Psychology Commons^™

Exploring Organizational Responses To Clinician Turnover: A Baldrige Framework Approach, Sharayza Rachael Blakemore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Unintentional Gun Injury In Children: Firearm Safety Knowledge, Intention, And Behavior And Psychological Moderators That Predict Unsafe Firearm Use, Yixin Wang

ETDs from 2020-2029

In the United States, 4,752 children under age 19 died from firearm injuries in 2021. Among children younger than 14, 13% of firearm-related deaths were unintentional. In ad-dition, approximately 40% of children lived in households with firearms in 2021, and in many states, children may legally hunt without adult supervision after completing hunter education training. Although knowledge-based firearm safety education programs have been developed, existing interventions have shown limited effectiveness in improving chil-dren’s firearm safety behaviors. In response, the present study examined children’s firearm safety performance through the lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior and developmental factors relevant to …

Independent Living Skills For The Aging Population Of Adults With Disabilities, Sara K. Fetter Otd, Otr, Jennifer L. Martin Otd, Otr, Cht, Clt, Michele L. Mccarroll Phd, Faacvpr, Acsm-Ccep, Ccrp, Lssbb

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Adults with intellectual disability (ID) are living longer and increasingly outlive family caregivers. Strengthening independent living and vocational skills has therefore become a critical public-health priority. Occupational therapy (OT) can address this need through person-centered, community-based programming. This paper describes the co-design, delivery, and preliminary outcomes of a short occupation-based curriculum intended to enhance autonomy and work readiness in aging adults with ID. In partnership with a Dallas, Texas nonprofit, the authors conducted a needs assessment and created an 8-session course rooted in the Independent Living Model and the Occupational Competence Model. The curriculum addressed four domains (physical health, financial …

Mental Toughness In Motherhood: A Qualitative Phenomenological Approach To Advancing Developmental Understanding, Mary Kauffman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored how mothers define, experience, and describe mental toughness within the developmental context of motherhood. Mental toughness has been extensively examined in performance-based domains such as sports, education, business and military settings. Limited research has investigated how this construct appears or manifests in caregiving roles. Understanding mental toughness in motherhood may inform how mothers are supported psychologically and contribute to future frameworks, interventions, and systems designed to strengthen maternal well-being, adaptation, and long-term functioning. Guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, which focuses on the perceived ability of individuals to navigate adversity, this study examined mental toughness as …

Advancing Culturally Relevant Mindfulness In Public Health, Marcus Johnson, Candy Ratliff

The Journal of the Research Association of Minority Professors

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have gained significant traction in public health, education, and clinical settings due to their demonstrated benefits for stress reduction and psychological well-being. However, these interventions often originate from Eurocentric frameworks that insufficiently reflect the cultural, historical, and structural contexts of diverse and historically marginalized communities. This commentary proposes a Culturally Relevant Mindfulness (CRM) framework that centers the lived experiences, healing traditions, and epistemologies of underrepresented populations. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature and critiques of conventional mindfulness models, the article articulates four guiding principles of CRM: cultural identity affirmation, historical consciousness, ancestral integration, and community-centered practice. Rather than merely …

Justice-Involved Individual Experiences Accessing Community Reentry Services Postincarceration In Northern California, Pamela Michelle Kesee-Wyre

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Barriers And Beliefs: Narratives Of Mental Health Help-Seeking Among First-Generation Latino/Hispanic College Students, Karina L. Alba Lockhart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mental health challenges among college students in the United States have increased in recent years, yet first-generation Latino/Hispanic college students continue to underutilize available services while facing unique cultural and structural barriers to care. This qualitative narrative study explored how first-generation Latino/Hispanic college students made meaning of mental health help-seeking in relation to perceived barriers, perceived benefits, and cultural values such as familismo and stigma. Guided by the health belief model and cross-cultural psychology, this study recruited 15 participants from four-year institutions in the United States and collected data through an online asynchronous questionnaire. Thematic and narrative analysis revealed that …

To What Extent Do Different Types And Dosages Of Cannabinoids Have In Treating Anxiety Disorder, Lourdes Cristina Garcia Carrillo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods study investigated the efficacy of various cannabinoid types and dosages in treating anxiety disorders among young adults (19–23), examining cannabis's role in regulating a deregulated endocannabinoid system. Fourteen participants tracked real-time anxiety symptoms, strain type, dosage, and affective states using the Releaf App. Quantitative analyses included repeated-measures ANOVA and Pearson correlation, complemented by quantitative content analysis of affect descriptors. Key findings revealed a statistically significant reduction in self-reported anxiety symptoms following cannabis use (p < .001, partial 2 = .97), supporting the hypothesis that cannabis can regulate a deregulated endocannabinoid system. No significant differences in anxiolytic effects were observed among Indica, Hybrid Indica/Sativa, and Hybrid Sativa/Indica strains. The optimal dosage for perceived anxiety relief appeared to be higher than initially hypothesized, with a moderate-to-strong association between dosage and anxiety relief (r = .662, p = .0099). Participants overwhelmingly reported positive affective states, such as "calm," "peaceful," and "relaxed," post-cannabis use, with no negative descriptors observed in the analyzed data. These results suggest that cannabis can serve as a short-term coping strategy for anxiety in young adults, leading to perceived emotional regulation.

Young Adults Describe Their Lived Experiences Of Adverse Childhood Experiences Through The Lens Of A Secure Attachment, Martin Weinberger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of A Sleep Health Composite: Changes In Sleep Over The Menarcheal Transition Among Girls, Julianna Adornetti

Master's Theses

Sleep undergoes a shift during puberty, increasing the risk for psychological and insomnia symptoms, particularly among girls. However, little research has examined how the onset of menarche may contribute to vulnerability in sleep and psychological functioning. The Sleep Health framework provides a standardized, multidimensional way to conceptualize sleep health (RU-SATED: satisfaction, alertness, timing, efficiency, duration, and regularity). Although prior studies have provided proof-of-concept for assessing sleep health using a composite score (SHc), its measurement properties have yet to be explored. The primary aims of this longitudinal study were to (1) evaluate the factor structure of a sleep health composite, (2) …

Satisfaction With Caseworker Services And Child Outcomes For Youth In The Foster Care System, Taira Masuda

Master's Theses

Currently, there are approximately 400,000 children involved in the U.S. foster care system (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023). Youth involved in foster care experience challenges such as trauma, disruptions to their support system, academic disruptions, and additional public system involvement (Emerson & Lovitt, 2003; Fawley-King et al., 2017; Masuda & Helm, 2024; Modrowski et al., 2023). Considering this context, it is essential to increase efforts to reduce added distress and bolster supportive contexts for youth. Caseworkers are essential service providers for youth in foster care. Caseworkers provide support to youth and families through assessing needs, connecting families …

“Being An Arab Is Like Fighting For Your Joy”: Exploring Bicultural Identity, Racialization, And Psychological Well-Being Among Us-Born Arab Americans, Hisham Nsier

Master's Theses

Bicultural identity development in Arab Americans, who must manage sometimes conflicting cultural expectations, is understudied. Even less is known about Arab Americans born in the United States (US-born AA), who are American by birth yet are alienated from society due to differences between their ‘white’ racialization and their cultural identities. The current study aimed to examine the relationship between bicultural identity, racialization, and psychological well-being at the intersection of US-born AA’s co-existing identities. Eight adult US-born AAs (Mage = 28 years, SD = 4) were recruited from professional Listservs and WhatsApp affinity groups. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed …

Counting Your Chickens Before They Hatch: Understanding Anticipatory Savoring And How And Why People Approach Or Avoid The Anticipation Of Future Positive Events, Asura Louise Osborne

Master's Theses

In this study, discretion between the styles used to anticipate positive events is the focus of a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) conducted on the Index of Anticipatory Styles (IAS). The IAS is a 45-item survey used to measure types of savoring in response to future positive events. This work expands the savoring literature to examine approach- and avoidant-type anticipatory savoring. Approach-type anticipatory savoring discriminates between Enjoyment, Coping, Control, Recalled Anticipation, and Downplaying. Avoidant-type savoring parses between Avoidance of anticipation because events may not occur, Avoidance of anticipation because events may fail to live up to expectations, Jinxing, and Counterproductivity. CFA …

Growing Through Systemic Adversity: Evaluation Of Developmental Trauma Assessment Among Black And/Or Latiné Adolescents With Adhd, Victoria Grant O'Daniel

Master's Theses

Black and Latiné youth are disproportionately impacted by targeted harm and trauma exposure, which is further exacerbated by stigma, biases, and punitive actions towards youth with attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD). This presents an urgent public health concern, as frequent exposure to trauma across development can lead to difficulties with behavior regulation, interpersonal relationships, impulse control, emotion regulation, and attention and cognition. Developmental trauma disorder (DTD) was proposed to capture the adverse developmental outcomes experienced by youth exposed to chronic trauma; however, there is a dearth of research on how to assess DTD. Thus, the current study aimed to establish support …

Identity Conflict In Student-Athletes: Athletic And Academic Identity Salience As Predictors Of Stress, Alaina Abel

Master's Theses

The goal of the current research is to explore the dual identities of collegiate student-athletes. More specifically, it aims to examine how the salience of the two identities may impact identity conflict and stress levels. Balancing the demands of academics and athletics presents unique challenges to this population. Academically, time constraints, missed classes, pressure to maintain GPA, and mental fatigue present barriers to academic success, while athletically, rigorous training schedules, frequent travel, and the pressure to perform consistently present obstacles to excel in their sport. The constant tug and pull between balancing the responsibilities of two roles that significantly shape …

Pubertal Timing, Physical Activity, And Internalizing Symptoms In Adolescent Girls, Kirby Knapp

Master's Theses

Puberty brings marked changes in physical appearance, biological functioning, psychological well-being, and behavior, making it one of the most pivotal transitions in adolescence. Those who experience puberty earlier than their same-aged peers are at an elevated risk of psychological disorders and physical inactivity. Research shows that there are links between physical activity and psychological disorders, yet few have examined the directional relations between physical activity and internalizing symptoms or whether a certain amount of physical activity is necessary to prevent internalizing symptoms. Therefore, the current study examined (1) the directional relations between internalizing symptoms and physical activity, (2) the degree …

Lived Experiences Of Polysubstance Use And Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Candee Dione Rillon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health disorders (MHD), with particular attention to the transition into polysubstance use. The purpose of the study was to understand how individuals experience and make meaning of these co-occurring conditions and the factors influencing substance use patterns. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with participants who reported both mental health challenges and substance use histories. Thematic analysis revealed that participants experienced SUD and MHD as deeply interconnected and mutually reinforcing, often functioning within a cyclical pattern of distress and temporary relief. Substance use …

The Prevalence Of Moral Injury Among Veterans Diagnosed With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd): Analyses By Combat Exposure, Gender, Age Group, And Military Service, Carl B. Forkner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, and the ensuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, heralded in a new concept affecting our combat and support military personnel. This concept is known today as moral injury. Military personnel were already familiar with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), whether from personal experience or from reading and training on the subject, but no training addresses the prevalence or effects of moral injury. The term moral injury (MI) was first coined by psychiatrist Jonathan Shay and his colleagues based on feedback from military and veteran patients in 1998; however, it remains that …

Correctional Leadership And Its Relationship To Psychological Well-Being And Job Satisfaction Among Former Department Of Corrections Staff, Brittaney Brown Kovacs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Correctional institutions represent complex work environments in which leadership may influence employee psychological well-being and job satisfaction. Although prior research has primarily focused on correctional officers, less attention has been paid to the broader workforce within Departments of Corrections (DOCs), including educational, healthcare, and administrative personnel. This retrospective mixed-methods study examined the relationships between employee perceptions of transformational, transactional, and authoritarian leadership styles and employee outcomes among former staff of state-level DOCs in the United States. Participants included 75 former DOC employees from multiple states. Quantitative data were collected using standardized measures of leadership, job satisfaction, and psychological well-being. Multiple …

Reality Tv & Social Media Impact On The Psyche Of Adult Women Who Experience Physical Image Discomfort, Tierra James

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to examine the perception of adult women regarding the role of reality television and social media in influencing body image, self-worth, and mental health. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on 15 women aged between 18 and 50 years, who lived in the United States and actively used reality TV and social media, and reported body-image distress, which was indicative of body dysmorphic trait. Data interpretation was done in an ideographical manner and followed by pattern analysis across cases. The results suggested that idealized and edited media images were popularly identified by the participants as …

Predicting Employee Attitudes Toward Artificial Intelligence Technology: The Roles Of Job Embeddedness & Grit On Military Veterans In The U.S. Workforce, Ajay Joseph Koovackal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Today, artificial intelligence (AI) technology demands are growing rapidly to aid organizations in innovation, improving efficiency, increasing profits, and staying competitive within their respective markets. However, the irresponsible implementation of AI tools may cause organizations to suffer significantly by negatively affecting employee attitudes, perseverance, affiliation, and retention. This research is a cross-sectional quantitative study investigating the relationship between attitudes toward artificial intelligence (ATAI), job embeddedness (JE), and grit (GT). The study participants are 132 adult military veterans employed full-time in the United States. The researcher collected data through a self-report survey deployed on the SurveyMonkey online platform. After which, the …

A Link Between Emotional Intelligence, Age, And Diverse Learners, Christina Jedlicka Blake

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative comparative study explored the complex relationship between emotional intelligence (EQ) and Learning Differences (LDs), focusing on academic, social, and emotional development of adolescents diagnosed with specific learning disabilities (SLDs), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and high- functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study investigated whether differences in EQ exist between students with and without LDs and whether age influences EQ development. The 102 participants included male and female students in grades 6-12, ages 11-18, attending a Christ-centered college preparatory school. Students completed a 30-question EQ questionnaire during the researcher’s class time, and online surveys were coded to identify …

Children With Cerebellar Malformations And Co-Occurring Autism: A Phenomenological Study Exploring Challenges Faced With The Dual Diagnosis Process, Service Acquisition, And Psychosocial Impacts, Ladeana W. Gambill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Parents of children who have been diagnosed with cerebellar malformations, such as Dandy-Walker Malformation, often face confusion and frustration as they are given uncertain prognoses about their child’s future. The uncertainty is further compounded when there are concerns for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and testing is sought, with conflicting answers on whether their child has autism or not. Acquisition of autism-specialty services may be delayed if a diagnosis of autism is not received in a timely manner. The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences and challenges faced by parents of children with cerebellar malformations …

The Impact Of Leadership Style On Cohesion And Trust Within Remote Teams, Grace E. Choi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored how leadership approaches affected the development of trust and team cohesion within remote teams in the post-pandemic workplace. The pandemic transformed daily work interactions so that relationship focused leadership has become essential for distributed employees. This study examined how employees experience leader behaviors that either supported or hindered unity and trust through the lens of Leader-Member Exchange and transformational/transactional leadership theories. Through purposive sampling, nine adults who have spent at least one year working remotely in team-based roles in the United States were recruited for semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. Interviews were audio recorded …

Technology Acceptance And Chatgpt Use In The Workplace, Niya Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into organizations and workplaces increasing the need to better understand the influence this technology has on employees. Research investing psychological factors that influence employees' intended use and benefits of these technology tools will help to better understand strategies to support adaptation and effective use of these tools for employees. This quantitative correlational study examined the relationships among technology self-efficacy (TSE), perceived usefulness (PU), decision-making confidence (DMC), occupational self-efficacy (OSE), and technology acceptance (TA) of ChatGPT among working adults across various occupational sectors. Mediating and predictive mechanisms that influence workers objectives to engage with ChatGPT …

Strengthening The Mind: Evaluating Emotional Intelligence As A Tool To Combat Anxiety In Youth Soccer, John P. Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Competitive anxiety is a significant challenge for adolescent soccer players, contributing to psychological distress and early sport withdrawal, and approximately 70% of youth athletes quit organized sport by age 14. Emotional intelligence, the capacity to recognize, understand, and regulate emotions, represents a promising and trainable intervention target, yet few studies have examined structured EI programs with youth soccer populations using rigorous experimental designs that include a parallel control group. This quantitative intervention study examined the effect of an emotional intelligence intervention on competitive anxiety among youth soccer players, including whether individual emotional profiles and gender moderated outcomes.

A randomized controlled …

Beyond The Battlefield: Analyzing Trauma's Impact On Veterans' Holistic Health, Keyanna Mikell-Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study used a mixed-methods approach to examine the multidimensional effects on U.S. veterans' physical, mental, and spiritual health. Two surveys gathered quantitative data from 100 veterans. The surveys included elements of the Life Events Checklist, PTSD screenings, physical health conditions common in the veteran community, and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale. The surveys used five-point Likert scales. Quantitative data were analyzed in SPSS using correlation and regression analyses. Qualitative data comprised 10 semi-structured interviews with 10 of the 100 veteran participants. Interviews were transcribed, and ATLAS.ti was used to conduct a thematic analysis from which themes were extracted. Results showed …

Veteran Reintegration: A Strategic Approach To Success, Stephanie Irene Hennessy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A critical gap exists in non-clinical support programs for military service members transitioning to civilian life, especially in addressing purpose, personal narrative, and community reintegration. This study examined how a reintegration program addressed this gap through a unified conceptual framework—Purpose, Narrative, and Community (PNC)—which guided program design and delivery. The program was delivered through the Surf Brigade Foundation, a veteran initiative specializing in surf immersion located on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Using a quantitative pretest-posttest case study design, this research evaluated changes in well-being, purpose identification, and social connectedness among participants. Outcomes were measured using the Integration of Stressful Life Experiences …

Values And The Black-White Mental Health Paradox, Tiffany Soignoli

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative cross-sectional study explored the Black-White mental health paradox (BWMHP), which proposes that Black individuals have better or similar mental health than White individuals despite additional stressors, but the etiology of these differences has not been found. While self-esteem has been consistently found to differentiate Black and White adults in relation to the BWMHP, values have not been investigated. Therefore, using a total sample of 191 Black and 191 White American adults (N = 382), values were examined to determine whether they contribute to the differences in depression, stress, and anxiety, leading to better mental health. Chi-square tests of …

How Are Depression And Anxiety In Biracial Black–White Adults Related To Monoracial Familial Connectedness Throughout Life?, Cary M. Steffey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The multiracial population is the fastest-growing minority group in the United States, yet their mental health and familial experiences are insufficiently studied. Due to their complex racial backgrounds, unique life experiences, and diverse social connections, multiracial individuals endure mental health issues that differ from those of many other populations, including their family relationships. Some of these differences include how these relationships affect life experiences and mental health status. This quantitative study examined psychological well-being among multiracial individuals, with a focus on relationships with monoracial family members. This study hypothesized that greater familial support predicts improved mental health outcomes. The study …