Psychology Commons^™

Comparing The Difference In Nurses’ Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Near-Death Experiences (Ndes) Before And After Receiving Nde Education, Renata B. Mcallister

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Near-death experiences (NDEs) have been reported in approximately 6.3% to 39.3% of patients who survived death or critical illness. Research indicated that health care professionals, of whom nurses are the largest group, received little education or training on NDEs. Nurses' responses to a disclosure could help the patient integrate the experience or contribute to stress and isolation. National nursing standards do not address education or competencies specific to NDEs, and few studies have examined educational programs on the topic. This quasi-experimental study examined changes in nurses' knowledge and attitudes before and after a three-part asynchronous training on NDEs, measured with …

Grace, Reciprocity Norms, Adverse Life Events, Religious Struggle, Salience Of Religion, Relationship To God As Modifiers, Calvin Jay Slot

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine whether adverse life events, reciprocity norms, relationship to God, salience of religion, religious struggle and/or grace moderate the frequency of church attendance-physical health relationship or if the psychospiritual variables interact with adverse life events (ALE). 1,000 participants were recruited through Prolific to produce a sample representative of the United States population. An additional 20 participants were recruited through pastors of three churches in Illinois. Multiple linear regression revealed relationship to God, religious struggle, reciprocity norms, and ALE were moderators. Additionally, religious struggle and negative reciprocity norms interacted with adverse life events, …

Interstellar Faith: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Christian Reconciliation With Uaps And Nonhuman Intelligence, Christian Pedersen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher examined how Christian leaders interpret, respond to, and navigate questions surrounding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) and nonhuman intelligence (NHI) within their theological and ministerial contexts. Despite growing cultural and governmental attention to these phenomena, little empirical research has explored how Christian leaders engage these questions pastorally or theologically. Using a transcendental phenomenological design informed by Moustakas (1994), the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with twelve Christian leaders across multiple traditions. Analysis produced ten major themes organized around three research questions addressing theological interpretation, pastoral ministry, and lived experience. Findings revealed a participant group marked by intellectual humility, theological seriousness, …

Sport, Human Flourishing And The Common Good: A Jesuit Perspective, Patrick M. Kelly S.J.

Journal of Catholic Education

The author interprets humanist and early Jesuit education inspired by the Spiritual Exercises through the lens of the flow psychology theory of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi to highlight that they bring about differentiation – the development of the different interests, skills, dimensions of the person – and integration – in a way that is connected to community and fosters the common good. The inclusion of physical education and sports in the humanist and early Jesuit schools – the first instance of it in Catholic schools – was influenced by longer traditions which emphasized the unity of the person and a “play ethic”, …

Admiration Without Worship: The Fallibilization Of The Hero And The Moral Logic Of Modernity, Mohsen Askari

Heroism Science

This article develops the concept of the fallibilization of the hero, defined as the cultural process through which admired figures become visible as flawed, historically situated, morally complex human beings. It argues that modernity does not abolish heroism but changes the conditions under which it can be believed. In hagiographic systems, heroes are protected from contradiction and presented as pure or destined; in modern‑critical systems, greatness can coexist with error, weakness, and compromise. The article situates fallibilization within debates on heroism science, hagiography, charismatic authority, collective memory, and modern biography, proposing a four‑part typology of heroic forms: hagiographic, developmental, fallibilized, …

Exploring The Occupational Risks Among Human Service Professionals: A Trauma-Informed Approach To Caring For Others And Ourselves, Shaian Kong

Master of Arts in Human Services

It is known that human service practitioners are often expected to maintain empathy, compassion, emotional regulation, and professionalism during high-stress or uncertain situations. These experiences expose practitioners to a unique intersection of trauma. While helping others through their own trauma, practitioners may also experience symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, emotional exhaustion, sleep disturbances, hypervigilance, and avoidance despite not directly experiencing the traumatic events themselves. Current literature highlights these existing occupational risks that may hinder sustained career development, increased compassion fatigue, and affect workplace standards and support. With things like frequent increase in workloads, workforce shortages, and insufficient professional support, practitioners …

How Adults With Fasd Describe Spiritual Experiences And Faith Formation, Emily Hargrove

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) has been extensively studied in childhood and, more recently, in adulthood. However, little is known about how adults with FASD experience faith formation and spirituality. Spirituality has been recognized as a coping resource that promotes resilience and psychological well-being, yet these experiences remain largely unexplored among adults with FASD. The purpose of this study was to explore how adults with FASD describe their faith formation and spiritual experiences. Two research questions guided the study: How do adults with FASD describe their faith formation? and How do adults with FASD describe their spiritual experiences? James Fowler's …

Exploring Elite Athletes’ Perceptions Of The Practice Of Mindfulness For Mental Health And Optimal Performance, Omar A. Sesay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Elite athletes experience physical, cognitive, and emotional demands that affect athletic performance and personal well-being, increasing the risk for anxiety, depression, burnout, attentional difficulties, and maladaptive coping strategies. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been examined for its effect on attentional control, emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, and stress resilience, but limited qualitative research has examined how elite athletes experience the practice of mindfulness. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore elite athletes’ perceptions of the practice of mindfulness for mental health and optimal performance. The theoretical framework draws from mindfulness theory and MBSR principles. Semistructured interviews were conducted …

Risk Assessment And Sentencing Bias: The Role Of Socioeconomic Status And Mental Health, Lily A. Walsh

Student Theses

The current research examined the impact of risk assessment information in the sentencing of defendants of varying socioeconomic statuses (SES), and mental health statuses. A US sample of students studying law (N = 137) was assigned to view one of eight vignettes that manipulated the defendants SES (i.e., low or high), mental health status (i.e., schizophrenia diagnosis or no diagnosis), and the availability of risk data (i.e., present or absent). Participants sentenced the defendant to probation, short-term jail, or prison, and indicated the sentence length in years. An Ordinal Logistic Regression and a Three-way Factorial ANOVA indicated neither the availability …

Investigating The Links Between Iq, Emotion Dysregulation, And Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia In Childhood Antisocial Behavior, Isley Jean-Pierre

Student Theses

This study examined relationships among cognitive ability, emotion dysregulation, physiological regulation, and antisocial behavior. Participants were 340 children ages 7-10. Caregivers reported on emotion regulation, aggression, and delinquency, and children completed cognitive assessments. Intellectual profiles were classified as even or uneven. No significant differences in aggression or delinquency were found between intellectual profiles. Emotion Regulation Checklist scores mediated relationships between VIQ and both aggression and delinquency. Resting RSA mediated the relationship between VIQ and delinquency, although the indirect effect was small, whereas RSA reactivity did not mediate either outcome. Overall, findings suggest that emotion regulation may be a more consistent …

Unfolding Dynamics Of Distractor Suppression Through Reaching Movement Trajectories, Shinhae Ahn

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Efficient visual search requires prioritizing relevant information while suppressing salient but irrelevant distractors that compete for attention. Previous studies have shown that attentional suppression of salient distractors can be modulated by perceptual grouping (Ma & Abrams, 2023) and distractor salience (Stilwell et al., 2023; 2024). However, prior work has relied primarily on discrete keypress or oculomotor measures, such as reaction time, accuracy, and first saccadic destination. Although these measures provide important evidence about whether distractors interfere with or are suppressed during visual search, it still remains unclear how distractor-induced spatial biases emerge and change over the course of the target …

Understanding Ourselves And Others: A Social Psychology Approach, Whitney Whitaker Ph.D., Noba Project

All Open Educational Resources

This book is a compilation of Open Education Resources for the use in an undergraduate level social psychology course at Fort Hays State University.

Lived Experiences Of Clinical Psychologists: Personal Coping Strategies To Address Emotional Exhaustion, Ayushi Shrestha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Emotional exhaustion is a key element of burnout among clinical psychologists. However, there are limited qualitative studies that examine how psychologists experience and cope with it. This study explored how licensed clinical psychologists experience and cope with emotional exhaustion. The study used Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory to explore how clinicians perceive, interpret, and respond to emotional demands. Semi structured interviews with licensed clinical psychologists experiencing emotional exhaustion were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach, including descriptive and pattern coding to identify themes. Five themes were identified: workplace and organizational stressors; emotional experience of …

E-Health Literacy And Cyberchondria Severity Among Adolescent High School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study, Seyda Çavmak, Adem Bilgin

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Amid rapid digitalization and the growing use of artificial intelligence-based search engines, adolescents increasingly seek health information online. This study examined the relationship between high school students' e-health literacy and their cyberchondria tendencies.

Methods: This quantitative, cross-sectional study included 683 students from public high schools in Mersin, Türkiye. Data were collected using a Demographic Information Form, the e-Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS), and the Cyberchondria Severity Scale Short Form (CSS-12). Descriptive statistics, comparative tests, and Pearson correlation were applied (p < 0.05).

Results: Students' e-health literacy and cyberchondria severity were moderate. Significant positive correlations emerged between e-health literacy …

Openness To Experience And Creative Capacity Among Active First Responders, William Reagan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Because emergency services demand adaptive, creative problem-solving within procedurally rigid cultures, this study examined whether Openness to Experience predicted creative capacity among active first responders and whether age or tenure moderated that relationship. A cross-sectional design used N = 117 first responders from eight agencies. Openness was measured with the Big Five Inventory-2 (percentile ranks); creativity was assessed with the Divergent Association Task (DAT; n = 116) and the Consensual Assessment Technique (CAT; n = 111). Covariates were age, tenure, rank, gender, and, for 46 participants at one agency, a dispatch-derived operational exposure score. In the full sample, Openness did …

Relational Reasoning Across Cultures: Consistency And Variation In South Korea, The United States, And China, Alexandra Carstensen, Minju Kim, Youngon Choi, Caren M. Walker

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Abstract reasoning in early childhood is often described as following a “relational shift,” over which children become increasingly sensitive to relations. However, recent work has challenged the generality of this account, showing that children in the US and China follow distinct trajectories in a relational match-to-sample task. This difference aligns with multiple cultural and linguistic factors implicated in relational reasoning, where the US and China appear at opposite ends of a continuum, focusing on objects (US) versus relations (CN). This raises the possibility that differences in culture and language may shape variation in the development of abstract reasoning. Here, we …

Belonging, Safety, And Well-Being: An Ecological Systems Review Of School-Based Supports For Transgender And Gender-Diverse Students, Lauren Deluca

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth continue to experience significant challenges in school belonging, safety, and mental health outcomes within K-12 educational settings. At the same time, literature highlights the important role affirming school environments play in promoting resilience and well-being among TGD students. The purpose of this systematized review was to synthesize the current literature examining the school-based factors associated with belonging, safety, and well-being for TGD students across ecological systems, as well as identify the barriers that hinder educators in implementing affirming practices in schools, and how school professionals navigate these barriers. Guided by Minority Stress Theory and Ecological …

A Systematized Review On Key Considerations For Trauma Informed Practices For K-12 Students Experiencing Trauma That Impact Behavioral Outcomes, Sarah Caufield

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Across different socioeconomic statuses, geographic locations, and racial or ethnic backgrounds, trauma can affect students in nearly every school across the U.S. While children show vastly different behavioral responses to these experiences of trauma, their experiences affect their behavior in the classroom and, in turn, their ability to succeed academically. Ultimately, the goal of this systematized review was to answer the question, “what are key considerations for trauma informed practices for K-12 students experiencing trauma that impact behavioral outcomes?”. This was done through a systematized review of current literature and studies in surrounding interventions to use with students who have …

How Do Dual Tasks Affect Id Verification? A Mobile Eye-Tracking Analysis, Nathan Wieters

Masters Theses (Archived)

ID screening is a two-part process — the card and identity must be authenticated. Psychological research has typically focused on identity verification without considering card verification. To fill this gap, the present study had participants complete an ID verification task while wearing eye-tracking glasses to record gaze behavior during face-matching decisions. After 2 practice trials, a research assistant presented 48 physical ID cards with embedded facial images, one at a time, beside a computer monitor that presented a facial videos and calendar date. Participants were asked to decide if the ID card was valid on a 6-option scale from Definitely …

Exploring The Impact Of An Ethnic Studies Course On Latiné High School Students’ Social-Emotional Health And Identity Development, Xitlalli G. Najera

Doctoral Dissertations

Prior research demonstrates that culturally relevant pedagogies can enhance students’ academic engagement, critical thinking, and sense of belonging, while also buffering against the negative effects of discrimination and marginalization. Research on ethnic studies (ES) courses has shown positive impacts on students’ graduation rates, GPA average, and motivation to be involved with their community. Related studies on the impacts of ES curricula show socio-emotional benefits such as an increase in self-esteem, improved perceptions of self-agency, and fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of an ethnic studies course on Latiné high school students’ …

The Role Of Reassurance Messages In Pediatric Oncology, Isabelle Faller

Doctoral Dissertations

Despite decreasing mortality rates, the high prevalence and incidence of pediatric cancer necessitate the need for advancements in the treatment of psychological concerns, specifically the reduction of patient distress and anxiety. A more comprehensive understanding of current reassurance messages in clinical practice can aid in developing a standardized framework for providing reassurance in pediatric oncology. Qualitative Content Analysis was employed to examine the types of messages nurses use to reassure patients (to reduce their anxiety about a future health-related event) and how effective nurses perceive these messages to be in relieving patients' anxiety. The adult participants, located at hospitals throughout …

The Moderating Effect Of Facial Recognition Ability On The Post-Identification Feedback Effect, Benjamin Martell

Student Theses

Abstract

Researchers have long understood the contaminating impact that feedback given to an eyewitness regarding their lineup identification has on a host of testimony-relevant retrospective judgments (Steblay et al., 2014; Wells & Bradfield, 1998). This phenomenon-the Post Identification Feedback Effect- has been influential in informing policy that seeks to reduce the number of false identifications and subsequent miscarriages of justice (Dysart et al., 2012). The present study aims to further our understanding and application of the post-identification feedback effect by investigating how a factor specific to the eyewitness, facial recognition ability, may moderate this effect. The present study failed to …

From Silence To Story: Reconstructing Narratives Of Mental Illness, Family, And Self Among U.S. Adult Children Of Parents With Mental Illness, Mallory M. Mccorkle

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The existing literature on children of parents with mental illness has largely focused on developmental risks and psychological outcomes, with limited attention to how these individuals construct narratives of mental illness, family, and self within broader sociocultural contexts. Guided by social constructionism, symbolic interactionism, and the master narrative framework, this qualitative study explored how adult children of parents with mental illness make meaning of their experiences within the sociocultural context of the United States. Utilizing narrative analysis within a critical paradigm, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 adult children who grew up with at least one parent with a mental …

Exploring Knowledge And Sources Of Information On Augmentative And Alternative Communication Among Board-Certified Behavior Analysts, Alyssa Roylance, Sophia R. D'Agostino, Avery Briggs, Naima Bhana-Lopez

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Student Research

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is often recommended to help autistic individuals develop needed skills, and as such, Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) should be prepared to assist minimally verbal individuals to learn how to communicate. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) can be a helpful tool to assist communication for these individuals. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study, including a survey with Likert-type and open-answer questions and a semi-structured interview, was conducted to learn if BCBAs are receiving training on AAC systems and where they are obtaining AAC-related professional development. The survey and interview also inquired about collaboration with other professionals regarding the …

Self-State Shifts During Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: Associations With Trauma History And The Functions Of Self-Harm, Katie E. Callahan

Dissertations, 2020-current

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a clinically significant behavior associated with substantial psychological distress and elevated suicide risk. Despite considerable research on the emotional triggers and functional implications of NSSI, the internal relational states activated during self-harm remain poorly understood. This study examined shifts in self-directed relational patterns during NSSI episodes using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) model and Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT) theory. A cross-sectional secondary data analysis was conducted with 125 participants who reported current or past NSSI. Residualized change scores were computed to index shifts in self-state between general and NSSI conditions. Measures included the SASB-based …

Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, Secondary Trauma, And Experiences With Death And Dying Among Organ And Tissue Recovery Professionals: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Shelby Andreasen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Professionals in organ and tissue recovery have complex job roles that affect the outcomes of patients who wait for a life-saving organ or a life-enhancing tissue graft. This profession had little research regarding burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma, as well as how consistent involvement with deceased patients affects these professionals and the outcomes of their cases. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of 11 organ and tissue recovery professionals (OTRPs). Constructivist self-development theory was applied to understand OTRPs’ lived experiences of compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, and burnout, as well as the impact …

Staff Education On An Electronic Health Record-Based Tracking And Reminder System For Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics, Osereme Nora Agboifo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Missed or delayed administration of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications remains a practice concern in outpatient mental health care because treatment gaps can interrupt continuity, increase relapse risk, and contribute to avoidable hospitalization. The practice problem addressed in this staff education project was inconsistent use of a standardized electronic health record (EHR)-based LAI tracking and reminder workflow. The project purpose was to improve staff knowledge, documentation consistency, reminder use, and follow-up practices for adults receiving LAI antipsychotic medications. The practice-focused question asked whether staff education on an EHR-based LAI tracking and reminder system would improve adherence monitoring and follow-up processes …

Postsecondary Experiences And Impact On Career Choices And Employment Status For Cisgender Women With Autism, Maureen Bell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cisgender women with autism remain underrepresented in research on postsecondary education and career development despite experiencing distinct barriers within these systems. This qualitative study examined how cisgender women with autism perceived the impact of their postsecondary education experiences on career choices and employment navigation. Guided by the social model of disability and intersectionality theory, nine postsecondary participants formally diagnosed with autism and who self-identified as cisgender completed semistructured interviews exploring their educational and employment experiences. Thematic analysis identified seven interconnected themes. Findings indicated that academic success often masked significant internal distress, suggesting that performance did not reflect accessible environments. Participants …

The Lived Experiences Of Intimacy And Isolation In Single Mothers During Covid-19: An Eriksonian Perspective, Chante Renee Reeves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Single mothers were largely absent from the COVID-19 literature, despite being head of household in approximately 80% of single-parent homes. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative research study was to gain insight into the lived experiences of single mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study addressed how this group connected with family, friends, and others in meaningful ways despite government-imposed lockdowns and restrictions. This phenomenon was explored through Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, with a focus on the intimacy versus isolation stage. An Eriksonian perspective on relationship building and maintenance in adulthood can help better understand and address the social …

Completion Outcomes And Predictive Characteristics In Mandated Inpatient Substance Use Treatment, Tina Marie Moyer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Treatment retention, specifically as it pertains to offenders who are mandated to receive substance use treatment rather than serve standard incarceration sentences, is receiving more scholarly attention. Although prior research indicates an association between substance use treatment and reduced criminal behavior, many studies have methodological limitations. The purpose of this quantitative non-experimental, comparative study was to compare treatment completion outcomes for mandated and non-mandated offenders and to examine individual predictors of treatment completion, thereby addressing gaps in the current research. Secondary data from adult offenders receiving treatment at an inpatient substance use rehabilitation facility were analyzed. The risk-needs-responsivity model was …