Browsing by Author "Amberg, Marti, committee member"

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Open Access
Indecision-inaction phenomenon: development and validation of the indecision-inaction phenomenon scale (IIPS)
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Ferland, Missy, author; Dik, Bryan, advisor; Amberg, Marti, committee member; Prasad, Joshua, committee member; Peila-Shuster, Jackie, committee member
Many people are familiar with the experience colloquially known as "analysis paralysis," yet this concept has not precisely been defined, much less operationalized via a measurement instrument. The purpose of this study is to develop a scale to operationalize the latent variable "analysis paralysis," referred to in a more sensitive manner as "indecision-inaction phenomenon," and to establish initial psychometric support for its scores. Indecision-inaction phenomenon is a system of maladaptive cognitive processes that interfere with task completion in individuals, in which excessive deliberation without progression toward execution paradoxically prevents decision-making or goal-oriented action. This study proposed and tested a three-factor model for the latent variable indecision-inaction phenomenon, comprising the perceived choice paradox dimension, the irrational prospection dimension, and the unfulfillment dimension. An item pool was generated, and subject matter expert feedback was integrated to enhance content validity by refining items. A Qualtrics survey was administered to a student sample, including items in the proposed scale as well as several other established scales to explore initial validity evidence. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted to investigate the underlying factor structure of the proposed items and inform subsequent scale revisions. The EFA revealed a three-factor structure reflecting the dimensions IIP- Perceived Choice Paradox, IIP- Irrational Prospection, and IIP- Unfulfillment, as hypothesized. Next, this factor structure was rigorously tested and confirmed using Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA), again demonstrating a good fit for the three-factor model. Finally, initial reliability and validity evidence for the scale was explored using correlations with scores on scales measuring established criterion variables, generally revealing relationships in expected directions and magnitudes with other constructs. This study offers a framework and instrument— the Indecision-Inaction Phenomenon Scale (IPPS)— for understanding and measuring the experience of indecision-inaction phenomenon, which may be used in future research on maladaptive cognitive processes.
Open Access
Mental health misconceptions and stigma
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Paruszkiewicz-Philson, Kathryn, author; Garvey, Sara, advisor; Amberg, Marti, committee member
Mental health advice is everywhere, from social media influencers promoting their latest health brands to mainstream media highlighting new research findings. While the internet is full of tips on maintaining well-being, far less attention is given to the lived realities of individuals struggling with mental disorders. Despite increasing awareness, pervasive myths and misconceptions continue to circulate. The media plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions, sometimes helping to spread awareness, but often perpetuating misinformation that reinforces harmful stigmas and stereotypes. These misunderstandings contribute to discrimination and systemic barriers that limit individuals' quality of life and negatively impact society. To challenge these narratives, my project aims to dispel common myths and increase awareness through a podcast series focused on three groups of mental disorders. Normalizing conversations and integrating mental health education into schools, communities, and professional settings can promote greater understanding, reduce stigma, and enhance access to support for those affected.
Open Access
Using machine learning and cohort-sequential modeling to predict suicide attempts among Colorado adolescents
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Arkfeld, Patrice A., author; Conner, Bradley, advisor; Prince, Mark, committee member; Riggs, Nathaniel, committee member; Amberg, Marti, committee member
Suicide has become a leading cause of death across the United States with adolescents posed at particular risk for engaging in self-harm and suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts. As the number of suicide attempts increases, the greater the likelihood that someone will continue attempting suicide, incur an injury during one of their attempts, or die by suicide also increases. Although researchers have identified individual predictors of suicide, very few have investigated the intersectional and interacting variables that predict suicide attempts while differentiating the predictors of multiple suicide attempts from predictors of single attempts and those who have not attempted suicide. The present study utilized the exploratory classification trees to identify these predictors of multiple suicide attempts across the 2015, 2017, and 2019 Healthy Kids Colorado Surveys, which assesses the health and safety of Colorado adolescents. The present study sought to identify if the predictors of multiple suicide attempts change over time and for participants with expansive transgender identities and/or sexual orientation. Models identified 26 predictors of multiple suicide attempts with creating a plan for suicide in the last year as the most predictive of multiple suicide attempts, followed by the number of times participants used heroin in their lifetime, the number of times in the past month when participant misused prescription medications, and the number of days in the last month when participants smoked cigarettes. Results support the use of classification trees in identifying risk factors for multiple suicide attempts though replication is necessary to support these findings.