Digital Commons Network^™

A Qualitative Examination Of Female Sex Offender Grooming Of Child Victims, Mollee Katherin Steely Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Sex offenders often engage in manipulative and coercive behavior to begin, conceal, and continue to sexually abuse children over time. They utilize grooming behaviors to gain the trust and compliance of their victims. Grooming is the process by which an offender prepares a victim, significant adult and peers, and the environment for the eventual abuse. Most of what is understood regarding grooming behavior derives from exclusively male samples, which is problematic because male and female sex offenders vary widely in their offending patterns, motivations, and behaviors. For the present study, I examined the nature of sexual grooming among a sample …

Medication Assisted Treatment: Examining Enrollment And Demographic Factors Of Treatment, Antwana Letoya Drayton

Theses and Dissertations

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) has been a long-standing epidemic concern related to the continuous growth of variations of the substance and its’ potency. Due to the versatility of the substance to be both an illicit drug and also a prescription medication, the interest in controlling and monitoring its’ use creates a greater public health concern. Treatment overtime has been revitalized to directly address the social, biological, and physiological difficulties of patients with OUDs. Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) has been explored and has become one of the most widely used plans for treatment of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) related to pain …

The Experiences Of Cohort Membership In An Alternative Certification Program, Roxanne Marie Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

Employing and retaining teachers has been a rising problem affecting employment at school districts. Nationwide school districts have noted high instances of teacher shortages and are finding it more difficult to fill positions with traditionally trained teachers. In the 2019-2020 school year, at a local district in South Florida, it was assessed that 56% of new teachers to the district were of a noneducation background or career changers.

Retention of this subgroup of teachers is pertinent to reducing teacher attrition, specifically within the school districts that most frequently employ them. Certificate expiration, due to not completing their certification requirements within …

Misunderstood: A Phenomenological Study On Intersectionality And The Lived Experiences Of Black Millennial Student Affairs Professionals At Pwis, Emily P. Dixon

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to further understand the lived experiences of Black millennial student affairs professionals navigating and advancing through a predominately white institution in the southern United States. This phenomenological study, framed by critical race theory and intersectionality, sought to ultimately use these lived experiences to advocate for change. A review of the literature highlighted the needs, values, and experiences of Black Millennials based on both identities, the experiences of working in student affairs/higher education with these experiences, and the need for intentional diversity efforts by higher educational institutions.

The researcher interviewed nine participants to learn more about …

Another Time, Another Place: The Truth Of Silence In J.M. Coetzee's Disgrace, Sara T. Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

Through Lucy’s rejection of the criminal justice system, Coetzee's Disgrace operates as an allegory for the failure of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to provide individual justice and reparations to victims of Apartheid.

Early & Late Erp Responses To L1 & L2 Emotion Words, Brenda Lizeth Guerrero

Theses and Dissertations

The thesis aims to explore bilingual emotion word processing. Participants performed a lexical decision task and decided whether presented letter strings displayed on the computer screen were legal words or nonwords. Stimuli consisted of positive emotion (i.e., hope), negative emotion (i.e., sad), and neutral (i.e., umbrella) words, as well as emotion-laden words (e.g. death, puppy). Reaction time and participant accuracy were collected as behavioral measures. In addition, participants’ electrophysiological responses were recorded. Specifically, the early posterior negativity (EPN) and late positive complex (LPC) components were recorded. Participants’ language dominance was measured using the Bilingual Dominance Scale (BDS) (Dunn & Fox-Tree, …

Secularism: A Measure Of Explicit Agreement With Assumptions Of Secularism (Meaas), Conner Douglas Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Values are inherent within cultures, relationships, and many other systems, however, little study has been done on the extent to which individuals may explicitly agree with the metaphysical assumptions that much of psychological science relies upon. Psychological science, which uses scientific methodology, is a trusted source of knowledge for many students. Scientific methodology is conceptually linked to assumptions of naturalism, which makes claims about the truth of reality. These naturalistic assumptions pertain to ideas of disenchantment, which describe the world as free from any transcendent quality. These same ideas have become popular among people of the Western world and are …

Religious-Based Programming And Reentry Success: An Examination Of Spirituality And Its Effects On Post-Release Engagement, Employment, And Recidivism, Allie C. Bosi

Theses and Dissertations

This study uses data from HopeWorks, a Christian, faith-based vocational program inside the Shelby County Division of Corrections in Memphis, Tennessee, to examine factors affecting reentry success. Specifically, this research examines how spirituality - using measures that assess both spirituality (measured at the end of the program) and change in spirituality (measured as the difference between pre- and post-program measures of spirituality) - affects released offenders' reengagement with the program, ability to obtain employment, and ability to refrain from reoffending.

Response Effort Attenuates Provoked Aggression In Men And Women, Michaela Patoilo

Theses and Dissertations

Previous efforts to manage aggressive behavior have generally focused on the emotion of anger, as opposed to aggressive behaviors. Several small-N studies have explored the promising approach of contingency-based interventions (e.g., the effort required to respond aggressively; Zhou et al., 2000), but have produced mixed results. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether experimentally-manipulated response effort effectively attenuates provoked aggressive responding using a modified version of the Taylor Aggression Paradigm (TAP; Berman et al., 2009). Participants included 123 (40 men; Mean age = 20.9, SD = 4.6) randomly assigned to either a low- or high-effort condition, crossed with a …

How Are Police Lineups Represented In Popular Crime Shows In The U.S.A? An Examination Of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Luis Fernando Chavarria

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to explore police lineups as portrayed in crime-related TV shows in the U.S.A, such as Law & Order: SUV. The data used is from 25 episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The methodology used for this study is grounded theory and content analysis. results of the study by themes which are: DNA evidence, police lineups, and lineups used in court. From these themes codes were further highlighted and noted. Based on the episodes for the show and real-life lineup procedure practices, there were inconsistencies about clothing, physical characteristics of suspects, incorrect lineup …

Attachment And Intimate Partner Violence In Predominantly Hispanic Young Adult Couples, Deanna Pollard

Theses and Dissertations

Some research suggests that conflicting insecure attachment needs between romantic partners exacerbate the association between insecure attachment dimensions and physical intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration in men and women. However, the current literature examining this association are not without their limitations (i.e., small sample sizes, collapsing both partners' reports together to create their IPV variables, predominantly White samples, and utilizing attachment instruments that do not assess attachment dimensions directly). The present study aimed to address some of the limitations in previous research by examining the association between partners' opposing insecure attachment dimensions and male and female-perpetrated physical IPV in a …

Do Patrol Beat And Police Officer Attributes Predict Citizen Complaint?, Eduardo Guajardo

Theses and Dissertations

Citizen complaints against police officers have been the highlight of national news media and outlets. Complaints of use of force are not the only ones that arise from citizens’ complaints; other complaints such as discourtesy and demeanor are issues that police officers face and answer to their internal affair’s investigative units. The aim of this study is to examine what ascribed (e.g., age, gender, and marital status) and career-related achieved (e.g., certification, education, experience, and training) characteristics of police officers influence citizens’ complaints in terms of type, frequency, and severity. Contextual factors such as patrol beat, used as a moderating …

Community Needs Assessment For Mclean County, Hannah Lynn Curry

Theses and Dissertations

A community needs assessment was conducted for McLean County, Illinois assessing the community level resources that are in place for ex-offenders reintegrating into the community and further resources that are needed. The purposive sample included 7 local agencies that provided a range of reentry services. Intensive interviewing was conducted with respondents of local agencies. Audio-recordings of interviews were transcribed, coded through software and analyzed. Results indicated that boundary spanners and mental health services are the common types of resources in place for ex-offenders in McLean County. Further resources that are needed include housing, employment and mental health services.

A Thematic Analysis Of Parenting Experiences Of Women In Prison, Pious Dananai Maedzenge

Theses and Dissertations

Given the increased representation of women in prisons, several collateral consequences have followed One of such consequences include, but are not limited to, the effect that incarceration has on incarcerated mothers given that, in most instances, they are the primary caregivers of their children. Using Braun and Clarke (2006; 2019) reflexive thematic analysis approach and secondary analysis of qualitative data, this study examines parenting experiences of women incarcerated in a Midwestern correctional center. Additionally, the researcher is interested in knowing the ways in which background experiences (i.e. sexual and physical abuse, drug dependency, and broken homes) shape women’s experiences of …

Depolicing: An Empirical Analysis, Jacob Terrell Foster

Theses and Dissertations

Depolicing occurs when law enforcement officers disengage from proactive police work. In recent years, the term depolicing has become more popular with many seeing the phenomenon as negative. Prior literature has identified various predictors of such behavior. The current inquiry uses secondary data from a survey to further examine the predictors of depolicing. Respondents consisted of police officers from four different U.S law enforcement agencies. Results indicate that officers who experience higher levels of both public scrutiny and liability concerns are more inclined to depolice. Also, results indicate that experiencing higher levels of both public scrutiny and liability concerns are …

Are Websites Of Victim Service Organizations Representative Of Women Of Color? A Content Analysis, Loretta Addo-Danso

Theses and Dissertations

Intimate partner violence continues to be on the raise among women of color in the country. Many scholars have attributed this to the multiple factors such as race, class and sexual orientation that intersect to influence women of color’s experiences with intimate partner violence. Yet, there seems to be a gap in the services that are rendered to women of color who are survivors. To better understand how representative victim services are of women of color, a content analysis of victim service organizations’ websites nationwide was conducted to ascertain the extent to which the organizations are inclusive of survivors/victims of …

Dangerous Or Misunderstood? : Attributes Ascribed To Individuals With Mental Illness And Their Effects On Perceived Dangerousness, Sydni Lee Neal

Theses and Dissertations

Mental illness within the United States is fairly common; as of 2017 roughly 1 in 5 U.S. adults experienced a mental illness and 1 in 25 experienced a severe mental illness (NAMI, 2019). Despite these prevalence rates, there are many misconceptions about individuals with a mental illness. For example individuals with mental illness are perceived as dangerous (Angermeyer & Matschinger, 2003; Marie & Miles, 2008), unpredictable (Magliano et al., 2004; Wu et al., 2020), and aggressive (Adewuya & Makanjuola, 2008; Ozmen et al., 2004), despite research that suggests they are not more likely to be violent and/or dangerous (Hochstedler Steury, …

Interrogating Digital Rhetorical Privacy On Direct-To-Consumer Genetics Websites, Charles Fletcher Woods

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation uses an intersectional feminist methodology and digital rhetorical analysis to examine data related to direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetics websites. This work seeks to better understand how rhetorical power is distributed asymmetrically through the use of DTC-genetics and through the privacy policies which prescribe user actions on the sites. I detail and advocate for digital rhetorical privacy (DRP), a state of being when a user is confidant their digital data is free from unauthorized observances by nefarious computer technologies and other users. Through analysis I demonstrate that using DTC-genetics technology for police surveillance is an unethical action and a violation …

Community Corrections Officer Decision-Making: An Intersectional Analysis, Amber Leigh Williams Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

Although corrections populations have been gradually declining for several years, an estimated 4.1 million adults are currently supervised in the community (Maruschak & Minton, 2020). While some states have depended on the use of community corrections as a means to reduce overcrowded correctional facilities, other states’ approaches have resulted in probation and parole policies that only contribute to the incarcerated population, primarily through probation and parole revocations. In response to these trends, researchers have begun to focus on supervision outcomes, finding evidence to suggest that individual probation and parole officers may have an impact on offender outcomes. While some of …

Views Of Substance Use During Pregnancy: Social Responses To The Issue, Taylor Ruddy

Theses and Dissertations

Ever since the emergence of the crack cocaine epidemic and “crack babies”, our society has been concerned with women using substances during their pregnancy. The most appropriate response to this social issue has been heavily debated. Some think that the use of criminal justice initiatives and criminalization is the most effective method in deterring women from using while pregnant, and some promote utilizing public health methods to rehabilitate addicted women. There is a wealth of research and literature around this debate, however, there has not yet been any research examining public opinion on the most appropriate ways to handle this …

Thinking For You, Thinking For Two: Uncovering Student-Parent Experiences In Higher Education, Brandi Blanton

Theses and Dissertations

The literature addressing non-traditional students in higher education is broadening, nevertheless, the experiences of non-traditional, adult students who are raising children (i.e., student-parents) in academia continue to be inadequately explored. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of student-parents pursuing a college degree while raising children. The use of a qualitative approach in this research study presented the opportunity to gather rich data to help explain the phenomenon (Creswell, 2007, Denzin & Lincoln, 2013). Specifically applying a hermeneutic phenomenological research design allowed adult non-traditional student-parents to explain their college experience in their own words through …

What Factors Contribute To A Murder Case Being Designated As A Cold Case?, Claudia Yvette Ortiz

Theses and Dissertations

Homicide is the most serious form of crime and unfortunately, if you are murdered in America, there is a one in three chance that the police will not identify your killer (Kaste, 2015). Unsolved homicide cases are often referred to as “cold cases.” Very little is understood about cold cases and the circumstances under which a case may go “cold”. To investigate the characteristics of cold cases, data from one of the largest cities in Texas (Houston) will be used to compare similarities and differences from Houston’s cleared homicide cases and cold cases. The factors that are the focus of …

The Challenges And Aspirations Of The Digital Transformation Of The State Council Of Egypt, Moustafa Ahmad Kamal Mahmoud Ahmad

Theses and Dissertations

The use of modern technology to support the transformation of governmental public operations and services including judicial ones, with the aim of increasing efficiency, efficacy, and transparency, has spread all over the world, especially in the last four decades. This trend has existed in Egypt since the 1980s but without substantive efforts until the middle of the first decade of the current millennium. Since then, there have been several discussions, plans, and promises regarding the use of modern technology to enhance the effectiveness of judicial operations and services, especially in light of the increasing severe criticism directed towards the Egyptian …

Certifying Computer Forensics Skills, Michael Charles Watson

Theses and Dissertations

Computer forensics is an ever-growing technological field of complexity and depth. Individuals must strive to keep learning and growing their skills as they help combat cybercrime throughout the world. This study attempts to establish a method of evaluating conceptual expertise in computer forensics to help indicate whether or not an individual understands the five basic phases of computer forensics: preparation, seizure of evidence, acquisition of data, analysis of data, and reporting the findings of the analysis. A survey was presented to a university class of 30 students taking a computer forensics course and as well as posted online asking computer …

Parental Incarceration And Juvenile Delinquency: The Role Of Gender, Kirstie S. Weyland

Theses and Dissertations

Parental incarceration is connected to many negative outcomes for children including negative externalizing behaviors. Most studies are not conclusive in determining whether maternal incarceration or paternal incarceration has a more detrimental impact on children. This study looks at a sample of 2,458 youth from the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study (FFCWS) and their parents and compares the gender of the incarcerated parent and that of the child to determine if there are differences in the risk of delinquent behavior among adolescent children. Results found that parental incarceration overall increased the risk of juvenile delinquency and that female children are …

A Training Intervention For Middle School Teachers On Culturally Relevant Instruction And Culturally Relevant Classroom Management Strategies, Vivian Yakpo Newton

Theses and Dissertations

A Training Intervention for Middle School Teachers on Culturally Relevant Instruction and Culturally Relevant Classroom Management Strategies.

Vivian Yakpo Newton, 2020: Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice.

Keywords: Culturally Relevant Education, Cultural Diversity, Classroom Environment, Middle School Teachers, Cultural Awareness This applied dissertation was designed to determine the effectiveness of the Middle School Teacher Training Intervention on the application of culturally relevant instruction and classroom management instructions by teachers in a Title I middle school in the southeastern United States.

This school lacked culturally relevant instruction and behavior management, despite …

An Examination Of Drug Court Clients’ Risky Behavior And Perceptions Following An Hiv Education Program, Latunja Sockwell

Theses and Dissertations

Drug courts were intended to allow non-violent drug offenders an alternative to imprisonment. Drug court programs have a focus on health as well as drug use, and HIV education is a required component of drug courts. Through a partnership with the AR Department of Health (ADH) and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, ADH was able to provide an HIV intervention conducted by certified trainers and counselors. Research is limited on HIV education, delivery, and outcomes in drug court settings. The purpose of this study is to examine whether using an outside entity to deliver HIV education should prove …

"The Least Of These?" The Origins And Evolution Of A Misunderstood Group In Matthew 25, Christine Marie Downing

Theses and Dissertations

The intention of this paper is to analyze and explore the different aspects of Matthew 25:31-46. This research briefly examines how modern Biblical scholars and theologians have approached and interpreted Matthew 25. Further, I will place Jesus' announcement of the "coming of the Son of Man" within its historical context and explore how this announcement would have fit within and against First Century Israelite beliefs. By extension, I will attempt to examine the textual relationship of Matthew 25 to Jewish, non-Jewish and Early Christian texts. Finally, I will conclude with how Matthew 25 was interpreted and influential in both the …

Resident Assistants And Title Ix: The Hypocrisy Of Compelled Disclosure, Samantha Contrini

Theses and Dissertations

Resident Assistants juggle various roles as student staff members to ensure residents are supported and safe. Yet, RAs are widely considered to be some of the most under-trained and ill-prepared employees on college campuses (Letarte, 2012). At many institutions, RAs are considered Responsible Employees under Title IX which means they are required to report instances of sexual misconduct when they are made aware of them. Often times, this is done against the will of the survivor; a phenomenon referred to as compelled disclosure (Holland et al., 2018). The purpose of this study was to explore the potential harm caused to …

Developing Critical Consciousness In Traditionally White Fraternities In Higher Education, Jason J. Artrip

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the experiences of fraternity members within the higher education system in New Jersey. One major goal of this study was to analyze the level of critical consciousness developed through involvement in a fraternity. While research exists on the fraternity experience in relation to race, and whiteness, not much has been examined to understand the experience of fraternity members in relation to these issues. By expanding this research, fraternity and sorority affairs professionals, student affairs professionals and fraternity national office staff can better understand the fraternity experience in relation to racial injustice …