Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Impact Of Covid-19 And The Role Of The Church On African Americans’ Mental Well-Being In South Georgia, Adrian D. Lewis

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The emergence of COVID-19 in 2020 disrupted the social dynamics of communities in the United States. Furthermore, public health mandates led to closures that changed how populations access faith. Historically, African Americans have utilized the church to cope with societal stressors. This study will explore the history of church utilization in the African American community, assess how COVID-19 public health mandates led to church closures for the first time in recent history and impacted this marginalized population, and provide a qualitative perspective on the quality of life during the closures and what changed after the closures for African Americans in …

Viscoelastic Property Analysis Of A Magnetorheological Elastomer Micropump For Insulin Delivery In Type 1 Diabetes, Victor Buitimea

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Over two decades, there has been a significant rise in awareness regarding Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), leading to a deeper comprehension of numerous variables, including hereditary factors, patterns of occurrence, and health challenges. According to the Type 1 Diabetic Index, around 8.7 million people worldwide are affected by this chronic autoimmune illness marked by a lack of insulin and hyperglycemia. The introduction of artificial pancreas systems could save more than half a million patients by 2040. Despite the availability of various insulin delivery technologies that are offered to diabetic patients, many still are skeptical of this modern system. The issues …

Assessing The Impact Of Environmental Health Risk Communication On Cancer Screening Intentions Among Private Well Owners In Rural Communities, Victoria A. Clower

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Background: Cancer is a leading cause of death in Georgia, with rising incidence in rural counties where many residents rely on unregulated private wells. These wells may contain contaminants such as radon, lead, nitrate, and arsenic, all linked to increased cancer risk. Limited research has explored how environmental exposure awareness influences cancer prevention behaviors such as screening. Guided by the Champion Health Belief Model, this study examined psychosocial and environmental predictors of screening intent among private well owners. Methods: Well Aware was an 11-week quasi-experimental study among 60 private well owners in southeast Georgia. Participants who attended educational listening sessions …

Guanacos De Corazón, Ana Marcela Sinnett

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This thesis explores the intersections of indigeneity, mestizaje, and decolonial aesthetics through a mixed-media art practice rooted in Salvadoran history and identity. Drawing on ancestral traditions such as indigo dyeing and backstrap weaving, Guanacos de Corazón investigates how materiality, folklore, and handcraft function as forms of visual resistance, meaning art that disrupts dominant narratives, critiques systems of power, and reclaims erased cultural memory.

Through formal analysis, historical context, and interviews with Salvadoran artists, this thesis challenges ideas of mestizaje that promote cultural and ethnic superiority and contribute to the erasure of ancestral beliefs.

How do we rescue ancestral traditions that …

Perceptions And Influences On Physical Activity Engagement During Pregnancy Among Rural Southern Black Women, Sandra Ofosuhemaa

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Black women living in the rural South experience disproportionately high rates of hypertension, gestational diabetes, excessive gestational weight gain, and adverse birth outcomes. Although physical activity during pregnancy is known to improve maternal and fetal health, Black pregnant women remain less likely to meet recommended activity guidelines. This qualitative study examined the perceptions, beliefs, and multilevel factors influencing physical activity during pregnancy and the postpartum period among Black women in rural Southeast Georgia. Guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Social Ecological Model (SEM), the study explored how individual, interpersonal, community, and structural conditions shaped women’s decisions, motivations, and …

A Monstrous [Un]-Becoming: Defining The Final Boy, Rhys Crumpton

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Through an exploration of horror theory, monster theory, queer theory, and disabilities studies, this thesis defines a 21st century archetype within the serial horror narrative, known as “the Final Boy.” This character is a manifestation of a queer, often neurodivergent man in peril at the hands of a monstrous society. This harmful socionormativity is narratively represented by a monster wearing the face of a man, one whom the Final Boy must subdue and overcome if he wishes to survive. The seven tenets found in this project highlight the fluctuating morality the Final Boy is forced to engage in per the …

Data-Driven Layout Design For Smart Remanufacturing: A Flexible Optimization Model And A Case Study, J. A. Afari, A. Gosavi, J. Hu, R. J. Marley

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Abstract: In remanufacturing, a vital segment of the sustainable, low-carbon circular economy, existing versions of the traditional unequal-areas facility layout problem (UA-FLP) model face significant limitations in designing layouts. To be specific, in the process of minimizing the material-handling cost (MHC), these models also alter departmental dimensions, often diverging from construction specifications. This poses a difficulty, as critical equipment required for remanufacturing, e.g., sorting and cleaning machines, have unalterable dimensions, which implies that departmental dimensions cannot be changed from specifications provided. To address this, a novel Flexible Envelope UA-FLP (FE-UA-FLP) model is proposed in this work for designing layouts wherein …

Transplant Surgeon Fuzzy Associative Memory (Tsfam): Model For Capturing Surgeon Perspective, Rachel Dzieran, Cihan H. Dagli, Robert J. Marley

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

AI-driven healthcare decision-making is multi-faceted, requiring complex logic to adapt to evolving policies and societal demands. Effective change implementation by healthcare providers and multidisciplinary organ transplant teams depends on adaptive decision-making. The proposed Transplant Surgeon Fuzzy Associative Memory (TSFAM) model introduces a novel approach to Human-AI Teaming, keeping human expertise central while dynamically adjusting to changing requirements. TSFAM employs fuzzy logic to manage imperfect data and human ambiguity, integrating the transplant surgeon perspective with the AI deep learning decision-making tool, creating a resilient solution in this critical domain. By embedding adaptive capabilities into the architecture, TSFAM exemplifies the adaptability of …

Dialogic Drawing: A Pedagogical Tool To Promote And Monitor Learner Engagement, Amelia Ruscoe, Leanne Lavina

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This project presented a unique opportunity to apply an evidence‑based method, Dialogic Drawing, to the longstanding challenge of understanding and monitoring the learner engagement of young children as they begin their school journey. Early childhood is a critical period in which children are not only adjusting to the routines and expectations of school but are also forming their identities as learners. Yet monitoring engagement during this phase is complex. Young children’s developing language and literacy skills prompt educators to think holistically about how children might come to understand and share in their thoughts and feelings about school and learning. While …

Harmonizing Healing: Integrating Traditional/Cultural Remedies And Western Medicine For Chronic Pain Management In Immigrant Populations, Doreen Ugwu, Samuel T. Opoku

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Domestic Violence And Mental Health: A Complementary Perspective, Olayemi Aloba, Jacob Gakpo, Katie M. Mercer

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

From Judgment To Support: Advocating For Mothers Of Children With Behavioral Disorders, Alisha Riggins, Jessica Guerrette, Nazish Masud, Tobi Oloyede, Sarah Sejoro, Joanne Chopak-Foss, Logan Cowan

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Bullying As A Public Health Crisis: Linking Aces To Long-Term Health Consequences, Doreen Ugwu, Dziyana Nazaruk

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Leveling The Playing Field: The Critical Role Of Ada Compliance In Graduate Education, Victoria Davis, Katie M. Mercer, Amber J. Culpepper

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

The College High: Unmasking America’S College Students' Substance-Use Surge, Jacob O. Gakpo, Frank Dake, Christabel Uti, Philip Oduro, Carolyn Puobebe, James Thomas

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

The Intersection Of Mental Health And Education:Ptsd’S Role In Student Academic Success, Victoria L. Davis, Katie Mercer

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Effect Of 6-Week Single Leg Countermovement Jump Training On Force Time Metrics In Elite Female Youth Footballers, Jack T. Fahey, Paul Comfort, Paul Jones, Nicholas, J. Ripley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Female football participation has grown exponentially. Unfortunately, females exhibit greater injury risk than male athletes, and experience increased mechanical stress during adolescence. Force plates provide accurate and reliable force-time characteristics enabling profiling of injury risk and benchmarking using a variety of jump and isometric tasks. The purpose of this study was to determine whether test-retest reliability and force-time characteristics of SLCMJ, bilateral countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement rebound jump (CMJ-R) and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) change with six weeks of SLCMJ training. Twenty-eight elite youth female footballers (13.7 ± 1.1 years, 53.27 ± 8.82 kg, 162.20 ± 5.37 cm) completed six …

Cocreating A Programme To Prevent Injuries And Improve Performance In Australian Police Force Recruits: A Study Protocol, Myles C. Murphy, Andrea B. Mosler, Jonathan Hodgson, Sophia Nimphius, Evert Verhagen, Joanne Kemp, Alex Donaldson, Debra Langridge, Vanessa R. Sutton, Kay M. Crossley, Clare L. Ardern, Carolyn A. Emery, Mary A. Kennedy, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, Martin Hägglund, Brady Green, G. Gregory Haff, Garth Allen, Andrea Bruder

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A healthy police force is a key component of a well-functioning society, yet 1 in 20 law enforcement recruits drop out of the recruit training programme due to injury. This drop-out rate has substantial economic and workforce ramifications. In the Western Australia Police Force, one in five recruits suffers a musculoskeletal injury during the recruit training programme, causing time-loss from work. We will now identify the critical elements of an injury prevention intervention and investigate the needs, experiences and suggested solutions to address potential implementation challenges. Our objective is to co-create an intervention with content and context experts, specifically for …

Unveiling The Charisma Of Artificial Intelligence: How Voice Assistants Captivate Users And Emotionally Influence User Experience, Bibaswan Basu, Sanjit K. Roy, Chrysostomos Apostolidis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Although studies have explored user experience (UX) with artificial intelligence (AI)-powered voice assistants (VAs), the cognitive, psychological, and emotional factors affecting user engagement and experience with VAs have yet to be investigated in depth. Drawing on cognitive absorption and broaden-and-build theories, this study investigates how VAs captivate users, enhance positive emotions, and influence the overall UX. To address these questions, we conduct three types of analyses—exploratory, confirmatory, and configurational—utilizing data from 125,600 user reviews on a popular VA platform (Google Assistant) from 2017 to 2024. First, we employ bidirectional encoder representations from the transformers (BERT)topic modeling to unearth relevant cognitive …

Work Hard, Play Hard, Drink Hard: Frontier Masculinities And Female Teachers’ Experiences In A Regional Australian Mining Town, Kirsten Lambert, Christina Gray, Mary Anne Macdonald, Takei Beard, Kelly Jackson, Sarah Booth

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Teacher attrition is a significant issue that has been the subject of much recent critical research and public debate. What is less often explored in the literature is the gendered nature of teaching and the unique struggles female teachers face in the workforce, particularly in remote, regional and rural (RRR) schools. As a historically female-dominated profession, women, particularly teacher-mothers face a distinctive set of barriers to career progression in these schools. We apply a critical feminist lens to qualitative data generated from interviews with 21 teachers from 6 different schools in RRR locations in Western Australia. Data reveals a toxic …

Students As Digital Designers In Engineering, Matthew Daniel Christie, Belinda Von Mengersen, Martin Levins, Carol Puddicombe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This chapter examines the integration of digital technologies in Engineering education contexts from primary to secondary school classrooms. It outlines a progression of learning experiences integrating digital tools, such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, programming platforms, and data analysis applications, into Engineering education modules so that students can build their technological proficiency and creativity. The chapter emphasises using real-world scenarios, such as the design of a smart garden or bridge-building projects, to make engineering principles more tangible. It explores the role of signature pedagogies and the Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL) in structuring curriculum and instructional strategies to …

Students As Makers Using Technologies, David Ellis, Rob Rouse, Kim Rowston, Carol Puddicombe, Belinda Von Mengersen, Martin Levins

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In this chapter, we explore the concept of students as makers in Technologies education. It begins by providing an overview of the maker movement and how it has gained significant traction in formal educational and informal community settings, igniting shared passions for learning and creativity. Next, the benefits of making are highlighted, including enhanced problem-solving skills and creativity, as well as the challenges associated with integrating making into the curriculum with the resources available. Vignettes of student as makers are included to showcase pedagogical considerations and provoke readers to consider how they could incorporate making into their classes. Finally, complex …

The Multifaceted Interplay Between Covid-19-Induced Psychological Stress, Cognitive Flexibility, Emotional Overeating, And Physical Activity Patterns In Adult Women: A Mediated Path Analysis, Siavash Naddafha, Mandana Sangari, Zohreh Eskandari, Robabeh Shahnahadd, Christopher B. Taber

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To determine how COVID-19-related stress influences food consumption and emotional overeating in adult women, and whether cognitive flexibility and physical activity mediate these relationships. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 303 women (20–50 y) completed validated Persian versions of the COVID Stress Scale-18, Adult Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, Self-Regulation of Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, Cognitive Flexibility Scale, and Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity. Data were collected online via the ISO-27001-certified “Press Line” platform (end-to-end encryption). Chi-square tests and Spearman’s rank correlations were performed in SPSS 19 (α = 0.05). Results: COVID-19 stress was strongly inversely associated with cognitive flexibility (rₛ = – …

Advancing Person-Centred Care Through Palliative Care Wa’S Acp Workshops: The Longer-Term Impact, Gertrude G. Phiri, Emma Gunner, Philip Bafile, Davina Porock

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Planning for end-of-life and associated decision-making is one of global significance as it impacts the quality of care in palliative care settings, including ensuring that personal preferences are honoured. It is a priority for the Australian health system to use Advance Care Planning (ACP) as it is an effective tool for individuals and their families to make their personal preferences known and implemented. The aim of this project was to evaluate the longer-term impact of the Palliative Care Western Australia (PCWA) ACP workshops. Semi-structured, open-ended questions were used to collect data from 21 participants. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to …

Dissemination And Implementation Of Injury Prevention Interventions: A Scoping Review For The Female, Woman And Girl Athlete Injury Prevention (Fair) Consensus, Brooke E. Patterson, Carly D. Mckay, Meghan L. Critchley, Destiny Lutz, Sallie M. Cowan, Nicholas Kolesky, Vanda White, Allison M. Ezzat, Andrew G. Ross, William M. Adams, Eva Ageberg, Clare L. Ardern, Marelise Badenhorst, Molly Coventry, Marc Olivier Dubé, Stacey Emmonds, Libby J. Gracias, K. Alix Hayden, Hanna Lindblom, Merete Møller, Christine Holm Moseid, Nancy Harrington, Dai Sugimoto, Evert Verhagen, Kate K. Yung, Phathokuhle C. Zondi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To synthesise evidence related to the dissemination and implementation (D&I) of injury prevention interventions for female, woman and/or girl (female/woman/girl) athletes. Design Scoping review. Data sources MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, Cochrane Databases for Systematic Review, Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials Registry, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, ERIC, ProQuest Dissertation and Theses Global. Eligibility Primary research including ≥25% female/woman/girl athletes of any age or people working with them (eg, coaches), participating in sports competition and/or performance, were eligible. Papers reporting D&I outcomes (eg, coach knowledge, adoption and maintenance) related to an injury prevention intervention and/or a factor (eg, coach beliefs) associated with …

Submission To The 'Inquiry Into The Harm Young New Zealanders Encounter Online, And The Roles That Government, Business, And Society Should Play In Addressing Those Harms', Siobhan Healy-Cullen, Giselle Woodley, Lelia Green, Leon Huxtable

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

We are a group of researchers and educators from Aotearoa New Zealand (Massey University), and Australia (Edith Cowan University), who collaborate on research, grant applications, scholarly articles, policy debates and youth-led interventions to define and co-create strategies that support young people in navigating and processing their experiences with online sexual content.

We welcome the chance to submit to this parliamentary inquiry, and thank the Aotearoa New Zealand parliament for the opportunity to contribute our expertise and offer input into your deliberations. We are encouraged that the terms of reference stipulate that "not all young people experience the world in the …

Overview Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Status 2024, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2024 (Overview) aims to provide a comprehensive outline of the current health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The early sections of the Overview present information about the social and cultural context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, social determinants, the structure of the population, and measures of population health including births, deaths and hospitalisations.

The remaining sections of the Overview consist of selected health conditions and risk/protective factors that contribute to the overall health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These sections include a brief …

Addressing ‘Wicked Complex Problems’: Qualitative Understandings Of Sexual Violence Prevention In Male-Dominated Industries, Sarah Vrankovich, Sharyn Burns, Giselle Woodley, Jacqueline Hendriks

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Globally there has been increased focus on the prevalence of sexual violence in workplaces, including the mining industry. In Western Australia, where this study is situated, this industry is a significant employer, predominantly male-dominated, and the prevalent use of fly-in-fly-out schedules can blur work and social life. Consequently, efforts to prevent and manage workplace sexual violence have become a priority, leading to the development and implementation of various strategies and resources. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 34 participants, including sexual violence prevention professionals (n = 16) and mining industry workers (n = 18). Reflexive thematic analysis identified systemic and behavioural …

Child And Family Centred Care: A Three-Phased Principle-Based Concept Analysis, Maggie Zgambo, Julie Blamires, Mandie Foster, Mohammad Al-Motlaq, Therese A. O'Sullivan, Davina Houghton, Evalotte Mörelius

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Despite a growing multidisciplinary interest in the Child and Family Centred Care approach, its meaning remains unclear in extant literature. It is, therefore, crucial to explore, analyse, describe, and clarify the concept of the Child and Family Centred Care approach and its associated terms. Method: A three-phased principle-based concept analysis approach was used to analyse the concept of Child and Family Centred Care. A systematic search of literature was completed using the CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Peer-reviewed articles on Child and Family Centred Care, published from inception to 2023 were included if they were …

Co-Designing A Children's Transition Charter For The Transition To School: Opening Participatory Spaces To Hear Children's Voices, Lennie Barblett, Leanne Lavina, Fiona Boylan, Amelia Ruscoe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This project sought to gather the voices of young children to investigate whether a co-development process could be used to develop a transition to school charter with children and their teachers. Children's experiences of the transition to school can have far-reaching effects on their continuing educational journey. Seven teachers from the early years of school and 52 children (3–5 years) participated in the project over a school year. Participatory action research framed the study, which utilised child-centred methods for children to describe their dreams, hopes and aspirations of what school would be like and how their transition could be improved. …