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The Silent Strain: Workplace Hazing as a Hidden Organizational Stressor.
Get PDFBetween 25% and 75% of working Americans report experiencing hazing at some point in their careers (Thomas et al., 2021). This wide range is partly due to underreporting, often driven by fears of retaliation, termination, or stalled career progression (Thomas et al., 2021; Tolfer et al., 2016). Despite its frequency, research has historically focused on non-workplace contexts, leaving a critical gap in understanding its organizational impact.Although definitions of hazing vary across disciplines, four consistent characteristics emerge: it is temporary, unidirectional, coercive, and coalitional (Thomas et al., 2021). These elements form the conceptual foundation for this study. In this study hazing is defined as the short term socialization process in which new employees within an organization are faced with high induction costs that are unrelated to their new roles and act as a barrier to their recognition as a legitimate organizational member (Mawritz et al, 2020; Cimino et al., 2019; and Cimino, 2011) To address this gap, this study investigates workplace hazing through the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, positioning hazing as a unique organizational stressor. We hypothesize that hazing exposure will significantly predict psychological strain. Additionally, we hypothesize that employee personal resources and individual characteristics will moderate this relationship, weakening the link between hazing and strain. A cross-sectional survey design will be used to examine this relationship. Participants will be recruited via Prolific, with inclusion criteria requiring individuals to be over 18 and employed full-time. The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model (Demerouti et al., 2001) will guide the theoretical framework, and the Workplace Hazing Scale (WHS) (Mawritz et al., 2020) will be used to measure hazing experiences. Understanding workplace hazing is a critical step toward identifying its harmful effects on employees, informing organizational strategies to reduce its occurrence, and exploring its long-term implications for both individuals and institutions. These findings will contribute to the research by clarifying how personal resources buffer the stressor-strain relationship of hazing and employee psychological well being. These findings will allow for future research that investigates organizational interventions and the effectiveness in mitigating potential negative effects of hazing
Machine Learning for Reparameterization of Molecular Dynamics Water Model to Accurately Capture Electrical and Thermal Behavior
Get PDFWater is an important component in many scientific and engineering applications, but precisely modeling its thermal, electrical, and physical properties remains difficult in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The widely used TIP4P water model, while useful in many circumstances, requires parameterization to better agreement with experimental results under various conditions. In this study, interpretable machine learning techniques were used to systematically tune the TIP4P model parameters where mathematical relationship between features and targets has been developed using deep symbolic optimization (DSO), resulting in a more accurate depiction of water behavior in molecular dynamics simulation. A data-driven approach was created to optimize critical model parameters while maintaining physical interpretability by combining molecular dynamics simulations and neural network-based modeling. A new optimized TIP4P water model has been developed to reproduce the thermal conductivity, diffusion coefficient, density and dielectric constant with accurate dipole calculations
Pretty Dangerous: The Romanticization of Grooming in Pretty Little Liars
No full textSexual grooming is the deliberate manipulation of a minor by an adult to reduce their sensitivity to sexual contact, with the specific aim of perpetrating child or adolescent sexual abuse (Winters, 2022). Prevalence rates for sexual grooming vary; however, a recent study by Winters and Jeglic (2022) found that approximately 24% of their sample of undergraduate student sample reported experiencing sexual grooming as a minor. These predatory behaviors were prominently featured between lead adolescent and adult characters throughout the popular television show, Pretty Little Liars. This raises concerns about how such behaviors might be perceived when portrayed in popular media targeted at teens and young adults. When Pretty Little Liars first aired, it was ranked number one in TV programming in Female Teens in 2010 (ABC Family, 2010). This strong viewership highlights how the show was effectively marketed towards a young audience despite its portrayal of problematic – and illegal - romantic relationships between adults and teens. The goal of our study was to examine how sexual grooming behaviors were portrayed in both the original series and its reboot, exploring changes in how sexual grooming behaviors were framed over time.
We conducted a content analysis study to examine grooming behavior in Pretty Little Liars, the original series, as well as Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, the reboot. For our study, we developed a codebook to track the manifest and latent content of each episode, with two raters independently scoring each episode for the following content: victim and perpetrator demographics, grooming behaviors, how grooming behaviors were portrayed in the episode, and stage of grooming. There are five basic stages of the Sexual Grooming Model (SGM) that were coded: 1) victim selection, 2) gaining access and isolating a child, 3) trust development, 4) desensitization to sexual content and physical contact, and 5) maintenance following the abuse (Winters et al., 2022). This was done for the first and second seasons of the original series and the first season of the reboot. For season one of the original series, we found that 90.9% of grooming behavior was portrayed as romantic, as for season two it decreased to 84%. Grooming behaviors were normalized and often seen as positive or romantic throughout the original series. The reboot had a dramatic change; there was only 10% that believed grooming behavior was being portrayed as romantic. The writers for the reboot reframed the portrayal of grooming in a negative light, often having the adolescents confront their perpetrators for their behaviors. Additional manifest and latent content will be presented and described.
Understanding how grooming behaviors are depicted in media is essential for public awareness; this study contributes to a deeper understanding of grooming behaviors portrayed in the media. Teachers and educators can use these findings to help students recognize and critique problematic behaviors in television shows and movies, fostering critical discussions about the differences between reality and media portrayals of grooming and other sensitive topics. Ultimately, our findings could spark essential conversations about how the media portrays sensitive topics and encourage future creators to handle these topics more thoughtfully.
References
ABC Family. (2010, June 16). Pretty Little Liars retains 100 percent of premiere audience. BroadwayWorld. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/ABC-Familys-PRETTY-LITTLE-LIARS-Retains-100-Percent-Of-Premiere-Audience-20100616
Gámez-Guadix, M., Mateos-Pérez, E., Alcázar, M. A., Martínez-Bacaicoa, J., & Wachs, S. (2023). Stability of the online grooming victimization of minors: Prevalence and association with shame, guilt, and mental health outcomes over one year. Journal of adolescence, 95(8), 1715–1724. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12240
Winters, G. M., Kaylor, L. E., & Jeglic, E. L. (2022). Toward a universal definition of child sexual grooming. Deviant Behavior, 43(8), 926–938. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2021.1941427
Winters, G. M., & Jeglic, E. L. (2022). The Sexual Grooming Scale–Victim Version: The development and pilot testing of a measure to assess the nature and extent of child sexual grooming. Victims & Offenders, 17(6), 919-940. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2021.197499
Course registration and student success: A mixed-methods study of closed classes, student enrollment, and graduation
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to explore if closed classes related to credit hour enrollment and graduation for undergraduate students at a mid-size public institution. A mixed-methods study was guided by four research questions: • Research Question 1 (RQ1): How, if at all, do closed class encounters predict credit hour enrollment while controlling for student demographics and academic preparation for first-time, full-time students at a public university? • Research Question 2 (RQ2): How, if at all, do closed class encounters predict time to graduation while controlling for student demographics and academic preparation for first-time, full-time students at a public university? • Research Question 3 (RQ3): How do undergraduate students perceive their experiences with course registration and closed classes as it relates to overall enrollment? • Research Question 4 (RQ4): How do undergraduate students perceive their experiences with course registration and closed classes as it relates to their graduation? The quantitative portion of the study analyzed historical student demographic and registration data for 6,418 students from three freshmen cohorts. Hierarchical regression analyses produced a model with student demographic variables and closed class encounters that predicted between 2% to 6% of variance in enrollment hours and 11% of variance in graduation. Closed class encounters had limited predictive power in the regression models, adding between .2% to .4% of explanation in all regression models. The qualitative elements of the study used survey data to gather student perspectives regarding registration and closed classes, and 189 students participated in the survey. Their responses were analyzed and categorized through a thematic coding process, with emergent themes being reported. The findings suggested the majority of students encountered closed classes, but they used many different strategies to navigate enrollment and graduation planning, including enrolling in alternative courses over preferred classes. The enrollment changes had differing impacts on students, including conflicts with other personal, work, and academic obligations. The importance of faculty and academic advisors in supporting student success was also surfaced. Potential recommendations include revised class scheduling and registration practices, proactive registration support for students, and emphasizing the value of the courses to students
Density Functional Theory modeling of heterogeneous reactions of hydrocarbon intermediates on silicon carbide: surrogate kinetic model development for Chemical Vapor Infiltration
Get PDFThis study investigates the decomposition mechanism of Methyl trichlorosilane during Silicon Carbide deposition from Chemical Vapor Infiltration to produce SiC-based ceramic matrix composites. High-performance applications require SiC-based materials; however, producing them presents difficulties due to limited deposition rates, high energy consumption, and uneven coatings. To overcome these challenges, the mechanism of SiC formation needed to be understood completely. Modeling surface reactions of decomposition on the substrate using Density Functional Theory is the key point of current research. By focusing on the adsorption, reaction, and desorption mechanisms that control SiC development, our method incorporates quantum mechanical models. Using Transition State Theory, the study examines reaction routes and identifies key intermediates, including methyl and other hydrocarbon species. The findings expand our knowledge of the rate-limiting steps in MTS breakdown and offer guidance for refining CVI/CVD procedures, which could increase material quality and deposition efficiency for cutting-edge engineering applications
Take your time: Using Natural Language Processing on Safety Reports to Reduce Incident Likelihood
Get PDFAbstract Workplace injuries carry significant social and financial consequences for both employees and employers. Through Behavior-Based Safety (BBS), workplaces both identify at-risk behaviors to reduce injuries and their consequences while also encouraging individuals to recognize and reinforce safe behaviors that promote safer practices (Ludwig & Laske, 2022). Most companies already use this process; however, there are often problems with the quality of these reports, aka ‘pencil whipping’ (marking reports blank or lacking any meaningful information). We aim to determine if there is a connection between the quality of safety reporting and incident likelihood, and what dimensions of ‘quality’ have the most impact on reducing incident likelihood. We hypothesize that reports with higher quality descriptions that are specific, actionable, and clear will show stronger associations with reduced incident risk compared to more vague reports. Methods Our analysis will be using three years of safety data from a manufacturing plant in the southwest region of the United States, taken from 2022 to 2024. We will select units with significant safety variance and reporting, then use text analysis to identify ‘pencil whipping’ by examining whether a safety report lacks a description or uses minimal wording (e.g., marking only “safe” or “unsafe”), which would be scored as a low-quality report. Using a natural language processing model (NLP), reports that are determined to be higher quality will be analyzed further by assessing length, specificity, actionability and clarity (Kjell et al., 2023). These ratings will then be used in a hierarchical regression model to understand the effect of each quality measure on incident and near-miss likelihood. Expected Results Because previous literature suggests that certain quality factors contribute to the effectiveness of behavioral checklists (Leslie et al., 2021), higher-quality reports are expected to reduce incident and near-miss likelihood. Specifically, reports that provide adequate actionable detail and high contextual detail are expected to significantly reduce the likelihood of safety incidents and near misses, whereas reports with vague or generic context are expected to show weaker effects. The quality of safety reporting on safety incidents is important for practitioners because it will inform safety training. Organizations that work towards increasing the quality of their safety reporting, can work towards reducing incidents, creating a safer workplace for all
Does messenger matter? Trainer differences in sexual harassment training for young workers
Get PDFAbstract Background In 2016, the EEOC called for the need to spread awareness to young workers about sexual harassment. Previous research has been conducted on this issue by implementing a training specifically designed for younger workers (Stewart & Davison, 2021). The proposed study is an extension of this project. Previous research has examined messenger gender in sexual harassment training or legal policy awareness and suggests that female-led messening may incite stereotyped responses, particularly when coupled with a stereotype-incongruent occupation (Tinkler et al., 2015; Rawski et al., 2024), while diversity training led by white males (non-diverse population) is rated less favorably (Holladay & Quiñones, 2008). This study suggests potential differences in attitudes as well as knowledge gain based on trainer differences (gender and age) as opposed to frequently studied trainee gender. Methods Participants will be approximately 240 students from upper-level undergraduate Management courses at Appalachian State University. The sexual harassment training will be delivered as a part of a course component on one of the regular class meetings. After completing the informed consent form, participants will be provided with a paper pre-training assessment to complete. Upon survey completion, the training workshop will begin. During the training workshop, participants will learn about sexual harassment in the workplace, its prevalence among young workers, and what to do to when encountering such situations. Participants will also watch videos of sexual harassment scenarios for further discussion. The training will be facilitated by either a female or male trainer, with approximately 50% of the participants being in each group. At the end of the training session, participants will complete a paper copy of the post-training assessment survey. Attitudes about sexual harassment, declarative knowledge, procedural knowledge, and attitudes about the trainer will be assessed. Expected Results & Implications Based on previous studies, the researcher expects that males may rate the male-led training more favorably overall and have a greater knowledge gain. Additionally, females may rate the female-led training more favorably but have a similar knowledge gain overall. Lastly, all students may rate the student-led training higher than the instructor-led training as they perceive it to be more relevant to their demographic. Examining the potential effects of trainer differences would allow for a deeper understanding of sexual harassment training effectiveness. Organizations that create sexual harassment trainings can use these results to advise their creation, providing generalizable insight into AI-generated trainings which are becoming increasingly popular
Supervisor-focused impression management and social undermining as self-enhancing responses to perceived job insecurity
Get PDFJob insecurity has become a more prevalent societal issue across many advanced economies since the 1980s. Previous research has demonstrated the deleterious effects of job insecurity on workers’ physical and mental health, as well as their job attitudes and performance. The proposed study aims to explore two active ways in which employees may respond to perceived job insecurity. To preserve their job, we propose that employees experiencing job insecurity will engage in impression management tactics directed at their supervisor or engage in social undermining tactics directed at their coworkers. We hypothesize that this process will be moderated by the employee’s core self-evaluations (CSE), which will influence their appraisal of the situation. Employees with high CSE will be more likely to respond with supervisor-focused impression management, and employees with low CSE will be more likely to respond with coworker-focused social undermining. Data will be gathered through Qualtrics surveys distributed initially via convenience and snowball sampling with the future possibility of utilizing the survey platform Prolific to gather additional participants
Do Perceptions and Explanations of Supervisor Incivility Vary Based on Leader and Manager Prompt Terminology?
Get PDF(1) Proposed and in-progress research The popular practice of using “leader” and “manager” terms synonymously in organizational practice, research, and public discourse has been suggested to pose issues given the implicit assignment of benevolence, merit, and morality to “leader” titles more so than “manager” titles (Learmonth & Morrell, 2021; McLaren, 2013). We contextualize this concern in the phenomenological space of workplace incivility, which consists of “rude, condescending, and ostracizing acts that violate workplace norms of respect, but otherwise appear mundane” (Cortina eta l., 2017, pg. 299). The purpose of our study is to understand what (if any) differences exist in the nature of employee explanations for supervisor incivility when prompts included “leader incivility” terms versus “manager incivility” terms. We used Prolific to collect data from 250 adults over the age of 18 who work in the US, resulting in a sample of 149 respondents who experienced “supervisor incivility” recently. Respondents recalled and described a specific event of “supervisor incivility” then were randomly assigned to one of two conditions, one asking for explanations of their “leader’s” behavior and another asking for explanations of their “manager’s” behavior. These free-response explanations were coded for the presence of reasons, causal histories of reasons, enabling factors, and agreement markers based on Malle’s (2004, 2011) folk theory of the mind framework. A blinded (condition not indicated) dataset was used for coding, and each explanation was coded individually by two of the three research teammates before reconciling codes as a group. Our initial exploratory analysis aimed to detect differences in the occurrence of these explanatory tools based on respondent assignment to “leader” and “manager” conditions. Binomial logistic regression indicated no difference between the conditions with regards to the explanatory tools used to explain supervisor incivility. This finding suggests that titling alone (“leader” vs. “manager”) may not alter how employees interpret incivility. For research, this challenges the assumption that employees view the term “leader” more favorably and emphasizes the need to closely examine the environmental factors that contribute to employees’ incivility explanations. For practice, the results suggest that organizations should be mindful in how they use job titles. Using “leader” and “manager” interchangeably may not protect against negative perceptions of supervisor mistreatment, but having inconsistent titles could influence employee expectations. We are enthused to present these findings and our future analytical directions, which include examining factors such as employee identification, frequency and intensity of interactions, and coding themes and content within explanations
The Pulse of Progress: A Review on Wearable Technology in Healthcare
Get PDFIn recent years the literature that has examined wearable technology has grown exponentially. Healthcare is a field in which numerous studies involving wearable technologies and occupational health have been conducted due to its critical and demanding nature. Wearable devices provide many advantages for research, including offering objective physiological data that can support efforts to better understand and improve the well-being of healthcare professionals. Our research team conducted a literature review of 20 peer-reviewed articles related to wearable technology in healthcare. Online databases (e.g., PsycInfo, Google Scholar) were utilized to collect studies that examined a variety of devices and measures such as heart rate variability, sleep, and stress. Data extracted from the articles included participant demographics, type of wearable device, and occupational health outcomes studied. This information was synthesized to evaluate the current state of research and identify areas for future development. The goal is to provide researchers and practitioners with practical and effective ways to incorporate wearables into future research. Common themes that arose, and will be discussed more thoroughly in the poster, include the prevalence of heart rate variability and sleep quality/duration as physiological measures most commonly collected. These measures were frequently linked to stress and burnout, demonstrating the potential of wearables to connect physiological functioning with psychological well-being. At the same time, several limitations emerged. Studies highlighted the inaccuracy of wearable data in capturing mental health states and noted compliance challenges as healthcare workers often found it difficult to wear devices consistently throughout their workday. Based on our findings, we suggest that future research should focus on improving the integration of wearable data with validated self-report measures. This would allow researchers to better capture complex variables such as stress, burnout, and cognitive performance. Additionally, enhancing device usability and minimizing participant burden are essential to improving data quality and reducing attrition. Further work is also needed to address issues related to algorithm validation, transparency, and cost to ensure that wearable technologies are both reliable and accessible. Wearable technology offers promising opportunities to advance occupational health research in healthcare. By addressing current limitations and refining how data are collected and integrated, future studies can position wearables as powerful tools to support the well-being of healthcare professionals. This project is partially supported by the Clemson University Creative Inquiry program