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Perception, Chris Burley, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Perception is the process through which humans are able to select, organize, and interpret sensory input from the external environment. This process of selection, organization, and interpretation of external sensory stimulation results in our internal representation of the outside world, as well as our conscious experience. Through the process of perception, we are able to gain information and knowledge about our environment, allowing us to safely and effectively navigate in the world.

Nutrition And Growth, Chris Burley, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden

Essays in Developmental Psychology

From a child’s embryonic development in the womb to adulthood, nutrition plays a key role in physical, mental, and social growth and development. Throughout the lifespan, proper nutrition and growth are essential to living a long, healthy life. Nutrition is particularly important in the developmental period.

Durable Power Of Attorney, Carolyn L. Carlson

Essays in Developmental Psychology

A power of attorney is a written document that authorizes an individual (an “agent” or “attorney-in-fact”) to act on behalf of another individual (the “principal”) in a fiduciary capacity related to matters specified within the power of attorney document. The agent does not have to be a licensed attorney in order to assume the role as agent, but must act with care and in good faith when dealing with the principal’s affairs. An agent’s power can be limited to a specific transaction, such as purchasing a specified piece of real estate, or the agent can be authorized to complete various …

Psychomotor Speed In Old Age, Cheryl Chakranarayan, Nathan C. Weed

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Psychomotor ability is defined in terms of the relationship between cognitive functions and motor activities. It plays an important role in acquiring and carrying out a broad range of physical skills and coordinated behaviors, such as playing a sport, or in everyday activities like pouring a glass of milk or applying makeup. Psychomotor speed therefore is the rate at which a certain psychomotor behavior can be carried out. Because of the relevance of psychomotor speed to many areas of personal functioning, it has been extensively studied in a wide variety of applied contexts including sports performance, personnel selection within the …

Spirituality, Kimberly Diah, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden

Essays in Developmental Psychology

The concept of spirituality is polysemic and adapts different meaning based on individual experiences, culture, and purpose. For many, spirituality means being a part of a structured religion such as attending church, going to a mosque or synagogue. For others, it is a personal journey that involves meditation, yoga, private worship with a higher power or God and reflection. Spirituality can also be a way of seeking meaning through connections with other people, or nature. Virtually, it is a broad concept that allows multiple perspectives to take hold. While the object or belief may differ, the commonality among spirituality suggests …

Widowhood, Kirsten Horne, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Widowhood is defined as the state or period of being a widow or widower.  A widow is a female whose spouse has died, while a widower is a male whose spouse has died.  Although both men and women are likely to experience widowhood, research indicates that women are more likely to be widowed than men. Research suggests there are two main reasons why women are more likely to be widowed. First, women in average live longer than men. The second reason consists of the idea that women tend to marry older men. (Now that the USA and many other countries …

Abraham Low, Jason Jimenez, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Dr. Abraham Low (1891–1954) was a Jewish-American psychiatrist and a pioneer in the treatment of mental disorders through self-help programs. He is known for founding Recovery, Inc., a self-help organization that is designed, in part, to fight against the stigma of mental illness. Dr. Low criticized the work of Freud, rejecting the psychoanalytic doctrine both as a therapeutic technique and ideology. He affirmed his belief that human conduct is not a result of unconscious drives but rather directed by personal will.

Social Rejection, Jason Jimenez, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden

Essays in Developmental Psychology

People conform to gain social acceptance and avoid rejection. It is believed that people carry a strong, instinctive need to form social bonds and avoid the consequences of rejection. Even individuals who prefer to be alone still tend to have a few close friends. Rejection is one of the main obstacles faced by many individuals in their attempts to fulfill this need. Being rejected by social groups can be distressing to the individual, as the consequences of rejection can be catastrophic. However, those who feel rejected can also behave in a manner that can either strengthen their remaining social bonds …

The Missing Child Experiment, Philip J. Hudson, Michelle P. D'Amico, Betty S. Lai

Essays in Developmental Psychology

“The missing child experiment” refers to a popular, non-academic, social experiment that was first conducted in 2008 by a Local 6, a news station in Orlando, Florida. The “experiment” has since been replicated and adapted in popular culture and by psychological researchers. In the “experiment,” the news crew arranged for a child actor to sit on a bench inside the entrance of a local shopping mall. Mock missing child posters featuring the child actor’s face were posted at the mall’s entrance. The child was observed by the news crew and security personnel, with her father seated in a nearby café …

Adolescent Alcohol Use, Maike Klein

Essays in Developmental Psychology

To this day, Alcohol poses a danger that literature defines as “the world's third largest contributor to disease” (Marshall, 2014). According to the World Health Organization, nearly 2.5 million deaths are caused by alcohol, with rising prevalence among adolescents (WHO, 2014). Alcohol consumption and misuse in adolescents continues to be a national health issue in the United States (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2013). In-depth reports for one month indicated underaged drinking to stand at almost 30% (SAMHSA, 2013). A recent study about ongoing drug use among high school students found an alcohol consumption level of almost …

Adolescent Drug Use, Maike Klein

Essays in Developmental Psychology

The adolescence stage of life is a critical period for increased risk behaviors such as use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs (Chen & Jacobson, 2012), unprotected sex and sexually transmitted infections (Center for Disease Control, 2014) as well as violent and nonviolent crimes (Pastore & Maguire, 2006; Collado, MacPherson, Kurdziel, Rosenberg, & Lejuez, 2014). Drug misuse during adolescence continues to be a problem in the United States. Mitchell et. al. (2014) illuminate the epidemical forces of drug use by reviewing data of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), showing that 1 in 10 adolescents from ages …

Midlife Physical Changes, Kirsten Horne, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Aging occurs at different rates in individuals. These rates are influenced by factors including genetics, lifestyle, and health. Midlife is considered to be the central period of one’s life, consisting of individuals who are approximately 45 to 65 years of age, although some researchers suggest midlife consists of individuals who are 40 to 65 years of age. There are a variety of changes that occur throughout life. However, a majority of the changes that occur during midlife are considered to be normative physical changes. The physical changes in midlife include but are not limited to changes in appearance, senses, muscles, …

Obesity, Sara D. Mcmullin, Eric A. Goedereis

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 in adults and above the 95th percentile for children based on age and sex norms. The prevalence of obesity across the lifespan has increased over the last several decades in the United States. Currently, 17% of children and 36% of adults in the United States meet these criteria, with higher prevalence among racial and ethnic minority groups. Childhood and adult obesity are associated with immediate and long-term medical, psychological, and cognitive consequences. Therefore, the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends all children and adults are …

Michael Rutter, Benjamin Lowry, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Michael Rutter was born August 15th, 1933 to Winifred and Llewellyn Rutter in Lebanon, where his father was working as a doctor. He returned with his parents to England when he was 3-years-old. In 1940, at the age of 6-years-old, Rutter and his younger sister were evacuated to North America due to fear of German invasion of the British Isles. He and his sister were taken in by different families in the United States and only living together a few months near the end of their four year stay abroad. Rutter denied feeling separated from his parents during his stay …

Battered Woman Syndrome, Emma Lathan, Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS) is a psychological and sociological construct defined as a set of symptoms that develop as coping skills and/or survival mechanisms for repeated physical, sexual, and/or psychological abuse by an intimate partner (Walker, 2017). Symptom criteria include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) indicators of fear, hypervigilance, avoidance, and intrusive memories of abuse, in addition to disrupted interpersonal relationships, body image distortion and/or physical health complaints, and sexual dysfunction. Although historically BWS was considered a female syndrome, it is now known that both men and women can experience severe victimization by intimate partner violence (IPV; i.e., contact sexual violence, …

Bowlby, John, Corey Lieneman, Morgan Simpson, Cheryl B. Mcneil

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Edward John Mostyn Bowlby (February 27, 1907, London, England – September 2, 1990, Isle of Skye, Scotland) was a child psychologist, psychoanalyst, and psychiatrist renowned for his attachment theory. Bowlby was interested in how the caregiver-child bond impacted the child’s personality and emotional bonds formed later in life.

Trace Element Contamination In The Coastal Gray Wolves Of Southeast Alaska, Miranda Brohman

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Gray wolves (Canis lupus), northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris) and salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) play vital roles in southeast Alaska, yet all are exposed to trace element (TE) bioaccumulation. This study examines dietary patterns and TE accumulation in four northern Lynn Canal wolf populations (Douglas Island, Juneau, Gustavus, and Pleasant Island) using stable isotope analysis (SIA) (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) and TE assessments. SIA revealed that wolves in Juneau and Douglas Island primarily consumed terrestrial prey, whereas wolves in Gustavus and Pleasant Island exhibited enriched isotopic signatures indicative of a marine-based diet, particularly …

Zine-Making As Site Of Research Brave Space: From Ethical Challenges To Transformative Opportunities In The Study Of Digital Sexual Intimacies, Rachele Reschiglian, Cosimo Marco Scarcelli

The Qualitative Report

This paper presents zine-making workshops as sites of Research Brave Spaces (RBS), a methodological posture for scholars within transformative worldviews. Positioned within queer research methodologies, the paper argues that zine-making offers a creative and multimodal method that enhances participant engagement and reflexivity, challenging some limitations of traditional research methods. By framing research as a “brave space,” the paper shifts from the notion of “safe spaces,” emphasising the importance of embracing discomfort, vulnerability, and critical reflection throughout the research process in all the subjects involved. The methodology incorporates elements of care, collaboration, and adaptability, addressing the specific needs of marginalised participants, …

Utilization Of Zinc As A Supplemental Treatment To Prostate Cancer, Cony Cs Chow, Vishal Ahuja, Luis Mangiafico

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Prostate cancer remains as a significant contributor to mortality among men worldwide, and despite advancements in treatment, there is still a need for adjunct therapies that could assist in mitigating the progression of this disease. Zinc is an essential trace element which plays a crucial role in the function of the prostate and has shown signs of influencing the development of prostate cancer. This prospective study will aim to evaluate the effects of zinc supplementation on the progression of prostate cancer through a controlled experimental design. Participants will include patients who are diagnosed with prostate cancer (stages 1-3) and will …

The Ethics Of Drawing Illness: Interdisciplinary Negotiations In A Participatory Graphic Narrative Project, Veronica Moretti, Annalisa Plava, Stefano Ratti

The Qualitative Report

This paper illustrates how the design of health-related comics contributes to reflecting on the methodological and ethical challenges of qualitative research. In line with Comics-Based Research (CBR), we demonstrate how creating a comic on medical topics emerges from continuous and iterative dialogue among multiple voices: patients, sociologists, artists, and physicians. On an ethical and methodological level, our study explores the creation of a comic book about pancreatic diseases with varying stages of severity and possibilities for cure and recovery. Constructing a comic in such contexts provides a new way of visualizing and understanding the illness experience. Representing traumatic memory in …

Towards An Embodied And Graphic Based Qualitative Sociology: Methodological Reflections On Reflexivity And Pictorial Embodiment In The Field Of Health And Illness, Alice Scavarda, Barbara Grüning

The Qualitative Report

The aim of this paper is to discuss the comicisation of qualitative sociology, i.e., the use of comics as research methods and analytical tools in sociology, drawing from case studies related to illness and neurodivergence. In the first part, we will pinpoint how comics as qualitative research methods enhance the reflexivity of sociologists themselves in the various phases of their research projects: from the definition of a case study to the choice of research and analysis techniques up to the communication of research outputs. In line with El Refaie’s (2012) concept of pictorial embodiment, we will show how producing drawn …

The Impact Of Diet On Preeclampsia: An Observational Study Of Nutritional Influence, Trinity G. Moye, Alyssa Cunningham

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific condition typically diagnosed after 20 weeks of gestation in women with no prior history of hypertension. Characterized by high blood pressure, proteinuria, thrombocytopenia, increased liver enzymes, and affecting the arteries carrying blood to the placenta, preeclampsia affects the health of both the mother and the fetus. Preeclampsia is disproportionately prevalent in certain populations, specifically among Black women, with various factors contributing to the higher susceptibility including socioeconomic status, education, and health distrust. These factors have been historically structured against Black women in American society. This study aims to reveal how dietary habits can play a role …

The Impact Of The Mediterranean Diet And Low-Glycemic Diet On Fertility In Women Of Childbearing Age With Pcos, Samantha Cicardo, Kayla Le, Carly Traynor

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Endocrine disorder Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an imbalance of reproductive hormones in women, primarily treated with medications such as hormonal birth control and metformin. However, long-term use of medications can have adverse effects as it masks the symptoms of PCOS rather than treat it. Women of childbearing age who are diagnosed with PCOS often are diagnosed with infertility. This proposed research study aims to look at the holistic approach to evaluate how the Low-Glycemic Index (GI) diet and the Mediterranean diet (MD) can impact individuals with PCOS. The primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of …

The Impact Of An Iron-Rich Diet On Fatigue In Menstruating Women With Non-Anemic Iron Deficiency, Meagan Seraydar, Lauren Latimer, Sam Miragliatto

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Fatigue without diagnosed anemia is prevalent in menstruating women, with iron deficiency being a potential contributor. While iron supplementation is a standard intervention, dietary sources of iron may offer a sustainable alternative. This study aims to assess the impact of an iron-rich diet on fatigue levels in menstruating women. A 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted, assigning participants to either an iron-rich diet group or a control group following their usual diet without specific iron recommendations. Fatigue will be measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) at baseline, six weeks, and twelve weeks, alongside iron status biomarkers, including …

The Impact Of Aspartame On Mood Regulation: Examining Neurophysiological Effects In Individuals With Anxiety, Kyra Triepke, Valentina Guzman Cortes, Mateus Ismael Ribeiro

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Despite being widely used as sugar alternatives, artificial sweeteners (AS), especially aspartame, remains debated regarding their potential effects on mental health. While some studies suggest aspartame has no discernible impact on stress, anxiety, or cognitive performance, others indicate that it may affect serotonin pathways and contribute to mood disorders. Given these contradictory findings, further research is needed to clarify aspartame’s effect on mood regulation. This study aims to evaluate the impact of aspartame on stress-related biomarkers and mood modulation, focusing on individuals with anxiety. A controlled experimental design will be used, in which participants with anxiety will be randomly assigned …

Impact Of Targeted Oral Health Education Intervention On Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Salena Patra, Noor Hachem, Diya Sodha, Imani Allen

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that impairs motor neuron function, leading to difficulties in movement, speech, eating, and even breathing. As the disease advances, patients with ALS struggle with activities of daily living (ADLs), including maintaining oral hygiene due to reduced muscular control. This study aims to evaluate the impact of an oral hygiene education intervention on oral hygiene practices, oral health outcomes, and quality of life in middle-stage patients with ALS. The study will compare the effects of a specified educational intervention to those of no targeted education, using quality of life assessments as a …

Long-Term Relief: Sustained Benefits And Strategies Of Pnf Techniques For Plantar Fasciitis With Restricted Dorsiflexion: A Kinovea – Software Based Gait Analysis, Koteeswari Arumugam, Dr. Kamalakanan M, (Professor Saveetha College Of Physiotherapy, Simats), Sundar Rajan Ms, (Saveetha College Of Physiotherapy, Simats), Hariharan J, (Tutor, Simats), Shenega K, (Saveetha College Of Physiotherapy, Simats)

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Objective: This prospective longitudinal study aimed to investigate the long-term effectiveness and maintenance strategies following proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) technique interventions in individuals with plantar fasciitis and limited dorsiflexion which is one of the conditions affecting the community. The primary objectives included quantitatively comparing pain levels, functional mobility, and patient adherence to prescribed strategies over an extended follow-up period. Methods: A cohort of 120 participants with plantar fasciitis and limited dorsiflexion, previously treated with PNF interventions, were enrolled in the study. Follow-up assessments were conducted at three-month intervals over a one-year period. Pain levels were measured using a Visual Analog …

Physical Therapy Management Of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Using A Pacing-Forward Clinical Approach: A Case Report, Clayton D. Powers, Nicole A. Miranda, Todd E. Davenport

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Objective: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of autonomic dysfunction that affects hemodynamic responses to position and movement, characterized by excessive tachycardia and orthostatic intolerance. Aerobic exercise historically has been recommended to improve cardiovascular function. However, some individuals living with POTS may not tolerate aerobic exercise due to post-exertional malaise (PEM). This case report describes the effect of pacing in the context of a pragmatic multimodal approach applied to a person living with POTS, vasovagal syncope, and PEM.

Case Description: A 16-year-old female diagnosed with POTS and vasovagal syncope presented to physical therapy with goals to tolerate a …

Development Of A Scale To Evaluate Key Attributes Of Academic Advisors Essential To Physical Therapy Students, Robin M. Baker, Jamie L. Greco

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Acknowledging the crucial role of academic advising in enhancing student success, professionalism, and personal growth, this paper advocates for a shift from traditional reactive methods to proactive, personalized advising strategies that have been shown to improve retention and satisfaction rates in higher education. Our study highlights the development of a comprehensive scale through rigorous validity assessments to measure key attributes of academic advisors essential to physical therapy students (PTS). This scale, refined through extensive feedback from faculty and PTS over two development phases, consists of 18 items on a 4-point Likert scale, which together map the complex landscape of effective …

Self Perception Of Leadership Styles And Behavior In Secondary School Athletic Trainers, Kelly A. Coleman, Stephanie M. Singe

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Leadership has been considered an important part of advancing the profession, but investigations into leadership styles of clinically practicing athletic trainers (ATs) are scant, with none in the secondary school setting. The purpose of this study was to explore the leadership styles of secondary school ATs and to determine if differences in leadership style practices exist across demographic characteristics. Methods: We used a cross-sectional web-based survey (Qualtrics, Provo, UT). Leadership style was assessed via the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ)-5x where transformational, transactional, and passive/avoidant leadership behaviors were measured on a five-point Likert scale (0=not at all; 1=once in a …