Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing School Psychologists’ Accuracy, Judgment, And Decision-Making In Specific Learning Disability Identification: A Re-Evaluation Of The Role Of Exclusionary Factors, Josette Elizabeth Tugander

Theses and Dissertations

Specific learning disability (SLD) is the most identified disability category for students across the United States. In light of its prevalence and implications for the allocation of resources in schools, identification accuracy is critical. However, previous research has remained mixed on school psychologists’ skills regarding identification accuracy, particularly when assessing students who are English Learners (ELs). This is especially problematic considering the historical overidentification of these students, such that many ELs with cognitive and academic scores that resemble SLD are classified as SLD without proper consideration of exclusionary factors that should have precluded the classification. This study aimed to build …

Hispanic Paradox In Covid-19: Protective Effects Of Ethnic Density, Gregory Alan Urena

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed racial and ethnic health disparities in the U.S., with Hispanic populations experiencing higher infection and population-mortality rates than non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). Case fatality rates are closely tied to medical comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, which are more prevalent among Hispanic individuals. Case-fatality rates showed mixed results. Some studies found no differences, while others reported better outcomes for Hispanics, aligning with the Hispanic Paradox, which suggests that despite socioeconomic disadvantages, Hispanics experience equal or better health outcomes. These effects may be tied to the immigrant health advantage, which suggests immigrants tend to be …

A Systematic Review And Meta Analysis Of Home-School Interventions For Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Devora Perlow

Theses and Dissertations

Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are pervasive and impair functioning across settings. Though effective interventions designed for school or for home settings are well established, collaborative cross-setting interventions for children with ADHD have yet to be systematically reviewed. The present study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis consisting of eight studies which were analyzed most prominently in (a) measures used, (b) child outcomes in functional impairment, social/emotional/behavioral functioning, and academic achievement, and (c) parent and teacher outcomes. Measures included in study are described, the majority were valid and reliable. Measures included in the review lacked consistency in which …

An Examination Of Assessment Practices For Emotional Disturbance In Schools: A Systematic Review, Christie Mulligan

Theses and Dissertations

School Psychologists are tasked with providing an array of evidence-based practices, though research has found that 50% of school psychologists’ time is spent in assessment (Benson et al., 2019). Although school psychologists are not solely making decisions based on assessment data, their evaluations are important and at the forefront of committee decisions within Special Education (Sullivan et al., 2019). Assessment plays a vital role in a struggling child’s educational track; therefore, it is imperative to consider what assessment practices and factors are informing crucial eligibilities and data-based decisions. A particularly challenging category within assessment in special education is determining ED. …

Trust, Self-Efficacy, And Purpose At Work Among Teachers In Vietnam, Thomas J. Minunno

Theses and Dissertations

A sense of purpose and meaning in work among teachers is a vital resource protecting against burnout, reducing anxiety and depression, and enhancing student engagement in the classroom (Boreham & Schutte, 2023; Lavy, 2022). The inherently social nature of schools prompts investigation into social predictors of purpose at work among teachers, including feelings of trust. The specific relationship between trust in one’s colleagues and administration and one’s sense of purpose at work among teachers in Vietnam is unexplored in empirical literature. We examine trust as a predictor of purposefulness at work and self-efficacy as a potential mediator of this relationship …

Predictors Of Treatment Completion In Alternatives For Families: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Katharine Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

Child maltreatment is linked to a range of adverse outcomes, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and mood disorders, and behavioral and interpersonal problems (Copeland et al., 2007; McLaughlin et al., 2013; Silverman et al., 2008). Children subjected to abuse by caregivers have the highest risk of PTSD onset (Alisic et al., 2014). To mitigate these effects, Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT; Kolko, et al., 2011) was developed to improve caregiver-child relationships. AF-CBT has proven effective in reducing family conflict, improving child symptomatology, and minimizing the potential for child abuse (Kolko, 1996a, 1996b; Swenson & Brown, 1999). …

Modification And Validation Of A Measure Of Children’S Irrational Beliefs, Jessica Levy

Theses and Dissertations

Higher levels of irrational and maladaptive thoughts have been linked to emotional and behavioral disturbance (Terjesen et al., 2017). A theoretical model that focuses on this pattern of thinking is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Children’s thinking has predicted child emotional and behavioral responses (Terjesen et al., 2017). Although cognitions are proposed to be central in the development of emotional and behavioral difficulties, research on self-report measures to assess irrational beliefs is lacking (Dozois et al., 2019; Terjesen et al., 2020). The Child and Adolescent Scale of Irrationality (CASI) had shown preliminary support for reliability and validity; However, Terjesen et …

Facets Of Self-Efficacy As Potential Mediators Of Interpersonal Relationships And Job Satisfaction With Teachers In Vietnam, Justin Meas Lazu

Theses and Dissertations

Job satisfaction is a critical factor influencing teacher retention, well-being, and self-efficacy. Interpersonal relationships within the workplace—including those with students, colleagues, and principals—have been shown to be key contributors to job satisfaction. Although research has extensively explored job satisfaction in a Western educational context, few studies have examined its predictors in a Southeast Asian context, particularly in Vietnam. Given Vietnam’s collectivist culture and Confucian-influenced education system, where workplace harmony and hierarchical relationships are emphasized over individual autonomy, the factors influencing teacher job satisfaction may differ significantly from those in Western contexts. Further, the mechanisms through which workplace relationships influence job …

The Effect Of Working Memory On Psychological Hardiness: The Moderating Effect Of Stress And Motivation, Sarah Joy Labarbera

Theses and Dissertations

Psychological Hardiness is a resilience personality trait with extensive empirical evidence of its combative effects against stress (Bartone et al., 2008; Oliver, 2009; Johnsen et al., 2013). However, the cognitive processes underlying this skill are not well understood. Understanding the mechanisms of resiliency is imperative for all human persons to succeed, especially those involved in high-stress occupations. This study will investigate the relationship between working memory capacity and psychological hardiness, as well as assess stress and motivation as potential moderating variables. We hypothesized that 1) Higher vs. Lower levels of working memory capacity (WMC) will predict higher levels of Hardiness, …

Working Harder, Or Working Faster? Novel And Working Memory Task Validity For Inidividuals With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Jacqueline Anne Hilbert

Theses and Dissertations

Imagine having a disorder where you are predisposed to score a year below average on examinations for your age (Lawrence et al., 2020). This is the frustrating reality for individuals with ADHD. This life-long neurodevelopmental disorder impacts people's functioning in their everyday lives, including standardized task performance. However, it is possible that individuals with ADHD may actually present advantages in tasks that require the ability to release taxing cognitive processes, such as proactive cognitive control. This question has not been examined before and may shed light on the interpretation of ADHD individuals’ performance on standardized tests and tasks. To this …

African American Executive Leaders And Positive Psychology: Exploring The Nexus Of Executive Leadership And African American Literature, Van Havercome

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this narrative study was to explore the experiences that African Americans have in executive leadership positions within higher education. The participants in this study identified as African Americans, with a doctorate, who held an executive leadership position in higher education. The colleges and universities where the participants were employed were predominantly White institutions on the East and West Coast regions of the United States. A narrative research model was utilized to collect stories of the participants’ lived experiences as executive leaders who used positive psychology to overcome barriers within their positions. In addition, the executive leaders made …

Positive Family Intervention For A Spanish-Speaking Family Of A Child With Autism: Impact On Child’S Behaviors And Parental Cognitions And Stress, Iris Garza

Theses and Dissertations

The present study investigated the effects of a culturally and linguistically adapted Positive Family Intervention (PFI) on child behavior as well as parental stress and beliefs for a Spanish-speaking family of a child with autism. PFI combines Positive Behavior Support (PBS) to teach parents the skills to manage their child’s behavioral challenges with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help parents manage their own thoughts and feelings. An AB single-case design was used to examine the impact of PFI on directly observed child behavioral challenges and adaptive behavior. Further, parent-reported stress, parental attributions, and parent-reported child behavioral challenges were examined pre- and …

Examination Of Obtained And Expected Cognitive Performance Of English Learners: An Evaluation Of Broad Ability Composites Versus Aggregate Mean Scores, Nicole Brozyna

Theses and Dissertations

The United States population continues to shift towards a majority rich in cultural, ethnic, and linguistic minorities (Rhodes et al., 2005). Within the education system, school psychologists are challenged with the task of conducting nondiscriminatory assessment of English Learners (ELs), while also adhering to the standards for ethical practice. In recent years, minority students have too frequently been placed in special education settings without sufficient support to signify need of a classification. To provide equitable and fair assessments to ELs in schools, clinicians require the knowledge necessary to understand the influence of cultural and linguistic developmental factors that affect performance. …

Broad And Specific Parenting Practices’ Effects On Toddlers’ Prosocial Development: A Three-Month Longitudinal Study, Cassandra Cheeseman

Theses and Dissertations

Prosocial behaviors typically emerge by age two and are associated with positive social and behavioral outcomes. Caregivers shape toddlers’ prosocial behavior development through broad (i.e., general warmth and sensitivity) and specific (i.e., social and material reinforcement) parenting practices. However, current research findings are mixed due to differences in toddler age, parenting practices studied, and the tendency to aggregate prosocial behaviors into one category. This aggregation approach overlooks the unique neurocognitive correlates, skills, and developmental trajectories of individual prosocial behaviors. To address these gaps, the current study investigates how broad and specific parenting practices relate to helping, sharing, and comforting, both …

Factors Impacting Undergraduate Student Use Of Mental Health Care In The U.S. And France, Samantha Lamontagne

CISLA Senior Integrative Projects

No abstract provided.

Online Dating Experiences And Body Dissatisfaction Among Transgender And Gender Nonconforming Individuals: A Qualitative Study, Luciano Caprio M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Through the evolution of online dating applications, individuals are able to form interpersonal connections with one another at a rapid pace. The effects of such communications can hold both protective and risk factors within the LGBTQ+ community. Previous research suggests that lesbians, gay, and bisexuals who have experienced weight discrimination, particularly fatphobic and anti-fat attitudes, while utilizing these online dating platforms, have increased body dissatisfaction. However, there is minimal research focusing on the implications of discrimination, body dissatisfaction, and the usage of online dating platforms in the transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) community. This qualitative study explored the experiences of …

I Think You Think I'M A Virus: Metastereotype Awareness In Asian Americans, Queenie Lam

Selected Full-Text Dissertations 2020-

Reports of anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic are concerning, particularly given that Asian Americans may especially perceive and anticipate being stereotyped by others as virus-carrying foreigners due to their Asian American identity (e.g., increased perpetual foreigner metastereotype awareness). The present study explored metastereotype awareness (MSA) – an individual's belief that someone holds a stereotype about them as a result of their group membership – in a sample of 1.5 and 2nd generation East and Southeast Asian Americans (N = 422). Participants completed an MSA activation paradigm, followed by self-report measures assessing their MSA of the perpetual foreigner, model minority, …

Sexual Identity Development In A Culture Of Shame: The Impact Of Non-Affirming Religious Upbringing And Internalized Homophobia On Sexual Satisfaction In Lgbtq Adults, Rhiannon Ashley Gibbs

Selected Full-Text Dissertations 2020-

Internalized homophobia is a common component of the LGBTQ developmental experience which impacts sexual identity development (Peterson & Gerrity, 2006; Rowan & Malcom, 2003). As well, many LGBTQ people raised in Christian religious communities frequently grow up in environments which are not affirming of their sexualities (Barnes & Meyer, 2012; Boppana & Gross, 2019; Herek et al., 2009; Ream & Savin-Williams, 2005; Rodriquez & Oullette, 2000). While much research considers the impact of these minority stressors on LGBTQ well-being (Frost & Meyer, 2009; Herek et al. 2009; Keating & Muller, 2020), fewer consider the specific impact on sexual well- being. …

Disproportionality Of English Learners In Special Education, Alysa Gordon

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the presence of disproportionality of English learners in special education. The search process yielded evidence of both overrepresentation and underrepresentation of English learners in special education, with some studies indicating disproportionality in specific disability categories. Underrepresentation was found to be present in categories of emotional behavioral disability, speech and language impairment, other health impairment, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism. Overrepresentation was found to be present in multiple disability categories, especially with specific learning disabilities and speech language impairment. Potential variables that could be contributors to overrepresentation were found to be educators’ …

Proficiency And Positivity: Investigating Learner Affect Toward L2 Instructional Methods, Learner Goals, And L2 Success, Natalie Spiva

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Second language (L2) learning outcomes vary widely due to factors both internal and external to the learner, including learning and usage contexts and learner goals and motivations. Learners may feel more proficient in and positive towards an L2 if they have intrinsic motivation and positive experience with the L2. Many students in the United States are first exposed to an L2 later in life as an academic requirement, which often impedes L2 learning success and can limit the learner’s relationship with the L2 and related cultures. Because of the highly interconnected global society, investigating the experiences of today’s language learners …

Examining Antecedents Of Diversity Initiative Fatigue: A Moderatedmediation Model, Anne Simpson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This thesis investigates the relationships between bias awareness, motivation to respond without prejudice, racialized attitudes, and diversity initiative fatigue (DIF) among employees within an academic setting, specifically focusing on faculty and staff at Western Kentucky University. Data were collected through a survey-based approach to measure these constructs and assess their relationships. This study hypothesized that bias awareness negatively correlates with DIF and motivation to respond without prejudice mediating this relationship. Furthermore, the research examines how racialized attitudes moderate the relationship between bias awareness and motivation to respond without prejudice. By examining these relationships using a moderated mediation model, the study …

Examining The Impact Of A Mobile-Delivered Brief Intervention On Substance Coping Motives Among A Sample Of Interpersonal Trauma Survivors With Heavy Alcohol Use, Lily Milam

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Brief interventions (BIs) aim to reduce risky alcohol use but show limited effectiveness for interpersonal trauma (IPT) survivors, who may use alcohol to cope with trauma-related issues. BIs typically do not target coping-related motivations or include effective emotion regulation strategies, which may improve outcomes for at-risk groups like IPT survivors. Additionally, digital interventions often struggle with low engagement. This study examined a trauma-informed and peer-supported BI to reduce coping-related drinking motives in heavy drinking young adults and assess its effectiveness compared to a standard BI and assessment only condition. Participants (N=133, 79.2% Female, 91.2% White, M age=19.77) with a lifetime …

Social Comparison And Pressure: Examining The Roles Of Sex And Rank, Ashley East

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Faculty in academia face intense competition and growing expectations, often shaped by perceptions of others’ performance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these dynamics were magnified, making social comparison a critical factor in understanding academic workplace pressures. The purpose of this study is to examine the changing work pressures and social comparison tendencies among academics during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is hypothesized that social comparison tendencies will be positively related to time pressure (H1a) and telepressure (H1b), with moderation by sex (H2a and H2b) and organizational rank (H3a and H3b). Using a panel survey of 197 tenure-track and tenured faculty members in …

College Students’ Beliefs: Association Between Skin Color And Acceptance, Christopher James Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

The Multiracial population represents the fastest-growing demographic group in the United States and is expected to more than double by 2060 (Vespa et al., 2018). Despite this rapid increase in the Multiracial population, there is a dearth of research regarding racial identity development, anxiety, and depression on this group. Social inclusion has been recognized as a fundamental human need, and Multiracial individuals may be more likely to be accepted into a majority group if their appearance is racially ambiguous. The current study builds on previous knowledge by utilizing a novel measure developed to examine the beliefs held by Monoracial and …

"Dental Health For Mental Wealth": A Comprehensive Analysis Of The Underexplored Impact Of Oral Health And Behaviors On Neurobiology And Psychological Well-Being, Brooke C. Beck

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This thesis explores the link between oral health and psychological state, specifically, the effect of oral health on psychological state and how appropriate oral health impacts this relationship. A review of the literature was conducted and studies interpreted within the scope of oral health’s impact on psychological health and detailing some of the pathways proposed for such a link. The literature search was limited to the English language from well-known databases mainly from 2015 to 2025. A few outliers are present to include foundational information.

The effects of oral disease and oral self-care behaviors were dissected through a biochemical perspective, …

The Interplay Between Friendship Quality And Emotion Regulation In The Prediction Of Weight-Related Concerns Among Adolescent Girls, Vasavi Ganesan Shanthi

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Adolescent girls are especially vulnerable to weight-related concerns such as body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and body surveillance. These issues are often linked to difficulties in emotion regulation (ER) and the quality of friendships. This study explored how ER and friendship quality, both independently and interactively, predict these weight-related issues. A sample of 106 girls aged 11–21 completed questionnaires on ER, friendship quality, body dissatisfaction, objectified body consciousness, and disordered eating behaviors. Results from hierarchical regression analyses showed that greater ER difficulties were significantly associated with increased body dissatisfaction, emotional eating, and restrained eating. Additionally, negative friendship quality predicted emotional eating. …

Foreword, Ayu Okvitawanli, Wolfgang Friedlmeier, Rachana Bhangaokar

Papers from the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology Conferences

No abstract provided.

The Psychometric Properties Of A Spanish Version Of The Attitudes And Beliefs Scale-2 Short Form In A Mexican Sample, Verónica Compeán

Theses and Dissertations

The Attitudes and Beliefs Scale 2-Short Form (ABS2-SF) is one of the most widely used measures of irrational and rational beliefs central to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). While evidence supports its reliability and validity in English-speaking populations, little is known about its applicability across cultural and linguistic groups. This study investigated the psychometric properties and cultural validity of the Spanish version of the ABS2-SF in a Mexican sample (n = 579) collected from undergraduate students in Tampico, Mexico, and compared them with English-speaking American non-clinical samples (n = 1,167). Using a bifactor multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MG-CFA), I examined …

Sustained Effects Of Neurofeedback On Children & Adolescents With Adhd: A Meta-Analysis, Dannielle A. Stephen

Theses and Dissertations

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed in the United States, with the most common form of treatment being psychostimulant medication. In the recent years there has been a growing concern among parents about starting their children on medication from a young age, prompting researchers to look at alternative methods. This will me a meta-analytic review of neurofeedback treatments to see if they are a feasible method in improving core behavioral symptoms and executive functions. All articles included in the review contained follow-up periods of 6 months or greater. There was a total of 468 participants across …

Latent Transition Analysis Of Prosocial Behavior And Physical Aggression In Toddlerhood, Annette Schieffelin

Theses and Dissertations

The current study is the first to apply Latent Transition Analysis (LTA) to examine short-term stability and change in toddlers’ physical aggression and prosocial behavior, using a person-centered, longitudinal approach to capture behavioral heterogeneity and stability during a critical developmental period. Mothers of 333 toddlers (18 or 24 months at Time 1; 21 or 27 months at Time 2) completed reports of provoked and unprovoked aggression, prosocial behaviors (helping, sharing, comforting), temperament, and parenting practices. Four profiles emerged consistently across time: High Aggression / Low Prosocial, Low Aggression / Average Prosocial, Low Aggression / High Prosocial, and Average Aggression / …