RDP’s Research Test Kitchen, hosted by the Research Common, is an opportunity for scholars to talk about the work in which they’re currently engaged and receive input and feedback. Just like a chef trying out recipes, scholars are encouraged to bring work in any stage of progress to a space where they can test out ideas in conversation with colleagues.

In December’s Test Kitchen, RDP's Psychology Independent Study students will be presenting their research proposals.

• Jocelyn Wynnychuk -Investigating the Impact of MindfulU on Student Well-Being

MindfulU is a student-led campus initiative that supports student mental health and well-being by fostering community and connection among peers. The purpose of this study is to determine if there are differences between students who have and who have not accessed MindfulU, specifically in terms of their mindfulness, perceived stress, loneliness, sense of connection, and their levels of flourishing and thriving. Additionally, participants will be asked to provide feedback about their experiences with MindfulU and what they would like to see from the program moving forward.

• Hannah Antonishyn - Being Kind to Yourself: Investigating the Role of Self-Compassion on Self-Oriented Perfectionism in Post-Secondary Students

Recent research has suggested that post-secondary students with perfectionistic tendencies tend to struggle with being self-compassionate. Self-compassion emphasizes the importance of approaching one’s suffering or perceived flaws with kindness, mindfulness, and a recognition that one is not isolated in their struggles. The proposed study seeks to evaluate the effects of a brief self-compassion intervention on self-oriented perfectionism, academic self-efficacy, and general wellbeing in a sample of RDP students.

• Sam Darby - The effect of Stoicism on mental wellbeing

Sam and Stephen's research project is examining the effects that Stoicism has on an individual's wellbeing, utilizing the Muse 2 portable EEG headband. They will have three conditions, each of which will perform in their interventions for the space of a week: a stoicism group, a journaling group for an active control, and a passive control that does nothing for the  week. Before and after their weeklong interventions, participants will fill out some wellbeing questionnaires, and complete an EEG recording session while thinking about a difficult moment in their  life that they have had to overcome. Sam and Stephen hope to find significant differences in brain waves both between groups and before and after their respective treatments

• Irina Sheridan - Attitudes and Perceptions toward eHealth and mHealth Technologies Among Older Adults in Central Alberta

Digital health technologies have the potential to promote healthy aging by empowering individuals to monitor their condition and make informed, proactive decisions regarding their health. However, older adults face various challenges to accessing these technologies. While older age is often seen as a structural barrier, research suggests that this relationship is complex and may be mediated by other factors such as digital self-efficacy, social support and influence, and ageism. The present study seeks to examine key barriers and facilitators to eHealth and mHealth usage among older adults in Central Alberta.

• Ashley Mast - Exploring the use of co-design processes in the creation of a sensory stimulation assistive technology

There is considerable interest in the potential benefits of innovation in assistive technology (AT) in long term care (LTC) and increasingly, appreciation of the vital role of co-design in the development, evaluation and implementation of these tools. While the primary focus of co-design has been on designer/immediate end-user collaboration, in LTC the viability of new and emerging AT also depends on consideration of additional stakeholder perspectives including front-line carers and organizational administrators. The current case-study explores co-design in the innovation process through assessing the perspectives of multiple LTC stakeholders in early-stage development of a new sensory stimulation technology. This will involve an initial workshop session with the technology developer, followed by focus groups and individual interviews with administrative and front-line staff to gain insight into their perceptions of the tool and its utility. A key intended outcome is for the obtained information to explore the role and impacts of co-design with innovation processes with a specific innovation AT being considered in a practice setting.  This work includes engaging key stakeholders in confirming the problem/opportunity of a specific innovation AT with feedback and suggestions that will contribute to the further development of the AT.

• Jude Danyau + Nicole Schmid - Effects of HeartMath Lock-In Practice on RCMP Officers’ Heart Rate Variability and Emotional Well-Being

Policing is a high stress and high burn out profession, with many officers experiencing mental, emotional, and physical symptoms such as cardiovascular problems and PTSD. Dr. Anomi Bearden, Dr. Stephen Brown, and Becky Wylie-Jardine, along with student researchers Jude Danyau and Nicole Schmid, are partnering with the Red Deer RCMP to explore how HeartMath emotion regulation practices (specifically the Heart Lock-in) can positively influence resting heart rate variability (HRV) and overall well-being (e.g., burnout, perceived stress, emotion regulation, resilience) for the RCMP officers at the Red Deer City Detachment. This study aims to enhance the resilience and well-being of our law enforcement professionals through effective practices.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​