School Psychology Commons^™

Graduate Bulletin, 2017-2018, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Graduate Bulletins (Catalogs)

No abstract provided.

Relative To Einstein: Quality Of Life In Twice Exceptional Adults, Rk Wall-Polin

Student Research Posters

Twice exceptionality, or 2e, is the recently-coined term for the intersection of learning disabilities (LDs) and giftedness in an individual. Typically, these learning disabilities encompass ADHD, ASD, and/or specific learning disorders such as dyslexia. Because giftedness may obscure or compensate for a student’s academic struggles, and because institutional fixation on disability may overshadow intelligence, twice exceptionality is often missed by teachers and other authority figures in a child’s life. Given the ongoing difficulties of screening for twice exceptionality, it is likely that many 2e students have gone unidentified throughout most of their academic careers, without receiving the accommodations that would …

Examining The Relationship Between Attachment, Peer Influence, And Parent Modeling With Student Fitness, Mae D. Adams Shirley

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

While college should be an ideal place for physical fitness behaviors to be supported through academic programming, access to exercise facilities and nutritional education, students are not engaging in the recommend daily physical fitness requirements (Gyurcsik, Johnson & Perrett, 2006). Studies examining the poor health behaviors of college students suggest there is a growing need for students to adopt lifelong fitness behaviors that are both sustainable and meet the recommended guidelines for health. Strong relationships have been found to positively influence exercise attitudes and behaviors (Feeny, 2000). The present study sought to examine a relationship between attachment style, parental modeling …

Investigating The Effects Of Performance Feedback And Choice As A Writing Fluency Intervention, Samantha Jean Steinman

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Despite a need for more support in the area of writing, few interventions currently exist to target elementary students’ writing fluency skills. Performance feedback has been identified as an effective intervention used to increase students’ writing productivity. Additionally, the use of choice as a writing fluency intervention has recently been identified as a viable option. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of combining performance feedback plus choice as a writing fluency intervention on the writing skills of eight third grade students. Using standard curriculum-based measure written expression procedures, students were provided performance feedback, choice, and the combination of the two …

Understanding Math Anxiety In Children: Deciphering The Contribution Of Math Achievement, Working Memory, And General Anxiety, Emma Kate C. Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Children with learning disabilities frequently have comorbid anxiety, with some experiencing Math Anxiety (MA). Presently, research on MA in children with a math learning disability (MLD) is limited, and there are no childhood electroencephalography (EEG) studies of MA exploring the neurobiological basis of MA. The current study sought (1) to examine the relationship between MA and math achievement, working memory (WM), and EEG variables; (2) to clarify the distinction between MA and MLD by controlling for GAD; and (3) to examine if WM mediates the relationship between MA and math achievement. The study included 30 children with MLD and 29 …

"You're Doing Fine, Right?": Adolescent Siblings Of Substance Abusers, Cynthia E. Clarfield

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

There has been a rising interest in addiction medicine and addiction treatment in both the medical and behavioral health science fields. Research suggests having a family member with a substance abuse problem has negative impacts on both physical and mental health (Orford, Copello, Velleman, & Templeton, 2010a). Despite advances toward understanding the experiences of family members affected by a loved one's addiction, the siblings of substance abusers have been largely excluded from scientific research and literature. As a result, little is known about how siblings experience the impacts of a brother or sister's addiction; even less is known about the …

Adolescents' Experiences Returning To School After A Mental Health Hospitalization, Pamela Iverson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This qualitative study explores how adolescents experience transition when they return to school after an acute mental health hospitalization. For this study, the term transition is used to describe the process of adjusting to the return from an acute mental health hospital to school. Eight adolescents from southern Minnesota, ages 15-17, were interviewed about their transition experience for this study. Each participant had experienced an acute hospitalization within 12 months of their interview. Each participant interview was recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using phenomenological research methods. For each participant, an individual textural description, structural description, and textural/structural description was provided through …

Serum Kynurenic Acid Is Reduced In Affective Psychosis, B. E. Wurfel, W. C. Drevets, S. A. Bliss, J. R. Mcmillin, H. Suzuki, B. N. Ford, H. M. Morris, T. K. Teague, R. Dantzer, J. B. Savitz

Department of Educational Psychology: Faculty Publications

A subgroup of individuals with mood and psychotic disorders shows evidence of inflammation that leads to activation of the kynurenine pathway and the increased production of neuroactive kynurenine metabolites. Depression is hypothesized to be causally associated with an imbalance in the kynurenine pathway, with an increased metabolism down the 3-hydroxykynurenine (3HK) branch of the pathway leading to increased levels of the neurotoxic metabolite, quinolinic acid (QA), which is a putative Nmethyl- D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist. In contrast, schizophrenia and psychosis are hypothesized to arise from increased metabolism of the NMDA receptor antagonist, kynurenic acid (KynA), leading to hypofunction of GABAergic …

The Role Of Religious And Spiritual Beliefs In The Academic Success Of College Students, Shaunquelle A. D. Sapp

Theses and Dissertations

The college environment can be very demanding for students. Students are often challenged by many new experiences as they adjust to their new environment and learn to balance their academic responsibilities and social life. Previous research has examined two factors, religiosity and spirituality, that can contribute to the academic success of college students. The present study was conducted to examine the correlation between religiosity and spirituality and college students’ grade point averages (GPA) which was operationally defined to measure academic success. It was hypothesized that higher levels of religiosity and spirituality would correlate with higher GPAs. Participants were asked to …

Which Type Of Pressure Is Worse For Math Anxiety And Math Performance-Accuracy Or Time Pressure, Emma Huber

Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs)

No abstract provided.

Exploration Of The Use Of Sensory Diets In Occupational Therapy, Allison Hunt, Morganne Peterson, Emily White

Student Research Posters

The purpose of this study was to fill the gap in literature and further examine the use of sensory diets in the field of occupational therapy. This study investigated the use of sensory diets among California occupational therapy practitioners. A mixed-methods design was used to collect data through a SurveyMonkey survey. The survey was sent out to members of the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) and received 98 respondents within one month. Participants worked among various clinical settings and implemented sensory diets with various client populations. Practitioners reported using terms such as “sensory strategies,” “sensory tools,” and “sensory supports” …

Antecedents Of Adolescents’ Gratitude: Personality, Social Support, And Stressful Life Events, Hannah Reckart

Theses and Dissertations

An increase in the emphasis of positive aspects of functioning has led to expanded attention paid to the field of positive psychology. Within in this arena, the construct of gratitude has emerged as a factor of interest, specifically in adults; however, while a basis for research of gratitude in children exists, it is lacking in breadth. Support for gratitude’s significant relations with psychosocial, psychological, and academic factors has been shown in prior research, and presumed personal and environmental antecedents of gratitude have been indicated. The present study was exploratory in nature and included a sample of 1506 students from four …

The Relationship Between Physical Fitness And School Performance, Jamie A. Donnelly

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Past research has indicated a significant relationship between physical fitness and standardized test scores; however, the relationship between physical fitness and other aspects of school performance has yet to be empirically examined in a population specifically composed of middle school girls. Because girls have a harder time transitioning through the middle school years, they are an important group to study in this context. This study examined several factors that contribute to school success, such as classroom behavior, attendance, and grades, in relation to physical fitness among a group of adolescent girls. It was specifically designed to examine the statistical relationship …

Adolescent Perceptions Of Dating Violence: A Qualitative Study, Sarah Taylor, Carrie A. Calkins, Yan Ruth Xia, Rochelle L. Dalla

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

Scholars have identified dating violence as a public health issue among adolescents. Yet, minimal research has detailed adolescents’ perceptions of dating violence, specifically gender differences in perceptions. Research suggests that in order for dating violence prevention and intervention to be effective, services need to be delivered in a manner that is understood by adolescents. Therefore, this study used a qualitative phenomenology study to investigate adolescents’ perceptions of dating violence, including gender differences in adolescents’ perceptions. Thirty adolescents between the ages of 14 and 19 from a Midwest public high school participated in focus groups. Focus group participants were asked semistructured …

Ecological Invalidity Of Existing Gaydar Research: In-Lab Accuracy Translates To Real-World Inaccuracy: Response To Rule, Johnson, & Freeman (2016), William T.L. Cox, Patricia G. Devine, Alyssa A. Bischmann, Janet S. Hyde

Department of Educational Psychology: Faculty Publications

In recent years, several empirical studies have claimed to provide evidence in support of the popular folk notion that people possess “gaydar” that enables them to accurately identify who is gay or lesbian (Rule, Johnson, & Freeman, 2016). This conclusion is limited to artificial lab settings, however, and when translated to real-world settings this work itself provides evidence that people’s judgments about who is gay/lesbian are not pragmatically accurate. We also briefly review evidence related to the consequences of perpetuating the idea of gaydar (i.e., “the gaydar myth”). Although past claims about accurate orientation perception are misleading, the work that …

Young Children With Down Syndrome Show Normal Development Of Circadian Rhythms, But Poor Sleep Efficiency: A Cross-Sectional Study Across The First 60 Months Of Life, Fabian Fernandez, Casandra C. Nyhuis, Payal Anand, Bianca I. Demara, Norman F. Ruby, Goffredina Spano, Caron Clark, Jamie O. Edgin

Department of Educational Psychology: Faculty Publications

Objectives: To evaluate sleep consolidation and circadian activity rhythms in infants and toddlers with Down syndrome (DS) under light and socially entrained conditions within a familiar setting. Given previous human and animal data suggesting intact circadian regulation of melatonin across the day and night, it was hypothesized that behavioral indices of circadian rhythmicity would likewise be intact in the sample with DS.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 66 infants and young children with DS, aged 5e67 months, and 43 typically developing age-matched controls. Sleep and measures of circadian robustness or timing were quantified using continuous in-home actigraphy recordings performed over …

Comparison Of Patterns Of Use Of Unrecorded And Recorded Spirits: Survey Of Adult Drinkers In Rural Central China, Shiqing Wei, Ping Yin, Ian M. Newman, Ling Qian, Duane F. Shell, Lok-Wa Yuen

Department of Educational Psychology: Faculty Publications

About 70% of the beverage alcohol consumed in China annually is spirits. Recorded spirits make up most spirit consumption, but about 25% of total alcohol consumption (1.7 L pure alcohol per capita annually) is unrecorded spirits (bai jiu), either homemade or made in unregulated distilleries. In some parts of China, the consumption of unrecorded spirits is higher than average. This paper compares the patterns of use of unrecorded distilled spirits and recorded distilled spirits among rural residents in Central China. Interviews were conducted with 3298 individuals in 21 towns/villages in 10 counties in the Hubei, Anhui, and Hebei provinces in …

Composition Of Unrecorded Distilled Alcohol (Bai Jiu) Produced In Small Rural Factories In Central China, Ian Newman, Ling Qian, Niran Tamrakar, Yonghua Feng, Ganrong Xu

Department of Educational Psychology: Faculty Publications

Background: Unrecorded traditional distilled spirits (bai jiu, 白酒) are made and used throughout rural China for everyday use and special occasions. Nearly every town or village has a distiller to supply the demand. In rural China, distilling bai jiu is legal and regulated lightly or not at all. The World Health Organization estimates that as much as 25% of all alcohol consumed in China is unrecorded alcohol, of which an unknown portion is unrecorded bai jiu. Little is known about the composition of unrecorded Chinese spirits from rural parts of the country. This study focused on white spirits because the …

Calling In Retirement: A Mixed Methods Study, Ryan D. Duffy, Carrie L. Torrey, Jessica England, Elliot A. Tebbe

Department of Educational Psychology: Faculty Publications

This mixed methods study aimed to examine the experiences of a calling in retirement with a sample of 196 retired adults. First, a qualitative analysis explored the types of activities participants experienced as a calling as well as the types of barriers that participants perceived as keeping them from living their calling. ‘Helping Others’ emerged as the largest category of calling that participants endorsed and ‘No Resources to Live Calling’ emerged as the most frequently endorsed barrier. Building on our qualitative findings, we conducted a quantitative analysis to examine the relation of perceiving a calling with well-being. Consistent with prior …

Familial Factors Predicting Attitudes Toward Domestic Violence In African American Adolescents, Cassandra Clarke-Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teen dating violence is more prevalent among African Americans than any other racial group in the United States leading to serious health consequences for victims. However, limited data exists on how African American adolescents' attitudes and perceptions regarding dating violence are formed, and whether they are influenced by family members. The purpose of this nonexperimental correlational study was to determine whether nonverbal or verbal communication from family members predicted adolescents' attitudes and perceptions toward dating violence. Survey data from 84 African American men and women ages 18 to 24 were collected using the Normative Beliefs About Aggression Scale, the Acceptance …

Utilizing Incentives To Increase Teacher Praise, Kari L. Meyer

Masters Theses

An ABA single-subject research design was used in examining the effect on school staff's written praise and student behavior when staff were provided with an incentive (i.e., would an incentive raffle increase written praise and appropriate student behavior?). Participants included 93 staff members and 755 students at an elementary school in central Illinois. School staff members were instructed on the importance of using praise, and praise notes were measured on a weekly basis by praise type (behavior-specific or general), staff member type (core teacher, non-core teacher, or non-teacher), and student type (at-risk or non-at-risk). Results indicated that the faculty incentive …

The Bystander Intervention In Bullying Survey: An Examination In An Elementary School Sample, Kirsten Taylor

Masters Theses

Researchers and school administrators have recognized the importance of peer bystanders in bullying situations, but there are very few studies that examine this phenomenon within Latané and Darley's (1970) bystander intervention model. The five sequential steps in this model include: notice the event, interpret the event as an emergency that requires assistance, accept responsibility for intervening, know how to intervene or provide help, and implement intervention. Nickerson, Aloe, Livingston, and Feeley (2014) created the Bystander Intervention in Bullying Survey based on Latané and Darley's model. Nickerson and colleagues and Jenkins and Nickerson (in press) have found evidence of reliability and …

Predictors Of Bullying Role Behavior In Preschool, Kristen Kocher

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Teacher Characteristics And Influence With The Bystander Intervention Model, Morgan A. Eldridge

Masters Theses

Bullying, both traditional and cyber, have been associated with several negative outcomes for students, and teachers have been identified as potential targets for prevention and intervention of bullying occurrences. The importance of bystanders has been recognized; however, there are few studies that examine personal characteristics that relate to the five bystander behaviors within the Bystander Intervention Model (notice the event, interpret as an emergency, accept responsibility, know what to do, and act). This study examined personal characteristics (e.g., affective empathy and perceived level of bullying seriousness) and their relation to each of the five steps of the Bystander Intervention Model …

Coping With Acculturative Stress: Mdma Usage Among Asian American Young Adults In The Electronic Dance Music Scene, Michelle Stephanie Chan

Pomona Senior Theses

The intersection of Asian American identity and illicit substance use is greatly understudied in psychological literature, especially with matters of mental health and drug use being stigmatized by Asian cultural norms. However, with an increasingly alarming number of fatal drug overdoses by Asian Americans at electronic dance music (EDM) events, attention must be drawn to the needs of this unique population. The present study characterizes this community by drawing from data of 1,290 Asian American young adults who participate in the EDM scene. This study also hypothesizes the impact of acculturative stress and feelings of social belonging on MDMA usage …

Factors That Influence School Counselors' Intent To Use Online Counseling, Sarah Heather Golden

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Owing to advancements in technology, online counseling has become a viable option for counselors to provide counseling services to diverse populations. Despite the expansion of resources, a gap in research exists pertaining to a school counselor's intention to use online counseling. Furthermore, online counseling is an underused tool owing to a variety of unknowns, attitudes, ethical and legal concerns, and lack of training associated with online counseling. The underuse of online counseling becomes problematic because youth, who may be more receptive to support via the Internet, remain underserved if school counselors are not using this tool. The purpose for this …

High School To College Transition Among Black Males: An Action Research Project, Orval Albert Jewett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A participatory action research project involving social workers as stakeholders from high schools and the local community college in Nassau County, New York, provided the basis for an inquiry that addressed the effectiveness and implementation of clinical social work practice with Black male students transitioning to community college from high school. This study addresses how clinical social work practice may be utilized to enhance the experience of the transition process for Black male students from high school to college. Through the use of a qualitative in-depth interview process, 16 school-based social workers provided professional perspective and expertise that resulted in …

Non Medical Prescription Drug Use In Rural Communities And Social Work, Izetta Mounice Briggs-Bolling

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored the roles and responsibilities of social workers providing services to nonmedical prescription drug users (NMPDU). Researchers have indicated NMPDU disproportionately affects people living in rural communities. The overarching research question sought to explore the concerns of social workers when providing services to patients coping with NMPDU in the rural community of Ulster County, New York. The intention was to examine systemic challenges facing rural social workers when attempting to decrease morbidity risks and increase the health of Ulster County residents. A total of 7 social workers participated in 3 focus groups to explore their ideas for defining, …

Persistence And Achievement In Academics, Robert L. Altman

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

One of the most valuable commodities in modern society is a college education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES, 2016), an estimated 20.5 million students enrolled in American colleges and universities during the fall of 2016, with the majority enrolled in undergraduate programs. When assessing undergraduate success, many studies focus on academic achievement, with grade-point average (GPA) serving as the most common measure. Other studies utilize persistence to graduation as the primary measure of success. Based on the available literature, college success can be predicted by several domains, including personality, motivational influences, and social variables. In the …

Attrition From School-Based Behavioral Parent Training Programs A Meta-Analytic Review, Dominique Levert

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Currently, very little is understood regarding the effectiveness of school-based Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) programs or associated attrition rates. The goal of the current study is to examine the effectiveness of school-based BPT programs, associated attrition rates, and possible moderator variables related to attrition. Searches within the databases EBSCOhost were conducted to find BPT programs located at schools as well as the associated attrition rates for each individual study. Mean associated attrition rates were calculated using the software Comprehensive Meta-Analysis. The mean weighted attrition rate across all trials of school-based studies was 42.2%. Significant moderators were also found to increase …