Psychology Commons^™

Psychology Of Altruism: A Phenomenological Study Of Christian Leaders, Joshua G. Belk

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Altruism is fundamentally a part of Christianity, but this phenomenon has never been researched from the perspective of Christian leaders. More than simple kindness or generosity, altruism can be defined as actions and behaviors which place a person’s own interests subordinate to another’s. This qualitative study interviews 31 Christian leaders to establish an understanding of what altruism is in the context of Christian faith. The study found that Christian leaders’ experiences with altruism redefines what was previously known about the phenomenon and its role in our lives. Examining the Christian rationale of altruism provides a richer conception of altruism and …

Military Veteran Career Transition Coaching Experiences: Navigating The Shift From Military Service To Civilian Employment, Miguel A. Ingle

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Shifting from a structured military culture is regarded as a critical juncture in the lives of military veterans. Veterans face career adaptation, identity conflict, and social integration challenges separating from the military, yet current military transition programs fail to address these challenges. Research on veterans’ transition has overlooked how career transition coaching benefits veterans’ reintegration into civilian careers, leaving a gap in understanding veterans’ challenges and successes with career transition coaching. Addressing veterans’ transition challenges is crucial for developing programs that facilitate their successful integration into civilian careers. This multiple-case qualitative study employed interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) to address this …

Parent And Teacher Perspectives On Attachment/Relationships And Children's Self-Regulation, Elaina Arnold

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Parent-child attachment and teacher-child relationships had individually shown an impact on children’s self-regulation. There has been little research, however, showing the impact of the parents’ and teachers’ attachment/relationship on children’s self-regulation at both home and school. This qualitative descriptive study examined the relationship between both the parent and teacher attachment/relationship with self-regulation in children 1-4 years old. Participants included 6 parents (mothers and fathers) with a child in childcare and 5 teachers of these children. Participants took part in a 30–40-minute semi-structured interview that was transcribed. The parents’ and teachers’ descriptions and perceptions of their relationship/attachment with the child, the …

Military Veterans And Yoga Teacher Training: A Phenomenological Review, Stephen L. Rego

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study aimed to discover the experiences of military veteran graduates of two Veterans Yoga Project (VYP) cohorts. The theory guiding this study was phenomenological inquiry, founded by Husserl and expanded by Hegel, Heidegger, and van Manen, as it explored the lived experiences and potential intersection of wellness in military veterans. The candidates for participation were recruited from the VYP MRYTT yoga training program 2021 Cohort 1, providing 16 graduates, and 2022 Cohort 2, providing 23 graduates. This study discovered 1) the lived experiences of yoga teacher training (YTT) in military veterans, 2) a conceptualization of military veterans’ …

Suicide And Sermons: Perceptions Of Pastors And Congregant Members Regarding Suicide, Hope W. Callahan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The ongoing global crisis of suicide underscores the imperative for effective prevention measures addressing the mental health struggles of individuals, offering hope, and facilitating access to essential services. Research is vast when considering suicide in general; however, the gap in research lies in understanding the perceptions of pastors and congregant members regarding the topic. Pastors, by integrating the topic of suicide into their sermons, can play a crucial role in prevention through messages of hope and encouragement. This approach fosters open dialogue and reduces stigma within congregations. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to gain a deeper understanding …

Conceptualizing Loneliness: Clinical Importance And Therapeutic Approaches, Joni Loehrig

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explored the lived experience and perceptions of loneliness among 41 young adults aged 18 to 25 who self-reported being lonely. Loneliness has reached epidemic levels, although its conceptual dimensions remain in their infancy. Loneliness leads to feelings of disconnection and emotional distress and is associated with chronic health issues and increased mortality rates; it is believed to carry health risks equivalent to or greater than heavy smoking, high alcohol consumption, and obesity. The pervasiveness of loneliness and its risks render it a critical problem to address in clinical practice. Participants were selected individuals whose stories of loneliness were …

Counselors Perception Of Life Experiences Affecting Their Longevity In Counseling, Melissa S. Kennedy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to examine counselor perceptions of life experiences on clinicians remaining in the counseling field. The theory guiding this study is self-efficacy as it relates to clinicians’ positive experiences that supported them in counseling over time. In total, 10 state-licensed mental health counselors participated in semi-structured interviews with the researcher. The data collected was analyzed for common themes from all interviews. The common themes included the following: personal trauma, intrinsic motivation, faith, community building, theoretical application, and enjoyable activities. Counselors should engage in more positive activities to increase longevity in counseling.

Exposure To Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) Within Rural And Underserved Communities, Lauren T. Sparks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It can be difficult for residents of rural and underserved communities to express their own experiences involving adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). ACEs cause negative health outcomes to those who are exposed to physical, mental, or behavioral abuse. These negative outcomes can affect the individual’s mental health; therefore, it is crucial to create recovery mechanisms for communities that are in dire need of resources. The purpose of this qualitative study was to research the exposure of ACEs throughout three rural and underserved states: Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Each of these states had exposure scenarios which was determined based on the distributed …

Job-Search Experiences Of Ghanaian Immigrants In New York City, Samuel Obeng

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Gender Bias In Natural Gender Language And Grammatical Gender Language Within Children's Literature, Kaleigh Marie White Smolinski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There has been much research on the connection between language and gender bias but there is little comparing natural gender language, grammatical gender language, and gender bias. This research is important because it can offer an understanding of gender bias and how these biases are reinforced in different languages. The purpose of this study is to understand how gender biases are represented in children’s literature in different languages. The research questions how gender biases are found in both natural gender and grammatical gender languages within children’s literature. Then questions if there are any differences in these biases. This study compared …

The Impact Of Depression Screening On Mental Health Referrals For Pain Patients., Pamela Lynn Irrgang Metz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Storytelling Through A Critical Positive Youth Development Framework: A Mixed Methods Approach, Maru Gonzalez, Michael Kokozos, Katherine Mckee, Christy Byrd

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

Addressing Weight In Primary Care: Perspectives Of African American Young Adults With Serious Mental Illness, Sang Qin, Lindsay Sheehan, Janis Sayer, Kristin S. Williams, Julius Mercer, Ashley Scott, Tevin Anderson

Journal of Human Services Scholarship and Interprofessional Collaboration

Young adults with serious mental illness (SMI) experience disproportionate rates of physical illness. Morbidity and mortality are even worse for young African Americans with SMI, especially those who are overweight. Primary care physicians (PCPs) have an important role in addressing weight management. Current research explored these young patient’s perceptions of weight management and how PCPs can best address their weight concerns. Using community-based participatory research, we interviewed 25 African American aged 18-30 who were overweight and had a SMI. Results revealed 1) patient perceptions around weight and 2) patient preferences. Participants identified both positive and negative aspects of being overweight, …

Fostering Belonging In The Workplace: What Does Commitment Look Like At Interpersonal, Team, And Organizational Levels?, Jody Condit Fagan

Libraries

Researchers describe belonging as “an essential human need” that supports people’s abilities to share, create meaning, participate, and learn with others at work (Filstad et al., 2019, p117). Sense of belonging varies by culture (Cortina et al., 2017) and belonging-related stressors have been shown to be more intense for those who identify with outgroups (Walton & Brady, 2017). Given this context and the impossibility of directly creating belonging, how can people at all levels support an inclusive commitment to fostering belonging as an organizational value? This presentation will define belonging, outline relevant actions and behaviors, and illuminate potential pitfalls.

Exploring The Effects Of Autotelic Personality, Proactive Personality, And Positive Affectivity On Dispositional Employee Engagement, Stormy Soldonia

Industrial-Organizational Psychology Dissertations

The increasing focus on employee well-being and its organizational implications has shifted scholarly attention towards the dynamics of employee engagement. Prevailing research largely concentrates on the influence of the work environment in fostering engagement. However, the role of individual predispositions remains insufficiently explored. This study seeks to address this gap by evaluating the predictive capacity of specific individual traits – autotelic personality, proactive personality, and positive affectivity – on the innate tendency towards employee engagement. It also examines the extent to which an organization’s climate for engagement can enhance these individual characteristics’ impact. A survey was conducted with 403 adult …

The Impact Of Monetary Incentives On Delay Discounting Within A Year-Long Physical Activity Intervention, Vincent Berardi, Christine B. Phillips, Mindy L. Mcentee, Chad Stecher, Michael Todd, Marc A. Adams

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Delay discounting is the depreciation in a reward’s perceived value as a function of the time until receipt. Monetary incentive programs that provide rewards contingent on meeting daily physical activity (PA) goals may change participants’ delay discounting preferences. Purpose

Determine if monetary incentives provided in close temporal proximity to meeting PA goals changed delay discounting, and if such changes mediated intervention effects. Methods

Inactive adults (n = 512) wore accelerometers during a 12-month intervention where they received proximal monetary incentives for meeting daily moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) goals or delayed incentives for study participation. Delay discount rate and average …

Investigating The Potential Double-Edged Score Of Immigration-Related Stress, Discrimination, And Mental Health Access, Arthur R. Andrews, Kevin Escobar, Sandra Mariely Estrada Gonzalez, Sara Reyes, Laura M. Acosta

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Prior work has suggested that discrimination and immigration-related stress may impede mental health care seeking and utilization among Latinx populations. These effects may be more nuanced as both discrimination and immigration-related stress may increase symptomology, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Both symptoms may, in turn, prompt attempts to seek care. The current study examined the direct effects of discrimination and immigration-related stress on care access, as well as potentially indirect effects with PTSD and depression symptoms as mediators. Interviews and online surveys were completed with 234 Latinx residents of the Midwest, assessing everyday discrimination, discrimination in healthcare, PTSD …

The Effects Of Social Media On Investment Decisions Within An Online Community, Hector Vasquez, David Cross

Publications

This case study examined the effects of social media on investment decisions within an online community. The problem was the use of misinformation by inexperienced investors to make investment decisions, with investors making investment decisions based on misinformation. Data was gathered through an online questionnaire administered through one-on-one interviews with members from an online financial community. Twenty participants were gathered; responses were analyzed for recurring themes. Results validated a relationship between social media and investment decisions exists. A strongly recurring theme was that individual investors use social media as a resource to seek out potential investment ideas and make investment …

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (Gaba) Neurons And Perineuronal Nets (Pnn) In The Monodelphis Domestica And Relevance To Psychiatric Disorders, Jatziry Z. Luna Escobedo, Mariela Garcia, John L. Vandeberg, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background/ Purpose: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid that serves as the central nervous system’s (CNS) main inhibitory neurotransmitter. By inhibiting nerve transmission, it works to lower neuronal excitability. Altered GABA levels have been associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders, for example Epilepsies, Parkinson’s Disease, and Schizophrenia. Perineuronal nets (PNN) are extracellular molecules that are released by neurons and glial cells that modulate many neuronal and glial functions by encapsulating the inhibitory cells and neurites. Altered PNN levels serve as a potential trigger to synaptic imbalance. The purpose of this study is to quantify and analyze the presence, …

A Longitudinal Investigation Of The Relationships Between Experiences With Sexual Harassment, Self-Objectification, And Self-Concept Clarity Among Women, Roxanne N. Felig

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This longitudinal research investigates the nuanced relationship between sexual harassment and self-concept development among both men and women over a six-week period, presenting a unified model that integrates theories of self-objectification and self-concept clarity. Across three waves of data collection (N= 370, N=315, N=279, respectively), I find evidence that women experience higher rates of sexual harassment, greater self-objectification, and lower self-concept clarity than men. Across time, I find that experiencing sexual harassment predicts heightened self-objectification, which further predicts a disrupted sense of self among both men and women. Critically, this work investigates the reciprocal nature of self-objectification and self-concept clarity, …

Table Of Contents, Vol. 19, Issue 1

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

Benchmarking Strategies Used To Increase Diversity, Equity, Inclusion At Summer Camps, Lisa Meerts, Taylor Wycoff, Jim Sibthorp

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

4-H Volunteers Leaders’ Turnover Intention, Suzanna R. Windon, Mariah K. Awan, Rama Radhakrishna

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

“We Are Protected”: Examining Youth Perceptions Of Safety Within A Faith-Based Positive Youth Development Program In El Salvador, Samuel Hay, Jonathan M. Tirrell, Jacqueline Lerner, Elizabeth Dowling, Alistair T. R. Sim, Pamela E. King, Jennifer M. Vaughn, Guillermo Iraheta, Richard Lerner

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

Targeting Social-Emotional Learning And Activity Attitudes During After-School Programming Post Covid-19 Restrictions, Kelly L. Simonton, Victoria N. Shiver, Aimee Gray, Katie Juarez, Angela Simonton

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

The Experience Of Grief, Coping, And Community In Black Families And Friends Of Homicide Victims, Rachel A. Jenkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

The Wage Of Wellness: The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status, Race, And Work Recovery, Emily Julia Ready

Dissertations and Theses

A substantial share of the workforce is made up of low-income workers. Many of these workers fall below the federal poverty line and are considered low socioeconomic status (SES) and are disproportionately more likely to be racial minorities. However, this population is often neglected in the industrial-organizational psychological literature. Specifically, work recovery research has not considered the unique life circumstances of this particular group in the development of the research questions, theoretical framework, or practical implications in relation to this phenomenon. The purpose of the current study is to understand the relationship between socioeconomic status, race, and work recovery experiences …

Who Benefits And How: Five Dimensions Of Adolescent Psychological Well-Being And Their Relative Impact On Cardiometabolic Health In Adulthood, Farah Qureshi, Anna-Josee Guimond, Scott Delaney, Julia K. Boehm, Laura D. Kubzansky

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose

Methods

Moderating Role Of Momentary Social Anxiety In The Relationships Between Authenticity, Situational Appraisals, Expressivity, And Approach-Avoidance Motivation, Jessica A. Birg

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Authenticity, the sense of being true to oneself, may be less sought out or rewarding whenconcerns with social approval and/or rejection take priority. The present study extends prior work by investigating the moderating role of momentary social anxiety in concurrent relationships between (1) perceptions of social interaction partner (i.e., feeling close to or judged by an interaction partner) and authenticity and (2) expressivity while socializing and authenticity. This study also aimed to identify (3) how momentary social anxiety moderates the prospective relationship between authenticity and social approach/avoidance motivation. Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), data was collected from 55 participants over …

The Prevalence And Perceptions Of Self-Relevant Research (“Me-Search”) In Psychological Science, Andrew R. Devendorf

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Self-relevant research (i.e., me-search; SRR) is research that is informed by lived experience or having close connections to a topic. The disclosure of SRR may impact how a researcher is viewed in professional contexts, like an application to graduate school, and thus can impact who is recruited and retained in psychology. Although SRR appears to be common in psychology, little systematic research exists on its prevalence by subfield of psychology or how SRR is perceived. This study examined SRR across psychology disciplines. An online survey was administered to faculty and graduate students (N = 1313) affiliated with accredited doctoral programs …