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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

A Randomized Controlled Study Examining The Effectiveness Of A Gratitude Intervention And An Optimism Intervention On Well-Being: Moderating Effects Of Personality Disposition And Social Support, J. Brandon Waits Jul 2017

A Randomized Controlled Study Examining The Effectiveness Of A Gratitude Intervention And An Optimism Intervention On Well-Being: Moderating Effects Of Personality Disposition And Social Support, J. Brandon Waits

Doctoral Dissertations

Research suggests that engaging in activities that highlight gratitude and optimism can significantly increase well-being. However, additional research is needed to explore characteristics or conditions that optimize the effectiveness of such interventions. The purpose of the present study was to contribute to research in this area by examining the effectiveness each of a gratitude intervention and an optimism intervention on both subjective well-being and psychological well-being among college students. In addition, the current study examined whether personality disposition (i.e., trait gratitude and trait optimism) and social support moderated the effectiveness of these interventions on wellbeing. Data were collected from 144 …


Understanding The Effects Of Regulatory Focus On Proactive Behavior, Brian P. Waterwall Jul 2017

Understanding The Effects Of Regulatory Focus On Proactive Behavior, Brian P. Waterwall

Doctoral Dissertations

Over the past decade, motivation research has focused on what motivates employees to engage in behaviors that fall outside of ones' job/task requirements and bring about meaningful change in the organization's environment, proactive behaviors (Bateman & Crant, 1993; Crant, 2000). Recently, regulatory focus theory has received considerable research attention because of its potential to explain additional variance in behavior beyond other motivational constructs. Regulatory focus theory suggests that during goal striving, people will display behaviors associated with their current motivational state. Drawing from prior research examining motivation and behavior, I propose and test a model that examines the effects of …


Impacting Student Slumber: An Analysis Of Self-Report And Physiological Data Following A Psychoeducational Intervention, Danielle N. Newman Jul 2017

Impacting Student Slumber: An Analysis Of Self-Report And Physiological Data Following A Psychoeducational Intervention, Danielle N. Newman

Doctoral Dissertations

Research shows that college students have extensive rates of sleep struggles, with up to 89% of college students reporting that they have moderate to severe difficulties with sleep (Buboltz, Brown, & Soper, 2001). Insufficient sleep has been linked to problems with academics (Kelly, Kelly, & Clanton, 2001; Taylor, Vatthauer, Bramoweth, Ruggero, & Roane, 2013), mental health (Ghumman & Barnes, 2013; Home, 1993; Manber & Chambers, 2009), physical health (Dahl & Lewin, 2002; Gailliot et al., 2007; Lyytikainen, Rahkonen, Lahelma, & Lallukka, 2011; Van Cauter, Leproult, & Plat, 2000), and a variety of other problems. Results pertaining to the suggested and …


The Development And Validation Of An Automatic-Item Generation Measure Of Cognitive Ability, Scott Hines Apr 2017

The Development And Validation Of An Automatic-Item Generation Measure Of Cognitive Ability, Scott Hines

Doctoral Dissertations

Cognitive ability is perhaps the most studied individual difference available to researchers, being measured quickly and effectively while demonstrating a predictable influence on many life outcomes. Historically, the evolution of the psychometric study of cognitive abilities has pivoted on the development of new and better methodologies allowing for a more complete and efficient capture of intellect. For instance, recent advances in computer and Internet technology have largely replaced traditional pencil-and-paper methods, allowing for innovative item development and presentation. However, concerns regarding the potential adverse impact and test security of online measures of cognitive ability, particularly in unproctored situations, are well …


Adult Attachment Style And Inter-Parental Discrepancy On Pediatric Behavior Assessment Scales, Laura Beliech Harris Jan 2017

Adult Attachment Style And Inter-Parental Discrepancy On Pediatric Behavior Assessment Scales, Laura Beliech Harris

Doctoral Dissertations

The process of diagnosing pediatric psychopathology is an important and sometimes complex endeavor. Diagnoses are useful for facilitating communication among providers, setting therapy goals, and intervention selection. However, beyond their utility, diagnoses potentially can influence client-therapist rapport, therapeutic alliance, and therapy outcomes in a negative manner, as well as leading to stigma and discrimination against the client (child). Best practice for pediatric psychological evaluations includes obtaining data regarding the child's behavior in multiple settings and from multiple respondents. This is most often accomplished through administration of standardized objective pediatric behavior assessment instruments. However, collecting data from multiple respondents in this …


The Mediating Influence Of Career Aspirations And Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy On Self-Differentiation, Vocational Identity, And Career Indecision, Jay Justin Middleton Jan 2017

The Mediating Influence Of Career Aspirations And Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy On Self-Differentiation, Vocational Identity, And Career Indecision, Jay Justin Middleton

Doctoral Dissertations

Research indicates that numerous family variables influence the career-development process (Osipow, 1983). Bowen's family systems theory is one model through which to view the development and influence of the family on career development (Bowen, 1972). According to his theory, individuals begin life highly dependent on family members for all forms of support. As people grow into adults, they slowly become independent of their family, or self-differentiated. Adults low in self-differentiation have been found to make decisions in order to appease their families. Further, low levels of self-differentiation have been related to greater mental health problems (Skowron & Friedlander, 1998) and …