Health Psychology Commons^™

Psy-7 Peer Effects Of Seeking Mental Health Help From A Professional, Devanshi Patel, Susan Ruppel

SC Upstate Research Symposium

How does peer support effect the ability of students to seek out mental health help from a professional? In this study, the experimenter investigates the type of support the students receive from their peers and how that affects their ability to seek out help from a professional. Accurate intention-seeking of students was recorded for both the behavioral concerns and their support types. A Mental Help Seeking Intention Scale was used to measure the data collected in this study. It was found that the behavioral concern (mental, physical) of a student does not matter in this study, nor did the type …

Examining The Utility Of The Military Service Sleep Assessment In U.S. Veterans, Sophie Vincent

Symposium of Student Scholars

Background: Veterans frequently report sleep disturbances. However, little is known about which military or life events most frequently influence veterans' sleep. The focus of this study is to report the specific military and life events that had the most negative effect on sleep quality in veterans by utilizing the Military Service Sleep Assessment (MSSA).

Method: Post 9/11 veterans (N = 373) completed an assessment battery examining sleep disturbances, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and of dysfunctional and recovery cognitions. Descriptives (i.e., mean and frequency), t-tests, X² tests of independence, residuals, and risk ratios were computed to examine the impact …

Understanding The Work Demands, Resources, And Barriers To Achieving Optimal Well-Being In Immigrant Workers, Amira Marquez Moreno, Kristen J. Black

River Cities Industrial and Organizational Psychology Conference

According to recent reports of immigrants working in poor conditions worldwide, the International Committee of Health (ICOH, 2021) has declared the immediate need to create scientific evidence to encourage a preventive culture in occupational health for migrant workers. In 2019, 470,125 immigrants lived in Tennessee, of which 43% are Latino, and Spanish the most common language (76%). The present study aims to identify the work-demands, resources, and barriers to achieve optimal well-being in immigrant workers with a sample recruited from Chattanooga and the surrounding area. Participants will be recruited through convenience and snowball sampling with the inclusion criteria of being …

Measurement Models Matter: How Retrospective Calendar Versus Global Reports Yield Different Estimates Of Treatment Outcome, Margaret L. Paul Bs, Maria E. Meinerding Ms, Jeremiah Weinstock Phd, Meredith K. Ginley, James P. Whelan Phd, Rory A. Pfund

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract: Retrospective reports are less accurate than objective measures of behavior and must be interpreted with consideration of the amount of distortion and error introduced by this methodology. The Gambling-Timeline Followback (G-TLFB) method is the gold standard retrospective assessment tool that is designed to minimize such error by asking for a specific recall of precise gambling behavior day-by-day using recall aids as compared to a global summation over time (e.g., how many gambling days in last month, how much money gambled in the last month). It remains an empirical question whether this difference in measurement format, G-TLFB versus global reports, …

Gambling Digital Tools Across The Player Spectrum: Promising Practices And Future Opportunities, Melissa Salmon Phd, Sasha Stark Phd

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

In our technology-focused culture, the supply and demand of digital information and support has skyrocketed. In the gambling field specifically, the number and breadth of available tools for the provision of support and information have increased greatly in the last few years. However, questions exist around the appropriateness, effectiveness, and implications of gambling-focused digital tools. The current program of work focuses on answering the question: How can technology be used to deliver information and support to those across the player continuum of gambling involvement and harm? To this end, we first describe the current ecosystem of digital tools (i.e., technology …

Psychosocial Characteristics Of Gambling Addicts – Does It Matter When They Start Their Treatment?, Neven Ricijas Phd, Dora Dodig Hundric Phd, Sabina Mandic Ma, Sanja Radic Bursac Ma, Davor Bodor Phd

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract:

Gambling disorder is well known as a hidden addiction and therefore is subjected to a prolonged time in seeking treatment. During the development of addiction, the psychosocial functioning is more openly or covertly disrupted, and gambling addicts manifest various problems and risky behaviors. At the same time, motivational mechanism for seeking professional help are complex and influenced by different individual circumstances.

This study was conducted with N=315 patients in the Daily Clinic for Gambling Addiction. The psychosocial functioning of the patients is assessed at the beginning of the treatment, while a specific aim of this paper is to explore …

Peer Deviance As A Predictor Of E-Cigarette Use Pre And Post Pandemic, Jenna Dunham, Heather Kissel, Ty Brumback

Posters-at-the-Capitol

There is growing concern regarding the use of e-cigarettes among younger demographics. Also known as vaping, e-cigarettes have been posited as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes and have increased in popularity due to marketing, added flavors, and discreet delivery methods (Durkin et al., 2021; Hart et al., 2017). Research has shown dangerous and adverse outcomes of using e-cigarettes, including mood disorders, attention deficit, addiction, and lung injury (Durkin et al., 2021; Krishnasamy et al., 2020).

Peer group deviance is associated with risky external behaviors in young adults and youth (Durkin et al., 2021; Kendler et al., 2016). This research …

"Alcohol Is Not Fun Anymore!": A Study Of Alcohol Expectancies During Covid-19, Sara Mcfarland, Katie Ison, Heather Kissel Phd, Ty Brumback Phd

Posters-at-the-Capitol

College parties normalize alcohol use and students develop expectations about drinking due to peer influence and previous experience with alcohol. Our study investigated changes in alcohol expectancies by collecting cross-sectional data on predictors of alcohol use in young adults before and after the start of the pandemic. Data for 46 participants (mean age=20.74, 72% female) were collected prior to March 2020, while data for an additional 26 participants (mean age=19.27, 80.8% female) were collected starting in 2021. During the laboratory session, participants completed surveys and a structured clinical interview. We examined responses from the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire (AEQ). This self-report …

Opioid Use Disorder In The Active Service: Incidence Rates And Behavioral Health Considerations, Brian A. Moore, Sophie Vincent, Michael Schlenk, Anne White

Symposium of Student Scholars

Military service members experience occupational specific injuries that often result in chronic pain, and comorbid behavioral health concerns that may be exacerbated by opioid use. Despite the vast amount of research examining substance use in the military, there is a dearth of literature examining the incidence of opioid use disorder (OUD). The present epidemiological study aims to examine the incident rate trends of OUD diagnoses among active duty service members between 2016 and 2021. The present study utilized data drawn from the Defense Medical Epidemiology Database (DMED) to conduct a retrospective cohort study and calculate the incidence rate of OUD …

Endorsement (And Rejection) Of Normative Fitness Culture: Qualitative Evidence For A Novel Construct, Sara M. Stanley, Eva Pila, Katarina Huellemann

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

“Normative fitness culture” is a phenomenon within the disordered eating literature that comprises the endorsement of sociocultural fitness norms (e.g., “no pain, no gain” rhetoric). Endorsement of normative fitness culture is hypothesized to contribute to maladaptive body, eating, and exercise attitudes and behaviours, though it has never been formally operationalized and examined in the psychological literature. Qualitative explorations of how women endorse (and reject) normative fitness culture may inform how these norms are promoted and maintained, and their impact on individual psychosocial experiences. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to explore and characterize the endorsement and rejection of …

Usri Summer Experience - Psychological Intern, Jessica Ierullo

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

I had the pleasure of working with Colin King under the Mary J. Wright Child and Youth Development Clinic to aid in their new research project. Studying children, the goal for the project is to assess the psychological impacts that long-term, intensive PCCU care has on the youth. Throughout the summer, I worked as an intern, helping to establish a base from which the project can stem from. This short slide show highlights the current progress that has been made towards setting up the study. I am looking forward to inspecting the study results once it is completed.

Ptsd And Suicidality Among Student Service Members And Veterans (Ssm/Vs), Kimberly Gomes

Symposium of Student Scholars

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a commonly diagnosed condition among student service members and veterans (SSM/Vs). Many SSM/Vs who report PTSD symptoms also report suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempts. Consequently, it is important to understand which factors may buffer or contribute to the risk for suicide among SSM/Vs with PTSD to inform appropriate interventions and future research.

Methods: A sample of student service members and veterans (SSM/Vs) from five southern universities (N = 377) completed self-report measures of PTSD symptoms (i.e., PCL-5), suicidality (i.e., DSI-SS), dysfunction, and recovery (i.e., DRDI). We conducted two moderation analyses to examine interactions …

Trajectory Of Substance Use Disorders And Collegiate Recovery In Emerging Adults, Jordyn Hebert, Victoria Chaney, Rebecca Smith Msw, Thomas Bannard, Leah Weingast Ma, Danielle Dick Phd, Erica Holliday Phd

Symposium of Student Scholars

Abstract

Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) provide services to support emerging adults achieve academic success, while maintaining substance use disorder recovery. College and university campuses can often be considered abstinence-hostile environments, giving rise to the need of support services for students in recovery. A nationwide survey to understand the efficacy of services provided by CRPs was conducted to assess the demographics and academic profiles of students involved with CRPs. Co-occurring disorders including mental health issues, criminal histories, utilizations of recovery services and 12-step groups, and work histories of students were also assessed. CRPs can provide services and an environment to students …

Acute Stress Disorder: Incidence Findings And Diagnostic Implications For U.S. Active Duty Service Members, Michael A. Schlenk

Symposium of Student Scholars

Acute stress disorder (ASD) is a psychiatric diagnosis that can occur between three days and one month following traumatic events such as injuries, violence, and/or experienced or threatened harm (5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). ASD has long been utilized as a predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, literature examining ASD elucidates that predication of subsequent PTSD is not as reliable as once thought (Bonnano et al., 2012; Bryant, 2018). Further, there is a dearth of empirical literature examining ASD among active duty service members (SMs). As such, the present study sought to provide epidemiological data by …

Developing A Dental Trauma-Anxiety Measure Comparing U.S. And International Care, Margaret Tajirian

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Background

The aim of this study was to improve upon the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) by developing the empathy-based International-Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (I-MDAS). This measure was produced and utilized to compare the dental experiences and anxiety levels of international patients versus national patients in the United States.

Methods

The I-MDAS is composed of the International scale and the original MDAS scale. Of 465 participants, 41.3% comprised the national population and 58.7% comprised the international population. Information about demographics, past negative dental experiences, and current dental anxiety was collected.

Results

There was no significant difference in dental anxiety levels …

A Field Study In An Urban Area: Examining Distracted Pedestrian Unsafe Crossing Behavior, Emma Hood

Undergraduate Research Symposium

A field study examining distracted pedestrian unsafe crossing behavior in an urban area. The study is among the first to contribute knowledge to environmental alterations impact on crossing behavior. Portions of the abstract are a part of a manuscript that will be submitted to Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research for undergraduate students.

Pornography: Social, Emotional And Mental Implications Among Adolescents, William K. Canady

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

This presentation will explain the historical development of pornography. It will highlight four segments: 1- Porn’s impact on brain development of reward pathways, ultimately increasing the appetite for more porn. 2- Porn can be a false substitute for real intimacy, resulting in decreased sexual satisfaction with a real person and increased verbal and physical aggression. 3- Porn promotes sex trafficking, promotes multiple sex partners and reduced STD prevention. 4- A review of interventions available to assist clients in navigating a lifestyle away from pornography.

The Program To Reduce Implicit Bias In Carroll Hospital Center Using The Implicit Association Test, Katherine E. Traynor

Capstone Showcase

Natural brain processes make all individuals susceptible to unconscious bias; however, stressful, fearful, or anger-evoking situations as well as the negative influence of media and social surroundings increase the risk of holding obstructive bias, and there is a greater risk of being negatively impacted by this phenomenon when belonging to a minority population (Rose & Flores, 2020). As a result, high rates of infant mortality (10.2 deaths per 1,000 live births for the Non-Hispanic Black population compared to 4.1 in the White population) and cardiovascular related diseases (190.0 cases per 1,000 in the Non-Hispanic Black population compared to 161.3 in …

Examining Student Well-Being: The Development And Initial Validation Of The Psychological Vulnerability And Hardiness Scale, Kimberly D. Gomes

Symposium of Student Scholars

Background: Stress is a significant concern for undergraduate students, with some experiencing clinical levels of distress. Psychological vulnerability and hardiness are constructs that evaluate an individual’s sensitivity to stressors and protective factors related to maladaptive responses to distress. However, no measure has been developed to assess their combined effect.

Method: The present study examined the factor structure and correlates of the Psychological Vulnerability and Hardiness Scale (PVHS) in two samples (i.e., traditional university students and student veterans). Items were created through focus groups with occupational therapists who have experience assessing both constructs in university students. Factor structure and model …

Attitudes Towards Recreational Drug Use: A Study Of Kennesaw State University Students, Matthew Fenner, Jack Arbuckle, Daron Pracharn, Aaron Murray, Katerina Joseph, Arely Cruz, Sierra Wynn, Coby Shepherd

Symposium of Student Scholars

Illicit substance usage has always formed a substantial controversy in society, with various substances being used for such goals as the relief of stress, the enhancement of attention, and the attainment of peer approval (Agarwal, Loukas, & Perry, 2018; Lui, 2019; Maahs, Weidner, & Smith, 2016). The main focus of this study is on collegiate students’ attitudes towards these drugs and the correlation of said attitudes with substance use. It has been found that college students react more positively to substance abuse treatment programs than their non-student counterparts. (Sahker, Acion, & Arndt, 2015) Therefore, it is essential to the success …

Bmi And Associated Variables In A Pediatric Gender Clinic Sample, Mirae J. Fornander

Research Days

Background: Studies of transgender/gender diverse (TGD) youth indicate a high prevalence of overweight/obesity and concern for unhealthy weight control behavior.

Objectives/Goal: Describe BMI and the association of medication use, well-being, and recreational activities in treatmentnaïve pediatric TGD patients.

Methods/Design: Chart review of 302 patients (age 3-19, 73.5% sex assigned at birth (SAB) female; 85.8% white) from 2017-20. BMI was calculated by age and SAB using CDC growth charts. Parents reported medication use. Parent and self-reported Pediatric Quality of Life (PEDS-QL) Well-Being and activities were surveyed electronically.

Results: By BMI category, 3.3% were underweight (BMI85% and 29.5% fell >95%. Overweight and …

Changes In Family Functioning During The First Year Of Pediatric Cancer Treatment: A Mixed-Method Pilot Study, Carolyn Bates

Research Days

Background: A new diagnosis of pediatric cancer presents a sudden and tremendous stressor for families of all backgrounds and circumstances (Long & Marsland, 2011; Bemis et al., 2015). Although many families are resilient in the context of new cancer diagnosis, approximately 33% are at risk for negative outcomes due to psychosocial distress and difficulties with effective coping (Kazak et al., 2020; Pai et al., 2008), supporting the need for systematic assessment of psychosocial health as a standard of care in pediatric oncology (Kazak et al., 2015). Alongside heightened stress within the first year of diagnosis, parents may relax family rules …

Effect Of Nutrition On Resilience In Adults With Childhood Trauma, Carrie Merrill, Nicole Wickstrom, Katie Munn, Timothy Mclaughlin

Thinking Matters Symposium

While previous studies have shown that healthy nutrition has a positive effect on our physical and emotional well-being (Marsman et al., 2018; Harbottle, 2019), it is unknown whether those benefits extend to individual levels of resilience among those who have suffered childhood trauma. The purpose of this research is to better understand how nutritional habits influence the relationship between childhood trauma and resilience. A Qualtrics survey design was used to collect data related to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), resilience, and nutritional intake, and was sent via email to University of Southern Maine students and faculty of the school of social …

Sleep, Pray, And Status: Religiosity As A Moderator In The Association Between Subjective Social Status And Sleep In African American Young Adults, Elissa Kim, Elizabeth A. Brown, Alison Kwan, Amara Craig, Nataria T. Joseph, Laurel M. Peterson

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Abstract 2101

SLEEP, PRAY, AND STATUS: RELIGIOSITY AS A MODERATOR IN THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SUBJECTIVE SOCIAL STATUS AND SLEEP IN AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUNG ADULTS

Elissa Kim, HS, Elizabeth A. Brown, HS, Alison Kwan, HS, Amara Craig, HS, Nataria T. Joseph, PhD, Psychology, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, Laurel M. Peterson, PhD, Psychology, Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr, PA

Background: With growing importance being placed on biopsychosocial health, researchers have raised awareness about the role that subjective social status (SSS) plays in sleep. This is particularly important when examining African Americans given that they are at higher risk for experiencing poor sleep quality. …

The Relationship Among Social Support, Stress, And Inflammatory Markers Among College Students: A Correlational Study, Bailey Bryant

Campus Research Day

The relationship between psychological factors and the immune system is a relatively new area of study. Nevertheless, it has been found that significant relationships do exist among these variables; prolonged exposure to maladaptive forms of these variables may lead to the development or expression of inflammation. There is, however, a lack of studies that look at more than one variable in relationship to inflammation at a time. Thus, this study analyzes the correlation among social support, stress, and inflammatory markers among college students.

Keywords: mood, stress, inflammation, inflammatory markers, IL-6, social support, susceptibility

The Psychological Consequences Of Covid- 19: What Is The Experience For College Students?, Molly Hedrich

Ramaley Celebration

The coronavirus disease, also known as COVID- 19, undoubtedly changed the lives of many American citizens after its initial impact in the United States back in March 2020. A specific proportion of the U.S. population that is often overlooked regarding economic and emotional disparities is that of college students. COVID- 19 has brought about even more changes and issues on top of the preexisting ones that college students already must endure. The purpose of this study was to consider the many variables of college students living during a pandemic. Participants from a Midwestern university completed a series of online surveys …

The Relationship Among Social Support, Stress, And Inflammatory Markers Among College Students: A Correlational Study, Bailey Bryant

Campus Research Day

The relationship between psychological factors and the immune system is a relatively new area of study. Nevertheless, it has been found that significant relationships do exist among these variables; prolonged exposure to maladaptive forms of these variables may lead to the development or expression of inflammation. There is, however, a lack of studies that look at more than one variable in relationship to inflammation at a time. Thus, this study analyzes the correlation among social support, stress, and inflammatory markers among college students.

Pornography: Social, Emotional And Mental Implications Among Adolescents, William Kelly Canady

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

This presentation will explain the historical development of pornography. It will highlight four segments: 1- Porn’s impact on brain development of reward pathways, ultimately increasing the appetite for more porn. 2- Porn can be a false substitute for real intimacy, resulting in decreased sexual satisfaction with a real person and increased verbal and physical aggression. 3- Porn promotes sex trafficking, promotes multiple sex partners and reduced STD prevention. 4- A review of interventions available to assist clients in navigating a lifestyle away from pornography.

Self-Esteem And Disordered Eating In African American Youth, Carly Wagner, Samantha Ronderos, Dawn Witherspoon Phd

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Background: 30% of girls and 15% of boys engaging in disordered eating (DE) behaviors, such as irregular eating behaviors like bingeing, fasting, or purging (Campbell & Peebles, 2014). Low self-esteem has been found to have a significant impact on the development of mental health disorders (Stadelmann et al., 2017). Youth are susceptible to developing low self-esteem because of the developmental and social milestones that are experienced during this time (Chung et al., 2017). Although previous studies have found a relationship between DE and self-esteem, little research has focused on how self- esteem impacts DE in African Americans (AA).

Aims: To …

Relationship Satisfaction & Diet: Exploring The Mechanisms Through Which Intimate Relationships Influence Physical Health, Lindsey Robinson, Dylan Hillock, Dr. Josh Novak

Southeastern Council on Family Relations Conference

Understanding how intimate relationships influence physical health has been an important topic of focus; however, research remains unclear on the mechanisms through which this influence occurs. The purpose of this study was to examine how relationship satisfaction relates to diet quality, through mental health (depression and anxiety) and diet self-efficacy. Using a dyadic mediation model with a sample of 234 heterosexual couples, researchers found that women's higher relationship satisfaction was associated with better diet through lower depression and higher diet self-efficacy. Results revealed the same association between women's relationship satisfaction and diet through lower anxiety. Interestingly, rather than mediation through …