Mathematical Sciences

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Mathematical research at MSU is focused primarily on related topics in pure and applied mathematics. Research programs complement each other and are often applied to problems in science and engineering. Research in statistics encompasses a broad range of theoretical and applied topics. Because the statisticians are actively engaged in interdisciplinary work, much of the statistical research is directed toward practical problems. Mathematics education faculty are active in both qualitative and quantitative experimental research areas. These include teacher preparation, coaching and mentoring for in-service teachers, online learning and curriculum development.

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    National Let’s Talk Online Video Pilot Results
    (Montana State University, 2017-03) Flagg, Kenneth A.; Tran, Tan; Lin, Lillian
    Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death for young adults in the United States. Although online messages have emerged as a new vehicle for suicide prevention efforts over the last decade, few have been systematically evaluated. This study examined the effectiveness of two suicide prevention videos – one from a community-based, narrative prevention program (Let’s Talk), and one from an established school-based curriculum (Signs of Suicide) in reducing stigma of help-seeking. Methods: 596 college students recruited from a national online panel by Qualtrics Survey Software were randomly assigned to two interventions and one control group during the 2017-18 school year. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by students in all groups at baseline and approximately 2 weeks after program implementation. Results: 291 students completed both the baseline and follow-up questionnaires (a 49% follow-up rate). Lower rates of self-stigma of seeking help (SSOSH) were observed among students in the SOS intervention group. On average, the mean SSOSH score of the participants in the SOS group decreased 1.76 more than those in control group (P = 0.0474) with 95% confidence interval from 0.02 to 3.50. There was no evidence that the sttudents' race/ethnicity, grade, and gender altered the impact of the intervention on any of the outcomes assessed in this analysis. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary analysis of the intervention, but further evaluations are needed with a larger and more racially and socio-economically diverse sample. SOS continues to be one of the only universal school-based suicide prevention programs to demonstrate significant effects of self-stigma of seeking help in a study utilizing a randomized experimental design.
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    Let’s Talk Online Video Pilot Results
    (Montana State University, 2017-03) Flagg, Kenneth A.; Schupbach, Jordan; Lin, Lillian
    Background: Montana has the highest suicide rate in the nation, with 26 deaths from suicide per 100,000. To address this threat, young adults were recruited to perform community-based theatre projects about the importance of seeking professional help for depression and thoughts of suicide. This study examined the effectiveness of two short documentaries that were based on the Let’s Talk theatre intervention in reducing stigma of help-seeking. Methods: 87 students at a college in Billings, Montana were randomly assigned to two interventions and one control group during the 2016-17 school year. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by students in all groups at baseline and approximately 2 weeks after program implementation. Results: 38 students completed both the baseline and follow-up questionnaires (a 44% follow-up rate). Lower rates of self-stigma of seeking help (SSOSH) were observed among students in the longer format intervention group. For respondents in that intervention group, we estimate the mean SSOSH score decrease to be 4.16 (SE = 1.67) more than the mean score decrease for individuals in the control group (P = 0.017). There was no evidence that the students' race/ethnicity, grade, and gender altered the impact of the intervention on any of the outcomes assessed in this analysis. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary analysis of the intervention, but further evaluations are needed with a larger and more racially and socio-economically diverse sample. Let’s Talk continues to be a unique, narrative-based suicide prevention program with demonstrated effects on self-reported stigma of help-seeking in a study utilizing a randomized experimental design.
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