Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Telehealth Acceptance And Commitment Therapy For Adolescents With Transdiagnostic Health-Related Anxiety: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Julie M. Petersen, Marissa L. Donahue, Leila K. Capel, Emily M. Bowers, Mercedes G. Woolley, Sara Boghosian, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Student Research

Health-related anxiety is an under-researched and pressing issue to understand in adolescents, particularly given the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study is a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial of 10 weekly, 50-minute sessions of telehealth ACT targeting health-related anxiety in adolescents as compared to a waitlist. A sample of 30 adolescents (ages 12- 17), plus one caretaker each (N = 60), currently struggling with clinical levels of health-related anxiety were enrolled. The majority of caretakers and adolescents were White, non-Hispanic/Latine, and female. Data were analyzed using multilevel modeling across pre-, mid-, post-treatment, and one-month follow-up. Adolescents reported small, significant decreases in health-related anxiety …

Exposure To The Trier Social Stress Test Enhances Central Detail Memory, Reduces False Memory, And Results In Intrusive Memories That Last For Days, Mercedes L. Stanek, Kayla Boaz, Taylor D. Niese, Kristen E. Long, Matthew S. Risner, John G. Blasco, Koen N. Suzelis, Kelsey M. Siereveld, Boyd R. Rorabaugh, Phillip R. Zoladz

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Recent work has used a modified version of the well-known laboratory stressor, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), to study participant memory for a stressful experience. The paradigm is useful because, unlike most studies examining stress effects on memory, it allows investigators to measure what participants remember about the stressor, not unrelated information. It also presents an opportunity to model other stress-related symptoms, such as intrusive memories, but these have yet to be assessed with this paradigm. Intrusive memories have been notoriously difficult to measure in laboratory settings; most of this research involves participants watching arousing videos and subsequently reporting …

Combating Trauma And The Immigrant Paradox In Schools, Emma Bergman

Honors Projects

Over time, research on immigrant populations has revealed a trend known as the immigrant paradox in which, the further generations get from the generation of immigration, the poorer their outcomes are in areas such as mental health, delinquency, substance abuse, and education. Though a definitive explanation for this trend has yet to be identified, prevailing theories include several social, familial, and community-based factors such as the impacts of bilingualism, parental expectations, biculturalism, co-ethnic peers, quality of schools, and community support. Little attention has been paid to individual factors such as mental health and trauma. The present study proposes the transgenerational …

Autism And Experiences In Relationships: A Moderated Mediation Analysis Exploring Different Pathways For Gender And Sexuality, Evah-Marie Lemma

Undergraduate Theses

Objective: Autistic individuals are at higher risk of sexual victimization than the general population. The purpose of this study was to examine experiences of insecurity and adverse sexual experiences in romantic relationships from the perspective of those with autism diagnoses, those who suspect they have autism, and those with autistic traits, as well as determine potential mediating and moderating factors.

Methods: Participants (N=452 U.S. adults) completed various measures assessing autistic traits, masking, insecurity in relationships, adverse sexual experiences, perceived social support, discrimination, and perceived availability of partners via online survey. Participants also reported formal autism diagnosis or suspected …

Impact Of Emotional Intelligence On Client Satisfaction In Project Management, Mousami Berawala

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

This study investigates the correlation between emotional intelligence (EI) and client satisfaction in project management. It is guided by the central research question: Is emotional intelligence linked to client satisfaction? To explore this, the research is structured around Practice of EI on Leadership and Junior level and impact on client satisfaction, the impact of varying work environments, including remote, hybrid, office-based, and site-based settings, on project outcomes post-pandemic; differences in EI practices across countries and the effect of diverse work cultures; the comparison of EI application across different fields, with a focus on work-life balance and industry-specific practices in banking, …

Psychological Influences On Reaction When Faced With Failure And Difficult Experiences, Marcus Cunha

Honors Theses

The current study investigated the impact of psychological traits on emotional reactions in the face of challenges. The study employed tasks designed to induce negative psychological states, such as a Learned Helplessness (LH) task (Hooper & McHugh, 2013) and the difficult Compound Remote Associate (CRA) task (Bowden & Jung-Beeman, 2003). A correlational study was conducted using a within-subjects design. All participants were given initially the same questionnaires measuring the following predictor variables: Grit, Need for Cognition (NFC), Psychological Flexibility (PF), Trait Cognitive Fusion (CF), and Emotional Stability. Participants then engaged in the LH and CRA tasks followed by completing outcome …

Effects Of Postural Position, Eeg Asymmetry, And Temperamental Style On Cognitive Task Performance, Taylor Cops, Christy D. Wolfe

Undergraduate Theses

The literature shows hemispheric asymmetry in individuals corresponding with temperamental style. Those with greater right-frontal activation tend towards withdrawal/inhibition and those with greater left-frontal activation tend towards approach/activation (e.g., Davidson, 1992). Other literature suggests that greater right-parietotemporal activation is associated with increased arousal (Heller, 1993; Wolfe & Bell, 2014). Temperamental style has been linked with cognitive performance with approach-oriented temperaments being associated with both higher and lower performance depending on the task requirements (Khan et al., 2024; Wolfe & Bell, 2007). Literature further suggests that postural position (e.g., sitting, standing, lying down) may influence feelings of approach/withdrawal and cognitive processing. …

Implementing Choice In Treatment Modality For Adolescents With Autism Learning Daily Living Skills, Silvia Robazza

Honors Theses

Daily living skills, categorized as personal-care activities within the home, community, and school setting, are crucial components in establishing daily routines amongst adolescents (Stabel, 2013). Many of these activities require gross motor and fine motor skills, which are skills that tend to be difficult for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD;Chen et al., 2022). When trying to express their wants and needs surrounding completing day-to-day activities, individuals with ASD may engage in problem behaviors as a way to communicate (Iwata et al., 1982). Nonetheless, implementing choice in treatment has been found to significantly decrease occurrences of problem behavior (Shogren et …

The Relationship Of Psychology And Music, Thomas Pulling

Honors Projects

This paper discusses the relationship between psychology and music, examining some of the foundational research in the field, and looks at some of the historical context surrounding the psychological study of music and of music theory. The goal of this project is to use my experience as a performing musician and psychology student to emphasize the importance of furthering research into the psychology of music.

School Counseling Psychology Internship, Sarah S. Gathje

Research & Creative Achievement Day

This is a summary of my school counseling internship through the psychology program at WSU. I completed it on site at Caledonia Middle/High School under the supervision of school counselor Brent Schroeder. I was able to learn counseling techniques for individuals and groups of students, help teach character development lessons, attend meetings, and learn what goes on behind the scenes in the life of a school counselor.

I Am A "Fruit Eater": Predicting Fruit And Vegetable Consumption With Approach Self-As-Doer Identities, Melisandra R. Mclaughlin, Abree A. Dieterman, Katelyn R. Kelley, Hannah B. Dunlavy, Ashley M. Lenarz

Research & Creative Achievement Day

The daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables is 1.5-2 cups and 2-3 cups, respectively, but only one in 10 adults in the United States are meeting those recommendations (CDC, 2019). Research on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) indicates healthy eating behaviors can be predicted by intentions and other components of the theory (McDermott et al., 2015). Likewise, the self-as-doer, an identity that aims to describe individuals in terms of doing a behavior, also predicts healthy eating. However, less research has explored how the orientation of a doer identity predicts fruit and vegetable consumption. Those with an approach doer …

Health Literacy And Behaviors Among Students In Health Vs. Non-Health-Related Majors: Implications For Substance Use, Socialization, And Wellbeing, Amelie H. Pflamminger, Erin M. Farina, Ashley Lenarz

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Purpose: College is a pivotal time for young adults in relation to new experiences and behaviors. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine whether students' major relates to health literacy, substance use, peer behavior, and mental health. Prior research found a significant difference in substance use behaviors by college major (Chen & Chen, 2020), and students in health-related fields of study showed higher levels of health literacy, while students in non-health related majors showed weaknesses across all dimensions (Rababah et al., 2019). This study aims to expand on prior research by examining the relationship between health behaviors and …

My Internship Experience At The Winona Dac, Cameron P. Shores

Research & Creative Achievement Day

The DAC is a nonprofit organization that is funded by the government. I will talk about what the DAC is and what they do for the community. I will also talk about my experience as an intern at the DAC and what I learned while I was there. I will finish by talking about why the DAC and similar organizations are important and how they do much good for the disabled community.

Friendship Center, Abigail L. Wolfe

Research & Creative Achievement Day

This is a poster about my internship experience at the Friendship Center. The main focus of my internship was a club that I created called Joyful Aging. Joyful Aging is a club that focuses on finding joy in new experiences and topics. I was also involved in something the facility called tech appointments. Tech appointments are there to help the members with any technological issues they come across.

Competency To Stand Trial Evaluations: Using Vignettes With Patients Who Lack Insight, Katelyn Fuller

James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal (JMURJ)

In the United States, an attorney may request a competency to stand trial evaluation if they are concerned that their client is not mentally fit to adequately participate in their case and defense. Patients found incompetent must undergo treatment for restoration of competency, regardless of their willingness. Clinicians and psychiatrists may use vignettes, or hypothetical scenarios, to help restore competency if the patient lacks insight into their mental illness. While vignettes have been well documented in studying attitudes and awareness, decision making, and identifying mental illness, there is little to no research into their use in psychiatric hospitals due to …

The Examination Of The Relationship Social Media Usage And Self-Diagnosis Of Mental Disorders, Felicity West

ATU Scholars Symposium

Abstract

This research examines the relationship between algorithmic social media platforms and self-diagnosis of mental disorders. Looking specifically at psychopathology, the enhancements and pioneering of new algorithmic social media platforms have made the facilitation of forged disorders and exaggerated symptoms quickly widespread. The most notable example, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), has led a plethora of youth to self-diagnose and romanticize one of the most serious and rare mental health disorders recognized by the APA (Hatigan et al., 2023). This becomes increasingly problematic because it diminishes the severity and urgency for those who are clinically diagnosed with DID. To investigate the …

Psychological Science: Who’S Really In Charge? Popular Media’S Influences On Food Behavior, Chakuen W. Rambang, Amilya Bryant, Benjamin Ramer, Delvin Porter

[Archive] Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

With mass media, consumption being very accessible, many individuals are being impacted in their daily lives. Mass media influences have had the opportunity to persuade people in their daily choices such as nutritional behaviors. With different nutritional trends on the rise, the presentation of popular media applications, such as TikTok, may have correlations to how individuals react to different trends regarding nutrition. Many videos on the platform have different algorithms that persuade their viewers to partake in different trends. In addition to popular media possibly having the impact of changing an individual's behavior, the overall understanding of nutrition may play …

Denial Of Pregnancy Or Cryptic Pregnancy, Nadia N. Shuriah, Elaine Mcfarland, Bethany Spenn, Kaisha Butz Mcmanus

BIO4960: Practicum in Biology I

Denial of pregnancy, or cryptic pregnancy, presents a complex situation where individuals are unaware of their pregnancy until the late stages of labor. This study delves into the multifaceted nature of concealed and denied pregnancies, exploring their prevalence, factors contributing to them, and their implications for both individuals and healthcare systems. By reviewing relevant literature and case studies, we aim to illuminate the difficulties healthcare providers face in identifying and managing cases of denial of pregnancy. Additionally, we stress the significance of proactive screening and comprehensive care to ensure the well-being of mothers and infants. This research endeavors to deepen …

The Evaluation Of Non-Specific Risk Indicators In Improving Detection Of Psychosis-Spectrum Liability, Thomas W. O'Kane

Theses and Dissertations

Psychosis-spectrum disorders remain a leading cause of disability for both individuals and society, with early identification and prevention efforts representing a promising avenue of research for addressing these concerns. One potential impediment to improving early risk identification is the historical focus on indicators thought to be exclusive to the psychosis-spectrum. This focus often comes at the expense of non-specific risk factors (e.g., disrupted sleep, adverse childhood experiences) which contribute to the risk of developing psychosis as well as other mental illnesses. Research suggests the inclusion of these non-specific factors may improve our ability to identify those at risk. The present …

Objects Are Subordinate To Spatial Features As Cues For Control, Abhishek Dey

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

It is well documented that people can engage in flexible adjustments of attention using context cues from the environment. The most prolific cue used to assess such context-specific attentional control in the literature has been location (or spatial features). Context-specific attentional control using object features has been less well researched and some of the most conclusive evidence of object-based attentional control comes from designs where location and spatial features cannot be used to guide attentional control. Across five experiments, I investigate the interplay between object and spatial features in their usefulness to guide attentional control when both are available as …

Social Media Among College Students, Julia Martorano

Honors Projects

Within the past decade, social media has become a huge part of most peoples’ everyday life. People use social media to keep up with old friends, to see what their current friends and family are up to, to follow celebrities, and so much more. Researchers and the general public have begun to wonder if this obsession with social media is detrimental to individuals and society. Throughout my research, I strived to answer two research questions. “How does social media affect a college student’s GPA, productivity, and life satisfaction?” and “How do celebrities and companies create social media content that drives …

Burnout Symptoms Among Millennial Teachers In India: The Efficacy Of The Emotional Self-Care Online Intervention Program (Escoip), Joby Thomas, Marc Eric S. Reyes

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

The experiences of millennial teachers—currently comprising the majority of the teaching workforce—have gained attention in scholarly research. The phenomenon of teacher burnout, in particular, has gained greater attention in recent years due to its grave impact on the educational system and the well-being of teachers. Thus, developing an effective online intervention program is crucial to alleviate and avoid burnout among millennial teachers. Using Conklin’s program development model, which involves three phases, (1) planning, (2) design and implementation, and (3) evaluation and program validation, this study investigated the effectiveness of the Emotional Self-Care Online Intervention Program (ESCOIP) in treating burnout symptoms …

Improving Restaurant Customer Service Through Job Aids, Madisyn Slater

Honors Theses

A key concern for restaurants is good customer service as it directly relates to repeated customers and revenue generation. Customer service plays a large role in keeping a business up and running, without appropriate customer-employee interactions, a business may cease to exist. The field of Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) has several empirically-based interventions that may help. One of these interventions, job aids, gives a brief description of what is expected and can be consulted by an employee at any point in time. However, most research uses a package intervention and has not examined the effects of job aids alone. The …

Effects Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Predicting Patient Pain Outcomes Later In Life, Melissa Lowry

Honors Scholar Theses

For centuries, pain and pain management has been a driving force in the world of healthcare. Industries continue to strive for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind pain sensitivities as well as the best interventions available to overcome these mechanisms. While many of the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, recent research suggests a possible correlation between one’s personal experiences early in life and their perceptions of pain later in adulthood. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Questionnaire, designed and published in 1998, consists of 10 measures of childhood trauma that can inform healthcare providers of individuals who may require trauma-informed care …

Relations Between Prior Racial Microaggressions, Expat Motivation, And Life Satisfaction Among African American Expat Women In Mexico, Patricia Keller

Dissertations

Microaggressions refer to subtle forms of racism that occur in everyday interactions, often conveying hostile or demeaning messages. These experiences can have a negative impact on the psychological well-being and life satisfaction of African Americans. However, there is a lack of research that explores the relationship between microaggressions and the life satisfaction of African American women who have relocated abroad. Additionally, little is known of the contemporary motivations for expatriation of African American women. A review of African American historical migration, study abroad participation, and tourism lays the framework for examining recent expatriation. The purpose of this study was to …

Predictors Of Sinonasal Improvement After Highly Effective Modulator Therapy In Adults With Cystic Fibrosis, Daniel M. Beswick, Christine M. Liu, Jonathan B. Overdevest, Anna Zemke, Aastha Khatiwada, David A. Gudis, Jessa E. Miller, Adam Kimple, Jeremy P. Tervo, Todd E. Bodner, Multiple Additional Authors

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The 22-question SinoNasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) assesses chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) severity. We aimed to identify predictors of SNOT-22 score improvement following highly effective modulator therapy (HEMT) initiation and to corroborate the SNOT-22 minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Praise In The Collegiate Classroom: How Narcissism, Entitlement, Empathy, And A Desire For Fame Impact Student’S Preferences For Praise, Alexandra Crissman

Student Scholar Showcase

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits, namely narcissism, entitlement, empathy, and a desire for fame, and a preference for public praise in a student population. Past research has shown that those who are higher in narcissism are also higher in entitlement and that these rates have been rising with future generations. Past research has also indicated a negative relationship between narcissistic tendencies and empathy, inferring that those higher in narcissism tend to score lower on empathy measures. In this study, undergraduate students were surveyed online to determine scores on four measures of traits …

Who Knows What? An Agent-Based Simulation Of Indirect Learning In Teams, Taylor Mccrossan, Sabina Samipour-Biel

Psychology Student Work

While the term is unknown to most people, Transactive Memory Systems (TMS) are a mechanism through which teams of experts (e.g., surgical teams, military teams, etc.) are able to combine their unique areas of expertise to accomplish their shared goals. To develop a TMS, team members must first learn who on the team has what expertise (Peltokorpi, 2008), and together develop a “shared knowledge directory”(SKD). Meanwhile, modern technology has changed the ways that team members can work together and communicate with each other. This research examined how the process of SKD development is impacted by team members’ability to “overhear” each …

Mitigating Turnover In Healthcare: Exploring Servant Leadership And Psychological Capital, Lindsay Tsang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding factors that influence the turnover intentions of healthcare workers is critical. This quantitative correlational study explored how psychological capital mediates the relationship between perceived supervisor servant leadership and turnover intentions among Canadian healthcare workers. This study uses the Hayes PROCESS Model 4 for mediation and Pearson’s correlation analysis with participants recruited via social media. Out of 773 respondents, 648 valid responses were received (83.8%), of which the majority were aged between 24-34 years old (74.7%), were nurses (80.2%), and had tenure between six to ten years (75%). In agreement with prior literature, …

Inhibiting Repetitive And Restricted Behaviors In Sprague-Dawley Rats Using Propranolol: Sex Differences, Melanie M. Berry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is diagnosed when an individual has persistent deficits in social communication and restrictive repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities. Restricted repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are typically triggered by anxiety and can cause significant detriment to an individual's life. While there is no cure for ASD, there are pharmacological treatment options for the symptoms caused by ASD. Propranolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist, is used to treat anxiety and shows promise in reducing many of the symptoms associated with ASD. This study explores the effects of Propranolol on RRBs in a sample size of …