Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Experiences Of Chinese International Students Enrolled In Bible Classes At A Faith-Based Institution, Sophia Nguyen

McNair Scholars Research

This study explores Chinese international students' experiences in Bible classes at a faith-based institution. This particular population was selected because Chinese international students often encounter distinct challenges and circumstances compared to their domestic counterparts. The research sample for this study consists of eleven Chinese international students located at a private four-year university in the southeastern United States. A survey instrument consisting of 19 items was specifically developed using Google Forms to gather data for this study. The collected survey data were analyzed using thematic analysis, a qualitative method to explore respondents' experiences. The findings of this study provide insight into …

Exploring Self-Perception And Sociocultural Adjustment Among International Students, David Martinez

McNair Scholars Research

With the rising numbers of international college students, institutions must assess their experiences. International students undergo major adjustments while studying abroad, which may impact their well-being. Specifically, it can affect their psychological health. The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to explore the self-perception and sociocultural adjustment of international students. It attempts this by identifying significant differences in self-efficacy and self-esteem between international and American students. The participants included a convenience sample of 75 college students, 32 international and 43 American students, from a small, private Christian university. The researcher assessed self-esteem using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and self-efficacy …

The Nature And Experiences Of Cohabitation In Non-Marital Couples, Bryan Rendon

McNair Scholars Research

This study aims to explore the phenomenon of cohabitation by gathering the unique experiences of couples who are currently in a non-marital cohabitative relationship. The driving research question are as follows: What are the unique experiences of cohabtitative couples and what common themes do their stories share? A phenomenological qualitative methodology was used to collect, transcribe and code the narrative data from three interviews with couples currently living in a shared space and self-identifying as non-marital cohabiting couples. The results and discussion section include three significant themes identified in all three couples that include: 1) Difficulty in Transition From Independence …

The Effect Of Positive Self-Talk On Self-Efficacy And Memory Recall, Colton Hunter, Jeremiah Sullins

McNair Scholars Research

Research has been conducted that has found a link between self-efficacy and performance, as well as connections between self-efficacy and self-talk. However, a gap exists in the literature in regard to the relationship between self-talk, self-efficacy, and performance, particularly in regard to cognitive performance. To address this gap, 42 students at a private liberal arts university practiced self-talk; and we assessed both their memory self-efficacy levels and their ability to recall information. The results of the experiment concluded that individuals with high self-efficacy that are exposed to positive self-talk experience significantly worse memory recall than individuals with low self-efficacy that …

Promote Healing And Restore Lives: Clinicians’ Reflections On Their Experiences In Working With Survivors Of Trafficking, Brittany Burch

McNair Scholars Research

Humans are shaped by their personal beliefs, values, and individual philosophies of life. Personal ideologies of humanitarian aid can root a deep desire to provide help and assistance to the vulnerable within our community. This desire often manifests itself specifically in clinicians seeking to provide healing, hope, and restoration in the lives of women and men. (Thullesen, 2019). Human trafficking is a prominent human rights and social justice issue that is embedded within our society. This study focused on clinicians’ experiences and perspectives in working with victims of human trafficking.

The data was collected through interviews of clinicians working directly …

A Mother's Touch: The Comprehensive Addiction And Recovery Act And Its Impact On Prenatally Substance-Exposed Newborns And Their Families As Observed By Family Service Workers, Raissa Ames

McNair Scholars Research

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Religiosity And Mental Health During The Covid-19 Quarantine, Luisauny Gomez, Jeremiah Sullins

McNair Scholars Research

Social isolation has become a public policy under the current circumstances. This isolation can lead to a life imbalance that is believed to affect physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. Previous research shows that both, a defined sense of religiosity or affirmative secularity, can yield progressive emotional outcomes due to multiple factors such as community support, sense of structure, life guidance, mindfulness and a sense of unity with the world. However, a gap exists in the extant literature regarding the relationship between mental health and religiosity during global pandemics. In order to address this gap, this study sought to answer the …

The Relationship Among Social Media, Interpersonal Relationships, And Self-Conscious Emotions, Mikayla Stone

McNair Scholars Research

This study examined the relationship among social media, interpersonal relationships, and self-conscious emotions. Participants responded to surveys that were distributed on Facebook and through email. The participants varied in age, gender, and ethnicity. Each participant responded to a four-part online survey. The survey contained the following scales: TOSCA (assesses the self-conscious emotions of shame and guilt-proneness), Social Media Use (measures the usage of social media of the individual), and Dispositional Authenticity and Relationship Authenticity (measures interpersonal relationship). These three variables were analyzed quantitatively and compared to find significant negative correlations.

Here’S The Tea: The Challenges Faced By African American Female Faculty In Predominantly White Christian Institutions, Zarnez Montgmery

McNair Scholars Research

Studies have shown that more diversity can contribute to a more well-rounded university population and can lead to less discriminatory acts on campus (Vanalstine, 2015). There is a lack of diversity regarding race and gender in higher education, specifically at religiously rooted, predominantly white institutions (PWI’s) (Kim, 2010; Rowatt, 2004). This study focused on Black female educators in PWIs and the challenges they have faced.

The data was collected by interviews with African American female faculty who are all professors in PWI’s. The years of experience or exact major was not taken as a requirement to be interviewed. The participants …

Unpacking Shame As Experienced By Three White Male Engineering Students, Kanembe Shanachilubwa

McNair Scholars Research

The following is a cross-sectional examination of an ongoing investigation of shame in the context of engineering education. White male junior level engineering students were recruited to participate in individual interviews centered around their experiences and expectations as undergraduates. The study sought to investigate how these students experienced shame within the context of engineering education using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) as the research method. As the current results and finding only represent three fully analyzed cases out of five total, broad and definitive conclusions about the study group will be withheld. Instead, I will give each of the three represented …

From Talons To Tweets: Analyzing The Influence Of Information And Communication Technology On Diplomacy, Austin Hayes

McNair Scholars Research

As countries embrace innovative technologies, thus increasing the speed of interstate communication, the overall nature of interactions between states is changing. Consequently, core diplomatic structures are shifting from the private realm to the public sphere. I argue that Information Communication Technology (ICT) is the major agent of this shift. Less distance between electorates and diplomatic agents due to ICT allows the public to more directly influence international diplomacy. By studying the impact of the telegraph, telephone, Internet, etc., this study examines ICT’s influence on diplomacy, contending that the trend toward an increased dependence on technology will mark another pivotal moment …