Digital Commons Network^™

Genetic Relative-Finder Services: A Qualitative Study Of Consumer Experiences, Sarah A. Sciba

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Genetic genealogy is an emergent topic in sociology. To date, over 41 million individuals worldwide have tested with the top four direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTCGT) companies: AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritageDNA (Glynn 2022). These tests provide consumers with ethnicity estimates, a list of DNA cousin matches, or both. Despite the popularity of DTCGT, there is a lack of data on consumer experiences with genetic relative-finder services (GRF) in the sociological literature. Methodology: I conducted exploratory, qualitative research in the form of in-depth interviews with eight adult women who have used GRF. I gathered data about their motivations for participation …

Philippines, Maria Sabrina Erica M. Carlos, Leslie V. Advincula-Lopez

Development Studies Faculty Publications

Philippine civil-military relations (CMR) have long tipped towards the military despite established constitutional and legislative frameworks ensuring civilian supremacy. The Philippines’ COVID-19 pandemic response, characterized by war metaphors, strong police and military presence, and the appointment of retired military generals in key posts, highlighted the need to revisit the country’s unique CMR dynamics. This chapter explores the military’s expanded role in the COVID19 pandemic response and its implications for an already tenuous Philippine CMR. The military’s expanded role put it in a prominent position to further redefine and recalibrate its position with broader civil society. It breached the traditional institutional …

The Impact Of Religiosity On Political Knowledge Among Youth Voters, Norah Sackett

Honors Undergraduate Theses

As political engagement trends among young voters have continued to shift in the United States' political atmosphere, understanding the cognitive factors that influence these decisions is becoming increasingly important. Political efficacy, or the feeling that individual political action can impact the political process, impacting their civic duties, has long been regarded as a key determinant of an individual's political engagement. This study investigates how young voters' understanding of prominent political arguments relates to their sense of political efficacy, with a specific lens on individual religiosity.

Through an examination of this relationship between religiosity and overall comprehension of political arguments, this …

Toward Inclusive Care: Enhancing Lgbtq+ Adolescents’ Experiences In Primary Care, Rutwa Shah

Honors Undergraduate Theses

LGBTQ+ adolescents face significant inequities in healthcare access and health outcomes, yet little is known about how they engage with routine pediatric care, where parental presence and clinician dynamics often influence their ability to access affirming services. While prior research has emphasized the importance of inclusive environments and clinician communication, few studies center the voices of LGBTQ+ youth in clinical settings. This study explored how LGBTQ+ adolescents manage sexual/gender identity disclosure, trust, and communication with primary care clinicians. This study draws on data from The VIBES Study: Viewpoints on Improving Bonds Between Health Experts and Sexual and Gender Minority Youth. …

Girls First Fund: External Evaluation—Endline Evaluation Report, Brian Medina Carranza, Neelanjana Pandey, Angel Del Valle, Fatima Zahra

Adolescents and Young People

The Population Council is leading an evaluation of programs funded by the Girls First Fund (GFF) in the Dominican Republic (DR), India, and Niger. These three countries were chosen to maximize geographic, social, cultural, and economic diversity across contexts, but common to all three is the continued persistence of child marriage and the presence of collective efforts to eliminate it. The broader goal of this evaluation is to: 1) demonstrate proof of concept for the impact of  GFF-supported programs; 2) examine key outcomes of interest to the GFF and the community-based organizations that it funds, including education, child marriage, and …

Overcoming Obstacles To Equitable Energy Transitions And Promoting Energy Sovereignty For Us Tribal Nations, Don Lee

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This dissertation explores the potential of equitable energy transitions guided by the tenets of energy justice with a focus on Tribal energy sovereignty through renewable energy development. It contributes to the literature on the social acceptance of energy systems, public perceptions of renewable energy transitions, the ramifications of US federal Tribal law on Tribal energy development and sovereignty, and the implications of conforming to capitalist logics in the energy justice literature.

To understand the importance of building reciprocal and collaborative relationships, our team of researchers and Tribal members collaborated on the development of a methodology to survey respondents in a …

Investigating Dimensions Of Social Vulnerability To Wildfire: A Case Study Of Western Montana, Ella Brodowski

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Communities across the US are facing increased wildfire risks due in part to historic fire suppression efforts, a warming climate, and an influx of people residing in wildland urban interface (WUI) landscapes. Because of these increasing risks, there have been growing concerns about the social factors that can increase individual and community vulnerability to wildfires. This research adds to the discussion of social vulnerability by examining how people living in a geographic area with heightened wildfire risk think about the ways in which people can be more or less vulnerable to wildfires. Using semi-structured interviews, round table discussions, and field …

The Swiping Desire: Intimacy, Libidinal Capitalism, And The Digital Subject In The Tinder Swindler, Chanif Ainun Naim

Masyarakat: Jurnal Sosiologi

This article examines how dating applications operate as libidinal infrastructures that restructure and commodify intimacy within platform capitalism, using The Tinder Swindler as a cultural case study. Employing a visual-narrative approach within the framework of Critical Discourse Analysis, the film is analyzed to reveal the structural exploitation of user affect and desire. Grounded in Lacanian psychoanalysis and Baudrillard’s simulation theory, the study argues that these platforms capitalize on the subject’s ontological lack (manque) which fuels desire as the desire for the Other’s desire. This psychic lack sustains a perpetual pursuit of recognition that can never be fulfilled. The swindler’s hyper-curated …

Examining Strategies For The Recruitment And Retention Of Students Of Color In Health Service Psychology Doctoral Programs, Melissa Sital

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Students of color are significantly underrepresented in the field of health service psychology, including at the doctoral level. Doctoral programs in health service psychology utilize various strategies to foster the recruitment and retention of students of color, though limited research has investigated which strategies are used most frequently. As part of the present study, 18 APA-accredited doctoral programs in health service psychology submitted narrative sections from their APA accreditation self-study report describing their efforts to recruit and retain students of color and evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts, as well as the racial/ethnic breakdown of their students. Qualitative analysis of …

Assessing The Predictive Validity Of The Network Inventory Of Risk, Victories, And Needs Assessment (Nirvana) For Youth Receiving Prevention Services., Michael T. Baglivio, Kevin T. Wolff, Katherine Jackowski

Publications and Research

The current study assesses the predictive validity of a newly-developed holistic risk/needs assessment for youth receiving prevention services. Employing a multiyear statewide sample of over 17,000 prevention youth, multivariate and Area Under Curve techniques are used to examine predictive validity in predicting future formal juvenile justice system involvement (new law violations) across sex, race/ethnicity, and multiple youth age ranges. Furthermore, predictive validity across the severity of the subsequent offense type (misdemeanor, non-violent felony, violent felony) was examined. Findings demonstrate large effect sizes for static risk only, dynamic risk only, and total risk plus protective scores on future offending. Sex and …

Victim-Offender Overlap Among Incarcerated Youth In The United States: A Bivariate Probit Analysis Using National Data, Tzu-Ying Lo, Yu-Hsuan Liu, Amy Adamczyk

Publications and Research

For many crimes, people who are the perpetrators may also be the victims. While several studies have investigated the victim-offender overlap, very few have examined the relationship for incarcerated youth where institutional conditions can exacerbate the overlap. Drawing on ideas from routine activities theory, this study explores the victim-offender overlap among incarcerated American youth using data from the 2008–2009 National Survey of Youth in Custody (NSYC-1, N = 8,625) and the 2012 National Survey of Youth in Custody (NSYC-2, N = 8,125). Findings from a bivariate probit regression indicate that younger age, higher facility populations, negative perceptions of officer legitimacy, …

Understanding The Factors That Influence University Environment: Gender Differences In Perceptions Of Female And Male Stem Graduate Students., Rachel Robinson

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Despite increasing female representation in higher education, women remain underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. This thesis investigates gendered perceptions of university environment among STEM graduate students, focusing on the role of faculty-student interaction as a form of social capital. The survey was developed and administered with Qualtrics Online Survey Software by members of the Social Science Research Group of the Pacific Northwest Circles of Success: Mentoring Opportunities in STEM. All graduate students in the participating universities pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees in a National Science Foundation STEM recognized program were eligible to complete the survey. Using …

Jurisprudence Of Problem-Solving Courts: A Study Of Structure, Success, And Sociological Theory, Lauren M. Boos

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In response to the failures of mass incarceration and its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, Problem-Solving Courts (PSCs) have emerged as alternatives to traditional prosecution. These courts employ therapeutic-informed and rehabilitative practices aimed at addressing the root causes of criminal behavior. While widely regarded as more effective than traditional courts, PSCs have developed largely without a formal theoretical foundation. This is notable given their alignment with Sociological Jurisprudence (SJ) and Therapeutic Jurisprudence (TJ), which view the legal system as a vehicle for promoting individual and community well-being.

Despite being celebrated as therapeutic innovations, PSCs often embody these principles unevenly. Using …

Our Stories Of Coming Home: Project Rebound Student Experiences At Cal Poly Humboldt And College Of The Redwoods, Eddie Peña

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The explosion of the prison population over the last 50 years has dramatically increased the number of people in the reentry process. Understanding the reentry process, and how students connected to Project Rebound experience reentry is crucial to developing prescriptive services that will support student success. The study used semi-structured interviews and open-ended questions. The questions focused on the time before release, immediately after release, and future goals. Interviews were coded line-by-line and themes were discovered using a modified Grounded Research approach. Results suggest being incarcerated and the reentry process comes with mixed emotions. Students felt anxious and afraid in …

Power & Danger: A Glimpse Into K-12 Sexual And Reproductive Health Education Via Instagram, Sade Perez

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Within the Kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12) public school system, educators teach a wide array of subject areas and topics with the intention of preparing students for life beyond the classroom. Navigating legislative requirements, community acceptance and opposition, curriculum developments, evolving political landscapes, and a multitude of other challenges, educators that teach controversial subjects are faced with unique challenges. In California, legislation such as the California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA) of 2016, impacts the teaching experiences of those teaching what many deem controversial; sexual and reproductive health education (SRHE). While there is extensive research on the experiences of educators across …

When Emotions Flare: Solar Rhythms, Emotions And Cycles Of Political Revolution, Andreas Hernandez, Carolina Zilli Vieira, Alexandra Smith, Rebecca Olson

Geography and Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

Revolutions are among the most transformative events in human history. Analyzing 395 revolutionary episodes from 1900 to 2014, we find that major waves cluster around solar maxima - periods of intensified geomagnetic activity. Drawing on biomedical research linking geomagnetic disturbances to cardiovascular and stress regulation, and thus to emotional states, we propose that solar cycles modulate the affective ecologies within which revolutions arise. Solar activity may accelerate, shape, and amplify revolutionary cycles by heightening emotional climates and tipping fragile systems toward mass mobilization. This reframes revolutions as planetary events - entanglements of political conflict, embodied emotion, and cosmic …

Assessing Karen Indigenous Governance In Kaw Thay Ghu, Kawthoolei Through The Lens Of The Governance Vitality Framework, Phapi Rakdamrongphorn

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This thesis examines how the traditional Karen governance institution of the Kaw sustains environmental conservation and community well-being in Kaw Thay Ghu, an Indigenous territory in Kawthoolei (Karen State, Myanmar). Situated within a conflict-affected landscape facing challenges from armed violence, displacement, and climate change, this study employs a qualitative case study approach, combining focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with elders, leaders, and youth. The research applies the Governance Vitality Framework (GVF) to assess how the five interrelated dimensions of governance are articulated within the Kaw system: Strategic Adaptability, Connectivity and Collaboration, Wisdom from Local Experience, Creativity and Empowerment, and …

From Rice Farming To Plastic Recycling: Local Innovation And Agrarian Change In Minh Khai Village, Hung Yen Province, Vietnam, Phuong Linh Pham

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research analyzes the initiation and expansion of the plastic waste recycling business from the perspective of local innovation, and the agrarian consequences of this business in Minh Khai village, Hung Yen, Vietnam. Originating in the 1980s as individual efforts to diversify household livelihoods amid poverty, Minh Khai’s plastic recycling industry gradually evolved into a community-based economic ecosystem. This development was shaped by the opportunities created through economic reforms, the geographical advantages of certain regions, and the strong role of kinship networks in sharing knowledge and new livelihood models. This transformation in livelihood patterns has driven a transition in land …

Chinese Students’ Mothers In Thailand: Transnational Education And Migration, Shan Li

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research focuses on Chinese mothers accompanying their children to study in Thailand, exploring their life experiences, identity transformation, and social adaptation within this transnational educational migration phenomenon. A mixed research method (questionnaire survey and interviews) was employed, systematically analyzing data from 151 questionnaires and 13 interviewed mothers. Results show that these accompanying mothers generally possess high levels of education and economic capability, with most abandoning their original professions for their children's education, forming a transnational family structure of husband remaining in China, wife accompanying her child in Thailand. While this model reinforces traditional gender roles, it also encourages women …

Battling Oppression And Crafting New Identities: Case Study Of The Woman, Life, Freedom Movement In Canada, Kiana Habibagahi

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Iran’s Woman, Life, Freedom movement began in 2022, and Canada’s Iranian diaspora– the second-largest globally–continues to mobilise advocacy initiatives in its support. However, no studies have examined the movement’s implications on identity individually or collectively. These gaps fail to recognise the experiences of Iranian peoples in Canada who care deeply for the movement and have been historically marginalised. As such, using a qualitative and arts-based method, my project facilitates the retelling of experiences of young adult advocates (n = 4) in the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. Specifically, I inquired about the perceived development of their collective identities as advocates, along …

Re-Imagining Care For Aging Disabled Adults, Caitlin L. Tizzard

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In Ontario, the landscape of aging is shaped by ageist and ableist ideologies that view older disabled adults through the lens of decline and dependency. Much of the current discourse on aging focuses on reforming long-term care (LTC), reinforcing institutional and carceral responses both within policy and academic imagination. This qualitative study takes a different approach by asking participants how care for aging disabled adults can be reimagined beyond institutionalization. Grounded in intersectional feminist, disability justice and abolitionist praxis, and using a critical transformative paradigm, this research employed Appreciative Inquiry across three focus groups with four participants engaged in aging-related …

Tackling Paradoxes And Double Binds For A Healthier Workplace: Insights From The Early Covid-19 Responses In Quebec And Ontario, Daniel Côté, Amelia León, Ai-Thuy Huynh, Jessica Dubé, Ellen Maceachen, Pamela Hopwood, Marie Laberge, Samantha Meyer, Meghan K. Crouch, Joyceline Amoako

Études primaires

The urgency of managing the COVID-19 health crisis in workplaces led to tensions, work overload, and confusion about preventive measures. This study presents a secondary analysis of qualitative data on paradoxes and double binds (PDBs) experienced by precarious essential workers in Canada who interacted with the public and their supervisors. Based on 13 interviews from a larger qualitative dataset, we examine how workers navigated public health recommendations and organisational demands during the pandemic. Findings reveal multiple organisational and managerial PDBs—both COVID-19-related and pre-existing—that contributed to psychological distress and compromised well-being. We argue that PDBs represent a significant occupational health hazard …

Supports For Mental Well-Being Valued By Healthcare Workers: Qualitative Analysis Of Data From A Canadian Cohort Of Healthcare Workers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Shannon Marie Ruzycki, Anil Adisesh, Quentin Durand-Moreau, France Labrèche, Tanis Zadunayski, Erica Stroud, Nicola Cherry

Études primaires

A prospective cohort of 4964 HCWs from four Canadian provinces was established early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were invited to comment about workplace mental health supports at three time points. We performed a thematic content analysis of responses from 1738 participants using the Social Support Behaviour Code framework to categorize barriers to support as informational, tangible, emotional, social, or expressing esteem. Themes were synthesized into suggestions for healthcare organizations to prepare for future crises. Formal and informal peer support, workplace mental health supports, and one-on-one counseling were most often mentioned as valued. Analysis suggested that workplace social networks as …

Organizational And Structural Factors In Building The Therapeutic Alliance In A Work Rehabilitation Program With Injured Immigrant Workers In Quebec, Daniel Côté, Maude Arsenault, Jessica Dubé

Études primaires

Abstract

The therapeutic alliance is central to occupational rehabilitation, particularly for immigrant workers who face unique challenges of migration and of social and occupational integration. This study explores the development and maintenance of this alliance between immigrant workers with compensated work injuries and their care providers during work rehabilitation. Using ethnography, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups, the qualitative case study involved 7 injured immigrant workers and their interdisciplinary clinical team. The study identified several factors that weakened the alliance, including administrative complexity, conflicting views on pain and disability, cultural stereotypes, and interorganizational communication issues. Many of these challenges were systemic …

Enhancing Community Value Through Cultural Product : A Case Study Of Sud Siam Beer, Chonthicha Rungjaroensin

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This independent study investigates how Sud Siam beer functions as a cultural product that enhances community value and communicates the cultural identity of Yala Province to outsiders. The study pursues three objectives: to examine the role of local craft beer in strengthening Yala’s community value and identity, particularly in external perceptions; to analyze the cultural product development strategies applied by Sud Siam beer; and to explore how Sud Siam beer serves as a medium for Yala community promotion and cultural representation. A mixed-methods approach was employed to the research study, combining a single in-depth interview with the brand owner and …

Curating Difficult Heritage : Interpreting The Thai-Burma Railway In The Museum Context, Eriko Kawaguchi

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study examines how the difficult heritage of the Thai–Burma Railway is curated and interpreted in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. As debates in contemporary museology evolve, museums are increasingly expected to function as inclusive platforms with social responsibility. Although the railway was constructed in Thailand, its traumatic memories are shared transnationally among Allied prisoners of war (POWs), Asian laborers, Japanese imperial military, and local Thai communities, making its representation complex.The research aims to understand how difficult heritage is curated through a case study of the Thailand–Burma Railway Centre (TBRC), focusing on its curatorial approach, challenges, and representation of transnational narratives. Qualitative methods …

Art, Culture, And Economy In Vietnam's Cultural Revival Movement: Case Studies Of Tired City And Comicola, Ha Phuong Nguyen Vu

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

In recent years, Vietnam has witnessed a strong youth-driven wave of cultural rediscovery, reflected through numerous events, creative projects, artworks, and music inspired by Vietnamese heritageÑwidely reported across national media. In response to this growing cultural interest, the Vietnamese government has increasingly recognized the value of cultural and creative industries and introduced new policies to support their development. However, within this broader cultural landscape, the position of the visual arts remains insufficiently addressed. Economic opportunities for young artists participating in the cultural revival movement have not been clearly examined, and the role and influence of creative businesses specializing in visual …

The Key Factors Of Thai Traditional Cultural Festivals That Attract International Tourists : The Case Of Songkran Festival, Jieyi Chen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

AbstractThis study focuses on traditional cultural festivals in Thailand, particularly Songkran, to examine the key factors that attract international tourists and analyze the uniqueness and appeal of Thai culture. Findings indicate that authenticity, participatory experiences, festive atmosphere, and symbolic rituals are essential elements that attract tourists. However, challenges such as the risk of over-commercialization, uneven international promotion, and issues of cultural preservation remain. By adopting literature analysis and case study methods, this research investigates these key factors and the potential for future development, including the international influence of Thai traditional festivals and their contributions to local tourism development and the …

Perceptions And Localization Of The Chinese New Year : A Case Study Of Celebrations In Bangkok, Liqian Peng

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates how Chinese residents in Bangkok perceive the preservation and localization of Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations, focusing on how traditional heritage and adaptive practices coexist in a multicultural environment. A total of 226 valid questionnaires were analyzed from participants who celebrated the 2025 CNY in Bangkok. Results across five perception dimensions—traditional practice, cultural pride, community status, localization acceptance, and cultural identity—show that respondents generally hold moderately positive attitudes toward both traditional and localized elements of the festival. Participants express strong attachment to rituals such as family reunions, ancestral offerings, and lion or dragon dances, underscoring the continued …

How To Transform The Concertgoers To The City Explorers:The Case Study Of Jincheng Rock Music Festival, Ruiling Liu

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Music festivals are recognized as key drivers of local tourism and cultural engagement. They offer immersive cultural experiences and stimulate local economies, but attendees often focus mainly on the event itself. This study examines how to convert festival audiences into “city explorers” at the Jincheng Rock Music Festival, addressing attendee perceptions and post-event tourism. We collected public comments from Douyin and Xiaohongshu (leading Chinese social media platforms) and applied text-mining techniques (sentiment analysis and topic modeling) to analyze thousands of comments. After cleaning the data, we extracted key topics (transportation, lodging, local attractions) and quantified sentiment polarity to identify audience …