Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

How To Be A Ghostbuster, Malia Villarreal

Family Perspectives

Most individuals who are in the dating world know what it means to be ghosted. Read about some ideas for how to deal with it and you can become a Ghostbuster too.

Staying Close While Living Apart, Larae Hilton Lemich

Family Perspectives

This article is Larae’s personal description of what living apart from her spouse has been like over the past eleven years. They did not want the physical distance to affect their personal, emotional, or spiritual connections, so they consciously made the effort to keep their marriage alive and thriving.

Intentional Screen Time, Anika Meyers

Family Perspectives

In a world of increasing technology, it's common to find screen time interfering with family time. Here are a few guidelines to consider that may help you and your family be more intentional about your technology use

Socialization And Body Image, Elizabeth Madsen

Family Perspectives

One’s perception of their own body image can be affected by social media in a negative way and can lead to self-objectification, increased frequency of unprotected sex, increased mental health issues, lower levels of self-esteem, and decreased sexual satisfaction in both men and women.

Financial Literacy: From Parent To Child, Emilynn Jarvis Bleazard

Family Perspectives

Starting earlier is better in helping children develop the healthy attitudes, behaviors, and skills they need to become financially independent in early adulthood.

Intrinsic And Extrinsic Religious Orientations And The Development Of Emerging Adults, Livy Andrus

Family Perspectives

Encouraging emerging adults to internalize basic religious doctrines, instead of focusing on outward actions and appearances, provides them with hope, peace, and life purpose.

Group Psychotherapy For Pain: A Meta-Analysis, Cameron Todd Alldredge

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic pain is common and frequently interferes with people’s regular functioning and reduces quality of life. Though pharmacological approaches are used most frequently to treat pain-related issues, the side effects of these medications often lead to other problems. Group therapy has been used and studied for decades in treating pain though it’s general efficacy for addressing pain is not clear. Objectives: to determine group therapy’s efficacy for patients with pain-related issues and whether the effects are moderated by study, patient, leader, or group characteristics. Method: potential articles were selected from searches completed in major databases based on a set of …

The Role Of Latter-Day Saint Resentment In Utah's Culture War, Jessica Dofelmire

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who have continually held majority status in Utah soon after arriving in 1847, dominate the state in terms of culture and politics. In the last few decades, the dominance of the Church and its members has led to contentious disputes regarding issues ranging from property sales to medical marijuana and conversion therapy, but the conflict has existed since the 19^th century. The conflict, which is often referred to as Utah’s culture war, has fueled resentful feelings on both sides of the battle and is in turn fueled by the …

God, Me, And Thee: Associations Between Religion, Sexuality, And Marital Connection, Rebecca Walker Clarke

Theses and Dissertations

There is a well-established and positive association between religiosity and marital satisfaction. What is less clear is the effect of religiosity on marital sexual outcomes, with research findings that have run the gamut from negative to positive. Given that most religions teach that marriage is the divinely appointed context for a sexual relationship, religious persons who are married and in sexual relationships could have a different experience with sex than those who are not in a marital sexual relationship. Although the majority of the population in the United States is religious, sex in religious marriages has received scant research attention. …

The Importance Of Quality Of Life In Weight Loss Programs, Brooke Taylor

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The obesity epidemic has plagued the United States for over 50 years, but there is still much education and research that needs to be done to understand weight loss, specifically the relationship between weight loss and quality of life. This paper considers this relationship from three angles: first, by considering the different types of weight loss treatment, including traditional behavioral weight loss, surgery, acceptance-based programs, and internet weight-loss interventions; second, by considering the impact of weight loss on quality of life through the lens of specific demographics, specifically female, child, and elderly populations; and finally, by considering the impact of …

Keynote Address: Curating The History Of Covid-19, Jeremy Myntti

Faculty Publications

Many libraries and archives have a mission to document local or regional history and current events. Rapid response collecting during a crisis has become increasingly necessary in recent years in order to curate content during an event rather than after the event has concluded. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, libraries across the world recognized the importance of documenting contemporary history for the current and future study of the pandemic. Many projects were created to document different aspects of the pandemic, each with a slightly different focus based on types of content, populations, or regions. This talk will …

“Truth Is The Only Ground”: How Journalism Contributes To Good Government, Edward L. Carter

Faculty Publications

Now, after twenty years of teaching journalism as a college professor and fifteen years of periodically representing journalists as a lawyer, I believe the viability of our system of government at local, state, and national levels depends more than ever on good journalism. But amid rapid and unsettling social and technological change, journalism and government are degenerating. Journalists and public officials need to do better, and I believe informed community members should influence reforms and innovations while insisting on adherence to core values. Doing so will require community members to set aside some selfish interests and ask the same of …

Postsecondary Education Achievement And Employment Outcomes In Adults With Self-Reported Autism Diagnosis, So Yeon Park

Theses and Dissertations

More autistic adults are entering into the work force and enrolling in postsecondary schools. However, overall, autistic adults experience a more difficult time than neurotypical peers completing postsecondary education, obtaining employment, and maintaining employment. Less is known about outcomes for subgroups of autistic adults who have typical or elevated intellectual and verbal abilities. The present study looks at the significance of self-reported autistic traits, camouflaging, and mental health (anxiety, depression, intolerance of uncertainty) factors for predicting educational and employment outcomes in a sample of 148 adults with an autism diagnosis and no co-occurring intellectual disability. Of the total sample, 118 …

Human Trafficking Timeline Of Events 2019-2022

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

See the major human trafficking efforts and happenings from 2019-2022 in one timeline.

Full Issue - Human Trafficking Awareness

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

What are the latest data points about human trafficking and the efforts being made to reduce it in our community? This issue addresses what's happening in the anti-trafficking community.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING DEFINED: The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended (TVPA), defines “severe forms of trafficking in persons” as:

• sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age; or

• the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, …

Latest Research On Human Trafficking

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Learn more about human trafficking and the research being done and the impact it has in our communities.

“Female victims continue to be particularly affected by trafficking in persons. In 2018, for every 10 victims detected globally, about five were adult women and two were girls. About one third of the overall detected victims were children, both girls (19 per cent) and boys (15 per cent), while 20 per cent were adult men. Traffickers target victims who are marginalized or in difficult circumstances. Undocumented migrants and people who are in desperate need of employment are also vulnerable, particularly to trafficking …

Fighting Human Trafficking By Better Understanding Nonprofit Collaboration, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Abstract: This research study examines nonprofit organizations and how collaboration plays a part in the human trafficking efforts within the United States. A descriptive study was conducted analyzing data from a quantitative, survey-based research method. Using a sample of 29 nonprofit leaders working in fighting human trafficking, data was collected on 1) what challenges nonprofits face in collaborating, 2) what technology tools nonprofits use to collaborate, and 3) how many other groups a single nonprofit works with in combating human trafficking. The findings show that the main challenges are 1) limited time, and 2) competition and/or lack of trust.

Full Issue

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

No abstract provided.

Think About It: Using Mindfulness As A Means To Treat Eating Disorders, Gabriella C. Breen

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Eating disorders are complicated and prevalent issues among the general population; it is estimated that 30 million people are affected in the United States alone (Foundation for Research and Education in Eating Disorders, 2018). Because of the complex psychological nature of eating disorders, it is difficult to find a treatment that is broadly effective. Traditional therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. In recent years, mindfulness has emerged as a potentially effective way to treat eating disorders due to its ability to reduce maladaptive coping strategies, improve emotional regulation, and treat anorexia nervosa (Cowdrey …

The Power Of Human Connection: Autism And The Suicide Risk, Rachel Barton

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

As researchers continue to understand autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one outstanding factor is causing concern within the psychological community: those with ASD are at a much higher risk of suicidal tendencies. These tendencies include suicidal ideation, attempting suicide, and death by suicide. Possible contributing factors to this increased risk include high levels of loneliness, pressure to conform to societal norms, as well as depression and anxiety. To decrease suicidality among the ASD population, further research is needed to fully understand why this behavior occurs at such a high percentage. Research is also needed to find appropriate and effective solutions to …

Plea To Professors: A Passionate Approach To Controversy In The Classroom, Adrianna Meredith

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Scholars have warned of a student-driven movement to turn campuses into comfort zones free from any material that may be seen as controversial (Lukianoff & Haidt, 2015). Despite this movement, the notion that professors ought to shelter their students as opposed to exposing them to challenging ideas is anti-intellectual and counterproductive to the development of critical thinking (American Association of University Professors, 2014). If the goal of education is indeed to foster critical thinking, it is crucial for professors to be willing to discuss controversial subjects (Schneider, 2013). Such openness in the classroom requires students to analyze the origin and …

The Need For A More Holistic Approach For The Treatment Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Haylee E. Dahlin

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been shown to be associated with psychological symptoms as well as physical. Despite this correlation, physicians are more likely to focus on and provide treatments primarily for the physical aspects of IBS, which may result in a less-than-ideal treatment of the disorder. This literature review examines many IBS-related studies which show the existence of psychological components of IBS and the efficacy of treatment methods based in psychology. The conclusion of this research is that the current medical treatments of IBS are insufficient, and patients would likely see more improvements if physicians were to create a …

Reducing College Student Burnout: Predictive Factors, Harmful Effects, And Preventative Strategies, Eden Semu

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Academic burnout is defined as experiencing emotional exhaustion, having cynical attitudes toward other people and one’s studies, and feeling unable to achieve one’s academic goals (Schaufeli et al., 2002b). Academic burnout has been observed among college student populations, and its prevalence is increasing as college students are more susceptible to psychological illness, are experiencing peak levels of life stress between ages 18 and 33, and are learning to handle novel demands associated with emerging adulthood (APA, 2012; NAMI , 2019). Internal factors, such as motivational style, attitude, and coping mechanisms, have been shown to mediate the relationship between demands and …

Infant Language Development: The Consequences Of Trauma, Janna Pickett

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Infants between 0 and 36 months who experience physical and emotional trauma are at risk for severe social, emotional, cognitive, and physiological developmental deficits (Carpenter & Stacks, 2009; Jacobsen et al., 2013). As researchers search for protective factors against these deficits, productive language acquisition (the words an infant can verbally produce) has emerged as a potential predictor of resilience (Bellagamba et al., 2014; McCabe & Meller, 2004). This review proposes that infants who have acquired more advanced language, such as emotion descriptors, are able to define their experiences, learn how to respond to those experiences, and feel in control of …

Sexual Intimacy After The Transition To Parenthood: Using Emotionally Focused Therapy, Mallory Kindt

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

The transition to parenthood requires a significant amount of adjustment and often leads to a decrease in a couple’s relationship satisfaction. Specifically, new parents often experience attachment distress that can negatively affect their sexual relationship. Attachment distress may stem from the over prioritization of the parent role, postpartum fatigue and overall toll on new mothers, and unreasonable sexual expectations. One specific treatment that may help couples to overcome the negative repercussions that the transition to parenthood may have on their sexual relationship is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). EFT uses three stages, cycle de-escalation, changing interactional patterns, and consolidation/integration. These stages …

Anxious For Answers: A Behavioral Approach To Anxiety In The Home, Kassidy Bowen

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Children who have one or more parents with anxiety disorders are 76% more likely to develop anxiety disorders themselves (Hudson et al., 2014). With this correlation in mind, many studies aim to improve the treatment outcomes of children in such circumstances. However, the involvement of caregivers with anxiety disorders in the treatment of their children, specifically with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), does not always decrease the effects of anxiety on their children (Breinholst et al., 2012). Additionally, child CBT may not reduce stress-inducing factors originating from parental responses in the home (Metz et al., 2018). Parental tendencies that are common …

Society’S Responsibility To Prevent Rising Mental Illness In Youth, Spencer Smith

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

The increasing rates of mental illness in the world is becoming an issue that has been ignored for too long. Stigma and ableism, “discrimination against individuals with disabilities or the tendency to be prejudiced against and to stereotype them negatively,” are contributing factors to the delay of seeking mental health treatment and worse prognosis (VandenBos & American Psychological Association, 2007). Preventing mental illness in youth requires changes in education. By increasing education at school, from parents, and understanding personal responsibility, it may be possible to prevent or mitigate mental illness development. Though there seems to be no one best practice …

Exploring The Non-Malicious Influencers Of Lying, Sienna Stroud

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Although lying is often studied in relation to malicious factors like crime, delinquency, and lie-detection, there may be people who lie without any antagonistic intentions. In those cases, other factors like age, self-regulation, and impression management may be at play. Some studies suggest that teenagers and children may be more likely to lie than adults because of a lower maturity or because of desires for autonomy rather than malicious intent (Dykstra et al., 2020; Levine et al., 2013). Other researchers propose that some may lie because of low levels of self-control or ego depletion (Fan et al., 2016; Welsh et …

The Double-Edged Sword: Unsuccessful Versus Successful Religious Parenting And Transmission, Avanlee Peterson

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Religious participation can have many positive effects on children and adolescents, including improved health, academic, and social capabilities. Therefore, many parents are concerned by the decrease in religiosity in American society today. In response to this common concern, this literature review discusses how various types of religious parenting can improve parent-child religious transmission while maintaining good parent-child relationships and promoting healthy child development. Much of the research on parenting styles suggests that religious parenting is most successful when using an authoritative style of parenting (high structure, high warmth, high autonomy) rather than an authoritarian style (high structure, low warmth, low …

Advocating For The Advocates: School Psychologists Are Important In Addressing Mental Health Concerns Among Students, Brooke Curry

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

For decades, there has been a severe shortage of school psychologists and a rising number of children and adolescents with untreated behavioral and mental disorders in the United States (Castillo et al., 2014). The current national ratio of school psychologists to students is estimated to be 1:1211, which is a concerning shift from the recommended ratio of 1:500-1:700, school psychologists to students (NASP, n.d.-a). This ongoing shortage may lead to issues both for the school psychologists themselves and for the students they help. For instance, Schilling et al. (2017) found that 90% of school psychologists have reported experiencing burnout at …