Digital Commons Network^™

Analysis Of The Integration Of Race And Cultural Concordant Doulas Into The Birth Experience Of African American Women, Cherissa Garcia

Best Integrated Writing

Garcia's study looks at how integrating race and cultural-concordant doulas into the birth experience of African American women would impact outcomes. She found similar studies that provided strong evidence to support doula integration. However, most did not select study populations that appropriately reflected the African American women at increased risk of poor outcomes. As a result, Garcia designed a study that looked at race and cultural concordance between doulas and patients from a wide range of SES backgrounds and varying degrees of pregnancy risk.

The Foreigner In Our Midst: Jewish Rights Debates In Revolutionary France, William Evans

Best Integrated Writing

The debates surrounding Jewish rights during the French Revolution concerned many of the same subjects that divide the Western world today. The fear of the other, immigration as a political tool, and the disagreements over assimilation are all subjects which feature prominently today. In this essay Evans sets out to explore these debates while fairly assessing the historical informants.

Junebug In January: A Novel Excerpt, Hannah Carson

Best Integrated Writing

This section of Junebug in January is the beginning of a much longer story that follows eighteen-year-old June and her small family as she attempts to survive the harsh reality of living in the era of the Great Depression and her attempts to survive her Papa’s tasks for her. This story challenges the boundaries of family loyalty, investigates the concept of “saving yourself,” and explores the limits of redemption.

Best Integrated Writing Fall 2024 - Complete Edition, Wright State University School Of Humanities And Cultural Studies, Kristie Mckiernan, Tracy Smith

Best Integrated Writing

Best Integrated Writing includes excellent student writing from Integrated Writing courses taught at Wright State University.

A Phenomenological Study Of Pastors' Experiences Counseling Combat Veterans, Yvette M. Rolle

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When combat veterans make the transition to civilian life, whether permanently or between deployments, they face mental, physical, and spiritual adjustment (Grimell, 2019; Zogas, 2017). Although the Veterans Administration and local health providers offer services, some combat veterans prefer to seek their pastor’s advice instead or in addition (Bonner et al., 2013). Pastors, even those with little or no formal training in counseling or therapy, are uniquely equipped to guide combat veterans in the spiritual aspect of healing, or at least to accompany them with empathy and the consolation of faith. Yet a gap exists in the literature regarding clergy’s …

The Relationship Between Mindset And Motivation Among U.S. Army Soldiers, Fernando Llamoca

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explored the relationship between mindset and motivation among U.S. Army active-duty soldiers. Implicit theories research was used to assess mindset, while the three psychological needs of self-determination theory (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) were used to assess motivation. Previous studies regarding these theories discovered that individuals with high levels of mindset and motivation experienced high job satisfaction, goal orientation, and organizational commitment. These theories were chosen due to the lack of research on each theory within the military context, specifically the U.S. Army. Over the past few decades, the U.S. Army has aimed to develop its soldiers holistically through …

Relationship Between Counselor Educators’ Intrinsic Religiosity, Multicultural Counseling Competence, And Spiritual Competence, Theresa Lynn Brixius

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Religion and spirituality are vital components of multicultural competence, which are key ethical guidelines outlined by the American Counseling Association and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Clients have reported that religion and spirituality are important in their lives; however, counseling students commonly feel unprepared in their training to address the topic with clients. Grounded in multicultural counseling theory (MCT) and namaste theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to describe the relationship between counselor educators’ intrinsic religiosity (IR), multicultural counseling competence (MCC), and spiritual competence (SC). Participants included fifty-six doctoral-level counselor educators recruited …

Childhood Trauma As An Influencing Factor On Obesity Among Black Women, Andréa Autum Michel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood trauma and obesity have a significant impact on development throughout the lifespan. Black women have the highest prevalence of obesity and experience more severe and a greater number of traumatic events than their White peers. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how Black women perceived the role of childhood trauma in their struggles with obesity. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory served as the theoretical framework for this study. The central research question explored the experiences of Black women who experienced childhood trauma and were struggling with obesity as adults. A secondary question explored coping mechanisms developed to …

Lived Experiences Involving Family Decision-Making Processes For Placing Older Adults In Long-Term Care Facilities In Arkansas, Jennifer Elaine Carpenter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although family members play an important role in decisions regarding their loved ones in long-term care facilities, their experiences have not been explored. Guided by Bowen’s family system and Simon’s decision-making theories, this qualitative study utilized phenomenology. The research question was: What are experiences involving the decision-making process for family members when placing family members in long-term care facilities in Arkansas? Purposive sampling resulted in face-to-face interviews with a sample of 11 such family members over 18 years of age. Data trustworthiness was established by using reflexivity and rich thick descriptions. Member checking was used with participants to verify transcripts …

Can We Use Judgement Bias To Assess The Welfare Of Fish In Aquariums And Zoos?, Culum Brown

Animal Sentience

This commentary examines the potential of tests of judgment bias to assess fish welfare in aquariums and zoos. Judgment bias offers a non-invasive approach to interpreting affective states in animals, using cognitive responses to ambiguous stimuli as indicators of mental wellbeing. Despite the constraints of captive environments—such as limited handling and species diversity in exhibits—recent adaptations of judgment-bias protocols make them suitable across taxa, including fishes. Collaborations with progressive zoos and aquariums could facilitate this research, based on the shared goal of enhancing animal welfare and promoting public education.

Analisis Aktivitas Fisik Pekerja Mal Pelayanan Publik Kota Cilegon, Muhammad Syifa Abdy Mulya, Indri Hapsari Hapsari Susilowati

National Journal of Occupational Health and Safety

Physical activity is important because it has so many benefits. Even so, there are still many workers who are exposed to the risk of lack of physical activity. For this reason, it is necessary to know what affects the implementation of physical activity in workers. Quantitative design was used with a cross sectional study on 58 Cilegon Public Service Mall workers who met the criteria. As a result, 65.5% of workers are classified as active, 34.5% of workers are inactive and 12% of workers do not carry out any physical activity at all. Level of education (p value = 0.005), …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic And Associated Restrictions On Children’S Play: A Systematic Literature Review, Aidan H. Fielding Mr, Emma Harding

International Journal of Playwork Practice

Play is recognised for its essential role in children’s development and, as such, the right to play has been internationally ratified through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, people’s day-to-day lives were universally disrupted by restrictions and children’s ability to play as usual was impacted. The aim of this review was to examine the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic affected children’s play around the world, and whether this differed as a function of their national context. Database searches were conducted between August 2022 and February 2023, whereby a total of …

Young Children’S Mental Well-Being In Low-Income South African Settings: A Qualitative Study, Catherine E. Draper, Caylee J. Cook, Elizabeth A. Ankrah, Jesus A. Beltran, Franceli L. Cibrian, Jazette Johnson, Kimberley D. Lakes, Hanna Mofid, Lucretia Williams, Gillian R. Hayes

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

This qualitative study aimed to capture community perspectives of the risks and protective factors for social emotional development and mental health of young children in low-income South Africa settings, and was conducted as one component of a larger study with the ultimate aim of co-designing the Mazi Umntanakho (‘know your child’) digital tool. Twenty focus group discussions (n = 154, 97% female) were held with staff of community-based organisations (CBOs) and community health worker (CHW) programmes in urban and rural sites from four geographical regions. Data were analysed thematically, and grouped according to components of nurturing care (responsive caregiving, safety …

Crime Against The Homeless Population: Barriers And Strategies From Washington, Dc Housing Services Case Managers, Stephanie Strianse

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homelessness is a widespread concern across the United States, especially in Washington, DC. The homeless population experiences victimization at alarming rates compared to their housed counterparts; however, these instances of crime against this population are often unreported. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the barriers to reporting crime against the homeless population and the strategies to reduce those barriers from the perspective of housing services case managers in Washington, DC. Lenoir’s social exclusion theory was the theoretical framework for this study. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with 11 housing services case managers who work with …

Understanding The Role Of Perceived Racial Discrimination On Adolescent Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jill V. Klosky, Delia Lang, Briana Woods-Jaeger, Julie Gazmararian

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Abstract

Background: Adolescent mental health declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. Racial discrimination, which may negatively affect adolescent mental health, has increased. This study sought to understand whether pre-pandemic reports of racial discrimination predicted changes in adolescent depression, anxiety, and self-esteem from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Two online surveys were administered at two public high schools in semi-rural, north-central Georgia; one in Spring 2020, just before the closing of public schools due to COVID-19; the other to the same students in Fall 2020.

Results: Most participants were White (62%) and the majority (88%), reported the same or better …

A Behavioral Analysis Of Brisby, The Jacksonville Zoo And Gardens’ Double Wattled Southern Cassowary, Gabriel J. Springer

PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas

Previous studies have demonstrated the uniqueness and importance of wild type Southern Cassowary behaviors in relation to their rainforest ecosystem. The primary goal of this observational study was to determine if the behavior exhibited by a Southern Cassowary residing at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens was comparative to the observed behavior of wild Southern Cassowaries. The secondary goal was to observe individual behavioral traits of the focus individual, Brisby. It was hypothesized that Southern Cassowaries residing in captivity would still exhibit stereotypical behaviors similar to those residing in native rainforest habitats and the documented foraging behavior that supports the ecological …

Sex Differences In The Association Between Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein And Cognitive Performance In Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer’S Disease, Taryn Gordon

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The rising incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease and its disproportionate prevalence in the female sex has led to a growth in research focused on preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease and the histopathological brain changes. However, limited research has focused on preclinical changes in Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer’s Disease populations and sex differences within these unique populations. This study aimed to address gaps in the literature by examining biological markers of neuroinflammation, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), in preclinical Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer’s Disease mutation carriers and non-carriers, and its relationship with cognitive function and sex. Archival data was utilized from the Colombia-Boston biomarker study of …

Differential Effects Of Physical Activity On Social Interactions Of Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Christianna Blanchard-Alworth

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience challenges with communication, social interaction, and motor skills, which can contribute to social isolation. A growing body of research suggests physical activity (PA) may improve social, physical fitness, and gross motor outcomes for adolescents with ASD. Although exercise and PA have been identified as an evidence-based practice (EBP) for this population, limited research has specifically examined the relationship between PA and social interactions. This study used an alternating treatment design, replicated across four adolescents with ASD, to compare the effects of two interventions – soccer instruction and fitness instruction - on social …

Stress, Obesity, Depression, And Codependency As Predictors Of Unmitigated Communion In African American Pastors, Troy Tyrone Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many pastors spend significant time tending to their congregants’ needs while disregarding their own needs. They may not know how to ask for or receive help and may look to others for self-worth and value. Inappropriate self-sacrificing behaviors could result in pastors' compromised emotional and physical health. The purpose of this study was to determine whether stress, obesity, depression, and codependency, individually or in a linear combination, were adequate predictors of unmitigated (UC) among African American senior pastors who pastor congregationally led churches without the benefit of paid support staff. The social cognitive learning theory was the theoretical framework in …

The Relative Strength Of Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, And Self-Care In Predicting Resilience Among First Responders, Corey Norton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Given the situations confronted daily by first responders, many experience symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, often triggered by exposure to traumatic events, can be so debilitating that the first responder can no longer travel, spend time with family, or enjoy hobbies, a self-isolating state of affairs that diminishes quality of life. Therefore, the purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the relative strength of emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and self-care in predicting resilience among first responders. Emotion regulation theory described how individuals experience, express, and control their emotional reactions when faced with life and …

Strategies For Prevention And Management Of Non-Communicable Diseases Among Community Women In Nigeria: Insights For Family Social Welfare, Abiola Adiat Omokhabi Dr

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

In this study, modifiable risk factors, prevention and management plans for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among women were examined. This study examined published and grey literature that was gathered from a number of sources, such as open data portals on the five major illness categories that make up the NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, malignancies, chronic respiratory diseases, and mental health. Literature shows that the primary behavioural risk factors for NCDs, including CVDs, diabetes, and cancer(malignancies), can be largely avoided. Inactivity, tobacco use, alcohol use, and unhealthy eating habits (often high in processed sugar, fats, and salt) are a …

Out Of Left Screen: Factors Impacting Well-Being In Digital And Physical Collegiate Athletes, Jessica Poskus

Theses and Dissertations

Competitive video gaming, or “esports,” has quickly become a popular college extracurricular. Its classification as a varsity sport on many campuses reflects a broader shift in cultural conceptualizations and perceptions of athleticism. As esports continue to evolve in today’s increasingly digital world, new professional leagues emerge, and viewership rivals that of traditional physical sports. Esports can be a gateway for unique opportunities for college students; however, it may also pose some challenges. This study explored differences between digital and physical athletes, who must balance their chosen activity with other collegiate responsibilities, including academic, social, and physical health. Physical sports and …

Motivating Physical Activity With Fitness Tracking And The Interpersonal Context, Sapphire H. Lin, Sonny Rosenthal, Rich Ling

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Many societies have aging populations. Getting older people to exercise can help them achieve a higher quality of life. Fitness tracking and social support can buttress that goal. This study tested the effects of fitness tracking and spousal influence on the physical activity of older adults. In a 2 (blinded vs. feedback) × 2 (individual vs. dyad) between-group experiment, 240 participants received a fitness tracker with a visible or blinded display. They participated in the three-month experiment either individually or with their spouses. Participants who received feedback met daily step counts of 7500 and 10,000 more frequently than those without …

Impact Of Sinus Surgery In People With Cystic Fibrosis And Chronic Rhinosinusitis In The Era Of Highly Effective Modulator Therapy: Protocol For A Prospective Observational Study, Christine M. Liu, Jakob L. Fischer, Jeremiah A. Alt, Todd E. Bodner, Naweed I. Chowdhury, Anne E. Getz, Peter H. Hwang, Adam J. Kimple, Timothy L. Smith, Multiple Additional Authors

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction Cystic fibrosis (CF) is commonly complicated by chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Despite highly effective management options, CRS in people with CF (PwCF+CRS) may be refractory to medical therapy, eventually requiring endoscopic sinus surgery. The impact of sinus surgery on pulmonary, quality of life (QOL), and other outcomes in PwCF+CRS in the expanding era of highly effective modulator therapy has not been fully elucidated. This study aims to determine if endoscopic sinus surgery can offer superior outcomes for PwCF+CRS when compared to continued medical treatment of CRS. Methods and analysis This multi-institutional, observational, prospective cohort study will enroll 150 adults with …

Emotional Overeating And Eating Motives During Covid-19 In Polish Women: Intergroup Comparison Among Participants In Various Body Mass Index Categories, Adriana Modrzejewska, Justyna Modrzejewska, Kamila Czepczor-Bernat, Julia Wyszomirska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Taking into account the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ac-companying lockdown resulting in increased negative emotions, it is interesting to learn about eating motives and behaviors and check their intensity. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between Polish women in various body mass index categories in terms of eating motives and emotional overeating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: This study sample comprised 1,447 women (M_age = 31.34 ± 11.05; M_BMI = 23.79 ± 4.59). The research used the following tools: the Eating Motivation Survey, the Emotional Overeating Questionnaire, and …

Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic In Trinidad: An Analysis Of Depression, Anxiety, And Stress Among Essential Workers, Bernadette Marson, Gerard A. Hutchinson

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Research shows that some essential workers, such as healthcare workers, social workers, and first responders (including police officers, paramedics, and firefighters), are at greater risk for developing both short- and long-term mental health problems (Berger et al., 2012; Canady, 2022; Grey et al., 2020; Haugen et al., 2012; Mohamed et al., 2022; Petrie et al., 2018). The most prevalent of these include anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as other social and cognitive problems—with stress causing harmful effects on mental health and potentially resulting in anxiety and depression, which may then disrupt an individual’s social relationships, family life, and work. …

Using The Gerontological Imagination To Explore Suicide Among Older Adults: An Interdisciplinary Perspective For Professional Counselors, Mary Chase Mize, Afroze Shaikh

Adultspan Journal

Gerontology, the study of aging and older adulthood, is a vast field consisting of many intersecting disciplines, such as medicine, nutrition, public policy, psychology, social work, and professional counseling. As the older adult population rapidly increases, so too will the prevalence of mental health concerns among this population, including risk for suicide. Older adults presently comprise 16.5% of the U.S. population, yet account for 19.3% of all deaths by suicide (Drapeau & McIntosh, 2020). Professional counselors are newly eligible Medicare providers and can close gaps in healthcare access for older adults who rely on Medicare to receive mental health services, …

Mental Health Distress And Suicide Risk Among Older Adults Who Receive Nutrition Services Programming: Implications For Licensed Professional Counselors., Brittany R. Jones-Cobb, Jihee Hong, Mary Chase Breedlove Mize, Laura Shannonhouse

Adultspan Journal

Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) are now eligible to provide mental health counseling to older adults as Medicare providers. Many older adults receive home delivered (HDM) and congregate (CM) meal services through the Aging Services Network, though their mental health impact remains under examined. This study compared the mental health and suicide risk of older adults receiving HDM or CM services. Our cross-sectional study of 221 HDM and 150 CM recipients from 2018-2020 found significant group differences in psychological distress, t(366) = 3.28, p = .001, perceived burdensomeness; t(357.31) = 2.77, p = .006, and thwarted belongingness, t(357.96) …

Introduction To The Special Issue On Medicare Inclusion Of Counselors: Preparing The Counseling Workforce To Serve Older Adults, Matthew C. Fullen, Jordan Westcott

Adultspan Journal

Introduction to the special issue on Medicare Inclusion of Counselors: Preparing the Counseling Workforce to Serve Older Adults.

Special Issue Editors:

Matthew Fullen, Virginia Tech

Jordan Westcott, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

The Interaction Between Frequency Of Cannabis Use And Method Of Delivery In Predicting Lack Of Interest In Eating, Joanne Lynn Pomeroy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Cannabis use, its benefits, and adverse effects are being increasingly studied due to the abundance of existing dispensaries created under recreational and legalization policies. While research is inconclusive, an established association exists between increased cannabis concentration and anorexigenic properties. This study examines the interaction between the frequency of cannabis use and the method of delivery in predicting the lack of interest subtype of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in emerging adults. Cannabis use was measured by the Cannabis Engagement Assessment (CES). The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7) was used to measure anxiety, and the Pica, ARFID, and Rumination Disorder Questionnaire …