Digital Commons Network^™

Usability Testing Of A Bystander Bullying Intervention For Rural Middle Schools: Mixed Methods Study, Aidan Midgett, Diana M. Doumas, Claudia Peralta, Matthew Peck, Blaine Reilly, K.B. Butler

Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Targets of bullying are at high risk of negative socioemotional outcomes. Bullying programming in rural schools is important as bullying is more prevalent in those schools compared to urban schools. Comprehensive, school-wide bullying programs require resources that create significant barriers to implementation for rural schools. Because technology-based programs can reduce implementation barriers, the development of a technology-based program increases access to bullying prevention in rural settings. Objective: We aimed to conduct usability testing of a bystander bullying intervention (STAC-T). We assessed usability and acceptability of the STAC-T application and differences in usability between school personnel and students. We were …

Evaluating Empathy And Understanding In Caregivers: Pre And Post Dementia Simulation Participation, Lukas Wenz

Research Honors

Abstract Background: The prevalence of dementia is rising globally. Individuals with dementia rely on informal caregivers for long-term support. Research supports that empathy enhances caregiver well-being. Significance: Caregiver burden can lead to burnout, negatively affecting care quality. Enhanced cognitive empathy reduces burnout and improves caregiver relationships. Investigating interventions that enhance caregivers’ empathy is essential. Purpose: This study evaluates the Virtual Dementia Tour® (VDT), an immersive simulation program, in increasing empathy and understanding among dementia caregivers. Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were recruited via online advertisements and word of mouth. Participants completed a demographic survey and the Empathy …

Transitions After College And Athletics, Kate Christian

Research Honors

The transition away from college athletics is a significant marker for student athletes. Yet much existing research has focused on Division 1 athletes, leaving Division 3 underexplored. This study looks at the challenges athletes learn to navigate leaving two major institutions simultaneously—-college and athletics. By looking at how sports operate as a near-total institution, it reveals how athletes are socialized into their sport and structure their life around athletics. To study this transition, I utilize semi-structured interviews with former D3 athletes from Illinois Wesleyan University. While many athletes recounted feeling a loss of identity, they also reflected on how their …

Beyond Policy: Overcoming Challenges In Prosecuting Gender Persecution At The International Criminal Court, Yvonne M. Dutton, Milena Sterio

FIU Law Review

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Diabetes Education Content Experienced By Blind And Nonblind People With Diabetes, Nazanin M. Heydarian, Qusay Hussein, Zully Guerra, Bhumi Patel, Allyson S. Hughes, Julia E. Blanchette, Yessenia Castro

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

This survey sought to examine disparities in diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) to illuminate gaps underlying morbidity and mortality disparities experienced by blind people with diabetes and develop a pathway for improved health care delivery and health outcomes. Blind participants were more likely to report getting DSMES on strategies to promote treatment adherence and noncompliance with medical regimen; yet, blind and nonblind participants did not differ on primary care provider visits or amount of time spent in diabetes education. These findings suggest that DSMES content may differ for blind versus nonblind participants.

Executive Compensation: The Role Of Human Capital And Geographic Preferences, Panagiotis Giannakis, Dorothea Roumpi, Lauren E. Aydinliyam, John E. Delery

Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Human capital is crucial for sustainable competitive advantage, and certain workforce groups have a greater impact than others. The top management team, responsible for directing firm strategy and structure, is one such group, and executive turnover can be detrimental for a firm. While existing literature often suggests that executives change jobs primarily for higher pay, this is not always true. Drawing on human capital research and the geographic preference theory, we examine how an executive’s human capital and geographic preferences affect changes in compensation during job transitions. Using a sample of 351 executives who moved among S&P 500 companies from …

Peaking Today, Taking It Easy Tomorrow: Daily Performance Dynamics Of Working Long Hours, Lieke L. Ten Brummelhuis, Charles Calderwood, Christopher C. Rosen, Alison S. Gabriel

Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Underlying the “ideal worker” image that pervades many organizational cultures is the assumption that working longer hours equates to higher performance, despite recovery research that suggests that long work hours might actually impair future work performance. In an effort to reconcile these differences in how long work hours are thought to relate to job performance, we develop and test a conceptual model in which daily boosts in same-day performance associated with working longer hours could be offset by lower next-day performance. More specifically, we examine if working a longer day than usual reduces sleep, which has the potential to diminish …

A Case Study Using The Transparency Framework And Artificial Intelligence To Promote Effective Writing And Student Success In A Writing-Intensive Course, Elizabeth A. Brown, Maria Kronenburg, Ashlee Steeley, Diana Tagbor

Health Behavior, Policy & Management Faculty Publications

Program evaluation data suggest that undergraduate students struggle with writing in a clear and concise manner and appropriately citing. Faculty implemented the plan-do study-act cycle to pilot the Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) project framework and to explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and discuss approaches to using AI, along with the TILT framework, in a writing-intensive course to identify the pros and cons of using ChatGPT in an online classroom. The TILT framework reinforces adult learning by helping students clearly understand the assignment's purpose and establish a clear relationship between assignment and students' professional lives. Faculty encouraged …

Examining Low-Income Caregivers' Knowledge And Comprehension Of The Dental Caries Process, Melissa Sullivan, Denise C. Mckinney, Deanne Shuman, Qi Zhang

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose Dental caries among young children remains a public health concern in the United States (US). Children of caregivers with low oral health literacy (OHL) tend to have greater unmet dental needs and poorer oral health status. The purpose of this study was to examine the understanding of pediatric dental terms associated with the dental caries process among low-income caregivers.

Methods This study included 14 caregivers with children enrolled in a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in the Southeastern US. Through structured phone interviews, the validated Oral Health Literacy Inventory for Parents (OH-LIP) was used …

A Qualitative Analysis Of College Students' Interest In Mhealth Solutions, Leslie Hoglund, Craig M. Becker, Cara Tonn

Health Behavior, Policy & Management Faculty Publications

This study explores college students' perceptions of an AI-driven mHealth application designed to promote well-being. With rising mental health challenges in academic settings, students increasingly seek digital tools that provide holistic support for physical, mental, and financial health. Through focus groups, this qualitative study examines students' preferences for personalized health tracking, educational content, and flexible reminders within a private, supportive community. Key findings emphasize students' desire for a balanced, all-in-one app that integrates health and wellness tools without overwhelming them with notifications. Students also highlighted the importance of social media integration for outreach, though concerns were raised about potential stress …

Leveraging Custom Gpts For Formative Assessment And Feedback, Nari Kim, Jason Vickers, Shaimaa Alyehaibi, Chikezie Ozuzu, Xinyue Ren, Suhasini Kotcherlakota

STEMPS Faculty Publications

As artificial intelligence (AI) advances, the use of custom generative pre-trained transformers (Custom GPTs) in formative assessments opens new opportunities for improving student learning and engagement. Custom GPTs increase cognitive and emotional engagement by providing timely, context-sensitive, and tailored responses based on unique learner profiles. This paper aims to investigate how custom GPT-driven formative feedback can enhance individualized learning experiences and improve student performance. This paper will discuss the promise of this AI tool, the challenges associated with its application, and recommendations for educators and academics looking to use these technologies for formative assessments.

Designing Tpack-Driven Mobile Learning With Digital Citizenship For Biology Education: Insights From Ngt And Ism Approaches, Cik Jamaliah Abd Manaf, Shakinaz Desa, Muhamad Ikhwan Mat Saad, Helen Crompton

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The rapid digitization of education and the complexity of scientific content demand the integration of digital citizenship in TPACK-based mobile learning for Biology. This study aimed to identify and prioritize relevant digital citizenship practices using a Design and Development Research approach. In Phase One, the Nominal Group Technique with 10 experts evaluated eight proposed practices. Phase Two employed Interpretive Structural Modeling with nine experts to structure hierarchical relationships. Seven practices were retained, with Ethical Use of Digital Resources as the top-level driver. The resulting framework supports ethical and discipline-specific mobile learning models, promoting responsible digital engagement in Biology education.

Lived Experiences Of Marginalized Pre-Service Teachers' Technology Ownership And Acquisition Of Digital Skills, Jerolyn Brown, Tian Luo

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Aim/Purpose

Despite increasing access to technology, persistent disparities in digital competence and self-efficacy remain among marginalized pre-service teachers, often exacerbated by systemic inequities and the digital divide. This research explores the gap in knowledge of the lived experiences of marginalized pre-service teachers’ (PST) prior access to technology and their current perceptions about educational technology integration.

Background

Grounded in Sociocultural Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study seeks to answer how marginalized pre-service teachers perceive prior and current technology ownership and related skill acquisition, what beliefs and intentions they have for future classroom technology integration, and what systemic disparities …

Infants’ Resting-State Functional Connectivity And Event-Related Potentials: A Multimodal Approach To Investigating The Neural Basis Of Infant Novelty Detection, Dana Kanel, Santiago Morales, Kathryn Altman, John E. Richards, Anderson M. Winkler, Daniel Samuel Pine, Nathan A. Fox, Courtney A. Filippi

School of Medicine Publications

Individual differences in how the brain responds to novelty are present from infancy. A common method of studying novelty processing is through event-related potentials (ERPs). While ERPs possess millisecond precision, spatial resolution remains poor, especially in infancy. This study aimed to balance spatial and temporal precision by combining ERP data with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. Twenty-nine infants (15 female) underwent resting-state fMRI (Mage = 4.73 months) and electroencephalography (EEG) during a three-stimulus auditory oddball task (Mage = 5.19 months). The mismatch response (MMR) and P3 were computed from ERP data, and resting-state functional connectivity …

The Phenomenon Of Collaborative Leadership At Gensler: Work-Life Balance Of Co-Leaders, Chidimma Abuka

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods phenomenological case study investigates the lived experiences of co-leaders operating within a male-female leadership dyad, with a particular focus on how collaborative leadership influences work-life balance. As organizations increasingly explore shared leadership as a strategy for adaptability and innovation, the co-leadership model - defined by the equal sharing of roles and responsibilities - offers a compelling alternative to traditional hierarchical leadership structures. Grounded in shared leadership theory (Pearce & Conger, 2003) and dual leadership theory (Hasija et al., 2017), this study examines the dynamics of co-leadership within a global architecture and design firm, shedding light on the …

Mapping Engineering Ethics Education, R Tormey, T Børsen, Shannon Chance, T T Lennerfors, Diana Adela Martin, G Bombaerts

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Writing a handbook implies describing the fundamental information needed by those teaching or researching in a field. This is a challenging task when the field is still maturing. This handbook grew from the idea that we could ‘collaboratively write’ engineering ethics education. In this introduction, we define the field in three dimensions: engineering, ethics, and education. The latter dimension is divided into three parts: the subjects that shape the teaching of engineering ethics education, the understanding of learners and learning that informs the pedagogical choices made, and the fusion of these two in the pedagogical methods used in teaching engineering …

“I Can Do This”: Resilience Of Women Students In Engineering And Technology Courses In Portugal, Bill Williams, Shannon Chance

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

To understand the factors that influenced female students to choose their degree programs and complete them successfully, we gathered data from 11 women undergraduate students in Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, and Construction Management programs at a Portuguese polytechnic. All participants completed their courses within the two years following the interviews. The two authors analyzed the data gathered via interviews with individual students using thematic analysis and present four generated themes along with their implications.The findings suggest that further research is warranted on the role of short-cycle programs within the Portuguese polytechnic sector in providing routes to help young women overcome obstacles …

Bill Shepherd Sheet Music Collection - Accession 1435, Billy Austin Shepherd

Manuscript Collection

The Bill Shepherd Sheet Music Collection primarily consists of sheet music related to World War I and World War II collected by Billy Austin Shepherd. The collection includes 96 pieces dating from 1912 to 1971, with most materials originating from the periods 1916–1918 and 1940–1944.

Engaging Student Nurses In Lifestyle Management: The Role Of Technology-Based Interventions And Mobile Health Applications, Daniela Austin

School of Psychology Theses

Despite their knowledge of health risks and their future role as health promoters, pre-registered nursing students frequently struggle with unhealthy behaviours, including high rates of overweight and obesity. This thesis investigated these challenges in a student nurse population in the South West of England, exploring lifestyle patterns, perceived barriers and motivators, and the potential of mobile health (mHealth) interventions to support behaviour change.Using a multi-method approach across four studies, the research examined students’ current health behaviours, attitudes towards digital tools, and the feasibility and acceptability of theory-driven interventions. The first study, a cross-sectional survey, assessed diet, physical activity, and attitudes …

Exploring The Mechanisms Of Functional Imagery Training For Sleep Problems: A Single Arm Pilot Study, Ross Allen, Jackie Andrade

School of Psychology Theses

Functional Imagery Training (FIT) is a brief motivational intervention grounded in the Elaborated Intrusion theory of desire. It helps individuals use personalised, emotionally vivid mental imagery to support goal pursuit by drawing on past successes to plan actions, overcome obstacles, and rehearse behavioural strategies. Delivered in the client-centred style of Motivational Interviewing (MI), FIT aims to strengthen motivation for sustained behaviour change. While FIT has shown promise in areas such as weight loss and anxiety, its application to sleep-related behaviour change remains unexplored. This single-arm pilot study examined whether FIT is associated with improvements in sleep quality and motivation to …

What Helps And Hinders Staff Supporting People With Intellectual Disabilities Regarding Sex And Relationships, Laurence Constable, Deanna Gallichan

School of Psychology Theses

Background Studies have suggested that staff experience multiple obstacles to providing effective support around relationships and sexuality. The literature has suggested several potential solutions yet it is not clear what impedes the implementation of these. Understanding these barriers could improve care. Methods Two focus groups were carried out with a total of 13 participants recruited from the Southwest of England. Participants were recruited from client-facing roles across care providers, education provision, and social care provision. The focus groups were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings Four themes were drawn from the data. These were ‘Fear hinders care’, ‘Care is led …

Ethnographically Informed Research Exploring The Impact Of Embedding Trauma-Informed Principles In A Befriending Programme For Refugees., Zahraa Abdulreda

School of Psychology Theses

Refugees often experience trauma from war, displacement, and post-migration stressors, leading to collective and transgenerational trauma. This study explored the impact of embedding trauma-informed principles (TIP) within a refugee befriending programme, where refugees were paired with local volunteers. Ethnographic Action informed research was used through completing interviews, observations, and a focus group. Participants included five befrienders and seven refugees, alongside observational data. Thematic and framework analyses identified five key themes: The Relationship, Safety for Befrienders, Inclusivity, Supporting Befriendees with Integration, and Challenges of Befriending. TIP enhanced understanding of how community-based, trauma-informed interventions can support refugee recovery and resilience. The study …

Laugh, I Nearly Cried: A Qualitative, Reflexive Thematic Analysis Of The Impact Of Humour In Psychotherapy From Client And Therapist Perspectives, Elina Broholm

School of Psychology Theses

Humour in psychotherapy is commonly occurring, yet seldom discussed as a resource in the training and education of therapists, nor considered from the perspective of clients in therapy. This qualitative study explored how clients and therapists perceive the impact of humour in psychotherapy on the therapeutic alliance, experience, and process. 12 clients and eight therapists contributed their perspectives on humour’s impact on the therapeutic experience, considering both its helpful and unhelpful contributions. Not all humour is equal, and special consideration was given to how different humour styles may impact psychotherapy. Reflexive thematic analysis from 20 semi-structured interviews suggested that humour …

Exploring The Caring Experiences Of Parent-Carers Of People With Learning Disabilities Using Reflexive Thematic Analysis, Lauren Moore

School of Psychology Theses

BackgroundPrevious research has suggested that providing care for a relative significantly impacts emotional distress. This research took an exploratory approach to understanding the caring experiences specifically of parents of people with learning disabilities (PWLD).MethodTen parents of people with learning disabilities took part in semi-structured, online interviews about their experiences of caring. Interview data was analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis.FindingsAnalysis generated five main themes which were interpreted to summarise the caring experience of these parents: Lifechanging, Emotional, Responsibility, Abandoned, Future. There were many experiences which were shared by participants, though various factors can impact these realities.ConclusionThis research concludes that parenting a …

Exploring The Relationship Between Attachment State Of Mind, Emotional Development And Distress In Adults With Intellectual Disabilities – A Pilot Study, Amy Pantridge

School of Psychology Theses

BackgroundAttachment theory and emotional development are increasingly considered important for understanding distress in people with intellectual disabilities, yet no prior studies have empirically explored relationships between these constructs.MethodAdults with intellectual disabilities and informants were recruited from UK community organisations. Participants completed an attachment measure (AAP), brief cognitive measure, and questionnaire on perceived emotional support. Informants completed a distress measure (HoNOS-LD), emotional development measure (SED-S), and provided feedback on the SED-S. ResultsNo significant relationship was found between attachment and emotional development, though some specific associations emerged. Unresolved attachment was common. Discrepancies were observed between informant-reported and participant-reported data. Informants found elements …

Optimizing Ethephon Application Timing For ‘Meyer’ Zoysiagrass Seedhead Suppression, Brandon C. Mcnally

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp. Willd.) is a desirable, low-input turfgrass species used on golf courses. However, prolific zoysiagrass seedhead production in the spring can increase golf course maintenance costs and reduce aesthetics. Previous research demonstrates that a single autumn ethephon application can suppress zoysiagrass seedhead production the following spring, but the optimum application timing is not well-defined. The objective of this research was to determine the optimum window for an effective ethephon application for ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass seedhead suppression. Small-plot field research was conducted in Indiana, Kansas, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Seedheads were suppressed up to 99% depending on application timing. In …

Vcu And The 2025 Virginia Course Materials Survey, Abbey Childs

Scholarship about Open Education

In 2025, VIVA distributed an updated Virginia Course Materials Survey. Its goal was to build on the first iteration of the survey, providing updated data for the areas explored in the original survey, along with new data to address the changing open and affordable landscape in Virginia. The 2025 survey aimed to answer the following questions:

1. What is the impact of course material costs on educational equity among Virginia students?

2. What course content materials do students find to be most beneficial to their learning?

3. What barriers are presented to students due to course material costs and how can those barriers …

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China Vs Democracy: The Strategic Use Of Malign Cyber Influence Campaigns, Alexander Deak

Annual Research Symposium

How and why do China’s methods for malign influence vary between different democracies?

Fuzzy-Based Deep Reinforcement Learning For Suicidal Ideation Detection In Online Social Networks, Greeshma Lingam, Sajal K. Das

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Suicidal ideation is a major psychological problem, and preventing this social risk is recognized as an important research topic. In reality, there can be several reasons why a person experiences suicidal ideation. Each individual can express views, emotions, and several types of symptoms related to suicidal ideation on the most popular social media platforms. In online social networks (OSNs), identification of suicidal ideation is one of the major challenging tasks. Existing studies have shown that the delay in understanding and identifying various risk factors can cause the suicidal event to occur. Due to the scarcity of data and understanding, the …

The Kincare Craze In Child Protection: Romanticism, Subterfuge, And Racial Separatism, James G. Dwyer

FIU Law Review

A deluge of federal and state legislation in recent years aims to channel maltreated children removed from parents’ custody into kin placements, responding to advocates for parents who claim this is categorically better for children than entering or remaining in foster care with biologically unrelated caregivers. The claim has romantic appeal, sufficient to beguile legislators. But the research on outcomes for children in different post-removal placements does not support it. In reality, motivations other than child welfare underlie the advocacy for this legislation. The core aim is to evade federal child-welfare mandates adopted in the 1990s and long condemned by …