Digital Commons Network^™

Gender Differences In Youth’S Mental Health Problems During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kimberly A. Hohlfeld

Honors Capstones

The purpose of this research paper is to examine whether young girls were more likely to experience depression and anxiety symptoms than young boys during the COVID-19 pandemic at two time points, in April of 2020 and May of 2020. An additional hypothesis that was examined was whether the presence of siblings in the home moderated the association between gender and depression and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. T-tests were used to analyze the mean differences in youth mental health symptoms based on gender. Young girls were found to experience significantly higher anxiety symptoms in May of 2020 than …

Health Status And Gender Identity Among Northern Illinois University Students, Faculty And Staff, Blake E. Rooker

Honors Capstones

In the healthcare field, it is critical that practitioners understand their clients. Although support is growing, one of the least understood communities in society is the transgender community. The research set forth by this Capstone seeks to understand how the transgender community views the healthcare they receive. This will help future healthcare practitioners, including doctors, nurses, nutrition professionals, therapists, and so on, know how to best care for transgender clients.

Not A Good Fit For The Job: An Intersectional Study Of Occupational Stereotypes In The Field Of Technology, Jesus Jose Martinez

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Occupational stereotypes are preconceived notions about specific occupations, the people in those occupations, or one’s fit with an occupation (Lipton et al., 1991). Previous studies of occupational stereotyping have been useful to understand the impact of single demographic characteristics (e.g., gender; King et al., 2006) and multiple demographic characteristics (i.e., race-gender interaction; Bertrand & Mullainathan, 2004) on hiring preferences. A set of three studies were conducted to expand the field’s understanding of fit with occupational stereotypes as a mechanism of discrimination toward multiple combinations of social groups in the technology field.

The goal of the first study was to establish …

Perceptions Of 'Ladylike' Language: Assessing Gender Barriers To Sex Communication, Claire C. Miller

Honors Capstones

This research project seeks to identify and analyze the expectations placed on male and female communication as it relates to sex, one area in which communication is highly important. In order to identify these expectations, a survey was distributed to current students at Northern Illinois University asking them to label a series of 30 sexual phrases related to asserting sexual boundaries, stating sexual desires, and asking for consent as being expected to be said by someone who is definitely a man, likely a man, equally likely to be a man or a woman, likely a woman, or definitely a woman. …

Ascension To The Presidency: A Narrative Inquiry Of African American Women, Konya Monique Sledge

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This narrative inquiry study examined the lived experiences of African American women serving as community college administrators to gain perspectives on how they overcame obstacles to career advancement and strategies used to achieve the presidency. Narrative inquiry is used to restory field texts, is applied to underscore their lived experiences, and establishes a timeline detailing their early career experiences. Only one president sought to lead a community college; all others arrived at the presidency by non-traditional paths. Three themes emerged from responses provided by presidents during their interviews and are as follows: (a) nontraditional pathway to presidency; (b) heightened awareness …

Gendering The Holocaust: Analyzing The Influence Of Gender And Sexuality Among Holocaust Perpetrators And Victims., John C. Recktenwall

Honors Capstones

From 1941-1945, the Nazi regime perpetrated one of the worst atrocities in recorded history. Approximately eleven million people would lose their lives, and a nation would be symbolically tried for these crimes at Nuremburg and the subsequent tribunals. Most of the defendants were men, but it is false to assume that the Holocaust was exclusively perpetrated by men. This project explores the atrocities committed by female perpetrators, as well as the experiences of female prisoners. Because of Germany's feminization of homosexual men, their experiences are also included in this project. The concept of gender being a determining factor in the …

Elite Polarization And Gender Effects On Ideology: How This Shapes The Supreme Court On Women’S Rights Cases, Reggie Lynn Semanko

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The study of ideological polarization continues to be an important topic for scholars of behavioral research to scholars of institutional politics. Polarization has not received as much attention in the context of the Supreme Court, yet polarization has begun to play a role in how the Supreme Court is shaped through the nomination process and is likely to continue in its practice. Compared to past Courts, the justices on the Court today are through party and ideology. This paper seeks to answer the question: has the voting behavior of Supreme Court justices over time in abortion and sex discrimination cases …

Often Overlooked, But Not Forgotten: The Influence Of Demographic Measure Constraints On Participant Affect, Attitudes, Behavior, And Response Codability, Joy S. Pawirosetiko

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Despite a growing number of recommendations varying in wording and response options, researchers have yet to agree on how to best request participant gender identity. Evidence suggests that gender binary and gender minority participants perceive gender identity measures differently, with gender binary participants potentially perceiving more gender inclusive measures as laborious and gender minority participants perceiving less gender inclusive measures as misgendering or invalidating. We sought to test whether seven versions of an online questionnaire (six experimental conditions with gender identity questions listed at the beginning of the questionnaire varying in gender inclusivity, and one control condition) significantly impacted participant …

Women Obtaining The Superintendency: An Examination Of Internal And External Barriers That Influence A Woman's Career Trajectory, Jodi J. Megerle

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The role of public school superintendent is one of the most gendered executive positions in the United States, with men twenty times more likely than women to advance from teacher to superintendent. Although the majority of teachers and central office administrators in schools are women, the majority of superintendents are men. Women have made gains, yet under-representation continues to exist. As women break through the barriers, it is important to understand their experiences in administrative leadership as they navigate their careers. How do women in administration think and feel about working toward a male-dominated occupation? What barriers or opportunities have …

Links Between Parenting Behaviors And Anxiety Among Early Adolescents, Jacqueline Marie Pabis

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This study aimed to specify factors, particularly parenting behaviors and gender, that influence the development of anxiety symptoms during early adolescence. Past research tends to incorporate a large age range; thus, this study focused on early adolescence which involves a change in the dynamics of the parent-child relationship such that children become less dependent on their parents. The study collected data from 153 middle school students (Mage = 12.71 years; 54.2% female; 48% White) using an online data collection instrument during study hall periods in the school day. Partial correlations revealed that rejection among both parent figures is the greatest …

Gender Differences In The Experience Of Power And The Underlying Mechanism Of Status, Jasmin Martinez

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the differential experiences of men and women with regard to the possession of power. Power—or the unequal control, influence, and access to resources, people, and things—is a byproduct of the hierarchical order that forms in a multitude of social contexts. As well as being unequally held, power is also unequally exercised. This study aims to understand the differences between men’s and women’s experience of power through the lens of another hierarchical variable: social status. One area with large implications for the impact of unequal power is within the workplace. Past literature has found that women and men …

Gender Similarities And Differences In Military Sexual Trauma, Megan A. Boehning

Honors Capstones

While treatment and knowledge of military sexual trauma has improved, there are still issues in understanding MST and how well victims adjust. There are various consequences that affect MST survivor’s lives, including health, psychological, and lifetime implications. Though men and women both face many of the same outcomes of MST, they also endure gender-specific sequela. This manuscript will examine the similarities and differences in barriers, symptoms, and treatment for men and women service members. Much of the research that is presented in this paper includes meta-analyses as well as singular studies. The main demographics in the studies tend to be …

The Value Of Trust: An Investigation Into Shareholder Biases Regarding Firm Leadership Characteristics, Sean A. Gerent

Honors Capstones

The purpose of our research is to determine whether the value of corporate control is influenced by leadership characteristics. The market for corporate control can reveal the extent of trust shareholders have in the management team.

Juvenile Probation Officers' Attitudes And Treatment Toward “Bad Girls”, Lisa Shelton

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Adolescent girls have a reputation for being the most undesirable population to work with in the judicial and correctional systems. This reputation is largely due to the heavy stigmatization of juvenile girls who do not behave in ways that are consistent with traditional standards of femininity. In this study, I examine probation officers’ interactions with their juvenile clients. I closely noted differences and similarities in the treatment given to boys and girls and where various strategies tend to be either beneficial or unsuccessful.

The New Radicals: How Wage Labor, Physical Abuse And An Agrarian Crisis Shaped Women's Participation In The Zapatista Rebellion, Patrick E. Brady

Honors Capstones

My experiences in San Cristóbal de las Casas have been the primary motivation for my interest in female Zapatistas. Ever since I concluded my research project, I have had a question that has been largely unanswered by scholars. What are the separate economic and social factors that motivated indigenous Tetzel and Tzotzil men and women to volunteer in the Zapatista Rebellion, and how has feminism influenced indigenous women’s participation in the rebellion? Up to this point, few historians have studied the gendered nature of the causes for indigenous participation in the EZLN. Those who have were concerned with the impact …

Gender Differences And Factors Affecting Brand Loyalty, Olivia Rajska

Honors Capstones

Little is known about apparel brand loyalty regarding satisfaction of clothing purchase. This study was developed to examine whether brand satisfaction and brand reputation influence brand loyalty. Another objective of this study was to compare clothing satisfaction of a loyal brand between males and females. Following a focus group interview, a survey questionnaire was developed. A total of 106 participants consisting of 46 males and 58 females completed the survey questionnaire. Results of Pearson Correlations showed brand loyalty was positively related to brand satisfaction (r = .37, p <.001) and brand reputation (r = .33, p <.001). A strong positive correlation (r = .51, p <.001) was found between brand satisfaction and brand reputation. Independent sample t-tests indicated significant differences between males and females in trend (Mf = 4.46, Mm=3.98), promotion(MF = 3.60, Mm=2.90), return policies (Mf = 3.98, Mm=3.20)., display (Mf = 4.08, Mm=3.02), fitting rooms(MF = 3.64, Mm=2.68), store environment (Mf = 4.21, Mm=3.54), sales associates (Mp = 4.02, Mm=3.39) and overall experience (Mf = 3.15, Mm=2.63) on a 5-point scale. This study had implications for apparel retailers and marketers and they could develop brand loyalty for male and female customers. In order to develop customer loyalty, apparel brand should focus on trendy apparel, sales and promotions, return policies, displays, fitting rooms, merchandise layout, sales associates and an overall good store experience.

Gender And Ethnicity As Moderator Of Young Adults' Perception With Their Mother And Grandparents, Erika Quezada

Honors Capstones

Limited research is available on adolescent-grandparent relationships, especially from the young adult perspective and across ethnicities. This study explores the perception of the child-mother and the grandchild-grandparent relationships across Caucasian, African American and Hispanic ethnicities as well as the role young adults' gender plays in predicting the quality of the grandchild-grandparent relationship. This study was based on answers to a structured questionnaire from a sample of274 undergraduate students aged 19-24 at a large Midwestern university. Mixed results suggest that perception of the relationship is moderated by ethnicity and gender. Findings suggest that young adults of Caucasian descent perceived a more …

Hermaphroditus: Imperial Roman Ideals Of Sex, Gender, And Art, Aaron Wilcox

Honors Capstones

When dealing with ancient artifacts, scholars often forget that they are dealing with a completely different culture from their own. It is the aim of this paper to not only re-emphasize the fact that Western culture has only been influenced by Rome, not born from it, but also to attempt to create a valid scenario that puts the reader into a similar mindset as that of the Roman viewer. This study outlines and describes the Roman sexual system in order to establish the existence of negative/contradictory categories to which some people may be associated. The study then dissects the portion …

An Analysis Of Thai Gender Relations, Priyanka Amin

Honors Capstones

Thailand's social behaviors such as gender relations have played a significant part in its culture. Therefore, studying this topic is an essential factor in understanding the rise of its society and civilization. Researching about the Thai culture and social system is a unique experience of its own due to the country's wide-ranging diversity of traditions and rituals. The purpose of this study was to find out the relationship between social behaviors and views, and how these views impacted the role of men and women. The study was limited to examining the changing status of men and women influenced by factors …

Conceptualization Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder : Differences By Trauma Type And Gender, Tracy Muklewicz

Honors Capstones

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder has carried various implications for clinicians, particularly in the areas of gender and trauma type. Extensive literature review provides indication that individual research is fairly restricted to highly specific types of PTSD symptoms and presentations, which could limit the overall effectiveness of the disorder as a diagnostic tool. A history of PTSD as a diagnosis is presented. Three types of trauma are discussed in a research setting: Crime victims, military personnel, and gender non-specific traumas. Each study is reviewed in light of future directions for PTSD research to make the diagnostic category less ambiguous and more applicable …

Gender Differences In Mathematics Achievement, Denise D'Antonio

Honors Capstones

Current research on gender differences in mathematics achievement is summarized. A cross-cultural study of sex differences in attitudes towards mathematics (confidence, individuality and liking) and in attributional patterns in mathematics (ability, effort, task, environment/luck) included American sixth graders (n=155, m=70, f=85) and British 11-12 year olds (n=42, m=18, f=24). Comparisons based on responses to a two-part survey concerning sex of student, sex of teacher, nationality, and achievement level were made. Significant results were obtained in the following categories concerning attitudes about mathematics. American female students with a female teacher liked mathematics more than American female students with a male teacher …

Women As A Political Force : Did The Vote Make A Difference?, Dorene Roberts Sarnoski

Honors Capstones

Whether from traditional history books or women’s studies texts, the pronouncement on women and the vote seems to be the same. The preceding quotes are the conventional assumption of women as a political force. After the vote, we are told, women went back home and nothing changed. With no driving issue, women became apathetical. This is not only a wrong historical fact, but a dangerous one for women. If accepted, it can be used as a weapon against women. Ie: Women aren’t really political. Women did not exercise rights anyway. Suffragists were a small, unimportant group. Most women don’t care …

Is A Student's Dormroom His Castle?, Mark R. Hayden

Honors Capstones

Theories of the Student-University Relationship: The five most common theories are: “expertise,” “privilege,” “in loco parentis,” “property,” and “contract.” I will discuss these in some detail from a historical viewpoint, then try to sum up current law as applied to various Fourth Amendment situations and explore the current student-university relationship. The focus will be on the law’s effect on the student’s right to privacy in his living quarters to answer the question: “is the student’s dormitory room his castle?”

The Changing Perception Of Woman's Role In Society : A Study (1974-1978), David P. Grange

Honors Capstones

There can be no doubt that, in our society today, women have been working hard to advance and better their situation in the home, in the schools, and in the workplace. As early as 1647, Margaret Brent went before the Maryland Assembly to demand that women be given a “place and voyce” in their meetings. In 1848, in Seneca Falls, New York, the first convention on women’s rights took place. In 1920, women were given the right to vote. Throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. This particular act prohibited job …