2026

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LYING AND DECEPTION IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATIONSHIPS
(2026-04-16) McLaughlin, Alyiah; Smith, Rachelle
Domestic violence is widely recognized as a significant social and psychological issue, however, much of the research has historically focused on physical violence while less attention has been given to the role of deception within abusive relationships. The following literature review examines how lying and deception function within intimate partner violence (IPV), particularly as mechanisms of control used by perpetrators and as survival strategies used by victims. Major psychological concepts discussed include gaslighting, coercive control, trauma bonding, cognitive dissonance, and power-and-control dynamics. Peer reviewed research from psychology and interpersonal violence journals was gathered from Husson University Library, including Academic Search Ultimate. They were then reviewed to understand how deception operates within abusive relationships and the psychological consequences of such deception. Findings across these studies suggest that deception is frequently used by perpetrators to manipulate victims, deny abusive behavior, and maintain power within the relationship. Research also indicates that victims may engage in deception as a protective strategy to avoid escalation of violence or social stigma. To add to this, chronic exposure to deception, particularly gaslighting, has been linked to psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, self-doubt, and trauma symptoms. Overall, the literature supports that deception plays a central role in sustaining abusive dynamics and complicating victims’ ability to seek help. Understanding the psychological mechanisms behind deception in domestic violence relationships is critical, as it can help improve intervention strategies, clinical assessment, and support services for survivors.
STRENGTHENING INTRAPROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: OUTCOMES FROM STUDENT-LED DPT/PTA WORKSHOPS GROUNDED IN IPEC COMPETENCIES
(2026-04-16) Slike, Michelle; Abbott, Emma; Crone, Aidan; Bernardo, Marlon; Hinckley, Emily; Pomerleau, Jessica; Reynolds, Mitchel
Background & Purpose: Education on the collaborative relationship between Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and physical therapist assistants (PTA) remains limited despite its recognized importance (Sellheim et al., 2020). This gap is particularly important given evidence that PT/PTA collaborative models yield patient outcomes comparable to PT-only care, while facilitating more efficient discharge (Baumann et al., 2023). Prior research indicates that team-based learning enhances student comfort with collaboration and emphasizes the need for improved role clarity and intentional curricular integration (Hawthorne et al., 2018; Hayward et al., 2021). This study evaluated the impact of student-led workshops on PT and PTA students’ understanding of roles, communication, and teamwork, while also exploring strategies for integrating intraprofessional education into entry-level curricula aligned with accreditation standards. Description: DPT students designed and facilitated two workshops for DPT and PTA students. A literature review and a clinician informed needs assessment identified the key themes of collaboration, role clarity, and communication. The Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Core Competencies guided the content. Workshops included didactic sessions on roles, ethics, patient simulations, anatomy dissections, and team-building activities. Pre- and post-surveys assessed understanding of roles and collaboration, with satisfaction surveys evaluating perceived value. Results: A total of 160 participants (113 DPT, 47 PTA) engaged in the workshops. Quantitative analysis showed improvements across all measured domains. Median scores rose from 3 pre-workshop to 4 post-workshop for preparedness, role understanding, communication, delegation, and readiness for collaboration. Mann-Whitney U tests confirmed these gains were statistically significant (p < .05). Participants cited simulations as most impactful for understanding roles and communication, and dissections for fostering teamwork. Suggestions included extending activities and adding more complex cases. Conclusion: Findings support structured, student-led intraprofessional education as an effective method to enhance PT/PTA collaboration. Integrating such models into entry-level curricula may improve role clarity, teamwork, and readiness for team-based care.
IN PROGRESS (ALWAYS) – A RETORSPECTIVE EXHIBITION
(2026-04-16) Delicata, Janelle; Smith, Kathi
Janelle Delicata, MFA, adjunct faculty in Fine Arts will present 25 mixed media artworks, which include a combination of paintings, drawings and assemblage in the WBRC Gallery, Gracie Theatre. In the discipline of Fine Arts, scholarship includes the dissemination of creative works through exhibition. This body of work encompasses visual exploration with abstract and landscape-based forms created over the last 30 years. The works in this show were selected from pieces from the 1990s to 2025. As the artist looked through the work, she recognized recurring forms and shapes. Delicata looks beyond the surface of her motifs and explore what’s not readily visible. Her explorations start in reality but she works intuitively. Delicata believes that her art, like in her life, is a work in progress. It’s an ongoing journey, a constant search and exploration—in progress, always. This sentiment is shared both conceptually and aesthetically by many Modernist art movements, including but not limited to the Abstract Expressionist, Cubists, and even Surrealist artists of the 20th century. Delicata takes a contemporary lens to a familiar subject of form inspired by landscape. Delicata believes that all art is autobiographical in that each artist’s work is influenced and informed by his/her perceptions and life experiences. She interprets influences and forms from land, water, sky and elemental forces to create a personal iconography and language. Her earlier work incorporates more dimensional elements whereas the more recent work, while layered, has more flat surfaces. All include explorations in texture, color, line, and movement. Janelle Delicata was born and raised in Newton, Massachusetts. She lived and worked throughout the eastern United States and Canada before settling in Maine in 1986. She works in several media and likes to “mix things up,” incorporating elements from one medium into another. Delicata earned a BFA at the Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore, MD in 1975 and an MFA at Rochester Institute of Technology’s School for American Crafts, Rochester, NY in 1983 with a major in Weaving & Textile Design and a minor in Jewelry & Metals. She is an artist member of the Maine Crafts Association and a member of the Union of Maine Visual Artists. She owns a small business creating and selling my jewelry and artwork.
IMMERSIVE DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION
(2026-04-16) Hope, Colby; Avelange, Dylan; Ahlers, Eric; Knupp, Michael
This project is a spatially driven Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) concept that reimagines the typical music creation process by placing the user inside a digital recreation of a studio environment using virtual reality. This project explores how music composition, collaboration, and performance can be made more intuitive and accessible by positioning musical creation tools within a virtual 3D space. Users can interact with instruments and engage with elements of the music creation process through immersive, hands-on experiences in virtual reality. In some cases, this approach can make these tools more accessible to individuals who may not have access to a dedicated mixing or music creation space. Our focus is on emulating as much of the music creation and mixing process as possible while ensuring the environment runs smoothly on standalone VR hardware, usability, and realism.
AI CHATBOT FOR PUBLIC FACING BUSINESS WEBSITE
(2026-04-16) Shema, Norbert; Desjardins, Michael; Knupp, Michael
The ScoobySquad AI Agent is an intelligent customer support and workflow automation system designed to enhance the efficiency and scalability of a small service-based business specializing in pet waste removal. This capstone project integrates modern artificial intelligence techniques, including natural language processing and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), to create a responsive chatbot capable of answering customer inquiries, guiding service requests, and supporting internal operations. The system is built using a combination of web-based technologies, a vector database for semantic search, and automation workflows powered by n8n to connect customer interactions with business logic. At its core, the AI agent leverages a structured knowledge base stored in a cloud database, where frequently asked questions and operational data are embedded into vector representations. When a user submits a question through the website chat interface, the system retrieves the most relevant information using similarity search and generates a context-aware response. This approach allows the AI agent to provide accurate, conversational answers while continuously improving as new data is added. Additionally, n8n enables seamless orchestration of backend processes, such as handling incoming requests, routing data between services, and supporting potential integrations like scheduling and customer management systems. The value of this project lies in its ability to demonstrate how advanced AI technologies can be applied to small, local businesses to improve customer experience and operational efficiency. By reducing the need for constant manual communication, the ScoobySquad AI Agent allows business owners to focus on service delivery while maintaining high-quality customer engagement. This project highlights the growing importance of AI-driven solutions in modern business environments and showcases a practical implementation of intelligent automation.
EXTENDED REALITY PROJECTS IN XR277: IMMERSIVE, INTERACTIVE, AND INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTS
(2026-04-16) Nadeau, Alexa; Thy, Anthony; Chaput, Logan; Kennett, Ash; Dorr, Connor; Williams, Brave
A collection of student projects from XR277 at Husson University presents extended reality (XR) experiences developed around three core criteria: immersion, interaction, and integration. During the Spring 2026 semester, students created individual projects that are spatially registered in three-dimensional space, enabling users to engage with digital content in a physically coherent environment. Each project supports interaction within three-dimensional space, requiring active user engagement through movement, input, or system response. Projects also incorporate integration by combining real and virtual elements into unified mixed-reality experiences. The work demonstrates a range of applications and design approaches, highlighting how foundational XR principles can be translated into functional experiences. Through iterative prototyping, students addressed challenges related to spatial computing, user interaction, and real-time responsiveness. Collectively, these projects illustrate the potential of XR as a medium for immersive and interactive experiences while emphasizing the role of hands-on development in building technical and conceptual understanding. This showcase reflects how students apply core XR principles to create meaningful, real-time applications within an academic setting.
PRODUCT PACKAGE DESIGN & THE CREATIVE PROCESS
(2026-04-16) Blow, Emma; Brooks, Nicole; Dearing, Emmalisa; Delano, Eli; Gallagher, Emily; Plourde, Keegan; Raymond, Samantha; Reardon, Annabelle; Ayotte, Theresa
The United States accounts for approximately 28–34% of the global packaging design market, making it one of the largest and most influential markets worldwide. This is reflected in consumer behavior, with 72% of consumers saying packaging design influences their purchasing decisions. As a result, packaging design has become one of the fastest-growing areas within the graphic design field. In Graphic Design II, one of the assignments is to design a product package. Before beginning the design work, students create a process book that documents the development of their packaging solution. This project addresses a specific design problem and target audience while focusing on introducing a new product and developing a cohesive packaging system that clearly communicates its purpose, appeals to intended users, and stands out in a competitive market. Research is a key component of this process. Students analyze competitors, industry trends, and target demographics to inform their design decisions. This research supports both functional requirements and branding goals, while visual and competitor analysis helps identify opportunities for differentiation. The creative process involves brainstorming and developing ideas through sketches, mood boards, and explorations of typography and color, leading to a refined visual direction. Feedback from peers and the instructor further supports the evolution of the concept, improving clarity, hierarchy, and overall design effectiveness. The final deliverables include both a completed process book and the assembled product packaging. Together, these components demonstrate the full design process, from initial research and concept development to a finished solution that responds to both industry standards and consumer needs.
ALPHA-CHYMOTRYPSIN PROTEASE-CATALYZED PEPTIDE SYNTHESIS OF ALTERNATING ARGNINE-TRYPTOPHAN PEPTIDES AND THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES
(2026-04-16) Lessa, Timothy; Edson, Cody
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an increasingly popular topic in research due to their effectiveness against drug-resistant bacteria and pathogens. These peptides target the cell membrane of the bacteria and that makes them very difficult for bacteria to build resistance to. Due to this, AMPs are being developed to help treat viral infections, aid in wound healing, act as a safe preservative for agriculture, and could be used to target cancer cells. The conventional synthesis methods for antimicrobial peptides however often involve harsh chemicals, large amounts of waste, and high costs. Therefore, to investigate more environmentally and economically favorable synthesis strategies for AMPs we used an alternative synthesis method in Protease-Catalyzed Peptide Synthesis (PCPS). PCPS is conducted using water as a solvent and is relatively cheaper, uses less toxic reagents, and utilizes renewable protease enzymes as catalysts. We specifically sought to form a repeating Arginine-Tryptophan amino acid sequence because of tryptophan’s ability to anchor to a cell wall and arginine’s ability to destroy it, making them a great antimicrobial agent. The protease enzyme I chose to investigate this synthesis with is Alpha-Chymotrypsin, because while it favors the hydrolysis of Tryptophan-Arginine amide bonds, we can target the reverse aminolysis reaction by using Arginine-Tryptophan dipeptide units which interact with the active sight of the enzyme differently and favor aminolysis over hydrolysis. We predict that the Alpha-Chymotrypsin will yield a bell-curve like distribution of alternating peptide chains ranging from 2-16 amino acids in length, which is the typical range of amino acid chain length for PCPS reactions. We will also conduct an antimicrobial assay to determine the oligopeptide’s effectiveness against gram + and gram -bacteria and determine the minimum inhibition concentration.
PAPAIN-CATALYZED SYNTHESIS OF ALTERNATING ARGININE-TRYPTOPHAN PEPTIDES FOR ANTIMICRIOBIAL APPLICATIONS
(2026-04-16) Nichols, Kaleb; Edson, Cody
Antimicrobial peptides represent a promising strategy for combating multidrug resistant pathogens. However, the conventional synthesis strategy using Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) relies on harsh reagents, extensive solvent use and costly, multi-step protocols. In this study, we investigate a greener and more efficient approach to synthesizing peptides using Protease-Catalyzed Peptide Synthesis (PCPS) to generate short arginine-tryptophan (Arg-Trp) peptides, molecules known to possess antimicrobial properties. We examine the enzymatic coupling of Arg-Trp dipeptides using papain, a well-documented protease, as a biocatalyst under mild conditions, promoting peptide bond formation through aminolysis rather than hydrolysis. The reaction products are characterized by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to assess peptide formation and composition. This approach aims to provide a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional peptide synthesis, with findings that will inform future studies on alternative syntheses and antimicrobial efficacy of Arg–Trp peptides produced via PCPS.
ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY AND SACCHARIDE COMPOSITION OF HONEY DETERMINED BY MICROBIAL ASSAYS AND GC-MS
(2026-04-16) Beaulieu, Sierra; Edson, Cody
Honey is a food product that has been used for centuries as a natural remedy. In light of growing concern regarding antibacterial resistance, honey has been investigated as an antibacterial agent. This presentation considered the efficacy of honey as an antibacterial agent and quantified biochemical properties that may allow honey to be used as an alternative therapy. To determine this, testing began by utilizing an agar disc diffusion method to determine how different types of honey inhibited the growth of bacteria, these included E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and B. subtilis. No significant differences were observed between the two honey types, where a raw honey product and a commercially available honey were each tested. Further analysis was conducted to determine a minimum inhibitory concentration of honey, where each honey type was diluted 10-fold in a 96-well plate containing an E. coli and B. subtilis culture. Further testing was performed to deduce what biochemical properties contribute to the antimicrobial characteristics of honey. A two-step derivatization process allowed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to be used as the main method to identify saccharides in honey samples by utilizing retention index values compared to a set standard. Further testing was performed to calculate the exact concentrations of fructose, glucose, and sucrose in each honey sample. Additional testing on the heavy metal contents of honey was also carried out as a means to further compare the raw and commercially available honeys, along with their antibacterial efficacy. Together, these methods help determine the value of honey as an alternative therapy. This presentation highlights the need for further research on alternative antibacterials and provides a foundation for methods and possible antimicrobial agents.
SEED IT OR LEAVE IT: A LOOK AT CELL SEEDING EFFECTS ON TISSUE ENGINEERED VASCULAR GRAFTS
(2026-04-16) Hinton, Thomas; Villarreal, Delaney; Reinhardt, James; Turner, Mackenzie; Briggs, Mitchell; Hussein, Jad; Leland, Joseph T.; Rajesh, Sahana; Suravarapu, Sugath; Watanabe, Tatsuya; Humphrey, Jay; Ramachandra, Abhay; Breuer, Christopher; Edson, Cody
Congenital heart disease is one of the most common causes of birth defect mortalities in infants. Reconstructive surgery is often the only form of treatment yet causes life-long complications for survivors. The reconstructive Fontan operation for congenital heart disease currently uses synthetic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular grafts. Although effective, PTFE grafts pose risks such as calcification and thrombosis, and cannot grow with the patient, which may necessitate multiple surgical interventions and ultimately affect long-term outcomes. Tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) are a promising alternative to PTFE grafts. TEVGs consist of a biodegradable polymer scaffold, which fully degrades within one year after implantation, leaving behind a neovessel formed from the patient’s own cells. Most importantly, TEVG neovessels can grow with the patient and self-repair, like native tissue. The main clinical complication precluding widespread adaptation of the TEVG is graft narrowing, or stenosis, which was determined to be inflammation driven. Currently, clinical TEVGs are seeded with the patient’s bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs), which are believed to reduce graft immunogenicity and potentially reduce the incidence and severity of stenosis. However, this approach limits scalability in clinical settings and adds yet another operative procedure for the patients. Our goal is to understand the short- and long-term effects of cell seeding on TEVG neovessel growth and development. For this study, we assessed TEVG growth and degree of narrowing longitudinally with biomedical imaging in a large-animal ovine model. We determined that unseeded TEVGs had the same development profiles as cell seeded TEVGs. This suggests that we may be able to remove the need for cell seeding procedures in our clinical trial without compromising any aspect of TEVG development and remodeling. * - Husson University + - Center for Regenerative Medicine, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
SALIVARY DIAGNOSTICS AND BIOMARKERS IN DISEASE DETECTION
(2026-04-16) Dow, Gavin; Purington, Emilia
Saliva has emerged as a promising noninvasive medium for health monitoring and disease detection. This review synthesizes current research on salivary diagnostics with a focus on biomarkers, metabolomics, and the oral microbiome. Studies have indicated that inflammatory biomarkers and metabolites in saliva can reflect certain conditions including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and inflammatory diseases. Advances in the technology and techniques have significantly improved the ability to identify disease-related biomarkers in saliva supporting its growth as a reliable diagnostic tool.
WETLAND VS. UPLAND HABITAT INFLUENCES ON SMALL MAMMAL SPECIES BIODIVERSITY IN CENTRAL MAINE
(2026-04-16) Cornell, Josephine; McKnight, Aly; Maher, Mackenzie; Gibney, Chris
Species biodiversity is a key indicator of ecosystem health, often indicating the status of the organisms within the system. This study investigated how environmental type affects small-mammal biodiversity, focusing on wetland versus upland environments. Small mammals are crucial seed dispersers within their habitats. We tested the hypothesis that wetland environments support greater small-mammal biodiversity because they are more likely to provide all the resources that multiple species rely on. To test this hypothesis, we carried out a capture-mark-recapture study on small mammals in both environments in the Husson University campus forest during the fall of 2025 and spring of 2026. Small mammals in the study were captured with Sherman live traps, ear-tagged with serially numbered tags, massed, and sexed. We used closed capture models in program MARK to evaluate CMR model assumptions and generate capture rate and population size estimates. We then used population size estimates in calculating biodiversity metrics for each species, including species richness, evenness, and Shannon-Weaver index values. Results showed that upland sites had a greater average biodiversity level, 1.42 [± 0.34], than the wetland sites, which were 1.08 [± 0.21]. Both sites showed consistent species evenness; both upland sites were 0.89 [± 0], while the wetland sites had a slightly lower evenness at 0.87 [± 0.03]. This means that, regardless of resource variances between the habitats, both support a similar number of individuals per species, but a different abundance of species. For example, the Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) was more commonly found in upland plots, while the Southern Red-Backed Vole (Clethrionomys gapperi) was more likely to be captured in the wetland. Our next steps this spring will be to investigate questions about seasonal shifts in habitat use, which is especially valuable information in temperate climates.
WETLAND VS. UPLAND HABITAT VEGETATION INFLUENCES ON SMALL MAMMAL ABUNDANCE
(2026-04-16) Maher, Mackenzie; Cornell, Josie; Gibney, Chris; McKnight, Aly
Small-mammal communities are strongly influenced by vegetation complexity and structure. This study compared small-mammal abundance between wetland and upland habitats on the Husson University campus in Bangor, Maine, to understand how vegetation structure shapes community dynamics. We conducted live trapping across four 30 m × 30 m grids (two wetland and two upland) over seven consecutive nights for the fall season, totaling 448 trap nights. We baited Sherman traps, checked them within 12 hours of setting, and identified, weighed, and, when possible, tagged captured individuals for recapture data. We developed an encounter history for each individual and used encounter histories to (1) evaluate whether capture-mark- recapture modeling assumptions were met, and (2) estimate capture rates, recapture rates, and population sizes for each focal species. Species observed included voles, mice, shrews, and squirrels. Based on previous research, we hypothesized that wetland habitats would support higher small mammal abundance due to increased vegetation complexity and resource availability. Results from this study contribute to understanding how specific habitat differences influence small mammal populations and provide insight into the role of vegetation structure in shaping community dynamics.
HERBACEOUS PLANT COMPOSITION IN THE HUSSON UNIVERSITY FOREST PRIOR TO INVASION BY EMERALD ASH BORER
(2026-04-16) Talbott, Rowan; Menzmer, Austin; McKnight, Aly; Crowley, Katherine
The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis, EAB) is an invasive species quickly killing ash trees across the eastern United States. With the EAB soon to arrive on our campus forest, we proposed a study to establish baseline pre-invasion data on woody, herbaceous, avian, and small mammal populations. Husson’s ash forest contains both upland deciduous forest and wetlands. We established six sites in the forest, each with multiple ash trees present: three in the upland and three in the wetland. Following the collection of pre-invasion herbaceous data in July 2025, we analyzed the diversity, composition, and canopy openness between site types. We found a significant difference in composition between the upland and wetland sites, but no difference in diversity or canopy openness. The lack of difference in diversity between upland and wetland plots may be due to an overall low number of species throughout the forest, while the lack of difference in canopy openness suggests that the cause of the compositional difference between the upland and wetland is not related to varying levels of light reaching the forest floor. Indicator species analysis revealed five species that represented the upland (p=0.01, 0.03, 0.03, 0.04, 0.04) and two species that represented the wetland (p=0.01, 0.001). We recommend monitoring the water table and measuring nutrient availability as a possible means to explain the compositional difference between the wetland and upland environments. Collecting data earlier in the season may reveal the presence of transient wetland species. Research post-invasion should focus on the species identified as indicators of their respective environments.
TEACHER CANDIDATE’S PEDAGOGICAL REASONING AND REFLECTIVE PRACTICE USING A RESEARCH-EMBEDDED LESSON PLANNING TEMPLATE
(2026-04-16) Tennett, Shelly; Mooney, Evan; Klein, Vanessa
Teacher candidates routinely complete lesson plans as part of their preparation; however, recent research demonstrates that many candidates approach lesson planning as a procedural compliance task rather than as an act of pedagogical reasoning (Cevikbas & Kaiser, 2023; Lammert, 2025). Despite national standards emphasizing reflective practice, equity, and research-based instruction (InTASC; Danielson), teacher candidates often struggle to justify instructional decisions with evidence, apply educational research meaningfully, and reflect systematically on student learning. In response to this gap, teacher educators are increasingly called to design instructional scaffolds that make pedagogical reasoning explicit, promote formative reflection, and embed equity-oriented planning (CAST, 2024; Shih, 2024). While lesson planning templates are widely used, few studies examine how specific template structures shape candidates’ thinking, identity development, and research-to-practice reasoning. This basic interpretive qualitative (Merriam & Tisdell, 2016) study addresses this gap by examining how preservice teachers use and experience a research-embedded lesson planning template that requires explicit justification of instructional decisions, structured reflection, and equity-oriented design. Our research questions included: 1.How do teacher candidates use the “Plan + Why/Research Link” structure to justify instructional decisions? 2.How does the template shape candidates’ ability to connect educational research to classroom practice? 3.How do candidates’ written reflections reveal growth in reflective practice over time? 4.How do candidates interpret and enact equity through the Equity, Differentiation, and CRP section of the template? 5.How does use of the template influence candidates’ perceptions of professional identity and instructional confidence? This study seeks to understand how candidates: •Develop pedagogical reasoning through justified planning, •Engage in reflective practice across planning and teaching, •Interpret and enact equity and culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP), •Construct professional identity and instructional confidence through structured reflection.
“LIKE LITTLE NICKS TO THE SOUL”: FIRST RESPONDERS EXPERIENCES WITH MORAL SUFFERING AND RESILIENCE
(2026-04-16) Dooley, Amanda
First responders are an interdisciplinary group of professionals who are the first to answer calls for help in emergency situations. A widespread problem first responders are facing across disciplines is an increased risk of a myriad of mental health issues and inadequate access to appropriate resources and supports to address such concerns. A potentially significant contributing factor that has been largely unexamined in the scientific literature and remains widely unknown among first responders themselves is moral suffering. Moral suffering refers to a continuum of physical, psychological, and spiritual symptoms that can occur after exposure to a moral stressor. A moral stressor is any event that creates an inner conflict with ones’ moral values. First responders frequently encounter moral stressors on duty due to the nature of their work. The purpose of this qualitative study was to 1) gain a deeper understanding of first responders’ lived experiences with moral suffering and resilience and how they cope with moral stressors encountered in the line of duty and 2) use this knowledge to contribute to addressing the problem through raising awareness with relevant community stakeholders, including first responders themselves, policy makers, and mental health professionals. A small, purposive sample of participants shared their experiences through semi-structured interviews. A detailed analysis using the methodological approach of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) yielded four themes and seven sub-themes that describe participants’ experiences with moral stressors through the types of moral stressors they encountered, how they were affected by their experiences, and how they coped with their experiences. Awareness was raised through the creation of a training presentation on moral suffering and resilience in first responders. The results of this study add to the small, but growing body of research that suggests moral suffering is a significant occupational hazard for first responders.
MORALITY, PIRITUALITY, AND RESIDUAL RELIGION
(2026-04-16) Guthrie, Clifton; Van Tongeren, Daryl
The Residual Religion Hypothesis (RRH; Van Tongeren et al., 2021) proposes that religious influence persists following disaffiliation, gradually fading over time across moral, cultural, and spiritual dimensions. This study tested the RRH among three groups: currently religious individuals, religious "Dones" (formerly religious), and "Nones" (never religious), using measures less commonly applied in this literature. A sample of 1,304 U.S. adults (from an initial 1,500) was recruited via Prolific in March 2025. Participants completed the Morality as Cooperation Questionnaire (MAC-Q), two Gallup-derived items assessing perceptions of moral decline, and the SHALOM 2G spiritual well-being scale. Dones additionally reported time since disaffiliation and whether their prior religious commitment was intrinsic or extrinsic. Contrary to predictions, the MAC-Q revealed no significant group differences in cooperative moral values, including group-preserving domains (Family, Heroism, Deference) hypothesized to be highest among the Religious and to show residual decay among Dones. Religious participants were modestly less pessimistic about the state of U.S. moral values, though this finding warrants caution given the sample was collected in early 2025, a period of significant partisan mood fluctuation following a presidential election. On spiritual well-being, Religious participants reported less dissonance between their ideals and lived experience, but Dones did not differ significantly from Nones, again failing to support RRH. An exploratory finding proved notable: only 20% of Done respondents described themselves retrospectively as having been deeply committed to religious beliefs and practices. This suggests the Done category may be too heterogeneous for clean hypothesis testing and points toward the need for finer-grained classification of religious disaffiliation in future research. A follow-up study (not represented on this poster) was conducted to test this hunch.
BENEFITS OF THERAPEUTIC LIES IN DEMENTIA CARE
(2026-04-16) Johnson, Jayda; Smith, Rachelle
Although deception in healthcare is generally considered to be unethical, therapeutic lies are often used in dementia care, creating a controversial ethical dilemma. Given the frequent use of therapeutic lying by nurses, family members, and other healthcare professionals, I conducted a literature review to investigate the possible benefits of therapeutic lies in dementia care. I hypothesized that patients with dementia would benefit from therapeutic lies, primarily because such lies would reduce their distress. Studies were collected from databases from the Husson University Library, including Academic Search Ultimate, and the National Institute of Health. Participants in the studies reviewed included healthcare workers, family caregivers, and dementia patients. Eighty-eight percent of the studies examined demonstrated clear benefits associated with therapeutic lies. Specifically, despite ethical concerns regarding deception, these lies were found to help decrease distress and lessen agitation for people with dementia. Although one study emphasized the negative impacts of lying to patients with dementia, all other evidence showed that when used appropriately, therapeutic lies provided more psychological and health benefits than telling the truth. The advantages of using therapeutic lies with people with dementia was found to be situation-dependent. Such lies only provided benefits when the patient was unaware of the deception and when honesty would exacerbate distress. These results provide healthcare workers with insight into caring for their patients by using therapeutic lies and highlight the importance of context to ensure ethical behavior. Future research is needed to compare the psychological outcomes between patients who are exposed to therapeutic lying with those who are only told the truth. Additionally, given the empirical benefits of the use of therapeutic lies, guidelines need to be developed to help ensure cohesive and ethical use.
SELF-DECEPTION IN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER: A BARRIER TO RECOVERY
(2026-04-16) Pickoski, Mikayla; Smith, Rachelle
Substance use disorder (SUD) is characterized by the continued use of substances despite significant cognitive, behavioral, and physiological consequences. One factor that may interfere with recovery from SUD is self-deception, which involves unconscious biases in information processing that favor comforting or desirable beliefs over unpleasant or threatening information. In addiction research, self-deception is often closely related to the concept of denial, and both may prevent individuals from fully recognizing the negative consequences of their substance use. The purpose of this literature review was to examine whether self-deception negatively affects recovery outcomes, particularly abstinence duration, among individuals with SUD. I collected articles through the APA PsycINFO database using search terms related to SUD. Scholarly research articles published between 1986 and 2025 were analyzed. The studies included adult participants diagnosed with SUD who were involved in residential or outpatient treatment programs. Across the studies, researchers used qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches, with many relying on self-report measures to gather data. The findings suggest that higher levels of self-deception are associated with shorter durations of abstinence and lower engagement in treatment-related activities. Research also indicates that participation in recovery programs, particularly 12-step meetings, may be linked to lower levels of self-deception and greater honesty about substance use behaviors. However, reliance on self-report data may introduce response bias. Overall, the literature suggests that self-deception can act as a significant barrier to recovery by limiting self-awareness and accountability in individuals with SUD. Keywords: substance use disorder, self-deception, denial, addiction recovery, abstinence, locus of control

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