Digital Commons Network^™

Associations Between Oral Hormonal Contraceptive Use, Digestive And Other Health Symptoms In Young Women, Silviana E. Buzatu

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Oral hormonal contraceptives (OHCs) are widely used among reproductive-age women; however, their gastrointestinal (GI) side effects remain understudied. The present study examined associations between OHC use, GI, physical, and psychological symptom burden in a large sample of undergraduate women. Participants (N = 669) aged 18 to 25 years were recruited from UCF’s SONA system and classified into three groups based on self-reported contraceptive status: no birth control, combined estrogen–progestin OHC, and progestin-only OHC. Participants completed GI questionnaires, as well as physical and mental health symptoms ones.

Multivariate analyses indicated that overall GI symptom profiles did not differ significantly by birth …

Self-Reported Psychological Effects Of Rock Climbing In Adults On The Autism Spectrum, Brennan Gleason

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Prior research has shown rock climbing to have considerable therapeutic potential through such mechanisms as boosting self-esteem, promoting mindfulness, and creating a supportive social community. (Liu et al., 2022, Osborne et al., 2025). Meanwhile, autistic adults experience mood disorders at a significantly higher rate than the general population; upwards of 54% are diagnosed with a psychiatric condition (Croen et al., 2015). Many of the issues negatively affecting autistic adults align with the benefits of rock climbing, including low self-esteem, inadequate social support, and anxiety.

Objective: This study aimed to find differences in mental health outcomes between autistic adults who …

The Interplay Between Loneliness, Cortisol, And Nk Cell Function: The Role Of Cortisol In Nk Cell Dysfunction, Abhinav Saurabh, Yvonne Baumer, Laurel G. Mendelsohn, Elizabeth M. Aquino Peterson, Dana Sadler, Shirley J. Lopez De Leon, Ayushi Dave, Andrew S. Baez, Lola R. Ortiz-Whittingham, Mario A. Pita, Manuel A. Cintron, Hannatu A. Tarfa, Sandy T. Reynolds, Shelby R. Hicks, Sonal Sharda, J. Eleanor Seo, Maria Lopez-Ocasio, Pradeep K. Dagur, Skyler A. Kuhn, Neelam R. Redekar, James F. Troendle, Ayanna L. Wells, Marie Marah, Katherine J. Tolentino, Michael J. Corley, Alika K. Maunakea, Lynnette K. Nieman, Marcus R. Andrews, Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Chronic psychosocial stressors contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related risk factors, particularly in under-resourced communities. Psychosocial stressors activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to sustained cortisol action on immune cells. Natural killer (NK) cells are altered in distribution and function in cardio-metabolic diseases; however, pathways linking cortisol as a marker of chronic stress to NK cell dysfunction remain understudied. We recruited 186 African American women from the Step It Up Community-Engaged, Digital Health Physical Activity Intervention study and collected cortisol, NK cell measures, and psychosocial stress measures using validated questionnaires, including chronic stress and loneliness. Plasma cortisol levels were …

The Effects Of Abused Drugs On Ferroptosis Pathways: Potential Therapeutic Targets For Substance Use Disorders, Tamara Bouchard, Brooke Russell, Liam Liyang Guo, Tina Nguyen, Yan Cheng, Yan Y. Sanders, Ming-Lei Guo

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain major public health concerns worldwide, particularly in developed countries. SUDs are characterized by persistent neuroinflammation and synaptic dysfunction in the brain. Despite decades of extensive investigation, the detailed mechanisms underlying SUDs remain elusive. Ferroptosis is a highly regulated cell death process deeply affected by iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and antioxidant systems. It has been implicated in multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and ischemic stroke. Recently, emerging evidence has highlighted the role of ferroptosis in drug-induced pathological changes. Various types of abused …

Does The Internet Equalize Youth’S Civic Engagement? Examining Online And Offline Civic Engagement Among Adolescents And Young Adults, Yue Ni

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this study, I examined disparities in online and offline civic engagement among 400 youth aged 15-25 years (Mage = 20.9; SD = 3.1) by subjective socioeconomic status (SES), race/ethnicity, and immigrant status. Results indicated that patterns of disparities in online civic engagement largely mirrored those observed offline. SES was the most consistent predictor: Youth who perceived their families as more well-off reported higher participation across both online and offline civic activities. In contrast, no significant differences were found between white youth and youth of color. Foreign-born youth reported higher levels of civic engagement in online and several …

Out-Group And In-Group Relational Trust In Group Coaching With First-Grade Teachers: A Single Case Study, Jentry S. Barrett, Rachel E. Schachter, Jungwon Eum, Gwen Nugent, Kathleen M. Rudasill

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

Coaching has become a prominent professional learning tool for helping early childhood teachers (birth–8) implement curriculum and research-based practices in their classrooms. One coaching strategy that supports positive changes in teacher practice and child outcomes is building trust between the coach and teacher(s). However, there is limited understanding of the nature of trust-building in coaching, particularly in group coaching configurations. There are two types of trust to consider in the context of group coaching: out-group trust between an outside coach and the teachers, and in-group trust between the teachers experiencing coaching who already have a relationship. This case study aimed …

C.A.S. Full Assessment Report: State Of Florida Government Portal, Delante Clark

Graduate Scholarship and Creative Works

The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the cognitive overhead, transparency, and attentional integrity of

official State of Florida digital interfaces using the Cognitive Attentional Standards (C.A.S.) platform.

While the Florida Digital Bill of Rights (FDBR) establishes strict regulatory guardrails for consumer data

transparency, tracking opt-outs, and attentional safeguards, the State of Florida explicitly exempts its own

government agencies, public universities, and non-profit entities from complying with these rules.

This assessment serves to investigate the tension between legislative intent and government execution. By

analyzing public sector websites through the C.A.S. platform, this project will establish a “state-enforced vs.

state-executed” …

The Attention Safeguard Models: Governing Digital Harm Without Restricting Lawful Speech, Delante Clark

Graduate Scholarship and Creative Works

Digital platforms increasingly govern contemporary social, civic, and psychological life through systems optimized for attention capture, amplification, and monetization. While lawful expression remains protected under the First Amendment, the infrastructural mechanisms that determine how speech circulates have produced a range of attention‑based harms, including cyberbullying, engagement farming, compulsive doom scrolling, emotional dysregulation, and civic polarization. This research paper introduces the Attentional Safeguards Model (ASM), coined and formalized by Delante Clark, as a novel governance framework that mitigates such harms by regulating systems of amplification rather than restricting expression itself. Building on attention economy theory, technological mediation, constitutional free‑speech doctrine, …

“Who Am I Now As A Mother?” Maternal Identity Negotiation During Children’S College Transition, Si Wang

School of Professional Studies

This study employs narrative positioning analysis to examine how two Chinese mothers in transnational contexts discursively negotiate their maternal identities during their children’s transition to college. Drawing on longitudinal narrative interviews, the analysis advances three interrelated theoretical propositions. First, maternal identity work is revealed as a process of selective cultural bricolage, wherein mothers strategically blend elements from competing scripts of child-centered sacrifice, filial reciprocity, and autonomous individualism to construct a hybrid, workable parental logic. Second, the liminality of this transition precipitates a crucial recentering of the self, a core psychological process as intensive child-focused demands recede. Third, the transnational context …

The Effectiveness Of Behavioral Skills Training In Improving Digital Fraud Identification Among Older Adults In Low-Income Housing, Catharine Mohar

Masters Essays

Older adults, particularly those residing in low income housing facilities, are increasingly targeted by digital scams via text and email. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Behavioral Skills Training (BST) in improving fraud identification skills among this vulnerable population. BST is a structured method involving instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. A checklist was utilized in individual BST sessions with five participants aged 60 or over living in a low-income senior residential facility in the Midwest of The United States. The intervention aimed to increase participants’ ability to accurately discriminate between legitimate and fraudulent digital communications. A single case design was …

An Evaluation Of Teaching Emotion Identification And Regulation Skills Through Behavioral Skills Training On Tantrum/Challenging Behaviors In A Preschool-Aged Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Julia Petty

Masters Essays

Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience challenges in regulating their emotions, which can present as challenging behavior, aggression, tantrum, and more. This research aimed to teach individuals coping skills/mindfulness techniques, using aspects of behavioral skills training (BST) to help regulate their emotions and reduce challenging behaviors. The use of behavioral skills training includes instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback to teach the skills. The intervention included the Incredible Five Point Scale for indicating emotions with mindfulness techniques to promote emotion regulation. The outcome was an increase in engagement with mindfulness techniques/coping skills, mastery of emotion identification, and a decrease …

Biases In Prescribing Practices: Examining Physician Stereotyping In Women's Health Counseling Based On Patient Race And Perceptions Of Promiscuity, Jessica Lobb

2026 Research Poster Competition

As modern healthcare moves towards a focus on personalized medicine, an evaluation of current provider practices is essential to evaluating quality of care. Numerous studies have shown that physicians exhibit stereotyping and implicit bias with patients, but much remains unknown about the extent this impacts women’s health counseling. The presence of stereotyping could affect women’s health outcomes, as decisions such as choosing to prescribe hormonal contraceptives have numerous physical and emotional side effects. This study aimed to assess how stereotyping contributes to physicians’ perceptions and medical decisions for women seeking gynecological care. Clinical vignettes were given to physicians showing women …

The Role Of Ombudsman And Social Work Protecting Rights, Roni Alicia Werner

Selected Full-Text Master Theses Collection 2018-

This thesis examines the role of the Ombudsman as an independent and impartial mechanism for addressing complaints, resolving conflicts, and promoting accountability within organizations. It explores how ombudsmen function across institutional contexts—such as higher education, government, and corporate settings—to provide confidential, informal, and accessible pathways for dispute resolution.

The study analyzes key principles guiding Ombudsman practice, including neutrality, independence, confidentiality, and informality, and evaluates their effectiveness in fostering trust and organizational transparency. Through a review of relevant literature and case examples, the thesis highlights how Ombudsman offices contribute to early conflict resolution, reduce formal grievances, and support ethical decision-making.

Additionally, …

Attentional Control, Anxiety, And Depression, Anna Morgan

2026 Research Poster Competition

Anxiety and depression are among the most prevalent and debilitating mental health conditions worldwide. Research suggests that both anxiety and depression are related to deficits in the ability to focus and shift attention, known as attentional control. These effects are present in data using behavioral measures of attentional control (e.g., accuracy in resequencing alphanumeric strings) and self-report measures, though more strongly in the latter. However, studies have found little if any correlation between behavioral and self-report measures of attentional control. One possibility is that anxiety and depression are associated not only with deficits in attentional control, but also more strongly …

Caregiver Satisfaction Of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy With Autistic Youth: A Mixed-Methods Study Of Coaching Vs. Non-Coaching Approaches, Madeleine Schlegel, Chelsea Kendrick

2026 Research Poster Competition

Though few family-based interventions exist to address disruptive behaviors with Autistic youth, one such treatment, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), has a growing body of evidence to suggest that it can be used with Autistic families to promote positive caregiver-child interactions and reduce child aggression or defiance (Scudder et al., in press). However, to date, a standardized protocol to use with Autistic youth (PCIT-Autism) has not been outlined or tested to ensure that the needs of Autistic youth and families are adequately met. Based on feedback from an Autism Community Advisory Board, where Autistic community members and their families communicated their …

Cognitive Appraisals, Empathy, And Helping Behavior: Toward An Integrated Model, Kaitlyn Lizarraga

2026 Research Poster Competition

Research on cognitive appraisals, empathy, and prosocial behavior is prevalent in the literature, but these three domains have seldom intertwined in a meaningful way despite apparent conceptual overlap. Findings suggest that causal attributions of controllability (which are similar to cognitive appraisals of control and responsibility) predict sympathy and helping behavior, but no work has been done on how cognitive appraisals fit into the mix. Thus, the purpose of the present research was to investigate which cognitive appraisals predict empathy and whether empathy subsequently predicts helping intentions through a sequential process. Research on this topic is significant because there are always …

Family- And Cultural-Level Influences For Latine Adolescent Nicotine Use: A Qualitative Study Informing Prevention, Cindy M. Hernandez Castro

Theses and Dissertations

Early tobacco use among Latine adolescents represents a critical public health concern, with 23.8% reporting current use and exceeding rates among other racial/ethnic groups (Birdsey et al., 2023; Gaddy et al., 2022). This early initiation elevates risks for nicotine dependence and related morbidity in adulthood (Tsao et al., 2023). Guided by Structural Ecosystems Theory (Szapocznik & Coatsworth, 1999) and contemporary grounded theory analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006; Charmaz, 2006; Noble & Mitchell, 2016), this study examined multilevel influences on nicotine-related attitudes among Latine youth, including: (1) familial factors (i.e., parental monitoring, caregiver-youth communication), (2) cultural dynamics (i.e., cultural values and …

The Relationships Among Adverse Childhood Experiences, Medical Usage, And Somatic Symptoms: Stress And Coping As Mediating Factors, Samantha Harper

Honors Undergraduate Theses

It has been estimated that the costs of childhood adversity amount to $14.1 trillion annually (Peterson et al., 2023). Nearly two-thirds of people report adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction, that reverberate well beyond childhood (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023; Felitti et al., 1998). Greater exposure to ACEs is linked consistently to poorer health outcomes, including somatic symptoms or physical symptoms with no organic cause (Katon & Walker, 1998; Sansone et al., 2001; Stuart & Noyes, 1999; Waldinger, 2006). The present study examined the relationships among ACEs, somatic symptoms, and healthcare utilization in …

Socialization Interventions For Older Adults In Assisted Living Facilities: A Systematic Review, Anoop S. Muvva

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Older adults, defined as individuals over the age of 65, are a growing population in the United States, with projections estimating this group will reach approximately 80 million persons by 2050. Over 90% of older adults are diagnosed with a chronic condition, which can make it difficult to carry out the activities of daily living. As a result, some older adults reside in assisted living facilities, where dedicated staff provide daily support. However, issues in the delivery of care within these settings, including unmet socialization needs and complications among care staff, may contribute to social isolation. Programs designed to address …

Casual And Confused: Engagement In Non-Committal Sexual Relationships And Its Contributions To Depression And Self-Esteem Struggles Among Young Adults, Sofia A. Marasco

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Non-committal sexual relationships such as hook-ups, friends-with-benefits (FWB/FWBR), and situationships have become increasingly common among young adults and have generated substantial discourse on social media. Despite the rise in modern relationship dynamics and new terminology (i.e., “situationships”), these relationship categories have not been adequately represented in psychological research. The present study examines whether engagement in non-committal relationship types is associated with differences in self-esteem and depressive symptoms compared to committed romantic relationships. Using Bowlby’s Attachment Theory and the Big Five Personality Model, this research also explores whether common interpersonal patterns, attachment styles (anxious and avoidant), and personality traits predict relationship …

Expanding Assessment Of Adverse Childhood Expereneces(Aces) To Include Childhood Disabilties And Medical Trauma., Cassidy E. Chergi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are considered a fair predictor of future physical and mental health outcomes. However, historically, the ACEs framework has not fully incorporated chronic stressors associated with childhood physical disabilities and health conditions. This study proposes an expansion of ACEs to include serious childhood medical issues and events as well as disability-related adversity—such as early experiences of functional limitations, social adversity, and system-wide barriers. This study also explores the correlation between these serious medical issues and disability-related adversity in childhood and psychological issues in early adulthood, including signs of trauma, depression, and anxiety. Understanding these relationships can contribute …

Barriers To Mental Health Care Among Emerging Adult Women Across Racial, Ethnic, And Lgbtq+ Identities, Tikyla M. Euline

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Emerging adulthood is a developmental period characterized by increasing mental health concerns, yet many young adults do not seek professional psychological services. The present study examined barriers to mental health care among undergraduate women, with particular attention to the intersecting identities of sexual minority status and racial/ethnic minority status. Guided by intersectionality theory, the study investigated whether LGBTQ+ women, women of color, and individuals holding both identities reported greater perceived barriers to treatment, higher levels of medical mistrust and discrimination in healthcare settings, and lower mental health service utilization. Participants included 373 undergraduate women between the ages of 18 and …

Switching Languages, Switching Personalities: The Socio-Cognitive Implications Of Bilingualism, Hannah F. Stern

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The increasing prevalence of bilingualism worldwide highlights the importance of further research into its impact on socio-cognitive processes. This study examines variations in personality traits, anxiety levels, locus of control, and cognitive load during language switching, utilizing cultural and visual-linguistic priming techniques to explore real-time socio-cognitive shifts across language contexts. A 2×3 mixed-factorial design compared language groups (monolingual vs. bilingual) across three priming conditions (semantic, cultural, and control). 120 participants completed a series of subjective and objective measures, including the Big Five Personality Inventory, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, and Rotter’s I-E Scale in both languages, with controlled language-specific priming conditions …

Individual Differences In Personality Traits And Anthropomorphic Tendencies, Olivia S. Young

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Anthropomorphism is broadly defined as the attribution of human characteristics to nonhuman entities. Those with higher levels of neurodivergent traits, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), may struggle to maintain eye contact with and interpret the emotions of others. Anthropomorphic interaction patterns between both those with and without ASD differ between various entities such as cars, cartoon characters, animals, and humans. Results of this study have implications across domains including human factors, cognitive science, and human-animal interaction. This study employed the use of unique stimuli in combination with various scales to measure personality traits and anthropomorphic tendencies. Participants were asked …

The Implicit Perceptions Of Asian American Adoptees And Their Clinical Implications, Cai Li L. Franckewich

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Asian American adoptees occupy a unique “in-between” space, shaped by societal perceptions of race, culture, and family context. This study examined how family composition and racial pairings influence perceptions of an Asian American adoptee. Undergraduate students completed an online survey in which they were randomly shown one of five images depicting the adoptee with different family compositions, without being told she was adopted. Participants then read a story describing the adoptee experiencing common college stressors, and rated statements on a 7-point Likert scale regarding the adoptee’s well-being, factors influencing her behavior, and behavioral descriptors. Results indicated that participants perceived stronger …

The Psychological Effect Of Maternal Separation From A Child During Incarceration: A Survey And Critique Of Risk Needs Assessments, Samantha Yearwood

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines whether frequently used correctional assessment instruments adequately capture the psychological impacts of maternal-child separation among incarcerated women. This research was conducted in response to growing criticisms that traditional risk and needs assessments fail to account for gender-specific experiences, specifically those related to caregiving roles and pregnancy. Using a qualitative analysis content analysis to assess four widely used instruments, the Women’s Risk and Needs Assessment (WRNA), Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS), Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), and Level of Service Inventory–Revised (LSI-R), the thesis  examines the inclusion of pregnancy-related variables, caregiving responsibilities, and separation-related psychological factors. …

Financial Hardship And Its Impact On Stress And Anxiety: A Comparative Study Of International And Domestic Students, Vitoria Dias Motta

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Financial hardship is a well-established predictor of stress and anxiety among college students. However, research is limited on how these stressors differentially affect international and domestic students despite their distinct financial and academic limitations. This cross-sectional study investigates whether international students report higher levels of perceived stress, anxiety, academic pressure, and work demands compared to domestic students. Data were collected online from a sample (n = 200) of college undergraduates. Independent samples t-test indicated no statistically significant differences between international and domestic students across all variables, p > .05. Although domestic students reported slightly higher mean levels of stress, …

Examining Bias In The Death Qualification Process: Mental Health Attitudes And Support For The Death Penalty, Aliana N. Lemmey

Honors Undergraduate Theses

For an individual to serve on a capital jury, they must first undergo voir dire, a preliminary examination of potential jurors to assess impartiality regarding death penalty use. This process is called death qualification and is carried out so that attorneys can identify and exclude individuals who are unwilling to impose capital punishment (Haney, 1984). Over the last four decades, this selection process has been criticized by researchers and legal scholars for its biasing effects in capital cases (Butler, 2007; Butler & Moran, 2007a; Fitzgerald & Ellsworth, 1984; Haney, 1984; Thompson et al., 1984). Since the 1980s, psychologists have investigated …

Borderline Personality Traits And Their Impact On Facial Ambiguity, Perceived Rejection, And Self-Esteem, Anya Mathur

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The present study examined whether borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits are associated with differences in self-esteem and interpretations of ambiguous facial expressions, as well as how rejection sensitivity relates to these processes. Participants (N = 135) completed measures of BPD traits, rejection sensitivity, and self-esteem, and rated ambiguous facial expressions on perceived emotion, social inclusion, and evaluation. Results indicated that individuals with higher BPD traits reported significantly lower post-task self-esteem and showed a decrease in self-esteem following the task compared to those with lower BPD traits. Contrary to expectations, no significant group differences were found in interpretations of ambiguous facial …

Breaking The Silence: The Intersection Of Neuropsychology, Storytelling, And Mental Health Stigma, Judiene S. Gordon

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis unites the disciplines of neuropsychology and creative writing to explore the complexities of mental health stigma, with a particular focus on substance use. Through a collection of original poems and short fiction, the project seeks to illuminate the lived experiences of individuals affected by these issues and challenge prevailing misconceptions and stereotypes. Drawing on accounts from individuals who have experience with mental illness and substance use, the creative work integrates psychological insight, personal narrative, and authentic voices to foster empathy and understanding. By merging scientific awareness with artistic expression, this thesis aims to humanize often-stigmatized experiences and contribute …