Master of Gerontological Studies, Miami University, 2005, Gerontology

The purpose of this research was to provide a comprehensive examination of personal characteristics, health status, diabetes experience, and perceived social support from family and perceived social support from friends as predictors of self-management in adults with diabetes mellitus. Perceived social support was measured using the Perceived Social Support from Friends and Family Scale (Procidano & Heller, 1983). Self-management was measured using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Scale (Toobert, Hampson, & Glasgow, 2000), as well as a hemoglobin A1c test, a biomedical indicator of self-management efforts. Participants included 50 individuals who reported moderate levels of support from family and friends, but significantly more support from family members. Participants also reported the most adherence to taking medications and least adherence to exercising. Additionally, a modicum of support from family was associated with high adherence to diet and exercise. Economic and diabetes intervention implications are discussed, as well directions for future research.

Committee: Jennifer Kinney (Advisor) Subjects:

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2012, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology

Online social networking sites have experienced a surge in popularity since their inception. Serving as a hub for communities of all ages, Web sites such as MySpace, Friendster and Facebook bridge geographic and time limitations and offer their members the opportunity to connect with anyone on the Internet at any time. The growing accessibility of technology for computer-mediated communication, outside of such Web sites offers similar opportunities. Although critics share concern over potential for the loss of intimacy, the possibility for increased levels of perceived social support through limitless networking options should not be overlooked. When we consider the strong connection between perceived social support and perceived stress, which are linked to physical and mental symptomatology, the possible benefits are worthy of inquiry. This study explores the constructs of perceived social support and perceived stress and examines the impact of online social networking sites and computer-mediated communication upon a person's experience of them. Results supported Cohen's Stress-buffering hypothesis. A significant negative correlation was found for the association between reported levels of perceived social support and levels of perceived stress. Facebook use was not significantly related to perceived social support. This finding failed the second step for establishing mediation and disproved the hypothesis that perceived social support mediates a negative correlation between Facebook use and perceived stress. Further exploration revealed a significant relationship between respondent preference for computer-mediated communication, perceived social support, and perceived stress, however. The more that respondents preferred online communication to face-to-face or telephone communication, the greater the level of stress they perceived. Also, respondents who reported a preference for computer-mediated communication reported lower levels of perceived social support. A r (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Susan Hawes PhD (Committee Chair); William Slammon PhD (Committee Member); Dean Hammer PsyD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2024, Communication Studies (Communication)

SIKAPOKOO, GRACE O., Ph.D., May 2024, Communication Studies Helping Black Breast Cancer Survivors Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes: How Family Communication Influences Progression Through the Stages of Change Director of Dissertation: Amy E. Chadwick In this dissertation, I set out to understand how family communication could influence and motivate behavior change for Black breast cancer survivors (BCSs) to improve their overall well-being and quality of life (QoL). Using the stages of change (SoC) model, the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and social support, I developed a model by integrating the SoC model with the TPB variables as a first layer on behavior change and take social support as a second layer to the model to hypothesize how family communication, through social support could help with the behavior change process for Black BCSs. To determine the role of family communication in behavior change, I conducted semi-structured interviews, which lasted between 45-75 minutes each on average. I interviewed 20 Black BCSs who had completed their breast cancer surgeries and treatment, had recovered, and were living in the United States. The interviews were conducted via video conferencing with automatically generated transcripts from Otter AI. The study found that family communication through social support can support Black BCSs to change their behaviors and improve their overall well-being and QoL. The study confirmed that family communication can positively influence TPB variables. As the variables change positively, they increase in behavioral intention alongside the progression of the stages of change, leading to the adoption of a new behavior. The study also found that social support received through family communication can help to progress people through the stages of change, to achieve behavior change. In addition, the study identified four domains for well-being that had had specific differences regarding the types of social support receive (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Amy Chadwick (Committee Chair); Angela Hosek (Committee Member); Lynn Harter (Committee Member); Anna Kerr (Committee Member) Subjects: Black Studies; Communication; Families and Family Life; Health

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2022, Counseling Psychology

The current study utilized the theory of salutogenesis to examine the relations among social support, sense of coherence (SOC), dispositional mindfulness (DM), and income on parental burnout in a community-based sample of 1,400 mothers living in the United States. Data were collected online during February and March of 2022. First and second stage dual moderated mediation models found that, although income was not a significant moderator of the relation between perceived social support and SOC or between perceived social support and parental burnout, it was a significant predictor of parental burnout. Additionally, while the DM facets of observe, describe, nonjudging, and nonreacting were found not to be significant moderators between SOC and parental burnout, acting with awareness and nonjudging were found to be significant predictors of parental burnout. The results also found that, for those at lower levels of the acting with awareness facet of DM, the relation between perceived social support from friends and parental burnout was positive and significant. Lastly, a simple mediation model found that SOC mediated the relation between perceived social support from significant others, family, and friends and parental burnout. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of accessing resources at both the intra- and interpersonal levels to cope with stress as a parent and the need for continued research on the prevention of parental burnout. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Committee: Ingrid Weigold (Advisor); Margo Gregor (Committee Member); Heather Katafiasz (Committee Member); Rikki Patton (Committee Member); John Queener (Committee Member) Subjects: Counseling Psychology; Gender; Mental Health; Psychology

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2022, Psychology/Clinical

Disordered eating (DE) and emotional eating (EE) are categorized as maladaptive eating behaviors that can place one at risk for developing a diagnosable eating disorder. Research suggests that DE and EE are shaped by a myriad of psychological stressors. Historically, eating disorder research has focused on white females, with less empirical evidence allocated to understanding the relationship between psychological stress and eating outcomes in their non-white counterparts. A hallmark stressful experience that ethnic and racial minorities are disproportionally exposed to is perceived discrimination. Perceived discrimination has been linked to various negative psychological outcomes, such as DE and EE. The Stress-Process Model suggests that the relationship between stress exposures and mental health outcomes is mediated by social resources and moderated by personal resources. No current study exists utilizing the Stress-Process Model to examine whether social support (social resource) mediates the relationship between perceived discrimination (stress exposure) and DE and EE (mental health outcomes). Additionally, prior research has not examined personal resources as potential moderators of this relationship, such as internalization of thinness and ethnic identity. The current study aimed to examine the following research questions: Does social support mediate the relation between perceived discrimination and DE and EE within ethnic minority populations? Second, do ethnic identity and internalization of thinness moderate the relation between perceived discrimination and DE and EE? Finally, does internalization of thinness moderate the relation between perceived discrimination and DE across racial/ethnic minority groups? Data was collected using electronic surveys, inquiring on demographics, perceived discrimination, DE and EE, social support, internalization of thinness, and level of ethnic identity. Three hundred and seven participants were recruited using Mechanical (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Abby Braden Ph.D. (Advisor); Dara Musher-Eizenman Ph.D. (Committee Member); William O'Brien Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Doctor of Management, Case Western Reserve University, 2020, Weatherhead School of Management

While mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are attractive strategic choices for many organizations seeking to expand or to increase their value and market power, the rate of failure of these efforts is significant. The human side of M&A remains the most important but often overlooked factor with a significant impact on M&A outcomes. This study employs an exploratory sequential mixed methods design to explore how managers address the factors that influence M&A outcomes and the factors that shape between employer and employee outcomes. The study was conducted using two inquiries (qualitative and quantitative). The greater purpose of this study was to integrate the previous qualitative and quantitative phases to derive more in-depth insight into the human side of M&A outcomes. Ultimately, we found that most managers leverage communication, employee engagement, encouragement, autonomy, empowerment, workplace relationships, and employee wellbeing to address human capital challenges influencing M&A outcomes in the qualitative study. Perceived organizational support (POS) and reciprocity emerged as the primary mediators between employer and employee M&A outcomes.

Committee: Richard Boland PhD (Advisor); Kalle Lyytinen PhD (Advisor); James Gaskin PhD (Advisor) Subjects: Business Costs; Social Research

Master of Arts in Professional Communication, Youngstown State University, 2021, Department of Communicaton

With the exceedingly competitive job market, skilled individuals are overlooked compared to those with a college degree. The pressure to earn a college degree weighs heavily on those who wish to attain gainful employment. From the transition from high school to university and adapting to new academic environments, college students are burdened with high levels of expectations. Recent studies have reported the transition leads to high levels of stress and depression. This study focuses on college students' perceived social support and how it affects their levels of stress that may lead to experiencing various levels of depression. 160 college students participated in this quantitive study. One of the findings of the study was the significant relationship between perceived social support, stress, and depression.

Committee: Rebecca Curnalia PhD (Advisor); Christina Saenger PhD (Committee Member); Kendra Fowler PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication

Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Education, Cleveland State University, 2021, College of Education and Human Services

Work volition as it relates to perceived career barriers for marginalized populations has become a growing area of research in the field of vocational psychology (Blustein, 2004, 2013). Such research through the psychology of working framework (PWF) has focused on highlighting the strengths and challenges of career-development variables for marginalized groups, and identifying coping variables to aid in the development of an individual's working needs. Two constructs that have been supported throughout PWF research, work volition and perceived career barriers, focus on detailing the negative impacts of ethnic and gender discrimination on career development (Duffy et al., 2016; Gee, 2002; Joireman & Stratham, 2005; Yoo & Lee, 2005). In response to Duffy's (2005) call for further inquiry regarding career-development in relation to religious variables, this investigation explored the contextual factor that religious community support has within the Orthodox Jewish community on their relationship with work. The study sampled 252 Orthodox Jewish people over the age of 18, primarily from the greater Cleveland area. Respondents completed online survey questionnaires distributed through SurveyMonkey.com. A mediated regression model analyzed the relationship between this group's reported perceptions of barrier and work volition, as mediated by religious social support. An additional moderation model analyzed the described mediated model to determine the extent gender has on the relationship with these factors. Results from the mediation regression indicated that there was a significant relationship found between variables (F(2, 249) = -9.56, p <.001). The moderation analysis revealed that there were no significant relationships found based on gender differences for any of the variables relationships: perceptions of barriers, religious social support and work volition.

Committee: Graham Stead (Committee Chair) Subjects: Counseling Psychology; Judaic Studies; Psychology; Vocational Education

PHD, Kent State University, 0, College of Public Health

The proportion of unwed mothers has been increasing in the United States for decades. Unwed mothers experience more social problems, financial limitations, and mental health problems than married mothers. Moreover, children who are born to unwed mothers are more likely to report poor child wellbeing when compared with those who are born to married mothers. Social support is an important resource that potentially mitigates the social, financial, and health problems that unwed mothers often experience. However, the perception of social support of unwed mothers and the effect of the support on mental health problems and/or child wellbeing is not well elucidated in previous studies. Hence, the purpose of this study was to describe the perception of social support of unwed mothers, to examine the association between maternal perceived social support and maternal mental health problems as well as the association between maternal perceived social support and child wellbeing. Data for this study were obtained from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS). The FFCWS is a national longitudinal survey that follows children predominantly born to unmarried mothers between September 1998 to September 2000 in 20 major U.S cities (in 15 states). This study has three aims. The first aim was to assess the maternal perception of social support across social status (such as race/ethnicity, family structure, family income, education, and occupation). The finding of the study showed that level of perceived social support was directly proportional to one's position in the social hierarchy (or social status). In other words, individuals in the higher social hierarchy (or social status) perceived better social support than those in the lower social hierarchy. The second aim was to examine the association between perceived social support and mental health problems. It was found that perceived social support was negatively associated with mental health problems. The asso (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Vinay Cheruvu PhD (Committee Chair); Madhav Bhatta PhD (Committee Member); Lynette Phillips PhD (Committee Member); Peggy Stephens PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Epidemiology; Public Health

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2020, Counselor Education and Supervision

Police work is a dangerous and stressful occupation that presents several unique stressors to police officers including the repeated exposure to trauma, violence, death, human suffering, and the perceived lack of organizational and social support. The effects of police work-related traumatic stress are widely believed to manifest as psychological health problems, physical health problems, and relational problems for police officers. Literature suggests the perception of social support serves as an important protective factor in the development of PTSD in various populations, including the police. It is not fully understood, however, how the perception of social support impacts the development of traumatic stress symptoms in police officers, or how these factors may change throughout the course of a police career. To address this gap, the present study examined police cadets' number of potentially stressful events as measured by the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5, Gray et al., 2004), PTSD symptoms as measured by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5, Weathers et al., 2013), and the perception of social support from family, friends, and significant other as measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS, Zimet et al., 1988). A secondary data analysis of 297 pre-service police cadets was conducted using a hierarchical regression to first investigate if LEC-5 score predicted MSPSS sub-scale scores by gender, and second, if MSPSS subscale scores predicted PCL-5 scores by gender. Results did not reveal statistical significance in the analyses of the research questions, nor did they reveal statistically significant differences between genders. A review of the literature is presented along with the study's limitations, and discussion of the implications to theory and clinical practice, research, policy, and police training.

Committee: Rikki Patton PhD (Committee Chair); Heather Katafiasz PhD (Committee Member); David Tefteller PhD (Committee Member); Ingrid Weigold PhD (Committee Member); Peter Naegele PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Counseling Education; Gender; Psychology; Social Work; Therapy

Master of Arts in Gerontology, Youngstown State University, 2018, Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology

Introduction: Successful aging (SA) is defined as low rates of disease and disability, high cognitive and physical functioning, and active engagement with life. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate state between normal cognition and dementia. Those with MCI by definition are not successfully aging in the domain of cognitive and physical functioning; however, it is possible for those with MCI to age successfully in the other two domains. Perceived social support (PSS) may be one way to influence the effect of cognitive impairment on SA outcomes. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between cognitive status and three domains of SA, and whether these associations depend on PSS. Methods: The sample of participants are from the Monongahela-Youghiogheny Healthy Aging Team (MYHAT) study and are 65+ years old. The dependent variables are measures of the three domains of successful aging, the independent variable is cognitive status defined by the Clinical Dementia Rating score (0 = normal; 0.5 = MCI), and three measures of PSS. Covariates included age, sex, and education level. Normal vs. MCI older adults were compared on measures of SA. Cross-sectional associations between cognitive status, and SA domains were examined using binary logistic or simple linear regressions, and whether these associations depended on PSS was explored. Results: Those with MCI did not age as successfully as normal individuals. Social support did not moderate the negative effects of MCI on SA. Conclusions: This study provides a better understanding of how those with MCI age compared to their normal counterparts. Future research should examine coping mechanisms those with MCI use to compensate for their inability to successfully age.

Committee: Tiffany Hughes PhD (Advisor); Daniel Van Dussen PhD (Committee Member); Mary Ganguli MD (Committee Member) Subjects: Gerontology

BS, Kent State University, 2017, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences

Latina adolescents are at increased risk for developing symptoms of psychological distress. They often face higher levels of poverty and lower education levels than other adolescent groups, in addition to experiencing acculturative stressors. Adolescent Latina mothers experience additional stressors related to parenting at a young age. Social support has been shown to reduce risk for psychological distress; however, there are several factors that influence this relation. The association of perceived social support from adolescent mothers' mothers and fathers on psychological distress was examined. Familism, a family-centric Latino value, was examined as a potential moderator in the relation between social support and distress, as adolescents who endorse more familistic values may take advantage of support provided by mothers and fathers better than adolescents who endorse fewer values. Preliminary correlations revealed that support from adolescents' mothers and fathers was associated with lower distress. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that after controlling for adolescent age, financial stress, and negative life events, mother support was no longer associated with lower distress; father support was still associated with lower distress. Additionally, familism did not moderate the relationship between social support and distress for mother or father support. Findings contribute to the body of research on father support, but further research is needed to examine the quality and importance of support providers to determine why there were differences in distress between those perceiving mother and father support.

Committee: Josefina Grau Ph.D. (Advisor); Christopher Flessner Ph.D. (Committee Member); Angela Neal-Barnett Ph.D. (Committee Member); Rhonda Richardson Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Dayton, 2013, Psychology, Clinical

The present study examined perceived social support from siblings as a predictor of adjustment to college. The transition from high school to college can be a distressing time for some if stressors and new challenges are not addressed adaptively. Perceived social support has been identified as an important resource for adjustment to college. Family support has specifically been studied; however, most of the research has examined support from parents. The sibling relationship is a less-studied dyad of the family. To our knowledge, there has been minimal research on how siblings help one another with transitions through life, specifically the transition into college. This study extended research on perceived social support by examining the sibling relationship. We also examined perceived social support from parents in order to see if this relationship was additive or whether one relationship, sibling or parent, fosters better adjustment. Results indicated that there was no significant relationship between perceived social support from a sibling and adjustment to college. However, social support from a sibling was related to a stronger relationship with that sibling.

Committee: Carolyn Phelps (Advisor) Subjects: Psychology

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2011, Psychology

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized by intense and difficult to regulate emotional experiences (DSM-IV-TR, 2000; Linehan, 1993). Identifying the types of emotion regulation that are particularly disrupted for individuals with high BPD symptoms may allow researchers and clinicians to create and implement more specific and targeted interventions. The relationship instability associated with BPD (Hill et al., 2008) suggests that interpersonal emotion regulation may be particularly affected by the disorder. In order to test the hypothesis that BPD features would moderate the relation between perceived social support and interpersonal emotion regulation, 300 undergraduate students completed a number of self-report questionnaires. Results suggested that more positive perceptions of the quality and availability of social support were associated with increased likelihood of using interpersonal emotion regulation strategies (r = .38). Furthermore, BPD features and social support, when entered together in the same step of a regression model, were both related to interpersonal emotion regulation strategy use. Additionally, in the second step of the regression, there was a significant interaction between BPD symptoms and the perception of social support, which accounted for additional unique variance in interpersonal emotion regulation. Thus, although interpersonal emotion regulation strategy use was positively associated with the perception of available, good quality social support, this relationship was weaker for individuals with higher BPD symptoms. Follow-up analyses suggested that this interaction was present for the use of functional interpersonal emotion regulation strategies but not for dysfunctional interpersonal emotion regulation strategies, which were only predicted by BPD symptoms. These relationships were significant even in a non-selected, non-clinical sample, and may be even more pronounced in a sample of individuals with clinically significa (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Jennifer Cheavens PhD (Advisor); Thomas Nygren PhD (Committee Member); Steven Beck PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Psychology; Psychotherapy

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2003, Recreation (Health and Human Services)

This project aims to observe the levels of perceived freedom in leisure and leisure satisfaction of four independent groups. Perceived Freedom is considered a determinant of independent leisure, and leisure satisfaction is a determinant of leisure enjoyment. Previous research ( Bialeschki & Michener, 1994; Bialeschki & Pearce, 1997; Brown, Brown, Miller, & Hansen, 2001; Freudinger, 1983; Henderson, Bialeschki, Shaw, & Freysinger, 1996; Henderson, Hodges, & Kivel, 2002; Horna,1989; Shaw, 1994; Wimbush & Talbot, 1988) focuses on how women, especially mothers, are a highly constrained group. Active mothering is a phase in life cycle development that does not include a great deal of leisure (Bialeschki & Michener, 1994). Childcare and other chores leave little time for leisure (Brown, Brown, Miller &Hansen, 2001). Women must negotiate constraints in order to participate in leisure, recreation and exercise. Women using a support system or participating in a leisure group may be more likely to have greater perceived freedom and leisure satisfaction. The sample included two groups of mothers participating in a Mothers of Preschoolers program (MOPS) and two groups of mothers that were using a local preschool facility, but not participating in the MOPS program. The survey instruments consisted of: demographic questions, Perceived Freedom in Leisure Scale (PFL), and Leisure Satisfaction Model (LSM). There is a significant positive correlation between level of involvement in the MOPS program and scores on the LSM. Differences between scores on the PFL and job status are approaching significance and need to be studied further.

Committee: Robin Mittelstaedt (Advisor) Subjects: Health Sciences, Recreation

PHD, Kent State University, 2010, College of Nursing

Most chronic diseases originate in early life and young adulthood and can be qualified as lifestyle diseases. The health-promoting behaviors of young adults are critically linked to the health status they can expect to have as older adults. Of the rapidly growing numbers of international students in the United States, Asian students comprise the largest proportion, with the majority of this group coming from China or Taiwan. This study aims to investigate the health-promoting behaviors and health needs of this specific group of international students. Even as they work to adjust to a foreign culture, society, and language, these students must also face the challenges of undertaking a new academic program. It is essential that they develop and practice health-promoting behaviors to promote and enhance their well-being, as well as to prevent the risks of developing a chronic illness. Perceived self-efficacy and social support are central predictors for adjustment to college and for health-promoting behaviors in college student populations. Although the influence of adjustment to college on students’ academic performance and psychological health has been demonstrated, little is known regarding the relationship between adjustment to college and health-promoting behaviors in Chinese/Taiwanese international students. Therefore, this study sought to examine the effects of perceived self-efficacy and social support on health-promoting behaviors in Chinese/Taiwanese international students as mediated by their adjustment to college. A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational research design was used to test the study hypotheses. A convenience sample of 103 Chinese/Taiwanese students at a large public university in the Midwest completed questionnaires containing: the Generalized Self-efficacy Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, and the Demograp (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Ann Jacobson PhD, RN, ACNS-BC (Committee Chair); Lenny Chiang-Hanisko PhD, RN (Committee Member); Christine Heifner Graor PhD, APRN-BC (Committee Member); Martin Jencius PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Nursing

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2008, Psychology/Clinical

This study examined moderation and mediation effects of three types of social cognitions (perceived social support, future expectations, and normative beliefs about aggression) on the relation between environmental experiences of aggression/violence and adolescent outcomes (depression and aggression). Additionally, this study sought to determine if moderation and mediation effects were varied based on the type of environmental experience of aggression/violence (victimization or witnessing) and/or on the level of severity of these experiences (low-severity or high-severity). Using a short-term longitudinal design, 248 high school students in 9th through 12th grade were surveyed twice, three months apart, regarding victimization experiences, witnessing experiences, perceived social support, future expectations, normative beliefs, aggressive behavior, and depressive symptoms. Teachers completed surveys about students' aggressive behavior and depressive symptoms. A confirmatory factor analysis indicated that experiences of aggression/violence fit a four-factor model (low-severity victimization, high-severity victimization, low-severity witnessing, and high-severity witnessing) better than two or one factor models. Contrary to previous research, perceived social support did not moderate the relation between victimization and depression, but had a protective-reactive effect on the relations between victimization and aggression and between witnessing and aggression. Future expectations moderated experiences of aggression/violence (both victimization and witnessing) and adolescent outcomes (depression or aggression), but tended to have a protective-reactive effect on boys and younger adolescents and a protective-stabilizing effect on girls and older adolescents. Normative beliefs about aggression mediated the relation between victimization (both low and high severity) and aggression such that higher levels of victimization predicted higher levels of normative beliefs, which (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Eric Dubow PhD (Advisor); Dara Musher-Eizenman PhD (Committee Member); Randall Leite PhD (Committee Member); Jean Gerard PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Behaviorial Sciences; Psychology