Psychology Commons^™

Stressors And Depression Among Adolescents With Co-Rumination As A Moderator, Angela Grosso-Burke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Stress, depression, and co-rumination have been a focus of scholars in recent years. Although studies have considered the relationship among stressors, depression, and co-rumination, little is known about the moderating effects of co-rumination. This study aimed to address the gap in the literature by examining moderating effects of co-rumination on relations between stressors and depression, along with further moderating effects of sex, race, and grade. The current study examined mean-level race, sex, and grade differences in the relation among stressors (total, family, peer, physical appearance, sport/physical activity, school) and depressive symptoms in adolescents. Analyses were conducted to determine the relationship …

The Relationship Between Acculturation And Depression With Burmese Refugees, Gunnar Greg Newman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Acculturation and acculturative stress have been linked to depression among immigrants and refugee populations. Asian Americans and Asian American subgroups are underrepresented and have been neglected in research. The purpose of this quantitative study was to measure the relationship between acculturation and depression with length of time in the United States and acculturative stress as mediating variables among the understudied Asian American subgroup, Burmese refugees resettled in the United States. Unidimensional and bidimensional models of acculturation form the theoretical framework for this study. Three instruments, the Suinn-Lew Asian Self Identity Acculturation scale, the Riverside Acculturation Stress Inventory, and the Beck …

Adolescent Bereavement After Sudden Loss Of A Close Friend, Alora Elizabeth Zulliger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the prevalence of sudden death in adolescence, there is a deficiency of resources and support for adolescents who have lost a close friend to premature death. These resources are vital, as the sudden and unexpected death of a close friend is often traumatizing and can contribute to a sense of instability in young people. Although a great deal of academic research has been conducted on sibling or parental grief during adolescence, there existed a need for further research on peer loss during adolescence. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to describe the essence and meaning of the lived …

Childhood Experiences Of Black Americans Growing Up With A Suicidal Sibling, Barbara Maulding

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Through this retrospective interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) qualitative research project, the childhood experience of growing up with a sibling who experienced a non-fatal suicide attempt was explored. The researcher used IPA as the conceptual foundation. This qualitative phenomenological study included interviewing eight siblings to retrospectively explore the childhood experience of growing up with a suicidal sibling (who had at least one incident of nonfatal suicidal behavior). The interview with each participant consisted of one interview and one follow-up review per Seidman’s semi-structured interviewing guide for phenomenological research. The results were analyzed using hand coding to explore the thematic elements. The …

Improving Disease Management Among People With Type 2 Diabetes Through Mobile Persuasion: Development And Test Of The Construal Model Of Health-Related Communicative Control, Fatima Barakji

Wayne State University Dissertations

Many chronic illnesses can be managed by adhering to recommended medical regimens and through the avoidance of unhealthy behaviors, which foregrounds the importance of social control, a construct concerned with restricting/ regulating an existing unhealthy behavior or warning of a future unhealthy behavior (Craddock et al., 2015; Sarason & Sarason, 2001). This dissertation study investigated social control from a communication perspective by developing the concept of health-related communicative control (HRCC), which refers to the reduction, restriction, regulation, or elimination of undesirable health behaviors through persuasive verbal messages. Using this concept along with construal level theory (Trope & Liberman, 2010) from …

Evaluation Of Tele-Diagnostic Practice In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emily Graham Lerose

Wayne State University Dissertations

EVALUATION OF TELE-DIAGNOSTIC PRACTICES IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER By Emily Graham LeRose Advisor: Dr. Shelly Jo Kraft, PhD, CCC-SLP Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Following the social-distancing mandates of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder pivoted from an in-person method of evaluation, utilizing empirically supported “gold-standard” methods, to novel tele-diagnostic methods. This research investigated the efficacy and accessibility of autism diagnostic services using the tele-diagnostic platform of autism assessment by comparing retrospective patient data from periods of in-person assessment to tele-diagnostic assessment at one, large, urban hospital.

Diagnostic outcomes for these two …

The Effects Of Self-Affirmation On Covid-19 Safe Behaviors, Matt Betashour

Modern Psychological Studies

This paper aims to seek if self-affirming activities can be used to increase compliance with group-protective public health policy such as the mandate to wear face masks for the COVID-19 pandemic. Completing a self-affirmation has been shown to increase compliance to health advice when it is beneficial for the self (Sherman & Cohen, 2020). To determine if self-affirming activities, as described by Self-Affirmation theory, increases compliance to health advice that is beneficial for others, the present experiment (N = 106) asked university students to complete a self-affirmation or a control task, read a relevant article, and rate how often they …

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (Asmr) Use In College Students, Pratibha Gautam, Gina Mariano, Frank Hammonds

Modern Psychological Studies

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is the experience of tingling sensations in the crown and back of the head as a response to a range of audio-visual triggers such as whispering, tapping, and hand movements (Hostler, 2020). The number of people who produce and utilize ASMR inducing media has increased in the last few years, but little research has been done investigating its use among college students. This experimental study sought to investigate if viewing ASMR videos could reduce heart rate and perceived stress in college students. Twenty participants were shown either an ASMR video or a control video. Before …

Mobile Phone Mindfulness: Effects Of App-Based Meditation Intervention On Stress And Hrv Of Undergraduate Students, Samuel M. Degenhard

Modern Psychological Studies

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, stress has increased exponentially in undergraduate populations. The current study sought to determine the efficacy of an eight-week relaxation intervention, using a free meditation app to reduce perceived stress and increase baseline heart rate variability (HRV) of undergraduate students, compared to using a traditional relaxation intervention across the same period. Participants (N = 14) were randomized into either a meditation app group or self-directed diaphragmatic breathing group and were instructed to engage in their respective relaxation technique ten minutes daily for eight weeks. Pre- and post-intervention differences in perceived stress and HRV were examined, along with …

Examining The Role Of High School Spiritual Practice And Ways Of Coping In Levels Of Anxiety Among College-Aged Women, Madison Harris, Oyenike Balogun-Mwangi

Modern Psychological Studies

Utilizing an online survey, this study aimed to examine the extent to which the encouragement of spiritual practice in high school, current endorsement of daily spiritual experience, and ways of coping, predict anxiety levels among college-aged women (N = 140). Participants were recruited through the use of snowball sampling via email and flyers posted around campus. Data was collected via a demographic questionnaire and self-report measures assessing ways of coping, religiosity, and levels of anxiety among the sample. Results of a multiple regression analysis showed that focusing on and venting of emotions, behavioral disengagement, mental disengagement, and the encouragement of …

Questioning The Legitimacy Of The Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Construct, Isabelle J. Weigel-Mohamed

Modern Psychological Studies

This literature review examines 45 journal articles from a variety of disciplines, including genetics, neuropsychology, child and school psychology, evolutionary psychology, clinical psychology, and psychopharmacology. The review features a popular article published in the New York Times; though not a peer-reviewed journal article, it provides evidence of the pervasive social impact of the Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) debate. This review covers articles published between the years 1971 to 2021, with a greater emphasis on articles published after 2013 (over 50% of the review, given that the ADHD construct was reconceptualized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition …

The Impact Of School Closures And Isolation On Parents In The Us, Kathryn Stulpin, William Turner, Nicholas Fasciano, Amanda Peirano, Kedai Cheng, Caitlin Brez

Modern Psychological Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented global event. Research demonstrates the impact the pandemic had on both parents and children regarding their mental health and learning abilities. The current study examined parents’ experiences during the pandemic. This study had a particular focus on how changes to schooling impacted school experiences and social emotional experiences. The sample was comprised of parents whose children were in K-12 schooling and data was collected during Fall of 2020. The findings suggest that while there were several challenges, parents also reported some positive outcomes. This study serves as a foundation for future research to be …

The Innocent Bystander: A Scenario Based Study On The Impact Of Leadership Gossip, Samantha Lobins, Amanda Cruz Lesswing, Julia Anglin, Katrina Johnson, Kristen Black

Modern Psychological Studies

The purpose of this study was to understand how witnessing workplace gossip between a supervisor and an employee in a hypothetical scenario impacts ratings of acceptability of gossip behavior, leader quality ratings, relationship quality, and future comfort with the leader. Data were gathered from 207 college students who read a scenario involving gossip, which varied in the target (about oneself or another) and the domain (about work or personal matters) and then responded to a series of questions about the scenario. Across all four scenarios, leaders received fairly unfavorable ratings for participating in gossip behavior. However, we did not find …

Examining Belonging And The Fear Of Missing Out In Relation To Social Media Use: A Two-Part Study, Timothy Buckles, Meira Vaid, Mary Pritchard (Mentor), Heather Schoenherr (Mentor), Mercades Nelson, Kylee Malouf

Modern Psychological Studies

We conducted two survey studies to better understand how using social media relates to differing outcomes in perceptions of social support and the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) in college students (N = 251, N = 529, respectively). Correlation analyses revealed higher levels of FoMO were most strongly related to scrolling behaviors on social media, whereas posting behaviors were correlated with increased feelings of belonging and lower levels of FoMO. No significant correlation was found between perceived online social support and FoMO. Finally, no significant gender differences in FoMO were found. These behavior-based relationships are likely linked to people's innate …

Relationship With Adult Adhd Symptoms: Stimulant Medication And Caffeine, Makensie A. Smith, Emily Pica

Modern Psychological Studies

The purpose of the present study was to investigate how adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) perceive stimulant medication and explore the differences in their relationship with caffeine. Participants with more ADHD-related symptoms were expected to have a greater motivation to consume caffeine, anticipate experiencing more of caffeine’s stimulant effects, and have a more positive regard toward the effectiveness of their stimulant medication than those with fewer symptoms. Additionally, those with more inattentive symptoms were predicted to have more of a positive regard toward the effectiveness of their stimulant medication, have a greater motivation to consume caffeine, and anticipate experiencing more …

To Read Or To Listen: The Effect Of Text-To-Speech Software And Accents On Comprehension Of Digital Media, Lily Kiamanesh, Dillon Murphy, Alan Castel

Modern Psychological Studies

Text-to-speech software is a popular tool for consuming information for school, work, and recreation. This study examined two aspects of text-to-speech information exposure: the effect of audio/text modality and type of accent. In Experiment one, participants received material presented in a text-only, audio-only, or dual format. Those who received the material as text-only had significantly higher scores on a comprehension test and higher score predictions than those in the audio-only condition. In Experiment two, participants were presented with audio material in a text-to-speech-generated U.S. English, Mandarin Chinese, or Italian accent. Results revealed that accent did not significantly impact retention or …

Exploring The Impact Of Religious Upbringings On Sexual And Gender Minority Youth, Jack K. Connors, Carolyn Mcnamara Barry

Modern Psychological Studies

Sexual and Gender Minority Youth (SGMY) growing up in religious households that are not affirming of their sexual identity experience unique stressors pertaining to the strained relationship between organized religion and the LGBTQ+ community. This review aims to define the impacts from those upbringings, examine protective factors, and provide a basis for solutions to a nationwide crisis. Limitations, suggestions for future research, and real-world implications are then discussed, especially pertaining to prevention and intervention programs to support those who identify as SGMY.

Sense Of Community As A Mediator Between Study Abroad Experiences And Perceived Well-Being, Raymond Rider, Cindy Miller-Perrin

Modern Psychological Studies

This study examined the nature and extent of the relationship between studying abroad, sense of community, and well-being. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Sense of Community Index, and the Perceived Wellness Scale via an online survey emailed to juniors and seniors (n = 267) at a university in southern California. The results of the study suggested: 1) sense of community and well-being are significantly related (r = .35, p < .001), 2) those who study abroad (n = 149) differ significantly from those who do not study abroad (n = 118) on sense of community (p < .001, d = .52) and well-being (p = .03, d = .27), and 3) sense of community is a mediator of the relationship between study abroad experience and well-being. These findings have important implications for any institute which seeks to promote well-being.

A Narrative Review Of Preschool Teacher Burnout, Rebecca De Los Santos, Jamie N. Borchardt Psyd, Bea Yousey, Simone Dickson, Sofia Aloise, Mindy Butler, Deborah Banker Ed.D.

Modern Psychological Studies

Preschool teacher burnout is a significant concern, including the lack of professionals in the field, high turnover rates, and understaffed facilities and schools. Burnout in general, has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as preschool teacher stress is at an all-time high. Preschool teachers are an understudied population exiting the workforce at a high rate, and a lot of the focus is on attrition. The majority of literature involving teachers has focused on the K-12 sector, or the higher education population, indicating a significant need to study the pre-school population more in-depth. This narrative serves as a review of the literature …

Media Consumption And Stigma Towards Schizophrenia, Brenna Robinson, Catherine Diaz-Asper Ph.D

Modern Psychological Studies

The current study examined how negative attitudes about schizophrenia can be influenced by exposure to media as well as other types of contact with the condition. Participants (N = 141) completed an online survey assessing their knowledge of schizophrenia, the type and level of contact they had with someone with the diagnosis, the type and level of mass media they consumed, and their perceptions of schizophrenia, including dangerousness and aggression. Results showed that type of contact was correlated with attitudes about dangerousness. Contact, which includes media consumption, was related to less stigmatizing attitudes towards schizophrenia, although the correlation between media …

Religiosity As A Moderator Of Infidelity In Dark Triad Women, Sophie M. Domanik

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Personality is a major determinant of behavior. The Dark Triad is a cluster of personality traits-- psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism-- commonly associated with callousness, manipulation, and anti-social behavior. In the realm of relationships, Dark Triad traits have been shown to predict a host of destabilizing behaviors, including infidelity. Infidelity has negative psychological impacts on those involved, with research citing infidelity as a precursor to major depressive episodes for some individuals. High levels of religiosity, on the other hand, predict negative attitudes toward infidelity and fewer instances of cheating overall. The present study investigated whether levels of religiosity moderate infidelity intentions …

Women’S Lived Experience With Shame In Intimacy After Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse, Meg Christine Justison

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a global problem and can lead to substantial challenges in adult intimate relationships. Though there is considerable research on CSA, relationships, and relationship challenges, one area that required further study was how shame was felt by women who have experienced CSA. Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to explore these shame experiences in adult intimate relationships in women who had this history. Strength resilience theory was used as the framework for exploring their shame and resilience experiences. Open-ended, semistructured interviews were conducted with eight women aged 18 to 50 who were in intimate relationships. Results …

Parents’ Perceptions Of The Traits, Characteristics, And Circumstances Of Modern-Day Mass Shooters, Matt Talbot

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is little research on parents’ perceptions about the traits, characteristics, and circumstances ascribed to mass shooters and the sources of information shaping these perceptions. Understanding parents’ beliefs about mass shooters and mass shootings can serve to inform approaches to training and education and recommendations for media reporting on such events. Evidence-based knowledge helps parents become more equipped to serve as early interventionists for those who may be moving along a pathway of violence. Application of Gerbner’s cultivation theory frames the process by which media sources shape perceptions. In this phenomenological qualitative study, semi structured interviews were conducted with 19 …

Non-Nightmare Recurring Dreams And Trauma, Asmai Fathelbab

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study examined the relationship between trauma and non-nightmare recurrent dreams (NNRD). Although there is extensive literature on the psychological consequences, diagnosis, and treatment of trauma, studies on the role of sleep processes have focused almost exclusively on nightmares. The potential relationship between NNRD and traumatic experiences has been overlooked by researchers. The purpose of this study was to assess if history of trauma and NNRD were correlated. More specifically, using Revonsuo’s threat simulation theory as a framework, the study evaluated if gender, quality of sleep, depression, anxiety, stress, and history trauma predicted NNRD. A cross-sectional correlational survey design was …

The Lived Experiences Of Minority Widowers With Dependent Children, Cathy-Ann L. King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Spousal death is a traumatic event well documented amongst clinical professionals because of its impact on a man’s physical and mental health. However, prior research on widowers has focused predominantly on white middle-class males. Little is known about the black indigenous people of color (BIPOC) male experience with spousal death, especially from those who are raising their dependent children. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to understand the lived experiences of BIPOC male widowers and their children. BIPOC widowers experiencing the trauma of this life-changing event without professional assistance are at higher risk of emotional, physical, and mental distress. Attachment theory …

Predicting Project Success By Project Manager Competencies And Personality Traits Moderated By Work Experience, Jasmine H. Kirby

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractProject manager competencies and personality traits can make the difference between project success or failure. However, it remains unclear which is the strongest predictor of project success when moderated by work experience. The purpose of this quantitative study was to provide information about the relationship between project manager competencies, personality, and project success by (a) investigating the relationship between project manager competencies, personality traits, and project success; and (b) identifying whether project competencies or personality traits was the strongest predictor of project success among project managers at different work experience levels. Data were collected from 272 project managers. Instruments to …

Occupational Burnout Factors Among Correctional Mental Health Providers, Morgan Gruhot

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Burnout rates of correctional employees are higher than employees in the general public. The purpose of this study was to identify how occupational factors impact burnout rates among correctional mental health workers. Grounded in the job-demands theoretical model, this study compared burnout rates among mental health staff within county jails and state prisons. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Occupational factors were measured using the Areas of Work life Survey and Pandemic Experience and Perception Survey. Data was analyzed using IBM SSPS software to address multiple a priori directional research questions. Research questions considered how occupational factors …

Filipino Americans’ Attitudes And Experiences With Mental Health And Help-Seeking Behaviors, Kelsey Guerrero

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Filipino Americans suffer from mental illness at an alarming rate and have a low rate of seeking mental health treatment. Because Filipino Americans are underrepresented in social science research, psychologists do not understand how to resolve this issue within the Filipino American population. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to describe the experiences with mental health and treatment of Filipino Americans. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model theory and Latane’s social impact theory served as the theoretical foundation for the study. A sample of 12 Filipino Americans was interviewed using a semistructured interview design. Participants were asked 10 questions addressing their …

College Students’ Psychosocial Functioning 2 To 5 Years After Death Of A Parent, Carla C. Elbel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship regarding a loss of parent during adolescence with psychosocial development into early college years (18 through 22 years of age) as measured by the Modified Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory (MEPSI). A sample of 15 young college students, ages 18 to 22, completed the MEPSI and a second sample of young college students 18 to 22, who lost a parent, completed the MEPSI. No significant difference was found in the variance of the means; therefore, the null hypothesis was retained. A small sample t test analysis was used to compare the …

The Daily Association Between Affect And Alcohol Use: A Meta-Analysis Of Individual Participant Data, Jonas Dora, Marilyn Piccirillo, Kelly Arbeau, Stephen Armeli, Marc Auriacombe, Bruce Bartholow, Adriene M. Beltz, Shari M. Blumenstock, Cynthia Mohr, Multiple Additional Authors

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Influential psychological theories hypothesize that people consume alcohol in response to the experience of both negative and positive emotions. Despite two decades of daily diary and ecological momentary assessment research, it remains unclear whether people consume more alcohol on days they experience higher negative and positive affect in everyday life. In this preregistered meta-analysis, we synthesized the evidence for these daily associations between affect and alcohol use. We included individual participant data from 69 studies (N = 12,394), which used daily and momentary surveys to assess affect and the number of alcoholic drinks consumed. Results indicate that people are not …