Digital Commons Network^™

Protective Factors For Suicidal Ideation In Transgender Adults Living In Rural Communities, Genel Gronkowski

Theses and Dissertations

Transgender adults living in rural communities within the USA may be at an increased risk for suicidal ideation compared to their cisgender peers. Meyer’s Minority Stress Model postulates that this may be due to unique stressors that result from a minoritized identity that may lead to poor mental health outcomes, such as suicidal ideation; individual and community level protective factors may buffer or protect from poor health outcomes. The purpose of this study is to identify protective factors that may be unique to transgender adults experiencing suicidal ideation in rural communities. Utilizing a grounded theory approach, a homogenous group of …

Examining Mental Health Professionals' Attitudes Towards Individuals With Rural Accents, Emily Heavner

Theses and Dissertations

Bias against people from rural areas is ingrained in American culture, and stereotypes that people from rural regions are backwards, uneducated, and unintelligent are prevalent (Fulkerson & Thomas, 2016; Hartman et al., 2023; Howley, 2009; Shirley, 2010). Many people from rural areas have accents that mark them as coming from a rural region (Flanigan, 2000). Research suggests that accent is a reminder that the speaker is from a different cultural group than the listener, triggering biases and stereotypes about the speaker (Chakraborty, 2017). Because accent and rural culture are not often discussed as part of multicultural competence, many mental health …

The Experience Of Caregiving Among Males Caring For A Family Member With Alzhimer’S Disease: A Descriptive Phenomenology Study, Randy John-Chapin Huard

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe the phenomenon of caregiving among men caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease. Historically, most Alzheimer’s disease caregivers were women, and research has generally focused on female caregivers, usually the spouse. However, more men are now assuming the caregiver role. A limited number of studies have focused on male caregivers and revealed multiple inconsistencies in findings. Further, limited studies have specifically included rural male caregivers, who may experience caregiving differently due to the lack of resources and increased disparities that exist in rural populations. The knowledge gained from this research study …

Examining Barriers And Motivation Toward University Stem Faculty Research Success, Jordan A. Jaeger

Theses and Dissertations

All university faculty pursuing scholarly goals tackle complex tasks over long periods, yet some must overcome additional adversity and challenges to succeed. Recent studies have measured faculty research success according to their self-reported accomplishments in research activities, publications, and grant writing, and motivation was a predictor of success (Stupnisky, BrckaLorenz, et al., 2019; Stupnisky et al., 2023). This dissertation describes a three-study program of research that examined how faculty navigated barriers to research success through the lens of different theories of motivation.Faculty face barriers in completing research because it often involves a lengthy and emotion filled process, from research design …

The Mediating Role Of Emotion Regulation On Attachment Styles, Relationship Quality, And Internalizing Symptoms Among Emerging Adults, Summer Rae Lardy

Theses and Dissertations

Internalizing symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, impact a substantial number of emerging adults each year. Previous literature has examined relationship quality’s impact on internalizing symptoms but has yet to include emotion regulation. Therefore, both intra- and interpersonal emotion regulation’s impact on the well-established association between relationship quality and internalizing symptoms was assessed. Two-hundred and fifty-nine emerging adults were surveyed on the factors of: Relationship Quality, Attachment Style, Relationship Maintenance Behaviors, Intrapersonal Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Emotion Regulation, Depression and Anxiety symptoms. As hypothesized, results found a negative, moderate correlation between relationship quality and internalizing symptoms (r = -.54). Additionally, there …

Healing Through Decolonized Learning: The Transformative Journeys Of Online Indigenous Health Ph.D. Students, Stephen Wyatt

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the transformative and healing experiences of doctoral students enrolled in the first fully online Indigenous Health Ph.D. program at the University of North Dakota. The research aims to understand the unique experiences and supports influencing the success of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in this program. The qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 23 Indigenous Health Ph.D. students (N = 23) to explore their lived experiences. By fostering a sense of community, incorporating cultural relevance into the curriculum, and providing robust support systems, the Indigenous Health Ph.D. program facilitated significant personal and academic growth …

Evolving Community Preparedness: Analysis Of United States Pandemic Health Disaster Readiness, Jessy Rugeyo

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown substantial gaps in counties' preparedness and response capacity across the United States. This study analyzes the relationship between county-level pandemic preparedness and confirmed COVID-19 cases using secondary data from the FEMA's National Household Survey (NHS) and county-level COVID-19 data from the CDC. The data show a negative relationship between preparedness levels and COVID-19 positive rates, highlighting the necessity of proactive readiness measures. Individual risk assessment, motivation for preparedness, and socioeconomic variables have a major influence on confirmed cases. Higher levels of education, income, and preparedness are associated with lower positive rates, emphasizing the importance of …

Breaking Barriers: Factors Contributing To Successful Employment Outcomes For Black Males With Mental Health Diagnosis And Undergoing Vocational Rehabilitation, John C. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Black males with mental health diagnoses face substantial barriers to gaining and maintaining employment. Tailored employment support services may help increase employment access, yet utilization remains low among this demographic area. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study is to explore the employment challenges for Black males with mental health diagnoses in the US. This quantitative study will utilize a data mining approach drawing from an ex post facto national rehabilitation services dataset. Archival data will be extracted from the Rehabilitation Service Administration 911 (RSA-911) database. Descriptive statistics will first profile the extracted sample of vocational rehabilitation clients on demographic variables. …

Communicating Character: Ceo-Expressed Humility, Stakeholder Protest Activism, And Organizational Misconduct, Guadalupe J. Solano

Theses and Dissertations

In an era characterized by self-promotion, individualism, and the pursuit of self-interest, the virtue of humility appears to be in decline, with far-reaching implications for contemporary organizations and overall social cohesion. The corporate landscape, in particular, has not been immune to this trend, as leaders who prioritize humility are becoming increasingly scarce (Heimann, 2021). Within the realm of business and, more specifically, leadership, the scarcity of humility can create a fertile ground for organizational misconduct to flourish, as it may reduce accountability and foster an unethical climate. Additionally, when misconduct is exposed, the perceived lack of humility in leadership can …

Investigating The Relationships Among Explicit And Implicit Language Bias, Reading Motivation, And Reading Comprehension Among Bilingual College Students, Erika Vanessa Garza

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the relationship between language attitudes in reading motivation and reading comprehension in 243 voluntary English-Spanish bilingual college students. The current study focused on addressing two primary research questions: investigating the relationships between explicit and implicit language bias and reading motivation in English and Spanish and the relationships between explicit and implicit language bias and reading comprehension in English and Spanish. A multivariate multiple regression analysis revealed the dscore and Spanish Explicit Attitude to be significant on multiple outcome variables, English Explicit Attitude did not. Subsequent univariate analyses identified numerous individual effects that were statistically significant.

Examining Tele-Mental Health Utilization In North American Indigenous Communities, Elleh A. Driscoll

Theses and Dissertations

Tele-mental health delivery reported by clinicians in Indigenous communities before, during, and after the pandemic has largely remained unexplored across psychology literature. Tele-mental health (TMH) is the utilization of technology tools to communicate and treat clients (Riding-Malon, 2014). TMH (i.e. mental health services accessed via zoom, telephone, etc.) is associated in recent research with effective rates for mental health care treatment comparable to in-person rates for both immediate and long-term outcomes (McCord, 2020; Lin, 2021). The current study examined self-reported mental health clinicians (n=104) serving North American Indigenous clients on a variety of TMH factors during and after the COVID-19 …

Reimagining Non-Credit Higher Education: The Impact Of Non-Credit Short-Term Accelerated Postsecondary Workforce Training At Santa Fe Community College, Monique Anair

Theses and Dissertations

An estimated five million Americans participate in non-credit college and university classes annually. The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) does not require the reporting of non-credit student postsecondary enrollment, which means there is a lack of data about non-credit higher education. This qualitative case study provides a deeper understanding of 14 student experiences at Santa Fe Community College who participated in non-credit, short-term, accelerated workforce training programs. The findings reveal that students who engage in Santa Fe Community College’s non-credit postsecondary opportunities, are low-wage or unemployed working age adults who value short-term non-credit programs because they lead to higher …

Historical & Contemporary Practices Of Seal Harvesting: Policy Implications For Revitalization Among The Taa-Laa-Wa Dee-Ni’, Paula Lynne Aubrey

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the contemporary practices of seal harvesting among Indigenous Peoples, with a special focus on policies that inform the revitalization of seal harvesting within the Taa-laa-waa Dee-ni’ (Tolowa) community of Northern California and Southern Oregon. The research is conducted by an Indigenous researcher seeking to further connect to traditional practices of her tribe, and this research places a strong emphasis on cultural sensitivity and ethical integrity. The study involves a dual methodology including a comprehensive literature review to understand the cultural and ecological significance of seal harvesting, and a policy artifact review to identify wise practices and policy …

Unveiling Facilitators And Barriers Of Breastfeeding Initiation And Continuation And Designing Culturally Tailored Intervention For African American Mothers, Nadia Boahemaa Kyeremeh

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the determinants of breastfeeding initiation and continuation among African American women in the United States and evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention using WordPress to disseminate culturally relevant breastfeeding information to African American women. First, secondary data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) was used to test factors influencing breastfeeding initiation and continuation among White and Black women. The results showed that the foreign-born (vs. US-born) status, residing (vs. non-residing) with grandparents, and strong (vs. weak) cultural identity were positively associated with breastfeeding initiation and continuation across racial groups. Based on the secondary …

A Thematic Analysis: A Lived Experience Raising A Child Diagnosed With A Neurodevelopmental Disability In A Rural Community, Matthew Kettelhake

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, about 17% of children between the age of 3 and 18 are diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disability (Zablowsky et al; 2019). About 14% of the population lives in a rural community (USDA, 2020). Being part of a rural community has additional challenges urban areas may not face (Sharpley et al., 1997; Hasting &Taunt, 2002; Gerstein et al.,2009; Dabrokska & Pisula, 2010). Parents of children diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disability also face additional challenges than raising a neurotypical child. This study explored the themes and commonalities that arise from raising a child diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disability …

Mcmi-Iv And Pid-5 Antecedents To Self-Reported Sexual Perpetration, Katya Maureen Mickelson

Theses and Dissertations

Sexual perpetration is a pervasive public health concern with various theoretical models used to account for the developmental trajectory of this form of behavior. Personality traits have been incorporated into both etiologic and violence risk assessment predictive models. Contemporary personality inventories have not been examined extensively as risk indicators of self-reported sexual aggressiveness. The current study examined links between self-reported sexual perpetration and selected scales from the Millon® Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI®-IV) and Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5). Data from an initial pool of respondents (N = 1,408) was segregated after protocol interpretability exclusions into men who self-reported past sexual …

The Potential Value Of The Mcmi-Iv And Pid-5 In Physical Violence Risk Assessments, Courtney Tindell

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to explore and identify factors from two common personality measures, the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID-5) and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-IV (MCMI-IV), to aid in the prediction of lifetime physical violence. Contemporary violence risk assessments center around structured professional judgment, which often includes risk management factors. The MCMI-IV was developed to provide insight into an individual’s motivations, needs, and behaviors based on their personality type. Thus, the MCMI-IV was thought to have the potential to provide unique insight into treatment protocols for violence reduction and prevention. Based on previous research and theory, four facet and two …

Engaging Telepsychology As A Culturally Appropriate Communicative Approach For Mental Health Intervention For Women In Ondo State, Nigeria, Toyosi Motilola Olola

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Assessing the mental health issues among Nigerian women is complex due to cultural norms, stigmatization, and traditional beliefs, which often lead to the concealment of mental health problems. Mental health issues are frequently seen through a spiritual or supernatural lens, exacerbating stigma and preventing proper medical care. There is also a lack of comprehensive data on help-seeking behaviors, with many women relying on religious leaders and traditional healers for support. Telepsychology can solve these communication challenges by offering a confidential and accessible platform that bridges traditional beliefs and modern mental health care. This study explores cultural influences on help-seeking …

A Student Co-Creation Lab As A Sustainable System For Oer Development, Sarah Ann Stokes

Theses and Dissertations

Open educational resources (OER) are digital and non-digital resources for teaching, learning, and research that are available for no cost and licensed with various open licenses, permitting their widespread modification and use. While these resources afford benefits to post-secondary students in terms of reduced cost, ease of access, and potential for customization, faculty members in Ontario, Canada face many barriers to creating these resources for their classes. While many post-secondary institutions have engaged in some form of OER-development initiative, the initiatives are typically not sustainable in the long term. This study explores the model, including the tools, techniques, and workflows, …

Administering Psychological Tele-Assessment: A Delphi Study, Amanda Willyard Walkowiak

Theses and Dissertations

The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak increased demand for telehealth services for mental health providers (Zhou et al., 2020). To our knowledge, conducting psychological assessments through tele-health platforms has limited empirical and ethical support (Wright et al., 2020; Stifel et al., 2020; American Psychological Association [APA], 2020a). Moving from traditional to remote testing administration requires preparation, training, and practice (Joint Task Force for the Development of Telepsychology Guidelines for Psychologists [Telepsychology Task Force], 2013; Wright et al., 2020). Even if psychologists have access to test materials and the necessary technology to conduct tele-assessments, they may not have the training and clinical …

The Effect Of Context Diversity In Virtual Reality Environments On Speech Motor Learning In A Person With Aphasia And Apraxia Of Speech, Shelby Keeler Holloway

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the effect of contextual diversity on speech motor learning in an individual with apraxia of speech (AOS) using virtual reality (VR). One 62-year-old participant with severe AOS participated in the study where he practiced monosyllabic CVC words in both consistent and diverse VR environments. Kinematic, acoustic, and perceptual data were collected and evaluated for evidence of learning. Kinematic data were collected using electromagnetic articulography where sensors were glued to the participant's upper lip, lower lip, tongue blade, and tongue tip and were tracked with high precision. In addition, acoustic and perceptual data were collected using a microphone …

Echo: A Graphical User Interface Designed To Simulate, Study, And Mitigate Effects Of Interplanetary Communication Delays In Analog Missions, Dario Gabriel Schor

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the vast distances between Earth and other planets, future human interplanetary missions will experience significant communication delays. The literature suggests that a combination of training, protocols, procedures, and tools is required to mitigate the negative impact that the communication delay has on both stress and performance. This research introduces a tool called ECHO that combines known and novel features designed to make users cognizant of the delay and avoid misunderstandings. ECHO was tested as part of a mixed-methods study over the course of three analog missions at the University of North Dakota's Integrated Lunar/Mars Habitat where a total …

Perceptions Of Interpersonal Communication Skills In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Raquel Ann Zeidlik

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare is analogous to a team sport where effective communication is vital for the success of all members of the team. If communication is ineffective – or absent – between members of the healthcare team and their patients, then issues move beyond the concern of patient satisfaction, to matters of life and death. Patients who put their well-being in the hands of a healthcare team deserve to feel safe and to receive high-quality care, delivered by the most compassionate and qualified care team possible. Barriers to effective communication continue to challenge healthcare teams, further compromising the nurse-patient relationship. A total …

Pl 93-638: Utilizing The Indian Self Determination And Education Assistance Act (Isdeaa) To Enhance And Improve Oral Health Outcomes In A Tribal Community, Adriann Darlene Ricker

Theses and Dissertations

American Indians and Alaskan Natives experience the worst oral health outcomes. However, we are transitioning to a new era where Indigenous communities are reclaiming the narrative and health. This dissertation in practice was inspired by tribal self-determination and reclamation of health found through the newly established Fort Peck Tribal Health Dental Department utilizing the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act (PL 93-638). The guiding framework for the Fort Peck Tribal Health Dental Department and this dissertation is the Indigenous Primary Health Care Delivery Model which illuminates elements of community, empowerment, and self-determination with culture as center to all healthcare …

Promoting Athletic Training Careers Among American Indian And Alaska Native Communities, Wyatt Whitegoat

Theses and Dissertations

Athletic training, recognized for its role in providing specialized healthcare services focused on prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries for the athletic population, represents a growing profession within the healthcare field. As the need and value of athletic training services continues to grow, it is imperative for academic and Federal institutions to adapt programs and policies that reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

Despite ongoing efforts, which should not be minimized, to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the athletic training profession, significant progress remains limited, particularly in increasing representation of American Indian and Alaska Natives (AIANs). …

Holistic Advising And Student Success: A Qualitative Study On Student Advising Experiences And Perceptions At The University Of Wisconsin Stout, Camille Peterson Banger

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, single-case study investigated undergraduate students' perceptions and experiences of the academic advisement approach in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) academic program at the University of Wisconsin Stout. Focusing on holistic advising to address diverse and evolving needs, the study aimed to inform academic advisement practices within the ICT program by creating and implementing an ICT program academic advisement handbook and adding to the field of practice. Data collection involved on-campus and online focus groups with undergraduate ICT program students, questionnaires with ICT program advisors, and documentation analysis to triangulate the findings. Using Merriam’s (1998) approach to data …

Christianity In Conversations About Sexuality: Influences Of Parental Communication On Young Women’S Navigation Of Nonconsensual Sexual Experiences, Danielle Piggott

Theses and Dissertations

Women are forced to cope with the reality of sexual violence in multiple ways throughout their young adult life. This study sought to understand the influence of parental messaging on how young women understand consent and their own vulnerability to sexual assault, how they respond to friends who disclose to them about experiencing sexual assault, and how they personally conceptualize and recover from sexual assault. A sample of 384 college-aged women completed an online survey with questionnaires about messages from and relationships with their parents, beliefs about sex and sexual assault, sexual history, and mental health related symptoms. Regression analyses …

Transcriptional Landscape Of Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells Under Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress: Implications For Inflammaging, Jappreet Singh Gill

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the intricate relationship between mitochondrial oxidative stress and the function of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), highlighting their essential roles in the aging immune system and the development of age-related diseases. The study delves into how mitochondrial impairments within Tregs contribute to widespread inflammation leading to pathological aging. One key analysis shows that mitochondrial oxidative stress undermines Treg functionality, intensifying inflammatory responses and increasing frailty in older adults. This dysfunction is associated with elevated inflammatory markers and presents a potential target for therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring mitochondrial health to alleviate these impacts. Another significant discovery connects …

Exploring The Dark And Gothic: An Analysis Of Edgar Allan Poe And Nathaniel Hawthorne’S Gothic Elements In American Literature, Alejandra Serna

Theses and Dissertations

This paper examines the significant contributions of Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne to the development of American Gothic literature. Poe’s stories “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Black Cat” are renowned for their psychological elements and exploration of the human psyche, while Hawthorne’s “The Birthmark” questions the nature of evil as a universal human experience. By examining the ways in which these authors engage with themes of mental disorders, symbolism, and science versus nature, this thesis explores how such work by Poe and Hawthorne play in shaping the readers' understanding of the darker elements of American Gothic literature and its …

Peer Mentoring Program For Refugee And Newcomer Children To Increase Resilience, Chloe Skyla Cooksey

Theses and Dissertations

The refugee and newcomer population faces many challenges as they arrive in their host country. Many individuals experience varying degrees of trauma in their country of origin. Trauma can lead to poor mental health outcomes and poor adjustment in host countries. Refugee children in particular may experience post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety as a result of traumatic experiences. Children can be resilient when given opportunities to create relationships and gain confidence. These opportunities can be fostered through various avenues, one of which is the school environment. Refugee students can benefit from various supports provided to them in the school …