Digital Commons Network^™

Can A Congregation Make A Difference? The Relationship Between Social Support And Latter-Day Saint Lgbtq+ Adolescent Well-Being, Aubrey Bardsley

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the relationship between social support at church and the well-being of adolescents who currently or previously belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS, formally known as Mormon), differentiating between LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ adolescents. Past studies show that social support is negatively related to suicidality for adolescents. However, open questions remain about if this relationship is similar for LDS adolescents who identify as LGBTQ+ compared to those who do not. To test this question, I used data from the Family Foundations of Youth Development, a project that randomly sampled adolescents from Utah, Arizona, and …

Error Processing In Adolescents With A Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (Mtbi): A Longitudinal Study, Tanner J. Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

Error processing, a neural process critical to adaptive learning during adolescence, may be disrupted by mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of adults following mTBI indicate a variable impact of mTBI on neural correlates of error processing, including the error related negativity (ERN) and post error positivity (Pe) components of the scalp-recorded event-related potential (ERP). Existing studies of mTBI in adolescents indicate significantly decreased ERN amplitudes and nonsignificant differences in Pe amplitude between mTBI and control groups. However, no longitudinal studies of adolescents with mTBI are available to date despite the importance of these processes. We …

Deliberate Practice In The Skill Of Evaluating Automatic Thoughts: A Multiple Case Study, Hanni Rizk

Theses and Dissertations

Deliberate Practice is an emerging technique for competency-based education within psychotherapy training. In this multiple-case study, deliberate practice is evaluated for training the cognitive-behavioral therapeutic skill of evaluating automatic thoughts, also known as Socratic questioning. Students in a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program responded to an actress in a simulated automatic negative thought therapy scenario before and after participating in a deliberate practice workshop. The workshop consisted of an overview of Socratic questioning, roleplay, expert feedback, and behavioral rehearsal. Scenario roleplays before and after the workshop presented situations related to client "lovability" and "competence" providing an opportunity for the participants to …

The Wolfenden Report: The Key To The English Gay Rights Movement, Ryan Hollister

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

The history of homosexuality in Great Britain is long and complicated, extending all the way back to the Roman conquest. Romans had a tradition of homosexuality, but when Rome fell, churches became the authority on homosexuality, leading to numerous movements to fight against it. King Henry the 8th of England outlawed buggery, a term for anal intercourse, in 1533, and there are suspicions chat King James had homosexual relationships, but the scope of English history cannot be fully summarized in a paper of this length. Instead, this paper will focus on the British decriminalization of homosexual practices in the 1950s …

Project-Based Learning: An Online Support Product For Scaffolding The Professional Development In China, Yenny Mo

Instructional Psychology and Technology Graduate Student Projects

This project was a collaboration between Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, U.S.A., and Beijing Normal University (BNU) in Beijing, China. It aimed to enhance the effectiveness of the existing professional development (PD) program at BNU by developing an online support product. The PD program focuses on developing project-based learning (PjBL) cases and its implementation in a classroom.

This online support product that scaffolds the PD program using Articulate Storyline 360. Through a strategic integration of the ADDIE and RP models, I have created a tool that facilitates faster comprehension of PjBL concepts, enables effective design of driving questions, …

Investigating Self-Regulation In Secondary And Higher Education Online Contexts, Karen T. Arnesen

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation uses a three-article dissertation, including a literature review and two research articles, related to the understanding and development of self-regulation (SR). Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), the literature review examined 22 articles researching a self-regulation intervention used in an online, higher education context. The articles included interventions specific to a unique context, interventions used in a specific context but could be easily adapted to other contexts, and generic interventions that could be applied in any context. Important themes revealed in the analysis include the importance of feedback in developing SR, the interaction …

Breaking The Silence: Family Conversations On Suicide, Alexa Diaz

Student Works

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth in the United States. Suicide remains to be a stigmatized topic. There is a necessary need for families to openly communicate about suicide as well as knowing what measures they need to take to prevent them from occurring. Providing a child with a secure attachment and an authoritative parenting style decreases the likelihood of suicidal ideation as well as engaging in suicide-related behaviors (Diamond et al., 2022). Media exposure may serve as a resource for parents to enhance their knowledge on mental health literacy (Abesinghe et al., 2023; Cingel et …

A Review Of Existing Literature Surrounding Female Educator Sexual Misconduct In Anglo-American Classrooms, Avery Barnes, Isaac Calvert

BYU Education & Law Journal

A 2004 literature review commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education estimated that one in every ten students would experience sexual harassment or abuse at the hands of an educator during their time in public schools. Even more alarming, multiple studies within Shakeshaft’s 2004 review suggested that this issue goes well beyond the reported data. At that time, leading social science research estimated that only 6% of children who were victims of educator sexual misconduct reported it. With significant developments in digital communications technologies since that 2004 study, researchers in the U.S. Department of Education have estimated that the number …

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 …

The Effects Of Racial Prejudice And Humanization On Private Aid Donations, Mary Harris, Ashlynn Hokanson, Zeke Peters, Phoebe Roberts, Daniel Nielson

Sigma: Journal of Political and International Studies

World Vision predicts that there are more than 719 million people living in poverty (Peer 2023). Charitable organizations often strive to fill gaps of government programs and alleviate poverty by offering food, clothing, and support to these millions of individuals in need. To be successful in realizing the goals of these charitable organizations, the quantity of charitable donations must be large to create change. Charitable organizations regularly attempt to obtain donations through means of advertising; however, are these methods of advertising effective in soliciting donations to help underprivileged populations across the globe? By improving the understanding of effective donation solicitation …

Let's Get Critical: The Rights And Obligations Of School District Stakeholders Under State Laws Limiting Or Banning Discussion Of Critical Race Theory In K-12 Classrooms, John E. Rumel

BYU Education & Law Journal

Critical Race Theory has moved from the halls of academia to the center of a national debate about the role of teachers in instructing students about race, race relations and the United States’ troubled history concerning those subjects. Addressing growing concerns over Critical Race Theory from the political right, state legislatures have responded quickly by enacting a host of Anti-Critical Race Theory (anti-CRT) bills that seek to expel Critical Race Theory from the classroom.

Full Issue

Sigma: Journal of Political and International Studies

No abstract provided.

Is There Room For Grace In The American Dream?, Ali Critchfield

Sigma: Journal of Political and International Studies

In the face of growing inequality in the United States, researchers have sought to understand why there is not a proportionate level of public concern over widening economic disparities (Kim 2023, 39–54). Much research in this area is grounded in the idea that America has become a meritocracy, where success is earned by merit. Despite the nation’s Puritan beginnings that emphasized that God’s grace, not works, are what led to salvation and success, the country has taken on a meritocratic core, one that effectively eliminates grace in the pursuit of material success. This way of thinking has compounded with the …

The Legality Of Second Chances: Employment For The Formerly Incarcerated, Ella Paligo

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

The United States has one of the highest incarceration and recidivism rates globally. This is largely attributed to the fact that a large number of employers reserve the right to not hire those with a criminal record. To combat this, cities and states have enacted “Ban the Box” legislation which prohibits employers from inquiring about criminal history before the interview round. However, with this decision being left up to local and state officials, marginalized individuals are left open to employment discrimination. This paper explores how federal protection, like “Ban the Box” laws, must be implemented to avoid recidivism and reimprisonment.

The Price Of Dignity: How Medicare Requirements Shape End-Of-Life Care, Juliette K. Ball, Dallin M. Mildenhall

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

End-of-life care comes with several challenges: the level of care required is often complex and difficult to administer, fraud goes unchecked, facilities are understaffed, and the enforcement of care requirements is minimal. As a result, these conditions lead to neglect and abuse of an extremely vulnerable population with few options for recourse for elderly victims and their families. As the elderly population continues to rise in the United States, the need for reform will only continue to increase. The federal government provides substantial funding for end-of-life care through Medicare, and significant changes must be made to address current health disparities …

Clearing The Air: Addressing Utah’S Pollution Crisis Through Legal Reform And Environmental Justice, Eduardo A. Rios, Catherine Patino-Celedon

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

Within the context of structural racism and economic inequality, Black and Latino communities confront disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards, amplifying health inequities. This article emphasizes the imperative for advancing environmental justice in Utah, where pervasive pollution exacerbates disparities. Furthermore, the disregard for community input by Utah's authorities perpetuates disparities in resource allocation. This narrative aligns with a nationwide trend wherein marginalized populations confront grave environmental risks. Concurrently, escalating concerns regarding air quality in Utah highlights the far-reaching consequences of pollution on public health, necessitating comprehensive legislative action to safeguard vulnerable communities.

Free Speech Limitations And Canada’S Online Streaming Act, Ethan Schortinghuis

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

In early 2023, the government of Canada passed the Online Streaming Act, formerly known as Bill C-11, extending federal influence over media to the more recently developed online streaming platforms. This legislation aims to further protect Canadian cultural identity by supporting the creation of “certified Canadian content” and increasing its discoverability on digital platforms. However, not only does the Online Streaming Act fail to accomplish its goal, but it also creates the possibility of unconstitutional infringement on Canadian freedoms in every part of the broadcasting process, from writer to audience.

The Tiktok Dilemma: Regulating Tiktok For Minors In The Age Of Free Speech, Julia Waters

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

The influence of social media platforms, particularly TikTok, on the mental health and well-being of adolescents has become a matter of increasing concern. This paper examines the constitutionality of Montana's proposed ban on TikTok, arguing that while well-intentioned, such a ban would infringe upon citizens' First Amendment rights. Instead, the focus should be on addressing the underlying issues of data collection practices and content moderation. The paper proposes federal legislative solutions, including age verification requirements and amendments to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to hold social media platforms accountable for harmful content. By addressing these issues, policymakers can …

Byu Online Language Team On-Boarding Training, Iolanda Costa

Instructional Psychology and Technology Graduate Student Projects

In the early stages of departmental training (2018-2019), BYU-O instructional designers (IDs) focused on developing a Canvas training course to meet diverse needs and equip their student employees, also known as instructional design assistants (IDAs). However, the incorporation of specific needs and skills for the language team was postponed. The purpose of this project was to optimize and unify the training process to address the BYU-O Language Team needs and develop a training experience for all teams.

Exploring Caregiver Support For Advanced Practice Nurses Following An Error, Sunnie L. Nield

Student Works

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) are a growing population of employed individuals within the healthcare system, working in outpatient and inpatient settings. Like other healthcare professionals, nurse practitioners can and do make errors while practicing. Nevertheless, little to no research has focused on them. This research aimed to better understand nurse practitioners’ attitudes towards error approach, perception, and cause using the Medical Error Attitude Scale (MEAS). Additional purposes included the further exploration of APRNs' experiences following an error and support they may or may not receive. A convenience sample of ARPNs licensed in Utah was sent an electronic survey via …

Experimental Evidence On Leadership Experience And Women’S Political Participation In Malaysia, Grace Burns

Sigma: Journal of Political and International Studies

Across the globe, there is a lack of gender parity in the political realm (Darcy, Welch, and Clark 1994). Solving this important issue will ensure increased representation for women’s issues (Bratton 2005), greater diversity and effectiveness in leadership styles (Kathlene 1994), and better outcomes for countries as a whole (Cole et al. 2017; Garikipati and Kambhampati 2020). In Malaysia, women rank highly on many indicators such as literacy and labor force participation (“World Bank Open Data” n.d.), but lowly in political polarization, due to cultural and religious factors (Ariffin 1992). Women are not socialized to view themselves as leaders and …

The United Kingdom And Brexit: A Case Study In Affective Polarization, Tannah Carter

Sigma: Journal of Political and International Studies

Political polarization has become an increasingly hot topic in recent years as countries around the world have seen a greater divide in their national politics. In general, polarization refers to the process whereby people become increasingly sorted into separate camps that hold distinct and opposing identities and interests (McCoy, Rahman, and Somer 2018). However, this divide is not limited to ideology: countries have also seen an increase in affective polarization. Affective polarization occurs when individuals move beyond simple policy disagreements into seeing themselves as belonging to an “in-group” while those who oppose them belong to the “out-group” (Iyengar, Sood, and …

Latest Research (Summaries) On Charitable Giving, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Charitable Giving: Full Issue, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

The Dos And Don'ts Of Charitable Giving, Sumaya Ali, Mandie Carter, Lakell Archer, Erica Jensen, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Nonprofits Should Adopt A User-Centric Change Model To Scale Corporate Environmental Action Faster, Doug Miller

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Pollution levels and ecosystem degradation continue to worsen, suggesting the insufficiency of current approaches to reverse these problematic trends. For environmental nonprofits, the current theory of change revolves around developing techno-economic analysis about environmental problems and available solutions, building public awareness around this analysis, and motivating decision makers to set goals. Given present environmental realities and the limited success of their current theory of change, environmental nonprofits should transform how they execute their work, what they produce, and how they coordinate with each other. Instead, nonprofits should begin putting the user—business decision makers as well as policymakers—front and center as …

Russia: Increased Corruption And Deterioration Of Freedom, Is There Hope?, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Since Vladimir Putin came to power in 2000, Russia has been plagued by widespread political corruption (Warren, 2023; Vasilev & Felton, 2024). This corruption has been characterized by the misuse of public funds, bribery, and extortion. It has also involved the suppression of political dissent and the erosion of democratic institutions. As corruption runs rampant within the Russian government, neighboring countries are also recipients of corrupt efforts to destabilize their governments, erode their democracy and jeopardize the support these neighboring countries can give to the security of Euruope as a whole (Stănescu, 2023). There is an increasing need for the …

Faithful In Friendship: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Self-Perception As Portrayed By His Relationship With Eberhard Bethge, Greer Bates

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

Shortly before Christmas 1943, Dietrich Bonhoeffer sat at the desk in his cell at Berlin's Tegel Prison to pen letters to the loved ones he left behind when the Gestapo arrested him on charges of conspiracy against the Fuhrer. Bonhoeffer recently passed the eight-month mark since his arrest, and he had given up hope of being released to his family in time for the holiday. "There's probably nothing for it but to write you a Christmas letter now to meet all eventualities," he opened a note to his parents, explaining that he had accepted the fate of not spending Christmas …

"Millions Shall Know Brother Joseph Again": The Joseph Smith Papers Internship, M. Jordan Kezele

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

Despited his prophetic Calling, it is doubtful that Joseph Smith knew when he established the Church in 1830 that it would take twenty-four large folio volumes of records to document his fourteenyear ministry. Nor did he foresee the dozens of historians, millions of dollars, and impressive research library that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would devote to the history's assembly. The Joseph Smith Papers Project, commenced in 2001, will publish every known and available document composed or dictated by Joseph Smith from 1828 to his martyrdom in 1844. Magnificent in scope, chis mountain of work encompasses a …

Marriage And Family Therapists' Perspectives Of Working With Couples Impacted By Aphasia: General Perceptions And Response To Relationship-Centered Communication Partner Training, Madison Rae Christensen

Theses and Dissertations

The psychosocial needs of couples impacted by aphasia are often unmet. Sixty-one marriage and family therapists' (MFTs) experiences, perceived knowledge, confidence, comfort, and barriers in working with couples impacted by aphasia, and their interactions with speech-language pathologists (SLPs) were investigated using survey methodology. All MFTs were licensed, practicing in the US, and had at least 3 years of experience. Participants completed the following in order: (a) a pre-intervention survey, (b) one of two intervention conditions, and (c) a post-intervention survey. Twenty-eight respondents were randomly assigned to an education-alone intervention and 33 respondents were assigned to an education plus Relationship-Centered Communication …