Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

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Open Access
The effect of mask wearing and emotional deficits on lateralized perception and expression of emotion
(Faculty of Science, University of Regina, 2023-04-24) Stradeski, Zoe
The posing bias is the phenomenon explaining that individuals perceive and express emotion more in the left side of the face. This is based on the right hemisphere hypothesis, which posits that emotions are typically processed in the right hemisphere of the brain. This study aims to assess this neurological bias in cases where not all facial cues are visible in the case of widespread mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in relation to emotion expression and perception deficits. Deficits of emotion perception and expression of interest are the result of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), wherein people with ASD have a significantly harder time recognizing and expressing emotion. ASD has also been linked to the subclinical emotional processing deficit called alexithymia, which is the inability to recognize or express others’ or one’s own emotions. The current study investigated these deficits and the influence that masking has on emotion perception and expression. In the present study, we recruited 44 undergraduate students who completed handedness, ASD, and alexithymia questionnaires and participated in two tasks: a forced choice task where they were presented with images posed left or right with and without a mask, and an expression task where they posed with and without a mask after reading two scripts. Findings suggest that alexithymia may be a better predictor of emotion expression and perception deficits than ASD, and that mask wearing may modulate lateral posing, warranting further review.
Open Access
Categorization catastrophe: applying hypodescent and contact theory to biracial photo lineups
(Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, 2023) Steinke, Tilar
Past research shows that biracial individuals tend to be categorized into the most marginalized group (i.e., hypodescent; Ho et al., 2011; Chao et al., 2013). Per contact theory, the quantity and quality of contact with Biracial people (Civile & McLaren, 2022) may predict outgroup categorization and biases (Dickter et al., 2015). The current study sought to examine the role of hypodescent and contact theory in understanding participants’ ability to categorize target faces. Participants were asked to categorize Black-White biracial targets on both a discrete and continuous scale, as well as complete the General Intergroup Contact Quantity and Contact Quality Scale. Results of the study generally followed the expected trajectory, indicating that estimates of ancestry roughly paralleled actual morph level. Neither Biracial nor Black contact was a significant predictor of categorization. Together, these findings may be used to craft photo lineup studies for a wider range of targets. We argue that Psycholegal researchers should expand their range of target groups to include biracial populations. Future researchers should attempt to replicate these findings with other mixedrace groups and control for observer race.
Open Access
The influence of future expected outcomes on retrieval-induced forgetting in undergraduate students
(Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, 2023-04-24) Messaros, Sierra
Retrieval-Induced Forgetting (RIF) is a cognitive phenomenon in which successful remembering of a strengthened memory item (Rp+) results in suppression and forgetting of related memory items (Rp-) compared to unpracticed memory items (Nrp) (Anderson, Bjork, & Bjork, 1994). Current research suggests that RIF is associated to a positivity bias of memory, where greater retrieval-induced forgetting effects result in remembering the past and imagining the future more positively (Giebl et al., 2016; Storm & Jobe, 2012). This study used the Retrieval Practice Paradigm to examine the dimensions and boundaries of the positivity bias correlation. Using the Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R) scale and the Temporal Satisfaction with Life Scale (TSWLS), RIF effects were able to test positivity and optimism by focusing on a broader episodic memory perspective, while also targeting specific episodic memory through event expectancies and outcomes (i.e., GPA estimations and likelihood of future event outcomes). We focused our analyses on individuals who demonstrated RIF. Results found no significant main effects of RIF among all participants, however a small portion of participants displayed stronger individual RIF effects. Effect sizes found no relationships between the optimism and positivity measures. We conclude with a discussion on methodology, retrieval time responses, and characteristics of RIF with broad versus specific memory. As well, we examine coping mechanisms of memory, and the role present situation influences perspective of past and future.
Open Access
The intersection of race and gender in an insanity case
(Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, 2023) Nakonechny, Sarah
How jury members perceive race and gender in the courtroom has been an important topic for legal researchers given implications for the defendant’s right to a fair trial. The literature presents competing theories for how such categories may intersect to inform decision-making (i.e., double jeopardy and intersectional invisibility). The purpose of this study was to test whether U.S. jury-eligible community participants (N = 285) recruited via Prolific Academic would give harsher verdicts for Black and male defendants in an insanity case. Participants were tasked with reading a fabricated murder trial transcript where the defendant is diagnosed with schizophrenia - in which we manipulated the defendant’s race (Asian, Black, White) and gender (male, female) - then made verdict decisions and completed manipulation checks. There were no significant differences in verdicts as a function of race or genders. Researchers should replicate this experiment with a different set of case facts.
Open Access
Trans identities in autistic and ADHD Canadian children and youth
(Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, 2023-04-11) Williams, Michaela
Research suggests that transgender identities are more likely to appear in those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and that those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are more likely to identify as transgender than neurotypicals but are less likely than those with ASD. This research is limited by the fact that recruitment for these studies happens primarily at gender clinics. Since some in the transgender community do not want to or cannot seek gender affirming care at these clinics, this method of sampling can not accurately generalize to the transgender community. The current study seeks to correct this by examining transgender identities in a Canada-wide data set of children and youth. Participants were studied to address the rates of transgender identity between those with and without a diagnosis of ASD and/or ADHD. It was found that those with one or both diagnoses were 1.5 times more likely to identify as transgender than those without. The study supported the hypothesis that trans identity is more likely to develop in those with ASD and/or ADHD. Secondary tests were done to see if age of diagnosis was a significant predictor of trans identity in both ASD and ADHD groups. The second hypothesis was also correct, though only for the ASD sample. The rates seen in the first question are lower than the level of previous research, likely due to the combination of the ASD and ADHD samples. This research should be repeated with samples that can accommodate the separation of these two groups.
Open Access
Narcissism and pandemic attitudes, behaviours, and COVID stress
(Faculty of Science, University of Regina, 2023-04-11) Vint, Joanna
Previous research on dark personality traits (i.e., narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy) and pandemic behaviours suggests a relationship between narcissism and a disregard for public health interventions (e.g., social distancing, isolation, vaccination). Individuals who disregard public health measures put many other people at risk of contracting COVID-19, potentially leading to several health-related complications, added burden on limited health care resources, or even death. The present study aims to examine the relationship between narcissism and pandemic attitudes and behaviours using a population representative sample of 5,812 participants from Canada and the United States. Participants were recruited via Qualtrics and were asked to complete a survey which assessed levels of narcissism, entitlement, non-adherence to nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPI), COVID disregard, anti-vaccination attitudes, reasons for social distancing, and COVID stress. MANOVA indicated that individuals with high narcissism were more likely to have greater levels of non-adherence to NPI, COVID disregard, COVID stress, anti-vaccination attitudes, and entitlement compared to those with low narcissism Furthermore, males displayed greater levels of non-adherence to NPI, COVID disregard, COVID stress, and entitlement, whereas females displayed greater levels of intrinsic motivations for social distancing. Lastly, men with high narcissism showed greater levels of non-adherence to NPI, COVID disregard, COVID stress, and entitlement, in comparison to women with high levels of narcissism. These finding provide a better understanding of the relationship between narcissistic traits, sex, and pandemic attitudes and behaviours and have implications for tailoring COVID-19 public health interventions based on individual difference variables.
Open Access
Categorization of animacy in adults and children
(Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, 2023-04) Czinkota, Thomas J.
Background: Perception and categorization of entities is a topic that has been studied for years to attempt to determine which level of categorization (Superordinate, Basic, Subordinate) is activated first in perception. Recent evidence indicates that adults start categorizing animals at the superordinate level before narrowing to the basic level. However, no research has investigated whether this effect is also observed in children. Purpose: With this study I sought to determine whether adults and young children similarly start categorizing animals at the superordinate level. Method: Participants included (n = 74 adults, n = 76 4- and 5-year-olds) completed blocks of rapid selection tasks, in which they were asked to quickly select one of two images on a touch screen. In one task they were asked to select the animal image as fast as possible, and in the other a dog as fast as possible. Results: Results revealed that while adults were fastest superordinate decisions, children were fastest at basic decisions. Implications: These findings suggest that there is developmental change in the categorization and perception of animals, and open the door for future studies into the development of categorization processes.
Open Access
Exploration of the impact of Trikafta® on percieved weight and body image
(Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, 2023-04-25) Stremick, Taylor
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic, life-limiting, multisystem, chronic disease (Bailey, 2021). Historically, malnutrition and low weight have been prevailing nutritional concerns for people with CF (pwCF) (Bailey et al., 2022), in particular due to associations between low weight, poor lung function, and survival. However, more recent increases in weight have been observed (Litvin & Yoon, 2020). One of the primary reasons for the observed weight increase is the development of and accessibility to a category of medications called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators (Litvin & Yoon, 2020). The CFTR modulator lexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (Trikafta®) is now accessible in Canada but there is a limited understanding of the impact of weight gain for those prescribed Trikafta® (Peterson et al., 2021). The current qualitative study explored the experiences of pwCF 18 years and older in Saskatchewan who are prescribed Trikafta® as it pertains to perceived weight gain, body satisfaction and self-concept. Participants included two adults with CF (Mage = 31.50, SD = 12.02) recruited from Saskatchewan CF clinics and advocacy Chapters. Participants completed a brief demographics questionnaire and participated in a one-hour, semi-structured virtual interview. Thematic content analysis was utilized to uncover themes in participants responses. Three major themes emerged from data: (1) emotions (i.e., annoyed, excited, self-conscious, surprise, worry), (2) challenges (i.e., weight gain, body satisfaction, diet, side effects of Trikafta®), and (3) future (i.e., the unknown, long-term effects of Trikafta®). The themes outlined provide us insights into the experiences of adults with CF who are taking Trikafta®. Study findings allow us to better understand the experiences of those prescribed Trikafta®, in particular as it pertains to perceived weight, body satisfaction, and self-concept. In turn, study findings may be employed to inform changes to clinical care.
Open Access
Canadian residential schools & diabetes: a correlational study
(Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, 2023) Bellegarde, Sherrie L.
Residential schools were once utilized as a means of assimilation for First Nation and Indigenous people across North America. With that goal in mind, it has become accepted common and documented knowledge that the environment, treatment, facilities, and nutrition were sub-par and below both historical and modern standards for the healthy development of children. Numerous physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual abuses occurred to attendees resulting in historic, intergenerational trauma. In addition to this, there is an epidemic of diabetes sweeping across Canada with rates of diabetes among Indigenous people being twice as high than those among other Canadians. A previous study showed that cultural continuity in the form of language fluency was a protective factor against diabetes and suicidal ideation in on-reserve Indigenous people. In the present study, we used data from the Aboriginal Peoples Survey 2017, which surveyed Canadian Aboriginal people living off-reserve. The data was used to explore the relationship between diabetes and attendance at former residential schools, as well as cultural continuity as a protective factor against diabetes and suicidal ideation among survivors and intergenerational survivors. Intergenerational attendance at residential schools was tracked back to the time of the parents (2nd generation) and grandparents (3rd generation) of those that responded to the survey. To explore the relationships between the binary variables involved, cross-tabulations, logistic regression models, Pearson correlations and chi square tests of independence were used. The findings of the research is discussed and disclosed.
Open Access
Rated “E” for everyone: are eye trackers accessible for both gamers and non-gamers?
(Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, 2022-04) Kumar, Shakthi Senthil
Video games are a form of entertainment largely dependent on fine motor skills which are required to use most video game controllers. For individuals with limited mobility, a potential solution is the use of an eye tracker as a video game controller. However, prior gaming experience with traditional game controllers, which individuals with limited mobility might not have, is related to better performance on measures of perception and attention. The present study investigates whether gamers are better at playing an eye tracker video game and rate the usability and enjoyability of an eye tracker as a controller more favourably than non-gamers. Participants (n = 54) played a Super Mario-style video game using an eye tracker as the controller and then completed a Usability and an Enjoyability questionnaire. No differences in performance, usability, or enjoyment were found between gamers and non-gamers. A number of additional finer-grained analyses were performed on aspects of video game experience and performance, usability ratings, and enjoyability ratings. Results of these analyses found that participant motivations for playing video games led to a difference in usability and enjoyability scores, and that playing video games weekly was correlated with lower performance and higher enjoyment. In conclusion, gamers do not have an advantage over non-gamers when using an eye tracker to play video games. These results support eye trackers as an accessible alternative for video game controllers as they are not reliant on gaming experience. However, these results also indicate that eye tracker controllers need further development before they can fully replace a standard video game controller.
Open Access
Dispositional and demographic predictors of acceptability and credibility perceptions of mindfulness-based interventions
(Faculty of Science, University of Regina, 2023-04-17) Gulash, Sarah K.
Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) are efficacious for symptoms of various psychological disorders. Despite their efficacy, many individuals do not consider utilizing MBIs, nor appropriately engage with them. Several barriers to engagement exist; however, attitudinal factors play a particularly large role. Treatment acceptability are perceptions of the appropriateness and non-intrusiveness of a treatment, while treatment credibility are perceptions of the logicalness and believability of a treatment for a given concern. These perceptions are consistently associated with treatment utilization and outcomes. To date, little research has explored relationships between individual-difference factors and perceptions of MBIs. The present study examined correlations between dispositional and demographic factors with acceptability and credibility ratings of MBIs. 332 participants (Cis women n = 149; 44.9%) were recruited online through Amazon Mechanical Turk. Participants completed demographics questions and measures of the five factor personality traits, dispositional mindfulness, rumination, psychological distress, and beliefs about mental illness. Subsequently, participants read an expert-vetted description of MBIs and completed treatment acceptability and credibility measures. Acceptability perceptions were correlated with personality facets of openness (r = .27) and agreeableness (r = .34), dispositional mindfulness (r = .28), income (r = .23), mindfulness practice (r = .25), rumination (r = -.27), psychological distress (r = -.28), and unfavorable mental illness beliefs (r = -.19). Credibility perceptions were associated with agreeableness (r = .19), education level (r = .16), mindfulness practice (r = .16) and yoga practice (r = .32). These results suggest MBI perceptions are associated with several malleable factors and pave the way for research on tailored promotional materials surrounding MBIs.
Open Access
Effects of physical and non-physical extracurricular activities on the self-concept of adolescents
(Faculty of Science, University of Regina, 2023-04) Waqas, Saad B.
Extracurricular activities (ECAs) are an integral part of adolescent development and have been linked to positive outcomes such as increased self-concept, academic performance, and social well-being. Although much research has been conducted in this area, few studies have explored the nuances of different types of ECAs, and even fewer have explored these effects in a Canadian population. Furthermore, very little is known about how immigrants are impacted by these activities and what benefits they may gain from them. To address this gap in the literature, this study uses data from Statistics Canada's Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (2019) to analyze the impact that different extracurricular activities have on self-concept among adolescents (12 - 17 years) in Canada and how these effects differ between immigrant and non-immigrant populations. Our results demonstrate a positive relationship between participation in ECAs and self-concept, while also revealing disparities in ECA participation between immigrant and non-immigrant youth. Despite some limitations, such as the lack of a concrete self-concept measure within the CHSCY dataset and small effect sizes, this research provides valuable insights into the impact of ECAs on adolescent self-concept in the general Canadian population and has implications for educators, community organizers, and policymakers in devising strategies to promote inclusive and accessible extracurricular opportunities for all young Canadians.
Open Access
Exploring intersectional discrimination impacts on Muslim women’s social and psychological well-being
(Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, 2023-04-18) Mounir, Nadine
Background: Following 9/11 terrorist attacks, Islamophobia surged, leading to targeted hate attacks against Muslims. The media’s portrayal of Muslims as terrorists amplified these attacks, making Muslim women vulnerable targets, especially those who are visibly Muslim. This portrayal resulted in increased hostility and anti-Islamic violence towards them. Objective: Using feminist intersectionality theory (Crenshaw, 1989) as a framework, this study explored how Muslim women’s experiences of discrimination impacted their well-being. Methods: Utilizing a semi-structured interview guide, three Muslim women who were at least 18 years old and residing in Saskatchewan were individually interviewed to gather a comprehensive understanding of their experiences. Recruitment of participants involved online advertisements of the study’s purpose and eligibility criteria. Results: Reflexive thematic analysis of individual interviews revealed recurring microaggressions and predominantly implicit discrimination towards Muslim women. These incidents were typically in the form of day-to-day insensitive comments or questions rooted in their intersectional identities and Islamophobia. Further, Muslim women faced significant barriers to belonging in Canada, resulting in deep pessimism about potential integration into the larger community. Findings underscore the potential of community-based research that considers Muslim women’s specific needs and resources to address disparities related to their well-being while providing a platform for their voices to be heard. Implications: The present study will contribute to the body of literature on intersectionality by strengthening our understanding of Muslim women’s under-researched experiences. Research findings will raise awareness of the adverse effects of intersectional discrimination and the potential approaches for combating intersectional discrimination among Muslim women residing in Canada.
Open Access
The associations of dispositional mindfulness with recognition of psychological disorders and willingness to seek help
(Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, 2023-04-18) Gerbeza, Matea
Background: Psychological disorder symptoms impact a large portion of the Canadian population, and while effective treatments are available, few people seek them out. This can be partly attributed to low mental health literacy: lack of knowledge about where to seek help or poor recognition of psychological disorder symptoms when present. Dispositional mindfulness (DM) is the capacity to pay non-judgmental attention to present-moment experiences. This construct is typified by acceptance and non-reactivity toward inner experiences, including negative emotions and psychological distress. This suggests higher DM may facilitate the recognition of psychological symptoms and may be associated with higher MHL. Purpose: The objective of the present study is to examine whether DM scores were meaningfully associated with psychological disorder symptom recognition and mental help-seeking attitudes (MHSAS). Method: A total of n = 299 participants (Mage = 41.04; 49.5% cis women) were recruited via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk and completed measures of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), DM (FFMQ-24), and MHSAS (MHSAS-9). Further, participants read eight vignettes of fictitious patients (developed according to ICD-10 criteria) suffering from various psychological disorder symptoms, and the accuracy of their recognition of symptoms was tallied (PDR-V). Results: Correlation analyses revealed DM scores were positively associated with MHSAS (r = 0.25, p <.001), and PDR-V scores (r = 0.18, p <.001). Hierarchical regressions revealed that DM predicted variance in symptom recognition (1.3%) and MHSAS scores (6%) over and above demographic variables. Implication: DM shows an association with MHL components, and if an intervention effectively cultivates mindfulness, it may also enhance aspects of MHL.
Open Access
Is it okay to tattle? Children’s moral evaluations & reasoning for tattling vs. lying for friends
(Faculty of Science, University of Regina, 2023-04) Fatima, Manahil
Antisocial and prosocial lying are evaluated similarly by typically developing children and children with conduct problems (Zanette et al., 2020). Nevertheless, children's moral reasoning regarding lying in varying social contexts, such as with friends, has not been adequately explored. The current study compared the moral evaluations and reasoning of tattling and lying for friends between children with conduct problems and typically developing children. Child participants (N = 387; 5-13 years old) were asked to evaluate how good/bad it is (moral evaluation) to either tell a lie to conceal a friend’s transgression (e.g., painting on the walls, breaking a vase) or to tell the truth about their friend’s behaviour, and why (moral reasoning). Responses to the moral reasoning question were coded using inductive coding techniques. Children with conduct problems did not differ from typically developing children in their evaluations of tattling and lying for friends: All children rated lying for friends as good and tattling on a friend as bad. However, older children rated lying for friends less favourably and rated tattling less negatively with increased age. When asked to justify why they viewed lying for friends as either good or bad, children with conduct disorder referenced the need for justice significantly less often than typically developing children. Significant differences were also observed based on children’s age. Implications for our theoretical understanding of moral development and for developing interventions to reduce excessive lying will be discussed.
Open Access
The influence of animacy and movement on young children’s memory
(Faculty of Science, University of Regina, 2023-04) Kiviharju, Maija J.
In the past, monitoring for human and non-human animals was crucial for survival. Accordingly, despite limited competitive engagement with animals today, the Animate Monitoring Hypothesis (AMH) purports that cognitive adaptations evolved to direct quicker and more accurate attention towards animate beings as opposed to inanimates. Minimal information regarding this phenomenon in children drives a need for further insights, especially in the context of motion as an alternative mechanism for this bias. As such, in the present study I aimed to measure the extent to which recall of an action sequence is impacted by differences in animacy and degree of motion for children 4- to 5.5-years-old. Using a deferred imitation task children (N = 50) were told that an object was either a mobile animate, an incapacitated animate, or a mobile robot. This object was then used in an action sequence which children observed and then replicated themselves. In line with predictions, recall in the animate conditions was superior to the robot condition, providing support for the AMH, but recall was only significantly higher in the mobile animate condition. Thus, there is a need for future research to further delineate the role of motion and animacy in memory.
Open Access
Are expectations of obstructed facial features accurate?
(Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, 2023-04) Derow, Magdalyn
To fill in missing facial information of partially obstructed, unfamiliar faces, it is believed that people form an accurate holistic expectation. In support of this claim, Winand (2022) demonstrated that participants could correctly match the bottom half of a face to its top half. Yet, the study is limited by the fact that participants may have been able to match the face halves using superficial characteristics such as shading and texture rather than the shapes and sizes of features. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to replicate Winand’s (2022) findings with a task in which such superficial matching strategies cannot be used. This was achieved by morphing images together to blur out such inconsistencies in the stimuli. Undergraduates (N=122) were shown the top and bottom halves of a face that belonged to either a single-identity (two photos of the same identity morphed together) or dual-identity (two different identities morphed together). Participants toggled between two randomly chosen bottom halves that belonged to either the same people shown in the top half or different people, and chose the bottom half that best matched the top half. Overall, accuracy was well above chance, but highest when choosing the best single-identity bottom half for a single-identity top. Thus, although incorporating another identity decreases accuracy, people are generally able to find similarities among the top and bottom half identities without the aid of superficial characteristics. This suggests that people accurately form a holistic expectation based on the available top features.
Open Access
Knowledge translation pain management initiatives for older adults and other relevant knowledge users: a systematic review
(Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, 2023-04) Yarycky, Laney
Pain is often undertreated in older adult populations. Initiatives to increase knowledge about pain assessment and subsequent management are crucial to improving quality of life. Knowledge translation (KT) studies focused on delivering pain management education to older adults and relevant knowledge users are available in the literature. However, KT program formats and outcomes vary greatly, presenting a need to assess and comprehensively report on the current literature for older adult pain management. KT programs targeted towards older adults, healthcare professionals, and informal caregivers were examined in this systematic review. CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Web of Science were searched from inception to July 2022. Search results were organized in Covidence (2022). From an initial 18,143 search results, 146 studies were retained for inclusion. Studies varied widely in focus and format deliveries, and a majority presented with significant risk of bias. Most programs were classified as knowledge mobilization studies without an implementation component. Across all studies, satisfaction and suitability of education were most commonly assessed. Patient outcomes, however, were underemphasized in the literature. Patient and clinical outcomes must be a focus of future research to fully conceptualize success of KT for older adult patients. Without implementation plans, disseminated knowledge does not effectively translate to practice. Knowledge mobilization without implementation is discouraged in future studies.
Open Access
An examination of the well-being paradox among older adults living with chronic pain
(Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, 2023-04-18) Kohlert, Amara
Older adulthood (i.e., 60 years of age and older) is associated with a worsening in happiness-contributing factors, such as one’s physical health. For example, older adults experience elevated rates of chronic pain (i.e., pain that persists for more than three months). Despite the decrease in happiness-contributing factors, older adults experience higher levels of subjective well-being (i.e., eudaimonia) compared to their younger counterparts. This phenomenon is known as the well-being paradox. While the paradox has been well established, little is known about the role of chronic pain in relation to the experience of the paradox. This study is, therefore, aimed at investigating the influence of chronic pain and its associated characteristics on the well-being paradox. Findings were derived from 132 participants from Canada ranging from 60 to 90 years of age living with chronic pain. Results were obtained from a set of self-report questionnaires analyzed using a series of multiple linear regressions. Analyses revealed that current age, magnification, and psychological inflexibility significantly predicted overall eudaimonic well-being. Further, three subcomponents of eudaimonic well-being were analyzed (i.e., self-acceptance, autonomy, environmental mastery). Current age, developmental age, physical functioning, helplessness, and psychological inflexibility significantly predicted participants’ self-acceptance. Current age, magnification, and psychological inflexibility significantly predicted autonomy levels. Finally, current age, developmental age, physical functioning, helplessness, and avoidance of pain significantly predicted participants’ environmental mastery. Aside from adding novel contributions to literature concerning the well-being paradox, findings from this study could influence training for mental health professionals and result in improved chronic pain treatments for aging populations.
Open Access
Mind the gap: using infographics to bridge misconceptions surrounding a neurodevelopmental disorder.
(Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, 2023-04) Dabek, Kelsy M.C.
The public continues to hold many misconceptions around Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). The objective of the present research was to determine if those misconceptions might be reduced through the presentation of correct information via infographics compared to the presentation of text-only material. Infographics are a popular method of displaying scientific findings on social media in a simple-to-process manner containing visual, content, and knowledge elements about a specific topic. Delivery of information to participants was manipulated through use of an infographic or a text-only paragraph that contained the same information addressing popular misconceptions of ADHD. Ninety-nine undergraduate students from the University of Regina Participant Pool were asked to self-report their mental health knowledge then were randomly assigned to either an infographic paragraph, a text-only paragraph, or no paragraph. Participants were asked about the effectiveness of the material at conveying information and then completed a 33-statement quiz assessing their knowledge and perceptions of ADHD. Infographic participants scored higher on the quiz compared to control participants, with text-only participants filling between the infographic and control participants. Students majoring in psychology self-reported higher knowledge of mental health and scored higher on the 33-statement quiz compared to students in other majors. The results from the present study suggest that the discrepancy between ADHD and public perceptions and clinical research may be addressed through use of infographics, especially to counter misinformation online.