Is there a relationship between food insecurity and perceived social support in college students?
Subject: Social Science (Sociology)
Presenters: Rachael Prosper
Faculty Sponsor:
Chelsea Allison
Food security is a prevalent barrier for students on college campuses across the United States. Perceived social support (PSS) may influence food security status experienced by college students. Social support includes having family and peers available to talk to and provide resources if needed. The aim of this study was to explore whether perceived social support may impact food insecurity among this population. Undergraduate and graduate students (n= 274) of a Northeastern college were recruited in the fall of 2022 to take a survey that included the measurements of PSS and food security. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine if there was a relationship between PSS and food security. Post-hoc tests were used to further understand the relationship between food security categories. Results of this study found that there was a difference but did not show which food security category (high, low, or very low) differs from each other (p<.05). The post-hoc test showed that those with high food security have higher PSS than those with low food security (p=.002). These results suggest that PSS may be a protective factor in the food security status of college students. College institutions may benefit from improving social support for students to improve food security.
The Effects of Hemisphere-Specific Priming on Math Performance Under Pressure
Subject: Social Science (Psychology)
Presenters: Grant Barber
Faculty Sponsor:
Dr. Matthew Brubaker
The objective of this study was to test how activating the right hemisphere of the brain–by squeezing a stress ball in the left hand–may amplify cognitive performance under pressure. The hypothesis was structured around the concept of hemisphere-specific priming, defined as stimulating one side of the brain which would increase activity in that brain hemisphere and decrease the activity in the opposite hemisphere (Hellige, 1993). It has been previously shown that this can work at increasing motor task performance under pressure (Beckmann et al., 2013), and so the current study is an attempt to test this in a cognitive situation. The current study included two experiments to test this hypothesis. In experiment 1, 71 undergraduate students were run across three conditions. All participants completed two blocks of a modular arithmetic (MA) math task, with the second block being performed under an induced pressure condition–similar to that used by Beilock & Carr (2005). Before completing the pressure induced block, participants either squeezed a stress ball for 30 seconds with their right hand (N=24), left hand (N=26), or not at all (control condition; N=21). In addition, all participants also completed a state anxiety inventory at two different time points, a handedness questionnaire, and a working memory span task. Contradicting the hypothesis, results from Experiment 1 showed no differences in cognitive performance across the three conditions–despite evidence that the pressure manipulation was effective. Experiment 2 (N=22), which we are currently still collecting data on, used the exact same procedure as Experiment 1 except that the stress ball was squeezed for the entire test phase in an attempt to further strengthen the hemispheric activation. Preliminary results of Experiment 2 will be discussed in comparison to Experiment 1.
Analyzing the Relationship Between Athletics and Test Anxiety Amongst College Students
Subject: Social Science (Psychology)
Presenters: Yerielis Rubilar-Rivera, Julia McGahan, Skylar Steele, Gianna DeRose
Faculty Sponsor:
Dr. Matthew Brubaker
The present study examines students' and non-athletes' test anxiety among Springfield College students. Prior research has had mixed findings with college student-athletes regarding their test anxiety. While investigating mental health diagnoses in college student-athletes, the National Health Survey of College Students found that non-athlete groups experienced more anxiety than athletes participating in sports (Edward & Froehle, 2021). When comparing the effects of being an athlete versus a non-athlete, further research supports the positive effects on overall health in the lives of college students. “Compared to athletes, non-athletes reported higher rates of anxiety, eating, mood, sleep, and other disorders'' (Edwards & Froehle, 2021, p. 69). This type of consensus instigates a need for a deeper understanding of the topic which is the type of correlation between test anxiety among college student-athletes. This study investigated if student-athletes on the Springfield College campus experience less test anxiety than non-student-athletes due to the athlete’s acclimation to stressful environments and sports performance1. This study also hypothesized that sports participation decreases levels of mental health difficulties in college-aged students2, that students who don’t do sports will have more anxiety than students who do3, and that athletic involvement can be used as an alternative treatment to academic anxiety and mental health difficulties . 118 Springfield College students participated, 69.5% athletes (varsity, club, intramural), 30.5% non-athletes completed an online survey in which they responded to two survey questionnaires: The Test Anxiety Scale (Nunez-Pena, Suarez-Pelliccioni, & Bono, 2016) and The Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS) (Proios, 2012). The results of this study will be discussed further in terms of positive or negative interaction between student-athletes versus non-student athletes and test anxiety levels.
Relationship Between Personality and College Undergraduate Student’s Choice of Major
Subject: Social Science (Psychology)
Presenters: Ethan Nirnebrg, Marissa MacNevin, Heather Martin, Zachary Zerbato
Faculty Sponsor:
Dr. Matthew Brubaker
This study aims at finding a correlation between personality and an undergraduate student's college major choice. Based on the analysis of previous research, the hypothesis of the study is that undergraduate students who possess a high level of agreeableness are less likely to enroll in health science majors. It is assumed that students enrolled in arts and science majors will score higher in openness. Those pursuing health science majors are hypothesized to exhibit higher scores in neuroticism and conscientiousness, given the challenging and high-stress environment associated with their program of study. The data was collected by utilizing a Google Form questionnaire which was sent out to undergraduate students who are currently enrolled at Springfield College. A total of 45 students responded to the prompts on both the Mini-IPIP (Donnellan et al., 2006), a questionnaire used to identify an individual’s personality trait. The individuals also completed a demographic questionnaire to determine students’ age, class year, major and career aspirations. The use of these measures distinguished the individual's Big Five personality score in relation to their choice of major and career field. The hypothesis is that the mean score amongst the students enrolled in health sciences and arts and science will be significantly different amongst the Big Five Personality Traits. The results of this study will be discussed in terms of how it can be used to help guide incoming or undergraduate students with the decision of choosing a college major that will fit their personality most accurately.
The Relationship Between Social Media Use and Attention Span in College Students
Subject: Social Science (Psychology)
Presenters: Holden Hoon, Madison Tubman, Cheryl Nicosia, Maggie Britt
Faculty Sponsor:
Dr. Matthew Brubaker
This paper analyzes whether there is a negative relationship between social media usage and participants’ perceived attention span. To answer this question, we recruited about 45 undergraduate or graduate students attending Springfield College over the age of 18 and administered a questionnaire. Participants were asked to share information on demographics, their perceived attention span, and their screen time for the past two weeks on social media applications: Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook.
The 21st century has introduced the world to an array of technological advancements. The innovation and expanded use of social media is one of the most prevalent examples of this. Approximately 4.67 billion people have a social media account (Dixon, 2023). Social media has become a large component in people’s daily lives and continues to affect socialization (Carstens, Doss, & Kies, 2018). Due to social media being such a pivotal element, it is natural to become curious about the positive and negative impacts it can have on us. Furthermore, what psychological consequences can be correlated?
Participants: We recruited about 45 undergraduate or graduate college students attending Springfield College over the age of 18 through convenience sampling with the use of advertisements and emailing. Participants were asked to report the screen time of specific social media applications on their mobile devices.
Materials: A survey was administered to all the participants requesting information for demographics, screen usage time, and perceived attention span. The Attention Span Questionnaire was added to this survey, which is a 20-item self report questionnaire that aims to measure individuals’ attention span, particularly when performing important daily tasks (Derryberry & Reed, 2002).
Results will be discussed at the poster presentation.
The Effect of Sibling Relationships on One’s Self-Esteem
Subject: Social Science (Psychology)
Presenters: Chandani Rana, Carlee Crispens, Gabriela Rivera-Rodriguez
Faculty Sponsor:
Dr. Matthew Brubaker
Siblings are considered to be an important source of support after parental support (Mikkelson, 2014). The sibling relationship can also be the longest relationship in the individual’s life. Lempers and Clark-Lempers (1992) shared that adolescents regarded their relationships with their siblings as a more important, reliable alliance than those with their same-sex friends. Many studies have been done focusing on children as well as adolescents (Furman & Buhrmester, 1985; Yeh & Lempers, 2004; Campione-Barr et al., 2012; Philips & Schrodt, 2015) but relatively little has been done on emerging adults. This literature gap is notable especially as the dynamics of sibling relationships can change as siblings transition into adulthood. The present study explored the complex and multifaceted nature of sibling relationships and their effects on an individual’s self-esteem. Fifty-five Springfield College students, including 41 identifying as female, 11 identifying as male, and 3 who declined to specify their gender, who have at least one sibling filled out the questionnaire for this study. Results suggested that participants who reported having a good relationship with their sibling(s) were more likely to have a higher level of self-esteem. This study thus supports earlier findings established by the aforementioned authors and various others who studied sibling-self-esteem associations (Brody, 2002; Yeh & Lempers, 2004; Lin et al., 2008; Sanders et al., 2015).
Keywords: siblings, sibling relationship, self-esteem, resilience, conflict
Acquisition Analysis
Subject: Social Science (Business/Finance)
Presenters: Victoria Sipes
Faculty Sponsor:
C. Stephen Sheffield
An investigation into the factors that differentiate a successful acquisition from a failed one.
The study will involve an In-depth analysis of 6 randomized acquisitions. Success measure will be changes in Return on Equity and shareholder value.
Associations between intuitive eating and nutrition knowledge among college students
Subject: Social Science (Department of Exercise Science)
Presenters: Callie Morris
Faculty Sponsor:
Chelsea Allison
College is a transformational time in an individual’s life. During this time of expanded education, research suggests that lifelong health habits begin to develop. This indicates that college is a time to promote not only healthful eating habits but also positive relationships with food. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between nutrition knowledge and intuitive eating behaviors in college students. Students (n=274) at a small, private Northeastern college were recruited via flyers, emails, and in-class announcements to take an online survey, which included questions on nutrition knowledge and intuitive eating behaviors. Nutrition knowledge was assessed using the 17-item Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (NKQ), and intuitive eating behaviors were measured by the 23-item Intuitive Eating Scale (IES-2). Descriptive statistics using frequencies and means were used to understand the sample. Spearman’s correlation was used to understand associations between the two variables. Approximately 79.2% of students were undergraduate, 59.5% identified as male, and the mean age was 19.8 (SD = +/- 2.7) years of age. The mean score for nutrition knowledge was 6.0 (SD = +/- 2.12) out of 11, and the mean score for intuitive eating behaviors was 3.5 (SD = +/- 0.52) out of 5. A negative, non-significant association was observed between nutrition knowledge and intuitive eating behaviors (⍴=-.054, p=.408). Our study suggests there is a missing gap between intuitive eating practices and nutrition knowledge. Future research should continue to explore this association, possibly using a different nutrition knowledge questionnaire. Regardless, the literature supports nutrition education and promoting healthy relationships with food in this population. College institutions should continue to consider these as strategies to further promote diet quality among college students.
Myth Busting: Addressing Recycling Perceptions in the Springfield College Community
Subject: Social Science (Biology/Chemistry Department)
Presenters: Katie Baroli, Marvel Bolaji-Anseidu, Leah Castle, Nicole Connell, Brenna LaChapelle, Natalya Tirkot
Faculty Sponsor:
Melinda Fowler
The Humanics Philosophy guides the Springfield College community to educate the whole person in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership and service to others. The SEED Club believes that learning proper recycling practices helps to educate the whole person in spirit, mind, and body. We also believe that caring for the environment is a way to demonstrate service to our community. We note that recycling does not fix all environmental issues, but it is a great first step for the community to lead the way in sustainability efforts. Our goals were to see if anecdotes about community perceptions of recycling were an accurate reflection of community attitudes. Also, we wanted to collect data to advocate for a plan to improve recycling education and practices. We developed a six question survey about community member’s recycling practices, motivations, and perceptions. We had 117 responses, 93% of which were students and 7% were faculty. 62.1% of participants reported that recycling is important to them and 67.2% said they recycle when they are confident about procedures. However, 54.3% stated they are not confident what happens to the recycled materials once they leave campus. 62.9% of people would recycle more if there was better signage and they were confident the materials were actually recycled. Lastly, we gathered feedback from facilities regarding official policies and discussed our results in this context. These may be important patterns to inform next steps to better encourage recycling on the Springfield College campus.
What is the Relationship Between Social Media and Mental Health?
Subject: Social Science (
Psychology)
Presenters: Brendaliz Velez-Figueroa, Julia Thurn, Ethan Boileau
Faculty Sponsor:
Matthew Brubaker
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact social media usage has on a college student's mental health. The participants which included both undergraduates and graduates students from Springfield College N=45, completed an online survey via Google Forms, which contained four demographic questionnaires; the Social Media Usage Questionnaire-6 items which asked students to input the amount of time they spent on social media, Generalized Anxiety Disorder -7 items which measures participants perceived anxiety or feelings of anxiousness, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale-10 items items which measures the participants projected self-esteem, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items which is designed to gather how often participants felt feelings of depression. The scales are designed to analyze how the use of social media apps such as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok negatively impact levels of anxiety, depression and self-esteem among college students. Overall, the participants answered 32 items in total and the survey took approximately 15-20 minutes to finish. It was hypothesized that the time spent on social media would be positively correlated to symptoms of anxiety and depression, while negatively correlated to self-esteem. The results will be discussed and referred to the correlation between the time spent on each platform compared to a student's self-reported feelings.
The Relationship of Caffeine on Anxiety, Stress and Fatigue
Subject: Social Science (Psychology)
Presenters: Tyler Chita, Feruza Hailie, Alijah Gonzalez
Faculty Sponsor:
Matthew Brubaker
Our main focus when it comes to studying an individual's consumption of caffeine is to find the correlation between different mental health side effects such as anxiety, stress and fatigue. In order to do so, we took 31 participants of undergraduate Springfield College students (16 males; 15 females) and had them answer a series of questions pertaining to how they had felt based on the amount of caffeine taken in the last month. This was a survey that had been sent out to specifically students at Springfield College. The survey included a total of 47 questions, in which about a ¼ of it was based on demographics. When it came to mental health, we used 3 different scales to get results and credible data. The Fatigue Assessment Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale. Our hypothesis was that caffeine would be positively correlated with stress, anxiety and fatigue which had ended up being correct, however no significant correlations were found within the data. Our findings also found that there was both a positive and significant correlation between men and women with anxiety, showing that women have more anxiety than men.