Digital Commons Network^™

Effective Weather Messaging: Applying The Bad News Response Model To Hurricane Warnings, April S. Carr

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Sweeny and Shepperd (2007, 2009) proposed the Bad News Response Model (BNRM), outlining three effective responses (i.e., Watchful Waiting, Active Change, Acceptance) as a function of the perceived controllability, likelihood, and severity of bad news. In the current study, we have adapted the BNRM, previously used in health-related scenarios, to explore the relationship between message content and responses in the context of hurricane warnings. Participants viewed hurricane warnings manipulated by severity (Category 1 vs. Category 5) and the inclusion of call-to-action statements (CTAs). The present study attempted to evaluate the effects of severity and controllability on participants’ engagement in desirable …

Languages, Cultures, And Identities: Cross-Cultural Experiences Of Hbcu Students In A Study Abroad Program In Costa Rica, Irina M. Tedrick

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The goal of this dissertation was to illuminate how an immersive study abroad program enabled my Black and African American Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) students to have meaningful language acquisition, cultural exploration, and identity expansion experiences. The methods used in this research reflect the qualitative narrative nature of the cross-cultural narrative inquiry (He, 2003, 2006, 2010; Phillion & He, 2008; Phillion et al., 2009; Sharma & Phillion, 2021). Thus, to accurately capture the participants’ stories, I employed a variety of methods, gathering data through semi-structured interviews and the collection of personal artifacts, such as journal writings, pictures, and …

Influence Of Increased Options On Performance Generalization Across Two Variations Of The Monty Hall Dilemma, Robert A. Southern

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The Monty Hall dilemma (MHD) is a probability puzzle at which humans consistently fail to adopt the optimal winning strategy. The participant chooses between three identical doors, behind one of which is a valuable prize. After the participant makes their initial decision, the host reveals that there is nothing behind one of the two remaining doors, then asks the participant if they would like to stay with their originally selected door or switch to the remaining unopened door. The optimal choice is to switch to the previously unchosen door, which increases the probability of winning from 33% to 67%. Despite …

The Effects Of A Mirror On Cognitive Strategy And Performance Of A Muscular Endurance Task, Brianna M. Simmons

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Context: Mirrors are common-place in exercise facilities, however, the effect the mirror has on cognitive strategy (i.e., where the mind’s at) and performance time has not been examined in a muscular endurance task (i.e., a wall sit). Objective: To determine, (1) the mirror’s effect on cognitive state during a wall sit to volitional exhaustion, (2) the mirror's effect on time to volitional exhaustion during a wall sit, and (3) the mirror’s effect on the participant’s rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during the wall sit. Design: Repeated measures design. Setting: Indoor exercise facility. Participants: Twenty resistance-trained Georgia Southern University Students (9 …

Supporting Student-Athlete Mental Health: Ncaa Division I Coaches' Experiences, Perceived Role, And Barriers, Kelsey Kinnamon

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The opportunity for coaches to play an important role in supporting student-athlete mental health has been increasingly identified (Biggin et al., 2017; Gulliver et al., 2013; Henrikson et al., 2020). Findings suggest that coaches have the potential to help identify athletes who may benefit from mental health services, as well as foster an environment supportive of mental health and help-seeking (Bapat et al., 2009; Bissett et al., 2020). Recommendations have been set forth regarding how coaches may best engage in their role of supporting mental health, however, the literature lacks evidence of what collegiate coaches are actually doing to support …

Understanding Racial Experiences And The Influence Of Family On Stress And Familism Attitudes, Jaqueline Miranda

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Sixty-five percent of undergraduates reported family as their most important in-group and 79% reported family as being in their top three in-groups (McConnell, 2019). Familial bonds are vital for racial ethnic minorities because of their unique experiences as minorities such as experienced racism, acculturative stress, and other forms of adversity. The current study examined the effects of a racially-based stress induction and imaginal exercise on state stress levels and familial attitudes, and the relationship between racial-ethnic socialization and racial battle fatigue including kinship social support as a moderator. The study used an experimental design, manipulating stress induction through a script …

Mothering Through Our Pain: Single Black Mothers’ Narratives, Yolanda E. Surrency

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Black women’s voices and historical contributions have been dismissed, and even excluded, making it difficult for their cultural knowledge to be transmitted to future generations. Black women battle with an unsettled consciousness from subscribing to the normalization of what dominant culture defines as good mothering. This study uses Black feminism to examine single Black mothers who navigate the negative images of the welfare queen and the matriarch. This narrative study uses Black feminism to examine the stories of single, Black mothers and their daughters. The purpose is to investigate Black mothers’ lived experiences to understand their struggles and resistance. Purposeful …

Dying For Change: The Impact Of Awareness Prevention And Intervention On Graduate Assistant Stress, Marla Bruner

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

As challenges surrounding mental health and well-being in doctoral graduate students (GAs), continue to rise, it is imperative that higher education institutions evaluate the stressors that GAs experience, their awareness and use of campus resources for dealing with stressors, and the impact that additional resources and programming may have on stress. The research questions for this study sought to examine the stressors experienced by doctoral level graduate students working in GA positions and their corresponding awareness and use of campus resources, and to determine what impact, if any, providing additional services, resources, and programming in had after a three-year implementation …

The Effect Of Motivational General-Mastery Imagery On Reaction Time Performance And Heart Rate, William J. Bean Jr.

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Research suggests that imagery can reduce reaction time (Alikhani et al., 2001; Grouios, 1992; Hanshaw & Sukal, 2016; Iftikhar et al., 2018; Shanks & Cameron, 2000). Previous studies examining the imagery and reaction time relationship have almost exclusively focused on motor imagery. Additionally, a recent study by McNeil and colleagues (2019) concluded that imagery training improved decision time variables, but not overall reactive agility. Individuals may not be able to generate unpredictable stimuli during imagery. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of motivational general-mastery (MG-M) imagery on reaction time and heart rate. Reaction time was measured …

How Do Special Education Teachers View The Phenomenon Of Black Male Overrepresentation In Special Education?, Lelon B. Jeffers

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

As the student population in many U.S. public schools grows increasingly more diverse, the need to assess the educational practices utilized in public schools grows as well. It is imperative for educators to make a concerted effort to ensure the rights and needs of minority students are being addressed in public schools. It is the duty of educators and policy makers to protect those students who are most marginalized by society. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the phenomenon of Black male overrepresentation in special education, and to ascertain the views and perspectives of special education teachers …

College Athletes' Experiences With A Lower Body Re-Injury: A Phenomenological Investigation, Samantha Holder

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Lower extremity injuries are the most common musculoskeletal sport injuries and are an inevitable risk to sport participation (Chalmers, 2002; Dane et al., 2004; Kay et al., 2017). When an athlete sustains an injury, fear of re-injury is a salient emotion many athletes experience (e.g., Disanti et al., 2018; Kvist et al., 2005; Lentz et al., 2015). Previous research has identified fear of re-injury as a risk factor to suffering a subsequent injury (e.g., An et al., 2019; Andersen & Williams, 1988; Paterno et al., 2018; Podlog et al., 2011; Tagesson & Kvist, 2016). Epidemiology studies have highlighted that re-injuries …

Perceived Discrimination And Racism On The Treatment And Medication Adherence Of Hypertension In African Americans, Ifeoluwa Kayode, Daisy Tovar, Logan Cowan

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Parental Substance Use And Its Impact On Children’S Health And Safety. Increased Need For Collaboration And Multidisciplinary Efforts, Blerta Shehaj, Joanne Chopak-Foss

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Covid Round 2: Workplace Support And Compassion Fatigue In Emergency Workers, Carlene A. Robinson, Kelly L. Sullivan

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Underreporting Of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: An Important Public Mental Health Implication, Sandhya Lohani, Sha-Hanna Saffold, Tanya Jules, Brenda Blackwell, Suzanne Shurling, Tilicia Mayo-Gamble

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

2021 Fall Commencement, Georgia Southern University

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

2021 Spring Commencement, Georgia Southern University

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

2021 Georgia Southern University Men's Soccer Roster, Georgia Southern University

Men's Soccer Records

• 2021 Men's Soccer Roster

2021 Georgia Southern University Women's Soccer Media Guide, Georgia Southern University

Women's Soccer Records

• 2021 Women's Soccer Media Guide

2021 Georgia Southern University Women's Soccer Roster, Georgia Southern University

Women's Soccer Records

• 2021 Women's Soccer Roster

2021 Georgia Southern University Softball Roster, Georgia Southern University

Women's Softball Records

• 2021 Softball Roster

2021 Georgia Southern University Softball Media Guide, Georgia Southern University

Women's Softball Records

• 2021 Georgia Southern Softball

Book Review- The Mind Of The Leader, Rebecca Cofer

Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs

Book review of The Mind of the Leader .

Hougaard. R. & Carter, J. (2018). The Mind of the Leader: How to Lead Yourself, Your People, And Your Organization for Extraordinary Results. Harvard Business Review Press. 224pp. ISBN 9781633693425. $25.20 suggested retail price.

The Rise In Use Of Emotional Support Animals By College Students: The Impact Of Parenting Styles, Misty G. Smith, Samantha Ballard, Jill Willis

Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs

As the generational context of higher education shifts, a rise of Emotional Support Animals (ESA) and mental health concerns are present for students on college campuses. While previous studies have aimed to address the relevancy and controversy of ESAs in higher education as well as their effectiveness in supporting individuals, less research has explored underlying factors that contribute to the use of an ESA. The purpose of this study was to explore the parenting behaviors of parents/caregivers of students with ESAs in comparison to parents/caregivers of students without ESAs. An embedded mixed methods design was used. Participants completed the Parenting …

Deployments To Diplomas: An Examination Of Academic Motivation Among Military Dependents Using Self-Determination Theory, Meagan C. Arrastia-Chisholm, Samantha Tackett, Kelly Torres, Khushbu Patel, Jacob W. Highsmith, Kacy Mixon

Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs

Using self-determination theory, the academic motivation of college students from deployed military families was examined. Implementing a case study methodology, interviews with 14 college students were transcribed and coded using a theory-driven rubric to identify their needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Each case was analyzed for one’s self-determination regulatory style (external, introjected, integrated, or identified). The need for relatedness was the most prevalent in the data and the majority of cases exhibited regulatory styles consistent with introjected motivation.

Jiann-Ping Hsu College Of Public Health Magazine, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Message from the Dean: Stuart H. Tedders, PhD
• One-On-One: Building a POD from the ground up!
• Our Community: Making a Difference
• The COVID-19 Pivot: Teaching, Outreach, Research
• One Year Later: Reflections
• Dr. James Stephens
• Zoom made the world smaller
• Creating space where everyone belongs
• Center for Addiction Recovery Growth in a new normal—the pandemic year
• Karl E. Peace Center for Biostatistics and Survey Research Working together: biostatistics collaborations
• Center for Public Health Practice and Research Making real impacts with training, assessments and more
• Faculty and Students
• Office of Practice and Research
• Research
• College
• Photos

Georgia Southern Magazine, Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern Magazine

This issue is labeled 2020, but is for Winter 2021.

• News and Events
• True Blue Spotlight
• Then & Now
• Tracking an Invisible Enemy
• Rising Star
• Best Foot Forward
• Meet Our 40 Under $0
• University News
• Research
• Athletics
• Alumni
• Support
• In Memoriam

Campus Recreation And Fitness Center Utilization During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Keagan Kiely, William A. Mase, Bridget F. Melton, Haresh Rochani

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has far reaching effects for college students' health and physical activity behaviors. This analysis focuses on university student fitness center usage pre and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers hypothesized a reduction in fitness center utilization when comparing Fall 2019 to Fall 2020 utilization rates.

Methods

Patterns of the recreation center and fitness center utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic are compared to pre-pandemic patterns of a matched time period in the previous academic year in an observational study. Overall utilization was evaluated using secondary data from the university’s recreation center data system. Six weeks …

Zika Virus Concern And Preventative Behaviors During Pregnancy: Analysis Of 2017 Georgia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Data, Priya R. Nair, Christine E. Stauber

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Zika virus infection can cause severe health complications in pregnant women such as microcephaly and other congenital anomalies in the developing fetus but it can be prevented. It is imperative to develop an understanding of concern about Zika virus among pregnant women as this can influence their Zika virus preventative behaviors.

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of Zika virus concern among women in Georgia with live births in 2017 and to examine the frequency of condom use among those who were sexually active during their most recent pregnancy.

Methods: This cross- sectional study used …

Emotional Dimensions Of Teaching In Elementary Education Preparation, Kathleen M. Crawford, Juliann Sergi Mcbrayer, Katherine Fallon

Leadership, Technology & Human Development: Faculty Publications

Student teaching is a pivotal event in teacher education preparation programs, and there is a need to investigate emotions in teaching. This study examined how one elementary program navigated the emotional dimensions of teaching. Findings revealed that the emotional dimensions of student teachers were influenced by individualized factors unique to the teacher; certain emotions were perceived as more acceptable to express; and supervisors needed to support student teachers to manage and respond to the emotional dimensions of teaching. The recommendation is to go beyond the technical and academic aspects of teaching and address the emotional dimensions to best prepare the …