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Anxiety And Depression Symptoms And Certainty In Negative Future Predictions: The Role Of Intolerance Of Uncertainty And Perseverative Thought, Isabella Glennon

Psychology Student Scholarship

Isabella Glennon ’25, Biology & Psychology major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology

Understanding the underlying mechanisms of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) — the tendency to experience discomfort when faced with an uncertain future — and perseverative thought (PT) — characterized by repetitive, negative thinking such as rumination — plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of anxiety and depression. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between anxiety and depression symptoms and the roles of IU and PT, particularly in relation to the development of certainty in negative future predictions.

Perceptions Of Aging & Sleep Health, Grace Lynch

Psychology Student Scholarship

Grace Lynch ’25, Psychology and Biology major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Caitlan Tighe, Psychology

Repetitive Negative Thought, Subjective Stress, And Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety, Haley Margulies, Juliette Bonchonsky, Isabella Glennon

Psychology Student Scholarship

Haley Margulies ’25, Biology and Psychology major

Juliette Bonchonsky ’26, Psychology major

Isabella Glennon ’25, Biology & Psychology major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology

Engagement in repetitive negative thought (RNT) in response to stress may be associated with risk for anxiety and depression. Individuals who engage in rumination following stressful life events are more likely to experience negative affect and symptoms of depression and anxiety (Ruscio et al., 2011). Similarly, worrying after a stressful life event is prospectively associated with increased stress symptoms (Roussis & Wells, 2008). The purpose of the present study is to test whether subjective stress …

The Relationship Between Stress, Burnout, Attendance, And Methods Of Self-Care Among Teachers, Jennifer M. Sturm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teachers exposed to prolonged stress have been documented at higher risk for poor physical and mental health, including high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. To ameliorate the effects of prolonged stress, teachers have employed a variety of coping strategies, and some sought medical care. To date, little research exists regarding absenteeism and medication usage among teachers. This study sought to determine the relationship between stress, burnout, and medication usage in relation to absenteeism. This study also sought to determine the role of thriving in the above relationships. An internet-based survey was distributed to U.S. teachers via social media and email. …

Anxiety- And Compulsivity-Linked Differences In Reinforcement Learning In A Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Game, Tessa Medeiros

Neuroscience Program Student Scholarship

Tessa Medeiros ’26, Biology & Psychology major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Andra Geana, Psychology and Neuroscience

Reinforcement learning (RL) mathematically describes how agents learn to maximize the reward of their environment by understanding and comparing their choice options. This project investigates how anxiety and compulsivity impact the selection of these options and to what extent a text-based, narrative (rather than a game-like environment) changes RL processes in humans.

Volume 16, Maggie Duncan, Madeline Little, Alicia Hoffman, Megan Livesay, Gabrielle Quaresma, Serenity Allen, Laina Pfountz, Ainslie Allred, Sabrina Robles, Nicholas J. Duellman, Trinity L. Deguzman, Melissa H. Savage, Margaret Dudley, Jocelyn Escobar, Olivia Hildreth, Olivia Hopkins, Benjamin Gettier, Lee Kassay, Jade Riddle, Ashley Seiders

Incite: The Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Introduction Dr. Amorette Barber, Director, Office of Student Research

From the Editor Dr. Hannah Dudley-Shotwell

Artist’s Statement Maggie Duncan

On Mentoring Dr. Lee Millar Bidwell

The Hujum Campaign in Uzbekistan and its Consequences by Madeline Little

Wet Cupping Compared to Dry Needling for Treatment of Patients with Low Back Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic by Alicia Hoffman and Megan Livesay

Optimization of eDNA Air Sampling Via 3D Printed Fan by Gabrielle Quaresma

Beyond the Classroom: A Qualitative Study of Teacher Attrition and Retention by Serenity Allen and Laina Pfountz

The Treatment of Subacromial Impingement Syndrome with Platelet-Rich plasma Injections Verses …

Unique Stress, Cultural Resources, And Psychological Resilience In Young African American Women: Insights For Effective Intervention And Cvd Prevention, Sparkle Springfield-Trice, Cara Joyce, Penny Williams-Wolford, Dinishia Wolford, Destiny Onyeise, Natalie Battles, Dionne V. Milton, Chineze Mogbo, Raigine Robinson, Dave Stovall, Lena Hatchett, Ursula M. Staudinger

Biostatistics Collaborative Core: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Objective: Psychological resilience, defined as one’s self-reported ability to bounce back from stress, is understudied in young African American women (YAAW). Guided by community feedback, this study examined the associations between resilience and the following three constructs from Staudinger’s 2015 resilience and aging model: perceived stress, non-psychological resources, and psychological resources. We aimed to identify cultural resources that can enhance resilience in the face of unique stressors.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 512 self-identified YAAW aged 18–35 years. Resilience was measured by the Brief Resilience Scale, ranging from one to five, with higher scores indicating greater resilience. We …

Complementary Self-Care Therapies To Self-Manage Endometriosis In Association With Health-Related Quality Of Life, Sarah Cummins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a lack of understanding within the psychological and medical communities on the extent to which endometriosis impacts the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with endometriosis (PWE). This population is understudied in relation to the effects of endometriosis on HRQoL, the various methods used to treat and cope with endometriosis-related symptoms, the influence of self-managing endometriosis on PWE’s HRQoL, or the HRQoL outcomes associated with using nontraditional methods to self-manage endometriosis. As such, there is a lack of knowledge on the extent to which the use of various types of complementary self-care therapies to self-manage endometriosis is …

Acculturation, Education, Food Choice, And Body Mass Index: A Survey In The Rio Grande Valley, Melanie Espinoza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is a global problem and a risk factor for many life-threatening illnesses and diseases. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) in South Texas has higher than state and national obesity rates. The cultural influences on food choice in this region are a frequent focus of research, and there have also been numerous studies on the relationship between socioeconomic status and overweight and obesity; however, there are currently no studies that specifically investigate the relationship between educational attainment, acculturation, food choice behavior, and overweight and obesity among Hispanics in the RGV. Grounded in social cognitive and acculturation theories, the purpose of …

Balancing Parental Rights And Child Welfare In Custody Decisions Involving Mental Health, Colette Methling

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the evolving intersection of parental rights, child welfare, and mental health within the context of termination of parental rights proceedings. Historically, mental illness was often viewed as a categorical disqualifier for parenting, with courts relying on stigmatized assumptions rather than individualized evaluations. These early judicial approaches, influenced by eugenics and social biases, as exemplified by Buck v. Bell (1927), led to systemic injustices and overly broad state interventions into family life.

Through a doctrinal and historical legal analysis, this thesis traces how U.S. courts have gradually moved from rigid, diagnosis-based determinations toward more nuanced, evidence-based standards. It …

Integrative Treatment Providers’ Perspectives: Gender Differences For Adult Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Amanda M. Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The long-term effects that individuals suffer because of childhood sexual abuse may impact their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social health. Treatment providers and helping professionals working with childhood sexual abuse survivors offer a unique insight into the impact of the trauma based on the gender of the survivor. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore integrative treatment providers’ perceptions of treating male versus female adult survivors of sexual abuse. Seligman’s positive psychology was used for the theoretical framework of the study, and the conceptual framework was based on Engel’s biopsychosocial model. The data for this study were …

Non-Fatal Overdose Among Florida Opioid Users: A Quantitative Analysis Of Anxiety, Depression, And Insurance Providers, Zachary Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nonfatal overdose (NFOD) is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of the opioid crisis, significantly contributing to the public health burden of opioid use disorder (OUD). The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between depression severity, anxiety severity, and health insurance type with repeated nonfatal opioid overdoses among individuals with Opioid use Disorder (OUD) in Florida. This study was guided by the biopsychosocial model, which highlights the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in health outcomes. A total of 90 anonymous surveys were collected from participants who met the requirements. A multiple linear regression …

Longitudinal Assessment Of Blast-Related Traumatic Brain Injury (Tbi): Impact On Structural Neuroimaging Correlates, Working Memory, And Processing Speed, Carmen Velez

Dissertations

The conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq led to a significant surge in blast-related traumatic brain injuries (bTBIs). However, our understanding of their lasting neurological impacts remains incomplete. To our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study of its size to explore whether increasing levels of blast exposure predict neural atrophy or cognitive decline over time. We analyzed 149 baseline and follow-up data sets from service members categorized by blast exposure: blast naïve (n = 57), single blast (n = 70), and multiple blasts (n = 22). Participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological assessment.

All data were drawn …

Motivating Remote Working Employees, Sandesh Bilgi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how remote employees who have previously worked in-person describe their lived and perceived experience with motivation in remote working environments. Participants completed the Work Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation Scale (WEIMS), which measures degrees of work-related motivation among employees focusing on traits that signify each worker’s intrinsically or extrinsically motivated nature. Through in-depth interviews with 30 participants, this research examined how remote workers are motivated in remote work settings, which factors increase or decrease motivation, and how leaders can influence the motivation levels of their employees. The interviews were conducted online, …

The Consequences Of Social Isolation On Early Adolescent Youth: The Rise Of Gender Identity Questioning, Rachele Hauck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The year 2020 brought forth a global pandemic that changed the way human beings went about their daily life. Coinciding at the same point in history, the number of adolescents questioning their gender identity almost doubled. This transcendental phenomenological qualitative study sought to understand the journeys of seven adolescents surviving the stay-at-home mandates put in place by officials attempting to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in a rural midwestern town. These participants identify as a gender that does not align with the gender they were given at birth. Their voices are documented with subject led interviews and attention to expressionistic …

Teacher Stress, Resilience, And Experience: A Correlational Study, Kelsey D. Valente

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The teaching profession is one of the most critical, yet challenging occupations. The purpose of this dissertation was to identify and articulate the importance of the study exploring the teaching occupation and stress. Specifically, the purpose of the quantitative study was to explore the relationship between self-report educator stress, self-report of resilience, and years of teaching experience. The minimum sample size, determined by a priori power analysis, was 67; however, there were 68 participants in the study. Participants included current, public school educators ages 18 and older licensed to teach in South Carolina. Data collection was completed through three self-report …

Multiple Platform Social Media Engagement Correlation With Perceived Depression, Anxiety, And Stress Among Active Church Members, Penny K. Hampton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social media has remained an area that each person has related to in their everyday experiences. The growth of social media has continued and expanded to include a wide range of varying platform opportunities for users. Given the variances with social media engagements, everyone differs with their resulting overall mental health characteristics. This study explored the relationship between the user engagement on multiple social media platforms and self-reported depression, stress, and anxiety. The variables included the number of social media platforms and the self-reported responses to the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS21). For this study, the participants included 117 individuals …

A Qualitative Inquiry Of People Experiencing Prolonged Unforgiveness In Connection To Christian Psychology, Josephine Agbons Fleming

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the qualitative study was to explore Christian women's experiences and understanding of prolonged unforgiveness from the perspective of people living with prolonged unforgiveness. Harboring unforgiveness leads to unhappiness, dissatisfaction, and increased bitterness. It also leads to negative emotional experiences and physical and psychological concerns. A previous study encountered a transparent narrative that it is not good to harbor bitterness toward others. Some researchers have explored the outcomes of unforgiveness that involve empirical analysis. Other studies have described the nature of unforgiveness and its effects without explaining what unforgiveness does to people if it is prolonged and strategies …

The Impact Of Church Members On Single Parents In Residential Family Care Systems, Vanessa M. Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This paper discusses the value of grace and its significance for making positive, lasting change. The researcher initially hypothesized that accountability alone was the sole catalyst for transformation (van Manen, 1990; Williams, 2008). The researcher conducted 30-minute interviews of seven single mothers with a minimum of 2 years residence in one or more Residential Family Care (RFC) programs, identifying them with pseudonyms for the purpose of protecting their identities. Each interview transcript was then evaluated for key repeated themes and phrases. While accountability did indeed play a significant role in the women’s change processes, the researcher found that grace, facilitated …

The Relationship Of Christian Spirituality And Sustained Recovery From Trauma-Related Substance Addiction, Carol Beatrice Bradley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation contains information regarding research that has been done on integrating spirituality into addiction recovery and trauma recovery. Research shows a strong relationship between addiction and trauma experiences and that when recovery counselors integrate spirituality into recovery the chances of relapse decrease. There is a need for additional research and education for recovery counselors and the support systems that help people to recover from addiction. This can help lead people to a life with purpose to prevent further addiction, relapse, overdose, and death. There has been some research that shows that integrating Christianity into recovery can help increase the …

An Exploration Of Factors Impacting Child Welfare Professional Burnout: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Jeffrey L. Nitz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Child welfare professionals (CWPs) have challenging and stressful jobs that routinely expose them to the traumatic narratives of children and other individuals. As a result of this, and when added to the reality that CWPs have a significantly higher average of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) compared to the general population, the prevalence of secondary traumatic stress (STS), burnout and high turnover rates is substantial. This non-experimental quantitative survey study of 212 direct service CWPs from both public and private agencies sought to examine the relationship of ACE scores to burnout, and whether secondary traumatic stress plays a mediating role in …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Adult Nutrition; A Correlational Study, Tabitha Ostrout

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a wealth of knowledge surrounding adverse childhood experiences and their immediate consequences. In recent years, researchers have expanded the scope of studies to explore the long-term impact of these negative early childhood events. One focus of interest is examining the connection between adverse childhood experiences and adult nutrition. To further contribute to the body of knowledge, a quantitative research study was conducted to determine if there is a correlation between the two variables. Data was collected from 106 participants to analyze the impact that adverse childhood experiences may have on later adult nutrition, as well as to investigate …

A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study Exploring Divorce In Blended Families, Steve Hudgins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Marriages are supposed to be for a lifetime, but there is a gap in the research as to what is causing a high divorce rate in blended families. There is a research gap considering why divorce percentage rates are higher and more predictable than those of the first marriage. The causes of second divorces within blended families remain largely unexplored in the current reviewed literature; however, relationship studies are more prevalent on the specific roles, such as those of bio- and stepparents within the family. By revealing the research gap, researchers in the field of mental health can understand the …

Keeping The Faith: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Of Christian Educators Working In A Public Elementary School, Katharine E. Knoeppel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Spiritual growth and development are pivotal aspects of a Christian’s life journey. A Christian worldview to include consultation with scripture and prayer helps to support the morals and values necessary for such growth. American public-school systems have adopted a secular worldview which is devoid of creationism and His truth. With an increase in attrition rates and reported job-related stress among public school employees, a deeper understanding is needed to better understand current trends. This study focused on the lived experience of Christian educators working in a secular school system. Quantitative research was conducted investigating the impact of prayer, stress and …

Factors Associated With Clinician Confidence With Gender Identity Issues In Children, Elizabeth D. Hickman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explored mental health clinicians’ experience and self-confidence in their ability to identify and treat children with gender dysphoria. Gender issues are highly prevalent in the United States with an estimated 1.9 million individuals (about twice the population of South Dakota) considering themselves in the LGBT community. The American Psychological Association estimated that there were currently 106,500 licensed psychologists in the United States in a 2014 census. The United States Census population clock has the number of citizens to nearly 335 million people. Meaning that for every psychologist there are 3,146 potential clients. This is an overwhelming ratio of …

The Role Of Timing Of Developmental Trauma And Impacts On Attachment In African-Caribbean American Women: A Holistic Perspective, Zinetta Renee Baker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Prior studies have shown that developmental trauma exposure in childhood negatively impacts attachment neurocircuitry, increasing risk for insecure attachments in adulthood, and deemed more prevalent among females and minorities, such as African American women. However, studies that specifically focus on ethnocultural contexts, initial developmental trauma exposure during specific developmental ages, and impacts on attachment, including attachment to God in African-Caribbean American women are limited. This study fulfilled those gaps in the literature by examining age of initial developmental trauma exposure and impacts on attachment with self and God in African-Caribbean American adult women with developmental trauma histories. Bioecological systems theory, …

Exploring Effective Leadership Styles In Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Programs: A Qualitative Study, Tony Terrel Curtis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to examine the perceptions of adolescent addiction treatment counselors regarding effective leadership styles in addressing organizational, employee, and clientele needs. The study focused on leadership in substance abuse treatment programs, particularly the roles that various leadership styles, such as situational, servant, and transformational leadership, play in improving communication, organizational cohesion, and client care. Participants were 15 adolescent addiction treatment program counselors who had worked for at least 1 year and were currently residing in the southwest United States. Drawing from the contingency theory of leadership, the research revealed that different leadership styles …

The Lingering Wound: Examining The Interplay Of Cultural Mistrust, Help-Seeking Attitudes, And Race-Based Counseling Preferences Among Black Americans, Jean-Robert Langlois

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods study examined the relationship between cultural mistrust, help-seeking attitudes, and race-based counseling preferences among Black Americans. Prior research has suggested that there is a notable underutilization of mental health services within the African American community. There is a lack of studies that integrate both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore the reasons behind this underutilization. Participants were recruited through a convenient sampling method and a total of 74 individuals aged 18 and older agreed to take part in the study. The Client Preference Scale (CPS), the Cultural Mistrust Inventory (CMI), the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychology Help Scale-Short …

Death Anxiety And Risk-Taking For Decisions Affecting The Self And Others, Luis Martinez Mejia

CSB and SJU Distinguished Thesis

This thesis examined the interplay between situational factors (i.e., level of risk, personal relevance) and internal traits (i.e., death anxiety, trait anxiety) on risk-taking during decision making. Specifically, participants had to decide whether to undergo (or have a family member undergo) a risky, but potentially life-extending surgery. Death anxiety, but not trait anxiety, was associated with risk-taking in this task. Those higher in death anxiety were significantly less likely to choose surgery for themselves, but significantly more likely to choose surgery for a family member. These findings show that death anxiety is linked with greater risk-aversion for life-and-death decisions affecting …

Assessing The Predictability Of Sexual Homicide Subtypes In Serial Homicide Offenders Using Childhood Abuse And The Macdonald Triad, Kevin Dionne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prior research established a positive correlation between childhood abuse and sexually motivated murders, and childhood abuse is considered a risk factor for serial murder, especially for sexually motivated serial murder. The purpose of this quantitative study was to assess whether a predictive relationship exists between childhood abuse types (physical, sexual, and psychological) and MacDonald triad behaviors (enuresis, fire setting, and animal cruelty) in predicting sexual homicide subtypes (sexualized, grievance, and rape murder) in a sample of male serial sexual homicide offenders. The subtypes were derived from the Higgs, Carter, Tully, and Browne systematic review. The theoretical lenses applied in the …