Psychology Commons^™

Investigating The Effects Of Binaural Beats On Encoding Efficiency And Working Memory Performance In College Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Traits, Megan Daza

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Binaural beats (BB) have been increasingly explored as a non-invasive cognitive enhancement tool, particularly in populations with neurodevelopmental conditions such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This study investigates the effects of beta-frequency binaural beats on encoding efficiency and working memory performance, specifically verbal-spatial working memory, in college students with ADHD traits. Using a 2 (ADHD/Neurotypical) × 2 (Low/High Cognitive Load) mixed ANOVA design, participants will complete an N-back working memory task under baseline, binaural beats, and control (white noise) conditions. Key research questions examine whether binaural beats improve working memory accuracy and reaction time, whether their effects vary across cognitive load …

Disconnected Minds: Exploring Nomophobia And Adhd's Impacts On Driving Hazard Perceptions Among College Students, Stephanie Zheng

Honors Undergraduate Theses

An increasing psychological concern in the 21st century is the development of the fear of being unable to access one's mobile phone, also known as nomophobia. However, its impact on individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) remains largely unexplored. Given ADHD’s association with impulsivity, attentional difficulties, and emotional dysregulation, those with the condition may be particularly vulnerable to nomophobia, which can affect every aspect of their daily lives, ranging from interpersonal relationships to their academic success and overall physical and mental well-being. This study aims to answer four questions: how does ADHD impact the severity of nomophobia among college students, do …

Mental Illness Identity And Social Media Use In Generation Z, Tobey Smith

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The present study investigated factors that predict a high degree of mental illness identity among Generation Z college students. Specifically, the author aimed to evaluate social media use and other psychosocial factors, including social isolation, self-esteem, well-being, discrimination, and attitude toward recovery. Two-hundred and seventeen participants were recruited using SONA and social media. Participants completed scales to measure the variables of interest: Illness Identity Questionnaire - Mental Health, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, Hope and Coping in Recovery Scale, Cornwell Perceived Isolation Scale, Stigma Scale, Social Media Use Scale, and a set of demographic questions. Pearson bivariate correlations, …

Navigating Online Dating: Exploring The Intersection Of Attachment Styles, Parental Attachments, And Sociosexuality In Online Dating Among College Students, Jensley Velez-Lozada

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The aim of this thesis is to explore the connection between attachment styles, parental attachment, and sociosexuality as predictors of online dating attitudes among college students. As society navigates this new digital era of online dating, how does it continue to transform young adults as they form romantic and sexual connections? It becomes increasingly important to understand the psychological mechanisms that influence these behaviors. This study examined how anxious and avoidant attachment styles, parental attachment, and sociosexuality may have contributed to online hookup attempts and outcomes behaviors. It also examined how these variables interacted and influenced both the likelihood of …

Stem Vs. Non-Stem Students’ Stimulant Misuse For Academic Advantages, Camille H. Allie

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study aimed to explore the relationship between academic discipline, caffeine consumption, reported perception of stimulant misuse behaviors, and reported academic stress at the University of Central Florida. Participants were categorized as either STEM or non-STEM majors and reported whether they had misused stimulants in the past 12 months and their daily average caffeine consumption. Due to the low number of participants who reported stimulant misuse, caffeine consumption was incorporated, grouping participants as either “above median” caffeine consumption or “below median” caffeine consumption. Two 2 (Caffeine Consumption: High vs. Low) x 2 (Major: STEM vs. Non-STEM) between-subjects ANOVAs were conducted …

My Body, Your Choice: Exploring Reproductive Abuse Among Undergraduate Women In A Post-Roe America, Riley H. Alvero

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision in June 2022 overruled Roe v. Wade (1973) and held that abortion access is not a constitutionally protected right. The overturn of Roe v. Wade has had notable impacts on women’s overall sexual behavior and reproductive choices, and it highlights a macro-level infringement on women’s reproductive agency. Coercive condom use resistance violates reproductive autonomy on a micro-level, but can have equally harsh effects. Previous literature has studied these occurrences singularly; this research investigates connections between them. This study recruited 14 undergraduate women with a history of reproductive coercion, in the form of …

Examining Perception Of Psychedelic Substances And The Role Of Hallucinations Among College Students, Ryann F. Hilts

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Inquiry into psychedelics is undergoing a cultural and scientific revival, driven by their potential application as novel treatments for mood disorders, substance misuse, and end-of life-distress, but continued implementation in clinical and medical contexts necessitates extensive research. The present study utilizes self-reported data to examine psychedelics across three areas: student attitudes, patterns of use, and motives for use. It additionally explores the perceived importance of hallucinations in therapeutic contexts and focuses on psychological experiences of those with lifetime psychedelic use. The study aimed to deepen understanding of current literature surrounding psychedelics, specifically among university students. Participants were asked to complete …

Using Different Measures To Explore Confidence Bias In Video Games, Laura Valdes-Vega

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Researchers have been debating whether video games influence our cognitive and perceptual processing abilities. There are two notable gaps in the video game literature, which are (1) the lack of objective performance measures and (2) not addressing participants’ confidence ratings. This study addressed both by examining (1) the relationship between confidence and performance scores, (2) changes in confidence after gameplay, and (3) the relationship between self-reported play hours and AimLabs performance. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining AimLabs data with pre- and post-game confidence ratings. Participants were grouped (high, medium, low) based on reported weekly play hours and three perceptual …

Active Musical Engagement Versus Passive Music Listening: Effects On Emotional Modulation, Claudia Allocca

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study explored how different forms of musical engagement, actively playing versus

passively listening, impact emotional regulation following exposure to a stressor. The goal was

to better understand whether active participation in music offers greater emotional benefits

compared to simply listening, as previous research often highlights music’s role in emotional

modulation but overlooks the influence of performance-based engagement. A total of 28

participants either played music or listened to music and then completed both pre- and post-

stressor measures assessing mood, mental task load, and heart rate. Contrary to the original

hypothesis, findings revealed that participants from the listening group …

Examining The Social Influences Of Conspiratorial Belief And Endorsement, Phoebe S. Archibald

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether social factors such as the need to belong, fear of negative evaluation, and conformity predict belief in conspiracy theories, and whether political orientation and social media use moderate these relationships. Conspiracy theories play a growing role in shaping public opinion, and identifying the social contributors to such beliefs can help explain why individuals adopt them. Ninety-nine undergraduate students completed surveys measuring conspiracy belief, need to belong, conformity, and fear of negative evaluation, along with questions about political orientation and social media use.

Correlational analyses revealed that all three social variables …

Behavior Or Diagnosis? Comparing Explicit And Implicit Biases Of School-Based Professionals Towards Adhd And Asd, Vincent Rutherford

Pomona Senior Theses

Previous research shows bias against people with ADHD and ASD both in and outside of the classroom and demonstrates that access to a diagnosis impacts educator’s beliefs about a child. ADHD and ASD have a high level of diagnostic co-occurrence, as well as symptom overlap beneath the clinical threshold. The current study uses a vignette-length description of a student, an explicit bias questionnaire, and an Implicit Association Test to assess the relationship between implicit and explicit bias, as well as how educator bias is impacted by the diagnosis they have access to. Results suggest no statistically significant differences between explicit …

Examining Mental Health Providers’ Differential Sensitivity To Youth And Caregiver Treatment Engagement Problems By Studying Clinical Decision-Making Behaviors, Wendy Chu

Theses and Dissertations

Clinical decision-making is a systematic process of collecting and using information to guide action regarding client care. Across frameworks of clinical decision-making, there is an emphasis on the assessment of a problem – which involves considering, identifying, and selecting a problem – as it directly informs intervention. In youth mental health services, problems related to treatment engagement or the ability to meaningfully participate in services are important to assess given their association with premature termination and poor outcomes. However, research suggests that assessment of engagement problems may be challenging, and one potential reason pertains to providers’ ability to assess across …

Integrating School Mental Health Services: How Therapeutic Alliance May Improve Outcomes In A Mental Health Literacy Intervention, Alena Quinn

Theses and Dissertations

The youth mental health crisis continues to face persistent barriers of stigma, workforce shortages, and fragmented service delivery systems. Schools play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges, as youth are six times more likely to access mental health services in schools than in community settings. Frameworks such as the Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems (CSMHS) and the Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF) have improved access and quality of school-based mental health services through integration and partnership efforts. However, stigma remains a persistent barrier for seeking help and perpetuating untreated mental health difficulties. Research has found that mental health literacy (MHL) …

Iq Trends In Preschoolers With Autism And Co-Occurring Developmental Delay Are Associated With Autism Severity Not Anxiety, Chandler Elizabeth Knott

Theses and Dissertations

Intellectual functioning constitutes a significant source of heterogeneity in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, little is known about how intellectual functioning manifests over development in preschool children with non-syndromic ASD (nsASD) and co-occurring global developmental delay (GDD) or how this relates to functionally impairing co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety. Study participants included 57 children with nsASD and co-occurring global developmental delay (ASD+GDD), 24 categorized with mild GDD, and 33 categorized with moderate GDD. Drawing on dynamic systems theory, the present study explored developmental trends within the context of multiple complex systems, including intelligence, social-emotional, and behavioral functioning. Moderated …

Social Support And Gratitude In Adolescents: An Exploratory Study, Mimi Webb Kurtz

Theses and Dissertations

Dispositional gratitude is a construct associated with numerous benefits in youth. However, existing research has primarily focused on the outcomes of gratitude, with limited exploration of the underlying factors that may contribute to individual differences in its development. Because gratitude is considered malleable, identifying key factors associated with its growth in youth is essential. The present study aims to address this gap by exploring perceived social support as a presumed antecedent of dispositional gratitude in older adolescents. Cross-sectional, self-report data and structural equation modeling were used to assess the relationship of perceived social support with gratitude levels among high school …

Cerebellar Contributions To Speech And Clinical Outcomes In Stroke: A Multimodal Investigation Of Structural Integrity Across Chronic And Acute Cohorts, Makayla Joy Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the critical role of the cerebellum in speech production, with a focus on chronic post-stroke apraxia of speech (AOS), lesion-related cerebellar degeneration, and age-related changes in cerebellar structure among healthy individuals. While speech deficits have traditionally been attributed to cortical lesions, mounting evidence suggests that the cerebellum contributes significantly to speech-motor planning, execution, and error correction. Using multimodal neuroimaging, lesion-symptom mapping, and standardized speech assessments, this research examines cerebellar gray matter volume (GMV) across three complementary studies.

Aim 1 evaluates the association between cerebellar GMV and AOS severity in individuals with chronic left hemisphere stroke. Findings support …

Examining Effects Of A Cultural And Family Resilience Program On Improving Physical Activity And Eating Behaviors Among Overweight Black Adolescents, Mary Quattlebaum

Theses and Dissertations

Black adolescents have higher rates of physical inactivity, lower quality dietary intake, and fewer family meals compared to their White peers. These health inequities place Black adolescents at greater risk for overweight and obesity, as well as long-term health consequences, including chronic disease and early mortality. However, few health promotion programs have been successful in improving health behaviors among Black adolescents and families. Elevated rates of chronic stress, namely racial stress, among Black families may be a prominent obstacle for engagement in and effectiveness of health promotion initiatives. Limited family-based health promotion programs with Black families have incorporated cultural and …

The Effects Of Schema Therapy On Shame In Victims Of Intimate Partner Violence, Annette Ibarra Skeen

Theses and Dissertations

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent in the United States and worldwide. Despite the deleterious effects of IPV on personal and societal wellness, there is limited research on effective interventions for IPV victims. Among the detrimental effects of IPV on mental health, shame is a common emotion experienced by IPV victims. Shame can contribute to an array of mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, PTSD, substance abuse, and suicidality. Using a multiple baseline, singe case design, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of Schema Therapy (ST) on shame on IPV victims. Based …

Young Adults’ Views On Personal Death, Victor N. Soto

Anthós

Within academic discussions of death and dying, there is a deficit of qualitative studies on how young adults view personal death. This article explores young adults’ (18-24) views on personal death using inductive coding of the transcriptions of three 1:1 interviews and one focus group. Soto’s findings show that young adults view their personal death in three ways: 1) they reflect on family death experiences as frames of reference for personal death, 2) they rely on a life well- lived to ease anxiety around personal death, and 3) they use humor as a coping mechanism in thinking about and discussing …

The Effects Of Physical Exercise On Emotion Dysregulation In Postsecondary Students With And Without Adhd, Elizabeth Bodalski

Theses and Dissertations

Emotion dysregulation is a common issue among college students with ADHD, and emotion dysregulation in adults with ADHD is associated with many negative outcomes including higher levels of psychological distress and social impairment, poorer functioning at school and work, greater symptoms of anxiety and depression, and lower quality of life. Past work suggests that physical exercise can be useful in treating core ADHD symptoms for children and adolescents with ADHD, but less is known about its effects for young adults with ADHD. Exercise has been shown to be effective in targeting emotion dysregulation among the general adult population. Some work …

Sealing The Deal: A Case Study Of A Private, Southeastern, Regional College’S Student Onboarding Practices, Alicia R. Gaston, Kristen Meyer, Tyler Ogden, Jennifer Perkinson, Casey Yocum Michaels

Doctor of Education Capstones

Each year, higher education institutions offer support to new, incoming students through an onboarding process that requires dedication and collaboration across multiple departments. Offering streamlined guidance and clear communication throughout the onboarding process is essential to ensure incoming students understand action steps without becoming overwhelmed with new terminology, processes, and environments. This explanatory case study is set to understand the current communication practices and technology use across onboarding departments at Brightside College – also referred to as Brightside or BC (pseudonym). The research team aimed to understand Brightside's onboarding staff's perspective of current processes and practices. With emphasis on the …

Examining Cognitive Functioning And Digital Technology Engagement, Kylie Fraga

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Using technology to complete instrumental activities of daily living (T-IADLs) reflects adaptive technology use, while absentminded smartphone use (AMSU) reflects maladaptive technology use. Examining the link between cognitive functioning and distinct forms of technology use can inform clinical strategies for optimizing technology use for individuals with cognitive difficulties and assist in digital design recommendations that align with diverse cognitive needs. This study examined associations between cognitive functioning (objective and subjective) and distinct forms of technology behaviors (T-IADLs and AMSU) within a sample of 93 adults (Mage = 52.6, SD = 16.93; 62% female) recruited from neuropsychology private practice clinics in …

Factor Analysis Of Neuropsychological Attention Measures With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Patients, Elizabeth Mateer

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

This study explored the factor structure of commonly used neuropsychological tests to assess attention in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The study aimed to clarify the relationships among tests traditionally used to assess different components of attention, including the NAB Numbers & Letters Test, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT), Trail Making Test A & B, Digit Span, Arithmetic, and Coding. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with an oblimin rotation procedure was used to identify the factor structure. The EFA suggested that a four-factor solution was optimal. These factors were identified as: (1) visual attention and psychomotor speed, (2) …

Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide In A Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Sample, Janelle Wee

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is associated with cognitive and emotional changes that may increase suicide risk. This study, grounded in the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS), examined whether premorbid functioning moderates the relationship between cognitive functioning (working memory and processing speed) and suicidal desire (thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness) in individuals with mTBI. Participants (n = 54) were drawn from a clinical neuropsychological sample and completed the WAIS-IV, TOPF, BDI-II, and Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ). Hierarchical moderated regression analyses were conducted across 100 multiply imputed datasets. Depressive symptoms were included as a covariate. Results showed that depressive symptoms …

Social Support Networks’ Influence On First-Generation Professionals’ Career Success, Melissa-Ann M. Lagunas

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

This dissertation examines how perceived social support influences career success among first-generation professionals (FGPs)—individuals who are first in their families to pursue white- collar careers. Drawing on Seibert et al.'s (2001) Social Capital Theory of Career Success, I investigate direct and indirect pathways through which social support affects three dimensions of career success: sense of belonging, professional flourishing, and career satisfaction, while exploring mediating roles of perceived support network quality and resilience. A sample of 230 FGPs (Mage = 31.9 years, SD = 5.32) completed a 62-item online survey hosted on Qualtrics. Participants represented diverse professional disciplines classified into five …

The Impact Of Coping Strategies On The Perceived Stress And Well-Being Of People With Disabilities During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Angela G. Maccarrone

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly and negatively impacted those around the world, particularly marginalized groups such as people with disabilities (PWDs). What remains unclear from existing published research is the exact relationship between perceived stress of the pandemic, coping, and overall well-being in PWDs. Prior research and theoretical models of coping suggest that active coping processes are associated with more positive outcomes versus avoidant coping strategies, which have shown less favorable outcomes on well-being. Due to the varying ways in which the pandemic affected PWDs, coping might serve as a moderator, amplifying the negative relationship between perceived stress and well-being. Building …

Reconciling Jekyll And Hyde: The Future Of Masculinity Research Within The Domestic Violent Extremism Context, Sam T. Hunter, Brett H. Neely, Carter Welch, Amanda N. Moeller

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

Violence among young men in the United States has escalated in recent years, leading to two contrasting perspectives of young men—either as (a) agentic aggressors or (b) by-products of societal shifts that have caused disadvantage. The first perspective characterizes men as entitled and reactionary, prone to aggression when their societal expectations are unmet. This view aligns with the frustration-aggression hypothesis in which unmet desires lead to hostile behaviors, particularly among individuals who perceive a loss of status and significance. Conversely, the second perspective views men as victims of rapid societal changes, such as job displacement, educational disparities, and shifting gender …

The Overlooked Dynamics Of Sibling Violence: Sociological Perspectives And Intervention Strategies, Rowland Edet

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Sibling violence (SV) represents a pervasive yet underexplored dimension of family violence, encompassing physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. This paper critically examines the intersection of gender dynamics, societal norms, and family structures in shaping SV behaviors. Using social learning theory (SLT) as a foundational framework, the analysis explores how gendered expectations and traditional roles influence the prevalence and forms of aggression, with boys more likely to exhibit overt physical aggression and girls engaging in relational aggression. The paper critiques the deterministic tendencies of SLT, highlighting the agency of individuals in rejecting modeled behaviors, and incorporates intersectionality to address the interplay …

Birds Of A Feather: Peace And Conflict Founders Milton Schwebel And Luella Buros, Janet Carlson

Buros Center: Professional Staff Publications

Milton Schwebel, peace psychology pioneer, described Luella Buros as “a pillar of strength, her principles uneroded by age or economic well-being, her determination to struggle against social evils undiminished” (1992, p. 4). At age 90, Buros had just become the founding contributor to Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology. Schwebel was its founding editor. In announcing the gift, he emphasized Buros’s steadfast commitment to pursuing peace, while recognizing her artistic accomplishments and her collaboration with her husband, Oscar, in establishing the renowned Mental Measurements Yearbook series (Buros, 1968; Buros, 1978; Carlson, 2023). She later provided funds to support …

Evaluating The Predictive Values Of Attachment Security And Perfectionism On Psychological Well-Being, Lindsay Cleary

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Attachment security impacts social competence and the development of one’s sense of self. It has also been implicated in the development of psychological conditions, including depression, personality disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Perfectionism has distinct characteristics that also influence how people relate to others and understand themselves. Research suggests that perfectionism negatively affects a person’s psychological well-being, often leading to mental health concerns such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Despite the introduction of the perfectionism social disconnection model (PSDM), few studies have attempted to understand the direct relationship between attachment security, perfectionism, and psychological well-being. It was hypothesized …