Digital Commons Network^™

How Does Psychopathology Impact The Trajectory From State To Trait Mindfulness?, Veronica O'Brien

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has found that higher levels of trait mindfulness protect against psychopathology (e.g., Chiesa & Serretti, 2013; Desrosiers et al., 2013; Sevilla-Llewellyn-Jones et al., 2018); however, the research on state mindfulness and psychopathology is more mixed. These mixed findings suggest that some clients with higher levels of psychopathology may have greater difficulty engaging with mindfulness practice thereby hampering their progression towards trait mindfulness and its associated benefits. The present study sought to explore how psychopathology (i.e., anxiety, trauma, alcohol use, and depression) relates to the growth of state and trait mindfulness. The present study recruited 274 participants from a …

Perceived Credibility Of Allegations Of Sexual Assault Across Victim Race And Mental Health History, Liyah C. Morgan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Previous research examined the effect of victim gender and rape myth acceptance (RMA) on perceptions of victim credibility; however, little attention has been given to the impact of victim race and mental health history, and even fewer studies have explored the intersection of these two identities. The primary purpose of the current study was to identify factors affecting understanding of perceived credibility of victims of sexual assault, specifically in terms of victim race and mental health history. The study also examined the role of RMA on perceptions of credibility and explored participant attitudes related to color-blind racial attitudes and mental …

South Asian American Experiences Of Microaggressions And Wellbeing: The Moderating Role Of Social Support, Archita Birla

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although the South Asian American community is rapidly expanding in the United States (South Asian Americans Leading Together [SAALT], 2015), there remains a dearth of psychological research regarding the impacts on mental health and wellbeing affecting this diverse community. Racial microaggressions, or verbal or behavioral actions indicating hostile or negative attitudes toward marginalized individuals (Sue et al., 2007), negatively impact People of Color (POC) mental health and wellbeing (Forrest-Bank & Jenson, 2015a; Nadal, Wong, et al., 2015). Some research exists on South Asian American communities and microaggressions (Houshmand et al., 2014; Poolokasingham et al., 2014) but there is limited research …

Substance Misuse And Suicidal Behaviors In An Lgbtqia+ Sample: Examining The Buffering Effects Of Psychological Flexibility And Emotional Regulation, Mariano Ottone

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Suicidal behaviors among LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly in the context of substance misuse, present a significant area of exploration for mental health research and intervention. It is particularly important to evaluate factors capable of moderating this relationship, to promote more culturally affirming prevention models. This study aimed to explore the moderating roles of emotion regulation (ER) and psychological flexibility in the relationship between substance misuse and suicidal behaviors within the LGBTQIA+ community. Data were collected from 537 LGBTQIA+ adults through an online survey platform. Participants were asked to self-report on measures assessing the constructs of interest. The analysis focused on understanding …

Patterns Of The Use And Perception Of Cannabis Among College Students In Tennessee, Jayla Ruffus-Milner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cannabis has been historically difficult to research due to its federal scheduling. However, as legalization of cannabis medically, recreationally, or both in states across the country has increased, so has the need to address the research gaps that persist. The purpose of this study was to explore the patterns of cannabis use and perceptions of college students in Tennessee, which encompass a demographic of mainly young adults who are typically associated with high usage patterns. The study uses quantitative data collected from an online survey sent to a university in East Tennessee to evaluate associations between students’ age, gender, race/ethnicity, …

Co-Rumination, Psychological Inflexibility, And Internalizing Symptoms In Adolescence, John Parigger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Two risk factors for anxiety and depression in adolescence were examined: co-rumination, which occurs when friends excessively talk about problems; and psychological inflexibility, which occurs when one avoids negative feelings and fails to act on values. I hypothesized that psychological inflexibility would exacerbate the effect of co-rumination on adolescent anxiety and depression. Participants were 167 adolescents (Mage = 14.60 years, SD = 1.3; 65.7% cisgender males) who completed standard measures as part of an online survey. Results indicated no moderation effect, but there were main effects of co-rumination and psychological inflexibility on depression symptoms. Co-rumination may relate to …

Shakespeare’S Economies Of Hospitality: Broken Comedies, Bad Hosts, And Troublesome Guests, John Henry Sauls

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Examining four Shakespeare plays for moments of hospitality and inhospitality, the question must be asked, “Is hosting and guesting necessary to maintain strong community?” In this exploration, hospitality is examined in four of Shakespeare’s plays, tracing its effects on the communities within those plays, showing that without hospitable performance, community falters and may eventually break apart. Such exploration of what goes well and not so well with hospitality offers a wealth of insight into cultural studies. Specific characters from these four plays are crucial to this study, as they provide concrete examples of human interactions gone awry and then …

Relationship Satisfaction For Significant Partners Of The Incarcerated: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Carrie Elizabeth Lund

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The United States incarcerates more individuals than any other country in the world (The Sentencing Project, 2023). Because of this, it is imperative that counseling professionals understand the lived experiences of those impacted by incarceration. Though research exists focusing on the effects of incarceration on children and families, there is still only a small body of research dedicated to understanding how incarceration impacts significant partners of the incarcerated. This study examined the lived experiences of eight significant partners of the incarcerated (SPIs) to better understand the ways in which incarceration impacted their romantic relationship satisfaction. Through the use of Interpretative …

We’S Tied Boss: The Lived Experiences Of Black Professional Staff At A Historically White Institution During The Black Lives Matter Movement, Angela Smith Kuykendoll

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although research has been conducted on the lived experiences of Black student affairs professionals and academic advisors at Historically White Institutions (HWIs), the literature is scant in its representation of the larger body of Black Professional Staff (BPS) and their experiences. BPS are undervalued and disregarded and are a vital part of the fabric of HWIs. Drawing on Critical Race Theory in Education, anti-Black racism, and plantation politics, the purpose of this critical race methodology study was to describe how Black Professional Staff experienced and navigated racism at an HWI in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement (BLM). …

Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy And Curricular Decision-Making In Elementary Art Education, Adeline Lynn White

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Contemporary art education fails to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population in K–12 schools. Although there is an increased understanding and awareness that culture must become essential to the art education of students, there is a gap in research on how art educators individually and collectively create culturally sustaining curricula and how it is implemented into the classroom and received by students. This holistic multiple-case study addresses the lack of culturally sustaining pedagogy (CSP) in the curricula used by art educators across the United States by examining how five elementary art educators designed opportunities to center student …

Perceptions Of Mattering Among General Education Teachers: Replication, Validation, And Extension Of The Fundamental Elements Of Mattering Scale For Teachers (Fems-T), Kailey B. Thornton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aims to replicate, validate, and extend previous research on mattering in general education teachers. Specifically, this study sought to explore the psychometric properties of the Fundamental Elements of Mattering Scale for Teachers (FEMS-T; Wilfong, 2021). Participants completed demographic questions as well as questions related to their feelings of mattering as a teacher (N = 343). The study confirmed the factor structure of a streamlined 24-item FEMS-T, which exhibited better fit than the original 40 items identified by Wilfong (2021). The FEMS-T also demonstrated internal reliability and convergent validity with the Workplace Mattering Scale (WMS; Jung & Heppner, 2017). …

The Art Of Sex Work: The Figure Of The Sex Worker In Modernist And Contemporary Art, Francesca Rose Manard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The figure of the sex worker has been a recurring theme throughout modernist and contemporary art, signifying a variety of meanings that have been continually redefined by cultural conditions. This thesis analyzes how sex workers’ identities have been constructed through the visual arts, beginning at the advent of the modernist movement in the nineteenth century and concluding with twenty-first century contemporary art. The ways that the lived experiences of sex workers have manifested themselves in visual art grounds the discussion alongside analysis of the historical context for each artwork. While art prior to the advent of the women’s art movement …

Transmuting Childhood Trauma: A Case Study Exploring The Impact Of Childhood Trauma On The Career Choice And Teaching Experiences Of Special Education Teachers, Monica Bester

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, there has been a growing body of research on childhood trauma and its potential effects on the development of a child into adulthood. The findings of this research indicate that those who have undergone traumatic experiences might demonstrate effects in their behavior, interactions with others, management of stressful situations, and even in their career decisions as they mature in age. As research on the impact of trauma on career choices continues to expand, this study looks at trauma’s impact on the experiences and decisions of Special Education Teachers. This qualitative case study uses Contemporary Trauma Theory as …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of Novices And Experts Testing Nielsen's Five User Assumption Within A Learning Technology, Jessica Danielle Gatewood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This non-experimental causal-comparative study aims to explore the possible effect of expertise on learning experience design (LXD) deviation identification and the classification of these deviations in alignment with provided learning experience design constructs within a learning technology. Additionally, this study challenges Nielsen’s (1993) Five User Assumption regarding how many novices or experts are needed to identify 80% of LXD deviations within the learning technology. According to Nielsen’s (1993) Five User Assumption, only five participants are required to identify 80% percent of usability problems; however, this assumption has yet to be tested within a learning technology (Nielsen, 1993). A convenience sample …

The Future Of Black Girlhood: Creative Expressions Of Black Girls' Imagination, Jamesha L. Hayes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Historically, opportunities have been limited for Black girls to share their girlhood experiences with mainstream society due to the lack of scholarship produced on Black girlhood. Additionally, there are limited narratives written by Black girls on their girlhood experiences. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to gather Black girls’ perspectives on Black girlhood through curated images of Black girlhood in the future. This study used two theoretical orientations: Black feminism and Black radical imagination. Both theories provided the study with the framework necessary to hear the girls’ unfiltered truths and provided the girls with methods to create future …

Exploring Knowledge And Perceptions Of Nursing Students: A Quantitative Study On Sexual Assault And Sex Trafficking Awareness, Isabella Marino

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aims to explore nursing students' knowledge and perceptions of identifying and treating victims of sexual assault and sex trafficking. Survey data was collected from second to fifth semester nursing students in Eastern Tennessee. The study aims to identify students' perceptions of medical personnel's ability to identify and treat sexual assault and sex trafficking victims, examine whether adherence to myths affects knowledge and confidence levels, determine students' confidence in identifying and treating victims, and evaluate whether demographic characteristics affect identification and treatment. Results will help improve our approach towards these issues.

Predictors Of Sexual Behaviors Of Launching Adults In A Post-Roe World, Brandon Hunter Gardenhire

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent changes in abortion law created a need to study how these changes may affect the most at risk and sexually active community: launching adults. This study investigated if abortion attitude and political identity predict risky sexual behavior of launching adults, even in the presence of the reliable predictor of sexual attitudes. Forty-one unmarried launching adults (18-25) were recruited through snowballing and convenience sampling. Results revealed that abortion attitude was a significant predictor of risky sexual behavior (F(1,39) = 5.25, p < .05, ß = .462, R² = .119), but not while in the presence of sexual attitudes. There …

Investigating Self-Perception Of Speech And Motivation For Return To Intervention For Post Cochlear Implantation In Young Adults, Madison Henry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Cochlear Implants (CI) are designed to address severe to profound hearing loss. When implantation occurs after language develops, it is referred to as post-lingual (PL) implantation. Currently, no interventions have been identified to address the communication challenges that young adults with PL-CIs may face after they complete post-CI rehabilitation services. This study analyzes if an individualized intervention plan is beneficial for a person with PL-CIs when experiencing changing communication demands in the transition to college or the workforce. Methodology: Baseline assessments were conducted; the results of which allowed for the establishment of four co-constructed goals. These goals were targeted …

The Women’S Renaissance: An Analysis Of Gender Expectations And Experiences In Early Modern Europe, Taryn Shelnutt-Beam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In 1976 Joan Kelly released her influential article “Did Women have a Renaissance?” Kelly argued that women did not enjoy any of the benefits of the period. Rather, she claimed, the lives of women were actually worse after the 1400s than they had been before. Since 1976, new primary documents authored by women have been discovered. Moreover, new access to relevant writings by authors like Francesco Barbaro, Pier Vergerio, Leonardo Bruni, Juan Luis Vives, and Erasmus make revisiting Kelly’s arguments possible. This thesis uses a sample of these texts to explore women’s experiences and create innovative avenues to explore in …

Comparative Analysis Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy’S Effectiveness In An Intensive Outpatient Program Setting, Efrain Frank Ellin Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a comparative analysis of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and treatment as usual (TAU) within an intensive outpatient program setting, evaluating their effectiveness in enhancing various dimensions of psychological well-being. Guided by two main research questions, the study investigates whether ACT demonstrates greater or equal effectiveness compared to TAU and if it provides more immediate effects on psychological well-being within three weeks. Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, the research incorporates a comprehensive array of measurement tools to assess outcomes related to anxiety, depression, stress, psychological flexibility, cognitive flexibility, emotion regulation, mindfulness self-efficacy, and life satisfaction among participants. The …

A Comparison Of Student Academic Variables In Mixed Teaching Methods And Traditionally Taught Biology Courses At Participating Community Colleges In Tennessee, Elesha Goodfriend

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to compare academic variables from students participating in mixed teaching methods/course revitalization biology courses to those in traditional courses at two community colleges in Tennessee. A two-group comparison design using archived data was used, which evaluated differences in final grades, exam scores, and homework completion as indicators of the academic success between an urban institution and a rural college. A power analysis was performed using G*Power software to provide the needed sample size, indicating a size of 176. There were 227 students in the active teaching lecture classrooms, and 198 students in the …

Understanding Community College Student Perceptions Of Academic Advising, Benjamin Umbarger, Jr.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate community college student perceptions of academic advising for 12 first-time first-generation (FTFG) General Studies students attending a rural southeastern community college. The phenomenological research approach was utilized to better understand participant experiences by exploring participants' perceptions through their lived experiences. Applying purposeful sampling techniques, five females and seven males were identified, with 11 classified as full-time students and one classified as part-time. One-on-one interviews and focus group were conducted in-person or virtually, using Zoom and Microsoft Teams, with each participant to better understand student perceptions of their initial academic advising …

Endo/Exo, Delaney Rogers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The artist, Delaney Shae Rogers, discusses her Master of Fine Arts exhibition, Endo / Exo, held at the Tipton Gallery in downtown Johnson City, TN. The exhibition dates are from March 25th through April 5th, 2024, with a public reception held April 5th, 2024. The author provides insight into the concept behind the work in the exhibition and shares how the making process and specific materials impact the work. This body of work explores coping with grief, anxiety, and the state of the world through the process of making and communicating otherwise difficult topics through visually digestible symbolic language.

Reviving “Cult”: A Qualitative Analysis Of A Female-Led Cultic Sect, Olivia Summers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research analyzes the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOF), a female-led Evangelical church that social scientists have not yet studied. My thesis explores how a female leader operates within a patriarchal space and why WOF owns a Holocaust Museum. I conducted content analysis of the church and museum websites, Google reviews, and visited the museum in person. My research highlights the limitations of current taxonomies of religion in sociology. I address this oversight, argue for the re-introduction of “cult” as an analytical term, and propose a rubric for cult identification. I suggest that WOF is a sectarian cult with similar …

Gentleman Death In Silk And Lace: Death And The Maiden In Vampire Literature And Film, Emily Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis contains an examination in the psychosocial significance of Hans Baldung Grien’s “Death and the Maiden” art motif, created during the Renaissance period following the Black Death, and its resurgence in the vampire fiction genre of both literature and film. I investigate the motif in Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897) and Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire (1976) as well as their film adaptations by Francis Ford Coppola (1992) and Neil Jordan (1994), respectively. By examining the presence of the motif in art, literature, and film, I found that the common threads across all investigated works were the dominant social …

An Exploratory Study Of The Southern Subculture Of Honor In East Tennessee, Rachel Cohen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The culture of honor theory proposed by Nisbett and Cohen (1996) addresses the historically higher rates of violent crime in the Southern United States, as well as the disparities that can be observed in the laws, beliefs, and social expectations between the South and other regions. Previous research has reported significant differences between the beliefs of acceptable violence among Southerners compared to non-Southerners; however, no research has been conducted comparing different demographic groups of Southerners. The current study sought to evaluate whether there were observable differences between various demographic attributes such as gender, race, age, educational attainment, political affiliation, prior …

Ìlànà Òrí-Òkè Àtiyanrìn: T(H)Reading Sands And Mountains, Akintayo Akintobi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The artist presents his Master of Fine Arts exhibition, entitled Ìlànà Òrí-òkè Àtiyanrìn: T(h)reading Sands and Mountains. The exhibit was mounted in Tipton Gallery in downtown Johnson City, TN, from February 1 to February 9, 2024. The exhibition consisted of 13 artworks, including mixed media paintings, fibers, sculptures, and installations. In this thesis, Akintobi discusses his life experiences growing up in Nigeria and traveling to the United States for his MFA, and how these experiences have affected his art over the past three years.

Through the exhibition, the artist delves into the intersection and variances of cultural perspectives, exploring …

Teacher Support For Virtual Instruction In The Social Studies Classroom, Lindsay Weirich

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research study focuses on providing professional development for teachers using virtual reality in secondary social studies classrooms. Literature surrounding virtual reality for education focuses on the effects of virtual reality on student motivation and engagement. However, there are no current studies available to help instructional coaches or academic leaders provide adequate professional development for their staff on this topic. The purpose of this mixed-methods exploratory case study is to design a professional development founded on best practices in VR and instructional coaching to help support social studies teachers integrate VR in the classroom. Research questions include: 1) How do …

The Components Necessary In A Clinical Day Program For A Successful Transition To Traditional School, Erica Parker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine what components of academic and therapeutic clinical day programs ensure success for students with mental health diagnoses as they transition back to conventional educational settings. This study focused on the importance of developing students' capabilities to fulfill their own needs within Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs through coping skills, academic skills, and ensuring those skills transition to their traditional home school setting. The research questions guiding this study were: 1. How is “successful reintegration” defined for students with mental health concerns by the students, families, teachers, and other school staff? 2. What program …

Exploring Teacher’S Choices To Promote Diverse Classroom Libraries: A Narrative Case Study Approach, Samantha Leigh Stephens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this narrative case study was to identify how teachers include diverse literature in their classroom libraries to provide students with multiple opportunities to read different points of view. The central research questions were: How do teachers provide students with opportunities to explore differing viewpoints through books in classroom libraries? How do teachers choose books and materials to create safe spaces for diverse learners through classroom libraries? Lastly, how are laws impacting how teachers select books to include in their classroom libraries?

Data collection consisted of focus group interviews where teachers shared their experiences with providing students opportunities …