Psychological Phenomena and Processes Commons^™

Exploring The Impact Of Inpatient Mental Health Care On Adolescents, Alexandria M. Mckahan

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

Adolescent psychiatric hospitalizations continue to rise, yet there is limited research on which daily practices inside inpatient units genuinely support engagement and recovery. This project examined how structure, staff tone, and therapeutic programming influence adolescents’ participation and emotional stability within a real inpatient setting. The study focused on three questions: how structured routines affect recovery, what challenges staff face when supporting adolescents with complex needs, and how adolescents’ engagement patterns reflect their perception of care. Using a mixed-methods case study at Mesa Springs Behavioral Health Hospital, I conducted approximately twenty field observations, semi-structured staff interviews, and descriptive engagement tracking across …

Young Adults And Early-Onset Psychosis: A Grounded Theory Study Of Experiences Of Identity Development, Katherine Hayden-Lewis, Deborah Rubel

The Qualitative Report

While identity development is a crucial task for young individuals ages 15-25, current research inadequately centralizes identity development in the context of first-time psychosis related to schizophrenia spectrum disorders. This study addresses the knowledge gap by exploring the grand research question, “How does a young person experience their identity development after the first episode of psychosis?”. Constructivist grounded theory methods influenced by critical frameworks were used to collect and analyze data with seven young adults engaged in first episode psychosis programs. Participants were young adults, between the ages of 19-24, that at the time of the study were enrolled in …

Capacity, Allocation And Update Dynamics Of Human Memory Systems, Shaoying Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Information is encoded and stored in three types of memory: sensory memory (SM), short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM). SM has a large capacity but retains information for only a brief period. When information transfers to STM, only a limited amount can be stored. Information in STM can then be transferred to LTM, which has a much larger capacity and longer retention time. STM is often conceptualized as working memory (WM) to highlight its role in active information processing. Due to the limited capacity of STM, it is commonly believed that STM serves as the bottleneck for information processing. …

What Are The Barriers And Facilitators To The Acceptance Of Information And Communication Technology-Based Interventions For Improving Resilience And Mental Health Of Healthcare Workers: A Scoping Review Protocol, Elisabete Alves, Ricardo Rodrigues, César Fonseca, Manuel Lopes, Inês Faria, Nina Dalkner, Paul Barach, Frans Folkvord, Jim Ingebretsen Carlson, Eva Reininghaus, Michele Wessa, Yvonne Prinzellner, Vanessa Leung, Eva Turk, Lara Guedes De Pinho

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare workers (HCWs) report overwhelming demands and experience crisis levels of burnout and unique challenges that further impair their mental health. Promotion of mental health among HCWs using information and communication technology (ICT) has received little empirical research attention and interventions for improving mental health resilience in HCWs are not well established.

DESIGN: Scoping review to map existing evidence and identify gaps for future research regarding the main barriers and facilitators of the acceptance of ICT-based interventions for improving resilience and mental health among HCWs working in all healthcare settings.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol was developed in accordance …

Learning And Satisfaction, Ainsley Smith

Scholars Week

Learning and Satisfaction

Motivation, especially in the world of psychology, is quite the broad and overarching term that relates to various aspects of life. Whether it be motivation in the workplace, classroom, sports, or relationships, our intrinsic and extrinsic motivations drive us to do our best on what we set forth to accomplish. Although there is extensive research on methods of learning in correlation to motivation as well as levels of satisfaction impacting these levels, there has yet to be much exploration into the impact an emotional component or personal connection may have on these factors. The purpose of this …

Impact Of Surgical Refusal On Overall Survival In Patients With Rectal Cancer, Vishal Abhimutt Mahesh, Anjali Yadav, Harsheen Kaur Manaise, Berkay Demirors, Paola Berrios Jiminez, Angel Aguayo-Merly, Jade C. Bowers, Bansi P. Savaliya, Reed Popp, Ramin Shekouhi, Guido Chiriboga, Syeda Hoorulain Ahmed, Fatima Mubarak, Esinam Ekpeh, Emmanuel Gabriel

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND/AIM: While surgery is a major component of treatment for managing rectal cancer, some individuals opt against it, potentially affecting their chances of survival. This study investigated the clinical and demographic elements linked to the decision to refuse surgery and assessed the potential impact of this decision on overall survival (OS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the U.S. National Cancer Database to analyze factors linked to surgery refusal in patients with rectal cancer. Clinical, demographic and treatment characteristics were compared using Pearson chi-square and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. RESULTS: Among the 115,066 patients with rectal cancer …

Sexual Activity And Functioning After Breast Cancer Treatment: Perspectives On The Importance Of Pleasure From A Radiotherapy Cohort, Melanie Besculides, Lauren Carney, Ksenia Gorbenko, Sheryl Green, Melissa Brito, Jezelle Lynch, Carly Feldman, Cindy Munoz, Madhu Mazumdar, Deborah C. Marshall

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer affects millions of women and while treatment can be lifesaving, it also has numerous side effects, including those related to sexual function, which often impact the ability to experience pleasure from sex. This study aimed to understand how breast cancer survivors define sexual activity, identify important aspects, and ascertain perceived impacts of treatment on sexual activity and function, particularly related to pleasure.

METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who were breast cancer survivors at least one-year post-radiation. Priority populations were oversampled (racial/ethnic/sexual/gender minorities, those aged over 65 or under 45). The sample included 23 participants: 11 …

Modeling Surgeon Belief Updating Under Bias: A Bayesian Simulation In Shoulder Arthroplasty, Mariano Menendez, Michael Moverman, Surena Namdari, Frederick Matsen, David Ring

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Shoulder surgeons often offer markedly different treatment recommendations for a given patient and pathophysiology within the context of a common body of evidence. Prior beliefs and cognitive bias may contribute to this variability. Using Bayesian decision theory informed by principles of behavioral science, we modeled how surgeons with different initial beliefs and degrees of bias update their treatment preferences in response to new evidence comparing anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) when making surgery recommendations for advanced primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis.

METHODS: We developed a Bayesian simulation involving 3 hypothetical surgeons with distinct initial beliefs: …

Occupational Balance Of Occupational Therapy Students Before And After Occupational Disruption Caused By Covid-19, Juan Pablo Saa, Georgia King, Kylee Lockwood, Tamara Tse

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing restrictions have caused occupational disruption, yet little is known about their relationship with occupational balance, student satisfaction, and stress. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the occupational balance of occupational therapy students in the state of Victoria, Australia, and its association with measures of life satisfaction and distress.

Method: Participants completed the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ-11) twice (once rating their occupational balance before COVID-19 social distancing restrictions and again during the time these restrictions were in place); the Global Life Satisfaction Questionnaire; and the Depression, Anxiety and …

Plastic Makes Perfect: An Analysis Of Plastic Surgery As Rehabilitation In Early To Late 20th Century Prison Populations, Jack West

The Ozark Historical Review

As early as 1910, journalists from around the United States reported on the cause-and- effect relationship between a criminal’s physical appearance, their offenses, and the plastic surgeons willing to help them. These surgeons were interested in changing the physical “causes” of criminality to sever the mental roots of crime, inferiority, and anti-social attitude. This paper examines the use of plastic surgery programs as reform in prison through the lens of popular newspaper and journal articles and argues that public perception and reaction revealed in these articles shaped the prison program’s journey from its underground beginning to its eventual demise.

Psychiatric Associations With Barriers To Use Of Mental Health Services In Medical Students, E. Cadence Rarity, Nora Newcomb, Aishwarya Vuppala, Jade Brunicardi, Kim Van, Amelia C. Phillips

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Medical students experience stress, anxiety, and depression at rates greater than those of the general population. Medical students also underutilize mental health services. There exists a need for a comprehensive, multivariate analysis of the reasons medical students do not pursue mental health services, and the undesirable mental health outcomes that are associated with these barriers. This study associates psychiatric phenomena of stress, anxiety, and depression within the context of barriers to use of mental health services in medical students.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, medical students (N = 128) from the University of South Florida engaged with …

Retracted: Idea Density And Grammatical Complexity As Neurocognitive Markers, Diego Iacono, Gloria Feltis

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Language, a uniquely human cognitive faculty, is fundamentally characterized by its capacity for complex thoughts and structured expressions. This review examines two critical measures of linguistic performance: idea density (ID) and grammatical complexity (GC). ID quantifies the richness of information conveyed per unit of language, reflecting semantic efficiency and conceptual processing. GC, conversely, measures the structural sophistication of syntax, indicative of hierarchical organization and rule-based operations. We explore the neurobiological underpinnings of these measures, identifying key brain regions and white matter pathways involved in their generation and comprehension. This includes linking ID to a distributed network of semantic hubs, like …

Associations Between Individual And Structural Level Discrimination And Psychological And Physiological Stress Indicators During Pregnancy, Özlü Aran, Melissa Nevarez-Brewster, Kimberly D'Anna-Hernandez, Julia Dmitrieva, Curt A. Sandman, Laura M. Glynn, Elysia Poggi Davis

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

In the United States (U.S.) pervasive health disparities in prenatal care disproportionately impact marginalized individuals. The present study investigates whether discrimination at the individual and structural levels are associated with indicators of psychological and physiological stress among pregnant Latinx people living in the U.S., including both U.S. and foreign-born individuals. Pregnant participants (n = 109) reported on birthplace, lifetime experiences of racial and ethnic discrimination, perceived levels of stress, acculturation, social support, and provided residential address data and hair samples for cortisol analysis. Regression analysis revealed that individual level discrimination was linked to higher psychological stress during pregnancy ( …

Association Between Climate Change Awareness And Depression & Anxiety: Findings From A U.S. Sample, Stanley Nkemjika, Colvette Brown, Henry Onyeaka, Srikanta Banerjee, Jennifer Oliphant

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Exploring the connection between climate change awareness and overall well-being is crucial, particularly in how it impacts both the environment and mental health. The mental health consequences of climate change and its awareness have not been thoroughly examined, especially in the U.S. In this study, the relationship between awareness of climate change and depression or anxiety among U.S. adults was explored. Similarly, the role of climate change awareness has not been explored in relation to mental health concerns.

METHODS: Based on the HINTS-6 dataset, a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute, a variety of statistical …

Neonatal Striatal Volume Is Associated With Infant Anhedonia, Melissa Nevarez-Brewster, Catherine H. Demers, Jessica L. Irwin, Laura M. Glynn, Martin A. Styner, Mercedes Hoeflich Haase, M. Camille Hoffman, Diego A. Pizzagalli, Benjamin L. Hankin, Elysia Poggi Davis

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Anhedonia is increasingly recognized as a transdiagnostic risk factor for psychopathology. New evidence demonstrates that anhedonia is present in infancy and early childhood. Structural variability in striatal regions involved in reward processing and pleasure seeking is concurrently linked to anhedonia, yet few studies have examined whether striatal differences presage anhedonia, and none have examined prospective associations before middle childhood. The present study examined whether neuroanatomical markers that confer risk for anhedonia can be detected as early as the neonatal period. Specifically, we tested whether the volume of striatal regions in neonates predicted the emergence of infant anhedonic behaviors at six …

Understanding Why Individuals Maltreated As Children Do Not Retrospectively Self-Report, Kristin S. Lynch

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Individuals with documented histories of childhood maltreatment who do not retrospectively self-report these childhood experiences demonstrate better emotional and psychological outcomes in adulthood. Understanding why these individuals do not retrospectively self-report is important for the development of effective interventions focused on mitigating the long-term consequences of maltreatment. The current study compared maltreated individuals who did not retrospectively self-report (O-R group) to those who did retrospectively self-report (O+R group) to examine theoretical explanations related to intentional nondisclosure (i.e., social desirability and discomfort during the interview) and memory processes (i.e. infantile amnesia, use of mental health services, avoidant coping …

Cognitive Impairment In Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Clinical Implications And Novel Treatment Strategies, Alexis J. Vega, Gabriel V. Hernandez, Ahmed I. Anwar, Bahareh Sharafi, Rahib K. Islam, Sahar Shekoohi, Alan D. Kaye

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a lifelong condition; however, traditional treatment focuses on hyperactivity and inattention, which is largely a manifestation of pediatric ADHD. Studies are limited regarding cognitive difficulties, as seen in adult ADHD, as well as treatment strategies for this population. This review of the literature examines multiple recent studies that discuss various novel treatment strategies for cognitive impairment in adults with ADHD. A targeted literature review was conducted using PubMed to identify recent studies on cognitive dysfunction in adults with ADHD, with an emphasis on emerging treatment strategies. Data collected included sample size, intervention strategies, cognitive …

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 …

Rebounds Reconsidered: Exploring Perceived Causes And Consequences Of People's Beliefs About Rebound Relationships, Hunter Krampe

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Romantic breakups are common and can significantly impact emotional well-being. Many individuals enter rebound relationships despite the prevailing belief that these relationships are disingenuous or unhealthy. While limited empirical research exists, some studies suggest rebound relationships may have positive effects, contradicting common advice. This study examined perceptions of rebound relationships, assessing whether individuals who entered a new relationship shortly after a breakup (3 weeks) were perceived more negatively than those who waited longer (3 months). Using a 2x2 experimental design, participants rated targets on emotional state, personality traits, and expected relationship stability. Results indicated that rebounders were not perceived as …

Sad Music Listening: What Is It Good For? An Exploratory Study Of Motivations For Listening To Sad Music, Ariel Gelfand

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to bolster research related to the function of sad music listening. Music listening is a common coping strategy for individuals attempting to cope with and manage different emotional states, including negative or sad moods and emotions. Research surrounding self-reported reasons or motivations for listening to sad music outlines several factors that appear to serve as mood-management strategies. However, there are discrepancies among these motivations across research, which thus far has consisted of qualitative interviews of participants. (Garrido & Schubert, 2011; Saarikallio & Ekkila, 2007; Van den Tol & Edwards, 2013). Additionally, it is unclear whether listening to …

Vascular Risk Factors And 1-Year Cognitive Change Among Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury, Andrea L. C. Schneider, Katherine Hunzinger, Benjamin L. Brett, Danielle K Sandsmark, Sonia Jain, Xiaoying Sun, Raquel C. Gardner, Geoffrey T. Manley, Ramon Diaz-Arrastia, Lindsay D. Nelson, Patrick Belton, Shawn Eagle, Shankar Gopinath, Ramesh Grandhi, C. Dirk Keene, Vijay Krishnamoorthy, Christine Mac Donald, Michael Mccrea, Randall Merchant, Pratik Mukherjee, Laura B. Ngwenya, David Okonkwo, Claudia Robertson, David Schnyer, Sabrina R. Taylor, John K. Yue, Ross Zafonte

Department of Exercise Science Faculty Papers

IMPORTANCE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and vascular risk factors are associated with cognitive impairment, but it is unknown if individuals with vascular risk factors experience worse cognitive outcomes after TBI.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cognitive function among patients with TBI with vs without comorbid preinjury vascular risk factors.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective cohort study examined individuals with TBI enrolled in the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in TBI (TRACK-TBI) Study between February 26, 2014, and August 8, 2018, with a 1-year follow-up. Analyses were conducted February 26, 2024, to May 29, 2025.

EXPOSURES: Vascular risk factors (ie, hypertension, diabetes, …

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 …

From Heroic Imagination To Belonging-Focused Healing: A Tribute To Philip Zimbardo, Agnieszka Wilczynska

Heroism Science

This article offers a reflective account of the Polish adaptation of the Heroic Imagination Project (HIP), a global educational initiative founded by Philip Zimbardo to promote everyday heroism through psychological awareness. As HIP took root in Poland, we developed a robust infrastructure of certified trainers, academic collaborators, and educational centers, reaching over 250 schools and 800 educators. Grounded in core psychological principles -- such as the bystander effect, social conformity, and prejudice -- the program empowered participants to resist negative social influences and cultivate moral courage. The experience also gave rise to Belonging Focus Therapy (BFT), a psychobiological and sociocultural …

Prenatal Maternal Mood Instability And Child Externalizing Problems: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study, Sophie G. Srivastava, Curt A. Sandman, Elysia Poggi Davis, Laura M. Glynn

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

This study examines whether exposure to affect fluctuations during fetal development have implications for child psychopathology. To evaluate maternal mood instability, participants (N = 154) completed Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) eight times per day across three days at 15-, 25-, and 35-weeks' gestation, and then at two months postpartum. The EMA measured depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), anxiety (Profile of Mood States), and stress (Perceived Stress Scale). Mood instability was quantified by calculating root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), which captures both variability and temporal dependency of mood states. When the children were 3 years …

Educating Healthcare Providers To Prevent And Mitigate The Effects Of Zoom Fatigue, Andrea Lima

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Zoom Fatigue (ZF), or physical and neuropsychological responses to excessive videoconferencing (VC), increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like burnout, ZF can compromise patient safety by causing decreased job satisfaction, social isolation, disrupted focus, and difficulty empathizing with patients. This Plan-Do-Study-Act quality improvement project aimed to assess feelings about VC, raise awareness of the adverse effects of overuse, and empower primary care providers (PCPs) to improve their work experiences. A group of on-site PCPs at a tertiary care medical center in the Southwest, who continued holding exclusive virtual team meetings after the pandemic, was asked to complete the 15-question Zoom Exhaustion …

A Systematic Review Of Flotation-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (Rest), Elnaz Lashgari, Emma Chen, Jackson Gregory, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) is a therapeutic technique that involves immersing an individual in an environment with minimal sensory input or stimulation. The goal of REST is to induce a state of relaxation that is deeper than what can be achieved through other forms of relaxation techniques. Research suggests that REST can help reduce anxiety, alleviate chronic pain, improve sleep, and enhance creativity and cognitive function. Flotation-REST is a popular type of REST that utilizes an enclosed tank filled with buoyant saltwater to facilitate relaxation. This study aimed to synthesize the evidence on studies that investigate the effects …

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 …

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 …

Exploring The Association Between Self-Esteem And Blood Pressure: A Cross-Sectional And Longitudinal Investigation, Bijou C. Allard, Julia K. Boehm

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

High self-esteem is linked to favorable outcomes including better mental health and relationships, however, its impact on cardiovascular health is less understood. This study examined the relationship between self-esteem and blood pressure levels using data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study (M_age = 54.53; 57% women; 20% non-White). We hypothesized that higher self-esteem would be associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure concurrently and 10 years later. Self-esteem was measured with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and blood pressure was clinically assessed. Cross-sectional analyses included 1194 participants; longitudinal analyses included 566 participants. Contrary to expectations, …

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 …