Digital Commons Network^™

Mental Health In Transnational Contexts: Reconsidering Conceptualizations, Coping Strategies, And Racism Through The Narratives Of Refugees Resettled In The United States, Ryeora Choe, Ryeora Choe

Sociology ETDs

This dissertation examines refugees’ mental health conceptualizations in their resettled contexts, their views on Western mental health services, and their perspectives on how changing experiences related to discrimination affect their mental health. Despite refugees’ social and cultural contexts changing multiple times, little is known about their views on and interactions with the dominant biomedical model of mental health in their country of resettlement and how their hybrid identities and experiences embedded in multiple locations affect their understanding of mental health and healing practices. A transnational framework emphasizing continuity between various locations and “in-between the designations of identity” across borders, and …

The Hero’S Journey As A Novel, Narrative, And Improvisational Group Intervention On Quality Of Life For People With Parkinson’S Disease, Robert D. Cochrane, James W. Navalta, Anne E. Weisman

Heroism Science

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the fastest-growing neurological diseases in the world. Pharmaceutical and surgical interventions continue to advance to better address motor symptoms. However, disability from non-motor symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and stress persist. Expressive therapies, including art, music, and dance are being explored and implemented more frequently to address this growing need. We developed this study to examine the feasibility of a novel program using online narrative therapy, with constructs from Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, and improvisation for people with PD (PWPD). Participants from across the U.S. and U.K. met online via Zoom once a week …

Approachability And Mask-Wearing During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review, Lauren Dehaan

Honors Theses

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic greatly impacted many aspects of life. Due to the airborne transmission of this respiratory disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a statement in early April of 2020 recommending that people wear face masks as part of an effort to reduce the spread of the virus (CDC, 2020). Mask-wearing presented a plethora of adjustments in many areas of life. In this literature review, we focus on the sociological impacts that mask-wearing had on sociability and approachability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studying the sociological impact of COVID-19 serves to inform both mental …

Approachability And Mask-Wearing During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review, Lindsay Kovach

Honors Theses

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic greatly impacted many aspects of life. Due to the airborne transmission of this respiratory disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a statement in early April of 2020 recommending that people wear face masks as part of an effort to reduce the spread of the virus (CDC, 2020). Mask-wearing presented a plethora of adjustments in many areas of life. In this literature review, we focus on the sociological impacts that mask-wearing had on sociability and approachability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studying the sociological impact of COVID-19 serves to inform both mental …

Investigating The Effects Of Work-Family Conflict On Turnover Intention Of Ict Employees In Malaysia, Lai Meng Lee, Su Wan Gan, Yong Sheng Chia

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

With the intensified focus on information and communication technology (ICT) as a driver of the Malaysian economy, pressure will increase on the recruitment and retention of ICT employees. However, work overload and conflict with family roles may lead to a higher level of turnover intention among ICT employees. The objective of this study is to investigate the predicting effects of all forms of work-family conflict (time-based, strain-based and behavior-based) on turnover intentions. This quantitative cross-sectional study utilizes primary data collected from 200 employees from ICT companies in the Klang valley using purposive sampling. Various statistical analyses such as correlation and …

Tattoos And Healing: Considerations From An Art Therapy Lens, Marielle Carpentier

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Tattooing in North America is becoming more common as negative stigmas change and the types of tattoos available are as diverse as the people getting them. One interesting new motivation guiding individuals to get tattooed is a potential healing or therapeutic benefit. The field of art therapy explores how art can facilitate healing and the therapeutic process. Because of the emerging literature exploring these new tattoo motivations and the need for art therapists to continually expand their understanding of art and its many applications it would be beneficial for art therapists to understand this emerging practice. The literature in this …

Consciousness-Centered Education: An Innovative Approach To Art And Design Curriculum

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This paper introduces and discusses a consciousness-centered, integrated education model, implemented at the College for Creative Studies. Consciousness, Creativity, and Identity, a liberal-arts course offering, is designed to offer students a greater understanding of human connectivity and empowerment through empathy for themselves and others. This result is achieved in part through the inclusion of meditation training as a core component of the course. By integrating the skills of introspection, silence, and reflection with intellectual engagement, consciousness-centered education initiatives encourage the relationship between compassion, connectivity, inclusion, and wellness as key pedagogic themes in art and design curriculum. This paper offers evidence …

Perceptions Of Disabilities Among Native Americans Within The State Of Utah, Erica Ficklin, Melissa Tehee, Sherry Marx, Eduardo Ortiz, Megan E. Golson, Tyus Roanhorse

Psychology Student Research

Currently, little research exists on disabilities among Native American communities and no research exists on how Native Americans perceive disabilities, services currently available, and unmet needs. Understanding these key areas is essential to providing efficacious and culturally relevant care. To address this gap in the literature, we used Indigenous research methodology through sharing circles throughout the state of Utah to listen and amplify the voices of the Native communities. Participants shared how they conceptualize "disability," what they thought of current services, and how they thought the needs of Native persons with disabilities should be addressed. Four major themes emerged in …

Music Training And Cognitive Function, Madilyn Waters, Michiko Nohara-Leclair

2023 Student Academic Showcase

Music training is defined as the instruction on a musical instrument, and it requires the simultaneous use of several cognitive functions: perception, memory, attention, and learning, in particular. I set out to determine if any associations exist between music training and increased cognitive function. After extensive research on various topics, I discovered that there are several significant associations between cognition and music training. Dementia, as well as other cognitive impairments, were shown to occur less in individuals that participated in music training. Attention, working memory, and intelligence showed significant positive associations with music training. Also, music training can also be …

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Children, Shannon Troy, Michiko Nohara-Leclair

2023 Student Academic Showcase

This research paper looks into Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, specifically in children. ADHD is a disorder that influences one’s attention span and overall concentration in individuals and is a significant diagnosis involving children in the United States. This disorder has noticeable informalities regarding cognitive functions, as well as brain structure, in both adults and children with ADHD. Along with cognitive abnormalities, it also showed ADHD hinders a child’s educational experiences, making it hard for them to take in and remember information. With these stunts on the child’s cognitive, educational, and social abilities, it is imperative that the child is not …

Mental Health In Japan And The United States: A Look At Differences And Similarities, Whitney Ford, Michiko Nohara-Leclair

2023 Student Academic Showcase

Not only has research into mental health in Japan and the United States highlighted the differences between these two countries, it has also shown the many similarities they share as well. This research paper focuses on the top three disorders that were reported for each country, a comparison of disorder prevalence between the two countries, preferred treatment types, and degree of stigma expressed within each culture. The research concluded that Japan and the United States share two of their top three diagnosed mental health disorders and they also share similar preferences for treatment options. The notion that suicide rates in …

Picturing Failure And Negative Self-Talk: A Perfect Combo For Choking, Corbin Barnett, Maia Busi

2023 Student Academic Showcase

Athletes and performers can experience a phenomenon called ‘choking’ whereby skill execution and performance decrease beyond self-expected standards due to factors such as performance anxiety. We explored the relationship between choking and how athletes/performers feel their inner experience influenced their choking experience. Participants (N = 63) were recruited to complete an online Qualtrics survey measuring mental imagery and their possible experience of choking in performance. Narrowing down to just those who reported choking (N = 19), participants were asked how much they believed various internal factors influenced the choking event to occur. A repeated-measures ANOVA found that picturing failure and …

Bilingualism: A Cognitive Superpower, Maia Busi, Michiko Nohara-Leclair

2023 Student Academic Showcase

An investigation of bilingualism in terms of the acquisition of a second language (L2), the cognitive benefits shared by people who are bilingual, and academic outcomes of English Language Learners (ELL). Lenneberg’s critical period hypothesis (CPH) is applied to early life acquisition of L2 as well as both means of later life L2 acquisition. Cognitive benefits are shared in moderation by people in every category of bilingualism, and are discussed in depth with regards to executive function processes of working memory and cognitive flexibility. These benefits can be linked back to the process of code-switching, which involves switching between languages …

Sociology Of Sport: Art Analysis "The Shadows Below", Marissa Mcgraw, Suzanne Stoelting

2023 Student Academic Showcase

My painting represents a multitude of different aspects related to the sociological perspective of the issues pertaining to professional sport. These “easter eggs” throughout the painting are reflective of specific readings we discussed in Sociology of Sport class taught by Suzanne Stoelting. I chose these topics to highlight in the piece because I felt as though they had the most impact on me and how I see the world of professional sports in general. Themes such as the theoretical lens of critical and conflict theory, classism, and sexism are what I chose to focus on as they are what I …

Review Of The Effects Of Attributional Styles On Competitive Athletes, Luke Zuelke, Stephanie Afful

2023 Student Academic Showcase

This review is focused on the effects of different attributional styles for competitive athletes. Attributional style refers to the tendency of individuals to attribute behavior to several types of factors. This review analyzes the impacts of six attributional dimensions: external, internal, global, stable, intentional, and controllable (Hanrahan, et al. 1989). These dimensions, most commonly measured via the Sports Attributional Style Scale or SASS (Hanrahan, Grove, & Hattie 1989), each uniquely contribute to an individual’s perception of both individual and team performance. Attributional styles are known to effect athlete’s competitive performance and training, and current studies have indicated that four of …

Mental Imagery And Its Connection To The Universe, Alea Farmer, Michiko Nohara-Leclair

2023 Student Academic Showcase

This poster displays the concept of mental imagery and its relationship to spirituality and religion. Mental imagery is first defined, and its usages and functions are explained. The five principles of mental imagery by Finke (1989) are discussed to understand the complexity of mental imagery. This poster showcases the neurological side of mental imagery, including the role of the cerebral cortex and the pineal gland. It also explains what can stimulate and inhibit mental imagery. The overarching connection between mental imagery and spirituality is shown. Research on ancient religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism is described to show how concepts …

Assertiveness Or Antibiotics?: Self-Assertiveness As A Predictor Of Sexual Health, Zoe Sweaney

2023 Student Academic Showcase

The following study investigated the relationship between various psychological correlates and sexual health. Data was supportive of a significant negative correlation between assertiveness as a personality trait and risky sexual behaviors, indicating that the more confident individuals are in asserting themselves both in general social contexts and within intimate relationships, the less likely they are to be exposed to or engage in high-risk behaviors. The implications for college campuses are significant: future research should explore the effect of scripts and other educational resources on student assertiveness and sexual health. Although our data did not replicate the gender discrepancies found by …

Post Roe V. Wade: Evaluation Of Abortion Attitudes, Justice Jones, Rumbidzai Chisango

2023 Student Academic Showcase

With the recent overturning of Roe v Wade, abortion is at the forefront of many political discussions. This study aims to investigate how exposure to a politically charged topic (abortion) versus a general heath topic (Cancer) affects a person’s bias and social identity. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: abortion or cancer and then completed measures on collective self-esteem, global self-esteem, Conservatism, in-group bias, and demographics. The younger group rated republicans more favourable (t(198) = 2.48, p < .01)., had less abortion knowledge (t(103) = -2.51, p < .01)., and were higher in core conservatism ((t(200) = 2.9, p < .01) compared to the older group. Republicans (in a forced choice question) rated themselves higher and democrats lower, were higher in conservatism, but were lower in prochoice attitudes and abortion knowledge (all p’s < .001). There were no significant differences in conservatism, pro-choice attitudes, and political bias when comparing states with legal abortion access versus illegal abortion laws.

Mixed Methods Analysis Of Perceived Gender Identity In Heterosexual And Lesbian Couples, Ximena Gutierrez, Evan Struempth

2023 Student Academic Showcase

Despite wanting an independent identity we cannot deny that our perceived identity is heavily influenced by who our partner is. Our previous research found that black partners were perceived as significantly more black in intraracial couples (pictured with a black partner) than compared to interracial couples (Grembocki & Afful, 2019). We applied similar methodology to examine how an individual’s perceived identity varies in lesbian relationships when manipulating gender expression via clothing and posture. Our 156 participants were randomly assigned a picture of a couple followed with a short vignette in order to rate compatibility, perceived gender identity, and heteronormative attitudes. …

An Early Enriched Diet And Its Effect On Invertebrates (Blaberus Discoidalus), Diego De Gregorio

2023 Student Academic Showcase

Research with multiple animal species suggests that experiencing enriched diets and environmental conditions during early development facilitates positive outcomes in neurogenesis, associative learning, and memory (Cayre et al., 2007; Maegele et al., 2015; Mallory et al., 2016), social behavior (Oddi et al., 2015), and sensory system function (Leong et al., 2015). Whether the developmental gains that enriched environments provide apply similarly to all invertebrate species remains unknown. This study will help close this gap in the literature. To answer our research question, 120 nymph cockroaches were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions (40 subjects per condition) in which …

Gingerbread House Making With Patients With Dementia, Laney Fenton, Alicia Stahlschmidt, Ashley Richard, Elliott Irwin, Zachary Martin

2023 Student Academic Showcase

As part of the LU Memory Makers for PSY 33000:Learning & Memory, we helped set up, participate, and clean up a special event for patients with dementia. This service-learning experience consisted of connecting with a community partner and engaging with older individuals who suffered with dementia and also their caregivers. Not only did we observe the process of building gingerbread houses with people with dementia, but also how they interacted with us as strangers and with their peers who also have dementia. We had a real world experience of material covered in our learning and memory class.

Lu Memory Makers: Dementia And Fine/Gross Motor Skills, Mackenzie Holtman, Raphaelle Margueron

2023 Student Academic Showcase

LU memory makers was a Service-Learning project for PSY 33000: Learning & Memory which allowed us to organize an event for the dementia community. For our event, we had activities that used fine and gross motor skills so that the participants were able to practice these movements that would benefit their physical and mental health. We used knowledge we learned in class on how dementia affects the brain and how physical changes occur over a lifetime to enhance our understanding of people living with this disease.

Mandala: On The Logos Of Place, Michael Schwartz

Journal of Conscious Evolution

Suddenly, during the night, one awakens while dreaming – aware that this is a dream. The “rules” of action, reaction, and of form itself are not that of the waking state – one might leap in the air and fly, transform one’s body into any number of forms, reach up in the sky and grab the sun and clouds, pulling them to the side, bringing forth a canopy of moon and stars. The entire scene, in the lucid dream, has a heightened sense of radiance and joy, vitality and freedom.

Imagine this sense of lucid dreaming is occurring right here …

Psychic Cartography: A Review Of Tantric Psychophysics: A Structural Map Of Altered States And The Dynamics Of Consciousness, Michael Pdryzdia

Journal of Conscious Evolution

In 1920 Rudolf Steiner gave a lecture entitled Healing of the Social Organism which is collected in a small and fairly obscure book (Oswald Spengler: Prophet of World Chaos). The lecture was given after Spengler’s The Decline of the West had become a best-seller. In the lecture, Rudolf Steiner takes it upon himself to “deconstruct” his fellow German scholar/intellectual. In the piece, Steiner attacks Spengler’s opposition between “the man of blood” – the man who gets things done, the man of action -- versus “the man of contemplation” -- the theologian, the priest, the scientist with his concept …

Path To Utopia, Leila Kincaid

Journal of Conscious Evolution

The way to survive in the Anthropocene and transform the world is to end capitalism. Humanity must stop commodifying everything and reifying its value for consumption for the sake of power and survival. The way to do this is through love. This is an inquiry into methods and processes for confronting and transforming the planetary destruction caused by capitalism, patriarchy, and colonialism among other phenomena. This paper challenges the idea that it is unrealistic to believe that love can change the world. It posits that loving is caring and caring is the way humanity will shift consciousness so that capitalism …

Discrimination And Perceived Cultural Mismatch Increase Status-Based Identity Uncertainty, Sierra H. Feasel, Tessa L. Dover, Payton Small, Brenda Major

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Periods of social mobility, such as attending college, can challenge one’s status-based identity, leading to uncertainty around one’s status in society. Status uncertainty is associated with poorer well-being and academic outcomes. Little is known, however, about what experiences lead to status uncertainty. The current longitudinal study investigated discrimination experiences and cultural mismatch as predictors of status uncertainty. We propose that discrimination indirectly predicts increased status uncertainty by increasing perceived cultural mismatch with the university. Participants were Latinx college students, all of whom were low-income and/or first generation to college. Discrimination experiences were measured at the end of participants’ first year. …

Motives And Mental Health In Adults, Jessica Pendley

Scholars Week

The relation between depressive symptomology and SU has been previously established; however, there is a lack of a consistent pattern of comorbidity (Swendsen & Merikangas, 2000). Further understanding of factors that contribute to or strengthen this relation is essential as these may be targets for intervention. Models of both SU and depression include two motivational processes, approach and avoidance (Ertel et al., 2018; Trew, 2011).

SU motives, or the reasons why individuals use substances, can be subdivided based on the functions underlying SU; 1) to avoid unpleasant states, either externally (i.e., using substances to avoid rejection from others; conformity) or …

Student Learning Characteristics And Preferences, Erin Mcdaniel

Scholars Week

Making the transition from high school to college can be a stressful event for any future college student; however, research shows that those difficulties were exacerbated during the Covid-19 pandemic (Husky et al., 2020; Li et al., 2021) In a previous study, data indicated that during the pandemic, students had a difficult time staying on task and expressing self-discipline when it came to school-work. Despite these difficulties, however, students still showed promising trends in being self-aware that they would have to increase their study habits thus resulting in a higher GPA. The purpose of this present study is to determine …

Blending Reproductive Justice Into General Education Courses, Ophra Leyser-Whalen, Adelle D. Monteblanco

Feminist Pedagogy

Despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, there is still work to be done by reproductive justice advocates. As educators, we can integrate reproductive justice topics into our existing courses or we can create new courses. In this paper we briefly define reproductive justice and provide some learning resources for educators. The bulk of our paper describes our special topics Introduction to Sociology: Sociology of Reproduction course as an example and potential model for educators as we urge them to think about how they might integrate reproductive justice into their existing courses and texts, such that students …

1st Judicial District Department Of Correctional Services: [An Internship], Madalynn Stone

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

A poster covering the experiences of an intern with the Iowa First Judicial District Department of Correctional Services.