Digital Commons Network^™

Sport-Related Concussions In Division Iii Athletes: A 10-Year Prospective Analysis Of Trends And Incidence, Shaylyn R. Thorne

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Sports-related concussions (SRCs) among college athletes remain a growing area of concern due to a myriad of potential short and long-term implications. Understanding concussion trends and incidence in collegiate sports is critical for guiding prevention and management strategies. This study examined concussion injuries among NCAA Division III collegiate athletes at a single institution over a 10-year period. Analyses focused on trends in concussion incidence across sports, genders, and changes associated with institutional and NCAA policy updates. Results indicated that concussion incidence varied across sports and time, with higher rates in contact sports such as football and soccer. Significant differences occurred …

19.3 Ceus, Albright Aaron, Peighton Corley, Yusuf Barburoglu, Jeff Moe

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

[Introduction] Navigating the Complexities in Gender-Diverse Counseling: Understanding the Interplay of Gender Identity, Racial Inequities, Economic Marginalization, and Aging

1. Which counseling approach discussed in the article explicitly weaves systemic oppression into cognitive restructuring for transgender clients?

A. Narrative Therapy

B. Gestalt Therapy

C. Intersectional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

D. Dialectical Behavior Therapy

2. According to the article, identity-integrated support networks are valuable because they:

A. Provide financial assistance for medical transition only

B. Affirm multiple intersecting identities, offering validation and belonging

C. Limit social interaction to reduce microaggressions

D. Operate exclusively in online spaces

Ai And Positionality:A Guide For Learning Communities, Emese Ilyés

Open Educational Resources

This practical guide helps educators thoughtfully integrate AI tools while preserving what matters most—student voice and agency. Drawing on research with students navigating AI in higher education, it offers concrete activities and frameworks that position technology as an assistant rather than a replacement for authentic expression. Through adaptable classroom strategies and qualitative approaches, educators across disciplines will discover how to create learning environments where students recognize the value of their unique perspectives in an age of artificial intelligence.

Correlations Between Parasocial Tendencies And Self-Esteem Among Romance Readers, Evelyn Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The present study evaluated the correlations between romance readership and paralove strength, as well as paralove strength with self-esteem. With the popularization of the romance genre, previous qualitative studies have shown that readers of romance books receive mood benefits from consuming these novels, as well as social benefits that they apply to their real-life relationships. Additionally, low self-esteem has been shown to have a major effect on relationship satisfaction and the perception of rejection with real-life relationships, but not parasocial relationships. The researcher hypothesized that as romance readership increased, so too would paralove scores, and that as paralove scores increased, …

Exploring Front-Line Implementers Perceptions To Inform Tier 1 Pbis Implementation Coaching, Sammi Cowger

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The successful implementation of universal practices within Positive Behavior Interventions and Support systems (Tier 1 PBIS) relies on front-line implementers to deliver services through student-facing practice elements. However, schools are often limited in the implementation support they can provide (Fixsen et al., 2005). Therefore, there is a growing emphasis in educational research on the systems and resources necessary to support the individuals tasked with implementing the programming (Forman et al., 2013). One form of support commonly used to support implementers of other school-based practices is implementation coaching. While this term is not universally used within the literature, it can be …

Remote Infant Studies Of Early Learning (Rise): Scalable Online Replications Of Key Findings In Infant Cognitive Development, Rhiannon Luyster, Elena Tenenbaum1, Caitlin Stone, My H. Vu, Madeleine Hare, Kristen Gilyard, Sudha Arunachalam, Elika Bergelson, Somer Bishop, Michael Frank, J. Kiley Hamlin, Melissa Kline Struhl, Rebecca J. Landa, Casey Lew-Williams, Melissa E. Libertus, Julie Markant, Maura Sabatos-Devito, Stephen J. Sheinkopf, Jennifer B. Wagner, Kayle Park, Anna I. Soderling, Ashleigh K. Waterman, Jordan N. Grapel, Amit Bermano, Yotam Erle, Shafali Jeste

Emerson Authors, Researchers, & Creators

The current manuscript describes the Remote Infant Studies of Early Learning (RISE), a battery intended to provide robust looking time measures of cognitive development that can be administered remotely to inform our understanding of individual developmental trajectories in typical and atypical populations, particularly infant siblings of autistic children. This battery was developed to inform our understanding of early cognitive and language development in infants who will later receive a diagnosis of autism. Using tasks that have been successfully implemented in lab-based paradigms, we included assessments of attention, memory, prediction, word-recognition, numeracy, multimodal processing, and social evaluation. This study reports results …

Students’ Perceptions Of Self And Peers Predict Self-Reports Of Cheating, Amber M. Henslee, Luke Settles, Sara E. Johnson, Gayla R. Olbricht

Psychological Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Academic dishonesty and how to address it are common concerns across higher education disciplines, but engineering students admit to higher rates of academic dishonesty than other students. However, first-year students may be particularly receptive to prevention efforts. Considering self-perception, social norming, and behavioral choice theories, we hypothesized that 1.) Students who perceived themself as ethical and more knowledgeable of the consequences for misconduct would be less likely to self-report cheating and 2.) Students who perceived cheating and plagiarism to be common would be more likely to self-report cheating. For this study, freshmen engineering students (N=703) reported their self-perception, perception of …

Psychopathology, Symptomology, And Treatment In Offspring Of Holocaust Survivors: An Integrative Systematic Review, Lauren Grace Escobar

Theses and Dissertations

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the symptomatology, psychopathology, and treatment of offspring of Holocaust survivors (OHS). A comprehensive search was conducted in PsycINFO, PILOTS/PTSD, and Scopus for studies published between 1990 and 2024. Inclusion criteria required peer-reviewed studies, reports, books, literature reviews, and meta-analyses written or translated into English that reported on symptomatology and treatment for OHS. From an initial yield of 2,532 articles, 119 studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings suggest that OHS demonstrate significantly higher levels of symptomatology and psychopathology reported in nine clinical classifications. Psychodynamic treatment was the most commonly found treatment modality for OHS, …

The Efficacy Of Trauma-Informed Treatment For Undocumented Latinx Immigrants With Manifestation Of Trauma Symptoms: A Systematic Review, Daniel Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

This systematic review provides a narrative synthesis of the trauma symptom manifestation in the undocumented Latinx immigrant population, how acculturation impacts trauma symptom manifestation, and what interventions have been shown to be effective in treating trauma symptoms with this population. Using specific search terms, the PsycINFO and Scopus databases were searched. After a review of the full-text, a total of 26 articles met the inclusion criteria. Results indicated that undocumented Latinx immigrants present with trauma symptoms associated with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), somatic symptoms, and symptoms associated with …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Autistic Youth Mental Health, Chase Keyler

Theses and Dissertations

This systematic literature review explores the experiences of autistic youth during the COVID-19 pandemic and their ongoing adjustment in a post-pandemic world. It focuses on three primary concerns: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ASD youth’s mental health, the factors influencing their adjustment during and after lockdown, and post-pandemic recommendations for clinicians and stakeholders. A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted across six databases within the EBSCOhost platform. Study selection consisted of three phases: an initial screening (title and keywords), a partial review (title, keywords, and abstract), and a full- text analysis. The results of this systematic review indicate …

Substance Use In Justice-Involved Youth: The Roles Of Adhd And Cd, Avery Beatty

Open Access Dissertations

The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between ADHD, CD, and comorbid ADHD and CD on cigarette, cannabis, and alcohol use among justice-involved youth (JIY). Data for the present study were derived from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compared the effectiveness of various interventions in reducing cigarette use among youth at a state juvenile correctional facility in the Northeastern United States. The total sample (N = 302) comprised incarcerated and detained youth (n = 243) who ranged in age from 13 to 19 years (M = 16.01, SD = 1.01). Additionally, the present finding revealed that the total …

The Predictive Validity Of Implicit, Explicit, And Subtle Racism Measures On Nonverbal Behavior And Explicit Evaluations Of Black And White Women Interviewers, Adele E. Weaver

Open Access Dissertations

Statement of the Problem: A long-standing history of the oppression of Black Americans has resulted in racism manifesting through White individuals’ nonverbal behavior in interracial interactions’ specifically by way of unfriendly behavioral cues, or on the other end of the spectrum, overly positive and patronizing nonverbal behavior. Regardless of the underlying sentiment, White people’s nonverbal behavior in interracial interactions affect Black people’s mental and physical health and longevity. However, there is a dearth of research on how well-established measures of implicit and explicit racism predict racist nonverbal behavior, and even more so for subtle self-report measures. Methodology: To this …

The Assessment Of Implicit Bias Among Police Personnel: A Systematic Review, Emily Deutsch

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the essential and powerful role police officers play within the communities they serve, systematic racism in law enforcement has become a key topic of public discourse, including increased demand for evidence-based changes in police selection. This includes recommendations or requirements to assess implicit bias in police candidates (e.g., California Assembly Bill 846). Implicit bias refers to the spontaneous/automatic associations or evaluations made of members of a particular group (Kim & Roberson, 2021). The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training’s (POST’s) Bias Assessment Framework provides recommendations to police psychologists on the assessment of implicit bias, but curiously …

Implications For Clinical Practice When Working With Latino Families Affected By Pediatric Cancer: An Integrative Systematic Review, Karla Rodas

Theses and Dissertations

The high mortality rates within the Latino population due to childhood cancer and the psychosocial challenges that come with the disease warrants attention from mental health professionals to provide support and address the distress experienced by affected families. The purpose of this integrative systematic review was to identify the psychosocial challenges faced by Latino families navigating childhood cancer, explore the role of cultural resiliency as a coping mechanism, and examine culturally adapted clinical interventions that integrate cultural resilience, promote psychosocial well-being, and improve treatment engagement. A PRISMA flow diagram was used to illustrate the systematic review process, which included 11 …

Resilience And Stress: Trauma, Grit, Resilience And Perceived Organizational Support In First Responders, Paige Gallas Parker

Theses and Dissertations

First responders comprise an underserved and under-researched population, despite consensus that their work involves exposure to potentially traumatic events. Inconsistent definitions of “first responder” and unclear prevalence rates of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) limit efforts to assess and promote resilience. This study examined the relationships between grit, resilience, perceived organizational support, and trauma symptoms in a sample of 234 first responders (69% firefighters, 29% lifeguards) employed by a large West Coast fire department. Measures included a demographics questionnaire, the Professional Exposure to Traumatic Events (PETE), the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), the Short Grit Scale …

Parental Behavioral Control Across Domains In Indian And Indian American Families, Avneet Batra

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Prior research literature has often found parental behavioral control to have mixed associations with varied adolescent outcomes (Bean et al., 2006; Finkenauer et al., 2005). However, a relatively lesser explored topic of research focusses on the domain specificity of this kind of control and its association with internalizing and externalizing behaviors in sample of Indian and Indian American parents (Arim et al., 2010). The current study adds to the limited literature by emphasizing the five domains of control (e.g., moral, conventional, prudential, personal and overlapping) based on the social cognitive domain theory and explores their association with adolescent adjustment outcomes …

Behavioral Effects Of Prenatal Ecig Aerosol Exposure On Sprague-Dawley Rats, Erin Elizabeth Wylie

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Maternal electronic cigarette (ECIG) use during pregnancy raises concerns about potential risks to offspring, yet its behavioral effects remain unclear. The present studies were designed to investigate how prenatal exposure to ECIG aerosols, with and without nicotine, influences the behavior of Sprague-Dawley rat offspring. Dams were exposed to aerosols containing base liquid alone, aerosols containing base liquid with 18 mg/ml nicotine, or filtered air (control) throughout gestation. Following postnatal day 65, male offspring from 17 litters completed lever-press acquisition (Experiment 1), sustained-attending (Experiment 2), and nicotine self-administration (Experiment 3) tasks. One-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used to compare task …

Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities As A Risk For Child Maltreatment, Maddie Hawley

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) and child maltreatment. Data from the 2022 National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) from the state of Minnesota was analyzed. The sample was made up of 38,083 reports of child maltreatment, where the average age of the child was 7.66 years. 51.2% of the children in the sample were female, and White children comprised the largest portion of the sample at 39.6%. Results of this study showed that children with IDDs are at an elevated risk of child maltreatment compared to typically …

Impacts Of Sexual Assault On Mental Health In Adolescents, Nicole Trip

Graduate Research Papers

The current study focuses on the impacts of forced sexual activity on mental health among high school students. This study is a secondary data analysis, using the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), which is nationally representative data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A total of 19,945 high school students with an average age of 15.89 years, and about half of the students were White and male. This study found that experiences of sexual assault are associated with increased depression and suicidal ideation. This study also found that female youth experienced a higher level …

Police Interactions On Adverse Mental Health Outcomes Within Black Communities, Anessa Smith

Graduate Research Papers

This study examines the relationship between police interactions and psychological distress among Black adults, contributing to existing research on systemic racism and mental health disparities. Utilizing secondary data analysis, the 2023 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), this study focuses on the analysis of a nationally representative, address-based sample of non-institutionalized Black adults residing in California, with a sample size of 1,009. The study examines associations between the number of police stops over a three-year period and psychological distress by gender. Findings indicate that a higher frequency of police stops is significantly associated with increased psychological distress. However, no statistically significant …

Sexual And Bystander Sexual Harassment Experiences Among Part-Time Female Employees: Testing An Interactive Model, Erin Powers

Graduate Research Papers

The current research investigated the impact of sexual and bystander harassment on work-related attitudes, work behaviors, and psychological health. Participants included 314 females who worked part-time at their organization. All participants individually completed a computer administered Workplace Experiences Survey assessing various aspects of their work environment including personal and bystander harassment experiences, work-related attitudes (supervisor, coworker, and work satisfaction), work behaviors (work and job withdrawal), and psychological well-being. It was predicted that both direct sexual harassment and bystander harassment experiences would be associated with more negative work attitudes, greater withdrawal behaviors, and poorer psychological health, with bystander harassment moderating the …

Leaving Pawprints On Our Hearts: Bystander Recovery For Witnessing The Negligent Killing Of A Companion Animal, John G. Browning

Animal Law Review

According to the Pew Research Center, nearly all (97%) Americans with companion animals consider their “furbabies” to be members of the family. This is reflected in a number of other areas, from state and federal laws re-garding emergency management that recognize four-legged members of the family unit to divorce and custody laws in multiple states that require courts to treat companion animals not as property, but as family members. Soci-ologists and psychologists have also documented the expanding recognition of the “multispecies family.” However, the majority of states’ laws still view companion animals as chattel property, even as more and more …

Comparative Analyses Of Psychological And Training Characteristics In Judo Competitors And Non-Competitors: Mental Strength, Self-Efficacy, Grit, Resilience, Self-Control, Aggression, Mental Health, And Life Satisfaction, Leandro De Lorenco-Lima, Daniery Rosario, Stacey Gaines

Applied Sport & Performance Psychology | Faculty Scholarship

Judokas competing at the national and Olympic levels rigorously engage in numerous daily and weekly training sessions, potentially influencing the athletes’ mental conditioning. Based on the nature of competition, peak physical and mental conditioning is a prerequisite to achieve the highest place on the podium. This study investigated the differences in training characteristics, mental strength, resilience, grit, self-efficacy, self-control, aggression, life satisfaction, and mental health disorders between judo competitors and non-competitors. A total of 146 judo athletes (77.4% male) from 18 to 45 years of age, representing 60 competitors (41.1%) 86 noncompetitors (58.9%) participated in this study. Judokas answered training-related …

Exploring Gratitude Journaling In 12-Step Recovery: Effects On Attitudes, Affect, And Cravings: A Pilot Study, Susan Elizabeth Hann Doyle

CGU Theses & Dissertations

This study explored the emotional and attitudinal effects of gratitude journaling exercises among 12-step program attendees for substance use disorders (SUDs) and behavioral addictions. A total of 152 participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group, which completed Seligman’s “Three Good Things” exercise and a structured gratitude journal, or a control group, which engaged in a neutral journaling task. Emotional states were assessed using the positive and negative affect schedule-short form (PANAS-SF), while cravings were monitored with the Penn alcohol craving scale (PACS) to ensure the interventions did not exacerbate participants’ alcohol cravings. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant reductions …

Adhd As A Lived Experience Amongst Bipoc College Students, Nikash Kale

Honors Theses

This thesis focuses on the perspectives of Black Indigenous and Persons of Color (BIPOC) college students on Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study analyzes scoping strategies, perceived symptomatological differences, and the effects of racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds among BIPOC college students. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 14 participants, I examine the full permeation of ADHD among BIPOC college students, its evolution from pre-diagnosis to the present, and how they navigate the disorder and its treatment. A qualitative analysis of ADHD among minorities in college will not only allow clinicians to understand the distinct struggles of BIPOC with ADHD, but it …

Resilience And Its Effects On Psychological Well Being During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Taylor Reinsel

Honors Theses

Stressors and trauma in life are unavoidable. However, the way we respond and adapt to them can be within our control. This response differs from person to person, but there are factors that can influence the likelihood of an individual rebounding from a crisis, as well as factors that can put them at a higher risk of developing mental illness. One of the main factors that influences Psychological Well Being is the presence of Resilience.

The main goal of this study was to examine how factors of Resilience relate to Psychological Well Being and COVID-19 Well Being during the COVID-19 …

How To Remember Names Lesson Plan, Madison Paige Davis

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

This is an introductory lesson intended for any high school- or college-aged student who wants to learn how to deepen connections with others, whether for personal or professional relationships. Through a combination of lecturettes, discussions, reflection time, and activities/ quizzes, students will learn and apply their knowledge about the benefits, science, history, and strategies of remembering people’s names so that they are able to use names in future conversations. The final activity will be a simulation of real life scenarios where students will have to either remember and use a stranger’s name or practice asking for their name, whether they …

Grounded In Motion: Finding Calm Through Daily Stretching, Everett H. Tai

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

This lesson targets undergraduate students, reframing stretching as an essential, evidence-based habit for long-term wellness and stress management. The lesson's primary goal is to empower students to confidently design and consistently apply a personalized routine that protects their mobility and independence. Students will master the core science, understanding that dynamic stretching may augment performance pre-exercise, while shorter static stretches can be performed without compromising muscle performance, and post-exercise stretching can reduce muscle pain perception. This lesson emphasizes proper execution, requiring students to warm up first with 5 to 10 minutes of light activity with focus on technique. This practical knowledge …

Your Words Matter, Sophie Thai

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

This lesson focuses on helping students understand the profound impact that affirmations and gratitude can have on their mindset and well-being. Applicable for everyone, students are encouraged to take their learnings and practice them in real life, hoping to promote a shift in perspective. Students will be able to recognize the benefits of their words and the way they speak to themselves, and understand how they can make changes in their lifestyle.

In this lesson, students will have a chance to reflect and learn about the science behind affirmations and gratitude while being introduced to strategies used to implement them …

The Hidden Verdict: Measuring Implicit Bias In Juror Decision-Making, Gina Dudley

Psychology | Senior Theses

This experiment examines the influence of implicit bias awareness on juror decision-making in cases involving Hispanic defendants. Explicitly, it tests three hypotheses: (1) bias-educated jurors will demonstrate lower conviction rates for Hispanic defendants, (2) these jurors will report higher confidence in their verdicts, and (3) they will show greater awareness of how their previous experiences influence their decision-making. This experiment uses a mock jury paradigm to investigate whether bias awareness interventions affect verdict decisions and juror confidence levels in cases with Hispanic defendants. Ninety participants were randomly assigned to receive or not receive implicit bias education before reviewing a case …