Psychology Commons^™

Demands At Work: The Moderating Influence Of Motivation On The Relationship Between Challenge Demands And Employee Work Engagement, Lauren R. Dinnat

Doctoral Dissertations

Work engagement is a popular topic due to the positive outcomes linked to it. For example, engaged workers are shown to be more productive workers and better organizational citizens. The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Theory has been the most widely accepted explanatory model for work engagement due to its flexibility to be applied to all work environments. While the JD-R does not argue that motivation is fixed, it does not account for moment-to-moment changes in motivation. A state theory of motivation that examines how motivation may impact the relationships between demands and work engagement has yet to be examined. This study …

The Impact Of Irrational Beliefs On Dysfunctional Decision-Making In B2b Salespeople, Barron W. Brown

Doctoral Dissertations

The complexity of the contemporary business-to-business (B2B) sales landscape requires salespeople to respond faster, be more knowledgeable, and add more value to buyer interactions than ever before. As such, B2B salespeople must carefully consider the impact of their decisions since they have the potential to directly impact organizational revenue and bottom-line outcomes. The present research utilizes rational-emotive behavior theory to examine judgment and decision-making in B2B salespeople. Research questions are presented and tested with a sample of 306 B2B salespeople using structural equation modeling. The results of the analysis reveal that irrational beliefs lead to dysfunctional emotions, and in turn, …

Comparison Of Vivitrol And Suboxone In Terms Of Lowering Relapse Among Opioid Addicts, Nicolle Tourdot

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Drug overdoses are increasing, and the heroin epidemic is becoming more evident. There are ways to get these individuals’ help. Medically assisted treatments (MATs) involve use of medications alongside counseling and therapies to treat individuals with a substance abuse disorder. This subject is important to the human services administration field, more specifically those who focus on addiction. As the epidemic of opioid use continues, so does the need for treatment. Without that treatment, the problem will get worse and inevitably have negatives effects on the entire world. Those effects involve crime, increasing costs to the public, overall health, and child …

Exploring The Relationships Between Motivations, Beliefs, Emotions, And Behaviors In The Context Of Organizational Change Readiness, Sidney Taylor Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations

Organizational change is an inevitable and key feature of an organization’s lifecycle, especially in today’s constantly shifting technological, cultural, and corporate landscapes. However, organizations often struggle to adapt, and change initiatives rarely succeed. Because of this, organizational change readiness has become a popular area of study in the field of industrial-organization psychology. Change readiness in the organizational context has been redefined several times over the past four decades, with recent efforts focused on developing a comprehensive definition and corresponding instrument of measurement for the concept. Change readiness at the individual level is intended to evaluate the psychological state in which …

Social Support, Caregiver Burden, And Anxiety/Depression Among Family Caregivers Of Stroke Patients, Rosalyn Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Family caregivers encounter challenges when caring for relatives recovering from a stroke. Family caregivers often experience negative mental health outcomes including higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which years of caregiving experience, emotional and instrumental support, and caregiver burden predict anxiety and depression among family caregivers of stroke patients. The caregiving stress process model theoretical framework guided the research. This quantitative study used a non-experimental correlational research design. Participants were recruited using Survey Monkey and included a non-random convenience sample of 111 family caregivers of stroke patients who …

Vocabulary Retention And Color Effect Differences Among Developmental Community College Students, Eric Scott Coleman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The completion of developmental community college (DCC) courses is a crucial step in community college education to reach the national goal of increasing college success. DCC students are a unique population who require specific strategies such as vocabulary retention (VR) to achieve academic success. Prior research on vocabulary has been limited to VR and color effects. However, there is a lack of research on the intersection of these two variables (VR and color effects). This quantitative research study used the theoretical lens feature integration theory (FIT) to examine the effects that text color has on VR among DCC students. Additionally, …

Impact Of Toxic Leadership On The Mental Health Of Employees In Texas State Agencies, Dr. Monika Diaz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study investigated the impact of toxic leadership on the mental health of employees within Texas state agencies, utilizing betrayal trauma theory (BTT) as the theoretical framework. The study was conducted using a qualitative approach, specifically through semi-structured interviews with eight employees who have experienced toxic leadership firsthand. These interviews aimed to uncover the psychological effects of such leadership on employees, with particular attention to symptoms of stress, anxiety, and job satisfaction. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings revealed that toxic leadership was significantly associated with increased psychological distress among employees. This distress manifested as heightened anxiety, depression, …

It Takes A Village: Stories Of Black Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Cherieda A. Washington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While several studies have reviewed the experiences of Black grandparent caregivers, there are limited sources that describe the stories of Black grandparents who are caregivers for their grandchildren and the challenges they face. Utilizing the concepts from Bowen family systems theory, the goal of this study was to explore the stories of Black grandparents who are caregivers for their grandchildren to discover preventive and enhanced counseling techniques for the next generation. Data were collected and analyzed from narrative inquiry interviews with six participants who were Black caregivers for their grandchildren in the state of Mississippi. After analysis of the data, …

The Self-Perceived Level Of Wellness Among Ghanaian Mental Health Counselors, Adwoa Bonney-Graves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In Ghana, many people seek help for their mental health; however, despite the great need, there are often barriers or factors that can create unwellness among mental health counselors. There is a gap in the research literature addressing whether unwellness among Ghanaian mental health counselors is caused by external factors of counselor caseload, low funding, and minimal work staff. This quantitative study aimed to fill this gap by using predictive regression analysis to determine whether there is a correlation between Ghanaian counselors’ unwellness and counselor caseload, low funding, and minimal work staff. The study participants (N = 96) were Ghanaian …

Predictors Of Spiritual Struggle: Exploring The Role Of Trauma Exposure, Resilience, And Religious Behaviors Among Religiously Affiliated University Students, Harvey O. Burnett Jr, Duane C. Mcbride

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

This study examined how exposure to traumatic experiences, protective factors such as Psychological Body Armor (TM) (PBA), physical wellness behaviors, and religious practices predict spiritual struggle among students attending a religiously affiliated university. Preliminary findings revealed that PBA, non-class assigned Bible and Christian literature readings were predictive of reduced spiritual struggle.

Witnessing Eyewitness Coercion And Familiarity Affects Defense Attorneys’ Evaluations Of Trial Prospects, Jason Carty

Student Theses

Abstract

The current study is designed to determine whether two case factors affect criminal defense attorneys’ plea decision-making: witness coercion and witness familiarity with the defendant. A sample of 133 criminal defense attorneys (123 after attention checks) reviewed a mock case vignette and a witness interview which varies on two dimensions: coerciveness (coercive, non-coercive) and witness relationship to the defendant (friend, stranger). Attorneys reported their impressions of the case and indicated their recommended minimum and maximum length of negotiated plea agreements, how likely their client was to be convicted at trial, how coercive they thought the mock interview was, and …

Prosocial Behavior, Sean Fernando, Claire Leach, Danielle Haake, Debra Bigelow-Davis, Jillian Stokes, Aj Kalawai'a, Nore Heinitz, Grace Bates

Psychology Student Publications

Prosocial behavior is a widely researched area of social psychology. It can be defined as the voluntary actions performed with the goal of benefiting others. This concept of helping others includes a wide range of actions, from simple acts such as holding the door open for someone to larger acts like donating money to charity (Peetz & Howard, 2022). This chapter will explore the topic of prosocial behavior by identifying the main types of prosocial behavior and the measure used to assess them, explaining the motivation behind prosocial behavior, and discussing various benefits and counterarguments to prosocial behavior.

Determinants Of Implementation For Group Medical Visits For Patients With Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review, Isabel Roth, Malik Tiedt, Carrie Brintz, Ariana Thompson-Lastad, Gayla Ferguson, Erum Agha, Jennifer Holcomb, Paula Gardiner, Jennifer Leeman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Despite the critical need for comprehensive and effective chronic pain care, delivery of such care remains challenging. Group medical visits (GMVs) offer an innovative and efficient model for providing comprehensive care for patients with chronic pain. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify barriers and facilitators (determinants) to implementing GMVs for adult patients with chronic pain.

METHODS: The review included peer-reviewed studies reporting findings on implementation of GMVs for chronic pain, inclusive of all study designs. Pubmed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched. Studies of individual appointments or group therapy were excluded. The Mixed …

Prediction Of Disease-Free Survival For Precision Medicine Using Cooperative Learning On Multi-Omic Data, Georg Hahn, Dmitry Prokopenko, Julian Hecker, Sharon M Lutz, Kristina Mullin, Leinal Sejour, Winston Hide, Ioannis Vlachos, Stacia Desantis, Rudolph E Tanzi, Christoph Lange

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In precision medicine, both predicting the disease susceptibility of an individual and forecasting its disease-free survival are areas of key research. Besides the classical epidemiological predictor variables, data from multiple (omic) platforms are increasingly available. To integrate this wealth of information, we propose new methodology to combine both cooperative learning, a recent approach to leverage the predictive power of several datasets, and polygenic hazard score models. Polygenic hazard score models provide a practitioner with a more differentiated view of the predicted disease-free survival than the one given by merely a point estimate, for instance computed with a polygenic risk score. …

Secure Attachment Styles And Depression In Adolescents With Co-Rumination As A Moderator, Kimberly Murray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression among adolescents has increased over the years and can affect development and potentially lead to substance abuse, self-injurious behavior, and suicide. Adolescents with secure attachments to parents have been found to have fewer symptoms of depression. Co-rumination with friends has shown to be related to positive quality in friendships due to self-disclosure between friends; however, co-rumination also is related to an increase in depression. The purpose of this quantitative study is to examine whether adolescent’s attachment style with parents is associated with depression and whether this association is moderated by co-rumination with friends. The theories that were used to …

Mental Health Training For Teachers Since Covid-19, Patricia M. Van Prooyen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study used a qualitative case study approach to examine teachers’ experiences returning to school following the COVID-19 pandemic and determine if mental health training for teachers to support student mental health would ease the return to school. The researcher recruited 12 Christian school teachers that taught in the classroom pre- and post-COVID-19. Inclusive criteria included teaching two years before the shutdown, teaching during the shutdown, returning to in-person teaching, and being at least 25 years old with no gaps in teaching between 2018-2022. All participants participated in a 30-45-minute audio-recorded, semi-structured, one-on-one interview in a discreet safe venue, such …

The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experience (Ace) On Victims' Self-Perception And Moral Character Development In Adulthood, Josephine Afua Owusu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adversity experienced in childhood is known to have debilitating consequences that permeate subsequent life experiences and predict adulthood wellbeing. The intensity and nature of this impact vary, however. Empirical and practical knowledge also point to the significant role of self-perception in determining one’s view of others, character development, and life experiences. Research has suggested associations between childhood adversities and self-perception, although this knowledge is scanty and inconsistent, with similarly minimal evidence on their correlation with character development. This study set out to examine how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) influence victims’ self-perception and character development in adulthood. It employed a mixed …

The Impact Of Social Dance Skills On The Development Of Employee Soft Skills, Danielle May Patridge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Employee soft skills are necessary in nearly every occupation for both employee and organizational success. There is a considerable body of knowledge related to the development of employee soft skills, and soft skills training is now seen in some educational curricula and organizational training programs. Yet, employers continue to report that employees and candidates are either lacking in or have underdeveloped soft skills, hampering both worker and organizational success. Soft skills cross domains and are not confined to use in the workplace; hence, they can also be developed in non-work domains. In this qualitative study, accomplished social dancers described their …

Sexual Abuse: A Multi-Faceted Problem, Marcus Venable

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

On average, US citizens have experienced approximately 400,000 sexual assaults per year, which results in enormous immediate and long-term consequences for individuals, as well as society in general.

In the U.S., the principal method of combatting this crime has been the creation of Sex Offender Registries used to notify the public of the identity and location of convicted sex offenders who may be living in proximity to their residence. In addition to the Registry, laws have been passed forbidding convicted sex offenders from residing within buffer zones around areas of high child concentration [schools/parks/etc.].

The efficacy and consequences of these …

Previously Incacerated Women's Emotional Experince Of Giving Birth In A U.S. Prison, Brigit Ichard-Henderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previously Incarcerated Women’s Emotional Experience of Giving Birth in a U.S. Prison by Brigit Ichard-Henderson MA, Walden University, 2018 MA, Texas A&M University-Central Texas, 2014 BS, Excelsior University, 2009 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services Walden University May 2024   Women have been giving birth while incarcerated since the advent of confinement as a punishment for crime. There is a plethora of information on incarceration rates, pathways to incarceration, access to health care and education while incarcerated, and reasons for recidivism among women. However, little is known about women’s experiences …

Exploring Black Business Owners' Experience In Public Procurement Contracts, Khamillia Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Black businesses are on the rise in the United States, and most are formed with the goal of achieving greater economic stability and positive impact on their communities. However, Black business owners often lack sufficient opportunities and access to essential resources (i.e., capital), which negatively affects their business stability efforts (Bento & Hwang, 2022). Black business owners can access procurement contracts as a unique way to access capital to grow and sustain their businesses (Chepkoit, 2018; Shelton & Minniti, 2018), yet they received 1.67% of public funds compared to 15.64% awarded to other non-minority small businesses (Choi et al., 2022; …

The Impact Of A Group Mentoring Program On Psychosocial Development And Sense Of Belonging In Undergraduate Students, Natasha L. Varnick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mentoring has been studied in corporate and academic environments as a means of providing career and psychosocial support for young colleagues or students. Initially, mentoring was viewed as a single dyadic relationship between a mentor and a mentee. However, in recent years, it has been better understood in terms of mentoring constellations or group mentoring, as multiple mentors may best aid the development of individuals. While much mentoring research has examined professional development, this study focused on the psychosocial development that mentoring can provide. The relationship between mentoring and sense of belonging was also examined. It was hypothesized that students …

Effects Of Covid-19 On Mental Health Workers' Job Satisfaction, Employee Burnout, And Intent To Leave, Colton Jacobs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 disease emerged in December 2019 and created a worldwide pandemic. As the COVID-19 virus spread, healthcare workers faced increased workloads and burnout due to increased stress. With a current abundance of research to better understand how the pandemic affected healthcare workers, minimal research has been conducted to investigate the effects on mental health workers. It is imperative to better understand how the consequences of the pandemic affected mental health workers due to their importance in supporting the mental well-being of our communities. This study focused on how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced job satisfaction, burnout syndrome, and intent to …

Constructivism, Curiosity, And Metacognitive Bias In The Age Of Google, Matthew Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this experimental, posttest-only control-group study was to determine if there are differences in levels of metacognitive bias between those who do and do not use Google on a practice activity prior to the administration of a general knowledge test, when controlling for epistemic curiosity. The study seeks to help fill the gap in the literature by examining differences in metacognitive bias across not only the experimental variable of Google access, but also by participant variables, providing a more thorough understanding of how differences in individuals may moderate the relationship between Google use and bias. A sample of …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Perinatal Experiences Shaping A Woman’S Identity In Academia, Elizabeth Catherine Debolt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the meaning women faculty in academia in the United States ascribe to their perinatal experiences and how these experiences affect the integration of their academic and maternal identities and outlook on continuing in the academy. The theories guiding this study were Mercer's theory on becoming a mother and Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model. The study was comprised of 10 women who became a mother with their first child within the last seven years of the study's initiation while holding a faculty position in academia that included teaching, scholarship, and service responsibilities …

Mental Toughness In The Workplace, Maiah E. Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Within the realm of the modern work organization, the employers role on employees’ mental health has emerged as a critical factor concerning job attrition. Frequently, work organizations prioritize their productivity and output, rather than recognizing the importance of individual contributions as a reflection of their well-being. Research on workplace satisfaction and adversity management has failed to address the challenges that non-military or law enforcement populations face in retaining talent. Current research on mental toughness, resilience, and grit has overlooked the importance of civilian population training interventions, leaving a gap in the literature. This mixed-method study used an explanatory sequential design, …

The Impact Of School-Based Mentoring On At-Risk Students Of An Urban School District, Brandon B. Richardson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is necessary to consider and implement a strategy to close the academic performance gap, particularly for at-risk adolescents in urban school districts. Mentoring programs have been around for a long time and continue to be successful. This research study's goal was to investigate the influence at-risk adolescents in an urban school district get from a school-based mentorship program. The study had a total of 40 participants (10 mentors, 8 parents, 10 teachers, 10 students, and 2 administrators). The study employed a mixed methods research strategy. Using a quantitative method approach, the researcher investigated whether a mentorship program had significant …

Conscientiousness Personality Trait On Job Performance And Retention Of Public Service Employees, Arsenio Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Retention of federal employees is vital to the structure of our society in the United States. Keeping the workforce sufficiently staffed with high-performing individuals is necessary to maintain a key component of our strong nation. This research study delves into the conscientiousness personality trait to further understand the impact that this trait may have on the federal workforce. Current research focuses on the conscientiousness trait concerning the job performance of employees. However, the current literature lacks explicit depth on the federal workforce, and this study focuses on that demographic. This quantitative study seeks to fill gaps within the literature by …

School Connectedness As A Mediator Between Poverty And Adolescent Mental Health, Paul Andrew Boissonneault

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in adolescents, and one third of adolescents experience significant mental health problems. When adolescents feel connected to school, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between poverty and adolescent mental health problems and explore the role of school connectedness on this relationship. Study participants were 31 middle school (Grades 6–8) adolescents in a rural area in central Florida. Self-report measures were used to assess mental health and level of school connectedness. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses tested the mediating effect of …

Exploring The Lived Experience Of Counseling Leaders And Professionals In The East African Community Transitioning Through The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study, Daniel Muthini Kimony

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental assembly, currently comprising seven member states including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. This transcendental phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of counseling leaders and professionals in the EAC as they transitioned through the COVID-19 global pandemic. Grounded in Schlossberg’s transition theory, the study explored participants’ experiences as they moved into, moved through, and moved out of the pandemic in the period between January 2020 and May 2023. Triangulated, qualitative data, assessed through transcendental and heuristic methodology, was collected from 10 participants representing …