Psychology Commons^™

Religious Trauma Healing Through Expressive Arts Therapy: A Literature Review, Abigail S. Whitman

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review discusses religion, spirituality, religious trauma, and mental health treatment through expressive arts therapy. The research highlights a prevalence of religious trauma within adults in the United States and a need for mental health care targeted toward the complexities of religious harm. Expressive arts therapy is an evidence-based and trauma-informed method of treating religious trauma. A somatic and well-rounded approach to processing religious trauma promotes self-regulation, building confidence, and finding affirming community. This research also outlines the interconnected systems of power that harm marginalized communities through religion: capitalism, white supremacy, and the patriarchy. Lastly, the literature review discusses …

The Role Of The Jester: The Subversive Power Of Humor And Performance In Challenging Misogyny, Sarah E. Price

Expressive Therapies Theses

Humor has long occupied a complicated place in systems of power, sometimes reinforcing oppressive norms and other times offering a way to push back against them. This thesis explores how the archetype of the jester can be used in drama therapy to help individuals reclaim agency within misogynistic structures. Drawing from role theory, feminist performance studies, and Theatre of the Oppressed, the project examines how jestering, through satire, parody, and play, can act as a vehicle for resistance, healing, and empowerment. A review of existing literature shows that while humor has historically been used to uphold patriarchal norms, it has …

Couples In The Playspace: Community Engagement With Developmental Transformations, Amanda Roberts

Expressive Therapies Theses

Couple therapy is an evolving field in the modern therapeutic landscape. With that evolution comes an opportunity to study the application of drama therapy with couples. Although there is limited evidence supporting the use of drama therapy with couples, there is no research on the use of Developmental Transformations (DvT), a play-based improvised form of drama therapy, with couples. As a first step in exploring this gap, this community engagement project invited two monogamous couples to engage in two separate brief DvT sessions. Given that this project was community-oriented rather than clinical, the focus of this capstone was self-reflective in …

How Can Art Therapy Help Veterans And Service Members With Ptsd? A Literature Review, Shira Espo

Expressive Therapies Theses

This paper seeks to research the usefulness of art therapy with veterans and service members with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Theoretically, art therapy is thought to work by allowing access to non-verbal memories to be expressed and transformed into a trauma narrative, to be stored in memory in a way that does not interfere with daily life the way PTSD symptoms do. The method used is a literature review, which studied research articles about art therapy being used to treat veterans and service members with PTSD. Other included topics are the history of PTSD, current theories about PTSD and the …

Embedded Roots: Exploring Healing Through Digital Storytelling: Application And Training, Joselyn M. Carvalho

Expressive Therapies Theses

This review examines digital and expressive storytelling in a clinical, community-based health center, focusing on its impact and relationship with trauma. Existing research has explored how digital storytelling serves as an intervention for addressing intergenerational trauma, trauma transmission, identity development, and social systems affecting youth. This community engagement project integrates these ideas with reflections from clinicians, exploring how clinicians' involvement in digital storytelling may influence care, confidence, and cultural understanding. Theories central to this research include Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory and systems-based awareness maps, which help examine the broader systems that influence youth as they develop their narratives. The transmission …

More Than Dress-Up: A Literature Review Of The Function Of Costume In Drama Therapy, Bretny M. Seamon

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review examined the role of costume as a therapeutic tool in drama therapy; an area that, despite its potential, remains underexplored. The studies located focused on how costume may facilitate identity exploration and emotional expression. The paper synthesized existing literature on drama therapy's core processes, particularly embodiment and dramatic projection, while expanding the definition of costume to include masks and puppets. The literature illuminated the psychological and cultural significance of dress and identity, with studies that investigated how costume influenced both self-perception and external perception. The literature addressed the evolution of costume use in virtual therapy settings, illustrating …

Exploring Dance/Movement Therapy Through An Existential-Feminist Lens For Perimenopausal Individuals In The Post-Covid Digital Age: A Literature Review, Karen Schmitz

Expressive Therapies Theses

The goal of this thesis was to understand the impact that perimenopause and the COVID-19 pandemic have on individuals and how existential theory and dance/movement therapy can be applied to enhance quality of life. The literature review first explores historical and current contexts of perimenopause. The second section covers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on caregiving individuals, particularly women. Subsequent sections introduce existential theory and dance/movement therapy frameworks, with a concentration on relevant concepts for the specified population. Research shows that during the COVID-19 pandemic, external pressures around appearance, reproductive value, and the societal expectations of women intensified. Overall, …

Using Expressive Arts Therapy With Autistic Children To Help Regulate And Build Coping Skills: A Literature Review, Swara Swaminathan

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review is about whether we can use Expressive Arts Therapy with autistic children to regulate and build coping skills. The author could not find articles that covers the entire topic, but she split the topic in terms of autism in India and various application of Expressive Arts Therapy globally. She was able to find Expressive Arts Therapy or Creative Arts Therapy was helpful to autistic children, or children with trauma. She could also notice the stigma of autism in India in some of the articles.

Dance/Movement Therapy As A Potential Complimentary Treatment For Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: A Literature Review, Ashley H. Marsden

Expressive Therapies Theses

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a debilitating condition predominantly affecting younger individuals, marked by extreme heart rate fluctuations, fatigue, and cognitive disturbances. This literature review explores the multifaceted nature of POTS, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies that incorporate both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. It highlights the promising role of Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) as a complementary treatment, which fosters emotional expression and enhances physical well-being. By synthesizing current research on POTS, pharmacological options, and innovative non-pharmacological therapies like DMT, this review advocates for a holistic approach to POTS management that recognizes the complexities of the disorder and addresses …

As If We Could Get Along: Dramatic Reality’S Influence On The Prosociality Of Adolescent Boys With Problematic Sexual Behavior, Joel David Bender

Expressive Therapies Theses

There is a strong need for novel treatment approaches for adolescents with problematic sexual behavior (PSB), considering that historically, treatment approaches for adult sex offenders have been blindly applied to youth. Adolescent boys with PSB are at risk for poor treatment outcomes when they engage in anti-social behaviors and group hostility. Dramatic reality, a core process in drama therapy, may assist in transforming the experience of boys in their capacity to exhibit prosocial behavior, given that dramatic reality inherently augments reality. This community arts workshop used purposive sampling in a day treatment center for adolescent boys with PSB and explored …

Collage As A Facilitator Of Connection And Belonging: An Application Of Art Therapy With Sgm Clients, Noa L. Shems

Expressive Therapies Theses

This research explored themes of connection and belonging in SGM clients in individual art therapy sessions through the medium of collage. An arts-based research method was developed utilizing the medium of collage in session with clients, followed with reflective response collages and journaling to analyze the data observed. Across 5 art therapy sessions, clients engaging in collage facilitated deeper therapeutic rapport and safety, enhanced a sense of connection with the self, and helped to process barriers and desires around clients’ close relationships.

Vocal Toning Increasing The Parent-Child Bond In Neonatal Care: A Proposed Method, Mikki Mcintire

Expressive Therapies Theses

Vocal toning in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is an innovative therapeutic method that greatly improves emotional connections between caregivers and fragile infants. This practice is more than just a new idea; it fosters the crucial relationships essential for developing newborns. Vocal toning also aids in stabilizing physiological responses and promoting emotional regulation in infants, who are often subjected to high-stress situations. Using structured vocalization techniques, caregivers can provide consistent auditory and vibrational cues that encourage relaxation and promote co-regulation with the infants in their care. This proposed approach examines the theoretical foundation, solid methodology, practical application, and anticipated …

Eos Wellness Center: Rethinking Inpatient Mental Health Facility Design, Emily Simms

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The design of mental health facilities significantly impacts patient outcomes, especially for individuals with depression. Environmental factors such as lighting, thermal comfort, and access to nature influence mental health. This research explores how architectural design can reduce self-harm incidents and enhance recovery outcomes for patients with depression. The project hypothesizes that synchronizing light patterns and thermal comfort with patients’ circadian rhythms will reduce self-harm incidents and improve recovery. The problem established in the research is that disruptions to circadian rhythms increase the risk of depression, PTSD, and anxiety by 30% (Burns et al., 2022). Suicide is also the second leading …

Cumulative Lifespan Stress And Inflammation Are Associated With Black-White Racial Disparities In Mortality Among Americans, Isaiah Spears

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Black Americans disproportionately experience higher rates of health challenges and mortality compared to White Americans, yet the mechanisms underlying these disparities remain inadequately understood. Prominent theoretical models highlight stress and resulting allostatic load as putative mechanisms through which these Black-White racial disparities emerge; however, empirical data supporting such models with regard to mortality remains sparse. The current study examined the potential role of cumulative stress exposure across the life span and elevated levels of C-Reactive Protein, a biomarker of inflammation, in contributing to the longstanding increased mortality risk among Black relative to White Americans. Data were drawn from the Saint …

An Analysis On The Most Effective Parental Involvement Behavior(S), Katrina Viloria

Honors Capstones

Parental involvement is the parent participation in the learning and educational process of their children (Myers-Young, 2018). Within parental involvement, there are home-based, school-based, and home-school communication forms of involvement. Previous research indicated that even after accounting for diverse background characteristics and risk factors, parent involvement in school was consistent in positive association with academic achievement, lower rates of high school dropout, increased on-time high school completion, and highest grade completed (Desforges & Abouchaar, 2003). The current study investigated which of the various parental involvement behaviors are the most strongly associated with childrens’ academic achievement as well as how these …

Childhood Experiences Of Care, Emotional Abuse And Self-Esteem Among University Students, Shaymaa Riyadh Harbi, Yousef Jamal

Effat Undergraduate Research Journal

Childhood abuse is a global issue with deep-rooted consequences. In addition, childhood abuse causes stress associated with early mental health interruption. Child abuse also causes children to suffer and can lead to long-term outcomes such as low self-esteem in their teenage years. Thus, this work has examined the relationship between childhood experience and self-esteem. The sample population of this work was comprised of public and private university students from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The sample size of this work was 155 students. Data collection was done using self-administered questionnaire. In addition, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) and Family Relationship in Childhood Questionnaire …

Exploring Self-Portraiture As A Means Of Centering Sessions With A Resistant Client, Brenna L. Almborough

Expressive Therapies Theses

This study intended to explore how self-portraiture could be used in a therapeutic setting as a means of processing self-identity, increasing self-confidence, and working through defenses to center the session on the participant. The findings of increased independent artistic engagement, shift in contact, and increased authenticity reflect the work done with a single client in a therapeutic setting. This methodology utilized a client-centered approach, and each directive was tailored to the participant. A variety of portraits were used, ranging from abstract to representational, as a means of continuously exploring the way the participant viewed themself.

Transforming Criminal Justice Leadership With A Servant-Oriented Trauma-Informed Approach, Janina Cich

Forensic Scholars Today

This paper explores the transformative potential of a criminal justice leadership model by integrating principles of servant leadership, emotional intelligence, and trauma-informed care, focusing on rebuilding community trust, improving officer well-being, and fostering equitable, empathetic public service. This transformative module emphasizes humility, accountability, and emotional awareness to address the deep-rooted effects of trauma on both criminal justice personnel and the communities they serve. Through proactive strategies, such as open communication, cultural competence training, and mental health support, future leaders can cultivate resilient, community-focused agencies prioritizing healing, justice, and human dignity.

Differences In Anxiety Presentation Amongst Collegiate Athletes, Alyssa Garabedian

Honors Projects in Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Anxiety affects millions of individuals, spanning from mild symptoms to life-halting disorders. The symptoms and experiences individuals face in terms of anxiety vary depending on their demographics, as well as living conditions. Athletes are affected by anxiety in different ways than typical non-athlete individuals. Athletes have an entirely different realm of life to consider when thinking about anxiety, and that is, their sporting, competitive life. This study analyzes the symptoms and characteristics of anxiety in college athletes differing by gender and sport type. The data collected through a survey of collegiate athletes at Bryant University will be used to determine …

Identity Light Stories And Their Retellings, Xander S. Barney

Honors Program Theses and Projects

This project looked at entertaining stories and the different audiences they may be told to. The goal was to learn more about the relationships of the storyteller through their entertaining stories, specifically focusing on those they have told the story to and those present in the story they tell. Ten emerging adults from ages 18 to 29 were interviewed and asked to tell an entertaining story and then recount a time they remember telling it. Participants were all English-speaking from the northeastern United States and had completed some level of college. These interviews were coded to look for themes of …

The Impact Of Apoe Genotype On Neuropsychological Functioning In Mild Cognitive Impairment And Alzheimer’S Disease, Emma Larracey

Honors Program Theses and Projects

The presence of the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 (epsilon 4) allele is the primary genetic risk factor for developing sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and has recently been identified as a risk factor for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). While previous research has repeatedly indicated the significance of APOEε4 in AD susceptibility, studies investigating the impact of APOEε4 on neuropsychological performance in AD and MCI have yielded contradictory results. Our study examined how the presence of APOEε4 impacts performance in individuals with MCI and AD on neuropsychological assessments evaluating memory, language, attention, executive, and visuospatial skills. Using archival data collected by the …

“Do You Solemnly Swear Or Affirm?” Investigating Oath Swearing And Its Effects On A Mock Rape Trial, Alex M. Ray

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Within U.S. courts, witnesses are given the ability to choose between declaring an oath (religious connotation) or affirmation (secular connotation) when swearing in. Given the large religious presence and prejudice toward non-believers within the U.S., we employed a brief vignette study and a mock juror experiment to explicitly measure how oath vs. affirmation choice affects perceptions of witnesses and legal judgments of victims and defendants in a rape case. For this two-part pre-registered study, we recruited U.S. jury-eligible adults (Study 1, N = 451; Study 2, N = 122) via Prolific. In Study 1, participants indicated the probable level of …

Examining Components Of The Interpersonal Psychological Theory Of Suicide In A Clinical Sample Of Children With Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors, Alana Brixner Nunes

Theses and Dissertations

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 10- to 14-year-olds. Despite a need to identify risk factors for suicide among children, there is limited research on suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) in childhood. The interpersonal psychological theory of suicide (IPTS) suggests that the desire for suicide emerges from perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness and that the transition from suicide ideation (SI) to a suicide attempt (SA) results from an acquired capability for suicide. However, no research has examined whether the IPTS applies to suicidal thoughts and behaviors among children. The present research examined components of the IPTS in …

Divided Attention With Long-Term Memory: Recollection And Familiarity For Musical Melodies, Gaia Steinberg, Jackson S. Pelzner, Rhiannon N. Soriano Smith

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Objective: Test whether the well-established effects of divided attention 1, 2. (DA) found with non-musical (i.e., verbal and pictorial) materials generalized to musical melodies.

Background: Few studies have used melodies to test recognition models (e.g., DPSD). Parks et al.2 showed stimulus complexity alters source memory reliance on recollection (R) and familiarity (F).

Method: Used a 2 (attention) x 2 (melody type) mixed design with an old-new recognition test to compare DA effects across well-known and novel melodies.

Experiment 1: Applied an n-back task to split participants’ attention; no significant DA effect was observed.

Experiment 2: Shortened melody length and added …

Investigating The Ability Of The Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor Nomifensine To Reverse The Effort-Related Effects Of Tetrabenazine In Female Rats, Vivien Daytree

Honors Scholar Theses

Anergia, lassitude, and psychomotor retardation are core symptoms of motivational dysfunction that often accompany Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors effectively alleviate mood and anxiety symptoms, they remain relatively ineffective at alleviating motivational deficits. Compounds that elevate extracellular dopamine (DA) have shown promise in addressing these symptoms. Bupropion, a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), increases DA and is effective at attenuating motivational symptoms in patients. Another NDRI, nomifensine, has demonstrated potential antidepressant properties in preclinical research. Effort-based choice tasks, such as the FR5/chow choice task, serve as animal models for studying motivational dysfunction. Rats choose between exerting effort …

The Development Of Liking And Familiarity Responses To A Novel Musical Scale, Maya Velazquez, Dan H. Berkowitz, Nicholas Kathios, Psyche Loui

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Musical preference is shaped by listening experience

Listeners tend to like music they’ve heard before familiarity correlates with liking (1).

As listeners acquire knowledge of how music is structured, they make better predictions about events as they unfold.

Familiarity and prediction are key drivers of musical pleasure (2,3).

Present study aims to characterize the relationship between listening experience/exposure and preferences during childhood

Perception Of Emotions In Autism With Controlled Elicitation, Austin Gillespie, Rachel Dewald

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Recognizing emotions play a crucial role in effective communication.(1)

Previous research has rated autistic expression as awkward.(2)

These studies captured unnaturally elicited emotions by having participants imitate emotions from scripted prompts and pictures

Relationship Closeness And Eating Disorder Pathology In Undergraduate Female Friends Dyads, Jessica Nguyen, Maegan Nation

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Eating disorders (ED) are one of the leading mental health concerns among undergraduate students

Rates nearly doubled from 15% in 2013 to 28% in 2020 and 2021

Relationship closeness may play a crucial role in both development and recovery from EDs.

Limited research on platonic relationships and ED pathology, specifically relationship closeness.

Sounds Of Hidden Agents: The Development Of Causal Reasoning About Musical Sounds, Minju Kim, Adena Schachner

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Listening to music activates representations of movement and social agents. Why? We test whether causal reasoning plays a role, and find that from childhood, people can intuitively reason about how musical sounds were generated, inferring the events and agents that caused the sounds. In Experiment 1 (N = 120, pre-registered), 6-year-old children and adults inferred the presence of an unobserved animate agent from hearing musical sounds, by integrating information from the sounds’ timing with knowledge of the visual context. Thus, children inferred that an agent was present when the sounds would require self-propelled movement to produce, given the current …

Effects Of Surprisal And Prediction Uncertainty On Detailed And Gist Aspects Of Memory, Thanh Tan Nguyen

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Schemas guide comprehension and memory of everyday activities, yet theories differ on how schema‐unexpected or schema‐expected events affect memory. In this study, we compared predictions from the Schema‐Linked Interactions between Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Medial Temporal Lobe (SLIMM) model, which proposes a U‐shaped function for gist memory (both highly expected and highly unexpected events are well remembered) and a linear function for detailed memory, with those of the Schema Copy Plus Tag (SC+T) theory, which proposes a linear function for both gist and detailed memory. Participants read everyday activity narratives with events varying in surprisal, prediction uncertainty, and relevance to …