Tag: Poster 108

Dissociative Experiences Associated with Parasympathetic Nervous System Activation of Expectant Mothers During Trauma Recollection

Presenter(s): Cassandra Dukes − Psychology

Faculty Mentor(s): Jennifer Ablow, Jeffrey Measelle

Poster 108

Research Area: Clinical Psychology

Trauma, defined by the DMS-5 as “exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence” can be associated with levels of dissociation when triggered by recollection (Shauer & Elbert, 2010). The Polyvagal Theory, developed by Stephen Porges (1995), suggests that dissociation, a form of immobilization, is a defense used as a coping mechanism to confront an inescapable fear or danger. In keeping with this, research has shown through investigating heart rate that dissociation activates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) (Koopman et al., 2004). Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is an important measurement of the PNS that relates to heart rate variation and respiration (Sack, Hopper, & Lamprecht, 2004). Although research has shown associations between heart rate and dissociation during stressful or triggering interviews, there is limited knowledge of dissociation correlating with RSA during personal trauma recall. This study recorded continuous RSA of eighty-two pregnant women discussing trauma during the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) then involved them filling out several questionnaires including the Brief Betrayal Trauma Survey (BBTS), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Trauma Symptoms Checklist (TSC), and Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II). After data was recorded, it was analyzed using a paired-sample t-test and regressions. It is predicted that as scores on the DES-II increase, RSA will increase during trauma recollection. If the results are consistent with these hypotheses, it will further support the idea of dissociation as a form of coping mechanism and a way to counteract the autonomic nervous system dysfunction normally caused by experiencing trauma. In doing so, researchers can better understand how dissociation helps individuals regulate stress and emotions during stressful situations and why this might be a common symptom of PTSD.

The Micro-Mobility Narrative: Understanding the Effects of Anecdotal and Visual Communication on Health and Safety Behavior

Presenter(s): Marie Van Rysselberghe 

Faculty Mentor(s): Autum Shafer & Nicole Dahmen

Poster 108

Session: Social Sciences & Humanities

In the face of extreme pollution and congestion, micro-mobility transportation presents an alleviating solution for many megacities. However, as e-scooters, such as Lime and Bird, have rolled out in major cities across the globe, media coverage has centered around the accompanying safety epidemic related to user error and miscommunication. To understand how shared e-scooter companies can better design health and safety information, my research examines the presentation of terms and conditions statements that include safety instructions. By using a 2×2 factorial design experiment, my research examines participants interaction with the following stimuli conditions: (1) narrative example in standard (i.e., text-only) presentation, (2) narrative example in visual presentation, (3) non-narrative example in standard (i.e., text- only) presentation, and (4) non-narrative example in visual presentation. Participants are randomly assigned to one condition and exposed to the stimuli online via Qualtrics before answer a posttest questionnaire. Examining the effect of narrative and visual communication on health and safety attitudes and behavior, this research measures participants knowledge and understanding of the presented safety information, perceived fear of scooter use, perceived vulnerability, intentions to comply with safety instructions, and organizational trust. On these outcomes, hypotheses predict increased levels of knowledge, intentions to comply and organizational trust, as well as predict decreased perceptions of fear and vulnerability.