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Mitigating The Negative Effects Of Perceived Stress Using Wellness And Resiliency Training Programs On Job Satisfaction In Public Safety Officers In The United States, Benjamin T. Iobst

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, survey-based quantitative research study investigated the role of wellness and resiliency training programming in mitigating the adverse effects of stress on job satisfaction (JS) in US Public Safety Officers (PSOs). This research measured the dimensions of perceived stress, such as technological stress, critical incidents, organizational stressors, work-life balance, and social-conflict stress. Additionally, this research examined the relationship between these stressors, wellness, and resiliency education and their effect on job satisfaction in PSOs. It was found that perceived stress has a statistically significant negative correlation with job satisfaction (rs = -.466, p < .001). Additionally, organizational stress (rs = -0.556, p < 0.001), work-life balance stress (rs = -0.452, p < 0.001), critical incident stress (rs = -0.306, p < 0.001), and social conflict stress (rs = -0.298, p < 0.001) have a statistically significant negative correlation with job satisfaction, whereas technological stress does not (rs = -0.109, p = 0.129). Finally, it was found that resiliency training does not have a statistically significant relationship with job satisfaction (U (195) = 4647, p = .971) or perceived stress (U (195) = 4434.50, p = .608) based on the conditions that were tested. Police departments can use results from this research to guide and develop policies and training to address stress and job satisfaction in the public safety industry.

Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnoses Within Bipoc Communities, Angela M. Houghton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With a pressing need to examine racial and ethnic differences in ASD detection to discern potential inaccuracies in diagnosis within groups, this study used a transcendental phenomenological design to explore the explanations for misdiagnosis within Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) households, comparing their encounters with Whites. The research involved six parents and one family member of children who were originally wrongfully identified, only to in the future confirm ASD. Through semi-structured conversations, the study delved into the distinctive trials of BIPOC households. Data analysis respected the Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen technique, with thematic exploration used to recognize repetitions, highlighted differences in …

Adopting A Heroic Persona To Manage A Traumatic Life Event: "The Face In The Mirror", Peter Bray

Heroism Science

This article applies a critical autoethnographic approach and a positive transformational stance to an experience of a choiceless traumatic loss. It considers how in a crisis of grief individuals may consciously choose to adopt a more agentic ‘heroic’ persona that enables them to survive the psychological disintegration of their assumptive world. Selecting a persona that serves their immediate survival needs, liberates individuals from those sociocultural expectations that dictate the conduct and positioning of the bereaved. In this new persona, the bereaved accesses a higher level of self-consciousness and autonomy, and an internal locus of control more suited to a survivor. …

The Relative Strength Of Populist Attitudes, Religiosity, And Locus Of Control In Predicting Climate-Change Denial, Ryan Reynaldo Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As climate change becomes an increasingly urgent global issue, the persistence of climate denial presents a significant barrier to progress. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence from NOAA and NASA, many individuals continue to deny the reality or severity of climate change. Previous studies have examined factors like anti-elitism and anti-egalitarianism in climate skepticism; however, no known research has assessed the relative strength of populist attitudes, religiosity, and locus of control in predicting climate denial. This quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted to fill that gap. Locus of control theory, which focuses on how individuals perceive events as within or beyond their control, …

Association Between Adults’ Perceptions Of Their Parents’ Parenting Behaviors During Youth And Resulting Attachment Dimensions In Adulthood In The Native American Community, Christine Marie Summering

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Forced assimilation of Native American peoples has led to the destruction of their traditional ways of life and contributed to heightened rates of Native American children in foster care, increased domestic violence, substance abuse, alcoholism, and poverty. The purpose of this study was to understand associations between perceived parenting behaviors and current adult attachment within Native American communities and whether those associations were moderated by historical loss. The attachment theory and historical trauma theory were used as theoretical foundations for the study. Research questions for this nonexperimental quantitative study involved associations between warmth and involvement and anxious and avoidant attachment …

Childhood Trauma As An Influencing Factor On Obesity Among Black Women, Andréa Autum Michel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood trauma and obesity have a significant impact on development throughout the lifespan. Black women have the highest prevalence of obesity and experience more severe and a greater number of traumatic events than their White peers. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how Black women perceived the role of childhood trauma in their struggles with obesity. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory served as the theoretical framework for this study. The central research question explored the experiences of Black women who experienced childhood trauma and were struggling with obesity as adults. A secondary question explored coping mechanisms developed to …

Relationship Between Counselor Educators’ Intrinsic Religiosity, Multicultural Counseling Competence, And Spiritual Competence, Theresa Lynn Brixius

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Religion and spirituality are vital components of multicultural competence, which are key ethical guidelines outlined by the American Counseling Association and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Clients have reported that religion and spirituality are important in their lives; however, counseling students commonly feel unprepared in their training to address the topic with clients. Grounded in multicultural counseling theory (MCT) and namaste theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to describe the relationship between counselor educators’ intrinsic religiosity (IR), multicultural counseling competence (MCC), and spiritual competence (SC). Participants included fifty-six doctoral-level counselor educators recruited …

Differences Between The Reintegration Of Combat Veterans And Noncombat Veterans While Controlling For Stigma, Caroline Ramos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Veterans face challenges in reintegrating into civilian life. Experiences of public stigma arise from socially learned stereotypes about military service and mental health issues, which can impact veterans' ability to reintegrate following military deployment successfully. Goffman’s theory of stigma details its influences on personal adjustment. The purpose of this quantitative research study utilizing a survey design was to assess the role of public stigma as a mediator between the type of deployment and veterans’ reintegration experiences. A snowball sample of 85 recently discharged veteran volunteers representing combat zone deployed or non-combat zone deployed completed the Military Stigma Scale and the …

Teaching With Pedagogy And Empathy, Mamoona Muzammil, Muzammil Arshad, Washain Muzammil

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

Mental illness is common and can affect anyone. Each year the University welcomes students with Mental Health Issues. One in four adults in the US will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, however according to a NUS survey, eight out of ten students will experience a mental illness while in higher education. For some student’s mental illness can be a lifelong disability. Others can experience short term issues that emerge around difficult or stressful life events, while some students may be more at risk of experiencing mental illness in relation to their ethnicity, gender, sexuality or socio-economic background. Although …

Barriers To Evidence-Based Problem-Solving In The Workplace, Penelope Williams, Shawn Bergman, Ella Chancey

River Cities Industrial and Organizational Psychology Conference

This study investigates the willingness of Psychology and Management students to utilize various knowledge sources in the context of workplace problem-solving. Participants will be asked to self-report on their reliance on sources of knowledge like personal expertise, organizational data, empirical research, and stakeholder involvement. Specifically, the study aims to reveal the impact of academic frameworks on a student's problem-solving ability, such as that of the APA for Psychology majors. The research aims to provide insights into problem-solving, and the obstacles which can hinder the effective use of knowledge sources in the workplace.

Psychometric Exploration Of The Five Love Languages, Ryan Dobson

Psychology ETDs

Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages (2024) is an internationally recognized popular psychology theory. In the present study (n = 740) a series of factor analyses were conducted to explore the structure of the five love languages. Both the structure of what behaviors people perceive as an expression of their partner’s love (reception), and the structure of what behaviors people perceive as an expression of their love for their partner (expression) were examined. Although exploratory factor analyses suggested that a two-factor and five-factor solution were reasonable across both reception and expression formats, confirmatory factor analyses resulted in no model being …

An Exploration Into Why There Is An Overrepresentation Of Bame People In Missing Person Cases, Phoebe Sleigh-Johnson, Fiona Gabbert Dr., Adrian J. Scott

International Journal of Missing Persons

The overrepresentation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people in missing person cases is an issue that is not understood within society and has largely been neglected within academic literature to date. This study, therefore, aims to explore why this overrepresentation might exist by obtaining the views and opinions of 24 professionals (including police officers) working within the field of missing people. The study used a qualitative, exploratory method and an anonymous online survey containing a series of open-ended questions. Thematic analysis was performed on the data, and three main themes were identified; the first related to the idea …

Supporting & Protecting Repeat Missing Children From Different Residential Environments: A Scoping Review, Kirsty Bennett Dr, Petra Salisbury, Rebecca O'Keefe, Sharon Vincent, Bethany Mccarthy

International Journal of Missing Persons

Repeat missing children pose a significant financial burden onto services, including the police, social services, and health providers. Recognising that 37 to 65 percent of missing child reports each year are repeats, efforts have been made by academics and practitioners to understand this societal problem. Research has identified the risks causing children to go missing and the harms that they experience, but these focus primarily on children missing from residential care only. This PRISMA (2020) scoping review of 76 studies explores strategies implemented to prevent repeat missing episodes, and the role/influence of the home environment (e.g., with parents/guardians, and foster …

Racial Bias In Risk Allocation And Resource Utilisation: A Contributing Factor To Ethnic Minority Overrepresentation In Missing Person Investigations?, Amy Van Langeraad, Fiona Gabbert, Adrian J. Scott

International Journal of Missing Persons

Statistics from the National Crime Agency reveal that people from ethnic minority backgrounds are over-represented within the missing population in the United Kingdom, and previous archival studies have shown there is a discrepancy in the recovery of ethnic minority missing persons compared to White missing persons. A wider body of research shows that racial bias is prevalent in the criminal justice system and law enforcement, resulting in different outcomes for victims depending on their racial background. Such outcomes have yet to be examined in the context of missing persons. Therefore, this study tries to address this gap in the literature …

Nature Vs. Nurture In Albuquerque: What Breaking Bad And Better Call Saul Teach Us About How We Talk About Criminals, Max Romanowski

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul focus on the criminal transformation of their two main characters, Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk). While quite similar on the surface, Walter and Jimmy’s narratives represent two different criminal transitions, evoking the classic nature vs nurture conversation. Both of these shows bring the conversation to the idea of inevitability. The nature vs. nurture argument is a popular one because it acts as a teaching tool for how we think and talk about criminal behavior. At first, it follows that since criminality was in Walter White’s nature the whole time, his …

Studying Silence In Popular Culture, Kathy Merlock Jackson, Terry Lindvall

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

This article explains the impetus for and execution of a team-taught, interdisciplinary class in silence using popular culture materials and practices, such as silent film, music, meditation, and mime. The course identifies individuals as possessing characteristics of introversion and extraversion and explores the role of silence in the modern world, incorporating the following: (1) Foundations for the Study of Silence, (2) The History of Silence, (3) The Role of Silence in Spirituality, Creativity and Reflection, (4) Silence in Communication Study, (5) Silent Film and Silence in Film, (6) The Role of Silence in a Highly Technological, Mediated World, and (7) …

Lived Experiences Involving Family Decision-Making Processes For Placing Older Adults In Long-Term Care Facilities In Arkansas, Jennifer Elaine Carpenter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although family members play an important role in decisions regarding their loved ones in long-term care facilities, their experiences have not been explored. Guided by Bowen’s family system and Simon’s decision-making theories, this qualitative study utilized phenomenology. The research question was: What are experiences involving the decision-making process for family members when placing family members in long-term care facilities in Arkansas? Purposive sampling resulted in face-to-face interviews with a sample of 11 such family members over 18 years of age. Data trustworthiness was established by using reflexivity and rich thick descriptions. Member checking was used with participants to verify transcripts …

Four Decades, Three Songs, Too Much Violence: Using Popular Culture Media Analysis To Prepare Preservice Teachers For Dealing With School Violence, Edward Janak, Lisa Pescara-Kovach

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Since teacher education has morphed from normal schools into colleges of education, the goals of preparing teachers have expanded. While it is essential to prepare teachers to utilize scientifically proven methods as well as to read and use research in the field, there are ever-expanding other goals that must be met as well. For one example, with the increase of school violence taking place in the United States, it is imperative to include preparation for preservice teachers on how to prevent bullying and how to handle traumatic events, such as school shootings, with their future students. However, broaching such a …

The Personality Profile And Leadership Style Of U.S. Vice President And 2024 Democratic Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris, Aubrey Immelman, Anne Marie Griebie, Elise Vomacka

Psychology Faculty Publications

The paper presents the results of an indirect personality assessment of U.S. vice president Kamala Harris, Democratic presidential nominee in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, from the conceptual perspective of personologist Theodore Millon.

Psychodiagnostically relevant data about Harris were collected from biographical sources and media reports and synthesized into a personality profile using the Millon Inventory of Diagnostic Criteria (MIDC), which yields 34 normal and maladaptive personality classifications congruent with DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, and DSM-5-TR.

The personality profile yielded by the MIDC was analyzed in accordance with interpretive guidelines provided in the MIDC and Millon Index of Personality …

The Role Of Sociability In Mental Health In Mid To Late Life During Covid-19, Katherine L. Fiori, Amy Rauer, Christina M. Marini, Amna Khan, Christine So

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Some adults in mid and late life may have been particularly sensitive to the negative effects of social disruptions due to COVID-19 restrictions. The current study explored whether sociability moderated links between disrupted contact with friends and family and multiple indicators of mental health. We collected quantitative data via an online survey from a community sample of 136 adults in mid to late life (M age = 67.77, range 50–91; 69.3% females; 92.7% White). We conducted a series of hierarchical linear regressions to test for moderation. Controlling for age, gender, and marital status, sociability moderated the associations between disruptions …

Dog-Friendly Workplaces: Understanding What Works And Lessons Learned Through Reflexive Thematic Analysis, Eloise Warrilow, Lisbeth Drury, Joanna Yarker, Rachel Lewis

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

The demand for pet-friendly practices has increased since the global pandemic, with some employees reporting a preference for working alongside their companion dogs. Despite increased scholarly interest in pet-friendly practices, gaps exist in understanding their real-world impact. This study examines companion-dog-friendly offices postpandemic, focusing on perceived antecedents and outcomes of pet-friendly practices. It aims to identify what works, what does not, and lessons learned. It draws on expertise from the animal welfare and the industrial, work, and organizational psychology sectors. Employing a qualitative approach, this study utilized semistructured, one-hour interviews with 14 participants who had experienced working in a dog-friendly …

Cross-Country Comparison Of Depressive Symptoms And Social-Emotional Aspects In University Students From Brazil And Germany During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Results From Two Cross-Sectional Surveys, Aneliana Da Silva Prado, Sabrina Baldofski, Elisabeth Kohls, Alessandra S. Bianchi, Fernanda S. Oda, Joanneliese De Lucas Freitas, Christine Rummel-Kluge

Pacific Faculty Work

Background The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected students' mental health, increasing pre-existing psychosocial vulnerabilities. University students worldwide have presented differences in their mental health status; however, cross-country studies comparing students' mental health during the pandemic are lacking. Aims To investigate potential differences between university students from Brazil and those from Germany with respect to (a) depressive symptoms and alcohol and drug consumption, (b) social and emotional aspects (loneliness, self-efficacy, perceived stress, social support and resilience) and (c) attitudes towards vaccination. Method Two online cross-sectional studies were conducted with university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil (November 2021 to March 2022) …

The Changing Importance Of Competence Generationally: Developing Trust, Online And Offline, Brandon C. Bouchillon

Journalism Faculty Publications and Presentations

Generalized trust has reached new lows in America, with young Americans now trusting the least. This complicates the process of interacting with new people, which formerly contributed to trust. The present study thus tested whether networked modes of social contact and social learning might add to interpersonal competence and generalized trust. Responses to a national web survey were matched to US Census percentages for sex, race, ethnicity, age, and region. The sample resembles the US population demographically and is theoretically large enough to represent it (N = 1500). Data were analyzed using SPSS and PROCESS. Diverse contact in person …

Mental Fatigue And Self-Care In Informal Oncology Caregivers: A Descriptive Mixed Methods Study, Megan Wayne

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Purpose:

This dissertation study aimed to enhance understanding of informal caregiver wellbeing by exploring the presence of mental fatigue, the relationships among mental fatigue, self-care, and informal oncology caregiver quality of life (QOL), and determining whether differences exist in self-care engagement and QOL between caregivers who report high and low levels mental fatigue.

Problem:

Healthcare is becoming increasingly reliant on informal caregivers for the management and care of individuals with serious illnesses such as cancer. Previous research has shown that informal caregivers routinely experience many negative effects as a result of providing care including decreased mental health and …

Liderando Juntos Y Revueltos: A Collectivistic Leadership Approach To Address Latinx Immigrant Health And Psychological Needs, Oswaldo Moreno, Luz M. Garcini, Melanie M. Domenech Rodriguez, Alfonso Mercado, Amanda Venta, Thania Galvan, Michelle Silva, Oscar F. Rojas Perez, German Cadenas, Manuel Paris

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Psychologists are positioned to help address societal and public health crises in beneficial ways, including collectively working with public sectors to serve marginalized communities. This article highlights the relevance of helping to address societal and public health crises with collectivistic psychological leadership approaches and uses Latinx psychology leaders for addressing the current immigrant needs among Latinx communities. We draw attention to the domains needed for collectivistic psychological leadership that are culturally nuanced and equity, diversity, and inclusion-focused to advance the well-being of historically marginalized immigrant communities. Finally, the article highlights how our collectivistic approach operates in the public sector by …

Experimental Evidence Of Instagram Influencers’ Impact On Well-Being, Kimberly Yiting T'Ng, Kai Qin Chan, Andree Hartanto

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

With Instagram influencers holding significant sway over public perception, their presumed psychological impact on young adults has gathered public attention. It has been claimed that influencers, known for showcasing enviable lifestyles, have the potential to affect their followers’ well-being. However, these claims have been based on correlational data that focuses on diffused indicators of social media consumption rather than specific features of Instagram. This limits our insight into the direct effects of Instagram on well-being. We experimentally investigated the effects of a brief exposure to Instagram influencers on the well-being. Our results showed that viewing profiles of demographically similar social …

Perceptions Of Sexism Through A Latine Lens, Erick Herrera Hernandez, Debra L. Oswald

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

This study aims to compare Latine men and women’s perceptions of hostile and benevolent sexist behaviors, while also examining the associations between these perceptions and Latine cultural values. Participants who identified as Latine (55 men, 57 women; M_age = 32.05, SD = 10.63) were presented with 14 scenarios reflecting hostile and benevolent sexist interactions and were asked to rate their perceptions of these interactions as sexist and caring. The findings suggest that Latine men and women perceive benevolent sexist behaviors as less sexist and more caring than hostile sexist behaviors. Latine women were also more likely than Latine men …

Conceptions Of Latinos And Latinas About The Grieving Process And Associate Concepts Of Dying, Death, Bereavement, And Loss: A Covid-19-Post-Pandemic Case Study, Rosario Garcia Ortiz

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to recognize the grieving process and the related concepts of Latinos who lost a loved one to the COVID-19 pandemic. Death and dying have been studied in the United States, with limited studies focusing on the Latino culture. The COVID-19 pandemic was a devastating experience for the world and continues to be studied for understanding and lessons in the aftermath. This research included four participants from the Latino culture who lost a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic. An inductive approach and data analysis were used to form theoretical constructs. Three main categories were …

An Empirical Analysis Of The Mmpi-3 Suicidal/Death Ideation Scale, Brittany Barnes Rhodes

Theses and Dissertations

Suicide is a significant concern in society and is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and around the world. Suicidality is particularly prevalent in outpatient psychological treatment centers, with some studies estimating a tenfold increase in prevalence in this setting compared to the population at large. Several measures have been developed to assess suicide risk potential based on symptom frequency and combinations of risk factors, and broadband personality measures have also incorporated suicidality scales into their tests. The current study was focused on assessing the effectiveness of the Suicidal/Death Ideation (SUI) scale on the third …

The Impact Of Race-Related Stress On The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (Mmpi-3) Of An African American Community Sample, Cassandra Clayton

Theses and Dissertations

Black Americans have endured profound racial discrimination and systemic injustices rooted in the historical legacy of slavery in the United States. These injustices persist today, permeating various facets of life, such as social interactions, education, politics, legal systems, and employment opportunities. Previous research has explored the cultural ramifications of these experiences, which often lead to race-related stressors and negative impacts on the psychological well-being of Black Americans. However, the exploration of how discrimination and racial stressors impact personality test scores of African Americans, such as on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, 3^rd edition (MMPI-3), is limited. This study investigated …