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May 2024 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

(De)Composition: Earthen Storytelling For Collective Liberation, Priya Subberwal

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This interdisciplinary portfolio is an investigation into ecological communication through pedagogical design, online collaborative learning spaces, digital and print media, and creative writing. Braiding lenses of queer ecology, decolonial studies, anarchism, and collaborative and creative practice, this work hopes to explore the field of environmental communication through avenues that are reciprocal, community-driven, and oriented towards environmental justice and collective, intersectional liberation. Through the three distinct components of 1) the creation and facilitation of an online learning community, the Spiritual Ecology Study Club at Advaya, 2) the editing and production of two issues of Camas Magazine, an environmental literary magazine based …

Parental Controlling Behaviors And The Well-Being Of Adult Children, Audrey Greene, Elle Lundgren, Lindsay Story, Finn Anderson, Liam Johnson

Communication Studies Student Scholarship

Parental psychological control (PPC) can drastically influence a child’s development and multiple dimensions of their young adult lives, including their sense of self-efficacy and ability to regulate their emotions. This study examines the impact of PPC on adult children between the ages of 18 – 26. Sixty-four volunteers responded to a social media announcement for an online survey including measures of perceived parental psychological control, self-efficacy, and emotional dysregulation. The results indicated that as parents were perceived as engaging in higher levels of psychologically controlling behaviors, participants also reported significantly lower levels of self-efficacy and higher levels of emotional dysregulation. …

Montana Kaimin, April 25, 2024, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Dispossession Of Ancestral Land: Effect Of Displacement On Indigenous Peoples' Life Satifaction, Kaitlyn Bird, Hailey Shangin, Alana Smutz, Julisa Lopez, Adam Farero, Stephanie Fryberg

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

North America's history of forced displacement and relocation of Indigenous tribes continues to affect contemporary Indigenous peoples (Wolfe, 2006). As climate change, socioeconomic disparities, and industry encroachment shape displacement, Indigenous people continue to be negatively impacted (Covey, 2021). The current work explores how displacement impacts life satisfaction for Indigenous Peoples, and whether cultural embeddedness modifies this relationship. Using the Indigenous Climate Justice survey (N=282), regression analysis illustrates that those who have not been displaced generally report higher life satisfaction than those who have been displaced (β=-0.255, SE= 0.108 p= 0.019). Lower reported life satisfaction is especially prevalent when those displaced …

The Effect Of Livestock Grazing On Sharp-Tailed Grouse Nesting, Abigail I. League

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This past summer, I worked for Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks on the first reintroduction effort of sharp-tailed grouse to western Montana following their extirpation from the region in the late 2000s. I was monitoring nest success, specifically in the Blackfoot Valley, and it was apparent that the nest survival rate was considerably low. Researchers do not know the exact reason sharp-tailed grouse were originally extirpated from the region. However, it has been hypothesized that the use of proper livestock grazing practices could be an important factor in increasing the probability of successfully establishing a population. For this project, I …

The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Resilience Factors And Academic Performance In College Students, Marie Baird

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experience and Resilience Factors on Academic Performance in College Students

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to many different chronic illnesses and mental health issues. Previous research suggests that resilience factors may mitigate negative outcomes associated with ACEs. The purpose of this project is to investigate the impact of ACEs and resilience on academic performance in college students. Participants completed an online survey consisting of questions from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Module, the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), and questions assessing grade point average and age. Correlation analysis …

Scoping Review On Bilingual Aphasia Assessments, Shea A. Kasenga, Danielle K. Fahey

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

I am writing a Scoping Review on Bilingual Aphasia Assessments, which is a piece of literature that showcases any other pieces of literature or resources that exist regarding a specific topic. In this case, the topic is bilingual aphasia assessments. Aphasia is a speech & language disorder, resulting from a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or another type of brain injury or lesion. This scoping review paper is meant to serve as a resource for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to use when evaluating an aphasia patient speaking a less common language. With 7,000 languages spoken around the world, many SLPs need aphasia …

Qualitative Inquiry Of Standardized Patients In Slp Clinical Education, Katelin Nicole Cox

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

What are the outcomes of using standardized patients in SLP education?

Communication Sciences

As the need for speech therapists increases, so does the need for adapting and adopting different methods for instructing graduate students in clinical education. The nursing field has used clinical simulations such as having actors portray patients with various medical problems. Research and evidence have shown this type of training to be an effective way to instruct nursing students. Could the same results be replicated for those in the Speech-Language Pathology field? The methods used to determine the effectiveness of clinical simulations in future SLP training have …

Impact Of Topical Capsaicin Cream On Thermoregulation And Perception While Walking In The Cold, Alice L. Held, Jessica L. Moler, Alejandro M. Rosales, Andrew C. Engellant

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Capsaicin, a chili pepper extract, can stimulate increased skin blood flow (SkBF) with a perceived warming sensation on application areas. Larger surface area application may exert a more systemic thermoregulatory response. Capsaicin could assist with maintaining heat transport to the distal extremities, minimizing cold weather injury risk. However, the thermoregulatory and perceptual impact of topical capsaicin cream application prior to exercise in the cold is unknown. METHODS: Following application of either a 0.1% capsaicin or control cream to the upper and lower extremities (10 g total, 40-50% body surface area), 11 participants in shorts and a t-shirt were exposed to …

The Climate Crisis: Mental Health Providers' Beliefs About Responsibility And Professional Relevance, Mackenzie Raiman, Marci Olsen

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Climate change is a global phenomenon that poses an existential threat to individuals worldwide. Research has shown that climate change can negatively impact mental health. However, it is unclear if, and how, mental health providers are engaging with this unique stressor, how much of a personal and professional responsibility they feel regarding the impacts of climate change, and how relevant they feel it is to their profession. 150 mental health professionals across the United States completed a measure of nature connectedness (NR-6), a measure of professional identity (PISC), and several questions assessing their sense of personal and professional responsibility to …

Assessing American Attitudes: Welfare Perceptions Over Time By Race, Gender And Education, Liliana H. Silver

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Income and wealth inequality in the United States have skyrocketed since the 1970s, making the country increasingly unequal (Hout 2021; Lee 2023; Piketty and Saez 2014). Researchers disagree on whether overall support for redistribution in the United States has changed in the last several decades (Ashok et al. 2016; Lee 2023; Pittau et al. 2016) but recent studies suggest the country has seen a significant political realignment based on race and education. Education levels are increasingly becoming major determinants in this voter realignment (Kitschelt and Rehm 2019). Much of the literature on attitudes toward welfare exists in political science or …

Disinformation's Detriment To Democracy: A Russian-African Case Study, Jorgia R. Hawthorne

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The research project will revolve around Russian disinformation campaigns in Africa and the effects of those campaigns on African democracies. The project will also include explanations of the intersection of reliable information and functioning democracy as well as Russian motivations behind the campaigns.

As a political science and journalism student, I am interested in misinformation/disinformation and how/why it is so influential in the health of a democracy. I’ve done research into these phenomena in the United States, but the Russian attacks in Africa appear to be more coordinated. Additionally, African democracies have become increasingly more unstable and I would like …

The New Horizon Of Psychedelic Treatment For Mental Health, Emily G. Tschetter

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

For people who have been struggling with mental illness for years, if the limited treatment options of therapy and prescription medication aren’t effective for them, they’re often left feeling hopeless when seeking relief. My project, a feature story that ran in the University of Montana School of Journalism’s Byline Magazine, dove into an emerging treatment for mental illness some Montanans are turning to — psychedelics. I analyzed past news coverage and research on the use of ketamine, psylocibin and MDMA to treat disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, interviewed owners of Montana ketamine treatment centers and interviewed Montanans who …

Cultural Competence In Healthcare: A Literature Review Of Barriers To The Application Of Culturally Responsive Practice For Physician Assistants, Annabelle N. Decuire

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Abstract

Culturally competent health services for physician assistants (PA), are critical for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) communities given the common disparities in healthcare. In addressing the multifaceted nature of disparities, the purpose of this literature review is to examine the role and responsibilities of PAs to be culturally competent. Culture is an omnipresent and dynamic process that influences every aspect of how we perceive and interact with others; therefore, it is important to recognize the diverse behaviors and beliefs of patients within respective contexts, rather than solely through the lens of a single culture. Cultural competence encompasses cultural skills, …

Feelings Of Connectedness: Comparing Pre-College And College Friendships Among University Students, Taylor Cooney

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The formation of friendships has been studied in a variety of contexts, notably among adolescents and young adults. Friendships can influence one’s economic status, romantic relationships, and quality of life. Several studies have found proximity to be a key factor in friendship formation. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many school systems were required to switch to online platforms and practice social distancing. The current study analyzed college students’ feelings of connectedness to friends made before college and friends made during college, and whether those who entered college during the height of the pandemic in 2020 experienced lower friendship quality outcomes …

Differences In Internalized Weight Bias Across Eating Disorder Treatment Groups, Kathryn Bick

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Internalized weight bias (IWB) is characterized as the extent to which someone holds stigmatizing attitudes about themselves based on social stereotypes and their perceived weight status. IWB is positively associated with increased disordered eating and adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Moreover, those with eating disorders (EDs) often experience elevated levels of IWB due to societal weight stigma and subsequent preoccupations with body and shape. While the relationship between IWB and eating pathology is relevant across ED diagnoses, and across the weight spectrum, its specific influence on the development and maintenance of an eating disorder is understudied. Current eating disorder …

Assessing The Impact Of Septic Cardiomyopathy On The Right Ventricle: A Serial Echocardiogram Study, Shivika Agrawal

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Purpose:

Sepsis frequently manifests as distributive shock and affects several organs, including the heart, which may progress to septic cardiomyopathy (SCM). SCM typically reduces the ejection fraction and causes dilation of the left heart; however, a full understanding of SCM on the right heart is incomplete. Through echocardiography, further qualitative and quantitative alterations in the heart can be identified and guide our clinical management. We aim to identify such alterations in the right ventricle (RV) in patients with SCM through evaluation of serial echocardiography reports.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study (IRB 20-008691) was conducted on 13,969 sepsis patients hospitalized at …

Overview: High-Quality Atmospheric Readings And Telemetry (Hart) Station, Joseph Hart Knudsen

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The High-quality Atmospheric Readings and Telemetry (HART) Station is a modular, solar-powered array of tripod-mounted meteorological and particulate matter (PM) instruments. It also includes a data-logger and a laptop which consolidates collected data and uploads it to a remote storage cache in Google Drive. There are three main purposes for the HART station:

1. Provide quality PM data to assist in filling in the PM data gap in Montana.

2. Increase awareness and education of the public, primarily the middle and high-school demographics, of the importance of meteorological and air quality studies and the potential health-risks of PM exposure.

3. Contribute to the …

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Identifying Environmental Drivers Of Shell Shape Variation In The Freshwater Gastropod Campeloma Decisum, Lauren Western, David Zanatta

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Freshwater gastropods are important indicators of ecosystem health. Many native gastropod species are considered highly imperiled while other non-indigenous species are considered damaging invaders. Campeloma decisum, Pointed Campeloma, is a common freshwater gastropod from family Viviparidae found in varied habitats across the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. Our study sought to increase the knowledge on C. decisumusing geometric morphometric analyses to test which environmental factors may be driving shell shape variation. C. decisum (n = 458) and environmental data were collected from 22 sites in 6 lakes in central and northern Michigan. Specimens were photographed with apertures …

Umcur 2024 Program Pdf

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This program includes the schedule for oral presentations and posters.

Unveiling The Power Of Tourism Research: Navigating Insights From Montana For 2024 And Beyond, Melissa Weddell, Kara Grau, Matthew Pettigrew

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

ITRR presentation from the 2024 Governor's Conference on Tourism

States Of Mind Or State Of Crime: Exploring The Prosecution Of Environmental Crimes In The Western United States, Joshua Ozymy, Melissa Ozymy

Public Land & Resources Law Review

No abstract provided.

Connections, 2023, University Of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library

Connections

No abstract provided.

Factsheet: Examining The Equity Of Vocational Rehabilitation Services For Rural Americans, Catherine Ispen, Will Hoard, Rtc: Rural

Employment

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs are funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to assist individuals with disabilities to obtain, advance, or retain employment. Employment is a valuable outcome because it can increase economic independence and community participation. To achieve employment, VR programs offer a range of services such as assessment, counseling, training, and job placement. We conducted two studies using RSA-911 case-services data to better understand
how VR agencies are serving diverse populations. RSA-911 data includes information about each consumer who enters the VR program, including sociodemographic characteristics and VR services received. In our first study, we used RSA-911 data …

April 2024 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Answering The Dam Question: Visitor Perspectives On Removing And Maintaining Dams In Wilderness, William L. Rice, Christopher A. Armatas

Society and Conservation Faculty Publications

Managers of designated wilderness in the United States are challenged by the complex issue of how to address existing dams and water storage. Dams can exist in wilderness, as they are considered a special provision that can provide a variety of benefits to society; however, dams are also considered a potential threat to wilderness character. We review the issue of dams in wilderness, and then present the results from a study in the Rattlesnake Wilderness in Montana where visitor opinions around dam removal or maintenance were assessed. Our aim through this present research is to examine public agreement or disagreement …

2024 Friends Of The University Of Montana Herbarium Newsletter, Peter Lesica

Newsletters of the Friends of the University of Montana Herbarium

The Blue Chanterelle in Montana / Tim Wheeler -- Notes from the Board / Peter Lesica -- MONTU Lost a Good Friend -- Sixty Years of Botanical Exploration in Montana / Peter Lesica and Scott Mincemoyer -- MONTU Activities

Rethinking Food Waste To Mitigate Climate Change: Actions And Conversations On Zero Waste, Keilin Elizabeth Huang

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Psychological Impact Of Climate Change Reminders, Brit King

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

In addition to the ongoing and anticipated destruction of the environment, climate change threatens the mental well-being of humanity on a global scale. Climate change has been conceptualized as a form of existential anxiety due to its acute, chronic, and expected (yet uncertain) effects (Zotova & Karapetyan, 2018). Younger generations will be more directly impacted by the long-term effects of climate change and have been burdened with a greater responsibility to minimize its destruction (Hausfather, 2020). Furthermore, young people are at an increased risk of psychological impacts from climate change and have reported high levels of climate-related anxiety and distress …