Digital Commons Network^™

Spending Time Socializing In Bars Increases The Risk Of Heavy Drinking, Danielle Rhubart, Jennifer Kowalkowski, Yiping Li

Population Health Research Brief Series

Bars, pubs, and taverns can provide important spaces for creating and maintaining relationships in a community. This is especially true in rural areas where social infrastructure may be limited. However, bars, pubs, and taverns can also facilitate and normalize alcohol misuse – a health behavior linked to numerous poor health outcomes. This brief uses data from the 2022 Rural Health and Engagement Survey to examine relationships between time spent in bars and heavy drinking. The authors show that individuals who spend time in bars are at greater risk of heavy drinking than those who spend no time in bars, and …

Deliberate Practice With Motivational Interviewing: Basic Helping Skills Among Novice Helpers, Angel Laurencio Vega

Theses and Dissertations

We examined the effects of deliberate practice (DP) in teaching motivational interviewing (MI) helping skills to 45 upper-level undergraduate students in a semester-long course using an experimental crossover waitlist design. Students participated in a three-hour MI skills workshop focused on open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries (OARS) and engaged in ongoing practice throughout the semester. Students video-recorded four skill demonstrations involving real-life changes with a volunteer client, addressing behavioral change. Pre- and post-workshop video recordings were analyzed to evaluate changes in reflective listening skills and the overall consistency of using MI OARS skills. The results revealed significant increases in reflections-to-questions …

Broken Promises: Prolonged Diminished Quality-Of-Life Among Liberian Ebola Survivors Half A Decade After The 2014-16 West African Outbreak, Jessi Hanson-Defusco, Decontee Davis, Meghana Bommareddy, Zainab Olaniyan

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak left thousands of Liberian survivors with severely diminished quality of life. Applying a social determinants framework, this mixed method study investigates to what extent Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors suffer long-haul psychosocial stress, diminished quality-of-life factors, and the impact of EVD-related service provisions on their ongoing healing. We present the results of a quantitative analysis survey of data collected from 19 Liberian EVD survivors in 2022 using snowball sampling. Additionally, a qualitative analysis of survivor statements helps triangulate key statistical findings and inform causal mechanisms. Survivors report experiencing 5.25 of a total of 7 ongoing stressors …

Correlates Of Anti-Asexual Bias In The Bible Belt, Lauren Robinson

Scholars Week

Many studies focus on LGBTQIA+ individuals in the United States, but there are fewer studies about asexuality, especially in the Bible Belt: a collection of states in the Southeast with populations having increased rates of conservatism, religiosity, and expectations of traditional gender and sexuality norms (Baunach et al, 2009). The purpose of the study was to examine anti-asexual bias and its relation to different variables in college-age students who attended college and/or lived in the Bible Belt. It was hypothesized political positioning, ethnic and racial background, religiosity/spirituality, adherence to social norms, traditional vs egalitarian gender roles, and pathologizing of asexual …

Accounting For The Gift: Theology And Ethics In Accounting, Daniel Sebastian

Religious Studies Theses and Dissertations

Accounting is often assumed to be a neutral presentation of the facts of economic activities and actions. Its double-entry system means that it is always in balance and comports to the rigor of mathematical formulas, and it is taken to be a matter of empirical counting that lends it certainty as well. The dissertation argues that this description of accounting is inadequate. Accounting is better seen as a political tool and technology for producing trust that can help resolve social conflicts. As such, accounting is not value-neutral but carries within it a particular sociality that has moral implications. These moral …

International Students And Cultural Identity, Juliet Afrifa, Olukorede Leo-Olagbaye

Capstone Research Posters

The aim of the research is to explore the cultural adjustment challenges faced by international students in Ontario. Specifically, this study examined how studying in Canada affects the cultural identity of international students and how international students' cultural identity affected their learning experiences in Canada. Using a qualitative methodology, using interviews as a data collection tool, a total of 10 international students from different colleges and universities across Ontario were engaged virtually with 7 open ended questions through which participants shared their experiences of settling into the Canadian Culture. Participants shared their experiences of cultural adjustment highlighting culture shock, challenges …

Foster Inclusivity And Equity:Strategiesfor Retaining Racialized Workers In Ontario’S Healthcare Sector, Kiannah Kerr-Mccarthy, Natasha Bonnick

Capstone Research Posters

This research endeavors to explore the factors influencing the retention of racialized workers within Ontario's long-term care sector, recognizing the imperative of fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace environment. Employing a mixed-methods approach, survey data was collected to unravel the unique challenges faced by racialized workers and discern the determinants influencing their decision to remain in the sector or seek employment elsewhere. The study delves into various facets such as workplace culture, organizational policies, and interpersonal dynamics, elucidating their pivotal role in retention. Furthermore, the research evaluates the potential impact of mentorship programs, diversity training initiatives, and career development opportunities …

Experiences Of Using The Mindset Self-Management Mobile Health App Among Hispanic Patients: Results Of A Qualitative Study, Refugio Sepulveda, Jenny Chong, Ross Shegog, Kimberly Martin, Charles Begley, Robert Addy, Omar Rosales, Tomas Nuño, Shiela Soto, Cecilia Rosales, David Labiner

Journal Articles

BACKGROUND: Interventions focusing on epilepsy self-management (ESM) are vital for promoting the health of people living with epilepsy. E-technology and mobile health (mHealth) tools are becoming increasingly integrated into practice to promote self-management strategies for chronic diseases, enhance care delivery, and reduce health disparities. Management Information and Decision Support Epilepsy Tool (MINDSET), a bilingual decision support tool (available in English and Spanish), was found to be both feasible and effective in facilitating goal-based ESM in the clinic.

PURPOSE: To assess the experience of using MINDSET as an ESM intervention among Hispanic patients with epilepsy to inform future interventional studies.

METHODS: …

The Impact Of Religiosity On Students’ Experience At The University Of South Dakota, Emmalee J. Bosma

Honors Thesis

College can be a shocking and exciting experience for many young people, but at times can lead to crisis or hardship when they must choose what to believe. Some students may seek out a religious belief in something greater than themselves to quell their longing for meaning while in college, and others may continue the beliefs they have known. This research surveyed students to examine how college students’ level of religiosity influences their academic performance, mental health, sense of purpose and identity, and feelings of belonging and connection at the University of South Dakota (USD). Secondly, through interviewing members of …

Does The Phrase “Conspiracy Theory” Matter?, M. R. X. Dentith, G. Husting, M. Orr

Sociology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Research on conspiracy theories has proliferated since 2016, in part due to the US election of President Trump, the COVID-19 pandemic, and increasingly threatening environmental conditions. In the rush to publication given these concerning social consequences, researchers have increasingly treated as definitive a 2016 paper by Michael Wood (Political Psychology, 37(5), 695–705, 2016) that concludes that the phrase “conspiracy theory” has no negative effect upon people’s willingness to endorse a claim. We revisit Wood’s findings and its (re)uptake in the recent literature. Is the label “conspiracy theory” a pejorative? If so, does it sway or affect people’s belief …

Education And Community: Education Helping Immigrants Find Community And Belonging., Belle Lemieux Chan, Josephine Smith, Lauren Gracey

Egypt Migrations Partnership and Comparative Immigrant Experiences

Education serves as a structured pathway for immigrants to establish a sense of community and belonging in their new country. Through the consistency and frequency of interactions within educational environments, immigrants have the opportunity to form meaningful friendships with peers from diverse backgrounds. These connections not only enhance their quality of life but also facilitate a smoother transition into their adopted homeland. By engaging in academic pursuits alongside fellow students, immigrants find camaraderie and support, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends cultural barriers. In essence, the educational community becomes a sanctuary where immigrants can thrive socially and academically, forging …

Preserving Cultural Harmony: Music's Role In Connecting Communities, Justin Marton,, Hudson Steele, Ahmed Khawaja

Egypt Migrations Partnership and Comparative Immigrant Experiences

This project tells the story of different ethnic groups and their relation to their cultural heritage through music. It goes over the roots of their music, and the stages of immigration to Canada and how they’ve adapted this music to their new environment.

An Exploration Of The Available Services For Offenders With Mental Illness (Omi), Kaliah Moulton

Honors Projects

The study is an exploration of services available for offenders with mental illness (OMI) and obstacles to providing treatment. It aims to identify services and obstacles to delivering treatment for offenders with mental health and substance use disorders in Augusta and Rockingham Counties. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of local agencies. Based on the agencies interviewed, services for OMI vary across the Sequential Intercept Model, with services like Crisis Intervention Teams, Medication-Assisted Treatment, and supervisory housing. Participants reported that despite the variation in services, barriers in infrastructure due to poor funding, low staffing, and lack of housing were present. …

Supporting Intergenerational Arts, Rafael Maninang

Capstone Research Posters

This research project looks at intergenerational arts programs and seeks to answer the question of how we can better support intergenerational arts programs in a variety of settings within the community. Specifically, this study will give us a better understanding of how people interpret intergenerational arts programs and what they believe will help support these programs. A better understanding of supports for intergenerational arts programs is important because it will help foster a greater variety of programs for the public as well as how to help those programs flourish in our communities. To complete this research project 5 interviews were …

Gay Cultural Studies Newsletter: Spring 2024, Women's And Gender Studies, Old Dominion University

Gay Cultural Studies Newsletter

Spring 2024 issue of the Gay Cultural Studies Newsletter, produced by students in the Department of Women's and Gender Studies. Delivered via email and reformatted as PDF.

An Examination Of How The Media Portrayed Professional Female Athletes During The 2023 Women's World Cup In The Match-Up Between Spain And The United States, Brianna R. Breazier

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Professional Projects

This project is an examination of how the media portrayed professional female athletes during the 2023 Woen's World Cup in the match-up between Spain and the United States. This project consists of a literature review of the history of both countries, an overview of feminist theory, and past studies that show current patterns of biases or stereotypical behavior in today’s mainstream media. This project also consists of a cross-examination and comparison between Spain and the United States, specifically examining the timeline of events between the two. The purpose of this study is to compare the media trends of professional female …

The Associations Between Pornography Consumption And Domestic Violence Attitudes, Angela R. Nanayakkara, Jenna K. Rieder, Phd

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Introduction

Pornography is a billion-dollar industry with harmful societal implications, such as human trafficking and exploitation of minors (Humphreys et al., 2019).

Research shows links between pornography usage and hostile and benevolent sexist attitudes toward women (Hald et al., 2013; Wright & Bae, 2015).

Pornography consumption also correlates with sexual objectification and pro-violence attitudes toward women (Wright & Tokunaga, 2016).

Studies show that the consumption of violent pornography is correlated with pro-rape and other sexually aggressive beliefs. (e.g., Demaré et al., 1993).

A meta-analysis shows that in nonexperimental studies, there is a significant relationship between exposure to pornography and beliefs …

Censorship Of Family Violence In Cinema In Iran, Atefeh Batyari

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

Prevention and control of family violence require an accurate understanding of its causes and effects. Iranian filmmakers try to fulfil their mission to raise awareness about family violence by showing hidden and unpleasant social issues in the family and presenting an accurate picture of family violence. However, to do so is taboo and goes against the Islamization policy of the Iranian regime against portraying family violence. Breaking the taboo leads to the seizure and censorship of films that show negative perspectives of family relationships. This article analyzes the Iranian regime’s approach to film productions based on Islamization policies and investigates …

Take A Closer Look: Combating Ageism Through The Use Of Children's Literature, Janice Buehrer

Honors Projects

This project was completed as my final honors project for Bowling Green State University in the spring of 2024. I wrote and illustrated the children's book, "Take a Closer Look," designed for kindergarten through second-grade children. The goal of the book is to be used as a value-socialization device to instill positive perspectives on aging within younger generations. The book itself is meant to be an intergenerational tool as adults read the book about older adults to children, reaching the entire lifespan.

3rd Place Contest Entry: Cultural Attitudes Towards Ethnic Cuisine In Italy, Rachel Berns

Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize

This is Rachel Berns' submission for the 2024 Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize, which won third place. It contains their essay on using library resources, their bibliography, and a sample of their research project on cultural attitudes toward ethnic cuisine in Italy.

Rachel is a fourth-year student at Chapman University, majoring in Health Sciences. Their faculty mentors are Dr. Anuradha Prakash and Dr. Sara Mattavelli.

Youth Sparks Via 4-H: Relations With Program Quality, Dosage, And Involvement, Alexandra Skrocki, Gary Ellis, Andrea Ettekal, Darlene Locke

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Using a statewide sample of participants in 4-H programs, we tested associations among youth sparks, program quality, program dosage, and four types of involvement (breadth of participation in out-of-school-time beyond 4-H, scope of learning strategies, degree of specialization, and cumulative program immersion). Participants were 180 Texas 4-H alumni who graduated from high school in 2013 and 2014 and had two or more years of involvement in Texas 4-H programs. Data were collected via an electronic questionnaire based on a database of former Texas 4-H members. Twelve hypotheses were tested, linking program quality to sparks through indirect and direct relations. Eleven …

“Making The Bed”: Challenging Ideologies Of Ownership, Nonlocality, And Romanticism In The Age Of The Anthropocene, Ainsley P. Foster

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

The current Age of the Anthropocene marks a recent and rapid transition into a period in climate history that is notably defined by human impact. Modern Western sentiments of grief, frustration, and romanticism as a result of the interplay between domestic and corporate spaces seem to culminate in an overall attitude of apathy and acceptance of the Age of the Anthropocene. Various art forms collaborate to create the current conversation of the causatory and reactionary relationship that humans have with the Anthropocene, offering interpretations of how individuals and corporations view ownership of and responsibilities to the environment. There is a …

Health And Healthcare: Designing For The Social Determinants Of Health And Blue Zones In North Nashville, Rebecca Tonguis, Honor Thomas, Olivia Hobbs

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Owned by North Nashville’s First Community Church, a now empty site in the Osage-North Fisk neighborhood of North Nashville has been identified as a potential site for a new location of The Store, in addition to a community-centric architectural development based on the social determinants of health and informed by the principles behind Blue Zones, the locations with the highest lifespans in the world. Opened by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, The Store is a free grocery store that “allow[s] people to shop for their basic needs in a way that protects dignity and fosters hope”, for which North Nashville …

The Art Of Engaging The Public: The Effect Of The Arts On Civic Engagement, Kathryn Fraley

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

No abstract provided.

Community Engagement Newsletter, April 2024, University Of Northern Iowa. Office Of Community Engagement.

Community Engagement Newsletter

In this issue:

--- Community Engagement Celebration Day
--- INSPIRE Conference
--- Cedar Valley Nonprofit Awards Luncheon
--- Become a Conversation Partner

Hdfs Spring 2024 Newsletter, Raeann Hamon

Human Development and Family Science Student Work

Annual spring newsletter created by the Human Development and Family Science Department. Student, faculty, and alumni updates.

• Message From Dr. Johns
• Dr. Hamon Legacy Award
• HDFS Administrative Assistant News
• Kim Valvo - Outstanding Alumni Recipient
• Jordan Thompson AFCS Board Election
• NCFR News
• FCS News
• Elder Service Partner Program
• MCFR News
• FCCLA And Dr. Hamon’s PA FCS Award
• FCS Educator Day
• 2024 Graduates

Easy Peasy Low Carb Meals, Sophia Maria Sanders

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder. Complications of this disease can cause metabolic syndrome (high blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol, and high blood pressure) and Type 2 diabetes. Doctors suggest a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, and healthy carbohydrates to help control symptoms. PCOS is one of many health issues that can be managed with a low-carb diet. My capstone project is a recipe book filled with quick or easy low-carb dinners created with a busy parent in mind.

Building Bridges, Kaitlin Jane Cox

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

In an effort to mend divisions and cultivate a more cohesive work environment, I organized a team bonding event tailored to the preferences and input of my fellow coworkers. Through open communication and collaboration, I facilitated polls to gather insights and preferences, ultimately crafting an event aimed at bringing colleagues together to strengthen relationships and enhance collaboration.

The chosen venue, the Meridian Dog Park, was intended to provide a relaxed and inclusive setting where coworkers could connect on a personal level while enjoying the company of our furry friends. Despite meticulous planning and enthusiastic anticipation, the event unfortunately did not …

The College Sexual Violence Epidemic: Examining Prevention And Response Procedures, Casey Buonocore

Antioch University Full-Text Dissertations & Theses

A 2019 survey conducted by the Association of American Universities reported the prevalence rate of college sexual violence at approximately 13%. Additional college sexual violence research has found that there is often a significant discrepancy between rates of sexual violence and usage rates of post-assault resources (Stoner & Cramer, 2019). Given previous statistics on college sexual violence and emerging statistics on intimate partner violence, the COVID-19 pandemic likely exacerbated this existing discrepancy. Prior college sexual violence research has found that students are much more likely to access sexual violence resources if they have already received comprehensive information about those resources …

Naturalist Thomas Hardy's Inadvertent Support Of The Gospel Narrative When Portraying Sexual Abuse And Shame In Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, Hannah Carmichael

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

In his novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles, the naturalist author Thomas Hardy attempts to critique the 19th-century Christian perspective on sexual abuse. Instead, he inadvertently critiques legalism, exposing it as the antithesis of true Christianity. Secular scholars believe that Hardy’s novel is blaming the Victorian era’s sexual ignorance for the stigma and shame surrounding sexual abuse. Christian scholars believe that Hardy’s naturalistic worldview simply lacks a moral standard. However, I believe that Hardy’s novel exposes an issue far deeper than sexual ignorance and lacks something far more substantive than a moral standard; his novel addresses the devastating consequences of …