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How Gender Inequality Drives The Human Trafficking Industry, Jessie D. Sanders

Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses

There are currently more than 40 million people subjected to human trafficking worldwide. People living under forced servitude and sexual exploitation, people in forced marriages, and child soldiers are victims of human trafficking. Research has shown that 71% of these victims are women and girls, making human trafficking a disproportionately gendered issue. However, does gender impact trafficking as a whole? The crux of this study uses a literature review, a comprehensive summary, and a critical analysis of existing works on a specific topic to understand how gender inequality relates to human trafficking. This study will also include a correlation test …

Seven Themes About Substance Use Among Asian Americans, Carolyn Wong, Sun S. Kim Phd, Aprn-Bc

Institute for Asian American Studies Publications

This research brief summarizes the findings from a study on improving services for Asian Americans at risk for substance use problems that was conducted by the Institute for Asian American Studies in collaboration with the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The full report, Exploring Substance Use Among Asian Americans: Seven Themes from Interviews with Service Providers and Community Residents by Drs. Carolyn Wong and Sun S. Kim is available here: https://scholarworks.umb.edu/iaas_pubs/51/

A First-Generation 4-H Youth Member Intervention Framework To Support Members To Enter, Engage, And Persist In The Program, Jeremy Elliott-Engel, Nicholas A. A Morris

Journal of Youth Development

The First-Generation 4-H Youth Member (FG4-HYM) Intervention Framework is an organizational management perspective for preparing 4-H youth programs that supports the welcoming of youth and families that have no previous experience with the organization. Using the Bronfenbrenner ecological model, we explore the multiple layers of 4-H program management that support the participation of FG4-HYM in the 4-H club program. This framework provides a tool for 4-H professionals to use when assessing their program’s readiness to provide high-quality programming to all audiences, regardless of their families’ previous experience with the organization. This framework represents the foundational requirements that an organization must …

How Theatre Of The Oppressed Helps White Teachers Understand Race: Moving From Color-Blind To Color-Sight, Roger S. Kintish

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The growth of teachers of Color in American classrooms has not kept pace with the growth of students of Color. While the percentage of White teachers versus teachers of Color has held relatively steady at approximately 80 percent White teachers to 20 percent teachers of Color for four decades, there has been a dramatic shift from approximately 80 percent White students and 20 percent students of Color in the 1980s to a majority-minority status for White students. There is strong evidence that this lack of alignment in racial, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds between the nation’s teaching force and our …

Navigating The Tides Of Change: Girls’ Experiences In Scouts Bsa, Alexandra Rush, Olivia Kochis, Beth Belanger, Jennifer Brown Urban, Miriam R. Linver

Journal of Youth Development

On February 1, 2019, Boy Scouts of America officially accepted girls into its signature program (ages 11–18) and changed its name to Scouts BSA. This historic shift provided a novel opportunity for researchers to investigate the experiences of some of the first 13 girls to enter this traditionally all-boy space and examine how participation influenced sense of self and purpose. A qualitative phenomenological approach was adopted to explore girls’ experiences and perceptions and meanings they constructed, using secondary data consisting of 38 transcribed interviews from all 13 girls. Girls ranged in age from 12–18 years old (M = 13.72, SD …

Baby, Did You Get Your Diploma?: The Lived Experiences Of Formerly Incarcerated African American Men In The Pursuit And Attainment Of College Degrees, Charles D. Gidney

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of formerly incarcerated African American men in the pursuit and attainment of college degrees. This qualitative study examined the post-incarceration educational journeys of eight men. Formerly incarcerated African American men were selected based on the limited amount of academic research that exists targeting this student demographic. A broad cross section of educational attainment was represented in this study with two participants possessing PhD’s; one doctoral candidate; two doctoral students; and three undergraduate students (one freshman, one sophomore, and one junior). At the time of the study their ages ranged …

Enhancing The Eden Alternative Model With Well Standards: A Case Study Analysis, Mariah Stoner

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

This thesis investigates the potential for improving the Eden Alternative Model, a person-centered approach to elder care that emphasizes creating a homelike environment and meaningful relationships, using WELL Standards, a building certification system focused on enhancing human health and well-being through improvements in environmental quality. Through a mixed-methods approach involving quantitative data analysis and qualitative case studies, this research examines how WELL Standards, which cover aspects such as air quality, water quality, lighting, and thermal comfort, can improve environmental quality and resident satisfaction within the Eden Alternative Model. This research introduces a tailored approach to elder care by combining these …

Evaluation Of The Implementation Of Foster Youth Independent Living Programs In The State Of California, Ingrid Flores

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Foster youth transitioning into adulthood often confront a myriad of challenges stemming from limited social capital and unstable support systems. The transition out of foster care, particularly for Transitional Age Youth (TAY), is fraught with barriers including disconnection from familial ties, inadequate knowledge regarding higher education, financial instability, unemployment, and housing insecurity. In 2021, approximately 4,920 foster children aged out of the system, facing the option to participate in extended care programs designed to facilitate their transition into independent living. Despite these programs, many youths struggle to achieve self-sufficiency. Key legislation, including the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, and …

Domestic Violence Among African American Women, Tamika Palmer

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explored how well social service providers understood barriers and racial differences in domestic violence among African American women. This study raised the need to examine further social service providers' knowledge of cultural competency and systemic challenges. This study consisted of a qualitative study that gathered seven social service provider's perspective through an interview guide. Thematic analysis data gathered during interviews was used in this study to identify the adverse effects within this population. The findings of this research study contribute to social work practice by providing insight into racial challenges within the support systems that may affect African …

Social Workers Perception Of Co-Occuring Disorders, Mirella Ramirez, Raelyn Calderon

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study investigates how social work practitioners in California view their approach to treating people with co-occurring disorders—disorders that involve both mental health and drug use problems. Eleven clinicians participated in in-depth Zoom interviews for the study, which reveals the main obstacles and variables affecting their treatment with patients who have co-occurring illnesses. The questions focused on the clinician's own experiences working with clients, including the challenges they face and common miscommunications or occurrences that have influenced their approach. Numerous challenges are shown by the research, such as complicated client needs, scarce resources, stigma, and a lack of family support. …

A Systematic Review Of Effective School-Based Interventions Against Bullying In The United States, Jessica Lopez Lopez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Bullying remains a persistent issue within the United States (U.S.) educational system, affecting–among other things–students’ well-being, academic performance, and mental health. This mixed-methods systematic review was purported to address gaps in previous literature by identifying effective school-based interventions against bullying implemented between 2017 and 2024 in the U.S. Using a purposive sampling method, this review screened three electronic databases: APA PsycNET, ERIC, and JSTOR to garner relevant studies. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were employed to ensure rigorous selection and analysis of relevant articles. There were four studies in this systematic review (n=4). The …

The Benefits Of Hispanic Adult Children Caregiving For Their Older Adult Parents, Jesus Duarte, Jazmin Salazar

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This project proposal aims to explore the ways social workers can assist Hispanic adult children (AC) to find satisfaction with their role as caregivers for their older adult (OA) and family of their own, given the growth in the Hispanic population more services and interventions are needed to meet the needs of the Hispanic community. The primary objectives of this proposal are to identify social work interventions that align with Hispanic cultural values throughout different generations. And to explore the benefits and the positive aspects of caregiving for an older adult. A mixed-methods approach will be used, combining a demographic …

#Toomuchcontent: A Quantitative Analysis On Social Media Time Usage And Its Impact On Young Adult Anxiety And/Or Depression In The United States, Sarah Juarez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

As technology continues to advance and grow, society has seen a surge in popularity of various social media sites. Social media has become increasingly popular among young adults, with some spending over 10 hours each day on social media. Social media can be utilized for community building, fostering relationships, providing safe spaces, inspiration, creative expression, and may even provide users with acceptance, validation, and a sense of belonging. Considering these factors, social media may also affect individuals negatively— specifically mental health-wise, in terms of anxiety and depression. This study aimed to identify whether a correlation exists between time spent on …

Barriers Individuals And Families Experience Utilizing Anti-Poverty Programs, Miranda C. Dube'

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This proposed study aims to explore the barriers experienced by residents of the High Desert communities. Using a quantitative method approach, the proposed research will employ surveys to provide a comprehensive understanding of the outcomes experienced by the High Desert residents. Participants will be selected within the High Desert communities, aged 18 years or older, who have or are currently experiencing poverty. The findings from this proposed study would contribute to bridging gaps in understanding the barriers residents of the High Desert experience. By identifying factors that suppress successfully utilizing anti-poverty programs, this research proposal would aim to inform the …

Living Heritage Along The Ganges: Building Resilient Communities In Varanasi And Kolkata, India, Ritu G. Deshmukh

Full-Text Theses & Dissertations

This doctoral research proposes an integrative theoretical framework for understanding and managing living heritage in riverine contexts, specifically focusing on the historic cities of Varanasi and Kolkata along the Ganges River in India. The study develops a new paradigm for living heritage conservation that embraces the fluid, dynamic nature of cultural landscapes through what the author terms the “Adaptive Fluid Living Heritage Continuum” (A.F.L.H.C).

Traditional approaches to heritage management often treat cultural landscapes and living heritage as static entities requiring preservation rather than living systems capable of adaptation. This research challenges this perspective by examining how communities along the Ganges …

The Impact Of Waste Management On Green Spaces And Community Well-Being: A Case Study Of Wa Municipality, Upper West, Ghana, Al-Rauf Mahama

Sustainability and Social Justice

Urbanization in Low- and Middle-Income Countries such as Ghana has placed immense pressure on infrastructure, waste management systems, and urban green spaces. This study examines the impact of waste management practices on green spaces and community well-being in Wa Municipal, focusing on four communities: Dondoli, Mangu, Dokpong, and Bamahu. Using a participatory research approach, data collected from waste management authorities, sanitation agencies, and residents were used to examine waste composition, health impacts, and community engagement in environmental sustainability. The findings reveal that organic waste and plastics dominate waste composition, with inadequate disposal practices contributing to pollution and health issues, including …

Career Aspirations And Gender Norms: How Socialization Influences Women’S Professional Choices, Emily Rose Hunt

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

While legal frameworks grant women equal rights and opportunities to participate in any occupation, gender inequality continues in part due to the persistent gender segregation within the workforce. Gender socialization places women into roles that limit their occupational opportunities, so this study explores women’s understanding of their career options based upon the potential constraints that come from their identity as a woman. This study uses a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews conducted with students at Butler University to gather information on women’s personal perspectives on how their gender impacted their perceived career options. A sample of nine undergraduate women were …

The Identity Of “I’M Sorry”: Perceptions Of Apologies In False Confessions And The Influence Of Suspect Gender, Frances Anna Storgion

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Apologies serve as a mediator between victims and wrongdoers to promote forgiveness and enhance moral perceptions, while ostensibly reinforcing the guilt of the offender. These effects are further tempered by the gender of the apologizer. Paradoxically, content analyses show that apologies are not uncommon in false confessions and may reinforce false judgements of guilt. The current experiment aimed to elucidate the role that suspect gender and gender stereotypes of apologies play in shaping observer perceptions of coercion and guilt within confession contexts. This experiment conformed to a 2 (suspect gender: woman vs. man) x 3 (gender expectations of the apology: …

Cognitive And Social Vulnerabilities: Adolescents’ Pragmatic Inferences Of Leniency In Response To Minimization, Madelyn P. Stine

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The current study expands upon Luke and Alceste’s (2020) experiments to explore the effects of minimization via pragmatic implication on adolescents compared to adults in the context of police interrogations. Adolescent and adult participants read a police report and were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions (control, minimization, direct promise, and honesty) to gauge how differing perceived implications of leniency in interrogation tactics impact one’s perceptions of suspect outcomes. Drawing on empirical research on the social and cognitive vulnerabilities of minors (e.g., Bettens & Normile, 2023; Kassin & McNall, 1991; Kostelnik et al., 2006), I hypothesized that adolescents …

Understanding Gossip In The Workplace: The Impact Of Personality And Emotional Intelligence, Alessandra Mogrovejo

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Workplace communication is a constantly evolving process. In recent years, workplace gossip has been reframed as a more complex construct, with researchers increasingly recognizing its positive and functional aspects. The current study aimed to contribute to the gossip literature by examining how personality traits, specifically Neuroticism and Extraversion, predict workplace gossip, and whether Emotional Intelligence (EI) moderates these relationships. A sample of 185 full-time employees in the United States completed measures of personality, EI, and four types of gossip: negative gossip about supervisors and coworkers (NWGS and NWGC), and positive gossip about supervisors and coworkers (PWGS and PWGC). Stepwise regression …

Improving Brain Health: Exercise As A Tool For Enhancing Executive Function And Reducing Stress In Older African Americans, Destiny Ellise Ramos

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Older African American (AA) adults face disproportionately higher risk of stress and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) compared to other racial and ethnic groups, yet they remain underrepresented in intervention-based research. Previous research has suggested aerobic exercise may reduce stress and benefit executive functioning, which is among the first cognitive domains to be affected in ADRD; however, no studies to date have directly tested the impact of aerobic vs. non-aerobic exercise in older AAs at high risk for developing ADRD. The current study evaluated the effects of a group-based cardio dance fitness (CDF) exercise intervention versus a strength, flexibility, …

Minority Stress And Working Memory, Ahmed Salem

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Minority Stress Theory posits that sexual minority status leads to unique stressors related to stigma, prejudice, and discrimination that create worse mental health outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals (Meyer, 2003). The present study investigated working memory in LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ samples after a minority stress induction, as stress has been linked to cognitive difficulties in the context of memory retrieval in both short- and long-term memory (Klier & Burrata, 2020). The present study incorporated a recently validated film-based minority stress induction created by Seager van Dyk et al. (2023). 184 participants (66 LGBTQ+) viewed this …

Planted, Not Buried: The Narratives Of Faculty Commitment Among African American Women Counselor Educators, Lashawn M. Adams

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

African American Women Descendants of the U.S. Enslaved (AAWDUSE) remain underrepresented within counselor education, despite their long-standing contributions to labor, caregiving, and leadership. This dissertation examined how AAWDUSE counselor educators describe their experiences within CACREP-accredited programs and how those experiences inform their commitment to faculty roles. Grounded in Black Feminist Thought and Social Cognitive Career Theory, this qualitative critical narrative inquiry engaged eleven AAWDUSE faculty members across varied academic settings. Using the metaphor of a tree, six central themes emerged that reflect the complex nature of their commitment: what it looks like, how it was shaped, and how it is …

Making The Invisible Visible: The Experiences Of Black Women In Student Affairs At Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Gennae D. Hinson

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Black women have experienced instances of workplace discrimination in student affairs at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). This interpretive phenomenological study, guided by Black feminist thought, aimed to explore the lived experiences of Black women in student affairs within HSIs. This investigation found that some HSI systemic structures fostered racialized and gendered campus climates, contributing to Black women’s oppression through ageism, racism, tokenism, and sexism. Despite these challenges, Black women developed coping strategies to persist in their roles at HSIs. These strategies included minimizing their emotions, supportive spaces, and advocating for themselves. Sociopolitical forces also impacted Black women’s career advancement due to …

The Pathway Experiences Of Latin/A/O/X Counselor Education Leaders: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Jasmine E. Santiago-Ataande

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This study explored the lived experiences of Latin/a/o/x counselor education (CE) leaders, with particular attention to their identities and pathways to leadership. Employing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the research sought to understand how these leaders made meaning of their personal, cultural, and professional journeys while navigating systemic barriers and opportunities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a diverse group of Latin/a/o/x leaders serving in counselor education programs and professional organizations at the state, regional, and national levels. Analysis revealed key themes, including cultural identity as a foundation of resilience, the complexities of navigating racialized academic spaces, the transformative role of mentorship, …

Women Disrupting The "Roundness" In "No Name Woman" And Sula: How Maxine Hong Kingston's And Toni Morrison's Titular Characters Combat Restrictive Communal Norms Surrounding Sex, Michelle Victoria D'Alessio

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This thesis examines how Maxine Hong Kingston’s “No Name Woman,” the opening chapter of her memoir, The Woman Warrior, and Toni Morrison’s novel, Sula, portray communal perceptions of women who contradict traditional gender norms surrounding sex. The titular characters in each of these stories express their sexualities in ways deemed unfit by their people and are accordingly demonized and outcast from their communities. These characters are afforded some subtle admiration for their personal power by the artists who are portraying them, but this reverence is inevitably rescinded and replaced by the disdain of the tight-knit communities surrounding them. This tension …

Pre-Operative Clinical Characteristics Vary By Race In Patients With Obesity Undergoing Bariatric Surgery, Minjal Patel, Jasmine Park, Melissa Gott, David Kelter, Luke Perry, Ajay Menon, Paul Osterdahl, Casey Connors, Venkateswar Venkataraman, Nicole Stouffer, Gus J. Slotman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background Data and Purpose: With the increasing prevalence of obesity, it impacts the practice of surgeons across various specialties. Non-bariatric surgeons are confronted with morbid obesity need clinical insight in managing medically fragile patients. The objective of this study is to identify pre-operative clinical variation by race among surgical patients with obesity.

Methods: Pre-operative data from 156,502 bariatric surgery patients were analyzed in four groups: Caucasian (C; n=125,492), African American (AA; n=18,226), Hispanic (H; n=12,405), and Asian (A; n=379). Data: Demographics, weight, BMI, and 33 obesity co-morbidities. Statistics: Chi-square and ANOVA.

Results: Pre-operative C/AA/H/A weight (KG) (130+-27/135+-28/127+-27/122+-26), BMI (46+-8/48+-9/47+-8/45+-7), % …

Cardiovascular Risk Factors In The Autism Spectrum Disorder Population, Christian C. Iannuzzelli, Andrea L. Iannuzzelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The population of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have multiple risks and barriers that may make access to proper health care more difficult. After extensive research, some of these barriers may have been identified that pose greater risks to generating proper care for those with ASD. Some of these barriers include medical complexity, more sedentary lifestyles, poor food choices, as well as health comorbities. Some of these health comorbidities include hypertension, metabolic dysfunction, sleep apnea, and inflammation. This study aims to understand what barriers and risks for CVD are present in those with ASD.

Child Sex Trafficking In Pediatrics: From Screening To Comprehensive Care, Victoria Shwe, Tracy Lin, Nicole M. Leopardi

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Child sex trafficking is a significant issue in New Jersey, with minors making up 22% of trafficking victims in 2023. While screening tools exist to identify at-risk youth, there is a major gap in understanding the steps healthcare providers should take after identification to ensure appropriate care, support, and referrals. Current research highlights the lack of data on the use of trafficking screening tools and the absence of standardized post-screening protocols. Most pediatricians rely on referrals to social services or law enforcement, yet limited coordination between healthcare providers and these agencies complicates effective care. The shortage of child abuse pediatric …

Exploring The Effects Of Target Race, Gender, And Weight On Pain Perception, Catherine Awad, Theresa Miller, Azer Tuerxuntuoheti, Peter Mende-Siedlecki

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Healthcare equity is an essential right, and while the quality of care is assumed to be uniform, notable disparities in care are associated with factors of race, gender, and weight-particularly in the domain of pain evaluation and care. In experimental work, target race and gender have varying, and interacting effects on visual thresholds for perceiving painful expressions. Racial bias in pain perception is well established as participants see pain on black faces less readily than pain on white faces; gender also impacts pain treatment, where women are susceptible to having their pain discredited. Across two experiments, the influence of weight …