Digital Commons Network^™

Computer Adaptive Testing For The Assessment Of Anomia Severity, Gerasimos Fergadiotis, Marianne Casilio, William D. Hula, Alexander Swiderski

Speech and Hearing Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Anomia assessment is a fundamental component of clinical practice and research inquiries involving individuals with aphasia, and confrontation naming tasks are among the most commonly used tools for quantifying anomia severity. While currently available confrontation naming tests possess many ideal properties, they are ultimately limited by the overarching psychometric framework they were developed within. Here, we discuss the challenges inherent to confrontation naming tests and present a modern alternative to test development called item response theory (IRT). Key concepts of IRT approaches are reviewed in relation to their relevance to aphasiology, highlighting the ability of IRT to create flexible and …

Ancillary Data For Refining Computer Adaptive Algorithms For The Assessment Of Anomia, Emily Kathryn Tudorache

Dissertations and Theses

Computer adaptive testing formats, based in item response theory (IRT), are becoming an increasingly popular approach to testing in healthcare because they offer numerous psychometric and practical advantages to assessment when compared to static tests that rely on classical test theory. Fergadiotis and colleagues (2015) have developed computer adaptive versions of the Philadelphia Naming Test (PNT) short-forms, which have demonstrated acceptable precision and standard error of measurement when compared to the static short-forms and original full-length assessment. This study sought to use synthetic data simulations using the catIrt R package (Nydik, 2014) to investigate possible advantages of the use of …

How Team Emotions Impact Individual Employee Strain Before, During, And After A Stressful Event: A Latent Growth Curve Modeling Approach, Shi (Tracy) Xu, Larry R. Martinez, Hubert Van Hoof

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Employee strain is a significant and costly issue for hospitality organizations. This study investigated the change trajectory of strain pre, during, and post a discrete stressful event and how cohesion and group emotional variability altered the shape of the trajectory. Using an experience sampling method approach, we gathered 402 daily observations from 84 workers in a period that included a specific stressful event, the opening of a one-night “theme dinner” restaurant that catered to dinner guests from the general public. We used latent growth curve modeling to investigate the change of strain among employees over time. The results showed that …

Incarceration And Suicide: Do The Risk Factors Differ For Civilians And Veterans?, Rheannon Gail Ramsey

Dissertations and Theses

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in United States jails and prisons. Many researchers have looked at suicides in prisons and what can potentially cause suicidal ideation but there are conflicting findings among civilian incarcerated populations and United States military veteran incarcerated populations.

The intent of this study is to examine which risk factors are most prevalent among adults in custody, with a focus on mental health and substance use or abuse and how these risk factors differ between incarcerated civilians and incarcerated veterans. Using survey data from the 2002 Survey of Inmates in Local Jails conducted …

Transformative Health Care: Integrating The Perspectives And Lived Experiences Of Transgender And Gender Diverse Patients Into Health Care Education And Delivery, Shammarie Raquel Mathis

Dissertations and Theses

Prior research studies have found transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) patients at increased risk for poor physical and mental health as a result of disparities in health care access and treatment. Research has shown that perioperative patient education can improve patient outcomes, as well as promote increased knowledge, preparedness, and recovery post-surgery. For TGNC patients, gender affirming perioperative education classes are especially important for prospective patients as they not only provide comprehensive information about perioperative topics but also serve as a mechanism to promote personal empowerment through knowledge acquisition. The Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) Transgender Health Program (THP) …

Spread Like Wildfire: Assessing The Utility Of Local Facebook Groups To Inspire Citizen Communication During A Disaster, Colby Riehl

Dissertations and Theses

As traditional sources of local news and information decline, community-oriented social media services (e.g. Nextdoor, Facebook groups) are expanding (Masden, Grevet, Grinter, Gilbert, and Edwards, 2014). Thus far, community-oriented social media use remains relatively understudied. Not only do we not understand how citizens utilize these resources, we are also generally unaware of the content that they create and access using them. A survey of residents of Oregon City, OR and its environs, which were impacted by the Oregon wildfires of 2020, was conducted to assess the differences among citizens who use a local Facebook group & those who do not. …

The Journey To El Norte: An Analysis Of Gendered Violence On Central American Migrant Trails, Rachel A. Adams

University Honors Theses

This thesis aims to investigate the violence encountered by Central American women, both at home and when they seek to migrate to the US. We examine the conditions faced by Central American women leading them to take risks as they emigrate from their countries of origin. First, we analyze the violence that women face in their countries of origin. Next, we discuss the violence that women encounter on migrant corridors. Finally, we explore the obstacles that migrant women face when they arrive at the United States border itself. This thesis ultimately aims to provide information to the interdisciplinary field of …

Poor People's Beliefs And The Dynamics Of Clientelism, Miquel Pellicer, Eva Wegner, Lindsay J. Benstead, Ellen Lust

Political Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Why do some poor people engage in clientelism whereas others do not? Why does clientelism sometimes take traditional forms and sometimes more instrumental forms? We propose a formal model of clientelism that addresses these questions focusing primarily on the citizen’s perspective. Citizens choose between supporting broad-based redistribution or engaging in clientelism. Introducing insights from social psychology, we study the interactions between citizen beliefs and values, and their political choices. Clientelism, political inefficacy, and inequality legitimation beliefs reinforce each other leading to multiple equilibria. One of these resembles traditional clientelism, with disempowered clients that legitimize social inequalities. Community connectivity breaks this …

Stories Of Open: Opening Peer Review Through Narrative Inquiry (Acrl Publications In Librarianship No. 76), Emily Ford

Library Faculty and Staff Publications and Presentations

Peer review processes in scholarly publishing are often hidden behind layers of opacity, leaving authors—and even reviewers—with many questions about the process. Open peer review is one way to improve the practice. It can shorten the time between manuscript submission and publication, hold reviewers accountable for their work, make more apparent the hidden labor of reviewing and editing, allow for collaborative discourse between authors and reviewers, and more. Even with these benefits, open peer review is not widely accepted or understood. Few academic librarians have experienced it, and each implementation can be different; anything open is highly nuanced and contextual. …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Adult Cardiometabolic Risk Factors And Disease Outcomes: Cross-Sectional, Populationbased Study Of Adults In Rural Uganda, Andrew Wooyoung Kim, Bernard Kakuhikire, Charles Baguma, Crystal M. North, Emily N. Satinsky, Jessica M. Perkins, Patience Ayebare, Allen Kiconco, Elizabeth Namara, David R. Bangsberg, Multiple Additional Authors

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) pose a major threat to public health in sub-Saharan African communities, where the burden of these classes of illnesses is expected to double by 2030. Growing research suggests that past developmental experiences and early life conditions may also elevate CVD risk throughout the life course. Greater childhood stress and adversity are consistently associated with a range of adult CVDs and associated risk factors, yet little research exists on the long-term effects of early life stress on adult physical health outcomes, especially CVD risk, in sub-Saharan African contexts. This study aims to evaluate the associations between adverse …

The Homelessness Research And Action Collaborative: Case Studies Of The Social Innovation Process At A University Research Center, Jacen Greene

Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative Publications and Presentations

Purpose This paper aims to determine whether a combined set of process models for university contributions to social innovation can be effectively used to describe how higher education institutions facilitate and disseminate research for social value.

Design/methodology/approach The author applies Cunha and Benneworth’s (2013) social innovation process model, with additions from the Nichols et al. (2013) model of campus-community collaboration and the Jain et al. (2020) social value framework, to a pair of case studies at Portland State University about research projects on homelessness. Information was gathered through primary sources, observation and secondary texts.

Findings Applying the models to the …

The Effects Of Mental Illness On Capital Sentencing In The State Of Oregon, Mirtill E. Csikos

University Honors Theses

There is emerging awareness on the potential arbitrariness and unconstitutionality of executing persons with mental illness. Most states with current death penalty laws have little to no protection for severely mentally ill defendants during capital trials. The present paper looked at the effectiveness of sentencing statutes serving the purpose of protecting defendants with severe mental illness in the state of Oregon. Through a careful meta-analysis this research focused on determining how mental illness plays into death penalty decisions and if Oregon’s Guilty Except for Insanity defense provides sufficient protection. Furthermore, the question of mental illness as a mitigating factor was …

Linguistic Discrimination In Higher Education In Vietnam, Y Dang Nhu Tran

University Honors Theses

Prof. John Baugh has remarked that "this greater linguistic unity will help us all as we move toward the future" (Baugh, 2019). This qualitative research paper addresses the causes of linguistic discrimination and the impacts on current college students in Vietnam via three students from different regions (North, Central, and South) at one university. The paper examines linguistic discrimination and how political and linguistic identity have shaped behavior and social interaction on the part of three young Vietnamese intellectuals. The literature examines a brief history of Vietnamese language and culture, research paradigms in linguistic discrimination, and learning culture.

The Psychedelic Renaissance: A Convergence Of Indigenous Knowledge And Science, Ronan K. Peck

University Honors Theses

In recent times, psychedelics have come back into the public eye, mostly through scientific intrigue about their healing potential. In the past decade, hundreds of studies have been conducted to explore the possible benefits, or risks, that these substances could bring to people – and there is great potential being found. This is the psychedelic renaissance, and with this phenomenon in full swing, it is important to take a step back and look at the full picture of our history with these substances. By doing so, it starts to become clear that psychedelics have guided human perception and understanding of …

An Economic And Political Lens Into The Lives Of Undocumented Migrant Female-Headed Households, Fátima V. Preciado Mendoza

University Honors Theses

Mexican undocumented women are essential in migrating in many households; they are often at the center of sustaining immigrant networks (Caroline B. Brettell 2015). The purpose of this study is to document, analyze, and report on the sociopolitical climate concerning the federal immigration detention and deportation pursued by the Trump regime and its effect on the mental health and financial well-being of undocumented migrant mothers working in Oregon. Throughout the interviewed data analysis process, the study examines the critical role women play in building community and navigating through multiple state social services and programs as a means of self-empowerment. This …

Understanding The Taboo Of Incest In The American South Through Analysis Of Southern Gothic Literature, Grace Young

University Honors Theses

In this paper, I am exploring the topic of incest through the lens of the Southern Gothic literature genre. I am interested in why the American South has the stereotype of having more prevalence of individuals who engage in incest in mountain communities versus other parts of the communities in America. I explore the intersectionality of race, geographic isolation, religion, and the taboo of incest in a small community. I use the texts of William Faulkner, Cormac McCarthy, and Breece D'J Pancake to do in-depth analysis of Southern Gothic themes such as taboo, family secrets, Christianity, and the grotesque. By …

A Tale Of Two Narratives: The Role Of Storytelling In Racial Dialogue, Lane Cooper

University Honors Theses

Storytelling is a tactic often used in intergroup dialogues as a means for highlighting the human aspect of intractable identity-based conflict. In the U.S., racial dialogues are a popular method for addressing racism and exposing the systems that enable its survival. However, stories told by People of Color during these dialogues are often met with denial, dismissiveness, and even complete silence by their White counterparts. This then leads to cognitive and emotional distress for the tellers and a lack of action from the listeners. Using a theoretical analysis, this paper reviews the narrative conflict around racism and applies psychological research …

Universal Biological Motions For Educational Robot Theatre And Games, Rajesh Venkatachalapathy, Martin Zwick, Adam Slowik, Kai Brooks, Mikhail Mayers, Roman Minko, Tyler Hull, Bliss Brass, Marek Perkowski

Complex Systems Faculty Publications and Presentations

Paper presents a concept that is new to robotics education and social robotics. It is based on theatrical games, in motions for social robots and animatronic robots. Presented here motion model is based on Drift Differential Model from biology and Fokker-Planck equations. This model is used in various areas of science to describe many types of motion. The model was successfully verified on various simulated mobile robots and a motion game of three robots called "Mouse and Cheese."

Lessons From The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Role Of Socioeconomic Status In Health Outcomes, Leila Karout

Anthós

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought upon the world many challenges, both for the health and safety of citizens and in the public health system. Along with these challenges, pre-existing inequalities have been exacerbated. Vulnerable populations have struggled during these times not only due to their increased likelihood of pre-existing health conditions, but in finding access to quality care and treatment. Thus, it is important to discuss and examine the outcomes of this pandemic for those most at risk as this is telling to the current state of our healthcare system and what changes should be made. COVID-19 has again revealed …

The Power Of An Unreliable Narrator And The Distortion Of Fear In Nella Larsen’S Passing, Sonia Comstock

Anthós

This article studies Nella Larsen’s Passing through the unreliable narration of the novel’s key character, Irene. It goes on to explore her relationships and her judgements, which expose the twisted nature of her psychology and demonstrate that Irene is driven by fear and resentment. Irene hates the act of wanting and constantly crushes her husband’s aspirations, yet deeply desires the other focal character of the novel, Clare. She lies to herself about her tense, racially fraught relationship with her husband, as well as her repressed homosexual attraction towards Clare. These lies, combined with her deep-seated fear and hatred of desire …

Online Dating Habits Amid Covid-19, Annabelle R. Winking

Anthós

In recent months, the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) has swept across the globe, causing several countries to impose quarantines and social distancing measures for indeterminate amounts of time. This study investigates how dating has changed since the enforcement of social distancing due to Covid-19, specifically for Portland residents between 21 and 30 who were using mobile dating apps prior to Covid-19 and who continued to use them during the pandemic. I interviewed five Portland singles between the ages of 21-30 who use a variety of dating apps such as Tinder, Grindr, and Hinge, with one 30 minute semi-structured interview with each …

Covid-19 & Blm: Racial Inequity In Healthcare, Laken Berndt

University Honors Theses

In this review of scholarship on healthcare inequality, as well as recent scholarship focused on COVID-19, we find there are clear racial disparities within healthcare, seen within previous trends, as well as the current pandemic. Minorities have historically been at greater risk during prior health crises, as well as being at risk for various underlying health conditions, and now, there are higher rates of infection and mortality amongst minority groups.

Socioeconomic factors play an incredibly important role in these disparities, and much of the current discourse does regard socioeconomic status as a primary factor in these trends. However, we find …

Homeless Students' Barriers To Education: Before And After Covid-19, Linda M. Twidwell

University Honors Theses

This thesis is an examination of the barriers to education homeless youth may be faced with both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Using past literature, this paper will focus on three main barriers homeless students may have faced before the pandemic. These are homeless students’ lack of support needed to succeed, how federal policy shapes homeless students’ opportunities and rights, and that the rate of children experiencing homelessness is rising, and little is being done about the fact. After discussing the literature before March 2020, this paper will examine the literature that has come out since the pandemic’s beginning, …

The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experience (Aces), Future Adult Incarceration, And Poor Mental Health- A Literature Review, Letasi M. Burgess

University Honors Theses

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's) study is about childhood experiences with abuse, neglect, household challenges, and adult life mental and physical well-being. ACE's that were identified and studied were substance abuse; domestic violence; emotional and physical neglect; physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; mental illness; divorce/separation; and members of the home who have been incarcerated. This paper will be about how adults who have been or are incarcerated, as well as have or have had mental health issues, were impacted by adverse childhood experiences.

Covid-19 And Palliative Care Through The Provider Perspective, Michaelyn V. Truong

University Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to analyze the OHSU palliative care team response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of modified pandemic operations on delivering care to patients. The study was conducted through interviews with members of the palliative care teams from the Oregon Health & Sciences University and the Portland Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Questions were asked to understand the changes in care due to the pandemic and their overall perception of these changes. Responses were analyzed through the qualitative analysis software NVIVO12. The findings of this study showed the challenges with telemedicine were limitations with communications …

Our Peer The Pigeon: Impacts Of The Covid-19 "Anthropause" On Psu Campus Urban Foragers, Audrey Douglass

University Honors Theses

The 2020 COVID Pandemic presented a paradigm shift dubbed, by some scholars, the 'Anthropause', an ecological epoch in which humans faded from the public sphere. As was the case for many urban species that depend on the foraging of food waste, this meant a fundamental disruption to their food systems and to the entire urban eco-web. The PSU Campus Park Blocks presents a unique opportunity to observe animal behavior, while also a succinct microcosm to study food waste flow changes, and compare species layout to other urban parks in the METRO area. Decreased food waste output from proximal …

An Integrative Review Of Fathers' Needs During The Transition To Fatherhood: Implications For Perinatal Education, Carli Cox

University Honors Theses

Aim: To examine the needs and experiences of fathers during the transition to fatherhood with the intent of improving perinatal education for fathers.

Background: The perinatal period is a highly transformational time for parents with implications in mental health, role development, identity formation, and relationship changes, to name a few. Unfortunately, research on fathers' needs and experiences during this time is limited, which consequentially restricts the development of father-inclusive perinatal education.

Method: An electronic search for qualitative studies was conducted using the PsycInfo database. Results were narrowed by a set of criteria and chosen studies' results were analyzed and organized …

Noise As Music: Effects Of Physical And Digital Noise In One's Life, Juliana Bigelow

University Honors Theses

Sound is something to be thought about critically. It is not just a part of our world, but it helps define it. This thesis follows the development of five short sonic compositions created from field recordings of the researcher's environments between June 2020 and March 2021. Through techniques such as granular synthesis, soundwalking, and text scores, the compositions demonstrate how noise in both physical and digital sonic environments can impact one's identities, relationships, health, transitions, and ideas of music. Critically thinking about sound can lead us to a better understanding of ourselves and others and allows us to begin creating …

Building A Leader's Identity On Social Media, Morningstar Dickson

University Honors Theses

How can leaders use social media effectively to shape their identity as a leader? Based on previous scholarship, this paper argues that using an authentic leadership approach to social media usage, would balance a leader’s true identity as well as maintaining their relationship with their followers. Which would allow the leaders’ influence to be more effective. This paper consists of a literature review on authentic leadership, and trust, and then builds a conceptual model that will break down how a leader should build and present their identity on online formats. The model shows how identity on social media is a …

Happy ��, Sad ��Or Pizza ��: A Review Of Emoji Effects On Reading Times And Their Relation To Mood, Fetheya Alattar

University Honors Theses

With recent advancements in technology, emoji are continuously changing the way that people communicate and process language. Their use continues to evolve as a mechanism to counter the loss of the rich nonverbal cues of face-to-face communication. Subsequently, the need for research examining how emoji are processed and how they affect language and communication has become more important. This research specifically examines the scholarship on emoji effects on sentence reading times (RT) and how this relates to mood. Results on the effects of emoji on sentence RT are mixed. In some instances, emoji slowed RT and in others, they sped …