Digital Commons Network^™

Engaging With Geopolitical Uncertainty: Discursive Riskwork And Western Mnes’ Divestment Announcements At The Onset Of The Ukraine War, Ana Mavretić, Anastas Vangeli

Economic and Business Review

This paper studies the geopolitical riskwork practices employed by Western multinational enterprises (MNEs) in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, focusing specifically on divestment announcements. Using a discursive riskwork framework, the study analyses how Western MNEs articulate and legitimize their divestment decisions in a novel geopolitical context. The findings reveal that Western MNEs align their corporate actions with emerging liberal geopolitical norms and values, thereby rhetorically establishing their role as responsible geopolitical actors. The paper advances the discourse-oriented study of international business phenomena, the study of geopolitical risk management beyond adherence to sanctions and reputation management, the concept of …

Change Is In The Minds Of The Beholders: A Sociocognitive Comparison Of Crisis Perceptions And Change Predictions: Insights From China, New Zealand, And Slovenia, Zhonghui Ding, Matevž Rašković

Economic and Business Review

Inspired by research on the "geography of thought" within social psychology, we present a cross-cultural comparative study of sociocognitive patterns between China, New Zealand, and Slovenia. We study COVID-19 risk perceptions and also explore predictions of economic trends under four specific economic scenarios. Our results show that the East-versus-West demarcation in terms of cultural boundaries is useful but insufficient to understand culturally driven predictions of economic trends. In times of economic downturn, such as the one caused by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, there seem to be universal tendencies towards pessimism. However, significant differences emerge in times of economic growth. Hence, …

Rhetoric Vs. Reality: A Study Of Public Rhetoric And Private Behavior Across Party Lines, Elizabeth Callecod

Bakerman Student Research Awards

In the United States, Republicans and Democrats are viewed as being intrinsically distinct in their moral convictions. More specifically, Republicans are generally viewed as the party which more frequently upholds and uses religious and moral rhetoric, particularly regarding sexual activity, while Democrats are generally thought to rely on more pragmatic and inclusive rhetoric. Previous explanations explore why these partisan stereotypes exist but fail to compare how these different rhetorical styles compare to the actual behavior exhibited by both parties’ members. By using measurements of how often individuals from both parties participate in sexual morally contentious activities, such as viewing pornography, …

Immunization-Related Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review Of Case Reports, William K Copenhaver, Brandon J Goodwin, Alexa Simonetti, Kunal P. Shah, Nicholas J Averell, David F Lo, Richard T Jermyn

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

AIM: Vaccines have been shown to have the highest efficacy in preventing infectious diseases through their ability to induce immunological memory against pathogens. An adverse reaction to a vaccine is an unexpected medical occurrence following immunization. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a disease that has undergone much controversy regarding its onset post-vaccination. This systematic review aims to evaluate cases of CRPS post-vaccination to better understand the manifestation of the disease and its potential association with vaccines.

METHODS: A systematic review of case reports was conducted employing the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Outcomes of interest include type of vaccination, patient age, …

Gardner-Webb Assistant Professor Dr. Lorell Gordon Celebrates Achievements Of Her Students, Office Of University Communications, Avery Copeland

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

Dr. Lorell Gordon, an assistant professor in the Gardner-Webb University School of Psychological Science and Counselor Education, recognized a need within the school’s program offerings and worked with her colleagues on a solution. She played a key role in developing and implementing the Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling (MCFC) concentration within the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program.

The Effect Of Variable Learning Contexts On Novel Word Retention In Adults, Emily A. Badoni

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the impact of decontextualized learning on memory recall and retention within virtual reality (VR) environments. Forty-six healthy young adult participants, both male and female, were randomly assigned to either a consistent VR learning condition (n = 23) or a diverse VR learning condition (n = 23). Both groups were exposed to the same set of 30 nonwords and their definitions across three learning phases. The participants in the consistent condition remained in the same VR environment throughout the study, while the participants in the diverse condition experienced three different VR environments. Immediate and delayed post-tests were conducted …

University Department Chair Perceptions Of Open Access Journals And Open Textbooks, Rebecca Nicole Nissen

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the perceptions of university department chairs regarding open access journals and open textbooks. It was conducted as a qualitative single case study analysis using semistructured, in-person, one-on-one interviews. The six participants interviewed are department chairs from a large, private university in the western United States. Five levels of coding were used with thematic codes drawing from the TAM2 model. Findings revealed participant perceptions on (a) personal values, (b) university mission alignment, (c) predatory journals, and (d) promotion and tenure. The results obtained from this study can inform and influence institutional change and can also help inform future …

The Scientific Landscape Of The Aging-In-Place Literature: A Bibliometric Analysis, Saman Jamshidi, Nastaran Hashemi

Architecture Faculty Research

The world’s population is aging and, as populations age, they exhibit an increased prevalence of chronic diseases, which can reduce the independence of elderly individuals. The set of initiatives known as aging in place, a common policy response to the aging population, is preferred by both the elderly population and policymakers. Aging in place is a broad and multifaceted topic that involves multiple stakeholders and academic disciplines. A science map of the literature on aging in place can help researchers pinpoint their efforts and help policymakers make informed decisions. Thus, this study maps the scientific landscape of the aging-in-place literature. …

Gardner-Webb Incoming First-Year Students Form Strong Bonds In Living-Learning Communities (Llc), Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

After successfully introducing Gardner-Webb University’s first living-learning community (LLC) last year, the Division of Student Success in collaboration with the Office of Housing and Residence Education added two more LLCs for the 2024 Fall Semester. Incoming first-year students could choose to participate in one of three LLCs: Faith, STEM or Honors.

Adapting For Accessibility: How Secondary Humanities Teachers Modify Open Educational Resources Using The Universal Design For Learning Framework, Christine Nick

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine how secondary humanities teachers modify Open Educational Resources (OERs) to align with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. Originally developed to democratize access to educational content, OERs have become widely used across K–12 settings in the U.S., particularly following initiatives such as the Common Core standards and the U.S. Department of Education’s #GoOpen Project. Despite the growing adoption of OERs, limited research has addressed how teachers adapt these materials to meet the diverse needs of their students, especially through the lens of accessibility and inclusivity. Using the UDL framework, this descriptive …

Using Geogebra To Foster Imagination And Creativity To Build Mathematics Confidence In A Stem World, Joseph M. Furner

Transformations

Math teachers can better prepare all student for a STEM world using computer software like GeoGebra to better prepare our youth for such high-tech careers like that of which Einstein was part of while also emphasizing and fostering creativity in the learning of mathematics. It is critical we have young learners who are confident in their ability to do math and be creative. Teachers today need to check dispositions toward mathematics and address math anxiety while building math confidence in their students. In an ever-advancing world of technology, math teachers need to incorporate such emerging technologies like GeoGebra into the …

Rachel’S Saga: Using Adolescent Literature In The Mathematics Classroom As A Form Of Bibliotherapy To Help Students Overcome Math Apprehension, Joseph M. Furner

Transformations

Math anxiety is prevalent and an understanding of mathematics is critical in an increasingly technological/STEM society, teachers must play a role in reducing the levels of math anxiety of learners. More recently, children's and adolescent literature has been recognized now as a means to teaching mathematics to students through the use of stories to make the math concepts relevant and meaningful. Literature may be used as a therapy to reach students who may be frustrated with math and/or who experience math anxiety. Story and picture books such as Math Curse (Scieszka & Smith, 1995) and A Gebra Named Al (Isdell, …

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Technology In The Mathematics Classroom, Francena D. Gargaro

Transformations

The integration of technology into teaching pedagogy, particularly in mathematics instruction, has been a subject of significant. This paper examines the impact of utilizing technology for mathematics education. It reviews multiple categories of technological tools available for classroom use, including hardware, software, and online resources, and discusses their potential benefits and drawbacks. Positive aspects of technology integration include personalized learning experiences, increased engagement and collaboration, and enhanced visualization and conceptual understanding. However, challenges such as dependency on technology, loss of conceptual understanding, distraction, and the widening achievement gap due to inequity are also addressed. The paper explores the role of …

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Transformations

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Guided Meditation And Mindfulness Vr, Douglas And Judith Krupp Library

Campus Events

No abstract provided.

Diverse Possibilities Of Shakespeare: Teaching Twelfth Night Through A Queer Lens, Julia Ritzler

Honors Projects

This project seeks to understand the ways in which Queer Theory can be applied to secondary language arts education to enhance students' understanding of identity and gender in literature. For the purposes of this project, Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is being used as a case study text. This project includes a thorough analysis of Twelfth Night through a queer lens, a literature review of Queer Theory and educational pedagogy, a block plan and related instructional and assessment materials, a rationale for the block plan, and project limitations and implications for future research. By analyzing scholarly texts and applying the theories within …

Exploring The Linkages Between Social Impact Grantmaking & Social Innovation: Insights For Grantmaking Practices, Jodi Lockhart

Masters Projects

The discussion and search for more advanced societal wellness and public health is centuries old, yet data suggests that public health and social care systems continue to struggle. In pursuit of mitigating this broad array of challenges, both government and private philanthropic funders have prolifically used grantmaking as a funding mechanism. Within this quest for positive social impact, many funders have expressed interest in the emerging field of social innovation. This study seeks to examine the use of social innovation in the strategic grantmaking practices of funders in Colorado, exploring how these organizations are integrating social innovation into their funding …

The Difference Between Clinical Significance And Statistical Significance: An Important Distinction For Clinical Research, Sadi̇ Elasan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Applied Mental Health Courses On College Student Anxiety And Perfectionism, Nathan Thomas Rhees

Theses and Dissertations

University students face a variety of mental health challenges, including increasingly high rates of anxiety. As demand for college counseling services among student populations rises, universities have an increasing need for effective and resource-efficient methods of intervention that support student mental health on their campuses. One area in need of research is that of using university classes themselves as a form of preventive intervention. If effective, this kind of preventive measure might be a particularly attractive method of reducing incidence of mental illness on campus and decreasing demand on university therapy resources. This study involves students at a private university …

Lifetime Stressor Exposure Is Related To Suicidality In Autistic Adults: A Multinational Study, Rachel L. Moseley, Darren Hedley, Julie M. Gamble-Turner, Mirko Uljarević, Simon M. Bury, Grant Shields, Julian N. Trollor, Mark A. Stokes, George M. Slavich

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Despite very high rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) in autistic adults, the key psychosocial drivers of this phenomenon remain unknown. To investigate, we examined how lifetime stressor exposure and severity, which have been found to predict STB in non-autistic populations, related to STB in a multinational dataset of 226 autistic adults from the United Kingdom and Australia (67% female; M_age = 41.8, SD = 13.6, range = 19–73 years old). Results revealed that autistic men and women differ with respect to the count, severity, and type of stressors they experienced over the life course. Whereas autistic men …

Lower Limb Prosthetics Impact On Social Participation, Kayla Jones, Zeida Gutierrez

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Amputations can cause a lack of motivation which will hinder occupational performance and participation after limb loss (Şimsek et al., 2020). The fit of an individual’s prosthetic is crucial to allow for an increase in participation (Diment et al., 2022). Occupational therapists treat the limb loss community but there is little evidence in the literature to support social participation with the use of a prosthetic limb. There is a need for new research to better understand how the use of a prosthetic can impact an individual’s social participation.

Workforce Profile Of Alternatively Certified Teachers In South Carolina For 2022–23, Brian Cartiff, Svetlana Dmitrieva, Angela Starrett

Reports

Alternatively certified teachers constitute a growing portion of public school educators in the US. This is a trend that is expected to continue, due to the declining enrollment in traditional teacher preparation programs across recent years.

As such, this report examines the profiles of alternatively certified teachers working in South Carolina public schools (those currently enrolled in alternative certification programs and those who have completed them). The analysis delves into the demographics and placements of these teachers and explores how their employment correlates with teacher attrition rates. Altogether, it offers preliminary insights into the roles of alternatively certified educators in …

The Relationships Between Binge-Watching Behavior, Content Familiarity, Depression, And Anxiety, Emma Miller

Master's Theses & Other Graduate Student Works

This December 2024 Master of Science in Psychology thesis at Lipscomb University analyzes how binge-watching has become a dominant media consumption behavior, yet its psychological impacts remain understudied. This thesis examines the relationships between binge-watching behavior, content familiarity, depression, and anxiety, with a focus on whether familiarity moderates mental health outcomes. A sample of 94 participants completed surveys measuring binge-watching habits, content familiarity, and mental health indicators using the CES-D and SCAARED scales. Results from multiple regression analyses indicated that age, content familiarity, and viewing context significantly predicted depression, while only age predicted anxiety. Notably, participants who binge-watched familiar content …

Examining The Relationship Between Personality, Values, And Treatment Retention In Substance Abuse Programs: A Quantitative Correlation Analysis, Jonathan Ciampi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) continues to be a global issue with devasting effects on the community, loved ones, and individuals suffering from SUD. Healthcare professionals continue to develop improved treatments for addressing patient needs, yet treatment abandonment remains high. While studies have examined treatment retention factors, few have examined the relationship between personality traits, values, and treatment retention. This study examined the relationship between the five-factor model of personality traits, the theory of formal axiology of values, and the days in treatment for adults in a telehealth substance abuse outpatient clinic in the United States. The study assessed the combined …

Impact Of Diabetes Mellitus On Oral Health And Oral Health-Related Quality Of Life In Older Adults In A Malaysian Healthcare Facility, Nur Aisyah Muntadar, Nur Camelia Azlyn Kamarol Adlee, Eleena Mohd Yusof

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: To investigate the association between oral health status and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in older adults with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: A cross-sectional study involving participants aged 60 and above from a Malaysian healthcare facility utilized structured interviews using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire. Intraoral assessments, including BPE, DMFT index, evaluation of edentulism and assessment of restoration/denture type/quality, were conducted. Statistical analysis included independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, nonparametric, and correlation coefficient tests. Results: Among 69 participants (36 with DM, 33 without), with a mean age of 65.97 years, no significant …

Effective Strategies To Improve Job Satisfaction And Reduce Property Manager Turnover, Rita Khan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High turnover rates among property managers disrupt service quality, increase operational costs, and diminish tenant satisfaction. Despite these negative impacts, there is limited research on effective retention strategies within the industry. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies that property management leaders use to improve job satisfaction and reduce turnover. Six experienced property management leaders from the Midwestern United States who have successfully implemented retention strategies participated in this study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clark’s six-phase thematic analysis, revealing four key themes: work-life balance …

International Methods Of Offender Profile Construction, Standardization, And Effective Criminal Investigative Processes, Savannah Peoples

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Offender profiling is a tool used within criminal investigations to infer offender characteristics according to evidence collected from a crime scene. The practice of offender profiling has been applied since the Roman era, empirically developed, and recently popularized in media depictions. Existing studies demonstrate that there is a lack of peer reviewed literature that examines current methods of criminal profile construction, opportunities for standardization, and effective criminal investigative processes. Motivation for this study came after reviewing research that revealed high rates of serious and violent international serial offending, noted as a major challenge for law enforcement agencies, and a significant …

Evaluation Of The Relationship Between Type Of Menopause And Cognitive Functions, Meltem Durakli Ulukök, Ufuk Atlihan, Onur Yavuz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim:Menopause is often accompanied by neurological symptoms, including cognitive difficulties, especially with memory and attention. In the present study, the purpose was to examine the relationship between the timing of menopause and the cognitive performance of menopausal patients who applied to our neurology clinic with complaints of forgetfulness.Materials and methods: The data of 538 women who applied to the neurology clinic with complaints of forgetfulness between January 2018 and January 2024and underwent neuropsychological evaluations were scanned retrospectively. A total of 96 patients who applied to neurology and menopause clinics were included in the study.Results: In the present study, attention orientation, …

Exploring Patients' Views Regarding The Support And Rehabilitation Needs Of People Living With Myocardial Ischaemia And No Obstructive Coronary Arteries: A Qualitative Interview Study, Helen Humphreys, Danielle Paddock, Sarah Brown, Aynsley Cowie, Colin Berry, Susan Dawkes, Simon Nichols

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to generate new qualitative insights to understand the rehabilitation needs of people living with a confirmed or presumed diagnosis of ischaemia with no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA), explore which aspects of current cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation programmes could meet the needs of people with INOCA and where adjustments (if any) may be appropriate. DESIGN: Semistructured qualitative interview study. PARTICIPANTS: Interviews were undertaken (n=17; 88% female, age range 31-69 years) with people with a confirmed or presumed diagnosis of INOCA. RESULTS: Findings highlighted concerns around a lack of evidence-based guidance for cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation programmes for …

Understanding The Transitional Needs Of Servicemembers To Veterans: A Focus On Mental, Social, And Behavioral Health, Marieann C. Raguso

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to fill the gaps on the transitional American veterans’ lived experience using their own voice. The reconstruction of an American Veteran’s identity after transitioning back into civilian life is a process with many challenges. Transitional practices often fail to help veterans to acculturate back into the civilian world. This includes the formulation of identities and associations. There is a lack of consistency in military transitional practices leading to identity loss and the formulation of mental and behavioral disorders. The aim of this study is to examine the lived experiences of veterans who have transitioned back …