Digital Commons Network^™

Obstetric Fistula Prevalence Among Internally Displaced Women In Sub-Saharan Africa, Kyli Fox Soug

AWE (A Woman’s Experience)

Obstetric fistulas are rare in the West but common for women in the Global South, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Fistulas are caused by prolonged or obstructed labor which forces downward pressure on the baby’s head and the mother’s pelvis. This pressure creates a non-natural opening in the genital region. Fistulas cause leakage of waste and therefore are often accompanied by unwanted odors. As of 2021, the prevalence of obstetric fistulas was 2 million women in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, and 3 in every 1000 women of reproductive age in the world have a fistula. In the …

Teaching Verbs Of Motion In A Task-Based Russian As A Foreign Language (Rfl) Course, Joan Castellví, Elena Markina

Russian Language Journal

The paper focuses on one of the most complex topics in Russian as a Foreign Language (RFL) instruction: verbs of motion (VoM). We introduce an innovative approach to teaching these verbs, grounded in Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT), and contrast it with the traditional approach that follows the Presentation-Practice-Production (PPP) framework, which has dominated the field until now. By analyzing a sample of widely used textbooks specializing in VoM, we show that introducing the VoM system—specifically, the sequence in which the verbs are presented—follows the PPP design and is primarily grammar-oriented. This approach is based on the concept of “directionality,” which …

From Gesture To Coded Knowledge: Rediscovering And Redefining Tpr When Teaching Russian Motion Verbs In An Outdoor Classroom, Elena Susanna Weygandt

Russian Language Journal

The necessity to move my Russian as a second language (L2) classroom in an event tent during the “main” pandemic year encouraged me to create lessons engaging students’ movement and thus rediscover the Total Physical Response (TPR) method. This article presents the case for using TPR-inspired teaching as a mode to be considered in instruction of Russian verbs of motion (VoM). TPR, a teaching method and language acquisition theory suggested by James Asher in the 1960s, has further evolved in TPR role-playing and TPR storytelling and is used in L2 instruction today (e.g., Cook, 2008, p. 132; Davidheiser, 2002; Elliott …

Directionality Of Motion In Second Language Acquisition: With A Focus On L1-Korean L2-Russian Speakers, Hakyung Jung, Hyug Ahn, Jacee Cho

Russian Language Journal

This paper examines L2 acquisition of directionality of Russian motion verbs by L1-Korean speakers in terms of Slobin’s (1996) Thinking-for-Speaking (TFS) hypothesis and the markedness principle. Although directionality is lexically encoded in the verb in both Korean and Russian, the organization of this concept differs. In Russian, directionality is categorized solely by the feature [+/- directional], whereas in Korean, motion event expressions are distinguished not only by [+/-directional] but also by [+/-multi]. Experiments on L1-Korean, L1- Russian, and L1-Korean L2-Russian speakers demonstrated that (i) in Korean, the presence or absence of an explicit goal plays an important role in verb …

A Pedagogical Analysis Of How Unprefixed Verbs Of Motion Are Presented In Instructional Materials For Beginner Russian Language Learners, Elena Petrova, Kris Lewis

Russian Language Journal

It is well-known that verbs of motion (VoM) are quite challenging for Russian language learners. We analyze four VoM-specific pedagogical materials (three textbooks and one mobile application) for their usefulness in supporting second language acquisition and the development of new thinking-for-speaking (TFS) patterns in beginner-level Russian language learners. Focusing on directionality, scaffolding, comprehensible input, the use of visuals, and communicative activities, we highlight how these materials lay a foundation for understanding VoM but are not sufficient for helping learners fully develop new TFS patterns. We pose recommendations for future research, teaching, learning, and materials development in the area of Russian …

A Call For Change: Supporting Children With Tourette Syndrome, Matt Reall

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Tourette Syndrome affects 1 in 100 U.S. children but remains widely misunderstood due to stigma, delayed diagnosis, and media misrepresentation. This neurological disorder is characterized by involuntary tics and often co-occurs with ADHD, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Children with Tourette Syndrome face disproportionate challenges in social, academic, and emotional settings—despite having average or above-average intelligence. One-third engage in self-harm, and suicide rates are four times the national average. Peer-education programs like the Tourette Association of America’s Youth Ambassador initiative have shown promise in reducing stigma, but unequal access and weak institutional support limit their impact. This paper calls for early …

Disinformation Attacks And Nonprofit Communication Strategies, Elise Lael Kieffer, Kevin M. Carr

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This study explores how disinformation attacks on social media can affect nonprofit organizations, a topic that has received limited scholarly attention compared to similar impacts in the for-profit sector. Through a review of existing literature and two in-depth case studies—Save the Children and the American Red Cross—this research analyzes how nonprofit organizations are uniquely vulnerable to reputational damage in the face of disinformation. The case studies highlight different motivations behind disinformation campaigns, including political agendas and deliberate efforts to harm brand credibility, and assess the effectiveness of various response strategies, including denial, debunking, attacking the source, and public education. Findings …

Who's At Home?: Individual-And Family-Level Sociodemographic Characteristics Associated With Stay-At-Home Motherhood, Deegan Minchey

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, I assess the relationship between various types of demographic variables, including individual, partner, and family-level information, and the likelihood of mothers staying at home. Using nationally representative data from the 2019,2021, and 2023 waves of the Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) to the Current Population Survey to account for differences across the COVID-19 pandemic, this analysis examines the likelihood of becoming a stay-at-home mother (SAHM) across three separate regression models. From the variables analyzed, I find that various individual, family, and partner demographic characteristics are significantly associated with the likelihood of becoming a SAHM. These results …

An Implementation Study Of A Brief, Online Sexual Mindfulness Intervention At The Individual Partner Level: The Impact Of Prompting Practice On Implementation, Alexyss Lange

Theses and Dissertations

Prior research suggests frequent, scheduled, non-interactive text support enhances psychological outcomes and increases adherence to psychological interventions (Agyapong et al., 2020; Shalaby et al., 2022; Shim et al., 2017). Using a hybrid III implementation model, we recruited individuals in romantic relationships to test whether weekly reminders improved engagement with a sexual mindfulness intervention. We found no evidence that additional support increased intervention implementation. Although we aimed to assess acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, and feasibility as separate implementation outcomes, factor analysis indicated these variables cluster into two broader constructs: Readiness and motivation and discomfort and uncertainty. These factors did not differ between …

Unraveling The Relationship Between Sexual Shame And Father-Child Sex Communication, Hannah Mireya Brundage

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to understand the relationship between father’s sexual shame and children’s sexual shame. Parents play a role in shaping their children’s behaviors and perceptions in regard to sexuality. Most of this research analyzed data from the viewpoint of the mother, missing the potentially unique perspective and influence of fathers. Using longitudinal survey data from 361 fathers-adolescent dyads, I proposed to study the relations between father sexual shame and child sexual shame, and the possible mediating role of father-child sex communication. I predicted that quality of sex communication, including controlling and open communication, would mediate father sexual shame and …

The Effects Of Caregiving For A Family Member With Alzheimer’S Disease, Megan Layton

Student Works

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive disease that leads people with AD to become dependent on a family member. As the disease worsens, caregivers face an increase in responsibility and burden. There is a rising number of AD cases which will result in an increase of caregivers. Twelve articles were examined using the EBSCO database by using keywords such as “Alzheimer’s disease,” “caregiver burden,” “coping,” “assisted living,” and “grief.” An analysis of these articles indicated the complexities of caregiving for a loved one with AD. These complexities such as stress, decision-making challenges, changes in family dynamics, the adjustment to placing …

Growing Pains: Relations Between Racial Discrimination And Body Esteem With Ethnic-Racial Identity By Pubertal Timing For Female Adolescents Of Color, Emily J. Takamasa

Theses and Dissertations

Puberty is a near-universal experience among adolescents, and yet rarely have researchers considered the racialized contexts and salience it has, for girls of color. Using the phenomenological variant of ecological systems theory (PVEST), this study examines the relation between pubertal timing, body esteem, racial discrimination and ethnic racial identity (ERI) components (affirmation, exploration, resolution) among adolescent girls of color (n = 218, Mage = 15.7, U.S. sample). Results showed that higher body esteem predicted greater ERI exploration and resolution, particularly for girls with average or late pubertal timing. Additionally, racial discrimination was linked to higher ERI exploration and resolution only …

The Clinical Characteristics, Correlation With Other Disorders, And Treatment Methods For Children And Adolescents With Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, Paige Gunther

Student Works

Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) are repeated actions performed on oneself as acts of self-grooming that may result in self-harm. The most common BFRBs are nail biting, excoriation (skin picking disorder), and trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder). This literature review examines the clinical characteristics, correlation with other psychological and neurological disorders, and treatment options for various BFRBs. A search of APA PsycInfo and PubMed databases yielded 74 sources, 13 of which have been used in this review. Clinical characteristics of BFRBs include emergence during childhood and adolescence, influence of other psychological disorders, self-awareness, biological sex, internalizing and externalizing behaviors, high levels of …

From Assistance To Impact: The Expanding Role Of Undergraduate Teaching Assistants In Higher Education, Erin Measom

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is presented in a three-article format. It explores the evolving role of undergraduate teaching assistants (UTAs) in higher education, with a particular focus on how they facilitate interaction, engagement, and student success in online courses. As higher education institutions expand online learning and seek innovative ways to enhance student support, UTAs have emerged as key players in bridging the gap between students and instructors. The first article provides a scoping review of the literature on UTAs, tracing their historical evolution and examining their expanding role. While traditionally viewed as logistical or grading assistants, UTAs are increasingly taking on …

Developmental Consequences Of Benevolent Sexism: How Awareness Can Change Women’S Lives, Bianca F. Brenes Rojas

Student Works

Benevolent forms of sexism become increasingly evident as society evolves, making everyday sexism more challenging to recognize and confront (Feigt et al., 2022; Watson et al., 2018). When unaware, benevolent forms of sexism can adversely affect women’s self-esteem, create feelings of inferiority, and may potentially increase women’s psychological stressors (Becker & Swim, 2011; Becker & Wright, 2011; Moradi & Subich, 2004). According to the ambivalent sexism theory, benevolent forms of sexism, while expressed in a positive tone, can potentially affect women due to the underlying belief that women are inferior to men (Glick & Fiske, 1996). Some women perceive benevolent …

Design, Manufacturing, And Engineering Design Validation Of A Fetal Activity Monitor, Hector Andres Pena Vega

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Fetal movement monitoring is an important indicator of fetal health, but

current methods often rely on subjective self-reporting or medical equipment that

may not be universally available. The research described in this thesis describes

the design, manufacture, and engineering validation of a wearable fetal activity

monitor based on nanocomposite wide-range strain gauge technology. Embedded

in a wearable maternity band garment, the technology is designed to discreetly

record fetal movements with the eventual goal of providing real-time information

that can assist pregnant women and medical professionals in monitoring patterns

of fetal activity.

The scope of the described research focuses on the …

Who's On The Phone: Effectiveness Of Cloned Vishing Messages, Katherine A. Rackliffe

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Voice cloning is increasingly used as a form of phone-based phishing attack (i.e., vishing attack). The purpose of this research is to understand the impact of voice cloning on the success rate of vishing/phishing attacks. We hypothesize that calls utilizing cloned voices are more likely to deceive recipients compared to traditional vishing calls or text messages with the same phishing content. As AI cloning is a new technology, there is not much literature on this topic. To evaluate this hypothesis, we conduct a field experiment with students in university courses who receive a message purporting to be from a professor …

Language Style Evaluation Validation For Implementation On Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Augmentative And Alternative Communication Devices, Meghan A. Hunter

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored various methods of evaluating language style for integration into prompts designed for a sophisticated augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. A total of 395 individuals without a language disorder were recruited via a crowdsourcing platform to complete five surveys. The initial four surveys were designed to assess individuals' language style using different approaches (questionnaire developed with ChatGPT, self-written, questionnaire developed by Hartman and McCambridge, and choosing tags). Following the completion of these four surveys, a fifth survey was dynamically created based on the responses in the previous four surveys. Each possible response in the fifth survey was …

Exploring Consequences Of The Double Empathy Problem Across The Autistic Trait Spectrum: First Person Accounts, Cammy C. Peck

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, individuals on the autism spectrum were believed to have deficits in empathy. However, recent research suggests that empathy-related issues occur on both sides of the communication dynamic. This concept known as the Double Empathy Problem (DEP), posits that the perceived lack of empathy is not exclusive to autistic individuals; rather, neurotypical (NT) individuals also experience difficulty empathizing with autistic individuals (Milton, 2012). Milton et al. (2022) describes this as a "breakdown in mutual understanding". Such mutual misunderstanding can have adverse consequences for both autistic and neurotypical individuals. To our knowledge, no studies have directly examined these consequences in relation …

The Effect Of Personalized Profiles On Generating Customized Content In Artificial Intelligence Augmentative And Alternative Communication Devices, Rachel Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), several augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices have begun incorporating AI with the purpose of accelerating and improving message transmission for users. The results have shown that AI can significantly reduce a user's keystrokes, but the generated responses may lack personalization. The objective of this study was to investigate whether integrating a personalized profile containing user information enhances the perceived accuracy and personalization of AI generated messages. Various methods of collecting profile information and differing levels of information within the profile were evaluated. One hundred eighty-one neurotypical English-speakers with no history of language disorder …

Enhance K-12 Student Online Learning Engagement Through Parental Support And Parent-School Collaboration, Qi Guo

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the role of parental support in K-12 online learning through a three-part research agenda grounded in the Academic Communities of Engagement (ACE) framework. The first article presents a systematic review of 31 empirical articles, identifying five key themes for effective parent-school collaboration, including improved communication, shared expertise, increased involvement, role clarification, and researcher-practitioner partnerships. The second study used a survey collecting data from 567 parents across eight online programs to explore challenges parents face in supporting their students' affective, behavioral, and cognitive (ABC) engagement. Eight primary challenges are identified, ranging from student struggles with focusing and motivation …

Christian Beliefs About Salvation: Measurement And Associations With Mental Health And Well-Being, Anthony Edward Rose, Timothy B. Smith

Faculty Publications

Religious beliefs influence many behaviors and perspectives relevant to wellbeing and mental health. In Christianity, beliefs about how one attains salvation may be particularly relevant to psychology, but limited scholarship has considered cognitive aspects of religiosity. This study developed and evaluated a new measure of Beliefs about Salvation (BAS) that assesses affirmations of salvation (a) by God’s grace alone and (b) by God’s grace after human repentance/ordinances, as understood by different Christian denominations. We examined the association of the BAS with three measures of mental health and six measures of influences on religiosity. In a sample of 1556 predominantly members …

The Efficacy Of Open Educational Resources On Achievement Outcomes In Different Higher Education Institutions, Angela Grace Findlay

Theses and Dissertations

Students suffer from achievement gaps in higher education. Achievement gaps refer to differences in graduation rates, retention rates, persistence rates, and student's grades. Achievement gaps may negatively affect students who are culturally or ethnically diverse and/or have a lower socioeconomic status. The use of open educational resources (OER) may mitigate achievement gaps as OER assists student success through higher academic performance and cost savings for students. Average quiz scores were obtained at different higher education institutions using an Introduction to Psychology OER. The scores from each course were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling. Colleges were nested by demographics to evaluate …

Exploring The Feasibility Of Using Virtual Reality With Children With Autism, Gemma Leighton

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the feasibility and social validity of teenagers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using a virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD). VR is emerging as a promising tool for teaching and therapeutic intervention among ASD. Therefore, this study serves to contribute to the field's development by comprehensively evaluating the accessibility for young people with ASD to independently using a VR HMD in a meaningful way. Five teenagers participated (four female, aged 13-15, with mild and mild to moderate support needs) and independently completed tutorials in a virtual environment when learning to operate the VR HMD controllers and hand-tracking …

Across Generations Of Time: Institutional Memory And Individual Memory Of The Kwangju Uprising Regarding The Hong Family, Seung Hong

Undergraduate Honors Theses

On May 18, 1980, the Kwangju Uprising took place in Kwangju, a city in the Chŏlla province of South Korea. Though it was initially a student demonstration against Chun Doo Hwan’s martial law, it grew to involve thousands of Kwangju civilians who united to fight against vicious paratroopers and Chun’s unjust rule. After nine days, state troops recaptured Kwangju and arrested the remaining demonstrators. Years later, as a response to popular demand, the South Korean government compensated victims and began celebrating May 18 as a turning point for democracy in the nation. The institutional memory of the Kwangju Uprising has …

Couples And Pornography: A Dyadic Latent Profile Analysis Of Romantic Partners And Pornography Use, Michelle E. Haddock Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

Research on the outcomes of pornography use for romantic couples has been extensive yet inconclusive. Studies have examined pornography use in a wide variety of contexts, leading to a wide variety of outcomes and well-being. The current study uses latent profile analysis to account for many contextual factors at once, dyadic data to examine the perspective of both partners simultaneously, and a range of individual and relational well-being outcomes to understand how different relational pornography use patterns lead to well-being. Results provided evidence for six unique profiles of couples based on pornography use patterns (personal use frequency, perceived partner use …

Sisyphus Smiles: Essays On Living Well In The Face Of Absurdity, Brooke N. Smith

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In this thesis, I explore questions regarding the nature of meaningfulness and living well in the face of absurdity. Socrates famously stated, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” therefore, in the following essays I delve into these fundamental questions by reflecting on my own life and analyzing it in light of various philosophical notions. The two essays center around an analysis of Albert Camus’s “The Myth of Sisyphus,” ultimately highlighting the distinction between Sisyphus’s situation and our own as human beings. The first essay largely examines Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s theory of embodiment, how his conception of embodiment plays out in …

Implementing Exercise Is Medicine At Byu, Destiny Rose H. Romero

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Exercise has been proven for millennia to have significant health benefits, both preventative and curative. Many modern diseases and ailments can be prevented, alleviated, or even cured with increased physical activity. Unfortunately, the United States health system has yet to effectively integrate exercise into mainstream medical models. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is working to solve this disconnect through their global health initiative Exercise is Medicine (EIM). Most relevant to BYU is their EIM-On Campus program, which incorporates principles of exercise medicine into colleges and universities. This thesis first explores the dynamics of the health system that inhibit …

Untying The Knot: All Of Us Strangers And The Transgressive Encounter, Luka Romney

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Trauma is a perennial human problem that has only recently received sustained attention from the academic community. Within the interdisciplinary field of memory studies, there has been a significant push to not only identify and theorize trauma but also map out and propose ways to move through and beyond the constraints of trauma. This article will use Andrew Haigh’s 2023 film All of Us Strangers to theorize an experience that forms a redemptive foil to trauma that I term encounter. These redemptive encounters are sticky and unwieldy, and they require a variety of critical frames to draw out their ultimate …

Strivers, Ambivalence, And The Implications Of Wholeheartedness, Kaia K. Hathaway

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In this thesis, I examine Harry Frankfurt’s account of the will and its implications for ambivalence, particularly in the context of moral striving. I begin by outlining Frankfurt’s hierarchical model of desires and his view that ambivalence represents a failure of agency. I then explore his proposed solution—wholeheartedness—which aims to resolve inner conflict by rejecting incompatible desires. Drawing on David Velleman and Justin Coates, I argue that Frankfurt’s view faces both agential and ethical challenges, especially for individuals engaged in upward mobility, or “strivers.” I suggest that the experiences of strivers—those who must navigate competing ethical commitments—pose a unique challenge …