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Attachment, Identity Processing Style, And Emotion Regulation Among Emerging Adults, Kaitlyn M. Daleandro

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study explores the relationships among parent, peer, and romantic attachment, identity processing style, and emotion regulation. Previous studies have revealed potential associations among each of the aforementioned factors (e.g., between identity and attachment as well as between attachment and emotion regulation), but this is the first study to examine the three factors together, putting emphasis on romantic attachment. It was predicted that attachment will vary depending on the interaction between identity processing style and emotion regulation. College students (N= 390) in psychology courses participated in an anonymous online survey for course credit. Parent attachment was significantly predicted …

Investigating Anxiety-Like Behavior As A Non-Motor Side Effect Of Deep Brain Stimulation Of The Subthalamic Nucleus In A Parkinsonian Rat Model, Carter Mulder

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is estimated to impact nearly 10 million people globally and is estimated to increase in the future. PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that worsens through continuous cell death of dopaminergic neurons. This cell death can create motor symptoms such as bradykinesia, tremor, and muscular rigidity. Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation, STN DBS, is a surgical intervention which places stimulating electrodes in the STN greatly improving motor symptoms. However, STN DBS has been reported to possibly influence non-motor symptoms such as anxiety both acutely and long-term, which decreases the quality of life for those with PD. We …

Childhood Interpersonal Trauma And Disordered Eating; The Mediating Role Of Social Information Processing Deficits, Deviated Pubertal Timing, And Emotion, Cazzie Es Steinzor

Dissertations and Theses

Childhood maltreatment has been identified as a risk factor for psychopathology, including disordered eating. The current study tested a transdiagnostic theoretical model, posited by McLaughlin and colleagues (2020), that integrates difficulties with emotions, perceived deviation in pubertal timing, and social information processing deficits to explain the relationship between childhood maltreatment exposure and the development of a range of psychopathology. Specifically, the current study incorporated the aforementioned mechanisms to explain the relationship of child maltreatment with disordered eating. While research supports associations between the aforementioned variables, it is unclear if these three mechanisms better explain the relationship between exposure to childhood …

The Personality Assessment Inventory Short Form: A Closer Look In A Forensic Sample, Abigail Dotson

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) is a well-known self-report measure that aids in treatment planning and evaluation outcomes. The PAI short-form (PAI-SF) consists of the first 160 items from the full-form’s 344 items. The current study examined extra-test relationships/ correlates of the PAI-SF interpersonal scales dominance (DOM) and warmth (WRM), as well as internal correlations between the treatment rejection scale (RXR) and the warmth scale in a forensic sample. Data were collected from archival evaluations, from a private practice, of adults ages 18-69 years old. Two independent T-test analyses were conducted to determine the mean difference between violent-offense-charged and nonviolent-offense-charged …

The Role Of Rumination In Predicting Sleep Quality, Christina Harper

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown links between rumination and sleep quality, giving some evidence to coping mechanisms such as mindfulness and alcohol use that may affect rumination and sleep quality (Crain et al., 2017; Lydon et al., 2016). This study aimed to explore how rumination, mindfulness, alcohol use, and alcohol-related consequences contribute to sleep quality. Specifically, this study hypothesized that rumination, mindfulness, and alcohol use would predict sleep quality. Additionally, this study hypothesized that alcohol use, mindfulness, and alcohol related consequences would moderate the relationship between rumination and sleep quality. Participants completed the study online and were recruited from both a university …

Successful Failure: Leveraging Mindfulness And Growth-Oriented Reframing To Build Undergraduate Research Resilience, Sara G. Goodman, Melissa M. Goodwin, Noveera T. Ahmed, Kristin F. Picardo, Michelle Erklenz-Watts

Psychology Faculty/Staff Publications

This chapter shines the light on how helping students re-perceive their experiences with failure allows them to boost confidence, well-being, and belongingness. The authors share a practice for re-perceiving failure—mindfulness-metacognition-mindset shift—which is applicable in nearly every situation where failure or difficulty can be encountered. Guidance is provided for implementing this practice within and beyond research settings.

Peer-Induced Cocaine Seeking In Rats: Comparison To Nonsocial Stimuli And Role Of Paraventricular Hypothalamic Oxytocin Neurons, Lindsey R. Hammerslag, Bree A. Humburg, Samantha G. Malone, Joshua S. Beckmann, Kathryn E. Saatman, Valery Grinevich, Michael T. Bardo

Psychology Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine if social vs nonsocial cues (peer vs light/ tone) can serve as discriminative stimuli to reinstate cocaine seeking. In addition, to assess a potential mechanism, an oxytocin (OT) promoter-linked hM3Dq DREADD was infused into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus to determine whether peer-induced cocaine seeking is decreased by activation of OT neurons. Male rats underwent twice-daily self-administration sessions, once with cocaine in the presence of one peer (S+) and once with saline in the presence of a different peer (S-). Another experiment used similar procedures, except the discriminative stimuli were nonsocial …

Recovery In Ten: An Inclusive Model Of Recovery For Rising Generations, Sydney Alexandra Camargo

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

For decades, the 12-step model has been the go-to for substance use treatment. Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous have given individuals in recovery the space to recover and reclaim their lives. However, research has shown this recovery to be directly influenced by the individual’s religion and his or her reliance on a higher power. For those who subscribe to a religion outside of Christianity, or have no religious backing at all, 12-step program can be disadvantageous. The lack of true inclusivity, as well as the verbal degradation of one’s self, has turned many away from this method. For those who …

Parent-Prompted Dysregulation: Do Parents Serve As Cues For Dysregulation In Some Children?, Daniel Lee

Pitzer Senior Theses

Children occasionally encounter dysregulation when interacting with their parents in relatively neutral or positive scenarios. Given that the cause of dysregulation is usually relational, meaning it is often cued by someone who is seen to have power or control over the person, children could be particularly susceptible to dysregulation in the presence of their parents. However, when examining the existing literature, there appeared to be a lack of research and knowledge concerning this topic, with much of the literature focusing on the effect of child stressors on parental dysregulation. As a result, the term parent-prompted dysregulation was developed to refer …

Characterizing Cellular Stress, Hippocampal Function, And Behavior In A Novel Rat Model Of Alzheimer's Disease, Anne A. Schulman

Honors Theses

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects over 5 million individuals in the United States alone. While AD is primarily thought of as a disease that destroys neural networks required for memory recall and formation, AD also cause impairment in emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, and executive function pathways. The cause of AD is unknown; however, the allele ApoE4 has been identified as a risk factor for the onset of AD. ApoE4 provides a valuable opportunity to study AD through animal models. This thesis utilized a human ApoE4 transgenic rat model (hApoE4) to investigate the biological and behavioral …

Double Trouble: The Development And Use Of A Novel Spatial Memory Task To Study Depression In A Female Rodent Model, Ekaterina L. Koelliker

Honors Theses

Preclinical rodent models of depression are important for improving our understanding of the behavioral and neurobiological implications of the disorder. However, the current behavioral assays used to assess depressive symptoms in rodents have substantial shortcomings; they are basic, test animals individually, and do not evaluate animals for extended periods. The primary goals of the present study, which was divided into two experiments, were to develop a novel task that could be used to study spatial memory and to apply the task to rodent models of depression. Both experiments used a circular arena with 10 identical jars to analyze the spatial …

Does Social Support Mediate The Relationship Between Locus Of Control And Activity Levels?, Leah L. Oglesby

Masters Theses

The aim of the present study is to examine the mediating effect of social support on the relationship between internal locus of control (LOC) and engagement in activity, treating general physical activity and deliberate exercise as specific and separate domains. Two models will be investigated: a domain-general model and an exercise-specific model, the former examining the mediating effect of general social support on the relationship between health locus of control and general physical activity and the latter examining the mediating effect of exercise-specific social support on the relationship between exercise LOC and deliberate exercise engagement. Survey responses from 279 college-aged …

Racism Experiences And Mental Health: An Examination Of Direct, Vicarious, And Appropriated Racism Experiences On Mental Health Symptom Expression, Christina Barnett

Theses and Dissertations

The current study aimed to corroborate existing models of racism-related experiences by creating an explanatory model that operationalized direct, vicarious, and appropriated racism experiences. This study explored whether the factors of direct and vicarious racism experiences influenced mental health outcomes via appropriated racism experiences in a sample of Black women. This association was not present. However, results showed a positive association between vicarious and direct racism experiences, as well as predictive relations between direct and vicarious racism experiences and depression and trauma symptoms. Results, limitations, implications, and recommendations for future research are included.

Keywords: vicarious racism, appropriated racism, direct racism, …

The Effects Of Online Anti-Bias Training On In-Service Educator Multicultural Competence, Kaeli O'Donnell

Masters Theses

The student population in the United States is becoming increasingly diverse, while the teaching base remains primarily white and female. One skill that helps educators form connections with students and decrease their biases is cultural competence. Thus, educators are often encouraged (and at times required) to participate in professional development training to increase their knowledge in this area. Although previous research has examined educator benefits from professional development trainings in general, and from trainings related to cultural competence, there is limited research into the benefit of online trainings intended to increase educator cultural competence. In this study, 17 educators completed …

Lending A Paw: Does The Presence Of A Dog Increase Donations Given To Homeless Individuals?, Katherine Link

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Prosocial behavior can be defined as any behavior that results in the benefit of another individual (Coyne et al., 2018). This study sought to investigate potential influences on the prosocial behavior of donating to the homeless. With a rise in both homelessness and dog ownership, this project sought to investigate how the presence of a dog may impact both the willingness to donate and monetary amount donated to a homeless individual. Results indicated a significant three-way interaction between the sex of the homeless individual, the sex of the participant, and the presence of a dog. Overall, the presence of a …

Barriers To Mental Health Service Use And Preferred Treatment Format Among Racial And Ethnic Minorities, Jasmine Maxwell

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

One of the most pressing concerns in mental healthcare is the limited use of mental health services across the country. Research has indicated that individuals from racial/ethnic minority groups are significantly less likely to seek mental health services, which has led many to examine specific barriers to treatment-seeking. Given research that has suggested that barriers to treatment-seeking may be structural, attitudinal, or cultural in nature, this study aimed to gain a better understanding of the relationship between these barriers and willingness to seek psychological help. Another goal of the current study was to examine the role of online therapy in …

The Effect Of Intellectual Disability On The Perception Of The Validity Of Confessions, Audree Carner

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Research shows that false confessions are more likely to occur in certain vulnerable populations, one of those being individuals with intellectual disabilities. The aim of the current study was to gain insight into the current knowledge and attitudes the layperson has about the possibility of an individual with an intellectual disability falsely confessing. Data were collected from 180 participants and after exclusion criteria were implemented, 94 participants were included in the current sample. It was hypothesized that participants would more often rate suspects as guilty and be more confident in their verdict if the suspect did not have an intellectual …

Turning The Tides: An Inoculation Theory And Theory Of Planned Behavior Approach To Developing Mental Health Help-Seeking Interventions For Gen Z, Sarah Ann Geegan

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

Extensive research, predating and during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrates the rising prevalence of anxiety and depression among Gen Z college students in the United States—findings which are accompanied by rising rates of suicide, the second leading cause of death among people aged 15-24. Although college campuses often offer mental health resources, the number of college students utilizing them is significantly less than the number of students reporting mental health challenges. A dearth of empirical evidence, focused on Gen Z specifically, exists as a basis for developing interventions to address this issue. This investigation addressed this gap through two component studies. …

A Content Analysis Of Reddit Comments Discussing Fibroadenoma Appraisal And Decision Making, Hayley Marie Kay Stahl

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

Though fibroadenomas are clinically benign in most cases, clinical research suggests that these lesions can cause diagnosis-related physical health complications and psychological distress. However, this research is limited and should be investigated further. Thus, this study aimed to explore how patients appraise their fibroadenoma diagnosis uncertainty. Additionally, this study sought to determine if a correlation existed between appraisal and decision making as well as identify the factors that influence the most common treatment decision: removal. Data was retrieved from Reddit discussions for a content analysis. These discussions were then qualitatively analyzed using codebooks associated with this study’s research questions. Findings …

An Analysis Of The Effectiveness And Impact Of The Provision Of Mindfulness, Emotional Intelligence And Work Readiness Modules To Irish Third Level Students, Wyndham Chalmers

Other Resources

Recently, there has been an emphasis on social-emotional learning (SEL) in educational settings and the role this may play in an individuals’ later life outcomes as well as their ability to manage stress and express and manage emotion in adaptive ways (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), 2020). Recent research also supports a positive correlation between emotional intelligence (EI) and the development of interpersonal skills, academic attainment, memory and problem-solving skills (Boyatzis & Saatcioglu, 2008). Further research emphasises the role of emotional competencies in sustaining employment and placement in higher education (Carthy et al., 2013; Murphy, 2015). As …

The Roles Of Set Size And Nonexample Type On Concept Formation, Catherine L. Williams, Claire C. St. Peter, Madeleine J. Murphy

Graduate Student Scholarship

Concept formation is demonstrated when a learner responds when new examples are presented (i.e., generalization) but not when new nonexamples are presented (i.e., discrimination). Gradually increasing the number of examples and nonexamples taught together (i.e., set-size expansion) promotes concept formation with nonhumans. Although set size impacts speed of acquisition with humans, concept formation has not been evaluated. Therefore, the primary purpose of the current study was to compare acquisition and concept formation during two procedures: set-size expansion and single set-size. College students were taught two biological concepts, one using set-size expansion and the other with the full …

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Bystanders And Upstanders During A Bullying Episode, Dr James Torino

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

School-age bullying is a social problem negatively affecting more than 11% of the student body in the United States alone. The purpose of this study was to develop a better understanding of the lived experiences of bystanders, who witness a bullying event but do not intervene, and upstanders, who witness the event and intervene on behalf of the victim. To answer to the research question addressing the purpose of this qualitative study, 10 individuals between the ages of 18–20 years old who self-identified as both a bystander and an upstander during a bullying episode were interviewed using the lens of …

Effects Of Superflex Curriculum On Social Skills Of Children With Autism, Charli Elaine Doyle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is considered an applied science under the umbrella of behavior analysis and was accepted into the mainstream science in the mid-1900s. An increase in the prevalence of autism gave rise to the need for evidence-based social skills curricula. Previous research indicated many children respond well to video modeling and positive reinforcement. However, literature on social curricula for children aged 7 to 10 years in a clinical setting versus a school setting was limited. The purpose of this quantitative study with a single-subject design was to examine the effectiveness of Superflex, a superhero social thinking curriculum, on …

Providers’ Perceptions Of Chiropractic Care In Treatment Of Opioid Addiction, Rebekah Jan Khan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Fifteen hundred people in the United States die each week from opioid-related overdoses. In addition, the U.S. court system has been inundated with individuals facing legal proceedings, with opioid addiction, impacted competency, and recidivism. There has been a call for alternatives to address the crisis. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of (addiction) providers regarding chiropractic treatment in the management of opioid addiction. The health belief theory was used to guide the study. Interview data were collected from six participants via Zoom or phone. Thematic analysis resulted in four emergent themes: lack of knowledge of …

Qualitative Exploration Of The Impact Of Bed Bug Infestation In Rural Settings, Dorota Anna Krotkiewicz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractBed bugs have been common household insects for centuries and are a challenge to eradicate, but the extent to which bed bug infestations psychologically impact individuals and families is largely uninvestigated. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experiences of families in rural areas in Nevada who had experienced bed bug infestations. The transactional model of stress and coping was used as a framework for this research. Participants were recruited using posters placed in public areas, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants to gather data. Major and minor themes and meanings were derived from …

A Self-Analysis Point Sheet For Classroom Mediation With Disruptive Graduating Seniors, Teresia R. Gridiron

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers and educators recognize the need for an effective in-class mediator to avoid the removal of students from class, to accomplish and achieve positive academic and social change by eliminating classroom disruption. The purpose of this research study was to address this need by examining a classroom mediation using a self-analysis point sheet for disruptive, graduating seniors. The specific focus of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to examine the real-life classroom experience from the perspective of senior high school students as it relates to immediate classroom discipline via a self-analysis point sheet. The main question examined how students experience the …

Nonparent-Friendly Work Climate & Parental Role Value: An Updated Approach To Understanding Nonparent Work Experiences, Andrew Lutz

Wayne State University Dissertations

First, the present study entails a theoretically guided examination of relationships between nonparent-friendly organizational climate (NPFC) and important outcomes among nonparent workers. Second, the present study explores the role of social-identity theory in understanding nonparent work experiences by examining and comparing the function (i.e., moderation effect sizes) of parental role values and parental expectations (i.e., childfree status) on relationships between NPFC and outcomes including affective commitment. Third, the present study compares the relevance of NPFC and singles-friendly culture in the prediction of outcomes among nonparent workers. Lastly, the present study examines the potential role of intersectionality of nonparental role and …

Influencing Iot Device User Privacy Behaviors: An Empirical Study, Maria Chaparro Osman, Tricia Prior, Summer Rebensky, Andrew Nakushian, Meredith Carroll

Aeronautics Faculty Publications

The prevalence of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is increasing in both volume and variety (Fagan, Megas, Scarfone, & Smith, 2019). Therefore, ensuring users take appropriate measures to protect their privacy is important to guarantee their safety expectations are met. Unfortunately, device users are generally unaware of how devices work and therefore how to properly set up their device’s privacy features (Olmstead & Smith, 2017). The present study evaluated two interventions designed to address these needs. First, in an attempt to increase access and understanding of the terms and conditions by users, a Terms and Conditions Guru was designed that …

A Technology-Based, Mixed Methods Approach To Examining The Psychosocial Determinants Of Maternal Health Disparities, Hannah M. Ming

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Exposure to racism and discrimination in the U.S. increases Black women’s risk for experiencing maternal health disparities. Additionally, racism and discrimination affect maternal psychosocial well-being, creating evidence for a biopsychosocial relationship between racism and maternal health outcomes. However, current research does not define the psychosocial Black maternal self well. Given the dynamic relationship between racism, psychosocial well-being, and Black maternal health outcomes, research must comprehensively examine the Black maternal self. The operationalization of a comprehensive construct for Black maternal psychosocial well-being can improve understanding of the relationship between racism, psychosocial well-being, and Black maternal health outcomes.

Purpose: …

Socioeconomic Status, Gender, And Diet, Alexander Dean Bracken

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Health outcomes like morbidities and death relate to socioeconomic status (SES), or the power and prestige related to social classes. Many of such outcomes can also be attributed to diet, which SES and gender have been related to. The current study sought to discover factors relevant to dietary behaviors like ground meat preference and motives like the importance of food price, nutrition, naturalness, and convenience. Does SES predict a preference for ground turkey; the importance of food price; nutrition; and naturalness? Does gender predict the importance of food nutrition, naturalness, or convenience? A survey measured participants’ levels of education and …