Digital Commons Network^™

Leadership Awakening: Shifting Towards Eco-Consciousness Through Psychedelics, Ladana Edwards

Journal of Conscious Evolution

Corporate leaders, wielding influence and decision-making power over world resources and capital, are key drivers of systemic change to address current social, economic, and ecological crises. To address the myriad complex and interdependent crises, a transformative shift in consciousness is required in leaders and leadership teams, from ego-consciousness towards eco-consciousness, which can be supported through psychedelic experiences. Shifting towards eco-consciousness can facilitate holistic decision making and an expanded sense of leadership responsibility to the planet and all its inhabitants—ultimately supporting the creation of healthier eco-nomics in our Earth community.

Shifts towards leadership eco-consciousness have the potential to open up space …

¿Qué Dijo El Médico?: Creating A Procedural Preparation Booklet For Spanish-Speaking Patients And Families In The Pediatric Hospital Setting, Caitlyn Bockbrader

Honors Projects

The purpose of my Honors Project is to demonstrate the need for and creation of a resource that supports Spanish-speaking children’s ability to cope through commonly stressful medical procedures. In developing this project, I conducted a literature review on the efficacy of preparation booklets in lessening pre-procedural anxiety, cultural considerations for the Hispanic community, and current barriers to equitable language access in healthcare settings. My final product was designed to answer the following question: How can the psychosocial outcomes of Spanish-speaking children in U.S. hospitals be improved through the use of Child Life procedural preparation materials? In answering this question, …

Association Of Unmet Social Needs With Disease-Related Outcomes In Pediatric Patients With Sickle Cell Disease, Molly Sonenklar, Sarah Marks, Cerelia Donald, Cecelia Valrie, Wally Smith, India Sisler

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Social determinants of health (SDoH) are socioeconomic factors that influence health and well-being, though when unmet can greatly contribute to health disparities. Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk of mortality, disability, and healthcare utilization. However, there are limited data linking specific social needs with disease outcomes in this population. Therefore, we sought to identify the unmet needs in one institution and their association with healthcare utilization. Methods: Children with SCD and their guardians answered demographic and SDoH questionnaires during routine Sickle Cell Clinic appointments. We defined an unmet social need as any positive answer to …

The Relationship Between Religious Coping Styles And Eating Disorder Risk In Christians In A University Setting, Meghan E. Aubuchon

Honors Theses

Existing research on eating disorders and religion is beginning to gain momentum in the present day, but research is lacking on the topic of religious coping and eating disorder risk. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between two known styles of religious coping—positive and negative—and eating disorder risk in University of Mississippi students, faculty, and staff who identify as Christian. A survey consisting of basic demographic questions, the EAT-26, and the Brief RCOPE was distributed via emails sent by the office of IREP to students, faculty, and staff at the University of Mississippi. A total of 330 participants were …

When Help Hurts: Workplace Instrumental Support And Employee Emotional Exhaustion Within-Person, Jensine Paoletti-Hatcher, Anthony T. Misisco, Eden B. King

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The social support paradox describes mixed findings on the effects of social support on well-being. An application of the person-environment fit perspective can address the paradox by reasoning that similar quantities of social support needs and social support supplies should result in optimal well-being outcomes. We integrate a person-environment fit perspective with self-determination theory in an examination of the relationship between workplace instrumental support and emotional exhaustion through a two-week experience sampling method study. Fifty-nine participants responded to questions about desired quantities of work-related help from their colleagues (coworkers and supervisors) and their perceived quantities of work-related help after work …

Treating Depression Using Non-Pharmacological Interventions, Herve Preval, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and neuropsychotherapy are all non-pharmacological interventions that have been used in the treatment of depression. This review seeks to investigate the possible advantages of CBT, TMS, and neuropsychotherapy in the treatment of depression. Depression is a debilitating mental health disorder, and it is an extremely prevalent mental condition that is linked to increased illness and death. More than 300 million people suffer from depression worldwide. Depression is estimated to be at a rate of 5.5 percent annually in developed countries and even higher at 6.7 percent amongst young adults. In this …

Validation Of A Culturally Adapted Neuropsychology Screening Measure Among Older American Indians, Katherine A. Edwards

Psychology ETDs

American Indian (AI) older adults are most at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in the United States. However, there are no cognitive screening tools validated or normed for AI populations, limiting the diagnostic accuracy of current tools. In this study, a culturally adapted screening tool was adapted for three different sites with older AI adults, and validated against widely used neurocognitive screening measures to determine convergent validity. Results found that adapted story memory scores were significantly higher than unadapted scores. Additionally, culturally salient story memory scores were more consistent with measures of crystalized intelligence, while unadapted story …

Examining The Implicit Association Between The ‘Caucasian’ Race And Scientific Ideals, Erin Cain, Tim Messer-Kruse, Anne K. Gordon Dr.

Honors Projects

This study examines the implicit associations between the term ‘Caucasian’ and scientific ideals. The racist and pseudoscientific history of the word ‘Caucasian’ invalidates its credibility and insinuates persistent racist ideologies that continue to manifest today. The term ‘Caucasian’ seems to be popularly thought of as a more exact, specific, and scientific term than that of ‘White’. This paper includes a review of the literature about the White race and the term ‘Caucasian’, how this term originated, and the pseudoscience that created it in the 18^th century. The experiment includes a control condition, and an experimental condition that primes the …

The Immune System Under Pressure: Understanding The Impact Of Stress On Immune Function And Health, Kaeshwinie Murugan

Honors Theses

Stress has a profound impact on the immune health of college students, exacerbated by challenges such as academic pressures, sleep deprivation, and inadequate coping strategies. This study investigates the relationship between stress and immune function among students at Western Michigan University, utilizing survey data and existing literature to explore mechanisms of stress-induced immune suppression and identify effective interventions. The survey, conducted with 100 participants, revealed that over 70% experienced stress that adversely affected their immune systems, with 60% reporting insufficient sleep and 20% sleeping less than five hours per night.

The survey further highlighted students' reliance on specific coping mechanisms, …

Mindfulness Matters: Addressing Anxiety And Navigating Toward Wellbeing Through Miea Mindfulness Practices, A Mixed-Methods Study Of Lgbtiq Graduate Writing Students, Kim Westerman

Doctoral Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Mindfulness Matters: Addressing Anxiety and Navigating Toward Wellbeing Through MIEA Mindfulness Practices, a Mixed-Methods Study of LGBTIQ Graduate Writing Students

Anxiety has always been a part of the human experience, even before the phenomenon was conceptualized in the 17^th century and named by Freud in the 19th. And human beings have devised many strategies for addressing anxiety: reducing it, ignoring it, distracting oneself from it, despairing over it, medicating it, engaging with it, moving through it, co-existing with it. The current zeitgeist, more than four years into the COVID-19 global pandemic, situates anxiety as a central facet of …

Evaluation Of A Token Reinforcement System For Assignment Completion In Students With Educational Disabilities, Brandon O'Dell

Theses

Token reinforcement systems are an effective tool in applied behavior analysis. Studies as early as the 1960s and 70s have demonstrated the effectiveness of token economy from addressing the behaviors of psychiatric patients (e.g., Allyon & Azrin, 1965) to supporting the academic achievement of students in school settings (e.g., McLaughlin & Malaby, 1972) Most recently, Espinoza and Hackenberg (2024) discussed the history and effectiveness of token reinforcement, while providing practical recommendations for its application. The current study aimed to implement a token reinforcement system to increase assignment completion and accuracy in three eighth-grade students with various medical and educational diagnoses …

Parasocial Relationships In Children And Teens, Bradley J. Bond, Karen E. Dill-Shackleford, Jayson L. Dibble, Tracy R. Gleason, Nancy Jennings, Sara Rosaen, Rebecca Tukachinsky Forster

Communication Faculty Books and Book Chapters

"Young people have easy access to an array of fictional characters and celebrities, many of whom exist across platforms (e.g., protagonists from the graphic novel Heartstopper now appear in live-action on Netflix) and are manifested in toys and other merchandise. Children and adolescents often create powerful, socioemotional connections with fictional characters and celebrities called parasocial relationships (PSRs). Preschoolers clutching Elmo dolls, tweens fantasizing about interactions with TikTok influencers, and queer teens finding affirmation in a gay couple on Schitt’s Creek all hint at possible PSRs. These one-sided, imagined social ties might raise concerns for parents and other stakeholders; however, PSRs …

Bridging The Gap: Examining The Discrepancies In Communication Skills Between University Education And Employer Expectations, Valerie Chan

Honors Theses

Effective communication is a critical skill in the workplace, yet a persistent gap exists between the communication abilities of university graduates and the expectations of employers. This study explores the alignment between the communication skills taught in the Western Essential Studies (WES) general education curriculum at Western Michigan University (WMU) and the communication needs identified by employers. By examining four communication types—oral, written, interpersonal, and digital—this research investigates the similarities and differences in how faculty and employers define and emphasize communication skills.

Findings reveal a misalignment between the skills emphasized in university curricula and those prioritized in the workplace. Faculty …

Assessing Access To Art Therapy Programs Among Individuals In The Foster Care System, Diya Patel

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Research shows that youth in foster care who exit care, struggle with education, employment, and overall health compared to the non-fostered general population. Despite being useful, there is minimal research on art therapy being used as a resource for youth in foster care. This research assesses access to art therapy programs among youth in foster care. If art therapy resources are offered, the study aims to determine if they generally improve children's attitudes and outlooks toward the future, and whether these resources ought to be implemented or referred to youth in foster care. Seven professionals working with youth in foster …

Shame, Loneliness, Regret: Analyzing Theeffectiveness Of Anti-Alcohol Marketing Campaigns On Consumers, Zakary Bradbury

Honors Projects in Marketing

The alcohol market has been growing exponentially worldwide over the past decade with no trends of stopping in the near future. With this growth comes an increase in marketing efforts from both pro-alcohol companies and anti-alcohol agencies. While pro-alcohol companies have not had any trouble regarding marketing, anti-alcohol agencies have lagged behind in terms of social and digital marketing efforts. The goal of this research was to uncover how various anti-alcohol stimuli affect consumer attitudes and beliefs. To conduct research, we ran a Qualtrics survey consisting of 279 college students. The results showed that 1) when participants viewed an anti-alcohol …

The Relations Between The Financial Wellbeing Of Custodial Grandparents, Their Overall Wellbeing, And Their Perceived Social Support, Paige L. Miller

Honors Theses

There have been numerous studies on how the financial wellbeing of custodial grandparents affects their overall wellbeing, and how the amount of social support custodial grandparents receive impacts their depressive and anxiety symptoms. However, little is known regarding the ways in which all three variables are related – financial wellbeing, overall wellbeing, and social support – or their impact on custodial grandparents. We examined the relations between these variables, as well as the moderating relation of financial wellbeing on social support and wellbeing. The data used in the current study was collected as part of a larger project, during which …

Perceptions Of Safety At School: Associations With Bullying Participant Roles And Gender, Nicholas G. Tanasa, Michelle Demaray

Honors Capstones

Bullying is a serious issue in schools worldwide that plays a vital role in students’ mental health and perception of safety at school (Man et al., 2022). The current study explored how a student’s involvement in various bullying participant roles (Bully, Assistant, Victim, Defender, and Outsider) is associated with a student’s perception of safety at school. This study additionally explored if these associations varied by gender. It was hypothesized that bullying and assisting scores would be positively associated with feeling safe at school; victimization scores would be negatively associated with feeling safe at school; no predictions were made for defending …

Parenting Practices And Attachment Levels In Relation To Externalizing Behaviors In Children Raised By Nonparental Caregivers, Kourtney Mia Barfield

Honors Theses

Current literature supports parenting practices and the quality of child-caregiver attachments are correlated with child externalizing behavior. However, these results typically come from samples of biological parents and their children. It is unknown if parenting practices (i.e. poor supervision, inconsistent discipline, and positive parenting) predict attachment and externalizing behavior among children of grandparents and foster parents. Previous studies have also found
that attachment mediates the relation between parenting practices and externalizing behavior among children raised by biological parents. This study aims to determine if similar relations will be found among grandchildren and foster children and if the level of attachment …

Lived Experiences Of Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color (Bipoc) Helping Professionals, Shairee Lackey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study was focused on the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) professionals in helping professions. The goal of the research was to understand the challenges BIPOC helping professionals face due to systemic racism, burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress. These factors significantly impact the well-being and effectiveness of BIPOC professionals and are often overlooked in existing literature. Grounded in critical race theory, the study used a phenomenological research design, gathering data through semistructured interviews with 13 participants. The findings revealed challenges such as microaggressions, stereotypes, discrimination, lack of representation, and cultural invalidation. Participants showed resilience …

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Treatment Protocol For Telehealth, Lisa Bozzoli

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study addressed the research problem of limited access to eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) treatment due to factors restricting face to face (F2F) options, resulting in clients not receiving necessary help. The purpose for this quantitative, quasi-experimental, ex post facto study was to explore the effectiveness of EMDR provided through two delivery modalities (e.g., via telehealth versus F2F) compared as evidenced by a reduction in the SUD and an increase in the VOC between the two groups when controlling for the number of targets as the covariate. Shapiro’s adaptive information processing (AIP) model provided the theoretical framework and the …

A Mixed Methods Study Of Undergraduate Psychology Students At An Evangelical University: The Integration Of Psychology And Christianity, Claire Voshell

Senior Honors Theses

The integration of psychology and spirituality has gained attention in both religious and secular communities over the last decade, and there has been an increased emphasis on Christian integration in the last few years. Current literature is primarily focused on frameworks and theories for integration. This thesis examines the existing literature on current methods of teaching integration and its applications within social work, church ministry, counseling, and education. By completing the Psychology-Faith Integration scale and a brief semi-structured interview, participants detailed how they understood and experienced the integration of psychology and Christianity throughout their undergraduate psychology programs. Scores on the …

The Relative Strength Of Social Dominance Orientation, Belief In A Just World, And Colorblind Racial Attitudes In Predicting Support For Race-Based College-Admission Affirmative Action Policies, Allison Nicole Gaines

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students accepted into college programs are granted an opportunity to develop marketable skills they can use to their advantage in a competitive job market. However, students are not always afforded equal access to these opportunities. While some colleges and universities implemented race-based affirmative action policies to mitigate discrimination in the admissions process, resistance to these policies has impeded efforts to ensure that applicants receive an equal educational opportunity. Previous studies examined various legitimizing myths, such as the myth of meritocracy and just world beliefs. Yet, no studies have determined the relative strength of social dominance orientation, belief in a just …

Policing Emotions: What Social Psychology Can Teach Fourth Amendment Doctrine, Wayne A. Logan

Buffalo Law Review

No abstract provided.

A Grounded Theoretic Analysis Of College Students’ Attitudes Regarding Indoor Plants And Pets As Moderators Of Daily Stressors, Lydia Dill

Honors Projects

This study explores college students' attitudes toward indoor plants and pets, and how this may impact college students’ experience with stress. Through in-depth interviews and grounded theory methodology, three key themes emerged: Plant Ownership as a Method of Establishing Structure, Plants as Ornamentation, and Pets as a Source of Comfort. Plant ownership helps students create routines and emotional stability, while plants also enhance living spaces aesthetically. Pets provide emotional support, offering companionship and support, particularly during academic pressures. The study builds on previous research by examining both indoor plants and pets together, highlighting how each fulfills unique emotional, psychological, and …

How Sexual Assault Survivors Perceive Their Experiences With Victim Advocates, Stephanie Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Programs incorporating sexual assault victim advocates have become a prominent resource in assisting survivors gain access to necessary services to aid in their recovery. Although these efforts provide needed support to survivors, the programs are developed without the input of the survivors. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the relationship between victim advocates and survivors from the perspective of the survivor. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 13 sexual assault survivors regarding how they perceived their relationship with their advocates, what they experienced as helpful or not helpful in that relationship, and what they thought might improve that relationship. Thematic analysis was …

Examining The Impact Of Workplace Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Programs On Marginalized Groups: A Focus On Lgbtqia Employees, Lisa Garcia Rodriguez

Theses & Dissertations

Research Focus. The research aims to understand the experience of LGBTQIA individuals in the workplace and identify strategies for promoting their inclusion. The study will draw on prior research and best practices for promoting the inclusion of individuals in the workplace to contribute to the development of more inclusive work environments that benefit both employees and organizations. Examining the impact of workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) on marginalized groups, the question to be answered is: What are the impacts of diversity, equity, and inclusion DEI initiatives in the workplace, and how can organizations create more equitable and inclusive environments? …

Symptom Scale For Anxiety And Depression Disorders (Estad): Psychometric Properties And Sociodemographic Profile In Peruvian University Students, Nicolás Valle-Palomino, Danae De Lourdes Talledo-Sebedón, Mirtha Mercedes Fernández-Mantilla, Boris Ricardo Córdova-Cánova, Miguel Ángel Saldarriaga-Villar, María De Fátima Montero-Chuyes, Brunella Orlandini-Valle, Mariana Belén Carrera-Risco, Favio André Reyes-Quezada, Óscar Manuel Vela-Miranda

Student Scholarship

Background Anxiety and depression are two of the main psychological disorders that affect thousands of people in the world, including university students. This research is justified because it seeks to reevaluate, compare and confirm the psychometric properties and establish the sociodemographic profile of the Anxiety and Depression Disorders Symptom Scale in Peruvian university students. The main objective of this study was to determine the evidence of psychometric properties, and the sociodemographic profile, of the Symptom Scale for Anxiety and Depression Disorders in university students from the region of Piura, Peru.

Methods The sample was determined using proportional, probabilistic sampling that …

[Coming Soon: Exploring Diversity With Statistics: Step-By-Step Jamovi Guides], Ruth Walker

Open Textbooks

These resources were created to complement our undergraduate statistics lab manual, Applied Data Analysis in Psychology: Exploring Diversity with Statistics, published by Kendall Hunt publishing company. Like our lab manual, these Jamovi walk-through guides meaningfully and purposefully integrate and highlight diversity research to teach students how to analyze data in an open-source statistical program. The data sets utilized in these guides are from open-access databases (e.g., Pew Research Center, PLoS One, ICPSR, and more). Guides with step-by-step instructions, including annotated images and examples of how to report findings in APA format, are included for the following statistical tests: independent samples …

Pilots' Risk Perception Regarding Automation, Abigail Mileika

Honors Projects in Psychology

In aviation, each decision made, no matter how big or small, is a life-or-death decision. Small mistakes could lead to large miscalculations which end in less-than-ideal situations. This study was designed to research the impact that automation has on mainly in-flight scenarios and decisions to determine how pilots’ risk perceptions change depending on various circumstances. A survey was developed and distributed to licensed pilots, who rated their perceived risk of 8 scenarios. The scenarios were designed to follow four conditions which included first person vs. third person perspective as well as automation vs no automation involved in the scenario. Results …

Peer Teasing And Muscle Dysmorphia, Jasmine Arnold

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of bodily-related teasing during childhood and adolescence on Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) symptomology during adulthood. Another goal of this study was to investigate the connection between bodily peer teasing to lowself- esteem and negative affect, two factors that have been argued to be contributing factors of MD. 79 individuals who identified as male and were 18 years old or order were recruited to participate in the study. However, only 70 people completed the questionnaires to completion. Participants completed the Muscle Dysmorphia Questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety …