Digital Commons Network^™

The Coffee Hag: The Early Years, Kellian Clink

Library Services Publications

Patti Ruskey started the Coffee Hag in 1992 and was the proprietor for 15 years. Across from Ardent Milling, down the block from the Reconciliation Park, it has been a community center for more than 30 years now, a place for coffee and vegetarian food, but also a venue for artists, writers, musicians and a safe place for LGBTQ folks. This is the story of the Hag during Patti’s tenure.

Two Essays On Health And Health Behavior In China, Jiamin Tan

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

This thesis consists of two empirical studies on elderly mental health and on health behaviors. The first study investigates the long-term impact of childhood hunger on mental health in later life, using data from two nationally representative surveys in China. The study finds that childhood hunger exposure significantly increases the risks of depression and anxiety in later life. These effects are most pronounced among individuals exposed after age 5, suggesting that autobiographical memory formation plays an important role beyond socioeconomic and health pathways. The findings further indicate these impacts can be mitigated through economic interventions, such as welfare programs, and …

The Cowl - V. 89 N. 1 - September 18, 2025

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol. 89 No. 1 - September 18, 2025. 20 pages.

Obesity Severity And Cancer Screening In Us Adults, Florina Corpodean, Michael Kachmar, Shengping Yang, Michael W. Cook, Philip R. Schauer, Vance L. Albaugh

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

No. 45: Internal Migration, Climate Adaptation, And Food System Resilience In Namibia, Lawrence N. Kazembe, Ndeyapo Nickanor

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

As one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most arid countries, Namibia serves as a crucial example for studying the interactions between climate vulnerability, migration, and food systems. This study investigates how internal migration flows to Windhoek and northern towns (Oshakati, Ongwediva, Ondangwa) transform urban food networks while creating new patterns of risk and adaptation. Through household surveys, policy analysis, and stakeholder interviews, we uncover a paradox: despite escaping rural climate stressors, migrants often encounter new vulnerabilities such as precarious employment, inadequate housing, and unstable food access. However, they develop sophisticated adaptive strategies that span urban-rural divides: maintaining rural agricultural production through family …

Budget Tradeoffs Shape Food Insecurity Among U.S. Older Adults, Madonna Harrington Meyer, Colleen M. Heflin

Population Health Research Brief Series

For low-income older adults, it may be difficult to meet basic needs on a fixed monthly income. Stretching resources can be difficult, especially if unexpected expenses arise, leading many older adults to face difficult budget tradeoffs. Based on the book, Food for Thought: Understanding Older Adults Food Insecurity, this brief summarizes how budget tradeoffs between food and other essential expenses—housing, utilities, medical care, transportation, and personal and cleaning supplies—shape food insecurity among older adults.

Consumptive Vampires: Notes On Nineteenth-Century Blood-Drinkers, Rachel Widmer

The Ozark Historical Review

From the late 19th century, newspapers reported of incidences where blood-drinking was used as a potential cure for disease. This paper explores this report and investigates this behavior among consumptives at the time.

The Ozark Historical Review, V.47, 2019

The Ozark Historical Review

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Mindfulness As A Preventative Measure To Reduce Stress, Burnout, And Symptoms Of Traumatic Stress In Nursing Students, Kara Zondervan

Mindfulness Studies Theses

Nurses and nursing students frequently face high-stress environments due to demanding workloads, human suffering, death, and complex decision-making. Global nursing shortages and the recent COVID-19 pandemic have worsened daily stressors in healthcare settings, leading to poor mental health, unpredictable work situations, and low job satisfaction. The physical and psychological strain of working in understaffed, under-resourced environments leads to higher rates of absenteeism, turnover, and challenges in staff retention and recruitment. This emphasizes the need for nursing students to be well-prepared to handle and cope with the inherent stressors of nursing education and future clinical practice. Research also shows that nursing …

The Psychological Impact Of Systemic Factors On Maternal Mental Health Outcomes, V Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Maternal mental health disparities in the United States continue to impact reproductive-age women, especially those from underserved populations. In this quantitative study, how healthcare accessibility and socioeconomic status (SES) influenced psychological stress and maternal mental health outcomes was examined. Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological model and critical race theory guided the theoretical framework. Secondary data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to analyze three research questions related to the predictive relationships between systemic factors and mental health outcomes, and differences in stress across age groups. Key variables included insurance coverage, access to a personal doctor, cost-related barriers, income, employment …

Bonding With Earth: Hyperbole, Metaphor, Or Fanciful Teleology?, George Conesa

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

At a mere glance, the notion that humans could (should strive for?) bond emotionally with an entire planet, Earth, sounds hyperbolic at best and psychologically unsound at worst. For although humans might be motivated to act in ways that pass for “bonding,” perhaps assisted by intentions and sentiments to care for a whole planet, the question remains: Which notion of Earth are they really investing all their emotions in? Important to psychologists would be to inquire whether incomplete, idealized, oversimplified, or fantastic notions of “Earth,” or bonding, turn out to be transference-love-like, platonic, overidealized forms of affect, which seldom develop …

Reining In Plasticulture From Land To Sea: Pacific Northwest (Usa) Perspectives On Agriculture And Aquaculture, Susanne M. Brander, Gail A. Langellotto, Minal T. Mistry, Sebastian L. Singleton, Mackenna A. Hainey, Lauren M. Kashiwabara, Kelsey Arthur, Elise F. Granek, Kervelle Baird, Ricardo Palazuelos, Multiple Additional Authors

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Plastic use in food production—known as plasticulture—has transformed agriculture and aquaculture globally. Plasticulture gained momentum in the mid-20th century with the development of novel plastic materials, and by 2009, U.S. farmers used over 200 million pounds of plastic films annually. Though plastics have increased yields and efficiency, they now pose environmental hazards through the release of microplastics (MPs) and chemicals. Despite extensive documentation of MPs in the environment, their role in U.S. food production and impacts on crop, livestock, and aquaculture health remain underexplored. In regions like the Pacific Northwest (PNW), with robust agricultural and aquaculture sectors, plastics from films, …

Financial Shocks, Emergency Savings, And Hardship Among Low-Wage Workers, Haotian Zheng, Stephen Roll, Mathieu Despard

Center for Social Development Research

For many households, particu­larly those with limited income or financial resources, medical emergencies, car repairs, sudden job losses, and unexpected expenses can quickly precipitate financial hardships. Emergency savings provide a buffer that allows households to manage disrup­tions and avoid reliance on options that incur high-interest debt. Addressing the lack of emergency savings is not just a matter of individual responsibility; it also poses a broader policy challenge with implications for public welfare. Drawing upon data from the nationally representative Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility survey, this brief reports on low-wage households’ experiences with shocks, savings, and hardships. It also discusses …

Racial Discrimination And Inflammation In Adolescence: Ethnic/Racial Processes As Moderators, Queenisha Crichlow

All ETDs from UAB

Discrimination and other psychosocial stressors contribute to chronic disease by dysregulating neuroendocrine and immune systems, which often leads to increased levels of inflammation. Given that inflammation is a key biological pathway associated with the development of chronic diseases, it has been proposed as a potential mechanism linking racial discrimination to poorer health. Most studies linking racial discrimination with inflammation have focused on adults, despite the fact that children and adolescents also experience discrimination. This dissertation explores the association between racial discrimination and inflammation, measured via salivary C-reactive protein (CRP) and proinflammatory cytokines, among Black and Hispanic adolescents. It also examines …

The Cost Of Malnutrition In Older Adults In The Mountain West, 2020, Taylor Volk, Anirudh Polagani, Olivia K. Cheche, Kristian Thymianos, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet presents 2020 data on the annual costs of disease-associated malnutrition for adults aged 65 years and older across the five Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The data are sourced from “Advancing Policies for Quality Malnutrition Care in Older Adults: A Toolkit for State Legislators,” a report published by Defeat Malnutrition Today and Women in Government.

Policy Recommendations To Reduce Old Age Food Insecurity In The United States, Colleen M. Heflin, Madonna Harrington Meyer

Center for Policy Research

In 2023, 7.4 million adults ages 60 and over in the United States were food insecure. As the number of older people at risk of food insecurity in the U.S. continues to rise, effective policy responses are critical. The current policy responses to old age food insecurity are complex, costly, and not nearly effective enough.

Based on the book, Food for Thought: Understanding Older Adults Food Insecurity, this brief summarizes five policy recommendations to improve food insecurity among U.S. older adults. The authors recommend measuring food security in multidimensional ways, treating food insecurity as a health issue, adopting SNAP …

E-Government Utilization And The Political Logic Of Network Governance In Indonesia’S Local Administration, Dewi Anggraini, Faturachman Alputra Sudirman, Nur Atnan, Muhammad Najib Husain

Jurnal Wacana Politik

This article investigates the utilization of E-Government applications within the framework of network governance in Indonesia’s local administration. Drawing on both qualitative and quantitative methods, this study captures public perceptions of electronic information-based government services and explores the political and institutional dynamics underlying their implementation. Data were collected through questionnaires, document analysis, interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs) with purposively selected informants, including leaders and staff from local government institutions. The findings demonstrate that e-government platforms enhance service efficiency, transparency, and public satisfaction. Moreover, these applications promote openness in financial management and intra-organizational communication, contributing to greater trust and comfort …

How Is Food Insecurity Measured In The United States And What Share Of Older Adults Are Food Insecure?, Colleen M. Heflin, Madonna Harrington Meyer

Population Health Research Brief Series

The U.S. Department of Agriculture measures food insecurity based on whether households had problems affording food during the last twelve months. Based on the current definition, in 2023 9.2% of households with adults ages 60 and older were food insecure. But there are many problems with the existing definition for accurately capturing food insecurity among older adults.

Based on the book, Food for Thought: Understanding Older Adults Food Insecurity, this brief summarizes those limitations, noting that existing measures do not account for barriers that are common among older adults, such as mobility, physical distance, and transportation barriers.

Coping Self-Efficacy, Acculturation, Gender, Socioeconomic Status, And Perceived Discrimination As Predictors Of Depression Among Nigerian Immigrants In The United States, Olatunde O. Osibote

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nigerian immigrants represent one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations in the United States. Relocating to a new country can be a major source of stress, often increasing individuals’ vulnerability to mental health challenges. While considerable research has examined predictors of depression in the general population and among certain immigrant groups, limited attention has been given to these factors in the context of Nigerian immigrants in the U.S. This study aimed to address that gap by applying Berry’s acculturation theory to investigate predictors of depression within this population. A quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational survey design was used to examine whether acculturation, socioeconomic …

Sex-Specific Associations Between Early Life Unpredictability And Trajectories Of Body Mass Index From Infancy To Adolescence, Emily M. Melnick, Lilybelle K. Deer, Jenalee R. Doom, Hal S. Stern, Curt A. Sandman, Laura M. Glynn, Elysia P. Davis

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective:

Unpredictability in early life is an understudied aspect of early life adversity that provides important signals to the child about their environment. Recent work shows the predictability of patterns of parental signals on a moment-to-moment timescale sculpts the developing brain during sensitive windows, offering a potential pathway through which early life experiences shape child development. Both experimental non-human animal models and observational human research show sex-specific links between early life exposure to unpredictable patterns of parental sensory signals and aberrant offspring development. The impact of predictability of sensory signals on physical health outcomes, such as BMI, remains unknown. Here …

Lanthorn, Vol. 60, No. 03, September 8, 2025, Grand Valley State University

Volume 60, August 4, 2025 – April 20, 2026

Lanthorn is Grand Valley State's student newspaper, published from 1968 to the present.

Radon Environmental Health Literacy Among Health Council Participants In Northeast Tennessee, Kawther Al Ksir, Stacy Stanifer, Hadii M. Mamudu, Megan Quinn, Deborah L. Slawson

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Radon, a radioactive gas, poses significant health risks, including lung cancer, and is prevalent in indoor environments. Understanding radon testing behavior and Environmental Health Literacy (EHL) is crucial for individuals to take appropriate preventive measures.

Purpose: This study assessed radon-related EHL among Health Council participants in seven Northeast Tennessee (NETN) counties and examined associations between sociodemographic factors and EHL levels. Understanding radon knowledge and behaviors within this influential group is critical, as they often serve as trusted public health advocates.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September – November 2023 among Health Council participants across seven counties in …

Prevalence Of Screening Patients For Alcohol Use In West Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study, Bayan Abuhalimeh, Christopher Waters, R. Constance Wiener

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Consequences of alcohol consumption are well-established and compounded by physiological changes of aging (increased sensitivity; medication interactions; etc.). Alcohol screening for all ages is recommended, especially as most Americans believe moderate drinking is acceptable. Screening is important in high alcohol use regions, such as rural areas where isolation is more likely, especially for older adults. The Appalachian Region has a significant rural population of older adults. West Virginia (WV) is representative of Appalachia. It is a rural state, has many older adults, and all counties are Appalachian.

Purpose: The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine the likelihood …

Addressing The Root Causes Of Population Health In Central Appalachian Virginia, David L. Driscoll, Kol Gold

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The Southwest Virginia Health Authority (SWVHA) recently commissioned a community health needs assessment (CHNA) to reduce the high rate of preventable health problems in Virginia’s (VA) Appalachian Region. The CHNA took place over a two-year period from 2023 – 2025.

Purpose: This iterative, mixed-method CHNA informed the development of a new iteration of the regional Blueprint for Health Improvement and Health-Enabled Prosperity identifying and prioritizing health issues and develop strategic planning to address them in VA’s three westernmost regional health districts.

Methods: The CHNA followed a sequential mixed methods design to assess the regional health status, the contextual factors …

Creating The Thomas Mcrae Sanitorium For Negros: Race, Contagion, And Space In Jim Crow Arkansas, Shauna Gibbons

The Ozark Historical Review

The Thomas McRae Memorial Sanatorium for Negroes, located in Alexander, Arkansas, opened its doors in 1931 as the only resource for the entire state’s population of consumptive African Americans. It was touted as one of the best of its kind under the supervision of Dr Hugh A. Browne. But its “kind” was a facility intended for individuals whom whites in the medical and political establishment viewed not only as second class citizens but as biologically and medically different.

Families Experiencing Domestic Violence Related Homelessness, Brittany Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homelessness in the United States remains a persistent issue despite legislative efforts to address it. Single parents navigating homelessness encounter unique challenges in accessing stable housing and essential services, with domestic violence often serving as a significant contributory factor. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of practitioners regarding the needs of single parents navigating domestic violence-related homelessness. The empowerment theory provided the framework for this study, and data were obtained from focus groups with leaders and administrators who work in the areas of homelessness, economic security, and family violence. The study’s findings revealed significant gaps …

State Of Illinois Model Programs Of Study Guides: 2025 Utilization Report, Meagan Mitchell Phd

Reports, Analyses, and other Publications

The State of Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides were developed in collaboration with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) through a process led and facilitated by Education Systems Center (EdSystems) at Northern Illinois University. The process included extensive research into labor market information and credential programs, as well as dialogue across secondary, postsecondary, and employer stakeholders. With the support of ICCB, EdSystems researched the utilization of the State of Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides: Culinary and Hospitality and Human and Public Service.

We consulted with ICCB to receive the Perkins V …

Lindenwood Digest, September 3, 2025, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

The Lindenwood Digest has been a digital employee newsletter since 2009.

P.L.A.Y. For All Pilot: Effects Of A Community-Based, Inclusive After-School Program On Physical Activity And Motor-Skill Outcomes, Allison R. Tsuchida, Karl-Richard Hennebach, Erin E. Centeio

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

After-school programs for physical activity (PA) can contribute to helping children and youth achieve the suggested 60 minutes a day of PA. Previous research also suggests that developing motor competency can positively impact long-term PA participation. Additionally, parent and peer support can help children and youth overcome barriers to PA participation. The primary purpose of this pilot research study was to determine the effects of an inclusive after-school program on PA levels and motor-skill outcomes for children with and without disabilities. A secondary purpose was to examine parental support for physical activity and children’s physical activity and motor skills. 38 …

Early Adult Outcomes Of 4-H Program Alumni: A Propensity-Matched Comparative Study, Steven M. Worker, Roshan K. Nayak, Anne Marie Iaccopucci, Nicole Marshall-Wheeler

Journal of Youth Development

A young person’s engagement in high-quality youth development programs should lead to stronger positive outcomes as a young adult. Theoretical literature advances broad indicators that mark success in young adulthood; however, there is a dearth of empirical publications reporting long-term outcomes to support this assumption. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study to report on three long-term outcomes (economic stability, health and well-being, and community involvement) of young adult (aged 19 to 34) alumni of the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program. We compared 4-H alumni outcomes to matched peers using secondary data sources. The 4-H alumni sample demonstrated more …