The College of Education, Health and

Human Sciences

Announces the Final Examination of

Christina Locke Ingram

for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

June 26, 2015 at 2:30 pm

103 Ball Hall, University of Memphis

Memphis, TN

Biographical Sketch

Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Pacific Lutheran University

Master of Science, Mental Health Counseling, Central Washington University

Advisory Committee

Suzanne H. Lease, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Research, Committee chair

Douglas Strohmer, Ph.D., Professor, Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Research

Yonghong Jade Xu, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Research

Susan McChesney-Atkins, Ph.D., Adjunct Graduate Faculty, Counseling, Educational Psychology, & Research

Major Field of Study

Counseling Psychology

Period of Preparation: 2011 – 2015

Comprehensive Examination Passed: August 2013

Work Meaning and its Buffering Effect on the Relationship between Perceived Stress and Health Risk Factors

Abstract

The current study explores the association between perceived stress and health risk factors (heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, high blood glucose/diabetes, tobacco use, problematic alcohol use, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and depressive symptoms) among a sample of working adults. The moderating effect of work meaning on the relationship between perceived stress and health risk factors was examined. It was hypothesized that greater levels of perceived stress would be significantly associated with higher numbers of total health risks and that the relationship between perceived stress and total health risks would be buffered by work meaning. Although the results of the study indicated that the perceived stress of working adults was related to health risk factors, work meaning was not found to moderate this stress-outcome relationship when using a summary score of all health risk factors. In post-hoc analyses, the health risk factors were divided into physical health outcomes, depressive symptoms, and behavioral risk factors and the moderating hypothesis was tested again. Results indicated that perceived stress was related to behavioral risk factors, but not physical health outcomes. Additionally, work meaning was found to moderate the relationship between perceived stress and behavioral risk factors. Analyses also identified a relationship between perceived stress and the psychological health outcome of depressive symptoms. Work meaning buffered the relationship between perceived stress and depressive symptoms. Results have implications for clinicians desiring to help individuals explore their meaning making process and view their work as more meaningful. Additionally, the findings of this research can be extended to those aimed at improving the physical and psychological health of clients or employees at the individual, group, and organizational level.

The College of Education, Health and

Human Sciences

Announces the Final Examination of

Christine Marie Jehu

for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

June 24, 2015 at 1:30 pm

103 Ball Hall, University of Memphis

Memphis, TN

Biographical Sketch

Bachelor of Arts, Clinical Psychology, Hollins University

Masters of Science, Kinesiology – Sport & Exercise Psychology Concentration, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Advisory Committee

Suzanne Lease, PhD, Associate Professor, Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research, Committee chair

Elin Ovrebo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research

Richard Scott, Ph.D., Training Director, Assistant Director, Counseling Center

Randy Floyd, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychology

Major Field of Study

Counseling Psychology

Period of Preparation: 2010 – 2015

Comprehensive Examination Passed: August 2012

The Effect of an LGB Affirmative Sports Video on Student Athlete Knowledge and Attitudes Toward LGB Individuals

Abstract

Hegemonic masculinity has deep roots within sports making it difficult for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) athletes to be openly out. Many LGB athletes have experienced verbal and physical harassment and assault from teammates and other athletes or social isolation on their teams. The You Can Play Project (YCPP) is an online media campaign focused on eliminating homophobia in sports and making sport a safe space for LGB athletes. However, there has been no empirical evaluation of whether the YCPP changes attitudes toward LGB individuals. The current study evaluated the effectiveness of the YCPP videos on decreasing homonegativity within a sample of self-identified heterosexual NCAA female (n = 120) and male (n = 28) athletes. Athletes were randomly assigned to watch one of three one-minute videos: YCPP, generic anti-bullying, or sleep hygiene. Most athletes in the study had not heard of the YCPP or seen their videos. Significant differences in homonegativity were found between female and male athletes with men reporting more negative attitudes. Using data from only the female athletes; there were no significant differences in homonegative attitudes by video condition. Knowledge of LGB history was associated with more positive attitudes toward LGB individuals for both female and male athletes. Female athletes who reported close contact with an LGB family member or friend reported significantly greater internal affirmativeness toward LGB individuals. Results of the study suggest a shift is taking place within the NCAA with female athletes holding more positive attitudes toward LGB individuals than previously reported. This finding may not be true for male athletes. Continued efforts are needed in examining the effectiveness of the YCPP.