Understanding The Effects Of Socioeconomic Variables, Career Motivation, And Msw Education On Practice Preferences: A Quantitative National Survey Of Msw Students, Tina B. Granger

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Over the past several decades, there has been much debate over the role of social workers in the mental health field. Factors related to career motivation and practice preferences has had limited research and many have attributed materialistic and self-seeking motives as the reason for a social work career choice. Research has shown that there may be a divergence or ‘mission drift’ from traditional social work values and mission of social justice and social change at the systems level. Identifying factors related to career motivation and practice preferences is important in an ever-evolving field such as social work. This study …

Exercise Effects On Cognition In Older African Americans: A Pilot Randomized Trial, Kathryn L. Gwizdala, Robert Brouillete, Robbie Beyl, William Johnson, Callie Hebert, Leah Carter, Melissa Harris, Robert L. Newton, Owen T. Carmichael

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Introduction: Regular physical activity lowers risk for cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders. Older African Americans (AAs) have been underrepresented in trials that increased physical activity to improve cognitive outcomes. Methods: 56 sedentary, older, cognitively healthy AAs (avg. 69.2 ± 3.4 yrs. old) were randomized in 1:1 ratio into either a 12-week successful aging group (SAG) or a 12-week physical activity group (PAG). Participants in SAG attended weekly 60-min educational sessions in which healthy aging topics were discussed. Participants in PAG attended supervised physical activity sessions twice per week at local YMCAs (90–120 min/week) and were prescribed 2–3 days per week …

“Not Nearly What It Used To Be”: A Mixed Methods Study On Hazing And Organizational Culture In Historically White Fraternities, Kimberly Rogers Davis

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Hazing is a significant concern on college campuses, especially as students continue to die following hazing incidents in student organizations. Fraternities, particularly historically White fraternities (HWFs), have been the site of many recent hazing deaths. However, fraternity and sorority life leaders and advocates often argue that the chapters where hazing tragedies occur are the minority in a broader system that offers numerous contributions to society. Rather than a fraternity or sorority problem, hazing may result from cultural influences within and around the organization. Thus, the purpose of this study is to understand how organizational culture, such as chapter culture and …

Examination Of Autism Symptoms Across Ethnic Groups: Cross-Cultural Validation Of The Baby And Infant Screen For Children With Autism Traits (Biscuit), Esther Hong

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social communication and interaction and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Variations in prevalence across different racial and ethnic groups have been reported. Though the reason for these variations is unclear, racial and ethnic disparities in access to early screening services, cultural differences in ASD presentation, and the use of culturally insensitive screening tools appear to contribute to disparities in ASD diagnosis. Thus, cultural validation studies of ASD screening tools are needed to investigate the cultural utility of these instruments for use with diverse …

Baseline Differences In Driving Frequency As A Predictor Of Cognitive Decline, Luke R. Miller

LSU Master's Theses

Driving is a complex task heavily dependent on cognitive functions which can decline with age including executive functions and processing speed. Although driving cessation as a predictor of cognitive changes has been studied, driving frequency is understudied in the literature. Thus, the objective of the current study is to evaluate the predictive utility of driving frequency at baseline toward objective cognitive decline beyond other factors associated with cognitive decline (e.g., depression, general functional mobility). The sample included a subset of 1,426 older adults (M age = 77.6, SD = 7.1) from the Rush University Memory and Aging Project. Participants completed …

Parasocial Relationships With Online Influencers, Sydney Reynolds

LSU Master's Theses

Current research on parasocial relationships has a focus on the media consumer and the media personae in television or film where the media consumer exerts time and emotional energy into the relationship while the character is unaware of their existence. The purpose of this study is to explore the Influencers and further conceptualize the term parasocial relationship to include these online mediated relationships and interactions. This study explores parasocial relationships and what is associated with them in the context of social media with respondents who consistently engage with social media Influencers. Social media Influencers address their audiences personally and share …

Development And Validation Of A Measure For Social Support: Perceived Social Support Inventory, Lindsay Marie Clark

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

The literature consistently acknowledges the protective function of social support against various negative psychological and physiological outcomes (Cohen & Wills, 1985; Dunst et al., 1986; Taylor, 2011; Uchino, 2009). Further, social support can emerge from different members that comprise an individual’s social network, such as friends, family, teachers, colleagues, and members of common interest groups. Given the important role that social support plays in health outcomes, the importance of psychometrically sound measures for assessing the construct is essential for use in research and clinical settings. However, many of the current measures of social support are outdated, are limited in …

Gendered Violence And The Family: An Analysis Of The 14th-Century Epic "Lion De Bourges", Ashley Paige Holt

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation is the first to focus on gender roles within the fourteenth-century French epic Lion de Bourges and the first work to feature extensive translations into English of this medieval text. Using the cyclical dismemberment and reunification of the Bourges family as a lens, it brings into focus the various members of the family, their relationships, and the larger thematic questions about family and society put forward by the poet. Chapter one interrogates the notion of the king as a national father figure as well as the spread of injury and violence from the father/king to the members of …

Toybox: A New Approach For Auxiliary Percussion Instruments At The Beginning Level, Spencer Craig Jones

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Currently, there exist little materials to introduce elementary students to auxiliary percussion instruments. There is a need for the creation of more instructional material for this age group that provides pedagogy descriptions for the instruments as well as playing examples. The purpose of this project is to create a method book that provides pedagogy examples for auxiliary percussion instruments while also providing playing examples to use.

Does Well-Being Moderate The Association Of Harm Avoidance With Cognitive Decline, Christopher Reed

LSU Master's Theses

The Dual-Factor Model of mental health highlights the need to consider both constructs associated with psychopathology and subjective well-being in relation to clinical outcomes. Harm avoidance, which is associated with behavioral inhibition, has been negatively associated with cognitive change. While subjective well-being has been positively associated with cognition. The current study aimed to examine both constructs in a single model to examine well-being as a moderator of the association of harm avoidance with cognitive decline. A sample of 728 older adults from the Rush University Memory and Aging Project was used. Participants completed batteries of questionnaires and neuropsychological tests at …

The Relationship Between Family Environment And Specific Phobias, Jerrica Renee Guidry

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Specific phobias are the most prevalent disorder among adults and highly common among children. Additionally, specific phobias diagnosed in childhood has been associated other serious mental illnesses later in life (de Vrie et al., 2019). Research pertaining to parenting factors associated with anxiety disorders has been extensive, including parental psychopathology, parent-child relationships, parental control, and parental stress. However, less emphasis has been placed on familial factors which may contribute to the development and maintenance of specific phobias. According to the limited literature focusing on the family factors associated with specific phobias, parent psychopathology and parent over-control are important factors. Multiple …

Understanding Children's Museums' Approaches To Diversity: A Critical And Socio-Cultural Investigation, Amber Nicole Smith

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Children begin to develop self-awareness and awareness of others at an early age (Marion, 2011). Before they reach kindergarten, children begin to make distinctions about race by noticing similarities and differences between themselves and others (Winkler, 2009). Exposing young children to diversity can help each child embrace their identity, accept and celebrate differences, and be accepting of themselves and others (Cole & Verwayne, 2018).

The purpose of this study is to explore how children’s museums support diversity through their programs and planning. The research of this study focuses on four children’s museums located in the United States. There are many …

Factors Associated With Racial And Ethnic Minority Youths' Mental Health Help-Seeking At School, Sam Allouche

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Despite the high prevalence and associated consequences of mental health problems in youth, adolescents with these problems are often left untreated. This service gap is even greater in racial and ethnic minority youth who not only engage in treatment less frequently, but also experience far greater discrimination and systemic inequality than non-ethnic or racial minority students; factors further contributing to a need for service. Schools may provide an ideal location to treat mental health problems in youth, in part because schools eliminate structural barriers, but also because school staff have an opportunity to observe students across a range of functioning. …

Risk-Taking And Career Achievement: The Moderating Role Of "Getting Along" Personality Traits, John-Luke Mccord

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The current dissertation examined the moderating effects of personality traits on the relationship between risk propensity and career advancement. It was hypothesized that certain personalities that facilitate dependability and building support can impact the probability of successful risk-taking at work, resulting in greater career advancement. A nationally representative panel study of British households (n = 13,743) was used to examine the extent to which Big Five personality traits interact with risk propensity to predict career achievement. Results showed a strong, positive association between risk propensity and income growth over time. The “getting along” personality traits were not shown to have …

Development And Initial Validation Of The Adolescent Social Media Use Inventory, Johannah Smith

LSU Master's Theses

Adolescents are the largest population group that accesses social media applications (Boneva et al., 2006; Gross, 2004; Subrahmanyam, Reich, Waechter, & Espinoza, 2008). However, there is little known on how to measure the positive (i.e., enabling privacy settings, friending parents and other family members on social media platforms) and negative (i.e., public social media account, hiding posts from parents) adolescent social media use. This is an important oversight given the relationship between negative uses of social media and increased delinquency, aggression, and decreased parent-adolescent communication (Coyne et al., 2014). The present study sought to address this limitation in the research …

Supporting Family Meal Frequency: Screening Phase Results From The Simply Dinner Study, Jean M. Kerver, Holly E. Brophy-Herb, Julie Sturza, Mildred A. Horodynski, Dawn A. Contreras, Mara Stein, Erika Garner, Sheilah Hebert, Jessica M. Williams, Niko Kaciroti, Tiffany Martoccio, Laurie A. Van Egeren, Hailey Choi, Corby K. Martin, Koi Mitchell, Danielle Dalimonte-Merckling, L. Alexandra Jeanpierre, Chelsea A. Robinson, Julie C. Lumeng

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

We aimed to test main, additive, interactive effects, and feasibility of all possible combinations of six intervention components implemented for 8 weeks (Cooking/Serving Resources; Meal Delivery; Ingredient Delivery; Community Kitchen; Nutrition Education; Cooking Demonstrations). Primary outcomes were family meal frequency and preschoolers' dietary quality; secondary outcomes included family meal preparation type, meal preparation barriers, family functioning, and kitchen inventory adequacy. All possible intervention combinations were tested using a randomized factorial trial design in the first phase of a Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST). Feasibility was assessed via attendance, delivery logs, and satisfaction. Parent-reported data collection included: socio-demographics, frequency and type of …

Ethnic Discrimination And Alcohol-Related Problem Severity Among Hispanic/Latin Drinkers: The Role Of Social Anxiety In The Minority Stress Model, Julia D. Buckner, Elizabeth M. Lewis, Justin M. Shepherd, Michael J. Zvolensky

Faculty Publications

Introduction: Hispanic/Latin individuals in the U.S. experience many health disparities, including worse alcohol-related outcomes. Thus, identifying psycho-sociocultural factors that may play a role in alcohol-related problems among these individuals is vital to informing prevention and treatment efforts. Minority stress-based models of alcohol misuse posit that some Hispanic/Latin individuals may drink (and continue to drink despite drinking-related problems) to alleviate negative affect associated with experiencing ethnic discrimination. Yet, little research has directly tested this hypothesis. Given the social nature of both ethnic discrimination and drinking, it follows that experiencing more ethnic discrimination could be related to greater social anxiety and some …

The Covid-19 Pandemic And Associated Increases In Experiences Of Assault Violence Among Black Men With Low Socioeconomic Status Living In Louisiana, Kaylin Beiter, Denise Danos, Erich Conrad, Stephanie Broyles, Jovanny Zabaleta, Jason Mussell, Stephen Phillippi

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had mental health, social, and economic implications among communities with high levels of social disadvantage; this may have impacted community violence rates. The objective of this study was to characterize overall trends in assault and social disadvantage of patients experiencing assault before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: All trauma activations at a level one trauma center serving the entire southeast Louisiana region were included during March–August pre-COVID (2018–2019) and during COVID (2020). ICD-10 E-codes were used to identify trauma intent (assault vs. other). Assaults in this context are defined as physical injuries caused by …

The Perfect Storm? Covid-19 And Substance Use Amongst Social Work Students In The Usa, Youn Kyoung Kim, Sung Seek Moon, Mansoo Yu, Mee Young Um, Arati Maleku, Omoshola Kehinde, David Pooler

Faculty Publications

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health risk behaviours related to substance use have been recognised as a significant public health concern amongst university students. Understanding the mechanisms of substance use behaviours, including those used to cope with COVID-19-related stressors, is imperative to curate targeted prevention efforts. To that end, we examined substance use prevalence and its associations with socio-demographic characteristics, preventive behaviours, and mental health amongst US social work students. We collected data from 457 students across all degree levels (BSW, MSW and PhD) from July to August 2020 through an online survey, to examine thirty-day patterns of substance use behaviours …

Levels And Correlates Of Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior In Young Children: Sunrise Study Results From 19 Countries, Katharina E. Kariippanon, Kar A.R.H.A.U. Chong, Xanne Janssen, Simone A. Tomaz, Evelyn H.C. Ribeiro, Nyaradzai Munambah, Cecilia H.S. Chan, Pw Prasad Chathurangana, Catherine E. Draper, Asmaa El Hamdouchi, Alex A. Florindo, Hongyan Guan, Amy M.Y.S. Ha, Mohammad Sorowar Hossain, Dong Hoon Kim, Thanh Van Kim, Denise C.L. Koh, Marie Löf, Bang Nguyen Pham, Bee E.E.K. Poh, John J. Reilly, Amanda E. Staiano, Adang Suherman, Chiaki Tanaka, Hong K.I.M. Tang, Mark S. Tremblay, E. Kipling Webster, V. Pujitha Wickramasinghe, Jyh Y.H.E. Wong, Anthony D. Okely

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

Purpose There is a paucity of global data on sedentary behavior during early childhood. The purpose of this study was to examine how device-measured sedentary behavior in young children differed across geographically, economically, and sociodemographically diverse populations, in an international sample. Methods This multinational, cross-sectional study included data from 1071 children 3-5 yr old from 19 countries, collected between 2018 and 2020 (pre-COVID). Sedentary behavior was measured for three consecutive days using activPAL accelerometers. Sedentary time, sedentary fragmentation, and seated transport duration were calculated. Linear mixed models were used to examine the differences in sedentary behavior variables between sex, country-level …

Ghost (Hi)Stories: Fiction As Alternative History In Brodber, Valdés, Cisneros, And Condé, Kristina Suzette Gibby

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation analyzes the role that female ghosts play in recuperating memory and filling the gaps of official history in the following four contemporary novels: Erna Brodber’s Louisiana (1994), Zoé Valdés’s Te di la vida entera (1996), Sandra Cisneros’s Caramelo: or, Puro Cuento (2002), and Maryse Condé’s Victoire, les saveurs et les mots: récit (2006). The ghosts in these novels disrupt a linear temporality and present a matriarchal mode of remembering, leading readers to reconsider the past outside of the dominant historical discourse. In this way, the novels become alternative histories that oppose the monologic historical paradigm and recuperate marginalized …

Validation Of The Guess-18 For The Usability Of A Virtual Reality Racing Game, William A. Carman

LSU Master's Theses

Virtual reality (VR) technology has been in development for many decades, with recent strides in the consumer market. Head-mounted displays (HMDs) provide an immersive VR experience by inserting users into an artificially constructed digital world. However, there is currently no standardized tool for measuring the usability of a VR system or environment. The GUESS-18 is a validated usability questionnaire designed for measuring the usability of video games with 9 factors present in video games. The objective of this study was to validate the GUESS-18 for measuring the usability of VR in a gaming environment.

Participants played Assetto Corsa, a racing …

The Nexus Of The Indoor Co2 Concentration And Ventilation Demands Underlying Co2-Based Demand-Controlled Ventilation In Commercial Buildings: A Critical Review, Xing Lu, Zhihong Pang, Yangyang Fu, Zheng O'Neill

Faculty Publications

The carbon dioxide (CO2)-based demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) has attracted prompt attention from the Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) industry since its very first invention. Since then, it has been penetrating from simple single-zone systems to complex system configurations in commercial buildings. While there has accumulated a large number of research on DCV applications, the most recent review paper on this topic was dated back to 2001 and inevitably missed a lot of recent revolutionary technologies. Therefore, to understand the opportunities and challenges associated with the CO2-based DCV, this study presents a timely review on the revolutions of the CO2-based DCV …

Individual Differences In The Criminogenic Effects Of Discrimination: An Exploration Of The Role Of Impulse Control And Callous-Unemotional Traits, Toni Walker

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The association between perceived discrimination and engagement in criminal offending has been well studied, especially in samples of minority (predominantly Black, Hispanic, and Latinx) adolescents. Several theories have been developed (Social Schematic Theory) and adapted (General Strain Theory) in an attempt to explain how harmful, discriminatory experiences may have an effect on an individual’s behavior. There may be variability in how an individual responds to perceived discrimination, however, but the moderating role of personality characteristics has not been explored. Impulse control and callous-unemotional (CU) traits are both established predictors of offending and may also relate to the mechanisms that theories …

Comprehensive Analysis Of Epigenetic Clocks Reveals Associations Between Disproportionate Biological Ageing And Hippocampal Volume, Lidija Milicic, Michael Vacher, Tenielle Porter, Vincent Doré, Samantha C. Burnham, Pierrick Bourgeat, Rosita Shishegar, James Doecke, Nicola J. Armstrong, Rick Tankard, Paul Maruff, Colin L. Masters, Christopher C. Rowe, Victor L. Villemagne, Simon M. Laws, Balebail Ashok Raj, Kristin Fargher, Amanda Smith, Lisa Raudin, Gloria Chaing, Norman Relkin, Karen Elizabeth Smith, Hyungsub Shim, Laura L. Boles Ponto, Susan K. Schultz, Antero Sarrael, Raymundo Hernando, Nunzio Pomara, Dick Drost, Andrew Kertesz, John Rogers, Irina Rachinsky, Stephen Pasternak, Elizabether Finger

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

The concept of age acceleration, the difference between biological age and chronological age, is of growing interest, particularly with respect to age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Whilst studies have reported associations with AD risk and related phenotypes, there remains a lack of consensus on these associations. Here we aimed to comprehensively investigate the relationship between five recognised measures of age acceleration, based on DNA methylation patterns (DNAm age), and cross-sectional and longitudinal cognition and AD-related neuroimaging phenotypes (volumetric MRI and Amyloid-β PET) in the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Significant …

Effects Of Music Therapy On The Impulse Control Of A Student With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Danielle Amelie Bella

LSU Master's Theses

One academic concern of students with autism spectrum disorder is a lack of impulse control. Impulse control involves behaviors such as turn-taking, blurting out, waiting, and reaching for desirable items. To reduce problematic impulse control behavior in a student with autism spectrum disorder, a program of music therapy activities was performed with a second-grade student in a special education classroom. A single-subject reversal design was implemented during morning activities. Results suggest there was a slight reduction in observed impulsive behaviors within the classroom during the implementation of the music therapy activities.

Entities: A Field Of Imaginary Games, Thrasyvoulos Ioannis Kalaitzidis

LSU Master's Theses

With this body of work, I am looking for visual symbols that help communicate unuttered meanings through storytelling and stimulate an affectual response to the viewer. This exploration is presented in two different forms: a surreal sculptural installation and a board game. The installation consists of large-scale sculptures made from light and soft materials (polyurethane foam, plastic waste, paper) that are available to move inside the gallery, while the board game is presented as a set of 3D prints with instructions on how the participants can play it. The materials used in the installation suggest a way to transform waste …

First-Generation College Students: Persistence And Adaptability In Post-Secondary Institutions, Charlie Elberta Lewis

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

ABSTRACT In post-secondary education, degree attainment for first-generation college students (FGCS) is essential. The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed-methods study is to explore the first-generation college student's persistence from their first year to the second year at a private or public post-secondary institution. The second purpose is to investigate whether the GEAR UP Services program impacted FGCS persistence at these institutions. Social capital theory and self-determination theory served as a foundation of the study. These theories are linked to the social interaction and behavior that leads to motivation, commitment, and relationships. Previous research suggests that college persistence correlates with …

Creating Musical Scores Inspired By The Intersection Of Human Speech And Music Through Model-Based Cross Synthesis, William Alexander Thompson Iv

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This research addresses the development of machine learning techniques used to create musical scores and performances that are inspired by the intersection of speech and music. Machine learning models are created from MIDI files that are transcribed from datasets of musical audio recordings and human speech audio recordings. Through the creation of succinct models, model based cross synthesis is possible. Models trained on musical MIDI data are asked to replicate MIDI data that approximate human speech. Alternatively, models that have been trained on MIDI data that approximate speech are asked to replicate musical MIDI data. The product of these developed …

A Comparative Content Analysis Of How Print Media Framed The Heroin Epidemic And The Opioid Crisis, Quincy Hodges

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation examined how the news media covered the Opioid Crisis of the 21st century compared to how the news media covered the Heroin Epidemic of the 1970s. A content analysis of six U.S. newspapers – the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Columbus Dispatch, The Detroit Free Press, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the New Orleans Times-Picayune indicated that the print news media covered the Heroin Epidemic and the Opioid Crisis drastically different. The news media framed the Opioid Crisis as a public health issue, focusing coverage on rogue doctors and health professionals, and how unethical pharmaceutical companies took …