Graduate Student Journal of Psychology

Exploring Childhood Trauma, Race-Related Stress, Racial Socialization, and Symptoms in Black Emerging Adulthood

2025-03-12T16:34:29+00:00

Objective: Systemic oppression contributes to disproportionate rates of childhood trauma and race-related stress among Black emerging adults, heightening harmful psychological outcomes (Hope et al., 2022; Williams et al., 2010). This study explored how race-related stress infuences the relationship between childhood trauma and internalizing symptoms in Black emerging adults. It also investigated whether racial socialization messages moderated these efects in a three-way interaction. Methods: Black emerging adults (ages 18 – 25) were recruited through academic channels and social media platforms to complete a demographic questionnaire, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire – Short Form (CTQ), the Index of Race-Related Stress – Brief Version (IRRS-B), the Racial Socialization Questionnaire-teen (RSQ-t), and the Brief Symptom Inventory–18 (BSI-18). Hayes’ PROCESS Model 3 was utilized to test moderated moderation analysis. Results: Analyses comprised 341 Black emerging adults (75.4% women, 31% 18-year-olds). Race-related stress did not moderate the relationship between childhood trauma and internalizing symptoms, B = -0.004, SE = 0.0025, 95% CI [-0.0054, 0.0046]. The overall moderated moderation model was not signifcant, B = 0.00002, SE = 0.0002, 95% CI [-0.0002, 0.0007]. However, higher endorsed childhood trauma and racial socialization messages, in the absence of race-related stress, were associated with increased internalized symptomology, B = 0.0105, SE = .0045, 95% CI = [0.0017, 0.0194]. Conclusions: These fndings highlight the unique ways childhood trauma, race-related stress, and racial socialization messages impact Black emerging adults’ psychological functioning. A higher frequency of endorsed racial socialization messages may amplify distress associated with childhood trauma. Future research should investigate racial socialization competency and coping self-efcacy to better understand racial socialization’s role as a potential protective factor for Black emerging adults facing psychological distress from trauma and stress.

The Mental Health of Indonesian Male Breadwinners: Family Harmony as a Moderator Between Perceived Stress and Psychological Well-Being

2025-03-08T22:05:36+00:00

These days, despite the increasing attention directed to mental health, men are typically placed on the back burner of these discussions due to the social stigma that men are supposed to be strong breadwinners. Multiple studies have found a negative association between perceived stress and psychological well-being, ergo, it is important to expand these studies to include the well-being of male breadwinners. Other literature has also suggested that the presence of a harmonious family might help buffer the effects of stress on well-being. Therefore, this study consisting of 304 participants aimed to understand the relationship between perceived stress and psychological well-being, and whether family harmony can moderate this relationship in male breadwinners. Results from linear regression models found that perceived stress predicted psychological well-being in male breadwinners (R² = .30, p < .01), and the moderated regression models also showed family harmony to be a significant moderator between perceived stress and psychological well-being in male breadwinners (R² = .40, β = -.04, p < .001, 95% CI [-.06, -.02]). Aside from adding to the body of research on stress and family psychology, the practical implications of this study highlight the need for family-centered therapy and workplace policies that support the well-being of male breadwinners.

Teaching with Purpose: How Calling Buffers Burnout’s Impact on Teacher Behaviors

2025-02-02T19:42:24+00:00

Research consistently demonstrates that burnout is related to more counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs) and fewer organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). Nonetheless, there is limited research on the relationship between calling orientation (a sense of purpose and passion for one’s work) and the behavioral outcomes of burnout, particularly within the context of teachers in the United States. The current cross-sectional study seeks to address this gap by investigating whether teachers’ sense of calling moderates the relationship between burnout and both CWBs and OCBs. A total of 108 Kindergarten to 12th grade (K-12) teachers were recruited via Prolific to participate in an online survey. Participants answered questions about their calling orientation, burnout levels, CWBs, and OCBs. We hypothesized that burnout would be positively associated with CWBs and negatively associated with OCBs, and that a strong calling orientation would buffer these relationships. The survey results supported the prediction that teachers experiencing high levels of overall burnout were more likely to engage in CWBs. Importantly, teachers with a strong sense of calling were less likely to engage in CWBs, even when experiencing reduced personal accomplishment. Contrary to expectations, overall burnout was not associated with OCBs, nor did it interact with calling orientation to predict OCBs. The findings suggest that fostering a sense of calling could help minimize CWBs and enhance teachers’ commitment to their work. Future research should explore how teacher recognition, professional development opportunities, and interventions that promote purpose or meaning can further support teacher well-being and reduce CWBs.

Effects of Anxiety on Attention-Based Tasks in a College Population

2025-02-21T19:05:14+00:00

Previous literature suggests that trait anxiety may lead to diminished global processing, and therefore, a local processing bias (Basso et al., 1996), which may contribute to a narrowed scope of attention and impaired cognitive flexibility. Additionally, there is conflicting data on how anxiety interacts with performance on the Stroop task (e.g., Ursache & Cybele Raver, 2014). To understand this relationship, the authors used the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to divide participants into groups based on their levels of anxiety. Specifically, the researchers explored the effects of state and trait anxiety on college students’ attention using the Navon task and the Stroop task. The Navon task was used to compare the performance of people with high and low trait anxiety, utilizing two t-tests to analyze local and global processing. Four groups were created for the Stroop task: high trait/low state, low state/high trait, high trait/high state, and low state/low trait, which were compared through an ANOVA. No statistically significant differences were found in performance on the Stroop and Navon tasks based on state or trait anxiety. This may be due to the age range of participants and the lack of clinical elevation of these factors. The findings suggest that moderate levels of anxiety may not impact attention drastically in a college population.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Familial Factors in Adolescent Suicidality

2025-03-26T15:53:02+00:00

Purpose: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are risk factors for adolescent suicidal ideation (SI), but the influence of immediate family factors on this association remains understudied. This study examines how family functioning (FF) and perceived parental criticism (PPC) moderate the relationship between ACEs and SI. Methods: 46 community-based adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 (M_age = 17.43 years, 69.57% female) participated in a study examining cognitive risk factors for SI. Several self-report measures were administered: the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire to assess SI severity, the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire to measure ACEs, the McMaster Family Assessment Device – General Functioning Scale to evaluate FF, and the Perceived Criticism Measure to determine PPC. Results: Neither the presence (ß = .26, p = .09) nor the count of ACEs (ß = .24, p = .12) significantly predicted SI severity. SI severity was significantly associated with specific ACEs such as emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and mental illness or suicide attempts in the household (ß = .39-.65, p = .00-.04), but not with others (ß = -.21-.40, p = .08-.99). Furthermore, FF (ß = .28, p < .01) and PPC (ß = .19, p =.04) independently moderated the association between ACEs and SI severity, while their combined interaction was not significant (ß = -.03, p = .74). Conclusion: Specific ACEs predicted SI severity. Moreover, lower FF and higher PPC independently amplified the impact of ACEs on SI severity in adolescents, highlighting the need for interventions that enhance FF and address PPC to mitigate adolescent suicide risk.

"Where Did All the Lesbians Go?" A Content Analysis of the Sense of Community within Lesbian Spaces on TikTok

2025-03-28T19:09:48+00:00

As physical lesbian spaces continue to diminish, platforms like TikTok have become essential for queer women seeking community. This study uses deductive content analysis, guided by McMillan and Chavis’ (1986) sense of community framework, to examine how membership, infuence, fulfllment of needs, and shared emotional connection are expressed in these digital spaces. By analyzing the top 100 comments on two videos from 11 popular lesbian TikTok creators, whose followers range from 340 thousand to 9 million, the research explores how a sense of community is fostered online. A total of 22 videos were analyzed, with comments coded into key themes. The fndings reveal how users express solidarity through mutual support and validation, often rooted in shared language and collective experiences unique to lesbian identity. Commenters navigate issues such as relationships and societal marginalization, fostering a sense of belonging. However, tensions emerge as users grapple with inclusivity and representation, particularly around race, gender identity, and the evolving defnition of lesbian identity. These discussions highlight both the unifying aspects of digital lesbian spaces and the challenges of ensuring diverse voices are heard. This research underscores TikTok’s evolving role in shaping lesbian identity and community, spotlighting both opportunities and challenges for fostering belonging.