Psychology Commons^™

The Role Of Social Media In Shaping Romantic Relationships, Chelsea A. Fiszbajn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study’s purpose was to examine the role social media has in adult romantic relationships. This study focused on the impact social media has on trust, communication, and the quality of the relationship. Social media platforms have become a very integral part of today’s relationships, which in turn has added room in the relationship for more jealousy, temptation, and validation from others. This study used a survey-based methodology to collect data on individuals' personal experiences and perceptions of how social media impacts their current romantic relationships. Using quantitative measures, the research evaluated how often a partner uses social media, …

The Emotional Aspects Of Disbelief: A Study Of Negative Emotions And Their Influence On Atheists When Reasoning About God’S Existence And Christianity, Esteban Canales

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The lack of sufficient evidence has been signaled by atheists as the main reason for their disbelief, identifying arguments such as God’s silence and the problem of evil as intellectual reasons against the existing of God and the plausibility of Christianity. While Christians found in arguments from Natural Theology, Scripture, morality, and the like, reliable sources in order to recognize God’s wonders and purpose for humanity, for atheists it seems that no argument seem sufficient neither rational. But what about if these so-called intellectual reasons are the product of an underlying emotional condition, affecting negatively the way atheists reason the …

The Role Of Emotional Intelligence And Defense Mechanisms In Processing Childhood Experiences And Their Impact On Adulthood, Lauren M. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Early childhood relationships significantly influence developmental and relational functioning across the lifespan. Emotional intelligence has been associated with healthier relational outcomes through increased awareness of self and others. Variability in childhood experiences may contribute to the development of defense mechanisms that shape how individuals process relational memories and regulate emotional distress in adulthood. Limited research has examined how emotional intelligence and defense mechanisms interact to influence adults’ retrospective processing of childhood experiences, including attachment, rumination, and motivation. The present quantitative correlation study examined the relationships among emotional intelligence, defense mechanisms, childhood attachment experience, rumination, and motivation in a sample of …

The Lived Experiences Of Generation X With Social Media Use And Body Image Perception: A Phenomenological Study, Consuela Coburn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social media use grows worldwide daily with several available applications having both positive and negative values. Several studies found negative effects on mental health and body dissatisfaction in adolescents and young adults. Existing literature predominantly focuses on young female participants, resulting in a gap in understanding the effects of social media use across other age cohorts. This phenomenological qualitative study explored the lived experiences of Generation X adults regarding social media use and the perceived effects on body image. Additionally, this study identified themes that emerged based on the semi-structured interviews of Generation X adults. NVivo 15, a computer assistance …

Exploring How Leadership And Religion Improve Work Motivation And Well-Being, Laura G. Strickland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leadership is a well-researched topic that shows that leaders have a significant impact on employees’ perspectives of work motivation and well-being factors. There are gaps in research on older generations and the impacts of leadership since there has been such a heavy focus on research learning about the incoming work force. Other studies have found that strong religious beliefs help build better leadership skills. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine how leadership behavior and religious beliefs impact employee work motivation and well-being in older adults. In this qualitative study, interviews were conducted to understand older adults’ experiences …

The Impact Of Gratitude Interventions On Job Satisfaction Among Healthcare Workers In A Hospital Setting, Miranda Rae Green

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative experimental study sought to examine job satisfaction among healthcare workers in a hospital setting and to determine if the use of daily gratitude journaling increases job satisfaction. Healthcare workers were recruited from healthcare organizations within the United States. The aim of this study was to use reciprocity of Social Exchange Theory (SET) to encourage participants to use daily journaling prompts to focus on positive interactions within their organization and with leadership or colleagues. Data was collected using the Job Satisfaction Survey and the Gratitude Questionnaire-6 and analyzed using a paired samples-t test to compare pre- and post- intervention …

Examining The Relationship Of Telehealth Use Between Zoom Fatigue And Psychological Well-Being, And The Moderating Role Of Social Support Seeking And Work-Life Boundaries Among Remote Therapists, Angelia M. Worley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

During the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health therapists rapidly transitioned to telehealth services. In addition, therapists experienced a significant increase in client demand, leading to larger caseloads and longer waitlists. In the post-pandemic context, many therapists have continued to deliver services via telehealth, either fully remote or in a hybrid format. However, there is limited research on the relationship between telehealth intensity and therapist wellness. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between telehealth intensity (duration, frequency, and burstiness) and wellness outcomes, specifically, synchronous telehealth fatigue (STF; therapist-related Zoom fatigue) and psychological well-being (PWB). Furthermore, this study …

Age Of First Smartphone Ownership With Social Media Access And Its Impact On Mental Health Outcomes, Derrick W. Swandol

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between the age of smartphone ownership with social media access (ASO) and self-esteem and depression symptoms, as well as to determine if the results could be moderated by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as an individual transitions from adolescence to adulthood. The study was conducted with n=54 (72% female), of whom 83% first owned a smartphone with social media access ≥ 12 years-of-age. This study was unable to obtain the minimum sample size for a statistically significant study and is considered underpowered due to needing a minimum sample size of …

Positive Factors Of Resilience In Marginalized Families, Amanda K. Rigsby

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The current study examined underexplored factors of resilience that help individuals overcome trauma. The study gathered insights from individuals in marginalized communities through semi-structured interviews and collected qualitative data for thematic analysis from 15 participants. The study identified polyvictimized individuals’ perspectives on (a) resilience, (b) regulation, (c) sense of purpose, and (d) mindfulness. Exploring the relationship between these areas could broaden our understanding and, in turn, inform targeted interventions through further studies. This study collected qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with individuals in the Appalachian region. The Resilience Portfolio Model has been used in research to identify mindfulness, regulation, sense …

From Belongingness Deficits To Self-Harm: Examining Internalized Shame, Self-Esteem, And The Moderating Roles Of Resilience, Social Support, And Religious Coping, Yulissa Bochey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Belongingness is a fundamental human need, and its absence can contribute to profound emotional and behavioral consequences. When individuals experience prolonged social exclusion, they often internalize rejection, resulting in shame, diminished self-worth, and, in some cases, self-harming behaviors. Despite a growing body of research on social exclusion and emotional distress, there is little known regarding how internalized shame, self-harm, and religious coping relate with belongingness deficits. This study investigated the relationship between belongingness deficits and internalized shame, with particular attention to the moderating roles of resilience, perceived social support, and religious coping, as well as the mediating role of self-esteem. …

Examining The Role Of Faith On The Relationships Between Purpose In Life, Unconditional Self-Acceptance, And Life Satisfaction Among Evangelical Christians, Alice H. Yen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following dissertation examined the role of faith in God among evangelical Christians to understand its influence on the relationships between purpose in life, unconditional self-acceptance, and life satisfaction. This quantitative correlational study surveyed a sample of 77 evangelical Christians to explore the construct of life satisfaction by assessing specific psychological factors including purpose in life, unconditional self-acceptance, and faith in God. Participants completed self-report surveys including Purpose in Life Test, Unconditional Self-Acceptance Scale, Satisfaction in Life Scale, and Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire, and answered one open-ended response question regarding where purpose in life comes from. Results …

The Influence Of Humility And Spirituality On The Relationship Between Work-Family Conflict And Mental Help-Seeking Attitudes In Skilled Trade Workers, Charles Dean Twellmann

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the relationships among work-family conflict (WFC), humility, spirituality, and mental help-seeking attitudes (MHSA) among skilled trade workers in the United States. Skilled trade occupations are characterized by demanding schedules, physical labor, safety risks, and cultural norms emphasizing independence and self-reliance, factors that may influence occupational strain and attitudes toward psychological support. Although WFC and help-seeking have been examined in other high-demand professions, limited research has explored how humility and spirituality relate to these constructs within skilled trade populations. Validated self-report measures of WFC, humility, spirituality, and MHSA were administered to 196 skilled trade workers who were …

Comparing General Perceptions Of Law Enforcement Suicides To Other Line-Of-Duty Deaths: Pilot Study, Shannon E. Allen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Officer suicide remains an underrecognized occupational hazard despite increasing awareness of mental health risks within law enforcement. This quantitative, cross-sectional pilot study examined public perceptions of officer suicide compared to line-of-duty deaths caused by violence or accidents and assessed whether mental health literacy and suicide stigma influenced these perceptions. Grounded in framing theory, stigma theory, the health belief model, and the interpersonal theory of suicide, the study explored how knowledge and attitudes shape legitimacy judgments. A sample of 169 non–law enforcement adults in the United States completed the Mental Health Literacy Scale, the Stigma of Suicide Scale–Short Form, and the …

Unleashing Stress: The Effects Of Training, Bond Strength, And Stress On Pet Dog Behaviors And Health, London Maria Wolff

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Humans and dogs have formed a unique ability to communicate with each other through evolutionary and developmental mechanisms. This increased communication serves to form dynamic interspecies bonds by facilitating learning and training over the lifetime of a dog. However, it is not known what factors permit the unique capacity of dogs to form bonds with, and learn from, their human companions. Odor is a notable candidate for interspecies communication about emotional states, with studies showing that both dogs and humans use odor information to detect human emotions (Calvi et al., 2020). Possibly, this may include detection of both acute and …

Scriptural Coping And Emotional Wellbeing: Examining The Mediating Role Of Hope Among Christian Professionals In The Helping Profession, Chinedum Amene

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the relationship between scriptural coping and emotional well-being among Christian medical and mental health professionals, with particular attention to the mediating role of hope. Christian medical and mental health professionals often operate in emotionally demanding environments and are frequently guided by faith-based practices, such as engaging with Scripture, to manage stress and maintain emotional stability. While religious coping has been extensively studied, limited empirical research has examined scriptural coping as a distinct construct within psychological research.

Grounded in Religious Coping Theory, Snyder’s Hope Theory, and principles of cognitive-behavioral theory, this study investigated whether engagement in scriptural …

Mental Health And Well-Being Of Hispanic Pastors In Central Florida: A Phenomenological Study, Darice M. Santos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The topic of pastors' psychological well-being and health has been studied in a variety of approaches. The forthcoming research concentrated on the effects that the responsibilities and pressures of working at Hispanic churches have on Hispanic pastors in Florida. Given the difficulties they face, such as prejudice, discrimination, and a low standard of living, this population required further study. This study explored the pastor's role and involvement level and how it connects to social support and burnout. This qualitative study provided insight on how Hispanic pastors in central Florida handled their mental health and perceived their job as pastors. A …

The Interactions Of Faith Development, Attachment With Relational Authenticity, And Theory Of Mind In Children With Adverse Childhood Experiences, Lisa Haley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Early exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) interrupts typical spiritual, socioemotional, and cognitive developmental trajectories. Faith Development (FD), attachment with Relational Authenticity (RA), and Theory of Mind (ToM) may serve to provide positive coping strategies for children with ACEs. Few studies explored the interactions of FD, attachment with RA, and ToM in children. Additionally, sparse research involved RA independently or in relation to attachment formation. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how FD, attachment with RA, and ToM interact in children with ACEs. The lived experiences of children with ACEs and the interactions of FD, attachment with …

Do Financial Institutions’ Senior Leaders’ Shared Vision Moderate Or Mediate The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence And Sales Professionals’ Work Engagement?, Jacob Glen Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The modern workplace is driven by rapid changes, complexities, and challenges resulting from disruptions in the global marketplace. The disruptions have prompted organizations to prioritize leadership effectiveness to navigate the required business changes better and maintain a competitive advantage. The prioritization of leadership effectiveness has brought emotional intelligence, transformational leadership, and employee work engagement to the forefront of research. This study evaluated the relationship between the emotional intelligence of financial institutions’ leaders and their sales professionals’ work engagement as mediated or moderated by the leaders’ communication of a shared vision. The sales professionals and their leaders at select asset managers …

Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing As A Moderator In Attachment Security Scores Accounting For Trauma, Kimberly Anne Arbelo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in increasing attachment security scores. A theoretical foundation of at attachment theory and somatic therapy are discussed. Attachment theory is expounded upon to better understand the development, maintenance, and break down of emotional and intimate bonds. Traumatic experiences are investigated to better understand its potential influence on insecure and secure symptoms within attachments. The Experiences in Close Relationships, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the DSM-5-TR, and the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDs) are instruments utilized in the study to measure attachment …

A Phenomenological Study On Korean Christian Immigrants’ Searching For Wholeness, Hyunjin Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Wholeness is a way of living that integrates life’s paradoxes into a cohesive whole, and biblically it is living in harmony with God, others, and oneself. While both scientific and biblical perspectives affirm spirituality and virtues as central to wholeness, existing empirical models often fall short of capturing its full scope within Christian and cultural contexts. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to gain deeper insights into the common essence of Christian wholeness by exploring the lived experiences of wholeness among Korean Christians living in the United States of America. Twelve participants engaged in in-depth interviews and focus groups, and data …

Bridging The Intention-Behavior Gap: A Quasi-Experimental Study Of A Hapa-Based Approach To Reducing Sedentary Behavior And Improving Productivity In Remote Employees, Laurel Lb Long

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The rise of remote work has increased sedentary behavior (SB), which is associated with negative health and organizational outcomes. Physical activity (PA) can mitigate these risks. Therefore, this quantitative quasi-experimental study examined changes in PA, SB, and productivity associated with a 6-week Health Action Process Approach (HAPA)-based intervention, informed by Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Nudge Theory, among remote employees. The intervention was delivered asynchronously and targeted both motivational and volitional components of behavior change. A one-group pretest-posttest design required participants to complete the Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OSPAQ; N = 21) and the Health and Work Performance Questionnaire …

Psychological Contract And Perma Well-Being, Ryan T. Roddey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The PERMA model, a five-factor framework- positive emotion (P), engagement (E), relationship (R), meaning and purpose (M), and accomplishment (A)- was developed to assess the building blocks of well-being (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). In the workplace setting, organizations perceive how positive organizational psychology shapes employee well-being through exchange relationships (Donaldson et al., 2022). Previous research confirms the effect of the psychological contract on well-being when the contract is violated in the workplace. Yet, limited studies examine the association between overall well-being and employee exchange agreements, such as the psychological contract. This study explored the differences between relational and transactional psychological …

Smartphone Addiction And Issues Associated With It, Clifford C F Massie Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The focus of this research is the possible addiction to smartphones and the effects on mental, physical, and social health. Smartphones are one of the most commonly used devices in the world today with billions of people in the world having them. People of all ages have formed a connection to and dependence on these devices and use them multiple times daily. People obsess over these devices daily by checking them or just touching their pocket to ensure they are still there. This could be considered a form of addiction. This study aimed to look at the connection to these …

Enhancing Students’ Self-Disclosure Through Assertive Training: Evidence From A Group Counseling Intervention, Abu Yazid Abu Bakar, Khairul Bariyyah, Santy Andrianie, Setyorini Setyorini, Restu Dwi Ariyanto, Laily Tiarani Soejanto, Dzata Inasah Bil Humaydah

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Self disclosure is a critical component of students’ social and emotional development; however, many students experience difficulties in expressing their thoughts and feelings openly, which may hinder interpersonal relationships and psychological well-being. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of group counseling using assertive training techniques in enhancing students’ self-disclosure. A quantitative approach with a pre-experimental one-group pre-test–post-test design was employed. The participants consisted of five junior high school students identified as having low self-disclosure levels through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a self-disclosure scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired samples t-test, effect size (Cohen’s d), Wilcoxon signed-rank …

“Everybody's So Punk On The Internet:” What Online Discourse On Taylor Swift’S Life Of A Showgirl Tells Us About Social Movements, Media, And Activism, Kaela Joseph, Tanya Cook

The Manuscript: Journal of Taylor Swift Studies

Taylor Swift’s twelfth album (TS12), Life of a Showgirl, broke multiple records in charting and sales (Sisario), however, early online discourse focused less on the album’s commercial success and more on Swift herself as a public figure in the current sociopolitical landscape. While some critiques were typical, discursive of Swift’s lyricism and composition, as well as the expectations set by Swift’s marketing of the album, others questioned what the album says about Swift’s sociopolitical positionality. More specifically, discourse questioned how the album contributes to, or detracts from, Swift’s role as a starticipant; a celebrity who contributes to the success …

Social Contagion: How Social Media Alters Users Self Perceptions Of Mental Health, Clara T. Patey

Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Connections

This study investigates the complex relationship between mental health content on social media and users' self perceptions of mental health. Using a qualitative survey, we analyzed the frequency of participants' social media usage, perceived credibility of mental health content and how the information they view online impacts the perceptions of their mental health. The main study results show that the use of social media as a mental health tool leads to reduced mental health status. These findings suggest that this is a growing issue within the field of mental health, and needs to be further researched as technological advancements continue …

Heart Rate Variability In The Context Of Mental Health And Substance Use, Sage M. Lopez

Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Connections

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has been linked to various areas of cardiovascular disease and mortality in previous research. Within this area, certain mental illnesses and use of psychoactive substances have been associated with low HRV and its health implications. Little research exists that examines the combined effects of mental illness and psychoactive substance use. The current research aims to understand if there is a compounding negative effect of these two factors when studied in tandem. Using a three-phase study design, HRV was analysed at baseline and at physiological relaxation, with participants being included under certain mental health, substance use, or …

Understanding Why Reddit Users Turn To Ai Chatbots For Mental Health Support: A Qualitative Study, Isabelle Byrd, Lillian Frankel, Luke Gallagher, Tyler Nguyen, Lauren O’Brien, Kayla Williams

STEM Student Research Symposium Posters

Background: 

• 60M+ people live with a mental disorder (Mental Health America, 2025)
• 1 in 4 with mental illness report unmet treatment needs (Mental Health America, 2025)
• 13.1% of U.S. youth already use AI for mental health advice (McBain et al., 2025)
• Existing research: quantitative, lacks authentic user voice (Collins et al., 2025; Luo et al., 2025)
• Gap: why do people turn to AI over traditional therapy?

An Ethics Of Listening: The Rupture Of Delusion And The Offer Of A New Freedom, Bret Fimiani

Middle Voices

This paper will focus on the topic of listening as an ‘analytic act’ by the analyst (but also by the analysand) and its relation to ethics and the position of the analyst in the field of psychosis. Is the analyst listening for something in particular? The prospect of listening for something supposes that the analyst holds a specific idea of what distinguishes the ‘structure of the address’ in psychosis (versus neurosis). Typically, we say that the analyst is listening for the unconscious, or for the ‘subject’ (of the unconscious). As we are trying to find our bearings in the field …

Creating An Unconscious: Toward A New Ethic Of Residential Treatment, Daniel Garcia

Middle Voices

What is currently nominated “residential treatment” for serious mental illness (SMI) has a long and varied history. From its earliest version as houses for the unproductive, to confinement of and with the unruly and criminally dangerous, to asylumdom, residential treatment has always sought to protect society from those it perceives as actively trying to revoke it. Consequently, the remedies prescribed in defense of civilization have also ranged from the gruesome to the utopian and the seat of responsibility for maintenance of the social order has vacillated between the family and the church, the local community and the state, the psychiatric …