Psychology Commons^™

From Backstage To Front Stage : Understanding Dramaturgical Work Behavior In The Workplace, Yufei Cheng

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

Modern organizations often reward “looking busy” rather than genuinely contributing, prompting employees to engage in superficial displays of productivity. This type of behavior can be considered as a previously unexplored yet important form of impression management. While impression management research has predominantly examined outcome-oriented tactics, it has not fully captured the subtler, non-contributory forms of performative behavior that permeate everyday work life. To address this gap, this dissertation introduces Dramaturgical Work Behavior (DWB), a concept grounded in Goffman’ s dramaturgical theory, which outlines how employees enact symbolic “front-stage” performances—such as feigned urgency or exaggerated busyness—to signal conformity without adding real …

The Effect Of A Therapy Dog On Pressure Pain Threshold In Healthy Individuals, Lydia L. Haak, Rhonda L. Verdegan

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Pain is the most common reason for healthcare consultation in the United States. Pain affects every area of life; biologically, psychologically, and socially. These three constructs make up every individual and thus contribute to their perceived quality of life. The use of therapy dogs (TD) has been widely researched as a source of non-pharmacological pain management. Studies have proven that a dog can reduce perceived pain in people with a variety of comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to prove that pain is modulated biologically by dogs and not just by human perception. Methods: This was …

Generative Ai–Powered Mental Wellness Chatbot For College Student Mental Wellness: Open Trial, Jazmin A. Reyes-Portillo, Amy So, Kelsey Mcalister, Christine Nicodemus, Ashleigh Golden, Colleen Jacobson, Jennifer Huberty

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Colleges have turned to digital mental health interventions to meet the increasing mental health treatment needs of their students. Among these, chatbots stand out as artificial intelligence–driven tools capable of engaging in human-like conversations that have demonstrated some effectiveness in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of using Wayhaven, an artificial intelligence chatbot, among college students with elevated depression or anxiety symptoms. We also aimed to examine the preliminary effectiveness of Wayhaven in improving symptoms of anxiety and depression, hopelessness, agency, and self-efficacy among students.

Methods: Participants were 50 racially …

Testing The Utility Of The Three Good Things Intervention For Cannabis Misuse Among College Students, Paige Morris

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

College students experience high rates of cannabis use and use-related problems. Existing brief online interventions for cannabis misuse among college students do not significantly reduce cannabis use and use-related problems relative to control conditions. This may be due to limited consideration of the role of affect, given that cannabis is frequently used for managing affect, especially among individuals with greater depression and social anxiety. The present study sought to improve the efficacy of brief online interventions for cannabis misuse among college students by testing the efficacy of the Three Good Things (3GT; Seligman et al., 2005) intervention, a daily exercise …

Understanding User Behaviors: Impact Of A 28-Day Intervention On Screen Time And Problematic Internet Use, Cade T. Campigli

Master's Theses

This thesis examines a 28-day self-monitoring intervention to reduce problematic internet use among undergraduate Instagram users. A quasi-experimental factorial mixed design with a repeated measures component was used, with participants split into an experimental group (daily Instagram screen time logging) and a control group (reporting Instagram interactions). Problematic Internet use was measured using the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS2). Results showed no reduction in problematic internet use in the experimental group compared to the control, nor a correlation between screen time changes and problematic internet use. However, the experimental group showed a modest decrease in mean screen time …

Synthesizing Co-Reading Behaviors: Insights From Graduate Students’ Experience And A Rapid Scoping Review, Watcharasak Sudla, Wannee Kaemkate

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: Collaborative reading of research articles is essential for graduate students to develop academic reading skills through peer engagement in knowledge sharing, reflection, and feedback. However, limited information exists about the behaviors indicative of co-reading practices. This study aims to identify behavioral indicators and social participation in students’ co-reading of research articles.

Methods: In this study, we integrated key behavioral indicators of co-reading based on data from interviews with 23 graduate students and a rapid scoping review. The collected data were then subjected to content analysis and data visualization.

Results: The findings categorize individuals involved in co-reading into six groups: …

Implications And Recommendations For Counselors And Counselor Educators Dealing With Personal Mental Health Concerns And Suicidality, Julie C. Hill

Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods Faculty Publications and Presentations

The purpose of this article is to review the available literature on mental health among counselors and other helping professionals, as well as help-seeking behaviors. One counselor educator/counselor’s experience seeking treatment for mental health concerns in an inpatient setting will be shared. Implications for counselor educators and counselors to better recognize warning signs for themselves and encourage help-seeking behaviors will be discussed.

Road To Recovery: Understanding The Personality Typology, Clinical Features, And Risk Of Relapse In Filipinos With Substance Use Problems, Marc Angelo Ronquillo, Marc Eric Reyes, Ryan Francis Cayubit

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

Knowing the patient’s personality can assist the clinician in improving their relationship and tailoring the interventions for the patient. Several studies have reported that treatment and prevention programs must be tailored to an individual’s social and cultural attributes to facilitate continuous recovery and prevent relapse. This study aimed to develop a deeper understanding of the personality typology, clinical features, and risk of relapse in Filipinos with substance use problems in rehabilitation centers. We used a sequential-explanatory mixed-method approach with two phases (Phase 1: descriptive, cross-sectional design; Phase 2: phenomenological design) to provide an evidence-based framework to tailor treatment according to …

Delusion Or Faith? Exploring Religious Delusions In Individuals With Schizophrenia Within The Banjar Culture, Nabila Regita Putri Mustafa, Nur’Aulia Maisyarah, Aulia Maulidina, Muhammad Reza Aditya, Muhammad Abdan Shadiqi

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

Schizophrenia is often characterized by delusions and hallucinations, which often appear as manifestations of religious delusions in the Banjar cultural context. This phenomenon can be understood through the hyper-religiosity theory, which explains excessive religious behavior in individuals with schizophrenia. This qualitative case study aims to identify the forms of religious delusion in individuals with hyper-religiosity and the underlying causal factors. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and observations with 10 informants, comprising four individuals with religious delusions selected using purposive sampling based on their experience of studying Tasawwuf and experiencing religious delusions and six significant others. The findings show that …

Body Acceptance, Body Dysmorphia Symptoms, And Selfie Behavior: Unpacking Their Relationships Among Filipinos, Marc Eric S. Reyes, Alyssa Ashley O. Ang Tong, Sherry Lyn H. Cada, Raymond Nathan A. Lopez, Jv Louise D. Natividad

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

The emergence and proliferation of social media gave rise to “selfitis,” an obsession-compulsive engagement in photo selfie-related activities. This phenomenon raises a problem, especially for people experiencing body acceptance concerns and body dysmorphia symptoms, as both of these variables may be linked with photo selfie-taking behavior. With the Philippines having the second-highest average daily social media usage globally, this study explored the association between body acceptance, body dysmorphia symptoms, and selfie behavior. We utilized a cross-sectional explanatory design and investigated the possible mediating and moderating role of body dysmorphia symptoms in the relationship between body acceptance and selfies among 506 …

Translation, Adaptation, And Validation Of Player Experience Of Need Satisfaction Scale (Pens) Modified Version In Malaysian Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (Moba) Players, Soo Ting T'Ng Dr, Khee Hoong Ho, Wen Sam Leong, Poh Chua Siah, Nurul Iman Binti Abdul Jalil, Kee Pau

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

This study aimed to translate, adapt, and validate the modified version of the Player Experience of Need Satisfaction (PENS) for Malaysian Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) players. The translation and adaptation process involved a rigorous procedure with nine mental health and linguistic experts. A non-probability sampling method was applied by recruiting 491 participants from the MOBA Facebook groups. The parallel analysis indicated a two-factor structure (autonomy and competence as one factor and relatedness as another factor). Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a better model fit for the translated version compared with the original English version, with satisfactory psychometric properties. Future studies …

Career Counseling With Foster Adolescents Transitioning To Adulthood: A Phenomenological Study Using A Psychoeducation Group Counseling Approach, Carly Paro-Tompkins, Elda Veloso Ph.D., Galaxina G. Wright, Jennifer Reeves, Samantha Both

The Qualitative Report

Young adults who age out of the foster care system face a unique set of challenges including increased risk of homelessness, substance use, mental health problems, and difficulty with employment. The current phenomenological study aims to understand participants’ experiences of Project P.A.T.H., a group psychoeducational group intervention aimed at improving self-efficacy, employment hope, and job search knowledge in individuals who were unemployed or underemployed and actively seeking employment. Participants were recruited through the FLITE Center, a nonprofit organization providing services supporting individuals transitioning out of the foster system. A total of 23 participants aged 18-26 participated in this study. The …

Factors Influencing Successful Community Reentry For Formerly Incarcerated Men Who Have Received Supportive Services: A Qualitative Study, Ryan W. Fechner

Theses and Graduate Projects

The current study examined reentry experience among men following incarceration to determine salient protective and risk factors. The study reviews the impacts of incarceration, previous factors of recidivism identified in research, and qualitative research conducted on justice-involved individuals. Using a grounded theory qualitative approach, nine men recruited from a substance use treatment program who were released from prison within the past five years were interviewed to explore protective and risk factors. Findings from the current study were consistent with previous research in identifying barriers to reentry, such as difficulties finding housing, employment, and transportation. Additional findings indicate the importance of …

Intrinsic Motivation Teaching Experiences Of Middle School Educators 4 Years After The Pandemic, Carmy Aristor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the educational landscape, significantly impacting middle school educators’ intrinsic motivation to teach. While research has extensively addressed the immediate impacts of the pandemic on education, there remains a gap in understanding how middle school educators make sense of their intrinsic motivation teaching experiences 4 years after the pandemic. Grounded in intrinsic motivation as the conceptual framework supported by the self-determination theory (SDT), the purpose of this qualitative study was to gain an understanding of the intrinsic motivation teaching experiences of middle school educators 4 years after the pandemic. The central research question examined the lived …

Be Mindful: Examining A Brief Mindfulness Intervention On Educator Well-Being, Oceann S. Gittens

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Teaching is currently rated as one of the topmost stressful occupations. Concerningly, chronic levels of stress can lead to poor mental and physical health, occupational burnout, and teacher attrition; all of which have a negative impact on student outcomes. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are commonly used to combat occupational stress by enhancing educator well-being. There is compelling evidence to support these types of interventions with teachers. However, the length of many MBIs may make them prohibitive for the average educator to participate in them. The literature suggests that a briefer format may be just as effective at reducing stress, but more …

African American Women’S Lived Experiences Of Adultification Bias And Emotional Well-Being, Carolyn Lovette Lanier

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While existing studies have explored the manifestations of adultification bias in various contexts, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding research on the emotional well-being of African American women who have navigated this bias. The purpose of this study was to understand how adultification bias manifests in the lives of African American women, to illuminate the nuances of how adultification bias unfolds in the lives of African American women, and to examine its presence within their emotional realms. The theoretical frameworks of adultification bias and emotional well-being ground the study. The key research questions centered on the specific …

Mental Health In Prisons: Examining Variations In Disorders Across Custody Levels, Ariel Bysiek

Dissertations and Theses

The United States has a significantly large prison population with the number of people currently in a correctional facility being 1.9 million. Concern has been increasingly growing related to treatment of individuals in prison, particularly when it comes to solitary confinement. Many people believe that solitary confinement is unnecessarily cruel and debilitating to AIC's mental health. Studies have found contradicting information as to whether solitary impacts mental health. Part of the reason for this contradiction stems from the lack of measurement systems that are appropriate for AICs. The measures used in studies are meant for the general population, not individuals …

Replicating Vignoles Et Al. Results On Multidimensional Self-Construal: Comparing The United States, East Asia, Southeast Asia, And Latin America, Jon Lorenz A. Lim

Master's Theses

Contemporary research on self-construal indicates that people define and perceive themselves either as independent or interdependent. Self-construal scales have become the most common method to quantitatively measure both types of self-construal across the United States, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Multidimensional measures of the self tend to be more accurate in defining the self than earlier dichotomous scales. In general, European Americans and Latin Americans perceived themselves as independent and East and Southeast Asians as interdependent. In the current study, undergraduate European American, East Asian American, Southeast Asian American, and Latin American students from San Jose State University …

The Relationship Between The Dark Triad And Perceived Career Mobility: The Moderating Role Of Perceived Organizational Support, Julia W. R. Leong

Master's Theses

Prior research on career mobility has found that personality is not a strong predictor of career mobility. However, these studies have mainly focused on the Big Five personality traits and have not looked into other personality traits as predictors. The present study has looked into alternate personality traits and their relationship with perceived internal and external career mobility. These traits were the Dark Triad traits, consisting of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. The present study hypothesized that each of the Dark Triad traits would positively predict both perceived internal and external career mobility and that perceived organizational support (POS) would moderate …

The Relationship Between Psychological Contract Breach And Work Motivation And Attitude Among Tech Employees: The Moderating Role Of Conscientiousness, Rama E. Khoury

Master's Theses

There has been some research on moderating factors of the relationship between psychological contract breach (PCB) and work engagement and affective commitment. However, most studies conducted have mainly focused on situational factors (e.g., job satisfaction, exchange imbalance), not on individual factors (e.g., personality traits). This research gap leaves a question in the role that personality traits play in influencing the negative consequences of PCB. The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating role of conscientiousness on the relationship between PCB and two outcomes, work engagement and affective commitment. Hypotheses were tested using 103 technology industry employees in the …

Evaluating Preference And Reinforcer Assessments For Distinct Social Interactions, Alecksandra Castaneda

Thesis Projects

The present study evaluated the efficacy of different assessments to assess reinforcer value and order of preference in regard to social interactions. A key component in this study was to expand on forms of social attention that have not typically been assessed, specifically non-physical. The lack of research in this area has led to an extension in understanding the effects of social attention in terms of reinforcement, as well as determining the optimal methods to do so. The researchers conducted a sequence of assessments across participants: concurrent operant reinforcer assessment, social interaction preference assessment, and multiple stimulus without replacement preference …

The Reluctant Heroes: How To Teach Younger Generations Every-Day Heroism Through Pedagogical Imagination, Jarema Drozdowicz

Heroism Science

This article explores the notion of pedagogical imagination in the context of its practical use in teaching young learners today. The idea of imagination is being presented through the lens of the existing concepts such as ethnographic, historical, and sociological imagination introduced in the social sciences and humanities by various authors. The educational setting of today’s digitalized reality is being understood here as a sociocultural sphere where different generations clash in their diverse abilities to learn and form specific skills that might help them to cope with difficult real life situations. The process of forming heroic behavior patterns is thus …

Discourse Analysis Of Partner-Focus In Intimate Partner Violence, Maureen Theresa Lowell

Dissertations and Theses

Intimate partner violence (IPV) involves behaviors that harm or threaten to harm an intimate partner; but more importantly, it involves the production of power and control in an intimate relationship that threatens a partner's liberty and wellbeing. As a wicked problem, IPV is challenging to unpack without reducing the complexities that give it its power. This study seeks to explore the complex nature of how abusive men's focus on their partner functions as a mechanism of abuse. To develop the concept of other-focus I draw on constructs of coercive control, power, and dominance. To investigate partner-focus, I conducted a discourse …

Study Habits And Examination Anxiety As Correlates Of Academic Performance Among Secondary School Students In Kwara State, Nigeria, Oyedotun Dolapo Ilori, Falilat A. Okesina, Patrick O. Akerele, Ifeoluwa Blessing Michael

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Examination anxiety and study habits seem to be a significant factor of academic performance. This study examined study habits and examination anxiety as correlates of academic performance among secondary school students in Kwara State, Nigeria. This study adopted a descriptive survey of correlational type. The population for the study consists of 235, 652 secondary school students, and the sample consists of 400 secondary school students. Two research questions were answered using frequency count, percentage and mean rank order while the three hypotheses formulated were tested using inferential statistics of Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation statistics (PPMC) and multiple regression analysis at …

“Try, Start, Do It”: Phil Zimbardo And The Heroes’ Square Foundation, Györgyi Orosz

Heroism Science

This article pays tribute to the life and legacy of Philip Zimbardo, emphasizing his transformative influence in Hungary through education, social engagement, and the science of heroism. The journey began with a 2012 invitation that brought Zimbardo to Budapest, ultimately leading to the foundation of the Heroes’ Square (Hősök Tere) initiative. His message—that heroism is not reserved for the exceptional but is accessible and teachable—became the core of nationwide programs focused on mindset, intervention behavior, and social responsibility. Zimbardo’s influence went beyond academia; he inspired personal and institutional change. The foundation’s programs, such as teacher trainings, the Hero School, and …

Iowa Test Scores Before And After Covid-19 In Early Adolescents, Carmel F. W. Ontoy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This paper addresses past research that examined the effects of COVID-19 on academics and presents a study further examining an area of academics before and after COVID-19. Research relating to COVID-19 has varied, studying correlations and effects on factors such as mental health and relationships. Researchers and educators projected various degrees of learning loss, and while some studies have revealed some loss, others have revealed little to no change. Further research is needed to continue developing researchers’ and educators’ understanding of how COVID-19 and the shift to online learning may have been related to learning and academics of young adolescents. …

Nutrition, Physical Activity, Faith, And C-Reactive Protein As Predictors Of Depression In A Large Prospective Sample, Rebecca L. Banning

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Depression is an increasingly common mental health concern and has been linked to both lifestyle factors and biological markers of inflammation. This study examined whether physical activity, dietary patterns, and religiosity/spirituality (R/S) predicted depression symptoms through their associations with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a widely used biomarker of inflammation. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, participants were assessed at Wave II (ages 12–20) and Wave IV (ages 24–32). Predictors included self-reported physical activity, proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory diet composites, and R/S engagement. Outcomes included concurrent and prospective depression symptoms, as well as hs-CRP concentrations. Results …

The Relationships Among Sleep Patterns, Memory, And Attention In School-Aged Children, Ryan Ta'shawna Blount

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explores the intricate relationships among sleep patterns, memory, and attention in school-aged children. Sleep is important for cognitive development, with studies suggesting that both quantity and quality of sleep significantly influence memory consolidation and attentional processes. Research indicates that insufficient or disrupted sleep can lead to deficits in working memory and sustained attention, negatively impacting academic performance and overall cognitive functioning. There is a lack of comprehensive studies that investigate how sleep disruptions impact both memory and attention during childhood. This study seeks to fill that gap by investigating the relationships among sleep, memory, and attention in school-aged …

Adult Romantic Attachment Styles, Attachment To God And Recidivism Risk Among Adult Male Sexual Offenders, Mary Crystal Wring

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the possible relationship between attachment to adult romantic partners and attachment to God style and sexual/violent recidivism risk scores. The study, also, sought to understand the lived experiences of adult male sexual offenders in relation to their family of origin, romantic partners, and with the Christian God. Participants (N=38) completed self-report questionnaires on their attachment styles to adult romantic partners (ECR-R) and to God (AGI). These scores were analyzed using chi-squared test of independence and multiple linear regression with scores of sexual/violent recidivism risk assessments performed by their probation or corrections officers (STATIC 99R, CPORT). This study …

Can You Slow Down A Ticking Clock? An Examination Of The Predictors Of Workaholism And How Each Influences A Correlation Between Workaholism And The Work-Life Balance Of Ncaa Division I Coaches, Brooke Elizabeth Yerger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is one of the largest companies in the world. It is responsible for generating millions of dollars through various sporting events, including the College World Series, the College Football Playoffs, and March Madness. However, this industry is prone to high stress levels, workaholism, and poor work-life balance among the coaches employed by NCAA institutions. Lower work-life balance levels can result in poor overall well-being. These coaches are responsible not only for themselves and their families, but also for the many student-athletes they interact with. If they are not satisfied, their ability to interact positively …