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The New Bully: Online Racism, Online Sexual Harassment, And Their Association With Aggression And Stress, Cody Allen Cloud

Doctoral Dissertations

There has been a great deal of study related to the impacts of traditional bullying and cyberbullying on mental health and similarities found between these variables have led researchers to question whether cyberbullying is a form of traditional bullying or its own distinct variable. By further analyzing the forms of cyberbullying, online racism and online sexual harassment, the present study aims to add to this discussion. Furthermore, there has been little research on these variables since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering changes in work and school lifestyles during the pandemic, analyzing the associations of online racism and online …

A Longitudinal Study Assessing The Influence Of Salivary Cortisol, Alpha Amylase, And Interleukin-1Β Levels On Sleep And Physical Activity Among Emerging Adults, Bernardo Loiacono

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Emerging adulthood can be marked by psychological disorders and distress. Stress exposure activates several bodily responses involving the hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA) and autonomic nervous system (ANS). Research into these systems involves the examination of several biomarkers including cortisol and alpha amylase. Basal values of these biomarkers have been linked to well-being and health outcomes. Also, stress biomarkers have been shown to influence physical activity (PA) which is salient because it is linked to chronic illness and disease (e.g., obesity, cancer, depression, diabetes). The present study aimed to explore the bidirectional relationships between basal stress biomarkers and daily PA in …

Finding The Silver Lining: The Role Of Supportive Social Environments, Keturah Platt

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Experiencing a significant loss can be one of the most challenging life experiences. The adverse effects of bereavement can disrupt a person’s overall health and well-being. While it is essential to fully acknowledge the negative outcomes of bereavement, it is equally important to recognize the potential for posttraumatic growth (PTG) following such experiences. PTG has been consistently observed in adults who have experienced various traumas, yet there is still much to learn about PTG among adolescents. Given that death is one of the most stressful life events for youth, bereaved adolescents are a crucial population for examining PTG. Those living …

Just Say Gay: An Exploration Of Authenticity And Connection; Queer Identified Therapists’ Lived Experiences Of Identity-Based Self-Disclosure, Courtney Dunne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current sociopolitical climate in the United States continues to reinforce the complexities and nuances that mental health providers face when facilitating therapy. Over the past few years, anti-DEI legislation has aimed to control the narrative in educational and therapeutic settings regarding what therapists and educators are permitted to teach and share about themselves (Flannery, 2024). At the same time, anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric continues to dominate the media and further marginalizes individuals whom are in the queer community. In turn, LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face an increased risk for homelessness, substance use disorders, and suicide, which particularly has impacted LGBTQ+ youth …

The Experience Of Pet Ownership During Transitional Housing Process, Kathryn Holden

Student Capstone Papers

Twenty-five percent of people experiencing homelessness have pets, but few transitional housing programs allow pets (Rhoades et al., 2015); therefore, there is a gap in the literature about the experience of pet ownership during the transitional housing process. This study aimed to explore pet owners' experiences at a transitional housing site in San Diego County. The student interviewed two current dog owners and four recent dog owners. All participants prioritized their pets because of the strong bond they shared with their pet. They described their relationship between themselves and their dog to be stronger than their relationships with family members …

Grieving Workers, Leadership Support, And Organizational Commitment, Zachary N. Ngo

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Grief is a universal experience, yet the industrial-organizational psychology literature is sparse with research on bereavement at work. When individuals do undergo the loss of a loved one, research has shown that support is instrumental in recovery outside of workplace contexts. The present study examined the relationship between an individual’s level of grief and their commitment to their organization while also investigating how the level of supervisor support moderates the aforementioned relationship. I hypothesized that there would be a significant, negative relationship between level of grief and organizational commitment. Further, I also hypothesized that perceived supervisor support would moderate the …

Don't Let It Get To You: The Role Of Internalization Racism In The Organization, Carolyn T. Pham

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Internalized racism is seldom studied in a workplace context. Extant literature demonstrates its deleterious effects on individuals, but little is known about the mechanisms that affect it in adulthood or how it operates in an organizational context. Using a multi-wave survey design, this study examined the racial composition of one’s coworkers and organizational inclusion climate as potential antecedents of internalized racism and psychological well-being and identity management behaviors as outcomes. Results suggest that organizational inclusion climate significantly affects racial/ethnic minority employees’ levels of internalized racism and subsequent well-being. Additionally, internalized racism predicted engagement in identity concealment behaviors. This suggests the …

Chicago’S Migrant Serving Ecosystem: Perspectives From Providers On The Frontline, Safa S. Asad

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Global destabilization has resulted in nearly 110 million people forcibly displaced from their homes. Sanctuary cities like Chicago have become “migrant hubs,” seeing thousands of migrants enter the city to access shelter and resources. City officials have called for more support, as the number of migrants has outweighed the number of migrant service providers.

Migrant service organizations play an integral role in the resettlement journey of migrants. These organizations provide direct and indirect services to support their clients. However, as the migrant crisis continues to worsen, it threatens the social safety net established by governments and immigrant serving nonprofit agencies …

Stress & Self-Regulation In Law Enforcement, Cecilia R. Mercado

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-reported stress and self-regulation skills in a sample of 57 law enforcement officers from the Chicago Police Department (patrol officers, detectives, sergeants, lieutenants, specialized units). Participants completed an anonymous survey that included the 31-item The Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SSRQ) and only the stress items of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Item (DASS-21). We hypothesized that law enforcement officers high stress job results in poor self-regulation skills. Results suggest there is a significant negative correlation between stress and self-regulation. There was no difference for officers with and without dependents.

The Joint Impact Of Parent Health Efficacy And Child Temperament On Child Health Outcomes, Emma F. Kruis

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Children and adolescents in the United States have high rates of obesity due to several factors including low rates of physical exercise. Parents greatly impact children's short and long-term health behaviors through multiple mechanisms. The role of parental factors such as health self-efficacy in interaction with child temperament is underexplored. This present study had two primary aims: 1) to examine the main effects of parent health efficacy on child physical activity and body mass index (BMI) percentile; 2) to explore the impact of parent health efficacy as a function of child temperament and the main effects of temperament on children's …

Address The Mess: The Role Of Fear Of Covid-19, Indecision, And Reactance In Decluttering Projects, Devki Patel

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

At the start of the pandemic in the United States, government-imposed behavioral restrictions were enacted to reduce transmission of COVID-19. Mandated time at home motivated many to engage in organizing or decluttering projects. For some, restrictions may have increased the experience of psychological reactance, a negative motivational state evoked by a perceived threat to freedom. The proposed research studied decluttering behavior in a community-based sample, yielding insights on what influences disposal decisions in individuals who have clutter but do not consider themselves as having a hoarding problem. Three previously unexplored variables, fear of COVID-19, reactance, and family composition are considered …

Effects Of Receiving Peer-Status Feedback On Chinese Adolescents, Mingqi Li

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has demonstrated the negative impacts of social status insecurity on adolescents’ behavior and mental health. Hence, there is an urgency in exploring mechanisms that may alleviate adolescents’ concerns about their peer status. The present study is the first to 1) use an experimental design to examine the effect of providing feedback on adolescents’ peer status in an attempt to reduce or induce their social status insecurity and 2) investigate how these changes would influence adolescents’ immediate outcomes such as present mood, behavior intentions, and social status goals. Participants were 465 high school students (253 boys; M_age = …

Inequality, Prenatal Stress, And Infant Negative Emotionality: Pregnancy As A Marker Of Intergenerational Transmission, Özlü Aran

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis suggests that pregnancy is a developmentally sensitive period during which environmental factors can have long term consequences for the pregnant individual and the fetus. This model regards pregnancy as a mechanism for the intergenerational transmission of health. The aim of the current dissertation is to identify sociocultural stressors that put pregnant individuals at risk and understand how stress-responsive hormones might impact infant emotional development after birth. The first study focuses on types of discrimination as sociocultural stressors and how they relate to markers of psychological and physiological stress among pregnant individuals. …

Fostering Awe To Enhance Public Well-Being: Proposed Interventions For A Nature And Science Museum Setting, Zach Calo

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Several scholars consider awe to be a universally experienced emotion that is associated with a variety of well-being outcomes. In the last two decades, research has revealed the many complicated, and often beneficial, effects of this self-transcendent emotion. In this paper, a review of the current theoretical and empirical understanding of awe is first discussed. This review is meant to provide context for the next section and primary aim of this paper, which is to propose a pilot study for implementing and evaluating awe-inducing interventions in a museum setting. The primary research question of this proposed pilot study is to …

Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (Fap) For Sport Psychology: Enhancing Performance Enhancement, Blake Pindyck

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

The field of applied sport and performance psychology has seen remarkable growth and innovation over its relatively short history. Current sport psychology models have shown promising outcomes, but largely focus on addressing performance from an intrapersonal perspective. Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) is part of a third wave of behavioral therapies that has been found to be effective in ideographically addressing client issues through an interpersonal lens utilizing the client-therapist relationship. FAP has been deployed as both a standalone intervention and as an enhancement to several existing theoretical orientations, including those most commonly used by sport psychology professionals. This paper proposes …

The Intersection Of Consensual Non-Monogamy, Black Identity, And Power Dynamics: A Review And Proposal For Therapeutic Models, Casey Nelson

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) and polyamory are types of relationship structures that differ in many ways from monogamy. CNM is becoming more prevalent (Moors, 2023; Scoats & Campbell, 2022). In the United States and Canada, 1 in 5 people have engaged in some form of CNM (Moors, 2023). As more individuals engage in CNM relationships and potentially seek out couples therapy, therapists will be tasked with assisting individuals navigating relationship distress occurring within these unique relationship structures. There is limited research, or empirically validated, treatment models for working with couples with intersecting identities. To date, there has yet to be an …

Therapist Self-Disclosure With Children And Adolescents: A Guide, Katia Goga

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Therapist self-disclosure is a multifaceted aspect of psychotherapy that holds significant implications for therapeutic rapport, alliance, and client outcomes. The use of self-disclosure by therapists in working with children and adolescents has received little attention in the literature. This paper examines the theoretical underpinnings and therapeutic rationale behind therapist self-disclosure, highlighting its potential benefits and risks in the context of child and adolescent therapy. It delves into developmental considerations, exploring different factors that may influence the appropriateness and effectiveness of self-disclosure interventions. Building upon this foundation, the paper offers a practical guide to assist clinicians in judiciously incorporating self-disclosure into …

Sport And Performance Psychology Service Provision Needs And Preferences Of Division-I Student-Athletes, Coaches, And Program Stakeholders At A Private University, Ellie Brown

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

In response to increased reports of mental health concerns among NCAA Division I collegiate student-athletes (Wong, 2017), investigators examined the Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP) service provision needs and preferences of Division I student-athletes, coaches, and program stakeholders within a Division I athletic program. A survey-based needs analysis was employed to provide a comprehensive analysis of: (a) the needs of student-athletes receiving SPP services; (b) help-seeking attitudes of student-athletes receiving SPP services; (c) key stakeholder (i.e., athletic administrators, coaches, athletic trainers, and strength and conditioning coaches) attitudes toward SPP services; (d) key stakeholder perceptions of the SPP needs of their …

Experiences Of Dungeons & Dragons Players, Tim Daniel

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

This was a qualitative study of the experiences of Dungeons & Dragons players at the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) club at a private university in the Western United States. Previous research has shown that the benefits of playing Tabletop Roleplaying Games (TTRPGs) include developing social skills, developing empathy, and finding respite from reality. The goal of this research was to identify how role-players perceive they are affected by TTRPGs and what is appealing about TTRPGs. The participants in this study identified that, as a result of playing TTRPGs, they learned to develop better social skills and empathy. Their top reasons …

Considerations For Interviewing And Intervening With Suicidal Gender Expansive Individuals, Abigail Herrold

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

It has been well documented that transgender individuals are at a higher risk for death by suicide compared to their cisgender peers. However, limited consideration has been given to studying suicidality in individuals who identify outside of the gender binary (non-binary, gender queer, gender fluid, etc.). Additionally, while there is considerable evidence for risk factors for suicide and protective factors against suicide, there is a lack of guidance on how to implement this information. The aim of this paper is to expand upon the literature of research that is inclusive of all gender identities and propose guidelines working with gender …

Sexual Assault History And Alcohol-Aggression Expectancies As Barriers To Sexual Refusal Assertiveness In College Women, Madison Kristine Firkey

Dissertations - ALL

Background: Alcohol-related sexual assault is a pressing health concern on U.S. college campuses. The unrelenting prevalence of campus sexual assault has led to a greater focus on how to empower college women to resist unwanted sexual advances within alcohol-infused contexts. Alcohol-aggression expectancies have emerged as one potential barrier to women’s utilization of sexual refusal strategies. The present study sought to test this hypothesized barrier using a vignette-based experimental design. Specifically, the proposed model examined the relationships between perceived perpetrator intoxication level, expectations of perpetrator reaction to sexual refusal, and willingness to refuse unwanted sexual advances. The moderating effects of prior …

Me, Myself, And High: Momentary Precipitants And Consequences Of Solitary Cannabis Use Among Emerging Adults, Amelia Wedel

Dissertations - ALL

Objective: Social discomfort, including loneliness and adverse interpersonal experiences, is associated with greater solitary cannabis use, and in turn with worse cannabis consequences, among emerging adults. Temporality of this relationship, however, remains unknown due to largely cross-sectional findings. This 15-day experience sampling study tested the relationship of (a) social discomfort with proximal solitary cannabis use, (b) solitary cannabis use with next-day cannabis consequences, and (c) solitary cannabis use as a potential mediator for the relationship of social discomfort with cannabis consequences. Methods: Momentary assessment data were drawn from 59 emerging adult solitary cannabis users (Mage= 22.88 [SD=1.79]; 61% female; 66% …

Exoneree Self-Esteem And Self-Compassion During Reintegration, Jessica Eleanor Arneson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Exonerees (i.e., wrongfully convicted individuals) experience difficulties during the reintegration process when gaining employment, housing, healthcare, and financial compensation. External factors are known to negatively impact reintegration. One internal negative consequence of wrongful convictions and the reintegration process for exonerees is identity changes. Less known is the impact of internal factors on reintegration. Self-esteem and self-compassion are two known constructs that comprise personal identity. The relationships between these two constructs with reintegration difficulties of DNA-exonerees were researched. The social identity approach is useful in this quantitative, nonexperimental exploration of the relationship between self-esteem and reintegration difficulties. The social identity approach …

Engaging Undergraduates In Co-Curricular Community-Based Research: Strategies For Success, Monica Williams, Pamela B. Payne

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This paper uses a case study of a co-curricular community-based research (CbR) program for undergraduates at a regional comprehensive university to identify five strategies to success in implementing such a program: prior planning, appropriate projects, student ownership, program structure, and teaching students to find resources. We address the strengths and limitations of CbR programs, provide recommendations for community engagement through research, and address opportunities and challenges of CbR programs for involving students in their communities.

The Annual Physical Therapy Visit: Opportunities For Service Learning In Professional Education, Howell Tapley, Jeremy Houser, Tiffany Idlewine, John Kiesel, Douglas Stevens, Stasia Tapley

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

The American Physical Therapy Association promotes the Annual Physical Therapy Visit. Similar to an older adult who may see his/her medical provider annually, it is recommended that the aging adult see a physical therapist who will perform screening tests for strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and gait. Early detection of physical decline in aging may result in referral for physical therapy, wellness programming, or medical care. Community members and students experience mutual benefits.

The Exhibit And Beyond: Attendees, Collaborating Organizations, And Decision Makers Responding To A Photovoice Project, Cara Dienno, Corey Martz, Lauren Collins, Mimiko Watanabe

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Photovoice aims to impact those who view photographs and stories in culminating exhibits. This multi-phase research project, completed in partnership with city government and community partners, explored photovoice impacts on exhibit attendees, collaborating organizations, and decision-makers. Results show increased levels of awareness, concern, and willingness to take action among exhibit attendees. Additionally, collaborating organizations and decision-makers saw the power of “thicker” public engagement processes, like photovoice, to provide useful data to aid decision-making.

Impact Of Service Learning On Personal, Social, And Academic Development Of Community Nutrition Students, Kritika Gupta, Blake Grove, Georgianna Mann

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Service learning connects theoretical knowledge to community settings. Reflective journals were used to document student service-learning experiences in a Community Nutrition course component. Reflective journal data obtained from students (n=137) during different semesters were analyzed qualitatively. The service-learning partners included Nutrition Education, Food Provision, and Local Food sites. Positive impacts were noted on personal, social, and academic development of students for all sites. Service-learning assignments can impart transferrable skills and enhance student development.

The High Cotton Project: A Community-Based Method For Serving The Urban Homeless, Timothy J. Elliott, David A. Driskill

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This article details the ways a series of architecture graduate classes partnered with a nonprofit youth sports organization and other community groups to design a shelter to accommodate those experiencing homelessness in Lubbock, Texas. The researchers use a case study approach to discuss how graduate students repeatedly engaged with the public for feedback on their designs and eventually created a design for a community-specific homeless shelter and treatment center. This article shares the project’s engagement methods, which included precedent studies, design charrettes, regular presentations to the public, meetings with stakeholders, and professional collaborations.

Bridging Education And Service Learning Through Palliative Care, Jamie Borchardt

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Service learning can bridge the gap between traditional and transformational learning, as students are able to relate the course terminology directly to field experience. This project was set up to determine if volunteering for a semester at Hospice had any effect on emotional intelligence and positivity. A paired samples t-test compared differences in pre- and post-test scores on the Positivity Scale (PS) and the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT). The PS revealed a significant difference in pre- and post-test surveys: t(5)=-2.4, p=.03.

Next Generation Practitioner-Scholars Navigating Community Engagement Professional Development: A Collaborative Autoethnography, Lori E. Kniffin, Trina Van Schyndel, Elisabeth G. Fornaro, Jennifer W. Purcell, Stacey Muse

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This collaborative autoethnographic research study examines the motivations, experiences, and professional outcomes of seven community engagement practitioner-scholars who served in a highlevel elected position in a community engagement research association and its affiliated graduate student network. The findings highlight the role of professional associations and graduate student networks in facilitating professional development for next generation community engagement practitioner-scholars, such as supporting them in creating connections, expanding networks, developing professional identities, and cultivating cultural capital.