Psychology Commons^™

Moral Injury: Repair Through Self-Forgiveness, Joel J. Snider

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Prolonged and numerous deployments have caused military personnel to encounter a variety of stressors associated with combat. As a result, returning soldiers are commonly being identified as having posttraumatic stress disorder, which does not seem to fully account for the shame, guilt, negative self-cognitions, feelings of worthlessness, and sense of being unforgivable that veterans experience. The complexity of these issues is forcing health professionals to investigate alternative explanations. One explanation that has gained significant interest is the shame that is associated with the concept of moral injury. This study sought to investigate if a self-forgiveness intervention could moderate shame and …

Impact Of A Cognitive Behavioral Pain Management Group On Depression, Anxiety, Pain Severity, And Opioid Use In An Inpatient Population, Breanna Bocciolatt

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Chronic pain has significant, multifaceted effects on both the health care system and the individual. The total cost of pain to the U.S. healthcare system is estimated to be over $600 billion annually (Skinner, Wilson, & Turk, 2012). People with chronic pain may frequent multiple providers, often dominating the time and resources of healthcare professionals (Skinner et al., 2012). The approximately 100 million people with chronic pain miss work, experience financial distress, and strained relationships, which leads to comorbid psychological diagnoses (Birnie, McGrath, & Chambers, 2012). Pain treatment strategies have largely followed a biomedical framework, seeking to identify the source …

The Experiences Of Resilience And Hope Of Adolescent Girls Who Have Been Victims Of Sex Trafficking In The United States, Jasmine R. Holt

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Human trafficking has been explored in many countries, but few studies about girls’ experiences in trafficking within the United States exist. This study focuses on the experiences of resilience and hope of adolescent girls who have been trafficked and the stories of their lives. Participants are adolescent girls between the ages of 15 and 18 who are in or have contact with a local juvenile detention center. Interviews were conducted and a qualitative study was utilized to determine common themes of how trafficked girls understand and experience resiliency and hope in their lives. Participants also completed the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, …

Activating Race: Race Priming In An Undergraduate Population, Amber L. Nelson

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Can a race priming intervention improve evaluations of college scholarship applicants? Building on the work of Sanchez and Bonam (2009), the present study was designed to examine how evaluations of warmth, competence, and scholarship worthiness, change as a result of race priming and stereotype activation. The hypothesis was that race priming and stereotype activation would cause participants to consider how they may apply stereotypes in their judgments of candidates, resulting in a positive shift in their evaluations on dimensions of warmth, competence, and scholarship worthiness following a race priming intervention. Participants across three studies included 228 undergraduate students, and 24 …

Consistency Among Visual Memory Measures, Jeffrey A. Schloemer

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Many instruments have been developed to assess human visual memory functioning, though little research has been done to identify interrelationships among current visual memory measures with each other. The present study explores concurrent validity of the following visual memory tasks: Wechsler Memory Scale - IV (WMS-IV) Visual Reproductions I & II and Designs I & II subtests, the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning, Second edition (WRAML2) Picture Memory and Design Memory subtests, the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test, Revised (BVMT-R), and the Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT). Two age groups (18-25 and 65- 79) of healthy adults were used …

The Effectiveness Of Patient-Centered Interdisciplinary Approach To Treating Chronic Pain In The Primary Care Setting, Corie Diane Houlbjerg

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

No abstract provided.

Coping Methods That Predict Reduced Symptoms Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd), Autumn Van Meter

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Objective: Most individuals experience a stressful event at some point in their lives. A third to half of those individuals will meet criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during their lifetime. Individuals that do not develop PTSD likely have better coping skills regarding trauma. Targeting specific coping strategies that reduce PTSD symptoms helps mental health professionals and providers create interventions and prevention skills.

Method: Eighty-four participants from a university took an online survey. Demographic information were gathered. Questionnaires were given to determine if the participant had experienced one or more traumatic events. Next, a questionnaire that measured the extent that …

The Effects Of A Grace Intervention In A Christian Congregation: A Study Of Positive Psychology In The Church, Jeff A. Moody

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

There are certain virtues or character strengths that promote well-being in a person’s life. Positive psychology research has examined these characteristics, but not within spiritual and religious contexts. It has been demonstrated that involvement in religious life contributes to overall well-being. There is an absence of research examining the influence of spirituality on positive psychology variables. Within the Christian tradition, grace is considered to be a catalyzing element which leads to transformation in the Christian’s character and relationships. It was hypothesized that a successful grace intervention within a Christian faith community would lead to increases in the awareness and enactment …

Comparison Of The Use Of Gendered Language In Discourse On Christian Theology And Psychology, Chloe Ackerman

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The English language has historically reflected the sexist principles of Western culture. Common examples include the use of sexist pronouns and nouns such as policeman, businessman, or servicemen to represent men and women. Research in the last 50 years revealed 1e detrimental effects of sexist language, and the English language was accordingly altered. However, sexist language is still used colloquially and in settings such as Christian theology. 'his study explored differences in the use of gender language between the discourse on Christian 1eology and psychology, and tested a method of promoting inclusive gender language in Christian discourse. One hundred thirty-nine …

The Development And Validation Of Implicit Measures Of Emotional Intelligence, Louis Leo Oberdiear

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Emotional intelligence (EI) has attracted much attention in the decades since Goleman's (1995) claim that EI is important for success in a wide range of social and professional roles. With this interest has come much debate about whether EI should be defined and measured as a set of abilities or as a set of dispositional self-perceptions. The latter is typically assessed with self-report measures that are susceptible to contamination related to inaccurate self-knowledge and impression management artifacts – problems that may be mitigated by implicit measures. This research used Implicit Association Test (IAT) procedures to develop implicit measures of EI …

Investigating Stability Balls In The Classroom: Effects On Student Behavior And Academic Productivity, Natasha A. Olson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

A classroom intervention increasing in popularity is the use of stability balls in lieu of traditional classroom seating. Stability balls are promoted as an effective alternative to chairs at a classwide level, yet there are no published studies documenting classwide outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate classwide effects of stability balls and attempt to provide empirical support for their use. Using an A-B-A-B reversal design, this study examined the effectiveness of stability balls in comparison to classroom chairs in a second grade classroom. Student on-task and out-of-seat behavior was measured using direct observation and teacher direct …

Phenomenological Inquiry On Cigarette Smoking In Adults With Serious Mental Illness, Pedro R. Gabino

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cigarette smoking in adults with serious mental illness (SMI) has increased even when accounting for a decrease of smoking among the general population. Most of the research has focused on the prevalence, rates, and effects of smoking in adults with SMI. Little research has examined the motivations for smoking and experiences with smoking cessation among adults with SMI. Such an understanding may facilitate a reduction in smoking in this population. To address this gap in the literature, 12 adults with SMI who live in the southern Nevada area and smoke were selected through invitations distributed at a treatment facility and …

Spirituality, Religious Coping, And Depressive Symptoms In Hospice Patients: A Terror Management Perspective, Janine Siegel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Facing imminent death can be an unremitting problem for hospice patients who lack psychological support for existential concerns that contribute to depressive symptoms and suffering. According to terror management theory, spiritual and religious beliefs are a common means of coping with mortality at the end of life, and few studies have considered how hospice patients feel about their impending death. This was a quantitative, cross-sectional study that examined whether spirituality and religious coping moderated the relationship between imminent death concerns and depressive symptoms in 54 hospice patients. Participants completed a self-administered survey that included the Templer Death Anxiety scale, Brief …

Psychosocial Predictors Of Successful Bariatric Surgery, Rodney D. Grim

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is an epidemic that can lead to a wide range of physical and mental problems. When traditional weight-loss methods are not effective, bariatric surgery is a viable weight-loss option. While previous researchers have investigated the role of psychological factors in relation to obesity, few have investigated psychological factors as predictors of weight loss and complications after bariatric surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of psychological disorders/conditions (e.g., depression and abuse) in the study population, evaluate weight and psychosocial variables before and 6 months after weight-loss surgery, and identify psychosocial factors that are predictors of …

Challenges Of Child Trauma On Adoptive Families' Social And Emotional System, Jacqueline Yvonne Ford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adoption-focused psychoeducation is deemed essential in maintaining the permanency of traumatized children within a new family unit. However, adoptive parents of traumatized children struggle to find training to address their unique concerns. Guided by the lens of psychodynamic theory, the purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges faced by adoptive families of traumatized children. Special focus was placed on the social and emotional relationships of the adoptive parents of traumatized children, to identify the realistic expectations towards attachment from the families' perspectives. Fifteen families were randomly selected to participate in this study from a group of 30 parents …

Borderline Personality Disorder: The Frequency Of Disclosure And The Choice To Disclose, Laci Marie Rumpza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The goals of this study were threefold: (1) to identify what percentage of psychologists and clinical social workers disclose the diagnostic label BPD to their patients, (2) to identify factors that influence disclosure, and (3) to gather data about the choice to disclose or not to disclose. The MUM effect was used as the theoretical framework. A sequential explanatory mixed methods design including an online survey was used during the first phase. A total of 125 psychologists and 45 social workers participated in the Phase 1 of the study. The majority of participants stated that they either always or usually …

Utilizing The Rorschach In Analyzing Characteristics Of Women Who Have Experienced Domestic Violence, Mary Aleksandra Iwanski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects millions of women, men, and families throughout the world each year, with more than a million incidents of domestic partner abuse reported to law enforcement officials each year in the United States. Being able to accurately assess and help a woman who is experiencing this type of violence can be difficult for even a seasoned mental health or medical professional. The purpose of this study was to determine whether clinicians can gain insight into the personality structure of women who have experienced IPV by clinical interview and administration of the Rorschach alone. This study analyzed …

Maternal Depression: The Impact Of Perceived Social Support And Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Provider 50 Services, Tammy Lynn Gregorowicz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this study was to identify if the rate of behavioral health rehabilitation services (BHRS) impacts depressive symptoms of mothers with children receiving these services and if the perception of social support moderates the severity of depression. The stress-buffering hypothesis and Bowen's family systems theory were used for the theoretical framework. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from mothers of children receiving BHRS Provider 50 services in northeast Pennsylvania. The Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used to assess depression and perceived social support. A self-made demographic …

Differences In Body Satisfaction Between Black And White Heterosexual College-Aged Men, Darrell L. Renfro

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although there is an increasing amount of research concerning body satisfaction among heterosexual White men, few of these studies have adequately represented heterosexual Black men. This was a quantitative survey study aimed to illuminate gaps in the literature regarding Black men's body satisfaction experiences. The study used surveys and tested research questions to determine whether college-aged heterosexual Black (n = 220, 55%) and White (n = 180, 45%) men differed in their body satisfaction experiences and whether race significantly moderated the relation between sociocultural influences and body satisfaction in the two groups. This study was based on the social comparison …

Satisfaction And Use: Comparing First-Time Victims And Victims Of Multiple Sexual Assaults, Julie Lindahl

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexual assault advocacy services are intended to support and empower victims during the aftermath of an assault. This study's purpose was to identify sexual assault victims' use and satisfaction with victim advocacy services, and to compare those outcomes in first-time victims and victims of multiple sexual assaults. The goal was to determine if victims of multiple sexual assaults would seek services again due to satisfaction after receiving prior sexual assault advocacy services. Guided by empowerment theory, this study purported that victim satisfaction and seeking additional services would promote coping and empowerment for the victims and result in positive social change. …

School District Stress Prevention Practices In A Southern U.S. State, Stephen Field Keohane

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The growing recognition that stress is a risk factor for youth health problems has spawned research on school-based stress prevention programs and services. While such programs and services are now available for adoption by schools, there is an absence of data on their use in U.S. schools systems. In the current study, Everett Rogers's diffusion of innovations model provided the theoretical framework for the investigation of school district stress prevention practices in one southern U.S. state. The sample for this quantitative descriptive study consisted of 135 out of 136 active public districts, and 72% of school systems completed and returned …

Relationships Between Specific Health-Related Fitness Components And Standardized Academic Achievement Tests, Tona Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In an attempt to meet monetary-driven mandates to improve student achievement test scores, administrators are replacing physical education activities with subject matter classes in many American schools. This practice negates the positive contributions of physical activity to academic performance and student fitness. Guided by self-efficacy theory, this study assessed the impact of optimal versus minimal physical fitness state on student academic achievement. The study sample included 5,416 9th grade students from the same school district who completed a minimum of 5 of the 6 components of the FITNESSGRAM tests, and who also completed the math and English language arts (ELA) …

Parents' Perceptions Of And Experiences With School Counselors, Robyn Jean Emde

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has found that parents may feel isolated from their children's schools due to their own problematic educational experiences or their lack of understanding their children's school experiences. Current literature explores stakeholders' perceptions of school counselors but lacks specific context from a parental perspective. Validating parents' perceptions of and experiences with school counselors enhances students' academic success by providing insight about what motivates parents to invest in their children's schools and how school counselors influence parental involvement. Utilizing key concepts related to the importance of parental involvement for student success, this qualitative study focused on the experiences and perceptions of …

The Role Of Childhood Trauma And Methamphetamine-Induced Violence In Women, Ashley Kennedy Ibbotson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Victims of childhood trauma are vulnerable to substance abuse due to their inability to develop coping skills following trauma, which can lead to criminal and violent behavior. Guided by the ecodevelopmental theory, this phenomenological study attempted to relate the perceived experiences of violent behaviors as a result of methamphetamine use in women to the types of childhood trauma the women experienced. Fourteen women were recruited using purposive sampling in collaboration with the South Brunswick Counseling Center, based on inclusion criteria that included being over the age of 18; having abstained from methamphetamine use for at least a year; having experienced …

Stress Among Undergraduate Distance Learners: A Cross-Sectional Study, Susan Hoang

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are many changes undergraduate students face when they transition to the college environment, including vacations and an increase in academic workload. Past research has found that both gender and year of study impact level and sources of stress in undergraduate students who attend traditional brick and mortar institutions. However, the relationship between gender, year of study, and stress levels in undergraduate distance learners has not been well studied. Based on the cognitive theory of emotions, this quantitative study examined what undergraduate distance learners perceive as stressful, whether or not gender and year of study impacted these stressors and whether …

The Relationship Of Managers' Power Motivations To Personality Pathology, Jewel Darlene Adams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has shown that managerial leaders have a higher motivational need for power than those in other positions. A leader's personality traits have been shown to affect organizational performance. Leaders who score high in dark traits (undesirable personality attributes shown to predict career derailment across organizations, levels, and positions) could also be more likely to use company resources for personal gain. There is a paucity of research examining the correlation between managerial dark traits and the need for power. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between managers' dark trait scores as measured by the Hogan Development …

Women And Thyroid Disease: Treatment Experiences And The Doctor-Patient Relationship, Laura J. Mccormick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Thyroid disease, a chronic illness, affects nearly 200 million people worldwide and is more common among women than in men. Numerous factors make diagnosing and treating thyroid disease in women challenging. The standard blood test for diagnosing thyroid disease and determining treatment effectiveness is inconsistent in its accuracy. Many women with thyroid disease are misdiagnosed or struggle with symptoms even once receiving treatment. Although thyroid disease is highly prevalent among women and the doctor-patient relationship is known to influence treatment outcomes, there is a gap in the literature regarding the treatment experiences of women with thyroid disease and the doctor-patient …

Depth Of A Salesman: Exploring Personality As A Predictor Of Sales Performance In A Multi-Level Marketing Sample, Colleen Rose Miller

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Despite its growing prevalence in the realm of sales occupations, multi-level marketing (MLM) and its primary participants are not very well understood. In particular, there is a dearth of understanding in terms of the differentiating characteristics of individual sellers who are financially successful in comparison to those who perform poorly. This study sought to fill in some of these research gaps by exploring the antecedents of sales success by examining the validity of personality as a predictor of sales performance in the context of MLM. While significant relationships were indeed observed between certain facets of personality (specifically components of conscientiousness, …

Created Equal? Comparing Disturbing Media Outcomes Across Occupations, Christine Nicole Gundermann

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The present study was conducted in order to compare outcomes across distinct occupations that are exposed to disturbing media. Using four previously researched samples, I compared results across negative and positive outcomes such as STSD, burnout, social support, and growth. Samples included employees in roles within federal law enforcement and military legal professions. Results indicated that there were some significant differences between occupations on levels of STSD, burnout, and social support. In addition, results showed all samples measuring growth were scoring within the mid-range of scores, indicative of some growth potential. These results also showed that exposure type (Indirect, Combined …

Psychological Distress And Quality Of Life In Lung Cancer: The Role Of Health-Related Stigma, Illness Appraisals And Social Constraints, Suzanne Chambers, P. Baade, P. Youl, J. Aitken, S. Occhipinti, S. Vinod, P.C. Valery, G. Garvey, K.M. Fong, D. Ball, H. Zorbas, J. Dunn, D.L. O'Connell

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective: Health-related stigma is associated with negative psychological and quality of life outcomes in lung cancer patients. This study describes the impact of stigma on lung cancer patients' psychological distress and quality of life and explores the role of social constraints and illness appraisal as mediators of effect. Methods: A self-administered cross-sectional survey examined psychological distress and quality of life in 151 people (59% response rate) diagnosed with lung cancer from Queensland and New South Wales. Health-related stigma, social constraints and illness appraisals were assessed as predictors of adjustment outcomes. Results: Forty-nine percent of patients reported elevated anxiety; 41% were …