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The Experience Of Suicidal Ideation In Adults With Adhesive Arachnoiditis, Kathleen J. Haynes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. Chronic pain has been linked to death by suicide, and a considerable amount of research has examined how conditions that produce chronic pain increase the risk of SI and suicide attempts. Adhesive arachnoiditis (AA) produces chronic, intense pain and has not been well-studied. It was thought to be a rare condition, but the number of cases has grown dramatically in recent years. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to explore the experience of SI in individuals with AA. The interpersonal theory of suicide was …

Psychological Capital Of Hospital Nurses In The United States During And After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Mary Jean Erschen-Cooke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study was conducted to explore lived experiences, perceptions, and associated meanings reported by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic to determine what protected their well-being. A plethora of research focused on the negative impact of exhaustion, compassion fatigue, moral distress, and burnout; however, there was a gap in information regarding supports for emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health, particularly among U.S. nurses. The foundational theory of psychological capital (PsyCap), focusing on the positive psychological traits of hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism, grounded this investigation. A basic qualitative research design yielded rich data from semistructured interviews with 16 nurses working full …

Program Outcome Evaluation Of A Flexibly Structured Individual Outpatient Program For Severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder In A Private Practice Setting, Jason R. David

Doctoral Dissertations

The current study is a quantitative program evaluation of the effectiveness private practice for treating obsessive compulsive disorder while incorporating multiple validated components to reduce common barriers of treatment access. There were three outcomes used to evaluate the first being the reduction in symptom severity across treatment, the second being the length of time in treatment before reduction can be seen, and the third being the rates completing treatment as agreed by therapist and participant. The current study was able to complete analysis for the first and third research question, and unable to answer the second. The first and primary …

A Rodent Model Of Enhanced Anticipation Of Positive Events: Sex-Specific Modifications In Cognitive Bias And Emotional Resilience, Sarah C. Hartvigsen, Megan Hooper, Olivia Harding, Evelyn Barringer, Aditya Narayanan, Brendan Crockett, Yulia Shatalov, Paean Luby, Braden Wixted, Molly Kent, Kelly Lambert

Psychology Faculty Publications

While it is known that chronic unpredictable stress and negative events adversely affect neurobiological outcomes, much less is known regarding the neurobiological impact of positive emotions such as chronic anticipation of appetitive events. From a translational perspective, an enhanced understanding of the impact of extended exposure to positive emotions may provide novel insights into effective non-pharmacological, behavior-based approaches to enhance mental resilience. Here, we investigate a novel rodent model of chronic Unpredictable Positive Event Response (UPER) training in male and female Long Evans rats to examine behavioral, neural, and endocrine effects of enhanced anticipation of positive events. Rats were exposed …

Bicultural Identity, Work-Life Balance And Mental Health Outcomes In Swana Students, Julie M. Salama

Master's Theses

Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) college students navigate academic demands alongside immigration-salient stressors that may shape their mental health and academic performance. This study examined generational status (Gen 1 vs. Gen 2+), identity conflict, ethnic identity, and work–life balance (WLB) in overall GPA and major GPA, and mental health outcomes of depression (PHQ-9), and anxiety (GAD-7) among SWANA students (N = 35). Two one-way MANOVAs found no generational differences for academics (overall/major GPA) or mental health (PHQ-9/GAD-7). Identity conflict was unrelated to GPA or symptoms but was positively associated with ethnic identity, while WLB was negatively correlated with depression …

Journey Through, Cathan B. Tautfest

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Journey Through is the Master's Portfolio for the University of Montana for Author Cathan Tautfest. This paper serves as the capstone graduation requirement for students of the School of Social Work. Over the final semester of the Master's program, this Portfolio was created, reviewed by committee, and defended before its publication. This Portfolio is a culmination of three years and thousands of hours to demonstrate mastery of the ten Social Work competencies, the elements of Social Work Practice, and critically reflect on time spent in the School of Social Work's Master's of Social Work (MSW) program. This Portfolio reflects on …

There’S Cardio And There’S Cardio: How Fitness And Sexual Attitudes Relate To Needs For Approval And Loneliness, Isaac Robertson

Honors College Theses

This study looked to collectively investigate the relationships of both fitness/sexual activity attitudes with a need for social approval, while also determining if biological sex could play a role in either of these relationships. Additionally, loneliness and mental well-being were examined with the aforementioned variables. Predominantly white (82.5%) females (75%) data were analyzed after completing an online survey (N = 40). Significant relationships were found between fitness attitudes and a need for social approval in women only (r (28) = -.50, p = .005) and between sexual activity attitudes and a need for social approval in men only (r (8) …

Anxiety, Stress, And Depression As A Predictor Of Established Vaping Among High School Students, Autumn Schneider

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has linked initiation of e-cigarette use with mental health but has not identified how mental health factors impact patterns of use of these products in adolescents. I tested the hypothesis that adolescents who report vaping to cope with stress, depression, and anxiety have more established patterns of use with data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey. Crosstabulations and logistic regression outcome measures included current use, intensity of use, and cumulative lifetime use. Reasons for initial and current use related to mental health were associated with current e-cigarette use, more intense use, and higher cumulative use. Mental health plays …

Netflix And Kill: The Role Of True Crime Consumption In The Development Of Acquired Capability For Suicide, Chandler Jayne Mcdaniel

Theses and Dissertations

The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS) identifies acquired capability as a key factor contributing to suicidal behavior. Previous research has shown that violent media exposure can increase suicidal risk through desensitization, imitation, and trauma activation. However, little is known about the role of true crime consumption (TCC), a popular form of violent media engagement, in relation to IPTS constructs. This study examined whether TCC predicts acquired capability for suicide, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness. A total of 215 participants were retained after data cleaning. Hypotheses predicted that higher TCC would be associated with higher acquired capability (H1), that TCC would …

More Than Just A Criminal: Talking Back As A Critical Autoethnographic Journey, Anakin Rivera Ramirez

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This article explores the experiences of doctoral students with criminal records navigating higher education, using a critical theoretical framework to highlight the unique challenges and triumphs I faced. Drawing upon decoloniality and critical race theory perspectives and activism, I define my critical scholarship as challenging the dominant oppression through thoughts and actions. Through autoethnographic and self-reflective narratives, I reflect on how my lived experiences as a Latino who has experienced criminalization. I have shaped my academic pursuits and critical consciousness. The autoethnography discusses systemic barriers such as stigma, discrimination, and institutional biases, showing how these obstacles have informed the author’s …

Belonging Is A Verb, Becca Lory Hector

Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture

This essay explores belonging as an active process rather than a fixed state, particularly through the lived experiences of Autistic adults. Drawing from community practices of care, mutuality, and interdependence, it reframes belonging as a collective verb, something created through shared action rather than conformity. By centering Neurodivergent ways of connecting, this piece argues that Autistic models of community offer transformative insights into authenticity, inclusion, and the repair of social harm.

Holding On To Social Hierarchy: An Intersectional Exploration Of Attitudes That Maintain Social Inequality, Cassandra E. Santos

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Hierarchical social structures are embedded in U.S. society that allow certain social groups to be positioned above others, granting them unearned advantages. Attitudes that maintain such conditions thereby warrant attention, as they contribute to the maintenance of inequality. This study used secondary data analysis to investigate how social dominance orientation (SDO), White supremacy ideologies (WSI), and conservative political ideologies were influenced by the intersection of gender (i.e., men vs. women) and race (i.e., White vs. BIPOC). The primary study used crowdsourcing to recruit a nationally represented sample of participants based on political affiliation. The present study consisted of 359 total …

Quien Soy Sin Mi Idioma Nativo?: The Loss Of The Spanish Language And Its Effects On Identity, Wilzaid L. Santiago-Maldonado

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

Language is a mechanism of cultural preservation. The history of language has two parts: 1. the technical aspects and 2. how it is diffused and/or becomes extinct. According to the U.S. Census Data, the Hispanic population has grown immensely over the past several decades, particularly from 1980-2020. Even so, there has been significant loss of the Spanish language. The researcher examined this phenomenon in two phases. First, 14 peer-reviewed articles published between 2008-2024 were assessed to determine emerging themes. Results showed that articles cited “the lack of knowledge/use” of Spanish and the “language/cultural dominance.” Second, the researcher conducted four focus …

From Digital Distress To Wellness: Counseling Implications Of Social Media Use In Adolescents And Emerging Adults, Anna K. Owens, Arantxa Mascarenas

Faculty Articles

The pervasive use of social media among secondary and post-secondary students has raised significant concern regarding its impact on mental health and academic success. Excessive social media use (SMU) has been linked to anxiety, depression, social comparison, body image concerns, disrupted sleep, and diminished academic focus. These risks highlight the urgent need for counselors to integrate social media considerations into both clinical and educational practice. This article reviews evidence-based interventions that address the psychological and emotional consequences of SMU, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to challenge distorted beliefs, mindfulness strategies to improve emotional regulation, digital detox programs to recalibrate online …

Self-Connection As A Mediator Between Exercise And Well-Being, Lauren Esmay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Scientists and health professionals have established the connection among physical activity and overall wellbeing. In more recent years, scholars have also researched the correlation among increased self-connection with increased overall well-being. Nevertheless, insignificant data has been gathered to investigate the impact of predictor variables upon the connection between exercise and wellbeing. This research study examined the mediating effect of self-connection among the relationship between exercise and wellbeing. The current study’s purpose was to gain better insights on how self-connection predicts a person’s physical activity, contributing to comprehensive insights how exercise habits may predict a person’s wellbeing by using a cross-sectional …

From Trauma To Triumph: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Posttraumatic Growth In Children’S Animated Films, Crystal Victoria Tasker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Children’s animated films have often been analyzed for problematic depictions of gender and cultural stereotypes, but far less attention has been given to how these narratives may portray psychological adversity and transformation. This study addressed this gap by examining how posttraumatic growth (PTG) is symbolized through the narrative arcs of ten Disney films released between 2013 and 2023. The purpose of this research was to explore how these films illustrate themes of emotional transformation, utilizing a theoretical foundation based on Tedeschi and Calhoun’s PTG model, which emphasizes five domains of growth following adversity: appreciation of life, enhanced relationships, personal strength, …

A Functional Mri Meta-Analysis Encoding In Alzheimer’S Disease, Joanne Ha

Master's Theses

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by episodic memory impairment. Numerous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have examined brain activity differences between individuals with AD and age-matched controls during memory encoding. However, small sample sizes and methodological variability across studies have limited the ability to draw meaningful conclusions regarding brain activity underlying encoding impairments. We conducted a meta-analysis to identify consistent patterns of hyperactivity and hypoactivity in AD during episodic memory encoding. Using PubMed to identify studies that met our inclusion criteria, 1,002 studies were screened; ultimately, seven studies were included in …

Consciousness And Magic: A Tribute To Allan Leslie Combs, Sharon G. Mijares Phd

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This article discusses the originating and continuing ideas associated with the Society for Consciousness Studies (SCS). More than a historical account, the evolution of the SCS mirrors the revelatory and unifying experiences of members as they pursue the understanding of non-local and non-ordinary consciousness through lenses such as synchronicity and the imaginal realm. This tribute encompasses parapsychological emphases interwoven with mythological, shamanic, spiritual, and literary art, drawing parallels between Parmenides’s journey to the underworld and the exploration of “magic” in science. Primarily, the essay focuses on the contributions of Allan Leslie Combs and his capacity for uniting various contributions and …

Implicit Weight Bias Among Men In Allied Health Career Fields, Jessica Jensen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quantitative study observed if there was a difference in the presence of implicit weight bias in men who work in allied health fields versus men not in allied health fields. Age and ethnicity (Hispanic/Non-Hispanic) were also observed in these groups as moderating factors to see if they also had differences in the effects between groups. The purpose of this study was to utilize an electronic weight-implicit association test (W-IAT) to identify any significant differences in the presence of weight bias between the two groups. Implicit weight bias in this population is problematic in that implicit bias, particularly implicit weight …

Ai And Racism: 6 Reasons Black People Need Digital Literacy, Brianna A. Baker

Publications and Research

Key Points

• AI often reflects racial bias in its training data, which can distort how Black people are represented.
• Psychological stress increases when digital tools misunderstand or misinterpret Black experiences.
• Digital literacy strengthens emotional wellbeing by helping users recognize and counter biased outputs.

I Can’T Believe It’S Not Social: Investigating The Relationship Between Loneliness, Parasocial Relationships, And Potential Moderators, Hannah I. Suozzi

Master's Theses

Increased loneliness trends coincide with increased media use. Media is turned to as a source of comfort and distraction from the real world. There is cause to believe that people also use media as a way to form parasocial relationships (PSRs), one-sided relationships audiences form with media figures (i.e., celebrities, influencers, and fictional characters). The connection between loneliness and PSR is thought to be moderated by social vulnerability, particularly the need to belong (NTB) and ethnicity. The medium from which PSRs originate lacks empirical study. To address the limitations, this study analyzed data collected from San Jose State University students …

Disease Burden Attributable To Intimate Partner Violence Against Females And Sexual Violence Against Children In 204 Countries And Territories, 1990–2023: A Systematic Analysis For The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2023, Gbd 2023 Intimate Partner Violence And Sexual Violence Against Children Collaborators, Sarvenaz Taridashti

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background

Violence against women and against children are human rights violations with lasting harms to survivors and societies at large. Intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence against children (SVAC) are two major forms of such abuse. Despite their wide-reaching effects on individual and community health, these risk factors have not been adequately prioritised as key drivers of global health burden. Comprehensive x§and reliable estimates of the comparative health burden of IPV and SVAC are urgently needed to inform investments in prevention and support for survivors at both national and global levels.

Methods

We estimated the prevalence and attributable burden …

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Predictors Of Sexual Violence Prevalence At U.S. Colleges And Universities, Theodore Daniel Hostikka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This research explored the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault among students at U.S. colleges and universities, aiming to quantify incident rates and assess their impact on academic and psychological well-being. Grounded in socioecological and intersectional theories, the research examined how environmental interactions and interconnected social identities shape individual experiences. Specifically, this research explored (a) the link between the percentage of female students and the prevalence of sexual violence on campuses; (b) how the proportion of first-generation students relates to sexual violence prevalence; (c) the connection between campus size and rates of sexual violence; and (d) whether gender makeup, first-year …

Part I: Building Stronger Camp Communities Through Motivation As A Connected Process, Kelley Freridge

CompassPoint

Every summer, millions of children, youth, and young adult staff members gather in camp communities seeking adventures, community, and growth. They arrive carrying stories of who they are and who they might become. While some camp professionals have explored the existing research on motivation, many still struggle with this question: how do we move beyond temporary, programmatic reward-driven compliance or temporary entertainment-centered enthusiasm to spark genuine, sustained engagement that transforms both individuals and the community?

The Timing Of Pubertal Onset Affects Adults Anxiety Behavior In A Sex-Specific Manner, Evan Raubenolt

Honors Projects

This study aims to look at the relationship between the timing of pubertal onset and its long-term effects on adult anxiety behavior in rats. Though the topic of pubertal onset has been frequently discussed in developmental research, its exact effects have been inconsistent. Human models have shown that early and late maturing males are associated with a notable increase in adult anxiety behavior, while in rat models, similar sex-specific effects regarding anxiety have been demonstrated, though those studies focus on a causal relationship between exposure to stress and age of pubertal onset. This study first aims to examine that relationship …

Art Therapists' Experience Utilizing Virtual Reality’S Multibrush In Group Art Making With Young Adults., Lidice Cohen

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

Young adults aged 20-35 experience disproportionately high rates of mental health conditions yet exhibit low treatment-seeking behaviors, creating a significant care gap. Digital interventions—particularly Virtual Reality (VR)—show promise for reaching this tech-savvy group. The primary research question explored art therapists' insights utilizing this modality, while a secondary aim examined whether creating VR response art (VRRA) enhanced understanding of the group process. Three credentialed art therapists and nine young adults participated, sharing insights via interviews after VR group sessions and VRRA creation. Thematic analysis revealed that adaptation to VR influenced group dynamics, self-expression through embodiment, collaboration, boundary management, sensory stimulation, and …

Closeness, Conflict, And Achievement: The Role Of Parent–Child Relationships In Homeschooled And Public-Schooled Children, Celeste Gonçalves Tomaz

Honors Capstones

The parent–child relationship has been found to be a predictor of children’s academic and socio-emotional outcomes, with parent-child closeness linked to motivation and persistence (Mo & Singh, 2008; Silinskas & Kikas, 2022) and parent-child conflict associated with emotional and behavioral difficulties (Dotterer et al., 2008; Pinquart, 2017). The homeschooling context may increase these associations since children spend more time with their parents, who have caregiving and instructional roles (Padilla, 2021; Thomas, 2016). Even with growing research on academic and socio-emotional outcomes, few studies have examined whether the strength of the parent–child relationship is influenced negatively or positively by schooling type. …

The Reception Of Neurodiversity Represented Within Netflix’S Wednesday, Anna Stevens

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

This paper explores how neurodiversity is represented through popular media - particularly Netflix's show Wednesday - and aims to discuss the effects this representation could have in regards to how it's received by the public, as well as those who are neurodiverse.

Islamic Prophetic Counseling: An Intervention Strategy In Developing Students' Noble Character, Hardi Santosa, Ahmad Zaki Annafiri, Iin Inawati, Akhmad Fajar Prasetya, Muhammad Sabri Bin Sahrir

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study aims to test the effectiveness of Islamic prophetic counseling in developing students' noble morals. The research method uses a true experiment involving a control group. The selection of the control group uses the waiting-list control group model, with consideration of the ethical aspects of the study. The research sample involved 244 students captured the profile of noble morals and their spiritual activism. While the hypothesis test involved 50 students who were divided into control and experimental groups. The sample selection was carried out randomly with the random assignment technique. The research data were collected using a noble moral …

Trauma-Informed Leaders: Shifting The Paradigm Of Professional Suicide Prevention, Janina Cich

Forensic Scholars Today

Trauma-informed Leaders: Shifting the Paradigm of Professional Suicide Prevention highlights how trauma-informed leadership can transform suicide prevention in law enforcement and other high-stress helping professions. Reflecting on current suicide data and first-responder research, the article outlines early warning signs, intervention strategies, and organizational wellness practices that drive agencies from reactive crisis response to proactive, culturally responsive care. Practical recommendations include leader-supported peer teams, sleep and micro-break interventions, and resilience-focused supports that foster psychological safety, reduce stigma, and normalize help‑seeking across the organization.