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Show 6 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 Science & Tech WSUSIGNPOST.COM Research links smartphone use with test anxiety By EMILY FERGUSON photojournalist Weber State University students teamed up to research and learn about the effects of smartphone addiction on test taking anxiety amongst college students. Jake Ombach and J’lene Rea, along with assistant psychology professor Shannon McGillivary, wanted to learn more about cellphones and how those can cause anxiety. “We use smartphones in a number of ways, obviously to connect with people but also for a source of information,” McGillivary said. “You can look up anything in a matter of minutes. The answer to almost everything is in your pocket.” The concept of the study was to measure how students who suffer from cellphone addiction and are unable to use their cellphones during a test compare to those students who don’t have a smartphone addiction and are not allowed to use their cellphones during a test. In testing centers at WSU, students are not allowed to use their cellphones at all during a test. In fact, a test may be terminated if a student’s phone rings while they’re in the testing center, even if it is put away in a pocket. “I think it’s great they chose to conduct this study. I know plenty of people who should have been included,” Courtnie Rodriguez, WSU freshman, said. “I find this [study] very interesting.” The researchers gathered students from the introductory psychology students on campus to conduct the study. “We had a total of 103 [participants], 45 males and 58 females,” said Ombach. During their experiment, researchers asked participants to fill out a survey about the level of anxiety they were feeling at that time. Participants were also asked questions to gauge their level of smartphone addiction. Before the test began, participants had their blood pressure and heart rate measured, as well as their body language. They were then told that they would be learning material about certain countries that they might have had little knowledge about. According to McGillivary, the information was obscure information that one might not necessarily know without looking the information up. “Half of the participants were told they could use their cellphone during test while the other half were told that they could not use their phone,” McGillivary described. After being shown the material on which they would be tested, participants who were told they could use their phone on the test were then told they would not be able to use their phone anymore. “We had a switch condition for half our participants. Some were lead to believe they could use their phone and then told they could not and vice versa,” McGillivary said. The student researchers found that those who have a smartphone addiction and were told they could not use their phone on the test experienced more anxiety than those who did not have a smartphone addiction. “The majority of our results were what we expected them to be, and much of it was similar to other research that has been done,” Ombach said. Overall, people who reported a smartphone addiction were more anxious about test taking than those who do not have a PHOTO: EMILY FERGUSON | The Signpost Students from the psychology department at Weber State studied other students to see the effect cellphones have on test scores. smartphone addiction. According to McGillivary, there was a relationship between smartphone addiction and heart rate measures of anxiety. “This study might show that people who suffer from cellphone addiction may experience more anxiety in regular school situations where they can’t look information up. They just have to know it,” McGillivary said. Follow Emily on Twitter @emfergwsu Therapy pups lighten CPSC Outreach team is up finals week at Davis calling for new recruits By TINA MILEWSKI news correspondent The Weber State University Davis Campus went to the dogs on Wednesday as students got the chance to destress by interacting with therapy dogs. Jennifer Grandi, facilitator of the Davis Student Services, sponsored the event to help students de-stress before finals week. “I sponsor this event once a semester. The dogs and the students really love this event,” said Grandi. Dee Voeller of Layton, Utah, brought her golden labradoodle, Annie. Voeller said that the therapy animals must certify with Therapy Animals of Utah every two years. “These dogs are certified and insured for at least $2 million,” she said. All of the therapy dogs and their owners are members of the organization Therapy Animals of Utah. The therapy animals visit Ogden Regional Medical Center, The Boys and Girls Club, various nursing homes, school reading programs, The Salt Lake International Airport and ENABLE, an organization that serves those with disabilities. Students at the event were visibly excited when the therapy dog owners arrived at the Haven on the second floor of building 2 at the Davis campus of WSU. Many of the students were from NUAMES High School. “I like to hold the event during the students’ lunch break, so as many students as possible can enjoy the event,” Grandi said. Bert, a golden retriever owned by Vicki King of Ogden, was a huge hit with the students. Bert is a former search and rescue dog. Sophie, also known as Eyelashes, is owned by Paulette Bennett of Ogden. “It takes a certain temperament for the dogs to become therapy dogs,” Bennett said. According to their owners, Bert and Sophie are boyfriend and girlfriend. Therapy dogs stay very busy and are committed to the visits to the veterans home in Ogden. Grandi said that she has to plan very far in advance to get the animals for the event because of the strict schedule of the dogs and their owners. Therapy Animals of Utah is always in need of people to certify their animals. For information, visit their website, therapyanimalsutah. org, or call 801-7061389. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com PHOTO: JENNIFER GRANDI | THE SIGNPOST Students at the event were visibly excited when the therapy dog owners arrived at the Haven on the second floor of building 2 at the Davis campus. By CHRIS MURPHY s&t correspondent The Counseling and Psychological Services Center at Weber State works to help students in more ways than one during this time of year. A helping paw from their popular service animals that help to relieve stress can go a long way during the end of the semester. In addition to some much needed dog therapy, the CPSC is hoping to give students who are looking for a way to tackle the “prior experience” portion of all upcoming resumes some peace of mind. This spring, the CPSC Outreach Program will be putting out the call for recruits for their team for next year. ”Becoming involved with the Outreach team at CPSC gives students applicable experience with Outreach programs, basic mental health and the immediate student population,” Jennifer Ghan, a current Outreach team member, said. For senior students focused on mental health at Weber State University, the CPSC Outreach Program provides students the experience they need in order to advance in their fields. “This is kind of a good, happy medium,” Jamie Brass, training director at CPSC, said. “They can really learn what we do here without being therapists themselves.” Students involved in the program will learn about the counseling center and the services they provide and will be trained on how to go out and do Outreach programming. According to Ghan, being a part of the Outreach team will help build student’s resumes and offer them possible job opportunities. PHOTO: CYDNEE GREEN | THE SIGNPOST Students can gain experience with Outreach programs, basic mental health and the immediate student population “They also support and encourage self-exploration and self-discovery through the means of the Career Center, interviewing faculty members on campus and independent research,” Ghan said. Brass described Outreach as being anything that doesn’t actually take place in the counseling center’s office. “We do a lot of things, like helping [students] learn to manage stress and other symptoms before they’re a problem.” Brass said. Students will also be involved in weekly team meetings where they can help plan Outreach projects and listen to guest speakers in the mental health field. Brass explained that throughout the year, students will be able to interact with the team members and build a meaningful connection to the CPSC, which can be hard to do. Last year, at a health fair, Brass noticed people avoiding the CPSC booth because “they were worried about what it might mean if they came and talked to us.” However, one member of the Outreach was able to speak with several students before the day was over. “Students are going to respond so much better to other students,” Brass said. Ghan says that she is happy to be a part of the Outreach team at the CPSC. “I have been given the opportunity to connect with students on a more personal level and give them an outlet to seek help and support during their time here,” Ghan commented. Outreach members will be involved in relaxation health fairs, which will help promote relaxation on campus. “Students really can get a sense of what’s available on campus—for free—for them to use as stress management during finals or other times when they need it,” Brass said. Those involved in the Outreach team this year have also had a chance to partner with Student Wellness and Intermountain Therapy Animals to facilitate stress breaks for students on both the main campus and at the Davis campus. “I love those dogs,” Liz O’Dell, a junior at WSU, said. “They are so cute. They really help.” For more information about the Outreach Program offered through the Counseling and Psychological Services Center, contact their office by calling 801-626-6406 or stopping by in person at their office located on the second floor of the Student Services building in Room 280. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com |