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Predictors Of Postdeployment Distress In Female Veterans, Shalonda C. Griffin

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The female veteran population is expected to increase over the next few decades, representing approximately 16.3% of the living population by the year 2042. Although research exists in regard to the entire veteran population, research relating to female veterans is lacking. The purpose of this study was (a) to identify factors associated and predictive of postdeployment distress and (b) to identify and explore stressors specific to female veterans’ experiences once they separate from the military. Findings from the study revealed significant relationships between the predictive factors (i.e., Life Events, Support, and Family Experiences) and criterion variables (i.e., Perceived Stress and …

When Worlds Collide: An Intersectional Approach To Understanding The Relationship Experiences Of Bisexual-Identifying Asian Men With Same And Different Gender Partners, Cheryl Kwok

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

The relationship experiences of bisexual-identifying men of color have been neglected in psychological studies of race, gender, and sexuality. Few studies, if any, have examined the relationship experiences of Asian bisexual men, even though this population’s multiple marginalized and stigmatized social identities increase their health risks (Bryant-Davis, 2007; Carter, 2007; Ching et al., 2018). Bisexuality is commonly defined by an individual’s intimate partner attraction and/or behavior (e.g., Swan & Habibi, 2018), making relationship experiences fundamental to bisexual identity. More generally, intimate relationships can contribute to and/or pose challenges to psychological well-being (Feinstein, et al., 2016; Whitton et al., 2018), yet …

Motivation To Persevere Among Nontraditional Black Online College Students, Alice Ginwright Sapp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is limited research on grit among nontraditional online adult learners, especially focusing on male and female Black college students who are adult online learners, including those who are older than 40. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental study was to examine possible between-group differences in motivation to persevere, as defined by grit, among nontraditional-age Black online college students. The theoretical framework for this study was life-span development theory and the grit motivational factor model. A sample of 138 Black male and female online, nontraditional-age college students completed an online survey. Demographic information was collected, and scores from the Short …

The Lived Experience Of Black Women With Weight Loss And Counseling Post Bariatric Surgery, Cynthia Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractStudies have shown that bariatric surgery can assist obese individuals to both lose a significant amount of weight rapidly and improve or resolve health comorbidities associated with obesity. This weight loss, however, can be considerably less for the obese Black woman. While reasons for this difference appears multifactorial entailing dietary, genetics, and environmental factors, limited research concerning the lived experiences of obese or formerly obese Black women with weight loss and post bariatric counseling have been conducted. The primary objective of this interpretative phenomenological study was to increase the understanding of the lived experiences of obese or formerly obese Black …

Perceptions Of Child Sexual Offending Cases Involving Biological Kinship And Victim Age, Carmen Lorraine Neufeld

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child sexual offenders are commonly viewed as some of the worst offenders within North American society, often eliciting responses such as fear, disgust, and moral indignation. The purpose of this quantitative study was to test evolutionary theory’s notion of inclusive fitness by exploring how the relationship between child sexual offenders and victims, as well as victim age affects the public’s emotional responses including fear and aversion. In addition to affective responses, opinions regarding crime severity and length of sentence were also examined. Using a quantitative between-person experimental vignette design, 200 participants were randomly assigned a child sexual abuse case with …

Psychological Effects Of Testosterone Replacement Therapy For Secondary Hypogonadism, Minerva Spurlock

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hypogonadism negatively impacts various psychological aspects of a male’s life. Males under the age of 50 who experience symptoms of depression or a decreased sense of well-being may not be aware that secondary hypogonadism might be the underlying cause. A gap exists in the literature regarding the psychological effects of testosterone replacement therapy used to treat hypogonadism. The current research project was framed by Engel’s biopsychosocial theory, which encompasses the biological, psychological, and social aspects of a client’s life. The research objective was to determine the relationship between testosterone replacement therapy and the psychological effects of depression and quality of …

Examining Crying Frequency And Duration In African American Women Dealing With Racism, Anika Fonson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The research concerning adult crying is limited, and no studies have been conducted using African American women. The purpose of this quantitative non-experimental study was to explore if crying acts as a coping mechanism for African American women faced with racism and if crying is related to positive mental health outcomes. Past research has indicated that women experiencing racism may seek out support as described by the tend and befriend theory. Crying has been described as a form of release when people are in positions in which they find it hard to cope. A sample of 140 African American women …

Left Behind: Intersectional Stigma Experiences Of African American College Women With Adhd, Angela Lynnette Anderson-Elahi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American college women with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can experience intersectional stigmas based on race, gender, and learning disability. Intersectional stigmas affect African American college women in self-esteem, social acceptance, and academic progress. The scholarly community has not published literature regarding intersectional stigma experienced by African American college women with ADHD. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of African American college women who had encountered intersectional stigma based on race, gender, and ADHD. Goffman’s social stigma theory and Crenshaw’s intersectional stigma theory served as the theoretical and conceptual frameworks to explore how African …

Educational Attainment And Growth Among Individuals With Absent Fathers, Angelica Yolanda Barrera

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are more than 20 million children who are growing up in a fatherless home. It is understood that this population is more likely to experience a variety of intrapersonal and interpersonal issues when compared to children who grow up in a home with both parents. These issues include being twice as likely to drop out of school. Although few of these individuals pursue a higher education, very little understanding of the underlying variables that contribute to such education-seeking behaviors is available for this population. Guided by the theory of positive disintegration and the posttraumatic growth conceptual model, the purpose …

Stressors Of Single Fatherhood In California, Dr. Kenneth Jones, Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This grounded theory study aimed to address the lack of awareness and resources available for single custodial fathers to address stressors in caring for their children. The findings of this qualitative study were derived from electronic correspondence and semi-structured individual interviews with 16 single primary custodial fathers residing in the state of California. The data were analyzed inductively following Percy et al.’s step-by-step process, which generated the following overarching themes: (a) societal stressors, (b) the aftermath of separation from child’s mother, (c) the reason for separation from child’s mother, (d) hands-on work in raising a child and accomplishing chores, (e) …

Exploring Motivation To Adhere Among Crossfit Exercise Participants, Lauren Elizabeth Falgout

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lack of exercise and obesity are prominent social problems in the U.S. population. Therefore, understanding the experiences that promote or hinder motivation and exercise adherence is important. A total of 15 adult participants who engaged in CrossFit for a minimum of 6 months were recruited for this generic qualitative study using purposeful sampling methods. They responded to an invitation on a social media page for CrossFit participants. They shared their exercise adherence experiences and motivation through semi-structured qualitative interviews. Trustworthiness procedures included reflexive journaling, and member checking. Data analysis proceeded from transcript reading to working with broad themes and phrases …

Phenomenological Study Of Parental Perceptions Regarding Components Of Early Home Reading, Shakiba Amini Mobaraki

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMany children struggle with developing their reading skills at the point of starting formal elementary school. Parents contribute to their children’s literacy development through early home reading engagement aimed at improving their children’s reading skills. Parental styles of literacy interactions are associated with their beliefs and perceptions regarding literacy development of children. Therefore, there was a need to understand parental perceptions regarding (a) the importance of child’s readiness for reading interactions, (b) the quality of parent-child reading activities, and (c) the importance of parental preferences regarding specific reading materials. The research questions focused on parents’ lived experiences regarding the values …

Parents' Perceptions Of And Reactions To Their Child's Intergroup Marriage, Theresa Aikens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have found that parental support and acceptance are integral to the success of interracial romantic relationships (IRRs) and well-being of interracial romantic relationship participants (IRRPs). Research on couples involved in IRRs is prevalent, but researchers neglected to include the perspectives of the parents of the IRRPs. The lived experiences of parents of adult children involved in Black-White IRRs and their perceptions of societal reactions to the IRR were explored to better understand the mechanisms behind parental support or disapproval of IRRs. Bronfenbrenner's PPCT model of bioecological theory allowed for a focus on a parent's development within the parent-child relationship …

Perceptions Of Effectiveness Of Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing Treatment Intervention From Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence, Laurinda Cumming

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a national health care problem. This violence affects 10 million people on average in the United States every year. This research focused on the treatment resistance for PTSD, a severe and disabling condition. This qualitative descriptive study provided a purposeful sampling of female survivors’ lived experiences and perceived effectiveness of EMDR in treating PTSD symptoms as a result of IPV. Study participants were 7 females, 18 years or older, residing in the Southwestern United States. The theoretical framework of the self-efficacy model was used to look at how posttraumatic symptoms can be so severe from …

Relationship Between Perceived Social Support, Phase Of Program, And General Health In Phd Ces Students, Sara Moubayed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Counselor education and supervision (CES) doctoral students face various challenges throughout their doctoral journey. A quantitative, correlational study was conducted to determine if there is a predictive relationship between the independent variables of perceived social support and phase of program (core courses, internship, or dissertation) and dependent variables general health, somatic symptoms, anxiety/insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression in PhD CES students (N = 73). The goal of the study was to contribute to a greater understanding of the general health of CES PhD students. Self-Determination theory and basic psychological need theory were applied as the theoretical framework of this …

Striving For Homeostasis: Balancing The Inclusion Of Students With An Emotional/Behavioral Disorder, Rob Mcgarva

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social justice advocates have championed inclusive education, leading to its adoption in many jurisdictions. Despite policy changes designed to support learners with disabilities and research on inclusive education, students with an emotional/behavioral disorder (EBD) experience significantly poorer outcomes than their peers. Teachers often describe including this group of students as impossible and attempts to achieve inclusion often result in extreme stress. Research has identified proven inclusion strategies, but there are often problems with implementation in real-world settings. There is a research gap concerning how teachers understand and select interventions. Classic grounded theory methodology was used to identify the primary concern …

Attitudes And Opinions About Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing In Undergraduate Science Students, Morgan N. Driver, Sally I-Chun Kuo, Olivia Nayeri, Chloe J. Walker, Chelsea Derlan Willians, Tricia Smith, Amy E. Adkins, Danielle M. Dick

Graduate Research Posters

Background: There has been exponential growth in the number of direct-to-consumer genetic testing kits sold in the past decade. Consumers utilize direct-to-consumer genetic tests for a number of reasons which include learning about one’s ancestry and potential ways to manage health. Emerging adults tend to be early adopters of new technologies; however, there has been little research regarding the opinions about direct-to-consumer genetic testing in emerging adults.

Methods: Data came from a study conducted in an upper-level biology course focusing on understanding undergraduate science students’ overall experiences with receiving personalized genetic testing results from 23andMe. The present study used data …

Impact Of 9/11-Induced Adverse Experiences On The Mental Health Of Latino Americans And The Role Of Religious Service Attendance, Soyoung Kwon, Yongsok Kim, Jiyoung Moon Dr.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Much research has documented the mental health consequences of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; however, little is known about how the 9/11 attacks affect the mental health of Latino Americans. This study uses a nationally representative sample of Latino Americans (N = 2,346) from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS) to examine the relationships between 9/11-induced negative life experiences and mental disorders. The former includes losing a job, reducing family income, feeling less safe and secure, discrimination, loss of optimism, and inability to cope with things. For the latter, mental disorders may exhibit as psychological distress, …

The Occupational Depression Inventory—A Solution For Estimating The Prevalence Of Job-Related Distress, Renzo Bianchi, Irvin Sam Schonfeld

Publications and Research

We are concerned about researchers’ reliance on the burnout construct and the MBI-GS to estimate the prevalence of job-related distress. In this paper, we first describe some of the problems plaguing the burnout construct and its measures. Then, we present the Occupational Depression Inventory, a new instrument designed to help occupational health specialists get a clearer view of the mental health status of the workforce (Bianchi and Schonfeld, 2020).

Psychology Of Adolescence, Brent Maximin

Open Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

Needs Of Foster Parents, Emma Friemel, Amanda Terrell, Jennifer Becnel, Michael Merten

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Children in foster care are likely to have experienced some form of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). These ACEs can leave them vulnerable when faced with difficult future situations. There are several studies that examine the resiliency of children in foster care, but few examine foster children’s resiliency from the perspective of the child’s foster parents. The Oklahoma State University Center for Family Resilience administered a survey to 316 prospective, current, and former foster parents regarding their experiences with the foster care system. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis to determine themes based on Masten’s resiliency theory. Themes were coded …

Stereotypes And Disparate Criminal Sentencing Of Native Hawaiians, Kawaiuluhonua Scanlan

Scripps Senior Theses

This thesis consists of two studies that attempt to understand the stereotypes and disparate treatment of Native Hawaiians within the criminal justice system, for which existing research is limited. In Study 1, participants (n = 154) selected adjectives that they believed to be stereotypes of Native Hawaiians, as well as of American Indians and Black Americans. It was hypothesized that because the groups have similar histories of colonization and oppression, they may also consequently share stereotypes of criminality and inferiority, with the exception that Native Hawaiians would be uniquely marked as friendly and welcoming because of the tourism industry. Results …

Impact Of Adverse Childhood Events On The Psychosocial Functioning Of Children Affected By Parental Hiv In Rural China, Jordan Ezell, Sayward Harrison, Yanping Jiang, Xiaoming Li

Faculty Publications

Introduction: Children affected by parental HIV are more likely than unaffected peers to experience trauma and are at-risk for negative psychological and social outcomes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between adverse childhood events and psychosocial functioning among children affected by parental HIV.

Methods: A total of 790 children ages 6–17 from Henan, China were enrolled in a longitudinal, randomized controlled trial of a resilience-based psychosocial intervention. At baseline, children reported on numerous psychosocial factors, including trauma exposure, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and peer social functioning. We used linear regression analysis to test the direct effect of trauma …

An Examination Of The Impacts Of Childhood Trauma On Healthy Intimate Relationships In College-Aged African Americans, Broquelynn D. Shepard

Theses and Dissertations

For African Americans, the dynamics of relationships are rooted in childhood experiences of unconditional love, restraint, and respect. These experiences help individuals form their understanding of how relationships function. Experiencing healthy relationships has an enduring impact on social development and interpersonal relationships. However, regarding studies on childhood trauma and intimate relationships, there is insufficient literature that includes African American samples as the primary foci of the research. Due to gaps in extant literature, the present study aims to explore whether experiences of healthy intimate relationship in African Americans are associated with childhood trauma (neglect, emotional, sexual, and physical abuse). Using …

Maternal Autonomy Support And Children’S Social Competencies, Academic Skills, And Persistence: Social Determinants And Mediation, Chang Su-Russell, Luke Russell

Faculty Publications - Family and Consumer Sciences

Drawing on self-determination theory, family stress theory, and the social determinants of health framework, the current study sought to evaluate direct and indirect relationships among socioeconomic status (maternal education and income), parenting stress, autonomy supportive parenting behavior, and children’s positive outcomes (e.g., social competences, academic skills, and persistence) using a racially diverse sample from low-income backgrounds. Using data on 2,233 children collected at birth (T1), age 5 (T2) and age 9 (T3) as part of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study, a structural equation model was tested in MPlus. Associations among main constructs were tested in a single structural …

News On Social Media, Rwa, And Anti-Asian Sentiment During Covid-19 Pandemic, Hang Duong

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examined the relationship between exposure to COVID-19 fake news, right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), sociodemographic factors (i.e., race, biological sex), and xenophobia along with anti-Asian sentiment during the pandemic. Participants included 133 female and male college students. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) exposed to COVID-19 fake news, (2) exposed to real news related to COVID-19 news, and (3) no news exposure. All participants from three groups were then asked to complete a series of measures regarding their attitudes toward Asian Americans and xenophobia. Participants levels of RWA and sociodemographic variables of race and biological sex …

Temperamental Constellations And School Readiness: A Multivariate Approach, Andrew S. White, Kate M. Sirota, Scott R. Frohn, Sarah E. Swenson, Kathleen Moritz Rudasill

Department of Educational Psychology: Faculty Publications

This study uses canonical correlation analyses to explore the relationship between mul- tiple predictors of school readiness (i.e., academic readiness, social readiness, and teacher-child relationship) and multiple temperamental traits using data from the second wave (age 54 months, n = 1226) of the longitudinal Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD; NICHD ECCRN 1993). This longitudinal study collected data on a large cohort of children and their families from birth through age 15. For academic readiness, only one temperamental constellation emerged, representing the construct of effortful control (i.e., high attentional focusing, high inhibitory con- trol). For peer interactions, …

Informal Caregivers’ Well-Being At The Transition To Caregiving, Natalie A. Williams, Holly Hatton-Bowers, Kara Kohel, Shruti Pillai, Judith M. Burnfield

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

The aim of this study was to describe the psychological and physical health needs of informal caregivers in a rehabilitation hospital and explore differences related to informal caregiver and care recipient characteristics. Readiness to engage in health promotion and perspectives on mindfulness meditation were assessed. Informal caregivers (N = 33) to patients receiving inpatient or outpatient treatment completed the Multidimensional Health Profile screening tools. Readiness to change was assessed using the readiness ruler approach. Almost half of participants (45.5%) had a chronic illness and 18.2% reported that it interferes with daily functioning. Low Positive Health Habits were reported by …

Exploring The Relationship Of Gender, Covid-19-Related Stress And Autobiographical Memory, Mirelle Kass

Behavioral Neuroscience Honors Papers

The Coronavirus (COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2) pandemic erupted in March 2020 and significantly disrupted the daily lives of all individuals. The limited number of COVID-19 research studies have focused on psychological distress in general adult populations or in essential workers, but its effects on Autobiographical Memory (AM), the collection of personal memories that aid in the formation of one’s goals and identities, have not yet been explored. The current study contributes important discoveries to the growing body of literature through its exploration of the intersection of COVID-19-related stress, AM performance, and sex assigned at birth in undergraduate college students. Results suggest that …

Designing, Delivering And Evaluating Resilience Programs In Post-Secondary Institutions In Times Of Covid-19: Ten Key Considerations, T. Rashid, Jane Gillham, S. Leventhal, Z. Zarowsky, H. Ashraf

Psychology Faculty Works

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread and unprecedented disruptions in how we work, socialize, play, access health care and attain education. In higher education, the impact of these changes will be felt unevenly. Students from marginalized, racialized, and culturally diverse backgrounds, mirroring the realities of society, will likely bear the brunt. To deal with these challenges, resilience is the key. However, the bulk of resilience interventions are Eurocentric and fail to capture young adults’ socio-cultural and economic realities, especially in post-secondary and higher educational settings. This chapter discusses key considerations in devising, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of resilience programs …