Digital Commons Network^™

Nigeria's Retirement Pension System And Elderly Poverty, Tonyesima Furro

Journal of African Policy Studies

This study examines the nature of Nigeria's contributory retirement pension system. It shows that the government took monthly payroll deductions from the incomes of retirees and deposited in said retirement funds. Prior to retirement, retirees would receive a severance package of a lump-sum payment of a few months to a few years' earnings. They were assured that their regularly scheduled monthly disbursement would be remitted to their designated bank accounts. But due to the cumbersome bureaucratic procedures, many pension claimants were unsuccessful in receiving their benefits before death. The study reveals that the nation's pension administration system is characterized by …

Neighborhood Cohesion And Psychosocial Well-Being: Differences By Race/Ethnicity, Maverick E. Morales

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Perceived neighborhood cohesion is related to numerous mental health benefits, yet some research suggests racial/ethnic disparities in access to neighborhood cohesion. Much of the existing research investigates only one outcome, limiting the ability to synthesize across findings. The strength of the current study is that it utilized an outcome-wide approach to investigate racial/ethnic differences in associations between perceived neighborhood cohesion and four psychosocial outcomes. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, we tested the hypotheses that (1) higher perceived neighborhood cohesion would relate to higher life satisfaction and lower anxiety, loneliness, and perceived stress, and that (2) non-Hispanic White …

Impact Of Visual And Auditory Distractors On Spot-The-Difference Task Performance, Julia N. Gross, Alexia Urban, Julius Kloepfer, Hannah Eversole

Aurora

In everyday life, individuals are faced with tasks that require sustained, visual attention. However, distractions are also a part of everyday life, and with the increase in technology use came an increase in distractions that may affect concentration and performance on these visual tasks. Previous research has examined how task-unrelated visual and auditory stimuli, presented at different intensities, impact functions of learning and memory. However, it has yet to determine their impact on ongoing, attention-demanding, visual tasks. The present study used a 2x2 between-subjects design to test the impact of both visual and auditory distractors, presented at either a high …

Educating The Educators: Increased Sexuality Training For Counselor Educators, Joshua C. Taylor

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

A robust body of literature has identified the need for counselors-in-training (CITs) to receive additional training in sexuality counseling. Growing efforts to identify efficacious training strategies have also been well-documented in the literature. These suggested updates have implicitly increased the counselor educator's role in delivering strategies to promote sexual counseling competence for CITs. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of literature regarding the adequate preparation of counselor educators in providing sexuality education. This article will underscore the counselor educator’s role in facilitating competence in sexuality counseling for CITs and provide a model for infusing sexuality counseling into doctoral curriculum.

Cumulative Lifespan Stress And Inflammation Are Associated With Black-White Racial Disparities In Mortality Among Americans, Isaiah Spears

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Black Americans disproportionately experience higher rates of health challenges and mortality compared to White Americans, yet the mechanisms underlying these disparities remain inadequately understood. Prominent theoretical models highlight stress and resulting allostatic load as putative mechanisms through which these Black-White racial disparities emerge; however, empirical data supporting such models with regard to mortality remains sparse. The current study examined the potential role of cumulative stress exposure across the life span and elevated levels of C-Reactive Protein, a biomarker of inflammation, in contributing to the longstanding increased mortality risk among Black relative to White Americans. Data were drawn from the Saint …

Behavioral Responses To The Medicare Part D Coverage Gap And Its Closure, Selene Urbatsch

Theses and Dissertations

The author examines how exposure to the Medicare Part D coverage gap affects future prescription drug use and whether the closure of the gap under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) altered beneficiary behavior. Using 2007–2019 MEPS data, the analysis compares Part D enrollees to similarly aged, privately insured individuals, producing first-differences and difference-in-differences estimates. Before the ACA, exposure to the gap was associated with 4.9 fewer prescription fills relative to comparable non-Part D individuals. After the ACA, the effect fell to a reduction of 2.2 generic fills, with no significant decline in branded use. Sudden out-of-pocket cost increases prompted sharp …

How Individual Differences In Cue Weighting Influence The Link Between Memory And Speech In Noise Perception, Ava Buckmir, Anne Marie Crinnion, Emily Myers

Honors Scholar Theses

Listening to speech is challenging, particularly when there is background noise or ambiguities in the speech signal. Numerous factors impact our ability to understand speech, including age, cognitive processes, and contextual information. But how do we account for these challenges? The types of cues we use may aid us in perceiving ambiguities in speech. Some individuals may rely on semantic cues (higher-level cues), such as how words relate to each other, or they may rely on acoustic-phonetic cues (lower-level cues), such as the durational information in the speech signal itself. But why do individuals differ in the types of cues …

A Review Of Studies Assessing Modifiable Risk Factors For Dementia Among Family Caregivers In The United States Based On Behavioral Risk Factorsurveillance System (Brfss), Shruthi Ranjithkumar

2025 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) face an increased risk of developing dementia due to advanced age and modifiable risk factors. The 2024 Lancet Commission Report identified 14 such risk factors, whose mitigation could reduce dementia cases by 45%. Despite this, research on modifiable dementia risk factors among ADRD caregivers remains limited. This study investigates whether peer-reviewed studies utilizing Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data assess modifiable dementia risk factors among ADRD caregivers. A PubMed search retrieved 27 relevant articles, which were analyzed for risk factors identified by the Lancet Commission, including traumatic brain injury, …

Improving Brain Health: Exercise As A Tool For Enhancing Executive Function And Reducing Stress In Older African Americans, Destiny Ellise Ramos

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Older African American (AA) adults face disproportionately higher risk of stress and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) compared to other racial and ethnic groups, yet they remain underrepresented in intervention-based research. Previous research has suggested aerobic exercise may reduce stress and benefit executive functioning, which is among the first cognitive domains to be affected in ADRD; however, no studies to date have directly tested the impact of aerobic vs. non-aerobic exercise in older AAs at high risk for developing ADRD. The current study evaluated the effects of a group-based cardio dance fitness (CDF) exercise intervention versus a strength, flexibility, …

The Impact Of Puzzles On Short-Term Attention, Mauricio Rodriguez

Psychology

Successfully solving Sudoku puzzles requires constant diverting of attention to certain puzzle elements. Previous research has shown that puzzles, including Sudoku, aid in cognitive functioning and the aging process (Lin et al., 2023). Social media use has become increasingly popular for younger generations. With this trend has come various mental health complications, including shorter attention spans (Sha & Dong, 2021). This study tested undergraduate college students and the impact puzzle solving (Sudoku, and mazes) had on attentional capabilities. Our study contributes to the literature by investigating if enhanced attention results from completing Sudoku puzzles for a short amount of time. …

Framework For Enhanced Intergenerational Connectivity (Eic): A Professional Program Development Report, Amanda Michelle Reigle

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This program development report documents the implementation and facilitation of the Sages and Seekers pilot program at California State University, San Bernardino (Palm Desert Campus) from 2022 to 2025. Grounded in communication theory, intergroup contact principles, and instructional design, the report outlines a structured intergenerational intervention aimed at enhancing empathy, connection, and understanding between older and younger adults. Drawing from facilitator observations and program implementation experiences, this work led to the creation of the Framework for Enhanced Intergenerational Connectivity (EIC), a five-point planning model emphasizing leadership, facilitation, administrative support, participant continuity, and structured program design.

The EIC framework is accompanied …

Penny For Your Thoughts: Exploring Mechanisms Linking Socioeconomic Status And Cognition, Colton Hunter

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Socioeconomic status is a complex psychological construct linked to a number of professional and personal barriers, including cognitive deficits. Throughout this dissertation, I seek to examine the mechanisms that link socioeconomic status and cognition. First, I explore potential mediators in the link between adolescent family income and cognition in adulthood, identifying education, stressful life events, inflammation, and family education expectations as significant mediators. Next, I examine the effects of writing-based stress manipulations on long-term memory and working memory, as these effects may mimic stress from financial worry. In doing so, I identify potential effects on working memory parameters. Finally, in …

Sibling Groups And Family Adaptability And Cohesion Among Emerging Adult Women, Julianne M. Post

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how sibling group size is related to family adaptability, cohesion, and individual resiliency outcomes during emerging adulthood. Using Bowen's Family Systems Theory and Olson's Circumplex Model, the research investigates sibling subsystems as sites where systemic imbalances are first experienced within families. Data from 124 college students revealed that larger sibling groups were associated with marginally higher disengagement and chaos resulting in decreased perceived social support, suggesting resiliency implications for youth growing up within larger families. While sibling size didn't directly predict mental health, family dynamics significantly mediated the relationship between sibling composition and resiliency outcomes. Demographic factors …

Household Wealth And Mental Health In Older Adults Across Racial Groups: Moderating Role Of Social Support, Sunkanmi Folorunsho

Department of Sociology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis examines the relationship between household wealth and mental health outcomes among older adults, with particular attention to racial and ethnic differences and the potential moderating role of social support. Although financial resources are widely recognized as important determinants of psychological well-being, less is known about how social support interacts with economic conditions to shape mental health in later life. The study also addresses how these patterns may vary among different racial and ethnic groups, given persistent inequalities in wealth and disparities in access to social resources.

Drawing on data from the 2020 wave of the Health and Retirement …

Effects Of Food Insufficiency And Family Structure On Parental Aggravation And Child Outcomes, Angel Juarez

University Honors Program Senior Projects

Food insufficiency is a detrimental crisis that impacts families facing financial hardships across the United States (Nam et al., 2015). Research finds that economic difficulties and child maladaptive development are positively associated because parental stress is exacerbated by financial hardships affecting parental sensitivity to their children (Hill et al., 2013; Simons et al., 2016). The current study uses the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI) data from the 2021-2022 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). It builds on these findings, investigating the relationship between food insufficiency and parental aggravation on child behavioral outcomes across different family structures in the …

Reforming Pensions In Africa: Addressing Coverage, Payout Disparities, And Dementia Outcomes For Sustainable Aging, Cyprian Mostert, Catherine Ajalo, David Andai

Brain and Mind Institute

No abstract provided.

Technology And Transportation’S Role In Social Isolation In Rural Older Adults, Sara F. Miller

Honors Theses

This study examines the perceptions and experiences of rural older adults. More specifically, their community experiences, connections, technology, and transportation. Past literature, when examining these topics, took a quantitative approach utilizing scales. This study takes a qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews to examine the feelings behind the experiences of the participants. Interviews were conducted with four older rural adults. The four participants were female and were of varying marital statuses. Three of the participants were Caucasian, and one was African American. Four themes were found in this process. It was found that the participants were content with the connections that …

Living In Essex: A Community Needs Assessment, Sue Berger, Ceara Somerville, Caitlin E. Coyle

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA) within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Town of Essex. The goals of this project were to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Essex residents age 18 or older by engaging the community regarding their experiences and needs relevant to the Council on Aging’s (COA’s) objective to identify and serve the needs of all Essex citizens 60 and older.

Recreational Runner Participation: Barriers, Benefits, And Best Foot Forward In Josephine County, Adam Boothe

Leadership Education Capstones

Running, a simple yet powerful activity, has the potential to significantly enhance physical and mental well-being. While many individuals in Josephine County enjoy running as a recreational pursuit, a cohesive running community remains absent. This research aims to delve into the factors hindering the formation of such a community and explore the potential benefits of participating in a recreational running club.

Beyond Work-Family Conflict: Conceptualization And Measurement Of Work-Eldercare Conflict, Patrick Cullen

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The number of workers with informal caregiving responsibilities continues to grow exponentially (Feinberg & Skufca, 2020), yet research on the intersection of work and eldercare is often neglected in the literature (Griggs et al., 2020). While earlier eldercare measures have typically been dichotomous, researchers have more recently begun to incorporate multidimensional measures of eldercare (Calvano, 2013). However, what has yet to be thoroughly explored is eldercare in the context of role theory, particularly interrole conflict, as existing work-family measures may be deficient in this regard. Therefore, in the present study, role theory was used to develop the Work-Eldercare Conflict Scale …

The Moderating Role Of Social Support For Lgbtq People In South Central Appalachia: Present Yet Unimpactful?, Paige Henry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) minority stress theory states that LGBTQ people experience stressors specific to their identity that result in negative mental health outcomes. Social support has been shown to protect against these negative outcomes, but South Central Appalachia is known to be high stigma and low resource for this population. The present study examined the potential moderating impact of four sources of social support (family, friends, partners, and pets) on the relationship between minority stress experiences and psychological distress for LGBTQ people living in South Central Appalachia. Participants included 116 LGBTQ adults living in South Central …

Does Moving From One-Story Building To Multi-Building Affect The Health Status Of The Elderly: Evidence From China’S Par Program, Lu Cao

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This study investigates the causal impact of relocating from single-story to multistory buildings on the health outcomes of elderly residents in China. Using China’s Poverty Alleviation Relocation (PAR) program as an exogenous policy shock, we employ instrumental variable and difference-in-differences approaches to establish causality. Our analysis of data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011-2018) reveals a nuanced relationship between vertical living and elderly health. While relocation to multi-story buildings is associated with deterioration in self-reported physical health status, it significantly improves mental health conditions and life satisfaction among elderly movers. We identify two key mechanisms driving these …

Exploring The Relationship Between Intrinsic Capacity And Social Participation In Healthy Ageing: Evidence From Singapore, Li Ling Cheong, William Tov, Robin Wai Munn Choo, Micah Tan, Lay Khoon Lau, Wee Shiong Lim, Yew Yoong Ding, Paulin Tay Straughan

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Objective: The World Health Organization has identified intrinsic capacity and functional ability as key constructs in enabling healthy ageing. However, functional ability is distinct from actual levels of social and physical participation, which research has shown to be associated with health and wellbeing. This study distinguishes between functional ability and actual levels of social and physical participation, and utilizes the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework to examine the relationship between IC and the two constructs. Methods: This study utilizes cross-sectional self-reported data from a nationally representative panel of Singapore residents aged 56–75 (N = 6,434). We performed …

Parkinson’S Disease And Processing Speed Theory Does Processing Speed Mediate Higher-Order Cognitive Functioning?, Priscilla Cuellar-Rocha

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder resulting in both motor and cognitive deficits. Salthouse (1990) proposed the Information Processing Speed (IPS) Theory that a reduced cognitive processing speed is a significant factor that accounts for the negative relationship between age-related variance and cognition. Parkinson’s is an idiopathic disorder, meaning that the cause is unknown, with most patients being 60 years and older. If the IPS theory suggests that an increased age affects the slowing of IPS, which then impairs cognition, PD, a disorder involving older adults, should also follow this pattern. However, no studies have assessed the IPS theory …

Challenges To And Receptiveness Of Service Providers Efforts When Working With Undocumented Migrants, Jesse Flores

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This exploratory study will obtain knowledge on how receptive Undocumented Latinx Migrants (ULMs) are to the advocacy efforts of Service Providers (SPs). Additionally, challenges and barriers that SPs encounter that prevent them from delivering quality and effective services and resources to ULMs will be explored. The last theme to be explored is the degree of knowledge of resources, that SPs possess, that can empower the ULM community. The data obtained from SPs will make the audience aware of the challenges, ethical and legal dilemmas that they face when advocating for this population.

This qualitative research design/methods will consist of 3 …

Burnout Among Mental Health Professionals In Northern California: A Mixed-Methods Study, Sade Butler

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Burnout, characterized by prolonged emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion, is a widespread issue affecting millions of professionals in the United States and globally. Previous research has not adequately addressed the phenomenon of burnout, particularly in California. This study took a mixed-methods approach to determine the scope of, contributing factors to, and coping strategies for burnout among mental health professionals in Northern California. A sample of 93 mental health professionals completed a survey that contained both closed-ended and open-ended questions on burnout. Descriptive statistics indicated that 89.2% of participants experienced a moderate to severe level of burnout at work. Meanwhile, thematic …

The Benefits Of Hispanic Adult Children Caregiving For Their Older Adult Parents, Jesus Duarte, Jazmin Salazar

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This project proposal aims to explore the ways social workers can assist Hispanic adult children (AC) to find satisfaction with their role as caregivers for their older adult (OA) and family of their own, given the growth in the Hispanic population more services and interventions are needed to meet the needs of the Hispanic community. The primary objectives of this proposal are to identify social work interventions that align with Hispanic cultural values throughout different generations. And to explore the benefits and the positive aspects of caregiving for an older adult. A mixed-methods approach will be used, combining a demographic …

A Systematic Review Of The Effects Of Depression On Academic Performance In Hispanic College Students, Arthur Leon Stone Iii, Jonathan Thomas Gomez I

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research project proposal looked at the impact of depression on the academic achievement of Hispanic college students in the United States. Depression is a significant mental health disorder, as it affects emerging adults, particularly college students trying to find their way and understand the academic and social challenges that come along with attending college. Research in the past has established a strong relationship between depression and a decrease in academic performance. However, there have been a limited amount of studies addressing this correlation between mental health and academic performance among Hispanic college students, a growing demographic within higher education. …

Lived Experiences Of Older Adults After Involuntary Work Separation, Mark Mallock Rose

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of those subjected to involuntary work separation at age 50+ in the United States. The literature concerning involuntary job loss is lacking in research pertaining to the 50+ age demographic. This research is important in the aspect that older workers face specific challenges that their younger counterparts may not after involuntary work separation. Understanding the psychological responses, positive aspects, and negative aspects of involuntary job separation in older adults added to the literature for those aged 50+. The research design was qualitative inquiry using virtual recorded interviewing …

The Role Of Mental And Physical Health On Fear Of Crime, Macky Ann Hurst

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fear of crime is a significant social issue that affects quality of life, often leading to behavioral changes and increased anxiety. While prior research has explored the link between fear of crime and health, notable gaps remain – particularly regarding how distinct dimensions of health influence fear of crime. This study addresses these gaps by examining the effects of perceived health and depressive symptoms on fear of crime. Data were drawn from the Arkansas Crime, Public Safety, and Health Survey (ACPSHS), an online, opt-in survey of approximately 2,300 non- institutionalized adults in Arkansas. Ordinary least squares regression models were used …