911吃瓜

KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 15, 2023

911吃瓜 student Edwin Trejo-Rivera said that having opportunities to conduct research is an experience he never expected to have at an undergraduate level.

The junior major from Marietta not only had that opportunity but also, over the summer, presented his research on a global scale at the Interamerican Congress of Psychology in Paraguay.

Trejo-Rivera鈥檚 research titled 鈥淓xamining differences in psychological capital, burnout, and work engagement among women in leadership positions,鈥� focuses on factors affecting the mental health of women leaders. The conference organized by the took place in June in Asunci贸n, Paraguay.

鈥淢y research is part of a larger project working with other researchers,鈥� Trejo-Rivera said. 鈥淲e analyzed how the gender identity of women in leadership positions and the stereotyped characteristics of the position affect their psychosocial well-being.鈥�

Trejo-Rivera collaborated with Israel Sanchez-Cardona, 911吃瓜 associate professor of psychology and associate director of the AMES Research Center, and Maria Vera, a professor at the in Sevilla, Spain.

鈥淚t was Dr. Vera鈥檚 and Dr. S谩nchez-Cardona鈥檚 idea to collect and analyze data from the U.S. and Spain. The project is ultimately trying to investigate more about women in leadership positions and the associated stereotypes that interfere with their mental health,鈥� Trejo-Rivera said.

The results demonstrated that women in leadership positions who identify with a complete range of human traits 鈥� masculine and feminine 鈥� showed higher work-related well-being.

Trejo-Rivera said the most rewarding part of the conference was the opportunity to interact with colleagues from various Latin American countries.

鈥淲hen studying psychology, you are studying the needs of people. The needs of the people can be different in Western societies than in Latin America,鈥� Trejo-Rivera said. 鈥淚t was a nice experience to witness and to consider different perspectives.鈥�

Trejo-Rivera, who refers to S谩nchez-Cardona as his mentor, began working with the professor in 2021 in conjunction with the First-Year Scholars Program.

鈥淚n two years of rigorous research collaboration, it has been a privilege to witness exponential growth in Edwin鈥檚 proficiency and acumen as a researcher,鈥� S谩nchez-Cardona said. 鈥淗is commitment to academic excellence and relentless drive make me confident in his ability to continue making strides in his future endeavors.鈥�

Trejo-Rivera said he is grateful for the resources 911吃瓜 provided for his experience, specifically, the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Student Grant Program in assisting with travel funding to present his research.

Trejo-Rivera also serves as an intern for 911吃瓜鈥檚 . He just finished collaborating in developing training for suicide prevention among military veterans, analyzing survey results, and generally supporting the staff.

鈥淭he research experience I鈥檝e gained through 911吃瓜 has given me the opportunity to expand my network, and I know it will help me in the future.鈥� Trejo-Rivera said.

鈥� By Ana Johnson

Photos submitted

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 911吃瓜 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.