Psychology Commons^™

Cognitive Mechanisms Underlying The Relationship Between Social Media Use And Depressive Symptoms, Mary Le

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Social media continues to grow in popularity but has been associated with diminished mental health in some users. Social media provides a platform for social comparison, which influences how individuals evaluate their traits, abilities, and successes in achieving life milestones and, in turn, may impact psychological functioning. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether social comparison and cognitive distortions mediated the relationship between social media use and depressive symptoms in younger adults. In total, 175 adults between the ages of 18 and 29 years were recruited online (64.6% male, 34.9% female; 45.7% Asian). Participants completed anonymous surveys …

Black Girls Work Out Too! An Exploration Of Physical Activity Behaviors Of Black Women, Kimberley C. Desir

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Lack of participation in physical activity has become an increasing public health concern in the United States. Compared to any other racial and ethnic group, Black women have the lowest prevalence of exercise. A limited amount of empirical research suggests cultural beliefs about the meaning of physical activity has a role in one’s ability to initiate and maintain a physical activity regimen. Black women face specific sociocultural factors that impact their physical activity routines. Hair care practices and maintenance has been identified as a unique barrier among Black women. This qualitative research study investigated the influence of the distinctions in …

Examining The Psychometric Properties Of The Weekly Emotional And Functional Summary, Brittany Lynn Quimby

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Self-report questionnaires are used in clinical practice to aid in the process of conceptualizing, diagnosing, planning treatment, and monitoring progress throughout treatment. However, self-report questionnaires can be inconvenient to both clinicians and patients if excessive time is needed to complete and score them. To date, a brief and consolidated self-report questionnaire that measures anxiety, depression, anger, suicidality, homicidality, positive mental health, and functioning does not exist. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the factor structure and the psychometric properties of the self-report questionnaire, the Weekly Emotional and Functional Summary (WEFS). The study was correlational, using archival data …

Prosocial Behaviors, Gross Motor Abilities, And Soccer Skill Acquisition Of Preschool-Aged Children, Julia Gomes

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The psychosocial and physical benefits of organized sports participation for school-aged children, collegiate athletes, and professional athletes is well understood and recognized in the literature; however, less is known about the possible benefits of sport participation for preschool-aged children. The objective of the study was to examine whether children’s involvement in an organized team sport program facilitated their gross motor, soccer skill, and prosocial development, as well as their soccer experiences. This study examined participants between the ages of 1.5 and 4.5 years old, who were first time participants of a soccer program. To examine the research questions, a paired …

Assessing Factors That Increase The Likelihood Of Naloxone Administration, Samantha Nagy

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

For more than two decades, the opioid epidemic has swept through the United States and has caused thousands of deaths every year due to opioid overdose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; 2019) has reported that since 1999, over 770,000 Americans have died from overdoses. Nearly 70% of deaths in 2018 were due to opioids, 47% of which were the result of fentanyl or a non-methadone opioid and 22% were the result of heroin (CDC, 2019). As policy and treatment protocols attempt to manage those who seek treatment, the pharmaceutical industry has developed a life-saving medication that gives …

The Relationship Between Insomnia, Sleep Continuity Disturbance, Sleep-Related Daytime Dysfunction, Problem Endorsement, And Aging In A Community-Based Sample, Julia T. Boyle

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Although older adults experience greater difficulty initiating sleep, maintaining sleep, or waking up earlier than intended, they are less likely to report that they perceive this to be a problem. The discordance between sleep disorder symptoms and the reported perception that they are troubling is unusually prevalent among older adults. This may be problematic, in that individuals who do not perceive their sleep continuity disturbances (SCDs; difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up earlier than intended) to be problems are less likely to seek treatment. Untreated SCD has been shown to be a risk factor for the development or …

Gender Differences In Cognitive Distortions In Adults With Adhd, Laura Salciunas

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Research has established that men and women with ADHD often manifest varying symptom constellations and are typically referred at different ages for initial evaluation. However, there is a dearth of research into how such gender differences may impact the manifestation of various psychological processes, such as cognitive distortions, even though the latter may explain up to half the variance in many clinical syndromes and personality disorders. The primary objective of this study was to identify whether there is a significant difference in the frequency of cognitive distortions between men and women with ADHD. The secondary objective was to determine the …

An Examination Of Internet Search Behavior And Completed Suicide Rates Across The United States, Marie Louise Rhoads

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the US (CDC, 2021; Murphy et al., 2018). The literature has shown that individuals seeking information on personal or sensitive topics are likely to utilize the internet (Jacobs et al., 2017; Mok et al., 2015; Pew Research Center, 2019). Research also suggests that internet search behavior can be utilized to track and predict disease outbreak effectively, as well as other public health trends across the nation (Paparrizos et al., 2016; Parker, et al., 2017). Moreover, implicit associations related to suicide have been identified as strong predictors of future suicide (Millner et al., …

Increased Rape Victims Scale Attitudes After Relational Rejection: The Roles Of Entitlement And Shame, Lilah Clevey

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This project examined whether social or romantic rejection impacted participants’ endorsement of victim blaming beliefs toward sexual assault survivors. Participants were randomly assigned to read one of five vignettes, including a woman romantically rejecting a man, socially rejecting him, romantically accepting him, socially accepting him, or a neutral control story. After reading the vignette, participants were administered a scale assessing their endorsement of beliefs that blame survivors of sexual assault for their assault. It was hypothesized that cisgender men that read vignettes about being rejected by a woman would endorse significantly more victim blaming beliefs and that participants’ own levels …

Gastrointestinal Symptoms And Belly Pain During The Phases Of The Menstrual Cycle In Healthy Young Females, Preethashree Anbukkarasu

Honors Undergraduate Theses

There are significant differences between the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms between males and females. A recent review found that females report having more severe GI health problems compared to males. One explanation for the higher reporting rates of GI symptoms in females could be attributed to menstrual cycle influences rather than GI processes.

This research aims to examine the relationship between how gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms experienced by women covary with the different stages of the menstrual cycle. Additionally, a secondary purpose is to determine the moderating effect of health anxiety on the severity of menstrual and GI symptoms.

Responses …

Therapist Multicultural Orientation: Client Perceptions Of Cultural Humility, Sexual Identity, And The Working Alliance, Todd L. Jennings

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Research examining the benefits of cultural humility for diverse clients has increased dramatically over the last 10 years. However, little empirical research has applied therapist cultural humility to lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients. In a sample of 333 LGB persons, the current study examined whether therapist cultural humility predicted a stronger client-therapist working alliance. LGB identity centrality (IC) and identity affirmation (IA) were considered as possible moderators of this relationship. Therapist cultural humility predicted stronger working alliances in the present sample; however, this association was not moderated by IC or IA. These results suggest that therapist cultural humility is …

Invariant Structural Features Of Retrograde Amnesia Affected Memory, Daniel K. Burch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Traumatized individuals may use one or several emotional defensive strategies to cope with their experience; one method is via autobiographical amnesia which may influence the efficacy of amnesiac patients’ psychological adjustment during a sensitive period. Little research has addressed the potential of how emotionally invariant structural features may impact the reconsolidation of autobiographical memory, which in turn may support patients to complete successfully psychotherapeutic treatment or intervention. This phenomenological study addressed how lived experiences (i.e., invariant emotional and behavioral conscious states) may play into patients’ transformational memory of some or all of the traumatizing event details. To answer these questions, …

The Relationships Between Personality Characteristics Of Hardiness And Resilient Grief Outcomes In An Aging Female Population, Meryle J. Vinje

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThere is increasing empirical evidence that bereaved individuals vary considerably in their reactions to loss and that individuals experience varying pathways through the grief process. This quantitative correlational study advanced understanding of Bonanno’s pathways to resilient grief theory and contributed to the strengths-based grief and bereavement literature by examining if hardiness commitment, control, and challenge were significantly related to grief resolution and posttraumatic growth (PTG), controlling for participant age, depression, religiosity, and time since the death of a spouse, in a sample of 218 widowed women aged 50 or older. Descriptive findings revealed that study participants were in their mid-60s, …

Reaction Time And Verbal Working Memory Differences In Ncaa Concussed Female Athletes, Kelly Delph

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Empirical evidence suggests that female collegiate athletes participating in soccer are likely to suffer from TBI and subsequent concussion syndrome. Studies further indicate that TBI adversely affects the quality of life of athletes both on an academic level and social life. This study examined data with the intent to fill existing gaps in the current literature and focused on the experiences of NCAA female collegiate soccer athletes who have suffered TBI and neurocognitive deficit symptoms in verbal memory and reactional time. This quantitative research method relied on the theory of mind (ToM) as the theoretical basis to investigate research questions …

Coping Strategies Among Disciplined Psychologists Working High-Conflict Custody Cases, Stephanie Joy Norris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Psychologists who work with high conflict custody cases have one of the highest risks of receiving a board complaint against their license. There is no qualitative research specific to psychologists who have been disciplined from their state licensing board because of their work with high conflict custody cases. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and understand the meaning of the experiences of psychologists who have worked or are currently working on high-conflict custody cases and have received discipline from their state licensing board. The transactional theory of stress and coping was used as the foundation for which …

Psychological Distress And Relationship Satisfaction Among Survivors Of Sexual Violence, Alyssa Campbell

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

The World Health Organization (WHO; 2002) has indicated that sexual violence is a serious public health concern, and both the WHO and the United Nations (UN) have declared that violence against women, in particular, is a profound violation of human rights (UN General Assembly, 1993; WHO, 2017). Although the systemic and negative impact of trauma on family and intimate relationships have been well documented, the empirical literature regarding the effects of adult sexual trauma on relationship satisfaction is less robust. These studies are designed to address this gap and will do so with analyses centered on an understudied population: the …

Evaluating Antecedents To Treatment Success In Juveniles With Sexually Problematic Behavior, Alexandra P. Pappas

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The impact of rape and other sexual offenses represents a major problem in society and can lead to chronic and harmful physical, psychological, and social consequences. Juveniles (younger than 18 years old) account for 20% of sexual offense arrests in the United States, with 96% of reported cases committed by male perpetrators. Risk indicators and characteristics of juveniles who sexually offend include demographic factors (e.g., history of sexual abuse), personality factors (e.g., antisocial behavior), and below average intelligence and cognitive functioning. Treatment of problematic sexual behavior in juveniles varies in intensity, structure, and level of supervision, though research investigating unsuccessful …

The Relationship Between Posttraumatic Growth, Social Support, And Rurality, Chelsea Thweatt

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The majority of Americans will experience a trauma in their lifetime (Kilpatrick et al., 2013). While some will experience severe negative symptoms as a result of their trauma (U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, 2019), up to 70% of people will report positive outcomes (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 1999). Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to positive changes that individuals experience after a traumatic event (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004). A key way for PTG to occur is through social support (Shakespeare-Finch & Copping, 2006). Research found that the quality and the quantity of social support matter when predicting PTG (Shang et al., 2020). Specifically, …

The Effects Of Priming On Framing Bias: An Integrative Study Examining Mortality Salience, Self-Affirmation, And Emotional Intelligence, Kyle Klaassen

All Master's Theses

The framing effect is a cognitive bias in which the way a choice is presented influences decision-making. Individuals avoid risk when a scenario or choice is presented in a positive light or as a gain (e.g., lives will be saved, money will be gained). In contrast, because losses are more salient than gains, people will select more risky options in order to avoid potential losses when choices are framed negatively (e.g., lives lost, money lost). Another method of influencing decision-making is priming in which interactions with a specific stimulus predisposes individuals toward certain behaviors or thoughts. The current study examined …

Effects Of An Educational Intervention On Students’ Knowledge And Attitude Towards Working With Older Adults, Johnna L. Kelley

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Many individuals report reservations about working with an older adult population. A potential factor that may influence this is openness to experience. Additionally, research shows that educational interventions are effective in increasing individuals’ level of knowledge on various topics including older adults and aging. This increased level of knowledge contributes to a higher level of willingness to work with an older adult population. In order to support and extend the existing literature on this topic, we examined the effect of a short-term education session on undergraduate students’ willingness to work with older adults in a variety of positions and settings. …

Moral Injury: Examining The Role Of Meaning Making In Veterans, Katelyn A. Mccreight

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Moral injury is a transdiagnostic process that spans a collection of symptoms similar to PTSD (Litz et al., 2009). Many veterans develop PTSD symptoms following exposure to potentially morally injurious events (pMIE) occurring in the context of war (e.g., killing an enemy combatant or accidentally killing a civilian; (Currier, Holland, & Malott, 2014; Litz et al., 2009; Purcell, Koenig, Bosch & Maguen, 2016). The potential mediating and moderating variables between moral injury and PTSD may also contribute to pMIE-related PTSD symptoms being overlooked and left untreated (Litz et al., 2009). Furthermore, while extensive research has been conducted on coping and …

Flourishing After Sexual Assault: An Examination Of Self-Compassion In Women, Jessica E. Rick

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Sexual assault is a serious and increasing public health concern, which has spurred recent development of the #metoo movement (Miller, 2017; Sigurdsson, 2018). Much of the current literature and treatment emphasis focuses on how to bring survivors of sexual assault back to baseline functioning. This exclusive focus on stability models often neglects pathways by which survivors thrive and flourish following experiences with sexual violence. It is important to consider how sexual assault experiences relate to flourishing efforts. Self-compassion, or the ability to be open and non-judgmental about one’s own suffering and treat oneself with kindness in the face of pain, …

Perceptions Of Child Sexual Abuse: The Effects Of Perpetrator Age, Rural Status, And Rape Myth Acceptance, Kalynn C. Gruenfelder

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a global issue, affecting many children in the short- and long-term. Despite the high prevalence of CSA, factors affecting adults’ perceptions of CSA are still in question. Research focuses on CSA committed by adults, but there is disproportionately less research examining perceptions of CSA committed by juveniles. Research shows a higher incidence of juvenile-perpetrated CSA than adult-perpetrated CSA in the lifetime of 17-year-olds (Finkelhor, Shattuck, Turner, & Hamby, 2014). The current study aimed to fill the gaps in the literature concerning adult perceptions of CSA cases considering victim and perpetrator characteristics and rape myth acceptance. …

The Impact Of Perfectionism On Mental, Social, And Physical Health Of Graduate Students In The Health Sciences, Kelly B. Filipkowski, Alicia H. Nordstrom, Triet Pham, Michael Floren, Scott L. Massey

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Perfectionism is considered a multidimensional construct with adaptive and maladaptive features. It was hypothesized that the diverse perfectionism components would predict well-being outcomes of similar valence. Method: The current study investigated perfectionism and mental, social, and physical health outcomes of graduate students in health science disciplines, across two semesters. We utilized two approaches in our empirical analysis. We first examined the continuous relationships between perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns, and health-related outcomes of graduate students. Additionally, we assessed differences between three perfectionism groups (i.e., adaptive, maladaptive, or non-perfectionist) on these well-being outcomes. Results: Results indicated that generally, adaptive perfectionism was …

Ability Status, Self-Advocacy, And Individuals With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Neurodiversity-Informed Training For Professionals And Caregivers, Allison N. Simpson

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Ability status in U.S. society is a critical social and cultural identity. “Disability” is often viewed through the lens of pathology as an illness. This kind of view affects not only the personal identity of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities, but also their treatment by others in the community, employers, caregivers, and others in their system of interaction. Even individuals who are strong self-advocates can be silenced by this kind of lens. A more empowering way to view individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities is through the lens of neurodiversity in order to see their abilities, needs, wishes, and lives. The current project …

Harming The Help-Seeking: Necessity For Assessing Harmful And Biased Attitudes Toward Clients With Substance Use Disorder, Crystal D. Mcdowell, Crystal Dawn Mcdowell

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Numerous times, as a new clinician, I have witnessed the substance use disorder population referred to as not being dependable, dangerous, burnt out, and even hopeless. Often times I have heard mental health professionals make statements amongst themselves that the client could not be helped, referred to them as a “frequent flyer,” (meant to convey they frequently present for treatment, relapse, and return for treatment), and complain how tax dollars are being wasted to support the client. I felt empathy and a sense of hopelessness for these clients as they were seeking treatment in order to get help and yet …

The Link Between Trauma, Chronic Pain, And Disease, Jessica Caniff

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Psychological trauma and early life adversity have been significantly connected to elevated incidence of disease, chronic pain, and premature death. Trauma exposure can result in shortened telomere length in chromosomes and advanced biological aging. Epigenetics and the modification of gene expression through methylation of DNA can be directly affected by traumatic experiences. Aversive childhood experiences are globally linked to increased likelihood of risk factors for disease, death, and wellbeing throughout life. Sleep deprivation and disruption is a common symptom of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder. Loss of sleep has a remarkably detrimental impact on the immune and cardiovascular systems …

The Lived Experience Of La Raza’S Membership In Lowrider Car Clubs: A Phenomenological Study, Elizabeth Ramos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lowriding is a cultural practice that has become a way of life among some Raza or individuals of Mexican descent. However, the literature lacks an understanding of these individuals and what has influenced their participation in car clubs. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experience of Raza, who are members of lowrider car clubs. The theoretical frameworks were Erikson’s identity development theory, social identity theory, and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory. These guided this qualitative study to answer the following research questions: How Raza described their lived experience as members of a lowrider car club and …

Empathy And Risk For Compassion Fatigue Among Immigrant African Pastors In The United States, Paul Affar Meenu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The importance of caregiver empathy in positive client outcomes has been established in the literature. However, helping traumatized people has a potentially deleterious emotional effect on the helping professional, putting them at risk for compassion fatigue. The stress-process model provided the framework for the study. Survey data were collected from 138 immigrant African pastors in the United States. Compassion fatigue dimensions were measured by the Professional Quality of Life Scale, and empathy dimensions were measured by the Empathy Assessment Index. Results of multivariate canonical correlation analysis revealed that empathy predicts compassion fatigue susceptibility. Pastors who scored low on empathy subscales …

Behavioral Strategies And Predicting Impulsive Aggression In Among Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Raul Alafa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have explored the relationship between the application of written attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impulsive aggression (IA) behavioral intervention strategies with current public-school educational plans in reducing aggression and how exclusion of behavioral strategies may increase aggression and impact students’ long-term ability to control emotions. However, the social learning theory of aggression suggests that positive self-efficacy and modeling may improve effective coping. This study explored the relationship between aggression as measured by the modified overt aggression scale and the individualized education program (IEP)/504 Plan behavioral strategies’ effectiveness for ADHD aggression as measured by a repeated measured analysis of variance. Data …