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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Framing Discrepancies: A Comparison Of Sex Offender Notification Meetings Between Minnesota Sex Offender Program And Minnesota Department Of Corrections., Justina Bakker Jan 2019

Framing Discrepancies: A Comparison Of Sex Offender Notification Meetings Between Minnesota Sex Offender Program And Minnesota Department Of Corrections., Justina Bakker

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research was to assess if there are similarities and / or in how sex offender notification meetings are conducted by two different agencies who are not legally bound to assist in these meetings, but provide assistance, upon the release of sex offenders from custody. The agencies are the Minnesota Department of Corrections who release sex offender after their completion of custody sentences and the Minnesota Sex Offender Program who release sex offenders upon completion of treatment. Interviews were conducted with professional staff from the both agencies. Analyses of the findings of these interviews, along with an …


Spinning Charlotte's Web: Resident Perceptions And Neutralizations Of A Slaughterhouse Town, Ashley L. Flaherty Jan 2019

Spinning Charlotte's Web: Resident Perceptions And Neutralizations Of A Slaughterhouse Town, Ashley L. Flaherty

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Meat production, consumption, and slaughterhouses significantly affect the environment, public health, and non-human animals. Those who live in communities that house slaughterhouses must negotiate what it means to live and work in this community, and be financially supported by the industry. Understanding how people negotiate the roles that the industry plays in their community through semi-structured interviews was the primary purpose of this study. To reconcile the issues the town faces, the respondents in this study used excuses and justifications, specifically techniques of neutralization, to account for both the company's actions and the social issues the city itself faces.


Effects Of Psychological Need Satisfaction On Proactive Work Behaviors, Shota Kawasaki Jan 2019

Effects Of Psychological Need Satisfaction On Proactive Work Behaviors, Shota Kawasaki

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The present study examined the drivers of proactive behavior in a workplace. Amazon Mechanical Turk workers (N = 218), currently employed in the US for either a full-time or part-time position, completed a questionnaire measuring four different types of proactive work behaviors, three basic psychological needs, task interdependence, task significance, and employee engagement. The most important predictor in the study was the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Participants who scored high on psychological need satisfaction were more likely to perform proactive work behaviors than those who scored low. Also, psychological need satisfaction moderated the relationship …


Mimbres Painted Pottery: Art, Artifact, Or Ancestor? Conversations Concerning Repatriation, Treatment, And Considerations For Contested Collections In Museums, Rachel Vang Jan 2019

Mimbres Painted Pottery: Art, Artifact, Or Ancestor? Conversations Concerning Repatriation, Treatment, And Considerations For Contested Collections In Museums, Rachel Vang

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This research explores current perspectives on the placement and treatment of Native American funerary materials in museum collections, as well as how museum professionals navigate the associated legal, ethical, and cultural considerations of these collections. Of primary concern for the present study is the Mimbres painted pottery vessels from the American Southwest and their associated burial context. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews with various professionals working within and with museums that either have Mimbres collections or those that have relevant experience with Native American materials in museum collections. Patterns of meaning within discussions concerning Mimbres pottery were captured and …


Cliff-Top Dunes In The Lower Chippewa River Valley Of West-Central Wisconsin, Jason Millett Jan 2019

Cliff-Top Dunes In The Lower Chippewa River Valley Of West-Central Wisconsin, Jason Millett

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this Master’s thesis is to investigate recently identified cliff-top sand dunes located within the Lower Chippewa River Valley (LCRV), Wisconsin, USA. Research within the LCRV notes the existence of a variety of aeolian deposits, but a comprehensive explanation of their complete spatial distribution, genesis, age, and paleoenvironmental significance does not exist. In particular, stabilized cliff-top dunes with a parabolic form remain poorly understood. This problem is exacerbated by a lack of clarity in the literature regarding the genesis of dunes in a cliff-top position. Therefore, this thesis begins by reviewing the literature concerning sand dunes in cliff-top …


Teacher Awareness And Perceptions Of Social Media Use And Cyberbullying In Belize, Abbey Linderholm Jan 2019

Teacher Awareness And Perceptions Of Social Media Use And Cyberbullying In Belize, Abbey Linderholm

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Intro: Cyberbullying and other problems related to social media are growing concerns across the world with increased access to technology at home and in schools. Several studies have suggested that although instances of cyberbullying have increased in schools, teachers and other school staff members lack awareness of and training in identifying and preventing instances of it from occurring. The current study investigates school staff member awareness and perceptions of social media use and cyberbullying across two districts in Belize. Methods: A written 47-question survey regarding social media use and awareness and perceptions of cyberbullying was given to voluntary participants across …


Evaluating The Effects Of Tootling When Implemented In Special Education Classrooms Providing Behavior Supports, Jannine E. Ray Jan 2019

Evaluating The Effects Of Tootling When Implemented In Special Education Classrooms Providing Behavior Supports, Jannine E. Ray

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Managing student misbehavior is often a challenge for teachers. Effective classroom behavior management strategies maximize academic instruction time and decrease disruptive behavior. One intervention that has proven to be effective in decreasing disruptive behavior, increasing prosocial behavior, and increasing on-task behavior in the general education classroom is tootling. There are no published studies that have applied tootling in a special education classroom, and this population could greatly benefit from such an intervention. The current study used a multiple baseline design across settings to examine the effectiveness of a tootling intervention in three special education classrooms with students who exhibit behavior …


Perceived Barriers Of Homeschooled Students Moving Into Higher Education: Case Stories And Qualitative Perspectives, Lizbeth Kliewer Jan 2019

Perceived Barriers Of Homeschooled Students Moving Into Higher Education: Case Stories And Qualitative Perspectives, Lizbeth Kliewer

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Homeschooling is a viable educational option for many families. Challenges often arise when students are ready to transition into higher education. Barriers to smooth transitions exist, both for the homeschooled student as well as for college admissions teams. The purpose of this qualitative study was to recognize these barriers in order to increase the potential for working toward solutions for those involved. This study used a combination of case story and qualitative research methodology to gather perspectives through interviews from three homeschooling families in southern Minnesota and three higher education professionals working in the field of admissions. Some of the …


Assessing Facilitator Adherence For The Delivery Of Cognitive Training Programs To Older Adults, Lydia Fry Jan 2019

Assessing Facilitator Adherence For The Delivery Of Cognitive Training Programs To Older Adults, Lydia Fry

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The majority of psychological research has focused on outcomes of intervention, while there has been relatively little focus on measuring adherence to treatment protocol and how competently interventions are delivered. Issues of adherence and competence apply not only to psychotherapy research, but also in the field of cognitive training. The New England Cognitive Center (NECC) has disseminated manualized cognitive training programs for older adults who may be experiencing varying levels of cognitive decline. The purpose of the current study was to develop measures of adherence and competence for the Active Mind cognitive training program created by the NECC as well …


The Effects And Experiences Of Stigma In The Minneapolis Strip Club Industry, Machensey Shelgren Jan 2019

The Effects And Experiences Of Stigma In The Minneapolis Strip Club Industry, Machensey Shelgren

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Utilizing participatory action research with dancers in the Minneapolis strip club industry, the present study examined current dancers’ experiences with stigma, its effects on their quality of life, and stigma management techniques. The present multi-methods study involved an initial survey and follow-up interviews with approximately 60 current dancers within Minneapolis strip clubs. Participants reported experiencing stigma in personal relationships and in the workplace, discrimination by landlords and future employers. Through thematic analysis, seven key themes were identified: dancer identity, assumptions made, loss of social support, profession weaponized against them, housing discrimination, lack of employment mobility, and identity concealment as stigma …


What Works And What Doesn't: An Analysis Of Brand Engagment On Facebook, Laurie Hiebert Jan 2019

What Works And What Doesn't: An Analysis Of Brand Engagment On Facebook, Laurie Hiebert

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Brands and organizations utilize Facebook ‘likes’ and connections in order to promote brand awareness, a positive brand image, and improve purchase intention. Compared to Twitter and Instagram, Facebook remains the dominant platform for brands to sell products and engage consumers with new and upcoming merchandise and events. Consumers are dependent on their friends ‘likes’ and comments in order to make decisions about brands more than they are brand-made posts. This study looks at brand intention, message type, and the ‘like’ to determine what messages, days, and months are the most effective in generating consumer engagement.


Working Conditions For Erotic Dancers: A Review Of Health And Safety Concerns From A Minneapolis Based Needs Assessment, Alexander Twohy Jan 2019

Working Conditions For Erotic Dancers: A Review Of Health And Safety Concerns From A Minneapolis Based Needs Assessment, Alexander Twohy

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The present studies utilizes data from a needs assessment for dancers in Minneapolis-based strip clubs focusing on structural and in-club safety concerns as well as levels of cleanliness within the club. Research was conducted utilizing Participatory Action Research with help from the Sex Workers Outreach Project: Minneapolis. The assessment consisted of an online survey utilizing both quantitative and qualitative questions (n = 62) with follow-up interviews for willing participants (n = 33). Questions regarding personal safety, structural safety, cleanliness levels, and exposure to diseases were reported using descriptive statistics, and qualitative responses were examined with thematic analysis. Data indicated that …


Positive And Negative Effects Of Social Media On Adolescent Well-Being., Katie Kennedy Jan 2019

Positive And Negative Effects Of Social Media On Adolescent Well-Being., Katie Kennedy

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Social media use is rapidly growing among adolescents, studies cite that the rates of “constant use” doubled from 2015 to 2018 (Anderson & Jiang, 2018; Lenhart, 2015). Social media use can have a serious negative impact on areas of well-being including feelings of depression, anxiety, fear of missing out, body image, bullying and sleep. Mojtabai, Olfson and Han (2016) cite the problematic use of mobile phones and social media applications as one of the trends aligning with the increase in major depressive episodes. Conversely, use of social media can promote positive feelings of well-being including creating a sense of community, …


Using Behavioral Skills Training To Teach Children With Autism To Seek Help From Law Enforcement Officers When Lost, Greta Kos Jan 2019

Using Behavioral Skills Training To Teach Children With Autism To Seek Help From Law Enforcement Officers When Lost, Greta Kos

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at an elevated risk of becoming lost in situations due to running away or wandering behaviors. When children with ASD become lost it may be difficult for them to effectively and efficiently seek help from community helpers in a safe manner due to communication deficits and poor social skills. This study aims to teach children with ASD how to identify when they are lost and how to seek help from police officers in the community by vocalizing the problem and using a communication card. Generalization probes were conducted with three children diagnosed with …


Evaluating The Effects Of A Stimulus Equivalence Protocol To Teach Bullying Identification To School-Aged Children, Courtney Sowle Jan 2019

Evaluating The Effects Of A Stimulus Equivalence Protocol To Teach Bullying Identification To School-Aged Children, Courtney Sowle

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Bullying and its impact on mental health is a major concern in the United States (Arseneault, 2017). Multi-component bullying interventions have resulted in positive outcomes, such as teachers reporting better student behaviors (Crean & Johnson, 2013), increased teacher knowledge about bullying (Bell, Raczynski, & Horne, 2010), and increased student control of high-risk behaviors (Shure, 2001). Considering bullying behavior primarily as being a more complex behavior, one behavior intervention that has shown to be effective in teaching complex behaviors is the stimulus equivalence protocol. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a stimulus equivalence protocol on …


Tracing Life Histories Through Biological Manifestations In A 19th-20th Century Midwestern Poor Farm: Asymmetry, Robusticity, And Adaptive Response At The Milwaukee Poor Farm, Samantha Zahn-Hiepler Jan 2019

Tracing Life Histories Through Biological Manifestations In A 19th-20th Century Midwestern Poor Farm: Asymmetry, Robusticity, And Adaptive Response At The Milwaukee Poor Farm, Samantha Zahn-Hiepler

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

A life history is comprised of many elements and events: memories, migration, beliefs, wealth, status, health, and even death. Of these life history elements, health is one of the significant traits to trace in bioarcheological studies. Biological variation is an observable trait in skeletal remains, especially that of limb asymmetry, stature, robusticity, and sexual dimorphism. These characteristics, depending upon the extent seen, can provide an insight into sociocultural and environmental practices that may have affected the person and/or population’s quality of life. The Milwaukee County Poor Farm skeletal collection is comprised of a historical population spanning one hundred years and …


Children During The American Steamboat Era - A Museum Exhibit, Emily Ruoff Jan 2019

Children During The American Steamboat Era - A Museum Exhibit, Emily Ruoff

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

“Children During the American Steamboat Era” is a portion of the submitted Alternative Paper Plan (A.P.P.) in partial fulfillment Emily Ruoff’s Master of Science in Applied Anthropology at Minnesota State University, Mankato in Mankato, MN in 2019. Discussions in this paper include a summary of the new exhibit, “Children During the Steamboat Era” at the Arabia Steamboat Museum (Kansas City, MO) and the reasons as to why this topic was chosen as the theme for this display. Goals and reasons for topic choice are: to create a sense of connectivity and inclusion for the thousands of children that visit the …


Certified Nursing Assistant Turnover & Impacts On Rural Skilled Nursing Facilities A Qualitative Study & Recommendations For Practitioners, Marisa E. Hansen Jan 2019

Certified Nursing Assistant Turnover & Impacts On Rural Skilled Nursing Facilities A Qualitative Study & Recommendations For Practitioners, Marisa E. Hansen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The cumulative growth in the aging population in the U.S. calls for a high demand for long-term care (LTC) facilities. Furthermore, the LTC (e.g., nursing homes and assisted living facilities, etc.) consumers have become widely diverse (i.e., not just limited to older groups but now included children and adults with disabilities); demand for wide range of needs and support services. In coping with this changing environment, the LTCs, especially operating in rural settings, are faced with multifaceted challenges related to direct care staffing and turnover. In response to this outlook, the present study explores a research question to understand, how …


Racial Microaggressions And Alienation Among Hmong American College Students, Bruce Yang Jan 2019

Racial Microaggressions And Alienation Among Hmong American College Students, Bruce Yang

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Students of color continue to experience racism within institutions of higher education across the United States. These experiences often include racial microaggressions, which are evolved forms of racism that are subtle, difficult to detect, and harmful. Racial microaggressions have been found to be associated with several consequences including mental health, emotional, and physical problems (Dahlia & Lieberman, 2010; Connolly, 2011; Cheng, Tran, Miyake, & Kim, 2017). Furthermore, studies have also alluded to the potential relationship between racial microaggressions and the dimensions of alienation for student populations of color (Fissori, 2010; James, 1988; Lambert, Herman, Bynum, & Ialongo, 2009; Sauceda, 2010; …


Engagement And Stem Degree Completion: An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Time-To-Completion And Engagement And Pre-College Variables, Karina (Harstad) Clennon Jan 2019

Engagement And Stem Degree Completion: An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Time-To-Completion And Engagement And Pre-College Variables, Karina (Harstad) Clennon

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This quantitative analysis explored measures influencing time to STEM-degree-completion in a correlational, non-experimental analysis of archival data (N = 745). FGCS represent a significant portion of individuals pursuing a post-secondary degree in the United States however, FGCS are less likely to persist to graduation as compared to their continuing-generation peers. FGCS are entering colleges and universities declaring STEM majors yet, are changing their major and or leaving college without a four-year degree (Chen, 2013). FGCS, who identify as female, face additional barriers, whether perceived or actual, in the pursuit of earning a STEM degree. FGCS choose to pursue STEM majors, …


Long-Term Urban Forest Cover Change Detection With Object Based Image Analysis And Random Point Based Assessment, Raoul Blackman Jan 2019

Long-Term Urban Forest Cover Change Detection With Object Based Image Analysis And Random Point Based Assessment, Raoul Blackman

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The urban forest provides various ecosystem services. Urban tree canopy cover measurement is the most basic quantification of ecosystem services. There have been few studies focused on long-term high-resolution urban forest change analysis. Further, few if any of these studies have compared object based image analysis (OBIA) and random point based assessment for determination of urban forest cover. The research objective is to define the urban forest canopy area, location, and height within the City of St Peter, MN boundary between 1938 and 2019 using both the OBIA and random point based methods with high spatial-resolution aerial photographic images and …


Program Review Of Naloxone Training Within The Wisconsin Department Of Corrections’ Community Corrections Division, Chelsea Calhoon Jan 2019

Program Review Of Naloxone Training Within The Wisconsin Department Of Corrections’ Community Corrections Division, Chelsea Calhoon

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

One of the fastest growing drug problems in the United States is the abuse of opioids (United States Department of Health & Human Services, 2018). With the rising overdose rates, the criminal justice system may offer a pivotal role in the decrease of overdose deaths through opioid overdose recognition and naloxone administration training (World Health Organization, 2014). Training evaluation based on the Effectiveness Theory find significant predictors of training effectiveness and retention to be correlated with the training program, age, and employment tenure (Cowman & McCarthy, 2016). This thesis’ research question is, “Do demographics correlate to training retention for opioid …


Cyberbullying Prevention And Intervention: Perspectives Of School Psychologists And School Counselors, Rachel E. Burlet Jan 2019

Cyberbullying Prevention And Intervention: Perspectives Of School Psychologists And School Counselors, Rachel E. Burlet

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Recent studies have found that increasing numbers of students are experiencing cyberbullying during middle and high school. The current study examined how school psychologists and school counselors are involved in the prevention and intervention of cyberbullying as well as what practices their schools are implementing to address this issue. Results found that school counselors were more involved than school psychologists with cyberbullying prevention and intervention efforts. However, 50% of school psychologists felt that their skills were being underutilized and 59% expressed a desire to be more involved in cyberbullying prevention and intervention efforts. Receiving training on cyberbullying was found to …


Evaluation Of A Cognitive Training Program And Its Effects On Healthy Older Adults, Nathan Jensen Jan 2019

Evaluation Of A Cognitive Training Program And Its Effects On Healthy Older Adults, Nathan Jensen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

As one ages, some degree of cognitive decline is expected. Despite this, declines in cognitive abilities and the possibility of dementia is a common concern among older adults. In response to these concerns, a variety of cognitive training programs have been developed that aim to improve or maintain cognitive functioning. Prior literature has shown mixed or limited findings on cognitive changes after implementation of cognitive training. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a cognitive training program designed for older adults with no to minimal cognitive decline. The current study included 18 participants who engaged in two one-hour cognitive training sessions …


The Effects Of Elderspeak On The Mood Of Older Adults With Dementia: A Preliminary Report, Kenia Torres-Soto Jan 2019

The Effects Of Elderspeak On The Mood Of Older Adults With Dementia: A Preliminary Report, Kenia Torres-Soto

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Barriers to effective and harmonious communication between caregivers and those affected with dementia are common and inevitable. An example of a common barrier is aphasia, which is a prevalent communication deficit associated with dementia. The social environment may further hinder harmonious communication through the use of well-intended, but ineffective speech patterns. Elderspeak (ES), which is infantilizing speech directed at older adults, is one such speech pattern that is commonly used in long-term care facilities (LTC) and is related to negative outcomes for older adults receiving it. Older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment who were residents at a LTC …


Mass Wasting Investigation And Assessment In The Midwest: Case Study Of The Minnesota River Valley, New Ulm To St. Peter, Minnesota, Usa, Melissa Kohout Jan 2019

Mass Wasting Investigation And Assessment In The Midwest: Case Study Of The Minnesota River Valley, New Ulm To St. Peter, Minnesota, Usa, Melissa Kohout

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Many mass- wasting studies have been conducted worldwide, however, investigations have focused in mountainous or coastal regions. This has proven problematic in areas lacking those features yet are experiencing mass wasting. Several anthropogenic risks, economic loss, and environmental issues are associated with mass wasting such as destruction of property, loss of life, and sediment pollution. The midwestern USA, is generally considered a low relief region, therefore limited data exist for mass wasting occurrence. Within the last decade, however, several events have occurred across Minnesota with little understanding of the ongoing hillslope processes leading to failure. The Minnesota River valley is …


Comparison Between Brief Acceptance And Cognitive Interventions: Assessing Public Speaking Performance In Socially-Anxious Individuals, Soultana Mpoulkoura Jan 2019

Comparison Between Brief Acceptance And Cognitive Interventions: Assessing Public Speaking Performance In Socially-Anxious Individuals, Soultana Mpoulkoura

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Social anxiety disorder is one of the most prevalent psychological disorder to date and it is associated with impairments in multiple domains, such as in occupational and academic settings. Although, traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), aims to reduce distress by altering maladaptive schemas, this approach is not always successful. Recent research has shown ambiguous support for cognitive restructuring as a mechanism of change. Therefore, further research is needed to discover effective treatments. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), emphasizes psychological flexibility and values rather controlling negative thoughts. The current study compared brief acceptance and cognitive control based interventions for increasing performance …


Macromorphological And Microscopic Effects Of Temperature In A Controlled Environment On The Process Of Decomposition In Bone, A. Marie Cato Jan 2019

Macromorphological And Microscopic Effects Of Temperature In A Controlled Environment On The Process Of Decomposition In Bone, A. Marie Cato

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This research explores the idea that the processes and rate of bone decomposition are affected by differential temperatures after death. Previous research supports changes in the molecular structure of bone due to different weather conditions, in addition to gross macroscopic changes, but there remain issues in understanding how these possible changes affect decomposition overall. In this research, I will explore how the freeze-thaw cycle affects decomposition, and what the relationship between weathering on bone and the natural decomposition process is. My hypothesis is that the freeze-thaw cycle will induce further decay, steady higher temperatures will speed up decomposition, and freezing …


Impact Of Self-Determined Motivation On Work Behavior And Response To Cognitive Remediation In Individuals With Schizophrenia, Desmond Spann Jan 2019

Impact Of Self-Determined Motivation On Work Behavior And Response To Cognitive Remediation In Individuals With Schizophrenia, Desmond Spann

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Research has implicated motivational deficits as having a severe impact on functional outcomes and quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia. There has been a call for investigation on how these motivational deficits impact different aspects of the therapeutic process for these individuals. A popular model of motivation used in recent investigation with schizophrenia has been Self-Determination Theory. This theory tries to describe why individuals undertake specific goals and behaviors, with the focus being the content of goal-directed outcomes and the regulatory processes with which outcomes are pursued. The goal of this investigation is to examine the impact of self-determined …


Holy Alliance? Navigating Evangelical Political Identity In The Era Of Donald Trump, Anthony Comer Jan 2019

Holy Alliance? Navigating Evangelical Political Identity In The Era Of Donald Trump, Anthony Comer

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Evangelical Christians have always had a complex relationship with political issues in the United States, especially with the rise of the Christian right in the 1980s. Pastors and church leaders function as crucial communicators of political values in a contemporary American context. Since 2017 the Trump presidency has provided a new set of issues to consider. With Festinger’s (1957) Cognitive Dissonance theory and Tajfel’s (1981) Social Identity theory as the foundation, this study examines how evangelical Christian pastors conceptualize their religious and political identities, how they communicate with their congregants about political issues and how they handle differences between their …