Date Approved
2026
Degree Type
Open Access Senior Honors Thesis
Department or School
Psychology
First Advisor
Sydney Batchelder, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Stephen Jefferson, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Natalie Dove, Ph.D.
Abstract
This study examined whether viewing a surf film aligned with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) principles would reduce emotion dysregulation among trauma-exposed adults. Participants (N = 14) with self-reported childhood trauma were randomly assigned to view either The Endless Summer or a neutral industrial documentary. Emotion regulation was assessed using pre- and post-intervention Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) scores. An independent samples t-test comparing change scores indicated that the control group demonstrated a greater mean reduction in DERS scores (M = 6.13, SD = 5.22) than the surf group (M = 2.50, SD = 3.08); however, this difference was not statistically significant, t(12) = 1.51, p = .158, d = 0.81. Findings do not support the hypothesis that surf film viewing produced greater short-term improvements in emotion regulation compared to the control condition. Results are preliminary and highlight the need for larger, adequately powered samples to evaluate film-based DBT-aligned interventions.
Recommended Citation
Papero, Ryan, "The effects of surf film viewing as a dialectical behavior therapy-aligned intervention for trauma-related symptoms" (2026). Senior Honors Theses and Projects. 896.
https://commons.emich.edu/honors/896