Browsing by Author "Nelson, Niccole, committee member"

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Embargo
Age differences in negative affective reactivity: do stressor types matter?
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Yang, Yijia, author; Luong, Gloria, advisor; Aichele, Stephen, committee member; Nelson, Niccole, committee member
Background and Objectives: Stress may predict poorer health through increased negative affect (NA), which is formally termed as NA reactivity. Age is an important factor associated with different emotional advantages. However, findings about age differences in NA reactivity are mixed in the literature, such that some studies show older adults exhibit more NA reactivity than younger adults, whereas others show a reverse trend or no age-related differences at all. The current study tested this inconsistency by exploring how age differences in NA reactivity vary by stressor type. Design and Methods: Participants were from the Health and Daily Experiences (HEADE) study, which included 56 younger adults (19-35) and 106 older adults (60+) who completed three lab sessions and eight consecutive days of ecological momentary assessments (EMA) surveys. Three stressor types, cognitively demanding stressors, interpersonal stressors, and general daily life stressors, were studied through repeated measures ANOVA on the collected data. Results: We found that stressor type significantly moderated age differences in NA reactivity. More specifically, older adults showed more NA reactivity while facing cognitively demanding stressors. However, the age differences were not statistically significant for interpersonal and general daily life stressors. Also, no statistically significant result was found for the moderating effect of stressor severity on the association between age differences and NA reactivity. Discussion and Conclusions: Overall, younger adults and older adults display different emotional advantages depending on different types of stressors. Thus, specific age-related health recommendations could be proposed based on different stressor types, and studying age differences in NA reactivity about other types of stressors would be a future direction.
Open Access
Exploring the utility of a rolling-admission dialectical behavior therapy skills group for victims and survivors of intimate partner violence
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Colley, Madison L., author; Emery, Noah, advisor; Karoly, Hollis, committee member; Nelson, Niccole, committee member; Kwiatkowski, Lynn, committee member
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern for individuals with a breadth of identities in the US. The current study explored the effectiveness of a rolling-admission Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills group intervention for individuals who had experienced IPV. The participant sample was made up of 23 victims and survivors of IPV residing in the northern Colorado area. Data were collected at pre-intervention, 24 hours after each intervention, and one month after the final intervention attended for each participant. Participant demographics, PTSD symptoms, positive and negative affect, emotion regulation skills, self-efficacy, social connectedness, and diverse qualitative data were collected. Effect size, idiographic, and qualitative analyses were employed to analyze the data. Results demonstrated that various levels of attendance in a rolling-admission DBT skills group at a domestic violence shelter were associated with qualitative benefits and quantitative improvements on all outcome measures. In addition, participant attendance impacted effects on the outcome measures selected, but not such that participants who attended more interventions saw larger or more effects than those who attended fewer interventions. Finally, the qualitative data elucidated factors which increased the cultural appropriateness of the intervention, enhanced participant motivation, and were broadly considered strengths of the intervention itself. A variety of qualitative recommendations for the group intervention were also provided. Practical recommendations related to group therapy format and specific interventions are offered. The present study highlights the varying treatment needs of victims and survivors of IPV in relation to time since experiencing IPV-related stressors, symptom acuity, and life instability.
Open Access
Factors influencing driver response toward an instrument cluster cyberattack: experience, awareness, and training
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Lanigan, Trevor F., author; Gallegos, Erika, advisor; Daily, Jeremy, committee member; Nelson, Niccole, committee member
Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) and the trucking industry are often referred to as the backbone to the supply chain in the United States. With this has come efforts to modernize heavy vehicles just like their passenger vehicle counterparts in order to improve the safety, performance, and efficiency of the transportation of goods and materials. However, the introduction of advanced cyber-physical systems in heavy vehicles makes available a new vulnerability not previously encountered: cyberattacks. The objective of this thesis is to (1) evaluate drivers' responses to an unexpected cyberattack, (2) evaluate how awareness of the cybersecurity threat on their vehicle influences driver behavior, and (3) evaluate how the provision of a cyberattack response protocol influences driver performance. An on-road driving study with 50 participants was conducted to measure drivers' response to an unexpected cyberattack while operating a medium heavy-duty vehicle (GVWR 26,000lbs; Class 6). Each participant was randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups which received varying levels of information prior to the start of the drive. The Control group received no information regarding a possible cyberattack threat on their vehicle. The Aware group received a warning regarding a possible cyberattack threat on their vehicle. The Aware + Protocol group received the same warning as the Aware group along with a basic cyberattack response protocol. Within each group, six to seven of the participants were professional drivers (e.g., commercial truck driver, firefighter, bus driver), while the remaining 10 to 11 participants in each group were standard licensed drivers. Each of the participants experienced the same driving route and cyberattack scenario with regard to type, location, timing, and execution. Participant driving responses were measured using data collected from the vehicle CAN bus, and Racelogic VBOX3i GNSS and IMU sensors. Participant physiological responses (heart rate and electrodermal activity) were measured using an Empatica E4 wearable. Additionally, participants completed a survey at the end of the experimental session to assess their driving experience, risk taking tendencies, and interpretation of the cyberattack. The findings highlight the essential role of awareness and response protocols in enhancing a driver's response to an unexpected vehicle cyberattack. The Aware + Protocol group achieved a 100\% stop rate among both Standard and Professional drivers, showcasing the transformative impact of awareness and clear response guidelines compared to the Control group stop rate of 9\% for Standard and 83\% for Professional drivers. The Aware + Protocol group also traveled the shortest distance during the cyberattack, with Standard drivers covering 224 meters (0.139 miles) and Professional drivers 254 meters (0.158 miles), compared to the Control group's 828 meters (0.514 miles) for Standard drivers and 520 meters (0.323 miles) for Professional drivers. Furthermore, the Aware + Protocol group demonstrated the shortest reaction times, averaging 7.53 seconds, versus 16.12 seconds in the Aware group and 30.29 seconds in the Control group. These results emphasize that awareness alone is insufficient; explicit instructions significantly enhance drivers' ability to respond promptly and effectively to cybersecurity threats. By informing drivers and providing response protocols, their ability to respond appropriately to cyberattacks can be significantly improved. This information can be applied in several practical ways, such as developing cyberattack response training programs for all drivers, especially those operating heavy vehicles. Additionally, public service announcements and in-vehicle alerts could be effective in increasing awareness of cyberattack vulnerabilities. Public service announcements broadcasted through various media channels can inform a wide audience about the risks of vehicle cyberattacks and inform drivers on how to recognize and respond to such threats. In-vehicle alerts can offer real-time information and instructions, guiding drivers on immediate actions to take when a cybersecurity threat is detected.