Digital Commons Network^™

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Cultural Stigma, And Identity Distress Among College Students, Jessica T. Frank

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cultural stigma, and identity in a sample of college-age students. Previous studies have primarily focused on children, yet few have examined ADHD as it persists into adulthood. Likewise, studies examining cultural stigma and identity were limited and primarily examined stigma toward mental health as a general concept rather than ADHD-specific attitudes. To address these disparities, a sample of undergraduate college students enrolled in psychology courses at a large metropolitan university (N = 339) were recruited and took an anonymous online survey in exchange for course …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Working Memory, Lake Miller

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Extensive research has shown that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as sexual abuse, poverty, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect, can negatively impact an individual’s development. The presence of ACEs has also been linked to an increase in one’s engagement in risky behavior, dropping out of school, unemployment before the age of 21, and a variety of health issues. Currently, there is a gap in literature regarding the performance of different working memory (WM) tasks and the presence of ACEs. This study focuses on filling this gap in literature by measuring participants’ Philadelphia ACE score, which is a 16-item questionnaire, …

Hyperreality Ain’T Really Real: Postmodernity, Social Media, & Blackness, Micah White

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the interplay between postmodernity, social media, and African American identity formation through focus group analysis and Grounded Theory methodology. The research investigates how social media’s postmodern features—fragmentation, hyperreality, commodification, and context collapse—shape identity development among African Americans, who historically navigate cultural disruption and systemic racism. Data from semi-structured interviews with two generational focus groups revealed that participants engaged in sophisticated identity curation to balance authenticity and protection in racially charged digital spaces. Key findings highlight the tension between empowerment and marginalization, as social media served as both a platform for racial affirmation and a source of …

A Multimethod Approach To Examining Racial Coping Socialization Among Black Adolescents, Rachel J. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Experiences of racial discrimination are pervasive in the lives of Black youth and result in race-related stress. Racial coping has been found to mitigate the negative physical and mental health effects of racial discrimination; thus, it is imperative that we understand the process that Black youth undertake to navigate racialized experiences by utilizing a person-centered approach. Additionally, parents socialize their Black youth to navigate racialized experiences, indeed, previous research has investigated racial and emotion socialization as separate phenomena, however, this does not reflect the integrated nature by which racial and emotion socialization processes are interconnected during parents’ and youths’ discussions …

Life Stories And Digital Learning: A Social Care Approach To Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Ageing, Loretta Baldassar, Emanuela Sala

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This brief report has been prepared to provide a written record of the program ‘Life Stories and Digital Learning: A Social Care Approach to CaLD Ageing’ (conducted in 2019 at MYVISTA aged care facility). It presents an evaluation of the program as reported by program participants and facilitators. It ends with brief recommendations and a summary of the learnings from the program.

Empowering Social Competence: A Scoping Review Of Digital Social Skills Training Interventions, Nasim Salehi, Mansoureh Nickbakht, Cindy Branch-Smith, Nazli Bashi, Elham Salehi, Sally Sargeant, Diarmuid Hurley, Farhad Fatehi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Effective social skills are essential for functional social support, help-seeking, and resource access. Digital social skills training (DSST) plays a key role in empowering individuals to develop social competence, improve access to various support and resources, and enhance locus of control through dynamic media. This scoping review aims to identify and explore existing DSST programs and their mechanisms for access to support and resources, as well as health outcomes among people with and without health conditions. A search across four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Embase) from 2000 to 2023 resulted in the inclusion of 59 papers. Thematic analysis categorized …

Why Do We Pursue The Personal Goals We Do? The Relationships Between Distinct Goal Motives And Subjective Well-Being, Joanne M. Dickson, Vanessa Tan, Christopher D. Huntley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Personal motives drive and energize goal behavior. However, the relationships between distinct goal motives and subjective well-being (SWB) are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate how distinct goal motives related to SWB in a cross-national study. The sample comprised 197 participants (n = 95 Australians; n = 102 Singaporeans). Participants generated their two most important and meaningful idiographic goals that they were currently pursuing. They then completed an accompanying self-report goal motive questionnaire in relation to each listed personal goal, and a measure of SWB. Regression and moderation analyses were conducted. As predicted, relational autonomous motives were significantly …

Including Individuals' Sense Of Self In Digital Information Privacy, Peter N. Meso, Solomon Negash, Humayun Zafar, Gurpreet Dhillon

Faculty Articles

The nature of contemporary digital ecosystems causes concerns that affect the person, the individual-self, an integral part of an individual’s information privacy calculus and hence a component of individuals’ Information Privacy Concerns (IPC). Yet, prior IPC models overlook self-focused concerns. This study articulates two constructs, termed “loss of autonomy” (i.e., autonomy) and “control over profiling” (i.e., profiling), that reflect individuals’ self-focused privacy concerns. Combining these new constructs with conventional IPC constructs that capture data-focused and device-focused concerns yields an IPC model made up of three dimensions: self-focused concerns, data-focused concerns, and device-focused concerns. The authors first develop instrument items for …

Teachers’ Perspectives On Behavioral Classroom Expectations Of Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Jennifer E. Brewer

Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed in this study was that adolescents with emotional and behavior disorders (EBD) were failing in general education courses. The purpose was to investigate how teachers’ perceptions and biases influenced EBD students. Participants included five teachers (two special education teachers and three general education teachers) from each of Grades 6, 7, and 8 recruited from social media. The study was guided by the case study research design, and the interview instrument was the Indepth Interview Protocol. Data analysis was guided by a coding system that facilitated searching the interview responses for themes.

Research Question 1 queried about forms …

Perspectives Of Corporate Instructional Design Experts On Effectiveness, Personal Traits And Attributes, And Technology, Thomas A. Gant

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological descriptive study explored corporate instructional design experts' perspectives on effectiveness, personal traits and attributes, and technology that enhance their expertise. Three central themes emerged: "Mastering Instructional Design: The Journey of Continuous Learning and Skill Development," highlighting the importance of mentorship, lifelong learning, and professional development; "Accessing Instructional Design Expertise Through Individual Strengths," emphasizing adaptability, problem-solving, and empathy; and "Navigating Technological Integration and Innovation in Instructional Design," showcasing the transformative role of tools such as virtual reality, learning management systems, and authoring software. Semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom with 10 corporate instructional designers with at least 10 years …

Teacher Perception On The Implementation Of A Culturally Responsive Ela Curriculum, Erica Tate Dial

Theses and Dissertations

While the principles of culturally responsive and culturally relevant teaching hold transformative potential, they can only be fully realized if educators are genuinely equipped and empowered to implement them. This qualitative study examined teacher perceptions of an English Language Arts curriculum through the lens of culturally relevant and culturally responsive teaching. A diverse group of teachers, varying in experience, age, gender, and race, were interviewed to gather a range of perspectives on the implementation of this curriculum. The study focused on addressing the following research questions: 1. What are teachers’ perceptions of culturally responsive and culturally relevant instruction and academic …

A Multitude In The In-Between: The Impact Of Perceived Social Support On Resilience For Neurodivergent And Gsd Identities, Along With Barriers To Receiving Support, Theo Edwards

Masters Theses

This study used intersectionality theory to examine how overlapping minority identities impact receiving social support and the cultivation of resiliency. Individuals who identify as in the Gender and Sexually Diverse (GSD) community or the neurodivergent (ND) community may experience unique stressors due to various barriers to support. Overlap of GSD and ND identities can present added struggles. Information from 46 GSD and/or ND college students was collected through self-report scales and recorded interviews to examine the effects of perceived social support on resiliency. Also assessed were common values in social support like having someone to talk to and being understood, …

Effects Of Perceived Procedural Justice On The Relationship Between Visa Application Outcome And Psychological Distress: Evidence From Ghanaians And Nigerians Applying For U.S. Student Visas, Harriet Swanzy-Baffoe

Masters Theses

Visa interviews are not just bureaucratic processes; they can have significant psychological effects on applicants. This study examined the impact of U.S. student visa outcomes on psychological distress among West African applicants, with particular attention to perceptions of procedural justice during the interview process. The study surveyed 203 Ghanaian and Nigerian individuals who had previously applied for a U.S. student visa. Psychological distress was measured using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and perceptions of fairness were measured with a custom-developed Procedural Justice Scale. Independent samples t-tests showed that denied applicants reported significantly higher distress, although elevated symptoms were also …

Barriers To Leisure-Time Physical Activity Among College Students, Ben Andrew Winfield

Masters Theses

Obesity is an increasing problem worldwide. In general, people eat more and exercise less, with a lot of individuals not meeting World Health Organization recommendation of 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity weekly. At times, individuals may face barriers which prevent or inhibit their ability to participate in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), exercise completed in one’s free time. These barriers are known as leisure constraints and are comprised of three categories: intrapersonal, feelings and psychological aspects; interpersonal, relationship aspects; and structural, physical aspects. Body image, the perception individuals have about their bodies and …

Hurts So Good: An Exploration Of Benign Masochism And Other Motivations Toward Discomfort, Cody T. Gibson

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Benign masochism describes the tendency for individuals to seek discomfort for enjoyment andis frequently measured by the self-reported enjoyment of various experiences thought to involve mild levels of discomfort. Although research suggests individuals engage in uncomfortable experiences because they enjoy discomfort, research on benign masochism rarely considers other motivations individuals might have. Pilot testing (N = 81), exploratory factor analysis (N = 442), and confirmatory factor analysis (N = 363) were conducted using three rounds of data collection using U.S. participants on CloudResearch’s Connect platform, resulting in a 28-item scale for benign masochism. Six factors—benign masochism, identity, limitations, affiliation, growth, …

Race Into The Future: Counselor Educators' Experiences Training With An Antiracist Pedagogy, Darita Rose Grays

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explores the role of counselor educators in incorporating an antiracist pedagogy to prepare counselors-in-training to work as culturally competent counselors with all clients, with emphasis on marginalized groups. The research examines the lived experiences of counselor educators, focusing on how their personal and professional journeys influence their approach to integrating antiracist teaching strategies in counselor education programs. It highlights the critical need to address and acknowledge racism within counselor training while emphasizing the importance of developing an antiracist identity among both educators and trainees. The study further explores the potential of antiracist pedagogy in fostering a more inclusive, …

Testing The Dimensional Model Of Adversity And Psychopathology: Expanded Aces And The Mechanisms Of Executive Functioning, Emotion Regulation, And Bmi In The Context Of Psychopathology, Kaitlyn Larkin

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with increased risk of negative psychological and physical health outcomes across the lifespan. Informed by the dimensional model of adversity and psychopathology, the present study used longitudinal data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS, N = 4,898) to examine associations between ACEs categorized into threat and deprivation dimensions, emotion regulation, executive functioning, body mass index (BMI), and internalizing and externalizing symptomology in adolescence. Structural equation modeling was used to assess direct, mediation, and sequential pathways among variables, while controlling for sociodemographic variables and stability of outcomes over time. Findings indicated …

Moral Injury In First Responders: The Potential Ameliorative Role Of Self-Disclosure, Peter Tappenden

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Perceived social support is a well-established buffer between trauma exposure and adverse outcomes like PTSD. One important aspect of this relationship may be that individuals with strong support networks may be more likely to discuss (“self-disclose”) the traumatic event to members of their support network. Two important aspects of self-disclosure that impact its potential for symptom alleviation following trauma exposure may be: 1) the discloser’s perceived response of the disclosure recipient and 2) whether the trauma-exposed individual repeatedly dwells (co-ruminates) on the traumatic event with the recipient in an unproductive manner. In recent years, a different type of traumatic event …

Knowledge And Education Of Minnesota High School Coaches Regarding The Signs And Symptoms Of Eating Disorders In High School Athletes, Mikaela Whiteford

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to assess the level of education and knowledge among Minnesota high school coaches regarding the signs and symptoms of eating disorders in high school athletes. Data were collected through a researcher-developed survey, adapted from three existing instruments. The survey was administered through Qualtrics and distributed to participants through email. The findings indicate that while Minnesota high school coaches possess some knowledge of eating disorder signs and symptoms, their formal training and education on the topic are limited. Most of the education or training received by coaches was obtained for reasons unrelated to their responsibilities …

Exploring Gender Disappointment: Social Stigma, Underlying Shame, And Grieving An Idealized Family… “Oh Well, As Long As It’S A Healthy Baby!”, Melanie Scaccio

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Gender disappointment (GD) refers to the sadness parents feel when the sex of their child differs from their preference (Groenewald, 2016). While GD is a globally recognized phenomenon, research in the United States remains limited despite anecdotal evidence on social media and restrictive gender norms (Heise et al., 2019). This qualitative study explored the subjective experiences of GD in American mothers. Twelve biologically female participants, aged 18 and older, who experienced GD were recruited through convenience and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews conducted via video conferencing, averaging 40 minutes, were analyzed using grounded theory methodology (Auerbach & Silverstein, 2003). A member …

Racial Preference As A Moderator In The Match-Alliance Relationship: A Mixed-Methods Study Of Indian Immigrants, Sarika Agarwal M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Patient preferences are defined as a patient’s desire for specific behaviors or attributes of the therapist or therapy (Arnkoff et al., 2002). Psychotherapy patients may hold a preference for a same-race therapist due to their perception that the therapist is similar to themselves, which may positively affect the therapeutic alliance (Cabral & Smith, 2011). However, since previous research has found mixed results on the positive effects of racial matching in psychotherapy (Cheng et al., 2023), another possible angle to examine the effects of racial matching on the therapeutic alliance is by taking patient preference into account. While data is limited …

Why Her Business Is Our Business: Female Psychotherapists’ Experiences Working With The Perinatal Population, Alexa Garber M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Approximately 800,000 women in the United States yearly suffer from maternal mental health (MMH) conditions (Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, 2020). Not only is MMH the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth, but rates have increased with the COVID-19 pandemic causing pregnant women and new mothers to be even more vulnerable to developing mental health problems (Thapa et al., 2020). Research on the consequences of the pandemic have indicated a pressing demand on the field of psychology to meet the needs of individuals suffering from maternal mental health. Various challenges healthcare professionals face when working with the perinatal population …

Show And Tell… Ing What?: Correlation And Moderation Analyses Of Public Displays Of Affection And Romantic Relationship Satisfaction, Communication, And Adult Attachment Styles, Samantha Brooks M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Public Displays of Affection (PDA) amongst romantic couples are clearly shown in everyday life, though paradoxically, they are largely unexplored and therefore poorly understood. Not only is it unknown how PDA relates to other well-studied components of romantic relationships, but it is also unclear who engages in PDA. The present study investigated the relationship between public displays of affection and previously examined, fundamental components of romantic relationships including relationship satisfaction and attachment and communication styles. It then investigated the moderating effects of relationship satisfaction on respective communication and attachment styles and PDA. Sample size was 105 participants (N= 105). Students …

An Exploratory Study Into The Utility Of Toca Boca's Creative Play Model In Enhancing Social Skills And Creative Play For Autistic And Non-Autistic Children, Braden Laboret

All ETDs from UAB

This study examines the potential of Toca Boca World, a creative play app, to enhance social skills and creative play in autistic and non-autistic children aged 4-13. As children's screen time continues to rise, particularly among autistic individuals, it is essential to examine the quality and impact of digital media. The study included 18 children (7 autistic, 11 non-autistic), who participated in eight 5-minute sessions, monitored remotely by caregivers. Social skills were assessed before and after the sessions, while creative play was measured via touch efficiency during the sessions. Enjoyment was also tracked through brief post-session surveys. Results showed significant …

Religious Participation, Subjective Happiness, And Purpose In Life As Predictors Of Psychological Resilience Among College Students At A Faith-Based Institution In The United States, Elaine Powell Oliver

Dissertations

Problem

During the transition from adolescence to adulthood, also known as emerging adulthood, many college students experience psychological distress, such as anxiety, depression, stress, and loneliness (Arnett & Tanner, 2009; DeRosier et al., 2013). For some students, their psychological distress will impact how they perform academically and whether they will persist in their academic goals (Hartley, 2012; Robbins et al., 2018). Many students lack the resilience needed to survive and thrive amid the challenges of college life (Lane, 2020; McLafferty et al., 2022; Watkins et al., 2012). -- Resilience is considered an essential psychological characteristic to assist students in navigating …

Mental Heath Experiences Of Transracial Adoptees Of The Global Majority (Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color - Bipoc)., Phebe Brako

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of transracial adoptees of the global majority (BIPOC), focusing on their bicultural identity integration and its impact on mental health. During semi-structured interviews, nine participants shared their stories of navigating cultural and racial dynamics as adoptees in predominantly White adoptive families and communities. The findings revealed six core themes: (1) the Quest for Bicultural Identity Formation, (2) Cultural Integration and Adaptation, (3) Navigating Racial and Cultural Tensions, (4) the Role of Family in Cultural Integration, (5) the Importance of Community and Support Systems, and (6) Mental Health and Therapeutic Experiences, addressing …

Exploring The Perceptions Of Technology Use Of Clinicians And Their Clients, Chase M. Torbergson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The research question guiding this study was: What is the perceived understanding of technology use by clinicians for their work with clients? Fourteen participants completed an online qualitative survey exploring their experiences with technology and media in clinical practice. A thematic analysis revealed four primary themes. The first theme, variations in counselor online media usage, highlighted differences in how counselors engaged with online platforms for education, client connection, and self-care. The second theme, counselor assessment of, and dialogue around, online media use, captured varying levels of intentionality in exploring clients’ digital habits, ranging from minimal inquiry to regular, structured discussions. …

Exploring Mental Health Concerns And Loneliness Among East Asian International Students In U.S. Universities, Shihan Xu

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examined the unique stressors encountered by international college students, with particular attention to East Asian international students, whose collectivistic cultural values contribute to their mental health status and reported symptoms. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise in stress levels and loneliness highlighted the need for further examination. Using data collected in 2024 through the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms-34 (CCAPS-34) and the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the study surveyed East Asian international students enrolled in universities in the United States to identify prevalent mental health concerns and explore the correlation between loneliness and self-reported symptoms among East Asian …

My Body My Choice: A Qualitative Study Of Volitional Female Sterilization In The U. S. Latina And Hispanic Female Population, Heather Morris Tuip

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This qualitative study, utilizing an interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology, elucidates the experience of Latina and Hispanic women living in the United States who have volitionally undergone sterilization or have sought the procedure out for birth control. Understanding the rich, contextual, lived experience of Latina and Hispanic women through an intersectional framework highlights how cultural influences and contemporary policies on reproductive rights informed their personal choice to undergo a female sterilization procedure. The participants of this study shared how they made meaning of their experiences. Within a homogenous sampling of study participants who share ethnicities and genders, six group experiential themes …

Resilience After Prenatal Substance Exposure: Exploring The Role Of Cumulative And Specific Protective Factors In Predicting Toddlerhood Temperament Profiles, Anjeli Elkins

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Objective

Prenatal exposure to common substances, including nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates, and alcohol, has been linked to a wide range of psychiatric disorders and neurodevelopmental impairments. Identifying protective factors that may improve temperament profiles in toddlers who have experienced prenatal substance exposure may protect against these adverse outcomes and is crucial for developing targeted early interventions.

Methods

Participants (n=92; Mage = 28.7 years; 47.0% White) were biological mothers of toddlers (Mage = 22.6 months) with prenatal substance exposure. Mothers responded to an online survey that gathered information on substance use during pregnancy, proposed perinatal protective factors, and child temperament. …