Digital Commons Network^™

January 3, 2025, The Daily Mississippian

Daily Mississippian (all digitized issues)

No abstract provided.

Southern Register. 2025.1 (Winter 2025), University Of Mississippi. Center For The Study Of Southern Culture

Southern Register

No abstract provided.

Issue 458: January 2025, The Local Voice

The Local Voice

Special Issue: 2025 Oxford Fiber Arts Festival, January 23-25, at the Powerhouse

Applied Statistics Course Offerings: Spring 2025, University Of Mississippi. Graduate School

GMAS Course List

No abstract provided.

Research News, Publications, 2025, Volume 2, Soumyajit Majumdar

Publications (2015-)

Publications that appeared during the period of April 1 - June 30, 2025.

Giving And Receiving Social Support Among Individuals With Migraine, Lauren Thaxter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Migraine is among the most common and burdensome neurological disorders in the United States, significantly impairing daily functioning. Psychological variables such as depression, anxiety, stress, and fear of pain are known to exacerbate migraine experiences, while receiving social support has been broadly associated with improved health outcomes. Although giving and receiving social support are protective for physical and mental health, their specific influence on migraine outcomes remains underexplored. This study investigated experimentally whether giving social support increased pain tolerance and reduced pain intensity as measured using a cold pressor test among 117 individuals with migraine. This study also examined the …

Examining The Relationship Between Moral Injury, Belief In A Just World, And Substance Abuse In Military Veterans, Alyssa Mae Wood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Combat-exposed veterans and military service members are at high risk of experiencing mental health problems. Although moral injury is recognized as a unique contributor to mental health challenges in this population, the relationship between changes in world belief, PTSD, and substance use remains unexplored. This cross-sectional quantitative study investigated the relationship among moral injury symptoms, changes in belief in a just world (BJW) and belief in an unjust world (BUW), and substance use in a sample of 122 combat-exposed U.S. military Veterans and service members.

Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that changes in BUW following potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) significantly …

The Implications Of The Menstrual Cycle On Upper Extremity Function And Injury Risk, Kaitlyn Ashley Armstrong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the leading cause of time lost from work in the healthcare industry (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Women account for 75 percent of the total employment in hospitals (BLS, 2022). It is important to identify key risk factors that may be contributing to the high rates of injury in this sector. Females bring a variety of unique factors into account, and understanding these factors could be critical for improving individual health and the burden placed on the system due to absenteeism resulting from injury. The cyclical hormonal fluctuations that occur over a menstrual cycle …

Boundaries And Barriers: A Study On The Factors Influencing Bachelor’S Degree Attainment For Women In Arkansas At Regional Public Universities, Meagan Rochelle Bowling Fudge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Arkansas consistently ranks among the bottom five states nationally for bachelor’s degree attainment. To explore the factors contributing to this trend and identify opportunities for increasing degree completion, this study focuses on women attending Regional Public Universities (RPUs) in Arkansas. By examining the barriers these women face, this research aims to uncover critical gaps and inform future areas for research, policy, and investment.

Women represent the largest segment of undergraduate enrollment in the state, consistently enrolling in college at higher rates than their male peers. RPUs enroll more bachelor's degree-seeking students than any other type of institution in Arkansas, including …

The Underrepresentation Of African American Male Educators In K-12 Education, Nisa Lewis Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The American education system has struggled with a significant teacher shortage for years. Alongside this shortage is the underrepresentation of African American male teachers. Despite the increasing diversity of the student population, African American men make up less than 2% of teachers nationwide (Aftunion, 2020). This disparity denies all kids access to diverse perspectives in the classroom and limits the presence of role models for students of color. Research studies have shown that African American students who have African American teachers show improvement in their grades, standardized test scores, attendance records, and graduation rates (Breazeale, 2023). This study aimed to …

Asking Pharmacists About Over-The-Counter Oral Contraceptives: Intention Among Adolescents And Young Women, Ivy Leong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The recent availability of over-the-counter oral contraceptives eliminates many barriers to accessing birth control. Even with this easier accessibility, pharmacists can still play an important role in educating users, especially adolescents and young adults. However, hesitation to reach out to pharmacists among younger populations has been documented. Additionally, little is known about the underlying driver of this hesitation.

This study aimed to examine predictors of young females’ willingness to seek assistance from pharmacists for over-the-counter oral contraceptive use and to determine the difference in the effect of these predictors between adolescents (age 16 to 17) and young women (age 18 …

A Profile Of Contempt: Its Expressive Function In The Age Of Profilicity, Eric Michael Servatius

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Contempt permeates modern political discourse and popular media. Nevertheless, within the psychological and philosophical literature on reactive attitudes, moral emotions, and negative sentiments, contempt remains comparatively understudied. In this paper, I examine contempt’s intimate connection with social identity and argue that existing accounts of contempt largely overlook the broader social role it plays in a contemporary moment characterized by digital communication and fluid group dynamics. I contend that public expressions of contempt serve two primary expressive functions in modern society: (1) to signal group identification and (2) to enforce group norms—not for the target of contempt, but for third party …

A Spoonful Of Sugar: A Mathematics Board And Card Games Intervention For Kindergarten Students At Risk For Mathematics Disabilities, Leah Kai Tiisler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Early mathematics knowledge in kindergarten students can predict their later success in school and in life, while difficulties with mathematics early on can derail a child’s future unless they are provided with effective interventions. Ideally, interventions should be developmentally appropriate, playful, low in stress, and easy to implement. Board games and card games can be integrated into math interventions and easily adapted to include early arithmetic elements. This dissertation investigates the impact of a mathematics board and card game intervention on kindergarten students at risk for mathematics disabilities. The study employed a single-subject research design to assess the effectiveness of …

From Difficult Heritage To A Symbol Of Peace: A Case Study Of The Chibondo Mass Grave In Zimbabwe., Peter Mudzingwa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the contested interpretation and memorialization of the Chibondo mass grave in Zimbabwe, analyzing how unresolved historical grievances shape national reconciliation efforts. Discovered in 2011, Chibondo became a politically charged heritage site, officially framed as a symbol of liberation while simultaneously raising allegations that it contains victims of post-independence violence, including the Gukurahundi massacres. Employing the theoretical frameworks of difficult heritage, transitional justice, and memorialization, this research explores the political, social, and ethical complexities that emerge when nations confront traumatic pasts. Through a mixed-methods approach that combines semi-structured interviews, direct observations, and scholarly reviews, the study critically assesses …

The Predictive Value Of College Entrance Exams On Retention Of Domestic, First-Time, Full-Time Freshman At The University Of Mississippi, James D. Corner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the predictive value of college entrance exams specifically the ACT and SAT on the academic retention of domestic, first-time, full-time freshmen at the University of Mississippi. With the rise of test-optional admissions models, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, this research investigates whether standardized test scores remain relevant in forecasting student success, defined by persistence from freshman to sophomore year and academic performance measured through GPA in the first and second semesters. Drawing upon a conceptual framework that includes pre-college characteristics, standardized assessments, and early academic performance, this study challenges the long-held assumption that standardized exams …

Exploring Psychological Capital In Student Pharmacists: Insights, Outcomes, And Instructional Considerations, Joseph Aaron Dikun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background/Objectives

The positive psychology movement served to create momentum to move from treating disease to exploring what makes life worth living, emphasizing the exploration of what contributes to human flourishing. One’s psychological capital has provided a practical framework for personal development that highlights the potential for individuals draw upon resources to thrive amidst challenges. As students face numerous stressors, including academic pressures, uncertainties, and personal struggles that threaten their well-being and performance, self-awareness and ability to utilize these intrinsic resources provide an actionable target for development. First, a measure of psychological capital was adapted and refined. Next, positive psychological capital …

Don't Let Them In: Our Vampire Stories In The French Quarter, Sela Ricketts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an exploration of vampires in New Orleans. The reason I have chosen to include the word “Our” in the title is because we created the stories that I am studying. We created, perpetuated, changed, and eventually monetized them. Throughout this paper I discuss how the vampire came to New Orleans and how that same vampire shows up in New Orleans folklore. Then I discuss how the vampire made the jump from urban legend to pop culture. In doing that it gained “humanity”. They were still monstrous, but it was enough humanity to acquire regional identity, a southern …

The Effects Of Validating And Invalidating Responses On Self-Reported Levels Of Anxiety, Leila Sachner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Given that validation and invalidation have been linked to internal factors contributing to anxiety disorders, it is important to further explore how validation and invalidation are associated with experiences of anxiety. The current study was designed to assess the association between validation/invalidation and anxiety among college students. Significant omnibus regression models emerged revealing that perceived invalidation accounted for 25.7% of the variance in self-reports of physiological anxiety symptoms and 27.6% of the variance in self-reports of generalized anxiety symptoms. A series of mixed-factorial ANOVAs revealed no main effect of experimental condition on emotional responses (anxiety, anger, arousal, valence), indicating that …

Beliefs And Factors That Influence Female College Students’ Decision To Consume Weight Loss Products, Cynthia Ummay Siddiqua

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Rising societal pressures, body image concerns, and the increasing accessibility of commercial weight loss products (WLPs) have led to heightened use among young women, particularly college students. Female undergraduates are especially vulnerable due to social media influence, peer comparison, and transitioning lifestyles. Despite the popularity of WLPs, concerns persist regarding their safety, efficacy, and the psychosocial beliefs driving their use. This study seeks to understand the beliefs and factors influencing WLP consumption among female college students using Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the Health Belief Model (HBM).

Methods: A cross-sectional, exploratory survey was conducted among female undergraduate students aged …

Public Attitudes Toward The Nigerian Police: An Examination Of Trust Indicators At Micro Levels, Bassey Kooffreh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation comprises three studies that collectively contribute to understanding public trust in the Nigerian police. The first study applies three major policing theories namely performance theory, procedural justice theory, and social capital theory to explain the factors that influence trust in the police. The second study offers a comparative analysis of the predictors of public trust in both the police and the courts. The third study examines how individual quality of life, neighborhood structural characteristics, and civic engagement affect public trust in the police. Using nationally representative data from Afrobarometer Round 9, the first study reveals that citizens who …

The Prison Life-Course And Correctional Misconduct, Zachary Nathanial Buckner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to apply a developmental and life-course perspective to the understanding of correctional misconduct for those serving long-term sentences by conducting three separate analyses that examine the development of misconduct over time, and the influence of personal and prison characteristics on misconduct. Data were provided by the Department of Corrections in a Northwestern state in the United States and included all adults in custody who were currently incarcerated and had been incarcerated for a minimum of 15 years consecutively at the point of data collection in March 2023. The first analysis used group-based trajectory modeling …

Distress Tolerance And Links With 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure, Colter K. Clayton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular related morbidity and mortality. Psychosocial factors are associated with blood pressure control and preliminary evidence has linked greater distress tolerance to lower blood pressure. The present study examined associations between distress tolerance and key blood pressure markers (24-hour mean blood pressure, nocturnal dipping) among community-dwelling adults (N = 60) using the noninvasive gold standard of blood pressure measurement—ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Separate hierarchal linear regression analyses did not reveal any significant relationships between distress tolerance and 24-hour mean systolic, …

Comprehensibility, Accentedness, And Intelligibility Of English Varieties As Perceived By Japanese Learners Of English, Kana Machida

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In response to Japanese learners of English having limited exposure to various English accents in education, this study investigates their comprehensibility, accentedness, intelligibility, and familiarity with different accents. Twelve participants evaluated how easy speakers were to understand and the extent of their accentedness, and transcribed their speech.

Quantitative analysis revealed that Japanese learners of English struggle with understanding certain accented varieties of English, particularly Nigerian English, and are unfamiliar with them. In contrast, General American English and Southern American English speakers were generally perceived as less accented and easier to understand. However, results from the listening transcription task indicated that …

Voltage-Dependent Anion-Selective Channels 1 And 2 Wild Type And Mutant Bh3-Like Domain Peptides: Analysis Of Secondary Structure And Binding Stoichiometry To Recombinant Bax, Geanell C. Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite national efforts to increase female participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), women remain significantly underrepresented in collegiate STEM programs. This pilot study sought to identify pre-collegiate factors that influence female students’ decisions to enroll and persist in STEM collegiate programs at the University of Mississippi, a predominantly white R1 research institution using qualitative methods. Grounded in Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, the research examined the environmental, behavioral, and personal determinants that shape academic pathways for women in STEM.

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with six sophomore female STEM majors. Thematic analysis revealed that early exposure to structured …

Underrepresented Medical Students: Perceptions Of Academic Persistence And Successful Completion Of Medical School, Nicholas Dakota Bibbs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Less than one percent of the United States population’s workforce are physicians. The road to becoming a medical doctor is long, complex, and taxing. Individuals desiring to become physicians must have large amounts of grit, persistence, patience, and a hard work ethic just to get to medical school. The students who are accepted into medical school come from various backgrounds with differing degrees of access to resources and opportunities to prepare them before and during their medical education. Studies show that students who are categorized as underrepresented in medicine often face the most challenges to achieving academic success. Understanding what …

Working With Parents/Guardians To Provide Support And Knowledge For Structured Literacy Spelling Instruction At Home, Claire Rearick Fearn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation in practice explores the role of spelling instruction within the framework of the Science of Reading (SOR) and Structured Literacy (SL). This research examines how spelling, a vital yet acquired literacy skill, is foundational to reading and writing development and should be taught explicitly and systematically through SL principles. Drawing on research in cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, and educational research the study highlights how the brain learns to read and spell, reinforcing the need for evidence-based instruction that integrates both encoding and decoding practices. Despite research starting the importance of teaching spelling utilizing SL methods, spelling instruction and …

Navigating Cultural Transitions: The Adaptation Experiences Of Bangladeshi International Students In The Usa, Khadiza Tul Kubra

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores how Bangladeshi international students adapt to life and study in the United States. I conducted in-depth interviews with students at the University of Mississippi to understand their everyday experiences. My focus was on how they manage cultural, academic, and social challenges. I used segmented assimilation theory, Berry’s acculturation model, and Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital to guide my analysis. The findings are shared in three main parts. First, I discuss how students use community support and religious networks to feel at home. Second, I look at how they deal with language barriers, classroom culture, and identity shifts. …

Positive Behavior Supports To Minimize The Placement Of Students Into Disciplinary Alternative Classrooms, Valarie Buford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of four manuscripts to explore implementations of positive behavior supports to minimize the placement of students into disciplinary alternative classrooms. Manuscript 1, sheds light on the ideas of teaching practices which reflect that teachers are often unprepared for student behaviors in their classroom which leads to traditional forms of discipline. These disciplines negatively impact African American male students disproportionately higher than their peers.

Manuscript 2, the Literature Review indicates that disproportionate discipline occurs due to exclusionary practices, implicit bias, lack of cultural knowledge, and lack of implementations to provide positive behavior support. The researcher found it relevant …

Framed By Education: Labeling, Stigma, And The Behavioral Pathways Of Alternative School Students, Abigail Dempsey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alternative education has emerged as a critical part of the education system, addressing the needs of students who face academic, behavioral, or personal challenges. However, concerns persist about their long-term effectiveness and the stigma associated with alternative school placements. This study examines how stigma tied to alternative school placements impacts delinquency outcomes among adolescents, utilizing labeling theory as a conceptual framework. Drawing on longitudinal data from the Pathways to Desistance dataset, this research explores the relationships between school placement, self-perception of success, and delinquent behaviors. It also serves to investigate whether labeling of an alternative school placement creates a self-fulfilling …

Mental Health Literacy: What’S The Value Of Youth Engagement In Intervention Development?, Teresa Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: One in five youth experience a mental health challenge each year (CDC, 2021). Mental Health Literacy (MHL) is vital for addressing this crisis as it involves the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to promote mental well-being, understand mental health conditions, and seek appropriate help. MHL interventions for adolescents have been developed; however, recent reviews indicate research is needed in school settings with community input. Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) places youth as co-researchers in intervention development. This methodology aligns with Bartholomew’s Intervention Mapping (IM) framework, which ensures interventions are theoretically grounded. Utilizing these two frameworks, this study aimed to …