Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

First Advisor

Dr. Kenneth E. Stephens

Second Advisor

Dr. Thomas J. Gollery

Third Advisor

Dr. Sarah J. Yates

Abstract

Prior research has indicated a noteworthy relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), working memory (WM) function, and quality of life (QOL) among individuals who have experienced traumatic events within their lifetime. Despite much prior research focusing primarily on adult combat veterans of war, minimal data exists evaluating the effects of traumatic events in civilians who have yet to pass the age of complete neurological development (25 years or age). The present study aimed to evaluate the differences in trauma perception, perception of WM function, and perception of QOL among college students in Florida. Using descriptive statistics, based on the type of post-secondary institution, it was determined that there was no statistically significant difference between trauma perception and QOL perceptions between participant groups. However, using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and a moderation analysis resulted in a revelation that the psychological domain of QOL and the executive function domain of WM had an overall mediating effect on participants’ perceptions of PTSD. Based on the resulting data, educational pedagogy to effectively synthesize learning and psychological mitigation efforts to improve QOL in individuals diagnosed with PTSD can be significantly impacted by the overlapping of WM cognitive function improvement practices and psychological QOL development. The resulting data indicates that collaboration among the disciplines of education, psychology, and neurology will promote the most effective approach to trauma mitigation in individuals prior to complete brain development.

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