Digital Commons Network^™

The Promise Of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Stress-Reduction Strategy For Testicular Cancer Survivors' Health-Related Quality Of Life, Michael J. Rovito, Colin F. Mahony, Kamalie Thomas, Keith Brazendale, Ciaran Fairman Ph.D., Cscs, Cet

Faculty Publications

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Background: Testicular cancer (TC) disproportionately affects younger men and carries unique psychosocial and physiological consequences that extend well beyond treatment. Despite favorable survival rates, TC survivors frequently report diminished health-related quality of life (HRQoL). These burdens are often compounded by masculinity-related identity disruptions, fear of recurrence, sexual dysfunction, and a lack of tailored psychosocial support. Existing interventions remain limited, with most programs focused on physical rehabilitation or early detection. Few address the multidimensional stressors that shape the TC survivorship experience.

Aims: This narrative review examines the literature on HRQoL among TC survivors and evaluates the potential of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) …

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Psychological Resilience In The Covid-19 Response: A Systematic Review For Future Public Health Preparedness, Atena Pasha, Abdul-Hanan Saani Inusah, Jannatun Nayem, Xiaoming Li, Shan Qiao

Faculty Publications

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Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of psychological resilience for well-being. While several reviews have addressed resilience in specific populations or contexts, few have synthesized global literature across diverse populations. This review examines psychological resilience across diverse populations, focusing on measurement, associated factors, and future public health preparedness strategies. Method: Guided by the PRISMA, a thorough search of PsycINFO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science was conducted in February 2024, including quantitative studies considering psychological resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic published in peer-reviewed English journals from 2020 to 2024, using search terms relevant to psychological resilience and COVID-19. …

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“When And Where [We] Enter…”? Intersectional Ideologies And Experiences In African American Support For Lgbtq+ Communities, Monique L. Lyle, Todd Shaw

Faculty Publications

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This article examines how intersectional ideologies and experiences of marginalization affect the extent to which African Americans support or oppose the marginalization of LGBTQ communities. We posit that awareness of the race-gender positionality of African American women, as well as the unique positionalities of other marginalized African American subgroups, is critical to understanding the conditions under which Black Americans embrace LGBTQ rights and communities. Using the Black respondent subsample of the 2016 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Study, we test the extent to which intersectional theories explain African American cross-group consciousness with LGBTQ persons and support for LGBTQ rights and communities. In …

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Effects Of Leucine Supplementation On Athletic Performance, Central Fatigue, And Serum Metabolism In Endurance Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial And Targeted Metabolomics Study, Tieying Li, Wei Xu, Jun Chen, Zhaobo Kan, Xuemei Sui, Zhiguang Zhao, Qirong Wang

Faculty Publications

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Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of leucine supplementation on athletic performance, central fatigue, and serum metabolome in endurance athletes, and to provide valuable insights into nutritional strategies for endurance athletes. Methods: Twenty cross-country skiers were recruited and randomized into 2 groups: the placebo (PLA) group and the leucine (LEU) group. Subjects were given leucine (8.5 g) + sucrose (14 g) or only sucrose (14 g) supplements twice each day from Monday to Saturday for 6 weeks. Test parameters include body composition, aerobic capacity, isokinetic muscle strength, blood biochemistry, and targeted metabolomics. Results: After intervention, compared …

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Stories From Former Foster Youth College Graduates: The Positive Impact Of K-12 Schooling And Related Educational Policy, Amanda Moon, Kristen D. Seay

Faculty and Staff Publications

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Youth in foster care face disproportionate challenges when it comes to education and personal well-being. Many studies use a deficit lens when evaluating these challenges. In contrast, this study is asset-based, centering first-person accounts from five former foster youth college graduates. Using a counter-narrative framework, we conducted semi-structured interviews with participants to reveal key supports in K-12 schooling participants believed helped them achieve academic and life milestones. These were relationships with teachers and coaches, access to extracurricular activities, and literacy-rich environments. We also reviewed 11 relevant federal educational policies to identify provisions and implementation needs that aligned with participant experiences. …

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Improving Lexicosemantic Impairments In Post-Stroke Aphasia Using Rtms Targeting The Right Anterior Temporal Lobe, Sophie Arheix-Parras, Sophia R. Moore, Rutvik H. Desai

Faculty Publications

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Background/Objectives: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) can enhance post-stroke aphasia recovery. The right Inferior Frontal Gyrus is the most common target in rTMS studies for inhibitory stimulation. However, lexicosemantic processes involve a large brain network including the Anterior Temporal Lobe (ATL). We hypothesize that rTMS targeting the ATL will improve lexicosemantic impairments in people with post-stroke aphasia. Methods: In a Single-Case Experimental Design, three people with post-stroke aphasia with lexicosemantic impairments performed Picture and Auditory Naming and Semantic Decision tasks five times a week for one or two weeks to establish baseline scores. Then, each participant received continuous inhibitory Theta …

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Supervised Resistance Training In An Individual With Glioblastoma Undergoing Chemoradiation: A Case Report, Bruce Nakfoor, Ciaran Fairman Ph.D., Cscs, Cet

Faculty Publications

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Introduction:

Exercise has demonstrated safety and efficacy in mitigating treatment-related symptoms across cancer populations; however, evidence in neuro-oncology remains limited, particularly during active chemoradiation.

Methods:

We report the case of a 63-year-old individual with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, experiencing symptoms of fatigue, balance issues, headaches, and memory loss, who initiated a 12-week supervised resistance training program during concurrent chemoradiation. Assessments at baseline and post-intervention included physical function and quality-of-life outcomes.

Results:

Adherence was 56% (20/36 sessions), and no adverse events occurred. The patient showed improvements in 6-minute walk distance and short physical performance battery score that exceeded established minimal clinically important …

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Gendered Paths To Cancer Knowledge And Screening Behavior Among Black Adults: Results From A Community-Partnered Study, Carolyn M. Tucker, Guillermo M. Wippold, Kirsten G. Klein, Logan Marcum, Ji-Hyun Lee, Gonghao Liu, Staja Q. Booker, Elliott Leighton, Danielle E. Jake-Schoffman, Adrian S. Taylor, Ron Rawls, Kenyarda T. Feathers, Kevin A. Thorpe, Gwendolyn Saffo, Deborah Johnson

Faculty Publications

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Background

Efforts are needed to promote cancer knowledge and the uptake of cancer screening behaviors among Black Americans. Such efforts must be customized for the unique differences in facilitators/barriers among Black men and women. The present study leverages the potential of the UF Health Cancer Institute Community-Partnered Cancer Disparities Research Collaborative (CDRC) to identify the psychosocial and structural factors associated with cancer knowledge and screening behaviors among Black American men and women.

Method

411 Black Americans participated in this cross-sectional study; 75.9% identified as cisgender women and 24.1% as cisgender men.

Results

Older age, higher education and income level were …

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Cognitive Dysfunction In Women With The Fmr1 Premutation During Midlife: The Lassi-L Reveals Curvilinear Cgg-Dependent Risk Buffered By College Education, Jessica Klusek, Jillian Gierman, Amanda Fairchild, Andreana M. Benitez, Elizabeth Berry-Kravis, Marsha R. Mailick

Faculty Publications

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Background

The FMR1premutation (FXPM) is a common genetic variant (∼1:151 females) linked to increased risk for neurodegenerative disease. Midlife cognitive phenotypes remain poorly defined.

Objective

To characterize episodic memory performance in midlife FXPM women and examine potential risk moderation via genetic (i.e., FMR1CGG repeat expansion size) and environmental (i.e., college degree attainment) influences.

Methods

Eighty-eight FXPM women and 84 matched controls, aged 30–55, completed the Loewenstein-Acevedo Scales for Semantic Interference and Learning (LASSI-L), a measure of specific episodic memory processes sensitive to subtle Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related cognitive and neuropathological changes.

Results

FXPM women demonstrated deficits in proactive semantic …

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Technology-Enabled Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Insomnia (Cbt-I) In Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Development And Feasibility Study, Hongtu Chen, Marta Pagán-Ortiz, Sara Romero Vincente, Emma Chapman, James Maxwell, Otis L. Owens, Sue E. Levkoff Scd, Msw, Sm

Faculty and Staff Publications

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Background/Objectives: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a transitional stage between normal aging and early dementia, affecting up to 20% of older adults. Sleep disturbances, particularly insomnia, affect around 60% of individuals with MCI, contributing to declines in cognitive and physical function. Although Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an evidence-based non-pharmacological treatment, few studies have adapted it for individuals with MCI. This pilot study developed and evaluated Slumber, a clinician-supported mobile CBT-I app tailored for older adults with MCI and insomnia. Methods: The study had three aims: (1) to develop the app for delivering CBT-I to individuals with …

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Cortical Hierarchy And Aphasia Severity: The Sensorimotor–Association Gradient Modulates Lesion Effects Within Language-Specific Networks, Ida Rangus, Natalie Busby, Nicholas Riccardi, Sigfus Kristinsson, Janina Wilmskoetter, Dirk B. Den Ouden, Chris Rorden, Roger Newman-Norlund, Julius Fridriksson Ph.D., Leonardo Bonilha

Faculty Publications

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Aphasia severity after stroke varies widely and is not fully explained by lesion size or location. We propose that incorporating the brain’s sensorimotor-association (S-A) gradient, reflecting cortical hierarchy, offers a biologically grounded framework for predicting language outcomes. In 236 individuals with chronic left-hemisphere stroke, we examine whether the hierarchical position of lesions in language-specific (LS) and domain-general (DG) areas modulates aphasia severity. We parcellate lesions using a cortical atlas and weigh them by each region’s S-A rank. We apply hierarchical linear regression to test whether S-A ranking and its interaction with lesion volume improves prediction of Western Aphasia Battery-Revised Aphasia …

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Risk And Public Judgments On Police Pursuits: A Nationally Representative Conjoint Experiment, Scott M. Mourtgos, Ian T. Adams, Kyle Mclean, Geoffrey P. Alpert

Faculty Publications

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Police vehicle pursuits emphasize a central tension between law enforcement imperatives and public safety. While modern policies emphasize balancing apprehension needs against risks of continuation, little is known about whether public intuitions mirror this framework. We address this gap using a nationally representative conjoint experiment (N = 3,334) that varied eleven contextual factors across randomized pursuit scenarios. Respondents rated perceived risk, indicated whether pursuits should be terminated, and made forced-choice tradeoffs. Across all outcomes, high-risk situational factors (e.g., high speeds, adverse weather, heavy traffic, urban settings, etc.) increased perceived danger and termination support, while more serious underlying offenses, particularly …

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2025 - 2026 Faculty Senate Annual Report, University Of South Carolina

Faculty Senate

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The primary file includes the 2025 - 2026 Admissions Committee Report. Additional annual reports are attached.

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Navigating Racist Spaces Through Radical Self-Care: A Photovoice Exploration Of The Experiences Of Black Graduate Students, Laetitia Adelson, Cherese Fine, Dion Harry, Keneisha Harrington, Rebecca Lynn Morgan Ph.D., Tomiko Smalls, Jerad Green, Courtney Allen, Anuoluwapo Bankole, Robin Phelps-Ward

Faculty Publications

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This manuscript examines the impact of racist campus climates for Black graduate students at a predominantly white institution. Using a photovoice methodological design, this study illuminates students’ ability to thrive through radical self-care despite the many racist factors, incidents, and systems at the institution. The paper ends with recommendations for improving campus racial climate in graduate education.

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Deference To Prestige And Climate Policy, Ty’Teona Shannon, Jeffrey Sinn

Athena: Undergraduate Research and Literary Journal

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This research addresses the problem of resistance and support for climate mitigation policies. Studies have shown that personal values influence political orientations. However, it needs to be clarified what values motivate individuals to resist climate policies. Using hierarchical regression, we show that Social Dominance Orientation is a significant predictor of climate policy support and that Deference to Prestige does not have a strong relationship with climate policy support. Our findings are significant because they provide additional evidence that ideology and values relate to support for climate mitigation policies.

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Understanding Addiction As A Disease: College Students’ Perspectives On Substance Use In The Covid-19 Era, Aditi Rudrashetty

Athena: Undergraduate Research and Literary Journal

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This research explores the neurological basis of addiction as a disease and how the exacerbation of external factors has contributed to negative perceptions of addiction. Specifically, it examines the COVID-19 pandemic and contemporary college student experiences as contextual factors influencing attitudes toward substance use disorders. Negative perceptions contribute to stigma, reduce help-seeking behavior, and influence policy responses, hindering effective support and recovery for individuals with substance use disorders. By examining these perceptions, this study contributes to understanding how addiction is conceptualized and potentially addressed in public health and policy contexts. Surveys and semi-structured interviews were conducted with college students to …

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Whole Genome Sequencing: Considering Regulations, Policies, And Procedures, Nyaw Lar Too

Athena: Undergraduate Research and Literary Journal

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This research explores the opinions of young adults between the ages of 19 to 30 about the vulnerabilities of using DNA sequencing tests as a part of couples’ prenatal care to determine every possible mutation, variation, and cancers possible for future offspring. A survey-based experiment was used to gather information from a sample of 17 young adults within the aforementioned age group. The findings from the surveys are intended to assist scientists in acknowledging public opinion and aid in guiding their decisions on how to move forward with genome sequencing. Ultimately, the survey findings could give scientists an idea of …

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Perceived Use Of Web-Based Videoconferencing For Social Connectedness Among Older Adults Living In Long-Term Care: Qualitative Study, Anna Garnett, Halyna Yurkiv, Denise M. Connelly, Richard Booth, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Faan

Publications

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Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how restrictions on in-person interactions within long-term care homes (LTCHs) severely compromised social connectedness among older adults and their families. Post pandemic, despite policy changes supporting greater in-person family engagement, frequent outbreaks continue to disrupt face-to-face interactions, and factors such as geography, life circumstances, and health can constrain family members’ ability to make regular in-person visits. Research suggests that web-based videoconferencing technology (WVT) may be a practical solution to help older adults within LTCHs to maintain social connection in the absence of physical gathering. However, increased understanding of end user experience is lacking, and more …

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Benefits And Harms Of Copyright Restrictions And Conditions On Burnout And Other Psychometric Assessment Scales, Robert G. Badgett, Sudha Xirasagar, Hayrettin Okut

Publications

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INTRODUCTION: Copyright conditions can hinder the scientific and usage impact of essential assessment tools in healthcare, organizational psychology, and other fields. The stories of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) are well-documented. Despite decades-old recommendations to blend copyright restrictions of intellectual property when used for commercial purposes with permissive but distinct copyright terms for non-commercial and scholarly use, few authors of assessment tools do so.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether restrictive copyrights limit the long-term scientific impact of copyright holders (often medical schools/faculty), by inhibiting downstream use, research, and improvement of measurement tools by other researchers. …

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Mental And Physical Humanlikeness In Artificial Intelligence Influencers: Effects On Humanness, Eeriness, And Consumer Responses, Terry Kim Ph.D., Hyunjoo Im

Faculty Publications

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Artificial intelligence (AI) influencers, nonhuman characters powered by AI, have garnered a significant following on social media in recent years. Through two between-subjects online experiments (n = 957), this study investigates the impact of AI influencers' appearance realism and self-disclosure on consumer perceptions (humanness and eeriness) and their downstream responses (intention to self-disclose, intention to follow the advice, and brand attitude). Drawing from anthropomorphism and theory of mind, this study emphasizes the distinction of two dimensions of AI influencers' humanlikeness (physical and mental) which differently affect the humanness and eeriness of the AI influencer. Results indicate that the AI …

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Guidebook For Artificial Intelligence Integration Into The University Environment, Mark J. Uline, Tarek Shazly, Grace Cosby

Reports

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a peripheral or speculative technology in the university setting, it is rather a rapidly evolving transformational force that will reshape research, teaching, and administrative operations. Recent systematic reviews conclude that generative AI tools are already being widely used by students and instructors and can positively affect learning outcomes and academic performance when thoughtfully integrated into instruction (Hon, 2025; Qian, 2025).

At the same time, case studies warn that unmanaged or poorly governed AI use can undermine academic integrity, exacerbate inequities, and create new institutional risks (Mangundu, 2025; Şen et al., 2026). AI adoption brings unparalleled …

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Factors Influencing Senior Practicum Readiness For Nursing Practice: A Descriptive Correlational Study, Beth Nease Phd, Dnp, Rn, Ne-Bc, Cynthia F. Corbett Phd, Rn, Faan, Stephanie Armstrong Phd, Msn, Rn, Kesheng Wang Phd, Ma, Bs, Kathy Casey, Kong Chen

Faculty Publications

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Background:

This study investigated the influence of belongingness, self-efficacy, and clinical learning support on readiness for nursing practice and explored the role of demographic factors and nursing program differences.

Method:

A quantitative, descriptive approach was used to explore undergraduate prelicensure senior nursing students' perceptions across the United States.

Results:

Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression demonstrated students in traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs reported significantly higher scores across all domains compared with those in associate degree programs (p < .01). Similarly, students in programs with ≤400 clinical hours and those assigned only one preceptor scored significantly higher on all measures (p < .01 and p < .05, respectively). Regression analysis indicated self-efficacy and learning support explained 47.9% of the variance in practice readiness (p < .05).

Conclusion:

These findings share how clinical experiences shape students' readiness for nursing practice. Recommendations …

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Cisheterosexism In Lgbtqia+ Health Resource Guides, Vanessa Kitzie, Olivia Reed, Amirezza Kalantari

Faculty Publications

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Cisheterosexism in LGBTQIA+ Health Resource Guides Vanessa Kitzie, Amirezza Kalantari, Olivia Reed University of South Carolina, School of Information Science [email protected] Limited healthcare resources lead many LGBTQIA+ people to peer networks, often accessed via search engines to find community-created health resource websites [1–3]. Academic library guides benefit privileged LGBTQIA+ identities [4], but little is known about community guides, which may reinforce cisheterosexist narratives, causing stigma and stress [5, 6]. This study addresses this gap by scraping Google results for LGBTQIA+ health resources across US states, examining how cisheterosexism shapes health topics, geography, and representation of LGBTQIA+ populations. We hypothesize that …

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Protecting The Debtor Across The Atlantic: A Comparative Analysis Of The United States And European Union Regulatory Frameworks Against Debt Collection Abuse And Harassment, Terin Michelle Tyson

South Carolina Journal of International Law and Business

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Consumer debt is a long-standing global phenomenon, yet the regulation of debt collection practices remains fragmented across international borders. This lack of uniform standards leaves consumers vulnerable to debt collectors who exploit weak legal frameworks, resorting to abusive, harassing, and deceptive tactics to pressure repayment. Such practices not only undermine consumer trust in the financial services industry but also prove self-defeating; aggressive collection methods can destabilize a consumer’s financial footing and daily livelihood, ultimately impairing their capacity to repay.

This article provides a comparative evaluation of consumer protections against abusive and harassing debt collection practices in the United States and …

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Co-Developing Strategies For Leprosy Management In Malaysia: A Transdisciplinary Research Approach Involving Individuals Affected By Leprosy And Other Stakeholders, Norana Abdul Rahman, Vaikunthan Rajaratnam, Ruth Mh Peters, Marjolein Bm Zweekhorst, Pamela Wright Phd, Ms, Med, Rn, Cen, Karen Morgan, Mohamed Rusli Abdullah

Publications

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Despite Malaysia's low leprosy prevalence, new cases continue to emerge in rural and Indigenous communities. National strategies often prioritise elimination and surveillance, while overlooking the needs and challenges of individuals affected by leprosy and those managing their care. This study employed a transdisciplinary research approach, guided by the Dialogue Model, to co-develop context-specific strategies to improve the lives of those affected through participatory engagement with both groups. Conducted across three high-burden states in Peninsular Malaysia, the research involved a desk review and stakeholder mapping, followed by 40 in-depth interviews with affected individuals and other stakeholders. These were complemented by a …

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Nurses' Implicit Bias Toward Older Adults: A Mid-Range Nursing Theory, Jennifer T. May Phd, Rn, Anp-Bc, Hanne Dolan, Jessica G. Rainbow

Publications

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This article describes the development of the Nurses' Implicit Bias Toward Older Adults Mid-Range Nursing Theory, which explains how biased care arises and affects older adults. Drawing from Pepper's contextual-development worldview, Parse's Humanbecoming Paradigm, and an emancipatory perspective, the theory integrates implicit social cognition to explain how nurses' backgrounds and unconscious processes influence clinical practice. Key "mitigation points" are identified for targeted interventions to address bias. This framework provides a foundation for future research on implicit bias in nursing, with implications for equitable health care delivery and improved older adult patient outcomes, supporting the advancement of nursing science and professional …

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A Multi-Case Study Exploring Ncaa Division I Athletic Departments’ Mental Health Culture, Kim Tolentino, Dana K. Voelker, Brent Oja, Sofia España Pérez, Sam Zizzi

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

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Mental health and psychological well-being continue to be significant areas of concern for collegiate student-athletes. Researchers have identified the perceived barriers preventing student-athletes from using mental health services which include lack of knowledge, limited access, and perceived negative stigma (e.g., Harris & Maher, 2023; Yoon & Petrie, 2023). Organizational culture, loosely defined as a group’s accumulated shared learning (Schein & Schein, 2017), plays an important role in guiding the behaviors of its members. Developing a positive athletic department culture around mental health can, in turn, be beneficial to increasing student-athletes’ help-seeking behaviors. The purpose of this study was to explore …

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Picturing Disparities: Unveiling Gendered Racism In Athletic Leadership Through Photo Elicitation, Eddie Comeaux, Ajhanai C.I. Keaton, Briana A. Savage, Dresden June Frazier, Sara Grummert

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

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This study explored National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletic administrators’ views regarding the professional accomplishments of women athletic directors by race/ethnicity. More than 2,000 full-time athletic administrators (e.g., athletic directors, academic advisors/counselors for athletes, and coaches) responded to a photograph of and vignette about either a Black or white woman athletic director. The study found that although some athletic administrators were supportive of women athletic directors regardless of race, some showed signs of race evasiveness and stark differences in their perceptions of deservingness consistent with racial bias. These findings have implications for campus leaders and other higher education …

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College Athlete Mental Health: Identifying Sources Of Support In Collegiate Athletics, Levone Lee, Lauren Beasley, Kaylee A. Palomino, Patricia M. Kelshaw, Joycelyn Kennedy, Deborah Chanan, Elinah Russell, Tarkington J. Newman

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

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Despite having access to resources and services, college athletes continue to encounter negative mental health experiences and outcomes. Prior research has begun to identify key sources of social support within collegiate athletics, including teammates and athletic trainers. However, there is limited understanding of with whom college athletes feel most comfortable discussing their mental health. The current study aims to identify preferred sources of social support when athletes wish to discuss their mental health and, in turn, examine differences in preference among unique college athlete populations. In total, 247 college athletes participated in the study, representing eight universities within an NCAA …

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Changing Minds, Changing Behavior The Role Of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy In Addressing Intimate Partner Violence, Natalie Freeman

Graduate Student Thesis

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Intervention programs for intimate partner violence abusers are designed to address and mitigate violent behaviors and promote healthier relationships to reduce recidivism. This paper examines various intervention programs and their strategies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapy, and educational programs, along with their theoretical foundations and effectiveness. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on altering thought patterns that contribute to abusive actions, demonstrating effectiveness in reducing violent behaviors and promoting emotional regulation. This study utilized a qualitative design in collaboration with Anger Management of the Upstate, where participants in a CBT-based intimate partner violence intervention program completed an anonymous Qualtrics survey exploring their …

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