Digital Commons Network^™

Who Will Do The Good Works?: The Troubling Case Of Secularization And The Failure Of The Welfare State In England And Perú, Gabrielle Anna Schust

Honors Theses

This study examines the contribution and impacts of the social service works done by nuns in the UK in the 1950s and 1960s, and in Perú within the last five years. Specifically, it investigates the relationship between nuns as providers of social services and other providers such as the government. Drawing on existing literature on theories of secularization, and a close examination of the historical evolution of the British and Peruvian welfare state apparatuses, this study contextualizes the social service work of nuns in contemporaneous social, economic, and political circumstances. It finds that the population of nuns is on a …

People's Resource Center And Food Insecurity, Jaclyn Logan

COD Library Student Research and Award Symposium

The People’s Resource Center addresses both food insecurity and poverty. The PRC has a long history of serving those in need since 1975. They have a multitude of programs including a food pantry and a clothes pantry. It is through our services that those experiencing food insecurity and poverty can get their necessities, even without having as much money.

Faculty Sponsor: Lisa Higgins

Where Are The African American Males In The Social Work Program, Nicole Arkadie

University Diversity Committee records

This poster presentation discusses the lack of African American males in the social work program at California State University of San Bernardino. It highlights the problem across all the CSU Institutions of significant decrease in Freshman enrollment of African American Males compared to the number of students who were admitted.

Teaching Intersectionality To Improve Msw Students’ Understanding Of Oppression And Privilege., James D. Simon, Rigaud Joseph

University Diversity Committee records

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Grant Abstract

Teaching Intersectionality to Improve MSW Students’ Understanding of Oppression and Privilege.

Background and Purpose:

There are growing calls to understand how clients’ multiple intersecting identities result in compounded disadvantage, which leads to disparate and disproportionate outcomes (CSWE, 2008; Ortega & Faller, 2011; Nadan, Spilsbury, & Korbin, 2015; NASW, 2015). Although social work students are required to learn about intersectionality (NASW, 2015), there is some evidence that blind spots remain with respect to the relationship between intersectionality, oppression, and privilege (Bronstein, Berman-Rossi, & Winfield, 2002; Bubar, Cespedes, & Bundy-Fazioli, 2016). In response, this project attempted …

2020 Spring Commencement Program: Winona State University, Winona State University

WSU Commencement Programs

This is the Winona State University Spring 2020 commencement program. Commencement was on Friday, May 8, 2020. A list of graduates was not printed in the 2020 Spring Commencement Program.

This commencement occurred during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Additional resources such as videos are available in the Commencement 2020 Collection.

A list of graduates is available as a supplemental document (added in 2025).

Board Of Trustees Agenda, May 8 2020, Indiana State University Board Of Trustees

Board of Trustees

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Trauma Informed Yoga On Substance Use, Elizabeth Kovarsky, Jordyn Leonard

Thinking Matters Symposium

In the US there is an outstanding number of individuals experiencing a Substance Use Disorder (SUD). This research study employed a mixed methods approach to investigate the effect of Trauma Informed Yoga (TIY) intervention on 20 participants experiencing a SUD.

The Effects Of Community On Wellness: An Exploration Of Utilizing Community To Address Loneliness, Carter G. Bagnall

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

The subjective experience of loneliness is a growing public health concern that is deserving of the attention of mental health professionals. This project offers a review of current literature necessary for conceptualizing and understanding loneliness, and provides evidence for the positive impact of finding community in fostering acceptance and sense of belonging for lonely individuals. Research on possible responses to loneliness are explored, as are cultural influences and the implications of connection through the use of technology. Finally, the responsibility of mental health practitioners in addressing loneliness is examined, and suggestions for prevention, advocacy, and treatment are discussed.

Experiences Of Female Sex Trafficking Survivors Who Have Accessed Treatment For Substance Use: A Systematic Review, Nicole J. Hallett

Thinking Matters Symposium

Substantial literature identifies the prevalence of sex trafficking and the intersection of addiction in the United States and worldwide. Although inconsistent international reporting has made it difficult to define the scope of sex trafficking, it has been found to be a worldwide public health issue. However, there lies a gap in the literature as it pertains to how victims of sex trafficking access treatment. The aim of this study was to better understand what factors facilitate access to treatment for substance use by victims of sex trafficking. A systematic review was undertaken to investigate the study’s overarching research questions. The …

How Stress Affects College Students And How Yoga May Help, Madeline Waugh, Danielle Miville

Thinking Matters Symposium

College students often endure high levels of stress while completing their coursework. This can negatively impact their mental and physical health, resulting in problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, and depression. Most public universities offer inadequate, inaccessible services to support the needs of their students due to factors including a lack of funding, low space, and staffing issues. Yoga is a practice that involves linking the breath to movement, and previous studies suggest that it can be instrumental in managing stress. This mixed-methods study sought to understand yoga’s impact on stress management. Participants were college students (N=8) ages …

Providing Refuge In A Time Of Need: Experiences Of Hosting Asylum Seekers In Maine, Jordan Zema, Eric Lutz

Thinking Matters Symposium

In the summer of 2019, many asylum seekers arrived in Portland, Maine. In a unique community coordinated response, local organizations created a hosting program to temporarily place asylees with local host families. Scant literature describes the hosting experiences in host countries. Collaborating with Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition (MIRC), we conducted a phenomenological study to understand the hosting experience.

The Effect Of The Relocation Of The Oxford Street Shelter On Individuals Experiencing Homelessness, Priscila Bitencourt, Abby Brown, Eleanor Ginder, Katie Hardy

Thinking Matters Symposium

Increasingly, the voices of individuals experiencing homelessness are excluded from policy decisions that directly impact their lives. This study explores the opinions held by individuals experiencing homelessness in Portland, Maine, towards the City Council’s recent decision to relocate the Oxford Street shelter, the area’s only municipal shelter, from the city center to a site on the city limits.

Examining The Challenges And Protective Factors Of Women Experiencing Homelessness, Alicyn Romprey, Johanna Baker

Thinking Matters Symposium

The homeless population is a diverse community with many unique complexities. Prior research has identified that while there are homeless services that exist for general needs, women experiencing homelessness have unique needs that require specialized care due to the complexity of their experiences. The intention of this study was to gather insight into the challenges and protective factors among women experiencing homelessness. Researchers conducted a thematic analysis of eight in-person, semi-structured qualitative interviews in an urban community in the northeast with women who have been experiencing homelessness for at least 30 days. Common themes of challenges included: negative childhood experiences; …

Experiences Of Parents With Children With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Amy Crawford, Mataquess Phillips, Chelsea Stephens

Thinking Matters Symposium

Parents deal with a number of stressors and emotions while caring for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Finding accurate support and services can be challenging, and some parents do not receive services that they find helpful. While there is research around social services for children with IDD, the researchers found a gap in the literature regarding parents and their perceptions, experiences, and needs.

This grounded theory qualitative study sought to understand the experiences of parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities both in general and regarding services in the state of Maine. We conducted in depth interviews …

Effects Of Peer Victimization On Lgbtq Youth, Kristen Charest, Carol Oehlschlager

Thinking Matters Symposium

Within the scope of available research regarding bullying and sexual harassment of LGBTQ teens, there are substantial gaps in understanding the perspectives of trauma affected LGBTQ youth. This study explored the perspectives of three individuals who identify as LGBTQ and who experienced bullying and peer victimization during a formative stage, typically, in a high school setting. Through interviewing the three subjects the researchers were able to identify mental health concerns including symptoms of depression and anxiety as well the positive and negative coping mechanisms used by participants. Results from this study can help with identifying mental health needs and add …

Self-Esteem Among Immigrants Using Mental Health Services, Kevin Schaefer, Sadie Russell, Juma Poggo

Thinking Matters Symposium

Many immigrants face mental health issues following exposure to war, persecution, and political upheavals from their countries of origin. Post immigration challenges such as shattered social and cultural networks, living conditions, impoverishment, and job procurement contribute to mental health risk factors. This study examines adult immigrants who utilize mental health services at Gateway Community Services. This exploratory research project utilized a cross sectional study and employed quantitative methods. Three participants who self-identified as adult immigrants were recruited using convenience sampling methods. Case managers administered questionnaires to clients to assess their perceived self-esteem. Bi-variable analysis was used to calculate data using …

Mindfulness: A Study To Reduce Unwanted Behaviors In The Classroom, Victoria Codrey, Shane Waters

Thinking Matters Symposium

This study conducted a pilot intervention with fifteen 4th and 5th grade students and two elementary teachers. Students participated in a video based mindfulness intervention. Pre and post questionnaires and interviews were conducted to assess students levels of stress and teachers perceptions on unwanted behavior by students.

Dementia And Discharge Planning: A Thematic Analysis On The Experiences Of Care Managers With Discharge Planning For Patients With Dementia, Potitsa Schott, Phoebe Shields [email protected]

Thinking Matters Symposium

Hospital care managers work to facilitate in-hospital services and adequate discharge plans for their patients with dementia diagnoses. Care managers can experience potential difficulties due to the challenges that come with serving this population. Evidence suggests that the involvement of care managers leads to better patient outcomes, yet turnover rates for care managers are on the rise. Based on the research, examples such as role ambiguity, large caseloads, and pressure by the hospitals to limit average length of stay have been identified by care managers as some common stressors of discharge planning. However, little research has been conducted to examine …

We’Re Looking For Peace And That’S What We Find Here”: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis On African Asylum Seekers’ Acculturation Process, Nicole Evers

Thinking Matters Symposium

This study is a qualitative, exploratory, interpretative phenomenology (IPA) thesis study with a purpose to better understand the post-migratory experiences of African asylum-seekers and their acculturation process in a predominately white state of the United States. The research question is how do African Asylum Seekers who have resettled in Maine experience acculturation? In collaboration with Hope Acts, the researcher conducted in-person 30-45 minute semi-structured interviews with five African asylum seeking participants. The data was analyzed using IPA by generating exploratory comments and configuring themes and subordinate themes to express the phenomenon of acculturation by understanding the lived experiences of the …

Navigating Lgbtq+ And Disabled Intersections Online: Social Support And Identity Construction In The Age Of Social Media, Bianca Sturchio

Thinking Matters Symposium

There is a lack of research about the lived experiences of self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and otherwise-identified (LGBTQ+) young adults with disabilities who use the Internet to achieve particular social aims. Using open-ended survey questions, the researcher applied multidimensional and overlapping frameworks of intersectionality, feminist-disability theory, and social work to answer the following: What are the experiences of LGBTQ+ adults with disabilities who use the Internet, and more specifically social media, for online social support and identity construction? Using secondary data, fifteen (N=15) cases of LGBTQ+ disabled young adults aged 18 to 31 living in the United States …

Mothers In Recovery: A Phenomenological Study, Catherine Henning, Devin Moore

Thinking Matters Symposium

Mothers seeking recovery from substance use disorders face unique challenges, and treatment options that support women as both patients and as mothers are scarce. Empirical research pertaining to mothers in recovery is reflective of the limited treatment options available for this population. Recognizing that the level of perceived support from providers during early recovery can greatly impact overall outcomes, this study is designed to investigate the individual experiences of mothers as they seek treatment and begin their journey to recovery. Investigators used semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions to capture the emotional and logistical obstacles faced by mothers seeking inpatient treatment …

Memorable Messages And Young Adults’ Sexual Beliefs And Behaviors, Caroline D. Ryan

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

This study aimed to understand the relationship between college-aged young adults’ memorable messages from parents about sex and their sexual beliefs and behaviors. Previously studied memorable message themes from Holman and Koenig Kellas (2018) were adapted to collect quantitative data from respondents (N = 420) through an online, self-report questionnaire. Students’ recalled conversations with their parent(s) were widely consistent with Holman and Koenig Kellas’s (2018) six themes. Ultimately, the memorable message theme was found to have no significant relationship with participants’ attitudes, intentions, self-efficacy, or response efficacy for safer sexual behaviors. However, those who recalled messages consistent with the …

Perceptions Of Circle Time In A Third-Grade Classroom, Nicole Santangelo

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

Positive student-student and student-teacher relationships are the cornerstone to a strong classroom community, and one way to strengthen these relationships is through the use of circle time. The purpose of this study was to discover how students and the teacher perceive circle time. In addition, the researcher wanted to know what type of relationship the students and teacher see between circle time, classroom community, and student attitudes toward school. The researcher collected data through the use of student surveys, teacher and student interviews, and headnotes, and the data was analyzed using the constant comparative method for recurring themes. The researcher …

"We Are Forgotten." Framing Disaster Via Twitter In The Aftermath Of Hurricane Maria: Implications For Social Work Policy Practice, Barbe A. Fogarty

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

This work presents a comprehensive study of the disaster discourses generated by key social media user groups in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Hurricane Maria, the third most destructive hurricane in American history, resulted in billions of dollars in damage and the loss of nearly 3,000 lives. Disasters result in widespread geophysical impacts as well as social, political, and economic upheavals for individuals, families, communities, and nation-states in the storm’s wake. The discourses that emerge on social media are significant in how they frame public narratives in the aftermath of disaster. The social construction of disaster points …

The Perceived Impact Of Basic Need Insecurity On Social Work Student Success, Amy B. Downes

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore the lived experiences of undergraduate social work students who self-identify with struggling to meet their basic needs. Through individual in-depth semi-structured interviews coupled with photo-elicitation, several important considerations for social work educators and leaders emerged including: how undergraduate social work students define success; academic, social and financial barriers to learning; work-school balance; strategies for coping; messages for social work faculty and college/university administrators about their experience; adverse childhood events; and, the role of the academic advisor. The findings of this study can be utilized to help inform social work faculty …

Addressing Hypertension Health Literacy In Black Individuals Who English Is Their Second Language, Uche Olateru

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Hypertension is a primary preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Despite advances in preventive and treatment measures, related to blood pressure control, the prevalence of hypertension in the United States remains high among Black People of immigrant and non immigrant communities. Healthcare is increasingly complex, and health literacy problems have increased due to demands by healthcare stakeholders for patients to assume a more independent role in taking charge of their health. A quality improvement project was conducted in a Faith based community to improve the knowledge of participants about hypertension. The objective of this project was to enhance lifestyle management …

Women’S Experiences Of Disability And Community-Based Rehabilitation In Sri Lanka, Carmen R. Britton

Doctoral Dissertations

The majority of people with disability (PWD) live in the global South. Over the last four decades, community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programs have dominated the way development programs operate and intercede in the lives of PWD, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This research uses participant observation and in-depth interviews to gather women’s experiences of disablement and CBR in Sri Lanka. Major findings detail ways CBR programs fail to address larger social inequities, specifically centered around ableism and sexism, and how these barriers are embedded in societies. Thus, these programs continue to target rehabilitation efforts at the level of the individual, …

The Embeddedness Of Racial Microaggressions In International Student Experiences At The University Of Mississippi, Morgan Blythe

Honors Theses

This study explores the lived experiences of international students at the University of Mississippi (UM). Using a phenomenological approach, the participants’ stories were understood and offered as a counter-narrative to existing literature dominated by White Americans. The interviews were processed through the lens of Critical Race Theory, specifically the microaggressions framework to account for modern-day racism as it evolves alongside culture. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with international students at UM ranging from exchange to PhD candidates. These participants are from various countries around the globe, chosen through convenience sampling. The interviews were coded using NVivo12. The results of this …

The Academic Success And Beyond-Academic Wellbeing Of High Functioning Autistic Boys: A Policy-Professional Care-School-Parent Ecological Perspective, Evelyn Sauceda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

High Functioning Autistic (HFA) boys have significant social, emotional, and cognitive difficulties and unique cognitive abilities that require special support from stakeholders in their ecology (policy makers, care providers, schools, and parents). The quality of such support and its ecological integration are of poor quality. The purpose of this study was to report on the perceptions of parents of HFA boys about their children’s academic and beyond-academic experiences as understood within a policy-care provider-school-parent ecological framework. This study contributes to the limited ecological literature on the topic. This exploratory, qualitative, phenomenological, non-experimental, and cross-sectional research study used a non-probability, purposive, …

Google Scholar Versions: Errors And Implications, Daniel S. Dotson

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Google Scholar combines versions of what should be the same item into a single record with multiple versions listed and a common citation rate for all versions. However, these versions are not always the same document. A study on the citations of theses and dissertations found unusually high citation rates for some titles. On closer examination, these titles had versions that were other formats, sometimes with additional authors. A close examination of highly cited theses and dissertations revealed that nearly half of the titles were considered versions of other different formats, often much shorter and sometimes multi-authored journal articles.