Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2013, Experimental Psychology (Arts and Sciences)

There are infinite possibilities when two people meet for the first time. Is uncertainty ever alluring? Are mysterious people more romantically enchanting than well-defined people? There is a great deal of evidence that uncertainty contributes to negative psychological outcomes, however the present research hypothesized that some perceivers would actually feel enhanced initial romantic attraction towards targets imbued with uncertainty. Importantly, target-uncertainty should only increase attraction among perceivers with chronically low levels of aversion to uncertainty--i.e., those with lower personal need for structure (PNS). Conversely, high PNS perceivers should be repelled by uncertain targets, thereby displaying the opposite pattern. Two different research paradigms were consistent with the hypothesized interaction between target-uncertainty and PNS. In both, participants were induced to experience more (less) uncertainty about an opposite-sex stranger whom they would ostensibly be interacting with for a "conversation task." Consistent with expectations, participants with lower PNS were generally more attracted to the target when he was made more uncertain. Contrariwise, higher PNS perceivers reported less attraction to uncertain targets, but more attraction to comparatively well-defined targets. To further investigate, a third study utilized a more self-relevant form of target-uncertainty (i.e., target's degree of attraction to the perceiver). The target-uncertainty by PNS model did not replicate under these circumstances. However, participants' wondering and curiosity about the target's opinion of them predicted attraction later in the experiment, even when controlling for a variety of confounding variables. Collectively, these studies suggest that uncertainty can be positively or negatively related to attraction, though this relationship appears to be quite nuanced. It may depend on PNS in some circumstances. It may also depend on whether uncertainty transl (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Keith Markman PhD (Advisor) Subjects: Psychology

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 1980, Psychology

An ipsative model is presented relating individual growth and relatedness need strength and opportunities to satisfy these needs through work activities with opportunities to satisfy these needs through nonwork activities. A sample of 200 full-time Ohio National Guard technicians completed a questionnaire testing the Model. Chi-square statistics supported the proposed relationship between the three variables for the relatedness need but not for the growth need, while partial correlations supported the proposed relationship for both relatedness and growth needs. The proposed moderating effects of the opportunities variable on the relationship between need strength and need satisfaction was partially supported. Limitations of the study are discussed and future research is outlined.

Committee: Robert Billings (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 1980, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Chemistry

My dissertation research develops Raman spectroscopy-based sensors to measure aspects of human and plant health or disease states at the point of need, specifically in areas where current sensing methods are insufficient. The first main project area involves monitoring plant health, specifically soil ecology, in real time without harvesting the plant. Sensors are needed to non-invasively observe chemical changes expressed in plant leaves which result from nutrition conditions in the soil. These sensors would be especially useful to inform fertilization practices, increasing efficiency and sustainability. The second major project area focuses on developing a rapid and accurate diagnostic assay for COVID-19. The limitations of established testing methods, such as at-home antigen tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, motivate the exploration of alternative techniques that do not sacrifice accuracy for speed. To tackle these sensing challenges, my research employs Raman spectroscopy, which uses light to probe the molecular composition of a sample. Each molecule has a unique Raman signature, and Raman signal is proportional to the concentration of molecules present in the sample, making the technique highly advantageous for identification and quantification. Raman signals can be collected quickly and non-destructively with minimal sample preparation. To detect low concentrations of analytes or poorly scattering analytes, we use surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), a technique in which metal nanostructures amplify the Raman signals of the molecules near the nanostructures. Overall, this dissertation work focuses on optimizing portable Raman and SERS methods to non-invasively assess plant health and to detect COVID, all in a matter of seconds. Chapter 1 introduces the background and motivation for these projects, as well as the analytical techniques used to address them. Chapter 2 describes the development of handheld Raman techniques to monitor th (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Zachary Schultz (Advisor) Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Chemistry

Master of Arts in Psychology, Cleveland State University, 2023, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

A large body of research has investigated the role of religious belief within terror management theory and the cognitive science of religion, with interesting results emerging for atheists as compared to religious individuals. While atheists explicitly disavow religion, implicit measurement techniques have revealed an intuitive belief in religious concepts, particularly following reminders of death (Jong et al., 2012). However, to date, no studies have directly observed the cognitive processes that underlie these effects. In response to this gap in the literature, the present study seeks to propose and test a model of the cognitive pathways utilized by religious and atheistic individuals as they manage existential concerns. Specifically, this model proposes that following mortality salience (MS), both religious and atheistic individuals experience intuitive religious belief due to evolutionary cognitive biases. These intuitions are then consciously shaped in accordance with explicitly endorsed ideologies, leading religious individuals to accept intuitive religious belief and atheistic individuals to override their intuitions with a more analytic orientation. As such, the present study hypothesized that MS (compared to pain) would lead to decreased need for cognition (NFC) in Christians but increased NFC in atheists. In a sample of 248 adults, an ANOVA indicated that Christians primed with MS reported lower NFC than those primed with pain, while the opposite effect emerged for atheists, providing compelling evidence for the proposed model. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Committee: Kenneth Vail III (Advisor); Kathleen Reardon (Committee Member); Michael Horvath (Committee Member); Eric Allard (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology; Religion; Social Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2023, Educational Studies

The field of online language education is experiencing rapid growth, emphasizing the need to understand factors that influence students' communication behaviors in online learning environments. This research study examines the relationships between need satisfaction, willingness to communicate (WTC), quantity of communication(i.e., frequency of communication), and quality of communication (i.e., language performance) in asynchronous and synchronous learning modes. Using Experience Sampling Methodology, data was collected from high school students enrolled in an online language course. Weekly surveys were used to capture participants' situational need satisfaction, WTC, and quantity of communication. Quality of communication was assessed through weekly writing assignments and synchronous speaking performance. Findings from multiple group path analyses revealed that students' need satisfaction for competence, and relatedness were significantly related to their WTC in both asynchronous and synchronous learning modes. The study identified differences in relationship patterns in asynchronous and synchronous learning modes, highlighting the influence of specific contextual factors on communication behaviors. Additionally, the study employed cross-lagged analyses to explore the temporal effects between need satisfaction and WTC, and between WTC and communication behaviors. The findings revealed the associations between students' prior learning experiences, students' perceptions, and subsequent engagements over time. The study explored the specificity of relationships within and across learning modes and content units, providing insights into contextual factors that are associated with students' communication behaviors. By examining the differences in relationships across various modes and considering temporal dynamics within specific contexts, this research enhances our understanding of factors contributing to supportive online environments and positive communication (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Kui Xie (Advisor); Minjung Kim (Committee Member); David Stein (Committee Member) Subjects: Education

Master of Social Work, The Ohio State University, 2023, Social Work

Concerns over youth mental health are rising in tandem alongside national and local agendas aimed at addressing these concerns. Sport is one such space that can promote positive youth mental health yet drop-out rates among youth sport participants are rising. To keep youth in sport, researchers examined motivation for continued participation through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). SDT suggests that when key actors, like coaches, use behaviors to promote youth's needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness (need-supportive coaching behaviors), youth are more likely to continue participating in sports. However, coaches do not always use these behaviors, leading to further examinations of what influences coaches' uses of need-supportive coaching behaviors. Coach stress and burnout are two lesser-studied potential predictors of need-supportive coaching. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among coach stress, burnout, and need-supportive coaching behaviors. Additionally, experiences of stress, burnout, and need-supportive coaching behaviors were examined across demographic characteristics, sport contexts, and organizational factors. Using a cross-sectional design, data from 353 coaches across the country were examined using descriptives, ANOVAs, t-tests of independence, and linear regression. Results revealed that coaches are experiencing high levels of stress but low to moderate levels of burnout. Additionally, while stress and burnout were negatively correlated with need-supportive coaching behaviors, linear regression analyses revealed that only burnout predicted coaches' use of need-supportive coaching behaviors. These findings suggest the need for further examinations of burnout as a predictor of need-supportive coaching behaviors. In addition, these findings suggest that coaches need support to mitigate the risks for burnout to ultimately use positive behaviors associated with broader youth mental health outcomes (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Dawn Anderson-Butcher (Advisor); Jacqueline Goodway (Committee Member); Samantha Bates (Committee Member) Subjects: Social Work

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Ohio University, 2023, Business Administration

This research explores the value of secondary packaging of luxury items and its impact on consumers' post-purchase experience. Using a mixed methods approach, this research employed three studies to better understand this topic. First, qualitative in-depth interviews were completed with Gen Z luxury consumers who had kept their packaging after acquiring a luxury brand item. From these interviews, three overarching themes of secondary packaging emerged: packaging is considered to be an extension of self and an art form, packaging tells a long-lasting story, and five types of actions (i.e., keep, display, store, reuse, and throw away) are taken by consumers when it comes to their luxury brand packaging. Next, several luxury and non-luxury brands were pre-tested to confirm that respondents viewed Dior and Prada as equally luxurious, and Old Navy as distinct (i.e., non-luxury). An online experiment with a hypothetical gifting scenario and a between-subjects design was employed (1) to measure price assessment of three layers of secondary packaging associated with luxury vs. non-luxury brands, (2) to determine the type of post-purchase actions with packaging, and (3) to discover the respondents' social media sharing behavior as pertaining to the different levels of secondary packaging. Moderating effects of luxury sensitivity, need for status, and product status consumption were also tested. Though the experiment found there was not a significant difference in dollar valuation among the three levels of secondary packaging, luxury secondary packaging did hold value for consumers. Consumers are more likely to post images of secondary packaging on social media for luxury brands than non-luxury brands. None of the moderating effects were found to have a significant effect between packaging layer and price. This research represents a start to understanding an important and understudied area of post purchase consumption of secondary packaging for luxury brands and how Gen Z lux (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Dr. Moumita Gyomlai (Advisor); Dr. Jessica Weeks (Advisor) Subjects: Business Administration; Marketing

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.), Franklin University, 2023, Health Programs

Child abuse and neglect is a major health problem in the United States. Besides the obvious concerns for youth, this problem contributes to a huge economic burden for taxpayers. Despite the research and knowledge around this topic, there are still no known solutions. One response to child abuse and neglect has been to remove children from their homes. A primary placement option for these youth has been residential treatment. Residential treatment for youth has been a highly controversial topic for quite some time. In order to address this issue, authors of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) of 2018 set out to overhaul the child welfare system. A primary goal of the legislation was to decrease the number of youths placed in residential facilities across the United States and to keep more youth in their familial homes. One of the ways that they attempted to accomplish this objective was by linking the requirement of a reduction in the number of youth residential placements to federal funding. Controversy over this legislation stems from the concerns of keeping youth in their homes where they are experiencing abuse and neglect. This study will determine if there is a relationship between placement and substantiated cases of child abuse and/or neglect related to type of abuse and neglect. Five years of data on CHINS (Child in Need of Services) cases in the state of Indiana will be collected in order to make this comparison.

Committee: Gail Frankle (Committee Chair); Cynthia Smoak (Committee Member); Tonia Young-Babb (Committee Member) Subjects: Families and Family Life; Public Health; Welfare

Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2023, Educational Administration

The creation and implementation of holistic educational experiences is invaluable for optimal student and staff development and retention in an institution of higher education. This dissertation involves a participatory action research on one such mechanism: mentorship. This study on mentorship leverages Tinto's(1975 - 2014) theoretical frameworks regarding student integration, aiming to strengthen the Northbound University (NU) student bonds with the collegiate community so that they complete their college career at NU and potentially bridge the gap between degree attainment and professional pursuits as well. A mixed methods approach with qualitative and quantitative data analytics was utilized to define and develop learnings about mentorship. The study focused on students at the NU College of Business Administration (CBA). The population of students studied was bifurcated into two main groups because of their markedly differing needs. The first group included at-risk students whom I referred to as “fledgling eaglets.” Fledgling eaglets were beset by challenges such as financial burdens, academic shortcomings, and university administrative problems. I called the second group of students “soaring eagles.” Soaring eagles were more established high potential students who were seeking solutions about possible professions ahead of their college commitments. Both these student groups needed to “matter” in the college cooperative. They needed to feel individually integrated and welcomed into the extended family in the university society. My findings resulted in initial interventions that addressed the needs of these two student groups with differing needs. For fledgling eaglets, I included innovative mentorship program features that involved development of academic skillsets in conjunction with contingent financial awards with requisite training. The concurrent but separate soaring eagle program incorporated professional networking and realistic career building oppo (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: James Olive (Committee Chair) Subjects: Academic Guidance Counseling; Educational Leadership; Educational Theory; Higher Education

Master of Arts, University of Toledo, 2022, Psychology - Experimental

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) communication that fosters understanding is as crucial today as it is lacking. More than ever, there is a need for STEM communication that goes beyond 'nudging' the average layperson toward a target behavior, or simply bombarding them with complex and ill-constructed information. The prevailing ‘nudge-or-bombard' strategies can result in subject knowledge that is at best incomplete and easily forgotten, and at its worst is impoverished, eliciting short-term compliance that can result in distrust of experts and policymakers. Additionally, empirically based communication techniques that go beyond disseminating rote facts to achieving insight are imperative in an oversaturated communication environment wherein laypeople are flooded with more information than they can achieve expertise in, or even comprehend (Scheufele, 2006). The present study aimed to extend existing findings of evidence-based communication grounded in a dual-process model of cognition called Fuzzy-Trace Theory (FTT) into the realm of STEM communication. It also sought to lend further evidence to the use of a new computational textual measurement tool based on FTT that informs the development of effective textual information via assisting individuals in the formation of an overall bottom-line understanding of a text. In the present study, 201 participants were presented with one of two versions of a text on a complex STEM subject matter. Texts were edited systematically using the FTT-based computational methodology to produce either a dense information presentation or one that was manipulated with the goal of increasing understanding by helping participants ‘get the gist' of the text. Participants then completed two measures that tested their knowledge and comprehension of the text. Additionally, risk perception questionnaires and multiple decision intention tasks were administered that were associated with preparedness for the risks presented i (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: JD Jasper (Committee Chair) Subjects: Experimental Psychology; Psychology; Quantitative Psychology

PHD, Kent State University, 2022, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences

Gamification is a promising method proposed to solve the motivational problems of online learners and enhance their performance. However, the evidence regarding why and how gamification might work and its effects on these outcomes is inconclusive. In order to provide more evidence to the ongoing discussion in the gamification field, the current study searched for the effectiveness of gamification on the intrinsic motivation, the psychological need satisfaction, and the performance of online learners. Applying the tenets of self-determination theory as a theoretical background, a gamified online learning environment with badges and freedom of choice was created in the TalentLMS. The results showed that badges have the potential to decrease the intrinsic motivation of learners and they do not fulfill the need for competence. However, freedom of choice indirectly increases the intrinsic motivation of learners through fulfilling the need for autonomy. Neither badges nor freedom of choice increased the performance of learners. In addition, it was found that different badge implementation designs (expected badges versus unexpected badges) yielded similar nonsignificant results. The theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed.

Committee: Bradley J. Morris PhD (Advisor) Subjects: Educational Psychology; Educational Technology; Instructional Design

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2022, Media and Communication

Through an online survey, this research explores the relationship between self-reported social anxiety, self-disclosure, and the use of ephemeral social media affordances. Ephemeral social media content is social media messages, text, pictures, and videos that disappear upon initial viewing or after a short period of time. Recent studies focusing on social information processing theory have utilized the Internet Attribute Perception (IAP) model to show that social media might increase self-disclosure for socially anxious social media users. The IAP model extends social information processing theory to focus on how socially anxious social media users' perceptions of social media controllability can predict online self-disclosure. This survey study utilizes a model similar to the IAP model to better understand the relationship between perceptions about ephemerality and self-disclosure. Specifically, this study focuses on whether users with social anxiety perceive ephemeral social media to be important when engaging with it and if they self-disclose through ephemeral social media content. This study found that social media users with higher reported leveled of social anxiety were more likely to perceive ephemerality as important and engage with ephemeral social media content. More specifically, those with higher levels of social anxiety are more likely to self-disclose online. The results also show that ephemeral social media engagement is indirectly related to online self-disclosure. Furthermore, ephemerality is important to those with social anxiety when they are engaging and disclosing through social media platforms.

Committee: Frederick Busselle Ph.D. (Committee Co-Chair); Yanqin Lu Ph.D. (Committee Co-Chair); Hyungsuk Choo Ph.D. (Other); Louisa Ha Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2022, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Criminal Justice

The predictive validity of the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model's Central Eight risk factors on juvenile recidivism is well known in the Western context. However, few studies have extended the validation of juvenile risk assessment tools across non-Western samples, settings, and jurisdictions. This dissertation explores the role of the Central Eight risk factors in predicting recidivism among youth in South Korea. To examine the generalizability of the RNR model's risk factors, the study used data from a sample of 418 arrested South Korean youth who received the juvenile Risk Assessment Instrument (JRAI) at the intake stage for a diversion decision. Recidivism was defined as re-adjudication of a youth on a new offense, excluding status offenses and school offenses. I first assessed the tool's predictive utility for predicting new adjudication by examining the total and subscale scores using customary predictive diagnostics (e.g., positive predictive value, negative predictive value, predictive efficiency), Receiver Operating Characteristics analyses, and Cox Proportional Hazards survival analysis. Second, I conducted Cox proportional hazards survival analysis to determine which JRAI factors drive the predictive utility of the tool. Finally, I conducted exploratory analyses to determine the relative influence of items that do and do not correspond to the traditional RNR central eight on the predictive utility. The results show that the predictive ability of the risk assessment used at the intake stage seems to have diminished since its development and initial implementation, and runaway from home was found to be the sole significant risk factor predicting juvenile recidivism in South Korea. Further, when the tool's non-RNR-based items were removed, the modified version did not improve the tool's overall predictive validity. This dissertation offers some research and practical recommendations for implementing evidence-based assessment tools in Korean Juvenile Justic (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Sarah Manchak Ph.D. (Committee Member); Christopher Sullivan Ph.D. (Committee Member); Shelley Johnson Ph.D. (Committee Member); Christina Campbell Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Criminology

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2021, Educational Psychology

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the integration of the latest scientific evidence with clinician expertise while considering patient values and preferences. It is a complex, problem-solving approach proven to improve patient quality and outcomes. The importance of EBP in healthcare is expressed by the Institute of Medicine's goal of establishing that 90% of all clinical decisions be based on current scientific evidence. Despite this, there remains a research to clinical practice gap. Factors contributing to this gap need to be further explored. This study examined cognitive factors related to evidence-based implementation practices. The goal was to investigate potential relationships between need for cognition, reflective thinking, and EBP beliefs with EBP implementation. Understanding metacognition as it relates to evidence-based implementation practices may offer insight into practice adoption as well as fill a gap in the literature. A 53-item survey was compiled using scales to measure need for cognition, reflective thinking, EBP beliefs and EBP implementation practices. The survey was disseminated electronically to approximately 5200 acute care registered nurses in a Midwestern healthcare organization. One hundred thirteen nurses initially responded with 75 nurses completing the survey in its entirety. Descriptive statistics and Pearson bivariate correlation were used to analyze the data. The results showed a weak, positive correlation between EBP beliefs and EBP implementation. There was no relationship found between need for cognition and reflective thinking with EBP implementation. Further studies are needed to identify cognitive factors that promote EBP implementation

Committee: Vicki Dagostino-Kalniz (Advisor) Subjects: Educational Psychology; Health Care; Nursing

Master of Science, Miami University, 2021, Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health

There are many health benefits to sport participation, however, there is a large chance of experiencing injury while participating in sport. Due to the high likelihood of an athlete experiencing injury, it is necessary for athletes to feel comfortable and confident approaching their coach when injured. It is critical to know which coaching styles allow for open conversation about athletes' health and well-being. For the purposes of this study, coaching styles can be described in two ways: need supportive and controlling. These styles fall under the selfdetermination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2002) that claims individuals have three needs to become fulfilled: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of coaching behaviors on athletes' willingness to self-report injury. The participants of this study were collegiate NCAA Division I athletes (N=190). The results of this study showed that coaching behaviors had a significant influence on their injury reporting behaviors. Athletes who experienced controlling coaching behaviors were more likely to play through pain than athletes who experienced need supportive coaching behaviors.

Committee: Robin Vealey (Advisor); Thelma Horn (Committee Member); Callie Maddox (Committee Member) Subjects: Kinesiology; Psychology; Sports Management

Master of Science (M.S.), Xavier University, 2021, Psychology

Need for Recovery (NFR) has the potential to expand our current understandings of important workplace outcomes such as improving employee performance, preventing employee exhaustion and loss of function (Sonnentag & Zijlstra, 2006), improving supervisor-employee relations (Graen & Uhl-Bien, 1995), mitigating workplace challenges such as discrimination at work, enhancing responses to downsizing, and assisting employees re-entering the workforce after parental leave (Earle &Heymann, n.d.; DOL, 2015). However, none of the identified benefits can be achieved without remedying issues related to the definition and measurement of NFR. Therefore, the current research executed the first three steps in Hinkin's (1998) scale development process (item generation, scale administration, and initial item reduction) and tested hypotheses related to the third step: initial item reduction. A total of 91 initial NFR items were generated and tested on 372 participants who completed an assessment distributed on Amazon's MTurk. Factor analyses were conducted to identify the dimensions that underlie the constructed NFR scale and an assessment of internal consistency was conducted to evaluate the reliability of the constructed NFR scale. The factor analyses revealed six factors, and internal consistency analyses eventually yielded acceptable levels of Cronbach's alpha for each of the six identified factors. Supplementary analyses were also conducted to maximize alpha and collect evidence of the discrimination between the six identified factors. Implications for future research and application of the NFR construct is discussed.

Committee: Mark Nagy Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Dalia Diab Ph.D. (Committee Member); Morrie Mullins Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Master of Social Work, The Ohio State University, 2021, Social Work

Reentry programs seek to reduce reoffending behavior of formerly incarcerated adults by utilizing effective interventions, including the Risk, Needs, and Responsivity (RNR) model. The RNR model was developed to assess the risks and needs of the individual so the best intervention or treatment response can be identified. Formerly incarcerated individuals are able to offer insight into the utility of community interventions and their ability to help reduce recidivism. A scoping review was conducted to assess the availability and scientific rigor of recidivism-based interventions, and their applicability to formerly incarcerated adults. This review considers the availability of empirical evidence about effective interventions to reduce recidivism and reoffending among adults. The review also includes a review of the RNR model, which has an emerging evidence base. Ultimately, the scoping review for this thesis explores whether current interventions for those reentering their communities following after their release from prison are helpful for keeping them from reoffending in the future.

Committee: Camille Quinn PhD (Advisor); Susan Yoon PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Criminology; Social Work

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2021, Higher Education Administration

My study addresses how experiences within the role of a resident assistant (RA) may be related to need for cognition, a measure describing an individual's capacity and desire to engage in effortful thinking. To investigate this relationship, I used a pretest and posttest survey methodology. This methodology allowed me to determine if RAs experienced a significant change in their need for cognition after one year in the RA role and what variables within the RA role were related to need for cognition. Several factors within the RA experience were correlated with need for cognition. These factors were ACT score, gender, positive diversity experiences, the changing of a significant belief as a result of working as an RA, and weekly hours worked as a RA. Of these factors, only ACT was predictive of need for cognition. The results of my study confirm that ACT is a significant predictor for need for cognition. My results also suggest that RAs' experiences with diversity may play a significant role in the development of their need for cognition.

Committee: Ellen Broido D.Ed. (Advisor); Patrick Pauken Ph.D.; J.D. (Other); Maureen Wilson Ph. D. (Committee Member); Hyeyoung Bang Ph. D. (Committee Member); Rachel Vannatta Ph. D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Higher Education; Higher Education Administration

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2018, Psychology

Resting high frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) is chiefly known as a physiological index of executive function, emotion regulation capabilities, psychopathology, and overall well-being. The need for affect (NA), defined as the motivation to approach or avoid emotional eliciting experiences and situations, has been linked with emotion regulation capabilities, psychopathology, and overall health. Furthermore, the approaching and avoiding of emotional experiences has been linked with the same executive brain regions that are associated with resting HF-HRV. However, there has been no investigation on the direct association of resting HF-HRV and NA. Moreover, evidence suggests that both resting HF-HRV and NA are associated with trait anxiety, such that trait anxiety may play a mediating role in this relationship. Therefore, the present study examined both the direct relationship of resting HF-HRV and NA, and the potential mechanistic role of trait anxiety. The current study consists of 146 participants (82 females, 64 ethnic minority, mean age = 20). The participants first completed a 5-minute resting baseline, and then answered a set of questionnaires including the 26-item NA Scale and the 20 item Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T). The NA Scale encompasses two subscales intended to measure the motivation to approach (NA-approach) and motivation to avoid (NA-avoid) emotion inducing experiences, independently. Resting HF-HRV was measured in accordance with previously established guidelines. Zero order correlations showed a negative trending relationship with resting HF-HRV and NA-Avoid (r = -.16, p = .06). Controlling for important covariates, this relationship became significant (r = -.19, p =.03). No such significant associations were found between resting HF-HRV and NA-approach or NA-total. Mediation analysis showed that trait anxiety was indeed a significant mediator on the link between resting HF-HRV and NA-Avoid (B= -.96 (SE = .48), [-2.13,-.20 (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Julian Thayer (Committee Chair); Michael Vassey (Committee Member); Baldwin Way (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology