Psychology Commons^™

The Prevalence Of Practicing Safety Professionals’ Knowledge, Involvement, And Competency Associated With Workplace Wellness Programs: Gauging The Safety Profession’S Engagement With The Total Worker Health Initiative, Jennifer C. Laine

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The morbidity and mortality burden of occupational injuries and illnesses in the United States became such a public health concern that in 1970 the Occupational Safety and Health Act was signed into law. This law requires employers to provide workplaces “free from recognized hazards” and spurred the development of specific regulations along with the creation of academic and professional training programs to educate individuals about the safety sciences and careers in safety fields. Today there are an estimated 26,000 professionally trained and board certified safety professionals supporting workplace programs across the country, alongside numerous non-certified, but degreed, practicing safety professionals. …

Predictors Of On-Treatment Mortality Of Patients Undergoing Palliative Radiation Therapy: Improving The Quality Of End-Oflife Cancer Care, Matthew Stephen Ning

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

PURPOSE: Excessive medical treatment at end-of-life is an indicator of poor quality care. While radiation therapy (RT) is effective for palliation, some patients die shortly after or even during treatment. Any treatment that requires terminal patients to spend significant time in the hospital setting contradicts palliative goals. This study investigates patterns of end-of-life RT to inform quality improvement initiatives.

METHODS: All patients who died within 6 months of starting RT at a single large academic cancer center between 2015 through 2018 were identified through our institutional databases on an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol. Clinical factors including age, treatment service, number …

Measuring Goal Attainment In Chronic Disease Self-Management Within Clinical And Research Contexts: Development And Initial Testing Of The Goal Attainment Outcome Measure For Stroke (Gam-S), Barbara Kimmel

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background and Aims: Self-management (SM) skills help stroke survivors achieve behavior risk factors control. Goal setting and attainment are fundamental for SM. The most salient elements of SM effectiveness and measurements are just beginning to be understood. Investigation of measurement of goal attainment of SM risk factors has been the major aim of the study. My dissertation explores research questions concerning the goal attainment measure using data collected at the Veterans hospital.

Methods and Results: Introductory Chapters 1 and 2, include the background on stroke prevention through self-management interventions and a preliminary literature review of goal attainment in the context …

Social Capital And Health Services Utilization In Msm, Edward Tsai

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

While incidence of HIV has decreased overall and in most population subgroups, men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to remain at disproportional risk for new infection. In particular, MSM of color experience HIV incidence rates that continue to rise and represent the overwhelming majority of new cases each year. Evidence suggests greater risk among MSM may not be attributable primarily to individual behavioral level factors, but instead to structural and social environmental level factors such as access to health services. Access to health services represents a critical link in HIV and STI prevention, as health services provide serological …

Exploring Perceived Usability And Interpretability Of Aviation Weather Products Among Ga Pilots, Jackie Mcsorley, Jayde King, Beth Blickensderfer

General Aviation Weather Display Interpretation

• Introduction
• Results
• Discussion
• Current Investigations

Cybervetting: The Role Of Negative Content, Julia Hylton Whitaker

Psychology Theses - Archive

Mixed support has surfaced regarding the use of online information for personnel selection (i.e., cybervetting), which commonly involves the evaluation of social media profiles. Research to date has largely focused on investigating the psychometric properties of this assessment technique, and little attention has been devoted to understanding rater judgment and decision making processes in a cybervetting evaluation. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the mechanisms by which raters use negative social media content to assess applicant suitability, through their perceptions of applicant attributes. Using an experimental design, results from this study found that negative social media content …

Self-Solicitation Of A Provisional Self: The Dark Triad And Spontaneous Self-Concept Content, Stephen M. Doerfler

Psychology Theses - Archive

Higher levels of Dark Triad traits (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) are considered to be self-defeating, maladaptive, and can potentially interfere with the ability to develop a strong sense of self. Despite this, previous research has not examined the extent to which self-concept content differs for individuals in relation to levels of Dark Triad traits. The current study examined sense of self and self-concept content related to increased Dark Triad trait levels based on fundamentals of self-solicitation theory (Rhodewalt & Tragakis, 2002). Whereas most individuals develop a strong sense of self through self-verification of stable self-concepts (Swann, 1985), those with a …

The Effects Of Temporal Contraction And Temporal Dilation On Cognitive Performance, Amandeep Singh Dhaliwal

Psychology Theses - Archive

Temporal dilation and temporal contraction are perceived as duration lasting longer or shorter than the standard time unit, respectively. Social, cognitive, and emotional context influences temporal perception such that socially stressful or cognitively demanding tasks distort the perception of time. In the present study, subjects (N = 123) first experienced a state of mindfulness, reported to cause temporal dilation (Kramer et al., 2013) and then performed a demanding cognitive task, reported to cause temporal contraction (Block et al., 2010). Subjects watched either a guided mindfulness video (experimental) or a relaxing music video (control). Subjects then estimated the duration of the …

Model Minority Myth: Minority Status Intersectionality, Simone Porter

Honors Program Theses and Projects

This study investigated the priming effects of the model minority stereotype on 52 clinicians in training regarding their diagnostic accuracy of a transgender Japanese American male (female to male) compared to a cisgender Japanese American male patient with identical symptoms qualifying for persistent depressive disorder (PDD). It was hypothesized that clinicians in training would be more likely to perceive the primed transgender vignette as low functioning with more time needed for recovery compared to perceiving the cisgender vignette as high functioning with less time needed for recovery. The results showed a main effect for gender for the symptom inattention to …

Teacher’S Attitudes And Willingness To Refer Sexual Minority Students To Special Education, Diane' Forney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research shows that cultural minority students are over-represented in special education services based on teacher bias and attitudes towards these cultural minority students. A cultural minority that has not been as widely researched is the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ). The purpose of this study is to determine if teacher’s bias and attitude towards LGBTQ students interferes with their ability to make special education referrals for sexual minority students (Hebl, 2000), who are students identified as LGBTQ. For the purpose of this study, a variety of teachers were asked to complete, two qualifying questions, a detailed demographic questionnaire, …

Experience Of Microaggressions: White Bystanders’ Physiological And Psychological Reactions, Alexandra K. Reveles

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The negative impacts of discriminatory events to the physiological and psychological stress of the recipient has been thoroughly documented. However, there is little to no evidence about the impacts to bystanders of these events, particularly White bystanders. Psychological impacts may emerge through academic achievement, which has implications for educational institutions and their diversity initiatives. This study examined the impact of witnessing discriminatory events on academic achievement, biological markers of distress, and emotional distress.

Academic achievement was negatively impacted for participants in the microaggression and blatant racism conditions when compared to a control condition. Study participants also experienced negative emotional impacts. …

The Use Of A Values Affirming Intervention: Does It Impact Math Scores And Semester Grade Point Averages In A Student Support Services Population, Amy L. Debruler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

College students who are from low income families, have disabilities, or are the first in their family to attend college are more likely to struggle socially and academically in a college setting. Promoting college graduation within these disadvantaged populations is critical for increased life wellness. Previous researchers studied to see if when students wrote about their personal beliefs if it would lead to higher levels of academic confidence and better academic performance (as measured by grades). This study expanded upon those previous studies to look specifically at whether a values-affirming writing intervention provided to at risk students in a federally …

Health And Quality Of Life Of Children Undergoing Elective Surgery, Vivian Luong

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Multiple studies have found that poorer health is associated with significantly lower quality of life when comparing children and adults with health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, asthma, and ADHD to their normal healthy counterparts. The relationship between health and quality of life, however, has yet to be examined in children who have undergone elective surgery. More than 5 million children in the U.S. undergo surgery each year. These children are often undergoing surgery for a number of health issues that may impede quality of life. Consequently, this study analyzes the effects of health on the quality of life of …

Measuring Neural Time Series Data In A Sensory Deprivation Tank, Jackson Gregory, Tian Lan, Uri Maoz, Amir Raz

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

We are interested in studying the neurological and physiological effects of the float pod, also known as REST therapy, or sensory deprivation tank. Float pods rely on the concept of depriving most senses (from sound and light to temperature and proprioception) in a pool filled with buoyant salt water at body temperature. While float pods are most commonly used in spa environments, we intend to look at the potential benefits of floating under the empirical lens. In this study, we aim to measure neural activity using electroencephalography (EEG). We intend to look at the different levels of relaxation and the …

Necessary And Sufficient: Examining The Role Of Attachment Trauma And Psychological Maltreatment As Primary Etiological Factors In The Development Of Borderline Personality Disorder, Chacy Agnello

Dissertations

Current widely-accepted conceptualizations regarding borderline personality disorder (BPD) profess that trauma is not required in the etiology of BPD and place a significant focus on biological predispositions. This review sought to evaluate the current paradigms regarding BPD and examine whether trauma may be the most significant contributing factor in the development of BPD. Studies on developmental trauma (including psychological maltreatment) and attachment were examined. These studies appear to strongly support the idea that when disrupted attachment and psychological maltreatment are taken into consideration, trauma does appear to be both necessary and sufficient as primary etiological factors in the development of …

Integration Of Mindfulness-Based Approaches In The Treatment Of Eating Disorders: A Review Of The Literature, Kimberly Hubinger

Dissertations

In this literature review, mindfulness-based approaches and the effects mindfulness-based approaches have on the treatment of eating disorders was discussed. Professionals are continually seeking ways to enhance the treatment and improve outcomes when working with individuals suffering from eating disorders, and this literature review could help enhance the understanding of incorporating mindfulness techniques. The findings of this paper are meant to benefit clinicians working with patients diagnosed or struggling with an eating disorder.

Impact Of Opioid Overdose Photos On Addiction Stigma, Explicit Bias, Willingness To Help, And Support For Policy Items, Anne C. Parent

USC Aiken Psychology Theses

Objective: Opioids, commonly used in hospitals and pain management centers for treating pain, are becoming increasingly abused. Prescription opioids and synthetic opioids are found frequently on the streets, highlighting the rampant spread of these drugs in the black market. Rates of opioid overdose have also dramatically increased in the past few years. Police departments have publicly posted photos of individuals who have overdosed on drugs in order to generate awareness of the issue to the community. Current research has not scientifically measured the impact of these social media campaigns designed to combat the opioid crisis. The present study used …

Effects Of Skin Color And Clothing Color On Perceived Violence And Aggression Of Criminals, Courtney Merchant

USC Aiken Psychology Theses

Introduction: Society has a history of attaching meaning to colors, and few colors have been given as much attention as red and black. In many contexts, these colors have strong negative associations. Red has long been representative of danger and aggression (Young, Elliot, Feltman, & Ambady, 2013), while black represents death and evil (Adams & Osgood, 1973; Sherman & Clore, 2009). Unfortunately, color associations are not limited to clothing or advertisements; skin color is also a subject of negative associations in the form of stereotyping. Darker skinned people, especially African-Americans, have long been subjected to negative stereotypes. The current …

Resilience To Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms In Child Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Caroline Witek

Theses and Dissertations

Just as adults may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being exposed to death, serious injury, or sexual violence, so too may children. Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is one traumatic event that has been linked to the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in children. While the literature to date has drawn strong connections between CSA and subsequent psychopathology (including PTSD diagnoses), and explored factors contributing to resilience to psychopathology development, comparatively little research has been conducted on factors that increase child CSA survivors’ resilience to post-traumatic stress symptom development. Furthermore, much of the research to date has explored long-term …

Ethical Art Waste: Examining Resource Management In The Art Studio, Amanda Peavey

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper highlights the lack of education about production and disposal of art materials within the field of art therapy. Failure to educate clinicians creates ethical problems when hazardous materials are used in sessions unknowingly. This paper is grounded in environmental studies and chemical management to supplement the art therapy field’s lack of research and commentary. The literature is dedicated to educating the reader about the hazardous nature of materials, issues surrounding regulations of chemicals involved in production, and consumerism in relation to waste processing. The research data was collected from a community engagement project: an educational presentation was offered …

Risk-Taking, Thinking Styles, And Criminality: A Fuzzy-Trace Theory Perspective, Adrienne Machann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Preferred modes of thinking, otherwise known as biases, have been well documented in adult reasoning and decision-making (Evans, 2003; Gilovich, Griffin, & Kahneman, 2002; Reyna & Brainerd, 2011; Tversky & Kahneman, 1986). Researchers have explained these biases by proposing that the basis for them is a system of thought that relies mostly on intuition and “gut feelings” rather than logical analysis of the situation (Reyna & Brainerd, 2011; Tversky & Kahneman, 1986). According to standard dual-process theories, intuition is described as a thought process so quick, it is automatic and, at times unconscious; conversely, analytical thinking is slow and steady, …

Healing Beyond Emotional Abuse, Judith Fisher

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

Increasing Adult's Awareness Of The Importance Of End-Of-Life Care Discussions, Taylor Gardner

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For many American families, end-of-life care is often not discussed, until advanced illness or injury has fully disrupted everyday life. There are many benefits to discussing end-of-life care prior to any medical complications. Research has shown that individuals who plan their end-of-life processes with a hospice service provider and family members report a higher quality of death than individuals receiving common health care during their final six months of life. In order to make families and friends more comfortable with end-of-life discussions, I will conduct two one-hour educational sessions to students at California State University, Monterey Bay.

Cultural Work In Addressing Conflicts And Violence In Traumatized Communities, Eugen Koh

New England Journal of Public Policy

There is a growing appreciation that conflict and violence in many communities have their origins in a history of traumatic experiences. Why this link exists and how it comes about is still unclear. We have no unified psychology of traumatized communities, and little is known about how to address these traumatic origins collectively in these communities. This article proposes a psychodynamic model of collective trauma and a psychoanalytically informed approach to working with traumatized communities to address their issues of conflict and violence. It highlights the impact of collective trauma on the culture of a community, which is its collective …

From Reformatories, To Today, And Into The Future: What Needs To Change For Female Offenders, Alyson Berry

Senior Honors Projects

In society, and within the criminal justice system, women have always been deemed insignificant and many of their problems have been neglected. Even as time has progressed, convicted women's physical and mental needs are still disregarded as well as their motivation, risk, and recidivism rates. Since the late 1800s, the number of incarcerated women has risen. This indicates a need for change in the current system to decrease the population of female offenders and their likelihood of becoming repeat offenders. In order to determine what aspects have worked and which ones need to be revised, different time periods need to …

Fostering Meaning Making In Grieving Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Teresa Graziano

Senior Honors Projects

No abstract provided.

Variants Of Emotional Expressivity & Complexity Across Cultural Groups, Nazaret C. Suazo

Senior Honors Projects

Emotions are largely considered to be universal, suggesting that their expression should be similar across cultural groups (Ekman, 1972; Ekman et al., 1987). However, some studies indicate that variability exists in the way emotions are expressed, perceived, and rated across differing racial and ethnic groups (Matsumoto & Ekman, 1989). These differences may occur as a result of differing customs and beliefs regarding culture and group identity. While previous research has compared differences in emotional experiences between White and Asian samples, few studies have looked at these differences by comparing other racial and ethnic groups. The current study extends previous work …

Addressing Barriers To Preventative Health Care For Transgender Populations: A Systems Approach To Improving Access To Gynecological Care, Meghan N. Flynn

Master's Theses

The current study addresses the lack of research exploring the individual and systemic barriers to accessing gynecological care for transgender populations. An integrated mixed-methods needs assessment was designed to explore the individual and systemic barriers to gynecological health care for transgender and gender diverse populations. Participants of the study included established community providers known to serve the transgender community through advocacy or research efforts, as well as clinical psychologists and medical professionals working in gynecological settings. The study includes a brief quantitative survey, which measured “Perceptions of Inclusivity Importance” among key stakeholders. Following the survey, participants were invited to engage …

Parametric Indices Of Peer Victimization As Predictors Of Children’S Internalizing Outcomes, Freddie Aníbal Pastrana Rivera

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Peer victimization has been linked to maladjustment in school-age children. However, the field is less clear about how different parameters of peer victimization (e.g., frequency, stability) confer risk to children. In this study, I evaluated the extent to which key parameters (operationalized as distinct peer victimization indices) predicted internalizing maladjustment in 4th grade children (N = 445). From self-, teacher-, and peer-reported victimization data gathered at three time points within an academic year, I generated the following indices: Mean Level, Stability, Cross-Informant Agreement, and Informant Source. Controlling for baseline internalizing scores, hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that: a) only self-reported Mean …

The Effects Of Emotion On The Holistic Processing Of Faces, Julianna M. Murray

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Face perception is an important ability that allows us to carry out social interactions, recognize others, assess emotions, and understand social cues. Many researchers believe that faces are processed holistically, meaning that humans combine the many parts of a face into a single visual representation. The face is viewed as a complete whole, rather than a collection of specific facial features. Consequently, processing a face holistically makes it more difficult to selectively attend to parts of the face. A small subset of literature has showed that the emotional state of the perceiver can affect the degree to which a stimulus …