Psychology Commons^™

Exploring The Relationship Between Cannabis Use Motives And Readiness To Change Among Young Adult College Students, Emma Kathryn Rawls

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Cannabis use among young adult college students has risen steadily over the past decade, raising concerns about the associated health, academic, and psychological consequences. While cannabis use motives and readiness to change have each been linked to use patterns and outcomes, limited research has examined how these factors interact. The current study investigated whether readiness to change, based on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), moderates the relationship between cannabis use motives and cannabis-related consequences as well as past-30-day use frequency. A sample of 100 college students 18-25 years old (M_age = 20.08, SD = 2.12; 67% female; 55.0% Black or …

The Impact Of Mindfulness Therapy To Reduce Disruptive Behavior In High School, Wendy Peters

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this project was to determine the impact and effectiveness of Gina Biegel’s mindfulness techniques for stressed teens method on adolescent anxiety and the disruptive symptoms that lead to high school adolescents being assigned to detention. This project described a quantitative correlational design research project that investigated a small adolescent sample size, with a goal of decreasing the number of local high school adolescent students who are repeat detention offenders, by implementing Gina Biegel’s mindfulness techniques for stressed teens method on those high school adolescents who were assigned to detention. This was achieved by collecting demographic data from …

More Schooling Can Delay The Onset Of Dementia Later In Life, Vikesh Amin, Jere R. Behrman, Jason M. Fletcher, Carlos A. Flores, Alfonso Flores-Lagunes, Iliana Kohler, Hans-Peter Kohler, Shana D. Stites

Employment Research Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Synthesizing Co-Reading Behaviors: Insights From Graduate Students’ Experience And A Rapid Scoping Review, Watcharasak Sudla, Wannee Kaemkate

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: Collaborative reading of research articles is essential for graduate students to develop academic reading skills through peer engagement in knowledge sharing, reflection, and feedback. However, limited information exists about the behaviors indicative of co-reading practices. This study aims to identify behavioral indicators and social participation in students’ co-reading of research articles.

Methods: In this study, we integrated key behavioral indicators of co-reading based on data from interviews with 23 graduate students and a rapid scoping review. The collected data were then subjected to content analysis and data visualization.

Results: The findings categorize individuals involved in co-reading into six groups: …

Career Counseling With Foster Adolescents Transitioning To Adulthood: A Phenomenological Study Using A Psychoeducation Group Counseling Approach, Carly Paro-Tompkins, Elda Veloso Ph.D., Galaxina G. Wright, Jennifer Reeves, Samantha Both

The Qualitative Report

Young adults who age out of the foster care system face a unique set of challenges including increased risk of homelessness, substance use, mental health problems, and difficulty with employment. The current phenomenological study aims to understand participants’ experiences of Project P.A.T.H., a group psychoeducational group intervention aimed at improving self-efficacy, employment hope, and job search knowledge in individuals who were unemployed or underemployed and actively seeking employment. Participants were recruited through the FLITE Center, a nonprofit organization providing services supporting individuals transitioning out of the foster system. A total of 23 participants aged 18-26 participated in this study. The …

Study Habits And Examination Anxiety As Correlates Of Academic Performance Among Secondary School Students In Kwara State, Nigeria, Oyedotun Dolapo Ilori, Falilat A. Okesina, Patrick O. Akerele, Ifeoluwa Blessing Michael

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Examination anxiety and study habits seem to be a significant factor of academic performance. This study examined study habits and examination anxiety as correlates of academic performance among secondary school students in Kwara State, Nigeria. This study adopted a descriptive survey of correlational type. The population for the study consists of 235, 652 secondary school students, and the sample consists of 400 secondary school students. Two research questions were answered using frequency count, percentage and mean rank order while the three hypotheses formulated were tested using inferential statistics of Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation statistics (PPMC) and multiple regression analysis at …

Iowa Test Scores Before And After Covid-19 In Early Adolescents, Carmel F. W. Ontoy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This paper addresses past research that examined the effects of COVID-19 on academics and presents a study further examining an area of academics before and after COVID-19. Research relating to COVID-19 has varied, studying correlations and effects on factors such as mental health and relationships. Researchers and educators projected various degrees of learning loss, and while some studies have revealed some loss, others have revealed little to no change. Further research is needed to continue developing researchers’ and educators’ understanding of how COVID-19 and the shift to online learning may have been related to learning and academics of young adolescents. …

The Relationship Between Parent-Child Attachment And Emotional Regulations In Adolescents, Stanley T. Triplett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is unknown how parent-child attachment is related to emotion regulation among adolescents; this quantitative correlational study aimed to examine how the quality of parent-child attachment was related to adolescents’ emotion regulation abilities, and whether gender or stage of adolescence moderated this relationship. Data collected from 116 parents of adolescents aged 10-21 using the Attachment Q-Sort Questionnaire, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and a demographic questionnaire were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis, indicating that the model was significant; the quality of parent-child attachment explained 6% of the variance in adolescents’ emotion regulation, meaning the quality of parent-child attachment could predict …

Superintendent Stress And Mental Health: The Case Of African American Female Superintendents In The United States, Kamika Lynette Bell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the challenges faced by African American female K–12 school superintendents in the United States, with a particular focus on work-related stress and mental health. The unique challenges encountered by African American women in leadership positions include work stressors, racial and societal barriers, and gender discrimination. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to gain a deeper understanding of the work-related stress and mental health experiences of African American female superintendents in K–12 schools. The study was a means to elicit new information from the experiences of African American women regarding experiences of gendered racism and its …

Modifying Tier 1 Strategies To Promote Positive Behaviors Of Autistic Preschoolers, Courteney Johnson, Maiko Yomogida, Michela Arlia, Angie Sjoquist, Maylin Herrera

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Our study assessed the outcomes of implementing a researcher-developed, teacher-led preventive program in special education preschool classrooms. We evaluated outcomes that were specific to student behaviors, classroom climate, and teacher self-efficacy. As iterative components of the Pyramid Model, an early-childhood-focused iteration of the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports framework, the intervention focused on teaching, modeling, and reinforcing behavior expectations using research-based strategies deemed effective at supporting the autistic population. Participants in our study included seven special education preschool classrooms, each composed of approximately five students, one teacher, and two teacher assistants. While the student population included those with various disabilities, …

From Heroic Imagination To Belonging-Focused Healing: A Tribute To Philip Zimbardo, Agnieszka Wilczynska

Heroism Science

This article offers a reflective account of the Polish adaptation of the Heroic Imagination Project (HIP), a global educational initiative founded by Philip Zimbardo to promote everyday heroism through psychological awareness. As HIP took root in Poland, we developed a robust infrastructure of certified trainers, academic collaborators, and educational centers, reaching over 250 schools and 800 educators. Grounded in core psychological principles -- such as the bystander effect, social conformity, and prejudice -- the program empowered participants to resist negative social influences and cultivate moral courage. The experience also gave rise to Belonging Focus Therapy (BFT), a psychobiological and sociocultural …

Evaluating Generative Ai For Depression Diagnosis: Implications For Counselor Education And Supervision, Matthew Rensi, Chung-Fan Ni, Leo Gonzalez, Jr., Mindi Barta, Cass Dykeman, James Geisler

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

This study evaluated the efficacy of three Generative AI tools—ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini— in identifying Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) from 119 written clinical case descriptions. Each AI tool determined if cases met DSM-5 criteria for MDD. The results showed significant performance variations, with Gemini demonstrating an accuracy of 97%. These findings suggest the potential for AI assistance in clinical practice, while also underscoring the importance of professional judgment. The implications for counselor education include opportunities to integrate AI tools into training programs, particularly in courses on psychopathology and clinical skills. Educators can use these tools to enhance students’ diagnostic skills …

Using The Companioning Model And Technological Innovations To Create Spaces Of Belonging In Counselor Education Programs, Kailey Bradley, Ellise Nolan, Fawn Gordon, Emily Horton

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

This conceptual manuscript seeks to address challenges experienced by counseling students regarding feelings of non-belonging. We propose that the companioning model of grief counseling be integrated into existing counselor education curriculum through technological innovations to cultivate a sense of belonging. Due to the model’s alignment with humanistic counseling principles, such as non-judgment and person-centered interventions, the companioning model is applicable to fostering belonging in counselor education learning environments. Each tenet of the companioning model will be described, and a corresponding activity that aligns with the tenet will be explored. Each activity leverages technological innovations that provide a unique intersection that …

Exploring The Environmental Impacts Of Telemental Health Counseling: Balancing Accessibility, Sustainability, And Climate Concerns, Daniel Bates, Greg Peterson, Vanessa Sinclair

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a nation-wide quarantine was mandated, which had a significant impact on the economy, healthcare, and lifestyle. It also dramatically changed the way mental health services were delivered. Many clinicians in private practice and at agencies rapidly transitioned the administration of mental health treatment to an online platform. The rapid upsurge of utilization of telemental health counseling (TMHC) yielded unexpected environmental benefits that have come to light by recent research. Some researchers shared concerns of TMHC efficacy compared to in-person counseling, however, other research comparing TMHC to in-person found comparable therapeutic outcomes. Research has also …

The State Of Telemental Health Training And Education In Cacrep-Accredited Counselor Education Master’S Programs, Jocelyn Novella, Davide Mariotti

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

Despite the frequent use of telemental health (TMH) to deliver clinical mental health counseling, there are few specific guidelines for the teaching of this important topic in CACREP-accredited counselor education programs. This study examined TMH training and education in master’s-level CACREP-accredited counselor education programs by surveying CACREP liaisons (n = 62). The results were analyzed using frequencies, and questions were cross-tabulated with basic information about the programs’ faculty, students, and method of teaching. Results will inform current practices in the training of counselors in this expanding delivery system.

Evaluating Counseling Skills Through Language Style Matching: A Computer-Aided Text Analysis Of Suicide And General Counseling Transcripts, Chung-Fan Ni, Justin Jacques, Charles Silber, Cass Dykeman

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

This pilot study applies Computer-Aided Text Analysis (CATA) to examine Language Style Matching (LSM) in counseling transcripts, offering a novel metric for counselor education and supervision. Analyzing 50 suicide-focused and 100 general counseling sessions using LIWC-22 software, we found high LSM scores in both contexts (suicide-focused: M = 0.906; general: M = 0.903). Bayesian analysis provided moderate evidence (BF01 = 5.048) in support of the null hypothesis, indicating no significant difference between the two session types. The consistently high LSM suggests counselors effectively build strong alliances and align with client goals across topics. LSM analysis provides an objective measure of …

Need Frustration And Poor Mental Health Among Collegiate Athletes: The Indirect Role Of Ruminative Thinking, Alanni N. Brown, Adrian J. Bravo, Stimulant Norms And Prevalence 2 (Snap2) Study Team

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

Vulnerability to negative mental health outcomes (i.e. anxiety and depression) among DI collegiate athletes may best be understood using Self Determination Theory (SDT) and the framework that need frustration impairs autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Need frustration may also relate to negative mental health symptoms via higher ruminative thinking, known to relate to both need frustration and poor mental health. The present study tested these two path models (i.e., SDT need frustration components [autonomy, relatedness, competency]-->rumination facets [problem-focused thoughts, counterfactual thinking, repetitive thinking, anticipatory thoughts]-->mental health problems (one for depression and one for anxiety as outcomes) among 341 collegiate …

Screening For Bullying In A Middle School Setting, Paige Bernau

Dissertations

Problem: Bullied youth are two and a half times more likely to experience depression and three times more likely to experience anxiety and suicidal ideation than their peers (Li et al., 2024). Schools represent a key access point for mental health support and treatment for youth (Duong et al., 2020). Despite this, schools typically do not have formal bullying screening integrated into student support services.

Methods: This program evaluation used a descriptive, observational design to evaluate a bullying screening program in a suburban middle-school. This program used the California Bullying Victimization Scale (CBVS) to assess for bullying victimization (BV) followed …

"...Anything My Friend Shares, I Would Want To Support Them By Clicking On It": Co-Designing Story-Based Interventions Against Clickbait For Teenagers, Ankit Shrestha, Audrey Flood, Bryson Hackler, Mahdi Nasrullah Al-Ameen

Computer Science Student Research

Teenagers' lack of digital sophistication and cyber hygiene makes them vulnerable to social engineering attacks, especially as they start using social media. Clickbait, one of such attacks, is primarily performed through social media to trick users into clicking on malicious links. With teenagers' increasing use of social media, clickbait poses a substantial threat to their online safety. The existing online safety measures for teens mainly focus on parental mediation, which can be perceived as restrictive and privacy-invasive. To this end, researchers recommended empowering teens to deal with online risks. In order to design such interventions for clickbait, we conducted co-design …

"Chatgpt Told Me To Say It": Ai Chatbots And Class Participation Apprehension In University Students, Daisuke Akiba

Publications and Research

The growing prevalence of AI chatbots in everyday life has prompted educators to explore their potential applications in promoting student success, including support for classroom engagement and communication. This exploratory study emerged from semester-long observations of class participation apprehensions in an introductory educational psychology course, examining how chatbots might scaffold students toward active and independent classroom contribution. Four students experiencing situational participation anxiety voluntarily participated in a pilot intervention using AI chatbots as virtual peer partners. Following comprehensive training in AI use and prompt design given to the entire class, participants employed systematic consultation frameworks for managing classroom discourse trepidations. …

Co-Design Of A Program For Medical Students’ Experiential Learning In Community-Engaged Research, Daenique H. A. Jengelley, Tess D. Weathers, Dustin O. Lynch, Morgan E. Ness, Luis Garcia, Gina E. Claxton, J. Dennis Fortenberry, Tamara S. Hannon

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Medical education may lack experiential training on authentic community engagement (CE). Employing a human-centered design approach with medical faculty and students to identify goals, opportunities, needs, and barriers to implementing CE research, we developed an Experiential Community Engagement Learning Series (EXCELS) pilot program. EXCELS supported both our community partners and medical students as a platform from which to learn from each other. EXCELS can be accomplished virtually, incorporated in medical training, and disseminated broadly.

Enhancing Undergraduate Education Through Social Innovation Projects: The Experience Of A Young University In Singapore, Intan Azura Mokhtar, Yong Lim Foo

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

In this paper, social innovation is used as a catch-all phrase for projects and initiatives by higher education institutions (HEIs) related to community engagement, community-based learning, and service-learning. This paper explores the concept and application of social innovation in higher education, followed by a case study of implementing social innovation projects in a young, applied learning university in Singapore, a discussion of lessons learned, and plans for the near future in enhancing and strengthening its implementation.

The Civic Minded (Post) Graduate: Examining The Long-Range Benefits Of Community-Engaged Service Learning, Catherine Wilkins

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This project seeks to fill gaps in the knowledge about the long-term benefits of undergraduate participation in community-engaged service learning (CESL). A mixed-methods research protocol delivered to graduates of an R1 public university three years after the completion of a CESL senior capstone course observed significant divergences in knowledge and behavioral attributes of civic mindedness. This research methodology could be employed by other scholars to determine if these findings are reproducible.

Intergenerational Design Challenges: Participants’ Perspectives On Moving From Ideas To Implementation, Tina M. K. Newsham, Matthew J. Peterson, Alicia M. Sellon, Logan Elkins, Abrielle Leblanc, Tess Ryan, Andrew Zeldin

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Many social innovation efforts are aimed at meeting social challenges presented by the aging of the population, yet older adults are often excluded from such efforts. The purpose of this case study was to examine an approach used in a midsized university in southeast North Carolina to create intergenerational opportunities for students, local community organizations, and older adult residents of the surrounding area to collaboratively develop suggestions for addressing challenges facing the older adult population.

First-Year Intersections: Professional Preparation And Civic Engagement Across Four New American Colleges And Universities (Nacu) Campuses, Shereen Ilahi, Chastity Blankenship, Andy Morris, Jeffrey Thomas

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Four institutions hypothesized that civic engagement in first-year courses reinforces career readiness by helping students think critically, communicate effectively, and work well with diversity. We measured teamwork skills, the ability to synthesize and apply different perspectives, and the ability to express, listen to, and adapt ideas based on the perspective of others. We compared self-assessments to direct assessment of student-created artifacts and found a positive correlation that encourages further enquiry.

Feasibility Of A Peer-Facilitated Video-Based Mental Health And Substance Use Service-Learning Program, Mara Carmina A. Tamayo, King Filart, Maria Regina Hechanova

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This study examined the feasibility of implementing a peer-facilitated mental health and substance use video-based program delivered by psychology students as part of service learning. The program was delivered on-site and online. Findings reveal improvements in knowledge, attitudes, refusal self-efficacy, and adaptive coping among on-site participants. However, there was no effect on online participants given many implementation challenges. Recommendations include delivering the program on-site, strengthening training for facilitators, increasing program duration, and shortening the videos.

Community-Based Art Education In Early Field Experiences: Facilitating Opportunities For Preservice Art Education Students To Support Students With Disabilities, Kristin Vanderlip Taylor

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Preservice art education students are often required to engage in Early Field Experience (EFE) observation hours before entering a credential program. Community-based art education (CBAE) projects may provide them with EFE opportunities to apply what they are learning in art education environments beyond the traditional classroom. This article describes one such CBAE project with a nonprofit organization providing arts instruction to students with different abilities and needs, primarily those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Teaching About Substance Use Recovery: The Pedagogical Power Of Community-Based Learning, Jumi Hayaki, Isabelle Jenkins

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Community-based learning (CBL) is a form of experiential learning that integrates academic theory and content with active service in an applied setting. CBL is especially well suited for teaching about complex social issues. We present the case study of a psychology course on substance use recovery that leverages CBL to dismantle stereotypes, humanize a highly stigmatized mental health problem facing society, and afford students the opportunity to consider their own privilege and positionality.

Imposter Syndrome And Degree Completion Among Marginalized Graduate Students, Ryan A. Finner

2025 Symposium

Imposter Syndrome is a mindset that troubles many graduate students across various countries, degree programs, ethnicities, sexualities and genders. The term Imposter Syndrome refers to the feeling of being a fraud, despite achieving success and the persistent fear of being exposed as unqualified or undeserving. While this phenomenon affects many, it can appear much worse in marginalized populations, this is due to the lack of resources, support and representation of minorities in professional and higher education environments. This research focuses on marginalized graduate students and aims to figure out what key factors are leading to incomplete or delayed degree completion. …

Gaining Insights Into Community Engagement Efforts: Learning From Preservice Stem Educators, Amy G. Maples, Lynn L. Hodge, Nick Kim

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This study seeks to extend research in the field by exploring literature examining preservice teachers’ perceptions of community engagement efforts. We then report findings from a thematic analysis of a survey conducted with teacher candidates at a university in the southeastern U.S. who took part in school- and community-based STEM events, and provide implications and suggestions for utilizing community engagement opportunities as a means of enriching preservice teachers’ understandings of local school and community contexts.