Child Psychology Commons^™

Association Between Anxiety And Rrbs In Autistic Youth: Role Of Ethnicity, Catherine Rita Callaci

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Autistic youth are at elevated risk for developing co-occurring anxiety symptoms (Zaboski & Storch, 2018), which are shown to be related to restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRBs; Rogers et al., 2012). Despite similar rates of autism in Latinx as in non-Latinx White youth, limited research has been conducted in the Latinx population. Participants were autistic youth and youth with developmental delays (DD; N = 199, Mage = 4.98 years, Latinx = 66.3%, Male = 66.3%) from two larger randomized controlled trials investigating parenting stress. Child anxiety was measured via the Spence Anxiety Scales total anxiety T-scores. RRBs were measured via Repetitive …

Childhood Emotional Maltreatment And Its Associations With Internalizing And Externalizing Symptoms In Emerging Adults, Amira C. Wallace

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

This study examines how childhood emotional maltreatment influences mental health symptoms among college students aged 18 to 25, specifically exploring its association with increased prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, and aggression symptoms in emerging adulthood. The relationship between childhood emotional maltreatment and internalizing and/or externalizing mental health symptoms will be assessed using questionnaires. This study aims to provide recommendations for the development of supportive and inclusive academic environments that facilitate informed conversations and interventions regarding childhood maltreatment. Findings could provide valuable information about students with histories of childhood maltreatment to academic institutions, which could in turn be used …

Impact Of An All-Gender Cabin Intervention At A Residential Summer Camp On Self-Esteem And Perceived Social Support In Lgbtq+ Youth, Suzanne D. Dinubile

Doctoral Dissertations

This study is a program evaluation with a mixed-methods design that evaluated the impact of Camp Tawonga’s All-Gender Cabin Intervention and LGBTQ+ programming showed no statistically significant changes, likely due to small sample size, but descriptive trends indicated improved outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth in All-Gender cabins. Semi-structured interviews with six LGBTQ+ campers revealed increased self-awareness and acceptance, empowerment, self-confidence, and a stronger sense of belonging within the LGBTQ+ community, along with positive interactions with non-LGBTQ+ peers. Notably, the three campers in All-Gender cabins highlighted unique themes of identity affirmation, emotional and behavioral growth, and relief from minority stress. Findings support …

The Impact Of A Play-Based Nature Camp On Self-Regulation In School-Age Children, Margaret Berkemeyer

Doctoral Dissertations

This study is a program evaluation with a mixed-methods design that evaluated the effectiveness of Y Rangers, a summer camp offered by the YMCA of San Francisco, in increasing the self-regulation abilities of school-age children. A total of 18 caregivers completed the quantitative portion of this study that included pre/post-test analyses of self-regulation measures. There were no statistically significant changes between pre and post assessments of self-regulation. A subset of seven caregivers and three Y Rangers counselors participated in interviews, the transcripts of which were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Caregivers experienced Y Rangers as a unique opportunity for their …

Notice, Respond, Observe, Adjust: Everyday Co-Regulation With Infants And Toddlers, Tony Kung

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

Co-regulation is central to infants’ and toddlers’ developing emotional regulation, yet educators often need to make responsive decisions in real time during everyday classroom routines. This research-to-practice article translates developmental and early childhood research into a practical four-part reflection guide: Notice, Respond, Observe, and Adjust. The article examines how educators can attend to children’s gestures, movements, vocalizations, and participation when supporting arrival and separation, caregiving routines, play, and peer encounters. It emphasizes responsive support that adapts to children’s individual communication, developmental needs, family knowledge, and classroom context. Drawing on recent empirical research and published educator observations, the article offers practical …

The Influence Of Childhood Experiential History On Elon Musk’S Personality, Amelia Brower, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This paper presents the results of a developmental causal analysis of the adult personality of innovative entrepreneur and business leader Elon Musk, from the conceptual perspective of personologist Theodore Millon.

Psychodiagnostically relevant data relating to Musk’s personality were collected from biographical sources and media reports and synthesized into a personality profile using the Millon Inventory of Diagnostic Criteria (MIDC), which yields 34 normal and maladaptive personality classifications congruent with DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, and DSM-5-TR.

The findings of the personality assessment were previously reported in a separate paper. Musk’s primary personality patterns were found to be Ambitious/self-serving and Dominant/controlling, …

Beyond Academic Access: An Abstract-Based Narrative Synthesis Of Psychological Wellbeing Social Inclusion And Educational Support For Students With Special Educational Needs, Nurul Hidayah, Nur Andini Sudirman, Muhammad Ilyas, Tirta Cahyani, Atika Tiara Syafitri

Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran

Background: Educational placement does not necessarily secure psychological well-being, reciprocal relationships, participation, or responsive support for students with special educational needs.

Objectives: This abstract-based narrative synthesis examined review materials describing a curated Scopus corpus of 110 records published between 2023 and 2026.

Methods: Forty records were presented in four thematic evidence matrices, while 70 supplied contextual material. Extraction was restricted to metadata, abstracts, and the available summary matrices; primary-study full texts were not systematically assessed, and no formal risk-of-bias assessment was performed. Evidence was organized around psychological resources, relational inclusion, educational supports, and institutional responsiveness.

Results: Reported associations connected self-efficacy, …

Influence Of Violent Media On Adolescents, Alli Shattuck

Best Integrated Writing

This review article explores the relationship between violent media exposure and adolescent behavior. The research examines how repeated exposure to violent video games, movies, and social media may lead to aggressive behaviors. Symbolic Interactionism and Social Learning Theory are used to dissect the way adolescents engage with violent media. The neurological effects of this exposure are discussed alongside environmental influences such as parental supervision and social groups. Overall, the research establishes the complexities of media influence and suggests that violent media is one contributing factor to adolescent aggression rather than the sole cause.

Best Integrated Writing Fall 2026 - Complete Edition, Wright State University School Of Humanities And Cultural Studies, Kristie Mckiernan

Best Integrated Writing

Best Integrated Writing includes excellent student writing from Integrated Writing courses taught at Wright State University.

A Trauma-Informed And Collaborative Approach To Safe And Sustained Family Reunification, Alissa M. Cummins

Master of Arts in Human Services

Family reunification involves more than returning a child to the care of their biological family; it requires the sustained promotion of child safety, stability, and family well-being. This literature review examined how trauma-informed and collaborative approaches support safe, stable, and lasting reunification within the child welfare system. The review explored adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and developmental, psychological, family, and socioeconomic risk factors associated with child welfare involvement and permanency outcomes, as well as protective factors such as supportive relationships, caregiver well-being, resilience, and access to services and resources. Analysis of the literature identified three interconnected principles essential to successful reunification: …

Calm, Connection, Or Just Compensation: A Qualitative Investigation Of Subjective Adolescent Experiences With Behavioral Health Interventions Within A Clinical Trial, Talia Thompson, Katherine Thompson, Sarah Perzow, Holly Spinner, Bentley Porterfield-Finn, Lauren D. Gulley, Rachel G. Lucas-Thompson, Isabel Thorstad, Laura Pyle, Molly Basch, Megan J. Moran, Marian Tanofsky-Kraff, Megan M. Kelsey, Eleanor R. Mackey, Lauren B. Shomaker

The Qualitative Report

Adolescent mental health and cardiometabolic concerns are at an all-time high, necessitating the development of acceptable, feasible, and effective interventions. Investigations of behavioral health interventions with teenagers must incorporate a means of understanding how adolescents perceive and engage with an intervention, and the relevance and meaning they ascribe to its therapeutic goals, as these potentially modifiable factors may ultimately influence future uptake, sustainability, and effectiveness of the interventions. Qualitative research methods provide well-established, rigorous frameworks for addressing these questions, but are underutilized in pediatric research. This qualitative study is part of a multisite, pilot, and feasibility randomized controlled trial of …

“I’M Never Enough”: Associations Of Childhood Emotional Abuse Subtypes With Overweight Preoccupation And Dietary Restraint Among Women, Kayla Queen, Megan Sweeney, David A. Frederick

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Childhood emotional abuse from authority figures encompasses verbal abuse, emotional rejection, and overexpectations. Although global emotional abuse is an established correlate of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, the unique roles of these specific subtypes remain underexamined. Across two studies of adult women recruited from CloudResearch (Ns = 2566; 824), we evaluated associations between authority figure abuse subtypes, body image, and dietary restraint. Bivariate correlations revealed that all subtypes related to poorer body image and higher restraint. Hierarchical regressions demonstrated that emotional abuse subtypes explained incremental variance across outcomes beyond demographic factors. When modeled simultaneously, overexpectations emerged as the …

Black Mothers' Stress And Harsh Parenting Moderated By Child Age: A Longitudinal Secondary Analysis, Mandiryn M. Diffee, Theresa A. Moore, Hannah White

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Black mothers from lower socioeconomic status experience the highest stress levels in the United States due to structural and societal disadvantage, and one study shows parenting stress for Black mothers increases as children age from 5 to 8 years old. Stress is a well‑established risk factor for maladaptive parenting practices, including harsh parenting, and can influence these behaviors in ways that extend beyond parents’ conscious control. However, no studies have investigated Black mothers’ parenting stress trajectories from toddlerhood to adolescence, nor whether these trajectories relate to harsh parenting. To address this discrepancy, the present study conducted a multilevel analysis using …

Reframe The Narrative: Menganalisis Motivasi, Konsekuensi, Dan Solusi Perilaku Bullying Dalam Lingkungan Sekolah Dasar Melalui Teori Frustasi-Agresi, Muhammad Hatta, Nabila Eka Ramadhani, Majesty Steffania Putri Anggen Dese, Manda Zahratu Nisa, Dimas Ramadan Hariadi, Muhammad Abdan Shadiqi

Jurnal Psikologi Sosial

This study analyzed the motivation, consequences, and solutions to bullying behavior from the perpetrator's perspective among elementary school students, applying frustration-agression theory. A qualitative transcendental phenomenological approach was employed to explore the lived experiences of bullying perpetrators among elementary school students volving 10 participants aged 11–12 years in Banjarmasin and Banjarbaru. In-depth interviews served as the primary source of data, while the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS) was administered after the interviews as supplementary descriptive data to provide an indication of participants’ frustration levels. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with educational and child-protection professionals was conducted to …

Sharing Toys, Sharing Talks, Sharing Thoughts: Siblings’ Role In Language Skills And Theory Of Mind In Children, Khansa Nabila Anjani, Ike Anggraika Kuntoro

Jurnal Psikologi Sosial

Background: Theory of mind (ToM) refers to the ability to understand one’s own and others’ mental states and is closely related to children’s prosocial behavior. Previous research has linked ToM to language skills and sibling factors; however, findings remain inconsistent. Siblings may function as early social partners who support language use and social–cognitive development, thereby influencing ToM. This study examined whether sibling presence moderates the relationship between language skills and ToM in children. Methods: Participants were 117 children aged 4–7 years from the Jabodetabek area, recruited using convenience sampling. A simple moderation analysis with bootstrapping was conducted. Results …

Connected But Disconnected: A Covid-19 Youth Participatory Action Research Study, Vianney Atugonza, Jodi Dworkin, Stacey S. Horn, Joanna A. Tzenis, Samantha Lebouef

Journal of Youth Development

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced most schools across the U.S. to close and transition to remote learning. Families were forced to transform their homes into classrooms while facing challenges to their health, finances, and social connections. To better understand how young people experienced these changes, a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) project was employed to engage young people in naming, exploring, and sharing their experiences during this time. Nine high school youth leaders were trained as researchers to conduct interviews with their peers. These youth scholars were also trained on how to code, sort, and disseminate data and results. …

Exploring 21st-Century Skills In A Summer Camp: A Qualitative Methodological Triangulation Approach, Alexander Bowman, Jing Song

Journal of Youth Development

Despite the recognized importance of 21st-century skills and the substantial body of research on these skills, little is known about how to identify growth in these skills. The lack of reliable methods to measure 21st-century skill growth presents a challenge for the design of relevant learning environments and for evaluating if such learning environments are effective. Using a qualitative methodological triangulation approach, this study explored camp counselors’ learning processes. Using a systematic data integration method, field observations were synthesized with participant reflections about how their skills develop. Data were collected from 13 high-school-aged junior camp counselors at a summer camp …

Becoming Who I Am: How Youth Leadership Experiences Shape Lifelong Leadership Journeys, Dustin Evatt, Deborah Acker, Parker R. Watson, Jennifer T. Peters

Journal of Youth Development

Youth leadership experiences have the power to shape individuals’ values, identities, and leadership behaviors well into adulthood, yet limited empirical research has examined how these formative experiences contribute to leadership development over time. This study examines the long-term impact of youth leadership experiences using the six-stage Leadership Identity Development (LID) model as a guiding and interpretive framework by exploring the journeys of alumni from the Shelton Challenge, a six-day immersive high school leadership program at NC State University rooted in values-based and positive youth development (PYD) principles. Using narrative inquiry, we conducted interviews and focus groups with 30 alumni ages …

4-H Program Staff Perceptions Of Including Youth With Disabilities, Brittney Muschetto, Amy Leman

Journal of Youth Development

This study’s focus is to examine 4-H youth development county program staff’s perceptions of the inclusion of youth with disabilities in the Illinois 4-H program. The majority of program staff identified positive perceptions about including youth with disabilities in 4-H. However, they also noted that there was a need for more staff training to adequately include youth with disabilities in 4-H programming. As more youth are being diagnosed with disabilities, 4-H must continue to improve its knowledge and skills to make 4-H inclusive to all youth.

A Hip-Hop-Based Workshop Cultivates Urban Underserved Youths’ Critical Consciousness Around Food Systems, Jacob Rowell, Hannah Scherer, Kim Niewolny, Anthony Kwame Harrison, Kendrick Spencer

Journal of Youth Development

Hip hop is social commentary and critique that highlights the complexity of issues within society, including systemic inequity in the food system, which disproportionately affects urban and African American populations. After-school and non-formal programs are innovative educational opportunities to engage youth in learning about and addressing local problems through culturally-relevant program design and enactment of critical pedagogy. To meaningfully connect middle-school-aged urban youth, their lived experiences, and inequities in the food system, we designed a hip-hop-based workshop and delivered it in an established afterschool program. In this qualitative case study, we explored participants’ critical consciousness related to the food system …