Educational Psychology Commons^™

Benefits And Applications Of Learning With Virtual Reality, Michael W. Timm

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Education is a fundamental pillar of society. It equips students for employment and interpersonal relations. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a transformative technology in the field of education. The aim of this paper is to synthesize existing research in order to determine the benefits of utilizing virtual reality in a variety of education settings, such as K-12 classrooms, universities, and workplace training. This paper observes significant benefits of virtual reality in constructivist and experiential learning, gamified learning, and tailored practice. This analysis also finds that virtual reality is advantageous for educational accessibility, particularly for absentee students and impoverished students. …

Use Of Mindfulness To Promote The Spiritual And Religious Competencies Of Master’S Level Counseling Students., Luisa Nayhouse

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a two-and-a-half hour training session for master's students in counselor education. The training focused on using mindfulness to enhance spiritual and religious counseling competencies. Utilizing a pre-and post-test design, the quantitative study employed mindfulness to train master's students with the aim of building and fostering spiritual and religious competencies in counseling. Historically, there has been a lack of research on the benefits of such specific mindfulness training related to this subject matter.

The study targeted master's level counselor students, with potential applicability to related fields such as psychology and social work. This …

The Reality Of Restorative: The Impact On Discipline Disparities In A Large Urban School District, Eboni Williams, Karen H. Larwin Phd

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

Disparities in exclusionary discipline rates persist for African American students, who often receive harsher punishments than their White peers, especially for subjective offenses. Implicit bias contributes to perceptions of African American children as older, less innocent, and more deserving of severe discipline (Gilliam et al., 2016; Lewis & Diamond, 2015; Welsh & Little, 2018). Excessive discipline correlates with negative long-term outcomes, including higher dropout rates and incarceration (Skiba et al., 2014). This study evaluates the impact of restorative justice in reducing these disparities in a large urban district. While general linear modeling indicated significant suspension rate changes for grades 9-12 …

The Inclusion Of Animals In Educational Settings: The Educators’ Perspective, Emma J. Vardy, Lauren R. Finka, Blair F. Sweeney

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

The inclusion of animals within educational settings is not a new phenomenon, although the last several decades have certainly seen a growth in popularity. Despite increased uptake, little is known about the ways animals are typically being included within educational settings, and the nature of sessions that are being undertaken. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore, from the perspectives of educators, the general risks and benefits to both students and animals of including animals in schools, the types of activities undertaken, species included and their associated management, and the perceived impact on both students and animals. Fourteen …

Leveraging Ownership To Prosper From Failure, Rodney G. Thomas

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain an understanding of the phenomenon of leveraging ownership to prosper from a failure experience through the lenses of principals who have experienced a situation where they failed. Research questions included the perception of the determining aspects, how ownership manifested as a coping method, the belief in leveraging ownership to improve outcomes, and what principals can learn about themselves when finding success after failing. Principals matching the criteria of working in Indiana and Michigan and having a failure experience were chosen for this research study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the principals …

A Phenomenological Study Of Motivation In Online Learners And Its Relationship To Self-Awareness, Curtiss Davis

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The following study was an examination of the phenomenon of cognizance and how it impacts motivation in online learners. Cognizance is generally described as a sense of self-awareness. This qualitative study employed hermeneutic phenomenology to find the essence of awareness through the lived experience of individuals. Nine online learners were interviewed to explore whether they were influenced by the awareness of motivators such as inspiration, interest and/ or metacognition. The goal of this research was to explore whether the phenomenon of motivational awareness is a common trait among successful online learners and whether it has the potential to improve engagement …

The Kids Aren’T Alright: Changes In The Mental Health Of Adolescents Post-Covid-19, Tanya Belom

Education (PhD) Dissertations

Mental health is an increasing concern for today’s youth, with one in six U.S. children and adolescents aged 6-17 experiencing a mental health disorder each year, and 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14. The COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in lockdowns, social isolation, school closures, and ultimately a disruption in everyday life, is believed to have adversely impacted the mental health of children and adolescents. There is limited research available on the impacts of the pandemic on adults, and even less research is available on the impact of the pandemic on youth, specifically as we navigate the …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Workplace Experiences To Inform Transition Services For Neurodivergent Youth, Rachel M. Torres

Education (PhD) Dissertations

Individuals with disabilities, including neurodivergent individuals, are employed are significantly lower rates than individuals without disabilities (Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS], 2023). Although secondary schools are responsible for engaging in transition planning for students with disabilities (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004), research indicates these plans are often lacking in efficacy (Greene, 2015) and in their alignment with students’ interests and needs (Hughes et al., 2023). Simultaneously, modern work and the skills students need succeed in today’s workforce are changing (Griffiths et al., 2020). The goal of the present study is to improve transition planning and interventions by better understanding …

Exploring Secondary Teachers’ Mental Health Self-Efficacy, Perceptions Of Supporting Student Mental Health And Well-Being, Sherilyn A. Kile

Education (PhD) Dissertations

Research has indicated that over half of all lifetime cases of mental health conditions begin before the age of 14 years (NAMI, 2024a), making the adolescent period a critical and formative time. The unprecedented effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to more mental health problems in children and adolescent youth (Sayed et al., 2024), particularly affecting southern California school districts that implemented distance or hybrid learning models (K. Brann et al., 2022). Secondary teachers are essential referral sources and gatekeepers for linking adolescent children to mental health support (Owens et al., 2014). Given the essential role teachers play …

How Do Parents Influence Female Students' Engineering Trajectory?, Niloufar Bayati, Cameron Denson

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Using the Parental Socialization Framework, this research provides a detailed analysis of how early STEM exposure, parental confidence in abilities, and gender-neutral upbringing contribute to the development of STEM identities among women. Employing a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, six undergraduate women engineering majors were interviewed in-depth about their parents' influence on their STEM pathways. The findings reveal that parents' high academic expectations, confidence in their daughters' abilities, verbal and non-verbal encouragement, and early STEM opportunities are pivotal in steering female participants toward engineering. The study also underscores the importance of creating a gender-neutral environment that allows girls to explore and develop …

After The Game: Comparing Career-Readiness Attitudes Between First-Generation And Continuing-Generation Student-Athletes, Heidi J. Robinson

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Successfully transitioning from college to a career requires skills, experience, and knowledge. Specific student populations face increased challenges in accessing campus career resources that promote readiness for post-graduate employment. Among these vulnerable populations are student athletes and first-generation college students. While both student groups stand to gain increased professional success because of their college experiences, college-to-career barriers are well-documented. These challenges include access to and awareness of career-readiness resources, and career preparation and exploration opportunities. More information about the career readiness of an adjacent student group, first-generation student athletes, is needed. Students who experience the intersectionality of being both a …

Teaching Strategies For Twice-Exceptional Students, Aidan S. Karpicz

Honors Scholar Theses

This research study investigates effective strategies for supporting twice-exceptional (2e) students, who possess both gifted abilities and a co-occurring disability such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, or a Specific Learning Disability. Despite a prevalence perhaps as high as 1 in every 50-500 students, many 2e students remain unidentified, and their unique educational needs are often unmet. This study addresses the challenges faced by 2e students, including difficulties in identification due to the masking of giftedness by disability and vice versa, as well as social and emotional issues. Drawing upon existing literature that highlights the necessity of integrated instruction combining gifted …

Double, Double, Toils And Troubles: Analyzing The “Magical” Relationships Between University Leaders’ Personality Traits And Their Self-Efficacy In Leadership Situations, Fay Ludvine Boudreaux

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This present study investigated the relationship between higher education leaders’ personality traits and their self-efficacy in leadership situations. A total of 151 leaders employed across the nine institutions within the University of Louisiana System completed a survey that prompted them to identify their personal values, traits, and skill sets, as derived from the online Pottermore quiz, the official Harry Potter Hogwarts House sorting instrument. This niche personality metric was chosen to cater to higher education’s evolving landscape, as it welcomes an influx of Millennials into leadership positions. Participants’ responses were eventually recoded to “sort” them into their respective Houses: Gryffindor, …

The Influence Rural Leaders Have On Local Population Change: A Two-Part Study, Nichole T. Reiner

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This two-part research study aims to understand factors that influence a rural community population and how local leaders believe they can influence those factors to impact population changes. The first study focuses identifying factors that predict population change using a linear regression model. The second study is a multiple case study focused on three communities, where a mix of secondary data and community leader interviews provided an in-depth understanding of how local leaders perceive their capacity to influence factors influencing population change in their communities.

Advisor: LJ McElravy

Familismo And Family Achievement Guilt In Latine College Students: Relationships With Psychopathology And Wellbeing, Abril Rangel-Pacheco

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the relations between familismo, family achievement guilt, subjective wellbeing, and anxious and depressive symptoms in a sample of Latine young adults enrolled in college in the United States. Familismo has previously been linked to educational success and psychological and behavioral health. On the other hand, family achievement guilt has been linked to low self-esteem and internalizing symptoms. However, it is unclear how these factors interact to impact the psychopathology (i.e., anxious and depression symptoms) and psychological wellbeing (i.e. subjective wellbeing) of Latine young adults in college. Data were collected from 83 Latine …

An Integrative Approach To Einstein’S Field Equations Of General Relativity For High School Students, Christina M. Aintablian

Senior Honors Theses

Einstein’s Field Equations form the foundation of the theory of General Relativity, describing the interdependence of mass-energy and spacetime curvature, where curvature gives rise to gravity. However, the complexity of these equations makes them difficult for high school students to grasp. The mathematical framework of General Relativity is introduced step by step, beginning with relative motion and culminating in a discussion of complex phenomena that challenge modern physics. Each explanation intertwines core concepts of relativity with pre-established mental models to enhance learning. Through the use of figures, analogies, narratives, and thought experiments, a structured framework is developed to make relativity …

Treading Lightly: The Ethics Of Instructor Il/Legibility And Neutrality In The Classroom, Marcus A. Woodman

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Instructors in the classroom often describe their experiences teaching as being a performance, which often combines authenticity with boundaries to keep certain aspects of the instructor’s life out of the classroom. For queer instructors, their performance may be especially complicated; since queer identity is less visible than other types of identities, instructors must also weigh whether or not to come out to their students. In our current political moment, where queerness has yet again become a scrutinized topic (especially when in proximity to youth), teachers have an even more difficult decision to make.

This thesis uses queer theory and queer …

Melanated Reflections Through Testimonios: Centering The Experiences Of African American Women Teachers Turned Leaders And Their Implications On Recruitment, Selection, Hiring, And Retention Of Women Of Color In Leadership Positions, Tanya Rochelle Santos

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (2022), during the 2017–2018 academic year, only 7% of all teachers identified as Black or African American, with approximately 76% of that group being women. This qualitative study investigates the lived experiences of African American women educators who have transitioned into leadership roles within P–12 educational settings across the Great Plains Region of the United States. The research explores how their experiences intersect with issues of racial and gender equity, particularly within the broader discourse of social justice in education and educational leadership.

Framed within the theoretical lens of Black Feminist Thought, …

Understanding The Context Of Bullying: Examination Of The Healthy Context Paradox And Peer Acceptance For Students With Disabilities, Catherine Mae Carney

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The purpose of this dissertation study was to examine how perceptions of school climate and social acceptance influence the relationship between bullying victimization and anxious and depressive symptoms for youth with and without disabilities. Students with disabilities are at increased risk for involvement in the bullying dynamic, both by bullying others and by experiencing victimization. Victims of bullying are more likely to experience peer rejection and greater internalizing problems, including higher levels of anxious and depressive symptoms. Research suggests that school-wide efforts to reduce bullying may leave some youth vulnerable to worse psychosocial outcomes, which has been called, “the healthy …

A Pipeline To Prison Or A Pathway To Promise? The Inequities Fueling The School To Prison Pipeline, Ranishia Lachelle Bailey

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This systematic review proposal would investigate the school-to-prison pipeline and examine the role of pedagogical interventions in mitigating youth involvement in the justice system. By analyzing existing literature, this proposal would study and explore how school system biases, educational frameworks, and systemic factors contribute to the perpetuation of this pipeline, with a specific focus on how educational policies and disciplinary practices impact at-risk youth. The review aims to identify effective interventions that can disrupt this cycle, including restorative justice practices, trauma-informed education, positive behavioral interventions, and culturally responsive teaching. A comprehensive search strategy should be employed across various academic databases, …

Student Mental Health And Student Engagement In Higher Education: Identifying The Mechanisms, Sailesh Maharjan

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Students’ mental health is critical for their personal and educational engagement, particularly among First Generation College Students (FGCSs). There is a growing need in higher education to openly discuss mental health challenges, emphasizing the importance of understanding available resources and campus culture in influencing student well-being. Adopting a salutogenic perspective, this study highlights the necessity of viewing student mental health as an ongoing process rather than a one-time task. In this context, the study examines the relationship between student mental health and overall engagement in higher education, specifically focusing on the roles of a sense of belonging, psychological flexibility, and …

Resources And Readiness: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Secondary Teachers In Rural Texas With Being Prepared For Students Diagnosed With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Their Classrooms, Barbara L. Chase

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines how prepared secondary teachers in Texas rural public schools are to work with students diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who are placed in their classrooms. I investigated the professional development and higher educational training experiences of secondary teachers regarding contributions to both their knowledge of the etiology of ADHD and interventions and behavior management strategies. This dissertation was motivated by a curiosity to understand how secondary teachers in rural schools describe the knowledge they obtained regarding ADHD etiology and interventions through their higher education programs and professional development opportunities. As well as a desire to …

Enhancing College Students’ Awareness Of Effective Stress Management Strategies, Makenzie Barnes

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many college students may not have learned effective stress management skills. Given that college students often face academic pressure, financial challenges, and social conflict, they may benefit from learning about practical ways of managing these stressors effectively. College students who do not use effective stress management skills may be at risk for physical and mental health problems and may struggle academically. When college students develop better stress management skills, they can experience lower levels of stress and anxiety and increased resilience. Therefore, I have created a one-day workshop for the women’s basketball team at Gavilan College in Gilroy, California.

Developing Self-Regulation Skills In Early Childhood, Elizabeth Alvarez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Some elementary-school-age children have not yet developed emotional self-regulation skills. When children have trouble with self-regulation, they have challenges focusing, retaining information, and socializing, which can result in poor academic performance and poor social skills. When children learn emotional self-regulation skills, children can gain emotional intelligence which helps them to recognize, understand, and manage their own emotions. To address this issue, I created a three-day lesson for students in a kindergarten classroom at Sherwood Elementary in Salinas, California.

Effects Of Reflective Journaling And Nudges On Academic Motivation And Engagement, Lakshmi Satya Sai Veda Mahita Uppuluri

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the effects of reflective journaling and motivational nudges on academic motivation and engagement among college students. Grounded in Self- Determination Theory (SDT), the research examines how different interventions influence intrinsic motivation, and academic behaviors such as class attendance, participation, and preparation. The study employed a between-group experimental design with three conditions: a control group, a journaling group, and a journaling group that also received daily motivational nudges. Results showed that students in the journaling groups—particularly those who received nudges—experienced a significant increase in academic motivation. While changes in academic engagement were not significant, the effect size suggested …

Support, School Climate And Teacher Wellbeing In The Wake Of Covid-19: A National Study Using Ntsp Data, Annastashia M. Teepe

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Research indicates a significant number of teachers planned to leave the profession following the COVID-19 pandemic, with national surveys in 2021 revealing about 25% considering departure. Stress, low pay, remote teaching demands, and lack of support contributed to attrition, impacting school climate, which influences productivity, collaboration, and job satisfaction, and is inversely related to turnover. The shift to remote learning also demanded new skills and exposed technological disparities. This quantitative study examined the pandemic's impact on teachers' perceptions of school climate, support, resources, job satisfaction, burnout, and intent to leave using the 2020–2021 National Teacher and Principal Survey. Factor analyses …

Youth Sport Participation And Cognitive Development: The Need For Improved Measurement, Amelia Anne Miramonti

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Background: Youth sport participation is associated with numerous positive developmental outcomes, including potential cognitive benefits. However, research examining sport-cognition links often uses simplistic operationalizations of sport participation and cross-sectional designs, limiting causal inference and understanding of specific sport characteristics' roles. This study aimed to develop and compare a novel, nuanced sport participation scoring method against common operationalizations in predicting cognitive outcomes in a large youth sample, while controlling for general physical activity and health as a first step towards more robust longitudinal analyses.

Methods: Data were drawn from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study Year 2 follow-up …

The Overturning Of Roe V. Wade And People Capable Of Pregnancy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Carrie Bohmer

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) overturned Roe v. Wade in their decision within Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, removing the constitutional right to abortion within the United States (US). Leading up to this anticipated and highly politicized case, 13 states passed preemptive legislation (i.e. “trigger bans”) that immediately made abortion illegal following the Dobbs decision. Limited research has explicitly explored the intersection of sexual health and reproductive health from a psychological perspective. Grounded in a reproductive justice framework, this interpretative phenomenological analysis sought to understand how people capable of pregnancy living …

The Differences In Emotional Intelligence Within Schools That Have Adopted Glasser’S Choice Theory: A Causal-Comparative Analysis, Leaja Hartman Horne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine if statistically significant differences exist in the emotional intelligence (EI) of students in classrooms that have adopted Glasser’s choice theory (CT) compared to schools that have not (NCT). CT, the guiding theory, defines social-emotional learning (SEL) practices and seeks to improve relationships, internal locus of control, and motivation while fostering an engaged learning environment. Research clarifies the need for social-emotional health to support academic achievement; however, the specifics of these relationships require further clarification. The participants were a convenience sample of 59 private and public elementary school students from North …

Assessing Healthcare Students’ Self-Efficacy In Disaster Response: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Aydın Şenol, Abdülkerim Adıyaman, Canan Birimoglu Okuyan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Assessing healthcare students’ self-efficacy in disaster response is crucial for preparing them to effectively manage real-world disaster situations. This study aimed to assess the self-efficacy status of healthcare students in disaster response.

Methods: The data for this cross-sectional analysis were gathered from 498 healthcare students between November 18, 2023, and February 14, 2024, using an individual diagnostic form and the disaster-response self-efficacy (DRSE) scale. This scale is used to assess an individual’s self-efficacy in responding effectively to disasters, including on-site rescue competency, disaster psychological nursing competency, disaster role quality, and adaptation competency.

Results: The mean age …