Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Dha On Myo-Inositol Levels In Lymphoblasts Derived From Patients With Bipolar Disorder, Katherine Pierre

Honors Theses

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by recurring episodes of mania and depression. Bipolar I disorder is accompanied by severe episodes of mania and depression, while bipolar II disorder is characterized by a milder form of mania. It has been hypothesized that currently approved treatments for this disorder, lithium and valproic acid, exert their therapeutic effect by decreasing myo-inositol levels intracellularly. However, these treatments may lead to undesired side effects, creating a need for safer treatments. Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that have been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms of bipolar disorder.

To investigate …

Women, Collective Creative Practice, And Community Health, Anne Hensley

Honors Theses

A growing body of research shows that art therapy yields positive outcomes for those experiencing stress and mood disorders. Creative arts therapies have been shown to lower cortisol, improve personal and universal outlook, decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression, increase self-esteem and confidence, alleviate burnout, help individuals to cope with trauma, and support brain function through activity-dependent plasticity. However, little research has been done on collective and collaborative arts, and the enhanced benefits communal practice might bring. Additionally, art therapy is inaccessible to many, due to a dearth of practitioners and cultural and socioeconomic barriers to participation. Peri-, menopausal, and …

The Relationship Between Religious Coping Styles And Eating Disorder Risk In Christians In A University Setting, Meghan E. Aubuchon

Honors Theses

Existing research on eating disorders and religion is beginning to gain momentum in the present day, but research is lacking on the topic of religious coping and eating disorder risk. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between two known styles of religious coping—positive and negative—and eating disorder risk in University of Mississippi students, faculty, and staff who identify as Christian. A survey consisting of basic demographic questions, the EAT-26, and the Brief RCOPE was distributed via emails sent by the office of IREP to students, faculty, and staff at the University of Mississippi. A total of 330 participants were …

What Is Known And Not Known About The Impact Of Social Media On Self-Esteem: Systematic Literature Review Of Research On Adolescents (2014-2024), Kailen Mokhantha-Sopraseuth

Honors Theses

Prior research has found social media can impact how users feel about themselves and can influence how individuals perceive the world around them. Due to the increase in adolescent usage of social media, a systematic literature review of research available through Western Michigan University’s library was conducted. This study was aimed at summarizing and critically evaluating research on the impact of social media use on adolescent’s self-esteem using a qualitative systematic literature review from the last decade, with some quantitative analysis. Specifically, this study examined 1) what methods of data collection was used, 2) research designs implemented, and 3) results …

The Immune System Under Pressure: Understanding The Impact Of Stress On Immune Function And Health, Kaeshwinie Murugan

Honors Theses

Stress has a profound impact on the immune health of college students, exacerbated by challenges such as academic pressures, sleep deprivation, and inadequate coping strategies. This study investigates the relationship between stress and immune function among students at Western Michigan University, utilizing survey data and existing literature to explore mechanisms of stress-induced immune suppression and identify effective interventions. The survey, conducted with 100 participants, revealed that over 70% experienced stress that adversely affected their immune systems, with 60% reporting insufficient sleep and 20% sleeping less than five hours per night.

The survey further highlighted students' reliance on specific coping mechanisms, …

Natural Medicine Use In Costa Rica, Elizabeth Krol

Honors Theses

This study explores the role of natural medicine in Costa Rican culture, while focusing on its historical, cultural, and clinical significance. With a literature review, ethnobotanical research, and a study abroad experience, this paper highlights the integration of natural, herbal medicine into modern healthcare. Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity, with its varied microclimates and abundant medicinal plants, forms a strong foundation for traditional herbal medicine. Indigenous groups such as the BriBri and Cabécar contributed significantly to this legacy, which has evolved through interactions with European and Afro-Caribbean populations.

Research emphasizes the cultural importance of herbal medicine within the “Pura Vida” lifestyle, …

Perceptions And Attitudes Of Western Michigan University Students On Antibiotic Medications, Emily Boask

Honors Theses

On a global scale, antibiotic resistance is a threat to public health. The causes of antibiotic resistance are multifaceted, including healthcare providers overprescribing antibiotics, antibiotic overuse in farming and food production, and antibiotic misuse or malpractices. The public recognizes antibiotic resistance as a significant problem but there are serious knowledge gaps regarding antibiotic resistance and antibiotic stewardship.

University students are a particularly important subpopulation of the public to understand appropriate antibiotic use because many of these individuals are navigating their health concerns on their own for the first time. Many individuals believe that antibiotics can improve cold symptoms, upper respiratory …

Parenting Practices And Attachment Levels In Relation To Externalizing Behaviors In Children Raised By Nonparental Caregivers, Kourtney Mia Barfield

Honors Theses

Current literature supports parenting practices and the quality of child-caregiver attachments are correlated with child externalizing behavior. However, these results typically come from samples of biological parents and their children. It is unknown if parenting practices (i.e. poor supervision, inconsistent discipline, and positive parenting) predict attachment and externalizing behavior among children of grandparents and foster parents. Previous studies have also found
that attachment mediates the relation between parenting practices and externalizing behavior among children raised by biological parents. This study aims to determine if similar relations will be found among grandchildren and foster children and if the level of attachment …

Wearable Technology In Intercollegiate Sport: Ethical And Legal Considerations Of Collecting Student-Athlete Biometric Data, Taryn Deshane

Honors Theses

As wearable technology becomes increasingly integrated into athletic performance tracking, questions surrounding privacy, consent, and data ownership emerge. This research investigates how universities and athletic organizations navigate the complex issues surrounding athlete biometric data (ABD) collection and usage, with a particular emphasis on intercollegiate athletics. While the use of biometric data is widespread across both professional and amateur sports, this study hones in on the college sports environment, examining how ABD is collected, the ethical concerns it raises, and how it impacts student-athletes and institutions.

This pilot study centers on student-athletes at Western Michigan University, specifically focusing on Division 1 …

Study Of The Effect Of Social Anxiety And Social Support On Third Place Perceptions In Student Samples, Lillian M. Lestrange

Honors Theses

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and perceived social support are well-documented to influence social interaction styles and behaviors. Some data suggests that SAD and social support relate to perceptions and familiarity with various public spaces outside of home and work (i.e., third places). This study assessed relations among social anxiety, self-perceived social support, and attitudes/beliefs about ten common third places (i.e., perceived degree of restorativeness, preference, and sentiment for these places) among undergraduate psychology students (n = 92). Contrary to predictions based on prior research (Fong et al, 2021, Case & Hunter, 2012), social anxiety symptoms did not correlate with any …

Evaluating The Duckweeds Lemna Minor And Spirodela Polyrhiza As Alternative Aquatic Hosts For The Spread Of The Bacterial Wilt Pathogen, Ralstonia Solanacearum, Irelynn Smith

Honors Theses

Ralstonia solanacearum is a plant pathogen that causes bacterial wilt disease in major crops such as tomatoes and potatoes. Recently, this bacterium was discovered in floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides) and Pennsylvania smartweed (Polygonum pennysylvanicum), two previously unsuspected aquatic plants. Duckweed is an aquatic plant with a high level of resilience and short doubling time. Common duckweed (Lemna minor) has previously demonstrated its capability as a versatile high-yield infection model for other types of pathogenic bacteria. Given this newfound branch of aquatic hosts and the fact that duckweed is a common pond weed previously identified in several ponds located nearby infected …

Influence Of Head Sway On The Availability Of Visual Information In An Affordance Task, Ron Dickson Jr.

Honors Theses

This thesis investigated how varying postural conditions and environmental challenges influence human affordance perception in virtual environments, focusing specifically on participants’ judgments about whether they could stand upright on sloped surfaces. Using virtual reality (VR) to simulate ramps at various inclines, participants assessed their ability to stand on these slopes under different postural constraints (unaided standing, leaning, and touch-supported). Data was collected on head movement dynamics, including movement magnitude, variability, and complexity, using measures such as Euclidean distance and effort-to-compress (ETC). Logistic and linear regression analyses revealed that slope angle and stance significantly impacted participants' affordance judgments and movement patterns, …

A Linguistic Analysis Of The Language Surrounding Witchcraft In France From The 16th To 20th Centuries, Kaleigh Landers

Honors Theses

While the history of witchcraft in France is a subject that has received significant scholarly attention, little research has been conducted on the linguistic implications of the language used in regard to the subject. This study attempts to analyze the texts written about witchcraft between the 16^th and 20^th centuries in order to draw conclusions as to how language and culture affect each other. The aim of this study was to conduct a discourse analysis of these texts to identify cultural connotations, language trends, and insights regarding how the French language has evolved to communicate complex, dividing concepts …

Racial Disparities In Domestic Violence: Analyzing The Intersection Of Race And Gender, Nia Grace Sharp

Honors Theses

This research explores the intersection of race, gender, and the litigation of domestic violence cases in Memphis, Tennessee. This is explored through qualitative research that combines a theoretical framework with structured interviews of criminal defense attorneys. Utilizing a sample of 5 attorneys with recent exposure to domestic violence cases, this study aims to reveal whether or not intimate partner violence is litigated differently across racial lines. This is done through analysis of the treatment of victims depending on race, sentencing rates, and perceptions of credibility within the justice system. The methodology involves five key steps: conducting a literature review to …

Parental Guidance Necessary: A Qualitative Study On The Impacts Of Parenting Styles, Mackenzie Longmire

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the long-term effects of parenting styles and attachment experiences on adult psychological well-being, relational competence, academic aspirations, and self-concept. Through qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with three participants from the Chattanooga, Tennessee area, the study investigates how family dynamics—framed by Baumrind’s parenting models and Bowlby’s attachment theory—shape developmental trajectories across the lifespan. Findings indicate that authoritative parenting fosters resilience, empathy, and secure attachments, while authoritarian and avoidant parenting styles often lead to relational hesitancy and diminished self-worth. Emphasizing the value of responsive, balanced parenting, this study underscores its role in promoting emotional security and adaptive coping, with …

Downtown Hattiesburg: In History And Memory, Joseph Reosti

Honors Theses

This paper explores how public memory of Downtown Hattiesburg has been shaped by race, class, and historical change, drawing primarily on oral history interviews conducted by the author. Once the heart of the city, Downtown Hattiesburg experienced significant decline from the 1970s onward due to suburbanization, white flight, and demographic shifts. In response, the 1970s saw the emergence of a historic preservation movement focused on revitalizing memories of the city's early 20th-century prosperity (1910-1929), often idealized as a period of economic success even despite racial segregation. Many interviewees identified this era as the city’s "golden age," despite its deeply inequitable …

A Modern Moral Dilemma: A Utilization Of Culture Wars For Political Gain Within The United States Government, Abigail K. Lowry

Honors Theses

The present study researches the background of culture wars within the United States and showcases how these culture wars are being utilized by political entrepreneurs in order to achieve a goal separate from resolving the expressed policy issue. In an effort to investigate this phenomenon, this paper analyzes the historical timeline of several prominent culture wars within the United States and then uses this background as a lens to examine the political successes and failures of two United States governors who attempted to utilize culture wars in order to advance themselves politically. By examining the rhetoric used by Ron DeSantis …

Effects Of Acute Pain With Cold Water Limb Submersion On Cognitive Performance Of Simple Span Tasks, Kyle J. Miller

Honors Theses

Pushing through aches and pain is a ritual for many. It is often overlooked that pain is a physical as well as mental phenomenon. It is well established that chronic pain increasingly affects performance the longer the duration and the higher the intensity. Performance in acute pain is less established for complex and simple span tasks. Previous research suggests only complex tasks are negatively affected by painful stimuli. This study seeks to confirm previous literature on complex span tasks and test if simple span tasks are affected by performance and pain intensities. 34 participants completed either the digit span test …

Bridging The Gap: Factors Affecting College Students’ Use Of University Health Services, Courtney Rudolph

Honors Theses

This thesis, titled “Bridging the Gap: Factors Affecting College Students' Use of University Health Services," investigates the barriers and motivators influencing student engagement with campus health resources at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). Given that approximately 2,000 college health centers across the U.S. serve over 20 million students, understanding why some students underutilize these services is crucial for enhancing campus health outcomes (National College Health Assessment - ACHA, 2024). Using a mixed-methods approach, the research gathered data through surveys (n = 118) and an in-depth interview with the EKU Student Health Coordinator. The study aimed to identify key factors affecting students' …

Investigating The Bioactive Properties Of The Genus Lygodium Through Phytochemical Composition Analysis, Sasha N. Carrasco

Honors Theses

Many of the secondary metabolites produced by plants serve as a chemical defense mechanism against herbivory, some of which have been utilized by humans for medicine (Kusari et al., 2014, Facchini and De Luca, 2008). While many phytochemicals have been identified in angiosperms, other major land plant lineages have received less attention despite their taxonomic diversity and putative utility. For instance, some species of monilophyte (ferns), are used medicinally by indigenous cultures to treat various ailments (Wong et al., 2018). Of focus in this manuscript is the genus, Lygodium (Sw.) which is comprised of climbing ferns exhibiting worldwide distribution. Previous …

9/11: Fueling The Misleading Fire Of War And Its Reflection In Country Music, Corban L. Profitt

Honors Theses

The interplay between American patriotism and country music underwent a profound transformation in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, as significant historical events reshaped national identity. This project examines the evolution of conservative patriotism in country music through key events such as the Iranian Revolution, the Iran-Iraq War, and the First Gulf War, culminating in the post-9/11 era and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It explores how these geopolitical shifts influenced public sentiment and how country musicians became both commentators and amplifiers of national rhetoric. The pre-9/11 era saw artists like Merle Haggard and Hank Williams Jr. use their …

Highs And Hollows: Exploring The Overall Drug Use Of Kentucky Universities From Urban To Appalachian, Venessa Miller

Honors Theses

Drugs cause chemical changes to a person’s mental and physical state and the misuse of such substances is a problem that affects not only strangers but our community and those closest to us. It is of utmost importance to determine the root and depth of the drug problem, especially among populations where the risk is highest. College students, also known as emerging adults, are a vulnerable group due to their unique environment that fosters higher exposure rates and the normalization of substance use. The current study focuses on students in higher educational institutions throughout Kentucky, a state known for being …

Dental Modification Among The Classic Maya Of Chac Balam And San Juan, Ambergris Caye, Belize, Katherine Kelly

Honors Theses

Perceptions of beauty and health are embedded within everyday actions, even a simple smile. How do dental modification practices among the Classic Maya from Ambergris Caye, Belize relate to these perceptions and a person’s identity and status? This thesis analyzes the practice of notching, filing, and placing inlays in maxillary incisors and canines through a qualitative analysis of Classic period AD 250-1000 Maya teeth from the sites of San Juan and Chac Balam. A lack of patterns related to sex, socioeconomic status, and the type of modification in the dentition of five individuals, including two males, two females and one …

Bioaffinity Analysis Of Aptamer-Target Interactions, Pooja Karunanithi

Honors Theses

This study explores the bioaffinity of aptamer-target interactions through a comprehensive analysis. Aptamers, oligonucleotides that can bind to target molecules, have emerged as powerful tools in various fields, including diagnostics and therapeutics. The primary objective of this research was to assess the binding affinity and specificity of selected aptamers to their respective targets using a combination of experimental techniques and computational models. The binding affinity of 10 different complexes were measured through surface plasmon resonance (SPR) followed by molecular simulations. The results showed that the 6th complex had the best binding affinity. The data suggest that these aptamers could be …

The Gavel And The Camera: Environmental Law And Photojournalism's Relationship To Appalachian Identity, Emily S. Patton

Honors Theses

Both the federal government and photojournalism have played a substantial role in the “othering” of Appalachia while simultaneously attempting to save it. Examining both institutions demonstrates the exploitative processes that alter the perception of rural communities and their surrounding environment. Stacey Kranitz’s archival exhibit, As It Was Give(n) To Me, internalizes this precarious role of the camera in a region heavily journalized. By inhabiting the area for years, establishing close relationships, and researching the documented history of Appalachia, Kranitz’s work becomes her livelihood in the dissolution of profession vs. personal. She is critical of past projects whose objective portrayal of …

Wearing Endangered Species, Kylie Perry

Honors Theses

The biodiversity of our ecosystems is under constant threat every day; this makes public awareness of environmental issues incredibly important. Since this is such a time sensitive issue it is necessary to increase public awareness immediately. The constant threat was caused by humanity so we should be the ones to help save the endangered species before they are gone. My thesis focuses on how art can bring awareness to environmental issues and more specifically endangered species. This project involves linocuts printed on recycled paper on the topic of five species of endangered animals. Through the medium of printmaking, this project …

Proposals To Address Health Disparities In Occupational Therapy, Madison Michelle Cotten

Honors Theses

Health disparities, “preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health,” are infamous for their effects within both general healthcare and occupational therapy settings (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2008). Though existing literature establishes a need for the widespread adoption of anti-discrimination measures, specific recommendations for occupational therapy schools remain limited. This project aims to remedy this gap in knowledge by serving as an initial overview of healthcare disparities within occupational therapy and by addressing the potential value of incorporating diversity courses into the curriculum of occupational therapy schools. Through the presentation …

Predicting Personal Growth: An Analysis Of Self-Relevant Approaches, Cole Morse

Honors Theses

Identifying predictors of personal growth–defined as striving to fulfill one’s unique potential–may be important for achieving a life of flourishing (Ryff & Singer, 2008). While existing research demonstrates the link between self-esteem and personal growth, gaps remain in our knowledge of the relationship between other potential self-referential predictors and personal growth (Paradise & Kernis, 2002). The intention of the current study is to not only conceptually replicate the link between positive self-regard (i.e., a positive self-evaluation that is theoretically akin to self-esteem) and personal growth, but to also investigate whether different ways of relating to the self offer unique pathways …

Revisiting Snack-Time: Analyzing How A Food Prescription Program In Charleston, Ms Affects The Children Of Participating Parents And Caregivers, Aubrey Bethay

Honors Theses

This study examines how Food Rx programs impact the children of enrolled families. Currently, research in this area is limited to data that focuses on produce consumption rates and BMI; however, there are other measures of physical and mental well-being that require evaluation. Consequently, this paper takes a more comprehensive approach, looking into childrens’ sense of security and perception of healthy food. 10 parents (representing 23 children) were interviewed and participated in recorded focus groups in order to gather information. From here, their responses were organized into domains in order to categorize the data.

Many parents reported that their children …

Benzo[A]Pyrene-Induced Multigenerational Gene Expression And Dna Methylation Changes Are Influenced By Paternal Epigenome, Caroline Sturgis

Honors Theses

The objectives of this study were to determine the sex-dependent contributions to developmental and behavioral effects of preconceptional exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). BaP is implicated in numerous adverse outcomes in offspring of exposed parents, but the molecular mechanisms for the developmental and multigenerational effects associated with BaP exposures have yet to be fully elucidated. To assess the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), a waterborne exposure of the offspring of ahr heterozygous (ahr^+/-) parents was conducted. At 120 hpf, BaP treated fish moved significantly less in the dark phase regardless of genotype. At 3 wpf, there …