Like many students, Shaelyn Hostager’s research journey at UMD began with curiosity. She wanted to better understand the psychological impact of using nutrition tracking apps.
After noticing a gap in the research, the psychology graduate student decided to investigate the mental health effects of dietary tracking apps on individuals. “There’s been a lot of research looking at the benefits of dietary tracking and the consequences of dietary tracking. But there’s not a lot of research on why this discrepancy exists,” she explains.
Hostager developed her research methodology to identify key personal characteristics in different people, such as perfectionism, and examine how they shape outcomes of dietary tracking.
Diving into data collection and analysis proved to be a major learning experience. “It’s been a bit of a process … but I’ve been learning a lot about how to sift through your data,” Hostager says.
From the data gathered, Hostager found that outcomes of dietary tracking can vary wildly. For some people, it can be helpful and even motivating. For others, it can create or worsen issues with disordered eating, anxiety or depression.
Looking ahead, Hostager is considering expanding her current study. She’d like to include physical activity tracking, specifically assessing Peloton users. Overall, she’s learned there is a growing correlation between fitness data and mental health. Through her research, she hopes to understand how self-tracking behaviors impact individual well-being.
Hostager says she has been able to grow her research at UMD in part because of the supportive environment in the Department of Psychology. She appreciates working in a smaller program and has been motivated throughout the journey by faculty mentors. “The professors really take time to explain the steps to you in the process,” she says.
Additionally, Hostager feels supported by her fellow students. In the Healthy Living and Learning (H2L) Lab, she was surrounded by “people who have similar interests and are also passionate about research.”
Beyond the UMD lab
Last year, Hostager presented a previous project at the Midwestern Psychological Association conference in Chicago. She and the other students from the H2L Lab travelled to the conference to share their work.
Reflecting on the experience, Hostager says that it was inspirational, “It was really cool to learn more about what other people are doing.” She also enjoyed connecting with other students from across the country and learning from them. Seeing other research projects even sparked new ideas for her, helping her put together the concept of her current research and creating new interests.
Hostager’s graduate research at UMD has taught her some important lessons about being more prepared and adaptable. She acknowledges that research rarely goes exactly as planned, but she has learned to view that unpredictability as an asset. “It’s completely normal to have some road bumps in the way…” she says. “I think in some ways that it’s actually better. The more road bumps you have, the more it forces you to be creative with alternative routes.”
About the Master of Arts in Psychological Science program
Article written by Audrey McLees, a UMD student who is studying human and cell biology. Audrey assists Lissa Maki with communications for the College of Education and Human Service Professions.