Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2022, Human Ecology: Family and Consumer Sciences Education

This dissertation consists of three related research studies investigating attire, social media, and the fear of missing out. The first research study, framed through impression management theory, investigates the association between an employee's chosen work attire and their work productivity while working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two surveys collected the data for this research study. The first was completed in June 2020 and is an exploratory qualitative study and the second took place one year later, in June 2021, through an exploratory quantitative study. Results show a weak association between an employee's chosen work attire and self-perceived work productivity measures, specifically related to quality of work, work ethic, motivation at work, and mental health. The second study examines the relationship of social media use and financial hardship. Using insights from the financial capability framework and social identity theory, we ask, first, whether the frequency of social media use across the day is associated with an individual's ability to make ends meet and accumulate an emergency savings one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, this study examines the mediating role of fear of missing out. Using a general population sample from the Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 Survey at Washington University in St. Louis, ordinary least squares (OLS) linear regression findings indicate a strong relationship of social media use and financial outcomes, and that this relationship is partially mediated by the fear of missing out. These results shed light on the role of interventions that target the role of social media use in preventing financial hardship situations. The third study explores the relationship between the fear of missing out, parasocial interactions, social shopping, and wellbeing, specifically looking at social, psychological, and financial wellbeing. Using data collected via Amazon's Mechanical Turk (mTurk), this study examined (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Cäzilia Loibl (Advisor); Jung Eun Lee (Committee Member); Ann Paulins (Committee Member); Julie Hillery (Committee Co-Chair) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences

Master of Science, Miami University, 2024, Sport Leadership and Management

Social media use, including fitness tracking sites such as Strava, is related to psychological well-being. In addition, these platforms are a prime context for social comparison. Use of Strava may be linked to well-being depending on one's social comparison tendencies. This study investigated (a) the relationships between the use of Strava and well-being, athlete burnout, and sport enjoyment and (b) if social comparison moderated this relationship. Participants included 213 non-elite runners aged 18 to 30 years (M = 21.55, SD = 3.38). Participants completed an online Qualtrics survey at one time point. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that interacting on Strava did not significantly associate with study outcomes. Social comparison of ability positively associated with reduced accomplishment (β = .19, p = .006) and negatively associated with eudaimonic well-being (β = -.17, p = .016), hedonic well-being (β = -.28, p < .001), and enjoyment (β = -.15, p = .028). The interaction term for social comparison of ability and Strava interaction behaviors negatively predicted sport enjoyment (β = -.17, p = .014). Results suggested that markers of well-being are directly associated with social comparison of ability and indirectly by interactions on Strava.

Committee: Christine Pacewicz (Committee Chair); Callie Maddox (Committee Member); Robin Vealey (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology; Technology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2023, Public Policy and Management

There has been a marked increase in the scale and scope of the criminal justice system over the past 40 years, conferring on those that pass through it nearly indelible effects on economic prospects; wage loss, employment discrimination and, more recently, damage to asset accumulation and wealth building have been identified as important influences on reduced economic wellbeing post-charge (Griffith et al., 2019; Martin et al., 2018; Maroto and Sykes, 2020). These consequences are noteworthy because they are not an intentional and deliberate part of criminal punishment- as “collateral consequences,” they are not by design and fall outside what is legally prescribed as punishment. These consequences are also noteworthy for their persistence and unequal effects across demographic groups that are disadvantaged in other social, political, and economic systems. Concurrently, the American consumer economy has become increasingly financialized, ever more reliant on privately held debt accessed through credit markets that discriminate based on prior market behaviors. As individuals marked by criminal justice engagement navigate this increasingly exclusive consumer economy they may experience a decrease in financial well-being as they struggle to meet rising debt obligations and low cost, high-quality credit tools slip further out of reach. These effects particularly burden those that are disproportionately engaged with the criminal justice system and who are also disadvantaged in financialized markets. This dissertation explores the relationship between criminal justice contact and financial wellbeing, with an eye towards how the criminal justice and consumer credit systems may interact to produce durable economic hardship. I make five main contributions. First, I examine this relationship in the context of the misdemeanor justice system, an under-studied criminal context responsible for the majority of criminal case processing in the US. Second, I make explicit com (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Stephanie Moulton (Committee Chair); Robert Greenbaum (Committee Member); Rachel Dwyer (Committee Member) Subjects: Criminology; Public Policy; Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2023, Social Work

This study examined the impact of a healing justice, professional development 6-hour ethics training, as an intervention designed to promote social workers' mindful self-care and professional wellbeing at the intersections of social justice work. The three aims of this study were: (1) To assess the efficacy of a healing justice training module on social workers' mindful self-care and professional wellbeing; (2) To explore study participants' views on the healing justice training on supporting their wellbeing at the intersections of self-care and social justice work in social work practice; and (3) To explore the integration of the data to capture participants' perspectives on the healing justice training. This study included pretest quantitative data collected from 86 study participants and a total of 47 study participants at posttest (N=21 Intervention Group and N= 26 Waitlist Control). Utilizing a convergent, mixed methods design, study results showed a significant interaction between the intervention effect and time on the Mindful Self Care Scale (MSCS) variable named Mindful Awareness, where there were statistically significant changes at posttest within the treatment versus the waitlist control groups p = .001 with a large effect size = .204. Qualitatively, five major themes and nine subthemes recurred, which included: A) Embodied practices – dance and drum; B) Personal care [subthemes: self-care and mindfulness and awareness]; C) Social work's effects on practitioners [subthemes: burnout and compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction]; D) Institutionalizing healing justice training [subthemes: social work education, social work practice, and continuing education units (CEUs)]; and E) Human diversity [subthemes social work (SWK) needs welcoming spaces for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) folks, and social work is social justice]. The results of this study provided confirmation relative to promising support for continuing to offer a healing jus (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Mo Yee Lee (Committee Chair); Jacquelyn Meshelemiah (Committee Member); Michelle Kaiser (Committee Member) Subjects: Social Work

Master of Science (M.S.), Xavier University, 2023, Psychology

Employee wellbeing is an important construct that can affect several organization-wide outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of one potential predictor of wellbeing, namely recognition. This study also examined if employee engagement moderated the relationship between recognition and wellbeing. It was hypothesized that participants in the recognition conditions would report significantly higher levels of wellbeing than those in the control condition. It was also hypothesized that engagement would moderate the relationship between recognition and wellbeing, such that this relationship would be stronger for participants high on engagement. Participants were first given a measure of engagement and were then randomly assigned to one of four scripts depicting a conversation with a hypothetical manager in which they were received one of four conditions of recognition: two forms of recognition (acknowledgement and gratitude), only acknowledgement, only gratitude, or neither form of recognition. Then, they completed a measure of wellbeing based on the interaction they read about with their hypothetical manager, as well as a demographics form. Finally, they were debriefed. Results showed that participants who received recognition did not report significantly higher wellbeing than those who did not receive recognition, and that engagement did not significantly moderate this relationship. However, engagement was positively and significantly related to wellbeing. These findings suggest that a simple “thank you” or “good job” statement may not be enough to enhance wellbeing, and that managers should focus on increasing employee engagement instead. Nevertheless, future research should be conducted to re-examine these relationships using employees in an actual organization that has an existing recognition program.

Committee: Dalia Diab Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Morrie Mullins Ph.D. (Committee Member); Nattalya Avila M.S. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2021, Environment and Natural Resources

Research into restorative environments and health has provided evidence for physical and mental benefits received from natural settings, views of nature, and general biophilic aspects of the world (Frumkin et al., 2017). Questions remain, however, about the pathways and mechanisms of the nature-wellbeing chain, and whether these benefits are uniformly experienced across individual-level characteristics. The current research used a series of quasi-experimental studies to examine the degree to which differing levels of familiarity with green space influence change in psychological wellbeing and negative affect upon completing a series of two self-directed walks differing in level of naturalness. Participants (n=306) filled out pre- and post-test questionnaires on psychological wellbeing and negative affect, familiarity with natural spaces, sociodemographic and group identities, and changes the COVID-19 pandemic had on their recreation-based views and behavior. The study also established a framework to examine familiarity with nature through green place attachment. With the lens of this framework, disparities and discrepancies in benefits due to (dis)connection with natural spaces, recreation behavior, and social relationships around nature were further explored. The current work answered calls of previous nature and health agendas for categorization of variables and outcomes that will allow for synthesis across studies to build a deeper understanding of underlying processes and benefits from natural spaces on human health. Using a novel categorization technique to determine the naturalness of the unique walk routes chosen by participants while controlling for their individual deviations from norm naturalness perceptions—the current study explored individual-level manifestations of the equigenic effect, characterized by previous studies as low-income households experiencing a proportionally larger wellbeing increase with a steeper slope than advantaged peers' wellbeing (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Alia Dietsch Ph.D. (Advisor); Kristi Lekies Ph.D. (Committee Member); Kerry Ard Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Health; Environmental Studies; Epidemiology; Psychological Tests; Psychology; Sociology

Ed.D., Antioch University, 2024, Education

This dissertation engages the spiritually-inspired methodology of organic inquiry to investigate how teachers practice self-healing in order to become available to students. Self-healing is a vital part of freeing up the teacher's perceptive capacities to more deeply and fully attend to the needs of students. Self-healing work includes a variety of practices and modalities, including spiritual ones, in order to work through trauma, adversity, dis-ease, stress, and one-sidedness. Research shows that self-healing, especially in regards to mindfulness and meditation, equips teachers to confront compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, burnout, illness, and more. There is also ample evidence that training one's attention to see as fully as possible, rather than seeing through narrow or biased lenses, plays an important role in learning and in health and healthy relationships. This research is situated within the emergent biopsychosocial-spiritual framework of health, which recognizes the interconnectedness of body, soul, and spirit in human beings, and within the salutogenic paradigm. This study's contribution to the field begins with stories gathered from teacher's lived experiences through open-ended questionnaires and interviews. In addition, it proposes new axiological considerations for teacher training, credentialing, and professional development that are sourced in expanded models of health and balance, both at the collective and individual levels. Finally, it offers original practices for experimenting with self-healing. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

Committee: Tony Kashani Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Torin Finser Ph.D. (Committee Member); Douglas Gerwin Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Education; Education Philosophy; Health; Mental Health; Spirituality; Teacher Education; Teaching

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 0, Psychology/Clinical

Complex relationships between personal wellbeing and political engagement have yet to be investigated. The existing literature suggests that quality of life measures may not always align with mental health indicators such as anxiety or depression symptoms when it comes to political action. This study aims to illustrate relationships between basic psychological needs, anxiety and depression symptoms, and high- vs. low-investment forms of political activity, as well as how these relationships may vary by objective and perceived minority status. A representative sample of Ohioans (N= 1958) was collected via YouGov to evaluate these relationships with cross sectional data on depression and anxiety symptoms, basic psychological needs satisfaction, demographics and a novel measure of political engagement. Linear regressions, with and without categorical moderators, were performed using R statistical software. Results supported differential relationships of high vs. low-cost engagement for mental health outcomes and relational needs satisfaction; results also demonstrated the expected distinction between the relationships of psychological needs and mental health outcomes to engagement. Minority status did not change these relationships as expected, but both perceived and racial minority status did demonstrate a stronger relationship to all outcomes than did political engagement. These findings suggest nuance is warranted in both predictors and outcomes of wellbeing, and that a person's perception of belonging or exclusion in societal groups may lend as meaningful a contribution to their wellbeing as their demographics. Implications for political behavior, population health, and future study are discussed.

Committee: Joshua Grubbs Ph.D. (Advisor); Joanna Weaver Ph.D. (Other); Michael Zickar Ph.D. (Committee Member); William O'Brien Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Health; Political Science; Psychology

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2024, English: Composition and Rhetoric

This thesis explores the meaning and manifestation of mind-body-spirit connection in teaching and learning within the composition classroom. I advocate for a more inclusive and polyvocal pedagogy, arguing that the prevalent disconnect among mind, body, and spirit reinforces mind-centric, colonizing, and imbalanced teaching. Findings from interviews with composition instructors and autoethnographic data are used to understand how teachers define and implement holistic connection in their teaching practices, focusing especially on understandings of spirituality, power and freedom, and storytelling. Additionally, I detail a personal journaling heuristic including means for multimodal remediation that encourages students and teachers to exercise reflective agency regarding their holistic wellbeing within a compositional context. I conclude by suggesting that an instructor's understanding of the mind-body-spirit connection and holistic wellbeing can lead to healing, balanced relationships with students and self, making way for reflective and compassionate practices that enhance teaching and learning.

Committee: John Tassoni (Committee Chair); Tim Lockridge (Committee Member); Heidi McKee (Committee Member) Subjects: Composition; Pedagogy

PHD, Kent State University, 0, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences

This dissertation examined a sample of individuals with endometriosis-consistent symptoms, who have not yet been formally diagnosed. Their views of endometriosis and their symptoms were measured, and the impact of such perceptions on health outcomes including care-seeking intentions, information seeking behaviors, coping strategies, and wellbeing indices, were examined. The Commonsense Model served as the theoretical guide of this work. Illness perceptions emerged as important predictors of health outcomes, explaining between 19.6% and 48% of the variance in outcomes. Notable illness perceptions that significantly predicted outcomes – regardless of their conceptualization as a symptom or endometriosis perception – were concern and control perceptions. Specifically, high concern and control beliefs predicted important outcomes such as care-seeking intentions, learning one's risk, and coping strategies. Interventions that target concern and control beliefs of patients at risk may most profitably foster endometriosis care-seeking behaviors. Such interventions should avoid also raising any of the perceptions identified as threatening in this work (e.g., emotionality). This dissertation lays groundwork for future research to learn more about those at risk of endometriosis and to inform psychological efforts to improve patient health outcomes. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Committee: John Updegraff (Advisor); Jennifer Taber (Committee Member); Kristen Marcussen (Committee Member); Nichole Egbert (Committee Member); Amy Sato (Committee Member) Subjects: Health; Health Sciences; Psychology; Social Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Art Education

This dissertation shares the process of developing and implementing a fractal inspired design curriculum. The methodology takes on a combination of a participatory action research methodology and several codesign methods. The results of the dissertation are presented in a three-article format. The first article shares the experiences of implementing the fractal curriculum with the general public through three guided nature walks. The second article follows the process of codesigning a fractal curriculum with experienced educators. The third article describes the implementation of the fractal curriculum in an undergraduate studio.

Committee: Dana Kletchka (Advisor); Shari Savage (Advisor); JT Richardson (Committee Member); Rachel Skaggs (Committee Member); Elizabeth Sanders (Committee Member) Subjects: Art Education; Design

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2024, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Criminal Justice

This dissertation seeks to augment research in crime, health, and wellbeing by introducing life satisfaction, or subjective wellbeing into criminological framework. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamic's (PSID) supplemental file, Transition to Adulthood, this study tests 1) the relationship between criminal justice contact and life satisfaction, 2) the moderating influence of religiosity, and 3) the racial/ethnic variance of these relationships. Agnew's 1992 General Strain Theory (GST) is employed as the theoretical underpinning. These relationships are assessed across six waves of data using multiple imputation for missing cases and ordered logistic fixed effects. Findings from this study suggest that criminal justice contact did not have any effect on reported level of life satisfaction across the general sample. Further, religiosity did not significantly moderate the relationship between criminal justice contact and reported level of life satisfaction. However, when stratifying these relationships across race/ethnicity, significance emerged. First, evidence suggests that Blacks who have experienced arrest history relative to never having this experience had higher log odds of reporting higher life satisfaction. Hispanics who had experienced jail incarceration relative to never having experienced this, had lower log odds of reporting higher life satisfaction. Second, religiosity held a positive moderating effect on probation and jail incarceration for Hispanics. Greater importance and higher frequency of service attendance moderated the effect of jail incarceration on reported level of life satisfaction while higher frequency of service attendance moderated the effect of probation history on reported level of life satisfaction. Conclusively, this study found that criminal justice contact is associated with reported level of life satisfaction when considering race/ethnicity. Further, religiosity is evidenced to be a salient factor for Hispanics (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Hexuan Liu Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Byron Johnson Ph.D. (Committee Member); Ben Feldmeyer Ph.D. (Committee Member); Sarah Manchak Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Criminology

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Ohio University, 2024, Sociology

In the past decade, the number of studies of transgender individuals has grown exponentially, but specific research into subcommunities under the broader transgender label is lacking. Most studies focus on either binary transgender individuals (transgender women and transgender men) alone, or combine all persons identifying as any gender other than their gender assigned at birth into one large group of “transgender people.” However, the limited intragroup research that has been done suggests that experiences vary drastically depending on one's gender identity, and we can imagine that the experience of binary transgender individuals would be very different than the experiences of nonbinary transgender individuals. This study reports on the lived experiences of nonbinary people – individuals identifying as neither men nor women, but rather existing outside of the gender binary. Qualitative interview methods were used to gather information from nonbinary individuals about their personal experiences with identity development, external experiences of stress from other people, and the internalized impacts of minority stress. Based in grounded theory, the subsequent report on these interviews includes discussion and analyses of the data collected. This discussion utilized a newly suggested framework – the Respect, Support, and Perception Theory – for analyzing interpersonal relationships with genderqueer individuals and the potential internalized effects that these relationships have on nonbinary individuals.

Committee: Charlie Morgan (Advisor); Patricia Stokes (Advisor) Subjects: Gender; Gender Studies; Glbt Studies; Sociology

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2024, Psychology/Clinical

Community-based organizations provide opportunities for citizen participation. These organizations typically depend on employees and volunteers to provide myriad services with the goals of positively impacting their clientele and their communities. To maintain and develop a base of citizen participators, community-based organizations must consider ways to motivate and make participation in their organizations worthwhile. The present study examined the relationship between individual characteristics (i.e., demographic information), participant context (i.e., direct contact with clientele, level of responsibility, volunteer/employee status) organizational factors (i.e., type of organization, time with organization, COVID-related distress), and personal psychological benefits (i.e., life satisfaction, psychological wellbeing, sense of community, mattering, self-efficacy) among employees and volunteers of three types of non-profit community-based organizations. A sample of 144 adults (91 employees 53 volunteers) affiliated with community-based organizations for at least a year (M = 7.26 years; SD = 7.76) completed an online survey to assess individual characteristics, community-based organizational factors, and personal psychological benefits of organizational involvement as citizen participation. Results indicated that individual characteristics (i.e., income) were differentially related to personal benefits (i.e., wellbeing/life satisfaction, mattering/sense of community, self-efficacy). Results also suggested that organizational factors (i.e. type of organization) were not associated with personal benefits of citizen participation. Further, results suggested that participant context factors (i.e., direct contact with clientele, level of responsibility, volunteer/employee status) were associated with personal benefits such that greater contact with clientele was associated with greater self-efficacy, and greater organizational responsibility was related to higher leve (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Catherine Stein Ph.D. (Committee Chair); William O'Brien Ph.D. (Committee Member); Michael Zickar Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2024, Social Welfare

Following the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic as a public health emergency, a large body of research emerged that suggested adverse effects on mental health that disproportionately impacted historically oppressed and marginalized groups. However, much of this research failed to consider the role of lifetime potentially traumatic events, despite evidence that past trauma experiences influence distress during subsequent crises, as well as evidence that demonstrates social determinants of health stemming from structural inequalities are associated with increased exposure to potentially traumatic events. In addition, research largely overlooked protective factors, such as social support, that may buffer against adverse outcomes during this distressing time. Informed by Structural Violence Theory, Social Determinants of Health Frameworks, the Stress Sensitization Hypothesis, and Relational Regulation theory, this dissertation addressed these gaps by exploring associations among lifetime exposure to potentially traumatic events, social support, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings across the scoping review, the quantitative study, and the qualitative study highlight associations between exposure to potentially traumatic events and mental health outcomes. Findings from the scoping review and the quantitative study suggest that there was an increased risk of mental health challenges for individuals with trauma exposure. Specifically, in the quantitative study, higher levels of anxiety were found among study participants who had the highest probability of exposure to different forms of trauma. Social support did not serve as a protective factor for classes with probabilities of greater exposure to trauma. Qualitative interviews further explored this complexity, finding that social support and relationships were often protective during the pandemic, but sometimes contributed to poorer mental health and wellbeing. Findings inform social work practice a (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Megan Holmes PhD (Committee Chair) Subjects: Public Health; Social Work

MS, Kent State University, 2024, College of Architecture and Environmental Design

As urban populations continue to grow, so does the need to address local issues such as food security and accessibility. Green walls, particularly those used in Vertical Farming (VF) practices, are of interest due to their potential for abundance in the urban environment and ability to provide secondary benefits relating to equity and community engagement. Coupled with recent advancements made in 3D printing technology and the advent of bio-composite filaments, this study aims to utilize 3D printing to establish a baseline for cultivating food crops in PLA based wood bio-composite substrates. This research uses an experimental approach to assess the germination and growth of arugula microgreens (Eruca vesicaria) in three, commercially available filament types from two different manufacturers: 100% pure PLA (polylactic acid), PLA with 11% wood powder, and PLA with 30% wood powder. After determining an optimal substrate design utilizing a gyroid infill pattern, three successive growth trials were conducted to test the following variables: growth in a vertical orientation, varied density of the 3D printed substrate, and increased panel scale with and without fertigation. The results of the plant germination trials showed that while all filament types could support microgreen growth, those with wood fillers had higher rates of germination and biomass production. Though the amount of harvestable yield was not found to be statistically different between filament types or fertigation treatment, the increased production of biomass found in wood bio-composite filaments suggest they are able to facilitate shorter plant establishment periods and encourage root growth. Additionally, moisture readings taken during the third trial suggest that the percentage of wood infill within a filament is directly correlated to the substrate's ability to retain moisture. The study also explored larger architectural applications including the design of a modular wall assembly using 3D printed (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Reid Coffman (Advisor); Nick Safley (Committee Member); Rui Liu (Committee Member) Subjects: Agriculture; Architecture

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2023, Nursing: Nursing - Doctoral Program

Problem: Correctional nurses in the United States (U.S.) are known to work in inherently stressful environments due to the punitive nature of correctional facilities paired with staffing shortages, low resources, overcrowding, violence, and deteriorating living conditions of incarcerated persons. Prolonged and increased Job Stress may negatively impact the health and Wellbeing of those nurses that work within these environments. Poor Wellbeing leads to worse quality of life, impacted by poor sleep, anxiety, depression, and burnout. Additionally, Job Stress may adversely affect both patient and organizational outcomes, by impacting quality of care provided, increasing costs of sick days, and high turnover rates for facilities. The purpose of this manuscript format dissertation was to evaluate the impact that work has on the Wellbeing of correctional nurses through three distinct projects. Methods: Project 1 explored the current state of evidence regarding the correctional nurse working environment and identified causes of stress and burnout through an integrative review of the literature. Project 2 used a cross-sectional online REDCap survey of a sample of 270 U.S. correctional nurses to describe Organizational Characteristics (i.e., Job Demands, Job Control, Managerial Support, Colleague Support, Workplace Relationships), Job Stress, and Wellbeing levels in this group. Using the same dataset from Project 2 and guidance from the Job Demands-Resources Theory, Project 3 tested a model to determine the direct relationship between Organizational Characteristics and nurses' self-reported Wellbeing through multiple linear regression modeling. Project 3 also explored the mediating effect of Job Stress on the relationship between correctional Organizational Characteristics and correctional nurse Wellbeing through structural equation modeling. Findings: Project 1 included analysis of 11 articles that met inclusion criteria. Results revealed Job Stressors of con (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Gordon Gillespie Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Kermit Davis Ph.D. (Committee Member); Samantha Boch Ph.D. (Committee Member); Beverly Hittle Ph.D. (Committee Chair) Subjects: Nursing

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, 2023, Psychology

Unrealistic optimism is associated with more risky behaviors, less health-promoting behaviors, and greater belief in one's invulnerability (Dillard et al., 2009; Spendelow & Jose, 2010; Weinstein, 1980). Currently, there is limited information regarding college students' assessment of their mental health risk and the mental health implications of unrealistic optimism. The present study sought to expand the literature and explore if college students' group status (i.e., unrealistic optimists, realists, and unrealistic pessimists) as it related to their risk of depression and anxiety at the beginning of the first semester of college (T1) would be associated with psychological well-being and health related behaviors at the end of the first semester of college (T2), while controlling for social desirability. A minimum of 152 participants needed to be retained from T1 to T2; however, only 104 were retained. As a result, primary analyses examined the cross-sectional data from 187 participants at T1 instead. Results indicate that this particular cohort of first year students had high social desirability despite the anonymity of the surveys. Furthermore, this cohort also unexpectedly had more unrealistic pessimists than those in previous unrealistic optimism research studies. Lastly, results indicate that unrealistic optimists had worse mental health outcomes than realists and unrealistic pessimists. Despite limitations, this research filled a number of gaps in the unrealistic optimism literature and has implications for applied research that could examine the benefits of identifying students' optimism status. Furthermore, this study offered interesting insights about optimism group statuses that can inform future experimental studies, as well as popular perception.

Committee: Jennifer E. Gibson Ph.D. (Advisor); Nicholas Salsman Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Member); Jennifer E. Phillips Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

MAE, Otterbein University, 2023, Education

The purpose of this project is to present a professional development curriculum that promotes teacher wellbeing through a book study. The curriculum was developed considering the following research question: How can a book study be used to support strategies for teacher wellbeing? The frameworks used to answer the research question and create the curriculum were PLC Book Study Guide (FLDOE, n.d.) and Professional Book Study (UFT Teacher Center, n.d.). The proposed book study is planned to take place over a six-month period and includes four meetings. A list of pre-selected books that promote teacher wellbeing, a sample book study invitation, monthly reading schedule, group norms and roles, reading guide, and protocols for each meeting are included in the curriculum. Teacher leaders can use the created curriculum to promote teacher wellbeing through a book study.

Committee: Allison McGrath Dr. (Advisor); Daniel Cho Dr. (Other); Susan Constable Dr. (Other) Subjects: Curriculum Development; Education; Higher Education; Teacher Education

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2023, Sociology

Stakeholders in developing contexts rely heavily on the enactment of gender-based policies and improvements in the material conditions of women as markers of gender equality and women's levels of empowerment. Yet, women's empowerment is a multidimensional concept with behavioral, psychological, and political dimensions such as changes in women's levels of autonomy, agency, sense of purpose, happiness and life satisfaction as well as the development of a critical consciousness necessary to resist various forms of gender inequality. Using the most recent World Values Survey (2012), this study addresses two research questions: what demographic characteristics account for individuals' gender role ideologies and what is the relationship between gender role ideology and women's psychological well-being? Bivariate and regression results show sex differences in the relationship between gender role ideology and psychological well-being. Additionally, education, age and an openness to scientific arguments over religious ones have the most positive consequences for the development of egalitarian gender role ideology while having children led to reductions in egalitarian views. However, gender egalitarian ideology is linked to increases in women's sense of purpose, an important dimension of psychological wellbeing. The findings of this study lend credence to the importance of expanding access to formal education beyond the primary school level and using nontraditional teaching methods to foster critical thinking and the deconstruction of traditional gender role ideologies.

Committee: JUAN XI (Committee Chair); REBECCA J ERICKSON (Committee Member); YANG Y LIN (Committee Member); ROBERT PERALTA (Committee Member); KATHRYN FELTEY (Committee Member) Subjects: Gender; Gender Studies; Social Psychology; Social Research; Sociology