Digital Commons Network^™

Having A Home To Come Home To: How Subsidized Housing Impacts Unhoused Pregnant Women, Stephanie O. Porvaznik

Master's Projects and Capstones

Community based organizations (CBOs) lead the charge in the fight to end housing insecurity and often must make up where local governments fall short. San Francisco is an example of a municipality that has a long history of addressing instances of housing insecurity for its residents, and where CBOs step in to provide housing support for populations with unique and special circumstances. One CBO that operates in San Francisco that I was interested in studying was the Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP), and the Jelani House, a housing subsidy that is funded and operated by the HPP for pregnant women who …

A Tale Of Two Organizations: San Francisco & Tokyo, An Analysis Of Urban Youth Poverty In The Developed World, Arturo Paredes

Master's Projects and Capstones

This study analyzes the experiences of low-income youth in terms of their access to educational opportunities in connection to their social mobility, the study focuses on two highly prosperous cities: San Francisco and Tokyo specifically dwelling into some affected population groups and overall neighborhoods where low-income populations are clustered in. The study delves into youth poverty as a complex phenomenon facing communities and its direct implications for the lives of youth in the context of educational experiences and its connection to socio-economic outcomes. By focusing on two organizations addressing this issue in each of the contexts, the study highlights interventions, …

Observed And Reported Outcomes Following Experiential Cultural Capability And Clinical Yarning Training For Clinicians Treating Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People With Persistent Pain, Stuart Ekberg, Renata F. I Meuter, Ivan Lin, Roslyn Rowen, Angela Kinnell, Eva Malacova, Tania Waring, Kushla Houkamau, Marayah Taylor, Matthew Bryant, Jermaine Isua, Andrew Claus, Paul Gray, Joseph Kluver, Christina M. Bernardes, Greg Pratt

Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Communication is recognised as crucial to culturally safe healthcare, and poor communication remains a major reason that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people do not access healthcare. This pragmatic, pre-post comparison study employed mixed methods to evaluate cultural capability and clinical yarning training delivered to 57 clinicians supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at three persistent pain management services in Queensland, Australia. Observable outcomes of the training were evaluated by video recording clinicians’ training experiences and seven consultations with patients that occurred either pre- or post-training. Reported outcomes were evaluated by using a modified Cultural Safety Survey (CSS), which …

A Theory-Based Examination Of Factors Influencing Caregivers’ Intentions To Disclose Sickle Cell Trait Status To Their Children, Christine A. Chaba

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

Sickle cell trait (SCT), the heterozygous form of sickle cell disease, has significant implications for health and reproductive decision-making. Timely disclosure of SCT status to children by their caregivers is critical for promoting genetic awareness and supporting informed reproductive choices. However, many caregivers delay or avoid this conversation. This study examined the psychosocial and behavioral factors influencing caregivers’ intentions to disclose SCT status to their children, guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Theory of Regret Regulation. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 78 caregivers of Children with SCT, who completed an online survey. The study addressed …

Rhetoric Of Soft Power And Public Diplomacy A Case Study Of Saudi Arabia, Sihmy Algamedi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Soft power is the capacity to exert influence over the actions of others in order to accomplish one's goals. It refers to the ability to influence others without seeking any tangible benefits. Soft power emanates from a country's cultural, political beliefs, and foreign policies. Soft power refers to the capacity to achieve desired outcomes using methods that involve shaping the agenda, employing persuasion, and generating positive appeal (Alkatheeri, and Khan 26). In order for this endeavor to achieve success, the concept of legitimacy plays a pivotal role in the effectiveness of soft power. Public diplomacy is a component of foreign …

Planting Seeds, Changing Minds: A Narrative Analysis Of Environmental Children’S Books, Julianna Jovillar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Children’s books are some of the earliest forms of entertainment and education a person will interact with in their lifetime. Simultaneously weaving a tale and teaching a lesson, children’s books, therefore, have the great potential to communicate important lessons and mindsets at young ages. Utilizing narrative theory (Fisher, 1984) and ecocriticism (Glotfelty, 1996), while also considering environmental ideologies and narrative components (Bloomfield, 2024), this study explores the functions of environmental children’s books and how they might communicate environmental messaging and encourage ecological thinking. Following a narrative analysis of 46 environmental children’s books, the results of this study indicate that there …

Empowering Nurses, Enhancing Mobility: A Qi Initiative Using Plof And Clof To Promote Patient Ambulation, Kaela Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

The quality improvement project involves the intervention of implemented mobility educational flyers about the mobility tools, Clinician Reported Level of Function (CLOF) and Patient Reported Level of Function (PLOF) and aims to increase patient mobility post surgery. The quality improvement project was conducted in two medical surgical units in a San Francisco hospital. To address unmet mobility goals, during change of shift, in-services on the educational flyers about the mobility tools (CLOF and PLOF), were utilized to provide education about the importance of mobility, how to utilize the mobility tools, and correctly document ambulation. More than twenty flyers were posted …

Confronting The Postcolonial Condition: A Study On The Blesser-Blessee Phenomenon In South Africa, Thandwa Maphalala

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Age-disparate relationships are causing a public health threat in South Africa and the region at large. However, these relationships and their effects are not unique to South Africa. There has been substantial research conducted to explore the social, cultural or economic meaning of this relationship type, its causes and effects in sub-Saharan Africa or in the interest of individual countries in the region. However, South Africa presents a special case for further study because the older men that adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) date and have sex with are commonly referred to as blessers.

The purpose of this …

The Voices Of Black Motherscholars: Navigating Academia, Motherhood, And Beyond, Danae Peterson

Masters Theses, 2020-current

The experiences of Black women in academia are shaped by the intersection of multiple, often conflicting identities. As mothers and scholars, Black women navigate the complex terrain of competing responsibilities, societal expectations, and institutional barriers, all while striving to achieve personal and professional aspirations. This daily balancing act is complicated by the compounded effects of racism and sexism in academia, coined as misogynoir (Bailey, 2018). Misogynoir, a specific form of anti-Black racist misogyny, manifests through stereotyping, marginalization, and invisibility affecting Black women’s ability to thrive in academic spaces that were not designed with them in mind (Patton & Njoku, 2019). …

Specters Of Change: A Rhetorical And Qualitative Analysis Of Environmental Ghost Stories From Las Vegas Locals, Rachel J. Wuester

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This thesis explores “environmental ghost stories,” a term created to represent narratives that blend emotions and memories of ecological loss to make sense of environmental change. This project utilizes a mixed-methods approach that blends narrative theory, environmental rhetoric, and qualitative interviews to examine the narratives of chronic and acute changes experienced by long-term residents of Las Vegas, Nevada. Participants (N = 15) were required to have resided in the Las Vegas valley for a minimum of twenty years in order to have had the opportunity to witness both chronic and acute changes to their environment. Using a phronetic iterative approach …

Planning And Facilitating Hybrid Meetings To Support Relationality During Coalition Building, Luettamae Lawrence, Maureen Boyle, Moira Ross

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

Hybrid events where communities are connected through both in person and online spaces have simultaneously grown in popularity and gotten a bad reputation. While hybrid events have been around for decades, they gained significant traction with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to increase accessibility for attendees to accommodate diverse needs. Although hybrid events can be beneficial to many, they are not simple to execute. With the increase in hybrid events has come frustration with the low quality interactions between in person and online attendees leading to isolation, technology challenges, and low productivity. We argue the positive affordances of hybrid …

Joy In Lifelong Learning: An Introduction To Planning For Learning Disabilities In Museum Education, Elaine L. Davis

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

For over a century, the role of museums as learning institutions has been considered alongside that of schools. However, special education practices are rarely adapted for museum education, requiring educators in museum contexts to undertake extra work to accommodate those with learning disabilities. This thesis used Qualitative Comparative Analysis and Textual Analysis to review pedagogical white papers and academic research on museum programs aimed at neurodivergent audiences. The findings were used to create a professional development guide for museum educators at a range of different types of museums.

Strengthening Community Health Through Dementia Listening Sessions, Raven Albertson

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

"This session explores innovative strategies for strengthening community health through dementia listening sessions and engagement, equipping community partners with the knowledge to make informed decisions regarding dementia care and support. Participants will gain insights into effective partnership-building, impactful dementia education delivery, and strategies for fostering meaningful community involvement through community listening sessions and collaboration. Through a live listening session workshop, attendees will participate in interactive discussions, inform efforts in Utah communities, and acquire practical tools to drive sustainable, community-led improvements in dementia care and support."

Degrees In Action: Utilizing Public Relations Students' Expertise To Expand The Reach Of Oer, Taylor "Lainie" Allen, Shelley Wigley

UTA Libraries Staff Publications - Archive

Students' expertise plays a crucial role in promoting Open Educational Resources (OER). The “Degrees in Action: Utilizing Public Relations Students' Expertise to Expand the Reach of OER” poser presentation highlights a collaboration between a Public Relations (PR) Campaigns Course and OER and Digital Scholarship Department. PR students were empowered to apply their skills in developing and executing a public awareness campaign that highlighted the benefits and availability of OER on the University of Texas in Arlington campus.

Through strategic planning, creative messaging, event coordination, and student/faculty surveys, the PR students gained hands-on experience in communication and advocacy while addressing the …

Africanism In America: Exploring Hybrid Identities Of African Students In The Us, Ruth A. Yeboah

Masters Theses

This study interrogates the intercultural experiences of African international students (AIS) in a US Midwestern University. With a focus on West African students, the project explores how students confront and overcome linguistic, cultural, and systemic barriers as they create new dynamic spaces which are neither American nor African, but a mixture of both in a predominantly White institution. Drawing on the theoretical constructs of hybridity and language ideology, the findings reveal how AIS actively negotiate identity by using traditional African cultural traits, rooted in Africanism—with new cultural influences, generating unique, fluid and constantly-evolving hybrid identities. I utilized ethnographic observations …

Decoding Symbolic Influence On Youtube Engagement, Emotion Resonance And Trust In Information Campaigns, Diwash Poudel

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how symbolic images in YouTube videos influences viewers’ emotions, trust, and engagement with political content online. Approximately 2,000 videos were collected and analyzed, with a focus on both thumbnails and standout frames. The findings revealed that cultural symbols were particularly effective at capturing attention and evoking strong emotional reactions—especially anger and disgust. Notably, these same symbols also enhanced viewer trust, making audiences less susceptible to misinformation. Statistical tests confirmed that these effects were consistent and significant. To ensure the validity of these results, additional analyses were conducted to assess potential biases in YouTube’s recommendation algorithm, as well …

The Media Coverage Of The Israel And Gaza War: A Comparative Study Of Cnn And Al Jazeera, Fuhaid Alajmi

Theses - ALL

The Israel-Gaza War, which officially started on October 7, 2023, caused immense loss in the Middle East and attracted the international media's eyes. This study discusses the media’s framing in its reporting on the Israel-Gaza War, particularly as disseminated on two prominent global news providers’ online websites: CNN and Al Jazeera. The research explores the differences and similarities in framing the war using framing theory. The study examines how these news outlets covered these current events online in a period ranging from October 7, 2023, to April 7, 2024, using quantitative content analysis. It investigates the main framing of news …

Logging On To Act Out: Understanding Aggressive Personality Traits In Cyberbullies And Cyberbully-Victims, Joy R. Burton

Theses - ALL

Cyberbullying and harassment are pervasive issues online. Certain personality characteristics may make some individuals more inclined to cyberbully than others. This study explores whether aggressive personality characteristics and factors like gender and social media habits are predictive of whether a person cyberbullies, and to what extent. Responses from an online survey of adults distributed via MTurk (n = 189) found a majority of participants (81.5%) report being ridiculed online to some extent in the past year, though most report low levels of cyberbullying. There is a positive relationship between cyberbullying and aggression among adults; physical aggression was by far the …

Predicting Crisis: Using Computational Methods To Forecast Crisis Conditions, Michelle Marie Johnson

Dissertations - ALL

The vast scale of digital information generated daily provides unprecedented opportunities to analyze human behavior in ways that can improve crisis prediction and response. This dissertation introduces PREDICT, a theoretical framework that reconceptualizes crises as predictable phenomena rather than unknowable disruptions. Grounded in chaos theory and complex systems theory, PREDICT operationalizes crisis prediction through three constructs: Perceived Rupture of Equilibrium (PRE), Dynamic Interactions (DI), and Crisis Trajectory (CT). These constructs enable a shift from reactive crisis management to proactive crisis forecasting by identifying early signals of instability, modeling stakeholder interactions, and mapping potential crisis trajectories. To test PREDICT, this study …

How Toxic Communications In Chinese Online Fan Groups Affect Fan Engagement, Tian Xia

Theses - ALL

Abstract The study used a Self-Determination Theory (SDT) theoretical framework to explore how toxicity impacts fan engagement in online fan groups in China. An online survey method in China with a sample size of 205 participants was used to measure the hypotheses 1)Toxicity causes fans to feel less autonomy in online groups, 2) Toxicity causes fans to feel less skilled (competence) in online groups, 3) Toxicity causes fans to feel less relatedness in online groups and research questions and the research questions 1) How will autonomy, competence, and relatedness relate to specific fandom behaviors? 2) What is the difference between …

Resisting (Un)Accountability: Rhetorical Strategies Of Forgetting Denmark’S Iud Campaign In Greenland, Cæcilie Paarup Madsen

Theses - ALL

This thesis explores how colonial amnesia manifests rhetorically in media representations and public discourse about Denmark’s IUD campaign in Greenland. Beginning in the mid-1960s, this state-led initiative systematically targeted Greenlandic Inuit girls and women, fitting them with IUDs as part of a nationwide birth control campaign, some without their consent or knowledge. During the campaign’s most intensive years from the mid-1960s to mid-1970s, approximately 4,500 girls and women – half of the fertile female population – were subjected to this reproductive violence. The spiral campaign was largely forgotten by the Danish public until an investigative podcast, Spiralkampagnen, brought it to …

Reducing Stigma Towards Alcohol Use Disorder (Aud): A Parasocial Contact Approach, Prah Haider

Honors Thesis

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by loss of control over alcohol intake, compulsive alcohol use and a negative emotional state when not drinking, which can follow a chronic, relapsing course (Carvalho et al., 2019). AUD ranks among the most prevalent mental disorders globally. According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 28.8 million adults ages 18 and older (11.2% in this age group) had AUD in 2021 (NIH, 2024). My proposal seeks to create a novel approach to addressing stigma through creating the illusion of a relationship between a television viewer and a mediated on-screen persona. …

It’S All About The Ruff: Utilizing Therapy Dogs To Address Trauma In Domestic Violence Settings, John R. Chapin, Grace A. Coleman, Michael Brayack

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Within the context of victims and violence, this study serves multiple purposes: (1) to explore the impact of pet ownership on children and adolescents within the context of bullying and school violence; (2) to document the impact of therapy animals on domestic violence victims; (3) to document the impact of working canines in courts on domestic violence victims. Findings from three surveys (1,648 children and adolescents in school; 12 child counseling clients; 41 adult domestic violence counseling clients; and 69 domestic violence victims in court) contribute to a growing literature documenting the psychological benefits of interacting with pets and animals …

The Impact Of Motivational Interviewing On African-American Men With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Jamekia Kitchens

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

African-American men with type 2 diabetes face an immense health disparity in the United States, with alarming mortality rates compared to their counterparts. This pilot study examined the impact of motivational interviewing on African-American Men with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The researcher conducted motivational interview sessions using the components of the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale to guide the meetings. Pre- and post-confidence levels and pre- and post-hemoglobin A1c levels were collected and analyzed. After the completion of three motivational interview sessions, participants displayed significantly higher self-efficacy scores with significantly decreased A1c levels. The results suggest that motivational interviewing has a …

Department Chair And Faculty Perceptions Of Organizational Communication In The Post Covid-19 Era, Gabriele Cafone Zengewald

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand the perceptions and experiences of department chairs and full-time faculty with organizational communication during a time of organizational transition post COVID-19. Utilizing the conceptual framework of communication satisfaction developed by Downs and Hazen (1977), the study used semi-structured interviews and a thematic analysis of pandemic communications. Findings indicated that engagement, transparency, and clarity were essential in creating positive perceptions of communication with department chairs playing a critical role between upper-level administration and faculty. Facutly noted greater trust and satisfaction when communication allowed for two-way dialogue and was delivered through clear …

Improving Interactions During Medical Interpretation: Educational Module For Medical Students, Alyssa Reinschmidt, Denyelle Kenyon, Hilda Sanchez-Herrera

Scholarship Pathways Program

As the population of individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) continues to grow in South Dakota and across the United States, healthcare systems face increasing challenges in providing equitable care. This study evaluates the implementation of an educational module designed to prepare first-year medical students at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine (SSOM) to work effectively with medical interpreters and patients with LEP. The module included a didactic session, role-play, open discussion, and pre- and post-surveys assessing students’ knowledge, attitudes, preparedness, and perceptions of the educational environment. Results from 68 participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all …

Leadership And Team Communication Course For Medical Students As Future Healthcare Leaders, Claire Foerster

Scholarship Pathways Program

As healthcare increasingly adopts a team-based model to address complex patient needs, the role of physicians as effective team leaders becomes critical. Despite this, formal leadership training is not a standard component of medical school curricula. This study presents the development and evaluation of a pilot leadership and communication course designed for medical students at the University of South Dakota. The course combined didactic instruction with simulation-based learning to teach essential skills such as active listening, giving and receiving feedback, and effective communication. A pre-course survey assessed students’ confidence and needs, informing the course design. Post-course assessments, including quizzes and …

“Let Me Be A Bridge”: Language Brokering Among Emerging Adult Latina Professionals In The Midwest, Elise M. Dubord

Faculty Publications

In immigrant families, bilingual children and adolescents regularly act as translators and interpreters for family and community members who are not fluent in the dominant language. These childhood language brokers later shift the focus of their translation activities as they transition into adulthood and develop professional skills. This research explores narratives of language brokering trajectories of three bilingual Latinas who were emerging adult professionals in three cities in Iowa. Based on a series of interviews collected over a 15 month period, this analysis examines how participants described realigning their family language responsibilities while simultaneously transferring their language brokering skills to …

The Impact Of Digital Storytelling In Nonprofit Marketing: Increasing Donor Engagement, Haley Cote

Honors Theses

Digital storytelling has emerged as a powerful tool in nonprofit marketing, reshaping how organizations engage donors, communicate their mission, and drive action. This thesis explores the impact of digital storytelling in nonprofit marketing, analyzing how nonprofit organizations leverage various digital platforms – websites, email marketing, social media—and frame their messages to enhance donor engagement. Using framing theory as a foundation, the research examines how the way nonprofit messages are structured influences donor perception and behavior. Through a literature review, case study analysis of Charity: Water, and survey data, thstudy evaluates key storytelling techniques such as positioning the donor as the …

On The Deconstruction Of Nothingness In Digital Communication, Matthew S. Lindia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project argues that digital technologies call for a new problematic of communication, centered around the conditions of (im)possibility for creating perfect digital profiles of users as generated from user data. Beginning with Edmund Husserl’s analysis of essentially occasional expressions, this dissertation posits that user data occurs on three levels: (1) the level of expression, where a user wants-to-say something through their inputs, (2) the level of facticity, where biometric data are involuntarily produced by the user, and (3) the level of nothingness, where the user’s inaction, such as not-answering, is taken as data. Moving beyond what Husserl’s framework can …