Digital Commons Network^™

Digital Zines As Mental And Sexual Health Communication Tools For Latina Teens: Format And Content Acceptability And Initial Findings, Jenn M. Lilly, D'Andrah Almanzar, Susan R. Pace, Dante D. Bryant

Social Service Faculty Publications

Recognizing the potential of digital zines (defined as selfpublished,

online publications combining artwork and

text) as culturally tailored health communication tools,

this article examines the acceptability and impacts of two

digital zines about mental and sexual health created by

Latina young people for Latina teens as a health communication

strategy. We conducted an anonymous online

survey completed by Latina teens who read the zines (32

for sexual health and 33 for mental health). Data analysis

aimed to explore, summarize, and interpret the collected

data using an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced

approach. Survey participants found the zine format and

content acceptable and …

Examining Mental And Sexual Health Themes In Latina Youth Zines: A Multi-Modal Content Analysis, Jenn M. Lilly, D'Andrah Almanzar, Doreen Dorcely, Luisa Fernanda Sandoval Cortes, Ana Iris Murcia

Social Service Faculty Publications

Multiple, convergent risk factors place Latina youth at disproportionate risk for mental

and sexual health issues. Yet, their firsthand perspectives and experiential knowledge of

how to navigate mental and sexual health challenges is rarely the subject of scholarly

inquiry. This article presents a multi-modal content analysis of themes and messages

conveyed by two digital zines created by Latina young adults for Latina teens through an

arts-based research project. In this arts-based research, zines functioned as both data and

method, capturing Latina youth’s nuanced perspectives and lived experiences of mental

and sexual health. We identified six themes in their works—acknowledging and …

Digital Twins For Flexible Manufacturing, Drew Brandon Sander

Theses and Dissertations

With the establishment of Digital Twins as an enabling technology for Industry 4.0, it is time to transition from the previous foundations to works that implement and highlight the capabilities Digital Twins present. The Industry 4.0 paradigm has recentered the focus on customizability, leading to reemerging goals of flexibility within manufacturing. Empowered through new cyber-physical systems, new enabling technologies are driving the revolution. To identify how Digital Twins as an enabling technology contribute to flexibility within manufacturing, a comprehensive investigation is conducted along with a detailed case study. A systematic literature review is conducted to analyze quality Digital Twin implementations …

Teaching The Twenty-First Century: A Pedagogical Approach To Contemporary Violin Repertoire From Beginner To Advanced, Holly Workman

Theses and Dissertations

Violin pedagogy has largely ignored the last century of repertoire. Students finish their training with very few of the technical or musical skills required for the successful performance of contemporary music. This document discusses why newer repertoire should be added for all students and how teachers may introduce it to the traditional program of study without excessive disruption to the existing methods of teaching. Finding appropriate repertoire can be very difficult so this document includes a series of appropriate works which encompass beginner, intermediate, and advanced ability levels. Contemporary techniques must be taught in a guided manner and each chapter …

Investigating The Role Of Rps3 In The Homologous Recombination Dna Repair Pathway, Jerome Robert Dorsey

Theses and Dissertations

Ribosomal proteins have been demonstrated to perform extra-ribosomal functions beyond protein synthesis, including roles in cell signaling, transcription regulation, apoptosis, and DNA repair. Ribosomal protein S3 (RPS3), in particular, has been implicated in DNA repair and apoptosis pathways, suggesting a critical role in maintaining genomic stability. However, the specific mechanisms involving RPS3 are still unknown, particularly in the context of double-stranded break (DSB) repair. DSBs are among the most severe types of DNA damage, often resulting in chromosomal instability or cell death if not properly repaired. Nonhomologous End Joining (NHEJ) and Homologous Recombination (HR) are the two primary DNA repair …

Factors Influencing Adherence To Surveillance Guidelines In Individuals With Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Kashish Khanna

Theses and Dissertations

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a genetic condition that is caused by pathogenic changes in either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene and is characterized by multiple benign tumors, otherwise known as hamartomas, in various organs such as the brain, skin, lungs, and kidneys. Because of the many different clinical manifestations of TSC, extensive surveillance guidelines are recommended for individuals with TSC. Past studies have shown that there has been a gap in knowledge of these surveillance guidelines. These studies also suggest projects that measure adherence to surveillance guidelines and address specific challenges hindering surveillance guideline adherence. This study aims to …

The Effects Of Schema Therapy On Shame In Victims Of Intimate Partner Violence, Annette Ibarra Skeen

Theses and Dissertations

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent in the United States and worldwide. Despite the deleterious effects of IPV on personal and societal wellness, there is limited research on effective interventions for IPV victims. Among the detrimental effects of IPV on mental health, shame is a common emotion experienced by IPV victims. Shame can contribute to an array of mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, PTSD, substance abuse, and suicidality. Using a multiple baseline, singe case design, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of Schema Therapy (ST) on shame on IPV victims. Based …

The Relationship Between Cardiac Patient Beliefs And Experiences With Insurability And Their Decisions On Whether Or Not To Pursue Genetic Testing, Julia Schoeni

Theses and Dissertations

Since the enactment of the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA) in 2008, genetics providers have been incorporating conversations about GINA in pre-test counseling. There is currently limited evidence of the effects of personal or family histories of cardiomyopathy or aortopathy and associated genetic testing on patients seeking insurance policies not protected by GINA, including life, long term care, and disability insurance. This study aimed to determine whether individuals with a personal or family history of cardiomyopathy or aortopathy are having conversations about future insurability with their healthcare providers and how they perceive their ability to get these insurances when deciding …

Utilizing Evisits To Increase Access To Genetic Services For The Hearing Loss Population: A Tailored Service Delivery Model, Ansley Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Patients referred for genetics services have specific barriers decreasing accessibility, such as communication difficulties, long wait times, and misconceptions about the utility of genetic testing. We assessed a new tailored service delivery model used by the Greenwood Genetic Center to evaluate patients referred for hearing loss to determine if this model increases access to genetics services for individuals with hearing loss. Methods: Data points such as wait times, testing plan, and diagnostic yield were compiled from patient medical records. Comparison and analysis of data was completed by visit type, in-person, virtual, and electronic visits (eVisits), between October 2023 – …

Novel Redox Oxygen Active Materials For Solid Oxide Cells And Thermochemical Hydrogen Production, Jiaxin Lu

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates novel materials designed to significantly enhance the performance and durability of oxygen electrodes for solid oxide cells and redox active materials for thermochemical hydrogen production. The first part of this work evaluates Ta-doped BaCoO₃₋δ (BCT) and its structural analog SrCoO₃₋δ (SCT), focusing on their catalytic performance in oxygen reduction and evolution reactions. Among BCT compositions (x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5), the BCT10 (x = 0.1) composition exhibited the highest oxygen vacancy concentration, electronic conductivity, and lowest polarization resistance. However, SCT10 surpassed BCT10 in these critical performance parameters and also demonstrated greater stability over extended operational periods. Notably, …

Knowledge And Ontology Enhanced Approach To Natural Language Understanding (Koe-Nlu) In Computational Social Media And Healthcare, Naga Usha Gayathri Lokala

Theses and Dissertations

Natural Language Understanding (NLU) faces both opportunities and challenges as the amount of social media and healthcare data grows. This is particularly evident in context-sensitive applications such as evaluating cognitive health, identifying mental health symptoms, and monitoring drug abuse. Even though traditional NLU models work well for processing language in a wide range of areas, they often lack the ability to understand language in a specific domain, reason in context, and incorporate structured external knowledge. This dissertation talks about the Knowledge and Ontology Enhanced Approach to Natural Language Understanding (KOE-NLU), a new framework that is meant to make NLU systems …

“Digital Shame Shift”: From Telling The Pain To Recording The Truth — Black Maternal Health And Digital Counter-Narrative Storytelling On Tiktok, Odera Covenant Ezenna

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores how digital storytelling on TikTok is used to challenge medical racism, with a particular focus on Black maternal health. Guided by Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Critical Technocultural Discourse Analysis (CTDA), the study examines how TikTok users—ranging from Black mothers to healthcare professionals—create and circulate counter-narratives through two prominent campaigns: #BlackMaternalHealthWeek and #BlackMamasMatter. These digital stories serve as acts of resistance, disrupting dominant medical discourse and amplifying the lived experiences of Black birthing individuals. The research analyzes over 2900 TikTok videos posted between 2021 and 2024, identifying key themes, storytelling strategies, and rhetorical shifts over time. The …

Involvement Of Integrated Stress Response In Primary And Secondary Dystonia, Tricia Aleena Dulice Simon

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT Dystonia is the third most common movement disorder in the United States of America , the first two being essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. Gaining mechanistic knowledge about pathobiology of dystonia is essential for development of effective therapies. As the only therapies currently available are invasive procedures such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) or frequent botulinum toxin injections, it is critical to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms leading to dystonia. A maladaptive integrated stress response (ISR) involving dysregulation of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor  (eIF2) mediated signaling is observed in DYT-PRKRA patient cells. Mutations in PRKRA gene, which …

The Role Of Parental Self-Efficacy During The Preschool Years: Links To Parenting Behaviors And Parent-Child Relationship Quality In Dual-Risk Families, Catalina M. Borges

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Parental self-efficacy (PSE) has been shown to play a critical role in shaping parenting behaviors and parent-child interactions. Examining whether domain-specific PSE like parental self-efficacy helping the child succeed in school (PSEHCSS), influences broad parenting behaviors and parent-child relationships is especially important for families experiencing elevated stress. This secondary analysis explored whether PSEHCSS predicted parenting behaviors and parent-child relationship quality over the preschool years in dual-risk families (i.e., low socioeconomic status and a child with developmental concerns). It was hypothesized that higher PSEHCSS would predict more positive and fewer negative parenting behaviors, and greater parent-child relationship quality; parenting behaviors would …

The Cultural Mechanisms Of Mental Health Stigma In Asian Americans, Vaishnavi Suren

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Asian Americans show hesitation seeking professional mental health services, as well as stigmatized attitudes towards help-seeking for mental health treatment in general. While the link between this stigma and lack of help-seeking is clear in past studies, there is a gap in the literature in looking at how various cultural mechanisms important to traditional Asian cultures interact with one another to contribute to mental health stigma. The goal of the current study was to examine intergenerational conflict, saving face, and temporal orientation to predict mental health stigma among Asian Americans. Participants (N = 208) were all second-generation Asian American …

A Pilot Study Of The Freeze Response: Physiological Markers Under Threat Versus Safety Video Conditions, Ula Mccarthy

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This pilot study examined physiological markers of the human freeze response during exposure to threat and safety-based video stimuli. The freeze response is an adaptive defense mechanism characterized by reduced heart rate and heightened sympathetic arousal (Roelofs, 2017; Hagenaars et al., 2014; Sagliano et al., 2014; Hermans et al., 2013). 20 university students were randomly assigned to view either a threatening or safety-based video clip while heart rate and electrodermal activity (EDA) were recorded using Biopac Bionomadix wireless systems. Trauma severity and PTSD symptomatology were assessed through validated self-report measures (BTQ; Schnurr et al., 1999), (PCL-5; Weathers et al., 2013). …

Parental Sources Of Nutrition Information And Their Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors: Impact On Children's Dietary Intake In Ages 2-5 – A Cross-Sectional Study, Mara O. Fiorio

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: Nutrition in early childhood is critical to long-term health outcomes and parents play a key role in shaping children’s eating habits. This study examined where U.S. parents of children aged 2–5 obtain nutrition information, source credibility, and how parental nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) relate to children’s dietary intake.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 126 parents, recruited via social media and community networks using convenience sampling. The survey assessed parental sources of nutrition information, perceived trustworthiness, nutrition knowledge, feeding attitudes and behaviors, and child dietary intake. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics and source utilization. Chi-square …

Breaking The Ice: Disability Representation In The “Ice” Love, Death + Robots Adaptation, Danbee You

Dean James E. McLeod Freshman Writing Prize

This essay examines how Netflix’s Love, Death + Robots (LDR) adaptation of Rich Larson’s short story “Ice” transforms its original sibling dynamic into a commentary steeped in ableist tropes. While Larson’s story portrays Sedgewick, the unmodded brother, as autonomous and confident, the episode reinterprets him through infantilizing and victimizing lenses, casting him as a disabled figure in need of rescue. The LDR episode’s decisions to downplay or embellish certain elements of Larson’s short story reveal eco-ableist and transhumanist-ableist themes that link bodily limitation to environmental incompatibility and valorize technological modification as physical superiority. Furthermore, Fletcher’s deceptive “help” exemplifies the heroic …

“They Not Like Us” - Who Actually Won The Drake Vs. Kendrick Beef?, Israel Mbatai

Dean James E. McLeod Freshman Writing Prize

In the spring of 2024, two of hip-hop's biggest names, Drake and Kendrick Lamar, ignited a rap battle that dominated headlines, playlists, and streaming platforms. What started as humorous lyrical jabs quickly escalated into character defamation and conspiracy theories within three swift weeks. Fans quickly picked sides as streams skyrocketed, and media platforms blew up. Yet beneath the hype, this was not just another clash of egos; it was a cultural spectacle between two influential giants. This paper argues that while Drake and Lamar have been cast as the central figures of this lyrical war, neither of them truly comes …

Understanding The Role Of Hope On The African American Identity Through James Vanderzee's Wedding Day Harlem, 1926, Kerri Greene

Dean James E. McLeod Freshman Writing Prize

This essay explores how hope among migrants of the Great Migration was shaped by positive depictions of African Americans in photography, particularly through the work of Harlem Renaissance photographer James VanDerZee. It argues that these images offered migrants a vision of their desired futures, but true hope depended on the actions taken to realize those visions.

Can You Hear The Music? Reexamining The Gender Gap In Physics, Camille Johnson

Dean James E. McLeod Freshman Writing Prize

Examining the gender gap in physics through looking at physics’ reliance on “physical intuition” and how it impacts women in physics. Among STEM disciplines, physics stands out for its persistent and striking gender imbalance. While gender disparities exist across all science fields, physics consistently reports some of the lowest levels of female participation. According to a 2017-2021 study by the American Physical Society, only 23% of bachelor’s degrees were awarded to women, in stark contrast to 42% in math, 52% in chemistry, and 64% in biological sciences. This sharp divide highlights how physics remains uniquely gendered, even within the broader …

Leveraging Ownership: Comparative Analysis Of Old North And Pruitt-Igoe, Ben Stephens

Dean James E. McLeod Freshman Writing Prize

This paper compares the failed top-down development of St. Louis' Pruitt-Igoe with the community-based efforts of the Old North neighborhood.

Examining Mental Health Providers’ Differential Sensitivity To Youth And Caregiver Treatment Engagement Problems By Studying Clinical Decision-Making Behaviors, Wendy Chu

Theses and Dissertations

Clinical decision-making is a systematic process of collecting and using information to guide action regarding client care. Across frameworks of clinical decision-making, there is an emphasis on the assessment of a problem – which involves considering, identifying, and selecting a problem – as it directly informs intervention. In youth mental health services, problems related to treatment engagement or the ability to meaningfully participate in services are important to assess given their association with premature termination and poor outcomes. However, research suggests that assessment of engagement problems may be challenging, and one potential reason pertains to providers’ ability to assess across …

Integrating School Mental Health Services: How Therapeutic Alliance May Improve Outcomes In A Mental Health Literacy Intervention, Alena Quinn

Theses and Dissertations

The youth mental health crisis continues to face persistent barriers of stigma, workforce shortages, and fragmented service delivery systems. Schools play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges, as youth are six times more likely to access mental health services in schools than in community settings. Frameworks such as the Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems (CSMHS) and the Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF) have improved access and quality of school-based mental health services through integration and partnership efforts. However, stigma remains a persistent barrier for seeking help and perpetuating untreated mental health difficulties. Research has found that mental health literacy (MHL) …

Invention Beyond The Author, Jonathan Brent Butler

Theses and Dissertations

The following dissertation examines how what Michel Foucault calls the “author function” affects contemporary students of writing and examines some historical alternatives to this way of conceptualizing the writing process and the writer’s role in it. Chapter 1: Author (Dys)function describes the author function and its discontents, the problems of the Romantic conception of “genius,” and summarizes the following chapters. Chapter 2: Early Writing Instruction focuses on classical approaches to rhetorical instruction that emphasize habit and aim at the cultivation of a particular subjectivity characterized by the capacity to respond to shifting rhetorical situations; this chapter draws on the work …

Emotions And Cognition, Krystal D. Becks

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Cognitive functioning is linked to emotional processes, with this relationship shaped by various biological (e.g., age, sex, diseases, and genetics), psychological (e.g., emotional well-being, coping strategies, mental health), and sociological (e.g., income and education) factors. Understanding these interactions is critical for advancing research on cognitive-emotional health across diverse populations. Purpose: To examine the relationship between positive and negative emotions and cognitive functioning among healthy adults. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Aging Brain Cohort (ABC) study (n=434). The independent variables were subsets from the NIH toolbox emotional battery. The dependent variables were from the NIH …

Iq Trends In Preschoolers With Autism And Co-Occurring Developmental Delay Are Associated With Autism Severity Not Anxiety, Chandler Elizabeth Knott

Theses and Dissertations

Intellectual functioning constitutes a significant source of heterogeneity in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, little is known about how intellectual functioning manifests over development in preschool children with non-syndromic ASD (nsASD) and co-occurring global developmental delay (GDD) or how this relates to functionally impairing co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety. Study participants included 57 children with nsASD and co-occurring global developmental delay (ASD+GDD), 24 categorized with mild GDD, and 33 categorized with moderate GDD. Drawing on dynamic systems theory, the present study explored developmental trends within the context of multiple complex systems, including intelligence, social-emotional, and behavioral functioning. Moderated …

Self-Regulation In Children With Fragile X Syndrome: Biobehavioral Underpinnings, Familial Predictors, And Outcomes, Erin Evelyn Hunt

Theses and Dissertations

Self-regulation is a multifaceted construct that occurs on biological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral levels. Self-regulatory abilities typically emerge in the first years of life and continuously develop through early adulthood. There is considerable interindividual variability in developmental trajectories of self-regulation which are associated with numerous adaptive and maladaptive outcomes. Factors influencing the development of self-regulation include interacting genetic and social environmental factors. Given the high heritability of self-regulation, within-family associations are common.

Individuals with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), an inherited, single-gene neurodevelopmental disorder, have heightened vulnerability for self-regulation deficits that are evident in early infancy; however, the developmental trajectories and …

Cerebellar Contributions To Speech And Clinical Outcomes In Stroke: A Multimodal Investigation Of Structural Integrity Across Chronic And Acute Cohorts, Makayla Joy Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the critical role of the cerebellum in speech production, with a focus on chronic post-stroke apraxia of speech (AOS), lesion-related cerebellar degeneration, and age-related changes in cerebellar structure among healthy individuals. While speech deficits have traditionally been attributed to cortical lesions, mounting evidence suggests that the cerebellum contributes significantly to speech-motor planning, execution, and error correction. Using multimodal neuroimaging, lesion-symptom mapping, and standardized speech assessments, this research examines cerebellar gray matter volume (GMV) across three complementary studies.

Aim 1 evaluates the association between cerebellar GMV and AOS severity in individuals with chronic left hemisphere stroke. Findings support …

Examining Effects Of A Cultural And Family Resilience Program On Improving Physical Activity And Eating Behaviors Among Overweight Black Adolescents, Mary Quattlebaum

Theses and Dissertations

Black adolescents have higher rates of physical inactivity, lower quality dietary intake, and fewer family meals compared to their White peers. These health inequities place Black adolescents at greater risk for overweight and obesity, as well as long-term health consequences, including chronic disease and early mortality. However, few health promotion programs have been successful in improving health behaviors among Black adolescents and families. Elevated rates of chronic stress, namely racial stress, among Black families may be a prominent obstacle for engagement in and effectiveness of health promotion initiatives. Limited family-based health promotion programs with Black families have incorporated cultural and …