Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Infections In Genital And Extragenital Samples Among Men And Women, Kristal J. Aaron, Charlotte A. Gaydos, Edward W. Hook, Max Chernesky, Jeanne Moncada, Stephanie N. Taylor, Harold C. Wiesenfeld, Kenneth H. Mayer, Matthew R. Golden, Alexander Boutwell, Barbara Van Der Pol

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background For people who have anal and/or oral sex, many programs recommend genital and extragenital (defined here as anorectal and oropharyngeal) screening for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) to identify all potential sites of infection. Methods We assessed genital and extragenital CT and NG prevalence among people reporting extragenital sexual exposure. Results Among 343 gay and bisexual men who reported sex with men (GBMSM), 42 (12.2%) had CT with positivity of 3.5%, 9.3% and 1.8% in the genital, anal, and oral samples, respectively. In this same group, 55 (16.0%) had NG with positivity of 5.2%, 8.5%, and 7.6% …

A Multi-Measurement Study Of The Relation Between Deliberation And Volition, Guillaume P. Pech, Emilie A. Caspar, Elisabeth Pacherie, Axel Cleeremans, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Historically, voluntary action and volition more generally have been investigated through the lens of meaningless decisions. Importantly, these findings have been used in the debate about key notions like free will and moral responsibility. However, more recent claims have challenged the possibility of generalizing findings from a meaningless context to a more meaningful one. The current study investigates the markers of volition, specifically comparing meaningful and meaningless decisions. In an effort to maximize their monetary gain, 50 participants repeatedly deliberated between two options, making either rewarded choices—hard-deliberation decisions (where the options differed along two dimensions) or easy-deliberation decisions (where the …

Improving The Screening And Management Process For Mental Health Disorders And Health Risk Behaviors In College-Age Students: A Quality Improvement Project, Brooke L. Styslinger

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Establishing a standardized electronic screening process for mental health disorders and health risk behaviors is crucial for early identification and intervention before poor outcomes occur. This quality improvement project addresses a gap in care relating to screening practices in a college health services office which primarily relied on a provider-based interview screening processes in students reporting for care. Pre-implementation data showed providers most often screened for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), alcohol use, and drug use, with inconsistent screening for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or tobacco/vaping use. Follow-up screening form administration was also inconsistent, only given 3.3% of the time for …

The Impact Of Gender, Training Year, Medical Specialty And The Covid-19 Pandemic On Resident Wellness, Sara Beachy, Jessica Luzier, Chantel Weisenmuller, Kathleen Bors, Mary Ann Maurer, Amna Anees, Tiffany Lasky, Lisa Calderwood

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Data are limited as to which factors most strongly impact medical trainees' well-being, and few studies have assessed trainee's wellness at multiple time points during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, much research has not taken an intersectional approach to understanding the ways in which different facets of a resident's identity impact their wellness. Thus, more person-centred, probability-driven statistical approaches that can produce distinct heterogenous groups of individuals are warranted to understand the way in which different identities are associated with resident wellness scores.

METHODS: A latent profile analysis was conducted using institutional data from resident surveys administered from 2019 to …

High-Gamma And Beta Bursts In The Left Supramarginal Gyrus Can Differentiate Verbal Memory States And Performance, Shennan Aibel Weiss, Nicolás Sawczuk, Daniel Y. Rubinstein, Michael R Sperling, Katrina Wendel-Mitoraj, Päivi Österman, René Dumay-Roscher, Charles B. Mikell, Sima Mofakham, Kelly Coulehan, Petar M. Djuric, Diego Fernandez Slezak, Juan Esteban Kamienkowski

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: The left supramarginal gyrus (LSMG) contributes to attentional allocation for memory encoding and may also reflect memory state and performance. Given the roles of high-gamma and beta bursts in cognition and memory, this proof-of-concept study investigated whether these signals within the LSMG could classify memory state and performance.

METHODS: Using secondary data from 103 epilepsy patients undergoing presurgical iEEG evaluation, we analyzed 141 delayed verbal free recall experiments. Intracranial EEG (iEEG) data, recorded solely from LSMG electrode contacts, were processed to create two-dimensional (2D) tensors of convolved high-gamma (HG), and beta (15-40 Hz) burst activity. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) …

Factors Associated With Self-Report Symptom Screening Adherence In Pediatric Cancer Patients, L. Lee Dupuis, Emily Vettese, Catherine Aftandilian, Vibhuti Agarwal, Christina Baggott, Scott M. Bradfield, Nicole Crellin-Parsons, David R. Freyer, Kara M. Kelly, Allison A. King, Wade Kyono, Ramamoorthy Nagasubramanian, Etan Orgel, Michael E. Roth, Farha Sherani, Lolie Yu, Allison C. Grimes, Melissa P. Beauchemin, Lisa M. Klesges, George A. Tomlinson, Lillian Sung

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction: Objective was to describe the association between baseline characteristics and the number of Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool (SSPedi) assessments completed over an 8-week period. Methods: This was a sub-analysis of a cluster randomized controlled trial among 10 sites that were randomized to the intervention group. Participants were English- or Spanish-speaking pediatric patients 8–18 years of age newly diagnosed with cancer. Participants were prompted to complete SSPedi three times weekly for 8 weeks. The outcome was the number of SSPedi assessments completed during the 8-week period. Factors associated with the number of assessments were determined using mixed effects Poisson …

Adult Congenital Heart Disease As A Career? Examining Encouraging And Deterring Factors In The Global Achd Survey, Katia Bravo-Jaimes, M. H. D. Osama Srour, Petra Jenkins, Raquel Luna-Lopez, Oktay Tutarel, Geetha Kandavello, Carlos-Eduardo Guerrero-Chalela, Edgar García-Cruz, Judith Ackerman, Amalia Elizari, Miriam Valdez-Ramos, Blanche Cupido, Dominica Zentner, Murad Almasri, Sabrina Phillips, Christopher Mcleod, Luke Burchill, Celia Kamath, Renee Bullock-Palmer, Jonathan Windram

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: There is a global mismatch between the number of adults with congenital heart disease and adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) cardiologists, potentially impacting patient outcomes. This survey explores factors influencing trainees and cardiologists' career choices in ACHD.

METHODS: An online, anonymous global survey on demographics, ACHD as a career choice, encouraging and deterring factors assessed via a 5-point Likert scale and open-ended questions on recommending ACHD was distributed through targeted emails and social media. Responses meeting a 75% completion criterion were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

RESULTS: Among 811 included responses, most were from women (53.5%), aged …

Depressive Disorders, Bad Mental Health Days, And Diabetes Management Behaviors Among Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native Adults: Findings From The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Kaipeng Wang, Luohua Jiang, Jie Zhu, Spero M. Manson

Graduate School of Social Work: Faculty Scholarship

Objective

This study examined the association between diagnosis of depressive disorder, the number of bad mental health days per month, and diabetes management behaviors among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults with diabetes.

Research design and methods

Data were drawn from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2018–2021), including 2,272 self-identified non-Hispanic AI/AN adults diagnosed with non-gestational diabetes. Key variables included a self-reported prior diagnosis of depressive disorder and the number of bad mental health days in the past month. Outcome variables were seven diabetes management behaviors, such as taking a diabetes management class and performing daily foot checks. Statistical analyses …

Qualitative Insights Into Drug Use Safety Strategies And Social Support Among Sexual Minority Women Who Inject Drugs In Baltimore, Maryland, Jennifer L. Glick, Leanne Zhang, Aimee Huang, Megan Nguyen, Danielle German

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background: Sexual minority women (SMW) experience higher rates of substance use relative to heterosexual women in the U.S. but remain an under-studied population. SMW who inject drugs (SMWWID) navigate an unpredictable drug market and may experience complex relationships within their social spheres. We explore cisgender SMWWID’s strategies to maintain safety while injecting drugs, and the influence of their social support systems on those strategies. Methods: We conducted N = 16 phone-based, semi-structured, in-depth interviews with SMWWID in Baltimore, Maryland between June-October 2021. The interviews explored participants’ sexual orientation and gender identities, social networks and support systems, drug use behaviors and …

The Formation Mechanism Of Irrational Online Comments From The Perspective Of Dual Systems Theory, Xuefen Wang, Lei Guo, Liyan Chang, Zejiao Jiang

Journal of Scientific Information Research

[Purpose/significance] To explore the internal formation mechanism of unplanned irrational online comments is of great significance to promote the governance of cyberspace and the control of user behavior.

[Method/process] Based on the dual-system theory, the study constructed a model for the formation mechanism of irrational online comments, and revealed how online disinhibition and the spiral of silence affect individual internal states to stimulate irrational comments through empirical analysis.

[Result/conclusion] Research reveals that: compared to mild irrational comments, aggressive irrational comments are more likely to be unplanned behaviors, the cognitive-emotional preoccupation with online comments is the main driving factor for irrational …

Oxytocin's Role In Feelings Of Social Connection And Loneliness, Cecile Sunahara

Psychology Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the role of oxytocin (OT) in feelings of social connectedness. Healthy male and female participants (N=138) were exposed to a task designed to elicit feelings of social connectedness to close others (i.e., the Social Connection Task); participants’ salivary OT levels were measured in response to this task. Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), data were collected on participants’ feelings of social connectedness in daily life. Results from the current study showed that, among male participants, OT levels decreased in response to the Social Connection Task, while no change in OT was observed among female participants. OT reactivity to …

Who Reconstitutes The Chemotherapy? The Educational And Practice Needs Of Oncology Pharmacists In West Africa: A Call For Multidisciplinary Team Approach In Oncology Care., Runcie C.W. Chidebe, Ramatu M. Alabelewe, Krishna Prasad Sapkota, Darlingtina K. Esiaka, Candidus C. Nwakasi, Gloria C. Okwu, Jacinta Emejulu, Adamu A. Umar, Ndifreke Okwuegbunam, Funsho David, Toyosi Adepoju, Agha A. Agha, Ejike S. Ugwu, Simeon C. Aruah, Richard Mshelia, Rob Duncombe, Noel N. Wannang, Peace C. Babalola, R. Donald Harvey, Cindy O'Bryant, Folakemi T. Odedina

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: Oncology pharmacists (OPs) play a crucial role in cancer care, treatment, survivorship, and multidisciplinary teams (MDTs). OPs have specialized training in designing, administering, monitoring, and modifying oncology chemotherapy; managing adverse events; and evaluating clinical trials and investigational drugs. Yet, the state of OP has remained largely unknown in the clinical oncology workforce of the West African region. Therefore, this study aimed to understand who reconstitutes chemotherapy and to explain the OP educational and practice needs, challenges, and solutions in Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a concurrent embedded mixed method design, 35 OPs completed a questionnaire, and 12 others responded …

Research On Traditional Family Values Incorporating Data Enhancement And Transfer Learning, Qiaoling Chen, Hao Wang, Xiaomin Li

Journal of Scientific Information Research

[Purpose/significance] This research conducts in-depth exploration and knowledge discovery of ancestral hall couplets, a critical carrier of traditional family ethics, to facilitate their adaptive inheritance in contemporary society while introducing innovative perspectives and methodologies to the field.

[Method/process] We constructed a hierarchical classification system for traditional family values by synthesizing academic consensus, then developed the Annotation Keyword Data Enhancement(AK-DA-SKB-TC) model using idiomatic allusions with annotated keywords as source data and couplets as target data. Leveraging transfer learning, we achieved automated family tradition classification for couplets, followed by rigorous reliability validation. Multi-dimensional analysis of classification results uncovered evolutionary patterns and contextual …

Trends In Lumbar Epidural Injection Selection: A Survey Of Practitioner Preferences And Practice Patterns, Ryan Triglia, Andrew Walrond, Jesse Wagner, Paul Kitei, Jeffrey Boyd, Jeremy Simon

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Lumbar radiculopathy is estimated to affect approximately 3-5 % of the population. Among the leading causes of radiculopathy are degenerative or congenital spinal stenosis and lumbar disc herniations, which can contribute to compression and narrowing in various regions of the spine including the neural foramen, subarticular recess, or central canal. When patients do not respond to typical conservative treatment such as medications and physical therapy, epidural steroid injections can be considered as a next step in management. There are three approaches available for accessing the lumbar epidural space: caudal, interlaminar, and transforaminal. There is no clear consensus regarding the …

Stress And Seizures: The October 7th Experience, Alon Doron, Firas Fahoum, Lilach Goldstein

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Stress is a frequently self-reported seizure trigger in patients with epilepsy (PWE), with studies regarding this issue having conflicting results. On October 7th, 2023, a large-scale military invasion accompanied by massive rocket launches against Israel, including Tel Aviv, occurred, providing an opportunity to investigate the role of acute stress in provoking seizures.

METHODS: All adults who presented to the emergency department (ED) of Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center between January 1st, 2017, and February 29th, 2024, and were diagnosed with seizures were included. Data were collected using MDClone, a data acquisition tool. The overall seizure-related ED admissions were compared …

Respectful Patient-Provider Communication And Patient Portal Usage In Pregnant People Of Color, Amy H. Goh, Christopher Lee, Chisolum Nkenke, Joyce K. Edmonds

College of Health Professions Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Patient-provider communication (PPC) increasingly occurs in online patient portals. Variations in portal usage might worsen communication inequities for pregnant people of color (POC), widening the digital divide. The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between respectful PPC, patient portal usage, and digital health literacy (DHL) in pregnant POC.

METHODS: A multimethod cross-sectional survey design was used. Ordered logistic regression was performed to determine the relationship between PPC and portal use, controlling for trimester prenatal care was initiated, insurance type, age, gestational age, and parity. The moderating effect of Digital Health Literacy Instrument (DHLI) was tested on …

The Role Of Neuroscience In Mental Health Management Within The Adhd Population, Kadi Rae Smith

University Honors Theses

Neuroscience-based educational interventions play a role in the management of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), including the regulation of ADHD-correlated depression and anxiety. Existing research shows that elevated rates of depression correspond to anxiety within the ADHD community; approximately 8.83% of the global population. Social ostracization and isolation are established contributors to depression and anxiety which are commonly comorbid with ADHD. The need exists for further investigation of the beneficial impact that an accurate, biological understanding of how the brain works has on the mental health of the ADHD population, and by extension their families, education systems, and medical industries. …

Trauma In The Middle Ages: The Viking Experience Of Trauma Through Saga, Kagan L. Vogt

University Honors Theses

Trauma is a fundamental part of human experience and the ways in which human beings experience trauma differs drastically depending on the time and culture represented. Research on trauma in the Middle Ages does exist, however, often offers windows into very narrow intersections within the study of historical trauma. Other cultures and particularly oral traditions lack the same attention from scholars in trauma. The specific experience of Vikings as referenced in the oral tradition of sagas offers a unique window into the traumatic experience of Vikings as well as how they responded to trauma. This unique response to trauma is …

Beyond The Genome: The Racialized Exposome, Flourishing, And Stress Biology In African Americans, A Non-Exhaustive Review, Enye Washington

University Honors Theses

Racial health disparities remain an enduring challenge in the United States, disproportionately impacting African American communities through higher rates of chronic disease and premature mortality. This non-exhaustive literature explores how the racialized exposome - a term denoting the totality of social, environmental, and structural stressors rooted in systemic racism - biologically embeds itself via stress-responsive pathways. Specifically, it examines the interaction between racial stress, flourishing, and key biological markers, including allostatic load and telomere length, considering the gut-brain axis. The review highlights robust evidence that chronic exposure to racial discrimination and structural adversity contributes to multisystem dysregulation and accelerated cellular …

Interprofessional Education: A Geriatric Immersion Experiential, Emily J. Balog, Jennifer Degennaro, Lisa Bodenheimer, Stephanie Berdugo-Hernandez, Isabella Berdugo-Hernandez, Matthew Mclaughlin, Kevin Overbeck, Elyse Perweiler

Rowan-Virtua SOM Faculty Teaching & Learning Seminar

The Geriatric Interprofessional Education Immersion (GIPEI) course was developed using a mixed methods design guided by the Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) Framework and embedded data-driven decision-making (DDDM). The eight-week, tri-weekly immersion integrates Experiential and Adult Learning Theories, the 4Ms Framework, IPEC competencies, and TeamSTEPPS to foster age-friendly clinical decision-making. Quantitative and qualitative data, including pre/post-tests, rubrics, observations, and student interviews, inform iterative improvement. The somato-psycho-socio-semiotic model of health further anchors student reflection and care planning. Findings aim to demonstrate improved learner ability to recognize and apply age-friendly care, while supporting evidence-informed curriculum refinement. The course is funded by the geriatric workforce enhancement …

Evaluating The Use Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation In A Patient With Treatment Resistant Depression, Autism Spectrum Disorder, And Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report, Luke Fritsch Ba, Mba, Msiv, Oluwafunke O. Ogunremi Bs, Msiv, Alexandra R. Job Bs, Msiv, James Hellekson Md

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Despite a wide array of therapeutic modalities, many patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) experience no significant improvement in symptoms with traditional treatment. Given the prevalence of Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD), other alternative therapeutic modalities for MDD are being researched. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is one modality that continues to show successful therapeutic outcomes for those with TRD. The aim of this study is to highlight a case of rTMS being used on a patient with TRD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use.

Methods:

Our patient is a 53-year-old female who first presented to …

A Comprehensive Literature Review Of Gender Differences In Perception And Response To Stress, Zoe M. Shankland

University Honors Theses

It is well established that psychological stress, whether acute, chronic, or recurring, creates an imbalance in the body’s ability to regulate itself, leading to the potential for long-term disease. This paper looks at the possibility that women (anyone who identifies as a woman) experience more general mental stress than men (anyone who identifies as a man) due to women experiencing unique stressors under a patriarchal society. Men and women live different lives in modern society due to differing societal expectations and biological processes for women (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause). These extra feelings of stress may be tied to traditional gender roles …

Colorectal Cancer And The Risk Of Mortality Among Individuals With Suicidal Ideation, Srikanta Banerjee, Jagdish Khubchandani, Stanley Nkemjika

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

Suicide is a major public health problem that has grown at alarming rates in the last two decades. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer deaths in the United States in both males and females. However, the influence of suicidal ideation (SI) on the association between CRC and risk of mortality has not been well examined.

METHODS: For this study, the 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative survey of United States adults aged 20 years or older, was utilized. CRC survivorship was determined from self-reported data on CRC, and mortality …

A Smart Pill Bottle And Text Messaging Intervention For Promoting Medication Adherence In Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Pilot Study Of Txt4 Tki, Kuang-Yi Wen, Neil Palmisiano, Rita Smith, Rachel Slamon, Gina Keiffer, Christian Fidler, Margaret Kasner, Lindsay Wilde, Md

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) often face challenges with adherence, despite the efficacy of the treatment. Theory-guided and evidence-informed interventions addressing psychosocial and adherence barriers are critical for promoting adherence. Using a mixed-method approach, the pilot study developed and evaluated the feasibility and potential impact of an intervention "txt4TKI," to support medication and symptom management among CML patients undergoing TKI therapy.

METHODS: Guided by the Necessity and Concerns framework, the study comprised two phases: Phase 1 involved qualitative patient needs assessment interviews informing intervention design. Phase 2 was a single-arm pilot study …

Neuroanatomical And Morphometric Differences In Children Who Stutter, Mohammad A. Khan

Honors Scholar Theses

Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder commonly known as stuttering is a neurodevelopmental speech disorder characterized by disruptions in speech fluency. While genetic and neurobiological factors are implicated, the structural brain differences underlying stuttering remain unclear. This study investigated neuroanatomical alterations in children who stutter (CWS) compared to typically fluent children (TFC), focusing on gray matter volume, cortical thickness, and surface area in speech-related regions; the Inferior Frontal Gyrus, Middle Temporal Gyrus, and Pre-motor Operculum. High-resolution MRI data from 100 children (48 CWS, 52 TFC) aged 3–12 years were analyzed using FreeSurfer. Group comparisons revealed no statistically significant differences in cortical thickness, surface …

Surrogate Trust In The Intensive Care Unit: What Can We Do Better?, Abdul W. Kazi, Phoebe Chun, David Oxman, Erika J. Yoo

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous investigation into patients' trust in medical providers is largely limited to the outpatient setting, where increased trust is associated with improved adherence, satisfaction, and self-reported quality of life. Contrastingly, in the intensive care unit (ICU), patients are frequently incapacitated, and it is surrogates that engage with clinicians for decision making. This pilot study aims to measure and compare surrogate trust in the healthcare system and ICU physicians.

METHODS: We measured surrogate trust in both the healthcare system and providers by administering two domain-specific trust-measuring surveys (the Healthcare System Distrust Scale and a modified Trust in Physicians Scale) to …

Pre-Service Teacher Self-Efficacy For Classroom Management And Evidence Based Practices For Managing Classroom And Challenging Behaviors, Mathew Benthin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study investigated the relationship between pre-service teachers' self-efficacy (TSE) and their knowledge of evidence-based practices. Teacher self-efficacy, defined as the belief in one's ability to achieve specific teaching goals, plays a pivotal role in shaping teaching behaviors and student outcomes. Evidence-based practices, grounded in scientific research, are essential for effective teaching and problem-solving in diverse classroom settings. This study highlighted the importance of the two specific resources of self-efficacy and knowledge of evidence-based practices for managing classrooms and challenging behaviors. By exploring pre-service teacher resources, this study aimed to contribute to the body of literature exploring the challenges facing …

Tolkien And Attachment Theory : A Theory To Bind Them All?, Lelie Bremont

Journal of Tolkien Research

Tolkien and Attachment theory: One Theory to Bind Them All?

Ever since the first publication of The Hobbit in 1937, Tolkien’s works have been dominating the fantasy genre, often imitated but rarely equalled. Dozens of scholars over decades have looked for the reason behind this success, the secret ingredient that made Middle-earth so compelling.

Nicole Guédeney is a French psychiatrist specializing in Attachment Theory. Attachment Theory emerged in the early 20^th century and combines psychology with anthropology and ethnology to explore the early attachments created between a baby and the adults surrounding them and how these attachments determine the …

Fears And Pains And Rages: The Psychology Of Gandalf's Anger, Nicholas Birns

Journal of Tolkien Research

We are used to seeing emotions in Tolkien as coded morally. Lust or possessiveness is evil whereas care and forbearance are good. There are some emotions, though, that cross these moral boundaries and one of these is anger Moreover, anger in Tolkien is very coded in terms of gender, as it is nearly always male rage. After examining the cases of Saruman and Wormtongue (angry because the world will not cooperate with their plans) and Thingol (angry because he realizes he has just postponed his doom rather than staved it off), we will examine the case of Gandalf. Gandalf is …

Investigating Undergraduate Conditioned Place Preference Utilizing Virtual Alcohol Stimuli, Nikole A. Rodriguez Torres, Robert Astur, Jeffrey Divino

Honors Scholar Theses

Alcohol use remains a major concern among college students, with binge drinking linked to serious physical and mental health problems. But how much does the environment influence these addictive behaviors? The relationship between environmental cues and alcohol related behaviors is a critical area of study, particularly understanding reward and motivation mechanisms. Binge drinking, common among college students, is associated with a range of negative outcomes such as physical harm, legal issues, poorer overall health, sleep problems, depression, anxiety, and severe thoughts of suicide. In our study, college undergraduates were exposed to two VR rooms: one with alcohol-related stimuli and one …