneous, ranging from prestige brands to more drugstore types. Even when the same key ingredients are present, the latter often sells for much higher due to branding and packaging and the aura of prestige created. This capstone project entitled "Beauty comes with a price: but how much is it worth?" investigates if such higher costs are justified due to superior quality or are driven by non-functional factors. It systematically compared the high-end versus drugstore skincare products in categories like sunscreens, serums, and exfoliants with respect …

Predicting Individual Long-Term Prognosis Of Spatial Neglect Based On Acute Stroke Patient Data, Lisa Röhrig, Daniel Wiesen, Dongyun Li, Chris Rorden, Hans-Otto Karnath

Faculty Publications

One of the most pressing questions after a stroke is whether an individual patient will recover in the long term. Previous studies demonstrated that spatial neglect—a common cognitive deficit after right hemispheric stroke—is a strong predictor for poor performance on a wide range of everyday tasks and for resistance to rehabilitation. The possibility of predicting long-term prognosis of spatial neglect is therefore of great relevance. The aim of the present study was to test the prognostic value of different imaging and non-imaging features from right hemispheric stroke patients: individual demographics (age, sex), initial neglect severity and acute lesion information (size, …

Designing An Interactive Application To Prevent Runway Incursion: A Systems Engineering Approach, Yixuan Cheng, Dahai Liu, Dennis Vincenzi, Donald S. Metscher

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Runway incursion is a leading cause of serious incidents and accidents at airports. A common cause of runway incursions is unfamiliarity with the airport layout. To address this, we designed an electronically interactive application intended as a practice tool for pilots during flight preparation. The aim of this application is to improve pilots’ familiarity with airports, ultimately helping to reduce runway incursions, with the goals of being interactive, affordable, easily accessible, and designed for use on mobile devices. We applied a systems engineering approach that adheres to human factors engineering principles to ensure user-friendly design and optimization of the interaction …

Examining The Effects Of A Social Cognitive Intervention Aimed At Promoting Appropriate Antibiotic Use Self-Efficacy, Erin M. Hill, Andriana Frost

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Our goal in this study was to examine the effect of a social cognitive intervention aimed at improving appropriate antibiotic use self-efficacy (AAUSE). The intervention incorporated several aspects of self-efficacy theory, including mastery, vicarious learning, and verbal persuasion. To test the effectiveness of the intervention, we used two comparison conditions—reading a pamphlet focused on antibiotic resistance (ABR) or one focused on general health (diet, physical activity, sleep). A total of 226 undergraduate students completed the study, which involved completing a series of questions/questionnaires at time 1 (preintervention), engaging in the intervention (or reading a pamphlet), and then completing the time …

“It Was Oddly Cathartic And Just Good - Freeing”: An Adaptation Of A Cognitive Restructuring Task For Non-Binary People Experiencing Sexual Objectification, Lee R. Pradell, Joshua G. Parmenter, Renee V. Galliher, Elizabeth Grace Wong, Kevin Chi, Hanna Huenemann, Lindsey Rowley, Sadie South

Psychology Student Research

The present study uses action research and critical trans theory frameworks to adapt a cognitive restructuring task to assist non-binary people in minimizing internalization from sexual objectification experiences (SOEs). Nine non-binary participants completed process charts documenting their experiences with SOEs. Participants also completed interviews about their experience with the process chart. Findings explored the nine categories of the process chart and the process of completing the process charts, highlighting the power participants reclaimed by interrogating objectifying sentiments and managing their environments in the wake of SOEs. We discuss utilizing our study’s process chart to better support marginalized people through SOEs.

Daily Pain Experiences And Coping Approaches Among Women In Midlife With Elevated Risk For Cardiovascular Disease, Laura Travers

Theses and Dissertations

Millions of adults experience significant pain each year, costing individuals and our economy millions of dollars in lost productivity and negatively impacting quality of life. Pain is more common among women than men and is a known barrier to women’s physical activity (PA) engagement. Yet, PA helps manage pain and buffer against conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). For women in midlife with CVD risk factors (e.g., hypertension), little is known about daily pain fluctuation and the coping skills employed to manage pain. The current study examined daily pain and pain coping experiences among women ages 40-60 with one or …

The Effectiveness Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cbt) And Medication For Treating Major Depressive Disorder In Adults 18-45 And Factors Contributing To Treatment Resistance: A Case Series., Shavon R. Romita, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and antidepressant medications are often used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). After examining the existing research on the treatment of MDD, a study was conducted using a vignette methodology to determine if there is a decreased rate of symptoms for patients who are currently being treated for MDD by a mental health professional utilizing CBT and antidepressant interventions. The study explored the effectiveness of CBT in reducing depressive symptoms when antidepressants alone had limited efficacy. The target population included adult patients experiencing MDD, with some presenting additional challenges such as cultural barriers, difficult diagnoses, and …

The Association Of Interoception, Emotion, And Reasoning In Social Conflict And Moral Decision Making, Jackson Thomas Hassler

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Examining The Sexual Identity Disclosure Process Among Black Queer Femmes And Their Families, Kaylah Denis

Master's Theses

Existing queer identity development theories often overlook the unique intersectional experiences of Black queer femmes (BQF), limiting their applicability and effectiveness in addressing the challenges faced by this population. Traditional models typically emphasize "coming out" to friends and family as a key step towards identity integration and self-actualization. However, these frameworks may not adequately capture the complexities faced by BQF, who navigate tensions between their racial/ethnic and LGBTQ+ identities. This study aimed to: 1) explore BQF experiences related to disclosing their sexual minority status to family members, 2) understand family members' responses to these disclosures, and 3) identify factors influencing …

Neighborhood Social Processes And Adolescents' Depressive Symptoms: The Intervening Role Of Neighborhood Self-Efficacy, Kristen A. Berg

Faculty Scholarship

Via observational data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods collected between 1994 and 2001, this study examined the degree to which neighborhood disorder, collective efficacy, and youth-centered institutional resources are directly associated with adolescents' depressive symptoms across time, and the mediating role of adolescents'neighborhood self-efficacy. Latent variable structural equation models were estimated among an unweighted representative sample of 1448 adolescents (59% male, mean age 15.19), across 79 neighborhoods in Chicago, to examine the direct effects of neighborhood disorder, collective efficacy, and availability of youth-centered resources at baseline (measured at timepoint 1; reported by an independent sample of …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of The Mazi Umntanakho Digital Tool In South African Settings: A Qualitative Evaluation, Catherine E. Draper, Caylee J. Cook, Elizabeth A. Ankrah, Jesus A. Beltran, Franceli L. Cibrian, Kimberley D. Lakes, Hanna Mofid, Lucretia Williams, Gillian R. Hayes

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

To address the need for interventions targeting social emotional development and mental health of young children in South Africa, the Mazi Umntanakho (‘know your child’) digital tool was co-designed, and piloted with caregivers and 3–5-year-old children involved in home visiting programmes promoting early childhood development. The aim of this study was to qualitatively evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of this tool in four urban and four rural low-income communities, from the perspective of home visitors and caregivers. Focus groups were conducted with home visitors (n = 117) and caregivers (n = 72). Issues relating to the feasibility of …

From The Freedom Train: A Historical Perspective On Dr. Joseph L. White, Kimberly M. Wesley

Psychology from the Margins

This paper explores the generational impact of the late Dr. Joseph L. White, the Father of Black Psychology. During a time when psychology lacked cultural awareness, Dr. White pioneered a wave of institutional and community change among Black Psychology. Through his Academic Freedom Train, a mentoring system inspired by the Underground Railroad System, Dr. White influenced an interconnected network of mentees committed to decolonizing psychology and promoting Black Psychology. The paper frames the history of racism in psychology in the context of Dr. White's life, his role in promoting Black Psychology, and his commitment to mentees. Dr. White's legacy and …

A Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Program To Promote Mental Health On A College Campus, Maggie Beshears

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explores the effectiveness of the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) model in training college employees to recognize and respond to students at risk of suicide. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether QPR training increases participants’ knowledge of suicide warning signs, enhances their confidence in initiating intervention conversations, and improves their ability to refer students to appropriate mental health resources. This quantitative experimental research combines pre- and post-training assessments with qualitative feedback to measure changes in participants’ understanding and perceived preparedness. Results indicated a significant increase in employees’ confidence and knowledge following the training. The implications of …

Caring For Ukrainian Healthcare Professionals In Wartime: Moral Injury And Psycho-Spiritual Intervention, Rodger L. Stenger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods study examined the prevalence of Moral Injury (MI) among Ukrainian healthcare professionals (UHCPs) and their willingness to engage in evidence-based, psycho-spiritual interventions targeting MI that has resulted from the Russian invasion and the COVID-19 pandemic. MI is a psychological construct resulting from actions that violate an individual’s moral code and can overlap with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. While MI has been extensively researched in the military, it has gained attention in healthcare settings. Utilizing the Moral Injury Symptom Scale-Healthcare Professional (MISS-HP), this study quantitatively identified a moderate prevalence of MI among doctors and nurses in Ukraine. …

Investigating The Perceived Efficacy Of Support Groups As A Secondary-Organization Stress Intervention Measure For Hospice Nurses, Sade A. Allen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation investigated the perceived efficacy of support groups as a secondary organizational intervention measure for hospice nurses. Workplace stress is a common issue in hospice care that impacts workers negatively. It results in declining mental, physical, and social wellness. While research indicates significant benefits of support groups, they are not commonly applied in hospice care. Support groups have been widely used in mental health for years to share information and experiences and discuss problems. This dissertation interviewed eight participants using a qualitative case study approach. The participants were recruited from an online hospice nurse group on Facebook. The information …

How Much Time To Figure Out How To Get Where? Route Planning And Subjective Stress Under Time Pressure, Paul E. Plonski, P. Patel, K. L. Ossenfort, H. A. Taylor, T. T. Brunyé, H. L. Urry

Psychology Faculty Works

From a daily commute to military operations in hostile territory and natural disaster responses, people frequently move from place to place. Cognition (e.g., wayfinding) occurs in conjunction with behavior (e.g., locomotion) to facilitate spatial navigation–intentional movement through space. People often use maps to plan routes, which is part of wayfinding. Time pressure is common during navigation, even during route planning, for example from time constraints (e.g., a deadline), waiting periods (e.g., technological problems), or imposed urgency (e.g., someone tells you to hurry up). Route planning requires knowing where to go, determining how to get there, and managing transient stressors that …

Memory Distortions In Maladaptive Daydreaming: A Study On Source Confusion And Fantasy-Driven Confabulations, Eli Somer Ph.D., Henry Otgaar Ph.D.

The Qualitative Report

Although vivid fantasizing involves the creation of imagined realities that share similar processes with memory source confusion, there has been limited research on the connection between these constructs. The current study used a thematic analysis approach to investigate the perceived relationship between an extreme form of dissociative absorption called maladaptive daydreaming (MD), source confusion, and memory errors. We interviewed 41 participants who self-identified as coping with MD, volunteered for MD research, and exhibited elevated MD scores. These questions delved into topics such as instances where they had difficulty distinguishing between daydreams and reality and situations where daydreams influenced their interactions …

Current Debates & Teacher Reflections On Critical Race Theory In The United States, Caterina B. Azzarello, Ashlee Kemp, Kevin Pugh

Journal of Educational Research and Innovation

This study examines teachers' beliefs about Critical Race Theory (CRT) in the U.S. educational system. Given the controversy surrounding CRT, understanding these beliefs is crucial for informing professional development, curriculum design, and instructional strategies. The study employed an online survey to assess over sixty U.S. preservice and current teachers' knowledge and perceived importance of CRT. Results indicated moderate awareness and importance of CRT among participants, with significant variability. Newer teachers tended to have higher CRT knowledge, likely due to recent emphasis on diversity in teacher training programs. However, years of teaching experience did not predict the perceived importance of CRT. …

Camp Research Forum Book Of Abstracts - 2025, American Camp Association

ACA National Camp Research Forum Abstracts

This book includes 30 abstracts that will be presented at the 2025 American Camp Association (ACA) Research Forum to be held during the ACA annual conference from February 18-21 in Dallas, TX. Abstracts have been grouped into similar areas and will be presented across five verbal sessions and one poster session.