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The Freshman Life And Student Health (Flash) Study: Using Social Network Analysis To Understand How Obesity And Stigma Impact Emerging Adult Health, Alena C. Borgatti
The Freshman Life And Student Health (Flash) Study: Using Social Network Analysis To Understand How Obesity And Stigma Impact Emerging Adult Health, Alena C. Borgatti
All ETDs from UAB
Both racial discrimination and weight stigma have been identified as risk factors for poorer mental, physical, and social health. College students are vulnerable to the effects of stigma, as they greatly value peer acceptance and friendships during a pivotal time of emotional and health behavior development. The present study was the first to use social network analysis to examine the impact of weight and racial discrimination on the development of college social relationships and how these experiences influence students’ physical and mental health. 1330 participants (69% of on-campus freshmen) completed a brief survey on social networks, physical health, mental health, …
Exploring The Associations Between Cognitive Training, Social Determinants Of Health, And Driving Behaviors: A Longitudinal Analysis Of The Active Study, Katie Wheeler
All ETDs from UAB
As the average lifespan increases, older adults are remaining independent into older ages than before. The ability to drive a vehicle is an essential part of daily living that helps older adults maintain independence. Cognitive training, specifically speed of processing training (SOPT), is an intervention that has consistently shown to benefit older adult’s driving abilities and driving behaviors. This dissertation examined the longitudinal association between cognitive training and primary driving location on crash risk across 20 years (Paper 1), investigated the effects of cognitive training and dosage on driving mobility across 10 years (Paper 2), and explored social determinants of …
Investigating Impacts Of Caregiving On Cognitive Function: Role Of Social Support, Lu Tian
Investigating Impacts Of Caregiving On Cognitive Function: Role Of Social Support, Lu Tian
All ETDs from UAB
Study Aim: Using the stress process model as a framework, this dissertation aims to investigate the role of social support on the influence of informal caregiving on cognitive function of caregivers aged 50 years and older and to look at potential gender and racial differences in this association. Method: Leveraging data from the 2016 to 2020 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), this research employs Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis to examine the influence of caregiving on the cognitive function of older adults. To comprehensively understand the pathways through which caregiving impacts cognitive outcomes, I use mediation …
Investigating Scientific Self-Concept In The General Chemistry Laboratory While Performing Course-Based Undergraduate Research Throughout A Pandemic, Josh Forakis
All ETDs from UAB
Climate change, waste management crises, and global pandemics emphasize the need for a thriving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce, and one of the jobs of STEM educators is to provide meaningful educational experiences that engage STEM students in scientific practices, broaden their worldview, and prepare them for a future career in the scientific field. Undergraduate research experiences have been shown to benefit STEM students, but few students can participate, especially at early stages in their undergraduate studies. To broaden participation in undergraduate research, an honors general chemistry laboratory course was converted into a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) …
Rates, Presentation, & Effects Of Public Autism Stigma, Monica Abdul-Chani
Rates, Presentation, & Effects Of Public Autism Stigma, Monica Abdul-Chani
All ETDs from UAB
Limited availability of resources regarding developmental issues, health literacy, linguistic-sensitivity (i.e., use of linguistically appropriate resources and measures), structural barriers (i.e., appointment length, transportation), and cultural values and beliefs are commonly-cited barriers in identifying Latine autistic children. Stigma may also play a role, as it is negatively related to both knowledge/awareness within ASD and to acculturation in other disorders (i.e., HIV). Stigma can have detrimental, pervasive effects on daily living for those stigmatized and their families. Limited research examined the rate, presentation, and effect of ASD stigma within the Latine community, and all available studies explored stigma as reported by …
Effects Of Mindfulness-Based Intervention On Mental Health Outcomes In Youth Who Are Underserved, Melanie Grace Albright
Effects Of Mindfulness-Based Intervention On Mental Health Outcomes In Youth Who Are Underserved, Melanie Grace Albright
All ETDs from UAB
olescence, a period of rapid brain maturation and development coincides with the development of mental health disorders. Many teens in the United States with diagnosable mental health conditions lack mental health treatment due to limited access and provider availability, particularly affecting adolescents who are underserved. School-based interventions, including those centered around mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) have shown promise in their effectiveness among adolescents. This study examines the impact of an in-school MBSR-based program, MindUP, on mental health outcomes, including depressive symptomology, anxiety symptomology, and perceived stress, in adolescents who are underserved. Additionally, focus group discussions were conducted with students participating …
The Association Of Cognitive And Physical Functioning With Health And Mortality Outcomes Among Puerto Ricans, Cheyanne Celine Barba
The Association Of Cognitive And Physical Functioning With Health And Mortality Outcomes Among Puerto Ricans, Cheyanne Celine Barba
All ETDs from UAB
Puerto Rico has experienced a rapid increase in the older adult population over the last decade. With a growing older adult population, the importance of healthy aging becomes increasingly more important to understand. Understanding the impact that impairments in cognitive and physical functioning have on older adults in Puerto Rico will be important to supporting the rapidly aging population. The current project proposed to (1) examine predictors of transition to frailty, (2) examine whether cognitive function and frailty are associated with healthcare utilization, and (3) examine frailty and cognitive impairment as predictors of mortality and Alzheimer’s disease related cause of …
On The Privacy Leakage Via Neural Devices, Anuradha Mandal
On The Privacy Leakage Via Neural Devices, Anuradha Mandal
All ETDs from UAB
Brain-computer interfaces, such as consumer-grade EEG headsets, are getting popularity in gaming and entertainment industries, and among people with certain disabilities. However, the increasing popularity of EEG headsets creates significant privacy risks. Silently conversing with the computing system is now possible using neuromuscular signals, for instance, untold digit recognition with higher accuracy is possible, which can inadvertently retrieve PIN or password merely from brainwave signals. These applications can reveal much more private information than their designated benign purpose, for instance, while detecting the job performance of a worker, sensitive information like Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, substance abuse disorder or heart disease, …
The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On College Students With Disabilities Or Pre-Existing Conditions: A Qualitative Dissertation, Caro Celestine Holmes Wolfner
The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On College Students With Disabilities Or Pre-Existing Conditions: A Qualitative Dissertation, Caro Celestine Holmes Wolfner
All ETDs from UAB
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a global and multifaceted impact on public health. The onset of the pandemic has resulted in widespread campus closures and transitions from in-person classes to online learning, further exacerbating the mental health crisis brought about by the pandemic. The effects of federal and state regulations have influenced the psychological well-being and mental health of many, more notably for college students with disabilities or pre-existing conditions. However, COVID-19 research on college students with disabilities or pre-existing conditions is limited and mostly international, thus it is of great importance to address these limitations. This phenomenological study …
Promoting The Safe Mobility Of Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Austin M. Svancara
Promoting The Safe Mobility Of Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Austin M. Svancara
All ETDs from UAB
Having access to adequate transportation is important for employment, healthcare, and community involvement needs. Unfortunately, the transportation needs of many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are currently not being met. Despite having the capability to achieve licensure, a significant portion of high functioning individuals with ASD are delaying licensure or not getting their driver’s license at all. High functioning individuals with ASD are likely to have the capacity to operate a motor vehicle safely, supporting the proposition that there are existing barriers to licensure beyond the contributing role of ASD traits. This dissertation examined the perceived driving styles and …
Preventing Unintentional Childhood Injuries In Rural Uganda: Caregiver Perceptions And Promotion Of Personal Safety Skills Through Classroom-Based Instruction, Marissa H. Swanson
Preventing Unintentional Childhood Injuries In Rural Uganda: Caregiver Perceptions And Promotion Of Personal Safety Skills Through Classroom-Based Instruction, Marissa H. Swanson
All ETDs from UAB
Objective: Unintentional childhood injuries present a substantial public health burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) including Uganda. Interventions to reduce this risk should be responsive to children’s unique developmental, environmental, and sociocultural context. This project had three primary objectives: 1) Analyzing caregiver reports of child injury events in rural Uganda to identify perceived causal and preventative factors; 2) Identifying Ugandan first and sixth graders’ developmental safety needs by comparing hazard recognition and past-year injuries among these students; and 3) Evaluating the impact of the Careful Cubs intervention on Ugandan first graders’ personal safety knowledge, skills, and beliefs. Methods: 1) …
Superhero Media And Risk-Taking: Is Superhero Play A Risk Factor For Unintentional Injury In Preschool-Aged Children?, Casie H. Morgan
Superhero Media And Risk-Taking: Is Superhero Play A Risk Factor For Unintentional Injury In Preschool-Aged Children?, Casie H. Morgan
All ETDs from UAB
The preschool years represent a time of rapid human development, hallmarked by exploring one’s environment through gross and fine motor movement, touching and tasting physical objects, and imaginative pretend play. This exploration is developmentally appropriate, but also presents risks. Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for preschool-aged children, and common injuries reflect exploration and risk-taking exhibited during play. Pretend play may be particularly risky if children imitate risky models like superheroes. Superhero media is extremely popular among young children, leading many children to identify closely with superheroes. Frequent exposure and subsequent identification with superheroes is concerning because media …
Examining Family Health Through Family-Centered Care Within An Organizational Context, Bria Kathryn Morgan
Examining Family Health Through Family-Centered Care Within An Organizational Context, Bria Kathryn Morgan
All ETDs from UAB
Introduction: Family health is characterized as a multi-dimensional process that is shaped by a number of social determinants. Similar to individual health, various domains work in conjunction and intersect to produce family health. Family-centered care is one of the many ways that healthcare providers can support health, however, little is known about if and how it is beneficial for family health. Considering the relevance of an organizational context, this study seeks to understand the delivery of care within an organization and providers’ perceptions of family-centered care. Data/Methods: Using the case of the Ronald McDonald House, this study integrates qualitative content …
The Role Of Processing Efficiency In Cognitive Outcomes Of Pediatric Cancer Survivors, Julie A. Trapani
The Role Of Processing Efficiency In Cognitive Outcomes Of Pediatric Cancer Survivors, Julie A. Trapani
All ETDs from UAB
Pediatric cancer and cancer-related treatments may disrupt brain development and maturation, placing survivors at risk for cognitive late effects. Identifying distinct patterns in outcomes across cancer types has been challenging, which has limited the implementation of systematic neurocognitive screening protocols. Emerging research indicates that processing efficiency (PE) impairment, or inefficient neural processing as measured by working memory (WM) and processing speed (PS) abilities, is a frequently reported but poorly defined cognitive late effect in survivors of both primary central nervous system (CNS) cancers and cancers of non-CNS origin. This dissertation attempts to 1) review and conceptualize PE skills in pediatric …
Cognition And The Brain Of The Healthy Oldest-Old, Sara A. Sims
Cognition And The Brain Of The Healthy Oldest-Old, Sara A. Sims
All ETDs from UAB
There is an increasing number of people aged 65 and older, particularly in the oldest old cohort (aged 85 and older). Aging is characterized by significant changes in the brain including disruptions to white matter and functional connectivity. While cognition is impacted in many age related diseases, like Alzheimer’s Disease or Parkinson’s Disease, an understanding of the healthy aging brain is important for informing research on successful aging. My dissertation consists of three aims: (1) For the first aim, my overall objective was to determine the validity of the NIH toolbox in the oldest old cohort. I used other standard …
Influencing Factors Of Child Pedestrian Safety In Parking Lots And Residential Streets, Jenni Liveoak
Influencing Factors Of Child Pedestrian Safety In Parking Lots And Residential Streets, Jenni Liveoak
All ETDs from UAB
There is ample data from epidemiological sources that suggest pedestrian risks to young children are a dire public health concern. However, there is very little scientific evidence to adequately understand this concern. Two observational studies revealed potential risks to young pedestrians in non-intersection locations. Both studies unobtrusively observed children between 2-10 years of age and an accompanying adult. First, 124 adult/child dyads were observed crossing from a parked vehicle to the building entrance of six local YMCA locations. Results of this study indicate that adult supervision was inadequate with over 67% of children observed to be unsupervised in the parking …
Shifting The Narrative: Resources Promoting Positive Parenting Independent Of Abuse Risk, Samantha Gonzalez
Shifting The Narrative: Resources Promoting Positive Parenting Independent Of Abuse Risk, Samantha Gonzalez
All ETDs from UAB
Parenting is exceptionally influential during the first few years of children’s lives as this stage represents a sensitive developmental period. Quality of parenting is particularly important and the current empirical focus on prediction of at-risk parenting does not capture the full picture of what contributes to children’s and families’ well-being. Greater understanding of maternal and paternal positive parenting and its contributors—including a focus on potential protective factors to serve as resources—is essential to move family science more reliably toward a model of prevention of adverse outcomes rather than solely intervention. Furthermore, the field continues to be dominated by self-report methods …
Gendering Trust In General Surgery Training: Examining The Role Of Trust Between Residents And Attendings, Alejandra Maria Colon Lopez
Gendering Trust In General Surgery Training: Examining The Role Of Trust Between Residents And Attendings, Alejandra Maria Colon Lopez
All ETDs from UAB
In medical training and throughout medical careers, women face disadvantages –especially in surgery. To better understand origins of these gender inequalities, this study examines the role of gender in surgical training, focusing on trust between faculty serving as attendings and medical residents. An environment of trust enables residents to gain handson experience and acquire practical skills during surgeries performed jointly with attendings. In this sequential explanatory mixed-methods study, 105 surgical encounters were rated utilizing the OpTrust tool, an instrument designed to measure entrustment between surgery residents and attendings. Furthermore, seventeen attendings and ten surgery residents gave in-depth interviews. Attendings’ average …
Increasing Naloxone Access For Persons Who Use Opioids: An Online Recruitment And Training Approach To Opioid Overdose Education And Naloxone Distribution, Michelle L. Sisson
Increasing Naloxone Access For Persons Who Use Opioids: An Online Recruitment And Training Approach To Opioid Overdose Education And Naloxone Distribution, Michelle L. Sisson
All ETDs from UAB
Drug overdose is the primary cause of accidental death in the United States, with a majority of those fatalities involving opioids. Annual rates of fatal opioid overdoses have exponentially increased over the past two decades, leading to the declaration of the current opioid epidemic. The severity of the epidemic has increased due to an upsurge in the use of heroin, synthetic opioids (e.g., fentanyl), and the lacing of other substances with synthetic opioids. As such, federal agencies have made recommendations aimed at combating fatal opioid overdose including the enhancement of naloxone distribution. Administration of naloxone has been expanded from emergency …
An Investigation Of Endogenous Pain Modulation And Inflammatory Biomarkers In Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain, Demario Overstreet
An Investigation Of Endogenous Pain Modulation And Inflammatory Biomarkers In Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain, Demario Overstreet
All ETDs from UAB
ABSTRACT Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is one of the most common disabling conditions in the world, and is one of the leading contributors to medical care seeking in adults. The worldwide prevalence of activity-limiting (acute and chronic) low back pain is about 12%, which equates to approximately 933 million people globally suffering with low back pain at any given time. Despite the prevalence and frequency of medical intervention, sustained pain relief and functional restoration are rarely achieved for those with cLBP. The vast majority of cLBP is “non-specific” with no identifiable pathology of the spine or related tissues. Without …
Embodied Fat Stigma And Health Beliefs About Exercise And Diet, Brie Scrivner
Embodied Fat Stigma And Health Beliefs About Exercise And Diet, Brie Scrivner
All ETDs from UAB
The purpose of this dissertation is to examine how individuals navigate the cultural mandate for thinness, which pressured individuals to pursue weight loss through exercise and restrictive diets. While sustainable weight loss is not probable for the majority of people, there are still significant physical and mental health benefits to be had from engaging in regular, enjoyable movement. For many, physical activity is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. It can improve quality of life for individuals regardless of weight, body size, chronic illness, or disability. However, many fitness facilities focus on weight loss as the most essential goal …
An Investigation Into The Effects Of Diet On Pain And Pain Disparities, Larissa Jane Strath
An Investigation Into The Effects Of Diet On Pain And Pain Disparities, Larissa Jane Strath
All ETDs from UAB
Chronic pain is one of the most common and disabling disorders in Westernsociety. Recently, it has been suggested that dietary quality may play a key role in the development and maintenance of pain. Additionally, diet differs between demographic groups, as does physiological differences in response to metabolites. We sought to explore 1) the central way in which diet influences pain sensitivity and 2) if dietary patterns affected various demographic groups differently. We first employed a rat model to observe diet-related changes in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. In the absence and presence of an injury, rats fed a …
The Role Of Visa Status And Acculturation In The Health Of Us Immigrants, Serra Sevde Hatipoglu
The Role Of Visa Status And Acculturation In The Health Of Us Immigrants, Serra Sevde Hatipoglu
All ETDs from UAB
Using data from the 2003 New Immigrant Survey, I examined the association between visa status and acculturation with physical, mental, and self-rated health among immigrants residing in the United States. The primary predictor variable in the study is immigrant visa status. The outcome variables of interest include physical health as any morbidity (chronic diseases), mental health as depressed (as defined by the DSM-IV) and self-rated health (poor self-rated health). Using logistic regressions, I found those with unfavorable visa statuses have worse mental, physical, self-rated health compared to the favorable visa holders. I used inverse odds ratio weighted (IORW) mediation method …
Social Inclusion Among People With Mobility Limitations In The Global South, Shane Burns
Social Inclusion Among People With Mobility Limitations In The Global South, Shane Burns
All ETDs from UAB
An estimated 15% of the world’s population have a disability—roughly 80% of whom live in the Global South. People with disabilities experience profound social disparities that affect their quality of life and social inclusion. Due to the array of cultural perspectives and institutional capacities around the globe, provision of disability rights can come with its challenges. In many cultural contexts, people have moral beliefs about disability that result in shame. More medicalized beliefs toward disability are often the result of medical infrastructure that offers goods and services. Using a framework that arrays these moral and medical dimensions, I theorized that …
Adolescent Perspectives And Comfort Levels Communicating With Systems Of Care Following Concussion, Sarah Terry Cable
Adolescent Perspectives And Comfort Levels Communicating With Systems Of Care Following Concussion, Sarah Terry Cable
All ETDs from UAB
Objective: To examine 1) adolescent communication comfort levels, 2) barriers to com-munication with systems of care (e.g., family, medical, school, athletic, friends), and 3) associations between communication comfort and demographic, injury characteristics, medical history, emotional well-being, and recovery outcomes following a concussion.Methods: Participants were 73 adolescents (mean age = 14 years old, 61.6% male, 67.1% White) recruited from sports medicine clinics. Communication comfort level ratings with individuals in each system of care were assessed with possible responses including: not at all, a little, somewhat, and very. To evaluate barriers to communication, participants provided reasons for comfort ratings less than very. …
The Relationships Fathers Have With Their Co-Residential Adult Children With Developmental Disabilities: A Qualitative Exploration Of Fatherhood And Masculinity, Kirsten Leigh Ostergren Clark
The Relationships Fathers Have With Their Co-Residential Adult Children With Developmental Disabilities: A Qualitative Exploration Of Fatherhood And Masculinity, Kirsten Leigh Ostergren Clark
All ETDs from UAB
This dissertation explored the relationships between fathers and their co-residential adult children who have been diagnosed with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD). This research addressed 1) the ways fathers understand their involvement in the lives of their adult child with developmental disabilities, especially as it relates to their masculinity; 2) how fathers perceive that their experiences fathering their child have impacted their health and health behaviors, including how masculinity plays a part; and 3) what supports fathers stated they have utilized and recommend, along with what challenges and constraints fathers feel they have faced. My analysis of in-depth interviews …
Psychosocial Risk And Resiliency Factors For Pain Severity Among African Americans With Chronic Low Back Pain, Terence Matthew Penn
Psychosocial Risk And Resiliency Factors For Pain Severity Among African Americans With Chronic Low Back Pain, Terence Matthew Penn
All ETDs from UAB
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is among the most prevalent, disabling, and painful health conditions worldwide, contributing to significant economic and societal costs. In the United States, the burden of chronic pain – including CLBP – disproportionately affects non-Hispanic Blacks (“Blacks”) compared to non-Hispanic Whites (“Whites”), with Blacks consistently displaying greater pain severity and frequency across multiple studies. To help understand these racial pain disparities, researchers have adopted a biopsychosocial model of chronic musculoskeletal pain, examining how cognitive, behavioral, social/environmental, and biomedical factors collectively influence pain outcomes. Different lines of research have investigated the impact of distressing social experiences on …
Examining The Pathophysiology Through Which Violence Exposure Varies With Functional Brain Connectivity And The Psychophysiological Response To Stress, Heather Elizabeth Dark
Examining The Pathophysiology Through Which Violence Exposure Varies With Functional Brain Connectivity And The Psychophysiological Response To Stress, Heather Elizabeth Dark
All ETDs from UAB
Violence exposure during childhood and adolescence is associated with susceptibility to internalizing disorders such as depression and anxiety. The relationship between childhood violence exposure and internalizing disorders may be explained by changes in brain function. For example, childhood maltreatment, including violence exposure, is associated with changes in brain regions that are important for emotion regulation. Reciprocal connections among these brain regions are important for healthy responses to stress. Thus, examining how childhood violence exposure varies with acute stress-induced changes in functional brain connectivity and psychophysiological stress responses may elucidate how childhood violence exposure may contribute to susceptibility to internalizing disorders. …
Driving Attitudes And Avoidance Of Drivers With Asd Or Adhd, William P. Wagner
Driving Attitudes And Avoidance Of Drivers With Asd Or Adhd, William P. Wagner
All ETDs from UAB
People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are much less likely to obtain a driver’s license than their typically developing peers, which limits their social and economic opportunities. Existing research does not support the idea that licensed drivers with ASD are severely worse at driving, so the discrepancy in driving outcomes is likely related to the apprehensions held by people with ASD. In contrast, people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) engage in more risky driving behaviors than drivers without ADHD, and they often have inflated beliefs about their driving abilities. Thus, the way that individuals’ personal capabilities (e.g., speed of processing) impact …
Examining Interpersonal Diffnces Among Caregivers In Health Outcomes Using A Stress Process Model: The Influence Of Adverse Social Experiences And Social Support, Wesley Browning
All ETDs from UAB
Many Americans are informal caregivers who are responsible for caring for their loved ones who have difficulty performing everyday functions. Black and White caregivers each have many of the same burdens associated with caregiving, but often the way in which burden is experienced differs between these two racial groups. Caregiving places unique burden on individuals, and this burden is associated with depression and worse quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to use the stress process model to describe differences between Black and White caregivers. This study also examined the role of adverse social experiences (negative interaction, experiences of discrimination …