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The Role Of Mthfr Gene Mutation In Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Exploring Potential Correlations With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder And Anxiety, Heba Mehmood

All NMU Master's Theses

One of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which is often co-occurring with symptoms of depression and anxiety. The misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis of ADHD is agreed to be a prevalent problem. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene has been identified as a possible contributor to ADHD. The goal of this research is to decrease the frequency at which ADHD is misdiagnosed by investigating the correlation between the MTHFR gene at the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) C677T to ADHD and anxiety. A group of 80 participants’ DNA samples were collected through cheek swabs following IRB approval. Participants …

Exploring Parent Self-Efficacy In Children's Digital Device Use: Understanding Shame And Self-Stigma Through A Mixed-Methods Approach, Stephanie C. Milford, Lynette Vernon, Joseph J. Scott, Nicola F. Johnson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study utilized a mixed-methods approach to explore the relationship between shame, parental self-stigma, and parental self-efficacy in managing children's digital device use, while considering societal pressure and social media influence. Data was collected via an online survey administered to parents of school-aged children. The sample included 394 predominantly female Australian parents. Quantitative analyses, including confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, were complemented by qualitative thematic inductive content analysis. Results indicated a significant mediation effect of self-stigma on the relationship between shame and self-efficacy. Qualitative analysis revealed themes of societal pressure, judgement-based pressure, and social media pressure, highlighting contextual …

The Flourishing Child: Understanding How Adults And Children Perceive Flourishing From The Start Of Life, Jacqueline A. Davis, Belinda Davey, Emily Segers, Zenobia Talati, Desiree Silva, Susan L. Prescott, Lisa Y. Gibson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The current narrative surrounding children’s health and wellbeing often focuses on adversity and dysregulation with a lack of positive messaging. However, promoting protective and buffering factors may be as important as reducing adverse exposures. While the concept of flourishing is commonly applied in the context of adults, defining what flourishing means for children in current academic literature remains unclear. Our study addressed this gap by undertaking a grounded theory approach and consulting extensively with consumers and key stakeholders, both adults and children. This enabled us to elucidate a conceptual framework and identify determinants, as well as to examine perceived barriers …

Role-Ing While Bipoc: Understanding The Experiences Of Table Top Role Playing Game Players Of Color, Jordan K. Posey

Dissertations

In 2015, controversy surrounded the interactive computer game Mission US: Flight to Freedom. The game was unveiled as an accessible way to teach about American chattel slavery by mixing elements normally associated with roleplaying games (RPGs), Tabletop Roleplaying Games (TTRPGs), and social studies curriculum. The conversations surrounding the game exemplify the complicated history of RPGS/TTRPGs and the limitations of gamification in educational settings. This qualitative study aimed to analyze aspects of gaming culture through a critical race lens by documenting the experiences of Tabletop Roleplaying Game (TTRPG) players identifying as Black, Indigenous, and a Person of Color (BIPOC). Using a …

Sparks And Developmental Outcomes In Out-Of-School Time Programs: Emipirical Evidence And Theory Development, Alexandra Skrocki, Gary D. Ellis, Andrea Ettekal, Darlene Locke

Journal of Youth Development

We examined relations among select components of the 4-H Thriving Model, focusing on youth sparks and four presumed determinants: program quality, developmental relationships, situational engagement, and dosage. Based on our results and results of previous studies, we propose a formal theory of youth program sparks. Three hundred fifty-six Texas 4-H youth from a variety of 4-H programs state-wide completed a questionnaire measuring sparks, program quality, developmental relationships, situational engagement, and 4-H program dosage. We measured two indicators of thriving: growth mindset and hopeful purpose. Sixty-eight percent of study participants reported being female, 28% reported being male, 1% reported being nonbinary/third …

Recent Stressful Life Events And Perceived Stress As Serial Mediators Of The Association Between Adverse Childhood Events And Insomnia, Grant Benham, Ruby Charak, Ines Cano-Gonzalez, Joceline Mena Teran, Jordan Kenemore

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Insomnia is common in college students and linked to poorer mental and physical health. There is growing evidence that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may contribute to insomnia in adulthood. However, beyond the need for additional replication of these findings, there is a need to identify underlying mechanisms that plausibly connect the two experiences. Based on a serial mediation model, the current study examined the role of two theoretically informed mediators: recent stressful life events and perceived stress. A cross-sectional survey of 2,218 college students at a large university in the southwestern United States was conducted between August 2020 and December …

Mediating And Moderating Effects Of Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment, Perceptions Of External Markets, And Work-Life Balance On Employee Retention, Naya J. Gillespie

Theses and Dissertations

Employee retention remains a critical challenge for organizations across industries, particularly in environments with high turnover rates and competitive external job markets. This thesis examines the correlations between organizational commitment, job satisfaction, work-life balance, and perceptions of external job markets to uncover their collective and individual impacts on employee retention. Using quantitative research design, data was collected through an online survey of 240 participants across various hierarchical levels. Key findings indicate that organizational commitment and job satisfaction significantly influence retention, with job satisfaction also serving as a mediator between organizational commitment and turnover intentions. Work-life balance plays a direct role …

Multicultural Experience And Young Chinese People’S Subjective Well-Being: An Indirect Effect Through Self-Construal, Xiaoyu Dai, Davelle Jing Yi Lee, Chi-Ying Cheng

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Traditional Chinese culture promotes ingroup harmony and personal conformity, which facilitates a cultural tendency of perceived self-other similarity among Chinese people’s self-concepts. However, with increased exposure to foreign cultures due to globalization, many young Chinese may see themselves as more unique in relation to others via contrast and comparison. This shift in self-construal may facilitate the pursuit of a more positive self-view and enhanced personal happiness. Thus, it is expected that among Chinese people, multicultural experience would be positively linked to construing the self as different from others, which, in turn, would predict higher self-esteem and subjective well-being. An online …

How Much Is Enough? Dosage And Duration In 4-H Developmental Contexts, Sarah N. August-Henry, Amy M. Leman, Jacinda K. Dariotis

Journal of Youth Development

While research abounds on the outcomes of out-of-school time programs for youth, most studies focus on programs with similar profiles or within the same program category, leaving a notable gap in examining youth experiences across programs with different delivery modes. The current research investigated the perceived experiences of youth in two programs, 4-H community clubs and 4-H camps. Using the 4-H Thriving Model, the study assessed perceptions of the programs’ developmental contexts on three program elements including youth sparks, sense of belonging, and relationships with adults. Data for the study was collected through surveys conducted in 2019 among 4-H community …

Sources Of Well-Being And Cardiovascular Health: A Mixed Methods Investigation From The Midus Study, Julia K. Boehm, Monica Adams, Jennifer Morozink Boylan

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective

Methods

Every Voice Has Its Bright And Dark Sides: Understanding Observers’ Reactions To Coworkers’ Voice Behaviors, Szu-Han Lin, Shereen Fatimah, Emily C. Poulton, Cony M. Ho, D. Lance Ferris, Russell E. Johnson

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The majority of research on voice has focused on how employee voice influences voicers and targets of voice (e.g. supervisors and organizations). We advance theory on voice by examining how third-party observers react to expressions of voice behavior by coworkers. Drawing from affective events theory (AET), we examine the potential benefits and detriments of coworker voice behaviours. Results from an experience sampling study and an experiment revealed that coworker voice was associated with an increase in third-party observers' inspiration, prompting third-party observers to engage in their own voice behaviours. Although coworker voice did not have a significant main effect on …

Organizational Health Psychology: A Compilation Of Open Access Research For Future Industrial-Organizational Psychologists, Caitlin Lapine

Open Touro Created

2025

Organizational Health Psychology: A Compilation of Open Access Research for Future Industrial-Organizational Psychologists is a text designed for industrial organizational psychology graduate students and organizational practitioners working to make the workplace better for all employees. This open educational resource provides important scholarly journal articles that describe current findings in the occupational health space, including research conducted on the COVID-19 pandemic’s influence on current work.

Self-Perception As A Predictor Of Eating Disorder Severity In A Residential Sample Of Women And Girls With Eating Disorders, Emily M. Bowers, Julie M. Petersen, Tera Lensegrav-Benson, Benita Quakenbush, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions with significant negative health outcomes, high mortality rates, and comorbid mental health conditions. Despite many available interventions for eating disorders, treatment remains challenging due to the difficulty in maintaining treatment gains. Understanding effective treatment processes is crucial. This study aimed to examine the role of self-perception components in predicting eating disorder severity in a residential sample of women and girls. Participants (N = 175) completed measures assessing eating disorder severity, self-kindness, self-judgment, and self-esteem at admission. Correlational analyses and structural equation modeling were used to explore these relationships. Results indicated that self-judgment and …

An Evaluation Of Durability During And Following Delay-And-Denial Tolerance Teaching, Kendall M. Kastner, Stephanie Hood, Daniel R. Mitteer

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Across five treatment applications, we evaluated two forms of treatment relapse (renewal, resurgence) with a version of functional communication training known as delay-and-denial tolerance teaching. Renewal of challenging behavior following a context change occurred for most treatments, but challenging behavior did not increase to clinically significant levels in most cases. Resurgence of challenging behavior following decrements in alternative reinforcement occurred only in two of five extinction tests when communication responses were placed on extinction. Omitting alternative activities during extinction tests led to an appreciable increase in resurgence for one of the three participants who did not display resurgence initially. Despite …

Measurement Of Atmospheric Neutrino Oscillation Parameters Using Convolutional Neural Networks With 9.3 Years Of Data In Icecube Deepcore, Karen Andeen

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

The DeepCore subdetector of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory provides access to neutrinos with energies above approximately 5 GeV. Data taken between 2012 and 2021 (3387 days) are utilized for an atmospheric 𝜈𝜇 disappearance analysis that studied 150 257 neutrino-candidate events with reconstructed energies between 5 and 100 GeV. An advanced reconstruction based on a convolutional neural network is applied, providing increased signal efficiency and background suppression, resulting in a measurement with both significantly increased statistics compared to previous DeepCore oscillation results and high neutrino purity. For the normal neutrino mass ordering, the atmospheric neutrino oscillation parameters and their 1⁢𝜎 errors …

Positive Outcomes Of Out-Of-School Time Activity Participation For Youth: A Pattern-Centered Approach, Alexandra Sandoval, Edmond P. Bowers

Journal of Youth Development

Youth participation in community-based, structured out-of-school time programs (OST) has been found to promote positive developmental outcomes by providing youth with resources to build interpersonal relationships and essential life skills. The increasing prevalence and multiplicity of youth participation in these activities leads us to expand the research evidence regarding the relation between program participation and positive youth development, with a focus on identifying nuanced patterns of OST participation that consider the breadth and frequency of activities across different types of programs. We apply this pattern-centered approach to analyzing how and for whom these activities may promote youth academic competence and …

Examining Children's Verb Learning In The United States And Japan: Do Comparisons Help?, Jane B. Childers, Mutsumi Imai, Masato Ohba, Faith Perry, Leah Marsh

Psychology Faculty Research

Learning verbs is an important part of learning one's native language. Prior studies have shown that children younger than 5 years can have difficulty in learning and extending new verbs. The current study extended these studies by showing children multiple events that can be compared during learning, including Japanese- and English-speaking children. In the study, 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds saw two similar events and then one varied (progressive alignment) or three varied (low alignable) events in a learning phase before test, and this was repeated for four sets. Children were asked to extend these novel verbs in easy (non-cross-mapping) and …

Metacognition And The 5cs Of Positive Youth Development Programs: A Review Of Metacognitive Interventions, Omolola A. Odejimi, Leslie F. Clark

Journal of Youth Development

Positive youth development (PYD) programs have increased positive outcomes for adolescents, however research on the underlying change processes in these programs remains limited. The 5Cs (Competence, Confidence, Character, Caring and Connection) of PYD are a framework of desirable outcomes for youth programs. Change to metacognition is proposed as a mechanism by which PYD programming accomplishes these outcomes. This review describes findings from metacognitive interventions with PYD-relevant outcomes in adolescents aged 10-24. Fifteen electronic databases were searched using keyword phrases related to “metacognitive intervention” and “adolescents”. Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria. Included studies addressed 2 of the 5 goals of PYD …

Development Of A Comprehensive Social-Emotional Learning Questionnaire For Elementary After-School Physical Activity Programs, Kelly L. Simonton, Mengyi Wei, Pamela Kulinna, Allison Poulos

Journal of Youth Development

Afterschool settings have continued to be identified as an ideal outlet for supporting youth development in many arenas, including physical activity (PA) behaviors and social emotional learning (SEL) skills. In fact, PA centered programs are ideal settings for youth to 8 develop and practice SEL skills in authentic ways. However, there a several issues as it relates to understanding the impact of said programs. This includes reliable measures of youth perceptions of their SEL skills, the diverse ability of learners who may attend these programs, and the age range of learners. Given the realities of evaluating youth development in real-world …

Experiences Of Teachers Who Left The Profession In Their First 5 Years, Rashemia Bennett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recent studies show that teachers are leaving the profession at a rapid rate, which is leading to a shortage in the classroom that is impacting school districts across the United States. Teachers are leaving the profession within their first 5 years of teaching as opposed to finishing their careers and retiring. Studies show that teachers leave the profession for various reasons, such as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, lack of resources, student behaviors, and personal accomplishment. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to learn about the experiences of teachers who left the profession within the first 5 years of teaching …

Lived Experiences Of Rural Female Veterans Seeking Mental Health Counseling, Tina Marie Tarryk

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over the past 20 years, the number of female veterans in the United States has doubled. Research has shown a gap in the literature regarding the lived experiences of female veterans seeking mental health care services in rural areas. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of female veterans seeking mental health services in rural areas. A hermeneutic phenomenological theoretical framework through the lens of health care utilization theory was used to guide the study. Nine women meeting the inclusion criteria of being a veteran, being 18 years or older, having at least 2 …

A Grounded Theory Study Of The Second Birth And The Processes Of Sanctification In The United States, With Special Attention To Communicating With God, Richard Bruce Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The human experience of Christian sanctification and communicating with the God of the Bible was studied using a Constructivist Grounded Theory. The setting was the United States, a post-truth society with concurrent falling church attendance, diminished Bible reading, and deteriorating social discourse. Fifteen participants met the inclusionary criteria of a second birth experience over one year prior and over 18 years old. Research questions focused on facilitators and inhibitors of sanctification processes, how the participants perceived God communicated with them, and their resultant actions. Results demonstrated that participants reported that God used multiple communication modalities. Participants felt a great closeness …

Exploring Rapport-Building In Coaching Relationships: Coach's Perspective, Tanya Devereaux

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines rapport-building strategies and challenges executive coaches face in their interactions with clients, with an emphasis on demographic influences. By employing a qualitative phenomenological approach, the study captures the subjective experiences of 14 active executive business coaches. These coaches discussed techniques for rapport-building, such as pre-meeting engagement, setting expectations, and creating safe environments during initial sessions. The findings reveal that demographic factors—such as race, gender, and cultural background—impact the coach-coachee dynamic, often necessitating adaptive strategies to align with the unique needs of each client. The themes that emerged from the research aligned with existing literature, and professional experience …

A Qualitative Look At The Impact Of Animal-Assisted Therapy On The Lived Experiences Of Recovery Home Residents With Co-Occurring Substance Use And Mental Health Disorders, Philip M. Papoojian

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a commonly used intervention strategy for addressing psychiatric disorders comorbid with substance use in Europe but is a rarely used intervention in North America. As substance abuse continues to rise in contemporary Western culture, particularly in the United States, new interventions, including AAT, need to be considered. Cannabis abuse and opioid abuse are often comorbid with other psychiatric disorders such as alcoholism, general anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD. The combination of these factors can stunt developmental processes. This study was designed as a qualitative exploration of the lived experiences of male substance users …

Exploring Mental Health, Future Rehabilitation, And Systemic Oppression In Inmates: A Qualitative Study, Vennissica F. Kelly

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of systemic oppression in incarcerated inmates, with a focus on their emotional/psychological experience of systemic oppression and how it impacted their willingness to participate in rehabilitation programs. This phenomenological study used elements of the narrative approach to obtain the common themes that surfaced while communicating with the participants and focused on two areas: systemic oppression and how it affected the mental health of inmates and how it affected their willingness to participate in rehabilitation programs. For this purpose, systemic oppression was defined as systemic power used to control others. To …

Ethnic Identity And Acculturation: Mental Health Perceptions And Help-Seeking Behaviors Of College-Age Students With Sikh Punjabi Immigrant Parents, Manreet Kaur

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of college-age children of Sikh Punjabi immigrant parents who were considering mental health treatment in Pennsylvania. The theory guiding this study was ethnic identity theory, which was developed by Jean Phinney. There were four research questions addressed: (a) How do college-age children of Sikh Punjabi immigrant parents describe their experiences when considering mental health treatment in Pennsylvania? (b) How do participants describe the impact of their parents’ perceptions regarding mental health when contemplating seeking mental health treatment? (c) How do participants describe their experiences discussing mental health–related topics with …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Individuals With A History Of Dismissive Avoidant Attachment Who Have Earned Attachment Security In Romantic Relationships., Ibukunoluwa Oluwafunmilade Aromolaran

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study, guided by John Bowlby’s attachment theory, explored the lived experiences of individuals with a history of dismissive avoidant attachment who have earned attachment security in romantic relationships. Using a qualitative design, the study employed snowball and convenience sampling to enroll eight participants. Semi-structured interviews were analyzed, and thematic coding identified key patterns related to dismissive avoidant attachment and the pathways to earning attachment security. Themes emerged regarding early caregiving experiences, including emotionally distant caregiver, physically absent caregiver, and neglect. In romantic relationships before earning attachment security, participants described themes of avoidance of emotional intimacy, self-sabotage, fear of …

The Impact Of Economic Stress On Marital Satisfaction, Luis Ventura

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Marital satisfaction is considered a common index for measuring the stability and quality of marriages. Various factors have been considered to affect the stability and quality of marriages. In the context of the contemporary world, in which socioeconomic dynamics influence day-to-day existence, economic or financial stress is considered a factor that influences relationships. However, the extent to which economic stress affects relationships is unclear. This study examines the effect that economic stress (through its varied types) has on marital satisfaction. It applies a correlational research design where data is collected using quantitative survey questionnaires on a sample of 80 participants …

Pornography, Problematic Use And Academic Outcomes In College Students: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Promise Tewogbola, Victoria Bodunde, Deborah Odaudu

Journal of Graduate Education Research

Background: The prevalence of pornography consumption among college students has raised concerns about its potential impact on academic performance. This study aims to examine the relationships between pornography use, academic outcomes, and problematic pornography use among university students.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 739 students from a Midwestern U.S. state university. Participants completed an online survey assessing demographics, grade point average (GPA), pornography consumption frequency, Academic Success Inventory (ASI) scores, and Problematic Pornography Use (PPU) scale scores. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between variables.

Results: Pornography consumers had 41% lower odds of …

Perceptions Of Using Exercise As A Self-Determining Motivational Strategy For Gen Z Females With Depression Since Covid-19., Andrea Menhennet

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted individuals' daily routines, which amplified mental health challenges worldwide. A demographic highly prone to depression is Gen Z females. They faced unique struggles during this period, specifically managing their well-being. This study explored the perceptions of Gen Z females with depression regarding the use of exercise as a motivational strategy based on self-determination theory (SDT). The study aimed to understand how physical activity and ways to cope were allocated to manage mental health struggles, focusing on autonomy, competence, and relatedness as pertinent psychological needs. Using the generic qualitative approach, eight female Gen Z participants shared …