Psychology Commons^™

Detection And Assessment Of Targets In Mock Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Images Using Computer-Aided Detection Systems, Katharine Sabo

All Theses

Radiologists use computer-aided detection (CAD) systems to assist with detecting and assessing breast cancers in mammograms, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), and other types of breast imaging; however, the usefulness of such automation aids has been debated since their implementation. Initial studies on CAD systems had mixed results, while more recent studies have shown that they can improve diagnostic outcomes (i.e., greater sensitivity and fewer false alarms) and decrease the reading time required for images. Three CAD types are currently in use: binary, analog, and interactive CAD. However, studies rarely explore the differences between the CAD methods. Additionally, recent work has …

The Effect Of Workload On Trust Repair: Testing A New Model Of Trust Repair, Jada Lester

All Theses

Given the importance of trust in human-automation interaction, there has been intense activity in understanding trust repair (Esterwood & Robert, 2021). However, despite the numerous trust repair studies, there is no coherent understanding of when and why trust repair works. A recently proposed theoretical model identified two unique categories of trust repair (central and peripheral) and the factors that might affect their success (Pak & Rovira, 2023). The current study tested a specific hypothesis arising from the theoretical model: variations in workload will affect central trust repair efficacy, but peripheral trust repair will be unaffected by workload. Participants engaged in …

Service Use Among Maltreated Children With Behavior Problems And Emotional Disturbance Before And During Covid-19, Darja Beinenson

All Theses

This study utilizes two datasets obtained from the National Child Abuse and Neglect

Data System, a federally-sponsored initiative to monitor annual rates and characteristics of child maltreatment in the United States. Using a set of multinomial and negative binomial regressions, the paper seeks to examine service use among maltreated children with and without behavioral problems and emotional disturbance. The study also explores whether the service utilization gap widened among children with those conditions in 2021, during the pandemic, compared to 2018, pre-pandemic. Results demonstrated significant differences in the utilization of services among children with behavioral problems and emotional disturbance compared …

Symptom Clusters In Individuals Seeking Treatment For Gambling Disorder, Blaine Stiglets

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) presents the criteria for Gambling Disorder (GD) as a unidimensional construct where each additional symptom corresponds to increased severity. Many individuals experience addiction symptoms in specific symptom clusters, with membership to one profile of symptoms or other better-representing disorder severity than raw symptom counts. This study explored whether similarly informative symptom clusters exist among adults seeking treatment for gambling harms. The sample included 444 adults (Mage= 44.95) who completed an assessment of DSM criteria for GD at intake. Through a latent class analysis of GD criteria, three …

Do Emotion Dysregulation And Internalized Shame Mediate The Relationship Between Borderline Personality Disorder Symptomology And Criminal Involvement?, Madison Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe and debilitating mental disorder that is over-represented within the criminal legal system (CLS), with 15-29.5% of individuals in the CLS meeting criteria. However, little research has examined mechanisms leading to criminal involvement within this population. Potential mechanisms include positive/negative emotion dysregulation and internalized shame, which (aside from positive emotion dysregulation) have been linked to criminal involvement in other populations. Research has yet to examine these constructs as mechanisms explaining criminal involvement among individuals with BPD. This study examined positive/negative emotion dysregulation and internalized shame as mechanisms of the relationship between BPD and criminal …

Preliminary Evidence For The Validity And Reliability Of A Modified Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) Scale: The Variability In Aces Scale, Mary Jo Hedrick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) research has proliferated in the last twenty years with significant research demonstrating the detrimental effects of early childhood adversity. While many measures purport to measure ACEs, very few capture the intensity of ACEs while still calculating the traditional “ACEs tally.” Thus, it is the goal of this dissertation to collect evidence for an expanded ACES measure. The Variability in Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (VACE) measure builds upon the original ACEs and captures interval level data. Two survey-based studies were conducted in which convergent and criterion related validity and test-retest reliability evidence were collected. In …

History Of Physical Neglect And Current Food Insecurity: Moderation By Mental Health Symptoms, Brooke Welsh

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Food insecurity has been a topic of concern for many years. While many actions have been taken to try to reduce rates of food insecurity, further research should investigate whether certain events may increase likelihood of this experience. Thus far, a large amount of research has been completed on how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can impact chances of experiencing food insecurity as well as how mental health symptoms can impact these chances. However, there is little research showing that mental health symptoms may moderate the relationship between having ACEs and food insecurity as an adult. A sample of 124 university …

Examining Attitudes Towards Scientific Research, Charles Ian Johnston

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Undergraduate students are often anxious about participating in a research experience. In this study, students conducted research as part of their introductory biology course and were then surveyed using the Attitudes toward Research Scale, to understand their views on research. Students were surveyed at the beginning and end of the semester, and their scores in five attitudinal categories were compared. The attitudes examined were usefulness of research, positive attitudes towards research, relevance of research, difficulty of research and anxiety towards research. We hypothesized that participation in research as part of a course would improve students’ attitude toward research. Initial analysis …

Unveiling Existentialism And Self-Expression: Utilizing The Arts, Raquel Eduardo Nunez

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This analysis is an exploration of identity through the examination of art as a means of self-expression and societal critique. It delves into existentialism to explain the impacts of art on both positive societal experiences and negative interactions unique to the immigrant and Mexican American community. The artist, Raquel Eduardo Nuñez, examines their own art to dissect their position in life as a Mexican-born individual living in a foreign country. This method was chosen to allow a space of self-reflection and awareness to explore the components that shape identity and reveal art as a medium for interpretation of links between …

End-Of-Life Patient Communication: Exploring Comfort, Communication And Education Of Healthcare Professionals For End-Of-Life Care, Madison Gremillion

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Historically, the medical field has viewed death and dying as incurable ‘medical failures,’ and as a result, many healthcare professionals have difficulties when facing a patient who is dying or at the end of their life. These individuals will use avoidant behavior to avoid end-of-life (EOL) patients or can have difficulty providing essential aspects of care including communication, that contribute to building a strong relationship between the healthcare provider and patient. For the healthcare professional (HCP), this can stem from anxiety related to thoughts of death and a lack of educational support or experience. The study of death is where …

Effects Of Emotional Intelligence And Social Support On The Relationship Between Childhood Maltreatment And Disordered Eating, Rachel Kilby

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Current research has established a connection between childhood maltreatment and eating disorders, and some studies have looked at emotional intelligence or social support as mediators. However, little research has looked at how emotional intelligence and social support work together in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and eating disorders. This study looked at how emotional intelligence and social support act as mediators in this relationship. Undergraduate students (N=134) were administered the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-90), Wong-Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Correlations between scales were …

The Relationship Between Role Models, Socioeconomic Mobility Beliefs, And Academic Outcomes, Christian Koeu, Marisol Espinoza Garcia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Objective: This study aims to provide insights into the relationships between role models, socioeconomic mobility beliefs and the education outcomes of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. While previous studies highlight the positive influence of role models on academic and career aspirations, the specific relationship between role models and socioeconomic beliefs remains unexplored. Our study addresses this gap by examining whether the presence of role models relates with more optimistic socioeconomic beliefs and how these beliefs, in turn, affect academic outcomes (academic engagement, academic intentions, and grade point average [GPA]). Additionally, we investigate the influence of role model characteristics to …

Self-Perception And Positive Stereotype Endorsement, Aileen Lovitt

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The origin and reasoning behind the use of racial stereotypes has been a point of interest for researchers over the years. Many different theories have been proposed including those related to cognitive, evolutionary, and motivational explanations. However, most of these theories and the research backing them primarily focus on negative stereotyping. The origin of positive stereotyping, which also has negative implications associated with their use, has not been evaluated fully. Previous research has suggested that the motive to preserve self-worth and positive self-concept may play a role in stereotype endorsement. Two studies were conducted with the purpose of investigating whether …

Racial Microaggressions Research: Intersectionality, Coping Strategies, And Groups Impacted, Aldo M. Barrita

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Microaggressions, a term first coined to name everyday experiences with oppression five decades ago (Pierce et al., 1977), has evolved in the literature naming specific aggressions taking place in microsystems targeting minoritized groups (Sue et al., 2007). However, as this research area expands, a need for specificity about who is being impacted by racial microaggressions and how this impact takes place remains a gap in the literature that the research program of this dissertation aimed to address. Expanding from traditional racial microaggression approaches (Sue et al., 2019; Williams et al., 2021), this dissertation incorporates aspects of intersectionality, coping strategies, and …

Reframing Addiction As A Coping Response: A Needed Shift In Modern Public Health Paradigms, Anthony King

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

What are the primary risk factors that compel one person towards addiction and not another? After decades of research, there is still no clear consensus. Some experts say addiction is a brain disease; others say it is a willful act, or even an outright crime. Nevertheless, the three research studies contained within this dissertation suggest an alternative, more parsimonious public-health-centered framework for viewing addictive behavioral patterns: as a biopsychosocial coping strategy for past and present stressors. In Study 1, this idea was examined by evaluating how symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were associated with problem gambling severity, different gambling …

Children's Beliefs About Search Engines., Lauren N. Girouard-Hallam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children rely on information from other sources to think and learn about the world around them. As the world around them digitizes, their options for where to seek new information have expanded to include technological sources like Google Search. This dissertation examines what factors impact children’s trust in search engines, particularly Google. In the first set of studies, 4- to 8-year old children were asked whether technological informants and a teacher could answer stable and changing questions, and which informant would have the better answer. With age, children endorsed the Google search engine at higher rates and the teacher at …

Applying Exploratory Learning Methods To Sociopolitical Beliefs And Cognition., Sarah French

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Americans are polarized along party lines across a variety of sociopolitical issues, including climate change and sustainability issues. Sociopolitical messaging often triggers biased processing that results in defensive rejection or biased elaboration (i.e., counterarguing) of belief-incongruent information. The current research examined whether exploratory learning activities, primarily applied in STEM-education research, can foster belief updating about polarized sustainability issues. Exploratory learning encourages people to engage with learning materials and arrive at their own conclusions before receiving direct instruction/messaging. In two experiments, participants reported their beliefs about carbon taxes and electric vehicle incentives (among other issues) before and after receiving counter-attitudinal persuasive …

The Icarus Paradox: Examining The Gender Bias In Leader Transgression, Pratibha Deepak

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the growing interest in leader transgressions due to their profound impact on organizations and their members, the boundary conditions influencing them remain unexplored. Consequently, this dissertation investigates the differential evaluation of leader transgressions based on such boundary conditions, focusing on the interaction between transgression type (integrity vs. competence), leader gender (female vs. male), and hierarchical status (supervisor vs. senior leader). Utilizing theoretical foundations from causal attribution theory, shifting standards, expectancy violation theory, and social identity theory, it is hypothesized that the impact of transgressions on organizational outcomes at multiple levels—including individual (perceived leader effectiveness), organizational (employee turnover intention), and …

The Art Of Hoarding: Hoarding Behavior As It Relates To Art Engagement, Amanda Carr

Honors College Theses

There has been a long history of artists as collectors, amassing objects as both part of their creative process and for personal enjoyment. However, it remains to be seen if some of the more extreme collecting tendencies of artists may be instead classified as hoarding. Although, there has been some examination of the relationship between artists and creativity to hoarding, there is a dearth of empirical investigation into the relationship between art engagement and hoarding behavior. Further, artists’ and hoarding behavior are mutually associated with some personality traits and cognitive functions. Given such parallels and the overall lack of research …

The Long-Term Effects Of Family Instability During Childhood, Emily Guillen

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The environment in which children are raised greatly influences the person they will grow up to be. Children who experience dysfunctional family relationships, such as constant changes and disruptions to the family structure, are likely to experience long term effects. The purpose of this study is to understand the link between family instability within relationships and the long-term psychological effects in early adulthood. Through the use of family systems theory, the research examines the family as a whole in which interactions within the family affect each member. This study investigated childhood experiences of unstable family relationships, and their likelihood to …

The Perception Of Children As Reliable Eyewitnesses, Shelby Mcdonald

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Eyewitness accounts have been integral to the criminal justice system. However, given that not every criminal case has forensic evidence that is available or admissible, the reliance on eyewitness accounts conjures questions about believability. This is an important area of research because the over-belief of witnesses may lead to wrongful convictions, yet under-belief may leave the victim without justice. The current study investigated how child-witness age, race, role as a witness (bystander versus victim), and the gender of the juror influenced the perception of child eyewitnesses through the lens of the Witness Credibility Model. Participants were presented with the testimony …

Sufferance For Snuff Puffs: The Acceptability And Behavior Of Smoking Marijuana And Tobacco Inside The House, Eusabeia Silfanus, Oliver Lopez, Vincent Berardi

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Secondhand smoke (SHS) released from indoor smoking contributes to household air pollution, releasing large quantities of fine particulate matter which can pose negative health outcomes, especially for developing children who spend most of their time at home. The increased legalization of marijuana increases its recreational and medicinal use along with its acceptability. With tobacco use remaining prevalent, the use of marijuana and/or tobacco remains common and may occur inside the home. Project Fresh Air conducted in San Diego County studies the air quality in households (n = 298) with at least one adult smoking tobacco and/or marijuana living with at …

The Role Of Attachment And Childhood Trauma For Men Parenting During The Reentry Phase: A Mixed Methods Secondary Analysis, Lily A. Hoerner

Master's Theses

Mass incarceration is a major problem in the U.S., with people of color being the ones most affected by it. Most of the people who are incarcerated are men, and a stark number of these men are parents. Reentry is a critical period for people released where they return home to their communities and families and have to reintegrate into life outside of prison. The recidivism rate in the U.S. is the highest of any other nation, making reentry an important area of focus to help repair the harms caused by mass incarceration. Many men who return home from incarceration …

Unscripted Journeys: An Exploration Of Music Therapy Practitioner Perspectives On Improvisation Within And Beyond Clinical Application, Abigail Lee

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Improvisation is a phenomenon used often in music settings, clinical settings, and in life in general. Within music therapy settings, clinical improvisation is one of the most common and useful skills music therapy practitioners use to help clients achieve their therapeutic goals. Proper acquisition and implementation of this skill is therefore crucial to the aspiring music therapist’s education. While many approaches to clinical improvisation are outlined within current literature, less literature exists regarding how the background and lifestyle of a music therapy practitioner may affect their development and implementation of clinical improvisation in session. Through qualitative data collection via seven …

Meta-Analytic Investigations Of Team Development Interventions And Effectiveness, Sydney Begerowski

All Dissertations

Team development interventions (TDIs) are evidenced-based best practices that improve performance trajectories of teams. To date, various independent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of one type of TDI in improving effectiveness, but there has yet to be a cross-intervention assessment. Accordingly, the goal of this dissertation was to explore a subset of TDIs (team charters, team training, team debriefing) from a comparative lens. First, I conducted a series of pairwise meta-analyses across team charters, team training, and team debriefing to establish a TDI-effectiveness relationship. Findings were inconclusive regarding team charters, but suggested that team training and team debriefing significantly improve …

Going, Going, Gone: The Influence Of Job And Home Demands And Resources On Emergency Department Nurse Turnover, Jordan Gail Smith

All Dissertations

Nurse turnover, which challenged healthcare organizations even before the pandemic, reached alarming rates across hospitals worldwide during COVID-19. Due to the unprecedented and stressful nature of the pandemic, recent investigations have focused primarily on exploring job demands and nurse turnover intentions. While job demands are critical to understanding turnover, this narrow scope ignores the possible influence of other factors such as job resources and demands and resources external to the work domain. This study utilized archival qualitative data from a longitudinal survey of Emergency Department clinicians to analyze research questions and hypotheses. The first aim of this study was to …

Investigating Bimanual Haptic Exploration With Arm-Support Exoskeletons, Balagopal Raveendranath

All Dissertations

The ability to judge properties like weight and length of hand-held objects is essential in industrial work. Sometimes workers use devices like exoskeletons, which can augment their ability to lift and move heavy objects. Previous studies have investigated the perceptual information available for one-handed weight and length judgments. The current study investigated how blindfolded participants bimanually heft and wield objects to explore haptic information, to perceive object heaviness or length. The study also investigated the effects of using an arm-support exoskeleton (ASE) on the perceived weight of hand-held objects. We empirically tested whether people wield and manipulate objects differently, depending …

A Rhetorical-Sociological Understanding Of Emotion, Amy Boone

All Dissertations

This project presents a rhetorical-sociological understanding of emotion while foregrounding the place and role of language. Born from Sara Ahmed’s work in The Cultural Politics of Emotion, it presents a simplified equation (contact + orientation = emotion) as both a prescriptive and descriptive formula for making sense of human emotional experience. Starting with an exploration of the difficult-to-understand affect system, this dissertation identifies both rhetoric and affect as energies which cannot be understood apart from their traces, the things they move, produce, and become. As a way to get at these often-invisible forces, two trace studies are conducted which explore …

An Exploration Of The Efficacy Of Virtual Agents Within Smartphone Mental Health Applications, Stephanie Six

All Dissertations

The prevalence of depression in the U.S. has increased over the past decade, leading to an all-time-high during the COVID-19 pandemic (WHO, 2022). With this increase, the number of mental health applications (MHealth apps) on virtual e-stores increases in tandem. Despite this expanding number of MHealth apps, few demonstrate a foundation in empirical research. One design factor that may influence usability and effectiveness is the inclusion of virtual agents. Three studies were conducted to investigate users’ preferences for a variety of characteristics associated with virtual agents. In Experiment 1, users completed a single-session, three-stage CBT-based interaction with virtual characters and …

Shift Schedule Justice And Clinician Outcomes: A Quasi-Experimental Approach, Caroline George

All Dissertations

Emergency Physicians (EPs) work in stressful and unpredictable work environments. Due to these factors and the nature of their work scheduling (in shifts), EPs experience heightened levels of adverse work outcomes. As such, it is important for EPs to believe their shift schedule is fair, and for them to have adequate recovery time away from work. The present research examined the effects of Emergency Department leadership approving a 1-hour increase to EP shifts, equating to roughly two fewer shifts per month (8-hour shifts will become 9-hour shifts). As such, EPs should experience more time off from work per month, allowing …