Psychology Commons^™

Unlv Title Iii Aanapisi & Mcnair Scholars Institute Research Journal 2024, Jesica Godinez-Paredes, Kian Hassankhan, Apia Hickman, Robin Ruth Kee, Kevin Ayala Pineda, Briana Melendez, Kalli Ramos, Saturn L. Reyes, Fabian Leija, Selena Pepe, Silva Topchyan, Celeste Ainsley, Mayra Arzate, Jessica Balistreri, Zantana Ephrem, Mirella Jasso, Karl Panou, Nichole Pelaez, Miklo Alcala, Akshay Dave, Mey Mey Heng, Michael Finkle, Janessa Montenegro, Reynafe Naol Aniga, Victor Mejia, Angelica G. Diaz, Anayeli Flores-Garibay, Kari Lee Joe Goold, Samantha Hernandez, Lianelys Cabrera Martinez, Caitlin Reynolds, Kimberly N. Usbeck, Abdulrahman Alahdal, Angelica Diaz, Willaine Mae Kahano, Raquel Jackson, Cecia Ruiz-Hernandez, Kers Ung-Watson, Yessenia Henriquez, Vanessa Marie Booth, Alexia Brown, Darlyn Magana, Bianca Navarro, Nicholas Pereira, Gia Renemae Calip, Lucky Heng, Ralph Sagun, Lucas Abreu, Alexandra Maria Acosta, Tristan Benally, Cosset Hernandez Pena, Adrian Montenegro, Cierra Paaaina-Daquioag, Nicole Torosian, Tracy Fuentes, Julissa Martinez, Medina Mcallister, Michal Newhouse-Van Vlerin, Tiria Carr, Nima Abkenar, Isabella Aceituno, Yuhan Bi, Victoria Campos, Melika Cummings, Zachary J. Johnigan, Alexis Sotolongo-Marin

McNair Journal

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the AANAPISI, LSAMP, and McNair Scholars Program.

Table of Contents

About AANAPISI

Dr. Chris Heavey, Interim President

Dr. Keith Rogers, Vice President for Student Affairs

Ms. Zhanna Aronov, Associate Vice President for Retention & Outreach

Adhd Symptoms As A Moderator For The Relationship Between Childhood Maltreatment And Adolescent Delinquency, Demy Alfonso

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Childhood maltreatment (i.e., physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect) has consistently been shown to be a significant predictor of engagement in subsequent delinquent behaviors during adolescence. ADHD symptoms have also been shown to be both a risk factor for experiencing childhood maltreatment, as well as a potential consequence of having been exposed to maltreatment. Additionally, concurrent symptoms of ADHD and experiences of maltreatment are significantly associated. ADHD symptoms have also been shown to be related to delinquency. Further, research has found that the prevalence of these difficulties (e.g., ADHD symptoms, delinquent behaviors) may differ according to an individual’s gender. The …

The Effects Of Behavioral Skills Training For Goal Setting On Skill Acquisition, Michelle Beaulieu

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

With many U.S. adults being diagnosed with or at high risk for largely preventable chronic diseases, positive health behavior change is a critical public health concern. Behaviors such as physical activity, healthy eating, substance use (e.g., alcohol, nicotine) have all been linked to risk of various chronic diseases and long-term health outcomes. Health coaching has emerged to fill the gap within the current healthcare system surrounding behavior change treatment. Many health coaching organizations and resources claim that the practice incorporates client-directive care. However, further research is warranted for determining what skills are necessary for health coaching clients to successfully work …

Volume 15, Connor Thompson, Emily Steffenhagen, Emily Robertson, Luis Fernando Dos Reis, Emily Farmer, Samuel Villa, Robert Allison, Zachary Chessor, Megan Borden, Austin Burnett, Larry W. Grant Jr., Tristan Marowski, Emma Moore, Pearl Siff

Incite: The Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Introduction Dr. Amorette Barber, Director, Office of Student Research

From the Editor Dr. Hannah Dudley-Shotwell

Artist’s Statement Connor Thompson

On Mentorship Dr. John Miller

The Meat of the Matter: Alien, Human, and Animal in Terry Bisson’s “They’re Made Out of Meat” by Emily Steffenhagen

“Please REBLOG!”: An Ethical Analysis of Doxxing, Internet Vigilantism and Racists Getting Fired by Emily Robertson

Journaling: Paper Has More Patience Than People by Luis Fernando Dos Reis

The Effects of Climate Change on the Archaeological World by Emily Farmer

Lowered Seat Height Does Not Impair Wingate Performance in Untrained Cyclists by Samuel Villa, Robert Allison, …

The Relationship Between Moral Thought-Action Fusion And Scrupulosity Across Judaism, Christianity, And Islam, Kelsey Evey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Scrupulosity is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) where individuals are upset by intrusive thoughts related to religious or moral issues. Current research suggests that scrupulosity occurs across the major world religions—including the Abrahamic religions (i.e., Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). Some research suggests that moral thought-action fusion (moral TAF), a dysfunctional belief that thinking something is equal to doing it, may only be pathological under certain circumstances (e.g., if it is not culturally normative). If this is true, the current cognitive model of scrupulosity may need to be amended to reflect how cultural differences impact the role of moral TAF …

Parental Socialization Of General And Domain-Specific Self-Control In Adolescents, Matty Johnston

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Adolescent self-control appears to be an important competency to develop. It has pervasive links with various outcomes (e.g., educational, financial, and interpersonal) both during adolescence and into adulthood (Allemand et al., 2019, Moffitt et al., 2011). Adolescents often report lower self-control compared to adults, although individual levels of self-control vary widely between adolescents (Allemand et al., 2019, Romer et al., 2010). Despite its importance, very little is known about how self-control develops. Thus, the current study aims to examine the relationship between parents’ self-control and that of their teen children. To further understand how adolescents' self-control may be socialized by …

Factors That Influence Plans To Have Children: An Application Of The Theory Of Planned Behavior To Fertility Decision-Making Across The Reproductive Years, Amanda Chappell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fertility intentions include plans to have one or more children; intentions can be used to predict fertility behavior. The focus of the current study was to examine the influence of age and gender on factors involved in estimating fertility intentions (measured with 5 items), including attitudes (i.e., how one feels about becoming a parent; 13 items), norms (i.e., pressure from important others to have children; 5 items), and perceived control (beliefs about capability of becoming a parent; 4 items) in a U.S. sample. The study included a sample of N = 289 (51% men) participants (75.6% White) between the ages …

A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Group Telehealth Workshops Based On Parent-Child Interaction Therapy For Caregivers Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Erinn J. Victory

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with various symptoms that interfere with functioning requiring intensive early intervention; however, many families experience barriers to accessing behavioral services due to provider shortages, cost of treatment, and lack of transportation. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) has demonstrated effectiveness as a supplemental treatment for disruptive behaviors in children on the autism spectrum. The current study aims to determine the efficacy of a 2-day group telehealth parent-only workshop based on PCIT for improving caregivers’ use of positive parenting skills, child disruptive behavior, compliance to caregiver commands, and child psychosocial functioning. Thirty-three caregivers and …

Adverse Childhood Experiences Predict Mortality Risk: The Role Of Social Support & Social Strain, Meredith A. Willard

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Childhood adversity has long-lasting negative effects across the lifespan including increased mortality risk. The love and support individuals receive from others, also known as social support, has shown to be a protective factor against ACEs. However, little research has investigated the amplifying effects of social conflict and strain that often accompanies social relationships. Utilizing data from the Midlife Development in the U.S. (MIDUS) study, I tested whether higher levels of social support would buffer the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences on mortality risk, and whether higher levels of social strain would amplify these associations. The sample included 6,150 participants …

Eating Concerns And Self-Injury Among Collegiate Populations: A Comparison Of Sexual Orientation Groups, Matthew Kasopsky

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined the prevalence of eating concerns and nonsuicidal self-injurious behaviors (NSSIB) in college students seeking services at college and university counseling centers (UCCs), focusing on whether sexual minority students experience these issues at higher rates than their heterosexual peers. Eating concerns and NSSIB are understudied among sexual minority individuals. Previous research has demonstrated that through prejudice, stigma, and social stress, sexual minority individuals may be at a higher risk of developing mental health concerns and conditions than their heterosexual counterparts. The present study used a cross-sectional design to examine data from a sample of collegiate clients nationwide. Data …

Childhood Adversity And Sexual Risk Taking In College: Pathways Through Alcohol Use, Sarah Josephine Miller

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is associated with a host of negative outcomes throughout the lifespan including engagement in health-risk behaviors such as sexual risk taking and alcohol consumption (Dube et al., 2006; Negriff et al., 2015; Zaso et al., 2021). Additionally, sexual risk-taking and alcohol use commonly co-occur (Certain et al., 2009; Downing-Matibag & Geisinger, 2009). This may be especially true during the transition to college, in which many young adults have increased access to substances, increased autonomy, and an expanded network of peers. Thus, the present study examined the relationship between ACEs, alcohol use, and sexual risk …

Social Coordination Maintained By Progressive Delay Of Coordination-Dependent Reinforcement, Firdavs Khaydarov

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine coordination maintained by the progressive delay of coordination-dependent reinforcement and to compare the effects of unsignaled and signaled delays on coordination maintenance. In Experiment 1, coordination was examined using two multiple schedules in which two components alternated daily. One of the multiple schedules included progressive-delay (Component 1) and a yoked-interval (Component 2) schedule of coordination-dependent reinforcement in the two components. The other multiple schedule contained a progressive-delay (Component 1) and a yoked-interval (Component 2) schedule of coordination-independent reinforcement in the two components. Component 1 always preceded Component 2, and interreinforcer intervals …

Burnout In Forensic Psychology Related To Personal Traits And Vicarious Trauma, Olivia Shae Bruno

Theses and Dissertations

Burnout is described as having three components: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and feelings of ineffectiveness (Maslach et al., 1997). Burnout is considered a major occupational hazard due to the consequences for the afflicted and the population they work with (Leka & Jain, 2012) including low quality care, job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, and high turnover rates (Maslach et al., 2001). Previous research has identified some occupations and settings which are linked to high rates of burnout, including psychologists (Rodriguez & Carlotta, 2017) and those working in a high stress field, such as police officers (Vazquez et al., 2021), corrections officers (Herlickson, 2010) or …

Work Characteristics, Workplace Support, And Mental Ill-Health In A Canadian Cohort Of Healthcare Workers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Nicola Cherry, Anil Adisesh, Igor Burstyn, Quentin Durand-Moreau, Jean-Michel Galarneau, France Labrèche, Shannon Ruzycki, Tanis Zadunayski

Études primaires

Objective The aim of the study was to identify determinants of mental health in healthcare workers (HCW) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cohort of Canadian HCW completed four questionnaires giving details of work with patients, ratings of workplace supports, a mental health questionnaire, and substance use. Principal components were extracted from 23 rating scales. Risk factors were examined by Poisson regression. Results A total of 4854 (97.8%) of 4964 participants completed ratings and mental health questionnaires. Healthcare workers working with patients with COVID-19 had high anxiety and depression scores. One of three extracted components, 'poor support,' was related to …

The Effects Of Video Game Use On Spatial Ability In A Landmark Memory Task, Brendan T. Jacobs, Christina A. Thrasher, Lauren L. Harburger

Modern Psychological Studies

The present study sought to determine whether playing video games more often improves spatial ability on the landmark memory task. The researchers hypothesized that participants who play video games more often would perform better on the task than those who play video games less often. One hundred seventy-two participants (80 men and 92 women) between the ages of 18 and 26 filled out a questionnaire which asked about video gaming habits prior to a landmark memory task. The landmark memory task consisted of 10-second videos that showed 180-degree views of various locations. At the completion of each video, an image …

Body Image And Social Media In College Students, Elaine M. Kozmiuk, Sawyer Ellis, Mary Pritchard, Heather Schoenherr (Mentor)

Modern Psychological Studies

The current study assessed the relationship between social media appearance-related preoccupation (SMARP), body shame, body surveillance, and social physique anxiety (SPA). Data were collected from 1,049 participants, and a correlational analysis and a hierarchal regression were conducted. Significant relationships were found between body shame, body surveillance, SMARP, and SPA, supporting our hypotheses. Our results confirmed the relationship between SPA and SMARP, adding evidence to a mixed debate about the relationships between SPA and social media use. The researchers found that SPA moderated the relationship between body shame and SMARP. We can conclude that appearance anxieties and appearance-based social media use …

Body Dissatisfaction In College Students: Which Sociocultural Pressure Best Predicts Drive For Thinness?, Sawyer V. Ellis, Elaine M. Kozmiuk, Mary E. Pritchard, Heather Schoenherr

Modern Psychological Studies

Previous literature has suggested that family pressure is the main predictor of drive for thinness (Palladino Green & Pritchard, 2003). Given the growth of social media where thin beauty is glamorized, we wanted to test if this remains true while including multiple factors that may have been disregarded in body-centric studies. Consequently, we asked which sociocultural pressure—family, peers, or media—relates the strongest with body shame, body surveillance, and drive for thinness. A sample of 1,049 undergraduate psychology students, ages 18-29, were surveyed to better understand body dissatisfaction in college students. We predicted that each sociocultural pressure would correlate with body …

Factors Contributing To Viewing Automobile Commuting As A Waste Of Time, Trishyne J. Butler, Jennifer L. Hughes

Modern Psychological Studies

Many commuters view their commute as a waste of time. Although there is an ample amount of research on commuting, there is limited research on what negatively impacts the commuting experience. The current study sought to evaluate the relationship between commuters and their everyday commute. The following factors (i.e., gender identity, age, length, unpredictability, delays, time pressures, and congestion) were evaluated to predict seeing one’s commute as a waste of time. We hypothesized that men and younger commuters, as well as those who were unsatisfied with the length, unpredictability, delays, time pressures, and congestion during the commute, would find their …

Ambiguous Situations Make Me Anxious: Personality Traits And Initiating Social Interaction, Anthony Sego, Aimee Adam

Modern Psychological Studies

Social interaction is important for human health and happiness, yet it may be in decline. In this study, we examined traits related to whether individuals interact with one another. A structured lab observation was used to determine if participants would interact with a confederate. We also measured their Need for Cognitive Closure (NFCC), Social Anxiety (SA), Intolerance for Uncertainty (IU), and the Big Five personality traits, and examined the relationship between these factors and preferred physical distance from the stranger. Only 20% of all participants interacted with a confederate. Predictors of social interaction included higher scores in the Big Five …

Parental Childhood Rejection: An Exploration Of Anxiety And Depression In Later Life, Rocky Ashburn, Stephanie A. Kazanas

Modern Psychological Studies

Many studies have shown parental rejection can lead to depression. However, research exploring parental rejection and anxiety has been lacking and inconsistent, with some studies suggesting a relationship, while others do not. The current study aimed to examine if the perception of parental rejection in one’s childhood could predict trait anxiety and depression scores among young adults. Our hypothesis was that higher perception of parental rejection in childhood would predict both higher trait anxiety and depression. Study participants included 123 undergraduate students from a Southeastern U.S. university, with all participants being at least 18 years old. Correlations were explored across …

Early Identification Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Childcare Settings: A Literature Review, Maneli Nourzad

Modern Psychological Studies

Timely intervention is key in the development of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and early childhood settings present an opportune environment for early diagnosis, particularly in Canada where the identification of ASD in children below the age of four can be further expanded. This review first summarizes the potential benefits and barriers to early identification of ASD in children. There is robust evidence that early detection can result in improved biological and behavioral outcomes in later stages of life despite the subtle and at times elusive signs of ASD in young children. We then focus on the role early …

Interactions Between Anxiety, Family Influence, And Athletic Status On College Students: A Military School Cohort, Caragh Osborne, Aubrey Whitehead

Modern Psychological Studies

The prevalence of anxiety in college students has increased drastically over the past decade. Previous researchers have typically only examined how to help students while they are at school, however, there could be additional factors contributing to their anxiety prior to attending college. The current study aimed to observe how family influence and athletic status may play a role in anxiety among college students. Participants (N = 42) completed an anxiety symptoms inventory then disclosed how much their family influenced their decision to attend college. A two-way ANOVA indicated that neither athletic status nor degree of family influence had a …

Teacher Self-Efficacy And Teaching Experience, Nicholas Daniel Hafner

Masters Theses

Teacher self-efficacy significantly impacts student learning in a variety of ways. High levels of teacher self-efficacy can lead to improved student outcomes and act as a protective factor for multiple stressors. The present study investigated the associations between teachers’ years of experience and their hours of professional development concerning a teacher’s overall self-efficacy and its three domains: student engagement, instructional strategies, and classroom management. It was hypothesized that years of experience and hours of professional development would predict overall self-efficacy and its three domains. A survey was utilized to gather demographic, experience, and self-efficacy information. A total of 194 teachers …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Role In Supporting Students’ Mental Health Needs, Rachael Mcdonough

Masters Theses

Mental health issues are highly prevalent among children and adolescents and have recently increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence shows a research to practice gap in the area of mental health practices and interventions in schools. As teachers are frontline gatekeepers for identifying mental health issues in students, it is important to understand current teachers' perspectives regarding their role, knowledge, and training. Thus, the current study sought to explore teachers’ perceptions regarding their role in supporting student mental health needs and the barriers that may prevent them from doing so. In the current study, general and special …

The Construct Validity Of The Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales, Second Edition (Rias-2) And The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale Of Intelligence, Second Edition (Wasi-Ii), Cristen J. Rozek

Masters Theses

This study is designed to assess the relationship between two brief intelligence tests, the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales-Second Edition (RIAS-2; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2015) and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence-Second Edition (WASI-II; Wechsler, 2011), through evaluating their ability to similarly measure intellectual skills. These two tests measure an individual’s overall general intelligence. Both tests are able to assess individuals aged 6-90. The WASI-II publisher specified this test was only a screener while the RIAS-2 is not. Tests like the RIAS-2 and WASI-II are more time efficient allowing more time to be spent on other professional responsibilities. Manuals from both …

Circulating Sphingolipids In Relation To Cognitive Decline And Incident Dementia: The Cardiovascular Health Study, Kristine F Moseholm, Héléne T Cronjé, Manja Koch, Annette L Fitzpatrick, Oscar L Lopez, Marcia C De Oliveira Otto, W T Longstreth, Andrew N Hoofnagle, Kenneth J Mukamal, Rozenn N Lemaitre, Majken K Jensen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Whether circulating levels of sphingolipids are prospectively associated with cognitive decline and dementia risk is uncertain.

METHODS: We measured 14 sphingolipid species in plasma samples from 4488 participants (mean age 76.2 years; 40% male; and 25% apolipoprotein E (

RESULTS: Higher plasma levels of sphingomyelin-d18:1/16:0 (SM-16) were associated with a faster cognitive decline measured with 3MSE, in contrast, higher levels of sphingomyelin-d18:1/22:0 (SM-22) were associated with slower decline in cognition measured with DSST. In Cox regression, higher levels of SM-16 (hazard ration [HR] = 1.24 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.44]) and ceramide-d18:1/16:0 (Cer-16) (HR = 1.26 [95% CI: 1.10-1.45]) …

The Perpetual Evidence-Practice Gap: Addressing Ongoing Barriers To Chronic Pain Management In Primary Care In Three Steps, Laura Ellen Ashcraft, Megan E Hamm, Serwaa S Omowale, Valerie Hruschak, Elizabeth Miller, Shaun M Eack, Jessica S Merlin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Most management of chronic pain, a serious illness affecting the physical and psychological wellbeing of millions, occurs in primary care settings. Primary care practitioners (PCPs) attempt to provide evidence-based practices to treat chronic pain. However, there continues to be a gap between the care people receive and the evidence. The objectives for this study were to (1) explore determinants of evidence-based chronic pain management and (2) develop a novel approach to using implementation science to address the evidence-practice gap.

Method: A convenience sample of twenty-one Pennsylvania PCPs participated in one-time semi-structured telephone interviews. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and both …

A Systematic Review Of Risk And Protective Factors For Mental Health Among Latinx College Students, Melissa Gavilanes

Theses and Dissertations

A quantitative studies systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted to explore the risk and protective factors among Latinx college students’ mental health. This systematic review also aimed to identify the relevant demographic variability to the mental health of Latinx college students, and the relationship between mental health and academic performance within this population. Data was collected from four electronic databases and included peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2022, conducted within the United States, participants over the age of 17, and samples comprised of or including Latinx college students. Studies utilizing quantitative designs, and quantitative portions of mixed method …

Veterans, Providers, Moral Injury, And The Integration Of Spirituality In Clinical Care, Claire Muldrew

Theses and Dissertations

Moral Injury (MI) is known to be prevalent among military populations, however, the integration of spirituality into the treatment of veterans with trauma/posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an understudied topic. This systematic review sought to explore how mental health clinicians and chaplains view the integration of spirituality in the course of clinical care with traumatized veterans who experience MI. Utilizing qualitative methodology, the existing knowledge base was studied to shed light on this topic and to also identify the similarities and differences between these types of providers. The meta-aggregation approach was applied to analysis of the available data and a …

Lifting The Voices Of Cisgender Female Survivors Of Sexual Violence: A Systematic Review Of Their Experiences With Formal Support Providers/Systems, Madeleine Walker

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative systematic review aimed to recognize what adult cisgender female survivors of sexual violence said about their experiences with formal support providers upon disclosure and their recommendations to enhance the disclosure process. Using a deductive content analysis of nice qualitative studies, the researcher identified and explored supportive and unsupportive formal support providers’ behaviors. Results indicated that supportive experiences typically involved aspects of both emotional support and tangible aid. Unsupportive experiences mainly focused on how providers responded to and negatively treated cisgender female survivors during the entirety of the investigation process. Also, cultural factors, such as race, gender, ethnicity, and …