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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.

Development And Evaluation Of The Sex Positivity Inventory For Counselors, M. Ashley Burks, Jennifer Gerlach, Joshua C. Watson

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

The purpose of the study was to clarify the definition of sex positivity and identify sex-positive attitudes, knowledge, and skills through the development and evaluation of the Sex Positivity Inventory for Counselors (SPI-C). The exploratory factor analysis supported a six-factor, 34-item scale, accounting for 32.9% of the variance within the study. The SPI-C had an excellent internal consistency of 0.96 and consisted of the following factors: 1) Procedural Sex Positivity, 2) Comfortability with Sexuality, 3) Perceived Sex Positivity, 4) Fundamental Sex Education, 5) Sexological Worldview, and 6) Unconditional Positive Sexual Regard. Implications for practice, counselor education, and supervision are discussed.

Gambling Behaviors, Perceptions, And Risks Among Nevada Adults, Andrea Dassopoulos

International Gaming Institute Faculty Research

This study presents a statewide assessment of gambling behaviors, perceptions, and gambling-related risk among 1,078 Nevada adults. Using a mixed-source, population-calibrated survey developed by UNLV and NORC, the research measures gambling participation, motivations, venue exposure, and attitudes toward harm, treatment, and regulation. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) identifies substantial levels of harm: nearly half of past-year gamblers show some degree of risk, with the highest rates among younger adults, racially diverse groups, gaming and hospitality workers, and those who gamble in neighborhood bars or slot parlors. The survey also documents public beliefs about gambling addiction, youth exposure, stigma, and …

Semantic Networks In Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Exhibit Reduced Efficiency, Interconnectivity, And Flexibility, Sophia Lall, Jennifer Pardo, Joshua Sandry

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background

Word-finding deficits are common in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (pwRRMS); this may be related to the inefficient organization of semantic information.

Objective

To understand whether the semantic organization and semantic retrieval are impacted in pwRRMS.

Methods

Semantic fluency data from 64 pwRRMS and 73 controls was utilized to (1) derive standard verbal fluency measures using the Semantic Network and Fluency Utility R package and (2) build semantic networks via the correlation-based network approach in the SemNet R package. Subjective word-finding concerns were assessed in a subgroup of the sample. Group differences were evaluated.

Results

PwRRMS endorsed more frequent …

Disclosing Mental Disorders: Whether, When, How, And With Whom To Share A Mental Disorder Diagnosis To Maximize The Likelihood Of Receiving A Positive Response, Eli Z. Hendricks

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Individuals with mental disorders face complex decisions about whether, when, how, and to whom they disclose their diagnosis. Disclosure is significant because it can lead to both substantial positive and negative outcomes. This review examined how disclosure outcomes differ across five major classifications of mental disorders. Through a search of three academic databases, 23 relevant articles were identified and analyzed. Findings indicate that both the likelihood and type of disclosure outcomes vary considerably by diagnosis. Furthermore, the optimal disclosure strategy, which maximizes the likelihood of positive outcomes, is unique for each disorder. The optimal timing, context, and audience are also …

Exploring Gen Z Adults From Military Families: Perspectives On Work Ethics And Values, Sonia Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research explored the work ethics and values of Generation Z (Gen Z) adults who grew up in military-connected households. The purpose was to identify strategies that enhance organizational recruitment, retention, and engagement. Qualitative research methods, such as interviews and thematic analysis, were used to achieve this objective. Insights into how Gen Z adults from military households perceive their work ethic, prioritize their values in the workplace, and how organizations can integrate those values were gained. Findings revealed that discipline, dependability, excellence, responsibility, integrity, respect, and adaptability defined their work ethic, reflecting values shaped by their upbringing. Participants also expressed …

From Shame To Self-Compassion: Understanding The Experiences And Characteristics Of Self-Identified White Anti-Racist Clinical Counselors In Maine, Rachel B. Wells

Counseling and Psychology Dissertations

Following the rise of the cultural competence movement, clinical counselors demonstrate a fundamental paradox of perpetuating and mitigating racial oppression within the mental health field. There is a growing need for accountability and systemic change as demographic and sociopolitical shifts occur across Maine and the nation. Grounded in Critical Race and Critical Feminist theories, this critical narrative qualitative study explored the experiences, characteristics, and interests served by seven White, self-identified anti-racist clinical counselors in Maine. Clinicians participated in semi-structured interviews, which were then analyzed using a feminist voice-centered relational method, the Listening Guide. Findings revealed the significance of witnessing the …

Past Gang Membership, Posttraumatic Experiences, And Perpetration-Induced Traumatic Stress, Robert K. Johns

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Perpetration-Induced Traumatic Stress, or PITS, is an area of study that needs more scholarly attention. The lack of research about this mental health leads to an ineffectiveness of traditional interventions, as they fail to address the needs of people with former criminal affiliations, causing them to experience negative psychological, physical, and social health outcomes. As such this study seeks to explore, via a hermeneutic phenomenological research design- a qualitative approach that will allow this researcher to understand the lived experiences and explore PITS in the lives of past gang members and the manifestation of PITS as a prevalent and underdiagnosed …

Psychological Variables That Best Predict Health Related Behaviors In College Students, Arianna Gamaggio

Honors Theses

The present study examined which psychological factors best predicted health behaviors in college students. The psychological factors that were addressed included anxiety, depression, grit, and psychological flexibility. The health behaviors were examined by using a composite variable that included sleep, diet, and exercise. A total of 265 students participated in the study, but only 174 (μ age = 21) met the criteria for inclusion. Participants completed validated self-report measures such as the GAD- 7 (anxiety), PHQ-9 (depression), Short Grit Scale, Psy-Flex-6 (psychological flexibility), as well as health behavior assessments that measured eating behaviors, sleeping, and exercise habits. Correlational analyses indicated …

Characteristics Of Unintentional Injuries In Young Children In Low Socioeconomic Status Families, Annabelle Pederson

Honors Theses

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among young children in the United States, with low-income families being at higher risk. This study examined seven weeks of prospective injury data from 89 caregivers of preschool-aged children enrolled in a Head Start program participating in a randomized controlled trial of a modified home safety intervention. Caregivers completed weekly interviews reporting the injury type, location, severity, pain, and caregiver in charge. Slips, trips, and falls were the most common injuries that occurred, with most occurring in the primary caregiver’s home. Mothers were the supervising adults in over half of the incidents. …

The Effects Of Perceived Stress On First Responders' Job Performance While Moderating For Self-Efficacy, Diane Craig

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Stress in the workplace results in substantial economic losses for U.S. organizations. The effects of perceived stress on reducing the job performance of first responders continue to be a concern for administrators in emergency response management. Grounded in self-efficacy theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the moderating effects of self efficacy on the relationship between perceived stress and job performance among U.S. first responders. The sample comprised 78 men and 65 women (N = 143) from professional response agencies in the United States. They completed the Perceived Stress Scale, Endicott Work Productivity Scale, and the …

Exploring The Relationship Between Loneliness And Real-Time Measurements Of Gsr And Hrv During Concept Mapping, And Cortisol And Oxytocin Levels, Jangwon Seo

Masters Theses

This study attempts to explore loneliness among college students from a bio-physio-psycho-social perspective, and it utilizes real-time physiological measurements (GSR and HRV) and biomarkers (cortisol and oxytocin) in conjunction with psychosocial assessments. The study employs both qualitative and quantitative methods, which involve concept mapping exercises, with the aim of comprehending the full nature of how loneliness interacts with physiological and psychological processes. At Time 1 (T1) we found significant positive correlations between loneliness and elevated GSR levels, which is indicative of increased sympathetic arousal (r = .35, p < .01). Additionally, there were significant negative correlations between loneliness and mean RR intervals in HRV that indicated autonomic dysregulation featured by increased sympathetic activities as well as reduced parasympathetic functions (r = -.28, p < .05). However, at Time 2 (T2), these correlations were not significant indicating possible temporal fluctuations due to adaptive responses or extraneous variables such social support systems or coping mechanisms. The qualitative data from concept mapping enriched the analysis by providing deeper insights into the cognitive and emotional processes underlying loneliness. Despite limitations like demographic skewness, funding constraints, logistical challenges, etc., this, therefore, highlights the need for multidimensional investigations of psychological phenomena. This has implications for future research as well as clinical practice, which could include using these integrative measures to develop holistic interventions for mental health disorders.

Determining The Efficacy Of A Digital Small-Group Formatted Spiritual Care Program In Increasing Ministry Volunteer Resiliency And Retention At Groundwire, Andrew J. Ondo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project examined the efficacy of biblically informed, trauma-aware, peer-to-peer spiritual care systems within the solely digital ministry context of Groundwire. The study addressed the growing need for effective pastoral care in digitally mediated environments, where formation and fragmentation occur simultaneously and traditional leadership structures are often absent. The purpose was to design, implement, and evaluate a protocol that could cultivate the core concepts of resilience, intentionality, and wisdom among participants, reinforcing both practical resilience and retention. An action-oriented, primarily qualitative methodology was utilized. The final sample population consisted of eleven Groundwire participants engaged in peer-to-peer care on Discord, with …

Examining The Relationship Between Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (Tbri®), Placement Stability, And The Voluntary Placement Disruption Of Minor Children In Substitute Caregiving Environments, Kelsey Tiernan-Coleman Harrison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Placement stability is associated with positive outcomes for minors in substitute caregiving environments. Numerous variables are related to placement stability, but there is a paucity of data highlighting specific interventions that improve placement stability. Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)® has been studied extensively in child welfare populations, with promising results, including improved caregiver-child attachment and decreased child internalizing and externalizing behavior, psychiatric symptomology, and caregiver burnout and stress. However, TBRI® has not been studied exclusively in relation to placement stability. This mixed-methods design study examined the relationship between TBRI®, including the degree and timing of exposure, placement stability, and voluntary placement …

Substance Use Disorders, Trauma, And Women: A Phenomenological Study, Crystal E. H. Stephenson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Substance use disorders (SUDs) do not discriminate who or how they impact individuals, families, or communities. Women impacted by SUDs face challenges such as lack of transportation, minimal family support, some of the women were triggered by co-ed groups, and childcare needs are just a few categories that prevent them from adhering to and engaging in treatment. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of eight women with substance use disorders and trauma. The participants were interviewed using a semi-structured guide that covered areas of their lives impacted by substance use disorders and trauma. Data was analyzed using methods …

Not Feeling The Skin I Am In: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study On The Importance Of Belonging For Black Undergraduate Females At Pwis, Sheila Marie Hudson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study will be to discover the importance of finding and establishing belonging for Black, female undergraduates at PWIs. The theory guiding this study is Maslow’s theory on humanistic needs, as it explains the relationship between belonging as a human need for motivation and how PWIs can encourage these students to find their place on the campus to be motivated and retained. The central research question for this study is: What are the lived experiences of Black females who attend PWIs in establishing a sense of belonging on the campus? The methodology for this study will …

A Quantitative Study Exploring The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Fibromyalgia Symptoms And The Moderating Role Of Attachment To God, Darlene M. Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Fibromyalgia, also known as Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), is a condition that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain throughout the body, insomnia, tenderness and inflammation at specific pressure points on the body. This research aimed to explore the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and FMS symptom severity. In addition, this study examined if attachment to God is a moderator of the relationship between ACEs and FMS symptoms, and if adults with four or more ACEs have higher levels of FMS symptoms than those with three or fewer ACEs. The sample consists of 99 (n = 99) participants diagnosed with FMS recruited online. …

Changing How Foster Care Begins: A Qualitative Study To Assess The Success Of One Specific Nonprofit, Madeline Ewoldt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Most foster parents feel they do not receive adequate emotional support, funding, and preparation for their foster children in their care, which can lead to turnover, placement disruptions, and additional unnecessary caregiver changes for foster children. Attachment Theory explains children need consistent, warm, and loving caregiver relationships for healthy emotional, cognitive, and social development (Bowlby, 2018). For children in foster care, these relationships are already disrupted, therefore intervention for foster parent resiliency must be analyzed. The Bible calls Christians to care for the orphans, which leaves a large responsibility on Christians to care for those in foster care. There is …

Faith Versus Safety: Exploring How Black Churches Navigate Through Intersections Of Faith, Culture, Safety, And Social Work When Dealing With Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv), Wanda Rw Mckinley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quality improvement study was to understand the cultural and structural barriers that hinder “Blessings and Grace Church,” a Black faith-based institution, from effectively addressing intimate partner violence (IPV). The study identified context-specific strategies to improve survivor support, enhance safety measures, and strengthen resource accessibility within the church. The goal was to inform culturally responsive and theologically sensitive improvements tailored to the needs of this specific faith-based community. The setting for the study was an urban Black church in southern Texas. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system theory was the theoretical framework guiding this study. According to this theory, a …

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: The Relationship Between Diet, Anxiety, And Depression And The Moderating Effect Of Cbt, Deborah J. Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques including cognitive restructuring and positive affirmations affect the relationship between dietary patterns and depression and anxiety symptoms. Research has established that CBT and diet affect depression and anxiety independently, but less research examines their collective impact. The study included 154 adult participants who filled out the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 alongside a Dietary Habits Checklist and a CBT Engagement Checklist during the previous two weeks. The results from multiple linear regressions showed no statistically significant moderation effects of CBT engagement on the relationship between diet and depression …

Educating The Whole Child: The Essential Role Of School-Based Mental Health Partnerships In Student Success, Kellye Palmer

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Schools are uniquely positioned to serve as gateways for mental health access, yet many educational systems continue to treat mental wellness as secondary to academic instruction. This paper argues that school-based mental health partnerships are as essential to student success as physical education or standardized assessment. Drawing from the author’s experience coordinating behavioral health services within Baltimore County Public Schools, the discussion highlights how integrated partnerships between schools and clinicians reduce barriers to care, improve collaboration among educators and families, and foster early intervention. The paper also addresses the risks of unrecognized mental health needs being misidentified as behavioral or …

The Interplay Of Stress, Health, And Well-Being Among Health Providers In Primary Health Service, Anita Sadikaj, Rinor Berisha

International Journal of Business and Technology

Stress, health, and well-being are intrinsically connected in a complex interplay that has captured the attention of researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals seeking to lead healthier lives. The delivery of healthcare services in Primary Health Services relies heavily on the dedication and resilience of healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, and support staff. These professionals are the backbone of the healthcare system, ensuring that essential medical care is provided to individuals and communities. However, the demanding nature of their work, which often involves long hours, heavy workloads, and complex patient interactions, places them at risk of experiencing high levels of stress. …

An Examination Of Psychosocial Factors Related To Male Serial Killers, Rachael Elizabeth Tubbs

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Historically, studies on serial murderers have not concentrated in depth on analyzing what psychosocial factors are or how they could influence a man to become a serial killer. The focus of this qualitative study was on the psychosocial characteristics of male serial killers that are from, and based in, the United States. Using a case study analysis approach, the life course of serial killers in the FGCU Radford Database was analyzed to identify themes of adverse childhood experiences such as physical, emotional, or psychological abuse; abandonment by parent or guardian; limited or no social bonds; witnessing abuse; and signs of …

Narratives Of Sexual Self-Esteem As A Domain Of Sexual Well-Being In Cisgender Women’S Long-Term Intimate Relationships, Lisa Criswell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Only within the last few decades has female sexual health become a topic of focus for researchers and practitioners to begin focusing on, leading to a gap in research between female sexual health and male sexual health. This has led to lack of knowledge and understanding on female sexual dysfunction and how interventions can effectively address it. An identified gap in knowledge of female sexual health and self-esteem is the lack of understanding of female narratives. This study was developed with the purpose of filling that gap and addressing domains within sexual health and self-esteem through exploration of the narratives …

Compensation Transparency In The U.S. Healthcare Workforce, Brandon Perkins

Honors Projects

This study investigates how perceptions of pay transparency among U.S. healthcare workers relate to work engagement, burnout levels, and intentions to stay with their current institution. A quantitative survey was conducted of 200 clinical and non-clinical employees across academic, nonprofit, for-profit, and government healthcare organizations. Self-reported views of transparency were evaluated in relation to validated measures of work engagement, burnout, stay intentions, and pay secrecy. The results showed that increased perceived compensation transparency was highly connected with greater work engagement and lower levels of burnout. Both engagement and burnout appeared as major indicators of the employees' intentions to stay with …

Early Life And Post-Traumatic Growth Among Urban African Americans, J. Howard Streeter Iii

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) has received increasing attention in psychological research, yet the PTG experiences of African Americans remain underexplored. Trauma researchers have established the common prevalence of trauma within this population, but there have been very few studies on how African Americans traverse trauma according to PTG. Understanding PTG in this population is essential for clergy, coaches, parents, counselors, and others who work in these communities. The purpose of this quantitative survey study was to determine whether there was a statistically significant relationship between rumination, religious orientation, religious commitment, and stressful life events (SLEs) and PTG among urban African American …

Behind Closed Doors, Beyond The Cell: Supporting Children Of Incarcerated Parents, Averi R. Amaro

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

This study examines the overlooked population of children affected by parental incarceration and evaluates intervention programs designed to support them. Grounded in Labeling Theory (Becker, 1963), Self-Fulfilling Prophecy (Merton, 1948), and the Restorative Justice framework (Zehr, 2002), this study explores how stigma, expectation, and repair shape the outcomes for the youth affected by parental incarceration. Drawing from qualitative and quantitative research, it analyzes the emotional, social, and educational effects of incarceration on families, identifying protective factors such as attachment, mentoring, and community support that mitigate delinquency risks. Program evaluations of Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, Parenting Inside Out, Project Avary, and …

Effects Of Commission Errors During Prompting On Skill Acquisition And Maintenance, Molly K. Mutchler

Dissertations

Procedural fidelity refers to the extent to which procedures are implemented as intended. Engaging in procedural fidelity errors can lead to detrimental outcomes during skill acquisition and maintenance. The purpose of this study was to parametrically evaluate and compare two commission errors during prompting procedures using an arbitrary tacting task taught to college-aged students. Participants learned to tact four sets of arbitrary pictures and names. Prompting errors consisted of either providing the correct letters for a name in an incorrect order (i.e., an error within a component of the name) or providing the correct name for another picture (i.e., an …