Clinical Psychology Commons^™

The Impact Of Traditional Machismo On Mental Health Outcomes: Depression And Suicide Risk Among Latino Immigrant And Non-Immigrant Men, Yesenia A, Romero

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traditional masculine norms have long been recognized as influential factors in men’s psychological well-being. Within Latino cultures, the construct of machismo represents a culturally specific form of masculinity characterized by ideals of masculinity and characterized by ideals of strength, dominance, and emotional restraint. While these norms may promote resilience and family responsibilities, rigid adherence to traditional machismo has also been associated with emotional suppression, reduced help-seeking behaviors, and increased psychological distress. The present study conducted a meta-analysis to examine the relationship between traditional machismo and mental health outcomes among Latino men, with particular attention to depressive symptoms as well as …

Online Act Guide For Sub-Clinical And Clinical Insomnia Among College Students, Guadalupe "Gabe" San Miguel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

College students are shown to have more sleep difficulties, specifically insomnia. These sleep difficulties compared to the general public due to the college environment (for example increase screen time, sedentary time, or alcohol use). Students with reported sleep difficulties have ties to lower GPA and lower odds of graduation. That is why this dissertation conducted a comparison between an online version of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (intervention) to a placebo condition among college students with insomnia to help determine if the intervention had better outcomes over time. Each condition (intervention = 39; placebo = 40) completed questionnaires at the start …

Evaluating The Feasibility, Acceptability, And Preliminary Efficacy Of An Online Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Program To Improve Dietary Quality In Highly Stressed Adults, Francesca M. Knudsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Stress can negatively affect both mental and physical health, which can increase the risk for chronic illness. When people feel stressed, they may also find it harder to make healthy food choices, which can further impact their health. Despite this, there are limited treatments designed to help people improve their dietary quality while managing stress. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based psychological approach that helps people respond more effectively to difficult thoughts and emotions while behaving in ways that are aligned with their personal values. This study tested whether a brief, online ACT-based program, combined with coaching phone …

Examining The Relationship Between Executive Functions And Resilience, Joseph W. Toland

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The direct and indirect associations of executive functions (EF) and resilience hint towards a strong association between these variables, however there are still gaps in the literature. The current study aims to explore the relationship between EF's (inhibition, shifting, and updating) and resilience. We hypothesize that EF's scores will generally correlate with resilience. Specifically, we hypothesize that inhibition scores will positively correlate to resilience scores. That shifting scores will positively correlate to resilience scores. That updating scores will correlate positively with resilience scores. Finally, the strength of the association between EF's and resilience will change depending on which EF's is …

The Relationship Between Sports Related Head Injuries, Mental Health And Academic Performance In University Student-Athletes, Odyssey Keller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student athletes face many challenges when it comes to participating in team sports, one of the most notable being sport-related head injuries. Concussions are a growing concern since they have the potential to impact mental health and academic performance long-term. While many athletes report recovery within weeks, some continue to struggle with impairments in their psychological functioning and overall mental well-being that interferes with academic performance over time. Many of the standardized protocols in place for concussion management vary across institutions. This study aimed to address gaps in the existing literature by assessing concussion history, mental health and academic challenges …

Pedagogical Strategies For Training Psychology Graduate Students: Examining Graduate Students' Satisfaction, Confidence, And Learning Across Three Approaches For Teaching A Standardized Assessment, Emma R. Slade

Ramifications

Competence in assessing mental health concerns, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is essential for psychologists. However, students can learn to use assessment tools in many ways, and students’ preferences and satisfaction with various instructional techniques may predict the extent to which they learn and gain confidence in their ability to apply such learning. The current study was an experiment designed to test how to best teach graduate students to assess ADHD. An instructional paper, a PowerPoint presentation with an included voiceover narration, and a case study applied example were each created to teach students how to administer and interpret the …

The Effect Of Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing) Concept On Decreasing Academic Stress Of College Students: A Pre-Experimental Study, Shinta Mustika, Witrin Gamayanti, Fitri Kurniawati, Ujam Jaenudin

Psychological Research on Urban Society

Academic stress is a common issue among university students due to heavy academic demands and performance pressure, affecting both physical and mental well-being. This study examines the effectiveness of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) in reducing academic stress. Using a quantitative pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design, stress levels were assessed before and after a session of shinrin-yoku among six Cianjur students with high academic stress. The research was conducted in locations within the scientific collection area of Cibodas Botanical Garden, identified as suitable for health and well-being interventions. The Profile of Mood States (Indonesian version) and Perception of Academic Stress Scale were used …

Therapists’ Perspectives On Female Patients’ Recovery From Sexual Violent Trauma Committed By Familiar Offenders, Lauren S. Doran

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A mental health therapist is a licensed professional who is trained to identify any barriers or regression during the recovery process with their female patients’ psychological experiences from sexual violent trauma (SVT) perpetrated by a degree of familiar offenders. In this study, the therapists’ perceptions identified the impact of the SVT committed by a familiar offender toward the female victim’s recovery process. The theoretical foundation included betrayal trauma theory, moral injury, and victimology. The research question addressed how therapists described the psychological recovery of female patients who experienced sexual violence by a familiar offender. The research design was data collection …

Narratives From Law Enforcement Officers Who Leave Policing, Hector Rene Matascastillo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Beginning in May 2020, a national exodus of law enforcement officers (LEOs) from the profession occurred. There has been speculation about the causes, including social unrest and trauma, while some claim that there has always been this level of attrition. The purpose of this study was to capture the narratives of LEOs regarding what motivated them to leave the profession after May 2020 and before achieving their retirement goals. The theoretical lens of general strain theory guided this study, as it posits that people under great strain resort to options that they would not usually consider, such as leaving the …

The Importance Of Relational Teaching In Introductory Statistics, Nathan Matthew Slife

UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo

This poster presents relational teaching strategies for introductory statistics courses.

How Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cbt) And Antipsychotics Compare To Antipsychotics Alone Impact Inpatient Length Of Stay: A Scoping Review, Morgan E. Johnson, Hailey M. Wade, Y'Esha V. Williams-Click, Rocquell Duncan, Laura Reed Dnp, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Cne, Fnap

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background

Psychosis in adults is a serious psychiatric condition that often necessitates inpatient hospitalization for stabilization and the initiation of medication. Untreated psychosis can lead to poor outcomes, including longer hospital stays, loss of occupational functioning, and a decreased quality of life. While antipsychotic medications are typically the first line of treatment, they can have severe side effects, which may lead to patients discontinuing their use. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for psychosis is an evidence-based intervention that targets maladaptive behaviors associated with the condition. CBT may improve treatment responses when used alongside antipsychotic medication. However, there is limited research on …

The Integration Of Mental Health Services Within The Black Church: A Literature Review Of Systematic Inequalities, Stigma, And Culturally Responsive Approaches, Grace N. Wingate

Honors College Theses

Black American Christians in predominantly Black churches often face limited access to adequate mental health resources due to historical mistrust, systemic inequalities, and cultural stigma. These barriers are rooted in longstanding distrust of psychological services, the underrepresentation of Black mental health care professionals, and the high cost and inaccessibility of care. Additionally, stigma within Black Christian communities may discourage individuals from seeking help from mental health professionals, particularly when such care is perceived as conflicting with religious beliefs. Despite these challenges, Black churches remain central and trusted institutions within their communities, positioning them as crucial sites for mental health support. …

Noncontingent Parental Attention Leads To Independent Play And Is Preferred By Toddlers Over Screen Time, Kristen Newell

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Caregivers often rely on screen media to occupy young children during periods when caregiver attention is unavailable, despite evidence linking early screen exposure to adverse developmental outcomes. An alternative approach is to provide high-quality, noncontingent attention (NCA) during play prior to independent activity. Although NCA reduces attention-maintained challenging behavior, the optimal duration of NCA and children’s preference for caregiver interaction relative to screen time remain unclear. This study evaluated the effects of varying durations of caregiver-delivered NCA on young children’s independent play, attention-seeking behavior, and preference for NCA compared to screen time. Three caregiver–child dyads participated in a multielement design …

Beyond Victimhood, Expanding Narratives: A Generative Inquiry With Trafficking Survivors, Giacomo Chiara, Celiane Camargo-Borges, Diego Romaioli, Alberta Contarello

The Qualitative Report

This study is a generative inquiry with survivors of trafficking from a social constructionist perspective. Inspired by the principles of Appreciative Inquiry, its focus is collaboration between researchers and trafficking survivors with a view to shaping and understanding their trafficking experiences together, expanding understanding of the topic and co-constructing a relational space in which counter-narratives on victimhood can be generated. It consisted of 10 interviews with women survivors of trafficking at the Italian Anti-Trafficking System. These women were from a range of nations and their experiences of exploitation varied. Taking a constructionist approach to research, we formulated an episodic-generative interview …

An Empirical Case Study Of Substance Abuse Treatment Retention For Black Women In Boston, Melinda Asiamah

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

This research investigates the disproportionate impact of substance use disorders (SUD) on Black women, a population facing critically low treatment retention rates, evidenced by outpatient dropout rates averaging 55%. Despite the efficacy of sustained treatment, Black women consistently underutilize and prematurely exit services compared to other demographics. This study asserts that identifying the drivers behind these disparities requires a shift from traditional public health lenses toward a framework that centers racial oppression, systemic barriers, and cultural obstacles.

By integrating Critical Race Theory (CRT), Black Feminist Theory, Social Determinants of Mental Health, and Biopsychosocial Theory, this research explores the impact of …

Examining The Psychometric Properties Of The Big Three Perfectionism Scale–Short Form (Btps-Sf) Among Malaysian Chinese Students At A Private University, Kam-Fong Lee, Ashraf Sadat Ahadzadeh, Shin Ling Wu

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Perfectionism is increasingly prevalent among young adults and is a significant predictor of pathological and behavioral outcomes. Despite its relevance, validated and reliable measures of perfectionism tailored to university students, particularly within the Malaysian cultural and academic context, are lacking. This study addresses this gap by examining the psychometric properties of the BTPS-SF among Chinese students at a private university in Malaysia.

Methods: Data were collected using a cross-sectional design with convenience and snowball sampling from 380 students aged 18–25 years, predominantly from a Chinese student population.

Results: The results of the exploratory factor analysis, conducted …

Questionnaire For Eudaimonic Well-Being: Psychometric Validation Among Malaysian Youth, Mohd Ahsani A. Malek, Nurulwahida Saad, Suzana Mohd. Hoesni, Muhamad Ariff Ibrahim, Nurul Shafira Adi, Mohd Nazir Mohd Nazori

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The rising prevalence of mental illness underscores the need to understand how individuals can live and flourish under such conditions. In Malaysia, research has largely emphasized diagnosis and treatment, with limited focus on positive psychology and few validated instruments. This study aimed to translate and validate the questionnaire for eudaimonic well-being (QEWB) among Malaysian youth.

Methods: The QEWB was translated into Malay using back-to-back translation and administered to undergraduates from four public universities through a cross-sectional survey design. Convenience quota sampling was used, resulting in 229 respondents completing the online form to measure sociodemographic characteristics, eudaimonic well-being, …

An Expressive Arts Therapy Literature Review: Spiritual Experiences And Dsm-5 Assessment In Bipoc Communities, Amanda Paige Rodriguez

Expressive Therapies Theses

Spiritual and non-ordinary experiences such as clear-hearing, visions, and spiritual perception are frequently interpreted within Western mental health systems through diagnostic frameworks rooted in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). For Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC), these interpretations may overlook cultural, spiritual, and ancestral contexts in which such experiences hold meaning rather than indicate pathology. This literature review examines how DSM-5 frameworks conceptualize spiritual experiences in BIPOC communities and explores assessment practices that may reduce the risk of misdiagnosis.

A literature review methodology was employed, drawing on sixteen peer-reviewed articles representing qualitative, quantitative, and …

Social Support And Weight Management Behaviors Lived Experiences Of Overweight Native Hawaiian Women, Satu Gruenstein

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Hawaiian Islands have an alarming concentration of obesity and related chronic health issues and many Native Hawaiian women do not have access to culturally sensitive weight loss information. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to increase understanding of the lived experiences of middle-aged Native Hawaiian women, relating to weight loss, weight management, and the impact of social support and cultural factors on those experiences. The conceptual framework for the study included the models of social support and social networks. A phenomenological research design and purposeful sampling were used to conduct semistructured interviews with eight middle-aged Native Hawaiian women, …

Comparing The Effects Of Suicide Stigma Reduction Interventions On Adult Help-Seeking Intentions: An Experimental Investigation, Max Stivers

LSU Master's Theses

With relatively few individuals who experience suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors (STB) engaging in formal treatment, one critical aspect of bridging the treatment gap is to reduce barriers to their seeking help (WHO, 2014). Stigma regarding suicide and mental health help-seeking has been identified as a barrier to care, inspiring development of interventions and public health campaigns targeting stigma reduction as a means of increasing help-seeking attitudes, intentions, and behavior (Corrigan et al., 2004). However, because efforts focusing specifically on reducing stigma may fail to address other logistical and psychosocial barriers to engaging with treatment, their broader impact in promoting help-seeking …

Effects Of Social Media Comparisons On State Self-Esteem, Fomo, And Depression In Young Adult Women, Amanda J. Trapp

Student Scholar Showcase

Social media has quickly become a main source of entertainment that may have more damaging effects than one may expect. For specifically women, it is important to understand how the use and comparison of exposing oneself to the life of other influencers, family members, and friends affect self-esteem, depression, and FOMO. Previous research has shown the damaging effects of other social media sites such as Facebook, and the way comparing oneself to others has an impact on these variables. It is important to focus on women in this topic as they are more susceptible to damaging effects through comparison. Along …

Utilizing Dungeons And Dragons With Expressive Arts Therapy To Analyze Sense Of Connection Socially And To The Self: A Literature Review And Autoethnography, Neve N. Johnson

Expressive Therapies Theses

This expressive arts-based autoethnography explores the use of tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) as a tool in expressive arts therapy to foster self-expression and connection to oneself and others. Research on the use of TTRPGs as a viable therapeutic medium is in its early stages, particularly for the widely-renowned fantasy TTRPG Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). Geek Therapy, a therapy surrounding “geek culture” and affinities, emerged in 2011 and began research questioning if such affinities as costume play, anime, video games, or TTRPGs could be tools for self-expression in therapy. This has led to a range of current literature on the therapeutic …

Setbacks And Stigmas: The Career Consequences Of Mental Health Treatment For Soldiers In Combat Roles, Micah Mark Marchand

LSU Master's Theses

This study examines how potential career consequences, perceived stigma, and confidentiality concerns influence mental health help-seeking among United States Army Soldiers, with particular attention to differences across Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) categories. Despite the availability of behavioral health services, many service members delay or avoid treatment due to fears that seeking care may negatively impact their careers, including risks to promotion, deployment eligibility, and retention. Guided by Systems Theory, this research explores how interconnected military structures, policies, and cultural norms shape these perceptions and behaviors.

Using a confidential survey design, data were collected from current service members and recently separated …

Experiences Of Friendships And Artificial Intelligence, Victoria L. Hober, Chloe Nelson

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between friendship and the use of AI companions. Participants (N=136) completed an online survey that included questions from four questionnaires: Perceptions of Companion AI Impacts (PCI), which was developed for the purpose of this study, Lubben Social Network Scale -Revised (Lubben, 1988), Self Disclosure Scale (Augustine & Essel, 2024), and Openness to Use AI Companion, which was also created for the use of this study. Through these tests, the researchers aimed to measure the perceived risks and benefits associated with AI companion use, as well as social belongingness, willingness to …

The Efficacy Of Informal Mindfulness Practices Towards Enhancing Psychological Well-Being And Life Satisfaction Among College Students, Carol Patrick, Tianhui Xie

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

US college students face psychological challenges from academic pressure and social demands. Informal mindfulness practices may help reduce stress and improve mental well-being. Previous studies have looked at informal contemplative practices in daily life. However, none have studied skincare as a mindfulness practice. This study investigates whether incorporating informal mindfulness into skincare routines can enhance well-being, life satisfaction, and mindfulness in US college students.

Over a 14-day experimental period, approximately 150 participants were assigned to one of the three groups: a mindful skincare group, a descriptive skincare group, or a no-intervention group. The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the PERMA …

Psychologists’ Preparedness And Self-Efficacy In Serving Grieving Hispanics During Covid-19, Janet Salinas Sanchez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health professionals working with Hispanic populations often face challenges in addressing grief, a culturally multifaceted experience influenced by traditions and familial and community practices. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine psychologists’ self-efficacy and preparedness in managing grief among Hispanic individuals who have been affected by COVID-19, address cultural factors in grief management, and identify demographic or professional factors that predict higher self-efficacy in working with Hispanic clients. Data were collected at a single point in time from eight psychologists who were actively working or had worked with Hispanic populations during COVID-19 to explore psychologists’ self-efficacy, preparedness, …

A Mixed Methods Moderation Analysis Of Historical Trauma, Enculturation, And Drinking Among Southwest Indigenous Young Adults, Antonia M. Young

Psychology ETDs

Multicultural efforts to understand how enculturation could reduce alcohol-related harms among American Indian and Alaska Native and Mexican American young adults in the Southwest United States have been lacking. The present mixed methods study tested the cross-cultural applicability of Walters et al.’s (2002) Indigenist Stress-Coping Model, which suggests enculturation moderates the relationship between historical trauma and drinking, between these groups using moderated linear regression. Participants (N=120) completed an online survey with items from the Historical and Intergenerational Trauma Transmission Questionnaire (HITT-Q), the Vancouver Index of Acculturation (VIA) heritage subscale (i.e., enculturation), NIAAA’s 30-day drinking consumption questionnaire, and one …

Race-Based Violence Against Educators And School Personnel: The Roles Of Race And Harm, Jared Hunt

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Educator-directed violence is a serious problem that has adverse effects on the careers and lives of those victimized. Educators and school personnel in the United States experience this violence within institutions that are shaped by long-checkered histories of racism and racial discrimination (Bickford and Clabough, 2021) that continue today (Carver-Thomas, 2018). Thus, there is a need to consider the roles of race and racism in the violence educators and school personnel experience. This study investigated educators’ and other school personnel’s experiences of physical and verbal/threatening violence, harm, and psychological distress. Through a racial stress and trauma framework, this study also …

The Perceptions Of Early Adolescents: Academic Stressors Within Under-Resourced Schools, Problem Solving, And Important Adults, Aliyah White

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Early adolescence is marked by increasing academic demands and the growing need for effective coping strategies. The present study examined early adolescents’ perceptions of academic stressors, use of primary control coping mechanisms, and identification of important related and unrelated adults within their lives. Participants included 96 youth ages 10-14 recruited from Chicago Public Schools in under-resourced South Side communities. Results indicated that youth reported substantial exposure to academic stressors, including teachers yelling, difficulties understanding coursework, and pressure to perform well academically. Findings revealed a significant decrease in the use of primary control coping strategies over time, despite increasing academic stress. …

Objectification And Discrimination Among Bi+ Women: Body Image Outcomes And The Moderating Role Of Relationship Type And Partner Gender, Kaitlyn E. Ryan

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Objectification theory posits that being sexually objectified by others leads to a greater likelihood of engaging in body surveillance behaviors, which in turn is associated with higher body shame (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997). Prior research has identified both objectification and anti-bisexual discrimination as significant predictors of body surveillance and body shame among bi+ women (i.e., bisexual, pansexual, queer) (Brewster et al., 2014; Salim et al., 2024). No studies, however, have considered the unique experiences of romantically partnered bi+ women, including the potential moderating effects of partner gender and relationship type. The present study examined whether romantic relationships are protective for …