Maryam Sodeyi
Student and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Fund Recipient: Spring 2023
Project: "Contextual Factor Scale Development: Examining Factors Related to Racial and Ethnic Minority Students' Mental Health Help Seeking"
Sodeyi received a Spring 2023 Student and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) grant to compensate survey participants through the online survey platform Prolific. Sodeyi conducted the survey as part of her thesis, which seeks to identify barriers to mental health help-seeking behaviors among racial and ethnic marginalized (REM) college students.
"There has been an increased need for mental health services among college students, but research often neglects consideration of REM students specifically who may have unique experiences with accessing services," explained Sodeyi. "The outcomes will allow us to identify specific factors that influence mental health help-seeking behaviors among REM college students." Sodeyi's research is advised by Dr. Jacqueline Hersh, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology.
The funds were uploaded to Prolific and the participants received payment once they completed the survey. "The funding allowed me to complete this study, which is a novel study in this field of research. I strongly believe this study will be key in providing effective mental health interventions to marginalized and underserved populations," shared Sodeyi.
Sodeyi earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Ibadan (Nigeria) and her master's degree in community psychology from the University of New Haven. Sodeyi is currently a third-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at App State. She serves as a graduate clinic coordinator in the Psychology Clinic and is currently completing her practicum at the App State Counseling Center, where she provides therapeutic services to individuals from the university.
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About the SAFE Fund
Initially endowed by Hughlene and Bill Frank, the College of Arts and Sciences Student and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Fund provides resources that can be used to support undergraduate, graduate and faculty experiences. The SAFE Fund provides funding for college priorities and opportunities that arise throughout the year. These unrestricted funds support student and faculty travel, publication support for faculty and student research opportunities. Learn more at: https://cas.appstate.edu/students/student-and-faculty-excellence-safe-fund.
About the Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology
Appalachian State University’s Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology serves more than 1,400 undergraduate majors seeking the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, as well as 90 graduate students across four graduate programs: experimental psychology (MA), industrial-organizational psychology and human resource management (MA), school psychology (MA/SSP) and clinical psychology (PsyD). Learn more at https://psych.appstate.edu.
Written by Lauren Gibbs
April 2, 2024
BOONE, N.C.
Maryam Sodeyi
Maryam Sodeyi