abstract: Although many studies have looked into the relationship between depression and eating behaviors, most have not looked into the interaction between depressive mood, weight status, and eating behaviors; specifically the consumption of added sugars. This longitudinal study examined the relationship between depressive mood and added sugar consumption among college freshmen, and how weight status play a role in this relationship. A web-based survey assessing depressive mood score and added-sugar foods consumption, and height and weight measurements were obtained. A total of 511 participants (aged 18.5±0.4 years; 70.5% females) were recruited at Arizona State University from August 2015 through January 2016. The main outcomes measured were the relationship between depressive mood score and added sugar consumption (tsp/d) within each participants and between mean weight status groups (underweight & “healthy” weight, overweight, and obese). In the study, the mean added sugar consumption was 19.1±11.87 tsp/d. There were no significant association between depressive mood and added sugar consumption within or between freshman students over time. But overall, there was a slightly positive relationship between depressive mood and added sugar consumption across four time points. No significant interaction was found between BMI, depressive mood, and added sugar consumption within each student, but significant differences in the relationship of depressive mood and added sugar between mean weight status groups (p=0.025). Each individual’s BMI in the previous time points was significantly negatively associated with added sugar consumption in the current time points (beta = -0.70; p=0.010). The results from this study indicates that depressive mood may not affect added sugar intake in this sample. BMI did not have an impact on the relationship within each student, but have an impact between mean weight status groups, so further studies are needed to continue look at how BMI influences the relationship between depressive mood and added sugar consumption. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Nutrition 2017

abstract: In the past decade, research has demonstrated the relationship between higher levels of self-compassion and lower levels of negative psychological outcomes. More recently, the concept of self-compassion has been explored within the context of various health behaviors. Very few studies have investigated the potential relationship between self-compassion and eating behaviors. Based on literature and the established relationship between negative self-evaluation and abnormal eating behaviors/eating disorders, the current study sought to examine correlations between self-compassion, eating behaviors, and stress in first time college freshmen. The study population consisted of 1478 participants; ages 18-22 years; females = 936 (63%), males = 541 (37%). Participants self-reported measures of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), and the Self Compassion Scale (SCS). PSS score, the overall score and individual subscale scores of SCS, and the three subscale scores of the TFEQ (restraint, disinhibiton, hunger) were examined with Pearson correlations. Results of this study indicate significant (p = < .05) differences between males and females in PSS and all three negative SCS subscales. There was a strong and consistent correlation between the eating behavior of disinhibition and all three negative constructs of self-compassion (self-judgment, r = .29; isolation, r = .23; over-identification, r = .28) in females. The eating behavior of restraint was similarly correlated with SCS self-judgment in females (r = .26). More research is needed to understand differences in stress, self-compassion, and eating behaviors between males and females and to better comprehend the weak associations between eating behaviors and the positive psychological constructs of self-compassion (self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness) for males and females. Additionally, future research should focus on the three subscales of disinhibition as they relate to the negative constructs of self-compassion. The preliminary results of this study suggest it would be beneficial, particularly to female college freshmen, to more fully understand the dynamics of the relationship between eating behaviors and self-compassion; this knowledge may help to better structure appropriate coping strategies for the prevention of disordered eating behaviors. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Exercise and Wellness 2013

This study investigates an application of hypnotic audiotapes to a specific group of college freshmen. Hypnotherapy is recognized as a viable adjunct to counseling, and it is known that hypnosis is possible via audiotapes. The study examines the use of hypnotic audiotapes designed to affect study habits and attitudes.

D.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

In case studies of six college freshmen of average English ability, as determined by ACT scores, the researcher explored the connections between teacher-student writing conferences and students' subsequent revisions. The following question guided this study: How does the teacher-student conference conversation relate to students' subsequent revisions? Three principles drawn from the review of literature also guided the study: 1) writing conferences can be used as a mid-composing intervention, 2) the purpose of such intervention is to guide student revision of a specific draft as well as instruct in general revision strategies, and 3) a study of student changes on drafts can provide information about the effectiveness of a previous conference. The data were gathered from holistic scoring of the students' drafts, videotapes of each student's four conferences, two-level coding of the students' drafts and the students' conference transcriptions, interviews with the students, questionnaires about attitudes toward revision and conferences, the teacher-researcher's observations, writing self-analyses by the students, and the students' autobiographies as writers. Holistic scoring of first and last drafts written during the study rated drafts after conferences at a higher level, but no meaningful long-term improvement was established. The results of the study indicate that, although students continued to revise in the patterns to which they were accustomed, the topics covered in the conference strongly influenced their revision strategies: the students made more frequent content-level changes after conferences. The topics covered in the conference also influenced their future composing strategies on first drafts. Following the conferences, the students in this study made fewer changes at the word and phrase level and more changes at the sentence, theme, and correctness levels. The results also indicate that the non-directive conference provides for individual writing needs.

Students who exercise a deep approach to learning connect classroom content to real-life experiences. To help first-year students develop a deep approach to learning, Brigham Young University offers a program called Freshman Academy. Participants join a "learning community" based on their intended major. As part of this learning community, participants take recommended first-year courses together and engage in service-learning and problem-solving activities. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore changes in learning approach that followed participation in a Freshman Academy learning community for prospective elementary education majors. These changes were explored through a survey that asked students how they prioritized certain goals related to learning before and after participation. Significant findings of difference were found in post-test survey scores, indicating a marked change in learning approach at the end of Freshman Academy participation.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate and modify an instrument by which the prediction of high risk withdrawal students can be accomplished at an emerging state university. The study utilized 334 members of the freshman class at the state university. Study participants received no special programming or treatment prior to completion of the questionnaire. The subjects were required to complete Alexander Astin's Prediction Scale. Measures taken were: pre-college background, family background, educational aspirations, expectations about college, student characteristics, source of financial aid, work status and place of residence during student‘s freshman year. The statistical treatment of the data collected within this investigation required several techniques in determining its significance. An analysis of variance was employed to ascertain the differences existing between the independent and dependent variable established within the investigation. A multivariate regression analysis was used to designate the exact location of the differences revealed by the ANOVA program. An analysis of these computations revealed differences existing between males and females. Multiple regression revealed a difference in each of the four steps of each group when compared to the other group. The findings of this investigation warrant the following general conclusions: 1. That the freshman year is very crucial in the persistence of students at the university by the highest percentage of withdrawals coming from the freshman class. 2. That entering freshmen with grades higher than A had a better than 50% chance for retention; other research supports this position. 3. That dissatisfaction with the program or lack of money contributes significantly to reasons for student withdrawal. 4. That financial stability of parents of students who attended the university is important in the persistence of all students. 5. That cooperative efforts from the local, state, federal and institution's financial communities is a must in keeping the availability of work opportunities for students who desire and have the need to work. 6. That commitment to the educational goals of the university was a major concern of enrollees. 7. Finally, that being able to "fit" both academically and socially was very important to incoming enrollees. / Ed. D.