Digital Commons Network^™

Audiological Characteristics Of A Sample Of Adults With Misophonia, Karen F. Muñoz, Mercedes G. Woolley, Doris Velasquez, Diana Ortiz, Guadalupe G. San Miguel, Julie M. Petersen, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the audiological test results from a sample of 60 adults with self-reported misophonia.

Method: Audiological testing was completed prior to participant randomization in a controlled trial for misophonia treatment. Participants completed the Inventory of Hyperacusis Symptoms Survey (IHS), the Tinnitus and Hearing Survey (THS), the Misophonia Questionnaire (MQ), and behavioral and objective audiometric measures.

Results: Hearing thresholds were less than 25 dBHL for 97% of the participants. Loudness Discomfort Levels (LDL) for tonal stimuli suggested hyperacusis in 25% of the sample. Total scores on the IHS indicated 12% met the clinical …

The Utah Statesman, September 23, 2024, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Effects Of The Western Diet And Psychological Stress On Gut Health, Korry J. Hintze

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

The Utah Statesman, September 16, 2024, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Fly High! How To Create Senior Capstone Experiences Using Self-Directed Service-Learning Through Instructor Mentorship, Andreas 'Baron' Wesemann

Empowering Teaching Excellence Conference

Glen L. Sherman, in his article on Transformative Learning and Well-Being for Emerging Adults in Higher Education, discusses the role of "well-being" and how "transformative education" can bring students to "holistic self-knowledge" (Sherman, G. L. (2020). Transformative Learning and Well-Being for Emerging Adults in Higher Education. Journal of Transformative Education, 19(1), 29-49. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541344620935623). I will showcase how a student-created, student-centered, and student-selected experience can bring self-clarification through service-learning activities. All aviation students in the Professional Pilot and Aviation Management degrees take a class, AV 4660, Senior Project, that is an opportunity for students to develop leadership and time-management skills, through …

Instructing With Excellence: Balancing Student Support With Healthy Boundaries, Monique Rae Frazier

Empowering Teaching Excellence Conference

This workshop-style presentation creates space for engaged and caring instructors to mindfully consider where and how they set boundaries with students as they offer excellent instruction and support. We will discuss specific and individualized ways professors can be both outstanding teachers who care AND set healthy boundaries. We will identify common unintentional mistakes that can lead to burnout and liability risks and offer suggestions. Participants will have the opportunity to intentionally consider where they want to set their boundaries and pinpoint specific behaviors to support their boundary choices. Participants will engage in exercises to consider the impact of verbal and …

Building Bridges: Catalyzing Institutional Change At Utah State University Via Experiential Learning With Ute And Navajo Students, Mehmet Soyer, Mehmet Fatih Yigit, Shyla Gonzalez-Dogan, Gustavo A. Ovando-Montejo, Saeed Ahmad, Tisean Chapoose

Sociology and Anthropology Faculty Publications

This article presents the development, implementation, and impact of a cultural competence course initiated by the Mentoring and Encouraging Academic Success (MESAS) Program at Utah State University (USU). The MESAS Program supports American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students through various initiatives, including the Faculty Advocate initiative, talking circles, the Indigenous Knowledge Symposium, and the Native American Living/Learning Community. Under MESAS, faculty, staff, and non-Indigenous students are offered the cultural competence course which aims to increase an appreciation for the contributions of Native American and other underrepresented groups, while addressing institutional barriers to their academic success and social well-being. …

Faculty Senate Agenda September 9, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:00 Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes
• 3:05 University Business
• 3:20 Faculty Senate Business
• 3:35 Information
• EPC Report
• HB 261 Compliance Efforts
• Faculty Senate Discussions
• 3:55 Reports
• Center for Instructional Design and Innovation
• Empowering Teaching Excellence Annual Report
• 4:10 Old Business
• 4:15 New Business
• Adjourn: 4:30 pm

How Environmental Accidents Influence Consumer ‘Green’ Behavior: An Econometric Analysis, Rick Hardcopf, Suvrat Dhanorkar

Management Faculty Publications

Environmental accidents (EAs) are firm operational failures that harm human health, the natural environment, and offending firms. We propose they also initiate a subtle form of activism among consumers living near the accident by stimulating increased ‘green’ behavior. Using annual county-level data in California from 2000-2015, we show that following an EA, consumers reduce the trash/garbage they generate and the energy they consume. The impact is long-lasting and stronger when EAs are more severe and when consumers have pro-environmental beliefs, ready access to information, and convenient access to ‘green’ options, such as recycling. Since affected consumers may also refuse to …

Impact Of County-Level Urbanicity On Quality Of Life For People With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In A Rural State., Alyssa M. Smith, Allison Caudill

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face challenges, such as decreased access to physical, environmental, and social health-related services that can negatively impact their overall quality of life (QoL). Additionally, people living in rural communities may experience geographic distancing and other factors, like decreased transportation and available housing, that contribute to increased isolation and decreased health outcomes, overall. It is important to consider the QoL of people with IDD living in these communities given the additional intersectional constraints of rurality and having an intellectual disability or other co-occurring conditions. A secondary data analysis reviewed closed and open-ended survey data …

Impact Of A Narrative Language Intervention On Language, Behavior, And Self-Concept Among Bilingual Children With Developmental Language Disorder, Nancy Tarshis Ma, Ms, Ccc-Slp, Kathleen Mcgrath Mss, Lsw, Ida Barresi Ma, Ccc-Slp, Risa Battino Ms, Ccc-Slp, Bcs-F, Sarah Henderson Msed, Ms, Ccc-Slp, Shankar Viswanathan Drph, Jee-Young Moon Phd, Karen Bonuck Phd

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The growing research on narrative interventions is promising but has gaps regarding cultural/linguistic diversity and outcomes beyond language. We evaluated whether a structured, oral narrative intervention affects narrative language, problem behaviors, and self-concept in a diverse group of children with developmental language disorder. A 10-session intervention was implemented within routine care. Baseline and follow-up data included: (a) Narrative recordings—coded by therapists using the CUBED Narrative Language Measure, (b) Child Behavior Checklist—a parent-reported behavioral assessment, and (c) the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale. Among the sample’s n = 33 children, aged 6-16, 55.6% were bilingual. Post intervention, participants’ narrative language scores improved …

An Examination Of Transition Professional Profiles Based On Value-Based Principles: A Latent Profile Analysis, Anthony Plotner, Angie Starrett, Charles Walters, Rebecca Smith Hill

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

This paper presents findings from a study utilizing Latent Profile Analysis to examine the value-based principles of transition professionals from two distinct disciplines: special education and Centers for Independent Living (CIL). Specifically, this paper aimed to identify profiles emerging from the value orientations of special education and CIL professionals, and to explore how individual factors such as professional role, disability status, education, and years’ experience differ across these profiles. Findings revealed a taxonomy comprising four distinct profiles within the transition professionals sampled. These profiles delineate varying dominant values that encapsulate the convergence of special education and independent living philosophies. Implications …

Inclusion In Disability Evaluation And Surveillance Projects: Reflections And Recommendations For Inclusive Project Teams, Tamara M. Douglas, Nathan J. Rabang, Marlene A. Attla, Tasha Boyer, Vanessa Hiratsuka

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Disability rights advocates emphasize “Nothing about us without us,” yet a program evaluation or surveillance team’s composition rarely reflects inclusion of the individuals from the disability populations they focus on. Individuals who have lived experience with disabilities should be present during all steps of program evaluation and surveillance projects in meaningful ways to progress the impact of disabilities work. In this paper, we describe a process used by staff at Alaska’s University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) to hire, train, and work with individuals with intellectual, development disabilities (IDD) as team members. The case example for the inclusion …

Barriers To Health Care Among Adults With Disabilities In Connecticut, Mary Beth Bruder Phd, Tara M. Lutz Phd, Kelly E. Ferreira Phd

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

It is estimated that 25% of adults in the US are living with one or more disabilities. Persons with disabilities (PWD) have unmet health care needs, experience health disparities compared to those without disabilities. Barriers to quality health care include structural barriers such as access to transportation, physical access to facilities, and lack of accessible medical equipment. Other barriers include the knowledge, skills, beliefs, and attitudes of health care providers to meet the needs of PWD. To examine the barriers to health care experienced by adults with disabilities in Connecticut, the University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities …

Conducting A Pilot Evaluation Of A Civic-Engagement Program For Youth With Disabilities, Megan Best, Amanda Johnston, Sarah Demissie, Julianna Kim, Ruchi Mendiratta Khanna, Kelly Fulton, Abby Hardy, Catherine Cheung, Timothy Kunzier, Oscar Hughes, Meghan M. Burke, Zachary Rossetti

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that ensures all students with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education. In the last IDEA reauthorization in 2004, only 1% of public comments were from individuals with disabilities—the population that IDEA serves. To ensure that the feedback of individuals with disabilities is reflected in the next IDEA reauthorization, it is important to support them to learn about IDEA and advocate. To this end, for this pilot study, 16 transition-aged youth with disabilities participated in a 6-hour civic-engagement program across four states to learn about IDEA …

Acknowledgments, Matthew T. Wappett Ph.D.

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Exploring Parental Perspectives On The Transition To Kindergarten For Children With Disabilities, Kari Alberque, Somer Matthews

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

This qualitative interview study explores the personal narratives of parents of children with disabilities regarding the transition of their child to kindergarten. Informed by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, we conducted six parent interviews during the kindergarten year to collect insights about their experiences, challenges, and sources of support. This study aimed to inform the development of effective practices that support families during this critical transition period. Through reflexive thematic analysis, we identified several themes from the data, which include: (1) challenges in understanding the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the transition process, (2) the value of parent-to-parent support networks, (3) …

Efficacy And Feasibility Of Web-Based Act-Enhanced Behavioral Treatment For Skin Picking In Adults: A Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial, Emily M. Bowers, Leila K. Capel, Mercedes G. Woolley, Aubry Barnes, Michael P. Twohig, Michael E. Levin

Psychology Faculty Publications

Skin picking disorder is a chronic repetitive condition that impacts daily functioning and causes significant distress. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) enhanced behavioral training (A-EBT) has shown promise in targeting skin picking symptoms but is not widely disseminated among providers. This study examines the efficacy and feasibility of an eight-week fully-automated online A-EBT program for skin picking disorder. Participants with skin picking disorder (N = 84) were randomized into either an online intervention (n = 43) or a waitlist control (n = 41). All participants completed self-report assessments at baseline, mid-, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up. Analyses used …

Curriculum Subcommittee Agenda September 5, 2024, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes – April 4, 2024

• Program Proposals

• Semester Course Approval Reviews:

• College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences,
• Caine College of the Arts,
• Jon M. Huntsman School of Business,
• Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services,
• College of Engineering,
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences,
• S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources,
• College of Science,
• College of Veterinary Medicine,
• Other

• Other Business

• Adjourn: 3:00 pm

Educational Policies Committee Agenda September 5, 2024, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes – April 4, 2024

• Subcommittee Reports –

• Curriculum Subcommittee,
• Program Proposals,
• Academic Standards Subcommittee,
• General Education Subcommittee

• Other Business

• Adjourn: 4:00 pm

The Utah Statesman, September 2, 2024, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Versus Progressive Relaxation Training For Misophonia: Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol, Interventions, And Audiological Assessments, Emily M. Bowers, Mercedes G. Woolley, Karen Muñoz, Julie M. Petersen, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Misophonia is a disorder characterized by an intense emotional reaction to specific sounds, often leading to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a promising psychotherapy for treating misophonia, but has only been previously tested in case studies. This paper presents a protocol for the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the efficacy and feasibility of ACT supplemented by audiological interventions for misophonia versus progressive relaxation training (PRT).

Methods: The outlined protocol is a RCT with 60 adults with misophonia. After undergoing a comprehensive psychological and audiological evaluation, participants were randomly assigned to …

Instruments For Dual-Factor Mental Health Screening In Elementary Schools: Implications In Mental Health Classification, Mei-Ki Chan, Michael J. Furlong, Emmy Ruff

Psychology Faculty Publications

This research study holds practical significance for educators, school administrators, and mental health professionals. The study utilized structural equation modeling on two samples of elementary school students in grades three to five to create and validate condensed versions of the Social-Emotional Health Survey-Primary and the Me and My School questionnaire. These abbreviated scales exhibited strong internal validity and reliability across grade levels and genders, allowing for the assessment of wellness and distress among a diverse range of elementary school students. Furthermore, data from a longitudinal sample investigated dual-factor mental health profiles and their consistency over one year. Based on the …

The Utah Statesman, August 26, 2024, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Coping With Loneliness (Part 4): Support Others Who Experience Loneliness, Melanie Dabb, Jared Hawkins, Christina Pay, Eva Timothy, Cindy Jenkins, Christine Jensen

All Current Publications

It is natural to want to offer help and support when someone we love or care about is experiencing loneliness. Paradoxically, this is one of the best ways to reduce our own loneliness. In response, Utah State University (USU) Extension faculty developed three fact sheets to describe some of the most effective ways to reduce loneliness. This fourth fact sheet suggests ways to ensure our efforts to support others who are experiencing loneliness are helpful and supportive.

Coping With Loneliness (Part 1): Look Inward, Melanie Dabb, Jared Hawkins, Christina Pay, Eva Timothy, Cindy Jenkins, Christine Jensen

All Current Publications

Experiencing loneliness sometimes is part of the human experience. However, when experienced long-term, loneliness can lead to detrimental impacts on physical, mental, and emotional health. In a series of four fact sheets, Utah State University (USU) Extension faculty compiled some of the most effective ways to enhance connectedness. This first fact sheet describes ways of looking inward that can reduce loneliness. These include identifying sources of loneliness, increasing acceptance, practicing mindfulness, seeking solitude, practicing self-reflection, and practicing self-care.

Coping With Loneliness (Part 2): Look Outward, Melanie Dabb, Jared Hawkins, Christina Pay, Eva Timothy, Cindy Jenkins, Christine Jensen

All Current Publications

Experiencing loneliness sometimes is part of the human experience. However, when experienced long-term, loneliness can lead to detrimental impacts on physical, mental, and emotional health. In a series of four fact sheets, Utah State University (USU) Extension faculty compiled some of the most effective ways to enhance connectedness. This second fact sheet suggests simple ways of looking outward to experience greater connectedness. These include increasing social group memberships, connecting through art and laughter, spending time in nature, strengthening friendships, and providing service.

Thought-Shape Fusion In Residential Eating Disorder Treatment: Cognitive Defusion As A Mediator Between Thought-Action Fusion And Treatment Outcome, Mercedes G. Woolley, Sarah E. Schwartz, Francesca M. Knudsen, Tera Lensegrav-Benson, Benita Quakenbush-Roberts, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

An understudied cognitive bias within eating disorder (ED) psychopathology is Thought-Shape Fusion (TSF), which involves irrational beliefs about the likelihood and moral implications of feared outcomes within the context of ED treatment, with little known about potential process of change to address TSF and ultimately promote ED recovery. We propose cognitive defusion as a process of change, a metacognitive process that emphasizes observing thoughts objectively rather than appraising thoughts as absolute truth. We explored whether cognitive defusion, that is, reductions in body image-related cognitive fusion, mediated the relationship between trait-level TSF and treatment outcomes in a transdiagnostic ED sample of …

Coping With Loneliness (Part 3): Focus On What You Can Change, Melanie Dabb, Jared Hawkins, Christina Pay, Eva Timothy, Cindy Jenkins, Christine Jensen

All Current Publications

The U.S. surgeon general named loneliness a top public health issue in the U.S. In response, Utah State University (USU) Extension faculty developed four fact sheets to describe some of the most effective ways to reduce loneliness. This third fact sheet describes both actions and ways of thinking to help you focus on what you can change. These include using social media intentionally, reaching out for support, avoiding unhealthy relationships, focusing on helpful thoughts, adopting a growth mindset, and practicing gratitude.

"We Are In A Complete Crisis": Navigating The Lack Of Resources To Mental Health Care For Individuals With Idd, Abby Julian, Lindy Strand

Student Research Symposium

IDD and Mental Health

●What is IDD?

●Approximately 7.3 million Americans with IDD (University of Minnesota)

●59% of people with IDD have 1+ mental health conditions (Reichard et al., 2019)

●Many Utah families experience significant difficulty