SPFC Research Conference 2021

This research aims to investigate cultural values in interracial couples and its impact on sexual satisfaction. Participants will be recruited to volunteer from interracial couple support groups in Washington state. Based on self-report, we will gather demographic information about our participants’ gender, race, age, relationship status, identified cultures, and faith background. We predict that the greater the differences between cultural value sets and expectations within an interracial couple, the more communication and potential compromise will be needed in order to achieve sexual satisfaction. Therefore, we hypothesize that increased differences in cultural values will decrease sexual satisfaction within interracial couples.

Alisha Le Beau and Sierra Phelps

Marriage & Family Therapy

Developmental experiences and processes during adolescence such as individuation, increased conflict, and neurological changes (Arnett, 2007) may contribute to depressive symptoms in this developmental stage (see Rudolph, 2009). Among immigrant adolescents, the emergence of depressive symptoms may be further influenced by difficulties and stressors they experience as immigrants (Cleary et al., 2018; Lo et al., 2017), such as parent-adolescent acculturative conflict and parental criticism (Huang et al., 2012). These factors may contribute to a unique etiology of depressive symptoms in immigrant adolescents. For example, conflicts regarding matters of acculturation between immigrant Asian parents and their adolescents have been linked to depressive symptoms (Juang et al., 2018). Additionally, parental criticism has been linked to depressive symptoms throughout adolescence across racial groups (Castro & Rice, 2003; Huang et al., 2012).

Although studies have linked parent-adolescent acculturative conflict and parental criticism with depression (Castro & Rice, 2003; Juang et al., 2018), no studies have examined the relationships among these three variables in this developmental stage. For immigrant adolescents, acculturative conflict and parental criticism may be developmentally specific factors related to depression based upon their contextual experiences. Therefore, the current study examined the potential mediating role of parental criticism on the association between parent-adolescent acculturative conflict and depressive symptoms in a sample of Korean immigrant adolescents in New Zealand, where Koreans are one of the fastest-growing and most psychologically vulnerable immigrant communities (Ho et al., 2002).

One hundred and twenty-six Korean immigrant adolescents (Mage = 15.30, SDage = 1.68; Female = 48.1%; Myears in NZ = 7.95, SDyears = 4.50) were recruited through local Korean organizations and churches. Participants answered anonymous questionnaires: Acculturation Intergenerational Conflict Scale (Lee, 2004; αmothers = .95, αfathers = .94), the Network of Relationships-Relationship Quality Version (Furman & Buhrmester, 2008; criticism subscale, αmothers = .81, αfathers = .87), and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977; α = .87).

Correlations demonstrated significant relationships among the key variables (see Table 1), and an ANOVA revealed no significant sex differences. Mediation analyses using PROCESS (Hayes, 2012) were used to assess the potential mediating role of parental criticism between parent-adolescent acculturative conflict and depressive symptoms. Results indicated that maternal criticism was a significant mediator between mother-adolescent acculturative conflict and depressive symptoms (β = 3.60, 95% CI [.62, 6.00]), but this was not found for fathers.

The results support previous findings that parent-adolescent acculturative conflict and criticism are associated with adolescent depression across diverse racial groups (Castro & Rice, 2003; Juang et al., 2018). Additionally, the results suggest that parent-adolescent acculturative conflict and adolescent depression may be mediated by parental criticism, suggesting that parent-adolescent acculturative conflict may influence parental criticism, which then impacts depressive symptoms in Korean immigrant adolescents. When working with this population, community organizations and practitioners might consider the impacts of parent-adolescent acculturative conflict and parental criticism on adolescent mental health. Future research should be directed towards exploring whether these findings are unique to this population or exist cross-culturally among other immigrant youths.

Alison Blodgett

Undergraduate Psychology

While the Covid-19 pandemic has had global effects, community inequalities have led to a diversity of specific impacts. Covid-19 has specifically impacted marginalized communities at a higher rate, and a common theme has emerged highlighting a disparity in healthcare access, leading to these communities being left behind. As current literature is being released during the pandemic, data has uncovered some technical details of new challenges in healthcare access. In addition, individuals from marginalized communities may place a higher importance of cultural competency in their health care. This proposal aims to identify the ways in which access to telehealth has impacted outcomes in marginalized communities, and how individuals have changed their healthcare during this global event. It is anticipated that minority communities will have seen the most change to their mental healthcare during the pandemic, and will have reduced satisfaction in healthcare workers with differing cultural backgrounds to themselves.

Allison Davis, Diana Melman

Marriage & Family Therapy

Despite the proven success of the Chronic Mild Stress (CMS) model in measuring anhedonia behaviors in rats, housing conditions could alter the effects of stressors. In our original analysis, group-housing revealed no significant difference between the stress and control subjects. As a result, this follow-up study aims to replicate the initial study using single-housing conditions instead to examine the differences between grouped and single-housed rats while measuring the effects of stress with housing as an influencing variable on our stress measures.

Anne-Jolene Cruz, Huy D. Nguyen, Nyah Ward, Phillip M. Baker

Undergraduate Psychology

This study aims to explore the therapeutic alliance in EFT when addressing race and cultural difference between a non-white client and a white therapist. This quantitative study will survey 100 non-white clients receiving therapy from a white therapist. Subjects will participate in 10 sessions of therapy with a white therapist practicing EFT. Half of the clients will see a traditional EFT therapist, while the other half will see an EFT therapist who has gone through specialized training in cultural attunement. Using a modified Helping Alliance Questionnaire (Luborsky, et al. 1996), with additional questions concerning race and culture, we will measure the therapeutic alliance at the end of the ten sessions. We hypothesize that the therapeutic alliance will be stronger with the white therapists who address race and power differentials with non-white clients, which leads to effective EFT.

Ashley Kortman & Deyja Kauffman

Marriage & Family Therapy

In various disciplines (e.g., Psychology, Philosophy, Theology), self-control has been considered a uniquely human trait or even a virtue. However, self-controlled responding has been observed in experiments with nonhuman animals. For example, self-controlled responding has been studied in dogs and more recently, fish. Here we define self-controlled behavior as the choice for a larger reward that is delayed versus a smaller reward that is available sooner (i.e., impulsivity). Despite recent self-control studies in animals, no comprehensive review of this literature has been conducted. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to provide a review of recent self-control experiments in animals.

Avalon Amya, Julia Flores, Isabel Jackson, Emily Northey, and Emme Tucker

Undergraduate Psychology

For immigrant parents, acculturation processes may contribute to acculturative stress in parent-adolescent relationships. Acculturative stress has been associated with psychopathology risk (Hwang & Ting, 2008), and strained parent-child relationships (Heeseung & Dancy, 2009). Other findings link parental mental health with parent-adolescent conflict (Dekovic, 1999). Our study examined the relationships among parent-adolescent acculturative stress, parental depression, and parent-adolescent conflict among Korean immigrants. Mediation analyses indicated parental depression mediated the relationship between parent-adolescent acculturative stress and parent-adolescent conflict (β = .08, 95% CI [.00, .19]). Findings suggest parent-adolescent acculturative stress may negatively influence parental mental health, which may then influence parent-adolescent conflict.

Caitlin Deonier <deonierc@spu.edu>

Seattle Pacific University, Department of Undergraduate Psychology

Populations with developmental disabilities (DD) are at heightened risk of becoming infected with COVID-19, which may lead to high levels of stress challenging their ability to cope effectively. This study was part of a larger web-based survey focused on those uniquely impacted by DD and their coping mechanisms. Participants were 106 individuals and families uniquely impacted by DD. Results indicated perceived stress predicted maladaptive coping mechanisms, however it did not predict adaptive coping mechanisms. These findings highlight the need for more support for these populations, with an emphasis on utilizing adaptive coping strategies when under greater levels of perceived stress.

Chloe Quinnett

Clinical Psychology

​ Although ample evidence has supported its preventative role in reducing the spread of COVID-19, mask-wearing during the pandemic has been politicized such that noncompliance with mask-wearing recommendations has increased. Our poster will present data collected during the early weeks of the pandemic. In this poster we report the results of a moderated mediation that analyzes the mediating role of mask-wearing in the relationship between perceived stigma about mask-wearing and mental health. We further expect that the proportion of other people who are wearing masks will moderate the relationship between perceived stigma and mask-wearing.

Clara O'Brien, Jaylee York, & Ashley R. Righetti

Clinical Psychology

The present theoretical framework evaluated the literature on artificial intelligence (AI) ethical frameworks and assembled leadership guidelines for facilitating ethical AI practices. The recommended leadership behaviors are in alignment with the ethical pillars of transparency, non-maleficence, justice, and privacy. Leaders foster ethical AI utilization in organizations by sharing appropriate information, protecting others from harm, creating fairness, and respecting confidentiality. Given the increased implementation of AI in organizations, more research is needed to understand the impacts of leader behaviors on ethical AI practices.

Diana Wolfe, Mintesinot Misgano, and Justin Wang

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

The sudden onset of a global pandemic put therapists in a unique position; therapists that have always practiced in an office found themselves providing therapy from their homes. With this change, this study seeks to measure two things: the first goal of this study is to determine if therapists have encountered more instances of countertransference since practicing in their homes. And the second goal of the study is to determine if it has been more difficult to practice self-care since seeing clients at home over telehealth. With less of a separation between work and home life, there are many things that can change for the therapist.

Elliott Duea

Marriage & Family Therapy

About 16% of adolescents have engaged in deliberate self-harm (Muehlenkamp et al., 2012). These adolescents will experience a range of negative effects and can possibly engage in other high-risk behaviors (Westers & Plener, 2020). Solution-focused brief therapy is known to be cost-effective and applicable in school-based settings (Szlyk, 2018). Since teens are more likely to receive support in school settings, examining the effectiveness of SFBT is beneficial. Applying solution-focused brief therapy in a school-based setting will decrease self-harm tendency behaviors in adolescents. Our sample size will include both male and female participants ages 12-18 years old. Using data from collected online surveys, we will examine the effectiveness of the relationship between SFBT in King County School District and self-harm in adolescents.

Enas Albar and Violet Ohsiek

Marriage & Family Therapy

It is very common for cancer patients to experience depression while undergoing treatment (Vega et al., 2014). Previous studies have tested the effectiveness of several types of therapeutic interventions for depression in cancer patients. However, few studies have focused on the use of narrative therapy in this population specifically. This study seeks to test the effectiveness of narrative therapy for cancer patients currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment using the PHQ-9 and White's maps of narrative therapy (Kroenke et al. 2001; 2007).

Gretchen Hoyum

Marriage & Family Therapy

The current study examined the relationship between dehumanization and the corresponding treatment of and support for individuals experiencing homelessness. Participants (N = 240) took part in a short survey assessing their perceptions of individuals experiencing homelessness, the extent to which they engaged in behaviors to avoid individuals experiencing homelessness, and their attitudes about offering physical and financial support. Two questions then assessed the importance of social justice issues. Analyses revealed that perceptions of human uniqueness significantly predicted avoidance and support for tax increases. Additionally, the perceived importance of social justice issues moderated the relationship between the attribution of human uniqueness traits and avoidant behavior.

Isabelle Dennis & Anna Dischinger <dennisi@spu.edu>

Undergraduate Psychology

Previous studies of morality have relied on self-report measures to track changes in morality. Tracking autonomic responses in congruence with self-report measures offers more reliable data. Self-reported deontological responses in past research have shown stronger autonomic responses compared to that of utilitarian answers. Moral decision-making may elicit a physical response and thus changes can be tracked through measurements of autonomic responses. Some current methods of measuring autonomic responses to various situations and decision-making are tracking galvanic skin response, heart activity, and eye activity. These can be used as measures of autonomic nervous system activity and be used to distinguish changes in moral reasoning elicited through moral development exercises.

Jamie Lee

Undergraduate Psychology

In our ongoing study, we are examining the mental health of individuals who identify as Asian immigrants, Asian Americans, and Asian international students. Participants are being recruited through social media, listservs, and posters. Participants are asked to complete an online questionnaire which contained measures of pain attitudes (PAQ-R; Yong et al., 2003), acquired capability for suicide (ACSS; Van Orden et al., 2008), and past NSSI (SITBI-SF; Nock et al., 2007). A multiple linear regression will then be used to test if past NSSI will moderate the relationship between subjective pain tolerance and acquired capability.

*A Research assistant will stand in place of the presenter. If you have additional questions, Please direct any comments and/or questions directly to the presenter e-mail listed below. Thank you!*

Janelle Y. Wee <janelleywee@spu.edu>

Clinical Psychology

Our study employed a 2 (morality: high vs. low) x 2 (warmth: high vs. low) between participants' design to test the boundary conditions of vicarious contact to improve perceptions of individuals experiencing homelessness. Participants were randomly assigned to a condition where they learned about an in-group member's character before reading about a positive encounter the in-group member had with an individual experiencing homelessness. Following the vicarious contact, participants completed a dehumanization measure. Data analysis will be utilized to investigate whether vicarious contact through any in-group member is effective, or if the in-group member must be perceived positively.

Jenessa Higgs, Diedrah Todd, Abby VanderKooi

Undergraduate Psychology

Attachment deficits are prevalent among adoptive children especially after their first year in adoption (van den Dries, 2009). While treatment with the focus on the attachment needs of adopted children and adoptive parents’ attunement has been increasingly discussed, not much has been researched on the impact of the family systems approach, including the exploration of the parents’ emotional experiences around adoption. In addition, more studies that strictly focus on treating adoptive children’s attachment issues after their first year of adoption are needed. By incorporating the Taking Care of Adoption (TCA) model, which is based on the integration of a family systems approach and attachment theory, this research will recruit 40 adoptive families for a ten-week treatment and hopes to shine light on the needs to explore the adoptive parents’ emotional experiences on the adoption issues to secure an increased attachment in their parent-child relationship.

Julianne Park

Marriage & Family Therapy

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has a profound impact on the physical and mental health of people around the world. Individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) may be especially vulnerable because they are disproportionately impacted by the negative outcomes of COVID-19 (Abedi et al., 2020). Given the multiple negative outcomes associated with COVID-19, it is important to assess the coping abilities and resiliency factors in vulnerable populations such as individuals with autism and DD. Active coping, a problem-focused coping strategy in response to adversity, has been associated with subjective well-being, specifically, higher levels of life satisfaction and positive affect (Zacher & Rudolph, 2020). The purpose of this study was to explore coping strategies utilized by individuals and caregivers impacted by DD. We hypothesized that families with children with DD and a caregiver with DD would demonstrate greater difficulties with adaptive coping strategies during the pandemic compared to adults with DD.

This study utilized cross-sectional data collected during COVID-19 through a web-based survey. We examined coping abilities by participant type: parents of children with DD, adults with DD, and families in which both a caregiver and child have a DD. Participants were recruited from locations all across the United States and consisted of 65 parents of children with DD (89% female), 35 adults with DD (60% female), and 6 parents of children with DD who also have a DD themselves (66.67% female). Adult diagnoses included 11 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 6 with ADHD, 18 with multiple DD, and 6 with other DD. Child diagnoses included 20 with ASD, 6 with ADHD, 38 with multiple DD, and 8 with other DD. The active coping subscale from the Brief COPE Inventory was used to assess self-reported levels of active coping (Carver, 1997).

An ANOVA was conducted to evaluate the relation between participant type and their level of active coping. Results indicated a significant effect of participants type on levels of active coping scores F(2, 103) = 6.03, p = .003, η2= .10. In a series of post-hoc comparisons, there were statistically significant differences between the parents of children with DD who also have a DD themselves and adults with DD (p = .001), and parents of children with DD (p = .001), but not between adults with DD and parents of children with DD (p = .081).

These findings suggest that parents of children with DD who also have a DD themselves engage in greater levels of active coping compared to parents of children with DD and adults with DD. Parents with DD may develop strengths in problem-focused coping by learning to manage challenges associated with their experience of having a disability in addition to obstacles related to caregiving for a child with DD. Researchers should continue to examine the effectiveness of active coping strategies and how to better support and advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Kaitlyn M. Drafton

Clinical Psychology

Public suicide prevention efforts have done little to dismantle suicide as the tenth leading cause of death in the United States in 2018. The 911 emergency call system is an essential part of these public health efforts; 20% of crisis calls to police originate from individuals battling a mental health crisis or illness. This study examined over 1,071 Washington State Police 911 calls to determine if help-seeking means could help predict the fate of the suicidal individual. The referral means by family and friends, self-referral, or bystanders more likely predicted monitoring by public authorities, safety intervention, or adverse outcome, respectively.

Katherine O'Connell <oconnellk1@spu.edu>

Clinical Psychology

This longitudinal study is focused on using the Polyvagal theory and identifying its efficiency in reducing PTSD symptoms in adolescents between the ages of 13-18. Launching into early adulthood with a dysregulated nervous system presents challenges for the client both physiologically and psychologically. While talk-therapy is effective in helping a client psychologically process the trauma, it often does not address the clients physiological state of the stored trauma. Without intervention to the clients physiological system, symptoms of the PTSD can persist and increase risk for psychological and physical comorbidities as well as increase the likelihood of intergenerational trauma within relational and family systems. In this study we seek to address the clients physiological stored trauma using the Polyvagal Theory. We seek to measure how effective polyvagal theory is in re-patterning a clients dysregulated nervous system long-term. We also seek to identify how efficient polyvagal theory is in reducing PTSD symptoms in adolescent clients.

Kristyna Richards

Marriage & Family Therapy

Eating disorders have been increasing in severity and frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic. We as clinicians are seeing an unprecedented time and an increased amount of individuals with eating disorders. Individuals are experiencing lockdown, isolation, increased fear of exposure and contraction, and disruption in regular routine. Clients and clinicians are being encouraged to conduct therapy virtually and through a screen which can create a distance between the individuals and a less genuine connection. Little to no research has been done on telehealth and the effectiveness of treatment of eating disorders during COVID-19. Our proposed research study focuses on the effectiveness of telehealth treatment for eating disorders during COVID-19 in comparison with in-person treatment.

Kylee Hellstern

Marriage & Family Therapy

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is one of the most lethal and debilitating psychiatric disorders with a long recovery rate, underscoring the need for efficacious treatment. Although research has made significant advances in individual and systemic treatment options for AN, none have examined the use of family-based treatment options with adults experiencing AN. The following study aims to explore the efficacy of Emotionally-focused family therapy (EFFT) in the treatment of AN with the adult population.

Lea Fingerhut

Marriage & Family Therapy

The SPU Experience Project focuses on multiple aspects of identity development of students at a private religious institution. We developed the Adaptive Measure of Identity Statuses: Religion (AMIS-R) to assess the process of religious identity formation, which allows for change between identity statuses. We examined the convergent validity of the AMIS-R with the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL) which measures religious behaviors, public, and private involvement. We added to the DUREL the factor "Experience of the Divine" to measure internal feelings of divine presence. By combining these measures, we can assess the relationship between the process of religious identity formation in relation to religious behaviors and experiences. Data was collected via Qualtrics with a sample of SPU undergraduates from a variety of majors (N = 232) with the following Demographic characteristics: age 18-38 (M = 19.2), cis female = 77.7%, cis male = 14.9%, other genders = 7.4%, POC = 47.8%, White = 52.2%, religious = 55.4%, spiritual = 29.7%, none = 14.9%. We found that the items we developed for both scales were reliable and had strong convergent validity. The AMIS-R Future Change subscale and all DUREL subscales had the strongest correlations, suggesting that SPU students are very active in the process of changing their beliefs and behaviors concerning religion. Additionally, high religious commitment scores were associated with more openness to change and critical thinking, suggesting that students may consider these kinds of explorations necessary in order to make religious commitments.

Leilani Miller

Seattle Pacific University, School of Psychology, Family and Community

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of culturally adaptive, trauma-informed Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) on Cambodian refugees with PTSD, depression, and/or somatic symptom disorder.  Participants will be drawn from a geographical area with the largest concentration of Cambodian Americans in the Seattle, Washington area.  Eligible participants are adults who have been diagnosed with PTSD, major depression, and/or somatoform disorders who have lived in Cambodia at some point during the Khmer Rouge regime before resettling in Seattle.  Half of the participants will be offered trauma-focused EFIT while the other half will receive their usual psychiatric and general medical care. Participants will complete self-reported assessments for PTSD, major depression, and somatic symptom disorders prior to the study and also at a 12-month follow-up.  Our hypothesis is that the use of trauma-informed psychotherapy will reduce symptoms of PTSD, major depression, and somatic symptom disorders among Cambodian refugees compared to the group participants who received their usual psychiatric and general medical care. 

Liane Whang

Marriage & Family Therapy

This study aims to explore the effect that expressive writing could have as an intervention for improving self-compassion, anxiety, depression, and stress associated with relational distress in a therapeutic environment. Participants will be split into two groups, and both will attend therapy with a focus on a relational problem in their life. The control group will receive 8 talk therapy sessions, while the intervention group will receive 5 talk therapy sessions and 3 sessions focusing on an expressive writing assignment. Participants will be screened for recent traumatic events, will need to be over the age of 18, and will need to be open to discussing their problems related to anxiety, depression, stress, self-compassion, and relational distress with a therapist. Participants will be asked to complete various measures prior to the treatment, after the final therapy session, and again at a later time to identify whether the treatment has longer-term effects.

Lindsay McCue

Marriage & Family Therapy

Teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience bullying and social exclusion more than typically developing teens which can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. These consequences are related to significant impairments in social reciprocity, a core feature of ASD. Face-to-face social skills training (SST) like the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) for Adolescents (PEERS) has been found to increase social skills for youth with ASD. Can these SSTs be brought online? Minecraft, a versatile online platform and a shared language among teenagers across the globe has been used therapeutically to increase social skills (i.e. social reciprocity, social problem solving, and social collaboration) while minimizing the negative sense of self heightened in face to face experiences. Using the pre-post tests for social skills and scales of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, this study aims to examine the effectiveness of adapting this program in the Minecraft-based environment with 30 teenagers with high functioning ASD (ages 13-18).

Linh Truong and Susan Dorn

Marriage & Family Therapy

The American law enforcement’s disproportionate maltreatment and violence against the BIPOC community has become a mainstream social issue. As racism and discrimination have been interwoven into American society since the country’s origin it is negligent to think that differential and unfair treatment starts and ends with police. Using the data from this study we will examine the relationship between racial minority status and the rate of use of intensive interventions and seclusion in inpatient mental health facilities.

Marissa Mackey <Mackeym1@spu.edu>

Marriage & Family Therapy

The SPU Experience Project emphasizes multiple aspects of identity development of students in our institution. As part of this project, we developed the Adaptive Measure of Identity Statuses: Ethnicity (AMIS-E) which assesses ethnic identity development. To understand how ethnic identity impacts the SPU Experience, in particular, we used the Diverse Learning Environment Measure (DLE) to test the fit of SPU’s environment with the ethnic minority identity. The combination of these measures allows us to see the connection between ethnic identity exploration in relation to the presence of a diverse learning environment (e.g., peer interactions, experiences of discrimination, and access to campus resources). This connection is especially important during the Emerging Adulthood stage in which students explore their ethnic identity options to form enduring identity commitments. Data was collected from a sample of SPU's undergraduate students: (N=232; White=31%; POC=50% (Native American=0.9%, Hispanic/Latino=9%, Middle Eastern=0.9%, Asian=19%, Black=6%, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander=0.4%, Multiracial=13%); Missing=19%). Results show that POC students scored higher on the AMIS-E than their White counterparts; indicating higher levels of exploration and commitment to their ethnic identity. However, the negative correlations between the perceived level of diverse learning environment and ethnic identity commitment and exploration indicates that the current state of SPU’s diversity environment may not foster the ethnic identity development of students of color.

Noha Elbahouty & Emily Nguyen

Undergraduate Psychology

There are an estimated 30 million individuals with dementia and that number is likely to doubles every twenty years. Individuals with dementia typically need additional support, which comes from caregivers. It is important to look at the life satisfaction of caregivers, both family and nonfamilial, compared to non-caregivers (Brodaty & Donkin, 2009). Caregivers experience higher rates of depression, stress, health complications, and lower rates of life satisfaction (Borg & Hallberg, 2006). This has clinical implications as it can demonstrate how therapists can provide resources and tools for caregivers to reduce depression, stress, and burden. This study aims to explore the differences between life satisfaction for caregivers while taking care of someone with dementia and non-caregivers life satisfaction.

Raelynn Johnston

Marriage & Family Therapy

This pilot study investigated the effects of chronic mild stress on a variety of cognitive and behavioral tasks in Sprague-Dawley rats. Our study consisted of two cohorts, one housed individually and one housed in dyad pairs, stressed over six weeks. We then examined the rat’s weight, sucrose preference, forced swim behaviors, and performance on maze-based cognitive tasks. Tests were conducted to examine whether chronic stress was sufficient to induce inflammation in the brain that would result in significant deficits. Results will be compared with analysis of the brains post-mortem to examine potential neurobiological correlates in regions of the rodent brain

Rocky Marks

Undergraduate Psychology

Studies have indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread isolation, which has increased the risk of psychological harm on individuals with developmental disabilities (DD). Previous research posits that adaptive coping is a protective factor against loneliness with females being more likely to engage in active coping than males, but more research is needed on individuals identifying as non-binary. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine adaptive coping, loneliness, and gender differences of individuals impacted by DD. Results indicated that higher adaptive coping scores predicted lower loneliness scores and females displayed higher adaptive coping than non-binary individuals.

Taylor DeMotta

Clinical Psychology