Psychology Commons^™

Investigating The Effect Of Meaningful Relationships On Team Chemistry, Isabel N. Fairbanks

Honors Thesis

Team chemistry in sports is one of the more vital factors that potentially impacts the overall success of a team. There is increasing growth in the school of thought surrounding the use of team building in sports to develop the best teams built for success. Many programs exist in athletics and other environments that strive to promote strong team culture. This literature review examines the influence sports psychology has on the success of a sports team and current programs that exist in both the business environment and athletics, intending to improve team culture. Furthermore, the book containing the experiment on …

The Effects Of Childhood Trauma And Stressors On Problem Behaviors: Coping As A Moderator, Halle C. Letizio

ETD Archive

Childhood trauma and childhood stressors are extremely common, impacting two- thirds of children aged twelve to seventeen [Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2019]. Whether these adversities are egregious or subtle, the impact of such adversities can last well beyond childhood and can extend into young adulthood. The current study aimed to determine if young adult substance use and criminal involvement are long-term effects of childhood trauma and childhood stressors. Another goal was to determine whether these effects could be alleviated to some extent with the utilization of positive coping mechanisms. In a diverse sample of young adults …

Combating Recidivism, Shaylin Daley

Senior Honors Projects

SHAYLIN DALEY (Psychology) Combating Recidivism Sponsor: Lisa Holley (Political Science) Many people believe that criminals cannot be helped. It is evident that at least some of society shuns people who break laws and have negative views about the amount of money spent on detaining inmates. Thousands of individuals are released from United States prisons a day. Many of these individuals have no plan in place for their return home and are sent into the streets with nothing except for a jail ID. Most of these people will end up returning to prison. A good sum of these people face problems …

Promoting The Healthy Development Of All Adolescents Through An Equity Lens: Continuing Education For Secondary-Level Educators, Isabella Simone

Senior Honors Projects

American schools, as an institution, have a mission to educate society’s youth in a way that is characterized by, and promotes, equity regarding educational access, opportunities, and outcomes. Doing so promises to support the individual growth and development of all students. Unfortunately, high school students face challenges regarding healthy development — academic, social, and identity-based — during the transition from childhood to adulthood. These challenges include navigating their identity development, achieving academic success, managing school and family demands, and planning for their futures. Barriers to the successful achievement of these challenges include risk factors associated with family relationships, financial standing, …

The Effectiveness Of Peer To Peer Mentoring In Reducing Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety In College Students, Ryan Harra

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

University counseling centers are struggling against resource constraints to meet the rising demand for mental health care. Peer-based mentoring programs offer the potential for an alternative approach to mitigate the increasing demand for treatment and improve overall psychological well-being among college students. However, research investigating peer mentoring programs on college campuses is lacking. This study evaluates program feasibility and potential effectiveness in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms among college students that underwent a 4-week peer mentoring program. Results from this preliminary study indicate peer-based programs may be more effective in reducing symptoms of depression (especially anhedonic depression) compared to anxiety. …

On The Frontlines Of Covid-19: A Jd-R Approach To Better Understand Emergency Medicine Clinicians' Psychological Well-Being, Riley Mccallus Pegram

All Dissertations

Healthcare organizations have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with emergency departments (EDs) facing especially large burdens. Increased patient volumes, fewer opportunities to disengage from work, and the persistence of the pandemic over many months continue to place demands on emergency medicine clinicians (EMC) and may elevate their levels of psychological stress. Psychological resilience and meaningful work experiences may protect EMC from these negative effects but may also be negatively impacted by high levels of ED crowding. Using the Job-Demands Resources model as a theoretical framework, this dissertation sough to explore how ED crowding (measured objectively and subjectively), psychological …

Servant Leadership Oriented Leadership Development For Leaders On The Autism Spectrum : An Exploratory Study, Nikita Elizabeth Williams

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

As autistic individuals are increasingly joining the workforce, there is a need to better understand leadership development in autistic individuals as they progress through organizational hierarchies. This thesis introduces a servant leadership component to a traditional leadership development model and conducts a needs assessment for tailoring this model to a neurodiverse population. The servant leadership oriented assessment challenge support (SLO-ACS) is a model of leadership development that utilizes the popular Assessment Challenge Support model of leadership development with a focus on developing another individual and practicing servant leadership. Qualitative interviews were conducted with autism SMEs in leadership roles, a majority …

The Effects Of Twitter Posts Regarding Covid-19 Information On The Viewer’S Perception Of Credibility: A Study On Misinformation, Grace T. Long

Honors Theses

In the current age, social media plays a large role in daily life. Although there have been massive advancements through social media, there have also been disadvantages due to its prominence. One such disadvantage is the dissemination of misinformation through social media platforms, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many aspects affecting the social media posts we find credible. This study investigated the different evaluations of COVID-19 credibility ratings in groups with varying political affiliations (conservative and liberal) and primary news sources (social media and newspaper). Misinformative posts along with true posts were used to garner credibility ratings and …

Individual Differences In Processing Of Garden-Path Sentences: The Role Of Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Traits, Antonio Cardoso

Honors Theses

A great deal of previous research has investigated the real-time processing and offline interpretation of garden path (GP) sentences. This work has shown that GP sentences cause substantial processing disruptions, as revealed by regressive eye movements during reading, as well as incorrect answers to comprehension questions. The current study was designed to investigate whether variability in the processing of GP sentences could be explained by individual differences in personality traits, specifically obsessive-compulsive personality traits. In an eyetracking while reading experiment, participants read GP sentences with both a comma manipulation and a verb type manipulation. Results replicated previous findings in that …

Discussion Of Hope In Children, Kelly Drogan

Psychology Student Scholarship

Kelly Drogan ’22
Major: Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Van Reet, Psychology

This year, with the help of my faculty advisor, Dr. Jennifer Van Reet, and the Providence College Center for Engaged Learning, I conducted a study evaluating hopefulness in children and college students. I chose to study hope because of an internship experience I had at the Department of Children and Families. I was interested in discovering what variables may be able to increase hope in children, while also looking at the developmental progression of hopefulness over time.

Hope is both the belief that you can achieve your goals, …

Mosaic: A Lifetime Of Poems, Emma F. Bowen

Honors Projects

In hopes of providing a clearer picture of the aging process and its effects on our personalities, follow this collection of poems through diary-like entries of individuals navigating their lives from daycare, heartbreak, and loneliness. The impact that development can have on our psychological well-being and brains is fascinating and feels familiar. Why do we see the world so differently when we are young? As we grow older, what is so important that makes us shift how we view ourselves and our environment multiple times? It is often seen that each generation shares like-mindedness throughout their lives – why?

An Exploration Of Groups Dynamics And The Impact Of Unconscious Processes, Phil Hanlon

Level 3

Despite extensive research on groups, organisations continue to experience problems with them. Is this an inherent feature of the nature of groups? This article aims to provide a practical understanding of the unconscious processes in groups and how these impact on group functioning. It further elaborates some guidelines for managers on optimising team / group performance.

The article interrogates the work of Sigmund Freud regarding his views on how groups function, drawing mainly on his work Group Psychology and Analysis of the Ego (1921).

It asks if a study of Freud’s work can help organisations reconsider the nature of groups, …

How Corrective Lens Choices Are Associated With The Self-Esteem Of College Students, Margaret Neenan

Honors Projects

If you wear glasses or contacts, which one do you wear more often, and why? How Corrective Lens Choices are Associated with the Self-Esteem of College Students is an observational study on 1) how corrective lens choices are associated with the self-esteem of college students, and 2) how do factors such as gender, ethnicity, finances, insurance, recreational and occupational use, or lens options recommended to a patient impact an individual’s choice of corrective lenses. The observational study shows that there is no significant difference in the self-esteem of college students who wore a specific corrective lens more often. However, research …

Relationship Between Higher Education And Health Insurance Coverage And Healthcare Utilization For Black Or African American Individuals, Emma Revoir

Psychology Student Works

Higher education may decrease mortality due to higher income and health insurance availability (Buckles et al., 2016). Education can increase understanding and utilizing health insurance (Gallo et al., 2020). There is a gap in how this relationship affects racial minorities. This study aims to understand how health insurance is affected by education level for Black or African American individuals.

The Association Between Sibling Relationships And Personality, Rebecca Ramsey

Psychology Student Works

Differences in self perception (specifically aggression) was discovered in participants with siblings, and no difference of intelligence, outgoing personalities, creativity, competitiveness and family orientation (Van Volkom, Guerguis, & Kramer, 2017). Sisters were found to have more empathy than the brothers along with higher intimacy, knowledge, and emotional support (Walęcka-Matyja, 2017). There is a gap in my research between sibling jealousy and depression, sibling negativity, and intimacy in young adulthood (Hamwey & Whiteman, 2020). My study examines the similarity of personality to siblings. Some personality traits may include jealousy, outgoingness, competitiveness, and creativity.

How Quality Of Paternal Relationship Impacts Depression Development In Adulthood, Rachel Lane

Psychology Student Works

Previous studies show that paternal involvement directly correlates to a decrease in the child’s probability of developing a mental illness (O’Gara, et.al. 2019). Research shows, the more supportive and the more affection a parent gives, the less likely a child is to develop depressive tendencies (Del Barrio, et. al. 2016) There is a gap in investigating whether or not having a loving father postpones the age at which someone is diagnosed with depression. This study provides insight into paternal closeness and the age at which someone is diagnosed with depression.

The Association Between Promiscuity And Marital Satisfaction, Shelby Kate Christopher

Psychology Student Works

Research has suggested that premarital cohabitation is linked to a heightened risk of divorce and dissatisfaction if it occurs with someone other than the marriage partner (Teachman, 2004). The number of partners is linked to marital dissatisfaction for both men and women (Legkauskas & Stankevičienė, 2008). Involvement in church groups is linked to a 5x increase in likelihood of abstinence (Paul et al, 2000). Previous studies have used small sample sizes with little diversity and few men. However, my research will use a large, diverse sample size with both men and women.

The Association Between Religiosity And Alcohol Use In Adolescents, Daphny Vang

Psychology Student Works

Research has found that the age and strength of religion directly correlate to the level of alcohol consumption(Mason & Windle, 2002). Previous studies show that adult women with stronger religious beliefs consume less alcohol compared to those with weaker religious beliefs (Mattila & et al., 2001). There is a gap in investigating the relationship between religiosity and alcohol use in adolescents. This study provides insight into the relationship between religiosity and alcohol consumption with adolescents.

The Relationship Between Adults Education Level And Their Mental Health Status, Kelsey Bergan

Psychology Student Works

Research has shown that those with a higher education are more likely to seek out sources to help them with mental disorders (Ibrahim, et al., 2019; Neimeyer, et al., 2011). Previous studies have found that students with a lower GPA show signs of depression, anxiety and eating disorders (Eisenberg, Globerstein & Hunt, 2009). There is a gap in investigating the relationship between education level and an adult’s mental health experiences. This study will provide insight to the relationship between an adults education level and their mental health.

The Relationship Between Adolescents’ Participation In Religious/Spiritual Activities And Mental Health As An Adult, Tiara Lamb

Psychology Student Works

Many receiving mental health treatment across the U.S. see spirituality and religion as very helpful in supporting their mental state (Oxhandler et al., 2021). How often black Americans attended church in adolescence is related to how as a young adult they could spiritually handle mentally stressing situations (Alexander, 2017). There’s a gap in previous studies because most of them study specific groups rather than using a representative sample of the U.S. In addition, there is a lack of studies investigating the relationship between adolescent religiosity/spirituality and adult mental health. This study uses a representative sample and investigates the association between …

The Association Of Maternal Relationships And Acts Of Violence In Adults, Cameron Shores

Psychology Student Works

Through research it has been found that people who do not feel close to their parents are more likely to react with violence (Cano-Lozano et al., 2020). Studies have also shown that people who reported adverse relationships as children, tend to have more violence-related outcomes (Duke, 2010). There is currently a gap in explaining the association between maternal closeness and violent tendencies. This study is meant to help fill that gap and bring cognizance to the relationship between maternal closeness and violence.

Reflections From Pioneering Women In Psychology, Jamila Bookwala, Nicky J. Newton

Gettysburg College Faculty Books

This volume traces the life journeys of a cohort of influential and transformative women in psychology, now in or nearing retirement, who have changed the discipline and the broader world of academia in significant ways. The 26 reflective essays record how these scholars thrived in an academic landscape that was often, at best, unwelcoming, and, at worst, hostile, toward them. They explicitly and implicitly acknowledge that their paths were inextricably linked with the evolution of women's roles in society; they highlight and celebrate their achievements as much as they acknowledge and recognize the obstacles, barriers, and hurdles they overcame. They …

Factors Influencing Attitudes Towards Ex-Offenders, Sydney Mosser

All NMU Master's Theses

Every day, incarcerated individuals are being released back into the general population having served their time. However, these released ex-offenders are 83% likely to re-offend if they are not able to reintegrate properly (Alper et al., 2018). The present research explored how various factors of ex-offenders and community observers could have an influence on attitudes towards ex-offenders upon reintegration. Specifically, we looked at the influence of three manipulated characteristics of a hypothetical ex-offender, race, gender, and age, which were presented to the participant in the form of a vignette. After reading one randomly assigned vignette, the participants were asked to …

The Aftereffects Of Corporal Punishment On Adults: Association Of Childhood Spanking With Adult Stress Levels, Marie Sanyang

Senior Theses

Spanking has been an acceptable form of punishment for centuries. Previously thought as effective, studies have now shown the detriments of spanking, including increased aggression, drug abuse, and stress levels. This exploratory study sought to observe the stress levels of adults who experienced childhood spankings. It was hypothesized that those who experienced frequent spankings would report increased anxiety, reduced socialization, and decreased emotional regulation in times of stress. It was also hypothesized that those who reported being spanked would report lower emotional and physical health regulation and higher mental health diagnosis. Fifty-four participants were composed of undergraduate and graduate students …

Covid-19 & Mental Health: The Impact On The Future Of Younger Generations, Greyson A. Fox Tran

Senior Theses

The aim of this research is to identify any existing correlations between the COVID-19 pandemic and negative mental health outcomes in younger populations. This paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of those younger than 25 years of age, specifically focusing on students. It will investigate how various factors of the pandemic have affected people and how they have coped with psychological distress induced by the pandemic. Through a review of scientific data and scholarly literature, the impacts of the pandemic on mental health will be assessed. Coping mechanisms and the effects of physical activity …

Kindness In The Bardo: Empathy As A Catalyst For Healing In Victims Of Dissociation, Julia Dorothea Chopelas

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

In George Saunders’ Lincoln in the Bardo, a host of undead characters find themselves in a spiritual limbo based on the bardo. Although they won’t admit it to themselves, Roger Bevins III and Hans Vollman are most certainly dead. Despite their supernatural makeup as ghosts, Bevins and Vollman bear strong psychological resonance with the living: they are human, heartbroken, and lost. For the ghosts of Oak Hills Cemetery, the inefficient coping mechanism of dissociation perpetuates their afterlife imprisonment in the bardo. Bevins and Vollman suffer from a variety of dissociative symptoms, their minds’ psychological defense against the trauma that has …

The Problem With Dissociative Identity Disorder In The Media: Misrepresentation, Or Inadequate Diagnostic Criteria?, Rebecca Cortez

Senior Theses

The highly popularized portrayal of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) in mainstream media has often been dubbed inaccurate; blamed on misrepresentations, bad applications of the diagnostic criteria, and the tendency to sensationalize mental illness. Through the analysis of five different depictions of DID in film, I find that all five characters met the minimum criteria for diagnosis according to the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (2013). Some depictions of DID predate the publication date of the current diagnostic manual by over 50 years, portraying symptoms that are widely recognized today but were neither accepted nor identified back …

Using Personality Traits To Predict Boundary Management Strategies, Corey A. Adams

ETD Archive

This research attempted to answer the question if it possible to predict an individual’s boundary management strategies by using their personality traits. Participants (N = 99) were recruited on the website LinkedIn to answer a survey that included questions about their personality traits, their workplace culture around boundary management, the type of boundary management strategy they preferred to use, and the strategies they used. The traits Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness were found to be significant personality traits to use when predicting preferred boundary management strategies with a moderately strong relationship to preferring Segmentation boundary management strategies. Contrary to …

Mindfulness And Physical Activity As Moderators Of Behavioral Inhibition Sensitivity And Psychological Distress, Edward Silber

LSU Master's Theses

Framed in Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, the current study examined the moderating effects of mindfulness and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on the relationship between behavioral inhibition system (BIS) sensitivity and psychological distress. Participants (N=183) were college students at a large public university in the Southeastern United States. Data were collected using an online survey with self-report questionnaires that demonstrated acceptable reliability. Data analysis utilized multiple linear regression models to test study hypotheses. Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between BIS sensitivity and psychological distress, with mindfulness and MVPA significantly moderating this association. Specifically, increased reports of mindfulness and MVPA …

Taking Time To B.R.E.A.T.H.E.: Strategies For Strengthening Staff And Student Well-Being, Joelle Hood

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

When students and staff experience chronic stress, it negatively impacts their motivation, performance, and wellbeing, Participants in this engaging workshop will walk away with simple research-based practices from the fields of Mindfulness and Positive Psychology, that they can utilize with both themselves and students to reduce stress and anxiety, improve attention and performance, and strengthen overall physical and psychological well-being.