Digital Commons Network^™

Beyond Work-Family Conflict: Conceptualization And Measurement Of Work-Eldercare Conflict, Patrick Cullen

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The number of workers with informal caregiving responsibilities continues to grow exponentially (Feinberg & Skufca, 2020), yet research on the intersection of work and eldercare is often neglected in the literature (Griggs et al., 2020). While earlier eldercare measures have typically been dichotomous, researchers have more recently begun to incorporate multidimensional measures of eldercare (Calvano, 2013). However, what has yet to be thoroughly explored is eldercare in the context of role theory, particularly interrole conflict, as existing work-family measures may be deficient in this regard. Therefore, in the present study, role theory was used to develop the Work-Eldercare Conflict Scale …

Cultural And Social Factors In Postpartum Depression: A Study Of Latina And White Mothers, Juana Gutierrez-Fuentes

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Postpartum depression is a prevalent mood disorder that impacts 10-20% of women annually in the United States following childbirth. While all pregnant women are at risk of PPD, existing literature suggests that Latina mothers report PPD and seek treatment at lower rates than White mothers. Prior studies have identified risk factors and barriers that impact reporting and treatment among Latinas. The aim of this study is to investigate the interplay of race, depression, marital status, education, poverty level, and social support among White and Latina mothers. Using combined data from the 2017 and 2018 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), we …

The Effectiveness Of Combined Approach Intervention And Group Social Skills Intervention For School Aged Children With Asd, Cecilia Ester Subroto

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder which ranges from low to severe functioning levels, communication is one of its deficits coming from the disorder. As many individuals get diagnosed at a young age, they may have difficulties with their social skills. If interventions are personalized to meet the unique needs of everyone, there can be an increase in their social skills level. Objective: This evaluative study will aim to determine combined approach intervention or group social skills intervention is more effective for enhancing the social skills of school-aged children with ASD. Method: This research proposal …

How Personality And Work Context Contribute To The Emergence Of Star Employees: The Critical Role Of Grit, Extraversion, And Political Skill, Shira Lahav

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Although research on star employees has been around for a while, only a few studies have examined star employees' emergence. Star employees are responsible for a significant amount of organizational success. Their contribution can be seen in various areas such as organizational reputation and the attraction of talent and customers, peers’ influence in the shape of motivation, commitment, and productivity, and revenue. The positive outcomes associated with stars have driven the increased need for such employees. This research investigates the personality traits and the work context that predict stardom. Specifically, the research has three aims: a) understanding who star employees …

Descriptive Statistical Examination Of Mental Health Challenges Faced By International Students, Niharika Perkari

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The mental health and well-being of international students is an increasingly important concern for universities worldwide. International students often encounter unique challenges, including cultural transitions (Ward, Furnham, & Bochner, 2001; Furnham & Bochner, 1986), academic pressure (Yeh & Inose, 2003), financial constraints and social integration difficulties (Hendrickson, Rosen, & Aune, 2011; Sawir et al., 2008; Lee & Rice, 2007) which significantly impact their mental health. This study employs descriptive statistical methods to analyze the mental health challenges faced by international students aiming to identify trends, stressors, coping mechanisms and risk factors. Some datasets comprising survey responses from international students were …

Precarious Manhood: Masculinity Threats In Gay Men, Andrew S. Rivera

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Manhood is a precarious state that is both sought and easily undermined and demands continual validation from public perceptions. Previous research shows that threats to one's masculinity often coerces reactions of bravado, aggression, and sexual risk-taking behaviors in men in an attempt to reestablish their manhood. However, little empirical attention is paid to deviations of such reactions as a result of varying self-concepts of masculinity and femininity, such as in gay men. In the current study, I explored the different ways in which self-identified masculine and feminine gay men navigate the volatile state of manhood, particularly when confronted with masculinity …

Effect Of Emotional Expression And Teeth Visibility On Facial Processing, Alexandra Ackerman

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The N170 is an event-related potential (ERP) component commonly associated with its sensitivities to face stimuli. While mixed literature exists, the N170 has been repeatedly demonstrated to be modulated by emotion. In a highly cited study, Blau et al. (2007) found that the N170 is heavily modulated by emotional expression, with fearful expressions eliciting larger N170 amplitudes than neutral expressions. In their study, however, analysis did not account for variability in mouth positioning in fearful and neutral expressions and how this variability might influence differences observed in amplitudes of the N170. A distinctive feature in the fearful condition was the …

Pilot Implementation Of Mom Power In The Appalachian Highlands: Acceptability And Effectiveness Of A Parenting Group For Mothers With High Psychosocial Need, Megan Wolff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children need safe, stable, and nurturing relationships with a caregiver for optimal development. Maternal childhood adversity, traumatic life experiences, and mental health challenges can adversely impact parenting beliefs and behaviors in ways that compromise a caregiver’s ability to create and sustain a healthy caregiving environment for their child(ren). In the professional world of infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH), policies, providers, and programs work together to promote optimal child and family wellbeing to reduce the intergenerational transmission of risk and to empower resilience in families and communities. The present study investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the pilot …

Finding An Effective Measure Of Religiosity And Substance Use Levels For The Deaf: An Attempted Pilot Study, Angela Masiello

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Deaf often lack access to health-promoting services (Meador & Zazove, 2005), though they have an increased risk of developing substance use disorders (Hommes et al., 2018). Communication has been a prominent barrier to the accessibility of healthcare services and participation in research for the Deaf (McKee et al., 2012). Literature has shown multiple methodological challenges when conducting research with the Deaf (Napier et al., 2018). This pilot study used Jones et al.’s (2001) cross-cultural translation model to translate two measures into American Sign Language (ASL). Six bilingual experts in ASL and English translated the RSAS-5 and the TAPS into …

The Moderating Effects Of Duration On The Relationships Among Adverse Childhood Experiences, Perceived Social Support, And Adult Mental Health, Jessica M. Templeton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Childhood adversity is a significant predictor of negative mental health outcomes, with prior research primarily focusing on cumulative risk models of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This study examines whether the duration of ACE exposure moderates the mediating effect of perceived social support on the relationship between ACEs and adult mental health outcomes, specifically anxiety and depression symptomatology. Using archival data from the Correlates of Adversity and Temperament in Childhood (CATCH) dataset, responses from 230 participants were analyzed. Mediation analyses revealed that perceived social support mediates the relationship between ACEs and both anxiety and depression. Moderated mediation analyses further indicated that …

Exploring Young Adults’ Implicit Theories Of Emotion And Emotion Dysregulation On Parental Emotion Socialization And Internalizing Symptomology, Daryl Parungao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research regarding emotion socialization suggests parents’ responses towards their children’s negative emotions, which may be characterized as either emotion dismissive or emotion coaching behaviors, are associated with children’s well-being into adulthood. A heuristic model of emotion socialization suggests that child-level factors related to emotion processing may moderate this association (Eisenberg, 1998), which warrants further examination when considering relevant risk factors for mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. This dissertation explored how parent emotion socialization responses interact with young adults’ beliefs about the controllability of emotions and their difficulties with emotion regulation with regard to their impact on young …

The Moderating Role Of Social Support For Lgbtq People In South Central Appalachia: Present Yet Unimpactful?, Paige Henry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) minority stress theory states that LGBTQ people experience stressors specific to their identity that result in negative mental health outcomes. Social support has been shown to protect against these negative outcomes, but South Central Appalachia is known to be high stigma and low resource for this population. The present study examined the potential moderating impact of four sources of social support (family, friends, partners, and pets) on the relationship between minority stress experiences and psychological distress for LGBTQ people living in South Central Appalachia. Participants included 116 LGBTQ adults living in South Central …

Exploring Predictors Of Treatment Dropout In Primary Care Behavioral Health Using Andersen’S Behavioral Model Of Health Services, Mara W. Sindoni

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A recent meta-analysis indicated a 19.7% dropout rate from outpatient mental health care. Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services identifies predisposing, enabling, and need factors as potential predictors of treatment dropout. The Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model aims to improve accessibility of mental health care but research on dropout in this setting is lacking. This study examined bivariate relationships between Andersen's factors and dropout in PCBH, and interviewed participants about their intentions to attend subsequent PCBH visits. No statistically significant bivariate relationships were found, likely due to small sample size (n = 15). Reflexive Thematic Analysis identified two themes …

Speaking Up: A Courage Framework Of Bipoc Voices In The Workplace, Aishah Khan

All Theses

Despite the many beneficial outcomes of voice in the workplace, employers and employees do not often utilize it to its full potential, particularly those from historically marginalized groups. Past literature has examined the many ways in which the experience of minority-group members differs from that of majority-group members; however, scarce work has been done exploring the “mental calculus” that those from marginalized groups go through when deciding whether to advocate for themselves or others at work. To provide insight into this specific experience, I manipulated representation and context in a novel fashion – and examined if and how safety, risk, …

Investigating Psychological Moderators Of The Effect Of A Slow-Paced Breathing Intervention On Decision-Making Performance, Anthony Alvarado

All Theses

Decision-making is a ubiquitous cognitive process that individuals engage in constantly—some decisions are inconsequential while others can have drastic implications. Identifying ways to improve decision-making, therefore, has potential to have lasting positive effects. One potential approach is slow-paced breathing interventions. While such interventions have shown promise for improving certain aspects of cognition, such as working memory, few studies have examined the effect of slow-paced breathing on decision-making performance. The current study sought to examine the effect of a brief slow-paced breathing intervention on performance on the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), a reward-based decision-making task. Potential moderating variables such as stress, …

Tiktok Made Me Do It: #75hard, Alexis Lamere

All Theses

TikTok is one of many social media platforms that distribute entertainment videos to its users based on an interactive algorithm. It has an influential impact on the information individuals are exposed to, especially when it is a trending topic. These trending TikTok videos reach millions of viewers; one popular trend on this app is #75Hard. #75Hard is a restrictive fitness program emphasizing mental toughness, self-discipline, and strict diet and exercise routines. However, popular trends like this one can perpetuate unrealistic and unattainable goals that put people at risk for negative outcomes such as body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. The present …

Nature Of Smartphone Use: The Underlying Mechanisms Between Nature Exposure And Urge To Use Social Media, Jia Yi Aw

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

The urge to use social media is prevalent and costly in modern society. However, little has been researched on how nature exposure can manage urge to use social media to combat its negative consequences. It was hypothesized that nature exposure through Instagram posts in Study 1 and nature park in Study 2 reduces urge to use social media. The underlying mechanisms were tested in a theory-driven serial mediation model, in which positive emotions, attention restoration and self-regulation served as serial mediators. Study 1 employed Instagram experimental manipulation in a laboratory setting by randomly assigning 206 undergraduates to view Instagram accounts …

Environmental Influences Of Zero-Sum Thinking And Its Outcome, Edison Sora Tan

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Zero-sum thinking refers to a generalized mentality or a belief that one person’s gain can only come at the expense of another person’s loss. In this research, I argue that people’s zero-sum thinking is, at least in part, influenced by the interacting characteristics of the environment, namely, resource scarcity and population density. This is because resource scarcity highlights people’s resource insecurity, particularly when population density accentuates potential competition for finite resources. Consequently, zero-sum thinking reduces trust and cooperation as people reduce their commitment to potentially risky social investments. Analysis with data from a large-scale field study and ecological data provided …

More Than Meets The Eye: Misaligned Expectations In Social Interactions For Individuals With Chronic Illness, Janice Patricia

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Despite the importance of social relationships for well-being, individuals with chronic illness often face barriers that deter them from initiating meaningful connections, such as perceived stigma, fear of rejection, or strained relationships upon a disclosure of their illness. These challenges reveal two key misalignments: overestimated negative (or underestimated positive) expectations of social interactions held by individuals with chronic illness, as well as perceptions held by potential acquaintances. The present study examined how these misalignments hinder social interactions and relationship initiation. Study 1 involved individuals with chronic illness and revealed that participants overestimated the likelihood of awkwardness, disrespect, and rejection, while …

What Makes An Experience Meaningful: A Process/Outcome Approach, Clement Yong Hao Lau

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Scant research has investigated how meaning judgement of an experience are derived; even fewer has examined how these judgements shift over time. To address these gaps, the present research introduced Process/Outcome Meaning Model (POMM)—which proposes that meaning can be derived from two distinct aspects of an experience: its process (i.e., the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that unfold during the experience) and its outcome (i.e., the results or consequences that follow). POMM further suggests that changes in perceived outcomes may lead to corresponding shifts in meaning judgements over time. Across three studies, participants wrote about and reflected on their personal (positive …

Understanding Attitudes And Burnout Among Juvenile Justice System Professionals, Madison Liechti

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Juvenile offending is a consistent issue in the United States. On any given day in the United States, up to 50,000 juveniles are in custody (Leitch,2019). Many juvenile offenders have faced a wide range of adversity in their lives leading up to delinquency and detention. Many therapies have been put into place to help prevent juveniles from reoffending, and while these therapies and treatments can be helpful, we still see consistent rates of recidivism (Narvey et al., 2024).

This study will aim to look inward towards the professionals who work with juveniles to try to discover what attitudes they have …

Sleep Restriction And Its Effects On Mood, April M. Rummery Lamb

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Sleep plays a fundamental role in the human body being able to function effectively, in particular it plays an essential role in mood regulation. Previous research on sleep and mood has found that there is a correlation between receiving an inadequate amount of sleep and having a negative mood. However, the current field has mostly looked at the relationship between disordered sleep and mood disorders as opposed to everyday sleep patterns and daily mood. The present study aims to look at how sleep restrictions which occur naturally (not caused by sleep disorders such as insomnia) effect daily mood. To conduct …

Literature As A Tool For The Introduction Of Mental Health To Children, Kira Ott

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In childhood, literature is a quintessential learning tool, so it is imperative it is used in the introduction of mental health. Around the ages of seven to nine children begin to become aware of their own needs and comprehend others' perspectives (Short et al., 2017, p. 13). At this time non-fiction books can be used to present information when it is organized, accessible, and informative (Short et al., 2017, p. 13). This can be effectively paired with fiction which can help contextualize abstract ideas, and develop self-monitoring skills (Gunawardena, 2023; Short et al., 2017). Mental health, which encompasses thoughts, feelings, …

The Impact Of Emdr Therapy On Past Suicidal Ideation: Lived Experiences Of Young Adults, Lindsey Faehnrich

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study explores the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in reducing suicidal ideation and improving mental health outcomes among college-attending young adults (ages 18–24) with a history of trauma. EMDR is a body-based psychotherapy designed to alleviate distressing thoughts and trauma. It gained attention for its positive impact on PTSD and has more recently been applied to other mental health disorders. The literature review highlights risk factors including trauma, mental health disorders, suicidal ideation, and EMDR. The methods detail a phenomenological approach, interviewing four young adults who underwent EMDR and experienced past suicidal ideation. This provided …

Interventions Of Eating Habits And Healthy Behaviors, Diego Armando Mazariegos Espinosa

Undergraduate Honors Theses

About thirty to fifty percent of college students report having negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, sadness, anger, hopelessness, shame, fear, and more. And over seventy percent feel exhausted or overwhelmed by schoolwork. According to scholarly research, these emotions pose obstacles during college life impacting the eating habits and healthy behaviors of college students. These habits can have a possibility of bringing lifelong issues in social, educational, and self-esteem aspects. Technology has revolutionized the world in a spectacular way in a short period of time. As students today have access to all sorts of technology like phones and computers, the …

Child Maltreatment And Psychopathology Among Institutionalized And Incarcerated Adolescents In Nigeria: A Latent Class Analysis Approach, Wasiu Olorunlambe, Sherifat Adeniyi, Akinyemi Ademola Israel, Julian D. Ford, Ruby Charak, Maricela Galdamez, Andreas Jud

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Background: Child maltreatment (CM) is prevalent among residentially-placed or incarcerated adolescents and is a risk factor for behavioral health disorders. No study conducted in a low-income country has empirically compared the types of CM and adverse outcomes experienced by these high-risk adolescents.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify profiles of CM-and their association with behavioral health problems among at-risk adolescents in Nigeria. Participants and Setting: Participants comprised adolescents in juvenile detention facilities (N = 102) and adolescents in residential placements (N= 103) aged 10–17 years old.

Methods: A two-step latent class analysis (LCA) was …

The Benefits Of Fantasy Book When Used As A Coping Measure Against Interpersonal Conflict In Hispanic College Women, Ruby Kaitlynn Tijerina

Theses and Dissertations

High mental health disparities among Hispanic individuals have been well-documented. One potential contributing factor to mental health challenges is interpersonal conflict, which is prevalent among Hispanic young adults. Effective interventions are needed to treat psychological symptoms associated with interpersonal conflict, and one possible approach is bibliotherapy via fantasy fiction reading. This study examined the therapeutic benefits of fantasy fiction reading compared to self-help and scholarly reading materials among 109 Hispanic college women. Participants attended two lab sessions scheduled one week apart. In Session 1, self-report measures and a reading assignment were administered to participants, while in Session …

Exploring The Relationship Between Suicidal Behavior And Obesity Among Young Hispanic Adults In The United States, Nadeen Salhadar

Theses and Dissertations

The rates of obesity and suicidal behavior have continued to increase over the years among young adults in the United States. Previous research has indicated a relationship between obesity and suicidal behavior, primarily among women, yet minimal research has been done to examine factors that explain this relationship (i.e., mediators). This study investigated the role of depression, body dissatisfaction, body shame and guilt, insomnia, physical health, and social anxiety on obesity and suicidal ideation among 209 college-aged Latina women. The researcher hypothesized that there would be an indirect relationship between obesity and suicidal behavior through multiple variables. Mediation analyses via …

Emotional Outbursts In Latinx Autistic Youth With Intact Or Non-Intact Families; Frequency, Severity, And Socio-Demographic Correlates, Sandra Lucia Masso Hernandez

Theses and Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, communication, and restricted repetitive behaviors. One of the core difficulties in individuals with ASD is related to emotional outbursts. Emotional outbursts (EO) are behavioral episodes in response to situations, environmental and physiological stimuli that occur in an extreme, unpleasant, sometimes aggressive way, often disproportionate to the context. Considering the impacts that EO’s can cause in populations with neurodevelopmental disorders and on the well-being and mental health of parents/caregivers, the need arises to evaluate these populations. Due to the core characteristics of ASD (such as a rigid mentality, …

Exploring The Relationship Between Intrinsic Capacity And Social Participation In Healthy Ageing: Evidence From Singapore, Li Ling Cheong, William Tov, Robin Wai Munn Choo, Micah Tan, Lay Khoon Lau, Wee Shiong Lim, Yew Yoong Ding, Paulin Tay Straughan

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Objective: The World Health Organization has identified intrinsic capacity and functional ability as key constructs in enabling healthy ageing. However, functional ability is distinct from actual levels of social and physical participation, which research has shown to be associated with health and wellbeing. This study distinguishes between functional ability and actual levels of social and physical participation, and utilizes the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework to examine the relationship between IC and the two constructs. Methods: This study utilizes cross-sectional self-reported data from a nationally representative panel of Singapore residents aged 56–75 (N = 6,434). We performed …