The effects of I-sharing with same and opposite sex partners on sexist beliefs in men

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Ollie Ansley Psychology Bao Han Tran Psychology
Advisor(s): Cathy Cox Psychology

I-sharing is the belief in an identical shared subjective experience between two individuals. Shared subjective experiences play an important role in interpersonal contact and it can lead to increased liking between subjects. Interestingly, the liking that I-sharing builds can override in-group bias, leading individuals to prefer I-sharing dissimilar partners over non I-sharing similar partners. While increased liking from I-sharing has been explored, intergroup perceptions, such as sexist beliefs, after I-sharing have not been explored. Unlike I-sharing, quality and quantity of time spent with women have both been linked to a reduction in sexist beliefs in men, which may suggest that I-sharing could induce a similar effect (Vasquez, 2020). Since sexist beliefs are connected to violent behavior and acceptance of violent behavior towards women in men, any reduction in sexist beliefs is significant (Gutierrez, 2023). This study seeks to explore the relationship between men I-sharing with women and sexist beliefs.

Mental Health in Motion: Examining Daily Social Media Use and Stress in College Students

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Iman Aurangzeb Psychology Iman Aurangzeb Psychology
Advisor(s): Qinxin Shi Psychology

Psychosocial Factors and ADHD Risk

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Kennedy Beaumont Psychology
Advisor(s): Michelle Chen Psychology

Research indicates that parental factors influence children’s neurodevelopmental outcomes. For example, parental diagnoses of related conditions or parental trauma history may increase the likelihood that a child develops attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Additionally, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with greater probability of an ADHD diagnosis and may intensify the impact of parental ADHD or trauma history on ADHD risk. This project examines whether parental ADHD diagnosis predicts higher ADHD risk in children, whether parental trauma history is similarly associated with elevated ADHD symptoms or diagnoses, and whether a child’s ACE exposure amplifies the combined effects of parental ADHD and trauma history. Participants (expected N = 100) will be recruited through Texas Christian University’s SONA system and will complete self-report questionnaires assessing parental ADHD history, parental trauma exposure, personal ACE exposure, and the participant’s current ADHD symptoms and diagnoses. We hypothesize that both parental ADHD and parental trauma histories will correspond with increased ADHD symptoms and diagnosis, and that participant exposure to ACEs will strengthen these relationships. Clarifying how vulnerabilities interact with environmental adversity may improve understanding of pathways shaping ADHD risk. The findings carry clinical relevance as identifying individuals at elevated risk can guide prevention, early identification, and intervention strategies that support resilience and adaptive functioning among people with ADHD.

The Medium is the Message: Examining How News Format Shapes Audience Perceptions of Local Crime and Public Safety

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Brittney Bell Psychology Jayvian Chapman Psychology Kevin Knight Psychology Brooke Preston Psychology Dariana Verduzco Sepulveda Psychology Lillian Williams Psychology
Advisor(s): Amanda Sease Psychology

With media consumption constantly evolving, it is crucial to understand how information is perceived based on the medium used to deliver it. The current study surveyed Dallas-Fort Worth community members (N = 40) to determine how textual versus audiovisual news may influence an audience’s perception of crime dangerousness and community safety concerns within their area. Using a randomized, between-subjects design, participants were assigned to one of two conditions - either an audiovisual broadcast about a recent local news clip or a textual transcript of the same news story. Subsequently, participants completed standardized measures assessing perceptions of crime severity, community safety, social media use frequency, and demographic characteristics. We hypothesize that the audiovisual news media format will predict stronger emotions and heightened judgments of crime severity and community safety. Such findings carry important implications for journalism, politics, and criminal justice, as the format through which news is delivered may shape public perception of crime beyond what the facts alone convey. Both media producers and consumers should be aware of these effects to avoid forming distorted or amplified reactions to crime reports, and ensure more accurate evaluations of potential danger. 

Examining Changes in Well-Being Among Vulnerable Populations: The Moderating Role of Interventionist Visits in the ACTION Study

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Brittney Bell Psychology
Advisor(s): Kevin Knight Psychology Stephanie Villaire Psychology

Vulnerable populations face elevated risks for diminished well-being, prompting growing interest in interventions as a form of social support. Evaluating the effectiveness of such interventions is critical for understanding their impact on well-being outcomes. The current study utilizes data collected as part of ACTION, a NIDA-funded R01 study examining the feasibility of two interventions: a mobile health unit and a patient navigator. Specifically, the current study investigates changes in well-being scores from baseline to a 6-month follow-up. A moderated regression analysis was conducted to assess whether the number of interventionist visits moderated changes in well-being scores over this period. Results revealed significant main effects for three well-being domains (anxiety, depression, and sociality) while the interaction effect was nonsignificant. These findings indicate that well-being scores changed significantly over the 6-month period. However, the number of interventionist visits did not significantly moderate this change. Future research should explore additional factors that may moderate improvements in well-being among vulnerable populations.

Hormonal birth control, nutrient deficiencies, and women’s well-being

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Emily Rose Benefield Psychology Melissa Brillhart Psychology
Advisor(s): Sarah Hill Psychology

Widespread use of hormonal birth control (HBC) calls for a deeper understanding of its systemic side effects. Emerging research suggests HBC may deplete essential micronutrients (Palmery et al., 2013), including B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc, which serve as critical cofactors for neurotransmitter synthesis and energy regulation (Muscaritoli, 2021). These deficiencies are hypothesized to interfere with physiological systems, leading to mood instability, chronic fatigue, and functional somatic symptoms that can significantly impair daily functioning (Kennedy, 2016). This study addresses a virtual literature gap regarding the efficacy of targeted, non-pharmacological interventions for these issues. Utilizing a longitudinal, double-blind design, we investigated whether taking a daily supplement for 28 days, designed to combat nutritional deficiencies in HBC users, increases happiness levels, decreases mood instability, increases energy, and improves digestive health. By identifying safe interventions to mitigate these symptoms, this research contributes to personalized health strategies and improved well-being for women. Data are forthcoming.

Professional Roles in Trust-Based Relational Intervention Practitioner Training: A Five-Year Trend Analysis

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Presley Bergen Psychology
Advisor(s): Carla Ayala Psychology Danica Knight Psychology

As trauma-informed care continues to flourish, professionals across diverse roles interact with children in different ways that may shape how intervention principles are applied. Trust-Based Relational Intervention is an attachment-based, trauma-informed approach that equips professionals working with children and youth with evidence-based relational strategies through Practitioner Training. Although TBRI is implemented across a range of child-serving contexts, limited research has examined the specific roles individuals report playing in their work with youth and how these roles have evolved over time among TBRI practitioners. This exploratory study examines the expansion of the roles TBRI Practitioners play in working with youths. Data from across 5 years of training sessions (2020-2025) was analyzed to assess trends in role representation across 6 professional categories: Leadership, Direct Service Providers, Supervisors/Managers, Trainers/Educators, Support and Direct Care Staff, and Other (specify). This study contributes to the understanding of trends in professional roles within TBRI training and elucidates the importance in understanding relational contexts when applying and implementing this training.

Daily War-Related Stress, Caregiver Mental Health, and Parenting Behaviors among Ukrainian Caregivers

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Amritleen Brar Psychology
Advisor(s): Raya Shelashska Psychology

Caregiver mental health is closely linked to parenting practices, making it crucial to understand how adversity affects parenting. This study examined how daily war-related stress and caregiver mental health relates to parenting quality, among Ukrainian caregivers of children under 18 years of age. Participants (N = 319) were recruited through social media platforms and directed to an online survey hosted on Qualtrics. Measures included the Ukrainian Scale of Daily War Stressors, PHQ-8 (depression), the GAD-7 (anxiety), and the MAPS scale for parental practices. Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships among daily war-related stress, caregiver mental health, and parenting practices. Results indicated that higher levels of daily war-related stress were positively correlated with greater depressive (r = .579) and anxiety (r = .600) symptoms among caregivers. Depression and anxiety were not significantly associated with positive parenting behaviors. However, both depression (r = -.342) and anxiety (r = -.394) were significantly associated with greater harsh parenting behaviors. These results highlight the importance of supporting caregiver mental health, especially in war-affected areas, as caregivers' well-being may influence parenting behaviors and potentially affect child and family outcomes. Future research should consider a longitudinal design and a more diverse caregiver sample to better understand how war-related stress affects parenting and mental health over time.

Parenting Behaviors and Depressive Symptoms in Autistic Adolescents: The Moderating Role of RSA Reactivity

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Mary Bubb Psychology Brooke Blakeney Psychology Naomi Ekas Psychology Abbie Heidenreich Psychology
Advisor(s): Naomi Ekas Psychology

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, and activities and differences in reciprocal social communication abilities (APA, 2013). Children with ASD are more prone to depressive symptoms when compared to TD children (Muscatello et al., 2021). Studies have found that a high RSA reactivity (RSA-R) predicted an increase in externalizing behaviors when moderated by high negative parenting and predicted a decrease in externalizing behaviors when moderated by lower negative parenting (Baker et al., 2019). However, there is a lack of research examining this relationship with internalizing behaviors. McRae et al. (2018) found that warm parenting behaviors were negatively associated with internalizing behaviors in children with ASD, however, there has been no investigation into if RSA reactivity moderates this relationship and if this association remains as autistic children mature into adolescents. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine how RSA reactivity moderates the relationship between parenting behaviors for both mothers and fathers and depressive symptoms in autistic adolescents.

Method: Participants included 117 autistic adolescents aged 10 to 17 years old. Adolescents and both of their parents participated in an in-person lab study at TCU. Questionnaires were completed by adolescents which assessed parenting behaviors (Parental Bonding Instrument–Revised), RSA reactivity (Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia), and child depression (Child Depression Inventory). RSA is a specific measure of heart rate variability that reflects natural fluctuations in heart rate during breathing (Cacioppo et al., 2007) and was measured while adolescents watched a video of their parents engaging in a conflict discussion.

Results: Several moderation analyses were conducted to examine the effect of parenting behaviors on adolescent depressive symptoms as a function of adolescent RSA reactivity, while controlling for RSA baseline. A two-way moderated regression examined the effect of mother parenting behaviors (centered) on adolescent depressive symptoms as a function of adolescent RSA reactivity (centered). The results indicated that there was a significant main effect for mother warmth on adolescent depressive symptoms, b = -.63 (SE = .29), t = -2.22, p = .029. All other moderations for mother parenting behaviors were non-significant (ps > .05).

A two-way moderated regression examined the effect of father parenting behaviors (centered) on adolescent depressive symptoms as a function of adolescent RSA reactivity (centered). The results indicated non-significant main effects for father firm control, b = .07 (SE = .26), t = .28, p = .78, and adolescent RSA reactivity, b = -.12 (SE = 1.34), t = -.09, p = .93. However, these main effects were qualified by a significant interaction between father firm control and adolescent RSA reactivity, b = 1.01 (SE = .42), t = 2.40, p = .018.

To probe at this interaction further, we conducted simple slope analyses to examine the relationship between father firm control and adolescent depressive symptoms at low (- 1 SD), mean, and high (+1 SD) levels of adolescent RSA reactivity. The results revealed that at low, b = -.51 (SE = .38), t = -1.34, p = .18, and mean, b = .07 (SE = .26), t = .28, p = .78, levels of adolescent RSA reactivity, there was no association between father firm control and adolescent depressive symptoms. The results also revealed that at high adolescent RSA reactivity, b = .65 (SE = .34), t = 1.94, p = .055, such that higher father firm control resulted in higher adolescent depressive symptoms. Overall, adolescent RSA reactivity moderated the association between father firm control and adolescent depressive symptoms, but only at high levels of RSA reactivity. All other moderations for father parenting behaviors were non-significant (ps > .05).

Discussion: The results of the analyses revealed that as mother warmth increased, adolescent depressive symptoms decreased. These results imply that mother’s warm parenting behaviors could be used as an intervention for both autistic adolescents and mothers. Mothers can implement warm parenting behaviors in their parenting style in order to decrease internalizing behaviors in their adolescent with ASD. The analyses also revealed an association between father firm control and adolescent depressive symptoms at high levels of adolescent RSA reactivity. This indicates that if an adolescent has high levels of RSA reactivity, then higher levels of father firm control are associated with higher levels of adolescent depressive symptoms. High levels of RSA reactivity reflect increased PNS activity and have been shown to predict increased observed dysregulation in children with ASD (Baker et al., 2022). These results could suggest that autistic individuals with high levels of RSA reactivity are more easily dysregulated in the presence of high dad firm control, leading to an increase in internalizing behaviors such as depressive symptoms. Future interventions should focus on promoting positive father parenting behaviors, especially in fathers of autistic adolescents with physiological dysregulation.

There is a gap in the literature examining the role of fathers on internalizing behaviors of autistic adolescents. Therefore, it is crucial for research to evaluate how father parenting behavior impacts behavior in children and adolescents with ASD. Given that autistic individuals are at a higher risk for increased internalizing behaviors (Hudson et al., 2019), future research should further examine the moderating role of physiological data in relation to internalizing symptoms in autistic individuals. A better understanding of physiological data in children and adolescents with ASD will allow for more effective interventions.

The Mediating Role of Personal Culpability Between Stigmatizing Language and Perceived Treatment Need for Individuals with Substance Use Disorder

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Ava Burton Psychology Presley Bergen Psychology Novalie Flores Psychology Brianna Pitz Psychology Hazel Sanders Psychology Buse Uras Psychology
Advisor(s): Amanda Sease Psychology Kevin Knight Psychology

Stigma toward individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) plays a significant role in treatment engagement, policy creation, and research priorities. Attribution theory posits that stigma results from attempts to understand the causes of behavior, and attributions toward individuals with SUD typically fall along a continuum from personal attributions (e.g., bad character) to biological attributions (e.g., genetic or neurochemical; Henderson & Dressler, 2017). Past research has demonstrated that poor character attributions are strongly associated with SUD stigma, which can lead to reduced pity, support, and tolerance for this population (Röhm et al., 2022). The present study examined whether personal culpability mediates the relationship between stigmatizing language and perceived need of treatment towards individuals with SUD. Community members in Tarrant County were randomly assigned to read a vignette describing an individual with SUD in either person-first or stigmatizing language followed by a brief survey (modeled after Kelly & Westerhoff, 2010). We hypothesize that participants exposed to stigmatized language will report greater personal culpability attributions for the vignette character leading to reduced perceived need for treatment. These findings would suggest that addressing language in media and clinical settings is essential, as reducing stigmatizing language may lower personal culpability attributions and ultimately promote greater support for treatment engagement among individuals with SUD.

Suffering in Plain Sight: Racial Disparities in Maternal Emergency Care

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Brooklyn Bynum Psychology Bao Han Tran Psychology
Advisor(s): Cathy Cox Psychology

Black women have notoriously been mistreated within the medical system, a reality that is heavily documented in the literature and can be traced back to times of slavery. Today, Black women continue to face disproportionately high rates of mistreatment and adverse outcomes during childbirth. Racial bias plays a key role in these inequities, influencing how medical providers perceive and respond to patients’ pain. The current study examined differences in perceptions of Black and White mothers experiencing pain during childbirth. We recruited an equal number of Black (n = 250) and White (n = 250) participants and randomly assigned them to examine real-life photographs of either Black or White mothers’ facial expressions. After viewing the images, participants reported their perceived seriousness of the mother's condition and level of humanity. It is predicted that 1) participants in the White mother condition will report higher perceived pain than those in the Black mother condition, 2) participants will dehumanize Black mothers to a greater extent than White mothers, and 3) these associations will be consistent regardless of the participant’s race. Findings will shed light on racial bias during maternal emergencies and reveal how ingroup bias affects these outcomes.

Associations Among Childhood Adversity, Family Proximity, Hope, and Psychological Well-being in Helping Professionals

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Grace Callahan Psychology
Advisor(s): Raya Shelashska Psychology Danica Knight Psychology

Associations Among Childhood Adversity, Family Proximity, Hope, and Psychological Well-being in Helping Professionals

Helping professionals frequently support individuals experiencing trauma and psychological distress, yet less is known about how their own childhood adversity may relate to their well-being and psychological resources. This study was conducted to better understand how helping professionals are influenced by childhood adversity. Participants were 397 helping professionals (87.4% female, 80.1% White), ranging in age from 22 to 70 years (M = 43.08, SD = 10.28). Approximately two-thirds of participants (66.2%) reported growing up with extended family living within a 30-minute drive. Measures included the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Questionnaire, the Dispositional Hope Scale, and the Psychological Well-being Scale, which were administered through a Qualtrics survey. Bivariate Pearson correlations were conducted as the analysis. Results showed a weak but statistically significant negative correlation between childhood adversity and psychological well-being (r = -.153, p = .003), suggesting that higher levels of ACEs were associated with lower well-being among helping professionals. The correlation between hope and childhood adversity was not statistically significant (r = -.093, p = .071). Additionally, ACEs scores did not significantly differ between participants who reported growing up near extended family and those who did not (r = -.050, p = .335). These findings contribute to the understanding of how childhood adversity relates to psychological well-being among helping professionals and highlight the need for further research examining factors that may promote resilience in this population.

Perceived Culpability: The Role of Sex in Community Sentencing Recommendations for Low-Level Drug Crimes

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Reese Carpenter Psychology Emma Augustyn Psychology Renee Castillo Psychology Julianna Cepeda Psychology Paisley Hayes Psychology Kevin Knight Psychology Samantha Leija Psychology Jose Orlando Psychology Anne Shubert Psychology Grace Sikiyan Psychology
Advisor(s): Amanda Sease Psychology

Sex disparities in criminal sentencing have been well documented (Embry & Lyons, 2012; Jeffries et al., 2003; Frances & Taylor 1991). For instance, federal sentencing data reports that female offenders receive sentences averaging 29% shorter than those imposed on male offenders (United States Sentencing Commission, 2023). These disparities are often attributed to paternalistic biases in judicial decision-making (Albonetti, 1997; Freiburger, 2010). The present study explores whether these biases extend to public perception by investigating whether community members sentence males or females longer for the same low-level crime. Community members of Tarrant County were randomly assigned to one of three vignette conditions — female, male, or gender-neutral — each depicting the same low-level drug offenses committed by a parent and were then asked to recommend a sentence length for the offender. It is hypothesized that participants will recommend longer sentences for male offenders than for female offenders. The findings of the present study are expected to demonstrate that sex bias in sentencing is not limited to the judiciary but is also present in lay community members' sentencing recommendations. Such findings would suggest that paternalistic attitudes toward female offenders are culturally embedded rather than specific to judicial decision-making, reinforcing the need for targeted bias-awareness interventions across both legal and public contexts.

You Get Me: Existential Isolation And I-Sharing's Relationship with Childhood Trauma

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Barbara Crespo Psychology Tiffany Bui Psychology
Advisor(s): Cathy Cox Psychology

Existential Isolation (El) is the experience of feeling fundamentally alone in one's perception of the world, with the belief that others cannot fully understand or share that experience (Pinet et al., 2017). It reflects a deep sense of separation from others and arises from the awareness that subjective experiences are ultimately inaccessible to others. El is central to existential psychology, which emphasizes the inherent loneliness tied to the human condition. Though research on El is relatively new, findings suggest that chronic El is linked to negative emotional outcomes, such as increased loneliness (Pinet et al., 2017), greater death thought accessibility (Helm et al., 2019), depression, anxiety (Constantino et al., 2019), and reduced self-esteem (Helm et al., 2018). Adverse early life experiences are another critical factor influencing adult well-being, leading to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation (Hays-Grudo & Morris, 2020).
Childhood abuse, specifically, has been associated with greater loneliness in young adults (Landry et al.,
2022), though various factors-such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, and epigenetic influences - affect this relationship (Southwick et al., 2014).
Further, Bui et al. (in preparation) found that adverse childhood experiences predicted existential isolation, thus this research aims to qualitatively examine the relationship between such experiences and existential isolation in adulthood.

Does a Confident Dementia Care Educational Intervention reduce Caregivers’ Stress?

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Arianna De Curtis Psychology Morgan Shumaker Psychology Uma Tauber Psychology
Advisor(s): Uma Tauber Psychology

Caring for a person living with dementia (PLwD) is demanding and can be stressful even though caregivers can look upon their role favorably. Caregivers, especially those who are relatives or friends of PLwD, experience heightened stress levels that can impact both their mental and physical well-being and the quality of care they provide (Jorge et al., 2021). While resources for caregivers exist, most are not designed using effective learning methods to support long-term memory. Our goal was to determine the degree to which caregivers’ stress is reduced by an approach called “structured retrieval practice” (SRP). Structured retrieval practice involves spacing practice tests during learning and receiving corrective feedback. This study is a follow-up to a completed study from Dr. Tauber’s lab that showed SRP as the best method for remembering information about dementia caregiving long-term (Shumaker et al., under review).
Prior to participation, caregivers underwent a screening to determine qualification. Next, caregivers completed 2 sessions. In session 1, caregivers learned about managing dementia symptoms, coping strategies, and self-care techniques. Half of the caregivers learned the information by taking a practice test with immediate corrective feedback and the other half learned it by reading. Session 2 consisted of a second round of learning, followed by self-reported stress and memory tests. The aim of the study is to help caregivers learn methods to manage the stress related to caregiving and provide them with coping mechanisms to become able to better assist individuals living with dementia.
Data collection is currently ongoing, with approximately half of the target sample enrolled. The following presentation represents preliminary findings from the initial cohort.

Memory-Based Learning to Support Caregivers of Individuals with ADRD

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Brooke Drenowatz Psychology Morgan Schumaker Psychology
Advisor(s): Uma Tauber Psychology

Caring for another person can be demanding and stressful, and this is true for people providing care for a person living with dementia (PLwD). The stress process model (Pearlin et al., 1990) divides care triggers into primary stressors and primary subjective stressors. An example of primary stressors is managing difficult symptoms of dementia. An example of primary subjective stressors is feeling overwhelmed about providing help to a PLwD. Sadly, both types of stressors can negatively impact the wellbeing of caregivers (Lau et al., 2010; Polenick et al., 2020). Our study aims to explore how our psychoeducational intervention using structured retrieval practice (SRP; Shumaker, Ariel, & Tauber, submitted) impacts caregivers’ self-reported stress. We hope to reduce caregivers’ stress by providing high-quality care for their loved one living with dementia. Further, we hope to reduce both primary stressors and primary subjective stressors for caregivers. To explore this issue, caregivers will learn about the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) through either an SRP-based learning intervention or a reading-only control condition. The SRP intervention uses structured retrieval practice, whereas the control condition mimics reading from available sources online. Caregivers’ perceived stress will be measured before and after the intervention using the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1983). We will examine whether stress ratings improve more for the SRP intervention compared to the reading condition. This is a first step for determining if the educational intervention improves measures of caregivers’ well-being. Data collection is ongoing, with approximately half of the target sample enrolled, and this presentation represents preliminary findings from the initial cohort.

Stigmatizing Language and Punitive Attitudes Toward Individuals with Substance Use Disorder: The Moderating Role of Personal Culpability

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Brooke Drenowatz Psychology Brooke Blakeney Psychology Courtney Imming Psychology Sophia Lohrmann Psychology Brianna Pitz Psychology Sophie Rapeepat Psychology Angelina Vidal Psychology
Advisor(s): Amanda Sease Psychology Kevin Knight Psychology

Stigma towards individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) influences social attitudes towards treatment decisions and policy support (Kennedy-Hendricks et al., 2017). Prior research has shown that using stigmatizing language, such as “substance abuser” rather than “a person with substance use disorder,” increases perceptions of personal culpability and support for punitive responses (Kelly & Westerhoff, 2010). The present study examined whether personal culpability moderates the relationship between stigmatizing language and punitive attitudes towards individuals with SUD. Community members in Tarrant County were randomly assigned to read either a vignette containing person-first or a stigmatizing language and completed a brief survey online. We hypothesize that the effect of language condition on punitive attitudes will be stronger among participants with higher levels of personal culpability, such that stigmatizing language will be most strongly associated with punitive attitudes when perceived culpability is high. These findings would suggest that educational efforts aimed at reducing perceived personal culpability, particularly around the development of SUD, should be implemented to decrease punitive attitudes toward this population.

Chemogenetic Inhibition of the Infralimbic Cortex Alters Behavioral Recovery After Reward Downshift

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Adrienne Drickamer Psychology Jessica Suarez Campos Psychology
Advisor(s): Mauricio Papini Psychology

Frustrative nonreward occurs when a reward is unexpectedly reduced or omitted, producing a temporary suppression of behavior. In animals, this phenomenon is commonly studied using the consummatory successive negative contrast (cSNC) task, in which a high-value reward is replaced with a lower-value one. Following this downshift, animals typically show a reduction in consummatory behavior followed by gradual recovery as they adjust to the new reward conditions. Although the behavioral dynamics of recovery have been well described, the neural mechanisms that regulate this process remain incompletely understood. Previous research suggests that subcortical structures such as the basolateral amygdala and the nucleus accumbens play a role in the recovery of behavior after an unexpected reward downshift. However, cortical regions involved in behavioral flexibility may also contribute to recovery. The infralimbic cortex (IL), a region of the medial prefrontal cortex, has been implicated in processes such as fear extinction learning and habit regulation, both of which require updating previously learned associations and suppressing outdated responses. Based on this evidence, the present study examined whether inhibiting the IL would alter behavioral recovery following reward downshift. Rats were trained in a cSNC task in which a high-concentration sucrose solution was later downshifted to a lower concentration (32% → 2% sucrose). Animals received an infusion of inhibitory DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs) targeting the IL. Three experimental groups were tested: animals expressing inhibitory DREADDs and treated with the activating drug CNO (clozapine N-oxide), animals expressing inhibitory DREADDs but treated with a vehicle injection, and animals treated with a control infusion that has the same elements but lacks the engineered receptor and treated with CNO. Lick frequency served as the primary behavioral measure. Contrary to our initial prediction, results suggest that inhibition of the IL may accelerate behavioral recovery following reward downshift. One possible explanation for this unexpected effect is the spread of viral expression into adjacent regions, particularly the prelimbic cortex (also part of the medial prefrontal cortex), which has been associated with behavioral effects opposite to those attributed to the IL. Because the IL cortex is relatively small and anatomically close to neighboring cortical regions, DREADD diffusion may influence the functional outcome of the manipulation. These findings highlight the potential role of medial prefrontal cortex circuits in regulating behavioral adjustments to reward downshifts.

Age-Related Differences in Perceived Severity of a Nonviolent Crime: A Vignette-Based Study

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Zoe Esquivel Psychology Alex Androvett Psychology Ollie Ansley Psychology Renee Castillo Psychology Barbara Crespo Psychology Jefflynn Hall Psychology Helen Kastner Psychology Kevin Knight Psychology Reese Lancaster Psychology Anneliise Larson Psychology Samantha Lopez Psychology Leen Siddiqui Psychology
Advisor(s): Amanda Sease Psychology

Research suggests that demographic characteristics, particularly age, significantly shape perceptions of crime and sentencing outcomes (Gleadell, 2019). Studies indicate a notable disparity in punitive leanings: younger adults tend to recommend harsher measures, whereas older adults often favor more lenient punishments (Hosch et al., 2011). This divergence may be driven by age-related increases in empathy, which can temper retributive impulses (Beadle & Vega, 2019), or by younger individuals’ limited experience with the legal system, which may hinder their ability to assess proportional sentencing (Hosch et al., 2011). Despite judicial instructions to remain objective, sentencing decisions frequently reflect these preexisting beliefs and personal experiences (Curley et al., 2022). To further explore this relationship, the current study examines how age influences perceptions of crime severity. Community members of Tarrant county were asked to read a vignette describing a low-level, nonviolent offense and rated its seriousness on a 5-point Likert scale. It is hypothesized that younger participants will perceive the offense as significantly more severe than older participants. By highlighting these generational differences, this research aims to better understand how age-related biases influence legal decision-making and inform broader discussions on legislative reform.

Amen and Awareness: A Fort Worth Faith Community Study on HIV Prevention

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Sakina Ghafoor Psychology Bryson Borne Psychology Breton Estes Biology Vera Farah Biology Jacquelyn Ha Biology Crystal Ibe Psychology Laci Johnson Biology Kevin Knight Psychology Kelsey Miguel Psychology Gabriela Ocampo Psychology Ewaoluwa Olabisi Psychology Samantha Reyes Psychology Kyla Rishel Mathematics Ivana Soto Biology
Advisor(s): Amanda Sease Psychology

HIV-related stigma remains a significant obstacle in the prevention and delivery of care within faith-based communities. Faith communities, particularly churches in the southern United States, play a powerful role in shaping community norms and can either reinforce silence around HIV or serve as trusted entities that promote awareness and education (Pichon et al., 2020). The current study explores how individuals within religious communities perceive HIV prevention strategies and HIV-related stigma, with particular attention to how personal religiosity, church involvement, and trust in faith institutions shape attitudes toward prevention and care. Participants complete an online survey via Qualtrics covering HIV knowledge, PrEP self-efficacy, and religious trust. Recruitment will utilize flyers and raffle incentives to gather data. The study is expected to reveal both barriers and opportunities within faith-based settings, such as levels of knowledge, attitudes toward prevention strategies, and the potential role of churches in reducing stigma and partnering with health organizations. By generating community-specific insights this research can inform future public health programs, reduce stigma, and strengthen vital partnerships between healthcare providers and faith-based organizations.

Risk-Taking as a Potential Mediator of the Relationship Between Treatment Engagement and Recidivism for People in Court-Mandated Substance Use Treatment

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Lila Golden Psychology Sakina Ghafoor Psychology
Advisor(s): Thomas Sease Psychology Kevin Knight Psychology

Participating in substance use treatments has been linked to positive outcomes for individuals released from jail or prison (Belenko et al., 2004; Evans et al. 2012). Conversely, risk-taking is one psychological factor associated with an increased likelihood of continuing substance use post-release, failure to initiate community-based services, and recidivism (Rieser et al., 2019; Taylor et al., 2013; Vazsonyi & Ksinan., 2017). The purpose of this current study was to investigate the role risk-taking has in explaining the relationship between engagement in substance use treatment and recidivism. Data were collected across three timepoints from 455 individuals undergoing residential substance use treatment. It is hypothesized that increased treatment participation will be associated with decreased risk taking, which, in turn, will lead to lower rates of recidivism at a three year follow up. This study extends the existing literature on the importance of treatment participation for individuals with substance use disorders involved with the criminal justice system. Interventions centered on combating risk-taking behavior may prove to have a crucial role in preventing recidivism post-release and therefore warrant the need for interventions targeting risk-taking as a primary mechanism of change.

No One Gets Me… Except My Favorite Celebrity: Existential Isolation Predicting Parasocial Bonds

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Lara Hahne Psychology Tiffany Bui Psychology
Advisor(s): Cathy Cox Psychology

According to Horton and Wohl (1956), parasocial relationships are considered to be “one-sided relationships in which a person develops a strong sense of connection, intimacy, or familiarity with someone they do not know, most often celebrities or media personalities.” A reason that parasocial relationships may be so popular is because they can help people feel connected to others resulting in less loneliness. These one-sided relationships are psychologically powerful, influencing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in ways that mirror two-sided relationships with friends and family (Lotun et al., 2024). Further, Goldman (2024) emphasizes how parasocial relationships fill a need; that by social scrolling, streaming shows, or following celebrities may tamp down loneliness or offer curated moments of connection. Thus, this may be a way that existentially isolated individuals try to meet their needs. Existential isolation (EI) is the feeling that no one understands your subjective worldview (Pinel et al., 2017). In previous literature, it has been shown that higher EI is associated with a person having greater depression, anxiety, and distress at baseline, as well as, having poorer therapy outcomes during and at the end of treatment (Constantino et al., 2023). To our knowledge, research on existential isolation and relationships remains in its early stages, but with the growing rise of artificial intelligence (AI), it is worth investigating the relationship between parasocialism, especially as to how people may form them with AI, and its association to existential isolation. This study will utilize a cross-sectional design to establish a preliminary link between feelings of existential isolation and strength of parasocial bond.

Hormonal Birth Control and Alcohol Study

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Paris Hayes Psychology Savannah Hastings Psychology Izzy Miller Psychology
Advisor(s): Sarah Hill Psychology

Progesterone is a female sex hormone that has been known to have anxiolytic, craving reducing, and sedative effects due largely to its major metabolite allopregnanolone. Women who are on hormonal birth control have low levels of progesterone and higher levels of a synthetic progestin that does not break down into allopregnanolone. Given this, we hypothesized that women on hormonal contraceptives (HC) will have greater alcohol craving compared to naturally cycling (NC) women due to lower levels of allopregnanolone. In a mixed model analysis, alcohol craving was compared across groups: manipulation (video with alcohol cues) versus control (neutral video), hormonal contraceptive (HC) users versus naturally cycling (NC) women, and before versus after watching the video. Participants were first asked about their current alcohol craving, such as how strong the participant’s urge to drink at the moment (0 = not at all, 100 = the most I’ve ever felt) and how likely the participant would drink that day (1 = not at all likely, 7 = extremely likely). Results revealed a significant increase in HC women’s reported intention to drink before and after the priming condition, but the same was not found in NC women. We conclude that HC women are more likely to drink alcohol when primed with an alcohol-related stimulus. This knowledge may encourage women to be more mindful of their drinking habits while also informing contraceptive developers to consider these potential side effects.

Anchored in Time: Exploring the Experince of Temporal Rootedness

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Olivia Hundley Psychology Nathan Gillespie Psychology Bao Han Tran Psychology
Advisor(s): Cathy Cox Psychology

Research shows that a sense of belonging predicts meaning in life (Lambert et al., 2013). While psychologists have studied how individuals develop a sense of belonging with others, little attention has been given to the sense of belonging in time, or temporal rootedness (Baldwin & Keefer, 2020). Temporal rootedness has previously been defined as what makes people feel like they are living in the “right time” or that they “belong in the present.” Despite its positive link to well-being, its definition and content have remained unexplored. This study replicates Baldwin and Keefer (2020) to examine temporal rootedness and compare the themes that persist across time (i.e., 2020 and 2025). Additionally, this research will serve to help further define the construct, assist in creating a better operationalization of TR, and broaden manipulation techniques. A representative sample of participants (N = 386) was recruited via Prolific to describe their source of temporal rootedness and complete a questionnaire assessing time metaphors, human flourishing, existential isolation, social and economic conservatism, familiarity with technology, and perceived discrimination. These findings will improve our understanding of TR for future research.

Caring While Alone: Does Existential Isolation Shape Empathy in Medicine?

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Magda Ibrahim Psychology Tiffany Bui Psychology Ashley Cao Psychology Aly Harbin Psychology
Advisor(s): Cathy Cox Psychology

The present study seeks to answer the research question: Are medical professionals who experience more existential isolation (EI) less empathetic toward their patients? We hypothesize that higher levels of existential isolation among medical professionals will be negatively associated with levels of self-reported empathy toward patients. Specifically, we predict that providers with greater EI will demonstrate lower scores on standardized measures of empathy, reflecting a reduced ability to connect with patients’ experiences. By investigating this relationship, the study will provide novel insight into how existential isolation may act as a psychological barrier to physician empathy. Results may inform future interventions aimed at reducing existential isolation or increasing empathy training, thereby strengthening the physician-patient relationship and ultimately improving patient care.