Clinical Psychology Commons^™

The Impact Of Traditional Machismo On Mental Health Outcomes: Depression And Suicide Risk Among Latino Immigrant And Non-Immigrant Men, Yesenia A, Romero

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traditional masculine norms have long been recognized as influential factors in men’s psychological well-being. Within Latino cultures, the construct of machismo represents a culturally specific form of masculinity characterized by ideals of masculinity and characterized by ideals of strength, dominance, and emotional restraint. While these norms may promote resilience and family responsibilities, rigid adherence to traditional machismo has also been associated with emotional suppression, reduced help-seeking behaviors, and increased psychological distress. The present study conducted a meta-analysis to examine the relationship between traditional machismo and mental health outcomes among Latino men, with particular attention to depressive symptoms as well as …

Investigating Racial And Ethnic Differences In Help-Seeking Recommendations And Intentions For Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms And Symptom Clusters, Josselyn Yanisbeth Telule

Master's Theses

Racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) communities experience disproportionate exposure to adverse events, including discrimination, socioeconomic disparities, justice system involvement, and limited access to healthcare. These inequities increase the likelihood of experiencing potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and developing trauma-related mental health concerns such as posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Despite this elevated risk, REM populations consistently underutilize mental health services. Although several explanations have been proposed—including differences in symptom recognition, perceived need for care, cultural values, mental health literacy, and preferred sources of support—less research has examined racial and ethnic differences in help-seeking intentions (HSI) and help-seeking recommendations (HSR), particularly in response …

Understanding Gambling Behavior Among Hispanic College Students: The Role Of Attitudes, Norms, Self-Efficacy, And Acculturation, Joshua Torres

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Gambling has become increasingly accessible and socially normalized among young adults, particularly through mobile platforms and the expansion of legalized sports betting. Hispanic college students may be at heightened risk for gambling-related harms, given evidence of elevated rates of problem gambling, comorbid mental health concerns, and underrepresentation in empirical research. Cultural factors, such as acculturation, may further influence engagement in gambling behaviors and susceptibility to negative outcomes. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, the present study investigated the relationships between gambling injunctive norms, gambling attitudes, and gambling self-efficacy across three outcomes: gambling frequency, problem gambling severity, and gambling intention. …

Validity Of The Cultural Determinants Of Help-Seeking Model Among Hispanic Women With A History Of Intimate Partner Violence And Psychological Distress, Genevieve Marie Jessen

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Hispanic women experience disproportionately higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alongside low treatment engagement and greater alcohol use, even after intimate partner violence (IPV) has ended. Sociocultural factors may exacerbate the lasting impacts of IPV by contributing to a greater burden of disease. Prior research suggests that both psychological symptoms and sociocultural influences shape trauma recovery following IPV. However, little is known about how these factors interact after IPV cessation to impact Hispanic women's help-seeking and drinking. To address this gap, the present study applied the Cultural Determinants of Help-Seeking (CDHS) framework to examine whether inhibitory factors (e.g., barriers …

The Moderating Role Of Cannabis Use Motives On The Relationship Between Intragroup Marginalization And Cannabis Use In Hispanic Emerging Adults, Austin Ray Vernon

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Cannabis use has become increasingly normalized among emerging adults, yet associated risks to health remain a growing concern. Cannabis use among Hispanic populations has risen over the past decade, underscoring the need to examine culturally relevant factors that may influence use patterns and related harm. Intragroup marginalization, a culturally specific form of identity-based rejection from one's own ethnic group, may represent one such factor. The present study examined whether intragroup marginalization is associated with cannabis use outcomes and whether cannabis use motives moderate these associations. Participants were 358 Hispanic college students recruited from a U.S.-Mexico border university. Following informed consent, …

Does Self-Compassion Buffer Against The Potential Effects Of Perfectionism And Psychopathology On Non-Suicidal Self-Injury?, Natasha Bourgoin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

University students with increased rates of reported perfectionism, anxiety, and depression, are vulnerable to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, not all students with psychological distress engage in NSSI, suggesting protective factors may help to mitigate this risk. The present study examined the relation between perfectionism and NSSI, via the mediating effects of anxiety and depression, and the moderating role of self-compassion. Participants were 338 university students (67% female; 87% White) who completed several self-report measures. Students with greater perfectionism reported higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms and, in turn, more NSSI engagement. Self-compassion and several self-compassionate domains attenuated connections between …

Attitudes Toward Harm Reduction Among Criminal Legal Staff, Diamond Meadows

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are prevalent among individuals interacting with the criminal legal system (Moore et al., 2019). Despite the high rates of individuals with SUDs interacting with the criminal legal system, there continue to be barriers to integrating harm reduction approaches within the system. Harm reduction approaches (i.e., medication assisted treatment) are effective in reducing the negative consequences associated with substance use and the pathway to recovery for many. The purposes of this study are to: 1. examine the psychometric properties of the Harm Reduction Acceptability Scale (HRAS) among criminal legal staff, 2. explore individual differences in staff attitudes …

Moderating Effects Of Defense Mechanisms On The Link Between Dark Triad Traits And Stress: A Replication With Addition Of Early Trauma, Ngayin Cheng

Student Theses

Literature suggested Dark Triad traits, comprised of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, are linked to adverse childhood environment and maladaptive coping that contribute to negative mental health outcomes, but Richardson and Boag's study (Richardson & Boag, 2016) was one of the few studies that first found Dark Triad traits are associated with immature defenses and higher perceived stress simultaneously. This replicated study aims to verify the original findings of their research by examining how defense mechanisms moderate the relationship between Dark Triad traits and perceived stress. A sample of 199 participants completed self-report measures assessing the Dark Triad traits, defense styles, …

From Invisible Injury To Measurable Impact: Exploring Associations Between Peripheral Biomarkers Of Neuroinflammation And Mental Health Outcomes After Mtbi, Lauren Leggett Smith

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), often referred to as a “silent epidemic,” accounts for the majority of traumatic brain injuries worldwide and is increasingly linked to persistent psychiatric outcomes. Despite its prevalence, mTBI remains understudied due to diagnostic challenges, underreporting, and misperceptions of its clinical significance. The present study examined whether peripheral biomarkers of neuroinflammation and astroglial injury—tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)— mediate associations between mTBI history and psychiatric symptom severity, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants were 138 traumaexposed adults recruited from an urban university and surrounding community, with …

The Relationship Between Sports Related Head Injuries, Mental Health And Academic Performance In University Student-Athletes, Odyssey Keller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student athletes face many challenges when it comes to participating in team sports, one of the most notable being sport-related head injuries. Concussions are a growing concern since they have the potential to impact mental health and academic performance long-term. While many athletes report recovery within weeks, some continue to struggle with impairments in their psychological functioning and overall mental well-being that interferes with academic performance over time. Many of the standardized protocols in place for concussion management vary across institutions. This study aimed to address gaps in the existing literature by assessing concussion history, mental health and academic challenges …

Evaluating The Feasibility, Acceptability, And Preliminary Efficacy Of An Online Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Program To Improve Dietary Quality In Highly Stressed Adults, Francesca M. Knudsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Stress can negatively affect both mental and physical health, which can increase the risk for chronic illness. When people feel stressed, they may also find it harder to make healthy food choices, which can further impact their health. Despite this, there are limited treatments designed to help people improve their dietary quality while managing stress. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based psychological approach that helps people respond more effectively to difficult thoughts and emotions while behaving in ways that are aligned with their personal values. This study tested whether a brief, online ACT-based program, combined with coaching phone …

Online Act Guide For Sub-Clinical And Clinical Insomnia Among College Students, Guadalupe "Gabe" San Miguel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

College students are shown to have more sleep difficulties, specifically insomnia. These sleep difficulties compared to the general public due to the college environment (for example increase screen time, sedentary time, or alcohol use). Students with reported sleep difficulties have ties to lower GPA and lower odds of graduation. That is why this dissertation conducted a comparison between an online version of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (intervention) to a placebo condition among college students with insomnia to help determine if the intervention had better outcomes over time. Each condition (intervention = 39; placebo = 40) completed questionnaires at the start …

Pedagogical Strategies For Training Psychology Graduate Students: Examining Graduate Students' Satisfaction, Confidence, And Learning Across Three Approaches For Teaching A Standardized Assessment, Emma R. Slade

Ramifications

Competence in assessing mental health concerns, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is essential for psychologists. However, students can learn to use assessment tools in many ways, and students’ preferences and satisfaction with various instructional techniques may predict the extent to which they learn and gain confidence in their ability to apply such learning. The current study was an experiment designed to test how to best teach graduate students to assess ADHD. An instructional paper, a PowerPoint presentation with an included voiceover narration, and a case study applied example were each created to teach students how to administer and interpret the …

The Effect Of Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing) Concept On Decreasing Academic Stress Of College Students: A Pre-Experimental Study, Shinta Mustika, Witrin Gamayanti, Fitri Kurniawati, Ujam Jaenudin

Psychological Research on Urban Society

Academic stress is a common issue among university students due to heavy academic demands and performance pressure, affecting both physical and mental well-being. This study examines the effectiveness of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) in reducing academic stress. Using a quantitative pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design, stress levels were assessed before and after a session of shinrin-yoku among six Cianjur students with high academic stress. The research was conducted in locations within the scientific collection area of Cibodas Botanical Garden, identified as suitable for health and well-being interventions. The Profile of Mood States (Indonesian version) and Perception of Academic Stress Scale were used …

The Importance Of Relational Teaching In Introductory Statistics, Nathan Matthew Slife

UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo

This poster presents relational teaching strategies for introductory statistics courses.

Therapists’ Perspectives On Female Patients’ Recovery From Sexual Violent Trauma Committed By Familiar Offenders, Lauren S. Doran

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A mental health therapist is a licensed professional who is trained to identify any barriers or regression during the recovery process with their female patients’ psychological experiences from sexual violent trauma (SVT) perpetrated by a degree of familiar offenders. In this study, the therapists’ perceptions identified the impact of the SVT committed by a familiar offender toward the female victim’s recovery process. The theoretical foundation included betrayal trauma theory, moral injury, and victimology. The research question addressed how therapists described the psychological recovery of female patients who experienced sexual violence by a familiar offender. The research design was data collection …

Narratives From Law Enforcement Officers Who Leave Policing, Hector Rene Matascastillo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Beginning in May 2020, a national exodus of law enforcement officers (LEOs) from the profession occurred. There has been speculation about the causes, including social unrest and trauma, while some claim that there has always been this level of attrition. The purpose of this study was to capture the narratives of LEOs regarding what motivated them to leave the profession after May 2020 and before achieving their retirement goals. The theoretical lens of general strain theory guided this study, as it posits that people under great strain resort to options that they would not usually consider, such as leaving the …

The Integration Of Mental Health Services Within The Black Church: A Literature Review Of Systematic Inequalities, Stigma, And Culturally Responsive Approaches, Grace N. Wingate

Honors College Theses

Black American Christians in predominantly Black churches often face limited access to adequate mental health resources due to historical mistrust, systemic inequalities, and cultural stigma. These barriers are rooted in longstanding distrust of psychological services, the underrepresentation of Black mental health care professionals, and the high cost and inaccessibility of care. Additionally, stigma within Black Christian communities may discourage individuals from seeking help from mental health professionals, particularly when such care is perceived as conflicting with religious beliefs. Despite these challenges, Black churches remain central and trusted institutions within their communities, positioning them as crucial sites for mental health support. …

How Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cbt) And Antipsychotics Compare To Antipsychotics Alone Impact Inpatient Length Of Stay: A Scoping Review, Morgan E. Johnson, Hailey M. Wade, Y'Esha V. Williams-Click, Rocquell Duncan, Laura Reed Dnp, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Cne, Fnap

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background

Psychosis in adults is a serious psychiatric condition that often necessitates inpatient hospitalization for stabilization and the initiation of medication. Untreated psychosis can lead to poor outcomes, including longer hospital stays, loss of occupational functioning, and a decreased quality of life. While antipsychotic medications are typically the first line of treatment, they can have severe side effects, which may lead to patients discontinuing their use. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for psychosis is an evidence-based intervention that targets maladaptive behaviors associated with the condition. CBT may improve treatment responses when used alongside antipsychotic medication. However, there is limited research on …

Noncontingent Parental Attention Leads To Independent Play And Is Preferred By Toddlers Over Screen Time, Kristen Newell

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Caregivers often rely on screen media to occupy young children during periods when caregiver attention is unavailable, despite evidence linking early screen exposure to adverse developmental outcomes. An alternative approach is to provide high-quality, noncontingent attention (NCA) during play prior to independent activity. Although NCA reduces attention-maintained challenging behavior, the optimal duration of NCA and children’s preference for caregiver interaction relative to screen time remain unclear. This study evaluated the effects of varying durations of caregiver-delivered NCA on young children’s independent play, attention-seeking behavior, and preference for NCA compared to screen time. Three caregiver–child dyads participated in a multielement design …