Welcome to DBS eSource

DBS eSource is an online service hosting full content materials produced by Dublin Business School staff and students. It contains the full text of articles, theses, conference papers, book chapters and more. DBS eSource is an open access repository, with the aim of making all content as widely accessible as possible. Use the Browse functions on the right for an overview of relevant materials. For an advanced search click here

Recent Submissions

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    The effect of personality and mind wandering on student attitudes to online learning
    (Dublin Business School, 2023-03) Crombie, Lisa; Hyland, Pauline
    The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on education. Lockdown measures to prevent the spread of the virus led to an immediate shift to online learning. Following the lifting of restrictions, some higher education institutes chose to remain online. Research has shown online learning is not suitable for all learners, with some finding it difficult to maintain engagement. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of personality and mind wandering on students' attitude to online learning. 101 participants completed an online survey. Of the Big Five, emotional stability was the only trait to have a significant relationship with student engagement in online learning. Openness to experience had a positive relationship with positive constructive daydreaming. In contrast, extraversion, and conscientiousness both had a negative impact on poor attentional control. Openness to experience was shown to have a significant positive relationship with both deliberate and spontaneous acts of mind wandering, with emotional stability having a negative relationship with spontaneous mind wandering.
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    Painting covid away: Artistic creativity and mental health amongst female visual artists during the pandemic
    (2023-03) O’Leary, Marta; Gaffney, Aoife
    The pandemic has resulted in increased levels of depression and anxiety worldwide. There is conflicting research on the relationship between creativity and mental health. Research exploring the experiences of female visual artists is limited. This study explores the experiences of artistic creativity and mental health amongst female visual artists specialising in the discipline of painting during the pandemic. Six female visual artists participated in semi – structured interviews. Thematic Analysis of data revealed 6 key themes: power of art, gift of time, blossoming of creativity, positive life changes, environmental factors and loss of opportunities. Findings indicate that creativity had a therapeutical effect by facilitating escape from negativity, maintaining positive mindset, triggering positive feelings and shifting existential meaning. Time gained during the pandemic was a catalyst for creative flourishing. Further research is required to explore experiences of creativity and mental health amongst artists with diagnosed mental illness during the pandemic.
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    The variety of inner speech-refining links between inner speech and depression, anxiety, and stress
    (Dublin Business School, 2023) Gaizauskaite, Rita; Ines Putrino, Natalia
    Mental health is a global issue that impacts people physically and emotionally. Current treatments have limitations, therefore the search for new treatments and preventions is necessary. Inner speech's role in consciousness is immense but it is hard to measure empirically. This study explored the relationship between inner speech and mental health conditions (levels of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms). The findings showed a negative correlation between positive/regulative inner speech and depression symptoms. Evaluative and critical inner speech had a moderate correlation with stress levels. Hearing other people's voices in the inner speech was significantly related to anxiety symptoms. Qualitative analysis revealed that neutral inner speech was common, while regulatory inner speech helped manage emotions. Critical and evaluative inner speech evoked negative emotions. These results support existing research and call for further investigation. Overall, inner speech has implications for mental well-being, and understanding its dynamics could improve treatment approaches and prevention.
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    Exploring how the unpredictable nature of live performers’ worlds effects their wellbeing
    (Dublin Business School, 2023-03) Mac Mullan, Sarah
    This qualitative research aimed to explore the unpredictable world of live performing and how that affected performers psychological wellbeing. It examined the following variables creative process, performance anxiety, emotional regulation and job security within a semi-structured format conducted in person in DBS college and also via Zoom. In all nine interviews were conducted but six selected for analysis based on their suitability for the criteria of the study. The participants interview transcripts demonstrated the impact of their unpredictable world and how it impacted their lives. Through thematic analysis six themes were developed , creative community, emotional & psychological distress, escape, performance & social anxiety, sacrifices for craft, therapeutic quality. The themes generated pointed at the need for future therapeutic intervention for live performers to improve their emotional and psychological wellbeing and it recommended using the element of performing in developing these interventions. Future research in this area will benefit from diversity across age, race, gender and sexuality in participants recruited.
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    Special needs assistants: Understanding role conflict and ambiguity, perceived stress and job satisfaction in school climates
    (Dublin Business School, 2023-03) Kirby, Shirley; Hyland, Pauline
    The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine Special Needs Assistants across school types, perceived stress, job satisfaction and role conflict, and role ambiguity. The convenience sample of Special Needs Assistants (n=396), females (N = 384) 97%, males (N= 2.3%), ages range from 18 to 65. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire comprising of The Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1983); Job Satisfaction Scale (Spector,1983), and Role Conflict & Role Ambiguity Scale (Rizzo et al,.1970). Analyses Special schools differed significantly in Perceived stress across the four school types, with a positive correlation between role conflict and role ambiguity and job satisfaction, perceived stress is significantly predicated by role conflict and role ambiguity, and perceived stress is significantly predicted by job satisfaction, no significant difference in levels of job satisfaction across school types and significant difference in role conflict and role ambiguity across the school types. This study found that SNAs were dissatisfied with their pay, opportunities for promotion, and salary. This may suggest that employers should consider addressing these issues to improve job satisfaction. Implications of the current study were discussed along with suggestions for future research.