This collection includes most of the ASU Theses and Dissertations from 2011 to present. ASU Theses and Dissertations are available in downloadable PDF format; however, a small percentage of items are under embargo. Information about the dissertations/theses includes degree information, committee members, an abstract, supporting data or media.
In addition to the electronic theses found in the ASU Digital Repository, ASU Theses and Dissertations can be found in the ASU Library Catalog.
Dissertations and Theses granted by Arizona State University are archived and made available through a joint effort of the ASU Graduate College and the ASU Libraries. For more information or questions about this collection contact or visit the Digital Repository ETD Library Guide or contact the ASU Graduate College at gradformat@asu.edu.
Emerging adulthood (18 – 28 years) is a distinctive period in the life course whereyoung people are involved in the process of transitioning to adult roles in their careers
and social relationships. Due to the ongoing COVID- 19 pandemic, economic instability,
and other social factors, emerging adults in the United States are…
Emerging adulthood (18 – 28 years) is a distinctive period in the life course whereyoung people are involved in the process of transitioning to adult roles in their careers
and social relationships. Due to the ongoing COVID- 19 pandemic, economic instability,
and other social factors, emerging adults in the United States are experiencing greater
stress and challenges than ever before. In this climate of high stress, personal
characteristics such as an individual’s propensity to endorse sociotropy (the tendency to
focus primarily on relationships) or autonomy (the tendency to focus primarily on the
self) may be associated with experiences of stress and resulting depressive feelings based
on the diathesis-stress model of depression proposed by Beck in 1967. However,
perceived partner’s dyadic coping may buffer against the positive association between
stress and depression. Despite this plausible link, not much is known about how personal
characteristics (here sociotropy and autonomy) of emerging adults may influence their
perceptions of their own as well as partner’s dyadic coping. To address this gap, the
present study used survey data from 269 emerging adults to examine whether personal
characteristics such as sociotropy and autonomy are associated with their perceptions of
dyadic coping and to examine if these associations are moderated by perceived
relationship commitment, given commitment has been found to increase relationship
maintenance behaviors. Results found that both sociotropy and autonomy were associated
positively with positive dyadic coping by self and negatively with negative dyadic coping
by partner. Relationship commitment partially moderated these associations. Results of
this study have the ability to inform therapy for emerging adults in romantic relationships
who may be experiencing higher stress, symptoms of depression, and those who may be
experiencing difficulties in their relationships. Limitations and future directions for
research are discussed
Every year an alarming number of deaths for the Black community are a result of disparities and inequalities in health outcomes. While literature has largely focused on social determinants of heath (e.g., economic, environmental, biological, and behavioral structures) as contributing factors to disparate health outcomes for Black people, literature on…
Every year an alarming number of deaths for the Black community are a result of disparities and inequalities in health outcomes. While literature has largely focused on social determinants of heath (e.g., economic, environmental, biological, and behavioral structures) as contributing factors to disparate health outcomes for Black people, literature on medical mistrust has been on the rise. Medical mistrust is defined as the belief that health care entities and providers act against a patient's best interest and well-being, and is associated with lower rates of service utilization, inadequate management of health conditions, lower levels of involvement in research, and treatment nonadherence. Only recently has patient-centered care been examined as a construct that may reduce the negative effects of medical mistrust. This study examined Black identifying patients (N = 174) across gender and their reported levels of medical mistrust, and if the perception of a patient-centered health care environment would moderate the association. The findings indicated that Black females, compared to Black males, endorsed higher levels of medical mistrust that may be indicative of intersectional influences. While there were significant effects of gender and perceived patient-centered care on medical mistrust, perceived patient-centered care was not found to significantly moderate the relationship between gender identity and medical mistrust. This may be indicative of the varying degrees of medical maladies that may be stronger determinants of perceived patient-centered care, despite gender or other demographic characteristics. Implications for practice and future research on the intersectional influences on medical mistrust and perceived patient-centered care in the Black communities are discussed.
Given the severity of risks that accompany the current COVID-19 pandemic, many are experiencing negative psychological effects, such as increased symptoms of depression and anxiety (i.e., mental health distress). As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impress upon society, it is pertinent to assess the ways in which COVID-19 may be…
Given the severity of risks that accompany the current COVID-19 pandemic, many are experiencing negative psychological effects, such as increased symptoms of depression and anxiety (i.e., mental health distress). As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impress upon society, it is pertinent to assess the ways in which COVID-19 may be impacting first responders; many of which who are responsible for tending to the safety and wellbeing of communities during this time. However, little is known about how medical first responders may be experiencing COVID-19 related stress, whether this impacts their experience with symptoms of mental health distress, and furthermore whether this stress is different for those in different countries. As such, the present study sought to assess the association between COVID-19 related stress and symptoms of mental health distress in medical first responders for those living in Australia and the United States. Further, given the positive effects romantic relationships have on an individual’s interpersonal functioning, the potential moderating effect of perceived relationship commitment was examined. A total number of 79 participants completed the study. Contrary to hypotheses, results showed that there was no significant association between COVID-19 related stress and symptoms of distress, nor was relationship commitment found to moderate symptoms of distress. Implications of this study have the potential to guide mental health professionals working with medical first responders who are experiencing symptoms of distress, particularly in times of crises similar to that of COVID-19.