Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Impact Of Knowing Family History On Psychosocial Functioning In Young Adults: Considerations For Immigrant Status And Perceived Parenting, Velinka Marton

Wayne State University Dissertations

Intergenerational storytelling about family history can shape personal narratives and foster resilience (Driessnack, 2017; Fivush, 2008). Development of the intergenerational self may be particularly relevant during specific life stages (e.g., emerging adulthood) or for those experiencing unique stressors (e.g., adjustment through immigration). The aim of the present study was to examine how knowledge of family history would impact psychosocial functioning in emerging adults. It was predicted that a positive relation would be identified between knowledge of family history and trait hope, flourishing, and other components of positive youth development, respectively. It was also predicted that a negative relation would be …

The Role Of Ethnic-Racial Centrality On Exposure To Microaggressions And The Mental Health And Academic Success Of Second-Generation Latiné Adolescents, Lisette Munoz

Theses and Dissertations

People holding racially minoritized identities are frequently subjected to racial-ethnic microaggressions, a form of everyday racism and discrimination. Acculturative stress and microaggressions have a direct impact on immigrants' mental health (Gee et al., 2007; Finch & Vega, 2003; Hovey, 2000). The increase in conservative immigration policies has led to increased anti-immigrant sentiments and microaggressions (Sissoko & Nadal, 2021). The impact of microaggressions can detrimentally affect psychological and physiological wellbeing, as well as academic performance and cognitive function (Solórzano & Pérez Huber, 2020). Because of their experiences with discrimination, Latino children may become more aware of biases in their social interactions …

Globalization In Context, Ayu Okvitawanli, Wolfgang Friedlmeier, Rachana Bhangaokar

IACCP Proceedings of the Biennial International Conferences

The Proceedings are divided into two parts: Volume I includes the links to the recorded keynotes and the book of abstracts of the XXVII Congress of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology, 2024. Volume II consists of the individual empirical papers.

Understanding The Intersection Between Alaska Native And Military Cultural Identities: Using Arts-Based Narrative Inquiry With Mixed Methods, Leslie M. Robertson

Art Therapy | Doctoral Dissertations

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) peoples have contributed significant efforts towards involvement in the military and have served in the Armed Forces at five times the national average. AI/AN peoples have served with distinction in every major conflict for over 200 years. There has been a pervasive and historical lack of recognition for their service and a lack of awareness of the intersection between Indigenous and military cultures (Ault, 2020; Bennett, 2009; Department of Veterans Affairs, 2020; Harris & Hirsch, 2020; Holm, 2010; Krouse, 2007; Marston, 1972; Nalewicki, 2021; NICOA, 2019; Viola, 2008; Wooda et al., 2021).

This study …

Experiences Of Community Leaders And Organizers Within The Stop Six Community, Caitlin Herron

Social Work Theses - Archive

Although community-based and grassroots leadership research exists, little exists in the way of exploring the personal and relational experiences of community organizers to their work and to their community. Using data collected from semi-structured interviews with self-identified community leaders, this research addresses insights into their lived experiences. In particular, a thematic exploration looks at what appeared across each interview. This research is intended to serve as a basis for future research into the lived experiences of community organizers outside of one specific experience or cause, but rather to take an in-depth look into them, their perceptions, and their relationship to …

Quantity Over Quality? What Pupil Dilations Tell Us About Cognitive Effort At Learning., Durna Alakbarova

Psychology Dissertations - Archive

The current study examined whether pupil dilations at encoding reflect cognitive effort participants engage in a task. According to the cognitive effort hypothesis of pupil dilations, increases in cognitive effort cause activation of the locus coeruleus–norepinephrine (LC-NE) system, which is reflected in larger pupil dilations. While task-evoked pupillary responses (TEPRs) have been used as a marker of cognitive effort, it remains unclear whether changes in pupil size reflect encoding success. We proposed that the reason for conflicting findings on the topic is a lack of nuance in examining cognitive effort. Specifically, we suggested that cognitive effort consists of two separate …

Flexing The Frame: Training Abstract, Concrete, And Ambidextrous Thinking To Improve Creativity Across Leadership Styles, Sampoorna Nandi

Psychology Dissertations - Archive

This study examined whether training individuals in abstract, concrete, or ambidextrous construal-level thinking strategies enhances creative performance and whether the effectiveness of such training is moderated by leadership style within an aptitude-treatment interaction (ATI) framework. Drawing on Construal Level Theory (CLT), participants (N = 235 undergraduate students) were randomly assigned to one of four training conditions and completed a low-fidelity planning task designed to assess creativity across three dimensions: originality, quality, and elegance. Results indicated that ambidexterity training—designed to promote flexible shifting between abstract and concrete thinking—significantly improved performance across all creativity dimensions, outperforming concrete and control (but not …

Coping Strategies As Predictors Of Acculturative Stress Among International College Students, Naba Khan

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

This study examined how coping strategies influence acculturative stress among international and multicultural college students. A quantitative correlational design was used with 36 participants recruited through convenience sampling at the University of Texas at Arlington. Participants completed four standardized Likert-type scales measuring acculturative stress, general coping, and academic coping. Correlational analyses showed that age was negatively related to acculturative stress and positively related to coping. A mediation analysis using PROCESS Model 4 indicated that coping partially mediated the relationship between age and acculturative stress, accounting for 39% of the variance, R²=.39, F(2, 33) = 10.60, p < .001. Age significantly predicted coping (β=.06, p=.015), while coping marginally predicted acculturative stress (β= -.26, p = .068). Findings suggest that coping strategies play a modest but protective role in reducing acculturative stress, with older participants reporting slightly greater coping and lower stress.

Parsimony, Parallelism, And Presentation: The Impact Of Presentation On Evaluation, Peter Mclemore

Psychology Theses - Archive

In professional and academic settings, support for creative ideas often hinges on how effectively those ideas are communicated in writing. This study examined how two sentence-level rhetorical features—parsimony and parallelism—influence the evaluation, support, and recall of written proposals featuring creative restaurant concepts. Using a 2×2 within-subjects design, 211 undergraduates reviewed proposals manipulated to vary in parsimony (high vs. low) and parallelism (high vs. low). Participants rated each proposal on quality, originality, elegance, support, and completed a recall task. Contrary to expectations, proposals with low parsimony and low parallelism received the highest evaluations across all three creative indicators (i.e., quality, originality, …

Excitation And Polarization Of Isolated Neurons By High-Frequency Sine Waves For Temporal Interference Stimulation, Iurii Semenov, Vitalii Kim, Giedre Silkuniene, Andrei G. Pakhomov

Bioelectrics Publications

The capacity of temporal interference (TI) stimulation to target deep brain regions without affecting nearby surface electrodes remains uncertain. Using artifact-free optical recording, we compare excitation patterns and thresholds in hippocampal neurons stimulated by “pure” and amplitude-modulated sine waves, representing TI waveforms near electrodes and at the target, respectively. We show that pure 2- and 20-kHz sine waves induce repetitive firing at rates that increase up to 60–90 Hz with stronger electric fields. Beyond this limit, action potentials merge into sustained depolarization, resulting in an excitation block. Modulating the sine waves at 20 Hz aligns firing with amplitude “beats” and …

The Effects Of Parenting Styles On Childhood Memories And Resilience Building, Nathaniel Paredes

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

One of the most significant agents of shaping children early in life is their parental figures. There has been extant research into parenting styles and outcomes later in life. The current study sought to understand how parenting styles can influence the formation of positive and adverse childhood experiences (PCEs and ACEs), which in turn lead to the development of resilience later in life. It was expected that participants who reported higher levels of authoritative parenting would be significantly correlated with higher levels of positive childhood experiences, and lower levels of adverse childhood experiences. Secondly, authoritarian and permissive parenting would be …

Personality Assessment Inventory: The Treatment Rejection Scale & Treatment Variables, Ashlee Bradley

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The present study aimed to identify the role and validity of the Treatment Rejection Scale (RXR), one of the treatment consideration scales on the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991), and its relationship with treatment variables in an outpatient clinical setting. The study used archival data involving 200 client files. The current study evaluated RXR scores in relation to premature, situational, and mutual terminators. Therapist-rated process variables, such as client cancellations, the number of sessions attended, client “no-shows,” and any barriers to completing treatment from the clinician’s point of view, were also considered. Additionally, the treatment outcome variable, in the …

Collaboration In Practice: Perspectives On Interprofessional Care Teams For Treating Children With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Morgan E. Heiser

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

With increased focus on interprofessional collaboration in healthcare and education, best practices for patient and student care are often top priority. However, little is known about the effectiveness of using team-based approaches when working with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This study examined professionals' perspectives on their team practices, burnout, and attitudes towards collaboration. Additionally, the research looked at practitioners’ ability to identify their team. A survey was conducted using input from various healthcare and education professionals across multiple settings and education backgrounds who work with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The survey found considerable differences in team …

Romantic Beliefs And Their Effect On Relationship Satisfaction, Psychological Well-Being, And Psychological Distress, John D. Pinsky

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Relationship satisfaction has been shown to have a powerful effect on both individual psychological well-being and psychological distress. One factor that influences an individual’s relationship satisfaction is their endorsement of romantic beliefs. This finding has not been replicated in the U.S. in the past 20 years and the influence of romantic beliefs on relationship satisfaction, psychological well-being, and psychological distress has not been studied in depth. This study implemented a quasi-experimental design using online self-report measures to test whether level of endorsement of romantic beliefs can predict relationship satisfaction, psychological well-being, or psychological distress. It was hypothesized that romantic beliefs …

Examining The Relationships Among Childbirth Satisfaction, Maternal Functioning, And Psychological Flexibility In Postpartum Mothers, Ryanne N. Schaad

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Childbirth dissatisfaction, defined as a woman’s negative evaluation of the labor and delivery experience, is common and can have significant consequences for women and their infants, particularly in terms of maternal functioning. Given that childbirth satisfaction is related to maternal functioning in the postpartum period, a better understanding of modifiable factors that could be targeted to bolster maternal functioning is warranted. Psychological flexibility, a construct from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, has gained increasing empirical support as a modifiable factor for psychological distress and could serve as a potential construct to further examine the relationship between childbirth satisfaction and maternal functioning. …

We Know The Odds Aren't Ever In Our Favor: Toward An Understanding Of White Privilege Deprivation Amongst Black Individuals And The Initial Validation Of The White Privilege Deprivation Scale, Jennifer Burris

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

Social science scholarship acknowledges that disparities affecting Black people in the United States are rooted in historical race-based oppression (Black & Stone, 2005; Borell, Barnes, & McCreanor, 2018; Harrell, 2000; Mills, 1997). Yet little is understood about the ways Black people psychologically experience being denied the social privileges conferred upon Whites (i.e., White privilege). The belief that White privilege exists, along with the perceptions that Black people as a group are systematically deprived of benefits conferred upon Whites, could expose Black people to negative psychological and psychosocial experiences. As such, White privilege deprivation (the belief one is denied the social …

Relationship Partners’ Experiences Of Managing Conflict With Individualist And Collectivist Cultural Perspectives: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis, Rebecca Alithia Payan

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, the increasing number of multicultural marriages leads to the individualistic traditional American nuclear family colliding with ideals from a collective culture. This conflict over individualistic and collective nature can lead to martial conflict, including divorce. In this context, this study seeks to answer an important question: How do relationship partners experience managing conflict, considering individualist and collectivist perspectives in the United States? The methodology utilized the Medium-Q of Reflexive Thematic Analysis of data gathered from qualitative open-ended interview questions and a brief survey. Findings reveal engaging themes, leading us to understand that individualism and collectivism influence …

Beyond The Surface: Lgbt+ Minority Stress & Social Safety, Violet Lewis

A with Honors Projects

Presentation about minority stress in the LGBT+ community surrounding the recent political climate and how we can use social safety to deter the impacts.

Social Anxiety And Cannabis Use Context, Brooke Beckius

Dissertations and Theses

Cannabis use is highly prevalent among young adults in the United States, with many experiencing associated problems. Social anxiety has been identified as a significant risk factor for cannabis use and related consequences; however, it remains unclear whether cannabis facilitates or inhibits social engagement among socially anxious individuals. Solitary cannabis use is consistently linked to use-related problems, but the term “solitary use” may encompass distinct contexts—such as social preparatory use, use to aid sleep, or use while spending time alone. The present study aimed to examine how cannabis use influences social engagement among socially anxious individuals and test how specific …

Voices From Within: Understanding Native American Student Journeys In Predominantly White Institutions: A Phenomenological & Autoethnographic Study, Collette Bowman

Dissertations and Theses

This study explored the lived experiences of Native American undergraduate students at a small Midwestern university, with particular attention to how identity development, systemic challenges, and culturally grounded support systems shape their academic and personal paths. Using a phenomenological approach paired with an autoethnographic lens, this research amplifies Native student voices while drawing on the reflections of the Indigenous researcher who shares similar lived experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and field notes. Three major themes emerged from the analysis: Identity Development, which captured how students negotiated cultural identity, intergenerational impact, and a sense of belonging; Barriers and Challenges, …

The Effects Of A Game-Based Social Skills Intervention On Social Skills Acquistion For Autistic Youth In Training And Generalized Settings, Sales Libby Ann

Dissertations and Theses

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly have difficulties with social communication which is often targeted using social skills teaching (SST) (Mikami et al., 2014). These programs are effective, however, many lack evidence of social validity measures or procedures as well as generalization of the skills targeted in intervention. The current study investigated the skill acquisition of three participants through the use of social skills teaching embedded within a role-playing game. The primary dependent variable was the skill acquisition of each participant within the RPG setting. Immediate increases in level and trend were noted across participants for most skills following …

Personality Functioning And Sexual Aggression: How Criterion A Of The Alternative Model Of Personality Disorders (Ampd) Relates To Sexually Aggressive Cognitions In Men, Ryan Van Fossen

Dissertations and Theses

This study investigated how personality functioning and maladaptive traits contribute to sexually aggressive cognitions (SAC) in men, extending existing research on personality pathology. Three primary aims were examined. Aim 1 explored the relationships between SAC and the four components of personality functioning (identity, self-direction, empathy, intimacy). Aim 2 evaluated the structure of personality functioning as measured by the Levels of Personality Functioning Scale-Self Report (LPFS-SR). Confirmatory factor analyses tested four competing models: unidimensional, two-factor, four-factor, and bifactor. Aim 3 assessed the combined influence of maladaptive traits and personality functioning on SAC. Participants included 469 heterosexual cisgender men, ages 18–24, drawn …

Mobility-Stress Dynamics: What Audit Scores Can Tell Us About Mobility Patterns And Stress, Mason Hatwan

Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation, leveraging secondary data from the Colorado EMA Project, investigates the dynamic relationships between mobility patterns, stress, and alcohol-related negative consequences among undergraduate college students (N=182, Mage 18.47). Grounded in Dynamic Systems Theory (DST), the study explores daily variations in mobility and stress using a Dynamic Structural Equation Model (DSEM). The analysis aims to understand how these variables interact within and between individuals, focusing on the role of baseline alcohol-related negative consequences as measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Findings reveal a significant autoregressive effect for stress, indicating that higher stress on one day predicts higher …

A Phenomenological Study Of Hispanic And Latinx Community Mental Health Care Providers, Sara Zare

Dissertations and Theses

Despite experiencing similar rates of mental health disorders, Hispanic/Latinx individuals are less likely than other ethnic/racial groups to access mental health services. There is a growing need for culturally responsive mental health services that address the unique barriers to access and unmet needs faced by Hispanic/Latinx communities. Community mental health organizations are critical to providing care to underserved populations who experience a wide range of resource-related barriers. The representation of bilingual and bicultural Hispanic/Latinx providers within these settings has become invaluable to addressing unique barriers not historically addressed by community mental health organizations. The present study utilized a phenomenological approach …

Sights And Sounds Of Veteran Identity: The Use Of Photovoice Technique And Lyric Analysis In A Community-Based Participatory Action Research Framework, Stephanie Jett Ph.D., Laurie Peebles

Academic Affairs

Researchers often attempt to define what it means to be a Veteran; however, there is a dearth of research where that question is directly asked of Veterans. Instead, a traditional approach to research is taken where the experimenter defines the variables and asks the participants to provide responses without being included in the research process or reaping any direct benefit from participation. We assert that in order to better understand this unique population, it is vital that we elevate their voices by employing more qualitative, community-based participatory action research (CbPAR) models where Veterans are empowered to use their voices to …

“A Safe Place”: Exploring Black Couples’ Perceptions Of Black Love And Relationship Coping In The Context Of Their Lived Experiences With Racism, Melinda Murdock

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

Historically, Black couples have not been studied within the context of their lived experiences as it relates to the effects of racism on relationship health. Only in the last decade have relationship scholars begun to consistently link racism-related stressors to relationship processes and outcomes. Despite the growing literature, recent studies are primarily quantitative in method and rely on samples, theoretical models, and measures that predominantly represent White couples’ experiences. It remains unclear how Black couples’ perceptions of love and relationship coping lead to resilient outcomes despite the negative effects of racism.

Therefore, the goal of the present study is to …

Liking Gap(S) In Getting-Acquainted Interactions, Susan Sprecher

Faculty Publications – Sociology and Anthropology

In first interactions, people often think about how much they like the other and how much the other likes them in return. Recently, a liking gap has been identified, which is the tendency for people to underestimate how much a new acquaintance likes them. With data from a compiled sample of pairs of strangers interacting for the first time, this investigation contributes to knowledge on how common it is to experience this perceived liking gap (versus no gap or an overestimation of how much one is liked). Also examined is an actual liking gap, the difference between how much people …

Internet Gaming Disorder Among Malay Players: An Examination Of Age, Gender, Gaming Hours, And Psychological Factors, Nur Laila Azzwa Nordin, Nor Ba’Yah Abdul Kadir, Rusyda Helma Mohd, Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf, Normaliza Ab Malik

Papers from the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology Conferences

Gaming has become a popular pastime and an expanding industry, creating a growing community of gamers. Conversely, excessive engagement in online gaming may limit individuals’ participation in real-life experiences, thereby exerting negative effects on their well-being. Concerns regarding Internet gaming disorder (IGD) have also emerged as a study topic in Malaysia. The present study examines the association and predictors of demographics, gaming hours, psychological aspects, and IGD among Malay players. The data were obtained through a cross-sectional study employing an online survey questionnaire. A total of 343 Malay players (18-39 years old) were selected using non-probability techniques, specifically purposive and …

Career Aspirations Of Indonesian College Students: A Social Cognitive Career Theory Perspective Through A Cultural Lens, Novi Qonitatin, Dian Ratna Sawitri

Papers from the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology Conferences

Using the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) framework through a culturally sensitive perspective, this study investigated the several elements affecting the career aspirations of Indonesian college students. Acknowledging the notable disparity in applying SCCT in collectivist, non-Western settings like Indonesia where familial and cultural influences are prominent, the study used a qualitative design with a mixed-format questionnaire (rating scales followed by open-ended reasons) administered to 133 undergraduate students at Universitas Diponegoro. Complementing descriptive rating summaries, thematic study of the qualitative data revealed a complex interaction of elements. One of the main conclusions was the widespread and multifarious influence of family, …

Influencing Factors Of Selfie Psychological Demands In The Post-Epidemic Era: A Cross-Cultural Perspective On Chinese Female Fitness Enthusiasts, Wang Xinyu, Lin Yuran, Gao Yang

Papers from the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology Conferences

With the popularization of 6G technology and the maturity of generative AI, social media has evolved into a core digital ecosystem for self-expression, reshaping the selfie behaviors and psychological demands of female fitness enthusiasts globally. This study integrates Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory, Guilford’s Theory of Personality Traits, and Higgins’ Self-Discrepancy Theory to explore the influencing factors of selfie psychological demands among Chinese female fitness enthusiasts in post-pandemic era and their cross-cultural differences with Western counterparts. A mixed-methods research design was adopted, including a quantitative survey N = 528 and semi-structured interviews N = 30. Quantitative data were analyzed via …