Digital Commons Network^™

Building Collaborative Capacity For Coexistence With The Montana Beaver Working Group, Shane Randle

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Despite beavers’ recent surge in popularity, prevailing negative attitudes and the persistence of beaver removal practices remain obstacles for those advocating living with beavers. The Montana Beaver Working Group (BWG) advances beavers’ role in ecological and community resilience through members’ collaborative efforts, including beaver-related restoration and conflict resolution projects. Bringing together people with diverse values and perspectives, the BWG builds collective understanding, develops a holistic vision for beavers in Montana, and supports members in pursuing it. As the group’s impacts and membership have grown, so too has their need to adapt. For my Civic Engagement Project, I strengthened the BWG’s …

The Relationship Between Telecommuting, Autonomy, And Burnout, Aniko Nagy

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

With flexible work arrangements becoming more common, the need to expand our understanding of the relationships between flexible work arrangements and employee health and wellbeing outcomes, such as employee burnout, continues to grow. The purpose of the present study is to explore the relationships between flexible work arrangements, autonomy, and employee burnout. The Job Demands-Resource (Bakker and Demerouti, 2007) and Conservation of Resources (Hobfall & Freedy, 2017) theories propose that job resources such as flextime, flexplace, and job autonomy are vital, and that the loss of or failure to acquire job resources can lead to stress and burnout. The Self …

Serotonin 7 Receptor Modulation On Measures Of Working Memory And Anxiety, Antonio Gutierrez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Serotonin (5-HT) function is critical in the regulation and homeostasis of several neural systems. Alterations in 5-HT levels can directly impact the presence of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. With a wide range of 5-HT receptors, the potential impact each of these modulators have on behavior is important to better understand. The 5-HT7 receptor is the most recently identified 5-HT receptor. 5-HT7 receptors can be found in the thalamus, hypothalamus, and several areas of the hippocampus. Modulation of these receptors impact circadian rhythms, hormonal regulation and memory function. Previous research has that 5-HT7 antagonist compounds lead to conflicting results, highlighting …

Raising Resilient Children: Parent Video Guide To Support Children’S Emotional Development, Perla F. Nunez-Chavez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Social-emotional learning (SEL) in early childhood plays a critical role in

children’s ability to recognize emotions, regulate behavior, build relationships,

and succeed in academic settings. During the preschool years (ages 3–5),

children experience rapid emotional development and rely heavily on parents for

co-regulation, emotional modeling, and guidance. Research consistently shows

that when parents engage in emotion coaching practices, such as labeling

feelings, validating emotions, and modeling regulation strategies, children

demonstrate stronger emotional competence and improved developmental

outcomes. However, despite strong evidence supporting parent involvement in

SEL, many existing interventions are delivered through structured, in-person

programs that are often inaccessible to …

Investigating Fentanyl-Xylazine Interactions: Implications For Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia And Affective Dysregulation In Rats, Alejandra R. Lujan

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The growing prevalence of fentanyl adulterated with xylazine presents a major public health concern, yet the behavioral and physiological effects of this combination remain poorly characterized. This study examined the effects of acute fentanyl administration, alone and in combination with xylazine, on opioid-induced hyperalgesia, affective behavior, and mortality in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=80). Rats received four fentanyl injections (60 µg/kg) administered at 15-minute intervals, with or without xylazine (0, 0.1, 0.333, or 1.0 mg/kg), as well as a saline control condition. Pain sensitivity was assessed using a hot plate assay at 6.5, 12, 24, and 48 hours post-injection. …

Utilizing Self-Determination Theory In Therapy For Veterans With Substance Use And Mental Health Disorders, Carlos A. Tinoc

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Substance use disorder (SUD) has increasingly affected U.S. veterans, with rising misuse of alcohol and opioids. Many veterans also confront mental health issues, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). To explore this issue further, the researcher will investigate the effectiveness of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in addressing substance use and mental health disorders (dual diagnosis) among veterans. Previous research on the implementation of SDT for dual-diagnosis patients has not sufficiently addressed the veteran population. The researcher will review existing systematic literature reviews on the topic of SDT implementation in the treatment of SUDs and mental health disorders among both civilian and veteran …

The Effects Of Excessive Smartphone Use On Interpersonal Relationships, Lisa M. Whitesell

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Smartphones are integral to daily life, generating a propensity for overuse that raises concerns about the potentially adverse effects on social connections and communication. Previous research is primarily quantitative, focused on male subjects outside the United States, and has not explored the impact of smartphone use on relationships from the perspective of close friends and family. This study addresses the gap by applying qualitative methodologies using a more balanced gender sample in the United States. Semi-structured interviews will capture participants’ experiences and perceptions of how excessive smartphone use affects their interpersonal relationships. Open-ended questions will explore smartphone use patterns, the …

Exploring Resilience Factors And Interventions Among Transition-Age Youth Facing Homelessness, Sandy Flores

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study will explore the resilience factors and interventions that promote positive outcomes among transition-age youth (18–24 years old) experiencing homelessness in Southern California. Youth homelessness is a critical issue linked to systemic barriers and limited resources. This research will address the gap in understanding how resilience mechanisms enable youth to overcome challenges and navigate support systems. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews will be conducted with 20 participants located in San Diego County to examine their coping strategies, social networks, and experiences with interventions. Thematic analysis will be used to identify key resilience factors, barriers, and facilitators, providing insights …

Effects Of Cannabinoid Agonist Win 55-212-2 On Latent Inhibition, Ashley Peterson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a modulatory system that helps regulate brain functions, including learning and memory, influencing processes such as latent inhibition (LI). LI refers to the slower association formed when a familiar event is paired with a new outcome, compared to the association of an unfamiliar event. LI is a process that is often disrupted in individuals with schizophrenia and is known as a cognitive symptom. This study aimed to determine whether the drug WIN-55-212-2 (WIN), which interacts with the ECS, influences the process of LI using a fear-conditioned response procedure. The results found no significant interaction among …

A Mixed-Methods Investigation Of Physician Compassion In Consultations For Chronic Primary Pain, Sarah Daehler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Chronic primary pain refers to physical pain that has no apparent organic cause, cannot be explained by another condition, and has associated psychological distress or functional impairment. Chronic primary pain is common and can significantly interfere with functioning, including occupational or social functioning. Research has shown that physicians struggle to treat this population, with many physicians reporting feeling unequipped and many patients feeling that their physicians are unhelpful and dismissive. Compassion may play a key role in improving these difficult interactions. The present study analyzed a sample of 99 participants with chronic pain and 100 healthy controls to learn more …

Impact Of Social Worker Bias On African American Fathers With Open Children Family Services Cases, Jenna Espinosa, Cecil Perry, Jasmine Alvarado, Jennifer Garcia, Lacrietia Grate-Dixson

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Systemic barriers and biases within institutions and policies affect how African American fathers engage with Children and Family Services (CFS). According to research, social worker bias, whether overt or covert, can influence case decision-making, affecting fathers' access to resources and overall involvement in their children’s lives. This study aims to quantitatively assess the impact of social worker bias on African American fathers' engagement by evaluating service completion rates at the .21e hearing. A quantitative research design will be utilized by implementing a validated survey to measure social worker bias and case file reviews to assess service completion. Statistical analyses, including …

Resilience, Stress, And Emotion Regulation In College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model Of Tiktok Engagement, Samuel Bibat, Jon Thang, Hui Zhang, Hannah Carrie, Jessica Golden

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

This study examined associations between stress, resilience, emotion regulation (ER), and TikTok use. Data were collected from 101 undergraduate students (M_age = 20.04, SD_age = 4.02) at a Midwestern private university. Participants completed self-report measures of TikTok use and intensity (i.e., emotional attachment), resilience, perceived stress, and intrapersonal and interpersonal ER. Mediation and moderated mediation analyses were conducted using PROCESS macro models. Stress mediated the relationship between resilience and TikTok use but not intensity. Interpersonal ER moderated the resilience–stress link, with higher interpersonal ER amplifying the negative association between resilience and stress, which in turn was linked …

Hidden Workload In Emergency Medicine: Examining The Role Of Outside-Of-Shift Duties In Emergency Physician Fatigue, Sarah Meyer

All Theses

Emergency physicians (EPs) face high rates of burnout. In addition to well-known stressors, such as fatiguing shift work schedules and intense emotional and cognitive demands faced during clinical shifts, many EPs must also attend to certain outside-of-shift duties (OSDs)–extra-clinical role responsibilities that are expected but not always formally tracked or compensated. These duties often occur during times when EPs are expected to rest and recover from shift work. Despite concerns surrounding burnout in emergency medicine and beliefs among EPs that OSDs contribute to burnout, the effects of OSDs have rarely been studied. Using daily and weekly surveys across 28 days, …

Confronting The Darkness: Nightmare Distress, Fear, And Avoidance Through The Lens Of Courage, Casidee Gonzales

All Theses

Nightmares are an infamous phenomenon where subjective meaning and objective implications meet. This thesis examined nightmare distress’ impact on fear of sleep and nightmare processing avoidance, a novel construct measured with a pilot survey; it also investigated the moderating roles of courage and neuroticism, with PTSD included as a covariate. The research was rooted in the dual-process model of courage and a phenomenology to assess approach and avoidance through goals and risks.

Participants were primarily recruited through Clemson’s SONA system, were mainly White, women, and young adults (N = 351); measures were administered via Qualtrics. Four hypotheses were tested, …

How Mindfulness Influences The Frequency Of Flow In Collegiate Athletes, Kelly Torres

All Theses

Flow is defined as a state of optimal experience characterized by deep focus and total absorption that has been consistently linked to enhanced performance (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990; Jackson and Csikszentmihalyi, 1999). Mindfulness, defined as present-moment awareness with acceptance and nonjudgement, has been widely used in sport psychology interventions to improve both performance and well-being (Harris et al., 2023; Kabat-Zinn, 2015; Reive, 2019). However, less is known about how and why mindfulness contributes to performance outcomes and what role flow plays. This study examined the relationship between trait mindfulness and dispositional flow among Clemson University collegiate athletes (N=144), while exploring …

Scrolling For Support: Social Media Use, Health Information Seeking, And Social Support In Individuals With Type 1 Diabetes, Loren Myers

All Theses

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a lifelong chronic illness that is rapidly increasing in prevalence. Continuous treatment is necessary for proper management, but barriers to care can cause some to turn to other sources for health-related information, like social media. Given the limited research on social media use and health information seeking behaviors in people with T1D, this study aims to gain an understanding of how people with T1D use social media, where they get their health information, and how social support is related to social media behaviors among people with T1D. Adult T1D participants completed an online survey that …

Anxiety And Intuitive Eating: Examining Dispositional Mindfulness As A Protective Factor, Jordan Signorelli

All Theses

Intuitive eating (IE) is an anti-diet approach focused on listening to internal hunger and fullness cues and is associated with reduced disordered eating patterns and improved dietary intake. However, anxiety negatively impacts IE. Dispositional mindfulness (DM) – one’s innate, present-centered, nonjudgmental awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations – is associated with lower anxiety and greater IE. Yet, whether DM mitigates the negative impact of anxiety on IE remains underexplored. Grounded in the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Framework, this study aimed to: 1) examine the relationship between anxiety and IE, 2) examine the relationship between DM and IE, 3) examine whether …

The Development And Evaluation Of A Group Therapy Program For Perinatal Loss In Rural Appalachia, Hope O'Neill

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Perinatal loss can have vast adverse psychological consequences and has limited psychotherapeutic options to assist with those outcomes. Currently, there is no gold standard psychotherapy for the treatment of perinatal grief. Group therapy has proven to be an effective modality for various populations and has been shown to be beneficial for perinatal loss and the subsequent psychological outcomes. This study utilized a previously conducted systematic review to develop and evaluate a group psychotherapy for perinatal loss. The ten sessions of the group were completed by two participants and several constructs were explored pre- and post-intervention: grief, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, …

The Role Of Art-Based Pre-Performance Rituals For Collegiate Student-Athletes And Their Perceived Effects On Mental Preparation, Haylee P. Robinson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper will explore whether collegiate student-athletes at the University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) engage with art-based pre-performance rituals (PPRs) and, if so, examine their perceived effects on mental preparation prior to competition. Research has discussed traditional preparatory routines (PRs)—breathing techniques, visualization, goal setting, and problem-solving—creating a gap for understanding how creative or symbolic rituals function in the realm of collegiate sports. Combining Clifford Geertz's (1973) anthropological framework of ritualized behaviors acting as “meaning-making systems” with empirical evidence supporting art therapy, this research positions symbolic art-based interventions as PPRs, helping athletes with focus, emotional regulation, and confidence prior to competition. …

Sleep Disturbances In Parkinson’S Patients With A History Of Head Injury, Melissa N. Pacheco

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Sleep disturbances are among the most prevalent and burdensome non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), yet the contribution of prior traumatic brain injury (TBI) to these problems remains poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the number and severity of lifetime head injuries predicted sleep disturbances in individuals with PD. Data from 3,055 PD patients enrolled in the Fox Insight study were analyzed, including 1,593 with a history of head injury. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing head injury history, motor and cognitive symptoms, and sleep disturbances. Generalized linear mixed models tested whether head injury history and …

Examining The Effects Of Boundary Management Practices Amongst Remote Workers In A Post-Pandemic World, Rosalia G. Casas

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

With remote work on the rise after a world-wide pandemic, boundary management practices have been harder to establish for employees because of the high levels of integration that is seen when working from home. Identifying the impact that boundary management behaviors have on employees is important amongst remote workers because they are more often at risk for work-life spillover and conflict because of permeability between domains. This study looks at the relationship between work arrangements and employee outcomes such as work family conflict and job satisfaction with boundary preference and family supportive supervisor behaviors as moderators. Using linear regression models, …

Building Resilience: How Protective Factors Mitigate Acculturative Stress In The Latinx Immigrant Community, Andres I. Delgado, Jamie Tierrablanca

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This literature underscores the vital role of protective factors in reducing

acculturative stress among Latinx immigrants. Key factors such as social

support, religious affiliation, familism, and physical activity help contribute to

mitigating the negative effects of acculturation. The Latinx community can

significantly benefit from integrative, culturally responsive interventions informed

by social work frameworks such as ecosystems theory and critical race theory

(CRT) as they are essential in addressing the mental health needs of this

population. Despite existing research, gaps remain in understanding the full

scope of the Latinx immigrant experience, suggesting a need for further

exploration. The expected findings will …

The Effect Of A 14-Day Digital Nudge-Based Sleep Hygiene Intervention On Behavioural, Cognitive, And Emotional Well-Being In College Students: An Experimental Approach, Tracy X. Chen, Chi-Ying Cheng, Michelle Koay, Chin Boon Soh, Andree Hartanto

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Sleep is essential for one's cognitive, psychological, and physical health. Yet, college students often face sleep deprivation due to academic demands, social obligations, and extracurricular commitments. This study implemented a 14-day Digital Nudge-Based Sleep Hygiene Intervention, delivered via a digital platform, to encourage healthier sleep practices among college students. Grounded in nudge theory, the digital intervention used subtle behavioural prompts to improve participants' sleep hygiene without imposing restrictions, demonstrating high adherence and scalability. Participants were guided through daily tasks to enhance autonomy and motivation, such as creating calming bedtime routines. The digital intervention led to positive outcomes across four domains: …

Outcomes Associated With Childhood Parental Divorce: An Umbrella Review Of Meta-Analyses, Gabriel Xing Da Tan, Andree Hartanto, Ysabel Thereze Ang Guevarra, Angel K. M. P. Lee, Jing Jie Kenneth Koh, K Tennakoon Appuhamillage Sandeeshwara Kasturiratna

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Background: Childhood parental divorce has been consistently associated with a host of negative outcomes across multiple domains, such as socioemotional, behavioural, academic, and physical health, which can persist into adulthood. Despite extensive research on childhood parental divorce, the current literature lacks a systematic, integrated synthesis that clarifies which child outcomes are most consistently associated with parental divorce, as well as the potential moderators influencing these associations. Therefore, we conducted an umbrella review of meta-analyses to bridge this gap by consolidating the existing research and providing an exhaustive overview. Methods: Systematic searches were conducted across various databases and following a two-stage …

Brief Virtual Reality And Mixed Reality Mindfulness Breathing Exercise For Emotional Well-Being And Cognitive Functions In University Students: Within-Subjects Experimental Design Study, Zoey Khai Yee Eun, Charmaine Jiali Koh, Hwajin Yang, Adalia Yin Hui Goh, Meilan Hu, K Tennakoon Appuhamillage Sandeeshwara Kasturiratna, Andree Hartanto

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Background: Mindfulness has been shown to enhance emotional well-being and cognitive performance, yet much of this evidence stems from interventions requiring prolonged practice, making them time-consuming and less accessible. Recent studies suggest that brief mindfulness sessions may also yield positive outcomes, but the effectiveness of such interventions in virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) remains underexplored. Objective: This study investigates the effects of brief mindfulness breathing exercises delivered through VR and MR on attentional and emotional restoration and self-control capacity. Methods: Using a within-subjects experimental design, 102 undergraduate participants (n=83, 81.4% female; mean age 20.87, SD 1.89) completed a …

Log Off To Level Up: The Effect Of Social Media Hiatus On Goal Pursuit, Nekysha L. Y. Jalil, Yong Han Tan, Andree Hartanto, Eddie M. W. Tong

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Concerns are growing that social media, with its constant notifications and attention-grabbing content, may distract individuals and hinder progress toward important goals. Despite its pervasive presence in our lives, the impact of social media on goal achievement has not been thoroughly studied. This within-subject experimental study aims to investigate the effects of social media hiatus (SMH), a short abstinence from social media usage, on goal pursuit processes. Participants (N= 107) completed daily diaries over three consecutive days of SMH and three days of regular social media use. SMH was manipulated by blocking participants’ access to multiple social media platforms. The …

The Restorative Effects Of Nature Exposure Via Virtual Reality On Well-Being, Self-Control, And Working Memory, Zoey K. Y. Eun, Hwajin Yang, Nicole R. Y. Chen, Andree Hartanto

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

The psychological benefits of nature exposure are vital for well-being in an increasingly urbanised world. While previous research has consistently demonstrated the restorative effects of natural environments on both physical and psychological health, findings on virtual nature simulations remain mixed, possibly due to the limited immersive quality of conventional displays. Virtual reality (VR), however, provides immersive visual and auditory engagement, making it a promising alternative for delivering nature-based experiences when direct exposure to real nature environments is unavailable. The present study examined the effects of VR-simulated nature on attentional and emotional restoration and self-control capacity, using a preregistered, within-subjects experimental …

A Stress-Induced Digital Escapism Framework For Understanding The Link Between Stress And Problematic Social Media Use, Hwajin Yang, Frosch Yi Xuan Quek, Xiu Hui Salin Yap, Yue Qi Germaine Tng, Gilaine Rui Ng

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Given that stress is a significant risk factor for problematic social media use, understanding the underlying psychological mechanisms is essential. We introduce the Stress-Induced Digital Escapism (SIDE) framework, which posits that negative internal emotional responses to external stressors may increase reliance on maladaptive emotion regulation strategies that fail to alleviate distress. These processes may, in turn, strengthen escapism motives that lead to seeking emotional relief through compulsive social media use. Using structural equation modeling (N = 238), we examined three integrated psychological pathways—negative stress reactions, maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, and escapism motives—as sequential mediators linking external demands to problematic social …

Research "Junkification" Is Caused By Researchers, Not Journals, Simon Sebastian Groome, Jose C. Yong, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Concerns about declining research quality have increasingly been framed as “junkification,” whereby academic output expands in volume while declining in epistemic value. A recent paper by Rhodes and Linnenluecke (2025) attributes this trend to changes in publishing, arguing that research quality erodes as journals and publishers become increasingly oriented toward output quantity and metrics, driven by monetization. In 2009, Nobel Laureate James Watson remarked that scientific publishing in the mid-twentieth century was both easier and of a higher standard than today (Web of Stories, 2017). If publishing is much easier of late, as Rhodes and Linnenelucke (R&L) argued, then how …

Psychological And Inflammatory Ties To Diet In Breast Cancer Survivors, Sonal Kaur Johal

Master's Theses

Breast cancer is among the most prevalent forms of cancer and is a primary cause of death among women (Wang et al., 2020). Cancer patients experience higher levels of anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and inflammation compared to non-cancer patients, which can predict a diminished quality of life but also contribute to higher mortality rates among cancer patients (Bortolato et al., 2016; Song et al., 2022). Diet has the potential to impact the manifestation of depressive and anxiety symptoms in both healthy individuals and those battling cancer. This study explored the association between dietary habits, specifically cholesterol, fiber, saturated fat, added …