Psychology Commons^™

Bridging The Gap Between Career Expectations Versus Labor Market Realities, Reinette P. Madrid, Grethel T. Ledesma, Ignatius Aryono Putranto, Jyro B. Triviño

Leadership and Strategy Faculty Publications

Most students lack awareness regarding the labor market outcomes for their chosen college majors. This study aims to answer what factors affect the career expectations of graduating students at Quezon City University and how these expectations align with the prevailing labor market situation. It employed descriptive, causal, and explanatory research using a sample of 108 respondents from fourth-year information technology students for the school year 2021 to 2022. Eight of the nine null hypotheses were rejected by employing multinomial logistic and linear regression. Student fixed effects and other labor market outcomes significantly predicted salary, estimated stability, and estimated skills in …

Diverging Impacts Of Organizational Dei Practices: The Role Of Objective And Subjective Group Status, Julia Oberlin, Claudia Toma, Tessa L. Dover

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose – While DEI practices aim to enhance the outcomes of disadvantaged groups, their impact remains uncertain, with disparities often persisting. This paper examines whether the accumulation of DEI practices helps reduce psychological and work disparities between employees, considering both their objective (e.g. gender and race) and subjective (or perceived) (dis)advantage.

Design/methodology/approach – Study 1 surveyed 602 employees to assess the impact of perceiving their organization as having many orfew DEI practices on theirsense ofinclusion and job satisfaction. Study 2 used an experimental design (N 5 739) to extend the findings of Study 1 by manipulating the number of DEI …

Evolving Ai Integration In Complex Medical Decision-Making And Multidisciplinary Transplant Care: A Systematic Review Of Human-Ai Collaboration, Rachel L. Dzieran, Cihan H. Dagli, Robert J. Marley

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Purpose of Review: Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has evolved dramatically from early expert systems, which were initially considered replacements for clinical judgment, to today's collaborative frameworks that aim to augment physician decision-making. This evolution is particularly crucial in domains such as transplant surgery, where decisions carry irreversible consequences and require the integration of complex, often ambiguous data. Drawing on peer-reviewed literature from 2019 to 2025, we conducted a systematic review that analyzed key elements distinguishing successful human-AI partnerships from those that fail. Recent Findings: The ideal balance incorporates human expertise into AI systems through weighted integration approaches, rather than …

Depression, Psychological Distress, And Coping Strategies Among African Migrants In Australia: A Cross-Sectional Web-Based Study, Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu, Lillian Mwanri, Edith N. Botchway-Commey, David Chisanga, Agness Tembo, Nnaemeka Meribe, Kathomi Gatwiri, Obed Adonteng-Kissi, Kerrie P. Doyle, Frank Darkwa Baffour, Ahmed A. Moustafa

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: African migrants constitute a significant proportion of the Australian population. While migration and resettlement offer opportunities, the associated stressors may adversely affect the mental health and well-being of African migrants. This study explored, for the first time, the prevalence of depression and psychological distress among African migrants in Australia and the relationship between coping mechanisms and mental health outcomes. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey of adult African migrants in Australia was conducted between February and May 2022. Participants (N = 167) who did not have a refugee status who resided in Australia for at least 12 months were recruited …

Exploring Burnout Among Ncaa Collegiate Athletes: The Impact Of Gender, Sport, Seasonal Demands, And Other Contributing Factors, Anneliese Wong

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine burnout among NCAA Division I student-athletes at one mid-sized University in the Rocky Mountains region of the United States and determine whether differences existed based on gender, sport type, competitive season stage, and burnout dimension. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was used and data was collected from 76 student-athletes across 11 varsity sports. Burnout was assessed using items adapted from the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ; Raedeke & Smith, 2001), along with additional items assessing fatigue and seasonal experiences.

Descriptive results showed the student-athletes reported the highest mean level of physical burnout, followed …

The Downstream Effect Of Gender Bias On Academic Performance And Career Aspirations Amongst Female Students In Stem Via Gender-Professional Identity Integration (G-Pii), Chi-Ying Cheng, Shuna Shiann Khoo, Shih-Fen Cheng, Yeow Leong Lee, Vandana Ramachandra Rao

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Background Gender imbalance in STEM, characterized by a significant underrepresentation of women, remains a significant challenge. Although gender bias is a well-known contributor to women’s attrition from STEM, the psychological mechanisms linking gender bias to departure are less well understood. Our research investigates early antecedents of attrition and the psychological processes that precede leaving the STEM pathway in tertiary education. Drawing upon identity integration research, we propose that perceived gender bias exerts undermines female STEM students’ academic performance and career aspirations by reducing their Gender-Professional Identity Integration (G-PII), a construct that captures individual differences in the perceived compatibility between a …

Evaluating The Pulse Of Exercise Programs: Developing And Validating The Intervention Usability Scale For Exercise (Iuse) To Enhance Implementation And Adherence, Anne Inger Mørtvedt, Eva Ageberg, Steven Elmer, Kevin Trewartha, Erich Petushek

Michigan Tech Publications

Background: Adherence to exercise interventions is often suboptimal, despite numerous studies documenting barriers and facilitators. Usability may be a critical yet underexplored determinant of adherence. This study aimed to develop and assess the psychometric properties of the Intervention Usability Scale for Exercise (IUSE). Methods: Item generation and content validation involved cognitive interviews and feedback from eight exercise intervention stakeholders and ten target users from the general public. Subsequently, 526 target users from University, Qualtrics and Prolific participant panels assessed exercise programs through an online survey. Dimensionality was assessed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and bifactor models. …

Bridging Knowledge And Behavior: Nutrition Knowledge And Food Choices Among College Students, Claire A. Miller

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Many people at college age have a general understanding of what constitutes a healthy diet, but even knowing nutritional guidelines exist does not necessarily mean it is easily translated to practical use (Werner & Betz, 2022). The current study examines the differences between Nutrition knowledge in college students and their food choices. College students were surveyed and required to demonstrate what they believed a healthy “well-rounded” plate looks like. This plate included a protein, fat, and carbohydrate or vegetable element. The participants were randomly placed into two groups. One group was presented with a short presentation going over basic nutrition …

Distractibility Of Phone Use During A Reading Comprehension Task, Diamond Chatman, Aleigha Gutierrez, Eliza Spears, Natalie Villalta Monge

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

The relationship between phone use, distractibility, and reading comprehension is increasingly relevant among younger generations. Previous research has found a negative relationship between excessive social media use and sustained attention, suggesting that greater social media use may be associated with more difficulty maintaining focus (Poles, 2025). Similarly, research examining short-video addiction and academic performance found that greater short-video consumption was associated with reduced attention span and lower academic performance among university students (Khalid et al., 2026). Building on this research, the present study examines the relationship between social media addiction, phone-related distractibility, and reading comprehension performance, with distractibility serving as …

Moving Through Treatment Into Sobriety: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Adults In Recovery In Northeastern Kansas, Ashley Micaela Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of the adult participants moving through treatment into sobriety in Northeastern Kansas. Schlossberg’s Transition Theory (STT) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) provided this study’s theoretical framework, which sought to answer the following central research questions: how do adults in Northeastern Kansas describe their transition from addiction, through treatment and into sobriety? Further research questions include how do participants describe their internal resources of motivation to maintain sobriety? How do participants describe their external resources of motivation to maintain sobriety? The design for this study was transcendental phenomenology by …

A Comparative Analysis Of Cognitive And Social Outcomes In Toddlers With Speech Delay (Sd) Versus Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Francisca N. Atem

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenology study investigated the perceptions of parents and clinicians about the cognitive and social characteristics of children aged between 18 to 36 months who have Speech Delay (SD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), focusing on lived experiences of toddlers in problem-solving, symbolic play, social engagement, and nonverbal communication. Developmental Psychopathology, Social Pragmatic Theory, and the Ecological Systems Theory of Bronfenbrenner provided the theoretical framework for the study to identify developmental patterns that guide early intervention and diagnostic accuracy.

Following IRB approval (IRB-FY25-26-1463), 32 participants (23 parents, 9 clinicians) were interviewed in a semi-structured format between April 18 and …

Reclaiming Connection: A Neurospiritual Exploration Of Healing In Early Addiction Recovery, Sherlley Yamirie Campos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research is increasingly showing that addiction affects how people view themselves, others, God, and the future. Reclaiming connection, identity, purpose, and hope is now considered a vital aspect of recovery. The present convergent mixed-methods study examined spiritual, emotional, and relational healing during early addiction recovery and changes in spiritual connection, perceived stress, and closeness to God, self, and others. Eleven Hispanic/Latino men in a spiritually integrated residential program participated. Phenomenological interviews were used with pre- and post-assessment measures from the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES), Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), and Inclusion of Other in the Self Scale (IOS). Thematic analysis, …

Adapting Asap: How Promise Programs Are Putting High-Touch Support Into Practice, Bridget Timmeney, Michelle Miller-Adams

Reports

Part of the Practice Brief series of the Promise Programs Hub, this brief addresses efforts by Promise programs to adapt elements of the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) model to increase rates of community college progression and completion. It also includes guidelines for how Promise programs can adopt elements of ASAP and be clear with partners and funders about what to expect in terms of impact.

Shaping Minds: Child Temperament And Parenting Combinations That Impact Child Mental Health, Tabitha Rue Strong

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine how the interaction between child temperament and parenting dimensions relates to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children aged 6-12 years. While previous research has identified that temperament and parenting are independent factors in the development of child mental health, few studies have investigated how specific combinations of these factors can influence child mental health. This study recruited 118 participants from schools, clinics, and other community organizations in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Parents completed four standardized measures, including the Children’s Behavior Questionnaire Very Short Form (CBQ-VSF) to assess …

Examining Primary Care Providers' Ability To Identify Early Symptoms Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Children With Down Syndrome, Candice Gentry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this survey research study was to examine whether primary care providers (PCPs) could identify early symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children with Down syndrome (DS). The literature indicates that the prevalence of ASD in the DS population is significantly higher than in the general population, and receiving an ASD diagnosis is often delayed. Overlapping symptomatology due to cognitive impairments and developmental delays creates challenges in distinguishing the differences between ASD and DS symptomatology. PCPs play an essential role in the initial ASD screening process by providing referrals for ASD diagnostic evaluations. It is unknown if …

A Phenomenological Study Of Mental Health Provider' Experience With Affective Cognitive Behavioral Therapy In Treating African American Military Personnel, Jacqueline Jarvis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe mental health providers’ lived experience with affective cognitive behavioral therapy (ACBT) in treating African American military personnel. Although ACBT has shown promise as a culturally responsive therapeutic approach, limited research has explored its application within military contexts for African American service members. Guided by Moustakas (1994) and Colaizzi’s (1978) phenomenological frameworks, data were collected through semistructured interviews with licensed mental health providers experienced in ACBT delivery. Data analysis followed an iterative process of equalization, thematic clustering, systemic challenges, and textural-structural synthesis to capture the essence of providers’ experiences. Findings highlight providers’ …

Adopting A Multidimensional Approach To Assessing Contextual Predictors Of Regional Implicit Gender-Career Stereotyping, Jared M. Cutler, Kimberly Barsamian Kahn

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study adopts a multidimensional approach to assess whether geographic areas with greater gender representation and integration (even distribution of employed men and women) have less traditional implicit gender-career stereotyping (IGS). Contact with and exposure to working women (counterstereotypic exemplars) may reduce regional IGS. However, this may depend on the type of career positions, as stereotypic (feminine careers) gender-career representation may exacerbate IGS. Researchers analyzed data from the U.S. Census' 2010 to 2019 American Community Survey (metropolitan statistical areas: = 338) and Project Implicit ( = 689,455). Using multilevel modeling, representation and integration negatively predicted traditional IGS in that region. …

The Influence Of Childhood Experiential History On Elon Musk’S Personality, Amelia Brower, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This paper presents the results of a developmental causal analysis of the adult personality of innovative entrepreneur and business leader Elon Musk, from the conceptual perspective of personologist Theodore Millon.

Psychodiagnostically relevant data relating to Musk’s personality were collected from biographical sources and media reports and synthesized into a personality profile using the Millon Inventory of Diagnostic Criteria (MIDC), which yields 34 normal and maladaptive personality classifications congruent with DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, and DSM-5-TR.

The findings of the personality assessment were previously reported in a separate paper. Musk’s primary personality patterns were found to be Ambitious/self-serving and Dominant/controlling, …

Values, Flourishing, And Identity Integration: Understanding Alcohol And Other Drug Use Among African Australian Youth, Abraham Kenin, Justine Dandy, Kwadwo Adusei-Asante, Sonam Pelden

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Previous research suggests Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) use by sub-Saharan African (SSA) youth who emigrate to Western cultural contexts like Australia is an indication of their acculturation and is influenced by their values. Although values are distal predictors of AOD use, the extent to which SSA Australian youth apply their values in AOD use could be a function of their psychological flourishing and Bicultural Identity Integration (BII). The aim of this study was to test a predictive model that combines values, psychological flourishing and BII to explore how the interaction of personal values and adaptive resources are related to …

Patterns Of Online Civic Engagement: Differences In Mental Health Among Adolescents And Young Adults, Yue Ni, Xiangyu Tao, Linghua Jiang

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Online civic engagement is an increasingly salient feature of youth’s civic lives, yet its mental health implications remain mixed. This study examined associations between adolescents and young adults’ mental health and patterns of online civic engagement, conceptualized as recurring configurations of online active civic engagement, overall civic development, and critical online literacy. Using latent profile analysis with a diverse sample of adolescents and young adults aged 15–25 (N = 400), we identified five profiles characterized by distinct configurations of these dimensions that differed in depressive symptoms, social anxiety, and self-esteem. Findings indicate that youth who were actively engaged in online …

Foveal Fixations Of Forensic Psychiatric Patients With Female Victims, Capruso Warsi Daniel, Michal Kunz, Catherine Alam Mortiere, Ajayan Akm Pillai

Publications and Research

Foveal fixation patterns of forensic psychiatric patients (n = 28) were recorded during stimulus exposure to three complex scenes. The aim was to determine if the patients remained focused on scene elements related to the characteristics of their victims. Patient diagnoses were of schizophrenia, schizoaffective, or bipolar disorder, or of antisocial or borderline personality disorder. A Forensic Control group (n = 16) was compared against an Attack on Female group (n = 12) consisting of patients who had threatened or attacked an adult female unrelated to them. During each 10 s stimulus exposure an eye tracker measured the duration and …

Factors Contributing To Executive Function In Young Adults, Lindy Janae Stevenson

McNair Scholars Research

Executive functions (EF) are skills used to complete desired behaviors and inhibit undesired ones. These skills are necessary for everyday life, and even more so in higher education and the workplace. This study examined the combined impact of sleep and exercise on five facets of EF in young adults enrolled in undergraduate or graduate courses. It also examined how perceived effort and performance in college classes interact with EF. The first five hypotheses studying sleep and exercise were analyzed using a 2x2 between-groups ANOVA. The data divided participants into those averaging fewer than 7 hours of sleep a night and …

Face-To-Face And Cyber Intimate Partner Violence And Mental Health Outcomes Among Lgbtq+ Adults From Spain: A Mixed-Methods Approach, Ines Cano-Gonzalez, Maricela Galdamez, Roman Ronzon-Tirado, María L. Mondolfi, Brianna M. Byllesby, Ruby Charak

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Intimate partner violence (IPV) among LGBTQ+ individuals differs from experiences of cisgender heterosexual individuals. LGBTQ+ individuals report higher rates of IPV and face unique dynamics related to their minority gender and sexual identities, such as identity-related abuse. Guided by the Minority Stress Theory, this study is based on the premise that stigma associated with sexual and gender minority identities contributes to an increased risk of IPV as well as poorer mental health outcomes. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, this study explored the experiences of IPV and related impact on mental health outcomes, namely symptoms of depression and suicide risk, in …

The Correlational And Predictive Effect Of Evangelical Adolescent Church Volunteering And Mental Health Flourishing, Todd Reiff Lesher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adolescence is a time of significant development, often characterized by pubertal changes, identity exploration, and shifts in interpersonal relationships from parents to peers, all of which are necessary for the transition from childhood to adulthood. In addition to these aspects of adolescent development, personal and contextual changes can contribute to internalizing vulnerabilities throughout adolescence that can jeopardize their mental health. The focus of this study concentrates on religious volunteering, to better understand how variables related to volunteering contribute to adolescent mental health. The purpose of this study is to understand how Evangelical church volunteering impacts mental health flourishing in adolescents. …

Adult Children Of Alcoholics: How Growing Up With An Alcoholic Influences Parenting Practices And The Parent-Child Dynamic, Taylor Sayre Bart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand how the influence of growing up with an alcoholic parent influenced one’s parenting practices and the parent-child dynamic. This study explored the lived experiences of adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) as it related to their alcoholic parents’ parenting practices and styles. This study also explored how the participants’ childhood experience affected their relationship with their children and subsequently influenced their own parenting practices and styles. Bowlby’s attachment theory and Bowen’s family systems theory guided this study. Attachment theory was used as it is a key factor in building relationships between …

Closing The Gap Between Pastoral Responsibility And Mental Health Preparedness, Robert Lee Lytle Jr

Masters Theses

Faith communities increasingly encounter significant mental health needs among congregants, yet many pastors and ministry leaders remain underprepared to respond effectively within their pastoral scope. This Dissertation-in-Praxis addressed the persistent gap between the growing prevalence of mental health challenges in faith-based contexts and the limited leadership preparedness required to provide informed, ethical, and integrated pastoral care. This researcher defined the theological, organizational, and contextual dimensions of the problem, identifying stigma, insufficient pastoral training, and fragmented referral practices as primary contributors to the divide between responsibility and preparedness. Grounded in interdisciplinary scholarship at the intersection of spirituality, leadership, and mental health, …

Exploring Potential Psychological, Behavioral, And Physiological Predictors Of Human Flourishing In Division 1 Athletes: Toward A More Comprehensive Mental Health Screening, Derek Aaron Wheeler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has created numerous task forces and guidelines to address the rise in mental health challenges faced by student-athletes. However, these efforts have largely focused on identifying psychopathology rather than promoting flourishing. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive utility of self-report and objective measures of human flourishing among NCAA Division I student-athletes at initial screening (i.e., preparticipation exam). This retrospective, cross-sectional, correlational study analyzed archival data from 92 student-athletes from 13 different sports. Measures included the Secure Flourishing Index (SFI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (ASBQ), and Power …

Law Enforcement Perceptions Of An Integrated Co-Responder Model: A Qualitative Case Study At The Jefferson County Sheriff’S Office, Austin D. Schwent

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Law enforcement personnel often serve as first responders to behavioral health crises, yet limited research has examined agency-based co-responder models staffed by embedded mental health professionals. This descriptive, non-evaluative, site-specific generic qualitative case study examined commissioned personnel’s descriptions of the benefits and challenges of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Response and Mitigation Unit (CRMU) and perceived operational differences from external partnership models. The anonymous PowerDMS questionnaire served as the primary participant-derived source and produced 91 routing-item responses and 528 nonblank narrative response units; three organizational artifacts supplied procedural, historical, and structural evidence concerning the bounded case. The researcher manually …

Examining How The Frequency Of Artificial Intelligence Use In The Workplace Relates To Employee Self-Efficacy And Job Satisfaction, Dalton R. Vail

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Artificial intelligence is a prominent topic in society. Its adoption in the healthcare sector has occurred rapidly. Nonetheless, much existing research focuses on clinical healthcare professionals, thereby overlooking those in non-clinical roles. Non-clinical roles make up a small portion of the healthcare industry, but they account for a large share of burnout in the field. This quantitative study aimed to explore the relationships among artificial intelligence, job satisfaction, and self-efficacy. It posited that these variables are interconnected concerning artificial intelligence in a non-clinical context. Furthermore, the study sought to determine whether job satisfaction and self-efficacy are influenced by how often …

How Veterans With Ptsd Experience Symptom Improvement From Social Support, Patti "Lori" Beisner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social support is a concept that is simple to grasp, yet subjective in nature and difficult to describe. Current research abounds reporting the positive impact of social support upon veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, few studies describe the phenomenon of social support for combat veterans, which they attribute to PTSD symptom improvement. The purpose of this study was to address this gap in research by exploring the lived experiences of veterans who have improved symptoms that they attribute to support they have received. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight combat veterans who self-reported PTSD symptom improvement due to …