Digital Commons Network^™

Equity And Social Vulnerability In Drought Planning And Response In The Northern Great Plains, Amishi Singh

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Drought is a natural phenomenon that has long been a part of the climate regime in the Northern Great Plains. However, as climate change intensifies, drought across the region will worsen. This worsening drought will harm vulnerable communities more than their less vulnerable counterparts. Understanding how current policies either reinforce existing systems of marginalization or work to counter them is vital when determining what kind of policy will be needed in times of worsening drought. The first analysis sought to answer the following question: how are states incorporating key concepts of social vulnerability, procedural justice and climate change into their …

Increasing Nature Connection And Decreasing Climate Change Distress In An Indigenous Population: The Development Of A Traditional Ecological Knowledge Intervention Framework, Olathe Antonio

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Research suggests that nature connection is positively correlated with pro-environmental behaviors, concern for the climate, general wellbeing, and subjective levels of climate change distress. Few research studies have examined how to increase nature connectedness without increasing psychological distress. Such research is especially important for those who are disproportionately affected by climate change such as Indigenous Peoples. To address this discrepancy, we developed a culturally-grounded psychological intervention framework based in traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) for Indigenous populations and offered an adapted example for a Navajo population. The intervention was created in collaboration with TEK experts to conceptualize key psychologically-relevant TEK principles, …

A Pilot Training Program For The Cultural Formulation Interview In School-Based Assessment, Jaida A. Lilly

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

School psychologists are responsible for promoting and maintaining an equitable, inclusive environment for all students to learn. For those who work in school settings, assessment of a student’s academic, mental health, and behavioral difficulties are often a significant component of school psychological practices. However, for various reasons, the assessment process can be flawed, and can unintentionally perpetuate systems of oppression in school-settings; this is especially true when working with children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds. Within culturally responsive assessment, conducting interviews is necessary for connecting with and effectively supporting the student and family. The Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) …

The Effects Of Stigma On Mental Health Treatment Engagement, Kali Diane Strickland

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Stigma is often cited as a significant barrier to mental health care (e.g., Andrade et al., 2014), but less is known about the impact of stigma on treatment engagement over time. The literature often calls for prospective studies (e.g., Clement et al., 2015). Additionally, little is known about label avoidance and its relationship to the other components of stigma, public and self-stigma. This study examined stigma’s association with mental health treatment engagement over time and the relationship between public stigma, self-stigma, and label avoidance. Specifically, the study assessed participants’ responses to stigma and related covariate measures. Approximately 5 weeks later, …

When Does Might Make Right? The Role Of Race/Ethnicity And Implicit Bias On Teacher Reactions To Peer Aggression, Charlotte Jane Moss

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Educators must evaluate social interactions between children on a daily basis. Social evaluations are thought to be impacted by cognitive (e.g., perceived controllability) and emotional (e.g., anger, sympathy) processes, and the ways in which teachers respond to bullying incidents may be influenced by their own implicit racial biases. There is inadequate research examining how these variables influence teacher reactions to bullying scenarios. Additionally, within the bullying literature, many studies focus on the bully and/or the victim, with less emphasis on other roles, such as a student defending the victim. Moreover, researchers typically define defenders as a student who gets help …

Creating A Short-Form Label Avoidance Measure: A Psychometric, Julia Johanna Cameron

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Stigma is a commonly reported barrier to receiving treatment for mental health concerns. One aspect of stigma, label avoidance, specifically addresses the stigma involved when individuals deny their status as having a mental illness and avoid institutions that may mark them as someone with a mental illness. Despite the importance of label avoidance for understanding treatment seeking, there does not currently exist a psychometrically sound measure of label avoidance. In order to address this gap, the present study used a revised and shortened form of a preliminary measure of label avoidance, the LAM-16, to collect psychometric data over two time …

Investigating The Impact Of Creativity In Specialized Learning Environments, Samantha Jo Stewart

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Stewart, Samantha, M.A., Summer 2025 Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Chairperson: Dr. Jeb Puryear

This study investigates the impact of creative instructional strategies on student engagement and learning in a K–5 Structured Learning Program (SLP) serving students with behavioral challenges, trauma histories, autism, and twice-exceptionality (2e). A mixed-methods approach was used to compare two instructional periods: September to December, during which traditional teaching methods were used, and January to June, when flexible, creativity-based practices were introduced. Instructional shifts included increased student choice, multimodal tasks, and scaffolded opportunities for divergent thinking. Data sources included daily staff reflections, classroom observations, and student work …

Predicting Language And Literacy Success In Children With And Without Developmental Language Disorder, Melissa Catherine Phelan

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of phonological, orthographic, and morphological awareness in predicting language and literacy success for children with developmental language disorder (DLD), DLD with dyslexia, and typically developing (TD) children. DLD, a prevalent yet underdiagnosed condition, is associated with significant psychosocial and academic challenges, including a roughly 50% likelihood of developing dyslexia. Current identification systems rely on inconsistent parent/teacher referrals, which miss approximately 60% of children with DLD and over 33% with dyslexia, limiting access to effective interventions. This study longitudinally examines whether kindergarten screenings of three metalinguistic skills—phonological, orthographic, and morphological awareness—predict …

Occupational Therapy Assistant Education: Exploring The Relationship Between Student Factors And Nbcot Examination Pass Rates, Micahela Parker

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The purpose of this retrospective quantitative study was to examine the predictive ability of gender, age, GPA, attendance and both Level II fieldwork scores (Fieldwork One and Fieldwork Two) on first attempt NBCOT exam success. To practice as an occupational therapy assistant, an individual must complete an accredited occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program and pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. The NBCOT exam was developed to ensure entry-level occupational therapy assistants have the necessary knowledge to make safe and competent decisions.

The overarching research focus was to understand the extent of one or more of …

Authenticity Can Be Costly: Understanding School Belonging Among Latine Immigrant High School Students, Deborah A. Ith

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

School belonging is strongly associated with positive outcomes, including overall wellness and higher educational attainment. These outcomes can have lasting impacts on the lives of students. The construct of school belonging is defined as the degree to which a student feels accepted, supported, valued, and comfortable expressing themselves authentically within the school community. Students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, especially recent immigrants, often have experiences within the school setting that interfere with the development of a strong sense of school belonging. Unfortunately, much of the prior research on school belonging has relied on survey data, correlational studies, or teacher …

Echoes Of Heritage: Understanding The Impact Of Subtractive Bilingualism On Emotional Well-Being And Bicultural Identity In First- And Second-Generation Immigrants, Anna Reszewicz

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The effects of emotional well-being and cultural identity have been widely examined, yet little research has examined these outcomes among subtractive bilinguals. This study aimed to fill the gap in the literature by exploring the relationship between emotional well-being and bicultural identity among first- and second-generation immigrants in the United States who were identified as subtractive bilinguals and non-subtractive bilinguals. Subtractive bilinguals are defined as individuals who learn a second language (L2) while experiencing a decline in proficiency or usage of their heritage language (L1). Using self-report measures, 170 participants were recruited and completed an eligibility survey that included the …

Challenged: A Practice-Based Analysis Of Simulating The Realities Of Teaching Through Play, Shanel Lara Locke

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

ChallengED is a classroom simulation game designed to explore the emotional and procedural realities of teaching through interactive play. Rather than attempting to manufacture empathy, the project focuses on conveying the unpredictability, humor, and fatigue that shape daily classroom life. Drawing from my own teaching experience, the game uses experiential realism and embodied interaction to communicate how educators navigate constant interruptions, shifting demands, and limited control. The development process also became a therapeutic practice, offering a way to reinterpret professional challenges through creative experimentation. Situated within practice-based research, ChallengED demonstrates how game design can function as both artistic inquiry and …

How Perceptions Of Trauma Impact The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Events And Drinking Habits Of College Students, Caitlin M. Ward

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been consistently linked to alcohol misuse across the lifespan; however, little research has examined how individuals’ perceptions of these experiences contribute to risky drinking behaviors. The present study investigated the associations among ACEs, perceived traumatic impact of childhood adversity, gender identity, and alcohol use among 211 undergraduate students ages 18 to 25 at the University of Montana (Missoula). Participants completed measures assessing ACE exposure, perceived trauma impact, depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), adult adverse experiences, and alcohol use (AUDIT). ACE scores significantly predicted higher AUDIT scores in an unadjusted model; however, this relationship was no longer significant …

Enhancing School Counselor Preparedness: The Effect Of Emotional Regulation Training On Outcomes Of Emotional Regulation, Self-Efficacy, And Wellness Measures, Allison Lynn Bristow

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

School Counselors in Training (SCITs) face distinctive challenges while developing their clinical skills and managing the complexities of school counseling. These challenges can lead to emotional strain and burnout, making it essential for SCITs to cultivate strong emotional regulation skills. Counseling and education researchers have discussed various strategies to assist counselors in enhancing emotional regulation skills. However, limited research has assessed the effectiveness of specific trainings on emotion regulation, especially for SCITs. This quantitative study investigates the effectiveness of an emotional regulation (ER) training program offered to SCITs during their field placements in schools. The central research question is whether …

Counselor Educators’ Understanding Of Ableism: A Mixed Methods Study, Cynthia Renee Boyle

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Ableism, defined as beliefs and practices that prioritize able-bodiedness and lead to disability discrimination, is a prevalent but often overlooked form of oppression rooted in the historical American legacy of other forms of prejudice, discrimination, and is foundationally rooted in higher education through eugenics. Despite the counseling profession's mandate for multicultural competence, disability issues and ableism are often excluded from mainstream curriculum, contributing to a knowledge gap among counselor educators. This convergent mixed methods study explored and analyzed counselor educators’ understanding of ableism using a cross-sectional questionnaire administered to 48 participants. Quantitative results indicated a positive correlation between more formal …

Resilience, Adaptability, And Transformation: School Principal’S Response To Critical Events, Justine Jean Alberts

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

School principals face critical events as part of their professional roles. These critical events can profoundly impact their ability to lead, which is why this phenomenological study explored the central question, how do principals experience critical events that include perceived trauma? Using Moustakas’ (1994) process of transcendental phenomenological analysis, this research investigated the multifaceted emotional, professional, and personal responses of these educational leaders, revealing the complexities and consequences of their experiences. Semistructured interviews with fourteen current and former principals provided rich, in-depth qualitative data that captured the essence of their experiences. Findings indicated that principals often transition from their day-to-day …

Culture & Contamination On The Fort Hall Indian Reservation, Sidney Upsis Fellows

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The land-based culture of our Shoshone-Bannock Tribes reflects our ability to live a healthy and good life by connecting to the land physically and spiritually in ways of respect, accountability, and other traditions that uphold land-human relations. In consideration of the settler colonialism that has spread across Turtle Island (a.k.a., North America) over the past 500 years, appropriation and contamination of land puts land-based cultures at stake. For the Shoshone-Bannock, two Superfund sites, a result and ongoing issue of settler colonialism, present an issue of environmental justice for the Tribes. This thesis seeks to provide a holistic understanding of our …

The Impact Of Climate Change On Montanans’ Mental Health, Phoebe Bean

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Climate change poses many threats to human health, from vector-borne illnesses and food shortages to injuries and premature deaths related to extreme weather events. Less understood outcomes include the consequences of climate change for mental wellbeing; although the field of psychology examining these effects is growing, gaps in the literature regarding climate-related distress persist, particularly regarding the diverse ways in which people experience climate change-related psychosocial impacts and how they cope with distress. Thus, this study examined the impact of climate change on mental wellbeing through a comprehensive survey that sampled Montana residents across the state (n = 247). Results …

Traditional Chinese Medicine And The Argument For Future Application In The United States, Kylie Nicole Frohlich

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

The Other Identity Politics: Political Turning Points And Political Identity Development In College-Going Emerging Adults, Kaetlyn Jeanette Cordingley

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Emerging adulthood is a critical developmental period, especially for identity– the development of our sense of who we are internally and relative to others. This research sought to investigate one understudied aspect of identity development: political identity. Five questions guided this research: first, is political identity related to broader identity development? Second, does political identity development differ based on political ideology (liberal, moderate, conservative)? Third, do individuals’ self-identified political turning point events differ based on political ideology? Fourth, how is political identity development related to political turning point narratives? Fifth, how does meaning making interact with political identity development and …

Esop Shocks: Employee Ownership And Employment Stability In Public Firms During The Covid-19 Crisis, Richard Taylor Lennox

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Did employee ownership preserve jobs and firm-level skill retention during the COVID-19 pandemic? In the United States, employee ownership (EO) primarily takes the form of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Using a longitudinal dataset composed of Department of Labor Form 5500 – CompuStat Fundamentals matched data from 2010-2022, this thesis examines the relationship between ESOPs and employment stability during the COVID pandemic for a large sample of public firms in the US. A fixed effects specification, controlling for a vector of firm characteristics and the national employment-to-population ratio, suggests that ESOPs had an employment-cushioning effect in public firms during the …

A Narrative Map Of Fort Missoula: Silence, Stillness And Death In Living Cultural Memory, Daniel A. Goldhamer

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Fort Missoula is a rare site of history, memory, and narrative. This project seeks to trace the complex web of identities and relationalities at the Fort through a narrative map: a method that combines site-based ethnography and qualitative storytelling relying on first-person perspective. This methodological framework reveals that Fort Missoula’s distinct character lies in its role as a living archive of cultural memory, accessible through the past, present, and future narratives of its places and spaces. Engaging with the theories of Foucault (1972), de Certeau (1984), and Low (2017), the narrative map of Fort Missoula is a work that investigates …

An Endemic Issue: Malawi's Struggle To Prevent Childhood Malaria, Hailey A. Smalley

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Malaria is one of the most prolific diseases in the world, generating hundreds of millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths a year. In 2021, the World Health Organization initiated preliminary trials for the first malaria vaccine in three countries, including Malawi. This project explores the impact of the malaria vaccine on community perspectives and health outcomes related to malaria , describes ongoing challenges that health workers face when disseminating the vaccine, and explains how Malawi’s experience implementing the malaria vaccine reflects larger trends in international aid.

Defining Lgbtqia2+ Specialized Substance Use Treatment Services From A Client-Informed Approach, Chonghui (Gabriella) Ji

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Background: This study explored the concept of specialized substance use treatment services among a sample of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2+) individuals: their definition, perceived barriers to receiving these services, and ways of improving such services. Having direct input from past and potential treatment-seeking LGBTQIA2+ individuals could help to deepen our understanding of how to meet the unique treatment needs of these populations.

Method: Data were collected from 219 LGBTQIA2+ individuals within the United States through an online and anonymous survey. Inclusion criteria for participation were self-identifying as LGBTQIA2+, being 18 years of …

The Influence Of Intensive Treatment In A Cohort Model On Psychosocial Well-Being Of Patients With Aphasia: An Investigation Of Patients’ Quality Of Life Across Three Service Delivery Models, Helena Riley

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Aphasia, a common communication disorder following a stroke, significantly impacts psychosocial wellbeing and quality of life. Despite advancements in rehabilitation frameworks, traditional impairment-based interventions prevail, leaving gaps in addressing holistic needs. This study aims to compare patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) between intensive comprehensive aphasia programs (ICAP), modified ICAPs (mICAPs) and individual usual care (UC) service delivery models for aphasia intervention. Eighteen participants with aphasia were broadly recruited for this study. Each completed a series of PROMs pre-and post-treatment examining psychosocial wellbeing, communicative participation, and health related quality of life. Results indicate that intensive programs show potential for greater gains in …

Minimizing Toxicity And Maximizing Social Connection In Collegiate Esports Teams, Julia Kay Tonne

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

ABSTRACT

Tonne, Julia, M.A., Spring 2024 Communication Studies

Minimizing Toxicity and Maximizing Social Connection in Collegiate Esports Teams

Chairperson: Dr. Joel Iverson

Given possible benefits of social connection, the researcher analyzes how participation in the University of Montana’s Esports team influences students’ feelings of connection and their well-being. Participating in online gaming is associated with the risk of interacting with toxic behavior, especially for women and other minorities. The researcher further explores how toxic situations relate to feelings of social connection and well-being. Positive themes discovered include increased feelings of social connection for students in the program, experiences of social …

To Revise Or Not To Revise: How Feedback Type, Interpersonal Liking, And Messenger Credibility Influence Revision, Rachel Jane Jensen

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Revisions inevitably occur during project creation and curation; many of which are influenced by received feedback. Previous research has highlighted the role goals, perceptions of self, and task complexity play in revision, but little research has examined how feedback type and an individual’s feelings toward their feedback giver influence revision. A quasi-experimental design examined how feedback type (additive, subtractive, or none), interpersonal liking for a feedback-giver, and perceived credibility of a feedback-giver affected students’ (n = 155) willingness to revise, self-reports of revision, and calculated actual revision score. Results indicated that participants in a feedback-receiving condition reported higher levels of …

Uncontrolled Burn: The Worker Well-Being Of Wildland Firefighters, Luke Santore

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Purpose: The available evidence indicates that wildland firefighters (WLFFs) are experiencing a well-being crisis. This study aims to assess predictors of both worker well-being and social and emotional loneliness among WLFFs.

Methods: An adapted version of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Worker Well-Being Questionnaire, along with the De Jong Gierveld Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale (De Jong Gierveld & Van Tilburg, 2010) was distributed between May and October of 2023. Nine ordinary least square linear regression models were estimated to test the impact of demographic and employment variables on well-being in the sample of 95 …

Foreign Expert: A Memoir Manuscript, Jenny L. Rowe

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This is a full memoir manuscript that I wrote for my MFA thesis, which is tentatively titled Foreign Expert. In this manuscript, we follow myself as narrator as I struggle to adapt to life in Beijing (prior to the pandemic) while also recovering from a recent divorce. The man I’d been married to for five years back in Iowa had become violently mentally ill, and though I’d been fortunate enough to remove myself from him, I quickly learned that being a foreign expert in China—my residential visa title—required more work than basic survival. By the end of my two years …

Exploring Cross-Cultural Communication Strategies And Solutions Of International Students In Academic Environments With Consideration To Communication Accommodation Theory, Wendy K. Yeboah

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

ABSTRACT

Yeboah, Wendy, M.A., Spring 2024 Communication Studies

Exploring Cross-Cultural Communication Strategies and Solutions of International Students in Academic Environments with Consideration to Communication Accommodation

Chairperson: Dr. Greg Larson

This study, exploring the communication challenges of international students within academic spaces may be particularly helpful due to the constant interaction that happens within the academic space. Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) was used as a guiding framework to ask eleven international students what their communication challenges are and subsequently what are the communication strategies they use to help alleviate these challenges. Analyses were conducted thematically, and international students' responses on what …