Psychology Commons^™

Providers’ Social Determinants Of Health, Burnout, And Efficacy Addressing Patients’ Social Determinants Of Health Needs, Erik Klee

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Healthcare provider burnout and the capacity to address patients’ social determinants of health are critical issues in modern medical systems. This study investigated the relationships among providers’ personal social determinants of health (Prov-SDH) needs, burnout, and perceived efficacy in addressing patients’ social determinants of health (Pt-SDH) needs. Using a sample of 149 healthcare professionals, the study examined how individual Prov-SDH factors, professional degree, clinical setting, and years of practice influenced these outcomes. Statistical analyses revealed no significant correlation between providers’ current or lifetime Prov-SDH needs and their reported burnout symptoms or Pt-SDH-related efficacy. However, results indicated that lifetime Prov-SDH needs …

Do Attorneys Discriminate? Understanding The Implications Of Bias On Voir Dire & Jury Selection, Jessica Lambert

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Biases, generally defined as predispositions or inclinations for or against ideas, is a broadly prevalent aspect of human cognition and decision-making (Steinhauser, 2020). Bias is present in every decision-making structure, even those in which we strive for the greatest neutrality, such as the legal system (Alter, 2010). An especially important place to seek to minimize or eliminate bias is in the courtroom. Our justice system is built upon the assumption of impartiality and nonpartisanship (Rosenberg, 2008), yet biases and stereotypical decision- making are common criticisms of the court (Curley et al., 2022; Chopp, 2017). This study attempts to identify the …

Therapeutic Self-Disclosure: Exploring The Role Of Professional Affiliation, Theoretical Orientation, And Culture, Rhea Katharyn Go Jensen

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The purpose of this study is to explore factors that relate to use of therapeutic self-disclosure (TSD) within a client-therapist relationship. Primarily utilizing grounded theory, this research study explores the role of professional affiliation, culture, and theoretical orientation on psychotherapists use of therapeutic self-disclosure. Participants included 13 licensed psychotherapists with varying therapy degrees, theoretical orientations, and cultural backgrounds. Each clinician was interviewed on their use of TSD within their clinical practice. Those with psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theoretical orientations expressed more hesitance to disclose than those with a primarily CBT theoretical orientation. Despite this, there were similarities in motivations for use …

Happiest People On Earth? A Look Into The Personality Traits Of Disney Adults, Brittannee Mahoney

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The present study examined the personality traits of individuals who identify themselves as “Disney adults” and explored patterns of Disney-related engagement through a newly developed Disney Engagement Scale (DES). Personality traits have a history of being used in many capacities to identify themes within a population. As the Disney adult population grows larger, the opportunity for research increases. In popular media, Disney adults have frequently been shamed for their engagement with the company. The premise of the Disney experience is based on nostalgia, play and cheer. Further, holistic health benefits of nostalgia, playfulness and cheerfulness in adults can be found …

Transforming Reproductive Health Through Education: A Menstrual Health Literacy And Empowerment Questionnaire To Support Psychological Well-Being, Francesca Dellamaggiore

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Menstrual health remains an underexamined area within psychological and reproductive health research despite its relevance to emotional functioning, self-advocacy, health literacy, and overall well-being. Limited education about the menstrual cycle, combined with persistent stigma and misinformation, may leave many individuals unprepared to understand their bodies and communicate effectively with healthcare providers. The present study aimed to develop and provide a preliminary psychometric evaluation of the Menstrual Health Literacy and Empowerment (MHLE) Questionnaire, a novel measure designed to assess menstrual cycle knowledge, menstrual attitudes, and empowerment-related processes associated with psychological well-being. Participants were recruited through community and university-based sampling methods and …

Chin Up: Contextual Factors That Determine Positive Or Negative Reception Of Encouragement, Paige Tobias

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

This study investigated how relational closeness, trust, coping, spirituality, and religiosity impact a person’s subjective experience of encouragement. It also explored whether worldview alignment or the type of relationship determines whether a person experiences words of encouragement as positive or negative. Participants (n = 153) filled out questionnaires regarding these constructs as well as recalled times when they were encouraged and experienced that encouragement either positively or negatively. Results showed that positive and negative coping styles and relationship closeness were predictors of a positive experience with encouragement. Coping alignment with the recipient of the encouragement was a predictor for both …

Expanding Clinical Understanding Of Suicidality In Queer Adolescents, Garrett Cash

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Suicidality is seen at an exceptionally high rate for both sexual minority and gender minority youth (Zaza et al., 2016; Thoma et al., 2019). The American Psychological Association (APA) has set out guidelines for mental health providers working with queer youth (APA 2015 and APA 2021) but does not require clinicians to adhere to them, labeling them as “aspirational.” To bridge the gap in clinician education on how to best support this group, an organizing framework based on etiological and preventative research is necessary. This would allow providers to more accurately and efficiently assess and respond to risk. The Salience-Occurrence …

Religiosity And Political Affiliation As Moderators For Climate Change Belief, Jenna L. Hiljus

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Climate change remains a polarized issue in the United States despite broad scientific consensus. The present study examined how specific variables within political ideology (social and economic conservatism) and religiosity (belief, praxis, and morality) relate to climate change belief among undergraduate students at a private Christian university. Participants (N = 130) completed measures of climate change perceptions, multidimensional religiosity, and social and economic conservatism. Correlational analyses showed medium-sized, negative relationships between climate change belief and both social and economic conservatism, with no significant difference between the two domains. This finding suggests that political conservatism may operate as a unified construct …

Exploring The Relationship Between Discrete Cognitive Skills And Adaptive Skills In A Transdiagnostic Sample Of Children And Adolescents, Jacy L. Black

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The relationship between intelligence and adaptive functioning has been well researched for neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. However, the relationship between these constructs has yet to be fully explored in other clinical pediatric populations that exhibit significant deficits in adaptive functioning. This archival study investigated the relationship between cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior in a transdiagnostic sample of children and adolescents. Although past studies have examined these relationships utilizing estimations of generalized intellectual ability, the present research examined associations between adaptive skills and discrete cognitive skills, often referred to as cognitive domains. By identifying the association …

Utility Of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–Third Edition (Mmpi-3) Eating Concerns Scale In A Bariatric Sample, Darryl Ray

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The utility of the Eating Concerns (EAT) scale on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–3 (MMPI-3) was examined in a preoperative bariatric sample through comparisons with established measures and an assessment of internal consistency. Participants (N = 161) enrolled in a bariatric surgery program completed a comprehensive preoperative psychological evaluation that included the MMPI-3, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), and the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire–Short Form (WEL-SF). The EAT scale differentiated the disordered eating groups and showed moderate associations with the TFEQ-C, TFEQ-D, and WEL-SF. Within this sample, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the EAT scale was lower than the alpha …

Hugs And Horses: A Pilot Study Of Hold Me Tight Plusⓡ - An Emotionally Focused Workshop With Equine Interactions, Courtney Crouse

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Emotionally Focused Therapy has also been proven to help individuals to feel an improved sense of trust and dyadic adjustment in their relationships (Morgis et al., 2019; Kennedy, 2019). Hold Me TightⓇ (HMT) is an evidence-based workshop designed by Dr. Sue Johnson. Research on HMT has shown that couples significantly improved their relationship satisfaction and the security of their bond (Conradi et al., 2017). Equine-assisted interventions that are paired with therapeutic interventions have been shown to be effective in improving couples’ sense of relationship quality (Willmund et al., 2021). A combination of equine-assisted emotionally focused couples therapy has yet to …

Basc-3 Adolescent Version For American Indian / Alaska Native (Ai/An) Adolescents With Learning Difficulties: Identifying Comorbidities, Benjamin L. Shannon

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Deficiencies in cultural sensitivity among popular psychological assessment instruments can have significant consequences for diverse test takers, leading to inaccurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention. The present study aimed to explore possible differences in mean raw scale scores between an AI/AN adolescent sample and BASC-3 SRP-A and TRS-A normative sample data, as well as to establish preliminary evidence to suggest an increased prevalence of social/emotional dysfunction for AI/AN adolescents diagnosed with multiple specific learning disabilities (SLDs). Archival BASC-3 SRP-A and TRS-A data, collected from students and teachers at a residential school for American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescents from …

Adverse Therapy Experiences In Patients At An Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital As A Predictor Of Inpatient Risk And Distress, Jaycee Hallford

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Psychotherapy is widely assumed to be beneficial, yet research consistently shows that a meaningful proportion of patients experience deterioration or harm. Adverse therapy experiences (ATEs) may intensify distress, undermine trust in clinicians, and elevate risk for self-harm, particularly among psychiatric inpatients who are already in crisis; ATEs may thus contribute to deterioration while undergoing psychotherapy. This study examined whether ATEs predicted psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and perceived risk of harm to self or others among adult psychiatric inpatients. Data were obtained from 56 voluntary and involuntary inpatients using a newly developed measure of ATEs, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social …

Relationships Between Intimate Partner Attachment Style, Pet Attachment Style, And Type Of Pet, Hamilton Lovett

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Prior research has shown attachment figures can take many forms beyond human-to-human connection. As pets continue to serve an increasingly important familial role, they have also become strong attachment figures for children and adults alike. The present study explored pet attachment relationships in more depth, examining a sample of pet owners with traditional pets, dogs and cats, and those with an exotic pet, snakes. Participants completed a survey measuring their intimate partner attachment style and their attachment style to their pet. Findings indicated those with anxious intimate partner attachment styles also hold anxious attachment to their pets. However, participants with …

The Perfect Ten: How Perceived Sport Performance Outcomes And Other Factors Impact An Athlete’S Body Image, Mia Asuncion

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The present study investigated factors that influence body image in collegiate athletes before and after competition. Existing research has focused on factors such as sex differences and aesthetic versus non-aesthetic sports, but there is limited research on factors such as an athlete’s view of their performance, the weight pressures an athlete faces from external supports, and the interplay of these variables. Participants (n = 53) filled out a questionnaire 24 hours prior to, and following, a competition. They rated body image disturbance, subjective performance satisfaction, and weight pressures from external systems. Results showed a relationship between body image disturbance and …

Shame, Shame, I Don’T Know Your Name: The Association Of Shame In Asian Culture With Self-Compassion And Self-Criticism In Asian Americans, Lauren M. Nguyen

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

With depression and suicidality on the rise among Asian Americans and gaps in research for members of Asian culture, it is imperative to examine the factors that may influence mental health outcomes, to help inform clinical considerations. Shame plays a significant role in Asian culture and is an essential component in understanding the mental health of Asian Americans. Self-criticism and self-compassion have also been shown to influence mental health outcomes in Asian populations. This study examined how shame in Asian culture is linked to self-criticism and self-compassion in Asian Americans, and how acculturation can impact these relationships. A total of …

Disparities In Emergency Medical Services: Examining Care Gaps For The High-Frequency User Population, Sarah Krysl Cleveringa

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Although many studies have illustrated healthcare disparities related to patient demographic factors in emergency medical response, few studies have examined how differences in care may be related to a patient’s identity as a high-frequency utilizer of emergency medical services (EMS). The Superuser population (higher than average utilizers of EMS) has been examined for characteristics and costs to society, but it is unknown if they receive a different type or quality of care compared to the low-frequency utilizer population. The goal of this study is to examine the EMS care that Superusers receive and possible factors that may contribute to the …

“You’Re Denying God”: Thoughts On Institutional Homophobia From Lgbtq-Affirming Staff And Faculty At Christian Colleges, Kaytlin Epperly

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Over 4 million adults identify as LGBTQ Christians in the United States (Conron et al., 2020). Yet, despite increasing support in secular and religious circles alike, the LGBTQ community continues to face prejudice and discrimination in evangelical Christian spaces (Jones, 2026; Public Religion Research Institute, 2023). Unfortunately, much of this is experienced on Christian college campuses. During a crucial period of identity development, many emerging adults on these campuses struggle between their queer identities and Christian faith, leading to psychological distress, shame, and marginalization. However, previous research illustrates the integral role that social support plays in LGBTQ students’ wellbeing (Cook …

Relationships Between Substance Use, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Psychological Functioning, And Use Of Positive Coping, Jade Binford

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Clinicians have attempted to understand substance abuse for years, and theories attempting to explain substance abuse have evolved. Theories have ranged from viewing the issue as a moral failure to interpreting it through a disease-oriented viewpoint. The self-medication hypothesis has been used to understand substance abuse and describes the issue as deriving from individuals seeking relief from psychological distress (e.g., emotional dysregulation, behavioral impairment, painful memories). Substance abuse has been linked to the experience of depression, anxiety, exposure to adverse experiences in childhood and adulthood, and trauma-related clinical diagnoses. The role of positive coping has been considered a function that …

The Phenomenon Of Professional Burnout Among Military Chaplains In Ukraine, Artem Makovskyi, Oleg Mateyuk, Oleksandr Bilovskyi, Anton Datskov, Dmytro Oleshko

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article presents a comprehensive study of the phenomenon of professional burnout among military chaplains in Ukraine in the context of their personal experience of being in extreme (combat) conditions. The relevance of the problem is due to the prolonged impact of combat operations, high psycho-emotional stress, and the special role of military chaplains in the system of moral and psychological support for Ukraine's security and defense sector. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study was the concept of professional burnout by K. Maslach, the provisions of the person-centered approach, and the theory of personal experience. The empirical study …

The Prevalence And Perception Of Maltreatment In Elite Dance Training, Cara Elena Guglielmino

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Participation in elite dance training often requires navigating environments with heightened risk of physical and psychological maltreatment. This risk has historically been embedded and normalized through rigid pedagogical practices and professional expectations (Gregory & Interiano-Shiverdecker, 2021). Additional vulnerabilities for dancers include age of participation, training methodologies and culture, the dancer–instructor relationship, intensity and proximity of residential programs, and level of parental involvement. Existing research on elite dance training has predominantly focused on ballet-specific stressors, culture, and professional commitments using qualitative analysis. The present study examined the prevalence and perception of maltreatment, the psychological impact of harm, and identified implications for …

Exploring The Impact Of Pre-Assessment Rapport-Building On Children’S Evaluation Outcomes, Alyssa N. Springstead Knutz

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Psychological assessment with children is vulnerable to inequities that arise from cultural mismatch, situational anxiety, and the interpretive nature of examiner judgement. This pilot study examined whether a brief, standardized pre-assessment sandtray activity could enhance children’s assessment experience and observational richness by supporting rapport prior to testing. Using a within-subjects, counterbalanced crossover design, 10 children (ages 7-10) completed two assessment sessions on separate days: one session included a 20-minute guided sandtray task immediately before testing and one session proceeded directly to testing. Quantitative outcomes included state anxiety (SAI-CH-6), general self-efficacy (GSE), and performance on brief standardized tasks (WJ-IV Math Fluency …

Bearing The How: Self-Compassion, Religiosity, And Basic Psychological Needs As Predictors Of Meaning In Life, Benjamin Wenndorf

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

While meaning in life (MIL) has been established as a significant contributor to psychologists’ understanding of wellbeing (Pollet & Schnell, 2017; Steger et al., 2008; Steger et al., 2011), some theorists believe MIL to be the fundamental human drive (Frankl, 1946/1962). Despite the significance that has been placed on MIL as a core component of human existence, little research has explored more than one variable at a time in relationship to MIL. Recent literature has explored self-determination theory’s (SDT) basic psychological needs microtheory as a predictive model for understanding MIL within a greater context of positive psychology (Martela et al., …

The Impact Of Adverse And Positive Childhood Experiences And Moral Injury On Compassion Fatigue Among Law-Enforcement Officers And First-Responders, Kaylee Nesland

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

More than ever, United States law enforcement officers are overworked, under-trained, and exposed to a great deal of trauma. Societal pressure to display strength and resilience, as well as fears of judgement and loss of job security, inhibit law enforcement officers from accessing psychological treatment and support (Drew & Martin, 2021). Without mental health support in place, compassion fatigue reveals itself, ultimately causing hurt and damage to individuals in law enforcement and those they interact with. This study examined whether adverse or positive childhood experiences affect compassion fatigue among law enforcement officers. Participants of this study—current and historical law enforcement …

The Effects Of Head Injury On Executive Function And Emotion Regulation In Male And Female Athletes, Anna Christine Speer

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Head injuries are a common occurrence among athletes, and research on concussions has seen significant rise alongside an increasing awareness of their symptoms and effects. Women’s involvement in sports has also rapidly increased in recent decades. However, a significant gap in research exists as to how the effects of head injuries may differ across sexes, particularly regarding executive function and emotion regulation. This study aimed to bridge this gap in research by investigating how the frequency of head injuries in both female and male athletes impact executive functioning and emotion regulation among current and former athletes. Current and former athletes …

Religious Security As A Component Of National Security In The Sphere Of Social And Economic Communication, Yevhen Kharkovshchenko, Vitalii Nitsenko, Yevhen Piletskyi, Mariia Nesterova

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

National security is proposed to be viewed as a coordinated open system that, in addition to the religious, also includes military, economic, social, and other components. Considering religion as part of such an open system makes it possible to distinguish two mutually directed vectors of communication within religious communities: from church leaders to the faithful and vice versa. This presupposes feedback communication links that allow a denomination to balance interactions among the actors of church–society relations. The concept of “communication” in the context of religious and national security is thus expanded from a narrow understanding of information exchange to an …

Study Of Religious Experience Using The Introspection Method: Case Of Estonia, Siim Nigulas, Tõnu Lehtsaar

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article revisits the method of introspection as a valuable tool for studying religious experience in Estonia, where spirituality is often personal, unaffiliated, and deeply introspective. Drawing on the legacy of the Dorpat school—particularly Karl Girgensohn—it highlights how experimental introspection can illuminate the dimensions of faith. Considering Estonia’s post-Soviet religious individualization, the method offers a culturally fitting and academically rigorous approach. The study argues for the revival and adaptation of introspective techniques to explore the inner dynamics of belief in a secular yet spiritually curious society.

Restoring Hope: The Health Support Team Efforts In Maui, Chanel Aguilar

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The 2023 Maui fires were one of the most fatal natural disasters the country has experienced in its history. Lāhainā and other surrounding areas were significantly impacted by the fires, resulting in millions of dollars in damage and causing significant harm to the people of Maui, both physically and emotionally. The current study evaluates the health support team (HST), a psychological disaster-recovery training curriculum, on three areas: its effectiveness in

increasing participants’ perceived competency and level of confidence, its association with post- traumatic growth, and participants’ feedback about the training. A mixed methods approach was

used to collect data, including …

Validity, Reliability, And Norming Of The Novel Psychodynamic Diagnostic Inventory Of Personality Organization, Andrew L. Candreva

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The purpose of this study was to develop a psychometrically sound self-report personality assessment derived from the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual’s (PDM-2) diagnostic framework of personality organization. This assessment, the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Inventory of Personality Organization (PDIPO), was developed from the longstanding history of psychodynamic personality theory. The PDIPO provides a comprehensive evaluation of how clients perceive their own level of personality organization, defined as a continuum from healthy to disturbed or impaired personality functioning. The PDIPO was normed on a representative sample of adults (ages 20–70) in the United States through an online participant recruitment service, Prolific. The 78 items …

Traumas And The Development Of Personality Disorders, Madeline Raine Marler

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Whereas studies have examined associations between traumatic experiences and the development of various disorders, a notable gap in the literature persists on the impacts of trauma timing and type (intergenerational vs. personal, chronic vs. singular) on the development of psychiatric diagnoses. This qualitative study utilizes a grounded theory approach, thematic analysis, and various coding techniques to explore linkages between trauma and the development of personality disorder(s). The population referenced for this dissertation was sourced from accessible archival data, consisting of transcript dynamic intake or follow-up interviews, Traumatic Antecedent Interviews (TAIs), and chart reviews from a long-established psychoanalytic clinic. The qualitative, …