Digital Commons Network^™

Finding An Effective Measure Of Religiosity And Substance Use Levels For The Deaf: An Attempted Pilot Study, Angela Masiello

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Deaf often lack access to health-promoting services (Meador & Zazove, 2005), though they have an increased risk of developing substance use disorders (Hommes et al., 2018). Communication has been a prominent barrier to the accessibility of healthcare services and participation in research for the Deaf (McKee et al., 2012). Literature has shown multiple methodological challenges when conducting research with the Deaf (Napier et al., 2018). This pilot study used Jones et al.’s (2001) cross-cultural translation model to translate two measures into American Sign Language (ASL). Six bilingual experts in ASL and English translated the RSAS-5 and the TAPS into …

Beyond Stereotypes: Exploring The Intersection Of Feminist Identity And Societal Expectations In Ama Ata Aidoo’S Changes: A Love Story (1991), Grace Adutwum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Changes: A Love Story by Ama Ata Aidoo explores the intersection of feminist identity and societal expectations of African women, specifically Ghanaian women. This work examines how Esi and other characters struggle for love, autonomy, and independence, and reveals how tradition often limits African women’s choices and agency. This research also highlights how Aidoo presents a distinct, context-specific approach to gender roles and pressure from society, rather than viewing feminism as a strict opposition to patriarchy. By using African feminism as a theoretical framework, this work analyzes how marriage, career, and independence shape Esi’s identity. The depiction of polygamy, independence, …

Angelic Wasting: The Impacts Of The Enlightenment, Evangelicalism, And The Industrial Revolution On Romanticization Of Tuberculosis In England, 1800-1850, Sara M. Sudano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis aims to elucidate the intersections between the portrayal of tuberculosis in the Romantic era and the Enlightenment, evangelism, and the Industrial Revolution. This study aims to do so by locating and analyzing depictions in the primary source representations of the disease, then considering the effects of the three factors mentioned above on its representation. The Enlightenment, evangelism, and the Industrial Revolution interacted in a variety of ways, and the influence of all three factors was found within the representations of tuberculosis, albeit in often indirect ways. In the novels of Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell and Charlotte Brontë, tuberculosis was …

From Self To Society: How Threat Type And Message Mode Affect Environmental Intentions Among Young Audiences, Lucas Vogt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the influence of threat type (personal vs. societal) and message mode (narrative vs. utilitarian) on young adults’ environmental intentions. Using the extended parallel process model (EPPM), this study argued for expanding the theory to include threat type (societal vs. personal) to clarify how threat is understood. A 2 x 2 factorial design was utilized to test the effects of threat type and message mode on environmental behavioral intentions. A sample of 266 university students participated in an online survey. Based on prior research, this study hypothesized that personal threats would yield the highest levels of environmental behavioral …

Non-Esl High School Teachers’ Instructional Training And Professional Development Needs And Their Emergent Bilingual Student Classrooms, Brynn Erin Caddell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. emergent bilingual student population continues to grow and is projected to increase nationwide. The growing population of students has specific academic and social needs that need to be addressed and provided for emergent bilingual students to be successful. This qualitative case study examined the instructional needs of high school non-English as a second language (ESL) teachers who serve emergent bilingual students and how the district can support the instructional practices of high school teachers in an urban school district in Texas. The problem addressed in this study was the lack of instructional training and professional development for secondary …

The Lived Experience Of New Graduate Nurses Implementing Evidence-Based Practice In A Clinical Setting, Kimberly A. Mcfarland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative interpretive phenomenological analysis study was to explore the perceptions and lived experiences of new graduate nurses (NGNs) as they implemented evidence-based practice (EBP) in clinical settings. This study addressed the problem that NGNs often lack the skills and confidence to effectively apply EBP, despite its critical role in improving patient outcomes. The research aimed to provide insight into the challenges, support systems, and strategies that influence EBP integration during the transition from student to practicing nurse. The study utilized the interpretive phenomenological analysis methodology to analyze data collected through semistructured interviews conducted via the Teams …

Social Identity And Eating Behaviors: How Cultural Norms Impact Disordered Eating, Cierrah J. Fulenwider

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Disordered eating behaviors (DEBs), such as frequent dieting, emotional eating, and obsessive “clean eating,” are increasingly prevalent in our society and have been linked to significant physical and psychological health risks. However, the role of sociocultural influences, such as discrimination and social media, are often overlooked. This study examined the relationship between disordered eating behaviors and perceived discriminatory experiences, social media use, physical self-description, and attitudes toward eating among undergraduate college students. The sample consisted of 110 undergraduate students. Participants completed an electronic survey comprised of the Everyday Discrimination Scale-S (EDS-S), Social Media Usage Scale (SMUS), Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), …

Longing For The Prodigal: Nonviolent Communication And The Journey From Estrangement To Understanding, Amelia D. Little

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores how parents who practice nonviolent communication (NVC) navigate conflict with their adult children, offering insights into how collaborative conflict resolution can transform intergenerational relationships. Drawing on family systems theory and sanctification theory, this qualitative study examines how parents shift from coercive and avoidant conflict strategies to become more empathetic and collaborative. Semi-structured interviews with ten NVC-practicing parents demonstrate that NVC extends traditional conflict styles theory (Kilmann & Thomas, 1978) by emphasizing emotional awareness as essential components of effective collaboration. Additionally, narrative analysis highlights how family storytelling reframes past conflicts, fostering relational healing. The study contributes to family …

A Family Matter: An Analysis Of Adult Children’S Conflict Communication, Abby Boyd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relationship of parental conflict styles, family type, stress levels, and parent-child closeness on adult children’s conflict communication. Using Rahim’s conflict management framework and family communication patterns (FCP) theory, this research examined how family dynamics shape conflict behaviors of adult children, specifically within two parent and divorced/separated families. The survey gathered approximately 315 family experiences covering six family types. Separated/divorced and two-parent family types had sufficient numbers to further analyze the differences between these two types.

The findings indicated a significant positive relationship between parental and adult children’s conflict styles, as well as notable differences in conflict …

A Qualitative Study Exploring Senior Leaders’ Experiences And Perceptions In Addressing Workplace Sexual Harassment In The U.S. Federal Government: A Systems Perspective, Karen Jane Dean

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sexual harassment (SH) is a prevalent, costly, and often unreported problem in the U.S. Federal Government. Despite decades of research from multiple perspectives and recommendations to address SH, the problem persists and remains complex. While some researchers and U.S. Government agencies have called upon leaders to commit to eliminating workplace SH, others have suggested using an integrated conflict management system (ICMS) to manage the complexity, nuances, and conflicts. Even though there is a call for leadership to address SH, there is limited documentation in the literature about leaders’ experiences and perceptions in addressing the problem. Therefore, this qualitative study was …

Opening Doors: Employer Perspectives On Hiring Individuals With Disabilities, Jacqunettia L. Willis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This qualitative instrumental case study explored the perceptions of rural Florida employers regarding hiring individuals with disabilities (IWDs). Through in-depth interviews with nine microbusiness owners, this study identified key themes related to employers' experiences, perceived barriers, and potential solutions to increase employment opportunities for IWDs. Findings revealed that while employers expressed openness to hiring IWDs, most had limited or no direct experience due to a lack of relevant applicants limited knowledge of existing policies and incentives. A recurring theme was the perception that IWDs could be valuable employees if given appropriate support and accommodations. However, barriers included concerns over …

Barriers To Female Advancement In Health Sciences Education: A Qualitative Study Examining The Effect Of Culture And Values On Leader Selection, Christie C. Moreno

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Leadership in the 21st century has been broadly defined as a process of influence toward achieving shared goals. However, despite research affirming the leadership capabilities of both men and women, persistent gender disparities in executive leadership remain across sectors, particularly within academic health professions education. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of women in executive leadership roles at graduate health sciences centers in Texas. The purpose was to understand the barriers to advancement, the role of organizational culture and values, and the environmental and individual factors influencing leadership trajectories. Prior studies have identified that women often ascend to …

Inside A Youth Participatory Action Research (Ypar) Process: A Practitioner’S Communicative Experience Navigating Processual And Relational Power Dynamics Within Ypar, Lacey Nicole Stein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the communicative dimensions of Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), with particular attention to the power dynamics embedded in the processual and relational aspects of the research process. Through a meta-level examination of a nearly two-year YPAR project, this study illuminates how communication can function for YPAR practitioners as they navigate YPAR's complex power structures, thereby addressing a significant gap in existing literature. The study employs Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis to reveal nuanced findings in two key areas. First, it identifies the communicative complexities of enacting multiple adult roles within YPAR, including those of "superior" adult, facilitator, …

Value-Based Healthcare Reimagined: A Mixed-Methods Study On Behavioral Health Clinicians' Perspectives, Amanda L. Strickland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores how behavioral health clinicians perceive Value-Based Healthcare (VBHC), a model designed by Porter and Teisberg (2006) to improve outcomes relative to costs. While widely promoted in healthcare reform, VBHC poses unique challenges when applied to behavioral health settings. Using an explanatory mixed-methods design, this study first assessed clinicians’ awareness of VBHC through a survey of 23 licensed clinicians at a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) in Colorado. Quantitative findings revealed that one-third of participants were aware of VBHC with awareness differing by role prompting further exploration in a qualitative phase. Semi-structured interviews with eight clinicians provided deeper …

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 …

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 Stories Of Land: Exploring Southeast Indigenous Historical Contextualization In University Settings, Haley Elizabeth Mcglone

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Institutions of Higher Education have a unique opportunity as educational spaces to connect with the land they occupy. As students enter the college environment, institutions have a responsibility to provide them with meaningful connection to land their university is situated upon and educate them in its history. Many institutions of higher education have incorporated important contextualization projects on their campuses in an effort to acknowledge and confront their historic ties to colonization and systemic racism (Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice, n.d.).

This study offers an environmental scan of two sites of removal now occupied …

Succession Planning And Organizational Structures Of Academic Health Sciences Libraries, Elizabeth Hinton Mcmurphy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Academic health sciences libraries are vital in educating and training future healthcare professionals. Over the last decade, a significant number of library directors, many of whom had served in their positions for ten years or more, have retired from the field. The retirement wave in libraries has been anticipated since the late 1980s with the advent of end-user searching. However, due to the aging workforce and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this predicted exodus has become a more imminent reality. Consequently, the intricate organizational structures of academic medical centers and academic health sciences libraries, coupled with the frequent absence …

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. …

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 …

Resilience Imagined In The Mississippi Delta: Exploring Housing, Education, And Community Adaptation In Mississippi’S Internal Colonies, Semonti Jannat

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the impact of housing insecurity on educational attainment and community resilience in Cartersville, Mississippi, a historically marginalized community in the Mississippi Delta. Utilizing a qualitative research design, the study draws from in-depth interviews with eleven primary caregivers, revealing the multifaceted ways in which inadequate housing conditions affect children’s learning environments, mental health, and academic performance. The findings indicate that housing instability, manifested through overcrowding, poor infrastructure, and high financial burdens, significantly disrupts students’ educational experiences, contributing to absenteeism, limited academic focus, and stress-induced underperformance.

While the study highlights the persistent socioeconomic challenges linked to the enduring legacies …

Storytelling In Context: How Resources Enable And Constrain The Stories Entrepreneurs Tell, John J. Rogers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates how entrepreneurial storytelling is shaped by and shapes its material and cultural context, extending the Theory of Cultural Entrepreneurship (TOCE). While TOCE highlights storytelling as a mechanism through which entrepreneurs construct legitimacy and secure resources by drawing on culturally resonant narratives, prior research has largely overlooked the constraining and enabling role of material resources in this process. This dissertation addresses this gap by examining how context functions, not merely as a backdrop but as a constitutive force in entrepreneurial storytelling. Using ethnographic methods, two studies were conducted at a regenerative farm and processing facility in rural Mississippi. …

“Listen To The Angels Shouting”: Witnessing, Erasure, And The Legacy Of John Wesley Work Iii, Kennedy Uselton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Questions surrounding the relationship between erasure, music, and memory are deeply embedded within contemporary academic discourse. Music and its makers are continually remembered, forgotten, rediscovered, and lost. How we frame these conversations about memory is especially critical when considering the legacy and cultural remembrance of the Blues. This includes acknowledging that the truth of musical memory extends beyond the artists themselves—it includes those who document, study, and shape how the Blues is archived, interpreted, and narrated. This thesis addresses these questions of memory and erasure through a reconsideration of the figure of John Wesley Work III (1901–1967), a Black scholar, …

Careers On The Spectrum: Enhancing Higher Education Career Services For First-Generation Neurodivergent College Students, Shyra Jannay Lynch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the unique career service needs and experiences of first-generation neurodivergent college students (FGNCS) at the University of Mississippi. First-generation college students (FGCS), as the first in their families to attend college, often face distinct challenges in navigating higher education due to limited familial support and unfamiliarity with academic resources. Meanwhile, neurodivergent students, those with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and various cognitive differences, encounter unique barriers related to sensory sensitivities, communication, and social integration within academic and career environments. At the intersection of these identities, FGNCS encounter distinct challenges in career services that may not …

Afrissippi, Peter Muvunyi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines how Guelel Kumba, a Senegalese Fulani griot, chef, and musician currently residing in Oxford, Mississippi, incorporates West African cuisine and music into his daily life in the South. This profile study asks: How does Kumba's performances and cooking translate Fulani heritage into Mississippi's blues and soul-food scenes? The research employed observation, secondary sources, purposeful semi-structured interviews, and a documentary.

Kumba views tradition as an arsenal, preserving its essential rhythms and flavors while reworking family recipes and tunes to suit local tastes. Customers can eat, listen, and interact their way into shared history at his food truck and …

Framing Ncaa V. Alston: Amicus Briefs’ Competing Visions Of Student-Athlete Compensation, Stuart A. Sutton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative content analysis was to examine how amici curiae frame policy preferences in amicus briefs submitted before the United States Supreme Court in NCAA v. Alston (2021). The questions addressed in this study were what dominant policy frames did interest groups use to frame policy preference in NCAA v. Alston (2021), and which (if any) policy frames in the amicus briefs emerged in the written opinions of the United States Supreme Court? This analysis indicates the complexities and intricacies of competing vision of student-athlete compensation within the persuasive lens of amicus briefs through interest groups. In …

Teacher Perceptions And Student Self-Reports: Examining Aggression, Delinquency, And Contextual Correlates In Education And Non-Educational Settings, Abigail Claire Boozer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the relationship between teacher-perceived delinquency and student self-reported delinquency, utilizing data from the LONGSCAN data set. The research also examines whether the correlates of these behaviors differ across classroom and non-classroom settings, offering insights into the contextual dynamics of delinquency. Grounded in labeling theory, this study explores the influence of teacher perceptions on student behavior, highlighting how labeling may reinforce or mitigate patterns of aggression and delinquency. By leveraging the rich longitudinal data from LONGSCAN, the research identifies key demographic, familial, and environmental factors that contribute to these behaviors. The findings aim to inform educational interventions and …

"Keep Coming Back!": How Recovering Addicts Use Narcotics Anonymous For Social Rehabilitation., Taylor Leigh Ransom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the role of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in shaping identity transformation and social reintegration among individuals in recovery. Using an ethnographic approach, including participant observation at NA meetings and semi-structured interviews with members, along with textual analysis of Narcotics Anonymous literature, this research explores how NA fosters social recovery by providing a structured yet flexible space for identity reconstruction. Through shared narratives, rituals, and peer support, members navigate the transition from an “addict” identity to one centered on personal accountability, community, and long-term abstinence from drugs.

By situating NA within broader sociological discussions of addiction recovery, social capital, …

The Feminomenon Of Athletic Band Directing: A Multiple Case Study, Sydney Leigh Rush

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Women represent a small fraction of leadership within two traditionally male-dominated fields: collegiate band directing and the marching arts (Foley, 2019; Gould, 2001; Rush, 2023). In 2015, approximately 21% of high school band directors were female and 79% were male (Yoder, 2015). Further, the CMS Directory of Music Faculties (2017 – 2018) revealed women held only 11.3 percent of all collegiate band director positions in the United States (Shaker, 2020). In 2023, women accounted for less than 6% of Directors of Athletic Bands for Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)- Division 1, four-year universities (Rush, 2023). Although research has been done regarding …

Learning Positive Deviance Techniques: How Non-Conformity To Vote-Buying Is Practiced And Its Outcomes, The Ugandan Context, Collins Kwarisima

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research has investigated the use of positive deviance or exemplary behavior as an innovative approach to addressing political corruption, specifically the vote-buying practice in Uganda. To understand the techniques of positive deviance in vote-buying, this study was guided by the main research question: How is non-conformity to vote-buying practiced, and what are its outcomes? Individual and focus group interviews were utilized to collect qualitative data from 40 respondents (voters and political leaders) who deter the vote-buying practice in Rukungiri District, Western Uganda. With the help of community gatekeepers, the study followed the inclusion criteria to identify voters and political …