Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Pandemic-Related Stress Increases Ptsd And Depression Risk In Traumatic Injury Patients: A Comparative Study Of Pre- And Peri-Pandemic Trauma Cases, Juan Pablo Zapata, Carissa W. Tomas, Sydney Timmer-Murillo, Terri A. Deroon-Cassini, Christine Larson, Lucas Torres, Amber Brandolino, Timothy J. Geier, Hason Khan, Andrew T. Schramm

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the psychological well-being of the general population. However, there are limited studies that examine its mental health effects on patients who have experienced traumatic injuries and tracked their recovery over time. This study aimed to: (1) compare the rates and severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression between patients who sustained traumatic injuries before the COVID-19 pandemic (pre-pandemic) and those injured during the pandemic (peri-pandemic); and (2) assess whether the degree of pandemic-related stress (e.g., worry about infection, social isolation, loss of home/job) predicted the severity of PTSD or depression symptoms. Participants (N …

Navigating Food Insecurity: Families’ Coping Strategies, Challenges, And Insights For Educators, Ndũcũ Ngũgĩ

Theses & Dissertations

Food is essential for life. It fuels growth, well-being, and stability. Yet, food insecurity -uncertain or inadequate access to sufficient food- remains a jarring reality for millions. In the U.S. alone, 47 million people, including 14 million children, experience food insecurity despite government efforts. Addressing this crisis is essential for public health, socioeconomic progress, and societal welfare. This narrative study’s main objective was to understand the lived experiences of food-insecure families by examining how they navigate the challenges they face, their inventive coping mechanisms, and the insights they can provide for educators. While research has shown the adverse effects of …

Trait Mindfulness Is Associated With Enhanced Daily Affectivity And Cognition Independent Of Daily Stressors Exposure: Insights From Large-Scale Daily Diary Studies In The Us And Singapore, Yi Jing Chua, Andree Hartanto, Nadyanna M. Majeed

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Trait mindfulness has been linked to various adaptive outcomes, including attenuated affective and cognitive responses to laboratory-induced stress. However, the role of trait mindfulness as a resilience factor against daily stressors exposures is less established. Across 2 studies, multilevel analysis was used to examine the relationships between trait mindfulness and daily affect and cognition, as well as affective and cognitive reactivity to and recovery from everyday stressor exposure. Trait mindfulness was significantly associated with higher daily positive affect in both studies, lower negative affect and cognitive failure, and lower cognitive reactivity to daily stressor exposure in Study 2. However, trait …

Registered Replication Report: Study 3 From Trafimow And Hughes (2012), Sean C. Rife, Et Al

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Terror-management theory (TMT) proposes that when people are made aware of their own death, they are more likely to endorse cultural values. TMT is a staple of social psychology, featured prominently in textbooks and the subject of much research. The implications associated with TMT are significant because its advocates claim it can partially explain cultural conflicts, intergroup antagonisms, and even war. However, considerable ambiguity regarding effect size exists, and no preregistered replication of death-thought-accessibility findings exists. Moreover, there is debate regarding the role of time delay between the manipulation of mortality salience and assessment of key measures. We present results …

Changes In Household Composition And Their Effects On The Academic Achievement Of Orphans And Vulnerable Children Affected By Hiv In Rural Zambia, Mei Tan, Nan Li, Ackim Mungo, Philip E. Thumac, Elena L. Grigorenko

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

The African kinship system facilitates the movement of children and adults between households to mitigate hardship, yet few studies have documented membership changes in rural African households over time and addressed the effects of these household dynamics on the developmental outcomes of children. We used a household inventory instrument to document the number of changes in household membership experienced by 93 households in rural Zambia between two timepoints (∼2 years apart). We then used multilevel models to evaluate the effects of migration and household change on the academic learning of the children affected by HIV residing in these households, positing …

Medical Professionals' Perceptions Of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence, Falon M. Costigan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined whether medical professionals across different levels of expertise show differences in their perceptions of healthcare artificial intelligence (AI). Specifically, the researcher hypothesized that participants with more expertise and experience would have greater negative perceptions associated with AI in healthcare compared to participants with a lower expertise level. Participants completed a questionnaire evaluating their perceptions of healthcare AI across four components: long-term negative consequences of AI, need for AI safeguards, positive perceptions of AI, and AI control. Participants also completed demographic questions evaluating participants' age, sex, ethnicity, years working in a healthcare setting, medical …

Differences In Performance In Mental Rotation And Short-Term Free Recall In Gender Minorities, Katheryne Renee Wood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study examined mental rotation, short-term free recall, state anxiety, and gender expression through masculinity and femininity. This study addressed gaps in literature examining gender differences in gender minority groups by investigating gender differences in two tasks: mental rotation and short-term recall. Participants are categorized into four gender groups: cisgender men, cisgender women, non-binary, and binary transgender. In accordance with previous literature, it was hypothesized that men would outperform women in mental rotation, women would outperform men in short-term free recall performance, and that non-binary individuals would operate separately from other groups. Anxiety was recorded as a possible covariate, but …

Route 420: An Examination Of Cannabis Knowledge, Attitudes, And Use Behaviors Among Young Adults By Primary Route Of Administration, Samantha A. Fitzer

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Cannabis use among young adults in the United States has reached unprecedented levels in recent years. Previous research suggests that the escalating legalization of cannabis across the U.S. has made cannabis use more socially acceptable as well as accessible (e.g., expanding routes of administration) to young adults. However, less is known about how combined individual-level factors (i.e., knowledge and attitudes) may predict cannabis use patterns among young adult college students. Using the Knowledge-Attitude-Behavior (KAB) model, the current study examined a) the mediating effect of cannabis beliefs on the association between cannabis knowledge and cannabis use behaviors (frequency and typical intoxication …

Supervisees’ Responsiveness In Supervision With Doctoral Student Supervisors, Zübeyde Akpakır

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

This study explores the factors that influence the responsiveness of master’s-level counselors-in-training (CITs) to university-based supervision with doctoral student supervisors. Supervision is an important element and the requirement of CITs' professional development (Bernard & Goodyear, 2019; CACREP, 2024), and many counselor education programs educate their doctoral student to supervise master’s-level CITs (Luke, 2019). Despite its significance, there is no empirical data on how CITs engage with feedback and guidance, particularly in supervision led by novice doctoral supervisors. The study employed an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, Q methodology (McKeown & Thomas, 2013), to analyze CITs' subjective perspectives and identify factors …

Intimate Partner Violence Among College Students: The Influence Of Gender, Sexual Orientation, Race/Ethnicity On Bystander Intention, Brooke M. Puharic

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Intimate partner violence (IPV) among college students is an issue across gender, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity. The present study highlights the sociodemographic characteristics that influence physical IPV involvement among college students by reporting past year prevalence and frequency rates of physical IPV involvement by gender, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity. Additionally, the current study builds on research about bystander intention to intervene by exploring the influence of these sociodemographic characteristics on participants intentions to intervene, as well as their preferred type of intervention.

Participants were 525 university students recruited from the psychology research pool. They were presented with eight hypothetical vignettes …

Fostering Cognitive Complexity In Behavioral Health Providers: Perspectives From Supervisors In Integrated Primary Care, Katherina Nako

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

The integration of behavioral health into primary care settings, known as Integrated Primary Care (IPC), offers a holistic approach to addressing both physical and mental health needs (Ramanuj et al., 2019). Efforts to expand access to mental healthcare have contributed to the growing presence of IPC settings (Martin 2017), with mental health providers, such as mental health counselors, joining these teams as Behavioral Health Providers (BHPs; Blount, 2017). However, the unique complexities of IPC often leave BHPs feeling underprepared, largely due to the traditional training frameworks emphasized in many graduate counseling programs. The need for BHPs to adapt to the …

Understanding The Stereotypes, Emotions, And Behaviors Towards Introverts In The Workplace, Kristen M. Fisher

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The present study utilizes the SCM and the BIAS Map to understand perceptions of introverts within the workplace and highlight potential approaches to mitigate introversion mistreatment. It was hypothesized that, when compared to extraverted employees, introverted employees would be perceived as lower in warmth and competence, receive more emotional responses of contempt, more behavioral responses of passive harm, and that contempt would mediate the relationship between competence and passive harm. Conversely, it was hypothesized that extraverts would be perceived as higher in warmth and competence, receive more emotional responses of admiration, more behavioral responses of active facilitation, and that admiration …

Inked Insight: A Consensual Qualitative Research Study Exploring The Perspectives Of Visibly Tattooed Counselors, Megan Ashley Lalonde-Pittman

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

This study explored the experiences of visibly tattooed mental health counselors (VTMHC) through consensual qualitative research (CQR), examining how visible tattoos were perceived to have impacted the participants (N=14) professional experiences, development, and relationships within the counseling field. Seven domains arose from the data: Prejudices experienced by VTMHC, VTMHC Interactions with others, Culture experienced by VTMHC, Appearances of the VTMHC, Professional therapeutic work of the VTMHC, Workplace environment of the VTMHC, Processing the experience of being a VTMHC The implications for multicultural education and future research are explored.

The Contribution Of Task Difficulty And Adult Reliability On Children's Academic Task Persistence, Ella M. Wheelbarger

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Task persistence plays a crucial role in children's academic success and achievement of long-term goals. Contextual variables may influence child persistence such as reward source reliability, task difficulty, or task arrangement. We evaluated the effects of reward source reliability on children's academic task persistence with task difficulty. The perception of the reliability of the reward source was manipulated by making a commitment to provide a reward after completion of the task, but upon completion, delivery was delayed to the next day. The study was designed to examine the extent to which experiencing prior disappointments would decrease persistence times on subsequent …

Acculturation Experiences Of International Students In The U.S. Cacrep-Accredited Counselor Education Programs: Challenges, Support Systems, And Systemic Barriers, Nargiza Amirova

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

International students significantly enrich U.S. counselor education and supervision programs by contributing diverse cultural perspectives that inspire teaching, research, and professional growth. Yet, these students often face complex challenges including cultural adjustment, language barriers, social isolation, and the academic demands of counseling academic programs that impact their educational outcome s and psychological well-being. Systemic barriers, such as visa restrictions and institutional unawareness, further complicate their experiences. This study explored acculturation experiences of international students enrolled in CACREP-accredited counselor education programs in the United States.

Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), in-depth interviews were conducted with seven international students on J1/F1 visas, …

The Effect Of Psychological Variables Associated With Aging On The Psychological State Of Seniors In Jordan According To Gender And Exercise Habits, Walaa Aliswed, Saad Al-Dabas, Mohammad Al-Hindawi

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

This research aims to identify the level of psychological variables associated with aging (depression, anxiety, and stress) and their impact on the mental health of older adults in Jordan, based on gender and physical activity variables. The researchers used a descriptive approach, and the sample consisted of 63 older adults, including 30 males and 33 females, aged 60 years and older. The research tool employed was the DASS-21 scale to measure depression, anxiety, and stress. The results showed that the level of psychological variables associated with aging among older adults in Jordan was moderate. Statistically significant differences were found in …

Dei From The Perspective Of Racially And Sexually Minority Social Work Students, Ilse Ivonne Trejo, Miguel Gabino Lopez, Annette Clarke Jones, Octavio Ramirez

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This explanatory sequential mixed-method research study examined the experiences and perspectives of racially and sexually minority social work students enrolled at Fort Hays State University. By integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches, the study aimed to uncover the unique challenges these students face, such as feelings of belonging, microaggressions, and a lack of culturally competent mentorship. It also highlighted resilience strategies and institutional supports that contribute to their academic and personal success. The findings offer valuable insights for social work educators and administrators seeking to foster more inclusive and supportive environments for minority and sexual students in rural PWIs.

The Efficacy Of Informal Mindfulness Practices Towards Enhancing Psychological Well-Being And Life Satisfaction Among College Students, Tianhui Xie, Carol Patrick

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Embarking in an era marked by innovation and progression, US college students frequently encounter psychological challenges related to intense academic pressure and socialization. Informal mindfulness practices have been suggested to be capable of reducing stress levels, state mindfulness, study engagement, and psychological well-being. While prior research has investigated the efficacy of informal contemplative practice in various daily settings, no study has specifically examined skincare as a potential form of informal contemplative practice. This study aims to measure the efficacy of integrating informal mindfulness practices with skincare practices to enhance psychological well-being, life satisfaction, and state mindfulness among US college students. …

Overcoming Challenges To Student Belonging At A Majority-Minority Hispanic Serving Institution: A Competing Demands Framework, Christopher Donoghue, Richard S. Reinschmidt, Lauren Chow, Junius Gonzales

eJournal of Public Affairs

Sense of belonging is a fundamental human need that can raise the chances of self-actualization and academic success in college. Latine and other historically underrepresented student groups may experience greater challenges in this area than White students due to a greater propensity for feelings of belonging uncertainty, perceptions of inequality or experiences with microaggressions, or greater struggles with food and housing insecurities, even when they outnumber White students on campus. In this study, we utilized a person-centered approach to explore the heterogeneity in belonging in a large sample of undergraduate students (N=2,003) between the ages of 18 and 25 at …

Understanding How Family Dynamics Affect Mental Health Communication In Inside Out: A Content Analysis, Kataryna Morton

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This study examines the impact of open communication between family members on mental health and a child’s sense of belonging in the film Inside Out. Previous research has shown the impact of media on children’s socialization, which can influence stigma and make it less likely for vulnerable communication to occur. It is crucial for children to learn to communicate their emotions, and the media can play a key role in shaping these beliefs. Inside Out provides a positive example of mental health communication, which is specifically explored through Riley’s communication with her parents throughout the film. Using a content analysis, …

Bridging The Gap: Stress And Support Systems For Underrepresented Students Pursuing Graduate Education, Carlos A. Tavira-Villegas

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Embedded within the United States educational system lies a history that is marked by centuries of exclusion, where students of color were denied the right to an equal education. Despite this legacy of injustice, a story of resilience and bravery also exists, as countless individuals fought for the right to access and succeed in an equal education. This literature review examines the historical exclusion of Mexican American, Asian, and Black students in the United States. Important legal cases will be explored to trace the progression of educational equity in America. Several theories will be reviewed, including social identity theory, ecological …

Impacts Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Proactive Coping On College Adjustment And Risky Behavior, Isabella Kester, Will Stutterheim, Jisook Park

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have garnered recent attention in psychological and educational research due to their significant and lasting effects on an individual’s ability to cope and adjust to the demands that are part of the college experience. The trauma experienced in childhood can influence key aspects of psychological and emotional development, shaping how adults conceptualize and cope with stressors later in life. These developmental disruptions also increase one’s susceptibility to risky behaviors, especially during transitional periods in life, such as entering college (Allem et al., 2015; Campbell et al., 2016). This study aims to explore the interplay between ACEs …

Positive Illusions And Their Mental Health Implications, Caleb L. Ashley

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Positive illusions, defined as overly optimistic self-evaluations, exaggerated perceptions of control, and unrealistically favorable outlooks on the future have been the subject of a breadth of research due to their implications in mental health and resilience. Empirical evidence suggests that, in moderate amounts, positive illusions can help support resilience and persistence and are correlated with overall well-being. However, their benefits may become detrimental if they are absent or excessively pronounced. By synthesizing existing research, this presentation seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of positive illusions and to offer insights into how their existence may inform treatment in clinical settings.

Review Of In A Human Voice, Jean Keller

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

The Overlooked Dynamics Of Sibling Violence: Sociological Perspectives And Intervention Strategies, Rowland Edet

The Journal of Social Encounters

Sibling violence (SV) represents a pervasive yet underexplored dimension of family violence, encompassing physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. This paper critically examines the intersection of gender dynamics, societal norms, and family structures in shaping SV behaviors. Using social learning theory (SLT) as a foundational framework, the analysis explores how gendered expectations and traditional roles influence the prevalence and forms of aggression, with boys more likely to exhibit overt physical aggression and girls engaging in relational aggression. The paper critiques the deterministic tendencies of SLT, highlighting the agency of individuals in rejecting modeled behaviors, and incorporates intersectionality to address the interplay …

Religious Bodies Crime Control Strategies In Lagos Slums, Nigeria, Lateef Adeyemo

The Journal of Social Encounters

In Lagos' slum areas, where crime and social instability are rampant, religious bodies are uniquely positioned to influence positive change. This study adopted a qualitative, cross-sectional approach, guided by social disorganisation and stakeholder theories, to examine their impact. Purposive sampling was used to select 61 participants for in-depth interviews and key informant interviews. Findings indicate that religious bodies primarily engage youth through sermons and occasional events but lack structured crime control mechanisms. Key challenges include community resistance, limited police collaboration, resource constraints, and threats from violent youth. Furthermore, doctrinal concerns and fear of backlash hinder interfaith collaboration, with some …

Initial Reliability Of A Special Education Law Chatbot, J.T. Lacy Ph.D., Amy Drinnon Ed.S., Angie Howard Ed.S.

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

There is a shortage of school psychologists across the nation (National Association of School Psychologists, n.d.), resulting in a need for practitioners to perform all aspects of their jobs as efficiently as possible to avoid burnout while ensuring adequate service delivery. While school psychologists are trained in 10 Domains of practice, Domain 10: Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice, permeates all aspects of school psychological practice. Specifically, school psychologists are “state actors,” meaning they are an extension of their state’s authority, supported by state and federal laws, to educate and serve school-aged children, who are among our most vulnerable populations (NASP, …

Stress, Coping, And Psychological Growth In Personnel In A High Arctic Weather Station, Jelena Brcic, Patrick Nicoll, Peter Suedfeld, Phyllis Johnson, Lillian Shurgold

Journal of Human Performance in Extreme Environments

Ideas about positive change following a stressful experience have been of interest to researchers for some time (Antonovsky, 1987; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996). A few areas of study have been developed, some with a focus on successful coping such as research on resilience, sense of coherence and hardiness, stress inoculation, posttraumatic growth, and toughening (Tedeschi, Park, and Calhoun, 1998). Suedfeld (2001) has encouraged researchers to focus on the positive effects of work in extreme and unusual environments however, only a few have done so with astronauts, cosmonauts (Ihle et al., 2006: Suedfeld et al., 2012), and high-altitude mountaineers (Smith et …

Examining Motivations And Risk Factors Associated With Revenge Filicide, Alicia Darneice Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the motivations and risk factors of revenge filicide. Revenge filicide is when a parent murders their child or children out of retaliation to inflict emotional pain on the other parent. This descriptive study used 12 revenge filicide cases consisting of five female and seven male offenders to determine the motivation and risk factors for revenge filicide, and attachment theory was used as the theoretical foundation. The whole sample reported having strained or failed relationships with their current or former partner and were amid a bitter custody battle at the time of …

Up From The Ashes: The Role Of Posttraumatic Growth In The Decision To Become A Clinical Psychologist, Richard Warmke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Clinical psychologists report experiencing higher levels of trauma than other professionals, potentially impacting their ability to provide effective mental healthcare services. Although trauma can result in psychological problems, it can also result in posttraumatic growth (PTG). The purpose of this research was to explore the role of PTG in the decision to become a clinical psychologist to help inform the recruitment and training of clinical psychologists. The theoretical foundations of this study were PTG, vocational choice theory (VCT), and career construction theory (CCT). The key research question of this study was, “What is the role of PTG in the decision …