Master of Science in Psychology Student Thesis Collection
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Students completing the Master of Science in Psychology program at Purdue Global may elect to complete a thesis as the program's culminating experience. Select students are invited to submit their thesis for inclusion in the University Archive.
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Browsing Master of Science in Psychology Student Thesis Collection by Issue Date
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Item Working through Grief: Exploring the Relationship between Organizational Bereavement Policies, Reintegration Processes, and Perceived Support on Employee Engagement, Satisfaction, and Loyalty(2021) Hansen, Katie NicoleBereaved employees experience a multitude of grief symptoms that infiltrate every aspect of their life, including work. This study examines how an employer’s response to and support of grief impacts an employee’s engagement, loyalty, and satisfaction with the organization. This work evaluated the perceptions of 127 participants who were employed at the time of their loss. The most significant finding is a decline in how engaged, loyal, and satisfied employees feel post-loss. Statistical analysis confirms that bereavement leave, reintegration accommodations, and provided support impact employee engagement, loyalty, and satisfaction with positive and moderate to high associations existing between several variables. Finally, the results suggest the quality of an employer’s response and support for grieving employees remains insufficient as the majority of respondents felt the need to take leave in excess of the bereavement leave provided, were not granted flexible work accommodations, and post-loss workloads did not meet their needs.Item Attitudes Toward Succession Planning in the Virtual World: The Role of Social Media in Organizational Community Building(2021) Braunstein, DanielleAttitudes about succession planning for those working in the virtual environment were investigated in this preliminary study. Applying concepts related to personality factors, extraversion and amiability were used to understand the sample’s likelihood of participation in programs to be launched on social media for succession planning remotely. Socio-political effects within the United States a year after COVID surfaced was a key factor for understanding social media habits that could be harnessed into productive organizational resources. Surveys were administered through Survey Monkey with 31 full responses. Recruitment was obtained through a social media link where colleagues, friends, and acquaintances were directed to go to enter the survey. Scales for measuring experiences in the past office workspace and the current virtual ones were presented. Results indicate a likelihood that Facebook may be used as a vehicle for organizations when career development is offered but only when socio-political factors match or are omitted. Many other factors for succession planning may be at risk for virtual workers as contradictory answers may be indicative of lack of knowledge, confusion, or fear from a past negative experience that was not accounted for in the survey. These scales and additional suggested questions can be used to follow up with specifics for organizations to better understand their virtual employees for increased employee engagement, succession planning, and brand ambassadorship.Item Childhood Experiences and Cognition: Relationships Between ACEs, Working Memory, and Criminality(2021) Rush, James MRecent research has suggested that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) impact a number of aspects of adult behavior and cognition, including hyperactivity, impulsivity, and criminality. ACEs have also been associated with a lower Working Memory (WM) capacity. However, research is limited in determining the effect that an impacted WM capacity has on individuals with high ACE scores when observing criminal behavior or cognition. This study then presents the question: What is the relationship between ACEs and criminality and how is that relationship mediated by WM? ACEs were measured using a scale primarily created from combinations of the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS; Straus & Gelles, 1990) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ; Bernstein & Fink, 1998), which was assembled by Dube et al. (2003). The Working Memory Questionnaire (Vallat-Azouvi et al., 2012) was utilized to measure WM capacity. Demographics were also collected in an original questionnaire. The results of the study indicate that there were significant positive correlations between ACEs, WM difficulties, and criminal behavior. However, the relationship between ACEs and criminal behavior did not appear to be moderated by WM. These findings suggest that early childhood traumas impact WM and criminal behavior, but that relationship may be moderated by a separate, undiscovered variable. Further research should be conducted to better understand the relationship between these constructs and how that information could be utilized in early intervention therapeutic services for victims of child abuse or neglect.Item Examining the Relationship Between Working from Home and Work Addiction(2021) Whipple, Melanie JWith the onset of the Coronavirus global pandemic, many organizations adapted by allowing their employees to work from home (WFH). Originally put into place to minimize the spread of infection, employees believed WFH would enable a better work-life balance. However, in a 2020 survey of 1,000 remote employees, 45% reported increased workload, while 40% said they experienced higher stress levels and mental exhaustion than before the pandemic. These statistics suggest the potential for work addiction to occur. This study examines the relationship between flexible work arrangements and work addiction. SurveyMonkey Audience was used to recruit 86 participants who completed a 16-item questionnaire that included the Bergen Work Addiction Scale (BWAS) to determine if a statistically significant relationship exists. Statistical analysis including descriptive statistics, frequencies tables, one-way ANOVA, and correlation tables were performed on the data to provide statistical results like response frequencies, central tendency, standard deviation, skewness, range, p-value, confidence interval, and correlation tables. The study failed to detect evidence of a statistically significant relationship between work addiction and a work from home arrangement.Item Organizational Citizenship Behaviors: Self-Efficacy and Perceived Stress(2021) Irby, Jermaine L.Abstract This article aims to identify the relationship between registered nurse’s different levels of self-efficacy and how they mitigate the adverse effects of perceived job stressors by exhibiting organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB). Hospitals are challenged with limited staff, supplies, and equipment and overstressed employees while facilitating a safe working environment for their employees and their patients. Furthermore, the enduring COVID-19 pandemic has stressed the performance of healthcare workers and the healthcare system to its limits. A multiple regression model was utilized to identify the correlational relationship between organizational citizenship behaviors, perceived stressors, and self-efficacy that produced a non-significant finding. This article raises the concerns of inpatient nurses enduring stressful dangerous working environments during this current and future pandemics. Thus, raising awareness for future studies on how medical organizations can assist their medical staff with stress management tools with the intent of increasing their staff’s self-confidence and ability to succeed in conflicting environments while providing safe and effective patient care. Additionally, this article raises the concerns of identifying the relationship between employee performance and stress arousal and its effects on intrapersonal and intragroup relationships. These stressors can have impacts psychologically, emotionally, and behaviorally that can severely impact the performance of a medical organization and its management of finite resources.Item Parents’ Perception of Students Mental Health and Resiliency: Effects of COVID-19 Distancing Stipulations Among High School Students(2021) Snow, Jamie BrenaeSymptoms of depression and anxiety often begin to develop during adolescence due to the developmental stage of identity versus role confusion. Sustaining meaningful relationships among peers is vital in this stage. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 an emergency, causing schools nationwide to shut down. Social distancing forced adolescents away from their peers, which led to various studies on the implications of isolation amongst children. Researchers are discovering a significant correlation between social distancing and depression in adolescents. The current study (N=52) examined participants that were parents of a high school student. The intent was to gain knowledge on parental perspectives on how their child has dealt with social distancing and if they believed their student would benefit from resilience training in the school curriculum. Respondents answered questions from SCARED, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the CES-D, NIMH measurements with a follow-up question about their child's school curriculum. Depression and anxiety were positively correlated with social distancing on all respondents' surveys.Item Personality Traits and COVID-19: The Effect Personality Traits Have on One’s Health Beliefs, Preventative Behaviors, and Perceived Threat(2021) Schillinger, Heather R. A.The present study experimentally investigated the effect personality traits have on COVID-19 health beliefs, perceived threat, and engagement in mask-wearing, emphasizing the Dark Triad (DT) traits. Recruited via Facebook, participants (N=239) completed the Personality Traits and COVID-19: The Effect Personality Traits Have on One’s Health Beliefs, Preventative Behaviors, and Perceived Threat Survey on SurveyMonkey. Dark Triad traits negatively correlated with conformity; however, at the individual level, Machiavellianism positively predicted conformity. Dark Triad traits also positively correlated with conspiracy theory beliefs. Specifically, Psychopathy positively correlated with COVID-19 conspiracy theory beliefs. Machiavellianism also positively correlated with conspiracy theory beliefs; however, it did not correlate with COVID-19 conspiracy theory beliefs. Unlike in prior studies regarding personality traits and COVID-19, Neuroticism negatively correlated with level of perceived threat. Furthermore, Dark Triad traits were significant, negative predictors of engagement in mask-wearing, with Psychopathy being a significant, independent negative predictor of mask-wearing engagement.Item Psilocybin and Depression: Past Psilocybin Use Improving Future Depressive Symptom Management(2021) Hansen, TaylorIn this study, I investigated whether individuals who have taken psilocybin in the past felt that their experience(s) helped them prevent or cope with depressive symptoms. This study was based on past research showing psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy’s efficacy in treating depression. Three hundred seventy participants responded to the Survey on Psilocybin Use and Depressive Symptoms (SPUDS, created for this study) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The data was analyzed to determine associations between demographics, as well as correlations between how many times they ingested psilocybin, how much it helped, and their total depression scores. Data were also analyzed to determine any trends in the data from open-ended questions. While no associations with demographics were found with the amount of psilocybin ingested, how much psilocybin helped, or their total depression scores, there were weak but statistically significant correlations between age and how much they believe psilocybin helped, and how many times someone took psilocybin and how much they believed it helped. There were also several trends found in the open-ended responses, including what aspects of themselves psilocybin changed, or what dosages they preferred for the biggest changes. There was a skewness of the PHQ-9 scores, where more participants had more severe current depressive scores so that possibly affected the correlation strength between psilocybin ingestion and depression severity. I recommend more research be done on participants’ past psilocybin experiences and their intentions, as well as more research focusing on why the most reported aspects of the psilocybin experience are both most common and if they correlate with changes found in the brain/behavior from other studies.Item Visual Activity Schedules and Incentive Charts for Children With Processing Difficulties: Improving Executive Functioning(2021) Marx, KerriThe purpose of this three-week long study was to evaluate the effectiveness that Visual Activity Schedules (VAS) and Incentive Charts (IC) have in improving Executive Functioning (EF) in children with processing delays for independent handwashing hygiene. Participants consisted of six children, four males and two females, aged 4 to 6 years old who previously received Speech Therapy services at a small therapy placement agency in New York. The study focused on deficits in processing delays concentrating on handwashing sequences through a child-friendly VAS with matching Velcro pictures. The VAS was easily manipulated by participants based on cognitive and fine motor abilities. VAS has been demonstrated to increase on-schedule and on-task behaviors with modeling, cueing, and visual stimuli. Baseline study indicated across participants that independent handwashing for personal hygiene had its limitations due to multiple delays and disorders each child presented with plus multiple distractions (i.e., playing with water). Results from all six children yielded outcomes that support the success of a Visual Schedule to aid in sequencing and completing actions independently. Limitations to the current study and recommendations for future studies are discussed.Item Covid-19 Restrictions and Substance Use: The Effects of Lockdown Orders on Symptoms and Relapse of Alcohol Use Disorders(2021) Stevens, CatherineThe author investigates how the COVID 19 lockdown has affected individuals with alcohol use problems and alcohol use disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and address the effects the COVID 19 lockdown orders had on the symptoms of alcohol use and alcohol relapse. A total of 437 participants ranging from 18 – 65+ years of age, come from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, as well as educational levels. Announcements included a link to a survey to participate in the study, were e-mailed to clients and posted on LinkedIn and Facebook, and a link was sent to a targeted SurveyMonkey audience. Three questionnaires were combined to create a 43-question survey. The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test: Self-Report Version (AUDIT) is a 10-item screening tool used to assess alcohol consumption, drinking behavior, and alcohol-related problems in adults. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a psychological tool used for measuring an individual’s perception of stress. The remaining 22 questions addressed socio-demographic characteristics and behavioral indicators. SPSS database was used to analyze data. Results found the strongest positive correlations to the AUDIT were participant’s alcohol intake before the COVID-19 lockdown, how often the participant drank alcohol as a way to cope with the stress, alcohol being the first thing they thought of when feeling stressed, and how much alcohol is consumed while feeling stressed. The PSS moderately correlated with the AUDIT, when feeling stressed, how often the participant drank alcohol as a way to cope with the stress, alcohol being the first thing they thought of when feeling stressed, and how much alcohol is consumed while feeling stressed. The findings concluded that stress caused by the COVID-19 lockdown were factors in alcohol use disorder and alcohol relapse.Item Bipolar Disorder: Microdosing Psilocybin to Lessen Depressive Symptoms(2021) Heath, Ashley NResearch on microdosing psilocybin as a novel treatment option for bipolar depression is still in its infancy; however, new research studies show significant improvement in major depression and treatment-resistant depression after a one-time large dose of psilocybin. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to evaluate recent studies on psilocybin and the reduction of depressive symptoms in participants with treatment-resistant depression or major depression, as well as the benefits of microdosing psilocybin. A total of seven studies met the criteria for statistical data, population characteristics, and the use of psilocybin for depression. One study examined the benefits versus challenges of microdosing psilocybin recreationally along with depression screening via online self-reporting questionnaires and DAS-A-17 scale. The additional six studies evaluated the effects of psilocybin on depression, anxiety, and mood disturbances. Quantitative results indicate that psilocybin can significantly reduce depressive symptomatology in treatment-resistant depression, along with anxiety, neuroticism, anhedonia, anger and hostility, and impulsiveness. Results also found an increase in joy, awe, the feeling of love, and positive emotions. The researcher discussed the strengths, limitations, and suggestions for future research. Further studies with more rigorous analysis, larger and more inclusive sample sizes, and increased double-blind and controlled designs would be necessary to understand treatment options involving psilocybin for depression.Item The Role of Knowledge as a Mediating Factor of Stigma towards Mental Health: The Impact of Knowledge about Mental Illness and Stigma Levels(2022) Gammans, MackenzieThe present study examined the impact of knowledge on stigma levels. Online participants in the United States (N=205) completed a survey containing measures for levels of stigma and mental health literacy. Correlations were conducted, analyzed, and found that as knowledge increased, stigma decreased. Each of the correlations between stigma and knowledge were significant at <.001. Two of the correlations showed a moderate effect and two showed a small effect between the stigma and knowledge. Finding support knowledge can be used as a tool to decrease stigma. Future research should focus on using a more random sample.Item Marked as Dangerous: An Investigative Analysis of No-touch Torture Methods on Targeted Individuals(2022) Womac, Joyeux NoelThe analysis examined participants suffering trauma from aspects of no-touch torture, such as gangstalking or organized stalking. The secondary aim was to establish common complaints in a 31-item anonymous online survey using 184 participants. A quantitative analysis summarized the demographics and consensus on no-touch torture experiences. The questionnaire excluded a perpetrator headcount, asset stripping, intellectual property theft, family relationships, animal cruelty, medical, criminal, employment history, and property damage/theft. The primary responses covered 40 U.S. states and 33 countries, mainly of non-political, single, White women, between the ages 45-54 with some education, typically unemployed with a blue-collar background. The activity occurred for more than ten years, as early as 1964, at the hands of corrupt law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Participants alleged these groups had ties to human trafficking and mass murder/active shootings and also targeted others nearby. They claimed to be involved in other crimes. Respondents asserted these activities derived from illegal testing and experimenting, producing the effects of dehydration, diminished thoughts, eyesight/red eyes, hearing, depleted salt and glucose levels, and red blood cell reduction. Most shared symptoms of Havana syndrome, Morgellons disease, active trauma, or depression. Many resorted to alcohol or substance abuse to dampen the effects and referred to their situation as a torture/targeting program. These new metrics explored several correlations and shed new light on the trauma-based phenomenon.Item The Effect of Dissociative Identity Disorder and Daily Life Routines(2022) Eckman, BreAnaDissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a diagnosis that has not had much research. It has had sporadic attention in relation to treatment, memory, brain structure, and the effect on daily life. The study presented here focused on how having DID can affect one’s daily life routines. Participants were recruited via a Facebook support group for those with diagnosed DID and completed a demographic questionnaire, a DID and Daily Life Routine questionnaire created by the researcher, and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Sale-2.0, 36-item version self-administered. There was a total of 27 people who participated, but only 11 fully completed questionnaires on SurveyMonkey. The results showed that these participants have moderate difficulty in conducting day-to-day activities of self-care, engaging with people, being productive and conducting work and/or school work, as well as maintaining relationships. There was a positive correlation between having DID and the difficulty level of being able to conduct daily life routines. The average number of days out of the last 30 days in which it was difficult to conduct any of the aforementioned activities, was 20-25 days as well as responding to how many days, out of the last 30 days, did they have to cut back or reduce usual activities, was 20 days. The average age in which one was diagnosed was 26.5 years old and the average amount of alters was 25.Item Military Suicide: The Influence of Chain of Command/Leadership on Military Personnel's Psychopathology and Suicide Rates(2022) Kremer, Joy L.Military suicide is a national problem, but scholars and policymakers still do not understand it. In the past few years, suicide rates have increased. SurveyMonkey, a recruiting tool, was used to gather information. Participants from all backgrounds and socioeconomic classes were welcome to participate. For this study, I analyzed data from more than 100 active-duty U.S. military members and veterans from different backgrounds. I examined the participants' responses to see if the high rate of suicide in the military might be directly correlated with the chain of command/leadership. I utilized the Moral Injury Symptom Scale - Military Version Short Form (MISS-M-SF), the Endorsed and Anticipated Stigma Survey (EASI), Unit Cohesion, Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory-2 (DRRI-2), and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research-Leadership Scale (WRAIR-LS), short form. I examined the results to see if there was a direct link between the chain of command/leader and military suicides. Does the chain of command affect military mental health? Is the chain of command why many military people don't seek treatment for suicidal thoughts or attempts? After running a separate Pearson correlation, results show a strong positive correlation between the chain of command/leadership, military psychopathology, and military suicide. It would be advantageous to conduct more research on how military leadership, military psychopathy, and suicide are all linked.Item True Crime Media Consumption and Generalized Anxiety Disorder(2022) Rush, MackenzeeThe current research study aimed to examine the relationship between crime-related media consumption and fear of crime in individuals with the diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder compared to individuals without the diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The study utilized Facebook and Facebook groups for the targeted population. The targeted population was adults over the age of 18 with and without the diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The study used a survey method that included a demographic questionnaire, a True Crime Media Consumption Questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), and a Fear of Crime Scale. The total population was 131 participants. The results of the study indicate that there is significant correlation between the diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and fear of crime in individuals. Individuals with the diagnosis of GAD scored higher on the Fear of Crime Scale than individuals without the diagnosis. Further research would be beneficial in generalizing the results of the study.Item Adolescents at Risk for Suicide: Parents’ Perception in Implementing a Mandatory Suicide Screening Schedule and Importance of Parent Involvement(2022) Mota, JanetShould parents be more concerned and pay more attention to their adolescents’ behaviors? What signs of possible thoughts of suicide should parents be looking out for? This current study proposes the need for mandatory suicide screenings during early and late adolescence to not only help parents but to help our society in monitoring the mental health of our adolescents on a routine, early intervention, and resourceful approach. Nearly 100 parents volunteered to complete a 20-question questionnaire to gather their opinion on whether mandatory suicide screenings are necessary among our adolescents today. Three variables are measured: the belief in suicide prevention, parent involvement, and the need for mandatory screenings. Volunteers were made known of this study through two different platforms. Results showed nearly half of the participants had known someone in their family or close to them who has attempted suicide at least once. A total of 30.43% reported having lost someone in their family or someone close to them to suicide. A positive correlation was seen between individuals with a strong belief in the importance of suicide prevention and their perception of mandatory screenings.Item Electronic Device Usage and Its Effect on Memory and Cognition(2022) Andel, SeanThis research was conducted to test if the amount of time spent on electronic devices affects cognition. There were a total of 61 participants, six were removed due to incomplete participation, leaving 55 for the analysis. Participants were aged 18 -69 and identified as male, female, or preferred not to answer. Participants were asked to memorize a list of words, which would be then recalled later in the test. They were then exposed to a short video as a distractor task, after which they selected from a list of words all they could recall from the initial list. Volunteers were asked to participate in a reaction time test. Results did not show a significant difference between groups in support of the hypothesis. Previous studies have shown similar outcomes with respect to testing if different areas of cognition are affected by device usage. This prior research is further supported by this research since all groups measured were shown to have similar measured results. These results and previous studies support the current research as both returned like results.Item Mental Health First Response (MHFR) Program: Assessing the Mental Health First Response in the Colombian Population in Terms of Prevention and Intervention of Substance Use Disorder(2022) Ramos-Salcedo, MarjorieColombia is a country with different social problems such as high politic violence since 1960. One of the huge issues is the fabric and selling of drugs. There are laboratories around the country. Many people at different levels of society have lived with this as a way of living, which has made violence sustainable and a way to support narcoterrorism. Since 1990 the problem has been not only about selling narcotics but also to start using them, including legal and illegal substances. The more used substance is alcohol, followed by nicotine and marijuana in young people. Additionally, there are some programs to prevent the use and abuse of substances. There is only one with supporting evidence called “Communities that Care.” This program started about 20 years ago in different states of Colombia. It is a preventive program for elementary, middle, and high school students. The prevalence of drug addictions and suicide is mostly among 18 to 21 years old. Furthermore, there is a need to continue under the Communities that Care model to evaluate programs that help the community decrease and support those in need. The mental health first response course is a way to bring tools to the community leaders in how to intervene and prevent risks of addictions and suicide behaviors. The course of Mental Health First Response contributes to the Colombian society to bring some tools to intervene and prevent the use and abuse of drugs and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.Item Suicide Among United States Navy Sailors: Contributing Factors(2022) Cardin, Stefanie E.The purpose of this study was to determine if there are any contributing factors specific to the United States Navy that play a role in suicide, suicide ideation, and suicidal behaviors in United States Navy (USN) sailors. There were 130 participants; 93 were active-duty and 37 were inactive. This was a self-report survey distributed online, through messaging, and through flyers. The data collected was both quantitative and qualitative. The data was collected using Surveymonkey. Pretests and posttests, paired t-tests, and chi square tests were conducted using Excel and IBM SPSS to determine any significant differences and any significant correlations. Significant differences (p=<.001) were found between SBQ-R scores, item 1 on the SBQ-R, item 2 on the SBQ-R before and after joining the USN, being in a relationship and not being in a relationship and being active-duty and inactive (reserves/separated/retired). Significant correlations were found between age and likelihood of suicide in the future, dependents and suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior, rate and likelihood of suicide in the future, location (fleet) and suicide ideation and suicidal behavior, and time spent away from homeport (underway, deployment, etc.) and suicide ideation and suicide attempts. Results suggest that factors specific to the USN do affect suicide, suicide ideation, and suicidal behaviors in USN sailors.