Stander Symposium: School of Education and Health Sciences

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  Students with Disabilities in the Classroom

  Mary K. Corliss

  All students, regardless of disability status, should be able to receive the same education as their peers. This review discusses how children with a disability are included, how Covid-19 may have affected their learning, and how a typical day may look.

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  Success for the Sophomore Experience

  Erin R. Steiner

  This study investigated challenges facing second year college students and the gaps in the in-classroom and out-of-classroom curriculum that pose roadblocks to sophomore year success. This postpositivist, quantitative study utilizes data from the Multi-Intuitional Study of Leadership (MSL) survey collected at the University of Dayton in 2020-2021. From the MSL data we found that sophomore level students self-reported having lower ability and/or confidence in their leadership skills in relation to self, group, and social identities. Findings from this study stress sophomore students need high impact programming centered around the development of self, group, and social issues that affect the sophomore year experience through a leadership lens

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  The Brain Health Collective

  Hannah Josephine Moore

  The Brain Health Collective produces community partnerships and interdisciplinary research that contribute to the greater good in the Greater Dayton region. The BHC consists of an Advisory Board and the following four workgroups: Professional Education, Continuum of Care, Awareness & Promotion, and Collaborative Applied Research. We also have opportunities for student involvement.

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  The Effects of a Mindfulness Intervention on Ameliorating Premenstrual Hedonic Eating Patterns in College-Aged Females

  Nicole R. Palmieri

  Young women in college are susceptible to weight gain from a myriad of factors, such as hormones involved in the luteal phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle; increasing caloric intake and hedonic hunger. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a mindfulness intervention on food craving behaviors and on mindful eating behaviors. This was a quasi-experimental study using descriptive analysis on questionnaires and qualitative analysis on workbook responses. From the 23 participants, there was a mean decrease in FCQ-T scores and mean increase in MEQ scores. Menstruating women reported remorse, anger, and loss of control when cravings occur. After the mindfulness intervention, acknowledging physical sensations, emotions, hunger/fullness cues, contemplation of outcomes if the craving was or was not indulged, and engaging in mindfulness exercises resulted in a shift in how the food craving was managed. College-aged women who experience a menstrual cycle can ameliorate the intensity of hedonic eating behaviors with mindfulness practices.

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  The effects of caffeine on athletic performance amongst female collegiate basketball players

  Kara Marie Gunter, Madeline Joy Kapsimalis, Jillian E. Peltier, Jenna Elizabeth Williams, Ivy Elizabeth Wolf

  Caffeine intake has been popular amongst collegiate athletes for decades in hopes that its supplementation is beneficial to their athletic performance. Prior studies have found mixed results in determining whether caffeine intake has significantly improved athletic performance when comparing the results of various functional skill tests (e.g., handgrip strength, Sargent’s jump, upper-body explosive power, attack skill, service skill, hand movement speed, Illinois agility) (Nemati et al., 2023). Significant results were found regarding some of the tests; however, the results were not conclusive enough to generalize what was found. The purpose of this study is to investigate how caffeine intake correlates to athletic performance and heart rate in female collegiate basketball players. We aim to investigate the relationship between caffeine consumption and its effects on cardiovascular activity and physical exertion by collecting data through a questionnaire survey, and performance measurement on two separate practice days.The data will be collected from female basketball players at the University of Dayton. By using a quasi-experimental design, our participants will report their performance after the practice sessions. First, they will not consume caffeine before practice as their heart rate is monitored. The same participants will have their heart rate monitored after consuming 200mg of caffeine (Alani Nu Energy Drink) before practice on a different day. While this study is still under investigation, our results will suggest how caffeine consumption may have a positively significant impact on athletic performance in female collegiate basketball players. Our findings will provide further understanding into how caffeine can perhaps enhance athletic performance and whether the findings are significant enough to be applicable to a generalized population of athletes looking to boost their performance.

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  The Effects of Employment Status on Physical Well-being in College Aged Students

  Julia Lauren Callahan

  Stress that can come with an individuals occupation whether that be the type of position they hold or the benefits they receive from that position can have a negative effect on their mental and physical well-being. A common result is burnout which can be characterized by physical or mental collapse due to overwork or stress. College often becomes a time in which students not only manage academics but also become responsible for obtaining a job to cover various college expenses. The goal of this research project is to look at employment status in college aged students and how that affects their physical well-being.

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  The Effects of Religion and Spirituality on Mental Well-Being

  Maria Sophia Przybyla

  Past research has shown that religion and spirituality can have a great impact on an individual's well-being, whether that effect is positive or negative. Religion and spirituality can ultimately be used as a source of therapy for those with mental illnesses and also improve a person's mental health in general. Some examples of a positive effect include improving or preventing depression, anxiety, and suicide. While knowing it can better a person's well-being, it also has the possibility to worsen an individual's mental health by creating the emotions of shame, guilt, and not being accepted amongst a religious community. The goal of this research project is to better understand the relationship of an individual's religion/spirituality and mental well-being.

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  The Impact of Anxiety on Students and Possible Coping Mechanisms

  Maureen Adaire Kadel

  Anxiety is a complicated experience that can take a toll on students’ overall mental health and education. Students struggling with anxiety often feel stressed, leading to the development of negative coping mechanisms. This project examines the role anxiety plays in college students’ lives and the positive coping mechanisms that may help.

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  The Impact of Foot Orthotics on Injury Prevention & Symptom Management

  Ashley Elizabeth Andrews

  The use of foot orthotics has been thought to prevent injuries, treat generalized foot pain, and improve comfort levels with activities of daily living. Absorbing ground reaction forces and correcting the anatomical positioning of the foot are possible explanations for their efficiency. The purpose of this study is to determine the correlation between the use of foot orthotics and the prevention of injury or pain management.

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  The Montessori Method

  Amelia Jane Adams

  The Montessori educational philosophy and method has existed for over 100 years, and much data and research has been collected to compare and assess students' academic and social outcomes. This research provides various comparisons of the Montessori method to traditional schools, specifically looking at state performance tests and fidelity classification of programs.

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  The Power of Trans Joy at a Catholic University

  Gabby Rose Campana

  This project explores the ways in which transgender and gender non-conforming undergraduate students experience trans joy at Catholic universities. Qualitative interviews were conducted with current undergraduate students who had completed one semester at a Catholic university and identified as transgender and/or gender non-conforming. The project utilizes descriptive methods that identify common themes across participant interviews. Participants expressed that online communities, close friendships, romantic relationships, and access to affirming medical care impacted the joy they felt in their identity. These findings have important implications on the types of support transgender and gender non-conforming students at Catholic institutions need and, moving beyond just support, what experiences help to cultivate joy.

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  The Relationship Between Duration of Physical Activity and Students' Productivity in the Classroom

  Hanna M. Stanifer

  Research has shown that engaging in regular physical activity can significantly reduce the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as reduces stress which could potentially result in an improvement in one's overall mood. Lowering stress levels, especially to those in higher stress situations, such as completing an undergraduate degree, may be able to impact their ability to focus on completing class work. The goal of this research project is to investigate the impact that exercise can have on students' class work productivity by finding associations between the duration of exercise with the ability to complete schoolwork efficiently.

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  The Relationship between Physical Activity Levels and Academic Performance in Young Adults

  Emily A. Molloy

  According to Godwin et al. (2016), academic performance in the United States is on a decline. Researchers have conducted numerous studies analyzing how increased physical activity can be used as a potential intervention for the improvement of academic success. While there is abundant research on this topic among the middle school and high school student populations, research on this topic is lacking among the college student population. The goal of this research project is to analyze how physical activity levels affect academic success in college students.

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  The Relationship between Social Media Usage and College Athletic Performance

  Haley C. Brucker

  Engaging in competitive sporting events affects all areas of well-being. Playing sports, at any level, is as much a mental game as it is physical. The purpose of this study was to better understand how physical and mental well-being are affected by social media usage of college athletes.

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  The Relationship of College-aged Students and Physical Activity: Barriers and Motivators

  Sarah Marie Nie

  College-aged individuals are a unique population that are in the prime years of developing life-long habits that can affect their physical and mental health. It is understood that adults in the US are more likely to meet the adult recommendations if they are given free access to recreation centers and have experience and knowledge of ways to exercise. The purpose of this research study is to learn about the effects that free on-campus recreational centers and access to education on physical activity have on students’ physical health and well-being.

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  The Role of Nutrition in an Individual's Physical Activity Levels and Sleep Patterns.

  Megan Marie Perri

  Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet provides our bodies with essential nutrients that promotes good overall health and well being. Nutrition has the vital rule in all different systems of the body as well as providing fuel for additional exertion throughout the day. Research has shown that diet patterns can change when students go off to college and students may attempt to try different diet plans. The goal of this research project is to better understand the role nutrition can play in physical activity levels and sleep habits in college students.

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  Understanding Autism and Beneficial Strategies

  Kathryn Madison Hall

  My project focuses on Autism spectrum disorder and supports that have been highly beneficial for children. Strategies commonly used in an academic settings with primarily elementary-level students in subjects from mathematics to social skills are explored.

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  Understanding Physical Activity and Stress Levels in College Students

  Minna R. Burkhardt, Amy M. Doyle, Sarah M. McDonnell, Maryann Elizabeth Smith, Anna E. White

  Introduction: College students face a stressful challenge of navigating the transition from adolescence to adulthood with the added pressure of performing well in classes and taking care of themselves. There have been many studies conducted that examine the relationship between physical activity and stress levels, but few have investigated this relationship among a college population. A previous study indicated that objectively vigorous physical activity was associated with decreased stress assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale, but moderate physical activity was not. With the rise in mental health issues in this population it is important to identify ways to reduce stress responses. Many studies have identified an inverse relationship with physical activity and stress levels. The importance of this study is to investigate and bring light to how college students handle stress levels with physical activity. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how physical activity is related to stress levels in college students. Specifically, looking at the mode and frequency of physical activity in relation to overall stress levels.Methods:We are collecting data from students at the University of Dayton to determine if students' anxiety levels are impacted by physical activity. This data will come from students of various backgrounds and will give us insight into how physical activity impacts students and their everyday lives. We will also be using secondary data to gain more information about the correlation between anxiety levels and physical activity in college students. Conclusion: While this study is still under investigation, our results will show the relationship between physical activity and stress levels in college students. As results are collected it will demonstrate the significance between physical activity and stress putting into consideration how often students exercise, what type of exercise they partake in, and if they have any barriers that prevent them from exercising.

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  Understanding the Focus on Multicultural, Spiritual, and Ethical Education in Religious Curricula

  Evanson Joseph Good

  In recent years, religious educators have developed a diverse spread of foci for religious education from multiculturalism to spirituality and ethics. These foci were formulated with the goal of a more widespread constituency for religious education and updating religious teaching to be inclusive of various religious and cultural practices.

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  Unraveling the Impact: Mental Health and Independence in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

  Ryan Cummings, Anne Marie Hart, Kathleen Renee Hunter

  People who experience traumatic brain injury (TBI) have significant negative impacts to their physical health, mental health and independence. TBIs also add significant cost to public health systems and can create financial, mental and emotional challenges for families caring for TBI patients (CDC, 2022). This study is carried out in collaboration with the UD Brain Health Collective Student Workgroup to examine mental outcomes and experiences of patients who have experienced a traumatic brain injury. We use the public-use Traumatic Brain Injury Model System data from the National Data and Statistical Center to examine the relationship of patient independence, represented by employability and mobility, to mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.

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  Varying Physical Activity Levels During COVID-19 and its Impact on Mental Health

  Liam C. Miller

  During the COVID-19 pandemic, physical activity facilities closed down and prevented many people from exercising in public. Physical activity has been shown to have benefits for both physical and mental health. During the lockdown, people engaged in varying levels of exercise, with different outcomes for their mental health. The purpose of this research study is to explore the impact of exercise on mental health in college aged students.

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  “Why Me?”: An Exploration of First-Generation Students Experiencing Imposter Syndrome

  Heather E. Ashley

  First-generation students experience a number of barriers in higher education, including imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is the feeling of doubt in one’s perceived achievements and abilities as it relates to their career and/or education (Clance & Imes, 1978; Peteet et al., 2015). This phenomenon impacts many facets of student wellbeing. An aspect of imposter syndrome that has not yet been explored, save for a few studies (Holden et al., 2021; Mikell & Davis, 2022), is the perspectives of first-generation students as they experience this phenomenon. This qualitative study focuses on first-generation students' experience with imposter syndrome and how such experience intersects with social location and social identities. This research uses a qualitative constructivist approach (Creswell & Creswell, 2023) and semi-structured interviews to answer: How are first-generation students impacted by imposter syndrome? How do first-generation college students perceive imposter syndrome? How do issues of inequity and systemic oppression contribute to the challenges facing first-generation college students? The findings of this study demonstrate a complex relationship between success and pressure on first-generation students that seemingly fosters a mindset of imposter syndrome.