Mountain Scholar :: Browsing by Author "Faw, Meara, committee member"

Browsing by Author "Faw, Meara, committee member"

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Open Access
Affective attunement and counter-power affordances of Twitter to the 2020 #EndSARS protests in Nigeria
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Enyinnaya, Virtue Chibuike, author; Tham, Samuel M., advisor; Arthur, Tori, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member
Using the Network theory of Power, and Affective Public, this study employs a Critical Technocultural Discourse Analysis (CTDA) to examine the affective attunement and counter-power affordances of Twitter during the 2020 #EndSARS protests in Nigeria. Drawing on qualitative data collected from Twitter during the protests, the study examined the ways in which Twitter facilitated affective attunement - the ability of Twitter users to attune to each other's emotions - in amplifying activist voices and mobilizing publics for collective action. It also analyzed the counter-power affordances of Twitter, which enabled protesters to challenge dominant discourses and power structures in Nigeria. Through a CTDA lens, the study explored the ways in which power, cultural ideologies, users' online experiences, and technology intersected in the #EndSARS protests, and how these dynamics shaped the outcomes of the protests in addressing police brutality in Nigeria. The findings suggest that Twitter played a significant role in the mobilization and organization of the protests, and that affective attunement and counter-power affordances were key factors in the success of the movement. This study contributes to our understanding of the complex relationships between power, technology, and social change, and provides insights for future research on the role of social media in protest movements within regimented democracies. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Open Access
Attention bias as a mediator of the association between interparental conflict and cortisol reactivity
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Obstfeld, Maya, author; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, advisor; Faw, Meara, committee member; Quirk, Kelley, committee member
The current study aimed to explore whether attention bias mediated the relationship between adolescents' appraisals of interparental conflict (IPC) and cortisol reactivity (CR). There is a robust literature on the relationship between attention bias and anxiety in children and adults (Bar-Haim et al., 2007; Cisler & Koster, 2011), and an emerging literature on how interparental conflict is associated with an attention bias toward angry interactions (Lucas-Thompson et al., 2020). While there is a robust association in the literature between interparental conflict and cortisol reactivity (Davies et al., 2007; Lucas-Thompson, 2012; Koss et al., 2012), the results of this study found no association between the two variables. Similarly, the results of this study indicated no associations between attention bias and any other variables. The results of this study suggest that attention bias may be a moderator, or risk factor in the relationship between IPC and CR. Additionally, further research is needed to determine whether a conflict specific stressor should be used to elicit more variability in cortisol reactivity. Further research should continue to aim to link neurobiological processes to clinically relevant topics, as it is essential to bridge the gap between the medical field and the psychotherapy process.
Open Access
Communication patterns and conflict: effects of forgiveness on rumination, sleep, and relationship evaluations
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Prosser, Julie Lanette, author; Harman, Jennifer J., advisor; Faw, Meara, committee member; Crain, Tori, committee member; Graham, Daniel, committee member
A research method commonly used in relationship science involves asking participants to engage in a conversation with their partner regarding an area of conflict within their relationship. It was predicted that for participants who engage in conflictual or withdrawal communication patterns, asking couples to further explore their conflict in a laboratory could lead to short-term increases in stress. It was further predicted that engaging in a forgiveness writing intervention may circumvent additional negative short-term outcomes compared to those in a control writing condition. Results showed that while controlling for baseline levels of serial conflict, short-term stress, and initial baseline levels of stress, men's conflict communication patterns, as opposed to withdrawal communication patterns, predicted increased stress for women. The forgiveness intervention mitigated some of the effects of withdrawal communication patterns as opposed to conflict communication patterns on several outcomes. Specifically, men's withdrawal scores predicted decreased stress and negative mood for themselves and increased perceived support from their partner after engaging in the forgiveness writing condition. Unexpected patterns emerged for the moderated effect of condition and withdrawal on sleep, as women slept less, and men had decreased sleep quality after having been in the forgiveness condition and experienced withdrawal patterns from their partner. The significance of the study and future directions are discussed.
Open Access
Detection of unhealthy communication patterns in romantic relationships
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Smith, Amy D., author; Quirk, Kelley, advisor; Faw, Meara, committee member; Harvey, Ashley, committee member; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member
Unhealthy communication expressions are predictive of distress and poor functioning in romantic relationships yet the ability to detect these expressions is understudied. Study 1 presents the validation of a new procedure allowing for the objective assessment of detection abilities producing a final set of 15 videos (11 unhealthy interactions and 4 neutral conflict interactions). Six real-life couples volunteered to film four two-minute videos each for the creation of this procedure. Each couple was asked to portray three interactions including an assigned unhealthy communication expression and one neutral interaction on topics of their choice. The total sample of 24 videos were viewed by Gottman Couple Therapy Level 1 or Level 2 certified couples' therapists currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a COAMFTE-accredited Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program. Each therapist rated the videos on whether the video showed unhealthy communication expressions, their concern for the relationship based on the interaction, and the level of satisfaction they perceived the couple had with their relationship. Nine videos failed to be validated with two videos having contradictory ratings in their portrayal of unhealthy communication patterns from what was intended, two for having low levels of internal reliability related to concern for the relationship, two for ratings of level of concern inconsistent with the hypothesis, and three for ratings of level of satisfaction inconsistent with the hypothesis. Implications for the use of this procedure in future research are provided. In Study 2, binary logistic regression models were used to explore individual level predictors of observed detection abilities based on four of the videos validated in Study 1. Participants were asked to view the series of four videos, two of which portrayed unhealthy communication patterns and two of which portrayed neutral conflict interactions. Based on Social Learning Theory and documented errors in directed attention, three early childhood variables (attachment, interparental conflict, and betrayal trauma) and two attention related variables (dissociation and mindfulness) were tested. Results revealed that self-blame related to interparental conflict predicted lower detection abilities, including both over- and under-detection and trait dissociation predicted under-detection. Attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, betrayal trauma, and trait mindfulness were not significant predictors of detection ability. A discussion of the findings and implications for future research are provided. Study 3 was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based relationship education program for individuals at improving the ability to form healthy relationships including the ability to detect early warning signs of unhealthy relationships, confidence in making decisions in relationships, use of skillful communication, and relationship satisfaction. . Participants were undergraduate students currently enrolled in a college course on intervention and prevention programs and were randomly assigned to two conditions: (1) relationship education program with a mindfulness component or (2) standard relationship education program. Repeated-measures ANOVAs revealed significant pre-/post-test differences related to confidence in the ability to detect early warning signs of unhealthy relationship functioning and trend level differences in confidence in decision making and skillful communication. No significant differences were found between groups. Implications for future research are provided.
Open Access
Does youth mentorship quality moderate or mediate the association between insecure parent child attachment and externalizing behaviors?
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Trotta, Naomi, author; Haddock, Shelley, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, advisor; Faw, Meara, committee member
Past literature has indicated that youth externalizing behaviors are associated with negative outcomes in adolescence, such as violence and drug use, however it is unclear if mentorship quality acts as a buffer for these behaviors. The current study examined the interactions between parent-child attachment, mentorship quality, and externalizing behaviors in the context of a youth mentoring program. Specifically, this study assessed 1) the association between parent-child attachment and youth anger, delinquency, and school behavior, 2) the extent to which mentorship quality moderated this association, and 3) the extent to which there are indirect effects of mentorship quality on the main association. Participants (N = 676; 58.4% male, 58.6% White; Mage=14.21) self-reported on the measures at baseline and again at program post-test. Findings showed parent-child attachment security was significantly associated with anger but was not significantly associated with delinquency or school behavior. Secondly, there were no significant interactions between parent-child attachment and mentorship quality in relation to any of the externalizing symptoms found. Lastly, the study found significant indirect effects of attachment security on anger, delinquency, and school behavior at the end of the mentorship program through mentee-reported mentorship quality. These results show promise for possible positive impacts of a strong mentorship quality on youth.
Open Access
Establishing the reliability and validity of the diet culture beliefs scale
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Hogan, Laura, author; Rickard, Kathryn, advisor; Connor, Bradley, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member; Fisher, Gwenith, committee member
Throughout history, human bodies have evolved to represent status, wealth, and morality through their shape and size. Although body objectification occurs across the gender spectrum, women have historically experienced the most pressure to fit whatever sociocultural norms are current. In recent decades, women whose bodies are thin and toned are often more highly valued in United States society than those who are in larger bodies. Efforts to transform and maintain the ideal body are rampant among women and include restrictive diets, excessive exercise, and pharmaceutical or surgical interventions. Dieting has become a pervasive part of United States culture. Research has shown that dieting is a strong predictor of eating disorders. Eating disorders account for more deaths than most mental illnesses, second only to opioid addiction. Eating disorders and disordered eating exist in people of all shapes and sizes, ethnic, and sociocultural backgrounds, but they often go undiagnosed because of the sociocultural stigma that only emaciated, young, wealthy, White women suffer from them. Early detection of eating disorders is crucial for successful treatment and intervention. This study explored the development of a new scale, the Diet Culture Beliefs Scale, by assessing its reliability and validity as a measure of individuals' internalized beliefs about the ways in which food and body size are indicative of morality and health. The goal of this study was to contribute a tool to both the body of research and clinical practice that may help medical and mental health providers identify warning signs of eating disorder development. Study results indicated that the Diet Culture Beliefs Scale retained its originally identified three-factor structure as evidenced by a Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Additionally, the Diet Culture Beliefs Scale showed both test- retest and internal consistency reliability, suggesting that it consistently measures diet culture beliefs over time and across items. Finally, the Diet Culture Beliefs Scale showed criterion- related, convergent, and discriminant validity suggesting that it is an accurate measure of diet culture as a unique construct. As such, the Diet Culture Beliefs Scale should be considered a psychometrically sound tool to support researchers and clinicians better understand the relationship between diet culture and eating disorders, as well as to provide early detection of eating disorder risk factors.
Embargo
Exploring the pathway between family chaos, stress reactivity, and emotion regulation
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Najman, Jonathan I., author; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, advisor; MacPhee, Dave, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member
Family chaos is the cumulative exposure to disorienting environments (Fiese & Winter, 2010), and is associated with poor academic outcomes, health problems, and adjustment problems (e.g., Evans & Kim, 2013). Two distinguishable elements of family chaos are a) instability, or unpredictable events that disrupt continuity of the household, and b) disorganization, or enduring experiences that contribute to overwhelming disorder (Garrett-Peters et al., 2019). Although a relatively new distinction, it appears critical, in that instability is a stronger predictor of executive functioning than disorganization (Andrews et al., 2021). Our goal was to provide an investigation of this model to other key outcomes: stress reactivity and emotion regulation. A total of 153 adolescents (10-17yrs) completed the stress test and reported emotion regulation (Zeman et al., 2001; Garnefski et al., 2001). Family instability was significantly but weakly associated with disorganization, r = .16, r2 = .03, p < .05. Generalized Estimating Equations controlling for age, income, and race revealed that family instability, but not disorganization, significantly negatively predicted cortisol reactivity (b= -4.65, SE= 4.17, p<.05). The distinction of family chaos into instability and disorganization requires further research to elucidate the relationship between family chaos and poor developmental outcomes.
Open Access
Intersectional identity, sense of LGBTQ+ community, substance use, and mental health outcomes among college students
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Tuthill, Shelby Diane, author; Prince, Mark, advisor; Crain, Tori, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member
Prior research has shown disparities in mental health outcomes and substance use between LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and more) and non-LGBTQ+ people. Factors such as social support and LGBTQ+-specific social support have been shown to mitigate such disparities. A similar construct, sense of LGBTQ+ community has been less widely studied. In this study, LGBTQ+ (n = 154) and non-LGBTQ+ (n = 1232) undergraduate students at a large university participated in a survey. In a propensity score matched sample of LGBTQ+ students and demographically similar non-LGBTQ+ students showed no disparities in overall mood concerns, depression, anxiety, and stress; they also showed no disparities in alcohol use, cannabis use, and alcohol and cannabis co-use. Among LGBTQ+ students, sense of LGBTQ+ community was not significantly associated with mood outcomes or substance use. However, some notable disparities emerged when students were compared across racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual orientation identities simultaneously. These findings underscore the importance of an intersectional approach to research and subsequent recommendations for intervention.
Open Access
Minority stress, work stress, and health inequity for Hispanic/Latinx K-12 teachers in Colorado: a mixed methods study
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Holm, Abby K. Johnson, author; Graham, Dan, advisor; Prasad, Joshua, committee member; Chavez, Ernest, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member; Parks, Elizabeth, committee member
While stressors related to teaching are already concerning (AFT, 2017; NIOSH, 2016), particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Hispanic/Latinx teachers likely experience identity-related stressors in addition to occupational stressors (e.g., see NIOSH Occupational Health Equity Program, 2018). According to the Allostatic Load Model (McEwen & Stellar, 1993) and the Minority Stress Model (Meyer, 2006), these combined stressors may lead to increased strain on the body, taking a toll on the overall health and wellness of this group. Using a mixed-methods design, I recruited participants in partnership with the CEA (CEA; teachers union) in November 2020. The sample consisted of 851 Colorado teachers and union members who completed an online survey on their experiences of discrimination, stress, and health in their workplace. Twenty-six of these teachers (most of whom were Hispanic/Latinx or Teachers of Color) were interviewed for 45-60 minutes on these experiences as well as their feelings regarding diversity affinity groups as a practice to celebrate diverse identities in their workplace. First, I found that Hispanic/Latinx teachers experienced more intersectional discrimination than white teachers; however, there were no group differences in workplace discrimination or work-related stress in this study. Secondly, Hispanic/Latinx teachers did not have poorer health than white teachers, though they had marginally poorer health than non-Hispanic Teachers of Color. Finally, while I hypothesized that organizational support would moderate the relationship between workplace discrimination and health conditions, I found that work discrimination did not predict more health conditions/symptoms, but organizational support did predict fewer health conditions/symptoms. Nearly every Hispanic/Latinx interviewee reported workplace hostility, and most had experienced one or more forms of discrimination at work. Many teachers responded favorably to the idea of diversity affinity groups to celebrate diversity and deter feelings of isolation, but there were also several concerns (i.e., the potential for isolation or surface-level efforts) regarding their implementation. While discrimination in the workplace did not impact Hispanic/Latinx teachers' health, these results suggest that organizational support can have a powerful and positive effect on teachers' health, as other occupational literature suggests (Baran et al., 2012). Future research should study these variables longitudinally and outside of a pandemic and consider other implications of discrimination in the workplace besides its effect on health within this population. The results from this dissertation suggest that diversity affinity groups may be an excellent resource for repairing harm and making change, but above all, Hispanic/Latinx teachers simply need to be heard.
Open Access
Neural correlates of prospective memory in college students with anxiety
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Rice, Michaela S., author; Davalos, Deana, advisor; Thomas, Michael, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member; Tompkins, Sara Anne, committee member
Prospective memory is the ability to create and execute future tasks. It is comprised of two components: cue detection and intention retrieval. Prospective memory is essential for successfully performing high-level goals, a proficiency that is of extreme importance in college populations. Previous research has shown that prospective memory is vulnerable to deterioration in individuals with psychological disorders. Anxiety is a psychological disorder that has been associated with various cognitive deficits, including prospective memory impairment, and it is highly prevalent among undergraduate students. To date, no studies have investigated the relationship between prospective memory and anxiety using neurophysiology. The purpose of the present study is to fill this gap in the literature by examining prospective memory performance in college students with anxiety using an electroencephalogram (EEG). After recording anxiety levels via self-reported measures, participants completed a computerized prospective memory task while two types of event-related potentials were recorded from an EEG: the N300 to assess cue detection, and the prospective positivity to assess intention retrieval. The findings indicate that anxiety was not significantly related to prospective memory performance, although the data patterns suggest that accuracy decreased as anxiety increased. Intention retrieval was weakly positively correlated with accuracy, and weakly negatively correlated with state anxiety. Taken together, these results suggest intention retrieval could be a key component in supporting prospective memory for college students with high state anxiety.
Open Access
Overworked and underpaid: Hollywood gatekeeping in assistant labor and discourse
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Bennett, Kiah E., author; Marx, Nick, advisor; Black, Ray, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member; Hughes, Kit, committee member
Ubiquitous, yet unseen, exploited assistants' unseen labor hems the fabric of Hollywood and entertainment industries. In this dissertation, I interrogate the unseen cultural discourses of Hollywood that obfuscate the exploitation of the overworked, underpaid underclass of future creatives and executives: assistants. I argue that the position of an "assistant" – as an entry-level position for Hollywood executive and creative professions – materially, discursively, and socially acts as a gatekeeping mechanism against workers based on class, ability, race, and gender. Meanwhile, Hollywood production and hiring practices must adapt to contemporary demands for accurate representation of diverse positions on-screen and behind-the-scenes diversity. However, Hollywood is inherently white, masculine, middle-to-upper class, and able-bodyminded in its expectations and values. Therefore, I demonstrate how Hollywood uses the position of assistantship to appear diverse, meanwhile the material and cultural conditions of this position gatekeep difference out of Hollywood's creative and executive decision-making roles.
Open Access
Parental conflict and young adult romantic relationships: the role of sibling relationship quality
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2018) Fihn, Gabrielle, author; Quirk, Kelley, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member
Romantic relationship development and maintenance contributes to the overall well-being and psychological health of partners. Decades of research has indicated that parental divorce is negatively associated with psychological adjustment and romantic relationship outcomes later in development. More current research, however, claims that divorce alone does not account for the variability in these outcomes, and that multiple subsytems within the family unit are likely influential. The proposed study aims to examine one family subsystem, sibling relationships, on the association between young adult romantic relationship outcomes and parental conflict and divorce. Three hundred and thirty two young adults provided responses to questions about their parent relationship quality, sibling relationship quality, and four romantic relationship outcomes (attitudes, relationship commitment, relationship satisfaction, relationship confidence). A linear regression and a moderation test were conducted to examine the associations between sibling relationship quality, parental conflict, and the outlined romantic relationship outcomes. Results revealed support for the powerful association that siblings play in young adults romantic relationship formation and satisfaction. Implications are offered for future studies in this important line of work.
Open Access
Perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms among marginalized groups using an intersectionality framework
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Holm, Abby K. Johnson, author; Henry, Kimberly L., advisor; Crain, Tori, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member
This work uses Crenshaw's (1989) Intersectionality to quantitatively study intersectional experiences of discrimination and depressive symptoms among historically marginalized and ignored populations. Using a series of multiple mediation models, discrimination (attributed to gender, sexual orientation and/or race/ethnicity) was modeled as a mediator between identity and depressive symptoms among seven diverse identity-based subgroups from Project STRIDE (75% sexual minority, 50% racial/ethnic minority; Meyer et al., 2006). I hypothesized marginalized subgroups would experience more discrimination, and in turn, more depressive symptoms. All models were compared against the eighth, least marginalized subgroup: straight White men. Discrimination partially mediated the effect of identity on depressive symptoms for sexual minority Black women, but only when accounting for discrimination on the basis of all three marginalized identities (woman, Black, and lesbian/bisexual). Sexual minority Black men experienced significantly less/less frequent depressive symptoms relative straight White men; after holding constant discrimination (at 0 for both groups), this was also true for sexual minority White men. Despite the nuances to quantitatively modeling intersectionality and potential issues of generalizability, this work might serve as a framework for carrying out future quantitative intersectionality-based studies. Enacted, this work has the potential to create a healthier and more equitable society for all
Open Access
"POTS equals uncertainty": exploring uncertainty and privacy management of people with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Slattery, Erin C., author; Williams, Elizabeth, advisor; Faw, Meara, committee member; Sivakumar, Gaya, committee member
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a rare, incurable, and invisible disability. POTS is an understudied illness in the medical field and even more so in academia. The importance of studying the experiences of people with POTS is to improve the way these individuals, and others with invisible disabilities, negotiate privacy and uncertainty. Privacy and uncertainty are particularly worthy of investigation in studying POTS because people with POTS have to negotiate large amounts of uncertainty and disclosures. This study sought to use the lens of uncertainty and privacy management along with emergent themes. Twenty-four in-depth interviews were conducted. Participants hailed from North America and Europe. Findings of this study revealed complex and dynamic negotiations of privacy and the management of uncertainty. Participants explained they attempt to disclose only vague explanations of their illness to most people because people do not understand. There was deep and profound uncertainty surrounding pre-diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, and symptoms. Participants also had a hard time deciding when and how to disclose their POTS. Uncertainty about reactions and understandings to disclosure played a role in complicating decisions on whether and how to disclose. Invisible disabilities pose distinct and specific challenges that can build theory to include unconsidered voices and experiences that complicate previous scholarship. This study revealed more avenues to be explored going forward.
Open Access
Relational satisfaction and telomere length: exploring the moderators of dyadic coping and mindful partnering
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Baer, Samantha Leigh, author; Quirk, Kelley, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member
This study aimed to address the gaps in the literature surrounding dyadic coping, mindful partnering, relationship satisfaction, and telomere length. We examined the association between relationship satisfaction and telomere length. Hypothesizing (H1) that relationship satisfaction would be positively and significantly associated with longer telomere length. We then analyzed mindful partnering and dyadic coping as moderators of this association. Next, we predicted (H2, H3) that mindful partnering and dyadic coping would strengthen the association between relationship satisfaction and telomere length. However, our analyses showed hypothesis one is insignificant, meaning there is no significant association between relationship satisfaction and telomere length. The insignificance of our main effect inhibited us from testing our moderators, dyadic coping, and mindful partnering. One notable limitation of our study was that the data was self-reported, creating more room for social desirability. Future researchers could collect data on these variables through observational research to minimize the amount of social desirability bias. Although the findings from this study were insignificant, it presents the field with opportunities for future research.
Open Access
Risk society and the fight for kratom use
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Yarnell, Drew, author; Mahoney, Patrick, advisor; Taylor, Pete, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member
This research argues that the rise of alternative medicine and health supplements is best understood within the context of the 'risk society'. The dual pressures of deregulation in the health sector of the economy and the dominance of Big Pharma, has the consequences of proliferating the use of non-sanctioned forms of health care. The Southeast Asian plant Kratom is one such illustration of this phenomenon. Drawing from over 200 Reddit posts on r/Kratom, this research analyzes the reaction of the kratom community to attempts by the Food and Drug Administration and Drug Enforcement Administration to restrict access to the botanical. Ulrich Beck's work on 'risk society' is combined with the recent literature on neoliberalism to analyze the narratives emerging from the community of kratom users. Using theme-based coding, the findings revealed tent-pole sentiments of 1) A desire for treatment agency and personal liberty, 2) Fear of regression or return to risk, and 3) Disdain and distrust of regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical industry. Parallels to Beck's risk society were extant in the thematically related passages, including 1) the commonality of anxiety, 2) the loss of monopoly on knowledge from authoritative institutions, 3) the transition from patient ignorance versus being their own auxiliary doctor in the modern era, and 4) the power of corporatocracy overshadowing the traditional preeminence of the state. These arguments indicate a more nuanced understanding of neoliberalism is required. While typically seen as a way of freeing up capitalist markets for the benefit of large corporations such as Big Pharma, neoliberalism's emphasis on self-reliance and entrepreneurialism also provides a frame of resistance for those non-corporate actors threatened by State regulation. These findings enhance our understanding of the role of States and sub-community resistance in Ulrich Beck's theory of 'risk society'. In the context of risk society, the kratom community's experience with mainstream medicine and subsequently the pharmaceutical industry has made them distrusting of the state due to its failings to properly police such institutions and would rather be left to their own devices to decide what is and isn't appropriate for their respective conditions.
Open Access
Romantic conflict, interpersonal mindfulness, and cellular aging
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Rigsby, Brock A., author; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, advisor; Brown, Samantha, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member
Interpersonal relationships can affect health (Ellison et al., 2016, Laurent et al., 2013) including biological and cellular aging processes measured through telomere length (Rentscher et al., 2020). Despite established associations between romantic conflict and health outcomes (Cummings et al., 2007), empirical evidence has yet to emerge supporting a link between romantic conflict and telomere length. Given the frequency with which adults may experience romantic conflict (Papp et al., 2002), it is important to understand how multi-faceted romantic conflict experiences impact health so that targeted interventions can be developed. Mindfulness has well-established benefits for health (Lucas-Thompson et al., 2019) and close personal relationships (Pratscher et al., 2018; Townshend et al., 2016), thus mindful partnering (Seiter et al., 2021) may be a fruitful avenue for such intervention. Using a community sample of 30 couples, this study explored hypothesized associations between romantic conflict and telomere length, as well as the moderating effects of mindful partnering, through self-reported and observational data. A small but non-significant association was found between romantic conflict and telomere length, and no significant moderating effect of mindful partnering emerged.
Open Access
Science communication and coproduction: applying the theory of motivated information management to the science-policy interface
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Middleton, Lindsey, author; Champ, Joseph, advisor; Anderson, Ashley, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member
Science communication scholarship claims that engagement, dialogue, and interaction are important communicative components. But there are relatively very few studies of dialogic science communication processes from a science communication perspective. This study bridges science communication, interpersonal communication, and science-policy interface research and practice to learn how an interpersonal theory models science-policy communication. When science informs policy and land management, myriad science and policy actors must work together to come to a shared understanding of how science will be used. However, there may be differences across the science-policy interface. How do scientists structure research goals, and how do policymakers and managers set research goals? How do timelines differ? How do communication styles, cultures, and values differ? Can they come to a shared understanding? This work studies the policy side of a particular science-policy interface (coproduction) and describes how science stakeholders, or "information seekers," evaluate the utility of working with information providers from organizations outside their own to inform their own science and policy. Information seekers were interviewed, and they provided insights into their perceptions of (1) the trustworthiness and credibility of information providers, (2) their ability to communicate across the interface, (3) the usefulness of the information provided, and more. Results inform future coproduction practice, but also, this study demonstrates a successful application of an interpersonal communication theory to a science-policy interface. Future work might make further use of the predictive and explanatory utility of this model in science communication with high-priority stakeholders, and interpersonal theories and models arguably stand to further inform the dialogic components of science communication.
Open Access
The development of a scale to measure diet-culture beliefs
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Davidson, Kenzie, author; Rickard, Kathryn, advisor; Henry, Kimberly L., committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member
In the United States, it is widely assumed that dieting is a healthy practice and a thin body represents physical health (Bacon, 2010). Many people believe that a person's body size is a direct result of their behaviors related to food and exercise, dismissing the impact of other factors that influence body size (e.g. genetics) (Chrisler & Barney, 2017). It is common for people to view food as "good" or "bad" based on how the food is thought to impact a person's body. "Bad" foods cause weight gain, while "good" foods result in weight loss or maintenance (Vartanian, Herman, & Polivy, 2007). Research demonstrates that women tend to experience negative moral emotions such as guilt and shame after eating foods society characterizes as "bad" or after eating more than they view as acceptable (Sheikh, Botindari, & White, 2013). Along with health and morality, dieting and thinness holds significance in the area of social status. Thinness persists as the ideal body type in the U.S. and dieting offers a path to achieve that socially prized body type. Dieting and health, moralization of food and bodies, and dieting and status are three aspects of diet-culture. This study sought to examine how women experience diet-culture and create a tool to measure women's diet-culture beliefs. I consulted previous literature and conducted focus groups investigating women's experiences with diet-culture. The focus groups revealed important themes related to diet-culture that were subsequently used to generate items for the Diet-Culture Beliefs Scale (DCBS). DCBS items were administered to a sample of psychology students (n = 517) who identified as women. I conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a parallel analysis, which both pointed to a three-factor structure for the DCBS. I then conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) specifying three factors and selected items based on psychometric quality. After modifications, analyses suggested a good model fit for the nine-item, three-factor scale. This scale is a useful first step in empirically measuring diet-culture, though additional research must be conducted to further validate the DCBS.
Open Access
The HEROs Self-Care Program: targeting maternal self-care in obesity prevention
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Hobbs, Savannah, author; Bellows, Laura, advisor; Johnson, Susan L., committee member; Coatsworth, Doug, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member
Background: Obesity has continued to be a major health concern for adults and children in the United States, and maternal mindful self-care behaviors related to healthy eating, physical activity (PA), and stress management play an important role in child weight status, especially in early, formative years. Rural mothers, however, face unique barriers to these health behaviors. Objective: To design a mindful self-care intervention and investigate its feasibility and acceptability for mothers of preschoolers living in rural Colorado with limited resources. Methods: The Healthy EnviROnments (HEROs) Self-Care program was designed using Intervention Mapping and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model to integrate Social Cognitive Theory, effective behavior change strategies, and tailor the intervention to the audience contexts. The resulting program included 2 group workshops and 4 individual health coaching sessions via videoconferencing with topics on healthy eating, PA, stress management, and goal setting for health. Baseline health measures (weight status, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, and health behaviors) were gathered on participants (n = 23) at 3 health fairs to provide information on the health status of the target audience, and the intervention was piloted with a subsample (n = 6) to inform program feasibility (e.g., feasibility of data collection and program implementation). Post-intervention interviews informed program acceptability (e.g., components that functioned well and areas for further refinement). Results: Audience input informed the development of the HEROs Self-Care program, resulting in a theory-based intervention integrating best practices and consideration for audience-specific barriers to behavior change. The pilot outlined effective intervention strategies such as videoconferencing technology and individual health coaching sessions as well as future areas for refinement like additional healthy eating content and improved integration of mindfulness and digital supports. Baseline health measures did not meet recommendations, further indicating a need for a program to address maternal health. Conclusion: The HEROs Self-Care program was designed systematically to target maternal self-care as an approach for childhood obesity prevention efforts. Audience feedback and baseline health data supported the need for a maternal self-care intervention within childhood obesity interventions, and the intervention pilot revealed the program to be feasible and acceptable.