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Multidisciplinary Approach To Injury Rehabilitation: The D1 College Athlete Perspective, Lindsey Leatherman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sport injuries continue to be unavoidable disruptions in student-athletes’ athletic careers with over 200,000 injuries estimated to be reported each year in college sport (Kerr et al., 2015). Researchers continue to emphasize the importance of an interprofessional approach to rehabilitation to help athletes manage the adverse psychological and emotional reactions to injury (Appaneal et al., 2009; Gervis et al., 2020; Putukian, 2016). The purpose of this study was to extend and replicate the research of Clement and Arvinen-Barrow (2021) by incorporating perspectives of Division I US student-athletes. The current study describes 321 NCAA Division I collegiate athletes’ experiences of receiving …

The Invisible Load Of Motherhood: Exploring Parental Stress Differences Among Caucasian And African American Mothers, Angena Mombrun

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Parental stress can be defined as the perceptions and feelings that are experienced in a parental role because the demands that are related to the role are unable to be fulfilled with the resources that are available (Abidin, 1992). Research suggests that African American women may experience more parental stress than their Caucasian counterparts due to various factors (Coll & Pachter, 2002). However, there is not sufficient evidence to support this notion as the majority of research available on parenting stress is comprised of middle-class Caucasian women (Coll & Pachter, 2002; Nomaguchi & House, 2013). The purpose of this study …

The Relationship Between Impulsivity, Avoidance, And Overly Positive Maladaptive Thinking In Adults With Adhd, Morgan Hagner

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience many difficulties in executive functioning and mental health. The literature supports cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as an evidence-based treatment, for many mental health disorders, including the cognitive and behavioral issues associated with adult ADHD. There is evidence that some of the problems associated with adult ADHD are related to cognitive distortions, functional impairment, and deficits in executive functioning. Previous studies have found a preliminary relationship between cognitive distortions and ADHD, but these studies did not assess overly positive cognitions, the latter, also theorized to be related to this disorder. The purpose of the current …

The Relationship Between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Anna Podrasky

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) was first described as a syndrome associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, SCT may be a unique construct, independent of the presence of ADHD. Archival data from a specialty outpatient adult ADHD clinic were analyzed to further evaluate the relationship between SCT and ADHD. It was hypothesized that there would not be significant differences between ADHD and SCT on measures of anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and sleep disturbance. Second, it was hypothesized that after controlling for anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and sleep disturbance at level 1 of a hierarchical regression analysis, there would be no additive predictive relationship …

The Experience Of Social Connectedness Among Adolescent Cancer Patients, Jennifer H. Nack

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Adolescence and young adulthood are peak periods for the attainment of numerous physical and psychosocial developmental milestones. A cancer diagnosis during this time can disrupt the achievement of developmental milestones and have significant impacts on Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) physical, emotional, social, and academic wellbeing. Coping with the uncertainty of cancer treatment can be particularly daunting for AYAs, as they strive to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst the disruptions to their daily routines and expectations. Moreover, changes to daily routines and expectations are found to cause periods of isolation and significant changes to social relationships between cancer survivors …

Role Of Resilience, Quality Of Life, And Social Problem-Solving In Caregivers Of Patients Living With Dementia, Emily Helene Fannick

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study examined predictors of caregiver burden, mental health, physical health, overall quality of life, and the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains of quality of life in caregivers of persons living with complications of dementia. Predictors included social problem-solving, caregiver resilience, length of time as a caregiver, and severity of dementia symptomatology. Caregivers recruited from an outpatient memory care clinic completed an online survey that included a demographic questionnaire, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the Social Problem-Solving Inventory–Revised: Short Form (SPSI–R:S), the World Health Organization Quality of Life -Short Version (WHOQOL-BREF), the Dementia Severity Rating Scale (DSRS), and the …

Revisiting The Global Measures Of Overall Neuropsychological Function And The Impact Of Race-Based Normative Data In Clinical And Forensic Populations, Zachary Thomas Dipasquale

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This research investigated the impact of race-based normative data, the removal of a subtest, and the reason for referral on neuropsychological assessments. Three hypotheses were tested using various statistical methods. The first hypothesis predicted a significant difference in the Average Impairment Rating (AIR) when comparing European American normative data to African American normative data. The second hypothesis posited that the removal of the 12th composite score (Av-1) would significantly alter the classification of brain injury using the AIR. The third hypothesis proposed that a significant difference would be observed in the AIR, General Deficit Scale (GDS), and Halstead Impairment Index …

Child Language And Happiness Behaviors: Evaluating The Effects Of Caregiver Coaching, Ashlen Grubbs

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

Caregivers of young children who have or are at risk for disabilities may struggle supporting their child’s language development. This study used a tailored rapid coaching intervention to teach a caregiver different naturalistic language interventions that can be used with their child during play. Evidence-based naturalistic skills for increasing child communication were chosen to teach the caregiver based on baseline levels of skills. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a tailored RCI (training and coaching) with caregivers of children with developmental disabilities. Like other studies, this study involved evaluating child-level communication but extended child measures …

Promoting Caregiver Mental Health Literacy: A Pilot Study Of The Online Program “Mental Wellness At The Lake”, Erika Baylis

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The mental health needs of children are growing in the United States. Caregiver’s mental health knowledge and attitudes about help-seeking can impede the awareness of help-seeking behaviors. The Baylis Model is a framework for caregivers to increase their mental health knowledge. This research is a pilot study to provide elementary caregivers with mental health knowledge to increase their awareness to access treatments for their children. Participants completed a pre-test to determine mental health knowledge to begin the study. A total of 14 families completed a 10-module course (Mental Wellness At The Lake) on canvas, a web-based learning management system. Throughout …

Building Technology Breaks Into Classroom Instruction To Reduce Media Multitasking And Increase Learning, Lisa Decicco

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The current study was designed to investigate the impact of media multitasking on learning outcomes in the classroom. The goal was to develop an instructional intervention that reduces the negative effects of media multitasking on learning outcomes by incorporating technology breaks into the instructional design. High school students in an all-girls school took part in three learning sessions, each with a different instructional strategy related to media multitasking in the classroom: Condition 1: Instruction as Usual; Condition 2: No access to technology; Condition 3: Technology Breaks. Students completed a pre and post-test knowledge-based assessment to measure their retention of the …

Sex Differences In Cognitive Distortions In Individuals With Fibromyalgia, Corey Adams

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Chronic pain is a significant problem in both clinical practice and research, which does not occur equally in all groups of people. Of the 2% of adults with fibromyalgia in the United States, 3.4% of them are women. Understanding these differences may be useful in informing treatment (Jahan et al., 2012). One such area is distorted thinking, which can have a negative impact on symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain sensitivity (Varallo et al., 2021). This study examined how cognitive distortions may play a role in the disparities seen between men and women diagnosed with fibromyalgia. This study used a …

Environmentalism Among Older Adults: Investigating Predictors Of Pro-Environmental Behavior In Later Life, Ajit Singh Mann

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Human actions are largely responsible for degradation of the natural environment, and environmental threats due to climate change are increasingly prevalent. Despite the immediate need to conserve the natural environment, the role of older adults in pro-environmental initiatives has largely been ignored. I conducted two studies to understand pathways for promoting pro-environmental behavior among older adults, with the goal of shedding light on older adults’ engagement in environmental action. In the first study, I investigated the indirect effect of age on pro-environmental behavior, through personal values and environmental concern, among a general sample (N=292). I considered the role of flow …

The Unequal Distribution Of Social Risk For Black Men Across The Life-Span. A Novel Framework., Waleed Y. Sami

Adultspan Journal

This conceptual overview offers a comprehensive overview of systemic pathways that negatively impact the mental health of Black Men throughout their lives. Our argument highlights the importance for counselors and mental health professionals to utilize a thorough social risk assessment that considers these pathways in order to effectively address the mental health needs of Black Men while fostering positive working relationships. This overview strongly advocates for the use of context and structural determinants when evaluating mental health symptoms. Without an appropriate understanding of social risk and determinants, counselors may inadvertently perpetuate disparities by decontextualizing symptomology, and reproducing racist discourse.

Understanding The Application Of Evolutionary Psychology In Consumer Behavior: A Review And Future Research Agenda, Faegheh Taheran, Veronica L. Thomas, Kendra Fowler, Abdolati Mortazavi

Marketing Faculty Publications

This paper is the first to offer a comprehensive literature review of the role of evolutionary psychology (EP) in marketing and consumer behavior. This study takes a holistic approach, combining techniques of a systematic review with bibliometric analysis, to provide a performance analysis and identify theories and methodologies used in the literature. Most importantly, by studying the current state of EP, we elucidate six major themes: the role of gender in families, the role of affect in consumer behavior, food preferences and shopping behavior, motivations for and consequences of status signaling, the impact of ovulation on consumer motives and behaviors, …

Black Maternal Healthcare: The Impact Of Black Doulas On Pregnant Black Women, Andrea M. Siame

Scripps Senior Theses

Pregnancy disproportionately puts the lives of Black women at risk, causing stress, mistrust, and discomfort to be integral aspects of their perinatal experiences. This stress, mistrust, and discomfort is rooted in Black women’s understanding of the structural racism embedded in the healthcare system. In order for Black women’s psyche to be adequately cared for during their pregnancy, they need perinatal support that places Black feminist theories into practice in their support of Black women. This means that it is necessary to provide support that is rooted in reproductive justice, giving autonomy to Black women during their pregnancy. This support can …

Synthetic Neuroactive Steroids Targeting Gaba-A Receptors As A Potential Therapy For Contraceptive-Associated Mood Disorders, Alexandria A. Davis

Scripps Senior Theses

4-10% of women who use hormonal oral contraceptives (HOCs) discontinue use after experiencing symptoms of anxiety, irritability, and depression in the first 3 months of administration. Previous studies have acknowledged a relationship between HOCs and emotional dysregulation but have not identified mechanisms by which HOCs have this effect. As a result, effective treatment options for HOC-induced mood disorders are lacking. Current theories implicate combined-HOCs, particularly those containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (EE-LNG), in reducing neuroactive steroid levels. Specifically, HOC users show decreases in allopregnanolone, a positive allosteric modulator associated with neuronal inhibition and emotional regulation. The objective of this study …

The Effect Of Early Intervention On Reducing Recidivism, Claire Meyer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The current punishment-based system has not led to promising recidivism rates showing the lack of effect it has on changing behavior. By working to understand the effect interventions can have on reducing recidivism, society can improve the criminal justice system. The intention of this paper is to show the benefits of moving to a system focused on rehabilitation instead of punishment, specifically for juvenile offenders. By conducting a literature review of available research, it can be seen that an incarceration-based system is not as effective as the implementation of intervention and prevention methods can be. Cognitive behavioral therapy and community-based …

Family Context And Executive Functioning In Preschool-Age Children, Kristin Aho

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Executive functioning is predictive of school readiness, successful life endeavors, and other positive outcomes. The literature frequently explores how child executive functions are associated with characteristics of mother-child interactions as well as adverse environmental conditions such as poverty and chronic stress. Fewer studies, however, have taken a more nuanced approach to understanding how features of the immediate environment, such as family context, help or hinder the development of executive functions in young children. To address this gap, the current study explored how aspects of family context are associated with executive performance in a sample of preschool-age children. Specifically, the study …

Animal Personality And Sentience As Distinct Concepts, Mark Briffa

Animal Sentience

Owens et al (2024) discuss how knowledge of both animal personality and sentience in target populations can be leveraged to enhance wildlife conservation programmes. In this commentary I expand on the distinction between these two concepts. Behavioural differences should be considered broadly across conservation programmes, not just those involving species deemed sentient.

A New Frontier Of Responsibility: Children's Attributions Of Moral Responsibility To Autonomous And Controlled Robots, Thomas M. Macko

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

A prevailing theory in moral psychology, known as the Theory of Dyadic Morality, proposes that we evaluate moral transgressions primarily through weighing the mental states and intentions of both the perpetrator and the victim of a given transgression. Previous research has found adults and children similarly refer to mental states and intentions when making moral evaluations as third-party observers of a moral transgression. How might this framework apply to social robots, who arguably lack the mental states and intentions we can effortlessly identify in humans? The present study sought to examine how children view a social robot as culpable for …

Disentangling Accelerated Cognitive Decline From The Normal Aging Process And Unraveling Its Genetic Components: A Neuroimaging-Based Deep Learning Approach, Yulin Dai, Yu-Chun Hsu, Brisa S Fernandes, Kai Zhang, Xiaoyang Li, Nitesh Enduru, Andi Liu, Astrid M Manuel, Xiaoqian Jiang, Zhongming Zhao, Alzheimer’S Disease Neuroimaging Initiative

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: The progressive cognitive decline, an integral component of Alzheimer's disease (AD), unfolds in tandem with the natural aging process. Neuroimaging features have demonstrated the capacity to distinguish cognitive decline changes stemming from typical brain aging and AD between different chronological points.

OBJECTIVE: To disentangle the normal aging effect from the AD-related accelerated cognitive decline and unravel its genetic components using a neuroimaging-based deep learning approach.

METHODS: We developed a deep-learning framework based on a dual-loss Siamese ResNet network to extract fine-grained information from the longitudinal structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study. …

Exploring The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Suicidality In College And University Students: A Systematic Review, Tatyana Aposhian

Theses and Dissertations

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and suicidality are highly prevalent and increasing social problems among the college and university student population, thereby underscoring a need to better understand the relationship between ACEs and suicidal risk, ideation, and attempts during college. There is also a need to examine current suicide prevention and intervention programs for the extent to which they are ACE- and/or trauma-informed. The purpose of this quantitative systematic review with narrative synthesis is to elucidate findings regarding the relationship between ACEs and suicidality in undergraduate and graduate students across the globe and provide recommendations for future ACE-informed suicide prevention and …

Psychosocial Factors Impacting Identity Development In Biracial-Biethnic Youth: A Socioecological Analysis, Melanie S. David

Theses and Dissertations

A mixed methods systematic review with socioecological analysis was conducted to identify specific psychosocial factors impacting identity development and well-being and biracial-biethnic youth. Findings from this review aimed to summarize and synthesize the most recent research literature on biracial-biethnic youth, with particular attention to factors contributing to negative identity development, psychosocial stressors (e.g., substance use) that impact both identity and well-being, and protective factors that promote well-being. This systematic review also aimed to utilize a socioecological framework to better understand on what level these psychosocial factors occur and the interaction between the individual and the larger environment. Methods. Data was …

Transgender Inmate Experiences In Prison Systems, Jails, And Detention Centers In The United States: A Systematic Review, Egypt Leithman

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, transgender individuals have faced varying levels of systematic discrimination, harassment, and violence based on their gender identity. The standard method that jails and prisons incarcerate inmates is based on assessing female versus male genitals. Transgender inmates challenge the protocols of jails and prisons because of their gender variance. These inmates, who have no power, query how places of reform treat the most vulnerable when they are marginalized by peers and those in positions of authority. Consequently, the disregard that the prison system imposes by not offering other ways to assess transgender inmates poses a risk to them that other …

Coping Strategies Of African American Lgbtq Same-Gender-Loving And Heterosexual Women After Intimate Partner Violence, Victoria Moran

Theses and Dissertations

A thematic analysis of literature was applied to academic studies of African American women who identify as same-gender-loving (SGL), meaning either lesbian or bisexual, and African American heterosexual women who have endured intimate partner violence (IPV). The aim was to identify in the literature coping strategies used by the IPV survivors, as well as under-utilized coping strategies. Few studies (28) met the inclusion criteria related to this intersectional identity. Main themes of positive coping skills mentioned were as follows: spirituality, mindfulness, religious practice, community support, social support, confrontation, safety precautions, activism, attitude or self-help, mental health services, participation in research …

The Strong Black Woman Schema, Wellness Outcomes, And Mental Health Interventions: An Integrative Systematic Review, Breanna Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Black women have a unique sociocultural and historical context that impacts their health. Research indicates that the Strong Black Woman schema (SBWS) can serve as a coping strategy for the specific array of stressors faced by Black women. The primary aim of this integrative systematic review was to explore the associations between Strong Black Woman schema and wellness/health outcomes, and to review the available or emerging SBWS-related interventions targeting wellness and mental health for Black women. This review posed the questions: (1) What health/wellness outcomes have been identified or hypothesized to be related to the SBWS? (2) What relationships between …

Differences In The Neurological Functioning Of Females And Males During The Human Sexual Response Cycle: A Quantitative Systematic Review, Zachary Larson

Theses and Dissertations

The psychology field recognizes differences between females and males. Yet, there is a lack of research examining neurobiological sex differences, and a sophisticated understanding of neurobiological contributors that explain these sex differences related to sexuality is lacking. An integrative systematic review of the literature examined differences in the neurological functioning between females and males during the human sexual response cycle (SRC). This study investigated sex differences and commonalities in regional neural activation during the four stages of the human SRC (i.e., excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution). The main result of this study is that the differences between females and males …

Madness As Epistemic Advantage: The Relevance Of Standpoint Epistemology To The Evolution Of Mental Health Care, Aven E. Kazmier

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The intent of this thesis is to examine the potential epistemic advantage possessed by those with lived experience of mental illness. The frequent lack of conceptual alignment between the perspectives of individuals with lived experience and the biomedical model of mental illness has often resulted in epistemic injustice—lived experiential knowledge tends to be devalued and excluded from larger discussions about mental health. I propose that by occupying a marginalized social location and critically engaging with one’s social position, psychopathologized individuals may achieve a standpoint that allows a deeper comprehension of the systems of power that affect the mental health care …

'I’M A Pilot First, Female Second': Why Flight Deck Gender Imbalance Persists And The Case For Allyship, Kimberly Perkins, Rachael H. Merola, Sourojit Ghosh, Cecilia Aragon

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Why is there greater gender parity for long-haul truck drivers, astronauts, and paleontologists than for women airline captains? This study uses a mixed-methods approach to examine the underlying causes of the gender imbalance in the United States aviation industry, in which only 3.6% of airline captains are women. Two polls and one survey gather data from professional pilots (N=1093) on their experience with stereotyping, gender bias, and allyship. Direct comments were analyzed to shed light on the results of the survey. Results suggest that, contrary to prevailing perceptions, the persistent gender imbalance in the flight deck can largely be attributed …

Exploring Communication Gaps In Pakistani Desi Families: A Comparative Analysis Of Joint And Nuclear Settings And How The Existence Of A Communication Gap Impacts The Emotional Wellbeing Of Members In Either Settings, Maria Rehman

SSLA Culminating Experience

This qualitative research explores the existence and impact of communication gaps in Pakistani, desi families and compares joint and nuclear family systems by delving into the nuances of family dynamics. It explores how the presence of a communication gap impacts the emotional well-being of family members. It was aimed to uncover the manifestations of communication gaps, the comparison of that between joint and nuclear families, and how it has an emotional, psychological effect on family members. A sample of six young women were recruited and divided into two groups based on the family they belonged to i.e., joint or nuclear. …