Digital Commons Network^™

Cultivating Fluent And Meaningful Writing Through Empathy-Centered Texts In The Third Grade Classroom, Lori Qian

Student Research Symposium

In this qualitative case study, my professor and I examined how my class of third-grade students endeavored to construct meaning around empathy as they cultivated their fluency-centered writing skills. Through the use of empathy-based, culturally-responsive reading lessons, and knowing that reading and writing are intricately connected, the researchers draw upon specific book choices and a well-crafted discussion structure to encourage meaningful, fluent writing. By designing and instituting a simple yet purposeful reading response template, as well as implementing certain classroom practices, the researchers are able to observe the degree to which the text, associated discussion, and classroom practices have an …

Promoting And Providing Oral Healthcare For Francophone Africa, Mckay Lund

Student Research Symposium

Oral health is key to overall health. Many people in francophone African countries face challenges in oral health including: lack of access to healthcare, cost of healthcare, lack of dentists and oral surgeons, lack of funding, and lack of effective oral health public health education or ad campaigns in French or other languages they speak.

Beyond ‘Bisexual’: Toward A New Conceptualization Of Bi+ Experience, Brook Hutchinson

Student Research Symposium

Scholars have begun to explore the sexuality binary and the way it is experienced by and reinforced among bisexual individuals. However, extant research has not yet analyzed the experiences of bi+ individuals in heterosexual relationships, including those who have never experienced a non-heterosexual relationship. The current study seeks to fill this gap through a case study of bi+ individuals in Utah. Relying on in-depth interviews with sixteen bi+ identified individuals, this study explores the experiences of bi+ individuals engaged in heterosexual relationships and how these individuals define their sexuality and negotiate their identity. Preliminary analyses reveal unique experiences among this …

The Impact Of The Family Place Utah's Better Together Program On Parent/Caregiver Distress, Mitchell Adair

Student Research Symposium

Parenting challenges and overall stress have increased in recent years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic (Adams et al., 2020). The Better Together program at The Family Place Utah was developed to provide children with positive childhood experiences (PCEs), improve family functioning, and increase nurturing and attachment between parents and their children. We explore the positive impact Better Together has on parent stress.A sample of 219 caregivers with children aged 0 to 18 years participated in a randomized experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of the Better Together program. Families were randomly assigned to a treatment or waitlist group. Treatment participants started …

Applying A Health-Risk Model To Climate Change Communication: The Benefits And Barriers Of The Eppm For Inciting Carbon Footprint Reductions, Mikenna Debruin

Student Research Symposium

Whereas over 99% of the scientific community believes in the concept of anthropogenic climate change, lay support is still lagging behind. I suggest three key factors to lagging lay support: 1) complexity, 2) manufactured scientific controversy, and 3) doom-and-gloom framing. Because of these factors, individuals are less willing believe in the prevalence of human-induced climate change, nonetheless do something about it. The Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM), however, presents a model to assuage eco-anxiety and counter psychological distance from the problem. The EPPM, proposed by Kim Witte in the 1990s, combines appeals to threat and appeals to efficacy to contextualize …

Heart2heart Online: A Discrimination-Based Stress Reduction Intervention For People Of Color, Shari Linares

Student Research Symposium

The purpose of this project was to extend prior work on developing an intervention to reduce discrimination-based stress, moving from Latinx college students to a broader audience of people of color. In addition, moving the intervention online from a face-to-face modality allowed the researchers to have a broader reach, thus broader impact and larger reach. The original intervention, Heart 2 Heart was developed for in-person delivery prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (Domenech Rodríguez Linares, 2020a). A single-subject design evaluation showed some evidence of promise in reducing discrimination-based stress, however, the project was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, …

Haven Women's Shelter: Interior Design Promoting Equality, Safety, And Comfort, Sierra Martineau

Student Research Symposium

The objective of this project was to develop a concept that would not only enhance accessibility for occupants of a women’s shelter, but also create an environment where interior design fosters healing and comfort for its residents. The space was designed to cater not only to women but also their children and pets, offering all necessary facilities to meet the residents’ needs within the shelter’s premises.To create this vision, included in the space is a comprehensive set of amenities, including a therapy room with an onsite therapist, a medical room staffed by a qualified registered nurse, a daycare area for …

Dignity And Functionality In Affordable Housing Design, Olivia Wallentine

Student Research Symposium

The cost of housing across the United States is becoming a major issue that seems to be spiraling quickly out of control. The percentage of Americans who report that the availability of affordable housing is a major problem in their community is rising quickly, and it is becoming much more difficult for young adults to buy a home than in previous generations. The inability to afford housing, or anything beyond housing, has severe consequences across society. These include but are not limited to poverty, homelessness, poor public health, economic decline, population decline, high crime rates, and low education rates.Affordable housing …

Design For The Betterment Of Senior Living, Summer V B Miller

Student Research Symposium

My great-grandparents have always been an inspiration to me, their smiles could light a room. They had always been a big part of the community and I could tell they were craving these connections in their living facility but were living in an environment that did not nurture new relationships. Through design senior living facilities can encourage connection, hobbies, and good quality of life. By using research regarding the proper use of natural light, color, and design we can create atmospheres worthy of anyone's beloved family members.

Elementary Education In Ethiopia, Sarah Wiscomb

Student Research Symposium

In developing and developed countries alike, children do not have access to basic education because of inequalities that originate in sex, health and cultural identity (ethnic origin, language, religion). These children find themselves on the margins of the education system and do not benefit from learning that is vital to their intellectual and social development. Factors linked to poverty such as unemployment, illness and the illiteracy of parents, multiply the risk of non-schooling and the drop-out rate of a child by 2. Undeniably, many children from disadvantaged backgrounds are forced to abandon their education due to health problems related to …

Is The Pen Mightier Than The Computer? An Analysis Of Digital Natives’ Preference For Writing Tools, Dylan Ash, Landon Corbett, Jane Harvey, Clarissa Lloyd, Ellie Miller, Lauren Myers, Hannah Potter, William Spence, Mason Bodell, Avery Truman, Anna Tuite, Isabelle Vasquez, Nevaeh Villastrigo

Student Research Symposium

Students in Honors 1320, History of Writing, investigated traditional, college-aged students and their preferred writing implements. Digital Natives--people born after 1980 who grew up with technology--are assumed to prefer digital writing implements such as computers, tablets, and Smartphones. Do they really tend to use digital implements, or do they use analog instruments such as pens and pencils? To find out, the researchers designed a Qualtrics survey to ask students about their use of digital and analog writing tools. A second data source were essays on the topic 'My Favorite Writing Implement,' which were analyzed on a spreadsheet, counting each instance …

Connecting Beliefs, Mindsets, Anxiety, And Self-Efficacy In Computer Science Learning: An Instrument For Capturing Secondary School Students’ Self-Beliefs, Luis Morales-Navarro, Michael T. Giang, Deborah A. Fields, Yasmin B. Kafai

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Background and Context

Few instruments exist to measure students’ CS engagement and learning especially in areas where coding happens with creative, project-based learning and in regard to students’ self-beliefs about computing.

Objective

We introduce the CS Interests and Beliefs Inventory (CSIBI), an instrument designed for novice secondary students to learn by designing projects (particularly with physical computing).. The inventory contains subscales on beliefs on problem solving competency, fascination in design, value of CS, creative expression, and beliefs about context-specific CS abilities alongside programming mindsets and outcomes. We explain the creation of the instrument and attend to the role of mindsets …

The Utah Statesman, April 10, 2023, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

The Utah Statesman, April 3, 2023, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

The Efficacy And Feasibility Of A Fully Automated, Web-Based Acceptance-Enhanced Behavioral Treatment For Trichotillomania In Adults: A Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial, Leila K. Capel, Julie M. Petersen, Mckenzie R. Becker, Michael E. Levin, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Student Research

Treatment access for those with trichotillomania is limited by several issues including professionals’ lack of knowledge of the disorder, proximity to providers, and financial constraints. Acceptance-enhanced behavioral therapy (AEBT) has been implemented in groups and using telehealth to reach a larger population. However, these methods still require therapist time and incur notable costs. This study aimed to address the gap in trichotillomania treatment accessibility by examining the feasibility and efficacy of a self-guided, web-based AEBT treatment for adults with trichotillomania across the United States. Participants completed an eight-module asynchronous program over eight weeks. The effects of the website were tested …

Rethinking Behavior - Spring 2023, Midwest Symposium For Leadership In Behavior Disorders

ReThinking Behavior Magazine

A magazine for professionals serving children and youth with behavioral needs.

Spring 2023, Volume 6, Issue 3

An Exploration Of Computational Text Analysis Of Co-Design Discourse In A Research-Practice Partnership, Mei Tan, Victor R. Lee

Publications

In combination with contextualized human interpretation, computational text analysis offers a quantitative approach to interrogating the nature of participation and social positioning in discourse. Using meeting transcript data from the development of a co-design research-practice partnership, we examine the roles and forms of participation that contribute to an effective collaboration between a multileveled school system and researcher partners. We apply computational methods to explore the language of co-design and multi-stakeholder perspectives in support of educational improvement science efforts and our theoretical understanding of partnership roles. Results indicate participation patterns align with documented roles in co- design partnerships and highlight the …

Introduction To The Special Issue On The Acbs Taskforce Report, Michael P. Twohig, Joanna J. Arch, Ian Stewart

Psychology Faculty Publications

In 2021, the Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (JCBS) published a white paper titled “Report of the ACBS Task Force on the strategies and tactics of contextual behavioral science research.” The focus of this report was to guide research done by members of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Science. This report offered 33 specific recommendations under five themes. This paper is the introduction to a special issue of JCBS that includes eight commentaries written by leaders in their respective fields on the taskforce report. These commentaries offer praise and suggestions based on the ACBS report.

The Impact Of Family Support And Rejection On Suicide Ideation And Attempt Among Transgender Adults In The U.S., Guadalupe Marquez-Velarde, Gabe H. Miller, Jesse Ezra Shircliff, Mario Itzel Suárez

Sociology and Anthropology Faculty Publications

We evaluate the association of familial factors and suicidality among transgender adults in the U.S. by estimating the odds of lifetime suicide ideation and attempt using the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. Predictors include family support, family rejection, and specific experiences related to both. About 79% of sample respondents have experienced suicidal ideation and nearly 43% have made a suicide attempt. The predicted probability of suicide attempt is 0.35 for those with no family rejection experiences, 0.75 for those who have had all five experiences in our models. Rejection predicts both outcomes and experiences of rejection have a cumulative impact.

Using The Theory Of Planned Behavior To Understand Dispositional Gatekeeping Behavior Among Rehabilitation Counselor Educators, Michelle Mcknight, Allison Levine, Trenton J. Landon, Brian N. Phillips, Rebecca R. Sametz, Michael Gerald, Taryn V. Richardson

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty Publications

Rehabilitation counselor educators (RCEs) in programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) are mandated to assess student professional dispositions as part of the gatekeeping process. This study utilized the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explore the factors that influence RCE dispositional gatekeeping behaviors. The study includes a sample of 52 RCEs across the United States. Results obtained using a multiple linear regression model indicate that participants generally have positive attitudes toward their role as dispositional gatekeepers and their behaviors. As hypothesized by TPB, both beliefs and perceived norms relating to dispositional gatekeeping …

Faculty Senate Agenda, April 3, 2023, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes - March 13, 2023
• University Business
• Faculty Senate Presidency Business
• Information
• Educational Policies Committee - March 2, 2023
• Reports
• Budget and Faculty Welfare Committee Annual Report
• Sustainability Council Annual Report
• Old Business
• Changes to SNAC
• Code 404
• New Business
• Resolution: Amendments to the USU Student Code of Conduct
• Faculty Senate President Elect
• Faculty Senate Executive Committee Membership
• Adjourn

The Utah Statesman, March 27, 2023, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Make No Apologies: Fear Of Negative Evaluation, Depressive Symptoms, And The Mediating Role Of Accounting For Covid-Safe Behavior Amongst People At High-Risk For Severe Illness, John S. Seiter, Timothy Curran, Rebecca E. Elwood

Communication Studies and Philosophy Faculty Publications

With the goal of understanding unique and important threats to the mental health of people who are especially vulnerable to severe illness as a result of COVID-19, this study investigated associations between such individuals' fear of negative evaluation, tendency to "account for" practicing COVID-safe behaviors, and depressive symptoms. Grounded in perspectives on self-presentation, normative influence, and cognitive dissonance, we hypothesized that fear of negative evaluation would relate positively to accounting for COVID-safe behaviors, which, in turn, would associate positively with increased depressive symptoms. The results showed that increased fear of negative evaluation predicted an increased use of apologies and excuses, …

Choosing Act Or Cbt: A Preliminary Test Of Incorporating Client Preferences For Depression Treatment With College Students, Carter H. Davis, Michael P. Twohig, Michael Levin

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background

Depression is a significant concern among college students, who suffer at higher rates and with greater severity than the general population. Online self-help could reduce the burden currently placed on college counseling centers, and programs based in cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) have a strong evidence base. However, online CBTs for depression often suffer from low adherence rates. An understudied method for improving adherence in this population is offering students a choice between various CBTs.

Methods

We conducted a randomized trial with 142 students with high levels of depression, with a subset of participants randomly receiving either traditional cognitive behavioral …

Faculty Senate Minutes, March 13, 2023, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Call to Order - John Ferguson
• Approval of Minutes - February 6, 2023
• University Business - Noelle Cockett, President | Larry Smith, Provost
• Faculty Senate Presidency Business - John Ferguson | Maureen Hearns | Boyd Edwards
• Information
• Reports
• Old Business
• New Business
• Adjourn: 4:06 pm

Addressing Barriers To Proactive Restoration Of At-Risk Sagebrush Communities: A Causal Layered Analysis, Carmen Calzado-Martinez, Mark W. Brunson, Sofia Koutzoukis, Jacobo Baggio, Kari E. Veblen

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Restoration success in degraded rangelands often depends on a site's resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasive plants. Because it is more difficult to restore plant communities after they are dominated by invasive species, a potential approach is proactive restoration in sites at risk of crossing degradation thresholds (e.g. initiating restoration prior to invasive grass dominance). When developing a new restoration approach, it is important to consider operational feasibility, including social, budgetary, and environmental factors. Accordingly, we studied influences within land management agencies on the adoption of a specific proactive restoration approach: out-planting native grass and forb seedlings into sagebrush …

Second Language Acquiescence Of Multilingual Students In Tanzania, Ann E. Roemer

World Languages and Cultures Faculty Publications

This research, conducted at a major university in Tanzania, investigated the personal experiences of multilingual students vis-à-vis the government's language policy requiring Swahili as the language of instruction (LoI) at the primary level and English at the secondary level. The participants, who spoke 25 different languages as their L1, were placed into 49 different language groups and asked to write what they remembered about the language policy where they attended school. The data show that Gramsci's cultural hegemony is occurring in Tanzania. The 'common sense' is that people truly believe English is symbolic of prestige and power–even though few people …

Testing The Affect Of Modified Sense Of Place, Conservation Ethic, And Good Farmer Identity Measures On Predicting The Adoption Of Cover Crops In Working Landscapes In Iowa, Elizabeth A. Bennett, Morey Burnham, Jessica D. Ulrich-Schad, J. Gordon Arbuckle, Weston M. Eaton, Sarah P. Church, Francis R. Eanes, Jennifer Eileen Cross, Matthew A. Williamson

Sociology and Anthropology Student Research

While sense of place (SOP) has been used in amenity landscapes to understand pro-environmental behavior, in working landscapes, SOP has not been a valid or reliable predictor for explaining conservation behavior. In this paper, we advance theory on SOP in working landscapes by assessing the relationship between several new and modified sense of place measures and farmer adoption of cover crops in Iowa. We used data from a 2018 survey of Iowa farmers and a Bayesian logistic regression, finding that physical dependence and economic dependence are distinct dimensions of SOP in working landscapes and the addition of a measure beyond …

Faculty Senate Agenda, March 13, 2023, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes - February 6, 2023
• University Business
• Faculty Senate Presidency Business
• Information
• Educational Policies Committee - February 2, 2023
• Reports
• Parking Committee Annual Report
• Honorary Degrees
• Old Business
• New Business
• Adjourn

“I’Ll Give Them All The Time They Need”: How Lgbtq+ Teens Build Positive Relationships With Their Active, Latter-Day Saint Parents, Sydney A. Sorrell, Emalee J. Willis, Jane H. Bell, G. Tyler Lefevor, Samuel J. Skidmore

Psychology Student Research

Strong and supportive relationships with parents are key to promoting the mental health of LGBTQ+ teens. Overwhelmingly, studies have focused on ways to improve parental acceptance, largely neglecting understanding the parent–teen dyad as a unit and ignoring teens’ contributions to their relationships with their parents. To address this gap, we conducted 19 separate interviews with LGBTQ+ teens and their Latter-day Saint (LDS) parents (38 total interviews) to explore the ways that teens contributed to the development of positive relationships. Additionally, we explored teen-related factors that presented challenges to the parent–teen relationship. Thematic analyses suggested that LGBTQ+ teens engaged in several …