School Psychology Commons^™

Belonging, Safety, And Well-Being: An Ecological Systems Review Of School-Based Supports For Transgender And Gender-Diverse Students, Lauren Deluca

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth continue to experience significant challenges in school belonging, safety, and mental health outcomes within K-12 educational settings. At the same time, literature highlights the important role affirming school environments play in promoting resilience and well-being among TGD students. The purpose of this systematized review was to synthesize the current literature examining the school-based factors associated with belonging, safety, and well-being for TGD students across ecological systems, as well as identify the barriers that hinder educators in implementing affirming practices in schools, and how school professionals navigate these barriers. Guided by Minority Stress Theory and Ecological …

A Systematized Review On Key Considerations For Trauma Informed Practices For K-12 Students Experiencing Trauma That Impact Behavioral Outcomes, Sarah Caufield

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Across different socioeconomic statuses, geographic locations, and racial or ethnic backgrounds, trauma can affect students in nearly every school across the U.S. While children show vastly different behavioral responses to these experiences of trauma, their experiences affect their behavior in the classroom and, in turn, their ability to succeed academically. Ultimately, the goal of this systematized review was to answer the question, “what are key considerations for trauma informed practices for K-12 students experiencing trauma that impact behavioral outcomes?”. This was done through a systematized review of current literature and studies in surrounding interventions to use with students who have …

Beyond The Binary: The Intersection Of Substance Use And Lgbtq+ Identity, Allyana Musa

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Substance use among LGBTQ+ youth remains a significant public health concern, with rates of alcohol, marijuana, and other substance use consistently exceeding those of their heterosexual peers. This systematized review examines the literature on substance use interventions for LGBTQ+ youth, with a focus on identifying the program components and theoretical orientations associated with effective and affirming outcomes. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of ERIC and PsycINFO was conducted to identify peer-reviewed studies published between 2016 and 2026 that addressed substance use among LGBTQ+ youth. Eligible studies included quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, and conceptual research examining substance use, risk and …

A Systematized Review Of Parent Experiences With Special Education Placement In Rural Communities, Madeline Bishop

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Parents of children enrolled in special education programs often face unique challenges, particularly in rural settings where access to resources and communication with school personnel can be limited. This systematized review explores how rural school systems can best support parents during the special education process. A systematized review of articles published between 2005 and 2025 was conducted. A thematic analysis of 20 articles revealed 3 themes following the review: benefits and barriers to rural special education, professional relationships, and parents’ strain and appreciation. Overall findings highlight the importance of the experiences between parents and school personnel regarding special education. Limited …

Finding Balance: School-Based Yoga Interventions And Their Alignment Within Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support, Ursula Vogt

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

School-based interventions that support emotional regulation and student well-being are increasingly emphasized within Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Yoga has emerged as a potential school-based practice; however, its outcomes, alignment with MTSS frameworks, and implementation characteristics remain unclear. This systematized review examined (a) psychological, emotional, and behavioral outcomes associated with school-based yoga interventions, (b) their alignment with Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports, and (c) implementation characteristics that support feasibility in school settings. A systematic search identified 21 U.S.-based studies, which were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings indicated that yoga interventions were associated with improvements in emotional regulation, stress and …

Supporting Every Student: Optimizing School-Based Mental Health Services For Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Sarah K. Eggleston

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Youth with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at considerably greater risk of developing mental health problems compared with the general population; however, their needs are less likely to be identified, and they often face barriers to accessing quality mental health care. School-based mental health professionals (SBMHPs) are uniquely positioned to support students within their natural learning environments, where many common barriers to service provision have been removed. The present study examined the current state of practice among SBMHPs in Virginia in identifying and supporting the needs of students with ID, as well as SBMHPs’ training experiences. An online cross-sectional, mixed-methods survey …

Students With Borderline Intellectual Functioning: Dropping The Label And Reducing The ‘Line’, Samantha M. Sitzman

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Students with Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF) often experience significant academic and social-emotional difficulties while remaining ineligible for many formal special education services, creating challenges in identifying and supporting this population within school settings. This convergent mixed methods study examined school psychologists’ perspectives regarding the challenges experienced by students with BIF, the interventions commonly used to support them, and the systemic barriers associated with service delivery. Twenty-two practicing school psychologists in Virginia completed a researcher-developed survey containing quantitative and qualitative items. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative responses were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings indicated that school psychologists …

A Critical-Constructivist Grounded Theory Exploration Of The Mental Health Experiences Of Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities In Post-Secondary Settings, Alyssa L. Decker

Dissertations, 2020-current

Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) now have access to higher education, often through inclusive post-secondary education programs (IPSE), to increase employability and quality of life. IPSE programs, historically, have provided academic and life skill support and not mental health support within programs’ curricula. A recent review of IPSE programs reveals that if mental health services are included, they are often accessed through university health services. Transitioning from high school to college induces high levels of stress, which can exacerbate underlying mental health conditions. Mental health care is defaulted to an already overburdened college counseling center without the knowledge and skills …

A Systematized Review Of The Effectiveness Of Sbirt On Reducing Adolescent Substance Use In School Settings, Mallory L. Mcivor

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

As substance use remains a pressing public concern for adolescents, the academic, social, and neurological consequences are extensive. Schools are uniquely situated to support large populations of youth during their critical developmental periods, and schools act as the ideal location for substance use prevention and intervention. This study explored the prevalence and influence of substance use on adolescents, the role of school climate in prevention and intervention efforts, and assessed the model Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) as a suitable framework for school-based interventions. Following a structured search across two databases, 20 studies met inclusion criteria and …

School-Based Teen Dating Violence Prevention Programs: A Systematized Review, Chloe L. Marsh

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Teen Dating Violence (TDV) is a prevalent issue for many adolescents and can be defined as physical, sexual, and psychological aggression and harm that can occur in-person, online, or through technology. TDV victimization can have devastating impacts for youth, and school-based TDV prevention efforts have been highlighted as a means of addressing this issue. However, there is limited research on how prevention programming influences student beliefs and behavior. This study sought to reveal how programming influences student outcomes and which elements of highlighted prevention efforts are associated with greater benefits. A systematized review was conducted to address these research questions. …

Building Strength: A Systematized Review Of Resilience Intervention Programs For Students, Rachel Christian

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

School-based resilience programs have emerged as a promising vehicle for promoting social-emotional development and buffering the effects of adversity among students. However, a systematic understanding of common program components, associated student outcomes, and implementation factors remains limited. This systematized review examined peer-reviewed research on resilience-building interventions for students in preschool through 12th-grade school settings. Following a structured search across four databases, nine studies met inclusion criteria and were analyzed using structured narrative synthesis. Findings were organized by four research questions addressing program components, student outcomes, implementation factors, and implementation–outcome relationships. Results indicated that resilience interventions consistently strengthened protective competencies, including …

Racially And Ethnically Minoritized Students’ Experiences In Virginia School Psychology Graduate Programs, Fatima Z. Rahman-Yu

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

This study explored the lived experiences of racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) students in Virginia-based school psychology graduate programs. This study was created to provide Virginia school psychology programs, and beyond, recommendations created by REM students for REM students. Data were collected using virtual focus groups through Zoom in order to allow REM students to disclose deep and honest experiences in a safe space. Data were coded, analyzed, and interpreted using thematic analysis to reveal underlying patterns and similarities. Results from this study showed that factors that support REM student experiences in Virginia school psychology graduate programs include diverse cohorts, …

Group Social Skills Training Intervention For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Kayla Hearl

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Some of the challenges for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) include social engagement as well as building and establishing relationships with peers. Social skills training programs have been used to improve social skill development in children with ASD. The current study sought to examine the use of a group social skills training intervention to develop the perspective taking skills of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Social Thinking curriculum, “You Are a Social Detective” was implemented with a small group of two students with ASD over the course of 10 weekly sessions. The students’ teachers completed the Social …

Uncovering The Hidden High School Experiences Of Asian American Young Adults: A Mixed Methods Approach, Julia Shin

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Most research regarding Asian American adolescents’ high school experiences have been quantitative in nature, leaving out the nuances of their lived experiences. While quantitative data is important to gather measurable, objective data from a larger sample of people, qualitative data is also important to add depth and humanness to participant responses. Thirty-two Asian American young adults participated in a mixed methods study that consisted of a survey and optional focus group, aiming to explore the impact of the internalization of the model minority stereotype (MMS), ethnic identity, and representation of racially and ethnically minoritized teachers on their high school experiences. …

Early Adolescent Intervention: A Therapy Group For Girls, Madelyn A. Ohm

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

As mental health concerns are on the rise, especially among adolescents, it is important to consider promoting early intervention. Paying attention to the nuances surrounding personal identity and interpersonal relationships during adolescence is crucial. Dialectical-Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills encompass just what is needed to address said nuances, including interpersonal effectiveness skills, emotion regulation skills, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. Thus, the proposed DBT group and therapeutic manual designated for adolescent girls summarizes and explores suggestions for early intervention of mental health services. This, alongside the careful attention to the population’s specific needs and noted modules, allows for the exploration of mental …

Not All Superheroes Wear Capes: Understanding The Lives Of Asian American Student Caregivers, Angela Ji

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

There exists an invisible army of children who sacrifice their childhoods and shoulder responsibilities expected of adults; these children are called young caregivers. Young caregivers provide significant assistance for their family on a regular basis. The existing literature shows that youth caregiving is associated with negative physical and mental health impacts that vary depending on the cultural background associated with families. It is also clear that the complexities and nuances of different ethnic groups influence the lived experiences of young caregivers. Unfortunately, there is limited information exploring racial and cultural implications of caregiving for children. This study sought to address …

Parental Stress And Perceived School-Based Support Amongst Parents Of Children With Autism, Julia Unger

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience stress due to the wide range of social, emotional, and behavioral challenges their child may exhibit (Ali Nathwani et al., 2021; Goldrich Eskow et al., 2018). Children with ASD receive school services that can be impactful on their performance (Goldrich Eskow et al., 2018; Rosen et al., 2019); however, parent perspectives are also impacted by services (Zagona et al., 2019). Overall, current literature contains gaps in the exploration of patterns between school services, ASD child presentation and severity, and parental stress and perceptions. This study intends to explore the relationship between …

Middle School Teachers’ Perceptions Of Supporting Students With Adverse Childhood Experiences, Jordan Phipps

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

While adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can occur through the age of 18, there is minimal research on how to support adolescents in the school setting. This study examined teacher perceptions at a local middle school on trainings they have received, supports in place for students, and a potential identification system for students at risk. Data were collected through completion of a Qualtrics survey (n=4) and a brief interview (n=1). It was found that teachers mainly received trainings through professional developments. While they have used information they have learned through trainings, they did not feel prepared to support students nor did …

Exploring Sexual- And Gender-Minority Adolescent's Use Of Online Spaces As A Potential Socio-Ecological Protective Factor, Courtney Hassan

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

The purpose of this study was to explore the use of online resources for support in SGM youth with the goal of informing the potential use of these supports as tools for suicide prevention in this population. Six students from a high school in a large school district in Southern New Hampshire who identify as LGBTQ+ participated in a focus group exploring what their lived experiences are in the context of using online spaces for support, as presented using a socio-ecological model. Qualitative data from the focus group session was analyzed using thematic analysis and eight themes emerged from the …

Teaching Reading Comprehension To English Language Learners In A System With A Low Proportion Of Language Minority Students, Chutikarn Cotham

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

This study investigated reading instruction for English language learners (ELLs) by examining teachers' experiences and perspectives on teaching ELL students reading comprehension in an educational system with a low proportion of language minority students. The study addressed the prevalent concern of reading comprehension difficulties among ELLs and the need to bridge the gap between research-based strategies and practices in public schools. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four educators actively engaged in teaching ELLs at the upper elementary through high school levels. Thematic analysis of the data revealed several themes that were sorted into four main categories: training, curriculum, experience, and …

School Psychological Practices Within Personality Assessment Of Non-Binary Youth, Christian Fary

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

The following analysis provides the school psychology community with a discussion pertaining to the assessment of personality, particularly with Gender Non-Conforming and Non-Binary students. This student population faces greater mental health concerns and faces a higher amount of discrimination. Emerging research has shown that this population faces a higher risk for developing both mood disorders and harmful behaviors to themselves. The use of personality assessments provides practitioners with a vast look into many facets of mood, personality, and behavior. These measures can look deeper into behavior, especially internalizing behaviors, which can be useful for students with depression and other mood …

Teacher Wellness: Cognitive-Behavioral, And Mindfulness Techniques (Cbm), Jacob Nadler

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

The purpose of this study was to examine the impacts of participating in a teacher wellness program on teachers’ self-reported stress, well-being, mindfulness, and burnout. Participants included a small group of teachers from a primary school and elementary school in a small school district in rural Virginia. Self-reported stress as it relates to inadequate school-based support and teaching-related demands decreased from pre- to post-test completion, however none of these changes were significant. Teacher subjective well-being as it relates to school connectedness and teaching efficacy increased slightly yet was not significant. Teacher mindfulness defined by aspects of calmness, clarity, and kindness …

Investigating Help-Seeking Behaviors Of Adult Children With Parents With Mental Health Conditions, Logan Dasher

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

This study intended to address the topic of mental health and help-seeking behaviors in college-aged children of a parent with a mental health condition. For this study a locally developed survey was administered on three different days with six different sessions that participants were able to sign up for. Participants were all volunteers from a preexisting subject pool at one southeastern public university who received course credit for participating. In total, 34 college-aged children signed up and completed the entirety of the survey. From their response, descriptive statistics and frequency analysis were run and open-ended qualitative questions were explored for …

Professional’S Perspectives For Supporting Alternatives To Drug Culture For Adolescents, Emily L. Davis

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

This study aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the perspective’s professionals have around providing adolescents using substances with an alternative to drug culture. For this study, a semi-structured interview was conducted as the method of collecting phenomenological data. To capture a broad understanding of professional’s viewpoints and understanding of drug culture, professions across the area of mental health support in both the school and community-based setting were considered. In total, three school-based professionals and four community-based professionals participated in the research. Professionals ranged from school counselors, school administrators, mental health professionals, community-based substance use therapists, and health educators. The …

Program Evaluation Of The James Madison University School Psychology Students Of Color Succeeding Mentoring Program, Sa'mone Moore

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

The James Madison University (JMU) School Psychology Program created the Students of Color Succeeding in Psychology (SoCS) Mentoring Program during the summer of 2022 with the help of school psychology professors and four racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) school psychology graduate students. The SoCS Mentoring Program was created to develop a mentoring relationship between current REM JMU school psychology graduate students and REM JMU school psychology alumni who were practicing school psychologists. The program hoped to provide mentoring to create community and professional relationships while also providing space for REM students and practitioners to converse about experiences that may occur …

Mixed Method Approach Towards The Life Of University Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Raihan Khan, Andrew White, Tony Jehi

Department of Health Sciences - Faculty Scholarship

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the higher education system. This mixed-methods study aimed to assess COVID-19 fear, anxiety, and stress among Shenandoah Valley college students.

Methods

An online survey was fielded and completed by n=680 students. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 students.

Results

The mean participant age was 22.14±5.48 years, and primarily White (81.9%), women (80.4%), and undergraduate (78.0%) students. Approximately 41% were enrolled in health-related majors (41.4%). Women students had significantly higher anxiety, depression, and fear of contracting COVID-19 than men. Undergraduate students had significantly higher depression than graduate students. Qualitative analysis revealed several major themes: …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Collaboration Between School Psychologists And Board-Certified Behavioral Analysts, Taylor Bronaugh

Department of Graduate Psychology - Masters Theses

The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of communication styles brought on by distanced learning and its effect on collaboration for school psychologists and Bord Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBAs). Prior studies have addressed collaboration habits between these school-based professionals. The current study aims to analyze the impact that COVID-19 had on these practitioners’ collaboration habits and to investigate their current communication and collaboration habits. A mixed methods locally developed anonymous survey was created and used for data collection. Participants were recruited through social-media groups and via word-of-mouth sharing. 20 school-based practitioners shared their perceptions and experiences with …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Collaboration Between School Psychologists And Board-Certified Behavioral Analysts, Taylor J. Bronaugh

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of communication styles brought on by distanced learning and its effect on collaboration for school psychologists and Bord Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBAs). Prior studies have addressed collaboration habits between these school-based professionals. The current study aims to analyze the impact that COVID-19 had on these practitioners’ collaboration habits and to investigate their current communication and collaboration habits. A mixed methods locally developed anonymous survey was created and used for data collection. Participants were recruited through social-media groups and via word-of-mouth sharing. 20 school-based practitioners shared their perceptions and experiences with …

Identifying Challenges And Resiliency Of Adolescents Living With Parents Misusing Substances: A Mixed Methods Study, Alison Palmer

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

This study aimed to identify challenges, resiliency factors, and needs of adolescents living with parents misusing substances. Seven first-year students at James Madison University in PSYC 101 and PSYC 160 classes signed up to participant in this study to receive course credit. While supervised by a mental health provider, participants individually completed a Modified CAST-6 screener as well as a locally developed survey. A nonexperimental mixed-methods study was conducted including the convergent collection of quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analyzed through Braun and Clarke’s (2006) model of thematic analysis. The …

Too Much Fun: A Collaborative Autoethnography Detailing The Significance Of Friendship Between Women Of Color In A School Psychology Graduate Program, Arayana A. Harris

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Using collaborative autoethnography (CAE), the presented thesis explores the friendship of four women of color attending a school psychology graduate program. Friendship is presented as a protective factor with particular relevancy for women of color, and for racially- and ethnically-minoritized (REM) students attending graduate school. Researcher-participants utilized a concurrent approach to CAE, and data collection methods included journal entries and recorded conversations between researcher-participants. Relevant themes identified using emergent thematic coding included the meaningful characteristics of friendship, as identified by researcher-participants, as well as skills and actions identified as being influenced by friendship. Key ideas discussed include the meaningfulness of …