Digital Commons Network^™

Individuals Aging With Developmental Disabilities: Programmatic Foundations For System Improvement, Morgan D. Foster, Andrew Bronson Crocker, Beth Stalvey

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

As the population in the United States ages and grows, so does the number of older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Individuals who have lifelong disabilities experience age-related conditions, such as dementia, cancer, or arthritis, differently from those who acquire similar age-related disabilities in late life. The aging population with IDD represents a demographic shift and introduces both challenges and opportunities in various contexts, including, but not limited to, healthcare, caregiving, housing, and economic stability. Concurrently, aging caregivers, including parents of individuals with IDD, must balance their own age-related needs with the current and future plans of care …

Echoes Of The Goddess: Reclaiming Power-Within In The Modern Workplace, Chloe E. Hanousek

Student Publications

This work examines gender inequality in the American workforce as part of a broader cultural system that consistently devalues care, embodiment, and relational labor. Rather than treating issues such as the wage gap or the motherhood penalty as isolated problems, it situates them within a historical pattern shaped by patriarchal power, medical dismissal, and the domination of nature. Through an interdisciplinary feminist approach, this work traces how the suppression of the feminine influences women’s working lives, health experiences, and relationships to their bodies. By connecting labor inequality to burnout, ecological harm, and the erosion of inner authority, it argues that …

Belmont Council On Aging: Planning For The Future, Caitlin E. Coyle, Nancy Mazonson, Ceara Somerville

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report presents the results of a comprehensive needs assessment of Belmont’s older adult population. The study was conducted to support planning by the Belmont Council on Aging and Beech Street Senior Center, and it also provides valuable information for other town departments, community organizations, and residents. Specifically, this report aims to: *Describe Belmont’s current older adult population and their needs. *Assess the services and resources currently available. *Identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. *Provide recommendations to ensure Belmont remains a supportive, age-friendly community for years to come.

As the number of older residents grows, so too will the need …

Housing Options As We Age, Michele Dinman, Jeff Brandt, Logan Fox

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

Almost 75% of adults ages 50 and older want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. This is referred to as “aging in place.” Our homes and communities can help us feel safe and give us a sense of belonging and connection. Furthermore, our living situations effect our health and quality of life as well as our ability to live independently. Changes in our physical, psychological, social, and financial well-being later in life can affect our abilities to age in place. Finding the best housing based on our resources, interests, and needs is important for living well …

Job-Training Programs For Older Americans, Byeongju Ryu, Cal J. Halvorsen

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

The traditional notion of retirement—stopping work completely to focus on personal pursuits in one’s golden years—is not guaranteed. In the United States, three in four adults plan to work past age 65. Many older adults continue working due to financial necessity, including rising healthcare costs, insufficient retirement savings, and gaps in pension coverage. Low-wage workers, in particular, may struggle to retire at all, forced to keep working to afford basic necessities such as housing and food. Older adults also seek employment for their personal health and well-being, such as staying physically and mentally active, finding a sense of purpose, and …

An Evaluation Of Reading Proficiency Examination College Completion Among Black Neurodiverse Women, Makayla J. Graham

Theses (2016-Present)

This study establishes the college completion experiences of Black neurodiverse women (n=53), a population historically rendered invisible in higher education research. Grounded in Dis/ability Critical Race Studies (DisCrit), Black Feminist Thought, the Black Feminist Disability Framework, and the Neurodiversity Paradigm, the research documents how intersectional identity, structural barriers, and mental health outcomes shape degree attainment. Data was collected through a mixed-methods online survey targeting this specific demographic. The findings demonstrate that college completion for this population is an act of resistance against racialized sexist ableism. Thematic analysis identified six central themes: Systemic Barriers in Higher Education, Intersectional Identity Burdens, Internal …

Diabetes-Related Foot Complications And Socioeconomic Influences Among Hispanic Males In South Texas: A Scoping Review, Mariana J. Rodriguez, Demian Rodriguez, Amanda L. Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is the 7^th leading cause of death in the United States and is 6^th in the state of Texas. Counties from South Texas are primarily affected with higher rates of diabetes than both the state and national average. Diabetes mellitus is a complex and progressive disease which can affect multiple systems of the body, leading to serious complications if untreated, especially in the lower extremities. Uncontrolled diabetes is often associated with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), foot infections, and lower extremity amputations (LEA). South Texas is a region predominantly populated by Hispanic Americans who are disproportionally …

Diabetes-Related Foot Complications And Socioeconomic Influences Among Hispanic Males In South Texas: A Scoping Review, Mariana J. Rodriguez, Demian Rodriguez, Amanda Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. and 6th in Texas. South Texas counties have higher diabetes rates than state and national averages. This complex, progressive disease affects multiple body systems and can lead to serious complications, especially in the lower extremities. Uncontrolled diabetes is often associated with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), foot infections, and lower extremity amputations (LEA). South Texas, predominantly Hispanic American, is disproportionately affected. This demographic faces clinical barriers due to a lack of cultural understanding, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive healthcare workers such as promotoras. This study aimed to …

Changing Lives, Transforming Communities: How Young Feminist Organizations Create Change In Mexico And Kenya, Population Council Kenya

Adolescents and Young People

The Young Feminist Organizing (YFO) study was initiated in response to a call for proposals by two anonymous funders to conduct a Participatory Action Research evaluation (PARe) of young feminist movements across Kenya and Mexico. The project was implemented by the Population Council in Kenya and Mexico, with technical support from the GIRL Center, and through a Feminist Advisory Panel (FAP) and a Core Participatory Evaluation Community (Core PARe). The study's duration was 31 months, starting from September 2022 to March 2025. This end-of-project report summarizes the key findings, lessons learned, challenges encountered, mitigation strategies employed, and emerging opportunities.

What Do Young Feminists In Kenya Need To Thrive?, Chantalle Okondo, John Malkia, Ivy Kutswa, Ruth Juliet, Sar Kagendo, Stacie Akinyi, Gladys Jerop, Juma Damaris, Terry Owino, Jerry Okal

Adolescents and Young People

The Nawiri Project used a core Participatory Action Research Evaluation (PARe) approach to explore the landscape of young feminist organizing/organizations (YFOs) in Kenya and Mexico. The project aimed to synthesize evidence on YFOs’ context, impact, and strengths. In Kenya, the core PARe team included nine young feminists and seven Feminist Advisory Panel (FAP) members, who collaborated with Population Council, Kenya from the project’s inception to dissemination. To define and measure impact, the team conducted five case studies with YFO leadership, nine focus group discussions with YFO beneficiaries, 31 key informant interviews with current and previous partners, and cost and benefit …

James Kelman And The Impossibility Of Managerial Souls, Joseph H. Jackson

Studies in Scottish Literature

Discusses James Kelman's portrayal of middle managers and their interactions with those they manage in "The Bevel' (1983), A Disaffection (1989), How Late It Was, How Late, (1994), and You Have to be Careful in the Land of the Free (2004), exploring their interactions with those they manage in terms of managerialism, management theories, and the U.K. government's New Public Management reforms.

Care As The Primary Motivation In Home Birthing Among Mothers In Panukulan, Quezon, Leslie A. Lopez, Marie Angelie Molina

Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC)

This qualitative study examines how women in Panukulan, Quezon, a GIDA municipality, make decisions regarding childbirth in light of national and municipal policies that promote institutional delivery and discourage home births. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior as an analytical framework, the study analyzes maternal intrapartum health-seeking behavior (HSB) through the following components: a) sociocultural and institutional context, b) intention formation based on attitudes toward facility and home birthing, perceptions of subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, and c) actual behavior. Findings reveal that while facility births are widely recognized for their clinical safety, women’s preferences for specific behaviors are …

Venezuelan Migrants In Prostitution: A Personal Decision?, Yazmin Maria Lucila Cadena Camargo, Izara Maite Mondragon Moreno, Isabela Osorio Jaramillo, Paula Angélica Suárez Álvarez, Andrés Duarte Osorio, Carlos Gómez-Restrepo

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

This paper explores the multifaceted experiences of Venezuelan migrant women engaged in prostitution, framed through three critical moments: the “decision to enter in prostitution,” the unique abuses faced, and the resultant consequences on mental, physical, and social health. The study highlights how socioeconomic vulnerabilities—exacerbated by migration and poverty—significantly influence the likelihood of entering prostitution. It also shows how traumatic experiences, particularly in childhood and adolescence, coupled with a lack of support networks, contribute to a heightened risk of exploitation. Eleven life stories were collected through a phenomenological approach, revealing a common narrative of abuse, poverty, and the search for survival …

Sustainability And Funding Of Young Feminist Organizing/Organization In Kenya, Chantalle Okondo, John Malkia, Ivy Kutswa, Ruth Juliet, Sar Kagendo, Stacie Akinyi, Gladys Jerop, Juma Damaris, Terry Owino, Jerry Okal

Adolescents and Young People

The Nawiri Project used a core Participatory Action Research Evaluation (PARe) approach to explore the landscape of young feminist organizing/organizations (YFOs) in Kenya and Mexico. The project aimed to synthesize evidence on YFOs’ context, impact, and strengths. In Kenya, the core PARe team included nine young feminists and seven Feminist Advisory Panel (FAP) members, who collaborated with Population Council, Kenya from the project’s inception to dissemination. To define and measure impact, the team conducted five case studies with YFO leadership, nine focus group discussions with YFO beneficiaries, 31 key informant interviews with current and previous partners, and cost and benefit …

Adolescent Executive Function As A Resilience Factor In The Family Stress Model Among Mexican-Origin Families, Su Yeong Kim, Yayu Du, Tianlu Zhang, Jingyi Shen, Kiera M. Coulter, Lester Sim, Wen Wen, Belem G. Lopez, Maria M. Arredondo, Shen Yishan, Hou Yang

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Mexican-origin families often face economic hardship due to systemic oppression, increasing the likelihood of adolescent marijuana use. While the family stress model provides insight into the mechanism of the association between family economic hardship and adolescent marijuana use, resilience factors are relatively unknown. The present study uses a three-wave longitudinal data set of Mexican immigrant families in the United States (Wave 1—adolescents: Mage = 12.29, SD = 0.93; mothers: Mage = 38.57, SD = 5.71) to investigate the mechanism underlying the association between family income and adolescents’ likelihood of marijuana use, guided by the family stress model. The protective role …

Minimizing Travel Burden Of Gynecologic Cancer Surveillance Through A Unique Multidisciplinary Telehealth Program, Avni Shridhar, Suzanne Viator, Tara Castellano, Holly Provost, Navya Nair, Elizabeth Neupert, Amma Agyemang, Amelia Jernigan

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE: STEEL MAGNOLIAS (shared telehealth for multidisciplinary gynecologic cancer survivorship) is a novel gynecologic cancer surveillance care-delivery program in which rural patients see a close-by gynecologist in person with simultaneous virtual gynecologic oncology consultation. This study assesses feasibility of STEEL MAGNOLIAS by examining travel burden reduction, cancer outcomes, visit activities, guideline adherence, and patient satisfaction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients with gynecologic cancer in remission under the STEEL MAGNOLIAS program in rural south Louisiana (March 2020-September 2023). Travel metrics, patient satisfaction, cancer outcomes, survival status, reasons for visit, and adherence to follow-up as per National Comprehensive Cancer Network …

The Power A Generation Holds: A Study On Students Generating Change In American Social Movements, Caroline E. Koziol

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

Social activism ebbs and flows throughout American history. In the contemporary period, high visual coverage of activism has contributed to frustrations over the apparent decrease in change despite perceptions of increased participation. Young activists in the classroom ask questions to learn from their predecessors. This paper focuses on answering, “How can students create sustained change through social activism?” The present work recenters activism in the role of students and higher education institutions, noting their potential for creating change through a formula for future activists to engage with. The proposed formula targets methods and theories to bolster success towards the cause …

Influence Of Institutional Support And Organisational Culture On Hiv And Ncd Integration, David Njuguna, Caroline Kyalo, Eunice Muthoni, Daniel Mwai, Elvis Kirui, Wesley Rotich, Joy Mugambi, James Waweru, Nelson Muriu, Easter Olwanda

Population Health, East Africa

Background: The integration of services for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has gained increasing attention in recent years because of the overlapping prevalence and shared risk factors between these health conditions. However, successful integration requires more than just the alignment of clinical practices. The role of institutional support and organisational culture in promoting effective integration remains an underexplored area.

Aim: This study aims to fill this gap by examining how institutional structures and organisational values influence the integration of HIV and NCD care.

Setting: The study setting was Nakuru County in Kenya.

Methods: …

Digital Learning And Healing: Impacts Of Ai In Art Therapy, Cassandra E. Buffington-Bates

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

Art therapy, a creative approach to mental and emotional healing, is evolving with digital technologies to improve accessibility and care. This paper explores how artificial intelligence (AI) enhances art therapy by fostering emotional intelligence, collaboration, and personalized interventions. It highlights AI’s potential to support therapy while addressing challenges like empathy, data privacy, and training gaps. Through a literature review, the study offers insights into integrating AI with human-centered practices, providing innovative solutions for emotional and cognitive well-being.

English-Spanish Bilingual Speech Language Pathologists’ Experiences Evaluating English Language Learner Students: Incorporating Conceptual Scoring, Barbara De Jesus Rivera, Raul Prezas

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

The number of multilingual/bilingual students has increased across schools in the United States. Assessment in both the native language and English is considered the standard for evaluating bilingual children referred for language testing. Conceptual Scoring is an evaluation approach for bilingual students that considers the students’ responses in both languages to obtain an overall language score; however, there is variability among practitioners on best practices for multilingual assessment.

Purpose: The current study (a) sought to explore the decision-making process of bilingual SLPs when evaluating bilingual students, (b) to gain a deeper understanding of how bilingual SLPs incorporate conceptual scoring in …

Scottish Workers’ Stories Of Life And Labour During Covid-19 From The Workers’ Stories Project, Hailey Maxwell, Ruth Gilbert, Suki Sangha, Ewan Gibbs

Studies in Scottish Literature

This article explores how Scottish workers narrated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their life and work, by analysing 55 fifty-five submissions to the Workers' Stories Project. Between 2020 and 2022, the project creative reflections on the pandemic from workers across Scotland, drawing on the tradition of workers' inquiry and workers' education that encouraged critical reflection and the embrace of worker creativity. Submissions were overwhelmingly literary in form, primarily short prose supplemented by poetry, with three key themes emerging: intimacy and alienation; insecurity and status; and a slower living pace. Cumulatively, the stories underline how COVID-19 magnified workplace injustices …

Faith Vs. Morality: Do Viewpoints Of Protestant Christians Attending Psu Align With Anti-Transgender Legislation Being Proposed In Oregon?, Asher Schneider

University Honors Theses

Transgender-identifying individuals living within the US face significantly higher rates of discrimination and harassment compared to the general US population. Recently, there have been thousands of legislative measures introduced with the intent of limiting the rights of Transgender and other LGBTQ identifying individuals. Christian Americans are significantly more likely than irreligious Americans to be against various rights for Transgender people, such as the ability to participate in sports or use restrooms that correlate with their self-identified gender rather than their biological sex. Research indicates that recent anti-transgender legislative measures introduced in several states is in part driven by the large …

Addressing Climate Vulnerability And Policy Gaps Of Heat Waves In Upper Egypt: The Case Study Of Al-A’Qaab Village In Aswan, Eman Abdullah

Theses and Dissertations

Heatwaves are currently one of the most dangerous climate hazards globally. Egypt is experiencing an increase in the intensity and frequency of heatwaves, which affects health, economy, infrastructure, and the ecological system. Upper Egypt is one of the most vulnerable regions in Egypt to rising temperatures, particularly in Aswan Governorate. The risks of heat waves are increasing vulnerability among vulnerable groups, such as women and low-income individuals. However, there is a clear gap in protection policies against heat waves, along with a lack of studies examining the effects of heat waves on individuals in Aswan. Accordingly, this thesis aims to …

The Motherhood Penalty On Health: Evidence From China, Ang Sun, Fang Xia, Xuan Zhang

Research Collection School Of Economics

Understanding women’s physical and mental well-being following childbirth is critical for informing policies on labor market equity, family support, and fertility. Using event study methods and panel data from China, we document a persistent motherhood penalty in both physical and mental health, whereas the health impacts on fathers are minimal. While mothers experience a temporary reduction in paid work hours, they face a sustained increase in unpaid domestic labor — housework and childcare — resulting in a net increase in total work time. This additional workload likely contributes to deterioration in health. Mothers are also more likely to engage in …

Tassel Turning Versus Tossing In The Towel: An Analysis Of Undergraduate Student Persistence And Challenges, Josie Ambur

Journal of the Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression

Project Mentor(s): Pamela McMullin-Messier, Bernadette Jungblut

Completing college is no easy feat. All higher education has barriers and obstacles students must face and overcome. Observations have been used to gather various student perspectives that have been compiled alongside research in the field to create a picture of what student barriers look like at Central Washington University specifically. Some of these barriers include navigating academic requirements, challenges with academic advisors, unique challenges first-generation students face, and financial challenges including balancing employment and academics. Within the personal lives of students, there are several internal factors that impact their success such as their …

Appropriate Blackness: Feminism, C.R.T, Marxism & Boxing, Olene Togiailua

Journal of the Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression

Project Mentor(s): Cynthia Pengilly, PhD

Black people of the Progressive era were concerned with how to regulate their behavior to better their position in society. This research will examine the synthesis of gender performativity, critical race theory, Marxism, and psychoanalysis to create an assimilation identity strategy called “Appropriate Blackness” and how it is demonstrated through the sport of Boxing. The case study subject of all these different frameworks is the first Black Heavyweight champion of the world, Jack Johnson, who was the premier Black celebrity during the Progressive Era and thus an example for a specific gender strategy many working-class …

Reducing Ghg Emissions By Effective Waste Management System In Cairo, Habiba Alaa Hammad

COP30

This paper explores the theme of climate mitigation by focusing on the waste management issue and the negative effects of landfills in increasing greenhouse gas emission. The research tackles insights specifically gathered from Cairo, Egypt, presenting challenges and gaps in the waste management market. Research found that the efforts of the formal waste management sector in privatizing the industry had led to the increase of garbage waste and subsequently affecting the environment negatively due to lack of trash disposal and the burning of trash, while the informal sector represented in local communities called “Zabbaleen,” showed better results at maintaining a …

Taking Control Of Reproductive Health Information: Behind The Scenes With A Cataloging Librarian, Tanesa G. King

Library Scholarship

With the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, the author saw a need for an assessment of her institutional library’s collection of resources about reproductive and sexual health, especially on topics related to abortion and birth control. The author worked as a cataloging librarian in Texas at the time and anticipated that patrons would turn to the library for information about reproductive matters and thought a project concerning the reproductive and sexual health collection was vital for her library. Ensuring that the library catalog provided adequate subject access to the reproductive health resources that library users need, as …

The Limits Of Snap In Addressing Older Adult Food Insecurity, Colleen M. Heflin, Madonna Harrington Meyer

Population Health Research Brief Series

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to address the economic roots of food insecurity. However, SNAP participation rates among older adults substantially lag behind those of other age groups. Based on the book, Food for Thought: Understanding Older Adults Food Insecurity, this brief describes how SNAP is not well designed for older adults in three respects: (1) the high levels of administrative burden associated with eligibility, certification, and benefit-determination processes, (2) the low value of SNAP benefits compared with the high costs associated with redeeming them, and (3) the high levels of state variation in SNAP policies …

Collaborative Reflections On A Practical Journey Through Transcendental Phenomenology Data Analysis, Tyler Kulp, Hissah Alzahrani, Michele Parker

The Qualitative Report

Although transcendental phenomenology is widely recognized in qualitative research, there is limited discussion of how researchers come to understand and apply its methods in practice. This paper examines how reflective collaboration enhances the understanding and use of transcendental phenomenological analysis. It involves the first author, a recent doctoral graduate, the second author, a current doctoral student, and the third author, the doctoral advisor, using a collaborative approach. We draw upon the first author’s dissertation, providing clear, actionable guidance for simplifying the analysis process. The discussion highlights the value of collaborative reflection in making the methodology more accessible and enriching understanding …