Student Psychology Research Conference

(N = 369) were randomly assigned to read moral transgressions described in different ways (e.g.,  the person who cheated, the cheater, the act of cheating) before rating the severity of the transgressions and recommending a punishment. Additionally, participants completed individual difference measures of guilt and shame proneness. Consistent with our hypotheses, language impacted the perceived severity and corresponding punishments recommended for moral transgressions. Contrary to our hypotheses, guilt and shame proneness did not moderate these relationships, but they did significantly predict the severity of judgments and punishments.

Awareness of the relationship between hostile feelings and behavior and specific psychosis symptomology seems advantageous in the care of those experiencing severe mental illness. The current study investigated the relationship between endorsement of psychotic symptoms (e.g., believed people were spying on you or trying to hurt you; felt someone was controlling, stealing, or placing thoughts in your head; seeing things that people could not; hearing things that people could not) and ratings of hostility and overall psychiatric distress. It was hypothesized that gender and psychotic symptomatology would correspond with higher levels of hostility and psychiatric distress during the previous week among individuals incarcerated in a metropolitan county jail. Four separate 2 x 2 ANOVAs revealed significant differences in endorsement of psychological symptoms along with specific hostility ratings as a function of both gender and psychotic symptoms. Findings suggest a relationship between psychotic symptoms and the risk for acting out.

Ethnic/racial minorities and migrants often face challenges associated with having to adjust to a new host country. These challenges, known as acculturative stress, include difficulties with behavioral, emotional, and social adaptations, and are linked to adverse mental health outcomes. Yet, there are several limitations in the current literature on acculturative stress. First, most studies focus on Latino or Asian ethnic groups or international students/cross-national migrants samples; it is unclear how associations between acculturative stress and mental health vary across segments of the population. Second, most studies have focused on mental health outcomes, neglecting other important outcomes. Using records from a large-scale meta-analysis project, we conducted a scoping review of research on acculturative stress to summarize this literature and characterize the heterogeneity across studies. We performed literature searches using keywords (e.g., acculturative stress) in databases and identified 3746 relevant study records. Abstract and full-text screening yielded 681 published and unpublished articles eligible for quantitative analysis. Primary studies were included if they measured acculturation in the context of intercultural adaptation and migration, acculturative stress, and health, academic, and relationship outcomes. We coded and summarized sample characteristics of all articles and will randomly select 50 that examine acculturative stress and its associations with mental health, academic, and relationship outcomes. We will review and present common outcome measures, instruments assessing acculturative stress, and conclusions. We expect the scoping review to indicate patterns, possible gaps, and variability in the current acculturative stress literature.

Positive interactions with individuals experiencing homelessness precipitate positive attitudes and a willingness to help those who are unhoused. Importantly, however, not all interactions are positive. In two studies, we explored whether autonomous and controlled social justice motivations (SJM) can buffer people from the cognitive and behavioral consequences of negative interactions. In Study 1 (N = 147), participants were randomly assigned to imagine a positive or negative interaction with an individual experiencing homelessness. Afterwards, attitudes towards and willingness to help (WTH) individuals experiencing homelessness were assessed. Results demonstrated that the valence of the imaginary interactions impacted attitudes, but not helping intentions. SJM did not moderate these effects. Correlation analyses indicated that autonomous (but not controlled) motivation predicted attitudes and intentions to help with individuals experiencing homelessness. Study 2 (N = 324) replicated and extended these findings in a general sample, demonstrating that priming individuals with autonomous (vs. controlled) motivation questions did not reduce the consequences of negative imaginary interactions with individuals experiencing homelessness. Together, these findings suggest that although social justice motivations predict attitudes and WTH individuals experiencing homelessness, generally, they do not buffer individuals from the interpersonal consequences of negative interactions.

Research indicates that nostalgia, “a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past,” increases perceptions of social support and meaning in life. The proposed study is intended to complement the existing cross-sectional studies via an examination of nostalgia’s effects over time. This study will measure the effects of weekly nostalgia interventions on loneliness and well-being over a period of three weeks.

Participants will engage in three weekly nostalgia interventions in which they write about and reflect upon a personally significant nostalgic memory. After each weekly session, participants will complete measures for loneliness as well as two key areas of well-being: perceived social support and meaning in life.

We expect to observe an increase in well-being and a decrease in loneliness over time. Furthermore, we will examine an interaction between time and trait loneliness. We hypothesize that over time participants will report lower loneliness and greater well-being after the nostalgia intervention, with strongest effects for participants whose baseline loneliness is high.

Prior research has established the effectiveness of nostalgia as a potent resource for improving well-being, and this study will expand on this by exploring its effects over time. The findings from the study will be highly applicable for individuals who cannot access expensive therapy or other treatments for loneliness. Positive-psychology-inspired interventions like this may provide an effective avenue to bypass some financial and cultural barriers to therapy and overall well-being improvement.

Irritability is a diagnostic symptom for 15 disorders DSM-5; despite its clinical significance, the construct lacks a definitive understanding of what distinguishes it from other related experiences like anger and aggression. There has been a call to help distinguish among these constructs by first examining and then comparing and contrasting the biological changes that occur for each. In this article, we examined 20 peer-reviewed articles (including 13 meta-analyses)  measuring biological markers of anger, aggression, and irritability. Given the lack of content validity for current measures of irritability, we operationalized the construct of irritability by examining biomarkers posited to cause irritability (i.e.,sleep deprivation, hunger, pain, and substance withdrawal). Examined biomarkers included predominantly brain regions, hormones, and neurotransmitters. Results from the literature review found some separate and some overlapping biological underpinnings  for each construct.  Biomarkers associated with irritability only  For irritability only, 30 distinct biomarkers were found (e.g., Thalamus, Glucose, Progesterone). For anger only, one distinct biomarker was found (i.e., Visual Occipitotemporal cortex). For aggression only, two distinct biomarkers were found (i.e., Vasopressin, oxytocin). For irritability and anger (i.e., irritable anger), two biomarkers were found (e.g., inferior parietal cortex). For irritable aggression, three biomarkers were found (e.g., Prefrontal Cortex, GABA). For angry aggression, six biomarkers were found (e.g., Superior Temporal Gyrus, Orexin). For irritable angry aggression, 11 biomarkers were found (e.g., Precentral Gyrus, Dopamine). Our study is a novel preliminary study examining biological differences and similarities in the constructs of irritability, anger, and aggression. Findings indicate that irritability, anger, and aggression exist as biologically distinct states. It also introduces biological support for the potential constructs of irritable anger, irritable aggression, angry aggression, and irritable angry aggression. We recommend that future research further examine and utilize biological data to clarify and differentiate among each of these constructs.

Screen time and implications of that usage on mental health have been a major concern recently. Studies have shown passive screen time and inappropriate content exposure to be associated with increased rates of depression among adolescents (Favotto, Halladay, Wang, Boyle, & Georgiades, 2020; Lin, Eaton, & Schleider, 2020). This study examined the relationship between reported phone dependence and depression for college students. It was hypothesized that individuals reporting higher levels of “addiction” to their phones would report more depressive symptomology. Participants were 417 students (329 identifying as female and 89 identifying as male) from a regional comprehensive university in the Pacific Northwest. Participants completed demographic information, questions about screen time, and a packet of questionnaires including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised (CES-D; Radloff, 1977) and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (Argyle & Hills, 2002). Individuals were classified into three tertiles based on response rating phone addiction. A 2 (male vs. female) x 3 (low vs. medium vs. high addiction to phone) ANOVA revealed a significant difference in endorsement of depressive symptoms as a function of gender feeling addicted to one’s phone. Women reported higher levels of depression than men and individuals reporting low phone addiction indicated significantly fewer depressive symptoms than individuals reporting high levels of addiction and higher levels of happiness. Screen time types and intensity should be explored to further understand factors contributing to these symptoms and opportunities for mitigating such impacts.

The DSM-5 includes over 32 disorders that list aggression, anger, and/or irritability as a key criterion; however, a gap exists in understanding the distinct separation among these constructs as they often overlap (Toohey & DiGiuseppe, 2017). Aggression is often seen as a consequence of anger, and anger is sometimes seen to follow irritability. Highlighting what the general public considers to be the consequences of each might help distinguish one from another. In this study, seventy-three participants answered three qualitative questions (one for each construct: aggression, anger, irritability) in a comprehensive online survey about their personal experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: “What does your aggression naturally lead you to feel/do (before you try to manage it)?” Thematic Analysis (TA; Braune & Clark, 2012) was used to categorize responses. When examining aggression, participants endorsed physical (n=41, “hit,” “kick”) behavioral changes. When examining anger, participants emphasized the themes of verbal behavioral (n=36, “sarcastic remarks”) changes. When examining irritability, participants emphasized the themes of cognitive changes (n=22, “disappointed”) and avoidance (n=22, “withdraw”). When comparing the reactions of the three constructs, aggression was associated with more destructive physical change, anger with more verbal change, and irritability with more cognitive and avoidance responses. These findings support conceptualizing aggression, anger, and irritability as separate constructs and help elucidate the natural reactions of each. When analyzing natural reactions, we can increase our accuracy when diagnosing and treating such disorders. Future research might examine how these natural reactions present across cultures and specific treatments.

Previous research on students with chronic health conditions, such as mental illness, learning disabilities, and stress, show that students with these CHC are more likely to score poorly for self-efficacy, and therefore report more academic difficulties. Less is known about the relationship between resilience and academic difficulties in students with CHC than students without. The two aims of this study are to compare the academic difficulties and to compare resilience to academic difficulties reported by students with and without CHC. In total, 410 undergraduate students completed an online survey assessing CHC status, academic difficulties reported, and resilience levels throughout the school year. The majority of students reporting any CHCs indicated that their schoolwork was affected as a result of their CHC. Resilience levels for students with both mental and physical CHC appeared to hold at a constant, throughout the school year, instead of steadily declining, as it did for students with only physical CHC. These results suggest that students with CHC are more likely to have accompanying academic difficulties compared to students without CHCs, especially those related to learning difficulties and avoiding engagement with school; this supports university efforts to facilitate effective academic engagement for students with CHCs. In addition, our findings suggest minimal changes to perceived resilience across the academic year, regardless of CHC status. Further research is indicated to clarify trends in resilience reported by students with CHCs, across academic years.

Latent class (LC) models are used to identify underlying groups or classes based on response patterns from a series of categorical items. These models have been used to characterize drug and alcohol use, psychiatric disorders, and many other domains within psychology. LC models assume that the latent variable of interest is categorical, and that group membership is mutually exclusive. Each class is characterized by item response probabilities, which can be used to label and interpret class membership. Both class membership prevalence and item response probabilities are parameters that must be estimated, typically through maximum likelihood approaches. Because the number of parameters increases rapidly as the number of classes estimated and number of items increases, parameter estimation can become challenging as the likelihood could contain many local maxima rather than one global maximum. This could potentially result in multiple optimal solutions with different scientific interpretations which impacts the validity of the LC model. A preliminary LC model was fit to a set of 14 activities of daily living items aimed to measure physical well-being in a sample of Chinese older adults. Results from using derivative-based likelihood estimation methods versus the Expectation-Maximization algorithm to estimate the model show differences in item parameter values, with discrepancies increasing as the number of classes estimated increased. These results highlight the importance of examining different estimation algorithms when fitting LC models and motivate further research for differences in estimation routines.

Upward social comparisons, increasingly encountered via social media platforms, often coincide with a sense of relative deprivation and a lack of satisfaction with one’s own life. In two studies, we explore the possibility that a novel counterfactual thinking intervention could help to neutralize the negative cognitive and emotional consequences of such upward social comparisons. One-hundred and fifty college students (Study 1) and three-hundred Prolific Workers (Study 2) were asked to reflect on a recent upward social comparison before being randomly assigned to a novel intervention (focus on the negative aspects of the other person’s life), a gratitude intervention (focus on the good parts of your life), or a control condition. Data analyses will test our hypothesis that the control group will report the least gratitude and life satisfaction relative to those in either intervention group. Exploratory analyses will also compare the efficacy of each intervention strategy and probe individual differences (e.g., optimism, emotion regulation, psychological well being) as potential moderators of the effects. These findings will inform when and for whom different strategies are most effective to negate the negative consequences of upward social comparisons.

Alcohol is a depressant drug, inhibiting the function of the central nervous system (CNS) and neurons in the mind (Greenberg, 1953). This results in physiological effects that are typical of an inhibited CNS; slowing of the heartbeat and breathing, and decreasing blood pressure (Scorzelli & Chaudhry, 2009). However, this inhibition of both the CNS and the neural chemistry develops a tolerance, and in turn withdrawal symptoms (Polli et al., 2023). These withdrawal symptoms are the inverse of the inhibition caused by the depressant effects of alcohol (i.e., an overactive CNS, increased activity of neurons; Smith-Alnimer & Watford, 2004). In extreme cases, one can develop a condition called delirium tremens (DT) (Stringer et al., 2015). DT is a debilitating condition caused by a sudden cut in alcohol after consistent, intense drinking (Stringer et al., 2015). Because their CNS and neural chemistry has adapted to the intense drinking, this sudden decrease in alcohol consumption results in violent withdrawal symptoms (Smith-Alnimer & Watford, 2004). Sørensen et al. (2019) found a significant increase in the risk of cultivating DT if individuals had a daily alcohol intake of at least 20 alcoholic drinks. Additionally, beverage drinking spirits was found to be more impactful in development of DT contrary to mixed alcohol. Finally, males were more susceptible to the risk of developing DT. Further attention to the precipitating factors (e.g., age of starting consumption, comorbidity with other substance use, etc.) involved in development of DT is necessary and will be proposed.

The term “nature”, as a concept, is incredibly vague and abstract. There is no single definition that fits how all people interpret nature. The disagreement over what qualifies as “nature” is evident; for instance, some may regard a small patch of grass in a bustling city as nature, while others would completely disagree. Many researchers have attempted to understand differences in what is and is not included in individuals’ definitions of nature. This includes, but is not limited to, whether or not humans, and our human-influenced environments (e.g., parks or farms) may be considered nature. Questions also arise about which natural elements—such as bodies of water, vegetation, weather, and animals—are encompassed in different definitions of nature. Ideas relating to vastness, degrees of wildness, and type of landscape have also been considered. Gaining a better understanding of how people define nature is imperative for interpreting nature-related measurement scales, understanding how peoples’ experiences influence their nature-related thinking, shaping legislation and policy, and guiding environmental management. This poster conducts a review of literature exploring individuals’ definitions of nature. It aims to examine similarities and differences amongst existing frameworks, synthesizing and offering a comprehensive catalog of different definitions. This review provides the basis for planned research exploring how demographics (e.g., ethnicity, culture, political affiliation, urban/rural residency, age, gender, religion/spirituality, etc.) shape individuals’ definitions of nature.

This study investigates coping strategies utilized by individuals to manage anger, irritability, and aggression, addressing gaps in understanding and measurement within the field of psychology. Analysis of a comprehensive dataset reveals distinct codes and frequencies of coping mechanisms employed.

Noteworthy strategies for addressing irritability include self-care basics, breathing techniques, reflection, problem-solving, and activities such as exercise, breaks, and family time. Similarly, managing anger involves diverse approaches such as physical activity, venting, breathing techniques, communication, and problem-solving, with common methods including exercise, journaling, and solitary time.

The findings highlight the nuanced and multifaceted nature of managing these emotions, emphasizing the importance of tailored approaches based on individual preferences and circumstances. This research contributes valuable insights to inform clinical interventions and psychological research promoting mental well-being.

Combining immersive virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) tutoring systems could transform STEM education, but their combined effectiveness compared to traditional teaching remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of VR/AI learning on high school students’ math and science performance and engagement. We will conduct a between-subjects experiment with 200 students randomly assigned to either a VR/AI group using Meta Quest 3 VR headsets and MyEdMaster AI software or a control group receiving conventional instruction. Learning will be assessed through the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) for math and Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) for science, while engagement will be measured using the Student Engagement Instrument and observations. Factorial ANOVA will examine the effects and interaction of instructional methods and time on outcomes. We hypothesize that the VR/AI approach, aligning with situated learning theory, will lead to significant improvements. This research could provide insights into leveraging innovative technologies for more effective and engaging STEM education.

Past studies have examined the role of having a sense of life meaning and purpose in the success of college students, but few have determined a direct relationship between the degree to which students’ senses of purpose are related to school engagement. In an attempt to investigate the connection further, this study employed correlational analyses with data from 2074 college students nationwide to examine the relationship between school engagement and a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Participants completed a survey using Google Forms that assessed these measures using the The Psychological Sense of School Membership scale and the Claremont Purpose Scale (CPS). These scales were also examined between demographic factors. Consistent with my hypothesis, correlational analyses demonstrated a moderate positive correlation between school engagement and a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Additionally, age, membership in an honor society, and age were linked to both school engagement and an overall sense of purpose and meaning. These results may indicate the potential benefits of membership in an honor society related to higher school engagement and a sense of purpose. Furthermore, future examination of causative factors in the connection between purpose and school engagement may reveal methods to increase school engagement and a sense of purpose in college students.

Introduction: After the COVID-19 pandemic, national surveys indicated an increase in mental health conditions reported by undergraduates. Depression and anxiety can contribute to worse performance, including university work. However, there is limited research comparing depression and anxiety symptom severity between students with mental or physical chronic health conditions (CHCs) since the pandemic. The current study fills that gap by examining depression and anxiety severity in undergraduate students with CHCs.

Method: Undergraduate students (n = 212) at Eastern Washington University completed online surveys during Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters of the 2020-21 academic year. Surveys included CHC questions and a validated measure of anxiety and depressive symptom severity. Paired samples t-tests addressed changes in levels of depression and anxiety severity over time. One-way ANOVAs and independent samples t-tests addressed mean differences across students with anxiety, depression, other mental CHCS, and students without CHCs.

Results: Depression and anxiety symptom severity was stable across time for students with any combination of CHCs and those with no CHCs. Students with co-occurring anxiety and depression reported greater levels of anxiety symptom severity across time when compared to students with only physical CHCs, other mental CHCs, and no CHCs; however, those differences tended to close by Spring quarter.

Discussion: Our findings are consistent with prior research demonstrating that students with co-occurring anxiety and depression may experience lower quality of life. Future studies that target students with combinations of anxiety and depression CHCs may need to be conducted to examine possible interventions for this population.

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, unwanted choreatic movements, and behavioral and psychiatric difficulties. Mutations of the huntingtin (HTT) protein, resulting from a CAG repeat in the HTT gene, cause a cascade of aggregation that leads to neuron death and loss of connectivity across the brain. This loss of connectivity drives further degeneration and inflammation, with damage primarily occurring in the striatum. The striatum consists of neurons and glial cells, including astrocytes and microglia, that become reactive as a response to mutant HTT, and neuroinflammation occurs. Neuroinflammation, and the possible therapeutic treatments for it, remain understudied in HD. Current therapeutic clinical trials aim to halt the progression of degeneration but have thus far only been able to minimize symptoms. The goal of this preclinical research study is to target one aspect of HD pathology—reactive gliosis—with cannabidiol (CBD) therapeutics.

The study has been underway for over a year. It began with HD model mice cohort selection, genotyping, and behavioral assays including rotarod, light/dark box, ladder, and open field test. Mice were then exposed to a three-month-long treatment period and, using transgenic dough, were given either CBD or MCT oil as vehicle control. Currently, brain tissues have been collected through perfusion and fixation, stained with immunofluorescent antibodies, and are being imaged. The images will allow for the observation of glial cell morphology as well as quantity. This research aims to provide insight into the molecular mechanisms driving neurodegeneration and inflammation, as well as understanding the protective effects of CBD for future clinical treatments.

Generally, people tend to believe that they are poor at remembering vital information while simultaneously displaying a tendency to overestimate their performance on memory tests. People display the usage of their metamemory, the control and awareness of memory, by monitoring and reporting how much information they have accurately remembered. Predicting the outcome of test scores is one way of testing metamemory, but this does not address how a person’s trust in their memory relates to their perceptions of how they performed on a test. The Squire Subjective Memory Questionnaire (SSMQ) measures beliefs about susceptibility to omission errors (excluding information), and the New Memory Distrust Scale (MDS) measures beliefs about susceptibility to commission errors (including wrong information). The SSMQ and MDS are usually used in relationship to eyewitness memory and focus purely on trust in memory. This study addresses the relationship between memory-trust and performance perception, with the ultimate aim to produce follow up studies while expanding the understanding of metamemory. Participants in this study completed the MDS, the SSMQ, and a general knowledge test where they answered trivia questions and rated their confidence in the accuracy of their response. Half of the participants fill out the memory distrust scales after answering the general knowledge questions, while the other half of the participants completed them before the general knowledge questions. It is hypothesized that people who do not trust their memory will be less confident of their answers during the general knowledge test than those who do trust their memory.

According to RCW 13.34, Washington state has the authority to intervene in family matters when a child is at risk of abuse or neglect. This situation is referred to as a dependency case and typically results in the removal of a child from the parent whereas the parent is required to comply with court mandates to reunify with the child (Buie 2019). Parents are generally expected to adhere to court hearings, classes, therapy, supervised visits, retaining stable housing and steady income; yet parents involved in this legal system often face power imbalances and frequently battle with mental health, addiction, transportation costs, scheduling conflicts and, at times a limited and incorrect understanding of legal systems (Stephens et al. 2018; Cleveland & Quas 2020). Thus, data shows 214,542 youth exited foster care in 2021 but just 47% were reunited with their parents therefore reunification efforts need to be improved upon. This current research proposal will examine if legal literacy intervention mediates the relationship between compliance and family reunification in dependency cases with the moderating role of self-efficacy. This proposed study will utilize an experimental design applying legal intervention videos corresponding to different types of legal hearings. Scores between the experimental group and control group based off legal literacy, compliance, reunification, and self-efficacy will be compared to determine if an increase in legal literacy through the intervention videos can accelerate family reunifications. The implications of these findings will address a system lapse.

Mentoring is an effective way to improve diversity and retention in STEM fields. The UW Psychology Undergraduate Mentoring Program matches psychology students from underrepresented groups with mentors, including undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and alumni. Matches are made based on career interests and personal identities. In this study, we aim to understand predictors of mentees’ success in the program, defined by feelings of belonging, academic preparedness, and satisfaction with the mentoring relationship. We hypothesized that in-person meetings, more frequent meetings, and greater similarities between mentors and mentees would be linked with greater success. 32 out of 168 mentees completed our survey on Qualtrics in Spring 2023. We measured meeting frequency, format (e.g., in-person vs. video calls or text), match characteristics (e.g., whether the mentor and mentee shared similar demographics such as BIPOC, first-generation, or gender), belonging (e.g., “I know other people in the psychology major”), preparedness (e.g., “I feel prepared to pursue the psychology major at UW”), and satisfaction (e.g., “My mentor and I have had a successful mentoring relationship”). Multiple regression analyses revealed that video/phone meetings (vs. in-person only) predicted belonging, preparedness for the major and career, and satisfaction with the mentoring relationship. Analysis of mentor-mentee similarities is in progress. We conclude that timely mentoring that is flexible with students’ schedules is most effective in preparing students and helping them feel belonging, which is most likely to result in satisfying and effective mentoring relationships. We hope these findings may guide the successful development of new mentoring programs in other departments.

Most research involving longevity is focused on increasing life span through biological approaches, such as intermittent fasting, and ingestion of various nutrients that alter the body’s chemistry on a genetic level. However, psychology has a long history of identifying behaviors, lifestyles, and experiences that can enhance or damage long-term health, and therefore increase or decrease life expectancy and possibly life span.

We propose to study the relationship between the psychosocial and physiological response and longevity of participants by utilizing the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GPS), and the Salamon-Conte Life Satisfaction in the Elderly Scale (SCLSES). We will also measure physiological measures that reflect biomarkers of aging, such as heart rate, blood glucose level, and blood pressure. Participants will be from three age groups: 70-75 year olds, 80-85 year olds, and 90-95 year olds. Additionally, participants will be asked to describe their past and current psychosocial experiences, both good and bad, and to describe the lifestyles and age of death (if deceased) of their parents and grandparents.

We will examine correlations of described past and current lifestyles and measures on the psychological scales with biomarkers of aging as reflected in the physiological measures. We predict that participants with higher scores on the GAI and GPS will have higher heart rates, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels than participants who scored lower on the same assessments. We predict that low blood glucose, blood pressure, and heart rate will be correlated with higher scores on the SCLSES.

In recent years, screen time has become an integral part of daily life for people of all ages, whether that be using social media, entertainment apps, or engaging in various online activities. However, many researchers worry that too much screen time may have negative impacts on one’s well-being. This study analyzed the impacts of screen time on college students’ social well-being. The Social Model of Well-Being Scale (Keyes, 1998) was distributed online through Qualtrics. The survey also asked participants to report their average daily screen time and which category their most used application falls into. We hypothesized that higher screen time would negatively impact college students’ social well-being. Participants were aged 18-64 and were students at a public 2-year college in the Pacific Northwest. Participants were recruited through voluntary sampling via recruitment posters around campus and through several psychology professors offering extra credit for participation in the survey. As data collection is still ongoing through the winter, the preliminary results (N = 166) revealed that the average social well-being score was 41.56 (SD = 7.28) with a range of 18-64, with higher scores indicating a greater sense of social well-being including social integration, acceptance, contribution, and cohesion. Cell phone use ranged from 30 minutes to 20 hours a day, with an average of 5.73 hours per day. 63% of the sample also reported social media as their most used application. Our findings will provide insight into the mental health of 2-year college students as it relates to screen time. This information may aid in the development of on-campus resources to decrease screen time and increase social well-being.

This study investigates the role of social media usage and physical health behaviors in the development of psychopathology among college students. Social media usage is linked to negative mental health effects such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, poor sleep, self-harm, and body image issues (Sadagheyani & Tatari, 2020). Increased social media usage and using various platforms contribute to depression and anxiety (Deepa & Krishna, 2020). Physical health behaviors, such as exercising and healthy eating, are associated with better psychological wellbeing (Bożek et al., 2020), and offer a protective factor against mental health issues among adolescents (Nagy-Pénzes et al., 2020). The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between social media usage and physical health behaviors on mental health outcomes of college students. Our study is currently in the data collection phase, and we anticipate presenting initial findings.

Commonalities and differential factors associated with this critical public health issue. Suicide, stemming from various causes such as psychiatric disorders, interpersonal conflicts, and substance abuse, claims over 700,000 lives globally, with a growing impact on 15-29-year-olds as the fourth leading cause of death (World Health Organization, 2021; Piotrowski, 2022). Termed “pathways to suicidality,” these factors require a comprehensive exploration to understand their impact.

Marginalized demographic groups face a higher risk of suicide and suicidal ideation, as evidenced by extensive research (McGraw et al., 2021; Sutter & Perrin, 2016; Moses, 2018; Martinez et al., 2021). This review focuses on demographic groups such as LGBTQ+ individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals of color, people of color, and individuals with disabilities, examining their elevated risk and unique stressors contributing to suicidal tendencies.

Existing literature underscores the heightened vulnerability of LGBTQ+ populations, emphasizing the urgent need for greater social acceptance to reduce stigmatization (Greydanus, 2017). Addressing societal prejudices, particularly those rooted in religious dogma, is crucial for mitigating mental health crises among at-risk groups, specifically LGBTQ+ populations (Greydanus, 2017). While family support is vital, research indicates that LGBTQ+ friends often provide the most significant support regarding identity, highlighting the need for comprehensive social interventions (Doty et al., 2010). The review also examines risk factors, including depression, family dynamics, history of abuse, and substance abuse, aiming to identify correlates specific to demographic groups and inform targeted preventive strategies.

Research over the past 40 years has shown that male college students perceive more sexual intent in friendly female behavior than female college students do. This effect may be due to male socialization to view friendly women as sexually receptive, or due to biological predispositions.  The current study sought to determine whether the differences between males and females might be attributable to differences in prenatal exposure to testosterone.  We predicted that people with a smaller 2D:4D ratio, a measure of prenatal testosterone exposure, would perceive greater sexual intent in friendly female scenarios.

Psychology students rated the sexual intent of female actors in scenarios describing friendly behaviors, and then we took digital photos of their outstretched hands, palms up. Afterward, the length of the index finger (2D) and the ring finger (4D) on each of the participants’ photographed hands was measured, and the 2D:4D ratio for each hand was calculated. The ratings of the sexual intent of female actors behaving in a friendly way (e.g. “She smiled at him”) were analyzed in a MANOVA.  Males gave higher ratings of sexual intent than females did, and participants with smaller 2D:4D on their right hands gave higher ratings of sexual intent than participants with larger or equal 2D:4D ratios.  These results support a biological basis for sex differences in interpretations of friendly female behavior.

Engaging with nature has been shown to boost well-being; however, there is no gold standard approach to measuring nature engagement. Recently, using Keniger et al.’s (2013) model of indirect, incidental, and intentional nature interactions, Phillips et al. (2022) crafted 15 items to measure frequency of nature engagement. During the Covid-19 Pandemic, N = 3,282 adults who were either affiliated with a national birding organization or who either liked or disliked spending leisure time in nature answered the 15 items and several well-being measures (Phillips et al., 2022). Upon running exploratory factor analyses (EFA), Phillips et al. (2022) discovered that the 15 items loaded on different factors than hypothesized. The new factors were titled: nearby nature interactions, nature excursions, and media-based nature interactions. The association between these forms of nature engagement and well-being were mixed (Phillips et al., 2022). The current study first reproduced Phillips et al.’s (2022) findings, and then applied modern analytical approaches to uncover if any important findings were obscured by the original analyses. Phillips et al. (2022) ran an EFA on all participants; however, the factor structure of the nature engagement items could differ across the three groups. We randomly split in half the birder group (n = 1800), and the two samples who either liked (n = 725) or disliked (n = 757) spending time in nature, and performed cross-validation analyses on each group. EFA and CFA results on each group will be presented, with a focus on estimates and the comparability of the scientific stories across groups. Implications about measuring nature engagement, as well as the topics of sampling, construct operationalization, and measurement invariance will be discussed.

Pain subjectivity and neural circuitry remain understudied in current literature, with previous research yielding inconclusive results. In today’s society, social isolation and high-fat diets have become increasingly prevalent, raising questions about their potential impacts. This study aims to explore the interactions between these factors during the periadolescent developmental period in Long-Evans rats. Employing various testing conditions and groups, our hypothesis posits that rats subjected to social isolation and/or a high-fat diet will exhibit heightened pain sensitivity, reduced cognitive flexibility, and an increase in neuroinflammatory responses. Manual Von Frey pain scale was administered to assess pain and the Set Shift Plus Maze Task was used to determine cognitive flexibility. Immunohistochemistry staining was also conducted to test for neural inflammatory responses in brain regions associated with sociability, cognition, memory, and pain. By shedding light on these interactions, our investigation seeks to enhance understanding of pain mechanisms, the effects of a poor diet, and social isolation on subsequent preadolescence development, and the neural correlates involved.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred challenges in education, prompting a full review of its effects on students’ academic and social well-being. This interdisciplinary research, drawing from Communication, Sociology, and Psychology, aims to understand and address the challenges faced by students amidst the pandemic. Exploring various impacts, seeking to develop tailored support systems empowering students academically and socially, laying the foundation for success.

The pandemic has affected middle school students, resulting in academic decline, diminished social skills, heightened anxiety, and increased need for accommodations. These challenges, intertwined with their developmental maturity, pose long-term implications for students’ educational trajectories and overall well-being, emphasizing urgency to address these effectively.

Focusing on a rural middle school in Montana, the research recognizes the context of rural communities and the potential challenges faced by students. Examining academic and social development, the study aims to shed light on the pandemic impacts in this particular setting.

Exploring effects of COVID on middle school students, the study will identify strategies and interventions to reduce negative effects and foster resilience. Emphasizing support systems, promoting academic success, and enhancing social-emotional well-being, ultimately facilitating positive opportunities for success.

This research seeks to provide insights into the impact of the pandemic on middle schoolers academic and social development in rural communities. By leveraging views and engaging with school faculty, the study aims to contribute to strategic development and interventions to support students during trying times, while fostering academic success and well-being.

Mindfulness is the awareness and non-judgment of present moment experience. Building on Whole Trait Theory research within personality psychology, this research seeks to understand what causes the mindful (and mindless) states that people enact in daily life. As the preliminary exploration, this study aims to identify goals associated with mindful states. A survey with measures on state mindfulness and 53 goal items was distributed to 485 college students. Correlations, stepwise regressions and factor analyses identified a comprehensive set of goals that may collectively account for substantial variance in state mindfulness in daily life. Goals were generally more negatively correlated with mindful states than hypothesized. This is possibly due to the nature of the environmental contexts that would trigger these goals (e.g., “trying to be kind towards yourself”) being scenarios contrary to mindful states.

Prior research has established a role for both social isolation and exposure to high fat Western diets in altering a range of behaviors from reduced memory performance to increased depression-like behaviors. The present study scrutinizes the interplay among these variables during the peri-adolescent developmental phase, utilizing Long-Evans rats as the experimental model. Our overarching hypothesis is that rats exposed to either social isolation, a high-fat diet, or both will result in diminished behavior flexibility. Sex differences will also be considered. Behavioral flexibility will be assessed using a maze-based strategy switching task where animals are required to switch between allocentric and egocentric strategies. An ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis was employed to detect disparities in behavioral flexibility among diet, sex, and housing conditions. The study is still undergoing resulting conclusions at this time.