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Associations Between Psychoeducation And Measures Of Treatment Engagement In Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Shari Lieblich

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the efficacy of TF-CBT, its effectiveness is compromised by high premature dropout or attrition rates. Psychoeducation, the first component of TF-CBT, provides both a rationale for engagement in treatment and normalizes symptoms to instill hope in youth and their caregivers. This component has been minimally examined as a predictor of later-phase symptom outcomes, mostly in adult trauma treatments, with mixed results. The goal of the current study is examine the influence of psychoeducation on participation-related variables in TF-CBT. Results indicate a positive association between the percentage of sessions of with psychoeducation and attrition and negative association with percentage session …

The Relationship Between Psychotherapist Self-Disclosure And Occupational And Emotional Variables, Kay Nikiforova

Theses and Dissertations

The effect of therapist self-disclosure practices on patients and the therapeutic relationship has long been debated. The historical trend of viewpoint toward self-disclosure began from predicting a negative, therapy-interfering stance to a growing openness towards the consideration that therapists sharing about themselves in session can have a positive effect on the patient. Evidence exists for both potential patient benefit and harm from therapists engaging in self-disclosure. Still, there is an increasing body of evidence that demonstrates that therapist self-disclosure benefits the therapeutic process, increases patient disclosure, and provides a more positive view of the therapeutic relationship. However, at present, there …

A Cross Attention Approach To Diagnostic Explainability Using Clinical Practice Guidelines For Depression, Sumit Dalal, Deepa Tilwani, Manas Gaur, Sarika Jain, Valerie L. Shalin, Amit P. Sheth

Psychology Faculty Publications

The lack of explainability in using relevant clinical knowledge hinders the adoption of artificial intelligence-powered analysis of unstructured clinical dialogue. A wealth of relevant, untapped Mental Health (MH) data is available in online communities, providing the opportunity to address the explainability problem with substantial potential impact as a screening tool for both online and offline applications. Inspired by how clinicians rely on their expertise when interacting with patients, we leverage relevant clinical knowledge to classify and explain depression-related data, reducing manual review time and engendering trust. We developed a method to enhance attention in contemporary transformer models and generate explanations …

Constructing Connections: A Phenomenological Explanation Of Loneliness In First-Year Undergraduates, Natalie S. Byrd, Sophia C. Mccabe, Jessica R. Robinson

Soaring: A Journal of Undergraduate Research

Loneliness is a pervasive phenomenon among college students globally, which has been previously explored in qualitative research. "Friendsickness,” focused on the preoccupation with lost or changed pre-college friendships, is linked to heightened social concerns, discrepancies between expectations and experiences, and loneliness in college (Paul & Brier, 2001). Additionally, pre-college romantic and familial relationships can impact first-year college students' social adjustment and loneliness levels (Calderon Leon et al., 2022; Paul et al., 1998). Guided by social constructivist theory, this phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of eight undergraduate students at a small liberal arts college in the Northeast United States. This …

Playing Empathy: The Impacts Of Theatre On Empathy, Isabelle J. Daoust

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of this study is to address a gap in the literature regarding the relationship between theatre and empathy; specifically, investigating how varying levels of participation in theatre may influence cognitive and affective empathy. This study examines whether empathy can be fostered through mere observation of theatre or whether active participation yields greater effects. Twenty-eight undergraduate participants, all of whom attend a small liberal arts college in the United States, either participated in three theatre games or observed their fellow participants playing them. The results did not support the primary hypotheses, as most empathy-related measures showed no statistically significant …

The Relationship Between Trait Empathy And The Involuntary Mimicry Of Emotion: An Electromyographical Study Of Facial Suppression, Madison E. Dawes, Karlie Souder, Eddie Broad, Htoo Aye, Sian Huai

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Abstract

Facial expressions are one of the main communication styles that signify emotion and meaning across cultures and individuals. Despite it being one of our main forms of communication, in many social situations, people are required to suppress or control their emotional expressions to act in a socially acceptable manner. However, research has shown that a person’s facial muscles continue to exhibit subtle muscle and move in expressivity even when attempting to suppress emotions from others. To support this, Dimberg et al. (2002) found that electromyography (EMG) technology can detect these subtle facial movements even if they may be invisible …

Effortful Emotion Regulation Strategy Use And Cognition: An Individual Differences Approach, Christopher John Schmank

CGU Theses & Dissertations

As we age, several cognitive abilities decline, yet the ability to regulate emotions remains stable (or improves) even when the emotion regulation strategy required is mentally effortful (i.e., requires cognitive resources for success). The primary aim of this dissertation was to examine how expressive suppression (i.e., the inhibition of emotional responses and behavior) impacts cognitive processing speed following a sadness induction procedure. Groups of younger (participants between 18 – 29 years of age) and older (participants over 60 years of age) adults completed three measures of processing speed, first following a no-regulation control condition. The control condition began with participants …

The Ripple Effects Of Microaggressions: Understanding Employee Responses And The Moderating Role Of Racial Representation At Work, Tyleen Lopez

Wayne State University Dissertations

Despite the advancement of research on microaggressions, their impact on employees’ emotional well-being and behavior remains unclear (Fattoracci & King, 2023). In response, I examine the associations between microaggressions, hurt feelings, and counterproductive work behaviors (i.e., withdrawal and production deviance). Additionally, I consider racial representation as a potential moderator. Drawing upon social identity theory, social categorization theory, and the Stressor-Emotion Model, I argue that microaggressions lead to hurt feelings, prompting employees to engage in counterproductive work behaviors as a coping mechanism (Tajfel & Turner, 1979; Tajfel et al., 1971; Spector & Fox, 2005). Furthermore, I argue that the positive indirect …

Centering Sisterhood: An Exploration Of Black Mothers’ Wellness Experiences Through A Group Therapy Intervention, Kimberly Stokes

Wayne State University Dissertations

The brilliance of Black mothers has centered their community’s progression and perseverance for centuries. Yet, most of the psychological research is either absent or promotes a deficit-framing of their experiences. In the present study, I use critical qualitative methodology to center the wellness experiences of Black mothers through analyzing a group therapy intervention entitled, Invincible Black Women. I aimed to promote strength-based, holistic research and practice for Black mothers. The research questions guiding this study focused on group participants’ definitions and applications of care practices as well as the role of mothering as explained in group therapy sessions. Sessions were …

The Mediating Role Of Social Connectedness In The Association Between Volunteering And Affect In Daily Life: A Dynamic Approach, Megan E. Mansfield

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Sustained engagement in prosocial behaviors, like volunteering is an evidence-supported facilitator of well-being. Volunteering and well-being are also dynamic processes unfolding over long and short timespans, which is well reflected in research on well-being (e.g., Heshmati et al., 2023) but less so in the research on volunteering. This is the case despite existing evidence demonstrating that dynamic changes in components of well-being, like emotions, are associated with engagement in particular behaviors including civic or prosocial behaviors (Hou & Bonanno, 2018; Snippe et al., 2017). Therefore, it would be reasonable to suspect that volunteering may have a similar dynamic relationship with …

Personal Wisdom And Coping: Insights From The Covid-19 Pandemic, Noah Ringler

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Much of personal wisdom research has focused on the relationship between personal wisdom and difficult life events (DLEs). Research indicates that those high in personal wisdom cope more effectively with DLEs. However, these studies primarily focused on older adults and assessed coping through well-being measures. Seeking to address these limitations, Ringler (2021) found that mindfulness partially mediates the relationship between personal wisdom and coping with DLEs (measured through meaning-making) in a more age-diverse sample. Despite this progress, several gaps in knowledge remain. For example, there is still a lack of understanding about how wisdom relates to the use of specific …

The Benefits Of A Single-Item Screening For Sud, Abriana Harris, Kathryn Polak Ph.D.

IRBEH/Spit for Science Publications and Presentations

The purpose of this poster is to examine the effectiveness of a single-item screening on detecting if people have problem drinking or are at risk for AUD. As Dr. Polak’s research has examined potential risk of problem drinking within OUD rehabilitation centers through single-item screening, it highlights how problem drinking has been underinvestigated within other SUD. Throughout the experience of working under Dr. Polak, I searched through articles to find how single-item screenings worked within different clinical setting for detection of potential risk of AUD. In these articles, it showed how single-item screenings had better self-efficacy than multi-item screenings and …

Surveying The Relationship Between Adult Support And Youth Civic Engagement, Jaylin Pate, Kimberly Lazarus M.S., Fantasy Lozada Ph.D.

IRBEH/Spit for Science Publications and Presentations

This study explored the relationship between adult support in decision-making and youth civic engagement. Youth Voices, a community-based program, aims to support high school students in understanding positive youth development opportunities. Participants in the program attended weekly meetings and were compared to a control group with no similar intervention. Both groups completed Likert-scale surveys. Results indicate that higher levels of perceived adult support are associated with increased youth civic engagement.

Losing Status And Entitativity: How Population Shifts Affect Attitudes Toward Immigrants Via Social Identity Threats, Xiang Ao

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Many Western countries’ populations have been diversifying due to the decline of ethnic majority groups coupled with an increase in ethnic minority populations. Previous studies established that such demographic changes can result in negative attitudes toward immigrants via elevated status threat to the ethnic majority group. Drawing from social identity theory and uncertainty-identity theory, two studies were conducted to examine whether population shift can elicit anti-immigration sentiment via the elevated entitativity threat to American national identity in addition to the threat to Whites’ status (H1). Study 1 ( N = 297) examined H1 using a between-subjects design in which participants …

Outness Through A Cultural Lens: Self-Construal Impacts Disclosure Among Diverse Sexual Minority Individuals, Ivy Alexandra Carrete

CGU Theses & Dissertations

This research aimed to advance an empirically informed understanding of the role of culture in sexual identity management decisions and disclosure tendencies among sexual minority individuals (SMIs) from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Sexual identity management decisions – in relation to voluntary disclosure of sexual identity – reflect purposeful interactions between SMIs and their environments shaped by the self-concept and resulting in motivational preferences and tendencies regarding disclosure that permeate across social contexts and life domains (Jones & King, 2014, Lidderdale et al, 2007; Ragins, 2008). Recognizing cultural worldviews (e.g., collectivism and individualism) as deeply embedded within the self-concept, the present research …

Resisting Racial Oppression: Ethnic Identity & Critical Consciousness As Pathways To Thriving For Young Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color, Adriana Ariza

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Young Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the United States continuously defy the odds through resilience, resistance, and the pursuit of liberation, yet they are historically understudied as agents of their own positive development within the context of racial oppression (García Coll et al., 1996). This explanatory sequential mixed-method study examined how 393 BIPOC-identifying youth (ages 18-25) thrive amid racial oppression. Survey results initially indicated that higher levels of perceived racial discrimination were related to higher levels of thriving, as measured by the 5Cs model of positive youth development (Lerner et al., 2005). In alignment with previous theoretical …

Hiding In Plain Sites: The Role Of Implied Descriptive Norms On Littering Behavior, Stasie Danial Dear-Ferguson

CGU Theses & Dissertations

The dissertation builds on prior research highlighting the importance of descriptive norms on littering behavior (Bergquist et al., 2021; Cialdini et al., 1990). Previous research has shown that people are more likely to litter into already littered environments than into sites free of litter. There is contradictory research on the impact of a single piece of litter in an environment, the effects of posted anti-littering messages, and whether individuals perceive the influence of the descriptive norm. The dissertation is a series of three studies designed to replicate and extend prior research on the influence of descriptive social norms on littering …

Exploring How Program Community Members Are Engaged In Evaluation Projects, Mike Osiemo Mwirigi

CGU Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explored how evaluators engage program community members in their evaluation projects. While there are ongoing debates on its efficacy, evaluation engagement is a widely discussed topic among evaluation practitioners and scholars. However, despite the growth in the literature surrounding engaging program community members in evaluation, there is a need for more methodologically rigorous studies of the topic (Brandon & Fukunaga, 2014). This dissertation seeks to address this gap by investigating why, who, when, and how program community members are engaged in the evaluation process, as well as the competencies, challenges, and strategies that evaluators associate with the engagement. …

The Association Between The Multidimensional Evaluation Of Attitudes Toward Security Recommendations And The Intention Of Following Those Recommendations, Miguel A. Toro-Jarrin, Pilar Pazos, Miguel A. Padilla

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

This study focused on the attitudes toward security recommendations as determinants of compliance with these recommendations in the workplace. It aimed to determine whether attitudes toward an overall concept (security recommendations in organizations) are associated with Information Security (IS) actions. We also examined the relationship between various dimensions of attitudes toward security recommendations and IS actions that follow these recommendations. We conducted a national survey of American workers. Six hundred and eighty-two responses were retained. We also collected demographic data to explore their moderating role in the relation between predictors and IS action-intention. The survey included four workplace scenarios and …

Exploring Factors Associated With Adverse Childhood Experiences And The Development Of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among Children And Adolescents, Ayesha Qureshi, Sarah Delahanty Phd, Sima Sharghi Phd, Lisa Shauver Ms, Ayla Mapes Phd

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have a significant influence on long term mental and physical health risks, including the development of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS). The current study examined the association between demographic and geo-coded environmental factors and ACE exposure and PTSS development among pediatric patients seen in a behavioral health department at a children’s hospital. Geo-coded factors included Child Opportunity Index (COI scores) and Rural Urban Area Commuting Codes (RUCA). ACE-related factors (type of ACE, ACE overall score) were also included when examining PTSS. Machine learning results indicated that models incorporating environmental data and ACE-related factors performed better than models …

Understanding And Assessing Conduct Disorder: A Literature Review, Garrett Holman

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In this literature review, the current understanding and assessment of conduct disorder will be examined with the intention of finding areas in need of future research. The importance of how conduct disorder develops with individuals, the comorbidities associated with the disorder, and the ways in which conduct disorder is assessed will be the focal point for this review. In particular, this review explores how the development of conduct disorder is connected with the long-term outcomes and the ways in which the interaction of co-occurring disorders can impact the course of this condition. Existing research on conduct disorder has gaps that …

A Motivational Approach To Understanding Uncertainty And Information-Seeking As An Inherent Condition Of Relationships, Samantha Brindley Wozniak

Wayne State University Dissertations

Romantic relationships are precarious contexts where individuals have a significant opportunity to constrain their close other’s outcomes (Kelley & Thibault, 1978). Such circumstances make uncertainty in a relationship challenging and inherently impose vulnerability to hurt and rejection for both partners (Murray et al., 2006). To deal with these challenges, people are known to employ information-seeking behaviors as ways to improve confidence in their perceptions of the relationship (Knobloch & Solomon, 1999; 2002). Despite existing perspectives on relational uncertainty and communication, there lacks a parsimonious framework identifying what motivates different information-seeking behaviors. The research presented here suggests that a regulatory focus …

The Impact Of Knowing Family History On Psychosocial Functioning In Young Adults: Considerations For Immigrant Status And Perceived Parenting, Velinka Marton

Wayne State University Dissertations

Intergenerational storytelling about family history can shape personal narratives and foster resilience (Driessnack, 2017; Fivush, 2008). Development of the intergenerational self may be particularly relevant during specific life stages (e.g., emerging adulthood) or for those experiencing unique stressors (e.g., adjustment through immigration). The aim of the present study was to examine how knowledge of family history would impact psychosocial functioning in emerging adults. It was predicted that a positive relation would be identified between knowledge of family history and trait hope, flourishing, and other components of positive youth development, respectively. It was also predicted that a negative relation would be …

The Role Of Ethnic-Racial Centrality On Exposure To Microaggressions And The Mental Health And Academic Success Of Second-Generation Latiné Adolescents, Lisette Munoz

Theses and Dissertations

People holding racially minoritized identities are frequently subjected to racial-ethnic microaggressions, a form of everyday racism and discrimination. Acculturative stress and microaggressions have a direct impact on immigrants' mental health (Gee et al., 2007; Finch & Vega, 2003; Hovey, 2000). The increase in conservative immigration policies has led to increased anti-immigrant sentiments and microaggressions (Sissoko & Nadal, 2021). The impact of microaggressions can detrimentally affect psychological and physiological wellbeing, as well as academic performance and cognitive function (Solórzano & Pérez Huber, 2020). Because of their experiences with discrimination, Latino children may become more aware of biases in their social interactions …

Globalization In Context, Ayu Okvitawanli, Wolfgang Friedlmeier, Rachana Bhangaokar

IACCP Proceedings of the Biennial International Conferences

The Proceedings are divided into two parts: Volume I includes the links to the recorded keynotes and the book of abstracts of the XXVII Congress of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology, 2024. Volume II consists of the individual empirical papers.

Understanding The Intersection Between Alaska Native And Military Cultural Identities: Using Arts-Based Narrative Inquiry With Mixed Methods, Leslie M. Robertson

Art Therapy | Doctoral Dissertations

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) peoples have contributed significant efforts towards involvement in the military and have served in the Armed Forces at five times the national average. AI/AN peoples have served with distinction in every major conflict for over 200 years. There has been a pervasive and historical lack of recognition for their service and a lack of awareness of the intersection between Indigenous and military cultures (Ault, 2020; Bennett, 2009; Department of Veterans Affairs, 2020; Harris & Hirsch, 2020; Holm, 2010; Krouse, 2007; Marston, 1972; Nalewicki, 2021; NICOA, 2019; Viola, 2008; Wooda et al., 2021).

This study …

Experiences Of Community Leaders And Organizers Within The Stop Six Community, Caitlin Herron

Social Work Theses - Archive

Although community-based and grassroots leadership research exists, little exists in the way of exploring the personal and relational experiences of community organizers to their work and to their community. Using data collected from semi-structured interviews with self-identified community leaders, this research addresses insights into their lived experiences. In particular, a thematic exploration looks at what appeared across each interview. This research is intended to serve as a basis for future research into the lived experiences of community organizers outside of one specific experience or cause, but rather to take an in-depth look into them, their perceptions, and their relationship to …

Quantity Over Quality? What Pupil Dilations Tell Us About Cognitive Effort At Learning., Durna Alakbarova

Psychology Dissertations - Archive

The current study examined whether pupil dilations at encoding reflect cognitive effort participants engage in a task. According to the cognitive effort hypothesis of pupil dilations, increases in cognitive effort cause activation of the locus coeruleus–norepinephrine (LC-NE) system, which is reflected in larger pupil dilations. While task-evoked pupillary responses (TEPRs) have been used as a marker of cognitive effort, it remains unclear whether changes in pupil size reflect encoding success. We proposed that the reason for conflicting findings on the topic is a lack of nuance in examining cognitive effort. Specifically, we suggested that cognitive effort consists of two separate …

Flexing The Frame: Training Abstract, Concrete, And Ambidextrous Thinking To Improve Creativity Across Leadership Styles, Sampoorna Nandi

Psychology Dissertations - Archive

This study examined whether training individuals in abstract, concrete, or ambidextrous construal-level thinking strategies enhances creative performance and whether the effectiveness of such training is moderated by leadership style within an aptitude-treatment interaction (ATI) framework. Drawing on Construal Level Theory (CLT), participants (N = 235 undergraduate students) were randomly assigned to one of four training conditions and completed a low-fidelity planning task designed to assess creativity across three dimensions: originality, quality, and elegance. Results indicated that ambidexterity training—designed to promote flexible shifting between abstract and concrete thinking—significantly improved performance across all creativity dimensions, outperforming concrete and control (but not …

Coping Strategies As Predictors Of Acculturative Stress Among International College Students, Naba Khan

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

This study examined how coping strategies influence acculturative stress among international and multicultural college students. A quantitative correlational design was used with 36 participants recruited through convenience sampling at the University of Texas at Arlington. Participants completed four standardized Likert-type scales measuring acculturative stress, general coping, and academic coping. Correlational analyses showed that age was negatively related to acculturative stress and positively related to coping. A mediation analysis using PROCESS Model 4 indicated that coping partially mediated the relationship between age and acculturative stress, accounting for 39% of the variance, R²=.39, F(2, 33) = 10.60, p < .001. Age significantly predicted coping (β=.06, p=.015), while coping marginally predicted acculturative stress (β= -.26, p = .068). Findings suggest that coping strategies play a modest but protective role in reducing acculturative stress, with older participants reporting slightly greater coping and lower stress.