Digital Commons Network^™

Are Accountability Courts In Georgia A Cost-Effective Public Health Policy Alternative?, Brian D. Graves, Orion Mowbray, Leaanne Derigne, Holly Lynde, Angel Ellis, Rachel Meyer

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of accountability courts in Georgia, presenting them as a viable alternative in public health policy.

Methods: The research utilized survey data collected from 37 court programs across 40 distinct accountability court programs; it was conducted by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government in collaboration with the Council of Accountability Court Judges. The analysis includes a comparative assessment of cost savings, benefits, and differences among various court types, specifically focusing on drug courts, DUI courts, mental health courts, family treatment courts, and veterans treatment courts.

Results: Results reveal that …

Why Does God Hate Me? A Theistic And Empirical Review Of Attachment To God, Rachel K. Weber

Student Works

General attachment is based on a person’s perceived ability to receive help from their primary caregiver and their perceived worthiness of such help (Bowlby, 1973). This style is separated into four categories that create a paradigm with which future relationships align (Acevedo et al., 2012; Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991). These four categories are fearful-avoidant, dismissive-avoidant, secure, and anxious-preoccupied (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991). This is biologically based and used to ensure an infant’s survival (Bowlby, 1973). These attachment styles are also applicable to one’s relationship to God (Kirkpatrick & Shaver, 1992). Secure attachment to God is indicative of positive religious coping …

What Does It Mean To Be Entrepreneurial In Extension–And Does It Really Matter?, Julie Fox

Journal of Extension

Awareness of entrepreneurial application in everyday Extension occurrences can improve Extension's impact in a rapidly changing environment. An entrepreneurial spirit remains evident throughout Extension's history, beginning with the Smith–Lever Act of 1914 that created value by cooperatively mobilizing resources of federal, state, and county governments; land-grant universities; and communities. More than 100 years later, entrepreneurial actions continue to demonstrate Extension's commitment to recognizing opportunities, engaging stakeholders, and fostering innovation. With an increasingly diverse constituency, complex funding mix, multifaceted issues, and rapidly evolving technologies, the Cooperative Extension System, like other established organizations, can benefit from proactively advancing individual and organizational entrepreneurship.

From Consumers To Makers: A Community-Based Model Of The Diy Food And Beverage Kit Ecosystem, Mark Mitchell, Richard Martin, Sheila Mitchell

Atlantic Marketing Journal

The market for do-it-yourself (DIY) food and beverage kits continues to expand as consumers seek experiences that combine convenience, learning, creativity, and participation. This conceptual paper proposes a four-community ecosystem model consisting of consumers, makers, marketers, and consumption communities. Drawing on value co-creation, prosumption, experiential consumption, and diffusion of innovation theories, the model suggests that participation in DIY production transforms consumers into makers, fosters a maker identity, and encourages engagement in product-category consumption communities. Through sharing experiences and outcomes, participants attract new consumers into the marketplace, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of growth. The framework extends value co-creation theory by explaining …

Where Shoppers Look First: How Navigation Bar Design Shapes Visual Attention Online, James Coyle, Linh Nguyen, Lee Hillman

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Abstract

Despite the crucial role that a website navigation bar can play in affecting consumer behavior, there has been a lack of theory-driven studies to investigate how to most effectively design navigation bars. Grounded in cognitive fit theory and visual attention theory, this study investigates how the effects of navigation bar design and content can influence visual processing of an unfamiliar online retailer’s website. A total of 40 subjects participated in a controlled experiment in which we gathered eye-tracking data. We find that navigation bar placement strongly affects how quickly participants locate the navigation bar: an unexpected placement more than …

Reducing Cognitive Load To Strengthen Customer Engagement: The Strategic Role Of Digital Tools, Neda Mossaei, Maryam Tofighi

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This paper examines how advanced technological interfaces, particularly chatbots and augmented reality, influence customer engagement by reducing the cognitive effort required to interact with firms. As digital tools become increasingly embedded in everyday life, companies are leveraging these technologies to streamline communication, personalize experiences, and foster long-term relational outcomes. Guided by cognitive load theory, this study argues that minimizing mental effort in customer–firm interactions improve engagement by making interactions more seamless and intuitive. At the same time, relationship marketing theory emphasizes that reducing cognitive barriers can cultivate customer engagement, trust, and loyalty over time. Together, these perspectives suggest that implementing …

Beyond Screening In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Domain-Standardized, Measure-Flexible Framework For Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment, Etiane Navarro

Archives of Assessment Psychology

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder in which cognitive, behavioral, language, and social-cognitive changes may occur across clinical phenotypes, including the ALS-frontotemporal spectrum. Neuropsychological assessment is important for characterizing nonmotor manifestations and identifying changes relevant to autonomy, everyday functioning, and clinical management. This systematic review examined literature identified through APA PsycINFO, PubMed, Google Scholar, and supplementary searching to characterize neuropsychological domains, measures, phenotype-related findings, and disease-specific limitations relevant to comprehensive assessment. Two hundred records underwent title and abstract screening, 150 reports were reviewed in full text, and 61 resources were retained for synthesis. ALS-specific screening instruments, including …

The Role Of Organizational Passion In Reducing Counterproductive Work Behavior: A Field Study At The College Of Administration And Economics, University Of Fallujah, Mustafa Amjed Ibrahim, Zaid Khawam Mahmood, Wael Ismail Khalaf

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This research aims to analyze the role of organizational passion in reducing negative work behavior among employees at the College of Administration and Economics, University of Fallujah. The research employed a descriptive-analytical approach, utilizing a questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. For data analysis, the researchers used (Smart PLS v.4) and (SPSS 28 The research community included 127 individuals, but the research sample was made up of 104 college members, and when the questionnaire was distributed the exact number retrieved was 97. The research concluded that there is a strong and statistically significant relationship between organizational passion and negative …

The Impact Of Inclusive Leadership On The Quality Of Banking Services An Analytical Study Of A Sample Of Private Bank Employees In Iraq, Kamal Kadhim Al-Hassani, Iltifat Abdullah Touma

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This study aims to explore the relationship between inclusive leadership and banking service quality in the Iraqi private banking sector. The study adopted a descriptive–analytical approach, and data were collected through questionnaires distributed to (280) employees working in private banks in Iraq. The questionnaire was used as the main data collection instrument, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed using the AMOS program to analyze the data and test the hypothesized relationships among the study variables. The results showed a positive and statistically significant relationship between inclusive leadership and banking service quality, reflecting the vital role of comprehensive and supportive …

The Virtual Clinical Training Center: New Frontiers In Telemental Health Training, Rodney E. Harris, Loriann S. Stretch, Susan J. Foster, Katie Kesterson

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

Telebehavioral health has become an essential competency for counselors, yet counselor education programs often have limited structures for supervised telehealth clinical training. This article describes the Virtual Clinical Training Center (VCTC), a three-tiered model developed within an online counselor education program to prepare counselors in training and doctoral supervisors in training while expanding access to counseling in medically underserved communities. Tier I offers synchronous skills-based live labs and examination review, Tier II provides peer role-play practice, and Tier III places fieldwork students with community partners to deliver supervised telebehavioral counseling. We describe the application and training process, tiered supervision, partnership …

Curating The Liberal Arts: High-Impact Approaches To Teaching Medical Humanities In The Archives, Alyssa Culp, Liz Bloodworth

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

This article emphasizes high-impact practices in the archives and encourages instructors and archivists to use prolonged collaboration as a way to teach digital learners analog thinking. The digital and physical exhibits we discuss were designed to model liberal arts thinking and curate experiential learning opportunities that led students to make connections between artifacts and lived experiences. Our case study focuses on one course developed with sustained archival interaction, which demonstrates an effective use of archives for promoting active learning through direct engagement with primary source materials in a liberal arts environment and thereby serves as an example of partnership for …

Adolescents’ Risk Of Long Covid-19 Syndrome Based On Income Level And Food Insecurity, Christopher J. Waskewich

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Limited information is available about the effects of food insecurity on adolescents’ long-term health risks from COVID-19. This quantitative, cross-sectional study aimed to examine the effects of food insecurity and family income level on the risk of long COVID-19 syndrome for adolescents (11 to 17 years old). An online survey (n = 298) was conducted with parents of adolescents from New York City, who were recruited from social media online advertisements. The research asked whether there is an association between food insecurity and family income level and the risks of long COVID-19 syndrome. Multivariate logistic regression found a statistically …

Navigating Text-To-Speech (Tts): Ethical Leadership In The Use Of Generative Ai For Extension, Xue A Dong, Paul A Hill

Journal of Extension

Text-to-speech (TTS) AI technology transforms written content into natural-sounding speech, offering a useful tool to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in Extension work. This article examines the role of TTS AI in bridging communication gaps, particularly for diverse and multilingual communities, and demonstrates the importance of ethical leadership in its adoption. By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, Extension professionals can leverage TTS AI to foster greater connection and engagement. Practical applications and examples are provided to guide the integration of TTS AI into programs. The article also offers recommendations for experimenting with innovative technologies to improve educational outcomes and increase the …

How Wisconsin Extension Educators Talk About Climate Change Without Talking About ``Climate Change'', Sky Hershberger, Todd P. Newman

Journal of Extension

Climate change touches all areas of Extension's programming. To understand how educators approach talking about climate change with constituents, we interviewed 15 Extension educators and three program managers in Wisconsin. Crops and Soils educators view climate change as interwoven with their work, Financial Education educators view it as mostly disconnected, and Community Economic Development educators range between these extremes. Educators in all three programs avoid the polarizing phrase ``climate change,'' instead focusing on specific, local, and relatable issues. Educators show empathy and emphasize resilience (adaptation) rather than mitigation. These findings can inform Extension's organizational strategy on climate change.

Horticultural Diplomacy: A Framework For Growing Culturally Aware Gardeners, Stephen Stresow-Cortez, Stephen Reiners, Ashley Miller Helmholdt

Journal of Extension

Derived from person-to-person diplomacy models, a ``horticultural diplomacy'' framework was implemented in a statewide vegetable variety trial program for two seasons to introduce Master Gardeners to diverse crops and cultures. Scaffolding learning with relevant recipes, bed groupings, community tasting events, and collecting community (citizen) science data helped participants build garden skills, gain a greater appreciation for other cultures, and inform new educational materials. Horticultural diplomacy is part of a deliberate effort aimed at growing food and building understanding among (primarily White) volunteers. The techniques that helped make this program successful, adaptable to other garden programs, and aspects that require improvements …

Indigenous Religion And Community Order: Crime Prevention Strategies Among Worshippers Of Igbe Orhe In Nigeria, Onoseme Fortune Afatakpa Dr

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

This ethnographic study examines crime prevention strategies within Igbe Orhe, an indigenous African religious tradition practiced in Delta State, Nigeria. While existing security studies primarily emphasize formal and direct approaches to crime prevention, this research foregrounds the less explored structural mechanisms embedded in cultural spirituality. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with purposively selected participants, including the Uku Supreme (global leader), High Priests (Uku), High Priestess (Omote Uku), Chief Priests (Inori), Chief Priestesses (Ini Igbe), and Votary Singers (Akpine). Two focus group discussions were also conducted with female and youth members of selected …

Victim Behaviour And Phone Snatching In Kano Metropolis: A Literature Review Based On Victim Precipitation Theory, Mu'azu Ya'u Abdullahi

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

This paper reviews studies on the problem of phone snatching in Kano Metropolis, with focus on the behaviour of victims. Many studies have explained the crime by linking it to poverty, unemployment, and weak policing among others. However, less attention has been given to how people’s everyday actions may increase their risk. Using Victim Precipitation Theory, this review shows that behaviours such as openly displaying phones, walking alone in unsafe places, or using phones while distracted create easy chances for offenders. The review also notes that wider issues, such as poor street lighting and active black markets, combine with victim …

Workplace Stress And Coping Mechanisms Among Law Enforcement Officers In Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria: An Empirical Study, Akaninyene O. Unaam, Akanimo A. Unaam Esq.

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

Law enforcement officers face unique occupational stressors that can impair well-being and performance. This study examined stress levels and coping mechanisms among police officers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, within Lazarus and Folkman's transactional framework. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 400 randomly selected officers. Data were collected using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Brief COPE inventory. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and hierarchical multiple regression were employed. Moderate stress levels predominated (52.5%), with high stress reported by 32.5% of officers. The mean PSS score was 24.6 (SD = 5.8). Significant associations emerged between stress and years of service …

Differences In Sustained Attentional Engagement With Emotional Targets In Individuals Reporting High And Low Worry, Jinu J. Mathew

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Attention bias towards emotionally salient or threatening information has been well documented across various populations, and it has been thought to contribute to the development and maintenance of anxiety. While previous research has identified early-stage attentional differences in individuals reporting elevated anxiety symptoms, less is known about how worry might impact later-stage processes involving sustained attentional engagement and visual working memory. The present study examined behavioral and electrophysiological indices of attentional processing during a modified visual search task in individuals reporting high compared to low levels of worry. Sixty-eight participants were recruited and classified into high and low worry groups …

Strategic Ambidexterity And Its Role In Achieving Organizational Brilliance: An Analytical Study Of The Opinions Of A Sample Of Employees In Private Schools In Nineveh, Shuaib Ahmed Aziz Al-Mawla

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

Purpose: This research aims to study the relationship between Strategic Ambidexterity and organizational Brilliance in private schools in Nineveh Governorate.

Design/Methodology: Based on a stratified random sample, 118 questionnaires were distributed to principals, assistant principals, and staff members across several private schools in Nineveh Governorate; 115 questionnaires were found valid for use. Subsequently, the data were analyzed using AMOS 24 and SPSS 27 software.

Theoretical Results: The results reveal a knowledge gap regarding the nature of the relationship between Strategic Ambidexterity and organizational Brilliance. Therefore, we conclude that the Strategic Ambidexterity of private school administrations will lead to the exploration …

The Impact Of Digital Transformation On The Advancement Of Functional Intelligence: An Analytical Study At The Ministry Of Labor And Social Affairs – Department Of Retirement And Social Security For Workers, Arwa Ahmed Abdel-Wahab

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The substantial magnitude of digital transformation and the manner in which its operations are conducted necessitate a high level of attention and careful consideration prior to organizational implementation. Accordingly, this study was initiated to investigate the main and underlying challenges associated with the digital transformation process. The present research examines the impact of digital transformation on intellectual staffing among employees. It also seeks to determine the extent to which digital transformation affects job performance. To achieve the research objectives, a questionnaire was employed as one of the primary data collection instruments. The questionnaire consisted of three axes. The first axis …

The Impact Of External Audit Quality On Reducing Financial Distress Risk For Companies: The Mediating Role Of Liquidity Management, Ammar Abid Al-Kader Atta, Ghadah Tareq Abd Ulmajeed

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The present study aims to examine the effect of external audit quality on the financial distress risk of non-financial listed companies in Iraq, especially the role of liquidity management as a mediator. The research uses panel regression analysis and the Sobel test based on panel data of 65 companies from 2014 to 2024 (715 firm-year observations). Altman's Z-Score is used to measure financial distress risk, the external audit quality is measured by a Big Four auditor dummy, and the liquidity management is measured by the current ratio. The results indicate that the quality of external audit has a significant positive …

Demographic And Socioeconomic Factors Influence Perceived Community Needs And Risk Factors For Firearm Violence In Mississippi, Masoumeh Karimi, Matthew Morris, Xiaoshan Gordy, Matthew Kutcher, Leila Seidfaraji, Michelle Brassfield, Erin Dehon, Alyscia Severance, Rukia Lumumba, Fredrick Womack, Lei Zhang

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Background: The burden of firearm-related injuries and deaths is not borne equally across sociodemographic groups. The present study investigated the perceived needs and risk factors of firearm related injuries and mortality across gender, education, and income levels through a quantitative needs assessment completed by community members and firearm injury survivors living in the greater Jackson, Mississippi, metropolitan area.

Methods: A total of 93 participants including gunshot wound patients, survivors and community members who have been recruited through community organizations completed the needs assessment survey collecting data on demographic information, firearm exposure, substance use, community exposure to crime and …

Pilot Evaluation Of A Cross-Disciplinary Training Addressing Substance Use Among Mississippi Mothers, Saijun Zhang, Catherine Poehling, Xiaoshan Gordy, Chinedu P. Chukwu, Jerome R. Kolbo, Masoumeh Karimi, Matthew Morris, Andrew Voluse, Erin Dehon, Michelle Brassfield, Danielle Lahn, Lisa Slade, Deanna Howington, Kathleen Rhodes, Tearsenee Davis, Sonja Fuqua, Lei Zhang

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and substance use co-occurring is often managed in siloed systems. Training IPV and related service providers on substance use topics may strengthen screening, response, and referral.

Purpose: To assess whether a pilot training program on substance use disorders (SUDs) in Mississippi improved service providers’ knowledge, preparedness, and attitudes around substance use and satisfaction with the training.

Methods: Pre–post surveys were administered to healthcare and community service providers who completed the training, assessing substance use service-related knowledge, preparedness, and attitudes.  Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to analyze the data.

Results: Fifty-nine providers completed a …

“None Of Them Use Facebook Anymore, It’S Just For Us, Internet Dinosaurs” Czech Media Education Teachers And Social Media, Karolína Šimková, Ana F. Oliveira, Annamária Neag

Journal of Media Literacy Education Pre-Prints

In today’s digital age, media education teachers are expected to be at the forefront of guiding young people through the complex digital world. This study aimed to explore how media education teachers’ personal and professional engagement with social media shapes their teaching practices in Czech primary schools (teaching pupils aged 11–15). Through 17 semi-structured interviews, we delved into teachers’ social media use, classroom discussions, and pedagogical approaches to media education to identify the distinct attitudes these teachers hold toward social media. The study shows that Czech media education teachers’ diverse strategies for integrating social media into their curriculum are primarily …

High School Teachers' Experiences Working With Latino Immigrant Students Who Have Experienced Trauma, Collette Marie Jiménez Serra

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Latino immigrant students in U.S. public high schools are disproportionately exposed to trauma related to migration experiences, family separation, poverty, and acculturative stress, yet many teachers report feeling underprepared to address students’ trauma-related needs in culturally responsive ways. Limited research has examined high school teachers’ lived experiences implementing trauma-informed practices with Latino immigrant students, particularly from teachers’ own perspectives. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore high school teachers’ lived experiences implementing trauma-informed practices with Latino immigrant students, including their perceptions of preparedness and the factors influencing implementation. Guided by principles of trauma-informed care (TIC) and relational-cultural …

Mental Well-Being Of Parents Who Have A Child With A Disability, Miracle Denae Adkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parents of children with developmental disabilities often experience elevated levels of stress and emotional burden associated with caregiving responsibilities, which can affect their mental health and overall well-being. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions, experiences, and decision-making processes of parents of children with developmental disabilities regarding the use of resources to support their own mental health. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that parents’ decisions to seek and use mental health resources were influenced by multiple factors, including accessibility and availability of services, financial …

Examining The Challenges Of Providing Mental Health Treatment In Female Correctional Facilities From The Perspective Of Mental Health Professionals, Lacretia Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women in correctional settings frequently experience significant mental health issues that are linked to histories of trauma, abuse, and victimization. Despite increased attention to trauma-informed and gender-responsive approaches, numerous obstacles continue to affect the delivery of mental health treatment within female correctional facilities. Existing literature focuses on systemic and policy concerns, overlooking mental health professionals' experiences. Guided by general systems theory, this qualitative study examined the challenges encountered by providers, including how organizational, environmental, and institutional factors influence treatment implementation. Data collected through semistructured interviews with 10 mental health professionals revealed multiple barriers to effective service delivery, including the complex …

Artificial Sentience: From Computational Functionalism To Behaviourism?, Wanja Wiese

Animal Sentience

I critically examine Jonathan Birch’s account of how brain emulations might create artificial sentience candidates, arguing that his account risks collapsing into a behaviourist account, unless the specific computational processes realised by such emulations are carefully considered. Drawing on examples from computational neuroscience, I show that similar behaviours can arise from vastly different computational processes, thereby undermining the suggestion to focus on behaviourial profiles to determine whether a brain emulation of a sentience candidate is itself a sentience candidate.

Financial Recovery Capital: Exploring The Role Of Extension Education In Promoting Substance Use Recovery, Alex Elswick, Nichole L Huff, Omolola A. Adedokun, Leslie Workman

Journal of Extension

Substance use is a widespread and complex public health challenge. Financial stress (e.g., unemployment, inadequate housing, transportation access, poor financial literacy) is pervasive among people with substance use disorder (SUD). However, few educational interventions exist to address financial stress for this group. Through the theoretical lens of recovery capital (an asset-based approach that describes the totality of resources that support SUD recovery), we summarize the association between financial stress and substance use, offering implications for Extension educators by highlighting PROFIT, an exemplary program that leverages Extension education as a tool to promote financial recovery capital among people with SUD.