Psychology Commons^™

Self-Connection As A Mediator Between Exercise And Well-Being, Lauren Esmay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Scientists and health professionals have established the connection among physical activity and overall wellbeing. In more recent years, scholars have also researched the correlation among increased self-connection with increased overall well-being. Nevertheless, insignificant data has been gathered to investigate the impact of predictor variables upon the connection between exercise and wellbeing. This research study examined the mediating effect of self-connection among the relationship between exercise and wellbeing. The current study’s purpose was to gain better insights on how self-connection predicts a person’s physical activity, contributing to comprehensive insights how exercise habits may predict a person’s wellbeing by using a cross-sectional …

Brain–Computer Interface Integration In Mental Health: Clinician Perspectives On Diagnostic Efficacy And Ethical Implications, Serena D. Sanders

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored the integration of brain–computer interface (BCI) technology into mental health care, focusing on clinicians' perceptions, ethical concerns, and the practical challenges associated with its adoption. As technological advancements in healthcare continue to reshape clinical practices, understanding how emerging technologies like BCI can be incorporated into therapeutic settings is essential. The purpose of this research was to examine clinician perspectives on the potential benefits of and barriers to BCI and to explore the ethical implications of its use in therapy. Guided by the technology acceptance model and the ethical decision-making framework, this qualitative study utilized semi structured interviews …

From Trauma To Triumph: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Posttraumatic Growth In Children’S Animated Films, Crystal Victoria Tasker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Children’s animated films have often been analyzed for problematic depictions of gender and cultural stereotypes, but far less attention has been given to how these narratives may portray psychological adversity and transformation. This study addressed this gap by examining how posttraumatic growth (PTG) is symbolized through the narrative arcs of ten Disney films released between 2013 and 2023. The purpose of this research was to explore how these films illustrate themes of emotional transformation, utilizing a theoretical foundation based on Tedeschi and Calhoun’s PTG model, which emphasizes five domains of growth following adversity: appreciation of life, enhanced relationships, personal strength, …

Quien Soy Sin Mi Idioma Nativo?: The Loss Of The Spanish Language And Its Effects On Identity, Wilzaid L. Santiago-Maldonado

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

Language is a mechanism of cultural preservation. The history of language has two parts: 1. the technical aspects and 2. how it is diffused and/or becomes extinct. According to the U.S. Census Data, the Hispanic population has grown immensely over the past several decades, particularly from 1980-2020. Even so, there has been significant loss of the Spanish language. The researcher examined this phenomenon in two phases. First, 14 peer-reviewed articles published between 2008-2024 were assessed to determine emerging themes. Results showed that articles cited “the lack of knowledge/use” of Spanish and the “language/cultural dominance.” Second, the researcher conducted four focus …

A Functional Mri Meta-Analysis Encoding In Alzheimer’S Disease, Joanne Ha

Master's Theses

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by episodic memory impairment. Numerous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have examined brain activity differences between individuals with AD and age-matched controls during memory encoding. However, small sample sizes and methodological variability across studies have limited the ability to draw meaningful conclusions regarding brain activity underlying encoding impairments. We conducted a meta-analysis to identify consistent patterns of hyperactivity and hypoactivity in AD during episodic memory encoding. Using PubMed to identify studies that met our inclusion criteria, 1,002 studies were screened; ultimately, seven studies were included in …

Consciousness And Magic: A Tribute To Allan Leslie Combs, Sharon G. Mijares Phd

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This article discusses the originating and continuing ideas associated with the Society for Consciousness Studies (SCS). More than a historical account, the evolution of the SCS mirrors the revelatory and unifying experiences of members as they pursue the understanding of non-local and non-ordinary consciousness through lenses such as synchronicity and the imaginal realm. This tribute encompasses parapsychological emphases interwoven with mythological, shamanic, spiritual, and literary art, drawing parallels between Parmenides’s journey to the underworld and the exploration of “magic” in science. Primarily, the essay focuses on the contributions of Allan Leslie Combs and his capacity for uniting various contributions and …

Implicit Weight Bias Among Men In Allied Health Career Fields, Jessica Jensen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quantitative study observed if there was a difference in the presence of implicit weight bias in men who work in allied health fields versus men not in allied health fields. Age and ethnicity (Hispanic/Non-Hispanic) were also observed in these groups as moderating factors to see if they also had differences in the effects between groups. The purpose of this study was to utilize an electronic weight-implicit association test (W-IAT) to identify any significant differences in the presence of weight bias between the two groups. Implicit weight bias in this population is problematic in that implicit bias, particularly implicit weight …

Reward-Based Prioritization In Working Memory Is Distinct From Recency And Due To A Resource Trade-Off, Timothy J. Ricker, Christopher J. Cagna, Tien T. Tong, Ekaterina Dobryakova, Joshua Sandry

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Prioritized items within working memory often show higher accuracy or faster response times at test. This prioritization benefit is thought to reflect the memory representation being within the focus of attention. The literature on prioritization effects lacks consistency in whether prioritization benefits manifest as a benefit to speed, accuracy, or both, implying that some findings may reflect a speed-accuracy tradeoff rather than improved memory representation. In the present work, we use drift-diffusion modeling to test two theoretical questions regarding prioritization effects without the possibility of a confounding speed-accuracy tradeoff. First, we test whether prioritization effects rely on shifting limited working …

Disease Burden Attributable To Intimate Partner Violence Against Females And Sexual Violence Against Children In 204 Countries And Territories, 1990–2023: A Systematic Analysis For The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2023, Gbd 2023 Intimate Partner Violence And Sexual Violence Against Children Collaborators, Sarvenaz Taridashti

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background

Violence against women and against children are human rights violations with lasting harms to survivors and societies at large. Intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence against children (SVAC) are two major forms of such abuse. Despite their wide-reaching effects on individual and community health, these risk factors have not been adequately prioritised as key drivers of global health burden. Comprehensive x§and reliable estimates of the comparative health burden of IPV and SVAC are urgently needed to inform investments in prevention and support for survivors at both national and global levels.

Methods

We estimated the prevalence and attributable burden …

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Ai And Racism: 6 Reasons Black People Need Digital Literacy, Brianna A. Baker

Publications and Research

Key Points

• AI often reflects racial bias in its training data, which can distort how Black people are represented.
• Psychological stress increases when digital tools misunderstand or misinterpret Black experiences.
• Digital literacy strengthens emotional wellbeing by helping users recognize and counter biased outputs.

Predictors Of Sexual Violence Prevalence At U.S. Colleges And Universities, Theodore Daniel Hostikka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This research explored the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault among students at U.S. colleges and universities, aiming to quantify incident rates and assess their impact on academic and psychological well-being. Grounded in socioecological and intersectional theories, the research examined how environmental interactions and interconnected social identities shape individual experiences. Specifically, this research explored (a) the link between the percentage of female students and the prevalence of sexual violence on campuses; (b) how the proportion of first-generation students relates to sexual violence prevalence; (c) the connection between campus size and rates of sexual violence; and (d) whether gender makeup, first-year …

I Can’T Believe It’S Not Social: Investigating The Relationship Between Loneliness, Parasocial Relationships, And Potential Moderators, Hannah I. Suozzi

Master's Theses

Increased loneliness trends coincide with increased media use. Media is turned to as a source of comfort and distraction from the real world. There is cause to believe that people also use media as a way to form parasocial relationships (PSRs), one-sided relationships audiences form with media figures (i.e., celebrities, influencers, and fictional characters). The connection between loneliness and PSR is thought to be moderated by social vulnerability, particularly the need to belong (NTB) and ethnicity. The medium from which PSRs originate lacks empirical study. To address the limitations, this study analyzed data collected from San Jose State University students …

Part I: Building Stronger Camp Communities Through Motivation As A Connected Process, Kelley Freridge

CompassPoint

Every summer, millions of children, youth, and young adult staff members gather in camp communities seeking adventures, community, and growth. They arrive carrying stories of who they are and who they might become. While some camp professionals have explored the existing research on motivation, many still struggle with this question: how do we move beyond temporary, programmatic reward-driven compliance or temporary entertainment-centered enthusiasm to spark genuine, sustained engagement that transforms both individuals and the community?

Art Therapists' Experience Utilizing Virtual Reality’S Multibrush In Group Art Making With Young Adults., Lidice Cohen

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

Young adults aged 20-35 experience disproportionately high rates of mental health conditions yet exhibit low treatment-seeking behaviors, creating a significant care gap. Digital interventions—particularly Virtual Reality (VR)—show promise for reaching this tech-savvy group. The primary research question explored art therapists' insights utilizing this modality, while a secondary aim examined whether creating VR response art (VRRA) enhanced understanding of the group process. Three credentialed art therapists and nine young adults participated, sharing insights via interviews after VR group sessions and VRRA creation. Thematic analysis revealed that adaptation to VR influenced group dynamics, self-expression through embodiment, collaboration, boundary management, sensory stimulation, and …

The Timing Of Pubertal Onset Affects Adults Anxiety Behavior In A Sex-Specific Manner, Evan Raubenolt

Honors Projects

This study aims to look at the relationship between the timing of pubertal onset and its long-term effects on adult anxiety behavior in rats. Though the topic of pubertal onset has been frequently discussed in developmental research, its exact effects have been inconsistent. Human models have shown that early and late maturing males are associated with a notable increase in adult anxiety behavior, while in rat models, similar sex-specific effects regarding anxiety have been demonstrated, though those studies focus on a causal relationship between exposure to stress and age of pubertal onset. This study first aims to examine that relationship …

Closeness, Conflict, And Achievement: The Role Of Parent–Child Relationships In Homeschooled And Public-Schooled Children, Celeste Gonçalves Tomaz

Honors Capstones

The parent–child relationship has been found to be a predictor of children’s academic and socio-emotional outcomes, with parent-child closeness linked to motivation and persistence (Mo & Singh, 2008; Silinskas & Kikas, 2022) and parent-child conflict associated with emotional and behavioral difficulties (Dotterer et al., 2008; Pinquart, 2017). The homeschooling context may increase these associations since children spend more time with their parents, who have caregiving and instructional roles (Padilla, 2021; Thomas, 2016). Even with growing research on academic and socio-emotional outcomes, few studies have examined whether the strength of the parent–child relationship is influenced negatively or positively by schooling type. …

The Reception Of Neurodiversity Represented Within Netflix’S Wednesday, Anna Stevens

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

This paper explores how neurodiversity is represented through popular media - particularly Netflix's show Wednesday - and aims to discuss the effects this representation could have in regards to how it's received by the public, as well as those who are neurodiverse.

Islamic Prophetic Counseling: An Intervention Strategy In Developing Students' Noble Character, Hardi Santosa, Ahmad Zaki Annafiri, Iin Inawati, Akhmad Fajar Prasetya, Muhammad Sabri Bin Sahrir

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study aims to test the effectiveness of Islamic prophetic counseling in developing students' noble morals. The research method uses a true experiment involving a control group. The selection of the control group uses the waiting-list control group model, with consideration of the ethical aspects of the study. The research sample involved 244 students captured the profile of noble morals and their spiritual activism. While the hypothesis test involved 50 students who were divided into control and experimental groups. The sample selection was carried out randomly with the random assignment technique. The research data were collected using a noble moral …

Trauma-Informed Leaders: Shifting The Paradigm Of Professional Suicide Prevention, Janina Cich

Forensic Scholars Today

Trauma-informed Leaders: Shifting the Paradigm of Professional Suicide Prevention highlights how trauma-informed leadership can transform suicide prevention in law enforcement and other high-stress helping professions. Reflecting on current suicide data and first-responder research, the article outlines early warning signs, intervention strategies, and organizational wellness practices that drive agencies from reactive crisis response to proactive, culturally responsive care. Practical recommendations include leader-supported peer teams, sleep and micro-break interventions, and resilience-focused supports that foster psychological safety, reduce stigma, and normalize help‑seeking across the organization.

Forensic Neuroscience: A Brief Introduction, Jerrod Brown

Forensic Scholars Today

Forensic neuroscience is an emerging, multidisciplinary field that applies brain science to forensic mental health, criminal justice, and legal decision-making. This article summarizes how neuroscience can inform assessments, evaluations of criminal responsibility, case planning, treatment, and prevention for justice-involved populations, highlighting complementary disciplines and the need for ethical guidance, replication of findings, and specialized education before broad adoption in legal settings.

Development And Evaluation Of The Sex Positivity Inventory For Counselors, M. Ashley Burks, Jennifer Gerlach, Joshua C. Watson

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

The purpose of the study was to clarify the definition of sex positivity and identify sex-positive attitudes, knowledge, and skills through the development and evaluation of the Sex Positivity Inventory for Counselors (SPI-C). The exploratory factor analysis supported a six-factor, 34-item scale, accounting for 32.9% of the variance within the study. The SPI-C had an excellent internal consistency of 0.96 and consisted of the following factors: 1) Procedural Sex Positivity, 2) Comfortability with Sexuality, 3) Perceived Sex Positivity, 4) Fundamental Sex Education, 5) Sexological Worldview, and 6) Unconditional Positive Sexual Regard. Implications for practice, counselor education, and supervision are discussed.

Collaborating With An Autism Community Advisory Board To Develop A Family-Based, Neurodiversity-Affirming Intervention: Pcit-Autism, Lauren B. Quetsch, Emily Shah, Julia Kiefer

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

BackgroundParent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) has been effectively implemented for autistic youth and their families who need help reducing disruptive behaviors, promoting language development, and enhancing the parent-child relationship. However, like most autism-based interventions, the PCIT protocol was originally adapted for (rather than with or by) the autism community. A new wave of intervention research calls for input from autism advocates throughout each phase of the research process. The present study signifies the first step in the development and implementation of a pilot PCIT program with autistic youth and their families (i.e., PCIT-Autism).MethodsAcademic researchers collaborated alongside an Autism Community Advisory Board …

Semantic Networks In Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Exhibit Reduced Efficiency, Interconnectivity, And Flexibility, Sophia Lall, Jennifer Pardo, Joshua Sandry

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background

Word-finding deficits are common in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (pwRRMS); this may be related to the inefficient organization of semantic information.

Objective

To understand whether the semantic organization and semantic retrieval are impacted in pwRRMS.

Methods

Semantic fluency data from 64 pwRRMS and 73 controls was utilized to (1) derive standard verbal fluency measures using the Semantic Network and Fluency Utility R package and (2) build semantic networks via the correlation-based network approach in the SemNet R package. Subjective word-finding concerns were assessed in a subgroup of the sample. Group differences were evaluated.

Results

PwRRMS endorsed more frequent …

Gambling Behaviors, Perceptions, And Risks Among Nevada Adults, Andrea Dassopoulos

International Gaming Institute Faculty Research

This study presents a statewide assessment of gambling behaviors, perceptions, and gambling-related risk among 1,078 Nevada adults. Using a mixed-source, population-calibrated survey developed by UNLV and NORC, the research measures gambling participation, motivations, venue exposure, and attitudes toward harm, treatment, and regulation. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) identifies substantial levels of harm: nearly half of past-year gamblers show some degree of risk, with the highest rates among younger adults, racially diverse groups, gaming and hospitality workers, and those who gamble in neighborhood bars or slot parlors. The survey also documents public beliefs about gambling addiction, youth exposure, stigma, and …

A Thought Paper For Allan Leslie Combs, Glennie Sewell

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This personal reflection honors Allan Leslie Combs through an intimate process letter written while the author studied under Combs in a doctoral course on consciousness studies. Exploring themes of spiritual authenticity, the nature of reality, and the pursuit of unity consciousness, the author grapples with integrating mystical experience with academic inquiry. The piece reveals the transformative influence of Combs’s teaching and embodies the vulnerable, introspective scholarship he championed, ultimately exploring the author’s own emerging vision of unity consciousness as a path toward creating collective human unity.

Keywords: consciousness studies, unity consciousness, spiritual integration, transformative education, contemplative practice, creative writing, Allan …

The Power Of Positive Lesbian Representation In Television: How It Affects The Well-Being And Identity Formation Of Lgbtq+ Adults, Brittany Berry

University Honors Theses

To date, there are no studies which explore the effects that positively represented Black and lesbian characters in television have on LGBTQ viewers. Exposure to LGBTQ characters has the potential to validate LGBTQ identities and improve well-being. A comprehensive literature review and quantitative analysis using Żerebecki et. al.'s codebook reveals there are simply not enough characters depicted to provide such research. In an attempt to demonstrate the qualities possessed by positively portrayed Black, lesbian characters, this study analyses Taissa Turner from the hit series Yellowjackets available on the streaming network Paramount+.

The Phenomenology Of Auditory Verbal Hallucinations: A Literature Review, Daniel Wellock, David Erekson

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

AVHs are experienced by 75% of persons with schizophrenia, and they are characterized by verbal experiences that do not arise through an audible sensation. AVHs often cause debilitating comorbid symptoms and understanding them is important to ameliorate these outcomes. This paper is a literature review of studies surrounding the phenomenology of AVHs in schizophrenia. We gathered 26 papers through using the APAPsychnet and Web of Knowledge databases. We found that negative emotional valence was characteristic of AVHs in schizophrenia. Furthermore, AVHs appeared to have a distinct linguistic and tonal profile and affected behavior significantly. A command subtype, a hypervigilance subtype, …

Disclosing Mental Disorders: Whether, When, How, And With Whom To Share A Mental Disorder Diagnosis To Maximize The Likelihood Of Receiving A Positive Response, Eli Z. Hendricks

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Individuals with mental disorders face complex decisions about whether, when, how, and to whom they disclose their diagnosis. Disclosure is significant because it can lead to both substantial positive and negative outcomes. This review examined how disclosure outcomes differ across five major classifications of mental disorders. Through a search of three academic databases, 23 relevant articles were identified and analyzed. Findings indicate that both the likelihood and type of disclosure outcomes vary considerably by diagnosis. Furthermore, the optimal disclosure strategy, which maximizes the likelihood of positive outcomes, is unique for each disorder. The optimal timing, context, and audience are also …

A Pilot Study Of Life Model Informed Therapy And Its Efficacy For Reducing Anxiety And Increasing Joy In Adults, William R. Mouer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This pilot study researched Life Model Informed Therapy (LMIT), a modality developed into a six-week treatment targeted to decrease anxiety and increase joy in adults that self-reported as having anxiety. Fourteen participants were recruited by Facebook ads in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Outcome data were collected using the State Joy Scale (SJS) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Participants received the same LMIT treatment for six consecutive, weekly, one-hour sessions. Participants self-reported on their joy and anxiety levels at three periods of time, including a pre-treatment, post-treatment and one month after-treatment test. Two one-way RM-ANOVA tests were conducted. Results of …

From Shame To Self-Compassion: Understanding The Experiences And Characteristics Of Self-Identified White Anti-Racist Clinical Counselors In Maine, Rachel B. Wells

Counseling and Psychology Dissertations

Following the rise of the cultural competence movement, clinical counselors demonstrate a fundamental paradox of perpetuating and mitigating racial oppression within the mental health field. There is a growing need for accountability and systemic change as demographic and sociopolitical shifts occur across Maine and the nation. Grounded in Critical Race and Critical Feminist theories, this critical narrative qualitative study explored the experiences, characteristics, and interests served by seven White, self-identified anti-racist clinical counselors in Maine. Clinicians participated in semi-structured interviews, which were then analyzed using a feminist voice-centered relational method, the Listening Guide. Findings revealed the significance of witnessing the …