Digital Commons Network^™

Self-Care On The Crisis Lines, Julia Rotondi

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

My presentation describes my experience as a crisis counselor with the National Runaway Safeline this past academic year. I also explain the research that went into my Psych390 Learning Project, supplemental research I conducted, and the final product itself. Finally, I connect the learning goals that I had at the start of my internship to the purposes and aims of my learning product.

What Humanity Means To Me: Through My Non-Profit Journey., Mya Yousef

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The story of my experience within a non-profit organization known as Step Up For Mental Health. It brings to light the daily resources we provide to the depth of a peer support facilitator. It explains the coming together of passions as an intern to a special project on depression.

Mirela Masinovic- Erasing The Distance, Mirela Masinovic

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

An attempt of changing policy regarding the curriculum of sexual health education surrounding adolescents, particularly CPS high school students, with the making of a policy brief to send to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Victor Camacho Psyc 390 Internship, Victor Gabriel Camacho

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

An introduction into my internship for PSYC 390 that details my duties, goals, and what I learned throughout my time working at my internship site.

Input To Sr On Contemporary Forms Of Slavery, Including Its Causes And Consequences Regarding The Role Of Organized Criminal Groups, Peggy Frazier, Katherine Kaufka Walts Jd

Center for the Human Rights of Children

The Center for the Human Rights of Children (CHRC), in collaboration with signatory organizations, submits this input in response to the call for submissions made by the Special Rapporteur’s Report on the Role of Organized Criminal Groups with regard to Contemporary Forms of Slavery to inform the forthcoming report to the 76th session of the General Assembly. This input will focus upon the role of organized criminal groups with regard to child labor trafficking (forced labor), and specifically, forced criminality as a form of forced labor.1 We provide input on cases both in the interior of the United States, and …

The Longitudinal Effects Of Maternal Mental Health On Child Coping, Farah Harb, Yvita Bustos, Catherine Decarlo Santiago

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Mexican-origin immigrant women have reported significantly more symptoms of depression and comorbid anxiety than white women and Latino men. Generally, depressed and anxious people are more likely to exhibit higher negative affect and lower positive affect. This is especially significant within a family context, because parental negative affect has been shown to be related to poor child development and behavior, whereas positive affect has been associated with positive child coping and greater resilience. This current study is examining how maternal depression and anxiety impact child coping (primary, secondary and disengagement coping), and if this association is mediated by observed maternal …

Evaluating Rape Myth Acceptance On Loyola University Chicago Campus, Audrey Fuqi Harris

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Sexual violence impacts individuals of every identity and permeates every sector of society. Rape myths are false beliefs which perpetuate rape culture and act as a predictor of the actual perpetration of sexual violence. By administering the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale and a male rape myth acceptance scale, this study investigates the interaction between gender identity and previous experience with sexual assault predicting acceptance of common male and female rape myths at Loyola University Chicago. The findings of this study suggest that gender identity and previous experience with sexual assault interact to predict endorsement of rape myths.

First Star Academy Engaged Learning, Anjum Umrani

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This presentation provides an overview of my experience as an intern at First Star Academy during the fall 2021 semester. In the presentation, I describe the general responsibilities I had as an intern, and I explain the research project that I conducted over the course of the semester.

Backlash Following A Confrontation: The Impact Of Relationship, Essentialism, And Trust, Efrata Sasahulih, Jamie Patrianakos, Robyn Mallett

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Confronting bias can reduce prejudice (Czopp et al., 2006). But people hesitate to confront because they fear backlash (Swim & Hyers, 1999). Previously, we found that being confronted by a friend for anti-Black racism lessened perpetrators’ feelings of essentialism and reduced backlash toward the confronter. We hypothesized that trust and essentialism mediate the association between the perpetrator’s relationship with the confronter and backlash. 437 white participants experienced a 2(Relationship: Friend, Stranger) x2 (Confrontation: Racist, Rude) between-subjects design. When confronted for racism, trusting the confronter and feeling less essentialized by them decreased backlash for confronters who were friends (v. strangers).

Building Trust And Communication Through The Survivors Of Torture Program, Paresa Chowdhury

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

My presentation provides insight on my Psychology Internship experience through the Survivors of Torture Program at the Marjorie Kovler Center. The Kovler Center provides medical, psychological, and social services for refugees and asylum-seekers. Under the supervision of the case management team, I have assisted both case managers and clients with paperwork related to various legal rights and processes including the political asylum process from a clinician’s involvement, trauma-informed care, and applications for Illinois public benefits. This position helped me solidify my professional and communication skills necessary to foster my future patients in recovering from hardships and rebuilding their support systems.

The Ethical Implications Of Intersex Surgery, Riddhi Patel, Meghana Mohan, Rohini Maddigunta, Riya Trivedi, Lauren O'Neil

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Intersex individuals are born with sex characteristics that do not align with the binary expectations of male or female bodies. While intersex describes a wide variety of body phenotypes, some cases present visible intersex characteristics at birth, later on in life (puberty), or not at all. Intersex surgery uses medical intervention to modify atypical or ambiguous genitalia or sex characteristics. Individuals or their parents elect to undergo intersex surgery though it is not always medically necessary or advisable. The purpose of our study is to explore the biological and ethical underpinnings of intersex surgery over time.

Next-Generation Prenatal Testing, Ryan Bonate, Rebecca Sullivan, Hannah Crowley, Anna Bielanski, Victor Suarez

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Since the advent of prenatal genetic testing, the amount of information available to prospective parents has expanded rapidly. Whole genome sequencing and machine learning will see this expansion of information become an explosion in the near future, overwhelming parents with information that may prove empowering or toxic.

This poster will analyze the moral dimensions of next-generation prenatal testing. We analyze information overload, value neutrality in genetic testing, and the intersection of testing and termination. We conclude that advances in prenatal genetic testing must be accompanied by rigorous reflection and self-moderation, lest this information affect parents, pregnancy, and society, negatively.

The Impact Of Discipline Fairness On School Connectedness: Exploring The Role Of School Discipline Approaches, Jamie Kessler, Cynthia Onyeka M.A., Yael Granot Ph.D., Maryse H. Richards

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This study examines perceptions of fairness of school disciplinary actions and the impact that has on a sense of school connectedness. School resource officers, exclusionary discipline, and restorative justice are assessed. Results indicate that fairness mediates relationships between trust in school resource officers, restorative justice, and school connectedness.

Exhibitions Development Internship At The Field Museum, Sarah Solver

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Academic engagement in an online internship at the Field Museum taken for ANTH 396 course credit.

Associated with LUC Center for Experiential Learning Mellon Award for Unpaid Academic Internships.

Perception And Attribution Of Benevolent And Hostile Sexism In Intimate Partnerships, Eva Baer

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

It is never the intention to dismiss a thoughtful gesture from a romantic partner, but what if those gestures have sexist roots? We explored how hostile and benevolent sexism were perceived in heterosexual, romantic partnerships and whether the women attributed them sexist or harmful. We found that women perceive and attribute different forms of sexism differently. Perceived harm and perceived intent are important predictors of whether women attribute partner sexism.

The Role Of Caffeine, Nicotine And Theobromine In The Biodiversity And Function Of The Human Gut Microbiome, Thomas Stanila

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The human gut microbiome plays a fundamental role in physiological processes and homeostatic relationships in the body, with research proving its effects beyond gastrointestinal functioning such as in immune response, psychological operation, and nutritional metabolism. Caffeine, nicotine, and theobromine—the principal bioactive compounds in regularly consumed products like coffee, cigarettes, and dark chocolate, respectively—may yield significant and variable influences on human health beyond their normal pharmacodynamics through affecting gut microbiota. Using metagenomic modelling, predictions can be determined regarding intestinal community activity as well. I hypothesize that the compounds will alter microbial community composition in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

Inhibition Of Laterodorsal Tegmental Nucleus Glutamate Inputs To The Ventral Tegmental Area Blocks Neurochemical Sensitization In Mice, Nicole Buie

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The reward-seeking behavior associated with human psychostimulant drug addiction are driven by dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The ability of psychostimulants to increase mesoaccumbal DA signaling is critical for their ability to promote appetitive behaviors including exploratory behaviors (locomotion) and self-administration. Sensitization results from frequent and repeated drug use and is characterized by persistent neuroadaptations including changes in glutamate receptor signaling at the VTA. These adaptations are important for turning drug use from casual to compulsive and addictive. The VTA receives signaling from many brain regions, it is unlikely they all contribute to this potentiated glutamate …

Suppression Of Puberty In Transgender Teens, Michelle Kantor, Maggie Pacquer, Sarah Khan, Emma Streveler, Marisa Tiangco

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The purpose of our study is to investigate the suppression of puberty for transgender teens. We will examine current and developing treatments, ethical limitations, and the overarching questions that cause hesitation in healthcare providers. Many of the issues faced by these children stem from their age, and thus their ability to make rational decisions for themselves. Proposals against treatment can create psychosocial developmental issues in teens and increase developing gender dysphoria; the psychological distress that results from the inability to align one’s assigned sex with their new gender identity. But fears of regretful decision-making leads to the question of what …

My State Of Mind, Trevor Bunger

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

My presentation is about my internship experience with SocialWorks, a Chicago based nonprofit. At SocialWorks, my work on the My State of Mind initiative contributed towards the building of a mental health resource that will change the way people in Chicago find and access mental health care.

The Impact Of A Mindfulness Mobile Application On Compassion And Psychological Well-Being, Marie Chamberlain, Carol Hundert, Colleen Conley

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

For the present ongoing project, we are examining the relationship between self-compassion and compassion for others and how the use of Headspace, a mindfulness meditation mobile application, affects compassion and, consequently, mental health. Participants for the current study consist of undergraduate college students with elevated depression symptoms. Participants are randomized into a mindfulness intervention group or a waitlist control group, take part in an 8-week trial of self-guided Headspace use, and complete surveys at four time points: pre-intervention, 4 weeks, 8 weeks (post-intervention), and 1-month follow-up. As a part of these surveys, participants complete measures of compassion for others, self-compassion, …

Black And Latino Parents’ Socioemotional Support For Teens’ Post-High School Plans, Daniela Vanessa Ugalde

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This research counters deficit models by recognizing how low-income parents provide their teens with valuable forms of socio-emotional support during post-high school planning. This study looks at 160 responses from low-income, predominately Black and Latino parents. Responses about socio-emotional support were divided into four sub-themes: parents discuss post-high school plans with teens, parents give advice relating to academics, parents provide encouragement, and parents give advice over more general life matters. In this qualitative study, the responses of the parents were analyzed to give a more complete picture of the types of support low-income, minoritized parents provided their teenagers.

The Effects Of Racial Centrality On Stereotype Threat, Kendall Cathleen Redwood

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

I explore non-verbal manifestations of stereotype threat and observe whether racial centrality moderates stereotype threat. Black female-identifying students varying in racial centrality will be assigned to a stereotype threat activation or control condition, then defend themselves in a hypothetical crime. Coders will rate their behaviors and perceived culpability from their statements. Black individuals in the stereotype threat condition will display more non-verbal behaviors and be perceived as more guilty than those in the control. Black individuals higher in racial centrality will rate as more guilty than those with lower centrality. I predict an interaction effect between racial centrality and stereotype …

The Role Of School Improvement Planning In The Implementation Of Mtss In Secondary Schools, Hank Bohanon, Meng-Jia Wu, Ali Kushki, Cheyne Levesseur, Anna Harms, Elizabeth Vera, Jenna Carlson-Sanei, David Shriberg

Education: School of Education Faculty Publications and Other Works

As a result of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), schools and districts are encouraged to implement school-wide initiatives to improve outcomes for all students. In accordance with the ESSA, this research study investigated the relationship between school improvement planning and the implementation of school-wide interventions. The study examined survey and extant data from five high schools in a Midwestern state to analyze academic and behavior-related school-wide efforts and their relationship to school improvement. The data showed a statistically significant relationship between school improvement planning and the state’s school improvement report card of student performance (Kendall Rank-Order Coefficient, p = …

The Interaction Between Chronotype And Napping On Inhibition In College Students, Maria Younan, Hannah Hagy, Amy Heard Egbert, Amy Bohnert

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

College is a critical transition period in the lives of young adults with more scheduling freedoms, including naps. While sleep is universally critical for proper functioning, each person’s chronotype varies depending on when they best engage in activities and sleep. Inhibition, our ability to focus on relevant stimuli, also has underlying implications on our ability to perform tasks. In a sample of 738 college-aged students, we sought to better understand the relations between these variables which have practical implications suggesting that napping affects students’ inhibition and health differently based on their chronotype.

Elections And The Stock Market: Analysis, Brittany Labadie, Cj Lencioni, Rich Stockel, Francine Staudacher

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The questions our research aims to address are: Do events associated with the presidential election cycle produce predictable and consistent results in each election year on the three major stock indices values? Is there an increase in volatility as the election approaches? Was there an increase in trading volume as the election cycle progressed? Does this increase in volume throughout the election cycle result in an increase in the value of the indices? Dates of specific interest to our research are the primary debates, Super Tuesday, the vice-president nomination, the Democratic and Republican National Convention, final nominee debates, the day …

A Flexible Influence Of Affect On The Usage Of The Availability Heuristic, Caleb Dalfiume, Jeffrey R. Huntsinger

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This study examined whether emotion influences susceptibility to the availability heuristic. Prior research has shown that happiness and anger promote usage of heuristics, whereas sadness and anxiety discourages use. However, research has also shown that this relationship might be flexible. Positive affect affirms style of thought, while negative affect prompts a switch to the opposite. Consistent with these ideas, we found that happy and angry people are less susceptible to the availability heuristic than anxious people when systematic thinking is primed. The reverse was the case when intuitive thinking was primed.

An Ethnographic Co-Design Approach To Promoting Diversity In The Games Industry, Florence Chee, Larissa Hjorth, Hugh Davies

School of Communication: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Workplace diversity and inclusion are recognised as integral to the internal and public-facing success of organizations. The games industry worldwide has been notably slow to embrace reforms to bring diverse work cultures into practice. Not only does the industry rank very low in the diversity of its corporate profile but a series of high-profile controversies have underscored major problems with attaining and retaining individual staff and achieving overall corporate diversity. In recent years, a number of games media outlets, organizations and game companies have sought to ameliorate internal social and cultural problems by attempting to facilitate cultural change in the …

Compulsive Exercise In College Students, Kaela Harber, Elizabeth Rea, Laura Nicholson, Amy Heard, Amy M. Bohnert

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Compulsive exercise (CE) involves a pathological drive to exercise or control weight (Dittmer, Jacobi, & Voderholzer, 2018). College women who endorsed aspects of CE have been found to exhibit disordered eating, depression, and mood sensitivity (Ackard et al., 2002). This study aims to: 1) characterize CE and physical activity (PA) in a college sample, 2) determine mental health outcomes of CE and PA, and 3) examine the relation between behavioral activation, inhibition, and CE or PA. Results suggest that increased levels of drive and negative affect are associated with CE. However, fewer depressive symptoms are associated with increased PA duration.

Refugee And Immigrant Parent Engagement In School-Intervention: A Qualitative Analysis, Amatul Husna

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Immigrant and refugee families face many challenges pre-migration, migration, and post-migration. Parents face additional stressors as they work to support their family and raise their children, while adjusting to a new home in a foreign country. The Supporting Transition Resilience of Newcomer Groups (STRONG) program is a school-based intervention developed by Dr. Sharon Hoover (2018) for immigrant and refugee children. The current study employs an integrative data analysis using both inductive and deductive reasoning to examine themes related to parent engagement, parent preferences, and suggestions for the future implementation of STRONG.

Female Entrepreneurship: A Comparison Between Italy And Vietnam, Madeline Horiuchi

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This project, completed as part of the Ricci Scholars Program 2019-2020, looks to compare the culture and environment of female entrepreneurship in the countries of Italy and Vietnam. Interviews with women entrepreneurs were completed in each country to better understand different experiences they have faced in starting and running their businesses. These experiences, in combination with existing global data and research, are used to evaluate the successes and challenges women entrepreneurs can face around the world, as well as compare and contrast across cultures.