Resilience in Relationships: Connection within ourselves, within our relationships, and with the world around us
Abstract
Intro: One of the strongest predictors of well-being across the lifespan is whether we have a connection to safe, stable, and nurturing relationships2. By the time one reaches adulthood, 64% will have experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) prior to age 181. The primary goal of this project is to understand what factors, distal, proximal, and environmental, promote resilience in the context of past adversity. Method: This is a mixed-methods and qualitative research study. The sample will be recruited through ETSU’s Sona participant pool, and anyone 18 or older is eligible. The baseline assessment will take place in a research lab on campus, where participants complete surveys, a mindfulness training video, and write reactions to a vignette designed to solicit compassion. Participants will be randomized to either a nature room (with plants, natural light, and water sounds) or a control room (basic office space). Participants will watch a video that teaches mindfulness skills for 4 weeks, and complete mood ratings. After 4 weeks, participants will complete an electronic follow-up survey. Measures examine ACEs, past and present religious and spiritual beliefs and experiences, compassion, mindfulness, emotion regulation, stress, anxiety, and depression. We hypothesize that a mindfulness exercise can be effective at increasing self-compassion, spiritual connection, and compassion towards others, which will be associated with lowered psychological distress, and that these effects will be stronger for participants who are in the nature room and engage in the home-based trainings in nature-forward spaces. Results: Data collection is underway, and inferential statistics will be used to empirically test hypotheses. Results from this project have numerous implications for policy and practice as it relates to creating and disseminating brief, affordable, and accessible interventions that promote relational wellbeing and reduce risk for mental health struggles. Authors: Tré Kennison @Kennison@etsu.edu, Deziree Woods @woodsdb@etsu.edu, Madison Simounet @simounetmm@etsu.edu, Brittany Guidry miltonbr@etsu.edu, Diana Morelen @morelen@etsu.edu
Start Time
15-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Time
15-4-2026 4:30 PM
Room Number
Culp Ballroom 316
Poster Number
1
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Subtype
Posters - Competitive
Presentation Category
Social Sciences
Student Type
Undergraduate Student
Faculty Mentor
Diana Morelen
Resilience in Relationships: Connection within ourselves, within our relationships, and with the world around us
Culp Ballroom 316
Intro: One of the strongest predictors of well-being across the lifespan is whether we have a connection to safe, stable, and nurturing relationships2. By the time one reaches adulthood, 64% will have experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) prior to age 181. The primary goal of this project is to understand what factors, distal, proximal, and environmental, promote resilience in the context of past adversity. Method: This is a mixed-methods and qualitative research study. The sample will be recruited through ETSU’s Sona participant pool, and anyone 18 or older is eligible. The baseline assessment will take place in a research lab on campus, where participants complete surveys, a mindfulness training video, and write reactions to a vignette designed to solicit compassion. Participants will be randomized to either a nature room (with plants, natural light, and water sounds) or a control room (basic office space). Participants will watch a video that teaches mindfulness skills for 4 weeks, and complete mood ratings. After 4 weeks, participants will complete an electronic follow-up survey. Measures examine ACEs, past and present religious and spiritual beliefs and experiences, compassion, mindfulness, emotion regulation, stress, anxiety, and depression. We hypothesize that a mindfulness exercise can be effective at increasing self-compassion, spiritual connection, and compassion towards others, which will be associated with lowered psychological distress, and that these effects will be stronger for participants who are in the nature room and engage in the home-based trainings in nature-forward spaces. Results: Data collection is underway, and inferential statistics will be used to empirically test hypotheses. Results from this project have numerous implications for policy and practice as it relates to creating and disseminating brief, affordable, and accessible interventions that promote relational wellbeing and reduce risk for mental health struggles. Authors: Tré Kennison @Kennison@etsu.edu, Deziree Woods @woodsdb@etsu.edu, Madison Simounet @simounetmm@etsu.edu, Brittany Guidry miltonbr@etsu.edu, Diana Morelen @morelen@etsu.edu
