Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Psychological Traits And Feedback Strategies In Physical Therapy Providers Learning Acceptance And Commitment Therapy, Dustin Cox

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Providing treatment interventions to clients with chronic pain is a complex task for any professional. Research suggests that clients with chronic pain experience declines in physical, emotional, and psychological quality of life. Client’s that have chronic pain have complex effects from dealing with this condition in their lives. Clients with chronic pain (i.e., pain lasting > three months) process pain through the emotional and reward circuitry in the brain which is different than client with acute pain. The literature base provides evidence that clients with chronic pain who receive psychologically based interventions along with physical rehabilitation have better outcomes than individuals …

From Pathology To Ecology: Rethinking Student Well-Being Through Consciousness-Centered Education, Molly Beauregard

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This article revisits a five-year mixed-methods study conducted from 2012 to 2018, involving 207 student participants (n = 207), of an undergraduate sociology course—Consciousness, Creativity, and Identity—that integrated group meditation and mindfulness into a standard curriculum. Earlier analyses interpreted positive outcomes primarily as reductions in stress and improvements in attention among students. This paper reconsiders that interpretation, arguing that such a framing risks locating dysfunction within students rather than the social and cultural environments they inhabit.

Drawing on an ecological perspective, the study reexamines survey, reflection, and interview data documenting changes, not only in affect and attention, …

Examining The Impact Of A Positive Psychology Service-Learning Experience On Undergraduates’ Mental Health And Career Intentions, Cydney E. Williams

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Universities currently face a growing public health concern regarding college students’ mental health and well-being (Hobbs et al., 2022; Sheldon et al., 2021). Given this, research has explored experiences that are advantageous for students’ overall well-being, including courses on positive psychology and service-learning experiences that may promote flourishing (Hobbs et al., 2022; Maples et al., 2022). Service-learning is also well situated to support undergraduate career development (Collison & Eck, 2022). Kranzler et al. (2011) described how the pedagogical approach of service-learning aligns well with positive psychology, leading them to implement a positive psychology service-learning course. However, to date, no study …

The Problem With People: Signed Language Interpreter Disposition Match And Attrition, Dawn M. Wessling

Journal of Interpretation

In the United States, communication access is a legislated right for Deaf people in many settings; however, recent data suggest that the number of signed language interpreters does not meet current service demand. This multiple‑case study contributes to understanding interpreter attrition by examining how disposition mismatches between novice interpreters and more experienced co‑interpreters influence early exit from the field. Attrition among novice interpreters may exacerbate demand–supply imbalances and contribute to persistent shortages in interpreting services.

This study draws on applied and organizational psychology frameworks, specifically attraction, selection, and attrition (ASA) theory and person–organization fit (P–O fit). Using these theoretical lenses, …

Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Keaktifan Pelaporan Bahaya K3 Pada Pekerja Pelabuhan Batu Bara: Studi Cross-Sectional, Samuel Adi Kristiawan, Dewi Puspito Sari, Nur Ani, Wartini Wartini

National Journal of Occupational Health and Safety

Active hazard reporting is a key indicator in preventing workplace accidents and strengthening safety culture, particularly in high-risk industries such as coal port services. This study aimed to analyze internal and external factors associated with active hazard reporting among workers in the coal port services industry. A quantitative cross-sectional study with total sampling was conducted involving all workers (N = 130). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire measuring accident history, unsafe actions, unsafe conditions, supervisor support, performance appraisal, risk level, and hazard reporting activity. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed using the Chi-Square test. The results showed that 66.2% …

“Cutting-Off With My Family Is Never An Option In My Mind”: An Exploration Of Navigating Identity, Connections And Relational Resilience In Family And Intimate Relationships For Transgender Asian Americans, Jixuan Zhao

Dissertations - ALL

Transgender Asian Americans navigate gender identity within complex cultural, familial, and relational contexts shaped by collectivist values, racialized stereotypes, and social stigma. Despite increasing research on transgender experiences, limited scholarship has explored how transgender Asian Americans understand and negotiate their identities within family and intimate relationships. Grounded in Minority Stress Model and intersectionality theory, the current study, adopted strength-based perspectives, aims to understand unique experience related to familial and intimate relationships as well as their supports, and how they manage their relational needs as well as resilience process, shaped by the intersection of transgender identity and racial/ethnic identity. Through semi-structured …

Interpreting Discrepant Multi-Informant Data: Examining School Psychologists’ Decision-Making Processes With Social-Emotional And Behavioral Assessment, Thomas Koza

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Multi-informant assessment is a common method used by school psychologists to collect data on students' social-emotional and behavioral concerns across the three tiers of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. While this data can provide a comprehensive understanding of student functioning, informant discrepancies are common, and little is known about how school psychologists make sense of discrepant data or whether using structured frameworks can support their interpretation. This dissertation used an experimental mixed-methods design with vignettes to examine how school psychologists interpret discrepant multi-informant social-emotional and behavioral assessment data and whether exposure to a structured framework influenced this process. …

Examining Public Perceptions Of Source Credibility In Mental And Physical Health Communication, Bailey Fraser Dr, Joanna Pozzulo Dr., Emily Pica Dr.

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Surveys in Canada and the United States have indicated declines in subjective well-being alongside growing public interest in improving personal health. With increased availability of credible and non-credible health information, particularly online, it is important to understand how the public perceives the credibility of various information sources for physical and mental health information. The present research is the first known study to directly compare perceptions of source credibility across mental versus physical health contexts and to examine associated information-seeking behaviors. Results indicated that participants consistently rated professional sources as more credible than layperson sources and perceived meaningful differences in the …

Factors Influencing Attitudes Toward Transgender Army National Guard Personnel And Policy, Michelle Lyn Branch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Adaptation Of Moral Integrity Scale To Kazakh Language: A Psychometric Investigation, Madina Ishkibayeva, Nesrullah Okan, Zhazira Abdykhalykova, Nursulu Makhambetova

Higher Learning Research Communications

The present study has been designed to adapt the Moral Integrity Scale (MIS), originally developed by Schlenker (2008), into Kazakh and to examine its psychometric properties among undergraduate students. Moral integrity, a critical component of ethical behavior, is essential in tertiary education, yet few culturally validated tools exist in the Kazakh context. Following a rigorous scale adaptation process (including translation, back-translation, expert review, and pilot testing), the scale was administered to three independent student samples. The results of the exploratory factor analysis (n = 470) revealed a single-factor structure explaining 52.13% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis ( …

Effectiveness Of Simulations In Workplace Training: A Systematic Analysis, Brittney Gaban

Honors Theses

Beyond the classroom, training simulations can be used in the workplace and have been used in a variety of industries, but most focus on the acceptance and perceived results rather than realworld transferability. To determine the state of simulations in workplace training, five articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed by participants, industry, results, perceived effectiveness and transferability of skills, data type collected, and participant feedback. The included studies demonstrated the variety of ways simulations have been integrated into training, primarily through hospital and emergency response teams, clinics, and transportation settings. Virtual reality was the most frequently used out …

The Impact Of Flight Instructor Feedback On Subsequent Instructor Evaluations Of Student Performance, Ayhan Rozyyev, Jennifer E. Thropp

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This study examines the impact of feedback tone and feedback order on flight instructors’ evaluations of student performance in an aviation training context. Using a 2×2 mixed factorial design, 40 certified flight instructors reviewed fictitious training records and rated students based on feedback that varied in tone (positive vs. negative) and order (positive-first vs. negative-first). Results showed that positive feedback significantly influenced evaluations across all measured dimensions, while feedback order had no significant effect, challenging assumptions about primacy and recency effects. These findings highlight the role of positive reinforcement in shaping instructor evaluations and suggest that structured training environments can …

Experiences Of Black Francophone Students Entering The United States For Higher Education, Anu Nifemi Ferguson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

The Nature Of Physical Bravery: A Principal Component Analysis Of Bravery Using Personality Attributes, Trauma History, And Resilience In A Mixed Military And Civilian Sample, Colin Simsarian, Daniel Baldini, Brenda E. Hammond, Julianna Christofi, Sana F. Usmani, Holly M. Mcgrath, Carolina Rader, Erik Wendel Rice, James Moses, Bruce Bongar

Heroism Science

Heroism is a complex phenomenon shaped by psychological constructs such as bravery and courage, yet empirical research on physical bravery remains limited. This study examined the relationships among physical bravery, personality traits, trauma history, and resilience in a sample of military servicemembers and civilians (N = 197; M age = 27.69). Participants completed the Physical Bravery Survey, and data were analyzed using principal component analysis. Results identified four components explaining 70.52% of the variance in responses. Findings suggest that physically brave individuals tend to be adventurous, cognitively flexible, self-confident, humorous, resilient, and more likely to report a history of trauma. …

Pengaruh Intervensi Sigo Terhadap Perbaikan Postur Kerja Dan Penurunan Keluhan Musculoskeletal Disorders Pada Pekerja Sewing Di Cv X Sukoharjo, Sumardiyono Sumardiyono, Tiara Damar Pratiwi, Warda Yussy Rha

National Journal of Occupational Health and Safety

Sewing workers in the garment industry are at high risk of developing non-ergonomic working postures that may lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), due to prolonged static postures and the use of chairs that are not compatible with workers’ anthropometry. Preliminary surveys indicated complaints of pain in the back, neck, and waist (90%), shoulders and forearms (85%), and upper arms (80%). An ergonomic intervention that can be implemented is the use of ergonomic chairs. This study aims to analyze the effect of using SIGO (Seat Improvement for Garment Operators) as an ergonomic intervention on improving working posture and reducing MSD complaints …

Urban Indian Parents' Occupational Perceptions Of Play And Governance Of Children's Excessive Screen Time Preferences And Behaviours In This Digital Era, Joanna Priyadarshini Udaykumar, Tony Sam George

International Journal of Playwork Practice

Abstract

Children’s innate urge to engage in joyous, self-directed, meaningful, iterative activities embodies their unique play experiences and facilitates their holistic development. However, the exponential growth of digital technology in an urbanized world has transformed their social landscape by offering them a plethora of novel play opportunities that ‘pushes children away from the outdoors and pulls them indoors’. Moreover, the radical transition from nature-based recreation to media-centric activity insinuates the surge of a global pandemic characterized by low physical activity, sleep deprivation and sedentary, lifestyle diseases. This emerging trend reflects children’s predilection for videophilia over biophilia due to the dominance …

Can Hope Be Changed In 30 Minutes? The Development, Refinement, And Pilot Evaluation Of A Hope-Based Single-Session Intervention, Aileen Kangavary

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Although mental health problems are on the rise among youth, nearly 80% do not access treatment. Schools serve as key settings to address adolescent mental health and wellness needs given the substantial barriers that limit access to community-based mental health services. Despite this potential, schools often face implementation challenges. Therefore, scalable and accessible approaches are needed to meet the growing demand for adolescent mental health support. Single-Session Interventions (SSIs) represent a promising, cost-effective, and digital avenue for providing timely mental health support to youth. Increasingly, research conceptualizes mental health through a two-dimensional framework that includes the presence of well-being …

Natural Behavior Vs. Subjective Experience In Fish Welfare Assessments, Ronald G. Oldfield

Animal Sentience

Several commentaries on the Oldfield & Bonano (2024) target article proposed that natural behavior should play a larger role in assessing the welfare of fishes in zoos and aquariums. However, the natural-behavior concept of animal welfare has been widely criticized because natural behaviors do not necessarily improve welfare, and unnatural behaviors do not necessarily reduce it. I review the three major concepts of animal welfare — physical health, natural behavior, and affect/feelings — and argue that behavior patterns, whether natural or otherwise, should be evaluated according to their effects on health and subjective experience. Using the affect/feelings concept and the …

Under Pressure: Effects Of The Hot Docs Behavioral Parent Training Program On Caregiver Blood Pressure, Bria N. Ferera

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chronic stress is heightened for caregivers of children with heightened disruptive behaviors. With chronic stress supported as a major factor leading to maladaptive parenting and caregiving practices, exploring new ways to collect data on parenting stress remains a critical research priority (van der Lubbe et al., 2024). Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) programs are linked to improved parent-child relationships and reduced problem behavior (Armstrong, 2006; Agazzi, 2021; Patrusky, 2025). However, few studies have used physiological biomarkers in conjunction with self-reported measures to explore connections in this area. Similarly, other physiological considerations are rarely considered upon evaluation of the impacts of BPT …

A System Dynamics Perspective Of User Adaptation: The Case Of Exoskeleton Technology, Enzo Novi Migliano

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Technology implementation is a common occurrence in organizations to which workers must adapt. Although research on workers' technology acceptance is widely spread, research on the workers' technology adaptation process is less represented in the literature. The discrepancy in the literature permeates research on new technologies currently being implemented in organizations, such as occupational exoskeletons. As in other technologies, the variance research perspective dominates the literature on exoskeleton implementations. The current thesis aims to foster process research by formalizing the coping model of user adaptation (Beaudry & Pinsonneault, 2005) and exploring research questions regarding workers' adaptation to general technology and exoskeletons. …

Boundaries Of Belonging: The Role Of Christian Campus Climate In Lgbtq+ Student Suicidality, Madison L. Vaccaro

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

LGBTQ+ students at religiously-affiliated colleges experience unique stressors related to discrimination, campus climate, and stigma, which have been linked to negative outcomes including suicidal ideation. Drawing on sociocultural theories of suicide and minority stress, the present study examined whether internalized LGBTQ+ related stigma mediated the relationships between discrimination, negative campus climate, and suicidal ideation among college students attending religious institutions. Participants (N = 75) included college students who identified as LGBTQ+, recruited mainly within the Pacific Northwest. Participants were majority White, assigned female at birth (AFAB), and diverse in gender identity and sexual orientation. Measures assessed experiences of discrimination, campus …

Driving-Related Challenges For Autistic Youth, Jeong-Heun Kim

ETDs from 2020-2029

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face barriers to driving. Despite evidence that they have potential to drive safely, some unique challenges exist, manifested in a substantially lower licensure rate than typically developing (TD) peers and restricted driving patterns among this population. Therefore, the overarching goal of this dissertation project was to investigate driving-related challenges that young autistic people face. Both objective and subjective measures were used to comprehensively explore this research topic. The first two papers focused on investigating perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral factors underlying hazard response using data from a total of 34 licensed drivers (17 with …

Independent Living Skills For The Aging Population Of Adults With Disabilities, Sara K. Fetter Otd, Otr, Jennifer L. Martin Otd, Otr, Cht, Clt, Michele L. Mccarroll Phd, Faacvpr, Acsm-Ccep, Ccrp, Lssbb

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Adults with intellectual disability (ID) are living longer and increasingly outlive family caregivers. Strengthening independent living and vocational skills has therefore become a critical public-health priority. Occupational therapy (OT) can address this need through person-centered, community-based programming. This paper describes the co-design, delivery, and preliminary outcomes of a short occupation-based curriculum intended to enhance autonomy and work readiness in aging adults with ID. In partnership with a Dallas, Texas nonprofit, the authors conducted a needs assessment and created an 8-session course rooted in the Independent Living Model and the Occupational Competence Model. The curriculum addressed four domains (physical health, financial …

A Link Between Emotional Intelligence, Age, And Diverse Learners, Christina Jedlicka Blake

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative comparative study explored the complex relationship between emotional intelligence (EQ) and Learning Differences (LDs), focusing on academic, social, and emotional development of adolescents diagnosed with specific learning disabilities (SLDs), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and high- functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study investigated whether differences in EQ exist between students with and without LDs and whether age influences EQ development. The 102 participants included male and female students in grades 6-12, ages 11-18, attending a Christ-centered college preparatory school. Students completed a 30-question EQ questionnaire during the researcher’s class time, and online surveys were coded to identify …

Children With Cerebellar Malformations And Co-Occurring Autism: A Phenomenological Study Exploring Challenges Faced With The Dual Diagnosis Process, Service Acquisition, And Psychosocial Impacts, Ladeana W. Gambill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Parents of children who have been diagnosed with cerebellar malformations, such as Dandy-Walker Malformation, often face confusion and frustration as they are given uncertain prognoses about their child’s future. The uncertainty is further compounded when there are concerns for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and testing is sought, with conflicting answers on whether their child has autism or not. Acquisition of autism-specialty services may be delayed if a diagnosis of autism is not received in a timely manner. The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences and challenges faced by parents of children with cerebellar malformations …

Strengthening The Mind: Evaluating Emotional Intelligence As A Tool To Combat Anxiety In Youth Soccer, John P. Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Competitive anxiety is a significant challenge for adolescent soccer players, contributing to psychological distress and early sport withdrawal, and approximately 70% of youth athletes quit organized sport by age 14. Emotional intelligence, the capacity to recognize, understand, and regulate emotions, represents a promising and trainable intervention target, yet few studies have examined structured EI programs with youth soccer populations using rigorous experimental designs that include a parallel control group. This quantitative intervention study examined the effect of an emotional intelligence intervention on competitive anxiety among youth soccer players, including whether individual emotional profiles and gender moderated outcomes.

A randomized controlled …

How Are Depression And Anxiety In Biracial Black–White Adults Related To Monoracial Familial Connectedness Throughout Life?, Cary M. Steffey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The multiracial population is the fastest-growing minority group in the United States, yet their mental health and familial experiences are insufficiently studied. Due to their complex racial backgrounds, unique life experiences, and diverse social connections, multiracial individuals endure mental health issues that differ from those of many other populations, including their family relationships. Some of these differences include how these relationships affect life experiences and mental health status. This quantitative study examined psychological well-being among multiracial individuals, with a focus on relationships with monoracial family members. This study hypothesized that greater familial support predicts improved mental health outcomes. The study …

Caregiver Depression And Psychological Distress As Predictors Of Substantiated Maltreatment In Nscaw Ii (Wave 2 Cps Sample): A Quantitative Archival Study, Gloria Forotan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative archival analysis examined whether caregiver mental health is associated with child maltreatment outcomes through CPS involvement, using the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II (NSCAW II), Wave 2. Child maltreatment remains a persistent public health concern with long-term effects on children's emotional, psychological, and physical development. Although caregiver mental health is consistently identified as a significant risk factor for maltreatment, few studies have utilized nationally representative child welfare data with standardized measures to test these associations.

Caregiver mental health variables were operationalized using NSCAW II indicators of major depression and depressive symptoms (DP2), psychological distress (K6 …

Young Adults Describe Their Lived Experiences Of Adverse Childhood Experiences Through The Lens Of A Secure Attachment, Martin Weinberger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Resilient/Protective Factors In Adolescence As A Buffer Among Adults With A History Of Childhood Trauma And Symptoms Of Depression In Adults, Michaela L. Fox

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Childhood trauma includes adverse experiences during early development, such as physical, emotional, sexual, or verbal abuse and neglect, and is associated with negative outcomes, including depressive symptoms in adulthood. This study examined whether protective factors during adolescence are related to adult depressive symptoms among individuals with a history of childhood trauma. Two research questions guided the study: (a) Is there a difference in adult depressive symptoms between individuals with minimal versus significant protective factors during adolescence, and (b) Is there a statistically significant relationship between adolescent spirituality and adult depressive symptoms? A quantitative, correlational design was used with self-report surveys …