Digital Commons Network^™

The Use Of Humor In Mental Healthcare: A Systematic Review, Blake Song

Theses and Dissertations

Humor has been observed, practiced, and documented as an essential feature of society for thousands of years. However, there is still no formalized or widely referenced clinical guidance on how to effectively and appropriately utilize humor in mental healthcare despite ample research over the last 70 years noting the many potential benefits. This lack of guidance may, at least in part, be due to unresolved concerns pertaining to the use of humor in counseling and healthcare settings. For instance, humor is believed by some to be potentially distracting or undermining to the counseling process if used inappropriately. This continued absence …

The Category Is: Body: A Pcsim Approach To Culture-Specific Bid Healing Programming For Bgcm, Gabriel A. Delong

Wayne State University Dissertations

Black gay cismen (BGCM) are among the highest population demographics to experience body image dissatisfaction (BID) and among the least likely to seek healing programming. Culture-specific experiences such as sexual racism have been linked to body image dissatisfaction among BGCM. While the harmful experiences of sexual racism have been studied among BGCM, body image healing programming continues to address the needs of predominantly White straight ciswomen. Additionally, medical mistrust, identity preservation, and culturally incongruent healing practices have been linked to reasons BGCM are reluctant to seek healing practices. This dissertation aims to address the gap in existing literature by employing …

Assessing Social Cognition In The Clockδ19 Mouse Model Of Bipolar Disorder, Eden Fraatz

Psychology Theses

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Perinatal Exposure To Lipopolysaccharide And Acetaminophen On Learning In Adult Long-Evans Rats, Lucy A. Sivils

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The present study investigated the individual and combined effects of elevated perinatal inflammation, oxidative stress caused by acetaminophen (APAP) exposure, or elevated inflammation and oxidative stress on adult learning behaviors in Long-Evans rats. While prior studies have examined these factors independently, the combined effects of inflammation and oxidative stress via APAP exposure during early development on learning-related behaviors remain unexplored. The present research aimed to address this gap by the analysis of potential long-term neurodevelopmental consequences of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and APAP-induced oxidative stress. LPS, APAP, or LPS + APAP was administered during the perinatal period: postnatal days (PD) 9, …

Wiring Attachment, Alexander K. Bacon

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis began with a question: can diagrams create understanding, or only reflect it? Through paintings that layer automotive wiring schematics with family photographs, I explore how the human attachment system resists easy mapping. Using digital tools like Photoshop and scanning, alongside analog methods such as papier-collé and photo transfer, I examine how systems built for clarity—like wiring diagrams—contrast with the layered, often messy realities of human relationships. Drawing from attachment theory’s empirical foundation, rather than the metaphorical leanings of psychoanalysis, my work investigates how emotional bonds form, falter, and repair over time. Material loss and layering are not flaws, …

Sentence Determination As A Function Of Sex Offender Gender, Kyle Gamache, Matt Zaitchik, Judith Platania, Willem Pontbriand

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

The current study examines perceptions of dangerousness and sentencing recommendations for female sex offenders (FSOs) compared to male sex offenders (MSOs). Participants (N = 82) were randomly assigned to read one of three vignettes depicting a sexual offense committed by a male, female, or male-female co defendant pair. Key individual difference variables—Need for Cognition (NFC) and Gender Role Beliefs (GRB)—were assessed to examine their influence on sentencing and attributional judgments. NFC emerged as a significant moderator: participants with low NFC assigned longer sentences to FSOs, whereas high NFC participants gave longer sentences to MSOs. Participants endorsing traditional gender role beliefs …

Burning Up And Burned Out: Examining Burnout In Human Services Employees, Chloe A. Bell

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Burnout is a prevalent and critical condition experienced among human services employees. This study examined the roles of gender, parental status, and perceived organizational support (POS) as moderating factors in the relationship between stress and burnout in human services employees. A sample of full-time human services employees (N = 303) completed a survey containing assessments measuring burnout, stress, POS, and neuroticism. The results of this study indicated that POS significantly moderated the stressburnout relationship, such that greater reported levels of POS weakened the relationship between stress and burnout. However, neither gender nor parental status was found to significantly moderate the …

Comparative Semiotic Analysis Of Non-Verbal Communication: Apis Mellifera Waggle Dance And Human Kinesic Signaling Systems, Nishtha Tikalal

Honors Undergraduate Theses

There are many parallels between two seemingly disparate forms of non-verbal communication: the waggle dance of Apis mellifera (honeybees) and human kinesic signaling systems. Through a comparative semiotic analysis, this research aims to conduct a comparative semiotic analysis, investigating structural and functional similarities between these communication methods, challenging anthropocentric assumptions about meaning making in the natural world. This research employs a meta-synthesis approach, drawn from a methodological literature review to examine historical representations of bee-human relationships, semiotics of non-verbal communication, and the specific mechanisms of the waggle dance and human kinesics. This methodology involves systematic categorization and analysis of extracted …

The Relationship Between Autistic Features And Identity Development Processes Among College Students Through An Intersectional Lens, Alejandra Santana

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Research on autistic features and identity development has indicated that autistic traits are positively associated with identity disturbance (Ratner & Berman, 2015). Characteristic attributes of autism, including circumscribed interests and impairments in social relatedness, align with self-rumination and hardships engaging in the components of identity formation (Gotham et al., 2014). Nonetheless, research on this topic remains scarce. The present study analyzed the association between autistic features and identity formation processes while considering sociocultural factors, such as gender conformity and social camouflaging. A sample of college students enrolled in a large metropolitan city (N = 427) was recruited to complete …

The Role Of Social Media And Acculturation In Body Comparison, Body Dissatisfaction, And Eating Pathology Among Hispanic And Latinx Individuals, Mariana Ortega

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Eating disorders are a group of mental health conditions that are characterized by complex etiologies. The development of eating disorders varies across each individual and their personal background. The current study examined the relationship between levels of acculturation and daily social media use on the presence of body comparison, body dissatisfaction, and eating pathology in Hispanic and Latinx individuals. The aim of this study is to investigate how these factors may lead to a unique etiology of disordered eating, specific to this ethnic group. The current study consisted of two phases. The first phase determined participant eligibility by confirming ethnic …

Mental Illness Identity And Social Media Use In Generation Z, Tobey Smith

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The present study investigated factors that predict a high degree of mental illness identity among Generation Z college students. Specifically, the author aimed to evaluate social media use and other psychosocial factors, including social isolation, self-esteem, well-being, discrimination, and attitude toward recovery. Two-hundred and seventeen participants were recruited using SONA and social media. Participants completed scales to measure the variables of interest: Illness Identity Questionnaire - Mental Health, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, Hope and Coping in Recovery Scale, Cornwell Perceived Isolation Scale, Stigma Scale, Social Media Use Scale, and a set of demographic questions. Pearson bivariate correlations, …

Navigating Online Dating: Exploring The Intersection Of Attachment Styles, Parental Attachments, And Sociosexuality In Online Dating Among College Students, Jensley Velez-Lozada

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The aim of this thesis is to explore the connection between attachment styles, parental attachment, and sociosexuality as predictors of online dating attitudes among college students. As society navigates this new digital era of online dating, how does it continue to transform young adults as they form romantic and sexual connections? It becomes increasingly important to understand the psychological mechanisms that influence these behaviors. This study examined how anxious and avoidant attachment styles, parental attachment, and sociosexuality may have contributed to online hookup attempts and outcomes behaviors. It also examined how these variables interacted and influenced both the likelihood of …

Examining Perception Of Psychedelic Substances And The Role Of Hallucinations Among College Students, Ryann F. Hilts

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Inquiry into psychedelics is undergoing a cultural and scientific revival, driven by their potential application as novel treatments for mood disorders, substance misuse, and end-of life-distress, but continued implementation in clinical and medical contexts necessitates extensive research. The present study utilizes self-reported data to examine psychedelics across three areas: student attitudes, patterns of use, and motives for use. It additionally explores the perceived importance of hallucinations in therapeutic contexts and focuses on psychological experiences of those with lifetime psychedelic use. The study aimed to deepen understanding of current literature surrounding psychedelics, specifically among university students. Participants were asked to complete …

Active Musical Engagement Versus Passive Music Listening: Effects On Emotional Modulation, Claudia Allocca

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study explored how different forms of musical engagement, actively playing versus

passively listening, impact emotional regulation following exposure to a stressor. The goal was

to better understand whether active participation in music offers greater emotional benefits

compared to simply listening, as previous research often highlights music’s role in emotional

modulation but overlooks the influence of performance-based engagement. A total of 28

participants either played music or listened to music and then completed both pre- and post-

stressor measures assessing mood, mental task load, and heart rate. Contrary to the original

hypothesis, findings revealed that participants from the listening group …

Social Support And Gratitude In Adolescents: An Exploratory Study, Mimi Webb Kurtz

Theses and Dissertations

Dispositional gratitude is a construct associated with numerous benefits in youth. However, existing research has primarily focused on the outcomes of gratitude, with limited exploration of the underlying factors that may contribute to individual differences in its development. Because gratitude is considered malleable, identifying key factors associated with its growth in youth is essential. The present study aims to address this gap by exploring perceived social support as a presumed antecedent of dispositional gratitude in older adolescents. Cross-sectional, self-report data and structural equation modeling were used to assess the relationship of perceived social support with gratitude levels among high school …

Cerebellar Contributions To Speech And Clinical Outcomes In Stroke: A Multimodal Investigation Of Structural Integrity Across Chronic And Acute Cohorts, Makayla Joy Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the critical role of the cerebellum in speech production, with a focus on chronic post-stroke apraxia of speech (AOS), lesion-related cerebellar degeneration, and age-related changes in cerebellar structure among healthy individuals. While speech deficits have traditionally been attributed to cortical lesions, mounting evidence suggests that the cerebellum contributes significantly to speech-motor planning, execution, and error correction. Using multimodal neuroimaging, lesion-symptom mapping, and standardized speech assessments, this research examines cerebellar gray matter volume (GMV) across three complementary studies.

Aim 1 evaluates the association between cerebellar GMV and AOS severity in individuals with chronic left hemisphere stroke. Findings support …

The Effects Of Physical Exercise On Emotion Dysregulation In Postsecondary Students With And Without Adhd, Elizabeth Bodalski

Theses and Dissertations

Emotion dysregulation is a common issue among college students with ADHD, and emotion dysregulation in adults with ADHD is associated with many negative outcomes including higher levels of psychological distress and social impairment, poorer functioning at school and work, greater symptoms of anxiety and depression, and lower quality of life. Past work suggests that physical exercise can be useful in treating core ADHD symptoms for children and adolescents with ADHD, but less is known about its effects for young adults with ADHD. Exercise has been shown to be effective in targeting emotion dysregulation among the general adult population. Some work …

Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide In A Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Sample, Janelle Wee

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is associated with cognitive and emotional changes that may increase suicide risk. This study, grounded in the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS), examined whether premorbid functioning moderates the relationship between cognitive functioning (working memory and processing speed) and suicidal desire (thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness) in individuals with mTBI. Participants (n = 54) were drawn from a clinical neuropsychological sample and completed the WAIS-IV, TOPF, BDI-II, and Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ). Hierarchical moderated regression analyses were conducted across 100 multiply imputed datasets. Depressive symptoms were included as a covariate. Results showed that depressive symptoms …

Reconciling Jekyll And Hyde: The Future Of Masculinity Research Within The Domestic Violent Extremism Context, Sam T. Hunter, Brett H. Neely, Carter Welch, Amanda N. Moeller

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

Violence among young men in the United States has escalated in recent years, leading to two contrasting perspectives of young men—either as (a) agentic aggressors or (b) by-products of societal shifts that have caused disadvantage. The first perspective characterizes men as entitled and reactionary, prone to aggression when their societal expectations are unmet. This view aligns with the frustration-aggression hypothesis in which unmet desires lead to hostile behaviors, particularly among individuals who perceive a loss of status and significance. Conversely, the second perspective views men as victims of rapid societal changes, such as job displacement, educational disparities, and shifting gender …

About Face: Does Men’S Facial Symmetry Affect Evolutionary Trait Ratings?, Emma G. Kelly, T. Joel Wade

Faculty Journal Articles

Some past research indicates that facial symmetry increases ratings of attractiveness. However, more recent research finds that facial symmetry does not affect ratings of men's attractiveness, or is not an important component of men's facial attractiveness. But, prior research has not examined whether facial symmetry affects evolutionary trait ratings. The present research sought to fill that dearth by investigating whether male facial symmetry influences women's ratings of men's attractiveness and evolutionary traits. No significant effects for facial symmetry occurred. However, there were significant effects for ratings of evolutionary traits regardless of facial symmetry. Of the 19 traits, the traits: status, …

The Role Of Social Inequality In The “Feminization” Of Borderline Personality Disorder, Jane Goldie Ekhtman

Dissertations and Theses

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe and prevalent mental illness that is three times more likely to be diagnosed in women than men. BPD research has attempted to explain this gender disparity, with clinician gender bias emerging as a possible factor. Yet, no research to date has examined the role of social status in the overdiagnosis of women with BPD. There is merit in examining BPD through a class lens as low SES is a risk factor for BPD, poverty and income inequality disproportionately affect women, and low status is associated with stereotypical traits of femininity. Additionally, mental health …

The Interplay Of Gender And Humor In The Workplace, Charlene Marie Baghdadi

CMC Senior Theses

Humor is a key element in workplace dynamics, influencing leadership, team cohesion, and career advancement. However, its impact is not equal among genders. This paper explores the interplay between humor and gender in professional settings, examining how different types of humor – positive (affiliative, self-enhancing, coping sense of humor) and negative (aggressive, self-defeating) – are perceived and used by men and women. Specifically, it investigates how gender and team composition moderate the relationship between types of humor and workplace outcomes, with gender stereotypes acting as a mediator. This analysis highlights that men often benefit from a broader acceptance of humor …

Wearing Our Values On Our Sleeves: The Intersection Of Fashion Leadership, Values, And Sustainability, Cayman Chen

CMC Senior Theses

Fashion leaders are social leaders who derive their power from what they wear and how they influence others. There are three types: 1) fashion innovators, who are early adopters of trends, 2) fashion opinion leaders, who legitimize new styles and influence others, and 3) innovative communicators, who exhibit the behaviors of both fashion innovators and fashion opinion leaders. This study investigates motivational differences between different fashion leaders through their values. We then investigate how fashion leadership and value-based advertising appeal predicts intention to purchase sustainable fashion products. 213 student participants were administered the Portrait Values Questionnaire, the …

Gender And Self In Product Evaluation, Samantha Ennis

CMC Senior Theses

Gender schema plays a critical role in decision making by guiding mental organization frameworks and processing information. Drawing on gender schema theory and the self-congruity framework, this study hypothesized that participants with a mean femininity score above the median would ascribe a feminine-typed shampoo more hedonic attributes than other participants. Similarly, the second hypothesis claimed that participants with a mean masculinity score above the median would ascribe masculine-typed shampoo more utilitarian attributes than all other participants. A third hypothesis predicted that product evaluation would be more favorable when the participants’ gender self-schema aligned with the product gender-type. Participants (N=85), recruited …

Built By Family: How Early Environments Shape Transformational Leaders And Star Followers, Gabrielle J. Ong

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis examines how early family environments—defined in this paper by parenting and attachment styles—influence the development of transformational leadership and star followership qualities in children. By integrating research from behavioral and developmental psychology, it explores how authoritative parenting and secure attachment foster self-concept, extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. These traits, in turn, predict transformational leadership behaviors such as intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration, as well as star followership traits like active engagement and independent thinking. Through this, a conceptual model is proposed to illustrate the pathways from parenting and attachment to leadership and followership outcomes, mediated by personality, self-concept, and …

The Effect Of Impersonal Language Structures In Portuguese And English On Bilinguals’ Ability To Endure Hunger, Lucas Mceachern

CMC Senior Theses

Do differences in linguistic structures affect the way speakers of those languages experience hunger? This experiment hypothesizes that they do, under the premise that our experience of the world (colors, emotions, and physiological sensations alike) is shaped by highly variable language-based conceptual knowledge. This study investigates how differing structures of impersonality in Portuguese and English affect bilingual speakers’ ability to endure hunger. In total, 162 Portuguese-English bilinguals would be randomly assigned to a fasting and language condition and asked to answer questions regarding their perceived ability to fast until the next day. Their answers, as well as the time between …

Neural Correlates Of Attentional Biases In Dietary Choice: Role Of Childhood Socioeconomic Status, Justine Jamie N. Gotico

CMC Senior Theses

Childhood poverty has been shown to increase adult risk for obesity above and beyond its direct effects on adult socioeconomic status (SES). One proposed mechanism of these effects is by shifting behavioral patterns of dietary consumption and choice, for example by increasing rapid attention to high-calorie unhealthy foods. Yet, whether such neural mechanisms can explain observed differences in dietary behavior based on childhood SES remains an open question. Here we used event-related potentials (ERPs) to examine early attentional correlates of low childhood SES during a dietary choice task, based on research suggesting that early attentional biases toward high-calorie foods emerge …

Money Matters: Investigating The Emotional, Cognitive, And Biological Pathways Connecting Maternal Early Life Financial Insecurity And Parenting Quality, Elise Power, Stacey N. Doan

CMC Senior Theses

Early life adversity has been shown to have a variety of negative effects on adult functioning, including parenting quality, with implications for child wellbeing. Adverse early life experiences including poverty have been linked to long-term disruptions in emotional, cognitive, and physiological functioning that compromise the ability to provide sensitive, nurturing care. The present study investigated whether emotional regulation difficulties, physiological regulation, and cognitive function mediate the relationship between early life financial insecurity and parenting quality. A sample of 132 mother-child dyads completed self-report measures, biological samples, and cognitive assessments. A multiple mediation model ran in SPSS, revealed a significant indirect …

Romantic Beliefs And Their Effect On Relationship Satisfaction, Psychological Well-Being, And Psychological Distress, John D. Pinsky

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Relationship satisfaction has been shown to have a powerful effect on both individual psychological well-being and psychological distress. One factor that influences an individual’s relationship satisfaction is their endorsement of romantic beliefs. This finding has not been replicated in the U.S. in the past 20 years and the influence of romantic beliefs on relationship satisfaction, psychological well-being, and psychological distress has not been studied in depth. This study implemented a quasi-experimental design using online self-report measures to test whether level of endorsement of romantic beliefs can predict relationship satisfaction, psychological well-being, or psychological distress. It was hypothesized that romantic beliefs …

Beyond The Surface: Lgbt+ Minority Stress & Social Safety, Violet Lewis

A with Honors Projects

Presentation about minority stress in the LGBT+ community surrounding the recent political climate and how we can use social safety to deter the impacts.