Child Psychology Commons^™

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Healing Through Storytelling And Mindful Narrative Therapy, Julie Kemp

Mindfulness Studies Theses

This study presents research about the nature and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), the mental and physical impacts to individuals exposed to ACEs, and incorporating mindfulness practices into therapeutic approaches to treating them, particularly Mindfulness-Based Narrative Therapy (MBNT). It is important because ACEs have become a global crisis, with the potential for interfering with psychological and physical development, early mortality, and other harmful life outcomes. This thesis provides critical information for mindfulness teachers and practitioners, therapists, educators, regulators, parents, and individuals subjected to ACEs.

The methodology includes extensive literature searches for narrative therapy and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in peer-reviewed …

Numbered Heads Together: Student Outcomes, Teacher Acceptability, Teacher Burnout, And Maintenance Of Implementation, Nicole Parker

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Numbered Heads Together (NHT) is a structured cooperative learning activity that supports active classroom participation from all students. The purpose of this study was to examine if NHT increased student cooperative behaviors and quiz scores, as well as whether teachers found the intervention acceptable and if teacher reported burnout improved. Three teacher participants and their respective students were recruited from a regional school based on teacher desire to improve classroom behavior management during cooperative learning times. A checklist of adherences to NHT steps was the primary measure. Classwide cooperative interactions were observed, and class average daily quiz scores were collected. …

Adolescence In A Minor: A Preliminary Investigation Into The Centrality Of Music-Related Self-Defining Memories In Narrative Identity Development, Katharine Caviness

Psychology Honors Papers

Adolescence and emerging adulthood are critical periods for identity development, during which music often serves as a powerful tool for emotional expression, social connection, and autobiographical meaning-making. This study investigates the role of music-related self-defining memories (SDMs) in shaping and reflecting narrative identity and explores whether these processes differ between individuals with varying levels of musical engagement. Twenty undergraduate students (10 music majors, 10 non-music majors) from a liberal arts college participated in semi-structured interviews about a music-related SDM from adolescence. Participants completed the Centrality of Event Scale (CES) and Likert ratings of memory valence and importance. Thematic analysis revealed …

Efficiency Of Warm-Up Segment In Dyadic Parent Child Interaction Coding System: A Replication Study, Jayde Robinson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The clinical utility of assessment and treatment practices is of growing concern in the field of psychology. The Dyadic Parent Child Interaction Rating System (DPICS) is an analog behavioral observation that is the primary assessment measure in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). The clinical utility of the DPICS has the potential to be improved. Using archival data from a community sample in eastern Kentucky, this study examined the effectiveness of the five-minute warm-up segment at the beginning of the observation. The warm-up segment is meant to control for reactivity effects that may occur, however, there is little evidence that the …

Parental Stress, Child Negative Affect, And A Mediating Relationship With Negative Talk, Olivia Goodman

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study aimed to establish if a relationship existed between parenting stress and their child’s depression, anxiety and somatization, referred to as negative affect. Alongside establishing this relationship, this study investigated if parent negative talk, as seen in Parent-Child Interactive Therapy (PCIT) sessions, affected that relationship. It was hypothesized that parenting stress would negatively impact their children’s negative affect, and that parenting stress would lead to increased negative talk towards their children, in turn negatively impacting their children’s negative affect. A total of 47 families from archival PCIT video sessions created the data set. Results found that there was no …

Exploring Factors Associated With Adverse Childhood Experiences And The Development Of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among Children And Adolescents, Ayesha Qureshi, Sarah Delahanty Phd, Sima Sharghi Phd, Lisa Shauver Ms, Ayla Mapes Phd

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have a significant influence on long term mental and physical health risks, including the development of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS). The current study examined the association between demographic and geo-coded environmental factors and ACE exposure and PTSS development among pediatric patients seen in a behavioral health department at a children’s hospital. Geo-coded factors included Child Opportunity Index (COI scores) and Rural Urban Area Commuting Codes (RUCA). ACE-related factors (type of ACE, ACE overall score) were also included when examining PTSS. Machine learning results indicated that models incorporating environmental data and ACE-related factors performed better than models …

The Role Of Ethnic-Racial Centrality On Exposure To Microaggressions And The Mental Health And Academic Success Of Second-Generation Latiné Adolescents, Lisette Munoz

Theses and Dissertations

People holding racially minoritized identities are frequently subjected to racial-ethnic microaggressions, a form of everyday racism and discrimination. Acculturative stress and microaggressions have a direct impact on immigrants' mental health (Gee et al., 2007; Finch & Vega, 2003; Hovey, 2000). The increase in conservative immigration policies has led to increased anti-immigrant sentiments and microaggressions (Sissoko & Nadal, 2021). The impact of microaggressions can detrimentally affect psychological and physiological wellbeing, as well as academic performance and cognitive function (Solórzano & Pérez Huber, 2020). Because of their experiences with discrimination, Latino children may become more aware of biases in their social interactions …

Effects Of Group Theraplay On Emotional Regulation And Social Interaction Skills In Children With Emotional And Behavior Disorders, Andrea Hutchison

Graduate Research Papers

Childhood mental health has gained significant attention in recent years. Poor childhood mental health is quickly becoming a major problem in the United States. The impacts of this problem are wide-reaching, affecting families, communities, and schools. Play therapy is one well-known intervention that is often used to alleviate symptoms of mental disorders in children. This study focuses primarily on one play therapy modality: Theraplay®, which is an attachment-based intervention that can be delivered in group and dyadic settings. The purpose of this study is to examine the literature that exists regarding the effectiveness of Theraplay®, specifically Group Theraplay®. Specific questions …

The Unintended Consequences Of Normalization: Unmonitored Mental Health Discourse Among Youth And Suicide Risk, Farley Morris

Social Work Theses - Archive

Suicide has become an increasingly common cause of death among U.S. children ages 10–14. In 2001, suicide accounted for 8% of deaths in this age group; by 2010 the proportion rose to 12%, and by 2020 it reached 22% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). Although factors such as adverse childhood experiences (Felitti et al., 1998; Jones et al., 2024), psychache (Shneidman, 1998), burdensomeness (Joiner, 2005; O’Connor, 2011), and hopelessness (Bat Tonkus et al., 2022; Qiu et al., 2017) are associated with suicide, these elements alone do not explain the significant rise in suicide deaths over the past …

Personalized Therapy To Meet Individual Children’S Needs And Improve Access: Identifying A “Goldilocks” Group Therapy Length For Children With Post Traumatic Stress (Pts), Rosa L. Boniface

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Objectives. The present study investigated the incidence and correlates of early treatment response among youth participating in a school-based intervention for PTSD symptoms. Methods. 44 elementary school children who participated in the Bounce Back Program (BB) from 2017 to 2019 were included. A Reliable Change Index (RCI) score was calculated for each child on the UCLA-R for PTSD. Youths with a significant RCI score by session 5 of the 10-session protocol were classified as early treatment responders. Pretreatment characteristics were examined in relation to early responder status. Results. PTS means in this sample decreased significantly after 5 …

The Impact Of Parenting Behaviors On The Development Of Hope In Young Children Experiencing Homelessness, Gracie Munnie

Psychology Theses

Research in resilience science has revealed a “short-list” of protective factors that support positive development in contexts of risk and adversity (Masten, 2014). One such factor is hope, which includes agency thinking (i.e., the belief in one’s ability to accomplish their goals) and pathway thinking (i.e., the ability to produce attainable routes to those goals; Sparks, 2021; Synder, 1997). In families, parents with high levels of hope set intentional parenting goals and encourage their children to create goals as well; these parents also report better psychological functioning and increased ability to cope with parenting stressors (Cole & Molloy, 2023). Although …

Cultural Barriers To Mental Health Support: Exploring Stigma In Childhood Trauma Survivors In Aruba, Ralitsa I.C. Hart

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study explored whether negative attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help among people in Aruba who reported experiencing childhood trauma were predicted by perceived social stigma and the intensity of the trauma. An online survey measuring childhood trauma, attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help, and perceived stigma was administered to 162 participants using a cross-sectional correlational design. To determine the predictive relationship among these variables, a multiple regression analysis was performed. Results showed that perceived stigma significantly predicted more negative attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help, while the severity of childhood trauma did not. Among the trauma subscales, emotional abuse …

Psychometric Evaluation: Extending The Reliability And Validity Of The Teacher Attribution Measure For Early Elementary (Tam-Ee), Kerensa R. Nagle

Theses and Dissertations

Teacher attributions of student challenging behavior have the potential to influence teacher-student relationships. However, the literature on teachers’ attributions of challenging behavior is sparse and lacks measurement standardization. This limits the replicability and generalizability of research findings. To determine if teacher attributions of student challenging behaviors influence teacher-student relationships, a measure demonstrating a specific score reliability and validity profile is needed. The present study evaluated the item- and scale-level score reliability and validity of a measure of teacher attribution of student challenging behavior, the Teacher Attribution Measure for Early Elementary (TAM-EE; Nemer, 2019), within a sample of teachers (N …

Improving Adherence In Adolescent Kidney Transplant Recipients, Kaylen Munoz

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) kidney transplant recipients face unique challenges in maintaining long-term graft function and overall health. Nonadherence to immunosuppressive therapy and difficulties transitioning from pediatric to adult care contribute to the increased risk of graft failure in this population. Despite proposed tools identifying adherence barriers, there is a lack of implementation and targeted interventions addressing the barriers AYA transplant recipients face. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured transition program that utilizes an adherence barrier tool and adherence-promoting interventions in improving health outcomes for adolescent and young adult (AYA) kidney transplant recipients. …

The Psychosocial Effects Of Chemotherapy On The Adolescent Population: Implementing Community Building Programs, Kareena Jakhu, Princess Kyra R. Anicete

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: During the adolescent stage (13-18), individuals go through role confusion and seek much of their validation from their fellow peers. Forming a strong sense of community is crucial in this stage of development as it helps with creating a foundation for who they want to become. Chemotherapy strips this aspect of socialization due to its ability to suppress the immune system. When socialization is taken away, adolescents face loneliness, which greatly impacts their development. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to look into the adolescent population undergoing chemotherapy and help them aid the lack of socialization caused by …

The Effects Of Strong Social And Parental Support Compared To Low Or Absent Support In Lgbtqia+ Youth Mental Health, Kassandra Bautista

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Throughout history, sexual and gender minorities have faced a range of emotional and psychological challenges shaped by their unique experiences and interactions with society, family, and peers. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), homosexuality was classified as a sociopathic personality disturbance in the first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-I) in 1952, and it remained listed as a mental disorder until it was removed in 1973. Individuals that identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other identities within the LGBTQIA+ community were historically seen as abnormal and were often subjected to ethically problematic …

Effects Of Parent Involvement In Their Children’S Academic And Behavioral Performance, Megan Menozzi

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to investigate the best practices to increase parental involvement in their children’s school activities by recording and scribing the experiences of certified teachers. Prior to this study, the current school experienced a decrease in parental involvement with their child’s scheduled school activities. As the school carry on with planning scheduled events for parental involvement, teachers were still expected to be prepared to implement curriculum in the classrooms, while ensuring children’s needs were being met by way of continuous communication with families.

The researcher developed a qualitative phenomenological approach. The design allowed the researcher to interview …

Exploring The Association Between Childhood Anxiety And Stressful Urban Life Events, Diya Cheema, Sydney Sumrall, Robin Everhart, Marcia Winter

Undergraduate Research Posters

Objective: Research indicates that children who live in underserved urban environments are more likely to experience behavioral problems, such as social withdrawal, school adjustment problems, and self-reported delinquency (e.g., King, Huang, & Dewan, 2022). Studies have shown that for adolescents who later develop anxiety and depression, the neighborhood during childhood development could be a factor (Lee et al., 2018). Environmental conditions such as a higher risk of exposure to violence, limited community resources, and undergoing a significant life change in childhood can result in greater risk for psychological distress, including anxiety (King, Huang, & Dewan, 2022). The purpose of this …

The Demand For Educational Functions Of Study Tour Products: From Students’ Perspectives, Yaqi Yu, Azizan Marzuki

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Few academic studies have comprehensively examined the actual demands of students regarding the educational function of study tours. This paper develops a demand index system based on three dimensions: cognitive, affective, and behavioral demands. A questionnaire survey was administered to 397 students. Initially, student demands were categorized using the Kano model. Subsequently, the “dependence” and “expectancy” characteristics were analyzed through the dissatisfaction index (DI) and satisfaction index (SI). The impact of fulfilling each demand on dissatisfaction and satisfaction levels was then determined. The results indicated that among the three dimensions, there were 7 must-be demands, 6 one-dimensional demands, 8 attractive …

Climate Change And Parenthood: Impact On Family Size Decision-Making, Minha Hossain, Jennifer Lai, Mindy Engle-Friedman

Publications and Research

This study explores how parental status relates to childbearing decisions in the context of climate change and builds on prior research linking climate anxiety to reduced family size intentions. A survey of 114 participants revealed that non-parents were significantly more likely than parents to plan to have fewer children and to express concerns about climate change. These findings underscore differences in how parents and non-parents approach future reproductive decisions and highlight the role of climate-related concerns in shaping family planning intentions.