Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Personality Meets Possibility: Exploring Cognitive Engagement For Older Adults In A Changing World, Kalvry A. Cooper

All Theses

Engagement in cognitively stimulating activities (CSAs) is critical for maintaining cognitive health in older adults. While existing research has examined the benefits of CSAs, less is known about how factors such as personality traits, education, and technology proficiency influence engagement, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to explore older adults' participation in online versus in-person CSAs during the pandemic and identify key predictors of engagement. Using secondary data from the EFIT and ENACT studies, this research investigates how variables like marital status, education, personality traits, and mobile device proficiency shape older adults' decisions to engage in online or …

From Invisible Injury To Measurable Impact: Exploring Associations Between Peripheral Biomarkers Of Neuroinflammation And Mental Health Outcomes After Mtbi, Lauren Leggett Smith

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), often referred to as a “silent epidemic,” accounts for the majority of traumatic brain injuries worldwide and is increasingly linked to persistent psychiatric outcomes. Despite its prevalence, mTBI remains understudied due to diagnostic challenges, underreporting, and misperceptions of its clinical significance. The present study examined whether peripheral biomarkers of neuroinflammation and astroglial injury—tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)— mediate associations between mTBI history and psychiatric symptom severity, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants were 138 traumaexposed adults recruited from an urban university and surrounding community, with …

Employee Perspectives Of Addiction: Effects On Workplace Dynamics, Alex Silverman

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how employees perceive and respond to coworkers experiencing substance use disorders (SUDs) and behavioral addictions in workplace settings. Integrating attribution theory, stigma frameworks, and Quality of Work Life (QWL) perspectives, a controlled vignette-based design was administered to 130 employed adults who evaluated hypothetical coworkers across addiction conditions. Multilevel modeling revealed that SUDs were perceived as more severe than behavioral addictions, and higher perceived addiction severity was associated with greater stigmatizing attitudes. Stigmatizing attitudes, in turn, were differentially associated with workplace behavioral responses: stigma was strongly associated with increased distancing and reporting behaviors but was not significantly associated …

Investigating Racial And Ethnic Differences In Help-Seeking Recommendations And Intentions For Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms And Symptom Clusters, Josselyn Yanisbeth Telule

Master's Theses

Racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) communities experience disproportionate exposure to adverse events, including discrimination, socioeconomic disparities, justice system involvement, and limited access to healthcare. These inequities increase the likelihood of experiencing potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and developing trauma-related mental health concerns such as posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Despite this elevated risk, REM populations consistently underutilize mental health services. Although several explanations have been proposed—including differences in symptom recognition, perceived need for care, cultural values, mental health literacy, and preferred sources of support—less research has examined racial and ethnic differences in help-seeking intentions (HSI) and help-seeking recommendations (HSR), particularly in response …

The Effects Of Self-Management On Portion Control Consumption In A Natural Setting, Amber Nicole Lampert

Theses and Dissertations

Obesity is a significant public health concern, with overeating as a primary contributor. Despite national nutrition initiatives, most Americans consume inadequate amounts of fruits and vegetables while exceeding recommended portions of calorie-dense foods. Understanding food groups and recommended portion sizes of each may be a prerequisite skill for a health initiative aimed at weight loss. Given that environmental and behavioral factors influence eating behaviors, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) offers an evidence-based framework for improving nutritional habits through self-management interventions. This study examined the effects of self-management components on portion control within a natural eating environment. Four adult participants, one male …

Constant Connectivity To Work, Health Behaviors, Physical Symptoms: Exploring Boundary Management Practices That Can Help, Christina Christodoulou

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The workday inevitably exposes employees to numerous demands that induce stress reactions. Without sufficient recovery (i.e. returning stress reactions to baseline), individuals risk experiencing chronic psychological, behavioral or physical strains. With the rise of constant connectivity to work, recovery is becoming more of a challenge. However, research on the recovery-related consequences of constant connectivity, particularly its impact on health behaviors and physical health outcomes, remains scarce. To fill this gap in the literature, this research explored the relationship between constant connectivity, boundary management practices, health behaviors, and physical symptoms using a mixed-methods, multi-study design. A mixed methods pilot study (N …

Performative Racial Allyship And Ally Ambivalence: A Qualitative Study, Peter D. Goldie

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Racism is rampant in and outside of higher education institutions (HEIs). Preliminary research has found that white allyship--or white people's efforts to dismantle racism by partnering with People of Color--can be beneficial to Black communities when done authentically and in ways that center Black voices, perspectives, and liberatory goals. However, a growing body of scholarship has found that white people seldom show up as allies in meaningful ways. Instead, they frequently resort to performative racial allyship (PRA), or behaviors that are meant to signal solidarity with a marginalized racial group yet are superficial and self-serving. To support effective antiracism efforts, …

Engaging College Students With Eating Disorder Symptoms In Digital Mental Health Interventions, Emily Judd

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Background: Most college students with elevated eating disorder (ED) symptoms do not receive mental health treatment. These students commonly report preference for self-management and lack of perceived need for therapy as barriers to seeking help and engaging with mental health services. Screening surveys and digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) may help address these perceived barriers to treatment. Evidence suggests that DMHIs can be effective at reducing ED symptoms. However, student engagement (e.g., uptake and adherence) with DMHIs is low, which significantly limits their effectiveness. Objective: We adapted an engagement strategy for DMHIs, known as the Supporting Technology Engagement for Prevention …

A Pilot Study Of A Culturally Responsive Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention For Black American High School Students With Social Anxiety, Hannah Thomas

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Cognitive-behavioral interventions have been shown to be effective for treating social anxiety, yet few have been evaluated for racially and ethnically minoritized youth, including Black American adolescents. These interventions also do not address sociocultural factors, including racial discrimination and mental health stigma, that may shape the experience of social anxiety among Black American youth and serve as barriers to care. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a pilot evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of Interacting and Changing Our Narratives (ICON), a culturally-responsive, school-based cognitive-behavioral group intervention for Black American high school students with social …

Cognitive Appraisals, Empathy, And Helping Behavior: Toward An Integrated Model, Emily Morgan Vance

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Empathy leads to prosocial behavior (Ding & Lu, 2016), but the factors that influence whether we feel empathetic toward someone in need are less clear. I investigated whether cognitive appraisals and empathy explained helping intentions in response to help-giving contexts. This research was informed by Weiner’s attribution-emotion-action model (1980), Batson and colleagues’ empathy-altruism hypothesis (Batson et al., 1981), and appraisal theory of emotion (e.g., Smith & Ellsworth, 1985). Study 1 was exploratory and investigated the relationship between cognitive appraisals, emotions, and helping intentions in response to a help-giving scenario. Studies 2 and 3 manipulated the strength of the help-giving scenario …

Does Self-Compassion Buffer Against The Potential Effects Of Perfectionism And Psychopathology On Non-Suicidal Self-Injury?, Natasha Bourgoin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

University students with increased rates of reported perfectionism, anxiety, and depression, are vulnerable to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, not all students with psychological distress engage in NSSI, suggesting protective factors may help to mitigate this risk. The present study examined the relation between perfectionism and NSSI, via the mediating effects of anxiety and depression, and the moderating role of self-compassion. Participants were 338 university students (67% female; 87% White) who completed several self-report measures. Students with greater perfectionism reported higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms and, in turn, more NSSI engagement. Self-compassion and several self-compassionate domains attenuated connections between …

Associations Between Controlling Coaching Behaviors And Mental Health Help Seeking Attitudes In Collegiate Athletes, Maria C. Cacheiro

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Although correlations between coaching behaviors and mental health have been investigated before, research that extensively analyzes collegiate athletes’ willingness to seek out mental healthcare has not been conducted. Previous research shows that coaching behaviors correlate with athlete mental health and even predict depression levels more accurately than their own personality traits. The current study aimed to analyze the relationship between athletes’ perceived controlling coaching behaviors and their mental health-help seeking attitudes. Participants were surveyed to determine their perception of controlling coaching behaviors, available emotional support, athlete-coach relationship satisfaction, and mental health seeking attitudes. It was found that perceived aspects of …

Navigating Recovery: A Qualtitive Study Of Harm Reduction And Sobriety Among African American In Redlined Chicago Neighborhoods, Erica N. Tate

Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the lived experiences of African American individuals residing in historically redlined communities in Chicago who are maintaining sobriety using harm reduction strategies. Grounded in the context of structural inequities, the study explores how social determinants of health, including limited healthcare access, transportation barriers, and community disinvestment, shape recovery pathways. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals in sustained recovery and providers, and the data were analyzed using inductive and deductive thematic approaches. Findings indicate that recovery is an ongoing process influenced by environmental exposure, trauma, and access to support systems.

Participants identified harm reduction strategies, such as …

Attachment And Betrayal: Post-Infidelity Attachment Issues With A Focus On Gender, Taylor Forsythe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Infidelity represents a significant relational trauma that may disturb attachment processes such as trust, emotional intimacy, and closeness. There is a gap in the literature on how different infidelity exposures may relate to these attachment responses; more so, there is a dearth of information on the gender differences for attachment issues following any kind of infidelity. The purpose of this study aimed to examine differences in avoidant and anxious attachment across infidelity groups (no infidelity, non-sexual infidelity, sexual infidelity), and a further comparison of gender differences in those groups. Participants (N = 151) completed online surveys in a larger study …

Timing Of Parental Divorce And Spiritual Behavior In Young Adulthood: A Quantitative Study, Marcus A. North

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: While the literature on divorce and its impacts on children currently is quite robust, additional information can be contributed to specific factors that impact spiritual outcomes later in life. This research study sought to investigate the relationship between a child’s age at the time of their parents’ divorce and their subsequent spiritual behavior in young adulthood.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey was created, utilizing two previously validated instruments: Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES) and the Centrality of Religiosity Scale (CRS-15). The survey was administered online through Qualtrics software; participants were recruited through non-random purposive sampling, as well as participant snowballing.

Results: …

Relationships Between Therapists And Diverse Children's Populations And Their Effects, Brenda Sanchez Vega

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Roughly around 13.8% of children and adolescents in the United States receive some sort of counseling or therapy; the main focus of the research is on racial/ethnic minoritized children. Because APA’s ethical codes don’t address all possible situations, positive client-therapist relationships are bound to develop, including dyads or dual relationships, improving treatment progress. With the United States continuing to grow in diversity, there’s still a big gap in the literature surrounding minority children in therapy. Speculating if therapy approaches are used effectively for all children, including minoritized children. Based on past research already conducted, developing a positive client-therapist dual relationship …

Expressive Suppression Within Male Blue-Collar Coloradans, Kelsi C. Smits

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Blue-collar workers are a population that impacts nearly everyone who interacts with modern infrastructure.  Although they are crucial to modern life they are a population that is not widely researched or understood. This study aims to gain a more robust understanding of blue-collar workers by investigating male blue-collar workers in Colorado. This study will investigate how male blue-collar workers regulate their emotions. Emotional regulation will be measured using the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire. It is hypothesized that male blue-collar workers within Colorado will show that emotional suppression is a used emotional regulation tactic. It is essential to understand this because emotional …

Validity Of The Cultural Determinants Of Help-Seeking Model Among Hispanic Women With A History Of Intimate Partner Violence And Psychological Distress, Genevieve Marie Jessen

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Hispanic women experience disproportionately higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alongside low treatment engagement and greater alcohol use, even after intimate partner violence (IPV) has ended. Sociocultural factors may exacerbate the lasting impacts of IPV by contributing to a greater burden of disease. Prior research suggests that both psychological symptoms and sociocultural influences shape trauma recovery following IPV. However, little is known about how these factors interact after IPV cessation to impact Hispanic women's help-seeking and drinking. To address this gap, the present study applied the Cultural Determinants of Help-Seeking (CDHS) framework to examine whether inhibitory factors (e.g., barriers …

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Resilience, And Adaptive Functioning Among Student Veterans With Disabilities. A Resilience Portfolio Model Perspective, Donyeill Mozer

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with long-term psychological, physical, and behavioral outcomes; however, limited research has examined their relationship with multidimensional college adjustment among student veterans with disabilities, particularly those attending Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Guided by the Resilience Portfolio Model, this study examined associations among ACEs, perceived resilience, and multidimensional college adjustment within an understudied population of student veterans with disabilities enrolled at an HSI. Using a cross-sectional secondary analysis of survey data, the analytic sample consisted of 129 student veterans. ACEs were measured using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, perceived resilience was measured using the Brief Resilience Scale, …

The Moderating Role Of Cannabis Use Motives On The Relationship Between Intragroup Marginalization And Cannabis Use In Hispanic Emerging Adults, Austin Ray Vernon

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Cannabis use has become increasingly normalized among emerging adults, yet associated risks to health remain a growing concern. Cannabis use among Hispanic populations has risen over the past decade, underscoring the need to examine culturally relevant factors that may influence use patterns and related harm. Intragroup marginalization, a culturally specific form of identity-based rejection from one's own ethnic group, may represent one such factor. The present study examined whether intragroup marginalization is associated with cannabis use outcomes and whether cannabis use motives moderate these associations. Participants were 358 Hispanic college students recruited from a U.S.-Mexico border university. Following informed consent, …

Academic Anxiety, Anxiety Sensitivity, And General Mental Health In Collegiate Student-Athletes, Finley Gabrielle Elkins Sims

Theses and Dissertations

Collegiate athletes’ mental health is on the decline, and they have unique experiences that can influence the prevalence of mental health struggles. This study examined academic anxiety, comorbid forms of anxiety, and predicting factors in 187 collegiate student-athletes across 29 U.S. colleges. Athletes had significantly higher levels of academic anxiety and general anxiety compared to a college nonathlete population. There were significant gender differences in athletes, with females having greater levels of anxiety sensitivity, academic anxiety, sport anxiety, general anxiety, depression, and a history of depression than male athletes. Gender, history of depression, anxiety sensitivity, and depression were significant predictors …

Intersecting Identities, Social Support, Multiple-Minority Stress, And Health Outcomes Among Latinx Lgbtq+ Adults, Amanda Lamas

Theses and Dissertations

Latinx LGBTQ+ adults experience poor health due to exposure to intersectional discrimination; however, they also possess protective factors to cope with these stressors. This study explored the associations and interactions of identity affirmation (ethnic, American, LGBTQ+), identity outness, perceived social support, LGBT-POC microaggressions, and health among LGBTQ+ Latinx adults. Correlational analyses and regression models controlling for covariates showed that American and ethnic identity affirmation, perceived social support, and identity outness were positively associated with health, and LGBT-POC microaggressions were negatively associated with health. LGBTQ+ identity affirmation was directly correlated with mental health, but not in the regression model. Identity affirmation …

The Effects Of Ssri Drugs And Gender On Mental Health Views And Medication Adherence, Caroline S. Edmondson

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

There is an existing stigma surrounding mental health and related treatment that affects individuals seeking proper care for their mental health concerns. Previous research has failed to sufficiently examine the effects of mental health stigma on medication adherence, particularly in those who are prescribed SSRI medications, as well as gender differences regarding beliefs around mental health. The current research study aimed to explore the differences in mental health stigma between medicated and unmedicated groups as well as between genders. Further exploration is given to whether overall beliefs about mental health predict medication adherence. The Endorsed and Anticipated Stigma Inventory and …

Hypothetical Courtroom: Influence Of Expert Witness Testimony On Jurors’ Decision-Making, Macy R. Hooper

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Jurors’ decision-making is shaped by social and psychological factors that may create bias, particularly in cases involving psychopathic defendants. The present study examines how a hypothetical defendant’s perceived psychopathy, the type of scientific evidence presented (neuroimaging vs. only verbal descriptions), the gender of the expert witness, and the expert’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) affect jurors’ decisions. Participants read one of four mock trial vignettes involving a psychopathic defendant and then evaluated the defendant’s guilt, recommended sentence length, and weighed the credibility of the expert witness. Results indicated that confidence in the expert significantly decreased after participants were informed that …

Evaluating The Feasibility, Acceptability, And Preliminary Efficacy Of An Online Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Program To Improve Dietary Quality In Highly Stressed Adults, Francesca M. Knudsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Stress can negatively affect both mental and physical health, which can increase the risk for chronic illness. When people feel stressed, they may also find it harder to make healthy food choices, which can further impact their health. Despite this, there are limited treatments designed to help people improve their dietary quality while managing stress. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based psychological approach that helps people respond more effectively to difficult thoughts and emotions while behaving in ways that are aligned with their personal values. This study tested whether a brief, online ACT-based program, combined with coaching phone …

Does Psychosocial Stress Moderate The Association Between Indicators Of Vascular Health And Cognitive Performance: An Examination In Native Hawaiian - Pacific Islander And Non-Nhpi Older Adults, Maddy Mills

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Late-life cognitive decline and dementia that are unrelated to normal aging are a source of major global health concerns. Vascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, along with psychosocial stress, are well-established risk factors for cognitive decline. However, no research has explored how these variables interact to influence cognitive performance in older adults. Native Hawaiian-Pacific Islanders (NHPI) face disproportionate rates of vascular risk factors linked to cognitive decline, yet this population has been historically underrepresented in health research. As a result, limited evidence exists regarding how these factors collectively impact cognitive performance in this population. This …

The Role Of Response Time In Math Anxiety, Christine K. Hartmann

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Math anxiety is characterized by feelings of discomfort or distress that are triggered when an individual is tasked with using numbers. Math anxiety impacts people at all ages, from early elementary school into adulthood (for review see Ramirez et al., 2018). In these studies, we investigated the cognitive impact that math anxiety has on both children and adults by measuring their math anxiety and reaction time on two tasks. The first task was the arithmetic affective priming task (AAPT), which purportedly shows that those with math anxiety tend to complete math tasks more efficiently (faster) when they are primed to …