Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Ghanian Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches In Fighting Sexual Violence Against Women, Christian Tsekpoe

Salubritas: International Journal of Spirit-Empowered Counseling

No abstract provided.

The Intersection Of Mental Health And Demonic Activity, Robert A. Willis

Salubritas: International Journal of Spirit-Empowered Counseling

No abstract provided.

Integrating Spiritual Disciplines As A Therapeutic Modality In Mental Health Counseling For Identity Restoration & Trauma Healing, Rebecca Webster, Charlotte H. Sanders

Salubritas: International Journal of Spirit-Empowered Counseling

No abstract provided.

Full Issue Salubritas 5 (2026), Editors Salubritas

Salubritas: International Journal of Spirit-Empowered Counseling

No abstract provided.

Beyond Boundaries: Unlocking Positive Social Change Through Shared Expertise, Sigifredo Castell Britton

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

Societal progress thrives through the dynamic interplay of diverse disciplines, each contributing unique insights to advance positive change. Interdisciplinary collaboration plays a crucial role in addressing complex social challenges by combining the strengths of various fields. This article explores the historical evolution, theoretical foundations, and practical applications of interdisciplinary collaboration to foster positive social change. The discussion provides definitions of key terms, such as societal progress and positive social change, within distinct ideological and contextual frameworks. It makes use of these to clarify the direction of positive change in different societal settings. Historical and contemporary examples, such as Bolivia’s social …

Navigating Trauma And Scarcity: A Phenomenological Inquiry Into Well-Being Among Black Adult Males In Ohio Valley, Devron Demont Hobbs

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black adult males in resource-scarce Ohio Valley communities have historically experienced trauma that disrupted their well-being. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study, grounded in developmental trauma disorder (DTD) theory, was to explore how Black adult males understood and sustained well-being while living with DTD in resource-scarce environments. The participants comprised six Black adult males who resided in Ohio Valley communities and experienced trauma during childhood and adulthood. Data were collected through confidential, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Five themes emerged: healing through connection and role-modeling, historical and systemic trauma as a daily barrier, navigating …

The Post-Covid Experiences Of Low-Income Single Mothers In Maintaining Social Capital And Informal Social Support, Marissa L. Goldman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low-income single mothers often manage financial, caregiving, emotional, and logistical demands with limited resources and rely on informal support networks that may be inconsistent. This problem matters to social workers, community-based practitioners, and researchers because a greater understanding can guide interventions that reduce isolation and role overload and improve resource access. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore how low-income single mothers used trust, reciprocity, social norms, and collective support to maintain informal networks in the post-COVID era. Guided by Bourdieu’s social capital theory, the study included 10 English-speaking U.S. mothers with household incomes at or below …

Hkc09 - Climate Change Increases Bilateral Trade Costs, Maximilian Huppertz

Oberlin College Kasper Economics and Business Working Paper Series

It is well established that climate change affects productivity, but its effects on trade costs have not been studied. I combine international trade and weather data covering 190 years and show how an augmented gravity framework can be used to estimate the impact of climate change on bilateral trade cost. I find that climate change, as measured by decadal temperature shifts at the origin or destination country, increases them. Adaptation to these changes seems slow. They appear to be driven by impacts on maritime trade in particular, perhaps due to the vulnerability of seaports to climate change. Combining these results …

The Intersection Of Sport Betting And Consumer Behavior: A Systematic Review, Jackson Sears, Beth Cianfrone

UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal

Sport betting is a popular and lucrative entertainment segment of the sport industry. As such, understanding consumer behavior across the betting experiences is critical for the many stakeholders involved. The current study is a systematic quantitative literature review which assesses the current state of literature that intersects sport betting and consumer behavior literature, specifically cognitive, affective, conative, and consumption behavior of the sport bettors. The purpose of the systematic review is to (1) identify the most recent sport betting consumer behavior research, (2) compile and examine theoretical frameworks guiding sport gambling consumer research, (3) provide a descriptive summary of findings …

Workplace Loneliness And The Impact Of Social Connections In Distributed Teams, Belkys Stallings

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace loneliness is a growing organizational challenge as the rise of distributed teams reshapes opportunities for social connection and engagement. Business leaders need to understand this challenge because it is associated with reduced belonging, lower job satisfaction, diminished productivity, and increased turnover intentions. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the extent to which distributed team environments (remote, hybrid, or flexible) impacted workplace loneliness and whether social connectedness moderated this relationship. Social exchange theory, self-determination theory, and Weiss’s concept of loneliness grounded this study. The participants comprised 84 adults working full-time in distributed team environments across the …

The Relative Strength Of Compulsive Reward-Driven Eating, Weight Self-Efficacy, And Physical Appearance Comparison In Predicting Feelings Of Self-Worth, Kathleen Rowe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University College of Psychology and Community Services This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Kathleen Rowe has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Hedy Dexter, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Medha Talpade, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2026

Evolution Of Global Sea‐Level Rise Projections And Their Uncertainty, Andra J. Garner, Amy Appollina, Jessica Slotter, Gregory G. Garner, Aimée B. A. Slangen, Robert E. Kopp, Benjamin P. Horton

School of Earth, Environment, and Society Faculty Publications and Presentations

For more than 40 years, scientists have projected future sea‐level change. Documenting how sea‐level projections have evolved is vital for tracking progress, uncertainties, and future research needs. Here, we update and analyze a database of global‐mean sea level (GMSL) projections dating from 1982 to 2025, identifying five key findings. First, GMSL projection generation has been concentrated in a small number of developed countries, with 95% of projections produced in the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, or Australia. Second, while GMSL projections for 2050 and 2100 have been published regularly since the early 1980s, only 30 of 103 studies have …

The Impact Of Cyber Resilience On Achieving Digital Development: A Survey Study At North Oil Company, Huda Abdul Rahim Hussein, Ali Abdul Fattah Alshaher, Ahmed Zuhair Tawfiq

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The research aims to identify the impact of cyber resilience on achieving digital development in the North Oil Company within the framework of a conceptual model that relies on cyber resilience as an independent variable with its four dimensions (prevention, protection, response, recovery) and a dependent variable represented by digital development with its dimensions (digital infrastructure, digital skills, digital inclusion, technological innovation) The research adopted a survey methodology, and data was collected using a questionnaire developed based on previous studies that employed tested measures in the field of information systems and information security. The research sample consisted of 312 individuals …

Effectiveness Of Banking Marketing Strategies And Their Impact On Attracting Customers: A Comparative Study Between The Trade Bank Of Iraq (Tbi) And The Bank Of Baghdad, Azzam Saleh Abd

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The research problem centers on the growing gap between the marketing strategies adopted by Iraqi banks and the increasing expectations of customers in the digital age, which has led to a noticeable disparity in the ability to attract and retain customers between the public and private sectors. Despite its capital strength and sovereign status, the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) faces challenges in aligning its marketing flexibility with the needs of individuals versus large corporations, while the Bank of Baghdad struggles to promote trust and security to compete with government guarantees. To analyze this problem, three main hypotheses were formulated: …

Customer Experience Of Banking Service And Its Impact On Achieving Competitive Advantage Applied Study In A Sample Of Banks Operating In Al-Muthanna Governorate, Ahmed Mankhi Gshayyish, Rajaa Ali Hassan

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

With the help of advances in information technology and intensifyingcompetition on financial markets, gaining competitive advantage in the banking sector is no longer price or quality of product dependent, but rather relies on managing customer experience in all its facets and associated touchpoints. The" customer experience embodies an organic model for the customers perception and memories integrated which serve to improve the bank's image and superiority of its competitive position. In the light of the above, this research is also based on investigating customer experience in operating public banks and clarifying its impact on achieving competitive advantage by exploring the …

Siddha Formulations: A Traditional Reservoir Of Valuable Medicines For The Contemporary World, Agnes Preethy

International Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Traditional Medicine had been practised for many centuries in different parts of the world. However, the deep insights drawn from the traditional knowledge have remained highly localized as it had been privy only to the generations of traditional medicine practitioners. This, combined with lack of scientific evidence of their therapeutic action, had limited access, acceptance and awareness of these preparations to the larger segment of the community. The emergence of new lifestyle disorders and drug-resistant diseases in recent years has fuelled the search for alternate treatment strategies and has revived interest in traditional medicines. Concerted efforts to decipher the molecular …

Ayurvedic Herbs In The Management Of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Comprehensive Narrative Review, Latha Damle, Chandrasekhar C

International Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, primarily affecting older men. It frequently leads to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as increased urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia, and weak urine flow, which can significantly impair quality of life. Standard treatments for BPH include alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and surgical interventions. However, limitations in efficacy and potential adverse effects have driven interest in complementary and traditional therapies, including Ayurveda. In Ayurvedic medicine, BPH is described as Mutraghata and Vatashthila, conditions attributed to an imbalance of Vata and Kapha doshas that disrupt normal prostate and …

A Treasure House Called Traditional Knowledge, Sudha Seshayyan

International Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Centuries of observation, experimentation, and cultural continuity have formed the basis of traditional knowledge, which is a huge and complex repository of scientific information. Engineering, hydrology, fluid dynamics, medicine and cosmology are just a few of the many domains in which ancient Indian wisdom demonstrates an astonishing depth of factual understanding that is ingrained in daily activities, architectural principles, and literature. From Avvaiyar’s verses of wisdom to the magnificent temples whose architecture continues to amaze humanity and the structural brilliance of the Kallanai dam constructed in the second century CE and still serving the local population, all serve as testimony …

Gaining From Captured Indian Traditional Knowledge Systems: Paths Taken And Way Forward, Ramasami T

International Journal of Traditional Knowledge

India’s scientific heritage is deeply reflected in Ayurveda, a tradition of integrative medicine documented for over two millennia. P.C. Ray, the father of modern chemistry in India, highlighted the depth of ancient chemical knowledge and early use of mercury compounds, while M.S. Valiathan later revived and analyzed the classical texts of Charaka, Sushruta, and Vagbhata to bridge Ayurveda with modern science. Building on this foundation, the Government of India launched initiatives linking Ayurveda with genomics, personalized medicine, and rasayana therapies, yielding promising insights such as the genetic basis of prakriti classifications and protective effects of Amalaki Rasayana. Efforts like the …

Artificial Intelligence And Social Equities: Navigating The Intersectionalities In A Digital Age (Editorial), Daisuke Akiba, Julie Albright

Publications and Research

This editorial article introduces and synthesizes the Special Issue, “Artificial intelligence and social equities: navigating the intersectionalities in a digital age,” which examines how AI systems intersect with race, ethnicity, and interconnected identity dimensions across global contexts. The eight contributions span healthcare, digital media, higher education, organizational communication, and speculative futures, addressing anti-racist psychiatric algorithms, AI-generated visual disinformation, epistemic injustice between the Global North and South, algorithmically mediated rural–urban divides, culturally untranslated technology transfer, accessibility auditing across the AI lifecycle, and the tension between mechanical objectivity and empathic understanding. Read together, they show that AI is neither inherently …

Statistical Model Of Subsurface Scattering Bias In Icesat‐2'S Atl06 Product, Thilini Bamunu Arachchige, Kelly E. Gleason, Jonathan C. Ryan, Markus Allgaier

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

ICESat‐2 uses visible laser pulses and photon‐counting detectors to range the Earth's surface, providing precision altimetry for measuring ice sheet elevation change. However, since water ice is transparent to visible light, the photon returns recorded by ICESat‐2's ATLAS instrument may originate from subsurface scattering inside the snow or glacier ice volume, making the surface appear lower than it is. Here, we develop a Monte Carlo Radiative Transfer model to characterize the potential bias caused by subsurface scattering in snow and ice. Our model allows us to study the subsurface scattering bias in relation to photon number, scattering coefficient, and slope …

Mentor Evaluation Of A Black Male Youth Mentoring Program, Kenneth Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study was an exploration of how Black male mentors perceived organizational practices, culturally responsive mentoring, relational safety, and systems level barriers shaping their effectiveness and continued participation. The purpose was to examine early mentor-mentee match dissolution and low mentor retention in a nonprofit youth mentoring through the lens of the ecological systems theory and program evaluation framework. The practice-focused research questions were: How do volunteer mentors and program staff perceive the organizational practices and culturally responsive strategies that influence mentor effectiveness and retention in youth mentoring programs, and what organizational and systemic challenges do Black male mentors encounter in …

Psychosis Among Justice-Involved Youth, Muhubo Y. Alinur

Master of Arts in Human Services

Abstract

Justice-involved youth face considerable mental health challenges, yet psychotic symptoms are frequently overlooked or misclassified as behavioral problems. This capstone critically reviews peer-reviewed literature on the prevalence, risk factors, assessment strategies, clinical needs, and systemic responses related to psychosis in justice-involved adolescents. Literature was sourced from Concordia University, St. Paul Library, Google Scholar, and PubMed. Research indicates that these youth often experience complex, overlapping issues such as trauma, substance use, mood disorders, neurodevelopmental difficulties, and barriers to accessing appropriate mental health care. Unaddressed, these co-occurring needs can result in punitive or unsuitable responses from justice and related systems when …

Supporting Children's Mental Health Through Early Prevention: The Role Of Human Service Professionals, Antwan Kimmons

Master of Arts in Human Services

The mental health of children is a growing concern around the world. According to the World Health Organization (2025), mental health conditions affect approximately one in seven adolescents aged 10–19 years; however, many of these young people do not get the help they need. Mental health problems can affect a child’s ability to learn, manage emotions, develop relationships and cope with stress at home, school and in the community. This review of the literature speaks to the promise of early prevention, early intervention, and trauma-informed care to support children’s mental health before issues develop into more serious levels. It also …

The Cost Of Caring: Understanding Compassion Fatigue In First Responders, Jonathon O. Santiago

Master of Arts in Human Services

First responders are regularly exposed to trauma, crisis, death, injury, and human suffering, which may contribute to compassion fatigue. This capstone examined compassion fatigue among law enforcement officers, emergency medical services personnel, firefighters, and other emergency-service professionals. The paper reviewed peer-reviewed research on symptomatology, occupational risk factors, protective factors, compassion satisfaction, emotional labor, stigma, help-seeking barriers, and organizational influences. Attention was given to the overlap between compassion fatigue, burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma, as inconsistent definitions may make the issue harder to identify, measure, and address. The research also explored how repeated trauma exposure, confidentiality concerns, workplace culture, …

The Underlying Connections Between Drug Abuse And Criminal Involvement, Jessica Sedor

Master of Arts in Human Services

In this composition, an analysis about the relationship between substance abuse and criminal engagement within specific types of crimes is explored. While examining this relationship, the importance of forensic rehabilitation within the criminal justice system is approached through advocacy of identifying risk factors and intergenerational patterns amongst the youth to reduce the abusive cycle of crime and addiction. This paper reflects the evident significance that it is imperative that human services professionals are aware of this relationship and how it can influence and impact one’s judgment, personality, decision making, and other criminogenic behaviors and attitudes. It is critical that the …

Breaking The Cycle: From Victimization To Offending Through The Lens Of Human Services, Colette R. Penalosa

Master of Arts in Human Services

The victim-offender overlap challenges the common view that victims and offenders are separately labeled by recognizing that both groups have experienced significant childhood trauma, physical, emotional, and psychological abuse, neglect, and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Current research implies these experiences can increase the risk of offending as they all influence cognitive and behavioral development while leaving criminal behavior undetermined. The purpose of this capstone is to analyze the relationship between childhood victimization and offending from a human service perspective; analyzing the pathways a victim takes on the road to offending. Research conducted will focus on exploring the victim-offender overlap, …

Are Individual Mental Health Issues Treated Fairly By The Criminal Justice System?, Taylor Anderson

Master of Arts in Human Services

The intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system is a critical area of inquiry that highlights the complexities of addressing psychological disorders within our legal frameworks. This paper explores the prevalence of mental health issues among incarcerated individuals and examines how systemic deficiencies contribute to a cycle of recidivism and inadequate treatment. By analyzing the existing literature, the research aims to illuminate the pressing need for a reform in the handling of mentally ill offenders, advocating for a shift towards more rehabilitative approaches rather than punitive measures. The implications of those findings extend beyond individual cases to societal …

Representations Of Cartel Leaders In Narcocorridos: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis, Gael Gamboa

Theses and Dissertations

Narcocorridos have become one of the most recognized expressions of narcoculture in Mexico. Despite growing scholarly interest in narcoculture, relatively few studies have examined how cartel leaders are represented across narcocorridos. This study addresses this gap by examining the symbolic representations of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, and Amado Carrillo Fuentes in narcocorrido lyrics. The study is guided by cultural criminology and subculture theory; this study employed a qualitative research design using reflexive thematic analysis. A purposive sample of 25 narcocorridos was analyzed to identify recurring patterns in the representation of cartel leadership. As a result, six …

‘Passing’ The Baton Of Trauma: Queer Failure Of The Women’S Sport Policy Working Group’S Anti-Trans ‘Position’, Meredith M. Bagley, Mary Anne Taylor, Sarah F. Price

Publications and Research

Engaging in critical rhetorical theory and methodology, we interrogate the contemporary landscape of anti-trans backlash in women’s sport. Specifically, we read the ‘TERF wars’ (Pearce et al.) across critiques of biofeminism (Pape) and whiteness (Fischer) while drawing upon critical social science research into trauma-bonding, bullying, and the structural impacts of gender verification policies. Our analysis focuses on the Women’s Sports Policy Working Group (WSPWG), offering a trauma-informed reading of the WSPWG’s ‘Position’ statement to illuminate how lesbian female athletes who were previously slandered for failing to meet femininity norms in sport are unable to overcome that trauma to recognize and …