Psychology Commons^™

Impact Of Acute Stress On Circadian Rhythm Regulation Of Locomotor Activity In Syrian Hamsters, Raquel A. Villarreal, Laura E. Garcia, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Disruptions of circadian rhythms, caused by factors such as environmental changes or stress, are linked to health conditions, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and mood disorders. Circadian rhythm disturbances are particularly relevant for understanding the etiology of conditions like insomnia, depression, and anxiety. The circadian rhythm, primarily regulated by the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in the hypothalamus, coordinates biological processes to align with daily environmental cycles. Acute stress, especially when experienced immediately upon waking, has been shown to disrupt these rhythms, impair sleep regulation, and exacerbate mood dysregulation. Given the significant clinical implications, understanding how stress impacts circadian rhythms is …

Systemic Functioning Of Puerto Rican Families With A Cancer Patient, Nicole Velez Agosto

Research Symposium

Background: Systemic family interventions with Latino families that have a cancer patient have been suggested as effective and necessary, but few studies have focused on evaluating systemic functioning to design culturally relevant interventions. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to assess systemic functioning in Puerto Rican families with a cancer patient using the Spanish translated version of the Family Genogram Interview (FGI) that measures Bowen’s four emotional processes in nuclear family and family of origin.

Methods: Translation and cultural adaptation of the Family Genogram Interview in Spanish was done following a modified version of Erkutt and collegues (1999) dual-focus …

The Relationship Between Closed-Loop Auditory Stimulation During Sleep And Eeg On Memory Consolidation, Hector Patricio Valverde

Psychology ETDs

Slow-wave sleep is critical for consolidating information into long-term memory. Past research has found this process can be enhanced using closed-loop auditory stimulation (CLAS), where pink noise tones are timed to slow oscillations using live EEG to increase slow wave amplitude and synchronize connections across the neocortex, thalamus, and hippocampus. In this study, subjects slept in our laboratory while receiving counterbalanced sham or verum CLAS. Memory retention scores were calculated using a paired associates word task completed before and after sleep. Subjective sleep quality scores were also obtained. A total of 33 verum and 35 sham nights of data were …

An Investigation Into The Efficacy Of Self-Monitoring And Mixed Schedules For Reducing Stereotypy In Children With Autism, Ryan J. Hinderliter

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with disabilities, especially children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), often engage in problem behaviors that can have a negative impact on their quality of life. This study explored the application of self-monitoring (SM) and mixed schedules as alternative strategies for reducing stereotypy in children with autism. Stereotypy (STPY) is a repetitive motor behavior commonly observed in individuals with autism. The study employed a multiple baseline across participants design with three participants ages 6 and 14, diagnosed with autism, and exhibiting STPY as the target behavior. After participant selection, a baseline phase was followed by three treatment conditions: Differential Reinforcement …

Experiences Of Grandparenting During Covid-19 For Grandparents Geographically Distanced From Their Grandchildren, Eva Louise Benevit

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since 2015, the number of retirees relocating after retirement has increased significantly, leading grandparents to be distant from their grandchildren. Isolation and distance from families has increased due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to high rates of loneliness and isolation for older adults. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore experiences during COVID-19 for grandparents geographically distanced from their grandchildren. This research was grounded using Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory, with a focus on the maturity stage, and thematic analysis was used to guide interviews and analysis. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit five …

Exploring Stressors And Coping Mechanisms Among Esperanza Community Residents Seeking Healthcare At The C.D. Doyle Clinic, Kashish Sawant, Alexander Carruth, Lucas Williams, Miriam Yampuler, Krishna Hariprasad, Pranavi Kolli

Research Symposium

Background: The C.D. Doyle Clinic (CDD) is a student-run free clinic that operates as an acute care center in the Esperanza Community (EC), a state sanctioned encampment in Southeast Austin supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. Residents of EC are provided with access to low-cost insurance, employment opportunities, and community support by The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF). However, studies have indicated that home-insecure individuals experience a heightened level of stress, due to causes such as social estrangement, systemic inadequacies in support structures, and financial instability¹. While CDD primarily addresses acute wellness needs, the clinic hopes to establish more collaboration with …

The Role Of The Female Reproductive Cycle In Social Communication And Relevance To Mental Health, Julissa Amaro Castillo, Fernando Dominguez, Ariana Hinojosa, Giselle Padilla, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

The female reproductive cycle is characterized by fluctuating hormones, including estrogens and progesterone, that are involved in reproductive health; however, they have also been linked to disorders like Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), mood swings, depression and others. The goal of this study is to use the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) as an animal model to examine the influence of the reproductive cycle and hormones on behavior. Scent-marking activity known as flank marking is exhibited by territorial or sociable animals. In essence, animals mark their territory or convey information such as reproductive status by rubbing their flanks or …

Harmony In Healing: Investigating The Impact Of Music Therapy Reduction, Literature Review, Joshua K. Mcelliott, Nina Mourao, Bethany Woolman, Shizue Mito, Ney Alliey Rodriguez

Research Symposium

Background: Various treatments exist for treating anxiety disorders, and a therapy that appears to show promise is music therapy (MT). This includes using methods such as listening to music, structured musical activities, and improvisational musical activities. MT has shown efficacy in a wide range of settings including individuals with severe mental illness, cancer patients1,2, children, adults, in-patient care, and out-patient care.

Methods: This literature review aimed to evaluate current research on the efficacy of music therapy for treating anxiety. The guidelines for selecting which studies to review are as follows:

1. Publication date: only studies published after 2000 were included to …

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Effects Of Arginine-Vasopressin In The Brain On Cardiovascular Function In A Psychosocial Stress Animal Model, Esmeralda Lopez-Garcia, Ariana V. Hinojosa, Esperanza I. Alaniz, Fernando Dominguez, Giselle Padilla, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Psychosocial stress impacts cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of events like myocardial infarction (MI), stress cardiomyopathy, and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Anxiety. However, our understanding of the biological mechanisms that connect psychosocial stress with negative cardiovascular and psychological outcomes remains incomplete. Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is linked to both mental and physical health by regulating social behavior, blood pressure, and anxiety-related behaviors. This study investigates the potential cardioprotective effects of the neuropeptide AVP, in an effort to generate evidence that it may strengthen heart function and lessen the severity of adverse cardiovascular events caused by stress, brain …

Personal Pronoun Comprehension In Addressed And Non-Addressed Situations In Autistic And Nonautistic Preschoolers, Jonet Artis, Rhiannon Luyster, Lily Carroll, Angela Xiaoxue He, Sudha Arunachalam

Emerson Authors, Researchers, & Creators

This research paper explores the role of speaker, listener and real-time social attention for pronoun comprehension in autistic and nonautistic children in the northeast United States. We assessed the pronoun comprehension of 22 autistic children (average age of 62 months, range 46–80 months) and 22 nonautistic children (average age 44 months, range 30–57 months) matched on expressive vocabulary scores. We evaluated the first- and second-person possessive pronoun comprehension (“my” and “your”) using a game in which two experimenters hid stickers and provided clues to their location by providing a verbal clue (e.g. “It’s in your box”) with accompanying gaze to …

Online/Hybrid School Psychology Student Perceptions Of Distance Program Modalities, Allyson Baloga, Kelsie Arch, Amy Drinnon, Angie Howard

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

NASP (2021) provides recommendations for distance education (DE) in school psychology, however, this guidance lacks input from students with lived experiences. To address this gap, a survey was completed by 106 current and recently graduated online/hybrid graduate students in school psychology. Descriptive statistics, qualitative trends, and comparative analyses were utilized to examine responses. Findings illuminate student perceptions of preparedness and highlight the need for, and impact of, the flexibility and convenience afforded by DE.

The Athletes’ Plate: Understanding Influences Of Athletes’ Eating Attitudes, Exercise Behaviors, And Body Image Satisfaction, Delanie Patterson, Brooklynn Raacke, Ryssa Schlaefli

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Delanie Patterson¹, Brooklynn Raacke¹, and Ryssa Schlaefli²

¹Department of Psychology, Fort Hays State University

²Department of Health and Human Performance, Fort Hays State University

Faculty Sponsors: Brooke Mann¹, Ph.D. and Jessica Phelan², Ph.D.

¹Department of Psychology, Fort Hays State University

²Department of Health and Human Performance, Fort Hays State University

Hays, Kansas

Introduction: Disordered eating (DE), compulsive exercise (CE), and body image satisfaction (BIS) negatively affect male and female athletes. These variables each have a core symptomology but continue to evolve with the increased usage of social …

The Healing Potential Of The Use Of Racial Socialization By School Counselors For African American Students, Vameker Banks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American adolescents experience racial discrimination incidents more frequently than their peers from other racial backgrounds. Racial socialization (RS) has been proven to be effective in assisting African American youth in coping with racial stressors. School counselors play a crucial role in supporting African American youth dealing with race-related stress (RRS). Research has focused on the use of RS among African American parents and children, yet there is a research gap regarding the use of RS among school counselors. Further research is necessary to explore how school counselors implement RS to help students cope with and respond to stressful discriminatory …

When Grief Comes To Court: Supporting Bereaved Court Involved Youth, Lane Pease, Erin Richter

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Youth who are court involved have higher rates of bereavement than the general population. Learn how grief impacts youth involved in the Juvenile Court. This session will focus on how bringing together court stakeholders and partnering with outside experts to provide grief support can decrease further court involvement and lead to positive outcomes.

Investigating The Relationship Among Environmental Factors, Reproductive Status, And Stress In A Preclinical Model Of Endocrine Function In Women’S Translational Health, Bianca A. Camacho, Laura Emma Garcia, Raquel Villarreal, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: The average menstrual cycle of a healthy adult woman is a duration of approximately 28 days, during which in the follicular phase (first 14 days) the progesterone hormone is at a stable level while estrogen increases to its peak level on day 14. Day 14 is known as ovulation, during which progesterone increases during its Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge while estrogen decreases. Menses, known colloquially as a woman’s “period,” begins approximately at day 14 after ovulation and lasts an average of 7 days. The luteal phase, otherwise known as the secretory phase, lasts for the remaining 14 days until …

Exploring The Effects Of Serotonin And Ssris On The Neurological, Behavioral, And Cardiovascular Systems Under Induced Stress –Using The Animal Model Of The Syrian Hamster, Ariana V. Hinojosa, Esperanza I. Alaniz, Esmeralda Lopez-Garcia, Giselle Padilla, Fernando Dominquez, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has been found to have a wide range of effects on not just the neuropsychological processes but has also been found to exert effects outside the central nervous system (CNS); regulating numerous biological processes, such as metabolism, gastrointestinal system, reproductive function, and even the cardiovascular system. However, there is still a limited understanding of how serotonin affects all these systems due to its complexity and ability to regulate homeostasis. This project aims to create a stronger foundation of knowledge about serotonin and its influence on the interaction between the CNS, behavior, and cardiac function …

Adult Sexual Grooming: A Systematic Review, Christin Aletky, Bonita Sharma, Jose Carbajal, Tia Eubank

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

Grooming is the manipulation and intimidation of people into acts that may appear consensual but are in fact exploitative and harmful, activities they would not have chosen otherwise. Different legal definitions and shifting social perspectives on consent complicate efforts to determine whether a given behavior is a result of informed consent or a response to grooming behaviors. Most studies on grooming and sexual assault focus on adults grooming and abusing children—research on adults grooming other adults is scarce. Therefore, the purpose of our study is to conduct a systematic review of current research on the grooming of adults. We used …

Predictors Of Mental Health Seeking Behaviors Among Nigerian Immigrants, Francisca Iroh-Donawa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Understanding the mental health seeking attitudes (MHSA) of Nigerian immigrants is a social concern for psychologists as it provides valuable information for developing outreach and clinical interventions. Unfortunately, there is scant and inconclusive research addressing potential predictors of MHSA among Nigerian immigrants, thus leaving clinicians with an unclear picture in understanding and the promoting the wellbeing of this vulnerable population. To address this gap, this study utilized the theory of planned behavior and Berry’s model of acculturation to explore if acculturation (positively), length of stay in host country (positively), religious and spiritual beliefs (negatively), and gender (women higher than men) …

The Associations Of Negative And Disorganization Symptoms With Verbal Fluency In Schizophrenia: The Mediation Effect Of Processing Speed And Cognitive Flexibility, Ernest Marek Tyburski, Ewa Zawadzka, Adrianna Bober, Ewa Karabanowicz, Piotr Podwalski, Jerzy Samochowiec, Anna Michalczyk, Leszek Sagan, Ashok Jansari, Shane T. Mueller, Michał Harciarek, Błażej Misiak, Karolina Lutkiewicz, Krzysztof Wietrzyński, Jolanta Kucharska-Mazur, Artur Reginia, Monika Mak

Michigan Tech Publications

Background: Psychopathological symptoms appear important for cognitive functions in schizophrenia. Nevertheless, the factors and their impact on relationships between negative or disorganization symptoms and verbal fluency are still debatable. The preliminary objective of the study was to compare verbal fluency, including clustering and switching as cognitive strategies, executive functions, and processing speed between individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) and healthy controls (HC). The main aim of the study was to investigate mediation models and identify whether relationships between negative and disorganization symptoms and verbal fluency in schizophrenia are mediated by cognitive flexibility and processing speed. Methods: Semantic (animal and fruit) and …

If You Were A Sesame Street Character, Which One Would You Be? Natural Language Processing And Personality With Big Bird And Friends, Joseph Uran Meyer

Doctoral Dissertations

This paper examined and compared several natural language processing and machine learning techniques in predicting self-reported Big Five personality traits from text responses. The models were validated on the open-source 2019 SIOP Machine Learning Competition dataset (N = 1,689). The techniques evaluated included bag-of-words, Empath dictionary, LSTM networks, fine-tuning Transformer models, and stacked generalization. Results indicated that the present study’s models had lower error in four of the five constructs analyzed. Limitations of the study include use of an MTurk sample and small sample size. Future research should explore similar techniques on larger applicant samples. Practical implications and contributions to …

The Moderating Effect Of Empathy On The Relationship Between Psychological Reactance And Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration, Victoria Anne Rukus

Doctoral Dissertations

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a phenomenon found across cultures, genders, and sexualities. Those who are victimized are more likely to experience negative health and psychological outcomes than those who have not and are also at an increased risk for becoming perpetrators themselves. This has resulted in a significant need to identify the risk factors associated with perpetrators, so cycles of violence can be broken and violence can be prevented. Previous research has utilized a predominately feminist perspective to understand IPV perpetration risk factors and has focused predominately on exclusively male samples. Additional research is needed to develop a broader …

Social Mobility: What We Haven’T Talked About, Jacinth Tan

Asian Management Insights

More balanced understanding may curb unintended negative outcomes. While social mobility provides opportunities for a better life and societal progress, it can also lead to significant challenges, including burnout from hypercompetitive environments, feelings of isolation due to cultural mismatches, and self-blame stemming from the myth of meritocracy. Strengthening social safety nets and providing supportive environments in educational institutions and workplaces can help mitigate the unintended psychological and social costs of mobility. A nuanced approach to social mobility that acknowledges external systemic and psychological barriers, and fosters inclusivity, is necessary to ensure upward mobility benefits society while lowering the risk of …

Exploring Parent Self-Efficacy In Children's Digital Device Use: Understanding Shame And Self-Stigma Through A Mixed-Methods Approach, Stephanie C. Milford, Lynette Vernon, Joseph J. Scott, Nicola F. Johnson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study utilized a mixed-methods approach to explore the relationship between shame, parental self-stigma, and parental self-efficacy in managing children's digital device use, while considering societal pressure and social media influence. Data was collected via an online survey administered to parents of school-aged children. The sample included 394 predominantly female Australian parents. Quantitative analyses, including confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, were complemented by qualitative thematic inductive content analysis. Results indicated a significant mediation effect of self-stigma on the relationship between shame and self-efficacy. Qualitative analysis revealed themes of societal pressure, judgement-based pressure, and social media pressure, highlighting contextual …

Job Demands And Resources: A Look At The Vha Workforce To Support Dod Goals, Anthony J. Rivera

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the relationships between job demands, job resources, burnout, turnover intention, and workplace attitudes among employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) through the lens of the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model. The findings reveal both expected and novel insights. Consistent with prior research, the study confirms that excessive job demands, without enough resources to balance then, lead to burnout. This, in turn, increases turnover intention and negatively affects how employees view leadership and the work environment. A significant discovery, however, challenges conventional assumptions: favorable job demands were positively correlated with turnover intention, suggesting that employees in favorable roles …

Cognitive Warfare In The South China Sea: Analyzing Media Influence And Public Opinion In Taiwan, Wyatt F. Blatti

Theses and Dissertations

In a time where conflict extends beyond traditional battlefields, cognitive warfare emerges as a powerful tool to influence perceptions and gain strategic advantages. This study investigates China’s cognitive warfare strategies against Taiwan through trend analysis, topic modeling, and sentiment analysis of news media articles from March 2013 to August 2024 to uncover evolving techniques and mitigation efforts. The findings highlight the potential for tracking cognitive campaigns overtime but will require more than news media alone and suggests future research to better understand indicators of cognitive warfare.

An Agent-Based Modeling Framework For Evaluating The Linkage Between Disaster Facility Damage And Mental Health, Emily S. Reeves

Theses and Dissertations

This research establishes a novel agent-based modeling framework to establish the linkage between disaster-induced facility damage and mental health outcomes and the evaluation of treatment methods within the civilian and USAF mental health spheres. The study models the degradation and recovery of agent mental health using simulated data and evaluates the efficacy of three distinct treatment approaches through statistical methods. The methodology integrate agent-based modeling with resilient engineering concepts to simulate mental health resilience curves based on vulnerability, exposure, and facility damage. Agents’ mental health indices were tracked through phases of degradation, stagnation, and recovery based on the three treatments …

Examining The Dangers Of The Digital Age, A Book Review Of Online Child Sexual Grooming Discourse, Olivia L. Villeneuve

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Women Residential Substance Use Treatment Program: A Quantitative Study Measuring Treatment Perceptions And Spiritual Experience Across Multiple Demographics., Michelle Davidson

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

ABSTRACT

WOMEN RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT PROGRAM: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY MEASURING TREATMENT PERCEPTIONS AND SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE ACROSS MULTIPLE DEMOGRAPHICS

Michelle Davidson, LCSW

March 24, 2025

Substance use disorders (SUD) present complex challenges that necessitate comprehensive and personalized treatment approaches, particularly for women. Historically, SUD treatments have been predominantly driven by male treatment approaches, often neglecting the unique needs and experiences of women. This cross-sectional quantitative survey study explores the relationship between the variables of client treatment perceptions and spiritual experiences among women in residential treatment for their SUDs. This study utilizes the Treatment Perception Survey and Spiritual Experience Index-Revised to …

Ubuntu In Namibia And Kenya: How Emerging Adults Live An Essential African Value Today, Julia S. Rotzinger, Lene Arnett Jensen, Amber Gayle Thalmayer

Psychology

Psychology in Africa often relies on Euro-American theories, despite their limitations in African cultures. Here, a shift to an Afrocentric perspective was made by exploring Ubuntu in two sub-Saharan African countries using a cultural-developmental psychology approach for in-depth emic understanding. Ubuntu (also known as botho, etc.) is a moral ideal that at core means placing a higher importance on the community than on oneself. Most literature on this important African concept has been theoretical rather than empirical, and little is known about how well it describes contemporary worldviews and experiences of emerging adults. In this interview study, Namibian and Kenyan …

Large Bias In Matching Small Horizontal And Vertical Extents Separated In Depth In The Real World Is Similar For Upright And Supine Observers, Frank H. Durgin, Chung Sze Kwok , '27, Katelyn M. Becker , '25, Ya Min Phyu , '26

Psychology Faculty Works

The apparent sizes of horizontal and vertical lines show an anisotropy known as the horizontal vertical illusion (HVI) wherein vertical lines appear to be longer than their horizontal counterparts. Whereas a typical HVI comparing vertical and horizontal lines in a plane produces a 5–10% illusion, a much larger-scale illusion (15–25%) is often found for large objects in the real world, and this has been related to differential angular exaggerations in perceived elevation (vertical) and azimuthal (horizontal) direction. Recently supine observers in virtual environments were found to show larger exaggerations in perceived azimuth than upright observers. Here, 48 participants were tested …