Festival of Scholars

Student Abstracts

Attached to What I Never Had: A Look into Insecure Attachment and Communication

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This project seeks to understand the ways in which insecure attachment and maladaptive intrapersonal and interpersonal communication coexist. The researcher chose this project due to her relationship with the two topics, and her curiosity to see if one or both of these variables influenced the other. Through literature reviews, attachment theory, the looking glass self theory, and internal working model theory, the researcher identified that there is a correlation and interplay between insecure attachment and maladaptive communication. This correlation also becomes amplified with age. However, literature shows our attachment style can be changed with intentional thought and action, so while those of us with an insecure attachment style may be predisposed to more challenges with intrapersonal and interpersonal communication, it is never too late to do the work and change the ways we interact with the world.

Student(s):
Bella Abbatoye

Faculty Mentor:
Ms. Roxanne Bañuelos

Public Health Internship with GLO Preemies and Alliance for Black NICU Families

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The internship experience with GLO Preemies and Alliance for Black NICU Families provided opportunities to increase skills in research, participant outreach, collaboration, and cooperation. GLO Preemies and Alliance for Black NICU Families are two organizations that raise the voices of black families in the NICU and post-NICU by creating racial and health equity through professional healthcare services, family educational initiatives, and family support for African American families. With a focus on that mission, internship projects included literature reviews, data collection, and analysis for racial and health equity studies. The objective of these projects was to increase awareness and understanding of the health disparities black families experience in NICU and post-NICU environments. My personal goals for the internship were to learn more about conducting qualitative research, coordinate participant outreach, analyze data, and determine how these research efforts benefit marginalized communities. The cumulative 60-hour field experience helped me practice and foster better skills in communication, collaboration, critical analysis, and empathy while engaging in racial and health equity research.

Student(s):
Nico Ayala-Brown

Faculty Mentor:
Ms. Tanya Wicks

Measuring Therapeutic Alliance among Bilingual Farsi- Speaking Clients and English- Speaking Therapists

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The therapeutic alliance is a crucial aspect of therapy sessions and refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The quality of this relationship has been shown to impact treatment outcomes. The Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised (WAI-SR) is widely used measurement tool to assess the therapeutic alliance and has been validated in various populations. This study explores the relationship between therapeutic alliance and bilingualism, specifically focusing on the interaction between monolingual therapists and bilingual Farsi- and English-speaking clients using the WAI-SR. With most studies primarily focusing on Spanish-speaking clients, the use of WAI-SR in bilingual clients is limited, making this study unique in its focus. The study uses a non-experimental, quantitative method that recruits participants through snowball sampling using Qualtrics, Amazon MTurk, or other recruitment platforms.

Student(s):
Rojin Bahrami

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Stephanie Tarle

Weaponizing Democracy: How Polarization Has Threatened the Integrity and Health of American Politics

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On October 3, 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in the affirmative on H.Res.757, a resolution introduced the day prior by Republican firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) that would effectively remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from his role as Speaker of the House. In a 216-210 vote, the Office of the Speaker was declared vacant for the first time in American history, bringing the entire legislative branch to a standstill for three weeks while House Republicans deliberated over who they felt best represented modern conservative ideology. H.Res.757 demonstrated a blatant, weaponized misuse of the legislative process and exposed the extent to which polarization has penetrated modern American politics.

This study will examine how extreme polarization among and within American political parties has impacted the productivity and health of the U.S. government. To best understand this relationship, this study will seek to answer the following questions through in-depth interviews conducted with eligible voters, employees of elected officials, and media professionals:

What has been the state of American political polarization since 2009?

How has polarization among and within political parties impacted the health and productivity of the democratic process?

What could be the future repercussions of governance given the state of polarization, using H.Res.757 as the case study?

Student(s):
Matthew Bauer

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Haco Hoang

Public Health Internship: Hospitals in the lens of a COPE Health Scholar

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Through my Public Health Internship, I got the opportunity to take on an internship at Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills as a Health Scholar of COPE Health Solutions. My main goals for this internship was to get to know different careers in a hospital, get first-hand experience to work at a hospital while gaining employable skills, and to get a better understanding of what I want to do in the future. As a Health Scholar, I am responsible for completing tasks that aid the doctors, nurses, and patients around me. Through this opportunity, I have gained a variety of experiences and skills in both patient-care and administrative duties such as those in taking call lights, communicating to nurses patients’ needs, feeding patients, and assisting RNs and CNAs in providing the highest quality of care that we can provide to these patients. Furthermore, I have gained skills that I can utilize in careers out of healthcare such as professional communication, adaptability, and decision making. My experience as an Intern at Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills has allowed me to see the hospital in a view greater than what I already knew. Finally, I have also gained a better understanding of professional careers in the healthcare system, as well as whether or not this is a career I am passionate enough to pursue.

Student(s):
Nevign Angelique Besas

Faculty Mentor:
Ms. Tanya Wicks

Increasing Verbal Engagement and Assignment Completion in a Middle Schooler with Social Anxiety.

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As part of the Clinical Practicum, a behavioral intervention was used to treat a child with social anxiety. This mental and social impairment is diagnosed in younger children, with the median age of onset being 13 years old. The main behavior deficits of this disorder include prevalent avoidance behaviors. This includes avoiding social situations or interaction that trigger their anxiety. Techniques were implemented to increase the amount of social interaction with peers and teachers, as well as increase homework completion; decreasing avoidance behaviors. Reinforcement was made contingent by giving the child an incentive for target behaviors and academic achievement. Progress was measured by documenting the amount of times the child spoke productively during class time and a self kept chart for homework assignments.

Student(s):
Emily Blank

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel

Fostering Success: Applying Positive Reinforcement Within an Educational Setting

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During the clinical practicum, behavior modification strategies were applied to address undesired behaviors of a child with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) within a school environment. ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders in children, often impairing functioning in areas such as attention, impulse control, and hyperactivity. The primary focus was centered on utilizing positive reinforcement techniques to encourage desired behaviors, such as remaining quiet and participating in class. Progress was assessed through the documentation of the frequency of these behaviors, along with the use of a self-report Likert scale to gauge the child's feelings and perceptions of their own progress. The practicum aimed to improve the child’s attention, impulsivity, and overall academic success within the school setting.

Student(s):
Nola Canning

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel

The Initial Impact of Parental Warmth and Control on Male and Female Young Adults’ Internet Addiction

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The prevalence of Internet addiction (IA) is increasing, and it is associated with adverse outcomes. Empirical research is limited relative to the impact of parenting on the presentation of IA in adults. The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between parental warmth and control and IA in young adults, hypothesizing that high parental warmth and control correlate with low IA, while low parental warmth and control correlate with high IA, and if there were potential gender differences in these relationships. Participants (n = 126, Mage = 24.29, Range = 18-26) were recruited through the distribution of an online survey and completed measures of Internet use, parenting style, and demographic questions. Correlational analyses demonstrated a significant, positive relationship between parental control and IA (r(124) = .700, p < .001), with higher parental control associated with increased IA (B = 17.59, SE = 1.68, p < .001). Intriguingly, results indicated lower parental warmth was linked to reduced IA. Gender emerged as a significant factor; males with high parental control reported greater IA than females. Other hypotheses were not supported. These results spotlight the nuanced role of parenting in shaping online behaviors and offer critical insights for professionals in developing targeted interventions and preventive strategies addressing IA in young adults, emphasizing the importance of nuanced understanding of family dynamics. Future studies incorporating Internet use, parental control, and parental warmth are warranted to help elucidate the underlying factors contributing to Internet addiction among young adults.

Student(s):
Giselle Carollo-DuPrey

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Melissa Donovick

Student Opinion on Intimate Partner Violence based on Victim Sex and Gender Roles

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The purpose of this study was to explore feelings of sympathy, blame, and punishment for victims and offenders involved in Intimate Partner Violence scenarios. For this study, 91 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to read a vignette containing case details about intimate partner violence in which the victim sex was either male, female, or unknown. A moderator was included that looked at different levels of victim involvement, including when they were innocent or involved. It was hypothesized that participants would have more sympathy for female victims that were uninvolved in the escalation of the crime compared to the other victims. This stance was based upon literature that reflected upon the opinions of civilians and police officers, which showed a significant increase in concern for heterosexual female victims being abused by men. In the current study, participants were asked to provide justification for their stance based on their own influences involving gender roles and their personal life. Results showed that unknown-sexed offenders in cases with innocent victims deserved the longest sentence length, and male offenders deserved the most blame. For cases with involved victims, sympathy based on gender roles showed that female victims received the most sympathy due to gender roles and the unknown-sexed offender was the least justified and most likely to receive prosecution. These results show that the victim's level of involvement was more critical than their biological sex.

Student(s):
MacKenzie Collins

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Amanda ElBassiouny

Decreasing Latency and Duration of Classwork For a Middle Schooler

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In the Clinical Practicum, behavior modification methods were used to decrease the latency for beginning classwork and duration for spending time on classwork for a 6th grade student. Reinforcement schedule techniques were used to decrease the behavioral excess of not beginning classwork and deficit of completing them.To decrease the behavioral excess of latency for starting classwork, a fixed interval schedule will be used to monitor how long the student will take to begin the assignment. To increase the behavioral deficit of completing classwork, a fixed ratio schedule will be implemented in order to monitor the amount of assignments finished. Reinforcement is made contingent on how long the student takes to start assignments and how many assignments are completed and turned in. Progress was measured by documenting the frequency and duration of successful graduated approximations to the desired goal.

Student(s):
Angelina Daghlian

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel

NBA Expansion Project

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For my NBA franchise expansion project, my team created an NBA team for San Diego, a city without an NBA team. We conducted consumer research to determine effective media channels for promotion, planned a marketing campaign, conducted a mock NBA draft to select players, and designed team jerseys. The project focused on geographical and demographic research to ensure our new team's success.

Student(s):
Kacie De Silva, kekoa alana, jesse rosa

Faculty Mentor:
Mark Orlando

Teacher Burnout, Emotion Regulation, and Student-Teacher Interaction as Predictors of Student Engagement

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Teachers face high amounts of stress during and outside of their work day and have high demand to perform well on different tasks. Burnout is a growing concern within the teaching community as it continues to be a driving force in why so many teachers are leaving the profession. Not only does burnout impact teachers on multiple levels, it also impacts the students who are in their classrooms. A teacher who is experiencing burnout often disengages with their environment around them and can create negative outcomes for students to also experience. The current quantitative study will focus on teacher burnout, emotion regulation, teacher-student interactions and how these factors impact the student’s engagement within the classroom. The sample of 177 teachers across the United States who have taught kindergarten through twelfth grade were recruited through a snowball sampling method. Multiple linear regressions were utilized to predict the relationship between emotional engagement and behavioral engagement with teacher burnout, emotion regulation, and teacher-student interactions.

Student(s):
Amy Delaplane

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Stephanie Tarle

An Evaluation of Graduate Training Specializations Delivered in Community Mental Health Setting

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According to Weissman et al. (2005), the “gold standard” of training consists of the combination of didactic coursework and supervised training. However, little agreement exists among training professionals as to how to adequately train doctorate level students in evidence-based treatments. In addition, there is limited empirical support for how differing training models impact therapeutic change. The following proposal outlines a study aimed at assessing therapeutic outcomes from clients being treated by doctorate level students being didactically trained and supervised in an evidence-based treatments compared to training where no didactic coursework is offered. as usual group whereby student’s’ supervision does not directly relate to specific didactic training. An independent t-test will be run to analyze mean differences between groups from two time points; intake and termination using overall scores from the Outcome Questionnaire- 45 (OQ-45). A Multilevel modeling (MLM) analysis will be run to analyze OQ-45 subscales to detect differences in outcomes related to symptom distress, social role, and interpersonal relations. This secondary analysis is intended to evaluate the effects of two differing evidence-based treatments on a community-based sample as they relate to empirical support surrounding each treatment modality.

Student(s):
Jessica Emde

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ryan Sharma

Investigating People’s Perceptions of Social Media Fitness Influencers

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Social media and the fitness industry have merged to create platforms for influencers of all shapes and sizes to create and share fitness content. However, not everyone has gained the same respect in the fitness industry due to judgement of their body size. The purpose of this study is to examine people’s perceptions of fitness influencers on Instagram, based on the influencer’s body size and number of followers. It was hypothesized that thin or medium-sized influencers would be rated as the most likable and attractive, and have the most influence on exercise intention compared to plus-sized influencers with either a small or large following. There were a total of 73 participants who were randomly assigned to evaluate an Instagram profile and post of a fitness influencer who was either thin, medium, or plus-sized and with either 7,500 or 75,000 followers. Participants answered questions assessing interpersonal attractiveness, likability, and exercise intentions. It was found that plus-sized influencers are more socially attractive than thin influencers and they were rated more likable than both thin and medium-sized influencers. Regarding physical attractiveness, both thin and medium-sized influencers were rated more physically attractive than plus-sized influencers. At 7,500 followers, thin-sized influencers had a greater influence on participants' exercise intentions than both medium and plus-sized influencers. This demonstrates the importance and impact of body diversity on social media, particularly in the fitness industry.

Student(s):
Allyson Fisicaro

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Amanda ElBassiouny

Exploring the Impact of Parenting Styles and Social Connectedness on Posttraumatic Growth.

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Research surrounding the longstanding impact of parenting styles has demonstrated the impact of parenting styles on schemas related to self and others. Parenting styles have also been shown to have an impact on responses to trauma and social functioning, which is of relevance to this study as social support is linked to the development of PTG following a trauma. The current study seeks to further explore the relationship between parenting styles, social connectedness, and PTG. Specifically, this study seeks to discover if parenting styles used by caregivers influence people to grow from trauma they experience as an adult, and whether this growth is impacted by social connections. To address these questions, the relationship between parenting styles and posttraumatic growth was explored using a quantitative design, as was the moderating effect of social connectedness on that relationship. Hypotheses include: (a) adults’ perception of their caregivers’ parenting style predict the development of PTG when trauma is experienced as an adult, and (b) social connectedness moderates the relationship between parenting style and PTG. Participants were recruited through distributing an online survey [e.g., via Qualtrics and Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk), Prolific], and completed a series of questionnaires to gather demographic information, exposure to trauma, PTG, perceptions of their caregivers’ parenting styles, and social connectedness. Results have the potential to increase the incidence of PTG through the improvement of parent education and the development and implementation of interventions for people who have experienced trauma.

Student(s):
Madison Foss, Dissertation Chair, Dr. Stephanie Tarle

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Stephanie Tarle

Expansion of the FJC in Ventura County: Evaluating the Oxnard Satellite Location

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What are the challenges & opportunities in implementing a Family Justice Center (FJC) in the city of Oxnard? This was the primary research question driving this study in advance of a new Ventura County FJC set to open in Oxnard, California, in early 2025. An online survey was distributed to staff members and agency partners to address our research question. This survey solicited feedback regarding the strengths and operations of the justice center and identified potential obstacles hindering the efficacy of the multi-agency model. Our sampling frame consisted of 79 respondents. We predict that establishing the Carmen Ramirez FJC in Oxnard will optimize support for victims by enhancing accessibility and coordination among healthcare, social services, and criminal justice systems. Given that a substantial proportion of past and current clients travel from Oxnard to the city of Ventura for services at the main FJC, establishing a satellite office in the city is paramount to effectively meeting the community's needs. Our research underscores the critical need for an FJC satellite location in Oxnard, as well as the ongoing importance of life-saving and life-affirming services for victims of interpersonal violence.

Student(s):
Stephanie Gonzalez

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Molly George

Increasing Academic Engagement and Focus in a Student

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As part of the Clinical Practicum, a behavior intervention was used totreat a child with low interest in their academics. The student avoidstasks he could not accomplish or has a hard time completing his work.Techniques were implemented to increase the quantity of work being done,decreasing the quantity of prompts needed.Reinforcement was made contingenton the child staying focused on work in class and paying attention.Progress was measured by documenting the number of times and the length oftime the child stayed focused and was on task. The tactics used were theticket reward system when he stayed on task he got a ticket. At the end ofthe day he gave all his tickets in exchange for a prize.

Student(s):
Payton Henuber

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel

The Application of Intervention for a Student with ADHD-HI in a Middle School Setting

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The Clinical Practicum program exercises behavioral modification interventions in order to reduce maladaptive symptoms in middle-school aged students. In this case, it was a male student showing moderate symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) predominantly with the subtype Hyperactive-Impulsive (HI). ADHD is three times as more common in males with ADHD-HI being more prevalent in males as well. The symptoms of ADHD-HI are considered problematic once it starts to impair the functioning of daily living in the person. The primary interventions used were positive reinforcement and a token-economy system. The token-economy system used differential reinforcement to ignore undesired behavior and to reward desired behavior using a point system. Positive reinforcement was used to encourage the desired behavior. Progress was analyzed using the token-economy chart monoriting the student's talking frequency, seating, and compliance. The data gathered was analyzed using a linear regression model in accordance with time and desired behavior. The goal for the Clinical Practicum program aimed to decrease hyperactivity/impulsive behavior and increase desired behavior within the school setting.

Student(s):
Andres Hernandez

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel

The Association Between Subclinical Psychopathy Traits and Cyber Dating Abuse

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Intimate partner violence is a public health probelm that has been reported as occurring wiht approximately 41% of women and 26% of men in the United Stated (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Research has demonstrated there is an association between psychopathy and cyber dating abuse, but there is still little research on what specific traits of psychopathy contribute to cyber dating abuse perpetration and victimization. This study will fill this gap in the literature by investigating if specific psychopathy traits will correlate with and predict cyber dating abuse. The first part of this study will attemptto replicate the prior association found between global psychopathy with cyber dating abuse (Branson & March, 2021). The second part of this study will examine the unique contributions of subscales of psychopathy on cyber dating base. Specifically, an emphasis will be placed on the trait of boldness as a unique attribute of psychopathy as it relates to cyberdating abuse based on past research that has found people higher in boldness are more likely to use controlling behaviors in their relationships (i.e., surveilling Facebook accounts) and are more likely to use coercive and controlling behaviors indicative of those found in the IPV literature. Approximately 120 adult participants will be recruited from MTurk, and a Pearson correlation and linear regression will be conducted to analyze the data.

Student(s):
Sarah Hernandez

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Jamie Bedics

Examining the Predictive Relationship of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and ADHD on Social Anxiety Symptoms

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It has been proposed that sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is a distinct and independent attentional condition from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; Barkley, 2018; Burns et al., 2013; Lee et al., 2013). Research suggests SCT symptoms are a cluster of attentional difficulties that are related to negative outcomes, such as difficulties in academic functioning, social withdrawal, and increased risk of comorbid internalizing symptoms. Previous studies have found SCT to be associated with overall anxiety in youth and college students, and only one study has examined the relationship of social anxiety with SCT in college students (Fredrick et al., 2020a). Therefore, the present study aimed to examine whether SCT and ADHD symptoms predict social anxiety symptoms within a community sample. Methods: Participants included 105 adults ages 20 to 75, living within the United States (U.S.). Participants were asked to complete several online questionnaires assessing for SCT, ADHD, and social anxiety. Results: Results of the study supported the two hypotheses: (a) SCT and ADHD uniquely predicted social anxiety symptoms, and (b) SCT, compared to ADHD, had a stronger relationship to social anxiety. Conclusion: The current study contributed to the literature that suggests SCT is related to negative outcomes in adults with and without ADHD (e.g., Barkley, 2018), and found further supportive evidence that SCT is more strongly related to social anxiety in adults compared to ADHD.

Student(s):
Rachael Karp

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Stephanie Tarle

Sofa Sleuths: Exploring the Personality Predictors of Crime Show Viewership

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In recent years, the crime genre has exploded in popularity with seemingly endless crime shows and podcasts. True crime and crime dramas dominate the landscape of media entertainment. Despite this pervasive fascination, relatively little research has explored crime media. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between crime media consumption (e.g., frequency, enjoyment) and personality. Though our lab has conducted research on this topic yielding significant results, we question the validity of our MTurk data and findings. Thus, we conducted a replication study with a community sample (n = 106) using Prolific. Participants were asked to complete an online survey assessing their crime media habits and preferences, as well as personality traits and individual differences (e.g., big five, attachment style, need for cognition, fear of crime, victim blaming, belief in a just world). Initial analyses demonstrate that crime drama preference and true crime preference were associated with higher agreeableness, conscientiousness, and self-esteem. There were no significant correlations for crime comedy preference and true crime podcast preference. Overall, we view this research as an important first step in better understanding the psychological correlates and consequences of crime media.

Student(s):
Sierra Knopp

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ariana Young

Examining the Psychological Impact of Crime Show Viewership

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The crime genre has become widely popular in recent years, captivating audiences through many media including television shows, movies, and podcasts. However, little is known about the psychological effects of crime show exposure. Thus, this study examines how watching crime shows affects the self and whether having a parasocial relationship (PSR), or one-sided relationship, with a crime show character moderates this relationship. Approximately 200 undergraduate students will watch a crime show or control show and report their PSR status with one of the main characters. Next, they will complete problem-solving and attention-to-detail tasks, as well as questionnaires assessing personality traits (i.e., need for cognition, belief in a just world, fear of crime). Overall, I predict that PSR status will moderate the effect of crime show exposure on one’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Specifically, I predict that among participants exposed to a crime show, those who have a stronger (vs. weaker) PSR with a character will not only perceive themselves as more analytical and detail-oriented, but also perform better on tasks of this nature. Additionally, among participants exposed to a crime show, those who have a stronger (vs. weaker) PSR will report higher need for cognition and belief in a just world. Finally, I predict that participants exposed to a crime show (vs. control show) will report greater fear of crime. However, among participants exposed to a crime show, those who have a stronger (vs. weaker) PSR will report less fear of crime.

Student(s):
Sierra Knopp

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ariana Young

Reducing Combative Behaviors in a Girl with Oppositional Defiant Disorder

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Under the guidance of the Clinical Practicum program behavioral modifications were employed to reduce combative behaviors in a girl with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). More commonly diagnosed in boys than girls, ODD reduces the quality of life of the individual and ultimately has the potential to develop into the more severe Conduct Disorder (CD). To reduce these combative behaviors, two interventions were implemented that focused on teaching new skills by mentally rehearsing for difficult situations as well as reinforcing these desirable behaviors through a token economy reward system. Progress was measured using separate occurrence duration recordings and on days where observations were not scheduled, teachers were asked for their assessment of the student.

Student(s):
Sergei La Porte

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel

Fall 2023 Public Health Internship at Ventura Coast Milk Bank

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The internship experience at the Ventura Coast Milk Bank (VCMB) provided opportunities to develop health education, women’s health knowledge, and professional interpersonal skills. The Ventura Coast Milk Bank collects, screens, pasteurizes, and distributes donor human milk to medically fragile infants in the community while also educating the public on the benefits of breastfeeding. This organization is a growing non-profit organization meant to support maternal and infant health through milk drives, donations, and outreach to the community. With a focus on that mission, internship projects included creating educational social media posts, attending board meetings, administrative work regarding big projects of the organization, and planning of community events. The goal of these projects was to increase awareness about milk donation and maternal health and raise funds with the goal of obtaining and distributing breast milk to fragile infants. Personal objectives for the internship were to increase my experience in the field of public health, obtain better health educational skills, and learn about the intricacies of running a non-profit organization. The overall 60-hour field experience provided me with developed health education skills through social media, more knowledge about women’s health and nonprofit organizations, and professional connections in the public health field. Additionally, the Public Health internship course provided training and certification in Introduction to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Providing Inclusive Care to LGBTQ Patients through Essential Health Access. These trainings increased my knowledge of sexual and reproductive health, social awareness about inclusive care, and the application of these skills in a professional context.

Student(s):
Allie Lam

Faculty Mentor:
Ms. Tanya Wicks

Gender and Gender Expression of a Video Game Character and Players' Positive Opinions

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This study aims to find out if people’s perceptions of a video game character are affected by the character’s gender, and if their perception is moderated by the gender expression of the character. The study predicts that people’s liking of the character, their idea of the character’s morality, and their willingness to cooperate with the character in-game will be higher if the character is male rather than female or non-binary. Those scores will also be higher if the character’s gender expression matches their gender, that is, if they are a masculine male or a feminine female. Participants were students taking psychology courses at California Lutheran University. Participants read a description of a video game and one of its characters and were asked to imagine they were playing this game. Participants were randomly assigned to read one of six versions of the description in which the character was either male, female, or non-binary, and they were also either masculine or feminine in gender expression. The character was constant in that they were a thief who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Participants were asked questions regarding how much they liked the character, how moral they believed they were, and how willing they were to cooperate with them in-game. No differences were found between any of the groups with and without the moderator. The study shows that college psychology students may have less biases towards gender and gender expression of video game characters.

Student(s):
Lauren Leonardi

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Amanda ElBassiouny

A Distraction from Distraction: The Effects of Phone Use on Mind-Wandering and Creativity

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Mind wandering refers to an attentional shift that occurs when a person engages in thoughts unrelated to a given task. Though known to be distracting, especially in academic environments, mind-wandering can also enhance creativity (Baird et al., 2012). Previous studies suggest that as people engage with digital technology, they are less likely to engage in mind-wandering until they mentally disengage from the technological task (Sullivan & Davis, 2020). Assuming mind-wandering can decrease the more people are cognitively absorbed in their technological devices, can using technology inhibit the creative incubation that mind-wandering facilitates? This study examined the effect of phone use on mind wandering during a creativity task. In a between-subjects, repeated measures design, participants were asked to engage in a Divergent Association Task. Halfway through the task, they were interrupted by an apparent program malfunction to foster creative incubation. Half the participants had access to their phones during the five-minute interruption, and the other half did not. After the break, participants answered a thought probe for mind wandering and completed a new version of the creative task. They also answered two short questionnaires assessing cognitive absorption and perceived competence on the task. Finally, we debriefed participants on our means of deception. The results will be analyzed in terms of divergent creative thinking and cognitive absorption theories. We hypothesize that participants who use their phones during the break will show less creativity on the task than participants who were allowed to mind-wander without technology.

Student(s):
Robert Lewis, Nico Ayala-Brown, Millennia Gomez, Estefani Gutierrez, Julia Jaros, Melody Ramirez, Sebastian Sawyer

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Sell

Impact of Race/Ethnicity & Age of Psychotherapist on Individual’s Psychological Responses

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There have been stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding one’s ability to perform their job well based on their race/ethnicity and age. In certain occupations, people believe that POC or older individuals are incapable of performing well. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine how a psychotherapist’s race/ethnicity and age impact an individual’s comfortability, receptivity, and perceived competence of the therapist. It was hypothesized that individuals would feel more comfortable and be more receptive towards a therapist whom they perceive as competent given their perceptions of their race/ethnicity. Additionally, individuals would feel more comfortable and receptive towards a therapist who is older than them, given they consider them competent, while feeling less comfortable and receptive towards younger therapists. The participants of this study consisted of Undergraduate Psychology students from California Lutheran University, who were primarily White and Latinx, and ranging in age from 18-29 years old. Participants acted as clients who were searching for a psychotherapist, then were randomly assigned to read a mock profile of a therapist who was either younger or older and either White, Black, or Latinx. They then completed a survey which consisted of questions regarding their comfortability, receptivity, and perceived competence of the therapist. After conducting the study and analyzing the data, no significant differences were found. Since the sample consisted of students taking psychology courses, they may be more concerned with techniques rather than therapist demographics, and have a more positive perception of therapists than the general population might.

Student(s):
Kylie Lopez

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Amanda ElBassiouny

Book Bans and Censorship in American Public Schools

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The act of banning books is on the rise in the United States. The number of books permanently banned from school libraries or temporarily under review from July to December of 2022 is 1,477 books. PEN America indicates this was the highest record of books banned in one school semester than the two previous semesters. Florida and Texas are the leading states to support book bans with the help of state policy. Approximately 30% of books on the subject matter of race, people of color, and racism were not only banned from school libraries but prohibited ethnic studies in the educational curriculum of public schools. This research report will study how the recent increase in book bans in states like Texas and Florida impacts the quality of public school education and the quality of educational curriculum for students in the 6th through 12th grade. The research will examine the implications of book banning and seek to analyze these topics:

What is the history of book bans in the United States and the new wave of censorship?

How have states like Texas and Florida implemented book bans?

What is the impact on student's learning experiences from 6th to 12th grade due to the book ban and censorship of ethnic studies?

Student(s):
Julia Luis

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Haco Hoang

The Perpetuation of Stereotypes in Media to Further Push the Hegemonic Narrative Into Society

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This paper analyzes the digital media’s use of a hegemonic perspective when creating digital content that perpetuates gender and racial stereotypes. The paper examines the effects of stereotypes of marginalized groups and how what is on the screen creates ideologies that reinforce existing power structures. The historically dominant groups control the media. The portrayals cross over and affect audience perceptions of stereotyped groups and are harmful to marginalized groups. However, I have found that there is a change happening. When there is more diversity behind the screens and in front, consumers will get media with accurate depictions. If the audience has limited time with marginalized characters, depictions matter incredibly more, and stereotypically presenting them can create a mirrored effect back to society.

Student(s):
Carissa Melton

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Sharon Docter

Using Positive Reinforcement to Increase Assignment Completion

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As part of the Clinical Practicum, a behavior intervention was used to increase desired behaviors, such as the completion and submission of homework assignments, in a middle school student displaying disruptive behaviors. Talking in class is a disruptive behavior that’s common among middle schoolers which can have a negative impact on their academic success. The use of positive feedback coupled with a token system as positive reinforcement was implemented to increase homework completion and overall aid in the student’s academic success. The use of a weekly assignment tracker and check-ins with teachers and the student was used to track the progress of the student. Tokens were used as incentive to complete weekly goals and positive feedback was used to increase desired behaviors.

Student(s):
Estephani Monterrubio Mendoza

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel

Increasing Assignment Completion and Decreasing Off-Task Behavior

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As part of the Clinical Practicum, behavioral modification interventions were utilized to help improve a student’s performance and motivation in school. Techniques were implemented to increase the frequency of assignments completed as well as decrease the frequency of socialization during inappropriate times. Methods such as a token economy, positive reinforcement, and a (DRI) differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior schedule were applied. Progress was measured by documenting the duration of time spent on-task in class as well as the amount of assignments completed.

Student(s):
Catherine Okubo

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel

Exploring the Impact of Implicit Bias in Hiring Processes: An Examination of GPA and Employment Type on Resumes

View abstract

Implicit bias is the unconscious biases and prejudices drawn from personal experiences that influence one's attitudes, actions, and decisions. Various research studies have shown how implicit bias puts people of color, women, and older people at a disadvantage through resumes in the hiring process. However, this experiment investigates the influences of grade point average (high versus low GPA) and work employment (full-time versus part-time). There has been debates about whether GPA matters in resumes, due to grade inflation and differing rigor of courses. Also while recruiters highly value work experience, does having a full-time position appear more attractive than a part-time position even if the responsibilities are the same? Participants were shown one of four resumes demonstrating differences in GPA and work employment. A between subjects two level ANOVA was used to analyze and compare how individuals responded to the resumes.

Student(s):
Catherine Okubo, Robert Lewis

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Sell

Trait Anxiety, Social Media Use, and Risk Perceptions in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

View abstract

Trait anxiety is associated with increased attention towards threatening information and a tendency to make negative risk appraisals and risk-averse decisions. During health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, trait anxiety may lead to risk averse views of COVID-19 and a tendency to seek out COVID-19 information on social media. This suggests a cycle where individuals with high trait anxiety may continuously seek COVID-19 information on social media and view this information as threatening, which in turn leads to seeking out more health-related information. Understanding current social media behaviors, COVID-19 risk perceptions, and related health-behaviors among individuals high in trait anxiety (who tend to be more risk averse and who tend to orient towards threatening information) can help inform future policies towards health/other global crises as well as help inform current clinicians who may be treating these types of individuals.
Despite findings that trait anxiety is related to increased attention to threat information, negative risk appraisals, and engaging in risk avoidant behaviors, the current literature on infectious diseases and health-related behaviors have mainly focused on state anxiety levels. The purpose of this study is to to fill the gap in the literature regarding the relationship between trait anxiety and three variables:health information seeking on social media, health risk perceptions, and health-related behaviors. The present study uses a quasi-experimental, correlational survey study design to assess the relationship between trait anxiety and these three variables of interest.

Student(s):
Sahar Panhasi

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Luis Morales Knight

Examining the Role of ADHD Symptoms & Emotional Reactivity as Predictors of Juvenile Recidivism

View abstract

Youth incarceration has been identified as a significant public health and safety issue. Furthermore, juvenile recidivism leads to negative outcomes such as difficulties gaining employment, lower education levels, and poorer physical and mental health. Research has also suggested that symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and increased emotional reactivity contribute to the risk of engaging in criminal activity in youth. There is, however, a dearth of research examining how ADHD symptoms and emotional reactivity contribute to youth re-offending. The current study includes archival data from a multi-site, longitudinal study of serious adolescent offenders, sampled between November 2000 and January 2003. Due to existing evidence in past research, the study attempts to answer whether the presence of ADHD symptoms and emotional reactivity of serious juvenile offenders will predict their rate of recidivism.

Student(s):
Madison Pappous

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Stephanie Tarle

Public Health Internship at Ventura Coast Milk Bank

View abstract

Ventura Coast Milk Bank is a non-profit organization that wants to improve public health in Ventura County by distributing pasteurized donor breast milk and providing breastfeeding education. Ventura Coast Milk Bank’s mission is to educate the public on benefits of breastfeeding and increase the amount of donor milk available for medically fragile infants in the community.
The internship experience at the Ventura Coast Milk Bank provided opportunities to increase health communication and health education skills. With a focus on Ventura Coast Milk Bank’s mission, the internship projects included creating annual reports, creating social media posts, and planning the Birth and Baby Resource Fair for the summer. Emphasis of these projects was to be able to educate the public about the importance of breastfeeding for infants, so that there are more donors. Personal objectives for the internship were to learn how to work as a team and be able to learn more about breastfeeding education myself, so that I can implement this public health education in my future career. The overall 60 hour field experience provided me with communication, time management, and collaboration skills.

Student(s):
Brittany Perez

Faculty Mentor:
Ms. Tanya Wicks

Examining How College Students Feel Social Media Affects Their Mental Health

View abstract

As social media has become an almost-essential of most teenagers and young adults, there has also been a growing concern and increase of individuals struggling with their mental health. This quantitative study (through surveying individuals) explores the role that social media has in the mental health of teenagers and young adults, specifically college students, attending California Lutheran University, potentially finding correlations between both social media and mental health. Our research specifically incorporates two different hypotheses, one involving class/grade status (lowerclassmen vs. upperclassmen), the other involving gender (males vs. females). While results from research concludes as statistically insignificant, further nulling both the hypotheses, this research highlights current findings of how individuals at California Lutheran University feel their mental health is affected by social media, while suggesting further ways this research could be expanded, or ways other researchers could go about their research with ours in mind.

Student(s):
Madeline Raab, Abigail Strong, Doriane Guzman, April Serrano

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Cynthia Duarte

Putrid Protest: Examining the Relationship between Disgust levels, Aesthetics, and Activist Behavior

View abstract

In recent years, climate change has been at an all-time high, which has led activists to use their voices through art. Some artists have chosen to depict graphic works of art that arouse negative emotions, such as disgust. The purpose of this study is to discover whether disgust can aid activism art in a person’s change in behavior. I hypothesize that low levels of disgusting art will elicit a stronger intent to change participant’s behavior than higher levels. To test this, participants will be asked questions about their current behavior in regard to climate change and see one of three levels of disgusting artwork (low, high, and neutral). Lastly, participants will answer questions about their intentions to change their behavior in the future. With this, I hope to provide a new aspect of future knowledge on how to make more people engaged in the betterment of our natural world.

Student(s):
Melody Ramirez

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Sell

The Impact of a Child’s Race/Ethnicity on Suspicions of Child Abuse Influenced by Different Parenting Styles.

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The purpose of this study was to understand how race/ethnicity affects perceptions of child abuse and the likelihood of reporting based on different parenting styles. It was hypothesized that authoritative parenting will impact an individual’s perception of child abuse and have a minimal impact on reporting rates; additionally, authoritarian parenting was assumed to impact both the perception and reporting rates of child abuse. 61 participants were recruited from California Lutheran University via Sona Systems and were asked to imagine being a mandated reporter in the scenario they read regarding a child in an academic setting that had suspicious bruises. An online survey provided one randomized vignette containing the relevant details of abuse in which the child was either Black, White, or Hispanic, and the parenting style was either authoritarian or authoritative, followed by seven questions about the vignette and six demographic questions. Findings showed that the race/ethnicity of a child significantly impact participants perceptions and reporting of abuse for a Hispanic child compared to a Black child who experienced authoritative parenting style. Likewise, the race/ethnicity of a child was marginally significant for the likelihood of reporting abuse for a White child compared to a Black child who experienced authoritarian parenting style. This could be due to personal schema of the type of discipline a Hispanic child could experience. This study can serve as a basis for helping educators to be aware of bias and schema of child abuse and how proper identification can help children of all races/ethnicities.

Student(s):
Alexandra Renteria

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Amanda ElBassiouny

The Legacy of Blaxploitation Films

View abstract

Blaxploitation films, with their messages of black empowerment, were a major contribution to film in the 1970’s and their legacy continues on in the form of blaxploitation parody films. This paper examines how black masculinity has been defined in blaxploitation films, and has been both celebrated and criticized in blaxploitation parody films. Through close analysis of individual scenes and representative characters, this paper examines how blaxploitation parody films have paid homage to the messages and themes of blaxploitation films, such as solving issues facing the black community and the expressive freedom of black masculinity, on top of their visual style. The parody films analyzed in this paper included Keenen Ivory Wayans’ I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988), Malcolm D. Lee’s Undercover Brother (2002), and Scott Sanders’ Black Dynamite (2009). These films demonstrate the necessity of the message of black empowerment many years past the initial era of blaxploitation films. Blaxploitation parody films also celebrate the expression of black masculinity as well as criticizing the toxic aspects of it. Although they parody (make fun of) the general film style of blaxploitation films, blaxploitation parody films demonstrate the continued stride for black empowerment.

Student(s):
Diego Rosas

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Dru Pagliassotti

The Effects of Race/Ethnicity and Gender on Perceptions of Older Adults in the Health and Medical Field

View abstract

Research on the treatment of older adults in the health and medical field shows that they are likely to experience discrimination (Kessler & Blachetta, 2018). Such discrimination can be based on the age, race/ethnicity, and gender of the older individual (Andreoletti et al., 2015), but the majority of studies have compared marginalized race/ethnicities to whites/caucasians; this experiment views marginalized peoples alone. This study will examine if undergraduate psychology students’ perceptions of older adults are impacted by the older adult’s race/ethnicity and how this varies based on the older adult’s gender. It is hypothesized that older Black adults will be perceived more negatively compared to older Asian and Latinx adults. A sample of 55 undergraduate psychology students were randomly assigned to read a vignette about an older adult’s health experience from the perspective of an elderly care center volunteer. The vignette varied based on the older adult’s race/ethnicity (Black/Asian/Latinx) and gender (male/female). Participants then responded to items on their perceptions of the older adults’ experience of pain, believability of pain, and likelihood to report the pain experienced. It was found that participants were more likely to ask the older adult to elaborate on their pain and believe the pain they were reporting when they were Asian females rather than Latinx females. Such findings can bring awareness to certain biases older adults face based on the intersectionality of marginalized identities, specifically gender and race/ethnicity differences in the health and medical field.

Student(s):
Maia Sable

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Amanda ElBassiouny

Acculturation's Impact on Parent-Child Relationships & LGBTQ+ Attitudes in Iranian American Immigrants.

View abstract

Family relationships play an important role in one’s upbringing, including communication styles, self-esteem, mental health symptomology, and navigating future relationships. However, there has been inadequate research on how the process of acculturation, specifically within the Iranian community, can directly impact both the positive and negative aspects of parent-child relationships from the perspective of the parent. Acculturation levels have also been seen to impact LGBTQ+ attitudes, but there has not yet been any research assessing how these factors may contribute to parent-child relationship dynamics. As a result, the goal of this dissertation is to expand the literature on acculturation within the Iranian American community by examining the association between acculturation and parent-child relationships, as well as the potential mediating factor of LGBTQ+ attitudes. The sample for this research will include Iranian American adults with a child over the age of 18. Participants will be asked to complete several online questionnaires measuring parent-child relationships, acculturation, and LGBTQ+ attitudes.

Student(s):
Kimya Sabzbalouchibam

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Luis Morales Knight

COPE Health Scholar’s Internship at Kaiser Permanente in Woodland Hills

View abstract

Through the COPE Health Scholar Public Health internship program, my responsibilities are to contribute to patient care teams by providing hands-on health care and administration. Through this program, I enhanced communication skills with patients and healthcare workers as well as strengthening my leadership and critical thinking skills. My personal goals were to learn and implement preventive care, gain a stronger understanding of the health care industry, learn how to work alongside medical professionals in a clinical setting, and enhance the patient experience by assisting a patient’s basic needs. Over 280+ hours will be accumulated through orientations and department specific training. In addition, rotations will be done through multiple departments in the hospital which includes Medical/Surgical units, Telemetry, Intensive Care Units, and Administration.

Student(s):
Julianne Sampang

Faculty Mentor:
Ms. Tanya Wicks

LGBTQ+ Generation Z: The Impact of Self-efficacy When Discussing Sexual Health

View abstract

The majority of sexual health education programs focus on heteronormative behavior (e.g., National Sex Education Standards, 2020). However, there is a lack of resources available for LGBTQ+ identifying individuals (e.g., focusing on topics of sex and gender roles) (DeHaan et al., 2012). Because of this, LGTBQ+ young adults may disengage with the information covered in sexual education programs. As a result, these individuals may gain access to sexual information through alternative modalities that are less medically accurate and reliable such as peers, social media, online platforms, and blogs. Thus, increasing the likelihood for unhealthy sexual practices (e.g., STIs, involvement in unhealthy relationships, lacking self-efficacy). Therefore, there is a need for LGBTQ+ inclusive sexual health education (Farrell et al., 2021). The purpose of this study is to examine self-efficacy when discussing sexual topics among LGTBQ+ young adults. It is hypothesized there will be differences in self-efficacy (e.g., comfort and confidence) when discussing sexual topics of sex and gender roles and sexual pleasure. A sample of 46 young adults (ages 18 to 26 years) completed an anonymous online survey via Qualtrics assessing their levels of self-efficacy when discussing various sexual topics (e.g., sex/gender roles; sexual pleasure). Analyses revealed that LGBTQ+ young adults reported higher levels of comfort when discussing sex and gender roles (M=4.25, SD =0.93) compared to sexual pleasure (M=3.48, SD=1.15), t(39) =3.74, p <.001, d=0.59, medium effect.

Student(s):
Grace Schifrin, Josh Blank

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Nicole Talarico

Public Perception of Police Officer Capability and Punishment

View abstract

Does the public’s agreement regarding whether an officer's actions were justified, whether disciplinary action is appropriate, and whether attitudes toward a police officer’s ability to perform their duty vary depending on the gender of the officer, and how is this impacted by the officer's race? Based on literature involving gender differences in the police force, it was hypothesized that the public would see Black and White female officers as more justified in use-of-force scenarios, receive more lenient disciplinary action, and have more skills necessary in being a police officer compared to non-binary or male officers. There were a total of 49 participants who were asked to read a scenario involving the use of force by an officer who was either male, female, or non-binary and White or Black. They also read the use-of-force report and answered a series of questions regarding whether the officer’s actions were justified. Next participants viewed the outcomes and disciplinary actions from the incident and were asked to answer questions regarding the punishment for the officer. Following, participants were asked to answer a series of questions describing ideal traits of officers and whether the officer in the situation exhibited those traits. There were no significant results showing differences in public perception based on officer gender and race. This demonstrates that the public does not view officers of different genders differently in use-of-force situations, encouraging more applications and hiring of potential officers regardless of gender, which improves community trust and relations by having a representative police force.

Student(s):
Shelby Scholle

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Amanda ElBassiouny

Dobbs v. Jackson: The Impact on Young Voters Activism, Voting Patterns and Political Preference

View abstract

The decision of Roe v. Wade in 1973 guaranteed women the right to terminate a pregnancy is protected under the 14th Amendments due process clause. Serving as a bedrock for privacy rights, the Roe v. Wade decision allowed access to an abortion guaranteed women individual liberties, away from government intrusion. The 50 year precedent ended on June 24th, 2022 as the Supreme Court issued the decision of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. In its opinion, the court dismantled the right to an abortion under the provisions granted in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Due to the decision, the question of whether a woman may terminate her pregnancy is now a matter left to state governments. The decision has a drastic change on political preferences, patterns and activism habits amongst young females aged 18-24. Young voters are changing the political discourse because their opinions in past and upcoming elections are based on the recent Supreme Court decision and new abortion laws. Abortion and reproductive rights activism is much more prominent throughout cities with young women spearheading the discussion. The purpose of this study is to examine how the Dobbs decision has affected young women voters' political activism and civic engagement. To assess the relationship, the study examined pre recorded data collected before and after the Dobbs decision as well as female individuals aged 18-22 studying at California Lutheran University. In order to achieve well rounded results, qualitative and quantitative data methods were utilized.

Student(s):
Sarah Stephan

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Haco Hoang

The Impact of Behavior Logs and Token Economy Systems on ADHD Students' Academic Performance

View abstract

In a classroom setting, a child diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) received an intervention targeting improved attention and decreased disruptive behavior. ADHD is characterized by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, often affecting academic performance and social interactions in school-age children. The intervention incorporated a behavior log to systematically monitor behavior patterns, focusing on attention span, participation in class activities, and instances of disruptive behavior. Additionally, a token economy system was implemented, offering positive reinforcement for desired behaviors such as staying focused and following instructions. Progress was assessed through the analysis of behavior log data, with a focus on the frequency and duration of attention, as well as reductions in disruptive behaviors. This study underscores the effectiveness of tailored interventions in addressing ADHD-related challenges within educational contexts, emphasizing the importance of structured behavioral strategies for promoting a conducive learning environment.

Student(s):
F S M Tabia

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Julie Kuehnel

Comfort Discussing Sexual Topics within the Gen Z and LatinX Community

View abstract

Latino parents are less likely to discuss sex compared to other groups due to stigma and religious values (Duetsch & Crockett, 2016). In fact, according to the Pew Center (2020), 77 percent of Latinos identify as Christian and are likely to relate sex with negative values. Parents may also choose to send children to religious/private schools (Palafax, 2023) where sexual education is limited, focusing on abstinence, and thus may have lasting effects into adulthood–increasing likelihood for unhealthy sexual behavior/feeling uncomfortable discussing sex. Therefore, there is a need to understand Latino young adults’ comfort discussing sex. The purpose of the study is to examine Hispanic/Latinx young adults’ comfort/confidence when having sexual conversations. It was hypothesized there will be differences in comfort/confidence when discussing sexual topics. A sample of 50 Hispanic young adults completed an online Qualtrics survey measuring comfort/confidence when discussing sexual topics. Results found differences in levels of comfort discussing sexual topics, F(2,88) = 3.75, p =.027,𝜂^2 = .078. Post hoc analyses revealed differences when discussing puberty (M=4.20, SD =0.73) and sexual pleasure (M=3.71, SD =0.19); t(44)=2.88, p=.006, and between puberty (M=4.13, SD=.76) and sex/gender roles (M=3.73, SD =1.30); t(47)2.26, p=.028. However, no differences were found between sexual pleasure (M=3.71, SD=1.27) and sex/gender roles (M=3.82, SD=1.27); t(44)=-.54, p=.593.

Student(s):
Jordyn Todd, Christina Villa

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Nicole Talarico

The Intersection of Communication and Military Propaganda: A Century of Tactics and Influence

View abstract

The study of communication has roots in the study of propaganda. This research is a combination of work produced from Independent Study and Research Methods courses in Communication. The researcher surveyed propaganda spanning from posters, film and campaigns using content and historical analyses as a form of methodology. Beginning in World War I, the military sought novel and captivating methods to inspire young men (and later, young women) to consider military service, reserve duty, civilian government roles, or support for the Department of Defense. Throughout the last 100 years, the United States has used many different tactics, but in World Wars I and II, women seemed to be one of the main focuses of propaganda posters. From using sex appeal to stimulate men’s desires, to urging women to work in bullet factories, women and their bodies played a prominent role in the United States’ psychological warfare efforts. Additionally, the Department of Defense collaborated closely with Hollywood to disseminate specific messages to the public and boost enlistment. Remarkably, even anti-war films can serve as forms of military propaganda, particularly evident from the 1970s onward.
This exploration sheds light on the intricate relationship between communication, propaganda, and societal influence, spanning a century of evolving tactics and messaging.

Student(s):
Tayla Valencia

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Roxanne Banuelos

The Impact of Parental Function of Child Screen Time and Parental Stress on the Parent-Child Relationship

View abstract

As screens become more prevalent in the daily lives of families and children, it is important to investigate how screentime may impact the family, specifically the parent-child relationship. There is currently little understanding of how parents use screentime with their child, such as to distract or reward them, and how this may affect their relationship. Previous research has shown that parental stress may be a factor that negatively impacts the parent-child relationship and is associated with increased screentime. This suggests further research is needed to understand how parental stress may be better understood within the context of child screentime and how a parent may use screentime when stressed (Mancini et al., 2023). The current study aims to expand the current literature on the parent-child relationship and screentime by assessing parents' functional use of child’s screentime (e.g., to reward or distract their child) and how this may be related to their stress and perception of their relationship with their child. Specifically, this study will utilize a between-subjects, cross-sectional design to examine the following variables: child-parent relationship, parental stress, and child screentime (both function and total time). This study will gather a sample of 150 adult and English-speaking parents with children aged 3 to 5 who have access to screens in their home. This study hypothesizes that parental stress and child screentime will have a negative correlation to parent-child closeness, particularly for parents who use screentime to distract or calm their child.

Student(s):
Caitlin Williams

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Jennifer Gamarra

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Schedule of Events

Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Poster Session

Student Abstracts

Attached to What I Never Had: A Look into Insecure Attachment and Communication

Public Health Internship with GLO Preemies and Alliance for Black NICU Families

Measuring Therapeutic Alliance among Bilingual Farsi- Speaking Clients and English- Speaking Therapists

Weaponizing Democracy: How Polarization Has Threatened the Integrity and Health of American Politics

Public Health Internship: Hospitals in the lens of a COPE Health Scholar

Increasing Verbal Engagement and Assignment Completion in a Middle Schooler with Social Anxiety.

Fostering Success: Applying Positive Reinforcement Within an Educational Setting

The Initial Impact of Parental Warmth and Control on Male and Female Young Adults’ Internet Addiction

Student Opinion on Intimate Partner Violence based on Victim Sex and Gender Roles

Decreasing Latency and Duration of Classwork For a Middle Schooler

NBA Expansion Project

Teacher Burnout, Emotion Regulation, and Student-Teacher Interaction as Predictors of Student Engagement

An Evaluation of Graduate Training Specializations Delivered in Community Mental Health Setting

Investigating People’s Perceptions of Social Media Fitness Influencers

Exploring the Impact of Parenting Styles and Social Connectedness on Posttraumatic Growth.

Expansion of the FJC in Ventura County: Evaluating the Oxnard Satellite Location

Increasing Academic Engagement and Focus in a Student

The Application of Intervention for a Student with ADHD-HI in a Middle School Setting

The Association Between Subclinical Psychopathy Traits and Cyber Dating Abuse

Examining the Predictive Relationship of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and ADHD on Social Anxiety Symptoms

Sofa Sleuths: Exploring the Personality Predictors of Crime Show Viewership

Examining the Psychological Impact of Crime Show Viewership

Reducing Combative Behaviors in a Girl with Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Fall 2023 Public Health Internship at Ventura Coast Milk Bank

Gender and Gender Expression of a Video Game Character and Players' Positive Opinions

A Distraction from Distraction: The Effects of Phone Use on Mind-Wandering and Creativity

Impact of Race/Ethnicity & Age of Psychotherapist on Individual’s Psychological Responses

Book Bans and Censorship in American Public Schools

The Perpetuation of Stereotypes in Media to Further Push the Hegemonic Narrative Into Society

Using Positive Reinforcement to Increase Assignment Completion

Increasing Assignment Completion and Decreasing Off-Task Behavior

Exploring the Impact of Implicit Bias in Hiring Processes: An Examination of GPA and Employment Type on Resumes

Trait Anxiety, Social Media Use, and Risk Perceptions in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Examining the Role of ADHD Symptoms & Emotional Reactivity as Predictors of Juvenile Recidivism

Public Health Internship at Ventura Coast Milk Bank

Examining How College Students Feel Social Media Affects Their Mental Health

Putrid Protest: Examining the Relationship between Disgust levels, Aesthetics, and Activist Behavior

The Impact of a Child’s Race/Ethnicity on Suspicions of Child Abuse Influenced by Different Parenting Styles.

The Legacy of Blaxploitation Films

The Effects of Race/Ethnicity and Gender on Perceptions of Older Adults in the Health and Medical Field

Acculturation's Impact on Parent-Child Relationships & LGBTQ+ Attitudes in Iranian American Immigrants.

COPE Health Scholar’s Internship at Kaiser Permanente in Woodland Hills

LGBTQ+ Generation Z: The Impact of Self-efficacy When Discussing Sexual Health

Public Perception of Police Officer Capability and Punishment

Dobbs v. Jackson: The Impact on Young Voters Activism, Voting Patterns and Political Preference

The Impact of Behavior Logs and Token Economy Systems on ADHD Students' Academic Performance

Comfort Discussing Sexual Topics within the Gen Z and LatinX Community

The Intersection of Communication and Military Propaganda: A Century of Tactics and Influence

The Impact of Parental Function of Child Screen Time and Parental Stress on the Parent-Child Relationship