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Observed Parenting, Parent-Child Aggression, And Intimate Partner Violence As Predictive Of Family Dysfunction, Paige Munshell

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Family systems theories contextualize violence as occurring across multiple levels of the family, yet much of the existing literature focuses on a single family member’s outcome (i.e., the child) and neglects to include data collected from fathers. This study examined the associations between indicators of functioning at the dyadic-level in the family system—observed parenting, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) perpetration, and Parent-Child Aggression (PCA) risk—and later overall family dysfunction. Participants were 180 mothers and 144 of their male partners evaluated when their child was 18 months old and re-evaluated at 4 years old. Measures of observed parenting, IPV perpetration, and PCA …

A Qualitative Examination Of Peer Navigation For Smoking Cessation In People With Hiv, Garrett S. Stang, Bianca Camacho, Megan Pinkston, Karen Tashima, Christopher W. Kahler, Patricia A. Cioe

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Introduction: People with HIV (PWH) are disproportionately affected by cigarette use, with a 40-60% prevalence rate. They achieve relatively low cessation rates following traditional interventions and often confront compounded challenges related to social factors. HIV care services have integrated Peer Navigators (PNs) into clinical care for many years, but not in the context of smoking cessation. The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of PWH on a novel smoking cessation intervention that integrated PNs as part of a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Methods: This qualitative examination was conducted among PWH who smoke cigarettes and who participated in …

Unraveling The Links Between Substance Use And Academic Motivation In Higher Education, Melissa Lynn Goins

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) posits that the quality of students’ motivation regulation (i.e., autonomous versus controlled) shapes both learning and health behavior, yet few studies have examined the relations among motivation regulation, alcohol and cannabis use, and achievement. In this study, I surveyed 459 undergraduates at a mid-sized public university in the southeastern United States. Participants completed the Academic Motivation Scale-College version 28 to assess autonomous and controlled motivation regulation, a typical-week alcohol grid, a seven-day cannabis grid, and self-reported grade point average (GPA). Results indicated that autonomous academic motivation was uniquely related to GPA; however, neither motivation variable related to …

Bridging The Gap Between Counselor Education And Trauma Treatment In Practice: A Phenomenology Of Trauma-Specialized Counselors, Ariel Hutcheon

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Trauma impacts the life experiences of a sizable portion of the population. Given that so many clients bring trauma into counseling, even when not the presenting issue, knowledge of trauma’s impact and proficiency with trauma treatment are essential topics in counselor education. This study gave voice to counselors in the field to share what they have found effective from working with clients with trauma. The researcher used a phenomenological approach and interviewed six self-identified trauma-specialized counselors who have practiced for five years or longer. The data was explicated, and four major themes were identified. The first theme was Inadequate Training: …

The Founding History Of The Journal Of Conscious Evolution, Charles H. Silverstein

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This article traces the founding history of the Journal of Conscious Evolution (JCE), established by Allan Leslie Combs in 2005. The narrative explores three distinct perspectives on conscious evolution that influenced the journal’s creation: Barbara Marx Hubbard’s emphasis on humanity’s interconnectedness and creative potential, the General Evolution Research Group’s systems theory approach led by Ervin László, and Combs’s integration of the developmental growth of states and structures of consciousness within a conscious evolution framework. The article details how Combs developed the curriculum for the first accredited Master of Arts degree program in Conscious Evolution at The Graduate Institute in Connecticut …

Navigating The Storm: A Qualitative Metaphor-Based Analysis Of Resilience And Identity Reconstruction Among Displaced Professionals, Erhan Atay, Serkan Bayraktaroglu, Leo Johannesberg

The Qualitative Report

Building on previous management scholarship, this paper explains how Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) and metaphorical expressions inform organizational resilience and leadership communication in employee support strategies. It tries to capture the interplay between personal sensemaking and collective adaptation. The study aims to provide practitioners with hands-on insights into developing inclusion, resilience, and identity reconstruction in organizational and societal contexts of disruption. The analysis identifies three critical metaphorical themes: resilience, which is likened to "climbing a mountain;" isolation, which is likened to being "trapped in a bubble;" and identity reconstruction, which is likened to "picking up the shattered pieces of a …

Young Adults And Early-Onset Psychosis: A Grounded Theory Study Of Experiences Of Identity Development, Katherine Hayden-Lewis, Deborah Rubel

The Qualitative Report

While identity development is a crucial task for young individuals ages 15-25, current research inadequately centralizes identity development in the context of first-time psychosis related to schizophrenia spectrum disorders. This study addresses the knowledge gap by exploring the grand research question, “How does a young person experience their identity development after the first episode of psychosis?”. Constructivist grounded theory methods influenced by critical frameworks were used to collect and analyze data with seven young adults engaged in first episode psychosis programs. Participants were young adults, between the ages of 19-24, that at the time of the study were enrolled in …

Accuracy Of Student Career Choice: Analysis Of Interest And Personality Match In The Industry 4.0 Era, Nikon Aritonang, I Nyoman Sudana Degeng, M Ramli, Adi Atmoko

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study aims to clarify the high number of college students choosing unsuitable career choices. The impact of choosing an unsuitable career path can significantly hinder the development of Indonesian human resources in the context of the industry 4.0 era. This is caused by shifting paradigms in the recruitment process of most companies or institutions that no longer prioritize a diploma as the key factor in seeking new hires. Instead, there is greater emphasis on the employee's skills, interests, creativity, and innovation, followed by a diploma and achievement index. Descriptive-qualitative design was employed. Samples were collected from college students at …

How Experiencing Eudaimonic Emotions Through Music Shapes Prosocial And Altruistic Behavior: Introducing A Unified Model Of Music-Listening-Induced Eudaimonia (Ummie), Rebecca Tukachinsky Forster, Daniel H. Spitz, Tal-Chen Rabinowitch, Roni Granot

Communication Faculty Articles and Research

This paper introduces the Unified Model of Music-Listening Induced Eudaimonia (UMMIE), which offers an integrated novel theoretical framework to explain how music listening promotes prosocial and altruistic outcomes. Drawing on communication and psychology research, UMMIE maintains that elicitation of eudaimonic emotions can be appraised inwards, towards oneself, and thus contribute to the individual's personal growth, wellbeing, and development, or outwards, by connecting to something bigger than oneself, to humanity in general, which could possibly then lead to enhanced prosocial and altruistic attitudes and behaviors. The model specifies musical, situational, and individual variables that serve as moderators and increase the likelihood …

Circadian Rhythm Disruption Is Related To Self-Diagnosis Of Mental Illness, Ruth E. Propper, John Kang, Michael Sawyer

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Purpose

The goal of this research was to examine the relationship between self-reported circadian disruption during the week and on weekends, and self-diagnosis of mental illness. It was hypothesized that circadian disruption would be associated with mental illness self-diagnosis.

Methods

Using previously collected data wherein undergraduate students completed a series of questionnaires we examined Weekday bedtime/waketime variability, measured via question two from the Sleep Disorders Symptom Check List -- 25, and calculated social jetlag score, examining these as a function of Mental Illness Diagnosis Category and Sex.

Results

Increased circadian disruption was significantly associated with more self-diagnosed mental illnesses ( …

Digital Neuropsychology And Social Anxiety: The Effect Of Observer Presence And Personality On Stress And Cognition, Ava M. Dixon

Master's Theses

This study examined how observer presence and social anxiety influence stress and cognitive performance during neuropsychological assessments, focusing on the potential benefits of unsupervised digital testing environments. Eighty university students were randomly assigned to observed or unobserved digital neuropsychological conditions and completed assessments of social cognition and executive functioning and questionnaires of social anxiety and personality. Participants also completed measures of state anxiety and heart rate variability at baseline and after cognitive tests. The findings indicated that observation led to higher subjective anxiety, but it did not produce significant interactions with social anxiety on stress or cognitive performance. Post-hoc analyses …

Perceived Parental Relationship Quality And Adolescent Conscious Bias: Important Links Between Affect, Agency, Gender, And Race/Ethnicity, Amanda Terrall, Michael J. Merten, Thulitha Wickrama

General Human Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction Guided by attachment, social cognitive, and ecological systems theories, this study examined the direct and indirect effects of perceived parent-adolescent relationship quality on youths' conscious bias toward individuals facing socioeconomic or minority-related challenges.Methods Data were collected from 702 U.S. 18-year-olds via Qualtrics online panels. Measures included parent relationship quality, negative affect, human agency, and conscious bias (disregard for minority experiences and blaming attitudes).Results The findings revealed that strong parent-teen bonds indirectly influenced conscious bias through psychosocial wellbeing. However, while negative emotions were universally influential, the impact of human agency varied depending on gender and race/ethnicity.Discussion Study findings underscore the …

How Human Personality Will Change With The Use Of Artificial Intelligence, John Mayer

UNH Personality Lab

INTRODUCTION: Human personality changes in response to new habits, situations, and maturation, among other causes. As people interact with artificial intelligence (AI), their personalities are likely to change, from their emotional responses to their self-concept.

METHODOLOGY: This theoretical account draws together empirical studies of how personality changed in response to past technological innovations, changes in personal interactions observed in people’s AI usage, changes that arise from the use and disuse of cognitive skills, and works on the self-concept. Research reports in the review were selected according to their relevance and quality.

THEORETICAL STATEMENT: While AI becomes increasingly human-like, humans increasingly …

An Updated Perspective On Learning, Andrew S. Gibbons Iii

Faculty Publications

The subject of human learning is revisited. The emergence of new research findings in cognitive neuroscience and related disciplines using new imaging tools and techniques has revealed the existence of not one but two complementary learning systems. A newly-discovered prospection process, interacting with both memory systems, has been revealed as the pivotal mechanism of learning that leads to new experience and new memory records. The universal impact of emotion on this process also receives a new emphasis. This, coupled with the ever-present social environment, show learning to be the result of conversational activity. The existence of this more complete and …

Divorcees’ Experiences Of Hubristic Pride In Communication In Previous Marital Relationships, Amanda Harms

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor communication practices have significantly strained marital relationships, contributing to increased divorce rates in the United States. As a self-conscious emotion, hubristic pride often leads to poor communication, which in turn exacerbates marital discord and contributes to the breakdown of families. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how divorcees perceive the impact of hubristic pride on communication in their previous marriages. The theoretical framework underpinning this study was Homans’s social exchange theory. Data were obtained from eight divorced participants not actively involved in ongoing custody proceedings through semistructured interviews and analyzed using Saldaña’s descriptive coding methodology. …

The Impact Of Adverse And Positive Childhood Experiences And Moral Injury On Compassion Fatigue Among Law-Enforcement Officers And First-Responders, Kaylee Nesland

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

More than ever, United States law enforcement officers are overworked, under-trained, and exposed to a great deal of trauma. Societal pressure to display strength and resilience, as well as fears of judgement and loss of job security, inhibit law enforcement officers from accessing psychological treatment and support (Drew & Martin, 2021). Without mental health support in place, compassion fatigue reveals itself, ultimately causing hurt and damage to individuals in law enforcement and those they interact with. This study examined whether adverse or positive childhood experiences affect compassion fatigue among law enforcement officers. Participants of this study—current and historical law enforcement …

Dating In The Digital Age: The Effects Of Parental Rejection, Rejection Sensitivity, And Self-Esteem Among Gender-Diverse Gen Z, Crystal Currie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Gen Z, the first digital-native cohort, faces unique challenges in forming romantic relationships, including heightened dating anxiety. While there is extensive research with previous generations on dating anxiety, self-esteem, and early rejection, no study has examined parental rejection, self-esteem, and dating anxiety collectively, particularly in consideration of gender diverse individuals and digital dating platform use. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine (a) predictors of dating anxiety and (b) whether parental rejection during childhood and rejection sensitivity influenced dating anxiety, as well as the role of self-esteem in mediating those predictor variables. The conceptual framework was the interpersonal …

Empathy On Trial: The Role Of Neuroscience And Communication In Sexual Violence Jurisprudence, Samantha M. Gonzales

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

Sexual violence remains a contentious public safety and legal challenge, which has become further complicated by the tension between supporting victim-survivors and safeguarding the falsely accused. False accusations, though still well below the numbers of rightly accused, are experiencing a rise in popularity given recent (past ten years) political climates. This thesis examines how communication theory, neuroscience, and law intersect in molding perceptions of truth, culpability, and justice in sexual violence cases; while also examining the intersectionality of those fields in addressing the candor of allegations, the rate of recidivism, and quality of public health and safety. The most prominent …

Exploring The Recognition Of Internalizing Problems Among Black Students: Delving Into The Youth Mental Health Help-Seeking Pathway, Marketta A. Adams

LSU Master's Theses

The mental health of Black adolescents is a growing concern, with high prevalence rates of internalizing disorders such as anxiety and depression. National studies report that nearly 47% of Black adolescents experience a mental health disorder by age 18, with over 60% reporting moderate to severe depressive symptomology. Despite these alarming rates, Black youth underutilize mental health services, often due to cultural stigma, limited access to culturally competent care, and under-recognition of their mental health needs. This study aimed to explore problem recognition as a key component in the mental health help-seeking pathway for Black adolescents in school settings. Grounded …

“What Are We And What’S Coming Next?”: Queer People’S Experiences During Sociopolitical Unrest In The Us, Ariana Cristal Morales

Master's Theses

Queer (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other gender and sexual identities) folx have become a major focal point during political elections. As political climates have projected forced attacks towards queer populations, society has followed suit. Investigation on the impacts of such changes towards queer folx is important to uncover, as sociopolitical climates have shifted within the last 10 years in the US. The present study utilizes a phenomenological framework to understand the lived experiences of queer participants living in the US from 2015-2025 during political and social shifts. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to explore 10 queer participant’s lived experience …

A Heart So White: Musical Reflections On Lady Macbeth's Mind, Caitlyn N. Long

Undergraduate Theses

A Heart So White: Musical Reflections on Lady Macbeth’s Mind reimagines one of Shakespeare’s most infamous characters through a trauma-informed lens. This thesis combines artistic creation with interdisciplinary research in psychology, dramaturgy, and musical theatre studies to explore Lady Macbeth’s psychological unraveling and reclaim her from centuries of villainization. Composing from Lady Macbeth’s perspective allowed for a deeper exploration of her guilt, dissociation, repression, and isolation—symptoms traditionally overlooked in favor of Macbeth’s more visible descent into violence. Through musical motifs, lyrical reinterpretation, and staging concepts, the work seeks to humanize Lady Macbeth and highlight how trauma shapes behavior, relationships, and …

Renewal Of The Mind: Forgiveness Through The Lens Of Christian Faith And Neuroscience, Khelen Walsh

University Honors Theses

Within Christian theology, forgiveness is a foundational concept that is often understood as a divine command, a spiritual practice, and a path toward reconciliation and personal growth. Recent neuroscientific research further supports this viewpoint, providing data that shows forgiveness engages neural systems responsible for emotional regulation, empathy, moral reasoning, and perspective-taking. Through neuroplasticity, repeated acts of forgiveness reshape the brain, strengthen connections between prefrontal and limbic regions, reduce amygdala reactivity, and enhance emotional stability and cognitive flexibility. Although forgiveness offers many benefits, modern culture frequently distorts its meaning, framing it as a sign of weakness, gullibility, or a form of …

Interrelationships Among Social Media Use, University Social Capital, And Mental Health Outcomes In Undergraduate Students, Md Hasan Howlader

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

Mental health concerns among university students have intensified globally, reflected in rising levels of psychological distress, declining life satisfaction, and reduced flourishing. These challenges present urgent implications for public health and higher education policy. Simultaneously, social media use (SMU) has become deeply embedded in students’ daily lives; however, its impact on mental health remains inconclusive. While some studies associate SMU with increased mental health issues, others emphasize its potential to foster social connection. These conflicting perspectives are further complicated by uncertainty regarding the directionality of these relationships—whether SMU influences mental health, or mental health status shapes SMU patterns. Furthermore, existing …

Comparing Gen Z And Millennials’ Experience In Management Trainee Programs And Their Impact On Employee Retention, Jyro B. Triviño, Josh Aidan T. Cue, Liana Beatriz G. Lu, Margaret Louise E. Mil, Gabrielle Marie P. Tamayo, Elisha Ann G. Tan

Leadership and Strategy Faculty Publications

Understanding generational differences in engagement with Management Trainee (MT) programs is crucial for talent development, yet comparative studies linking these experiences to employee retention are limited. This study addressed this gap by investigating the distinct motivations and retention drivers of Filipino Gen Z and Millennial graduates from the MT program. Using a qualitative research design, in-depth interviews were conducted with six professionals (three Gen Z and three Millennials) who completed structured MT programs in Philippine-based organizations. The data were analyzed using a comparative thematic analysis framework adapted from Braun and Clark. Findings revealed key distinctions in motivations and retention drivers. …

Structural Equation Modeling Of Educational Factors Associated With Racial Trauma: Belonging, Efficacy, And Persistence Among Bipoc College Students, Miguel Castano, Richard Chang

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Racial trauma refers to post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms from repeated exposure to racism and racial discrimination, generally expressed as hypervigilance and lack of safety, negative cognitions causing bleak perceptions of oneself and the world, and difficulty coping through reduced ability to manage distress. Literature shows that BIPOC students encounter racism on university campuses more frequently than non-BIPOC students, suggesting they are more vulnerable to racial trauma. Racial trauma has been linked to negative mental health outcomes; however, little is known about its impact on educational outcomes. Academic belonging, self-efficacy, and persistence are key educational factors tied to academic performance and …

Gendered Patterns Of Trauma & Ptsd Symptoms Among Latine Americans: A Mixed-Methods Analysis, Abigail Panariso, Gerardo Garcia, Melanie Garcia, Yajairy Carbrales, Mariam Sultan

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Latine communities in the U.S. experience disproportionate exposure to traumatic events, contributing to behavioral health disparities such as elevated rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and underutilization of mental health care. Gender, as a key social determinant of health, influences both types of trauma encountered and the severity of symptoms. Little research has tackled how gender intersects with structural inequities within Latine populations, such as discrimination, immigration stress, and socioeconomic marginalization. This mixed-methods study assessed gender differences in trauma experiences and PTSD symptoms among 328 Latine American adults (148 men, 180 women) recruited through an online survey. We predicted gender …

Martial Arts Studies: A Commentary On The Exploration Of Consciousness In Modern Martial Arts, James H. Sutton

Journal of Conscious Evolution

The rapid globalization of martial arts has reconditioned how the beliefs, customs, and philosophies of traditionally based systems are interpreted and applied in modern practice. As contemporary scholarship struggles to accommodate the cultural histories, myths, and traditions that permeate the perception of martial arts in modern contexts, the focus of inquiry has shifted towards explaining cultural variations in practice rather than understanding the nature of self-awareness derived from self-practice. Consequently, the deeper meanings of martial arts as pathways to personal and transpersonal awareness are often invalidated in favor of objective and verifiable explications. In short, the role of consciousness is …

Both Studying And Protecting Octopuses “On Their Own Terms”, Jennifer Jacquet, Janelle Kaz, Becca Franks, Christine Webb

Animal Sentience

Cephalopods – indeed, all animals – “must be seen on their own terms,” with respect for their autonomy and their ecological imperatives. This will provide greater scientific insight along with a more ethical and accurate understanding of minds beyond our own.

An Examination Of Disparities In Adhd Diagnosis Between Men And Women, Julia Holloway

University Honors Theses

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has become an increasingly popular area of study over the last decade. The rise in cases over the same period likely explains this trend, as does ADHD’s status as one of the most commonly encountered neurodevelopmental disorders. While much of this research has served as an invaluable asset to both practitioners and patients there are still blind spots which have yet to be addressed by the existing body of research. This progress in our understanding of ADHD has gone far in illuminating the biases which have set the precedent for treatment and diagnosis, however, widespread understanding …

Effects Of Mental Health Clinician Characteristics And Education On Willingness To Treat Child Problematic Sexual Behavior, Debra Elise Hutchison

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Children aged 12 and under who exhibit problematic sexual behavior (PSB) often face barriers to care due to clinicians’ limited willingness and effectiveness in treating this population. However, little is known about the factors that influence clinicians’ willingness to provide treatment. Grounded in Bowen’s family systems theory and Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, this study examined how differentiation of self (DoS), sexual intervention self-efficacy (SISE), sexual comfort, and sexual education/training affect clinicians’ willingness to treat child PSB. A quantitative, non-experimental survey design with a convenience sample of 63 clinicians with experience working with children used a multiple linear regression analysis that revealed …