Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Mobile Phone Mindfulness: Effects Of App-Based Meditation Intervention On Stress And Hrv Of Undergraduate Students, Samuel M. Degenhard

Modern Psychological Studies

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, stress has increased exponentially in undergraduate populations. The current study sought to determine the efficacy of an eight-week relaxation intervention, using a free meditation app to reduce perceived stress and increase baseline heart rate variability (HRV) of undergraduate students, compared to using a traditional relaxation intervention across the same period. Participants (N = 14) were randomized into either a meditation app group or self-directed diaphragmatic breathing group and were instructed to engage in their respective relaxation technique ten minutes daily for eight weeks. Pre- and post-intervention differences in perceived stress and HRV were examined, along with …

Examining The Role Of High School Spiritual Practice And Ways Of Coping In Levels Of Anxiety Among College-Aged Women, Madison Harris, Oyenike Balogun-Mwangi

Modern Psychological Studies

Utilizing an online survey, this study aimed to examine the extent to which the encouragement of spiritual practice in high school, current endorsement of daily spiritual experience, and ways of coping, predict anxiety levels among college-aged women (N = 140). Participants were recruited through the use of snowball sampling via email and flyers posted around campus. Data was collected via a demographic questionnaire and self-report measures assessing ways of coping, religiosity, and levels of anxiety among the sample. Results of a multiple regression analysis showed that focusing on and venting of emotions, behavioral disengagement, mental disengagement, and the encouragement of …

Questioning The Legitimacy Of The Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Construct, Isabelle J. Weigel-Mohamed

Modern Psychological Studies

This literature review examines 45 journal articles from a variety of disciplines, including genetics, neuropsychology, child and school psychology, evolutionary psychology, clinical psychology, and psychopharmacology. The review features a popular article published in the New York Times; though not a peer-reviewed journal article, it provides evidence of the pervasive social impact of the Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) debate. This review covers articles published between the years 1971 to 2021, with a greater emphasis on articles published after 2013 (over 50% of the review, given that the ADHD construct was reconceptualized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition …

The Impact Of School Closures And Isolation On Parents In The Us, Kathryn Stulpin, William Turner, Nicholas Fasciano, Amanda Peirano, Kedai Cheng, Caitlin Brez

Modern Psychological Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented global event. Research demonstrates the impact the pandemic had on both parents and children regarding their mental health and learning abilities. The current study examined parents’ experiences during the pandemic. This study had a particular focus on how changes to schooling impacted school experiences and social emotional experiences. The sample was comprised of parents whose children were in K-12 schooling and data was collected during Fall of 2020. The findings suggest that while there were several challenges, parents also reported some positive outcomes. This study serves as a foundation for future research to be …

The Innocent Bystander: A Scenario Based Study On The Impact Of Leadership Gossip, Samantha Lobins, Amanda Cruz Lesswing, Julia Anglin, Katrina Johnson, Kristen Black

Modern Psychological Studies

The purpose of this study was to understand how witnessing workplace gossip between a supervisor and an employee in a hypothetical scenario impacts ratings of acceptability of gossip behavior, leader quality ratings, relationship quality, and future comfort with the leader. Data were gathered from 207 college students who read a scenario involving gossip, which varied in the target (about oneself or another) and the domain (about work or personal matters) and then responded to a series of questions about the scenario. Across all four scenarios, leaders received fairly unfavorable ratings for participating in gossip behavior. However, we did not find …

Examining Belonging And The Fear Of Missing Out In Relation To Social Media Use: A Two-Part Study, Timothy Buckles, Meira Vaid, Mary Pritchard (Mentor), Heather Schoenherr (Mentor), Mercades Nelson, Kylee Malouf

Modern Psychological Studies

We conducted two survey studies to better understand how using social media relates to differing outcomes in perceptions of social support and the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) in college students (N = 251, N = 529, respectively). Correlation analyses revealed higher levels of FoMO were most strongly related to scrolling behaviors on social media, whereas posting behaviors were correlated with increased feelings of belonging and lower levels of FoMO. No significant correlation was found between perceived online social support and FoMO. Finally, no significant gender differences in FoMO were found. These behavior-based relationships are likely linked to people's innate …

Relationship With Adult Adhd Symptoms: Stimulant Medication And Caffeine, Makensie A. Smith, Emily Pica

Modern Psychological Studies

The purpose of the present study was to investigate how adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) perceive stimulant medication and explore the differences in their relationship with caffeine. Participants with more ADHD-related symptoms were expected to have a greater motivation to consume caffeine, anticipate experiencing more of caffeine’s stimulant effects, and have a more positive regard toward the effectiveness of their stimulant medication than those with fewer symptoms. Additionally, those with more inattentive symptoms were predicted to have more of a positive regard toward the effectiveness of their stimulant medication, have a greater motivation to consume caffeine, and anticipate experiencing more …

To Read Or To Listen: The Effect Of Text-To-Speech Software And Accents On Comprehension Of Digital Media, Lily Kiamanesh, Dillon Murphy, Alan Castel

Modern Psychological Studies

Text-to-speech software is a popular tool for consuming information for school, work, and recreation. This study examined two aspects of text-to-speech information exposure: the effect of audio/text modality and type of accent. In Experiment one, participants received material presented in a text-only, audio-only, or dual format. Those who received the material as text-only had significantly higher scores on a comprehension test and higher score predictions than those in the audio-only condition. In Experiment two, participants were presented with audio material in a text-to-speech-generated U.S. English, Mandarin Chinese, or Italian accent. Results revealed that accent did not significantly impact retention or …

Exploring The Impact Of Religious Upbringings On Sexual And Gender Minority Youth, Jack K. Connors, Carolyn Mcnamara Barry

Modern Psychological Studies

Sexual and Gender Minority Youth (SGMY) growing up in religious households that are not affirming of their sexual identity experience unique stressors pertaining to the strained relationship between organized religion and the LGBTQ+ community. This review aims to define the impacts from those upbringings, examine protective factors, and provide a basis for solutions to a nationwide crisis. Limitations, suggestions for future research, and real-world implications are then discussed, especially pertaining to prevention and intervention programs to support those who identify as SGMY.

Sense Of Community As A Mediator Between Study Abroad Experiences And Perceived Well-Being, Raymond Rider, Cindy Miller-Perrin

Modern Psychological Studies

This study examined the nature and extent of the relationship between studying abroad, sense of community, and well-being. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Sense of Community Index, and the Perceived Wellness Scale via an online survey emailed to juniors and seniors (n = 267) at a university in southern California. The results of the study suggested: 1) sense of community and well-being are significantly related (r = .35, p < .001), 2) those who study abroad (n = 149) differ significantly from those who do not study abroad (n = 118) on sense of community (p < .001, d = .52) and well-being (p = .03, d = .27), and 3) sense of community is a mediator of the relationship between study abroad experience and well-being. These findings have important implications for any institute which seeks to promote well-being.

A Narrative Review Of Preschool Teacher Burnout, Rebecca De Los Santos, Jamie N. Borchardt Psyd, Bea Yousey, Simone Dickson, Sofia Aloise, Mindy Butler, Deborah Banker Ed.D.

Modern Psychological Studies

Preschool teacher burnout is a significant concern, including the lack of professionals in the field, high turnover rates, and understaffed facilities and schools. Burnout in general, has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as preschool teacher stress is at an all-time high. Preschool teachers are an understudied population exiting the workforce at a high rate, and a lot of the focus is on attrition. The majority of literature involving teachers has focused on the K-12 sector, or the higher education population, indicating a significant need to study the pre-school population more in-depth. This narrative serves as a review of the literature …

Media Consumption And Stigma Towards Schizophrenia, Brenna Robinson, Catherine Diaz-Asper Ph.D

Modern Psychological Studies

The current study examined how negative attitudes about schizophrenia can be influenced by exposure to media as well as other types of contact with the condition. Participants (N = 141) completed an online survey assessing their knowledge of schizophrenia, the type and level of contact they had with someone with the diagnosis, the type and level of mass media they consumed, and their perceptions of schizophrenia, including dangerousness and aggression. Results showed that type of contact was correlated with attitudes about dangerousness. Contact, which includes media consumption, was related to less stigmatizing attitudes towards schizophrenia, although the correlation between media …

Utilizing Carbon And Nitrogen Stable Isotopes To Examine Elite Juvenile Diet Of Individuals From Meroitic Sai Island, Sudan, Anelis Diaz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Limited research has assessed the lived experiences of juveniles during the Nubian Meroitic Period (300 BCE - 350 CE). Therefore, the focus of this research is to examine dietary patterns throughout development of elite juveniles from Sai Island, Sudan to identify if dietary variations exist throughout development that may be a result of social differences within the juvenile population. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses of tooth dentin from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd molars of 11 adult individuals interred at cemetery 8-B-52.B on Sai Island are utilized to examine diet through the life course. As each tooth corresponds to …

Population Differences In Human Mandibular Growth, Madison Hubbart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Mandibles are one of the most common bones encountered in the human archaeological record. Variation in mandibular morphology is often associated with differences in subsistence strategy as masticatory stresses influence bone growth and development. Bone growth is stimulated by bone modeling, the process by which formation and resorption occur through the uncoupled activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, respectively. There is a limited understanding of bone modeling patterns in humans due to a lack of quantitative data and small sample sizes. The aim of this research was to address the question: is there a shared bone modeling pattern in the mandible …

Perceived Barriers To And Comfort Levels With Hypothetical Intimate Partner Violence Help-Seeking Among Arab Americans, Jana Mostafa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Members of the Arab American community experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) face unique barriers to help-seeking and have different comfort levels with using formal and informal resources. This thesis surveyed Arab-Americans to identify perceived barriers and comfort levels with IPV help-seeking. A culturally informed and centered approach was taken to examine connections between individual level factors, perceived barriers and comfort levels in using resources. To do so, I gathered data via an online survey with 82 Arab American participants. Findings suggest that participants perceived the greatest barriers to seeking help for IPV are related to how others view and understand …

Copyright And Racism, Kimber Thomas

Copyright, Fair Use, Scholarly Communication, etc.

Slides on copyright and racism by Dr. Kimber Thomas with an emphasis on United States copyright.

Includes points related to the origin of United States copyright law, original authorship and tangibility requirements, creation of works via oral or visual tradition and knowledge, the useful articles exclusion, and works made for hire.

A Peculiar Institution: White Supremacy And The Black Guides Of Mammoth Cave, Seth Garcia

Libraries Award for Undergraduate Scholarship

Intensive tourist operations at Mammoth Cave began in 1838 when Frank Gorin purchased the cave property. He brought with him Stephen Bishop, an enslaved person who would become famous across the Western world for his explorations of the cave and his knowledge of its geology. Gorin would also lease Nicholas and Matterson Bransford, and these three men would begin a 100-year history of black guides at Mammoth Cave. This essay utilizes source material written by white visitors in diaries, guidebooks, and travelers’ accounts to better understand white supremacy during the mid to late 19th century. The guides were in a …

Social Workers And Case Managers Coping With Supports To Mitigate Workplace Stress, Franzeska Sampson-Bacchus

Publications and Research

The homelessness crisis has mandated increased social service employees to work with this population. Working in a homeless shelter entails consistent exposure to stress due to the frequency of serving a population with various traumatic pasts. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how social workers and case managers cope with internal and external supports to mitigate workplace stress in NYC family homeless shelters. This qualitative descriptive study utilized Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. This study's purpose was to answer the following questions RQ1: How do social workers and case managers cope with …

Religiosity As A Moderator Of Infidelity In Dark Triad Women, Sophie M. Domanik

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Personality is a major determinant of behavior. The Dark Triad is a cluster of personality traits-- psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism-- commonly associated with callousness, manipulation, and anti-social behavior. In the realm of relationships, Dark Triad traits have been shown to predict a host of destabilizing behaviors, including infidelity. Infidelity has negative psychological impacts on those involved, with research citing infidelity as a precursor to major depressive episodes for some individuals. High levels of religiosity, on the other hand, predict negative attitudes toward infidelity and fewer instances of cheating overall. The present study investigated whether levels of religiosity moderate infidelity intentions …

The Social Construction Of Performance Enhancing Steroid Policies And Their Impact On U.S. Army Service Members, Trevor Scott Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States military has seen a continued rise in the use of illicit performance enhancing substances, particularly androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS), by service members in highly demanding occupational specialties. Despite these rising trends, there remains a lack of understanding of how U.S. Army substance abuse policy impacts service members’ motivations to use banned performance enhancing drugs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to better understand the motivations of service members who use performance enhancing AAS, as well as the impacts of substance abuse policies on those individuals. This study’s questions asked how social constructs and Army policy impacted service …

Identifying Supervision And Training Needs Within A Native American Reservation Co-Occurring Treatment Program, Jennifer Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Native American rural communities are not without substance abuse treatment needs; however, highly skilled mental health providers are often limited on a reservation, which leaves this population with clinicians with less experience and education. This project is a case study of a substance abuse treatment program within a Native American tribe in the western portion of the United States. The practice-focused research questions directly related to the training, certification, and education of staff in the addiction field, and to the ways in which the program evaluated the efficiency and effectiveness of the staff members. The purpose of this study was …

Women’S Lived Experience With Shame In Intimacy After Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse, Meg Christine Justison

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a global problem and can lead to substantial challenges in adult intimate relationships. Though there is considerable research on CSA, relationships, and relationship challenges, one area that required further study was how shame was felt by women who have experienced CSA. Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to explore these shame experiences in adult intimate relationships in women who had this history. Strength resilience theory was used as the framework for exploring their shame and resilience experiences. Open-ended, semistructured interviews were conducted with eight women aged 18 to 50 who were in intimate relationships. Results …

Parents’ Perceptions Of The Traits, Characteristics, And Circumstances Of Modern-Day Mass Shooters, Matt Talbot

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is little research on parents’ perceptions about the traits, characteristics, and circumstances ascribed to mass shooters and the sources of information shaping these perceptions. Understanding parents’ beliefs about mass shooters and mass shootings can serve to inform approaches to training and education and recommendations for media reporting on such events. Evidence-based knowledge helps parents become more equipped to serve as early interventionists for those who may be moving along a pathway of violence. Application of Gerbner’s cultivation theory frames the process by which media sources shape perceptions. In this phenomenological qualitative study, semi structured interviews were conducted with 19 …

Juvenile Delinquency: The Effectiveness Of The Juvenile Direct File Law, Kimberlee Nicole Taggart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The juvenile direct file law stands firm among Florida laws despite lacking research to show its effectiveness in the prevention of juvenile delinquency. In Florida, juvenile delinquency and the juvenile direct file law cause significant concern due to the uncertainty surrounding the law. The Florida juvenile justice system fosters a vital position in the lives of many children, young adults, and families. Florida’s direct file law has a negative impact on the health, mental health, education, and brain development of juveniles and their ability to separate from a criminal lifestyle. Identifying the direct file law’s effects on the future of …

Elementary Principals’ Perceptions Regarding Implementing A District-Mandated Educational Equity Policy, Glen Patrick Messier

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem in the current basic qualitative study was that elementary principals were challenged to implement a district-mandated educational equity policy. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore elementary principals’ experiences implementing a district-mandated educational equity policy. The conceptual framework for this study was transformational leadership theory. This leadership theory was often used by leaders who focused on a collective purpose and held themselves accountable for initiating and sustaining positive social change. Three research questions addressed principals’ experiences and perceptions in their attempt to implement a district-mandated educational equity policy, as well as principals’ suggestions for continuous improvement …

Employer Perceptions Of The Skills Gap In College Graduates’ Written Communication, Julie Minnaugh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

U.S. employers have reported that many college graduates are underprepared in written communication when hired and that lack of preparedness hinders these graduates’ employment success. Higher education institution (HEI) administrators need information regarding which writing skills should be taught across the curriculum to improve student outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate employers’ perspectives on the written communication skills gap that hinders college graduates from being successful in their professional practice. Swales’s six characteristics of a discourse community provided a conceptual lens for the study, as graduates commencing employment represent newcomers to a discourse community. A basic qualitative …

A Sociotechnical Systems View Of Computer Self-Efficacy And Usability Determinants Of Technical Readiness, Stefani L. Tucker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The specific research problem was that it is unknown whether computer self-efficacy and usability determine technical readiness in hourly and exempt information technology support employees in the United States. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between computer self-efficacy and technical readiness, usability and technical readiness, and computer self-efficacy, usability, and technical readiness in hourly and exempt information technology support employees in the United States. Sociotechnical system theory suggests that every transaction has a human and technical aspect; thus, the theoretical framework. The convenience sample included 136 information technology support employees aged 18-70. The regression results …

Non-Nightmare Recurring Dreams And Trauma, Asmai Fathelbab

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study examined the relationship between trauma and non-nightmare recurrent dreams (NNRD). Although there is extensive literature on the psychological consequences, diagnosis, and treatment of trauma, studies on the role of sleep processes have focused almost exclusively on nightmares. The potential relationship between NNRD and traumatic experiences has been overlooked by researchers. The purpose of this study was to assess if history of trauma and NNRD were correlated. More specifically, using Revonsuo’s threat simulation theory as a framework, the study evaluated if gender, quality of sleep, depression, anxiety, stress, and history trauma predicted NNRD. A cross-sectional correlational survey design was …

The Lived Experiences Of Minority Widowers With Dependent Children, Cathy-Ann L. King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Spousal death is a traumatic event well documented amongst clinical professionals because of its impact on a man’s physical and mental health. However, prior research on widowers has focused predominantly on white middle-class males. Little is known about the black indigenous people of color (BIPOC) male experience with spousal death, especially from those who are raising their dependent children. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to understand the lived experiences of BIPOC male widowers and their children. BIPOC widowers experiencing the trauma of this life-changing event without professional assistance are at higher risk of emotional, physical, and mental distress. Attachment theory …

Predicting Project Success By Project Manager Competencies And Personality Traits Moderated By Work Experience, Jasmine H. Kirby

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractProject manager competencies and personality traits can make the difference between project success or failure. However, it remains unclear which is the strongest predictor of project success when moderated by work experience. The purpose of this quantitative study was to provide information about the relationship between project manager competencies, personality, and project success by (a) investigating the relationship between project manager competencies, personality traits, and project success; and (b) identifying whether project competencies or personality traits was the strongest predictor of project success among project managers at different work experience levels. Data were collected from 272 project managers. Instruments to …