Digital Commons Network^™

Narratives Of Resilience: The Power Of Creative Expression And Community Support During Familial Incarceration, Alana Alexander

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Existing literature stresses that the far-reaching effects of mass incarceration extend beyond prison walls, profoundly shaping familial experiences. Despite this, families remain consistently overlooked in criminal justice discourse, leading to heightened stress and diminished resilience. This thesis is a program review of a community-based program, referred to here as the Storytelling, Creativity, and Care (SCC) program, to protect the confidentiality of its participants and activities. The SCC program integrates neuroscience and narrative theory to explore how storytelling influences cultural perceptions, shapes lived experiences, and supports psychological and physiological healing. Additionally, this work investigates the socio-political narratives that perpetuate stigma and …

Major Crime Trends Differ In New York City And New York State, Jeffrey A. Butts, Gina Moreno

Publications and Research

Researchers at the John Jay College Research and Evaluation Center analyzed police-reported index crimes across New York State from 2010 to 2024, focusing on trends in violent and property offenses across three regional groups: New York City, its surrounding suburbs, and Upstate New York. While violent and property crimes declined statewide through 2020, both surged in NYC and its suburbs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Upstate regions showed continued or renewed declines. Per capita crime rates reveal more modest increases in NYC and notable decreases in other areas, underscoring regional disparities in crime trends post-2020.

The Mediating Effect Of Recognizing Racism And Biases Within The Workplace: Cross-Race Friendships And Allyship Behaviors, Amber Kaiser

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

In this study, engagement in allyship behaviors were tested in a sample of part- and full-time workers that worked either in a fully in-person or hybrid work environment. Participants (N = 271) responded to an online survey. Drawing on friendship and intergroup contact theories, the effect of cross-race friendships on allyship behaviors was tested. Recognition of racism and biases was proposed as the distinct candidate mediator in this relationship. All constructs consisted of individual measures, each tested through a series of linear regressions and multiple mediation models. Specifically, cross-race friendships included close cross-race friendship and cross-race friendship behaviors; recognition …

Childless Mothers: Lived Experiences Of Black Mothers Who Lost An Only Child, Arielle Jordan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative study, grounded in hermeneutic phenomenology, explores the experiences of Black mothers who have lost their only child, addressing a topic often overlooked in counseling training programs. Many counselor educators and supervisors are unprepared to train counselors on how best to support these mothers through their unique grief journeys. This study outcomes fill that gap by providing a deeper understanding of their experiences, intending to shape better counseling practices. The central question guiding this research is: What are the lived experiences of Black mothers who have survived the loss of their only child? To answer this, in-depth interviews were …

Integrated Coordinated Care Policies In Alameda County For The Unhoused Population, Stacey R. Perry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Alameda County departments and organizations have continually provided varying services to members in the unhoused community to increase pathways to stabilization for those served, with little success for over 37 years. While there were studies that discussed the issues of high service utilization faced by unhoused behavioral health care recipients, there was little to no literature that discussed these issues in Alameda County, where the numbers of unhoused persons total more than 9,500. There was very little known as to what policy barriers, and conversely, facilitators and key stakeholders in clinical and penal institutions face in implementing integrated coordinated care …

An Explorative Study Of Two African American Mentoring Programs At Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Arlen Sims

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Arlen Sims Gary on November 15, 2024.

“We Need To Do More” To “This Is All Bullsh**” : A Continuum Of Race-Related Social Media Activism In College Athletics, Natalie N. Bunch, Lauren Beasley, Beth Cianfrone

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) member institutions have addressed social issues, such as racial justice, via team or athletic department social media platforms. Often the social media strategy is managed by a content creator within the athletic department. However, coaching staff members may be concerned with what is posted to team or athletic department accounts because of the public facing nature of their job, their use of social media in recruitment efforts, and their role in creating a positive environment for current athletes. We surveyed 128 coaches across divisions to determine perceptions of their athletic department’s race-related activism on social …

Scenario - Based Training In Law Enforcement, Troy Michael Bankert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The discovery of the value and obstacles of scenario-based training for law enforcement from a phenomenological perspective was pursued from a grounded theory. The lack of empirical data and research guided the use of the grounded theory methodology, which attempts through individual professional interviews to discover the values and obstacles of scenario-based training for law enforcement. Clarifications and comprehensive definitions of the constituent elements characterizing a scenario-based training methodology are presented while concurrently identifying the intricate interdependencies between its qualitative measurement and associated cost factors. The exploration of implementing scenario-based training was conducted through personal interviews of criminal justice practitioners …

Bearing The Weight: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Burnout And Stress Among Medicolegal Investigators, Ava Juliette Thorpe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aimed to investigate and comprehend the impact of burnout and associated maladaptive behaviors among medicolegal and coroner investigators in the United States. Burnout is broadly defined as factors impeding practitioners' physical and psychological well-being in these fields. Despite extensive research on burnout among criminal justice practitioners in trauma-informed care environments, there is a notable gap in the literature concerning support mechanisms for medicolegal and coroner systems (Slack, 2020). This study addressed this gap by exploring the lived experiences of medicolegal and coroner investigators, providing insights for addressing burnout in these contexts. The central problem addressed in this …

Organizational Citizenship & Counterproductive Workplace Behaviors: Personal Trauma & Workplace Conduct, Patricia Giaccone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The influence of a survivor-advocates personal trauma history on their work and ability to cope with its challenges are inadequately understood. This research project aimed to distinguish if there was a significant difference in engagement between survivor-advocates and nonsurvivor-advocates in organizational citizenship behaviors or counterproductive workplace behaviors. Furthermore, this study looked at organizational employment tenure as a factor affecting such engagement. The data for this quantitative research project was collected from a nationwide pool of respondents who worked directly with victims of domestic violence in the United States resulting in a total of 54 participants completing the anonymous survey. Exploring …

The Implications Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Adult Health Perceptions, Angela Cleshette Revis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic incidents or circumstances children face before age 18 that often manifest as physical and mental health illnesses in adulthood, disproportionately affecting survivors from lower socioeconomic classes, specifically communities of color. This study examines the prevalence and type of illnesses stemming from ACEs in adult patients sampled from a North Carolina public health center, where patients are of lower socioeconomic classes, including those from communities of color. Semi structured interviews among 14 participants were conducted using the Zoom meetings platform to obtain responses from the participants. The results show significant mental health consequences, including early …

Enhancing Spousal Abuse Awareness Among Church Leaders Of The Haitian Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Peggy Filossaint

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a critical need for Christian church leaders to actively combat spousal abuse, emphasizing that churches must break their silence on this issue, protect victims, and join the fight against domestic violence. The study specifically focused on enhancing awareness and knowledge of spousal abuse among leaders of the Maranatha Haitian Seventh-day Adventist Church. The primary purpose of this research was to equip church leaders with the necessary tools and understanding to effectively address spousal abuse within their congregation. The project aimed to develop a comprehensive protocol for annual training, ensuring that church leaders are well-prepared to navigate the complexities …

Analysis Of Forensic Crime Gun Data As A Predictive Tool For Crime Gun Intelligence And The Disruption Of The Shooting Cycle, Michael P. Garvey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Gun violence is a national issue; however, major cities account for most recovered crime guns and shootings. Various efforts to address gun violence by identifying shooters and sources of crime guns, enhancing intervention efforts, improving social services, and prosecuting prolific offenders have been offered over the last twenty years. However, large urban cities continue to observe high homicides and non-fatal shooting rates. Forensic techniques have been used to generate leads to solve crimes. In addition, group violence intervention programs, such as Operation Ceasefire, are used to identify potential groups associated with gun violence to provide social alternatives or enhanced prosecution. …

Mental Health Of Western Tennessee Police Officers, Jasmin Marie Powell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this grounded theory study is to understand the group think regarding mental health and wellness of police officers in the western Tennessee region. The theory guiding this study is group think, a theory first defined in 1972 by Irvin Janis. Irvin Janis, a psychologist introduced the phenomenon of groupthink and described it as a group of people, in this research case police officers, where loyalty was required from members and that this can cause both positive and negative side effects. The research population for this research will consist of 92 participants, including males and females, of different …

A Comprehensive Analysis Of Challenges And Strategies In Enhancing Cyber Security For The Defense Industry, Taehyun Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation presents a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and strategies involved in enhancing cybersecurity within the defense industry. Given the increasing sophistication of cyber threats and the critical importance of safeguarding national security, this research addresses the unique vulnerabilities faced by the defense industry. Utilizing a phenomenological approach based on routine activity theory, the study gathers insights from cybersecurity professionals through semi-structured interviews, providing a deep understanding of the evolving threat landscape. The research identifies key themes such as the growing complexity of cyber threats, the importance of proactive threat-hunting, and the need for collaboration across public and private …

The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Later Desistance Among Serious Juvenile Offenders From A Broken Family Composition, Olivia Franklin

Master's Theses

The current study aimed to contribute to the overall knowledge of desistance patterns among juveniles by exploring them among serious juvenile offenders who come from a broken home. Utilizing the Pathways to Desistance (PTD) dataset, this study used logistic regression to examine the impact of family composition on later desistance while controlling for various adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) one might experience. Two research questions guide this study: (1) Does family composition (i.e., “broken homes”) impact later desistance among serious adolescent offenders, while controlling for important criminological predictors (i.e., self-control and antisocial peer influence)? (2) Is the quality of one’s home …

The Effects Of Sleep And Culture On A Police Officer’S Mindset Involved In A Traffic Collison, Christopher Gary Cano

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The host police department experienced 58 traffic collisions from 2019-2020, which resulted in adverse outcomes for police officers and community members. The police department seeks a solution to reduce and prevent future collisions. This problem is not an isolated incident, as traffic collisions have been the leading cause of death and injury to police officers in the United States for the last three decades. Previous research focused on the causative factors of traffic collisions (speeding, distracted driving); however, little research has been dedicated to why a police officer would engage in risky driving. Is the mindset of a police officer …

Clacls Reportage, Vol. 1, Fall 2024, Pierina Pighi Bel, Phoenix Paz, Ana María Granados Romero

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

This publication unites three compelling articles that offer diverse perspectives and a shared dedication to bridging the gap between academic research and public engagement.

Phoenix Paz presents a vivid ethnographic account of recent migrants in New York City, revealing how state inefficiencies marginalize a sector that contributes daily to the city’s economy.

Pierina Pighi Bel explores the growing appeal of the Republican Party among Latino voters in election cycles, delving into the complexities and inherent contradictions within this trend.

Ana María Granados Romero provides profound insights into migration, gender, and domestic work through her exploration of "La Parada"—a corner in …

A Qualitative Approach Exploring Interoperation Communications By Law Enforcement Officers During Active Shootings, Amy Schissler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this exploratory-descriptive qualitative study was to investigate how law enforcement officers communicate during active shooting incidents. The study used Ferrell’s Human Factors theory (1997) and the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) as the theoretical and conceptual framework. Data collection methods included 11 oral narratives, 11 individual semi-structured interviews, and 12 open-ended questionnaires, involving a total of 12 participants. The study followed the Exploratory-Descriptive Qualitative design proposed by Hunter et al. (2018). The interview and questionnaire data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis and the HFACS to identify major themes, while the narrative data …

How Does (In)Stability In A Woman’S Family-Of-Origin Influence Her Decision To Leave When She Experiences Intimate Partner Violence?, Xi Wang

Sociology Between the Gaps: Forgotten and Neglected Topics

No abstract provided.

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 …

Lanthorn, Vol. 59, No. 07, November 11, 2024, Grand Valley State University

Volume 59, August 5, 2024 – April 14, 2025

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

"Legally Magic" Words: An Empirical Study Of The Accessibility Of Fifth Amendment Rights, Roseanna Sommers, Kate Weisburd

Northwestern University Law Review

Fifth Amendment case law (including Miranda v. Arizona) requires that individuals assert their right to counsel or silence using “explicit,” “clear,” and “unambiguous” statements—or, as some dissenting judges have lamented, using “legally magic” words. Through a survey of 1,718 members of the U.S. public, we investigate what ordinary people believe it takes to assert the right to counsel and the right to silence. We then compare their perceptions against prevailing legal standards governing invocation.

With respect to the right to counsel, the survey results indicate that members of the public have a uniformly lower threshold for invocation than do …

Criminal Juror Challenges And Csli: A Rule 16 Revision To Maintain Impartial Juries, Ivy Kaplan

Northwestern University Law Review

The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees criminal defendants “the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the State.” Voir dire, the procedure during which the prosecution and the defense may challenge prospective jurors for cause or exercise peremptory challenges, purports to uphold this right. When the prosecution has access to cellular geolocation data on prospective jurors that the defense lacks, however, it may jeopardize the defendant’s Sixth Amendment rights.

This Note proposes a solution to that problem in the form of an addition to Rule 16 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. …

Rising Temperatures, The Prison Litigation Reform Act, And The Heat Death Of Human Dignity In Texas Prisons, Brianne Wylie

Northwestern University Law Review

This Note seeks to shed light on the life-threatening danger of extreme heat in un-air-conditioned Texas prisons. The Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) starkly limits the relief available to those suffering and dying in these prisons. This Note proposes an amendment to the legislation that could create a path toward lasting relief for incarcerated people. After analyzing the effects of increasing heat on the particularly vulnerable prison population, this Note analyzes how the Supreme Court and the Fifth Circuit have handled claims alleging constitutionally violative prison conditions under the Eighth Amendment—in short, ineffectively, if at all. This Note then details …

“It’S Not My Immediate Instinct”: Perceptions Of Preservice Teachers On The Integration Of Popular Culture, Melinda S. Butler, Eva S. Arbor, Nadine Bravo

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Popular culture curricula integration provides educational benefits for students (Morrell, 2002; Petrone, 2013); bridging students’ out-of-school popular culture knowledge with their in-school literacies promotes learning, engages students, and values students’ background knowledge (Dyson, 1993, 2021; Marsh, 2006; Morrell, 2002; Petrone, 2013). Therefore, teacher educators may consider the addition of popular culture education into preservice teacher’s preparation for teaching (Petrone, 2013). In this qualitative study, researchers were interested in asking the following questions: What popular culture texts did preservice teachers consume as children and adults? and How does preservice teachers’ previous popular culture text consumption factor into decisions to include or …

Embracing The Fiasco!: Roleplaying Games, Pedagogy And Student Success, Erik Stanley, Michelle Schmidt, David Sweeten

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

This article explores the relationship between games and pedagogy through the example of the roleplaying game Fiasco!. Fiasco! is a part of a growing genre of collaborative roleplaying games (RPGs) that have important applications in the university classroom. Fiasco! is an innovative game system that upends the traditional model of Game Master-led RPGs to create a collaborative environment for players to create their own stories. This paper explores how the unique model embedded within Fiasco! can be employed as a pedagogical tool for active student-led learning.

To showcase the pedagogical innovations of a game like Fiasco!, we present …

Peril And Promise: Student Experiences Of Virtual Reality And Implications For Inclusive Social Justice Pedagogy, Michelle Vannatta

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Virtual reality (VR) is a fast-evolving technology rapidly being integrated into education and training in multiple sectors of society. As the use of VR spreads, it is important to critically analyze both its role in effective pedagogies and how students experience it. Virtual reality has extraordinary promise for deeply engaging students, and it also poses particular challenges for equitable and effective teaching of diverse students. This paper discusses students’ responses to a VR exercise and examines some of the complexities VR presents around racial justice, gender equity, and economic fairness. Virtual reality technology may be less effective and less comfortable …

Investigating Job Attitudes Of Justice-Involved Individuals, Audrey Pennington, Sawyer Robinson

River Cities Industrial and Organizational Psychology Conference

The US has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world resulting in one in three Americans having a criminal record (ACLU, 2017). Upon release from prison, securing employment is one of the most important factors to decrease recidivism (Berg & Huebner, 2011; Lundquist et al., 2018). Despite this, 75% of those who were incarcerated are unemployed a year after release. This is due, in part, to stigma and the wide use of background checks during the hiring process (ACLU, 2017). The research literature primarily focuses on effective ways to improve job-readiness for those who are incarcerated, barriers to …

Higher Expectations: A Systematic Review Of Reporting The Science Of Propensity Score Modeling In Criminal Justice Studies, Christopher M. Campbell, Ryan M. Labrecque, Alicia D. Mckay

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objectives This systematic review examined the reporting practices of propensity score modeling (PSM) in criminology and criminal justice studies. Methods There were 229 articles (with 527 individual sets of PSM analyses) published between 2000 and 2022 in the top 19 ranked criminology and criminal justice journals that were identified for study inclusion. These articles were systematically coded to assess the presence of key PSM reporting elements, including covariates, estimation methods, balancing strategy, matching type, sample size, balance assessment, sensitivity analysis, and post-PSM analyses. Results The use of PSM has increased dramatically over the last two decades. Study findings suggest that …