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The Potential Co-Occurrence Of Perfectionism, Food Insecurity, And Gpa With Orthorexia Nervosa Risk, Samantha Kay Gould

Master's Theses

There are indeterminate risk, prevalence, and correlation data on orthorexia nervosa (ON) as shown by current literature on disordered eating (Rodgers et al., 2021). As a roughly defined disordered eating pattern, ON may be better understood after identifying associations among other attributes in a college student sample (Abdullah et al., 2020; Mavrandrea & Gonidakis, 2023; Parra-Fernández, 2019; Rogowska et al., 2021). A cooccurrence and influence of perfectionism, food insecurity, and grade point average (GPA) with ON risk was hypothesized since current literature suggests college students exhibit each of these characteristics independently (Abdullah et al., 2020; Ambwani et al., 2019; Caferoglu …

Divine Intervention: The Effects Of Repairing Attachment Insecurities With God On Ptsd Symptomology In Adult Survivors Of Childhood Trauma, Erica M. Duckworth

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Childhood trauma occurs when an individual under the age of 18 survives a perceived life-threatening event. To circumvent future danger, numerous developmental changes occur in response to fear, manifesting in a multitude of symptoms. A culmination of symptoms results in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a debilitating condition that arises from the hypervigilance of the brain and body to environmental stimuli. A recurring state of fear can lead to isolation, negatively affecting social interactions. Expectations of relationships, also known as attachment styles, reflect the bonds created between a child and a parent or caregiver. The quality of this foundational relationship can …

Cv: Philip Blankenship (Behavioral Neuroscience), Philip Blankenship

Psychology Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Understanding The Barriers And Challenges Of Spanish-Speaking Latinos Who Received Calaim Initiative Social Support Services, Jessica De Lara Vallejo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Spanish-speaking Latinos continue to face significant barriers when attempting to access social support services through healthcare initiatives such as California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM). Despite previous efforts to address this issue, this population continues to encounter barriers such as systemic discrimination, language barriers, and limited access to culturally responsive care. This qualitative study was guided by the consolidated framework for implementation research and used an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach to explore the lived experiences of Spanish-speaking Latino parents whose children received CalAIM asthma home remediation (AHR) services. The purpose of this study was to understand the barriers and challenges …

The Characterization Of Sleep Quality In Pediatric Cancer Survivors With Overweight/Obesity, Erin M. Brennan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Advances in cancer treatment have improved survival rates among pediatric cancer survivors (PCS), shifting the focus toward long-term quality of life. Despite this progress, PCS remain at elevated risks of chronic health issues, including disrupted sleep and obesity. The purpose of this study was to characterize the sleep of PCS with overweight/obesity and to identify predictors of sleep quality. Guided by Merz and Tomfohr-Madsen’s (2018) conceptual framework for sleep disruption in children impacted by cancer, this secondary analysis of data examined disease parameters, family and environmental factors, and physical activity as potential predictors of sleep quality. Participants were enrolled between …

Public Housing Professionals Perspectives On Mobile Food Unit Location And Accessibility For Children, Antoinette Lashurn Simpson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor nutrition is a major contributor to death in the United States, and residents of public housing face disproportionate challenges in maintaining adequate nutrition. Public housing is the nation’s oldest housing subsidy program, providing more than one million units for millions of residents, many of whom are women, minorities, and unmarried individuals with incomes below the poverty line. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore public housing professionals’ perspectives on using a mobile food unit located within housing communities to help reduce food insecurity. Feminist intersectionality theory provided the framework for this study, emphasizing how overlapping systems …

Exploring Perceived Parental Vulnerability In Pediatric Cancer Survivors: A Comparative Thematic Analysis Of English And Spanish-Speaking Families., Yusnavi Martinez Pineiro

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how perceived parental vulnerability is expressed among parents of pediatric cancer survivors and explored potential differences between Spanish-speaking and English-speaking families. Data were drawn from an existing ongoing clinical trial in the IHOPE lab of the University of South Florida, who collaborates with over 10 pediatric cancer survivorship clinics across the country. The study used a total of 26 (13 Spanish-speaking and 13 English-speaking) structured interview transcripts from parent participants. The transcripts were the first session with the parent participant, the interventionist spoke the parent’s preferred language (English or Spanish), perceived parental vulnerability was one of six …

The Effects Of Head Injury On Executive Function And Emotion Regulation In Male And Female Athletes, Anna Christine Speer

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Head injuries are a common occurrence among athletes, and research on concussions has seen significant rise alongside an increasing awareness of their symptoms and effects. Women’s involvement in sports has also rapidly increased in recent decades. However, a significant gap in research exists as to how the effects of head injuries may differ across sexes, particularly regarding executive function and emotion regulation. This study aimed to bridge this gap in research by investigating how the frequency of head injuries in both female and male athletes impact executive functioning and emotion regulation among current and former athletes. Current and former athletes …

An Academia-Community Partnership Aiming To Benefit The Well-Being Of Shelter Cats And Promote The Learning Outcomes Of College Students, Shlomit Flaisher-Grinberg

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

More than three million cats enter U.S. animal care and control facilities annually. Although many are adopted, others spend a prolonged amount of time at the animal shelter while facing a variety of stressors. The current project explored the possibility of creating an academia–community partnership aiming to establish a college-based foster program that will allow undergraduate students to socialize and train shelter cats as a part of an academic course. It was hypothesized that the program will positively impact the well-being of shelter cats, improve their adoption outcomes, and support students’ learning outcomes. Students enrolled in the Learning course at …

9th Gsep Research Symposium - 2025

GSEP Research Symposium

The Ninth Annual GSEP Research Symposium, themed "Building Bridges to Elevate Humanity: Innovations and Insights in Education and Psychology", was hosted by the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) on June 19–20, 2025, at the historic Château d’Hauteville in Switzerland and virtually via Zoom.

This hybrid symposium convened a vibrant global community of students, alumni, faculty, and scholars to share research that addresses real-world challenges, advances scholarly inquiry, and builds pathways for inclusive collaboration and leadership. Spanning a wide array of topics—from artificial intelligence and mental health to trauma-informed practices, educational equity, social justice, and cross-cultural leadership—the …

Hungry Minds: Analyzing The Impact Of Food Insecurity And Food Assistance Programs On Neurocognitive Development And Childhood Mental Health, Kayla A. Davenport

Senior Theses

Introduction: Food insecurity affects millions of children in the United States and is increasingly recognized as a significant risk factor for poor nutritional intake and adverse health outcomes. However, less is known about how the experience of food insecurity disrupts healthy development and well-being, particularly among American youth. This thesis had two aims: (1) to examine the relationship between household food insecurity and children’s neurocognitive and mental health outcomes and (2) to evaluate how major food assistance programs address, or fail to address, these developmental risks.

Methods: This thesis uses a mixed-methods approach, integrating a narrative literature review, a cross-sectional …

Self-Management And Support Needs Of Patients Experiencing Persistent Symptoms Consistent With Hypothyroidism: A Qualitative Study, Marike De Reuver-Schuurman, Esther C. Bakker, Lilian Lechner, Liset Van Dijk

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: To gain insight into the self-management and support needs of patients experiencing persistent symptoms consistent with hypothyroidism, despite thyroid laboratory values within the normal range.

Methods: A qualitative study using the phenomenological approach was conducted. Semi-structured interviews including 19 patients diagnosed with persistent symptoms consistent with hypothyroidism, despite receiving adequate replacement therapy, were performed. Respondents were recruited using purposive sampling via Schildklier Organisatie Nederland (Dutch Thyroid Organization) (www.schildklier.nl). After transcription and coding, a thematic analysis was performed.

Results: All respondents reported that the persistent symptoms reduced their quality of life. The patients’ main focus was on finding the cause …

Paws And Effect: Canine Companionship And Outcomes In The Chronic Health Condition Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Kimberley C. Schenke, Joanna Foster, Danielle Stephens-Lewis

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Emerging research suggests canine companions may support the management of health conditions, yet evidence within complex, long-term conditions like hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) remains limited. hEDS is a multifaceted condition often associated with social withdrawal. Thus, the current research provided a high-powered investigation into whether the nonjudgmental support of canine companions could improve health and well-being outcomes for individuals with hEDS. An online survey of 401 participants was utilized to compare differences in health and well-being among individuals with hEDS who have a canine companion to those who do not. Results revealed that participants with canine companions experienced fewer difficulties …

Adverse Childhood Experiences: How They Shape Employees' Perceptions, Experiences, And Performance In The Workplace, Marcia A. Beasley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) has been well researched, and the lifelong consequences of medical conditions have been documented. Recently, research has linked mental health concerns to ACEs, including depression, anxiety, and health risk behaviors. ACEs occur during important stages of childhood development and can disrupt these stages, leading to children learn maladaptive coping skills. The resultant maladaptive behaviors that are developed as a response to maltreatment may also hinder social relationships in adulthood. Given this, research is lacking on the influence of ACEs on perceptions in the workplace, especially from the employee’s perspective. This qualitative phenomenological study …

Gathering At The Table: Using Food To Heal On One’S Grief Journey, Jamie B. Daugherty, Jada Staat, Julie Rachford

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This research study explored the registered dietitian nutritionist’s (RDN) role and impact while supporting those on their grief journey. Data collection methods included a focus group, journaling, workshop evaluations, and photo elicitation. Qualitative data analysis highlighted three themes emerging from a six-week culinary nutrition education support workshop: providing intention, building community, and showcasing RDNs as encouraging companions, by contributing their skills of nutrition education and hands-on culinary applications, supporting individuals continuing to grieve.

Carry On: A Multi-Campus Faculty Perspective On The Barriers And Facilitators To Implementing Service Learning Curriculum During A Global Pandemic, Adrianne Widaman, Kirsten Leisses Tuck

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Service learning (SL) faculty faced substantial and unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to explore SL faculty perspectives during the crisis. Higher education faculty who taught SL designated courses during 2020/2021 identified and prioritized challenges and strategies to teaching SL courses without direct person contact. A total of 144 unique responses were collected from 16 faculty from 5 universities using the nominal group technique, a qualitative and quantitative method. Highly ranked themes included the emotional burden felt by the faculty, decreased student learning, a lack of faculty time, the need for alternative assignments, and …

Promoting Healthy Aging Through An Intergenerational Service-Learning Course, Tricia Pierce, Eric Hubbard, Shalini Persaud

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This case study examines combining service-learning (SL) with an intergenerational exercise program using undergraduate kinesiology students. The purpose was to explore how SL increases confidence, social responsibility, and leadership growth while addressing community needs. Students led biweekly exercise sessions for older adults over six weeks. Reflections demonstrated mutual benefits, including improved activity levels, reduced social isolation, and strengthened community connections.

Building Community One Structure At A Time: A Partnership Between Social Work And Landscape Architecture Students, Kenya M. Cistrunk, Elizabeth P. Tofte, Juriel A. Rogers

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Experiential learning is invaluable when promoting interdisciplinary approaches to teaching complex issues. This article reports on a five-week collaboration between undergraduate stu-dents in social work and landscape architecture courses, project impetus being a common-reading text. Students (n=54) constructed three-dimensional models of children’s playgrounds and prepared academic posters describing restorative interventions based on their service-learning experiences with community partners. Projects were displayed at university-sponsored workshops. Participation in common reading programs has promising implications for interdis-ciplinary collaboration.

Sharing A Vision With An International Partner Through Photographs, Leah S. Dunn, Diane Ceo-Difrancesco, Rakhi Srivastava

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

The purpose of this study was to establish a shared vision between the academic program and the international service-learning partner. Through the use of photovoice (Collier & Collier, 1986), we conducted a needs assessment to determine the partner’s priorities. Analysis of inter-view transcripts and photos yielded themes representing the partner’s needs and were the basis of the shared vision, adding clarity to the purpose of the experience.

Impact Of Service Learning On Pharmacy Students’ Empathy Toward Patients, Autumn L. Stewart, John R. Tomko, Holly C. Lassila

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of a pilot service learning project with indigent patients on pharmacy student empathy. Previous research has demonstrated a decline in empathic behavior during schooling. Effective strategies that prevent or reverse this change may exist and should be explored. The Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy, a validated instrument for measuring empathy, was used before and after participation in a service learning experience with indigent patients. A significant increase in the degree of empathy was observed (mean difference=3.778, 95% CI 0.008 to 7.548, p=0.05) demonstrating that service learning with indigent patients has …

Champions For Outreach And Advocacy For Campus And Community Health: A College-Based Peer Health Coach Program, Vanessa Duren-Winfield, Kimya Nance, Elijah O. Onsomu, Peggy Valentine, Michael Mckenzie, Arthur Roberts

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Few studies have investigated the role Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) students can play in addressing chronic diseases among themselves, their peers, and local community. An overview of a peer health promotion education strategy is provided. Ten students completed an eight-week health disparities curriculum while providing health information and screening to 1,525 campus and community residents. A description of the program and recommendations are provided. Findings support the need for peer student health educators in HBCUs as a model to improve campus and community health outcomes.

The Day One Leadership Program: Engaging Campus In Community Hunger Issues Through Service-Learning, April K. Heiselt, Chiquita A. Briley

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Hunger issues continue to be a major part of both the United States’ and the global health agenda. The “War on Hunger” is an initiative that engages college students in the solution to fight hunger. Using Mississippi State University’s Day One Leadership Community as a case study, this article details how freshmen students in a first-year, living-learning community participated in a service-learning project with their local food pantries in order to better understand the issues of food insecurity and domestic hunger. Elements of the program as well as challenges and benefits for the students and food pantry community partners are …

Evaluating The Impact Of Seed Money Grants In Stimulating Growth Of Community-Based Research And Service-Learning At A Major Public Research University, Judith A. Jetson, Mary E. Evans, Wendy Hathaway

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

At a major research university, community engagement must intersect with research productivity and attract external funding to be well-regarded. At USF, community engagement increased its value to the institution by using seed grants for community-based research and service-learning projects. Between 1998 and 2006, 132 projects received $1.65 million in seed money from general revenue and local government funds, bringing over $9 million in grants to USF, a return on investment of approximately 6-to-1.

One Is The Loneliest Number: The Impact Of Social Isolation On Blaberus Discoidalis, Jaden Jackson

Student Theses and Dissertations

Isolation in humans and its consequences has been documented by researchers as early as the 1700s (McNeil et al., 1984). More recently, interest in the impact of social isolation has been renewed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the studies covering social isolation and the COVID-19 pandemic rely on self-report measures obtained through questionaries or interviews. Studying social isolation experimentally is difficult due to risk factors associated with isolating one from conspecifics. This is particularly true when studying humans. Animal models of social isolation are important as they allow for implementation of necessary controls needed to establish …

The Psychological Impact Of Systemic Factors On Maternal Mental Health Outcomes, V Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Maternal mental health disparities in the United States continue to impact reproductive-age women, especially those from underserved populations. In this quantitative study, how healthcare accessibility and socioeconomic status (SES) influenced psychological stress and maternal mental health outcomes was examined. Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological model and critical race theory guided the theoretical framework. Secondary data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to analyze three research questions related to the predictive relationships between systemic factors and mental health outcomes, and differences in stress across age groups. Key variables included insurance coverage, access to a personal doctor, cost-related barriers, income, employment …

Bonding With Earth: Hyperbole, Metaphor, Or Fanciful Teleology?, George Conesa

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

At a mere glance, the notion that humans could (should strive for?) bond emotionally with an entire planet, Earth, sounds hyperbolic at best and psychologically unsound at worst. For although humans might be motivated to act in ways that pass for “bonding,” perhaps assisted by intentions and sentiments to care for a whole planet, the question remains: Which notion of Earth are they really investing all their emotions in? Important to psychologists would be to inquire whether incomplete, idealized, oversimplified, or fantastic notions of “Earth,” or bonding, turn out to be transference-love-like, platonic, overidealized forms of affect, which seldom develop …

Racial Discrimination And Inflammation In Adolescence: Ethnic/Racial Processes As Moderators, Queenisha Crichlow

All ETDs from UAB

Discrimination and other psychosocial stressors contribute to chronic disease by dysregulating neuroendocrine and immune systems, which often leads to increased levels of inflammation. Given that inflammation is a key biological pathway associated with the development of chronic diseases, it has been proposed as a potential mechanism linking racial discrimination to poorer health. Most studies linking racial discrimination with inflammation have focused on adults, despite the fact that children and adolescents also experience discrimination. This dissertation explores the association between racial discrimination and inflammation, measured via salivary C-reactive protein (CRP) and proinflammatory cytokines, among Black and Hispanic adolescents. It also examines …

Coping Self-Efficacy, Acculturation, Gender, Socioeconomic Status, And Perceived Discrimination As Predictors Of Depression Among Nigerian Immigrants In The United States, Olatunde O. Osibote

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nigerian immigrants represent one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations in the United States. Relocating to a new country can be a major source of stress, often increasing individuals’ vulnerability to mental health challenges. While considerable research has examined predictors of depression in the general population and among certain immigrant groups, limited attention has been given to these factors in the context of Nigerian immigrants in the U.S. This study aimed to address that gap by applying Berry’s acculturation theory to investigate predictors of depression within this population. A quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational survey design was used to examine whether acculturation, socioeconomic …

Sex-Specific Associations Between Early Life Unpredictability And Trajectories Of Body Mass Index From Infancy To Adolescence, Emily M. Melnick, Lilybelle K. Deer, Jenalee R. Doom, Hal S. Stern, Curt A. Sandman, Laura M. Glynn, Elysia P. Davis

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective:

Unpredictability in early life is an understudied aspect of early life adversity that provides important signals to the child about their environment. Recent work shows the predictability of patterns of parental signals on a moment-to-moment timescale sculpts the developing brain during sensitive windows, offering a potential pathway through which early life experiences shape child development. Both experimental non-human animal models and observational human research show sex-specific links between early life exposure to unpredictable patterns of parental sensory signals and aberrant offspring development. The impact of predictability of sensory signals on physical health outcomes, such as BMI, remains unknown. Here …

Early Adult Outcomes Of 4-H Program Alumni: A Propensity-Matched Comparative Study, Steven M. Worker, Roshan K. Nayak, Anne Marie Iaccopucci, Nicole Marshall-Wheeler

Journal of Youth Development

A young person’s engagement in high-quality youth development programs should lead to stronger positive outcomes as a young adult. Theoretical literature advances broad indicators that mark success in young adulthood; however, there is a dearth of empirical publications reporting long-term outcomes to support this assumption. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study to report on three long-term outcomes (economic stability, health and well-being, and community involvement) of young adult (aged 19 to 34) alumni of the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program. We compared 4-H alumni outcomes to matched peers using secondary data sources. The 4-H alumni sample demonstrated more …