Annual Research Conference Feed

Isolation and Characterization of Antibiotic-producing Bacteria from Soil

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health crisis, and the discovery of new antibiotics has not kept pace with the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, finding new antibiotics is crucial. Soil is rich in microbial diversity, and bacteria in soil release secondary metabolites that increase their survival in highly competitive environments. These secondary metabolites are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. The Tiny Earth program allows students to participate in the discovery and research of new antibiotic producers. In this project, we investigated bacteria isolated from local soil near a compost bin to identify and discover potential antibiotic-producing organisms. The goal of this project was to isolate bacteria from soil samples and screen them for the ability to produce antibiotics effective against most common pathogens. Isolated colonies were plated and screened using agar-based inhibition assays, and further DNA sequencing was performed using the 16S rRNA gene. Of the 25 soil isolates examined, four isolates showed clear zones of inhibition. Isolate 27 was selected for further testing and DNA analysis. Our isolate was identified through DNA sequencing as, Burkholderia genus, and showed clear zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Serratia marcescens. Literature shows that Burkholderia species often produce important secondary metabolites, including natural antibiotics. Researchers also point out that certain Burkholderia species produce compounds that are effective even against antibiotic-resistant strains. This suggests that isolate 27 may produce a compound with broad antimicrobial activity.

The Freedmen's Bureau in Mississippi

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

As the America Civil War progressed into its later stages, the Union army began occupying more and more Confederate territory which required the creation of an organization to manage all the issues in occupied land was necessary. This resulted in the creation of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, more commonly known as the Freedmen’s Bureau, in 1863 which sought to aid the refugees, abandoned lands and property, and newly freed slaves in the newly occupied territory. However, as the Civil War ended, the mission of the Bureau was expanded to not only manage former Confederate lands, but to provide aid and resources to freed slaves in order to help them move on from the plantation-based slave society and to integrate with society and the economy as free citizens. What this project aims to do is track all of the aid given to freed people in a smaller sample area (the State of Mississippi in this project) to determine what kinds of aid the Freedmen’s Bureau was giving to freed people, and whether or not the Bureau was able to achieve its goal of helping freed slaves adjust and succeed in a society in which they were free citizens.

Economic Disparity: The Root of Social Insufficiency when Analyzing Socio-Economic Factors and Human Agency

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Socio-economic security and its foundational effects on human agency go under-addressed by sociologists, behavioral science professionals, and social activists seeking to encourage communal motivation for addressing social problems at a local level. The purpose of this literature review is to show a common theme across several works of socioeconomic theory; namely that an individual’s level of baseline contentment affects their ability to address social problems in their community. Contentment, or the state of satisfaction and happiness, is observed with collected survey data pertaining to access to secure housing and employment status. This data may have an effect on discouraging or encouraging actions regarding participation in the process of troubleshooting social problems. Speculation around local citizens’ lack of courage or determination in developing their own intellectual thoughts for addressing social problems within their immediate vicinity was considered. Levels of empowerment within modern societal structures are investigated in conjunction with Immanual Kant’s Enlightenment essay, What is Enlightenment? (1784). Additionally, Ibn Khaldun’s cycle theory is examined for insights into social solidarity and social history revolving around concepts of ‘brotherhood,’ which for this research will be referred to as comradeship for broader inclusivity. An evaluation of Karl Marx’s conflict theory and agency theory will be inspected for potential relevance regarding the class discourse alongside minority repercussions. The priority for this study is to encourage solution-based practices of empowerment for the societal masses, initially targeting local, baseline social problems that, when addressed, can spur the innovation of social norms and values.

DAILY RATINGS OF ENERGY AND SLEEP ACROSS THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE PHASES (DREAM-CP)

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

BACKGROUND: There is a significant sex difference gap in existing literature on females and their sex-specific physiological and psychological differences from males. Female-specific research is crucial to developing tailored, high-impact sleep interventions that address each menstrual cycle phases’ (MCP) changes. This study aims to understand female sleep scores, and activity levels while tracking MCPs. Sleep data and activity levels will be examined via Fitbit accelerometers over a 3-month period. METHODS: Ten females, 18-45 years old, will voluntarily participate, regardless of contraceptive status. After consenting, each participant will attend a familiarization visit during their menstruation phase to receive study instructions and a Fitbit accelerometer. Fitbits will always be worn for activity tracking, and during sleep. Results will be analyzed using separate within-repeated measures ANOVAs; effect sizes will be reported using partial eta squared (η2p) and Cohen’s d, and p<0.05 indicating statistical significance. ANTICIPATED RESULTS: It is hypothesized that sleep quality -as measured by lower sleep scores- will decline during the luteal phase, specifically when progesterone and estradiol fluctuate. These hormonal changes elevate body temperature, suppress production of hormones like melatonin, and reduce REM sleep duration. Consequently, females are more likely to awake feeling unrested and fatigued during the luteal phase. Grant or funding information: This project is made possible by the funding from the University of North Georgia’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (CURCA) Student-Faculty Collaborative Mini Grant.

Precrastination in the Team Setting

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Precrastination is the tendency to complete or begin tasks as soon as possible— even at the expense of additional effort—to relieve the mental burden of having unfinished work. An individual is considered a precrsatinator when they consistently exhibit this behavior when completing tasks. The present study investigates the understudied phenomenon of precrastination and explores how it impacts dynamics in team settings in areas such as communication, quality of work, time management and overall efficiency. The aim of the present study is to examine how a precrastinator’s presence on a team affects key areas of team dynamics as well as performance outcomes. The current research on precrastination is primarily focused on defining the phenomenon and assessing its implications for the individuals who engage in it. However, there is limited research examining how this phenomenon specifically affects team dynamics. The present study utilizes a sample of college students who have experience working in teams. The student participants complete a survey with demographic questions and a precrastination measure, followed by a zoom interview. Students are asked about their experiences working with precrastinators in team settings and their responses are transcribed and analyzed to identify common themes related to precrastinators’ effects on team dynamics and students’ attitudes toward working with them. Preliminary findings suggest that students’ attitudes toward working with precrastinators are generally positive. Although some precrastinators can make their teammates feel rushed or overshadowed, most are perceived as reliable team members that produce high quality work and help motivate their teammates to stay productive. The present study aims to build off previous research by further investigating the understudied phenomenon of precrastination as it relates to dynamics in team settings. The purpose of the present study is to generate insights that could help strengthen team dynamics and enhance performance outcomes in academic settings.

Autism Stigma in Schools as Lived Experience

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Autism Spectrum Disorder (Also known as ASD) is described by The National Institute of Mental Health as a “neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave” (NIMH, 2024). This disorder has made those who have it labeled, isolated and excluded from social circles, as well having systematic problems within institutions. The Stigma surrounding those with ASD has been something that has been plaguing people with the disorder for many years now, with adults being affected during their formative years, during K-12 primary schools. The questions this research poses are the following: What stereotypes did the participants perceive from educators and peers? How did an autism label affect how they were treated? How did teachers and peers create a distance between themselves and the person (such as avoidance and seclusion)? These are questions that must be answered to take a step to help figure out what the main sources of possible stigma towards those with autism are. This proposal will ideally be done via anonymous online survey. It would ideally be sent out to online autism communities, disability advocacy networks as well as through social media posts. Measurements would include perceived stereotypes, social distancing, labeling, consequences of disclosure, institutional practices (such as discipline, accommodations and placement) and several open-ended prompts. 30 items and 3 open-ended questions would ideally be used in the survey.

Understanding Barriers and Pathways to Care: Gender Roles, Stigma, and Mental Health Literacy

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Approximately 37% of college students report experiencing mental health challenges, yet nearly three quarters do not seek professional help. Social Learning Theory offers a framework for understanding how help-seeking attitudes are shaped by factors such as gender socialization, stigma, and mental health literacy (MHL). Messaging regarding help-seeking varies by gender, with women often socialized toward social connection and men toward self-reliance, contributing to differences in help-seeking behavior. Mental health stigma, including both public beliefs and their internalization, is socially transmitted and affects the likelihood of seeking help. In contrast, MHL, defined as the knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management, and prevention, promotes help-seeking by enhancing perceived controllability and social support. While these factors have been examined individually, fewer studies have evaluated them simultaneously. The present study examined the influence of femininity, masculinity, public stigma, internalized stigma, and MHL on help-seeking intentions among undergraduates (N = 267). Participants completed the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form, the Mental Health Literacy Scale, Traditional Masculinity-Femininity scale, Perceived Devaluation-Discrimination Scale, the Self-Stigma of Seeking Help scale. Hierarchical regression and mediation analyses indicated that internalized stigma emerged as the strongest negative predictor, statistically accounting for 49% of the association between femininity and help-seeking, and 62% for masculinity. Results highlight the importance of increasing MHL and challenging internalized stigma for improving help-seeking in college students.

Predicted Impact of the 107G>A HFE Variant on Hereditary Hemochromatosis

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Hereditary Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder in which the body stores excess iron from food, allowing it to build up and eventually damage organs such as the pancreas, liver, and heart. Fatigue, abdominal pain, and joint pain are common in the early stages of HC, and patients may develop liver disease, heart abnormalities, and skin discoloration later on. Mutations in the HFE gene, which codes for the HFE protein, have been linked with development of HC. However, many mutations lack full interpretation of their impacts - it is unknown whether they are pathogenic or benign. By combining and analyzing findings from various genetic databases and prediction algorithms, one can attempt to discern the impact of such mutations. This study investigates the effect of a guanine to adenine switch in position 107 of the HFE gene (NM_000410.4(HFE):c.107G>A (p.Gly36Asp)), resulting in an aspartic acid instead of glycine at position 36 of its protein. The prediction algorithms used concluded that this mutation was likely pathogenic, as the properties of glycine and aspartic acid differ greatly. Additionally, the mutation was found to be in a highly conserved portion of the gene, indicating the intolerance of that region to a change. Taken together, this study indicates that the mutation NM_000410.4(HFE):c.107G>A (p.Gly36Asp) is likely related to Hereditary Hemochromatosis in human patients.

2025 Reformed Human Trafficking Guidelines

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The scope of my research will focus on creating 2025 data-backed guidelines meant to realistically instill good Samaritans with action-based wisdom around potential victims (POC, LGBTQ+, illegal immigrants, women, vulnerable teens and children, etc.). In addition to this, potential resource provisions, such as language services, job training, and medical interventions, to establish community trust among victims via destigmatization will be brainstormed. These are considered in an effort to bring refreshed awareness to the struggles of current and former trafficking victims to light among the public. Through the duration of my literature review, an efficient list of preventative guidelines and resource accessibility proposals could destigmatize open conversations pertaining to victims and their traffickers. By implementing guidelines such as these, more effective state and federal policies can be developed, and thousands of additional trafficking victims could be saved each year. Reformed guidelines must incorporate descriptions of physical appearance, mental health, and drug use patterns amongst survivors that ordinary citizens and good Samaritans can notice, as an immensely coveted tool by traffickers is the ability to hide their illegal activities in plain sight by presenting their victims as ordinary members of society. Moreover, long-term psychological and physical traumas associated with survivors and victims' presented additional acute symptoms including self-harm, substance use disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Considering this, the aim of my research is to encourage the establishment of local and county communication channels in every city, neighboring NGOs, and Human Services organizations. Therefore, the significance of this research may lead to a broadening and advertisement of empathic social norms pertaining to such vulnerable people while drawing focus to discouraging traffickers instead of their targeted victims.

Cubic Nigel

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Nigel the Nighthawk’s mosaic reflects how UNG students develop their abilities, the students create a more beautiful community, just as a thoughtful piece of art brings beauty to the space it inhabits. Each one of the four hundred one-inch Rubik’s cubes represents the individuals learning at UNG, and the wooden frame represents the framework provided by UNG. The cubes reflect the growth and development of each student at UNG. Every semester, students develop and mature, becoming better equipped to make a positive impact on their communities, much like how each cube was transformed to become an essential part of this mosaic. Red, a passion color, immediately draws your eye, just as a strong leader displays confidence and sets direction for those around them. The red spaces give the mosaic energy, like people who energize their community. Blue represents calm, peace, and serenity, for without blue, everything else feels out of place and not randomly scattered. Blue brings the peace needed to the place where they interact. Some students are like the yellow color in the cube, full of happiness and optimism, bringing needed energy and fresh ideas that no one else considered. Some students inspire growth, much like the color green. Some UNG students resemble the color orange, representing growth, credibility, and healing. These individuals are dependable, help drive projects forward, and offer dependable guidance. Certain UNG students are like the white squares, which create needed balance, bringing clarity and balance to the overall group. Like all UNG students, all the colors complement each other, linking the other colors, without overpowering them, for UNG students build relationships, celebrate everyone’s wins, and smooth conflicts. UNG initiates the experiences necessary to engage students, so each one develops his or her individual strengths to make our community an excellent place to live.

Latent Exposure to Violence on Short-Form Media Apps

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Social media platforms give users nearly endless access to short videos that provide information and entertainment. Although algorithmic suggestions curate a user's experience, they cannot fully control what the platform’s algorithm displays. This means unwanted material may be displayed to a user, with some of this material being frightening or upsetting. Prior research has examined children’s exposure to violence on platforms like TikTok and Instagram and found negative impacts on development. However, it has been difficult to track the fatigue or stress that adults may experience when they inadvertently encounter violent or upsetting videos, especially in short bursts while the user has the ability to scroll potentially infinite times. This study used mixed methods to examine how often adults unintentionally encounter violent short-form media and the effects. Content analysis and surveys were the two methods. Research for this study included creating a sample account to track the frequency of violent videos on the suggested page. I also distributed questionnaires to a small group of fewer than 50 adults, asking about the frequency of exposure, whether the encounters were intentional, and the impact on the respondents. The findings indicate that adults frequently encounter violent content unintentionally, and these encounters primarily produce negative effects. Content analysis also reveals that even without user searches or interactions, algorithms on platforms like TikTok interweave violent videos between benign ones.

Behind the Belief: Understanding Academic Self-Efficacy in Undergraduates

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Academic self-efficacy is a key to one’s success in college. The belief that you are capable and have the tools to do well predicts how well college students progress throughout their academic and future professional endeavors. When students harness the belief that they can successfully accomplish scholarly tasks, they tend to outperform those who score lower in academic self-efficacy by persisting during academic hardships and earning better grades. The present study examined predictor variables of academic self-efficacy in college students. It was hypothesized that students with greater belongingness, life satisfaction, Openness to Experience, and Conscientiousness would demonstrate higher levels of academic self-efficacy. Individual differences such as sleep quality, high school G.P.A., and first-generation student status were also investigated. A sample of 101 undergraduate students were assessed, and a hierarchical regression analysis was conducted using three blocks of the predictor variables. All models were found to be statistically significant. More specifically, students’ sleep quality and levels of Conscientiousness, added in block two, significantly predicted academic self-efficacy. The subjective quality of feeling well-rested may help students feel more capable of handling schoolwork. Likewise, students who subjectively feel more well-rested may feel more mentally sharp, thus enhancing their belief that they can succeed in college. Individuals who are more Conscientious are more organized, punctual, and detail oriented, and are more likely to receive positive feedback from the college environment that they are competent and self-directed. Understanding the variables that predict academic self-efficacy aids in promoting academic success and longevity.

Regional Governance and Rights Protection in Western Africa: Examining ECOWAS in Practice

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Regional governance institutions are often viewed as important mechanisms for promoting legal norms, democratic accountability, and human rights across member states. In West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has developed formal legal frameworks and protocols that emphasize democratic governance, rule of law, and rights protection. However, scholars continue to debate the extent to which these regional commitments translate into meaningful enforcement and lived outcomes within member states. This project examines ECOWAS as a regional legal and political institution through a law and society lens, focusing on the gap between formal legal commitments and practical implementation. Drawing on course based research, legal theory, and selected examples of ECOWAS governance mechanisms, this study explores how institutional authority, domestic political conditions, and enforcement capacity shape the effectiveness of regional norms. Rather than treating regional law as automatically binding or uniformly applied, this project situates ECOWAS within broader social and political contexts that influence how its legal mandates function in practice. I argue that while ECOWAS plays an important symbolic and normative role in advancing regional standards of governance and rights, its ability to enforce these standards is uneven and highly dependent on domestic institutional cooperation. This gap between law on the books and law in action highlights both the possibilities and limitations of regional governance in West Africa. By analyzing ECOWAS as a social and legal institution, this project contributes to broader discussions on regional integration, governance, and rights protection. Understanding these dynamics is essential for evaluating how regional institutions can more effectively support accountability and equitable legal outcomes across diverse political systems.

Examining the effectiveness of a Social-Emotional Belonging Intervention on First-Year College Students

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Students transitioning to higher education are faced with major academic, social, and emotional challenges. For first-year students, developing a strong sense of university belonging is critical in promoting overall wellbeing and academic success (Ahn & Davis, 2020; Arlsan, 2021; Gopalan & Brady, 2020). Low levels of belonging are linked to increased risk of dropout, reduced motivation, and poorer mental health outcomes. These effects are especially concerning for first generation and minoritized students, who report higher levels of belonging uncertainty and are disproportionately affected. The Social Belonging Intervention (SBI) was developed to address these challenges and, while shown to be successful at improving belonging and student persistence, has been inconsistent at improving student wellbeing, a critical component of academic success (Walton et al., 2023; Yeager et al., 2016). A hybridized intervention was developed that combines the SBI and growth mindset; deemed the Social-Emotional Belonging Intervention (SEBI). The intervention, which consists of a course-based reading and writing assignment, was piloted in the Fall of 2024 in a sample of first-year students (n=97) as part of 14 introductory writing courses. The study was conducted as a double-blind experimental design and examined how the SEBI influenced levels of belonging, anxiety, and depression as well as GPA, future credit enrollment, and credit achievement. Students were randomly assigned to either complete the SEBI or a control writing assignment and completed an online survey assessing mental health and academic outcomes.

From Tariffs to the Dinner Table: Beef Prices Under U.S Tariff Policy

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

This study investigates how recent U.S. tariff policy translated into consumer food prices, focusing on beef as a trade-exposed and economically important product. Using quarterly price data from Cost-of-Living Index (COLI) project conducted by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), we examine changes in beef prices across U.S. metropolitan areas from 2023 to 2025, with particular attention to the tariff measures enacted in April 2025 under Executive Order 14257. Beef provides an ideal setting for studying tariff impacts. USDA data show that the U.S. relies more heavily on imported beef products than it does for other major protein sources such as pork, chicken, or eggs. As a result, price increases driven by trade policy are more likely to be reflected on beef. We therefore hypothesize that the implementation of tariffs led to a substantial increase in beef prices faced by U.S. consumers. Our preliminary analysis reveals a clear and widespread pattern: average beef prices by areas begin rising sharply after the first quarter of 2025, with the rate of price growth accelerating through the end of the year across the whole nation. This increase is observed for both steak and ground beef, suggesting that tariff-induced cost pressures propagate broadly within the beef market. This project contributes to the literature on trade policy and consumer prices by providing timely, product-level evidence of how tariffs affect household food costs. Ongoing work applies a difference-in-difference methodology comparing beef to less trade-exposed products to more precisely isolate the impact of tariff policy.

Making the Foreigner- an examination of public opinion toward Polish immigrants

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Drawing from a variety of primary sources including newspapers, political speeches, and legislative records, this study analyzes how immigrant communities were portrayed in the media and how these portrayals influenced public perception and policy. It will also explore popular legal issues that affected migrants and natives alike, contributing to protests and popular political movements like Nativism and Jingoism. This work follows the evolution of public opinion toward Polish Galician immigrants during peak years of immigration, by using local periodicals, sociological studies from William Thomas, and major newspapers like Bazaar (1867-present) and Ameryka Echoes (1902-1971). Following the media shows how public opinion was gradually weaponized against migrants to deter and discourage settlement and advancement. This study seeks to enable a deeper understanding of the intersections between media, law, and immigration history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

IR Analysis of a Global Fiscal Reset

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Sovereign debt is a central feature of the modern international system. My proposed research topic will study how global politics would change if all sovereign debt were suddenly erased. I will be using major International Relations theories to analyze behavior politics, state interaction, cooperation, and power distribution. This paper will review the existing literature through perspectives of realism, constructivism, and liberalism, to analyze a global debt reset. This is important because debt shapes power in the international system. Treaties and communities have been created to guide states to financial and economic balance. Would those continue to serve a purpose in a new financially fluid world? How will foreign policy adapt to these changes? What are the different effects of developing countries versus big powers? Economic independence shapes the way states interact with one another in trade, institutions, cooperation, etc. These are some questions I propose to emphasize the importance of sovereign debt on international affairs. Debt functions as a material constraint and a source of structural power. I will use market forces, international power dynamics, and political pressure as a baseline for my research. There are no enforceable mechanisms because the global financial system depends on debt as a core asset to the world economy. This research will however serve as an indicator of the importance of debt and economic well-being on the global economy.

Factors that bind the three components of the criminal justice system: Law Enforcement, the Courts, and Corrections

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Many factors contribute to holding the components of our criminal justice system together. These components are law enforcement agencies responsible for apprehending criminals, courts of law and fair trial of the accused, and the corrections system which carries out punishments formulated by the judge. Each component has its role to play in maintaining order and peace in society, but many authors contend that of the three, the courts are the most important factor in maintaining the system. In court, the main purpose is to ascertain the truth concerning the offender’s culpability, and the appropriate punishment. To find the truth, defense attorneys and prosecutors fight each other for what they believe is the truth about the client; the defense fights to prove the defendant’s innocence in the case, while prosecutors fight to prove the guilt of the defendant regarding the most serious charge. However, even unconsciously, some degree of corruption can contaminate the proceedings, and create an imbalance in the justice system. Courts are vital in determining the fate of the accused and protecting his or her life, and especially, reputation. A person’s reputation is fragile, and a conviction of a crime can severely damage that reputation, which may result in far fewer opportunities. This paper will discuss the importance of courts and why their legitimacy is the most vital factor in the Criminal Justice system.

Recent Changes in the Cost of Groceries in Georgia

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Post-Covid inflation has moderated significantly. Nevertheless, many students continue to report that inflation places considerable strain on their finances. While groceries account for approximately 14.7 percent of average household total expenditures, they represent 30 to 54 percent for college students. To address this issue, we construct a grocery-specific cost of living index, referred to as the Cost of Groceries, and compare it with the overall Consumer Price Index. The Cost of Groceries is based on a basket of 26 commonly purchased items, including ground beef, milk, eggs, bread, coffee, and soft drinks. Price data and spending weights are obtained from the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). In general, a cost-of-living index reflects the total expenditure required to purchase a given basket of goods. It rises either because prices increase and/or because quantities purchased increase. To isolate the pure price effect, changes in quantities must be excluded. A standard approach to eliminating the quantity effect is to fix quantities at their base-year levels. However, because the C2ER weights vary from year to year, we adopt a compensating variation assumption that allows changes in weights while maintaining satisfaction. We find that the Cost of Groceries in Georgia increased substantially, rising by 10.9 to 24.3 percent in 2023 and by 8.6 to 12.2 percent in 2025. These increases are three to four times larger than the growth in the overall cost of living. This differential helps explain why college students continue to experience financial stress despite the broader moderation in inflation.

The Cost of Comparison: Weight Stigma and Disordered Eating

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Steele (1995) defines stereotype threat as the risk of conforming to the negative attribute associated with a group. Since its discovery, stereotype threat has been documented across a variety of stigmatized groups (Pennington et al., 2016), but few studies have examined its relation to weight stigma. Individuals with higher body weight are frequently stereotyped as lazy, unintelligent, and lacking self-control, which contributes to pervasive societal bias (Pearl & Puhl, 2014). Physical comparison may also play a pivotal role in internalizing negative beliefs about weight. Internalized weight stigma may develop from a process of being aware of weight-based stereotypes, leading to physical comparison, and resulting in adopting those stereotypes into one’s self-concept. This poster presentation will be the first to test this model linking stigma awareness, physical appearance comparison, and internalized weight stigma to disordered eating behaviors in a sample of 270 undergraduate women aged 18-34. This study uses Qualtrics to measure weight-based stereotype awareness (Stigma Consciousness Questionnaire-modified; Pinel, 1999), physical comparison tendencies (Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised; Schaefer, 2014), internalized weight stigma (Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale; Pearl & Puhl, 2014), and disordered eating behaviors (Loss of Control over Eating Scale; Latner et al., 2014). Using structural equation modeling, we will examine both direct and indirect pathways between stigma awareness, comparison processes, and disordered eating, as well as the mediating role of internalized stigma. Findings have implications for intervention programs aimed at disrupting internalization and highlight the sociocultural factors related to weight that contribute to disorder eating