Digital Commons Network^™

When Does Sexual Image Exposure Constitute Child Sexual Abuse?: Definitional Inconsistencies, Paige B. Kenny

Honors Theses and Capstones

The following review examines how youth exposure to sexual images online is conceptualized and measured as abusive within epidemiological research on online child sexual abuse (OCSA). As digital environments reshape sexual socialization, scholars debate whether and when exposure to sexual content constitutes abuse. To address this issue, this study conducts a qualitative content analysis of 27 survey items drawn from 20 empirical studies of youth online experiences. Survey questions about sexual image exposure were coded across four dimensions: volition, personalization, image or text, and explicitness. Findings reveal significant definitional inconsistency. Many studies rely on ambiguous terms such as “sexual” or …

Embracing Anomalous Perceptions: Sensory Anomalies, Social Stigma, And Self-Acceptance, Ty R. Hetrick

Honors Theses and Capstones

Anomalous Perceptual Experiences (APEs), which include auditory and visual hallucinations, occur in the general population to varying degrees, but are often stigmatized in media and healthcare settings. However, there is an increasing focus on those who report APEs to be positive and meaningful. This study explored the lived experiences of individuals who report APEs that are interpreted meaningfully. Using a concurrent mixed methods approach, interviews and questionnaires were conducted with 3 adults who identify their APEs as meaningful. Participants described their experiences as sources of guidance, connection, and personal transformation that positively influenced their relationships, spirituality, and daily occupations. They …

Mass Homicides And Mass Shootings: Comparisons, Trends, And Unpacking Further, Stefana E. Lotempio

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Mass shootings have garnered more public attention in recent years, in large part due to their increase in both frequency and lethality. Despite public concern, policy and prevention efforts have remained limited and have not yet resulted in a decrease in these events. Understanding mass shootings as a subset of mass murder will help identify how mass shootings are unique from other mass murders, which will help to identify more effective prevention tactics. Additionally, exploring mass shooting trends in the context of homicide trends and other crime trends will illuminate patterns that can be used to inform policy and prevention …

From Sparks To Insights: An Aggregate Analysis On Arson And Explosive Data Reporting Published By The Atf (2014-2024), Zahra A. Khan

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This thesis provides an aggregate assessment of arson and explosives incidents reported by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco, from 2014 to 2024. This thesis is written to highlight trends, investigative outcomes, and evolving patterns of criminal activity. Analysis of the data reveals notable shifts in incident frequencies, data distributions, and case resolution rates. This suggests both emerging technologies and changing operational dynamics that have affected long-term trends in arson and explosive incidents. Variations in incident types and investigative outcomes underscore the interplay between law enforcement priorities, resource allocation, and reporting practices over the ten-year period. The study also …

Reviving Southern Divides: Multilevel Explorations Of Gentrification’S Role In School Resegregation In Tallahassee, Florida From 1999 – 2015, Ola U. Kalu

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This dissertation examines whether neighborhood gentrification in Tallahassee reshaped Title I elementary schools by improving academic outcomes, changing who enrolled, or both, from 1999 to 2015. Using Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Model as a conceptual scaffold, the study situates schools within their neighborhood and district contexts across three nested analytical levels. A two-wave panel design using 2010 and 2015 school-year observations is linked to a 2000 Census baseline to connect school data with spatially weighted neighborhood change indicators. Mixed-effects multilevel models and fixed-effects robustness checks estimate the associations between neighborhood change indicators and two continuous dependent variables: standardized ELA achievement and …

Intergroup Relationship Attitudes Among Multicultural Adolescents In South Korea: Friendship, Dating, And Marriage, Jeewoo Shin

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This dissertation asks how multicultural adolescents in South Korea develop their attitudes toward crossing group boundaries in social and intimate life—whom they would accept as a close friend, a romantic partner, and a spouse—and what factors shape these attitudes. Korea’s immigrant population has grown more than seventyfold since 1990, largely through marriage migration, and the children of those unions are now reaching adulthood. Research on these adolescents has focused on how well they adjust, leaving open how they themselves come to view relationships across group lines.

Using eight annual waves of the Multicultural Adolescent Panel Study (N = 1,112), which …

Maximizing Online Intersession Enrollment Through Targeted Course Offerings, Heather S. Mcmillan, Charles D. Mcallister

Journal of the North American Management Society

Abstract

Online winter intersession courses have become an increasingly important strategy for universities seeking to support accelerated student progression while generating incremental tuition revenue. This study examines ten years of winter intersession enrollment data from a public, master’s-level comprehensive university in the Midwestern United States to identify course characteristics associated with higher student enrollment. Using 12,520 individual enrollment records, the analysis focuses on course type (general education versus major requirement), course classification (lower level, upper level, blended undergraduate/graduate, and graduate), and course discipline. A series of ANOVAs and Bonferroni post-hoc tests reveal significant differences in enrollment across these dimensions, with …

“Do We Play By The Same Rules?”: Exploring The Involvement Of The Magic Circle In Navigating Relationships In Popular Multiplayer Video Games, Nathan Toshihiro A. Villanueva, Julianne Margaret M. Lao, Thea Juliana Alvarez Jocom, Liezl R. Astudillo

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Just like leveling up in a game, dating has transcended the physical world into the realm of multiplayer games where individuals are able to communicate and interact with one another within the virtual third space, the magic circle–the boundary that separates life from play. Within these immersive environments, players create shared experiences that often extend beyond the screen, blurring the line between in-game interactions and real-life emotions. This blurring can lead to emotional spillovers and identity challenges as players navigate the complexities of digital intimacy in world and relationship formation. To define the fluidity of the magic circle, the study …

Embedded Paradox : The Integration Of Internationalization And Localization In Sino-Foreign Cooperative Universities, Jiaxin Guo

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

With the rapid development of Sino-foreign cooperative universities and their growing prominence in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), existing research has begun to focus on this niche sector. While prior studies have examined the tensions of global integration and local responsiveness in such institutions at a macro level, limited attention has been paid to students and faculty—the primary agents of educational practice. To address this gap, this study conducts fieldwork at CUHK-Shenzhen, a cross-border collaborative university in the GBA. This study adopted a qualitative research method and collected field data over six months, including teaching activities and campus …

Frailty, Home Accessibility, And Falls In Later Life, Bonnie Albright

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

As more people remain in their homes as they age, the risk of living at home with frailty and reduced function increases, which may also increase the risk for falls in the home. The scientific literature shows that frail people are more likely to experience falls, which leads to many negative outcomes, such as hospitalization, placement in a skilled nursing facility, and even death. The preference to age-in-place (AIP) is more likely to be met if older people live in accessible housing. Accessible homes may mitigate the risk for falls and promote AIP, especially among frail older people.

While there …

“Blessings Or Burdens”: Perceived Values And Disvalues Of Children Among Married Filipino Millennials, Althea Jeanne S. Asuncion, Martin Oliver G. Cabalona, Elijah De Guzman, Randelle Kirsten Hipolito, Stella P. Go

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Children are perceived to carry meanings that either enrich or burden the lives of their parents, but limited studies have examined the perceived values and disvalues of children in the contemporary Filipino context. To address this gap, a survey was conducted among a hundred married Filipino millennials recruited through various social media platforms. The study investigated whether there were significant differences in child-related values and disvalues based on marital role (husbands or wives), parental status (with or without children), and parenting efficacy (moderate or high). Hotelling’s T2 results revealed no significant differences between husbands and wives in their combined scores …

Living Through Adversity: Understanding Discrimination, Resilience, And Psychological Well-Being Among Filipino Transgender Youth, Allaiza Liz M. Sarino, Athena Christine P. Garcia, Kirsten Jada P. Hinto, Stella P. Go

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Transgender youth continue to face systemic discrimination and social marginalization. These barriers can hinder their development and negatively affect their psychological well-being. However, little is known about the specific ways Filipino transgender youth experience discrimination and develop resilience. To address this gap, this study sought to understand the lived experiences of Filipino transgender youth, focusing on the discrimination they face and the resilience factors that contribute to their psychological well-being. This study employed a descriptive phenomenological approach, utilizing online in-depth interviews with nine transgender youth aged 17 to 23 from Metro Manila, comprising five female-to-male and four male-to-female individuals, who …

Decoding The Girl Code: Exploring The Unwritten Norms In Female Adolescent Friendships, Lindsay Angela F. Azura, Annica Mariz G. Ilagan, Krystine Jean O. Obia, Natalie Allyana P. Talplacido, Stella P. Go

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

The girl code refers to a set of unspoken social rules that shape how adolescent girls form, maintain, and navigate close female friendships. These unwritten norms influence how they provide support, handle emotional challenges, and navigate moral decisions. Despite its significant impact on female adolescent relationships, research on the girl code, especially within the Philippine context, remains limited. This qualitative exploratory study examines how the girl code operates among cisgender Filipino adolescent girls, focusing on its key aspects, underlying values, development, enforcement, and consequences. Five focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among close-knit female friendship groups of senior high school …

From Companionship To Grief: Lived Experiences Of Adolescent Dog Owners At De La Salle University, Dave Edrich Lao, Oel Bes, Zachariah Moscardon, Renzy Sabandal, Noel Bedia

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Pets have long been part of people’s lives, but today, they are often viewed as family, especially by adolescents who rely on them for comfort, support, and companionship. For many, the bond with a pet runs deep, making their loss emotionally devastating. However, the emotional and psychological impact of this grief, particularly among adolescents, remains largely overlooked in academic research despite growing recognition of the human-animal bond. This phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of seven adolescent dog owners (ages 18–23) from De La Salle University Manila, focusing on understanding how they form attachments to pets, navigate caregiving responsibilities, and …

From Universities, Streets, To Modern Contemporary Society: Becoming, Being, And Living As "Babaeng Aktibista", Mariah Alyssa Lorico Ampat, Jameelah Mikaellah Ahliya C. Robles, Zedrick Sombria Roa, Jessica Louise Cruz Clauna, Leo Vicentino

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Historically, women faced patterns of prejudice and gender-based oppression, resulting in the denial of their fundamental rights. Through years of ingrained subordination under authoritarian regimes, activism birthed various movements and organizations that sought liberation. As militant groups gained traction, withstanding large-scale issues, women’s struggles were seldom addressed within nationalist movements. Literature has documented the roots of activism, women’s organizations, and the socio-political conditions throughout Philippine history. However, there is a narrow understanding of women’s experiences and how these mold their individual identities in response to shared struggles. This study attempts to design a local framework elucidating the motivations and drivers …

Opening Paths: Subjective And Professional Trajectories In Psychosocial Intervention For Victims Of The Armed Conflict In Colombia, Edwin Alexander Hernandez Zapata, Diana Vanessa Vivares Porras, Juan David Soto-Fadul

The Qualitative Report

In this study, we analyzed the affective experiences and labor subjectivation processes of community psychologists working in intervention programs implemented by state institutions in Colombia for victims of the armed conflict, a conflict that remains ongoing in various regions of the country. By labor subjectivation processes, we refer (drawing on Foucault) to the ways in which individuals come to relate to themselves and to others through the norms, discourses, and practices that shape their roles within a given historical and institutional context—in this case, the field of psychosocial labor. To conduct this research, we used discourse analysis and semi-structured interviews …

Methodological Aspects In The Construction Of The Protocol In Semi-Structured Interviews, Eli Malvaceda-Espinoza, Gianpiero Flores-Pereyra

The Qualitative Report

The purpose of this study is to identify the methodological aspects in the construction of the semi-structured interview protocol. The development of the protocol implies the methodological articulation (i.e. the coherence between question, objective, research object, design, scenario, participants, and the technique to be used). Regarding the construction of the semi-structured interview protocol, four specific phases are considered: (1) the identification of the research topics, (2) the construction of the interview script, (3) the external evaluation of the protocol, and (4) the piloting and fine-tuning of the protocol. Each of these phases guarantee greater rigor in the qualitative research under …

Future Teachers’ Views On Their Science Teachers: A Case Of Turkey, Mehmet Karakaş

The Qualitative Report

Here future elementary and middle school teachers reflect on their experiences with science teachers encountered throughout their education and highlight their characteristics. The aim of the study was to create a program where teachers were given the explicit opportunity to reflect on their experiences through journaling that promoted reflective thought. Participants were 173 non-science and 120 science major prospective teachers enrolled in a small university in northeastern Turkey. Data were collected using document analysis. Findings show that effective science teachers do experiments, use teaching materials, and show special interest in students; also, their positive personality affected students’ positive attitude towards …

Education For A Shared Society In Wartime: A Faculty Of Education Dean’S Autoethnography, Ilana Paul-Binyamin

The Qualitative Report

My autoethnographic study emerged in the wake of the Hamas–Israel war that began on October 7, 2023, placing me in a dual position as both an academic leader and a member of a society in crisis. As Dean of a multicultural Faculty of Education, I reflect on how the war disrupted longstanding efforts to promote shared society education between Jews and Arabs. Drawing on personal narratives, reflective fieldnotes, and case studies from campus life, I explore how trauma, fear, and political polarization undermined the multicultural frameworks I had developed over years of practice. I document moments of rupture—between students, faculty, …

Student Loan Debt And Higher Education Disruptions During Covid-19, Arielle Kuperberg, Danny Turkson, Joan Maya Mazelis, Katherine Fredricks, Anurag Pant

Journal of Student Financial Aid

We collected and analyzed a survey of 1,018 undergraduate students enrolled at a public regional university in Spring 2021, examining pandemic disruptions to education, living situations, and finances in the first year of the pandemic, and their relationship to loan presence and reports of taking out more loans as a result of the pandemic. Over half of students had student loans, and over one-third of them reported that they increased loan debt due to the pandemic. Results revealed pandemic-related academic and financial disruptions increased student debt for some. Students with loans were also more likely to have moved out of …

Guidos And Grenades: Shaming Discourses In Mtv’S Jersey Shore, Mackenzie K. Mickavicz Ms., Aubree A. Herman

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

MTV’s Jersey Shore, launched in 2009, reached nearly 9 million viewers at the peak of its popularity. Inspired by the language used by the show’s male cast members to criticize a woman’s weight and appearance, such as “grenade” and “atomic bomb,” this study applies social congitive theory and reality television framework to analyze instances of shaming on Jersey Shore. Through a mixed-methods analysis, this study identifies the various forms of shaming depicted and explores how gender dynamics and character relationships affect these interactions. Findings reveal the most frequent forms of shaming, shame targets, and shame initiators as well as …

Revitalizing The Application Of Pancasila Values Through Modeling The Lonto Leok Culture Of The Manggarai Community, Eastern Indonesia, Yulius R. Effendi

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

This study explores the potential for integrating Lonto Leok culture as a character education model based on Pancasila values in schools. This research employs a qualitative approach utilizing a case study methodology. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis in Manggarai communities and schools that have integrated the Lonto Leok cultural tradition into their learning processes. The data analysis confidently employed a triangulation approach to solidify the validity of the research outcomes, ensuring their credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability. The research results indicate that the values espoused in Lonto Leok culture, including religiosity, deliberation, unity, peace, and justice, …

My Research Journey Into Family Domestic Work: Methodological Reflections Of Conducting Research With Sister-Maids And Sister-Madams In Limpopo, Percyval Bayane

The Qualitative Report

Research has been conducted on domestic work in South Africa with studies focusing on domestic workers’ conditions during Apartheid and examining the little to no changes post-Apartheid. Domestic work in post-Apartheid South Africa involves the hiring of family and friends as domestic workers, and this is an under-researched area. As a young black man researching family domestic work, I was confronted with methodological challenges relating to negotiating access and conducting interviews with older black women hiring relatives and those working for family members as domestic workers. This reflexive paper reflects on my personal journey and experiences of conducting qualitative research …

A Critical Analysis Of Identity Formation Amongst Closeted Filipino Youth Through Judith Butler's Gender Trouble, Nikky S. Garo, Samantha B. Cancino, Dhenissa B. Dugat, Patricia Suzanne J. Mahawatta, Julianne Margarette C. Ocampo, Jared Emeric G. Sanchez

Social Sciences and Development Review

Filipino society is often regarded as being pervasively conservative and a stickler for heteronormativity, putting young people identifying within the queer umbrella under significant pressure to conform to traditional gender and sexual norms. This environment fosters a dual performative identity, where closeted individuals present a “cisnormative” front in the face of traditionally restrictive spaces while exploring and expressing a more authentic identity within supportive communities. Queer theory, which challenges binary conceptions of gender and sexuality, frames this exploration by validating the fluidity of non-traditional labels as tools for self-expression, even if only within specific contexts. Feminist theory adds further depth …

Karanasan Ng Piling Pamilyang Pilipino Sa Panahon Ng Pandemya: Alaala Ng Enhanced Community Quarantine Sa Metro Manila, Glenda D. Salorsano

Social Sciences and Development Review

The global spread of COVID-19 has become a worldwide phenomenon. Every country faced different challenges brought by the pandemic in which highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of each nation in combating the virus. It not only became a widespread blow to the health sector but also paved the way for the revelation of other social aspects that need attention. This occurrence allowed the concrete identification of other deficiencies in crucial sectors of society that are associated with pandemic response. These include infrastructure, public transportation, public safety, human rights, and access to sufficient and proper food for every family, and financial …

Bell Hooks’ Sisterhood Model: An Integration Of Religious Congregations And Women’S Advocacy In The Philippines, Ariane Shelley Q. Pepito

Social Sciences and Development Review

In the Philippines, Catholic religious sisters serve their communities as teachers, nurses, leaders, and companions, as a commitment to their chosen vocations. While their acts of service and charity is a sincere commitment to Gospel, their identities continue to be veiled and shaped by the enduring image of a Madonna: a symbol of womanhood inspired in the figure of Mary characterized by purity, chastity, obedience, and maternal devotion. This image, although revered, also places expectations on how sisters are seen and see themselves creating tension between ecclesial identity and public advocacy. This study explores how Filipino Catholic sisters reconcile traditional …

Hurricane Helene, One Year Later: Lived Experience, Geraldine A. Miller

Journal of Appalachian Health

Ashe County is located in the northwestern corner of North Carolina (NC), bordered by Virginia and Tennessee. The county is isolated, mountainous, and historically has lacked good highway access. Hurricane Helene, a category 4 hurricane at landfall, struck Western NC on September 27, 2024, resulting in flooding and wind damage that destroyed local communities in terms of land, homes, bridges, water, electricity, etc. with a damage of $59.6 billion.⁶ One year later, the recovery from the hurricane continues draining individuals and communities of their time, energy, and money. Geri Miller reflects on her hurricane impact experiences a year later. …

Leveraging Community Health Worker’S Deep Community Knowledge To Address Food And Nutrition Security In Appalachia, Alexis Kimbro Scott, Melissa D. Olfert, Dawn Brewer, Makenzie Barr, Julie Plasencia

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Community health workers (CHWs) are trusted professionals in communities because of the deep understanding and cultural insights learned from their lived experiences. In Appalachia, CHWs are embedded in the community, giving them a unique understanding of how social determinants, like food and nutrition security, impact health outcomes.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the professional characteristics and knowledge of CHWs while identifying culturally sensitive practices around food insecurity.

Methods: This cross-sectional, mixed-methods study used an online survey and in-depth phone interviews with CHWs in the Appalachian Region to examine their professional characteristics and knowledge on food security in their …

Stigmatization And Healthcare Inequity Perceived By Individuals Served By Homeless Shelters In An Appalachian City, Molly Powney, James M. Mears, Reagan Sharp, Lisa Calderwood

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: People experiencing homelessness are medically vulnerable and suffer disproportionately from chronic physical and mental health conditions. Evidence-based standards to inform decisions surrounding care would be valuable for this population. Studies exploring how homeless individuals in Appalachia perceive their interactions with the healthcare system remain limited, however.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess perceptions of the healthcare system among homeless individuals served by temporary housing shelters in an Appalachian city.

Methods: A voluntary anonymous survey was administered to residents at three shelters in Charleston, West Virginia (WV) from September 2023 – March 2024. Responses were collected utilizing …

Unseen Bias: How Ai Shapes Religious Narratives In Digital Spaces, Hilman Nurjaman, Achmed Faiz Yudha Siregar, Jasmine Rizky El Yasinta

Journal Of Middle East and Islamic Studies

This study explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping religious narratives in digital spaces, particularly on social media platforms and AI chatbots. Using sentiment analysis and qualitative content analysis, this research examines religious discourse in Indonesia, focusing on the impact of AI-driven content personalization, such as 'filter bubbles' and 'echo chambers'. The findings indicate that AI algorithms reinforce religious biases, intensifying polarization and discrimination, especially between majority and minority religious groups. The study also highlights the socio-political factors influencing these dynamics, including identity politics, historical religious tensions, and conservative social norms. This research emphasizes the need for a …