Theses and Dissertations
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Item Open Access Family ties: examining family functioning and alcohol use among American Indian youth(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Douglass, Morgan A., author; Prince, Mark, advisor; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Riggs, Nathaniel, committee member; Emery, Noah, committee memberObjective: American Indian (AI) adolescents report earlier initiation and higher frequencies of alcohol use than their non-AI peers. Early initiation and higher frequency alcohol use are associated with worse health outcomes. Researchers have been called to identify factors which protect AI youth from harmful alcohol use behaviors and other risk factors such as peer use. Method: This study is a secondary data analysis of an ongoing epidemiological research survey with AI youth. Data was collected in the Fall of 2021 and Spring of 2022. Participants were 4,373 AI adolescents from grades 6-12 across seven regions of the contiguous United States. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test a second-order latent variable of family functioning built from measures of family cohesion, family norms against adolescent alcohol use (FN), and parental monitoring. Structural paths and interaction terms between peer use and family functioning were added to the SEM to explore direct effects and moderations Results: Family cohesion, FN, and parental monitoring were best represented by a second-order latent variable of family functioning. Family functioning was related a later initiation of alcohol use and lower alcohol use frequency. Family functioning moderated the relationship between peer use and alcohol outcomes. Conclusions: The latent variable of family functioning and its component measures are appropriate for use in AI samples. Additionally, family functioning, which is an inherent resilience factor in AI communities, was shown to be protective against harmful alcohol use behaviors. Results have implications for prevention/intervention research.Item Open Access Emotional labor at work and recovery after work: a multilevel daily study of the differential effects of surface and deep acting on recovery experiences(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Colley, Kelsie L., author; Prasad, Joshua, advisor; Gardner, Danielle, committee member; Prince, Mark, committee member; Riggs, Nathan, committee memberThe purpose of this study was to explore how daily experiences of self-regulation at work spilled over into after-work experiences. Specifically, this study examined whether the relationship between daily emotional labor at work and after-work experiences (recovery experiences) was mediated by perceived gratitude and/or motivation to detach from work. To investigate my hypotheses, I conducted an experience sampling study with Amazon's Mechanical Turk (Mturk) with participants in the service-providing industry to better understand the process of emotional labor. This study heeds the call to understand better daily surface-acting and deep-acting relationships with variables outside of work and to explore the differential effects of different forms of emotional labor on recovery through more novel mediators. Contrary to expectations, many hypothesized relationships were not supported, suggesting that predicting recovery outcomes through emotional labor processes may be more complex than initially theorized. Nonetheless, a subset of findings indicates that surface acting and deep acting produce differential effects; specifically, surface acting appeared to more negatively impact recovery, whereas deep acting sometimes helped cultivate more recovery experiences—though these effects were inconsistent. The study further highlights that perceived customer gratitude and motivation to detach from work operate in nuanced ways, underscoring the complexity of pinpointing exact pathways to successful recovery. Taken together, the results challenge simplistic views of emotional labor as purely detrimental or beneficial and encourage more distinct theoretical and applied perspectives. These findings may prompt practitioners and organizational leaders to rethink emotional demands and how at-work experiences impact after-work experiences.Item Open Access The cost of conformity: masking among neurodivergent workers and the relationship with mental health and job attitudes(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Clancy, Rebecca L., author; Fisher, Gwenith, advisor; Dik, Bryan, committee member; Nelson, Niccole, committee member; Henle, Christine, committee memberNeurodivergent individuals are an important, but underrepresented, part of the workforce who face a number of challenges when it comes to obtaining and maintaining employment. Masking, defined here as the strategies used to conceal neurodivergent traits in an effort to conform to neurotypical norms, has been shown to have negative repercussions for individuals' well-being, but has limited empirical research tied to the workplace. Using self-determination theory, the present study investigated how masking is related to worker mental health and job attitudes. Self-determination theory, and more specifically, basic psychological needs theory, has been used to explain motivation and well-being through the satisfaction of three basic needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. In this study, I hypothesized that masking would be associated with negative consequences for workers at least in part due to the active frustration of these needs, such that the experience of masking actively thwarts basic needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, and is likely associated with lower satisfaction of these needs as well. N=293 neurodivergent participants completed an online survey regarding their masking behaviors, perceptions of basic psychological needs, well-being, and job attitudes. Data were analyzed using higher-order structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized models regarding the associations between masking, needs frustration, need satisfaction, and individual mental health and job attitudes and found initial evidence for the role of need frustration and need satisfaction as atemporal and partial mediators between masking, mental health, and job attitudes. These results may inform future research and theory regarding the psychological process of masking used by a variety of neurodivergent individuals and its presence in the workplace. Results may also be used to inform HR policy and training programs to better support neurodivergent workers and increase broader understanding and knowledge for neurotypical leaders, managers, and coworkers.Item Open Access Exploring the utility of exposure therapy in anorexia nervosa: the role of the fear of food measure(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Kulish, Bailee, author; Chavez, Ernest, advisor; Emery, Noah, committee member; Dik, Bryan, committee member; Faw, Meara H., committee memberBackground: Approximately 5% of patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN) die within four years of the diagnosis (Crisp et al., 1992; Moller-Madsen et al., 1970–1987; Patton, 1988). However, current evidence-based treatments for AN show limited efficacy (e.g., McIntosh et al., 2005; Kaidesoja et al., 2023). Exposure therapies have been recommended for use in AN due to the extensive overlap of anxiety disorder and eating disorder (ED) symptoms (e.g., Strober et al., 2004; Steinglass & Walsh, 2006), though which anxieties are central to ED symptomology is understudied (e.g., fear of weight gain, Brown & Levinson, 2022; Fairburn et al., 2009; fear of food, Brown & Levinson, 2022; Steinglass et al., 2010). The Fear of Food Measure (FOFM) examines fears that address all three components of a cognitive-behavioral model of anxiety. This study will examine the efficacy of exposure therapy in AN by examining scores on the FOFM and ED outcomes (using the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3)) after exposure therapy interventions. It will also examine the validity of fear of food (using the FOFM) as a central motivator/component to AN, by examining the connection between scores on the FOFM and the EDI-3. Lastly, this study will examine weight gain and its relationship to the FOFM and EDI-3. Results: Scores on the subscales of the FOFM and the EDI-3 significantly decreased from pre- to post-treatment. Feared Concerns was a significant predictor of all EDI-3 subscales, while Food Anxiety Behaviors was not. Additionally, Anxiety about Eating subscale significantly predicted some of the EDI-3 subscales, including Drive for Thinness and Body Dissatisfaction. Lastly, subscales on the FOFM were not a significant predictor of weight gain during treatment. Weight gain was also not a significant predictor of decreased scores on the EDI-3 subscales at post-treatment, aside from Drive for Thinness, although post analysis showed significant weight gain among participants from pre- to post-treatment.Item Open Access Investigating the impact of exposure to degraded natural environments on working memory through photographic stimuli(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Dao, Truc Anh, author; Steger, Michael, advisor; Aloise-Young, Patricia A., committee member; Dik, Bryan J., committee member; LoTemplio, Sara, committee memberThe benefits of nature on human well-being have been well-documented under the umbrellas of several theoretical frameworks. Such research is often used to encourage people to go on walks in nature or in other ways become immersed in natural surroundings. However, beyond the fact that a good number of studies often use only photographic stimuli to simulate nature exposure, they have employed nature stimuli that are high in valence and low in arousal, as well as used urban stimuli that are average or low in both valence and arousal as a comparison. Such practices make it difficult to isolate the effects of nature and emotions on outcome measures in those studies. The use of mostly intact beautiful nature in these studies also suggests a gap in understanding how humans interact with damaged nature, especially the impact of damaged nature on humans. As the likelihood of people experiencing changes in their living environments increases with the rate of climate change, there is a need to better understand the influence of degraded nature on well-being in an experimental setting. Thus, the current project addressed two concerns: the lack of a set of image stimuli that can be used for environmental studies with various ratings of valence and arousal, and the limited investigation about the impact of damaged nature on working memory. Study 1 was conducted to obtain ratings of valence, arousal, sense of restoration, and preference on 780 images depicting scenes of built, intact natural, and degraded natural environments. Results affirmed intact natural environments are generally preferred, perceived as restorative, and associated with positive affect and low arousal. In contrast, degraded natural environment scenes are not preferred, associated with reduced restoration, low affect, and heightened arousal. Using images that were counterbalanced for valence, arousal, sense of restoration, and preference, Study 2 implemented an experimental design to examine the impact of types of environments on participants' working memory capacity. Findings revealed participants who viewed images of degraded environments performed worse on a working memory task at Time 2 compared to those who viewed images of intact environments. Notably, this effect emerged even when participants did not fully comprehend the content of the degraded nature images.Item Open Access Using structural equation modeling to assess the relations between exercise, identity, and psychosocial outcomes(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Hogan, Laura, author; Conner, Bradley, advisor; Chavez, Ernest, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member; Fisher, Gwenith, committee memberExercise is known to be a healthy behavior, supporting physiological, psychological, and socioemotional health. However, for some individuals, particularly those who strongly identify as "exercisers," exercise may become disordered, motivated by individuals' internalization of sociocultural ideals and perfectionistic tendencies. The goal of this study was to use structural equation modeling to explore the relations between exercise identity, exercise motivation, sociocultural influences on exercise and body image, and psychosocial outcomes. Data were collected from two samples, college students and non-college adults, who engaged in exercise regularly. Several latent variable models were tested to assess the relations between body image, body and exercise-specific co-rumination, perceived sociocultural pressure, exercise identity centrality, intuitive exercise, and social and emotional health. Key findings indicated that exercise that is motivated by diet-culture beliefs is associated with increased experiences of depression, anxiety, and stress. Additionally, intuitive exercise partially mediated the relation between exercise identity and mental wellbeing. Finally, body image distress and body and exercise co-rumination significantly mediated the influence of sociocultural pressure on exercise motivation. Results supported a nuanced perspective of exercise behavior, emphasizing the importance of identity centrality and sociocultural messaging in determining whether exercise contributes to either health or harm. Implications for intervention and future research in clinical, community, and educational settings are discussed.Item Open Access Discrimination, discrimination distress, and chronic health conditions: an intersectional examination using I-MAIHDA(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Lucci-Rimer, Elizabeth, author; Conner, Bradley T., advisor; Chavez, Ernest L., committee member; Gardner, Danielle M., committee member; Nelson, Tracy L., committee memberThe goal of this study was to understand the relation between discrimination and discrimination-related distress and risk for chronic health conditions among college students with marginalized racial, ethnic, gender identity and sexual orientation identities. Furthermore, I aimed to understand how prevalence of chronic health conditions among college students varies by these identities and whether, controlling for discrimination and discrimination distress, intersectional effects contribute to the variance in outcomes beyond the additive effect of each identity. Using the Intersectional Multi-level Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy (I-MAIHDA), I nested individuals (N = 291,805) within 54 identity strata. I conducted six stages of analysis, each consisting of multi-level regressions to assess for nine health outcomes: count of chronic conditions and endorsement of chronic pain/migraines, asthma, diabetes, endocrine disorders, sleep disorders, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular and heart conditions, and digestive disorders. The first stage was a null model for all health outcomes, the second stage added discrimination experiences as a fixed effect, and the third stage controlled for discrimination experiences and fixed effects for race/ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation. For stages four, five, and six, the sample was filtered to include only individuals who endorsed discrimination during the past 12-months (n = 60,140). The fourth stage was a null model for the reduced sample, the fifth stage added level of discrimination-related distress as a fixed effect, and the sixth stage controlled for discrimination-related distress but added fixed effects for race/ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Results indicated that discrimination experiences and discrimination-related distress were associated with significantly increased odds for all chronic health conditions and increased the incidence rate for number of chronic health conditions. After controlling for discrimination experiences, gender minorities reported the highest odds of any gender for chronic pain/migraines, asthma, diabetes, sleep disorders, autoimmune disorders, and digestive disorders. There was no association between gender minority identity and cardiovascular disorders after controlling for discrimination. Cisgender women reported higher rates than cisgender men for all chronic conditions except cardiovascular disorders, with the highest odds of any gender for endocrine disorders. Sexual orientation minorities reported higher odds than heterosexuals for chronic pain/migraines, asthma, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, sleep disorders cardiovascular disorders, and digestive disorders after controlling for discrimination experiences. American Indian/Native Alaskans reported the highest odds of any racial/ethnic group for chronic pain/migraines, endocrine disorders, autoimmune disorders, and cardiovascular disorders and higher rates than White/Europeans for diabetes, sleep disorders, and asthma after controlling for discrimination experiences. Black/African Americans, Latino/a/e and Hispanics, and Pacific Islanders showed higher odds than White/Europeans for diabetes after controlling for discrimination and discrimination-related distress. Multiracial individuals had the second highest odds of any racial group for asthma after controlling for discrimination-related distress. People of additional races and ethnicities had the highest average number of chronic conditions and the highest rates of digestive and sleep disorders. The variance partition coefficients (VPC) for each model and proportion of change in variance (PCV) between models showed that most (>99%) of the variance between strata could be explained by the effects of discrimination or discrimination distress, and racial/ethnic, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Results suggest differences in outcomes can be attributed to the additive effects of intersecting identities as well as discrimination and discrimination distress related to holding intersecting marginalized identities.Item Open Access The validity and predictive utility of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System Pre-K in Head Start classrooms(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Grubb, Caitlyn, author; Henry, Kim, advisor; Conner, Brad, committee member; Merz, Emily, committee member; Daunhauer, Lisa, committee memberThis dissertation critically examines the measurement structure and predictive validity of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System Pre-K (CLASS Pre-K) within Head Start settings, with implications for research, practice, and policy. Drawing on a comprehensive review of empirical studies, the analysis reveals that both the traditional three-factor model and the bifactor model of CLASS Pre-K exhibit poor model fit, high inter-factor correlations, and inconsistent item loadings, raising concerns about their structural validity in diverse classrooms. Additionally, CLASS Pre-K scores show inconsistent and modest associations with child outcomes, particularly in socio-emotional development. These limitations reflect deeper conceptual shortcomings in the framework, including its narrow scope and limited cultural responsiveness. In high-need environments like Head Start, quality teaching involves trauma-informed care, culturally relevant pedagogy, and family engagement—dimensions largely absent from CLASS metrics. In this dissertation, I argue that reliance on CLASS Pre-K in high-stakes accountability systems such as the Designation Renewal System may inadvertently penalize programs serving marginalized communities. To improve equity and accuracy in classroom quality assessment, this work recommends revising the CLASS framework to include culturally grounded and contextually relevant indicators. It calls for participatory, mixed-methods research and subgroup-specific validation studies to develop more responsive tools that align with the strengths and realities of diverse early learning settings.Item Embargo Marital satisfaction within faith communities: assessing relationship quality in spirit-filled Christian couples(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Zaker, Ashleigh, author; Stallones, Lorann, advisor; Dik, Bryan, committee member; Nelson, Niccole, committee member; Gutierrez-Colina, Ana, committee memberMarital satisfaction is a critical determinant of overall well-being, with substantial research linking high-quality marriages to better mental and physical health. Within religious communities, particularly among Spirit-filled Christians, marriage is often viewed not just as a social contract but as a covenant relationship with spiritual significance. This perspective shapes the dynamics of marital relationships, influencing both satisfaction and the ways couples navigate challenges. In this study, Spirit-filled Christians are defined as individuals and communities who uphold traditional Christian teachings, including the divinity of Jesus Christ, the divine inspiration of Scripture, the acknowledgment of humanity's sinful nature, and the necessity of salvation through faith in Christ's death and resurrection. Additionally, they emphasize the active presence of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives and worship practices. Despite the well-documented importance of marital quality and the role of faith in health outcomes, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding how religious beliefs specifically affect marital satisfaction among Spirit-filled Christian couples. Previous studies have largely focused on the general influence of faith on health outcomes, but few have examined the unique intersection of religious doctrine and marital satisfaction within this community. To address this gap, this exploratory qualitative study examined the lived experiences of Spirit-filled Christian couples in long-term marriages, focusing on how their faith informs relational dynamics, coping strategies, and perceptions of satisfaction. Twenty-three participants all of whom had been married for at least five years, took part in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted using an inductive approach and interpreted through the Strength and Strain Model (Slatcher & Selcuk, 2017), which conceptualizes relationships as sites of both support and stress. Findings revealed that participants viewed faith as a deeply relational resource. Prayer, Scripture, church teachings, and a covenantal understanding of marriage were frequently cited as mechanisms for emotional regulation, reframing disillusionment, and reinforcing long-term commitment. Many participants emphasized the centrality of spiritual meaning-making in their approach to conflict, disappointment, and growth within marriage. Moreover, the findings illuminated complex dynamics between participants and their church communities. While some churches provided meaningful pastoral support, community prayer, and mentorship, others lacked the theological or emotional nuance to address issues like addiction, trauma, or mental health. Participants often expressed gratitude for the role of the church in sustaining their spiritual lives while also noting the need for trauma-informed, emotionally attuned ministry that allows space for authenticity and struggle. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on religious subcultures, marital satisfaction, and spiritual coping. Implications include the need for spiritually integrated mental health interventions.Item Embargo Safety exists in the context: the role of socialization in relation to newcomer adjustment and safety based on self-determination theory(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Stoa, Rosalyn, author; Fisher, Gwenith, advisor; Brazile, William, committee member; Fletcher, Keaton, committee member; Stallones, Lorann, committee memberNewly hired employees in an organization (i.e., newcomers, defined here as employees who have worked in their role for less than a year) may experience adverse effects during the beginning of their job tenure, including stress, surprise, anxiety, confusion, awkwardness, and an increased risk of injury and illness. Using self-determination theory, this study investigated how socialization tactics are related to newcomer role adjustment and perceived safety knowledge. Self-determination theory explains motivation through the satisfaction of three basic needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which should also be the outcome of successful socialization and explain newcomer adjustment outcomes. Participants (N = 463) in this study are new employees from 30 locations within a large, decentralized manufacturing firm. Participants completed an online survey regarding the socialization processes they experience at work, need satisfaction, perceived safety knowledge, and self-efficacy and work acceptance. Data were analyzed using higher-order structural equation modeling. Institutionalized socialization was related to all expected outcomes, and mediated by need satisfaction, newcomer knowledge, and safety climate. Results inform research and practice to advance understanding how organizational socialization processes relate to worker safety and adjustment. Results may be used to educate human resource professionals and safety managers about ways to structure new employee onboarding to increase workplace safety and improve newcomer adjustment.Item Embargo Recovering out loud: evaluations of coworkers' reactions to soberversary disclosure on social media(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Lynner, Brittany N., author; Prasad, Joshua, advisor; Fisher, Gwenith, committee member; Miller, Reagan, committee member; Few, Meara, committee memberSoberversaries, anniversaries commemorating one's sobriety from substance misuse, have gained visibility on social media platforms, including LinkedIn, yet little is understood about how individuals manage this concealable stigmatized identity and how colleagues respond. This study investigated identity management strategies employed in LinkedIn soberversary posts and their impact on colleagues' impressions and behavioral intentions, considering the moderating role of workplace substance use norms. Drawing on identity management and impression management literatures, the present study employed a sequential qualitative-quantitative approach (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018). Qualitative content analysis identified seven identity management strategies, loosely aligning with Roberts' (2005) framework. These findings informed the development of vignettes tested in a between-subjects survey analyzed via structural equation modeling (SEM). Identity management strategies had no significant effects on impressions or behavioral intentions, nor did workplace substance use norms moderate these relationships. Indirect effects were also nonsignificant. However, authentic and archetypal impressions were associated with increased boosterism, and authentic impressions were associated with decreased ostracism. The study advances understanding of stigma management on professional platforms, highlighting narrative framing strategies for individuals in recovery.Item Open Access Effects of protective behavioral strategies in a randomized controlled trial of the cannabis eCHECKUP TO GO intervention(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Bolts, Olivia Leigh, author; Prince, Mark, advisor; Chavez, Ernest, advisor; Conner, Bradley T., committee member; Harman, Jennifer, committee member; Riggs, Nathaniel, committee memberCollege students who use cannabis may underestimate cannabis-related harm and experience negative consequences associated with using cannabis, highlighting the need for harm reduction interventions. Cannabis protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are behaviors for reducing cannabis misuse and related harm. This study is a secondary data analysis of a multisite randomized controlled trial (see Conner et al., 2024 for primary effects). This study examined PBS as a mechanism of behavior change in reducing cannabis use and negative consequences within an adapted version of the online intervention for college students, Cannabis-eCHECKUP TO GO. A total of 779 college students in the US and Canada who expressed interest in reducing or engaging in safer cannabis use were randomly assigned to an experimental or control condition. Participants completed baseline and follow-up assessments and received personalized feedback online. Results showed no significant differences in PBS use frequency between conditions and no evidence that PBS mediated program effects on cannabis use or negative consequences. However, greater PBS use was associated with reduced cannabis use and fewer negative consequences. Additionally, PBS use increased from baseline to follow-up, regardless of intervention condition. Results suggest that, while the intervention did not significantly change PBS use frequency, PBS is a valuable predictor of cannabis-related harm reduction among college students in the US and Canada. Future research could explore ways to facilitate cannabis PBS use among college students.Item Open Access Intersectional multilevel modeling as a method for intersectional analysis of inequity in mental health distress among college student-parents(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Joachin, Vanessa S., author; Conner, Brad, advisor; Chavez, Ernesto, committee member; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Graham, Daniel, committee memberThis study applied the Intersectional Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy (I-MAIHDA) to explore the intersectional effects of social positioning on mental health among college student-parents. Using data from the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA), the study examined relationships between social context variables—campus climate, social support, and loneliness—and psychological distress, while also assessing the utility of I-MAIHDA as a quantitative intersectional method. The student-parent population is a growing yet understudied subgroup in higher education, facing unique challenges that influence their well-being. The study applied multilevel linear regression models to understand the variance in psychological distress across intersectional social strata defined by race, gender, sexual orientation, and food security status. Results indicated that student-parents in more privileged social strata experienced lower levels of psychological distress, more favorable campus climate perceptions, lower loneliness, and higher social support, whereas those from marginalized identities, particularly those with low food security, faced increased distress and more adverse social contexts. I-MAIHDA was demonstrated to be a promising approach for capturing the nuances of intersectionality, effectively addressing issues related to sample size, and revealing significant variability across strata. Findings underscore the importance of inclusive campus policies that better support student-parents, with a specific focus on addressing disparities stemming from intersecting social identities.Item Open Access Mourning and marijuana: exploring the relation between cannabis and grief among Colorado college students(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Smith, Emma E., author; Conner, Bradley T., advisor; Prince, Mark A., committee member; Harvey, Ashley, committee member; Amberg, Marti, committee memberEmerging adults consistently report the highest rates of cannabis use globally. Although cannabis is often used to manage distress, coping-motivated use is linked to worsened mental health outcomes, including increased risk for cannabis use disorder (CUD). However, grief as a predictor of cannabis use is underexplored. Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) and grief rumination are increasingly recognized as distinct yet interrelated risk factors for psychological impairment. Emotion dysregulation may further exacerbate maladaptive coping tendencies, including substance use. This study investigated whether grief symptoms and grief rumination predict cannabis use frequency and CUD symptoms and whether emotion regulation difficulties moderate these relations. Participants (N = 923; Mage = 19.27, SDage = 2.61) were recruited from introductory psychology courses and completed validated self-report measures of grief (PG-13-R), grief rumination (UGRS), cannabis use (past 30-day use, CUDIT-R), emotion dysregulation (DERS), and cannabis use motives (MMQ). Poisson regression and interaction models were used to test hypothesized relations. Direct effects revealed that while prolonged grief and grief rumination did not significantly predict 30-day cannabis use frequency, elevated grief variables positively predicted increased CUD symptoms at the bivariate level. Further, grief significantly interacted with emotion dysregulation to predict cannabis outcomes. Specifically, individuals with high grief and high emotion dysregulation reported significantly greater cannabis use frequency and CUD symptoms. Marginal effects plots confirmed that grief-related cannabis use was most pronounced among individuals with the greatest emotion regulation difficulties. Results offer novel evidence that grief-related distress predicts more problematic cannabis use patterns in emerging adults—and this relation changes as a function of emotion regulation capacity. The results underscore the potential utility of employing emotion regulation skills in coping with bereavement and suggest a need to address grief as a contributing factor to substance misuse.Item Open Access Multimedia learning: how does viewing just a relevant picture impact memory of a lecture?(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) McCoy, Haley Annette, author; Rhodes, Matthew G., advisor; Cleary, Anne, committee member; Fisher, Gwen, committee member; Ortega, Francisco, committee memberEffective presentations are important in many domains. The cognitive theory of multimedia learning (CTML; Mayer, 2022a) identifies important assumptions and principles for giving such presentations. However, lecturers may not always consider/know these guidelines when creating slides. Some of the most subjectively compelling presentations (e.g., TED Talks) include decks of slides with only pictures to accompany a spoken message. CTML contradicts this approach, predicting that learning should improve with pictures that accompany text. Two pilot studies provided evidence that presenting pictures alone may be harmful to learning and similar to receiving a purely auditory lecture. In particular, participants showed a deficit in factual learning when seeing picture alone to accompany an auditory lecture. The current study sought to understand why this effect occurred. Participants viewed a short, recorded lecture with either just pictures or pictures and text on the accompanying slides and took notes while they watched the lecture. Their notes were evaluated to determine what information they attended to and encoded. The current study did not replicate overall memory performance differences shown by the previous two pilot studies, but did show a similar pattern for factual learning deficits in a pictures-only condition. Additionally, few important differences in note-taking behavior occurred, indicating little difference in note-taking strategies between groups. Future work should continue to compare learning under varying lecture, note-taking, and examination conditions.Item Open Access Making up for the munchies? Examining cannabis-related eating and compensatory behaviors among undergraduates(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Pince, Claire L., author; Emery, Noah, advisor; Karoly, Hollis, advisor; Schomaker, Lauren, committee member; Amberg, Marti, committee memberFood and alcohol disturbance (FAD) refers to a phenomenon whereby individuals engage in compensatory behaviors such as caloric restriction, exercise, or purging to offset calories associated with alcohol consumption or to enhance the effects of alcohol. FAD is well-documented amongst college student populations in the United States, however, there remains a gap in the literature with regards to compensatory behaviors in response to other types of substance use, such as cannabis. Cannabis use has become increasingly prevalent among U.S. college students in the past decade, coincident with recent trends towards recreational legalization. Cannabis interacts with the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a critical role in regulating appetite and energy balance, and many individuals who use cannabis report increased appetite or motivation for food, colloquially referred to as "the munchies." Existing literature on the relationship between cannabis use and disordered eating behaviors is limited in scope and has yielded mixed findings, and no study to date has specifically examined engagement in cannabis-related compensatory behaviors in undergraduate populations. Overall, the aims of this study were to (1) develop a measure of compensatory behaviors in response to cannabis use (2) examine associations between engagement in cannabis compensatory behaviors and eating disorder symptomatology, consequences related to cannabis use, and binge eating under the influence of cannabis. The Compensatory Eating and Behaviors in Response to Alcohol Consumption Scale (CEBRACS) was adapted with a focus on cannabis use and "the munchies" and survey items were piloted in a sample of undergraduates at Colorado State University. Modifications were made to survey items and formatting according to pilot participant and subject matter expert feedback. Participants (n = 519) were subsequently recruited from undergraduate samples at Colorado State University and the University of Wyoming (mid-size and large, legal and non-legal recreational status) and completed the final survey in addition to measures related to cannabis use frequency, eating disorder symptoms, and binge eating under the influence of cannabis. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses were utilized to identify the underlying structure of the scale and yielded three factors consistent with previous FAD literature: Enhancement, Diet/Exercise Compensation, and Extreme Weight Loss Behaviors (EWLB). Binge eating under the influence of cannabis was positively associated with all three factors but eating disorder symptoms were only significantly associated with the Diet/Exercise factor. Enhancement and Diet/Exercise Compensation factors were positively associated with cannabis consequences after controlling for covariates, whereas there was a negative relationship for the EWLB factor, which was shown to be mediated through reduced cannabis use frequency. Findings from the present study provides initial evidence for the adaptation and validation of a three-factor Compensatory Eating and other Behaviors in Response to Cannabis Scale (CECBS), furthermore highlighting nuanced relationships between cannabis-related compensatory behaviors and eating disorder symptomatology, cannabis-related binge eating, and cannabis consequences, which may have important clinical implications for cannabis harm reduction as well as the prevention and treatment of cannabis use disorder and eating disorders.Item Open Access Using passive sensing to isolate a biosignature for craving among individuals in early alcohol use disorder recovery(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Mei, Sara, author; Emery, Noah N., advisor; Miller-Chagnon, Reagan L., committee member; Riggs, Nathaniel R., committee member; Eddie, David, committee memberCraving is one of the most robust proximal predictors of both treatment dropout and relapse during early recovery for alcohol use disorder (Andersson et al., 2019; Gossop et al., 2002; Tiffany, 2010). Unsurprisingly, craving management is a central feature of most current AUD treatment models (Hendershot et al., 2011). However, craving can onset rapidly (Epstein et al., 2009) and the ability to accurately predict or modulate cravings varies significantly within- and between-person (Ellis et al., 2022; Joos et al., 2013; Kruschwitz et al., 2019; Preston et al., 2018). These factors make implementation of change strategies in the moment challenging, but creating a measurement and detection of craving through passive biosensor monitoring could offer a crucial opportunity for empirically supported just-in-time interventions. Heart rate variability has been associated with craving and changes in affect (Carter & Tiffany, 2002; Wascher, 2021). This study aims to characterize craving as a biosignature via heart rate variability to best capture the momentary nature of craving and individual differences by pairing wearable technologies with EMA among those in early recovery (N = 40, observations = 400). Multilevel regression analyses will be conducted to estimate correlations of craving and heart rate variability. Results from this line of research hold clinical implications for relapse prevention by laying the groundwork for the efficacy of isolating a biosignature for craving, which may inform just-in-time interventions by providing real-time information for recovery goals and enabling personalized interventions during critical recovery moments.Item Embargo Tell me why: an ecological momentary assessment study of unknown substance use motives(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) DeFalco, Angelica, author; Emery, Noah N., advisor; Karoly, Hollis C., committee member; Riggs, Nathaniel R., committee memberTheoretical models of motivations for substance use emphasize the role of contextual information (e.g., affect) when making decisions about use. These theories explicitly propose that there are moments during which individuals may make decisions about use outside of their conscious awareness. That is, decisions to use can happen quickly, without much thought (Cooper et al., 2015; McCarthy et al., 2010; Wiers et al., 2007). However, to our knowledge, no previous research has examined the frequency and phenomenology (i.e., its predictors and consequences) of this motivational state at the event level. This study sought to fill this gap in the literature by introducing an "I don't know" option to a substance use motive questionnaire (i.e., an unknown motive) assessed using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), a micro longitudinal research technique. The aims of this study included 1) characterizing the occurrences of unknown substance use motives, 2) investigating the prospective relationship between unknown substance use motives and affect, and 3) understanding the prospective association between unknown substance use motives and problems. We hypothesized that participants would endorse the unknown substance use motive and the endorsement of an unknown motive would be more likely at high and low levels of affect (both positive and negative), indicating a potential quadratic relationship. We also hypothesized that an unknown substance use motive endorsement would be associated with experiencing more problems. Results demonstrated that the probability of unknown motive endorsement varied as a function of previous moment affect, such that lower (-1SD) and higher levels (+1SD) of negative affect were associated with an increased probability of endorsing "I don't know" compared to mean levels of negative affect. In contrast, mean levels of positive affect were associated with higher probabilities of endorsing "I don't know" compared to lower and higher levels of positive affect. No association was found between "I don't know" motive endorsement and number of problems. Results confirm a non-linear association of affect demonstrated in previous studies and suggest unique patterns of awareness for use motivation across the affective valences. Results also continue to highlight the pivotal role of affect in substance use at the moment-level. This study was innovative in both method and concept, leveraging EMA's strengths to investigate a fleeting and dynamic process that may inform future intervention efforts aimed at changing use patterns. Future research should continue to investigate this phenomenon to better understand its impact on functioning and develop prevention and intervention strategies.Item Open Access Work and wellbeing outcomes for LGBT+ employees perceiving a calling: the role of diversity climate(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) West, Danielle, author; Gardner, Danielle, advisor; Dik, Bryan, committee member; Amberg, Martha, committee member; Pelia-Shuster, Jackie, committee memberWork as Calling Theory (WCT; Duffy et al., 2018) discusses the benefits and consequences that perceiving a calling can provide. For working individuals, perceiving a calling is associated with better work- and wellbeing-related outcomes (Esteves & Lopes, 2016; Duffy & Dik, 2013). One population that has not been well researched in terms of vocational calling are gender and sexual minority employees, or those with a LGBT+ identity (Velez et al., 2021). A positive diversity climate at work is an important factor for LGBT+ employees' experience with work, as Signaling Theory (Spence, 1973) suggests organizations provide signals that convey their intentions or feelings regarding LGBT+ employees (Webster et al., 2018). These signals inform employee perceptions of the organization's diversity climate, and may further play a role in how perceiving a calling predicts outcomes for LGBT+ employees. This study explored the hypothesized role of diversity climate perceptions in supporting LGBT+ employees' work and wellbeing outcomes from perceiving their calling. This study used select variables from a broader, three timepoint data collection of 404 LGBT+-identifying participants recruited from Prolific. Results supported the notion that perceiving a calling in LGBT+ employees was associated with greater job satisfaction and satisfaction with life, and lowered turnover intentions and burnout. A stronger perceived diversity climate at work was also associated with an increased sense of job satisfaction and satisfaction with life, and lowered turnover intentions and burnout. Results also supported that perceiving a calling more strongly negatively predicted turnover intentions for LGBT+ employees working in a stronger (versus weaker) diversity climate. This study contributes towards the understanding of how perceiving a calling relates to LGBT+ employee experiences under the WCT model, underscoring the benefits of perceived calling as impactful and worthy of encouragement. The results are also impactful for organizations in demonstrating that creating an inclusive diversity climate is a meaningful endeavor toward fostering better work and wellbeing experiences for LGBT+ employees.Item Open Access Rethinking rudeness: the nuanced impact of workplace e-mail incivility on cognitive performance(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Goldman, Chloe B., author; Fisher, Gwenith, advisor; French, Kimberly, committee member; Henle, Chris, committee member; Rhodes, Matthew, committee memberThis research builds on prior work examining the relationship between perceived incivility in workplace e-mail and task performance. This study proposed attribution theory and self-determination theory as helping to explain the widely supported negative relationship between incivility and performance. The study design was between-subjects and implemented experimental vignette methodology (EVM) to determine if exposure to an uncivil e-mail impacted perceptions of blame attribution and thwarted fundamental needs as well as subsequent performance on a working memory task. Results based on a sample of 411 working adults recruited on Prolific reveal that, contrary to ample evidence indicating that incivility is detrimental to performance, the incivility-performance relationship appears to be more nuanced than the literature suggests. Findings introduce additional complexity to the experience of incivility: they provide evidence that the level of perceived rudeness might moderate how incivility relates to performance and that some responses, such as external attribution and thwarted relatedness, might even be advantageous to task performance. This work has important implications for how applied psychologists study incivility and understand it in terms of its influence on objective cognitive performance.