Digital Commons Network^™

The Initial User Experience Of A Gamified Mental Health App, Angill Lynae Oliva

Master's Theses

Despite the availability of mobile mental health apps, high dropout rates due to low user engagement and attitudes about their effectiveness remain significant challenges. The present study examined the relationship between digital therapeutic alliance (i.e., the efficacy of therapeutic quality for digitalized mental health interventions) and college students’ engagement and perceptions of use with a gamified mental health app, SuperBetter. Digital therapeutic alliance was measured using the Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised (WAI-SR), while engagement was assessed by the total number of completed activities in the SuperBetter app. Students’ intrinsic motivation was measured using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI); and perceptions …

Measuring Human Ability To Detect Emotional Energies In Transpersonal Fields Of Consciousness, Carol Richardson Phd, Mdiv, Mph

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This research presents original data from an online research survey with 111 respondents regarding their ability to detect emotional energies in transpersonal fields of consciousness in crowds and dyads. The data show that a majority of respondents, from 90% to 96.4%, reported experiencing different emotions “in the air,” such as excitement, tension, anxiety, anger, and love. Personal data responses include age, gender or gender identity, and worldview. Examples of possible worldviews include: “scientific, not religious, not spiritual”; “spiritual and scientific”; “religious”; and “religious and scientific.” Respondents were given two free-answer essay options: one in which they could describe their personal …

Understanding The Lived Experience Of Mental Health Following An Alpha-Gal Syndrome Diagnosis: A Phenomenological Study Grounded In Maslow’S Hierarchy Of Needs, Heather L. Hargis

Dissertations

Alpha-gal syndrome is a tick-borne food allergy that triggers delayed allergic reactions to mammalian products and profoundly alters daily life. While growing research examines the physiological aspects of alpha-gal syndrome, little is known about its psychological impact. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of individuals with alpha-gal syndrome to understand how the condition influences mental health through the lens of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Data was collected through semi-structured virtual interviews with adults medically diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome. Thematic analysis revealed significant challenges in meeting Maslow’s lower-tier needs—physiological, safety, and love/belonging—due to dietary restrictions, medical uncertainty, social isolation, and …

Parentcoach: Designing An Mhealth Parenting App To Enhance Parental Involvement In Adhd Support, Franceli L. Cibrian, Nancy Herrera, Jesus A. Beltran, Lucas M. Silva, Mikaela Pulse, Kayla Anderson, Cassie Zeiler, Luc Rieffel, Daniel I. Lee, Sabrina E. B. Schuck, Kimberley D. Lakes

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction: Parents play a vital role in supporting self-regulation and managing behaviors in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, many face barriers to accessing consistent, evidence-based support. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies offer a promising way to deliver flexible, low-burden guidance for parents on best practices and strategies to support their children's self-regulation. However, designing them is non-trivial.

Objective: This paper introduces ParentCoach, a mobile application designed to support parents of children with ADHD through brief daily lessons, reflection prompts, and skill-building activities.

Methods: ParentCoach was developed in two phases: (1) secondary analysis of qualitative data from over 30 families …

Humor As A Predictor Of Life Satisfaction And Burnout Among Firefighters, Kayla Marie Kovach

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Notwithstanding knowledge of the high stress levels experienced by firefighters, little is known about their coping strategies as compared with the general population. To address this gap, the differences in humor styles between firefighters and nonfirefighters in the prediction of life satisfaction and burnout were assessed. The study was grounded in the PERMA theory of well-being and the job demands-resources theory. A cross-sectional, correlational survey research design was used to assess if there are differences between firefighters and nonfirefighters in the types of humor (i.e., self-enhancing, affiliative, aggressive, and self-defeating) used and in the prediction of burnout and life satisfaction …

The Impact Of Covid-19 Related Virtual Learning On Parents Raising Children With Learning Disabilities, Ty'sheka Ne'cole Lambert

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions in education as schools abruptly closed and students transitioned to virtual learning. This shift placed significant strain on parents, especially those raising children with learning disabilities who required consistent accommodations and support. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore parents’ perceptions of how COVID-19–related virtual learning affected their children’s academic performance, emotional well-being, and daily functioning. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, the study examined how family, school, and community systems shaped these experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 parents of children with learning disabilities. Using Braun and Clarke’s (2013) six-step …

Parents’ Sustained Recovery From Substance Use During The Coronavirus Pandemic, Amanda Antis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parents in recovery from substance abuse rely on social support and programs to maintain their sobriety consistently. However, specific programs crucial for their social and mental well-being, such as most 12-step groups and recovery centers, were shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite some research on the impact of substance abuse during the pandemic, little attention has been given to sustained recovery. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to explore how parents maintained recovery from substance use amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Schlossberg’s transition process model served as the theoretical framework for this study. Semistructured interviews with nine …

Our Teens Are Not Okay, But They Can Be: An Application Of The Family Firo Method To Improve Parent-Adolescent Communication About Suicide, Janene Pack Lpc, Cmhc, Peder Schillemat

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

This article explores the critical role of parent-teen communication in the mental well-being of teenagers, with a particular focus on its connection to suicide risk. A particular focus is on teens who live in Utah as the suicide rate for Utah teens and young adults is almost twice the national average. Despite the focus on families and religion in Utah, a significant number of teens continue to struggle with loneliness, hopelessness, and even thoughts of suicide. One key contributing factor to this struggle is the lack of open, supportive communication between Utah teens and their parents. The absence of effective …

Scrupulosity Ocd And How It Can Affect Our Clients’ Relationship With God, Annabella Hagen

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

This article explores various aspects of scrupulosity OCD, starting with the misconceptions about OCD that persist in society and their impact on treatment, along with a discussion of the disorder’s prevalence. It examines common OCD themes, provides a deeper understanding of religious scrupulosity, and clarifies how individuals become trapped in the scrupulosity OCD cycle. Specific triggers within the LDS Church are highlighted, alongside religious considerations such as distinguishing scrupulosity from genuine religiosity and discerning between spiritual promptings and OCD-driven thoughts. The article also addresses barriers to care unique to the LDS community and offers clinician recommendations, including an overview of …

A Qualitative Study Of College Student-Athletes Using The Job Demands-Resources Model: A Case For Understanding Student-Athletes As Employees, Michael Spooner, Asia Eaton, Anthony Weems, Tiffany Munro

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

This research conceptualizes the NCAA Division I student-athlete position as similar to a position of employment utilizing the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model developed by Bakker & Demerouti (2017) from the field of Industrial-Organizational Psychology. We utilize qualitative methods to conduct an exploratory study that assesses the characteristics of student-athletes through analysis of perceived role demands, role resources, and personal resources using a sample of using a sample of 30 student-athletes (15 men, 15 women) at mostly large Division I universities across the U.S. Data were analyzed utilizing thematic analysis and revealed the various demands that student-athletes faced, as well as …

The Experiences Of African Americans Seeking Health Care Services, Sandy Latreice Sullivan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health care experiences are shaped by life events and cultural background, making engagement with providers individualized. African Americans have historically reported distrust of health professionals due to targeted mistreatment. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of middle-aged African American adults receiving care from non-African American health care providers. Rosenstock’s health belief model was the framework for the study. Nine participants were recruited from social media using purposeful sampling. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews held on Zoom. Saldana’s four-step qualitative data analysis process was utilized to analyze the data. The results of the data …

The Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of German Volunteers Aged 55 Or Older In Development Service In Tanzania, Barbara Wohanka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As global aging trends and longer life expectancy encourage many seniors to seek meaningful engagement through volunteering, this research examined how such activities influence their perceptions and experiences. While much of the existing literature on volunteering in later life has concentrated on individuals involved in local community service, little research has addressed what motivates seniors to volunteer abroad. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions and lived experiences of German volunteers aged 55 or older in development service in Tanzania and the influence of these experiences on their lives. The theoretical framework examined the guiding approaches …

African Americans’ Perceptions Of The Impact Of Childhood Community Violence And Historical Oppression On Parenting, Iyabo Adediran

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have detrimental impacts on lifelong functioning. Although African Americans experience disproportionately higher rates of community violence, one type of ACE, the potential long-term impacts of exposure to such violence and of historical oppression on their parenting practices in adulthood, was little understood. In this qualitative study, an ethnographic approach was used to explore African American parents’ perceptions of how early exposure to community violence (before age of 18) and the intergenerational transmission of historical oppression influenced their current parenting practices. The conceptual framework, which integrated Engel’s biopsychosocial model and Bowen’s family systems theory, provided a …

Trailblazing Pathways: Personal Traits Fueling Success For Underrepresented Minority Entrepreneurs, Rebecca P. Wilson

Dissertations

This study examines how entrepreneurial personality traits influence business outcomes among underrepresented minority entrepreneurs in the United States. Specifically, it investigates the effects of entrepreneurial self-efficacy, locus of control, risk tolerance, and extraversion on entrepreneurial performance, as well as the moderating role of grit and the mediating role of business networking. Although underrepresented minority entrepreneurs contribute significantly to innovation and economic growth, they continue to face persistent barriers, including limited access to capital, mentorship, and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystems. Guided by Trait Theory of Entrepreneurship and Social Cognitive Theory, this study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design with embedded open-ended questions …

Beyond The Headlines: Exploring The Mental Health Impacts Of Police Brutality On Social Media In Black Americans, Kai'annica Walters

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Studies show Black Americans face high police brutality, leading to mental health issues like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The purpose of this qualitative interpretive phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of Black Americans who have been exposed to police brutality on social media and how it impacts their racial identity and emotional well-being. This study employed critical race theory as both a theoretical lens and a conceptual framework to examine how race and systemic inequalities shape legal systems and societal narratives. I used IPA to explore how people interpret their experiences and the meanings they assign. This study …

Cephalopod Consciousness On “Their Own Terms”: Who Are “They”?, Willa M. Lane, Victor Ajuwon, Nicola S. Clayton

Animal Sentience

Mather’s call to consider cephalopods’ consciousness “on their own terms” raises the question of the extent to which cephalopods can be considered a homogenous group. While coloeoid cephalopods share traits that strongly distinguish them from other molluscs and invertebrates, they show vast ecological and morphological diversity, with implications for the design of empirical investigations of consciousness. Extending Mather’s argument, we apply Birch et al.’s (2020) five-dimensional model to compare octopus, cuttlefish, squid, and nautilus. This comparison shows that even within a graded rather than categorical framework, putative consciousness profiles depend on which taxa are included in discussions of “cephalopod consciousness.” …

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

Master's Theses

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

Early Visual Predictors Of Progression To Alzheimer’S Disease And Dementia With Lewy Bodies, Abril Baez

Master's Theses

We examined whether specific visual cognitive skills predict progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The Benson Complex Figure Task (BCFT) was used to measure visual perception and construction (copy), and visual memory (recall). National Alzheimer Coordination Center longitudinal dataset included participants who remained stable (MCI-stable; n =2630), progressed to AD (MCI-AD; n =798), or progressed to DLB (MCI-DLB; n =59). Baseline BCFT scores were entered into logistic regression models predicting diagnostic outcome. Impaired copy performance was significantly associated with MCI-DLB (B = 0.79, OR = 2.21, BCa CI [0.26, 1.36], …

The Effect Of Childhood Psychological Abuse On Depressive Symptoms In Adolescents Exposed To Campus Suicide: The Chain Mediating Role Of Psychological Trauma And Anxiety Symptoms, Tingting Tan, Jiawei Zhao, Mengxuan Wu, Xinyue Zhang, Xinchun Liu, Lili Zhang, Jie Wu

Communication Sciences & Disorders Faculty Publications

Exposure to campus suicide poses a significant threat to adolescent mental health. While childhood psychological abuse (CPA) is a known vulnerability factor for depression, the mechanisms linking this early adversity to depressive symptoms (DS) following acute trauma remain unclear. This study aimed to test a chain mediation model where CPA contributes to DS through the sequential effects of psychological trauma (PT) and anxiety symptoms (AS). In a cross-sectional study of 1603 adolescents exposed to a campus suicide event, participants completed self-report measures for CPA, PT, AS, and DS. Chain mediation analysis revealed a significant direct effect of CPA on DS. …

Image-Based Meta- And Mega-Analysis (Ibmma): A Unified Framework For Large-Scale, Multi-Site, Neuroimaging Data Analysis, Jacklynn M. Fitzgerald

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

The increasing scale and complexity of neuroimaging datasets aggregated from multiple study sites present substantial analytic challenges, as existing statistical analysis tools struggle to handle missing voxel-data, suffer from limited computational speed and inefficient memory allocation, and are restricted in the types of statistical designs they are able to model. We introduce Image-Based Meta- & Mega-Analysis (IBMMA), a novel software package implemented in R and Python that provides a unified framework for analyzing diverse neuroimaging features, efficiently handles large-scale datasets through parallel processing, offers flexible statistical modeling options, and properly manages missing voxel-data commonly encountered in multi-site studies. IBMMA successfully …

Younger African American Men’S Beliefs And Attitudes Toward Prostate Cancer Screening, Linda Teemer-Baker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prostate cancer screening has been a focus of scholars since the late 20th century, as researchers have sought to address persistent disparities in early detection and mortality rates among African American men. Researchers have demonstrated that cultural beliefs, mistrust of the medical system, and limited access to healthcare significantly influence prostate cancer screening behaviors within this population. However, researchers have yet to establish how younger African American men specifically interpret prostate cancer risk and how their beliefs and attitudes shape decisions regarding screening participation. The purpose of this study was to explore the beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes of younger African …

Childhood Events And Counseling Experiences Of Chinese And Korean American Transracial Adoptees, Mele Kramer, Lee Stadtlander

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

From the 1950s through 2024, transracial adoptions—particularly of Korean and Chinese children—have been increasingly prevalent in Western societies. While these adoptions provided children with opportunities to grow up in loving and supportive families, they also introduced unique challenges related to identity, cultural integration, and self-esteem. This basic qualitative study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Chinese and Korean transracial adoptees (TRAs) within their adoptive families, in their interactions with counseling, and their perceptions of the effectiveness of counseling interventions. The study was grounded in Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) and the Openness to Communication framework to examine the experiences of 19 …

Effects Of Experiences Of Widowhood Practice On Young Widows’ Well-Being In Southeastern Nigeria, Ijeoma Josephine Edinoh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In Nigeria long-standing sociocultural norms dictate widowhood practice, which widows are expected to undergo when they lose their husbands. The impact of this ancient culture, which has continuously been encouraged from generation to generation to date, has been devastating for widows. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to investigate the effects of widowhood practices on the well-being of young widows in southeastern Nigeria. Feminist theory was the conceptual framework. Through semistructured, audio-recorded interviews conducted via Zoom, data were collected from 10 young widows between age 18 to 45 in the southeastern Nigeria. After the data were collected, Braun …

Pow, Bam, Snikt: Using Superheroes To Teach Mental Health, Christopher Dabbs

Journal of Thematic Instruction

Undergraduate psychopathology (abnormal psychology) courses traditionally emphasize case vignettes of individuals with psychiatric disorders to illustrate etiology, nosology, and treatment. While pedagogically useful, these depictions can inadvertently provoke distress in students, potentially impeding engagement and learning. To address this dilemma while continuing to center the same learning outcomes, I formulated a course structure which embedded some course topics in superhero-related material with the express intent to create psychological distance between potentially distressing topics and the learners themselves. This commentary provides background for the course, evidenced-based rationale for specific pedagogical choices alongside topical material recommendations, and ends with personal reflections.

Relational Satisfaction In Middle-Aged Married Adults In The United States: A Phenomenological Study, Rebecca S. Trouse

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Relational satisfaction is an essential component of marriage that impacts longevity, stability, and well-being. Currently, there is an alarming surge in divorces among middle-aged and late-aged married adults in the United States, often related to mid-life relational satisfaction. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to better understand relational satisfaction in middle-aged married adults in the United States. The study’s research questions explored how middle-aged married adults in the United States described their lived experiences of relational satisfaction in marriage and how they and their spouses contributed to relational satisfaction in their marriages. Four married couples (i.e., eight adults) participated …

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

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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

Mental Illness And The Role Of The Church, Shelle Mathis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mental illness remains a growing concern in society, prompting increased focus on the church’s role in offering support. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions of pastors and congregants regarding mental illness and the stigmas associated with it. Sixteen adult participants, ages 31 to 65, from churches in Elyria and Lorain, Ohio, were interviewed through semi-structured questions. Thematic analysis revealed five key themes: stigma, overspiritualization, education and training, collaboration with mental health professionals, and resource accessibility and advocacy needs. Pastors with lived experience of mental illness expressed greater empathy and recognized the …

Examining The Relationships Among The Cognitive, Emotional, Social, And Physical Domains Of Listening-Related Fatigue For U.S. Adults Between The Ages Of 30 And 50 With Hearing Loss, Nichole Marie Wooton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adults with hearing loss (AHL) frequently report high levels of listening-related fatigue (LrF). This has mainly been attributed to the increased biopsychosocial demands involved in communication efforts for those with hearing loss (HL). Such fatigue can be measured objectively using the Vanderbilt Fatigue Scale for Adults (VFS-A-40) (Hornsby et al., 2021a). This quantitative survey study explored the relationships among gender, type of HL, and socioeconomic status (SES) and their complex connections among the four domains as defined by the VFS-A-40: cognitive, emotional, social, and physical. Using an online survey method, this research employed a strictly quantitative design to examine differences …

The Impact Of Follower Conscientiousness On Leader-Member Exchange Quality: Exploring The Moderating Role Of Work Environment, H. A. Eliason

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Effective leadership is a vital component of an organization’s viability and competitive edge in today’s complex and dynamic environments. Leadership is not a one-directional act but instead a reciprocal process that shapes both individual experiences and organizational outcomes. Despite recognition of this reciprocal nature, a gap remains in understanding how specific contextual factors, such as individual personality traits or work environment, affect the quality of leader-member exchanges. At the same time, workplace relationships are undergoing momentous change and transformation as organizations shift between traditional, hybrid, and remote models in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the influence …

Mental Health Impacts On African Refugees, Michelle Mailhiot

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study explores the mental health impacts of African refugee women traveling with children under the age of 18 during migration to Europe through Morocco, a key yet under examined transit country. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological case study was to examine the lived experiences of distress, coping, and barriers to mental health support. Twenty participants were recruited through local NGOs and community networks in Morocco, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring patterns across participants’ narratives including hunger, homelessness, and exploitation intensifying psychological strain, particularly in relation to caregiving responsibilities …