Digital Commons Network^™

The Attention Safeguard Models: Governing Digital Harm Without Restricting Lawful Speech, Delante Clark

Graduate Scholarship and Creative Works

Digital platforms increasingly govern contemporary social, civic, and psychological life through systems optimized for attention capture, amplification, and monetization. While lawful expression remains protected under the First Amendment, the infrastructural mechanisms that determine how speech circulates have produced a range of attention‑based harms, including cyberbullying, engagement farming, compulsive doom scrolling, emotional dysregulation, and civic polarization. This research paper introduces the Attentional Safeguards Model (ASM), coined and formalized by Delante Clark, as a novel governance framework that mitigates such harms by regulating systems of amplification rather than restricting expression itself. Building on attention economy theory, technological mediation, constitutional free‑speech doctrine, …

Florida Local Public Administrator Perspectives On Decentralized Wastewater Treatment, Jude Hagan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Decentralized wastewater treatment (DWT) systems, such as onsite greywater recycling and septic systems, have been demonstrated to be a potentially more sustainable, cost-effective, and disaster-resilient alternative to traditional centralized systems by treating wastewater at or near the source. However, many barriers exist that have prevented the widespread implementation of DWT, such as public opposition, lack of resources, government regulations, public health concerns, and capital costs. In this study, local emergency managers, urban planners, and utility/wastewater managers in Florida were surveyed to determine their perceptions and levels of knowledge on DWT. The results of this study were inconclusive due to a …

Socialization Interventions For Older Adults In Assisted Living Facilities: A Systematic Review, Anoop S. Muvva

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Older adults, defined as individuals over the age of 65, are a growing population in the United States, with projections estimating this group will reach approximately 80 million persons by 2050. Over 90% of older adults are diagnosed with a chronic condition, which can make it difficult to carry out the activities of daily living. As a result, some older adults reside in assisted living facilities, where dedicated staff provide daily support. However, issues in the delivery of care within these settings, including unmet socialization needs and complications among care staff, may contribute to social isolation. Programs designed to address …

Illuminating Those Who Lurk In The Shadows: An Examination Of The Use Of Psychological Profiling In Identifying Violent Criminals In The Modern Age, Skylar R. Holmes

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines the role of psychological profiling in apprehending violent criminals. Psychological profiling involves analyzing behavioral patterns at crime scenes, exploring the relationships between victims, and identifying characteristics and tendencies of offenders. It is currently used by many law enforcement agencies across the country to narrow down a pool of potential suspects and direct researchers, making the most of the limited manpower available. There is, however, a significant limitation in the literature and available evidence that suggests its tenets may be based on intuition and anecdotal evidence purported by investigators, subject to internal bias and thus should not be …

Casual And Confused: Engagement In Non-Committal Sexual Relationships And Its Contributions To Depression And Self-Esteem Struggles Among Young Adults, Sofia A. Marasco

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Non-committal sexual relationships such as hook-ups, friends-with-benefits (FWB/FWBR), and situationships have become increasingly common among young adults and have generated substantial discourse on social media. Despite the rise in modern relationship dynamics and new terminology (i.e., “situationships”), these relationship categories have not been adequately represented in psychological research. The present study examines whether engagement in non-committal relationship types is associated with differences in self-esteem and depressive symptoms compared to committed romantic relationships. Using Bowlby’s Attachment Theory and the Big Five Personality Model, this research also explores whether common interpersonal patterns, attachment styles (anxious and avoidant), and personality traits predict relationship …

Perceptions, Expectations, And Attitudes About Adolescent Telepsychiatry Among Indian American Family Caregivers, Udayvir Jalf

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Adolescent mental health concerns have risen sharply in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic marked a significant turning point in mental health care access, with telehealth having become a central mode of care delivery. With adolescent telehealth, caregiver involvement has shown to improve treatment adherence and outcomes. Little is known, however, about how Indian American caregivers experience and navigate their adolescent’s virtual mental health care. This qualitative study investigated the perceptions, expectations, and attitudes of Indian American family caregivers regarding adolescent telepsychiatry and caregivers’ involvement. In depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with Indian American caregivers of adolescents who completed at …

Comparative Spatial Biology: A Cross-Species Analysis Of Canine Oral Cancers As Models For Human Disease, Ram Pradhyumnan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), one of the most common malignancies of the oral cavity, remains a clinically challenging disease due to its aggressive behavior, late-stage diagnosis, and limited improvements in therapeutic outcomes over recent decades. A significant barrier to progress in OSCC research and treatment is the lack of suitable preclinical models that recapitulate the complexity and natural progression of the disease. Most current models—including cell lines, xenografts, and genetically engineered mice—fail to capture key features such as the spatial organization of tumor epithelium, interactions with an intact immune system, and the stepwise evolution from normal mucosa to invasive …

Artificial Elections: How Artificial Intelligence Can Affect Elections And Decide Our Future, Ryan D. Granger

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis examines the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in democratic elections, highlighting both its transformative potential and its associated risks. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of existing literature, the study explores how AI is increasingly integrated into political campaigns, election administration, and voter engagement. Key benefits include enhanced data analysis, personalized political messaging, and improved efficiency in campaign operations. AI also supports real-time fact-checking and more accurate vote tabulation, which can strengthen transparency and trust in electoral processes. However, the thesis emphasizes that these advantages are accompanied by significant challenges. AI technologies enable the rapid creation and dissemination …

The Relationship Between Physical Behaviors, Perceived Stress, Oral Hygiene Awareness, And Periodontal Disease Among College Students, Gustavo Quilula

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Periodontal disease (PD) is a preventable inflammatory disease that targets the supporting tissues that surround teeth. PD is extensively studied among older adults, but there is limited evidence of the prevalence of PD and potential modifiable risk factors among young adults. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and severity of PD among U.S. college students and (2) examine the association between objectively measured physical activity (PA), oral hygiene awareness, perceived stress, and PD symptoms. College students from a large metropolitan university were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Oral hygiene knowledge, PD symptoms, and perceived stress were …

Eroding Protections: The Decline Of Miranda Rights And Its Impact On Due Process In Contemporary America, Autumn G. Pelfrey

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis examines whether the protections established in Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), remain robust within contemporary criminal justice practice or have been weakened through doctrinal and practical developments. Miranda warnings were originally designed to mitigate the risk that coercive custodial interrogation would produce compelled or unreliable self-incrimination. Since 1966, however, both judicial interpretation and evolving law-enforcement practices have created a growing gap between Miranda’s formal legal promise and its practical operation in real-world interrogations.

The study evaluates the erosion of Miranda’s protective force through three primary mechanisms. First, doctrinal developments have narrowed Miranda’s scope by redefining …

Industrial And Organizational Psychology Researchers’ Positive And Negative Experiences With The Peer-Review Process, Alexa Weaver

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Peer review plays a critical role in advancing the field of psychology; however, limited empirical research has examined psychologists’ experiences with the peer review process. The present study investigated both positive and negative peer review experiences among industrial and organizational (I/O) psychologists and assessed the prevalence of specific reviewer behaviors. A two-phase survey design was administered via Qualtrics. Study 1 employed open-ended questions to identify recurring themes in researchers’ experiences with peer review. Thematic analysis revealed distinct positive and negative patterns of reviewer behavior, which informed the development of Study 2.

Study 2 quantitatively assessed the prevalence of behaviors associated …

How Does The Frequency Of Visits Impact The Quality Of Life For Nursing Home Residents?, Sophie M. Carlton

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This integrative literature review examines the relationship between quantity of visitation and quality of life (QOL) of nursing home residents. The purpose of this review is to examine existing research to determine whether an optimal “dosage” of visitation exists that meaningfully enhances QOL for this vulnerable population. Establishing an evidence based- guideline may help reduce uncertainty for families and promote more consistent improvements in resident well-being. Nursing home residents are the focus of this work because their limited ability to leave the facility makes visitation one of their primary sources of non-occupational social interaction. The COVID19 pandemic further heightened the …

The Rise Of Biometrics And The Erosion Of Privacy: A Case Study Of Biometric Systems In Amusement Parks, Sarah A. Yarger

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis explores data privacy concerns surrounding the implementation of facial recognition technology using amusement and theme parks as a case study. With the lack of general federal guidelines, states have been left to address this rapid expansion of technology. This situation has left consumers with inconsistent protections and varied levels of liability for corporations. This thesis will explore the current gaps of legislation on legal use of facial recognition technology using amusement and theme parks as the context of focus. As this technology continues to advance and become normalized in society, the inconsistency in privacy protections amongst states suggests …

Listening To The Cemí: An Exploration Of Taíno Spirituality Culture Through Artifact Analysis And Digital Archives, Jordan G. Richardson

Honors Undergraduate Theses

My research explores the evolution and continuity of Taíno spirituality culture across five centuries through artifact analysis and digital archives. While Spanish imperialism in the 15th century devastated Taíno populations and traditional craft production, I find that Taíno spirituality was not eradicated but rather adapted its mode of expression. The shift in medium from primarily pre- and peri- physical cemí artifacts (carved from wood and stone) to contemporary digital representations (online archives, blog posts, YouTube videos) illustrates two things: a) strategic integration of Taíno technological use to preserve spiritual practices while reestablishing cultural connectivity through education, community, and resistance movements, …

The Knowledge, Experiences, And Attitudes Of Nurses Regarding Trauma-Informed Care For Sexually Abused Intrapartum Patients, Kayleigh Mcgraw

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Labor and delivery nurses care for women from diverse backgrounds who are preparing for a life-changing event, often marked by fear, excitement, sadness, and joy. However, 1 in 5 women in the United States have experienced rape or attempted rape, and for these survivors, labor can become re-traumatizing. Many report flashbacks, dissociation, and a sense of “being back in the rape” during childbirth. Research further links prior sexual assault to unplanned cesareans, traumatic births, and childbirth-related PTSD. Trauma-informed care (TIC) provides a framework to reduce these risks by encouraging providers to understand trauma, recognize signs of distress, and act to …

Timelines Of Care: Analyzing Treatment Access For Women With Ongoing Reproductive Health Needs, Nyla M. Keith

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Mandates in the United States created pressure on an already strained healthcare system post-COVID-19 pandemic. With new regulations placed upon abortion care forcing the closing of low-cost health clinics such as Planned Parenthood, legislation that has made health insurance more expensive, and rising pharmaceutical prices, women’s OB/GYN care in America has struggled to meet patient needs. A cross-sectional survey was developed and distributed to four clinics in the Orlando area to assess patients' perceived access to care and identify barriers to receiving OB/GYN care. The survey took approximately 10 – 15 minutes to complete, was available in print and online …

Generating Genomic Resources For The Pink Sundew And Its Specialist Herbivore Moth From A Single Gene To Entire Genomes, Kerissa F. Tarpley

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Genomic resources are critical for the conservation of threatened species, providing valuable insights into genetic diversity, population structure, and adaptive potential. This thesis focuses on two ecologically interconnected species: the carnivorous plant pink sundew (Drosera capillaris) and its specialist herbivore the sundew plume moth (Buckleria parvulus). The sundew and plume moth face an uncertain future as their vital bog habitats continue to disappear. The sundew plays a crucial role in the life cycle of the plume moth, which relies on the sundew during its larval stages for survival. To aid in species detections, I first generated …

Assessing The Impact Of Storing Water Samples At Ambient Temperature On Plankton Metabarcoding, Stephanie N. Lievano

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Increasing incidence of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) has led to fish kills, air quality hazards, and economic impacts. One economic impact is on tourism, one of the main sources of Florida’s income, where billions of dollars are lost to such events. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWC-FWRI), with the help of collaborators, collects water samples from across the state for HAB monitoring. These samples are stored at ambient temperature for up to 24 hours which could directly affect data analyses. Here, in collaboration with FWRI-FWC, I investigated whether this storage technique affects plankton …

Switching Languages, Switching Personalities: The Socio-Cognitive Implications Of Bilingualism, Hannah F. Stern

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The increasing prevalence of bilingualism worldwide highlights the importance of further research into its impact on socio-cognitive processes. This study examines variations in personality traits, anxiety levels, locus of control, and cognitive load during language switching, utilizing cultural and visual-linguistic priming techniques to explore real-time socio-cognitive shifts across language contexts. A 2×3 mixed-factorial design compared language groups (monolingual vs. bilingual) across three priming conditions (semantic, cultural, and control). 120 participants completed a series of subjective and objective measures, including the Big Five Personality Inventory, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, and Rotter’s I-E Scale in both languages, with controlled language-specific priming conditions …

Horror Film And Soviet Identity: The Specter Of Soviet Imperialism, Alex Dyatkevich

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The thesis looks at how Soviet imperialism–the extension of Soviet Russia’s power over the other Soviet republics—is reinforced and used as a source of terror in Soviet horror film. I argue that while Soviet Russian horror movies from the creation of the USSR in 1922 to the end of Brezhnev’s Era of Stagnation in the mid 80s reinforce an imperialist Soviet identity, the horror movies released by non-Russian Soviet republics after the increase in freedom of expression during perestroika position imposed imperial Soviet identity as a source of terror.

The first chapter examines how USSR-era horror cinema was used as …

The Impact Of Delayed Versus Immediate Cord Clamping On Newborn Vitality In Vaginal Deliveries: A Literature Review, Ava Rhea Sherota

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Umbilical cord management at birth is a critical component of neonatal care. Historically starting in the 1950s–1960s, hospitals have utilized immediate cord clamping (ICC), the practice of clamping and cutting the umbilical cord within the first 1–30 seconds after birth, to speed up postpartum care and newborn assessments (Ceriani Cernadas et al., 2006; Ceriani Cernadas et al., 2010; McDonald et al., 2013). This approach gained popularity in the mid-20th century due to concerns about maternal bleeding, the need for rapid neonatal evaluation, and the drive for more efficient delivery room workflows (Weckert & Hancock, 2008; Mohammad et al., 2019). Before …

Individual Differences In Personality Traits And Anthropomorphic Tendencies, Olivia S. Young

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Anthropomorphism is broadly defined as the attribution of human characteristics to nonhuman entities. Those with higher levels of neurodivergent traits, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), may struggle to maintain eye contact with and interpret the emotions of others. Anthropomorphic interaction patterns between both those with and without ASD differ between various entities such as cars, cartoon characters, animals, and humans. Results of this study have implications across domains including human factors, cognitive science, and human-animal interaction. This study employed the use of unique stimuli in combination with various scales to measure personality traits and anthropomorphic tendencies. Participants were asked …

Analyzing The Loss Of Material From A Non-Plastic Oyster Reef Restoration Alternative, Lindsay M. Dolan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Oyster reefs are declining globally due to human impacts such as overharvesting, boat wakes, and climate change. Associated ecosystem services, including water filtration, fish and invertebrates’ habitats, and shoreline erosion protection, are lost when these reefs disappear. Traditionally, restoration efforts employed plastic mesh shell bags filled with recycled oyster shells as they provide recruitment substrate for new oyster spat and wave attenuating properties to protect shorelines. Due to rising concerns over microplastic pollution, non-plastic alternatives are being tested. Alternative restoration material must provide the same benefits to reef formation while maintaining structural integrity long enough for a healthy reef to …

Life In Laughter: Comedy’S Impact On Student Health And Success, Julia Weinstein

Honors Undergraduate Theses

College students face rising rates of anxiety, depression, and stress, highlighting the need for accessible, stigma-free wellness interventions. While comedy is often seen as entertainment, research indicates laughter produces measurable psychological and physiological benefits, including reduced cortisol and increased endorphins. Life in Laughter, a creative-research hybrid project, investigates how live and digital comedy experiences affect college students’ mood, stress, and sense of belonging. Using mixed methods, data were collected through anonymous audience surveys, app-based reflections via JoyScroll, and interviews, supplemented by a mini-documentary. Findings suggest humor functions as both an emotional regulation tool and a means of fostering …

Oral Health Access Among Ethnic Minority Older Adults In The United States, Jasleen K. Sodhi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Oral healthcare is a critical yet often overlooked component of overall health among U.S. adults. Ethnic minorities for older adults face heightened risks of poor oral health and related health conditions, while experiencing disparities in access to care. This study aimed to systematically examine and synthesize existing literature to assess the extent to which oral health disparities exist among ethnic minority older adults in the U.S. and explore the roles of socioeconomic factors on these disparities. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, we conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles published in English …

Risk And Protective Factors Of South Asian American Youth Mental Health, Jasmine Kaur

Honors Undergraduate Theses

South Asian American youth represent a rapidly growing yet understudied population in United States mental health research. Much of the existing literature aggregates diverse Asian American subgroups, obscuring the unique sociocultural experiences of South Asian adolescents and young adults. This thesis examines the risk and protective factors influencing the mental health of South Asian American youth aged 15–25. A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted using the databases Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Search terms included culturally specific identifiers, migration-related terminology, youth demographic terms, and mental health outcomes. After removing duplicates and applying …

Cultural Schemas Regarding Resilience And Strength In Blacks: Implications For Well-Being And Academic Success, Aniya G. Ashford

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Culturally shaped strength-based coping frameworks among Black college students, particularly the Strong Black Woman Schema and John Henry’s Active Coping, are associated with responses to racism-related stress and academic pressure, yet the ways these internalized expectations interact with emotional regulation, perceived cultural norms, and academic functioning remain unclear. Prior research has primarily examined these constructs in isolation or focused on psychological distress or physical health outcomes, often relying on single-method self-report designs that do not capture how culturally embedded coping processes are reflected in lived experiences; as a result, limited work has integrated identity-based schemas, behavioral coping strategies, and narrative …

Intersectional Dynamics Of Race And Gender: Voting Behavior And The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, Daniella Basdeo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Presidential elections do more than choose a leader; they give us an inside look at how identity shapes voters’ choices. The 2024 election made this especially clear. Looking at Kamala Harris, who represents multiple underrepresented identities, we see a candidate who is not only a woman and a person of color, but specifically a woman of color running at the national level. This election is the first time we see several minority identities in a candidate in a presidential race, and what makes this unique is that, at the national level, it is much harder for candidates to be fully …

The Relationship Between Heteronormativity, Shame- Proneness, Shame-Withdrawal, And Empathy In College- Aged Men, Megan M. Tang

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Due to rising social discourse regarding “the male loneliness epidemic,” this study aims to examine possible predictors of empathy in cisgender, heterosexual, college-aged males. Empathy promotes prosocial behavior and is necessary for healthy interpersonal interactions, which may be limited in male experiences due to adherence to heteronormative values and lower levels of self-disclosure in men. Shame is more likely to occur when men stray from traditional gender roles, and people are more likely to engage in social withdrawal behaviors when experiencing shame. Shame-proneness has also been shown to inhibit empathetic behavior. This study explores two hypotheses, the first of which …

Lenses Of Faith And Culture: Christian College Students' Perspectives On Infertility, Mary Samuels

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis investigates the perspectives of Christian college students on infertility, adoption, and assisted reproductive technologies through focus group discussions. Following the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision, 13 states have established a total abortion ban, and 28 states have established abortion bans based on gestational duration. This study materializes because recently developed state-level abortion laws may impact in vitro fertilization (IVF) access if states expand legal protection of fetal personhood. Previous research has described that while Christian traditions demonstrate cultural pronatalism and opposition to abortion, Christian individuals’ concepts of infertility and views of treatments such …