Psychology Commons^™

Surveying Teaching Rewards For Effective Behavior Management, Maggie M. West-Johnson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study investigated the implementation of teacher reward systems within School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) in K–12 educational settings. While the PBIS framework has been extensively studied for its impact on student behavior and academic outcomes, limited attention has been given to supporting and motivating educators through systematic reward systems. This research aimed to identify the types of teacher rewards used, methods of selection and distribution, and staff perceptions of effectiveness and social validity. Using a structured 39-item survey distributed to SWPBIS team members across eight schools in Minnesota, the study gathered quantitative and qualitative data on current …

Psychological Contract Breach And Institutional Trust In Higher Education: Extending The Triadic Framework, Hannah E. Blodget, Katelyn R. Raborn, Justin Travis, Susan Ruppel

University of South Carolina Upstate Student Research Journal

Psychological Contract (PC) theory, originally developed in organizational contexts, has increasingly been applied to higher education to understand the expectations and obligations that students perceive in their relationships with institutions. In this context, the PC refers to the unwritten set of mutual expectations and perceived obligations that shape the student-university relationship (Rousseau, 1998). Psychological contract breaches (PCB), or perceived failures to fulfill promised obligations, can undermine student trust, engagement, and institutional commitment. Despite growing interest, research on PCBs in higher education remains sporadic, often limited to cross-sectional designs, single relational targets, and inconsistent measurement approaches. Moreover, most studies focus on …

A Dog Tail: To Trust Or Not To Trust, Victoria A. Denishchich, Christa C. Christ

University of South Carolina Upstate Student Research Journal

Trust plays an important role in relationships and social functioning while also influencing communication, cooperation, and emotional well-being. Previous research has found that dogs enhance social relationships, approachability, and perceptions of safety and friendliness in everyday interactions. However, not much is known about how the effect dogs have on perceptions of trust applies when photographs are used. Such info is essential given the amount of online social interaction that occurs in society today. This current study examined whether the presence of a dog in a photo affects our trust levels in strangers. In Study 1, 74 participants viewed photos of …

A Phenomenological Look At Mental Blocks In Artistic Gymnastics, Lauren M. Rogers

Theses and Dissertations

Mental blocks are a poorly understood but pervasive and challenging phenomenon in artistic gymnastics that are characterized by a disconnect between the mind and body and an interference with athletes’ ability to physically perform previously automatic skills. This study used interpretive phenomenological analysis to explore the lived experiences of female D-I collegiate gymnasts in the United States who have struggled with mental blocks, examining the characteristics, causes, and management strategies through semi-structured interviews. Findings suggest that mental blocks are best understood on a spectrum and are difficult to attribute to a single cause as they often stem from a combination …

Boys Build, Girls Glam: An Examination Of Adult Language Use In Informal Steam Education Settings, Alexandra Horton

Theses and Dissertations

Research on STEAM education has primarily focused on formal education settings such as schools, with more research needed in informal or non-traditional education settings. As children frequently engage with informal and non-traditional education settings, it is important to understand how we can transmit information in these settings to bolster and further the learning process and increase engagement. STEAM fields have been plagued by racial and gender inequities that have led to these groups being marginalized and excluded (Blair et al., 2017; Eaton et al., 2020; Martin, 2018; Martin & Phillips, 2019; Miller et al., 2018; Newall et al., 2018, Sheffield …

The Effects Of Gsa Participation On Bias-Based Bullying And School-Related Outcomes For Perceived Sexual And Gender Minority Youth, Marissa L. Shaull

Theses and Dissertations

Despite growing attention to discrimination faced by sexual and gender minority groups, perceived sexual and gender minority students face intolerance and prejudice within their schools. This study addresses the complex experiences of perceived and self-identified sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) subjected to bias-based bullying and its effect on their school experience. This study investigated the impact of bias-based bullying on school-related outcomes, such as academic self-efficacy, absenteeism, school climate, and identity disclosure, for SGMY, while also examining Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs). Participants in the study are self-identified and perceived SGMY, and heterosexual adolescents. An anonymous self-administered Qualtrics survey was utilized …

The Impact Of Ableist Microaggressions On The Supervisory Relationship And The Influence Of Burnout And Self-Efficacy, Berenice Contreras

Theses and Dissertations

Disabled graduate students often report experiences of ableist microaggressions in their training environment, as disability-affirming practices tend to be overlooked in higher education institutions (Kattari et al., 2019; Lund et al., 2020). Ableist microaggressions are verbal, nonverbal, and/or environmental messages that relay derogatory messages toward individuals with disabilities and normalize everyday forms of discrimination enacted toward them (Annamma et al., 2013; Kattari et al., 2019). Studies demonstrate that disabled graduate students in health psychology graduate programs report higher exposure to ableist experiences during pre internship training and supervision compared to other stages of graduate training (Lund et al., 2014; Lund …

The Moderating Effects Of Need-Supply And Demand-Ability Fit On The Relationship Of Vocational Interest Fit And Job Satisfaction, Munkhjin Bat-Ireedui

Theses and Dissertations

The current study examined the relationship between vocational interest fit and global job satisfaction and explored how demand-ability fit and need-supply fit moderated this association. The results showed that there was a significant positive relationship between vocational interest fit and job satisfaction. Furthermore, while demand-ability fit and need-supply fit were positively associated with job satisfaction, their moderating effects were non-significant. This study showcases the importance of different types of fit in relation to global job satisfaction. The discussion provides future research ideas, including longitudinal or time-lagged study design and development of fit scales via artificial intelligence.

Reducing Future-Oriented Thoughts Through Intention Offloading, Connor Dupre

Psychology Theses - Archive

The present research investigates whether using external reminders to support prospective memory (PM) reduces internal representation of future intentions during the retention interval. While reminders are known to improve PM performance, it remains unclear whether they actually decrease the memory trace associated with maintaining intentions. Across three experiments, we systematically manipulated reminder reliability (Exp 1-3) and task familiarity (Exp 2 & 3) to assess their effects on PM-related thoughts and PM target detection. In Experiment 1, we varied reminder reliability (0%, 50%, 100%) and found no differences in PM-related thoughts, suggesting that participants may have maintained intentions internally regardless of …

Examining The Impact Of Political Affiliation And Related Images On False Memories, Shawn Sullivan

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The 2024 election, similar to the 2020 election, promised political divide and rampant misinformation (Pennycook & Rand 2021). Given the intensity of this polarization, the season provided a unique opportunity to gain insight into public perceptions and false memories. False memories can impact how we view and disseminate mass media; further contributing to the emergence and circulation of misinformation, leading to significant implications for digital literacy. This study aims to understand how individuals' self-identified political affiliation contributes to their susceptibility to misinformation. Furthermore, I aim to understand how viewing related images may influence the memory of fictional events. Although both …

Gender, Victimization, And Delinquency: Examining Gendered Pathways To Crime Among Juveniles, Caitlin Hinds

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The intersection of gender, crime, and victimization is a critical area of study within criminology, particularly as it relates to understanding the differing pathways men and women take into criminal behavior. Historically, crime statistics have shown a significant male predominance, particularly in violent offenses. Feminist criminology has played an essential role in reframing the narrative around gender and crime, emphasizing the need to examine the gender pathways that shape male and female experiences differently. While men may employ violence more overtly, women often rely on more subtle strategies to navigate criminal activities, avoiding physical confrontation when possible. Feminist criminologists argue …

Forgiveness Of Self And Others: A Group Approach To The Treatment Of Ptsd And Other Trauma Related Experiences, Jarrod A. Mask

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Forgiveness is often misinterpreted as the act of forgetting what happened or offering one’s offender the ability to redeem themselves for their wrongdoings. This is simply not the case. Rather, forgiveness is the process of the individual making the unprovoked choice to release their resentment in their own voyage towards living a free and happy life without being imprisoned from the emotions un-forgiveness produces. Forgiveness, as it may be a necessary process for the individual is to attain a sense of peaceful acceptance and liberation from their pain, is not an easy process. Providing a peer-based support system in the …

The Thing With Feathers: An Introduction To Hope-Efficacy Affective Reappraisal Training (Heart), David Bishop

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Hope is an essential cognitive state as it relates to motivation and aspirations and allows one to feel efficacious in pursuing desired outcomes in life. When used ineffectively, it may also have negative effects on well-being and quality of life in the disappointment that follows from unmet expectations. Hopelessness (aka despair), on the other hand, occurs when one loses hope, and when one is unable to recover from despair, the consequences may be extreme. Despair may result in negative impacts to well-being and mental health and may also present in individuals’ behaviors. Those who experience extreme, severe, and frequent despair …

All The World’S A Stage: The Implementation Of Creative Arts Therapy Utilizing Psychodrama In Prison Populations, Rachael A. Yeager

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Incarceration rates continue to increase in the United States every year. Federally, the FIRST STEP ACT was passed to assist in rehabilitative programming and to reduce recidivism rates. Psychology programs intervene in areas such as trauma, a highly prevalent concern amongst adults in custody, and utilize evidence-based recidivism programming. Creative Arts Therapies (CATs) have been implemented in prisons in the United States, while Psychodrama is a psychotherapeutic technique generally utilized in European and Asian countries. The World’s Stage (TWS) is a treatment modality that provides psychoeducation on trauma and trauma responses in a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy format and integrates the …

Who Belongs And Why It Matters: Belonging At An Oregon Elementary School, Kelly Smith

Educational Leadership Professional Doctorate Dissertations

Student sense of belonging is at the foundation of student outcomes with impacts reaching far beyond the walls of the elementary school classroom. This study investigates factors that shape students’ sense of belonging at an Oregon elementary school where Youth Truth survey data over the past three years have revealed a lack of sense of belonging amongst students. Correlates to the low sense of student belonging were identified via a root cause analysis process with students, staff and families. As a result of the root cause analysis, a theory of improvement was developed with input from students, staff and families. …

Repressed Memories And The Body Keeps The Score: Public Perceptions And Prevalence, Kris-Ann S. Anderson, Quincy C. Miller, Deryn Strange, Kamala London

Publications and Research

The “memory wars” resurgence has renewed debates over the validity of repressed memories. This revival appears linked to factors such as changing statutes of limitations, confusion about repression, and unchallenged social media content. In a nationally representative online survey of American adults (N = 1581), we examined (a) beliefs in repression and the body keeps the score, (b) the prevalence of recovered memory claims, and (c) the impact of question phrasing on recovered memory reporting. An overwhelming 94% of respondents expressed belief in repressed memory, and 77% endorsed the idea that the body keeps the score. Additionally, 3.6% (n = …

Reducing Stress Related To Injection Therapy: A Zen Bundle Approach, Valoree Bowen

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: Needle fear and stress are common barriers preventing adults from seeking necessary medical treatments, including intramuscular (IM) injection therapy. Research highlights the need for evidence-based interventions to mitigate this fear and improve patient experience.

Objective: This evidence-based pilot project included a Zen Bundle—an intervention incorporating shared decision-making, aromatherapy, and distraction—to evaluate the impact on stress reduction and patient satisfaction in a retail vitamin shop in North Texas.

Methods: The project utilized a pre-and post-intervention design over eight weeks. Participants completed pre-surveys assessing stress levels using a Visual Analog Scale before choosing an intervention (aromatherapy, distraction, or both) during IM …

An Application Of The Transtheoretical Model To Vaping Cessation: Measure Development For The Processes Of Change, Autumn Tamlyn

Open Access Master's Theses

Statement of the Problem: An estimated 18.6% of individuals aged 18-24 and 15.9% of individuals aged 25-29 are vaping, with approximately half of the individuals in each of these groups reporting daily use. With vaping behavior on the rise, the current study aims to provide valuable information to understand patterns of vaping behavior to support intervention development and implementation.

Method: The aim of the current study was to develop a Processes of Change (POC) measure for vaping cessation in a young adult population in the United States. Previous POC measures, extensive qualitative literature review, and review of existing …

A Systematic Review Of The Role Of Emotion Regulation In Predicting Behavioral Inhibition Symptoms Among School-Aged Youth, Anne C. Nields

Open Access Master's Theses

Mental health challenges represent a key construct to focus on in support of childhood and adolescent well-being. Mental health challenges represent the leading cause of disability among children and adolescents. Recent research on critical periods in brain development shows that early childhood and adolescence mark times in which behavioral, neurodevelopmental, and mental health features arise. Anxiety disorders, which involve the excessive presence of fear and anxiety, are among the most common psychiatric disorders affecting youth and adults today. Emotion regulation (ER) and behavioral inhibition are important constructs correlated to anxiety which may be leveraged to predict and intervene on the …

The Role Of Socioeconomic Indicators On Child Behavior And Academic Outcomes During Elementary School, Ashlee Mineau

Open Access Master's Theses

The impact of a child's socioeconomic status (SES) impacts all aspects of development. Children’s SES will be examined to determine the potential impact they may have on children's academics and behavior. The SES variables that will be examined are parent education, parent occupation, and household income. Parent education is one of the strongest predictors of child school achievement (Martinez et al., 2022). Children who come from a lower SES household are more likely to display externalizing behaviors (Barry et al., 2022). This study in particular looks at its impact for academic achievement in reading, math, and science and external problem …

Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Hostile Attribution On Adult Romantic Relationship Dynamics, Richeila Lora

Open Access Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine whether experiencing ACEs and hostile attributions led to engaging in conflict behaviors in adult romantic relationships. Additionally, it was examined whether hostile attributions served as a moderator in the relationship between experiencing ACEs and engaging in conflict behaviors. Participants were adults (N = 3.684) from the German Family Panel dataset. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the associations between experiencing ACEs, hostile attributions, and conflict behaviors. It was found that both experiencing ACEs and hostile attributions were related to engaging in conflict behaviors. However, hostile attributions did not serve as …

The Intersection Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Alcohol Use In Rhode Island High Schoolers From Marginalized Backgrounds, Sydney Iacoi

Open Access Master's Theses

Objective: Adverse childhood events (ACEs) are pervasive, affecting more than half the United States’ population. A large body of research has described an association between an increased number of ACEs and negative outcomes, including the development of a substance use disorder later in life. Further, ACEs are disproportionately experienced by individuals from historically marginalized groups. Thus, the interaction between ACEs and substance use may disproportionately impact individuals from historically marginalized groups (i.e., based on ethnicity and sex). The present study’s main aim was to examine the interaction of group differences, specifically based on sex and ethnicity, on the associations …

Using A Self-Report Survey To Determine Students’ Self-Concept, Math Attitudes, And Achievement In Ability-Grouped Math Classrooms, Jessica T. Blake

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

Ability grouping is a common practice in the United States that aims to acknowledge differences in student ability by dividing students into more homogeneous groups. Numerous studies have examined factors associated with ability grouping such as self-concept, math achievement, and attitudes toward math, but there is little empirical research exploring these three factors simultaneously. The current study examines the differences in achievement level, achievement gains, math self-concept, and attitudes toward math in middle school students enrolled in math classes based on student ability. Participants included 407 middle school students across two schools that use between-class ability grouping for math. Students …

Psychological Impacts In Exercise Riders And Professional Jockeys Following Injury, Kelley M. Renner

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

One of the most well-known equestrian sports, horse racing, is not only a cornerstone of Kentucky’s economy, but also a vital part of its culture, with professional jockeys playing an essential role in the local communities and traditions that define the state. Despite its popularity and financial impact, mental health challenges within the sport have continually been shrouded in silence and ignored in research (Ball et al., 2007). Equally concerning is the high injury prevalence, and psychological impact of these injuries (e.g., psychological distress, depression, anxiety, loss of identity, and self-esteem (King et al., 2022; Losty et al., 2019; McConn-Palfreyman …

Childhood Chronic Illness: Assessing Emerging Adults’ Engagement In Social Activities And Predicted Money For Comfort In The Future, Mediated By Money Responsibility And Comparison To Others, Austin B. Mathews

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between emerging adults’ engagement in social activities and their prediction of having money for comfort in the future. Data used was from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) with individuals selected having at least one chronic illness that began during childhood. The study tested a series of hypothesis which tested the relationships between engagement in social activities and predicted money for comfort in the future, as well as, money responsibility and comparison to others as mediating variables. Significant associations were found between frequency of engagement in sports and money …

Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Students’ Creativity, Marta Hevko

Soaring: A Journal of Undergraduate Research

The increase reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) has surfaced as a defining tool of modern education, reshaping the way student process, learn, and create. AI tools such as ChatGPT is being integrated into classrooms and personal work, and questions arise about its effect on student’s creativity and critical thinking. This study examines how the use of AI for idea generation influences students‘ creative performance. Thirty-three students participated in a poem-writing task, to test the strength and ability of the tool. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: those who used ChatGPT to assist in brainstorming and those …

Scrupulosity: A Comprehensive Review Of The Research, Julie M. Painley

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation presents a comprehensive analysis of the current research on scrupulosity, a subtype of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors related to religious and moral concerns. The dissertation identifies key similarities and differences from OCD, and directs focus to thematically related yet unsubstantiated theoretical work in psychology that helps elucidate the core features and etiological factors of scrupulosity as differentiated from other OCD subtypes. The study addresses the critical dearth of research on scrupulosity, aiming to fill significant gaps in the literature regarding its historical context, varied presentation and prevalence in different cultural contexts, and …

Exploring Subjective Cognitive Decline And Ageism: At-Risk Older Adults' Lived Experience, Randal L. Williams

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), the self-perceived decline in cognitive abilities, is recognized as a preclinical marker for neurocognitive disorders (Jessen et al., 2014). Understanding the contextual factors informing SCD experience remains a research priority in this domain. At-risk older adults have heritable markers associated with dementia. Chronic exposure to embedded ageism burdens allostatic load (AL) and exacerbates epigenetic risk for cognitive decline (Levy, 2022; McEwen, 2020; Miller et al., 2021). The current qualitative study explored how ageism shapes the lived experience of SCD among at-risk older adults. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 participants, all doctoral level clinical practitioners, aged …

For Black College Students Who Considered Dropping Out When Grit Wasn’T Enough: A Mixed Methods Study Exploring The Influence Of Family Messaging On Collegiate Outcomes, Dawn M. Wilson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Black college student outcomes are well researched areas in education literature. This dissertation sought to explore the influence of academic and ethnic racial socialization on experiences of shame and guilt and examine the association of those relationships on Black college student retention and persistence. This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design to investigate the socialization experiences of 272 Black college students in the US. Conditional process model analyses revealed that academic socialization is associated with experiences of guilt and shame—guilt predicted improved retention outcomes, while shame predicted lower retention outcomes. The analysis also revealed that while ethnic racial …

The Professional Impact Of Personal Therapy For Graduate Level Clinicians: A Pilot Study, Rebecca L. Butler

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Graduate students in clinical and counseling psychology programs face an inordinate amount of stress: coursework, learning a new job, emotional challenges inherent to providing therapeutic services, and general life stressors. Some trainees seek personal therapy and usually describe their experience as positive for both personal and professional reasons. Psychologists working as researchers and clinicians generally advocate for therapists to engage in personal therapy. However, research into the impact of personal therapy on professional functioning remains scarce. The extant literature includes numerous critiques of the methodologies used to investigate the impact of personal therapy, such as small sample sizes, unclear methods, …