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Interdependence In Practice: U.S. Travel Advisories And Turkey’S Economic Resilience, Matthew Michael Mccall

Honors Theses

This study examines the U.S. Travel Advisory and its economic impact on foreign nations, with a focus on Turkey between 2016 and 2024. Grounded in the theories of functional and asymmetrical interdependence, this approach employs a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative analysis of tourism revenue, GDP, and GNI with qualitative examination of geopolitical events that may raise or lower the Travel Advisory rating. Rather than assuming the advisory acts as a tool of coercive foreign policy, this study tests whether advisory changes meaningfully shape Turkey’s economic performance or whether they simply reflect moments of instability inside the country. The findings support …

Challenging Batson: Interest Convergence And Permanence Of Racism In Jury Selection, Addrain Conyers, Amanda Bergold, Antoinette Critelli

The Scholar: St. Mary's Law Review on Race and Social Justice

A Batson challenge is an objection to the use of peremptory challenges to dismiss potential jurors based on their race; however, Batson challenges are rarely successful. In this paper, we apply Critical Race Theory (CRT) as a framework to analyze the Batson Challenge. More specifically, we argue that the Batson challenge is a practice grounded in interest convergence that underscores the permanence of racism in the judicial system. We explore three interests of Batson: (1) the protection of the Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial; (2) the protection of the Fourteenth Amendment; and (3) the promotion of public trust …

From Fear To Familiar: Decreasing Technology Anxiety Among Older Adults In A Senior Community, Regina Rayz

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Older adults (defined by the WHO as those 65 and older in developed countries) are more susceptible to technophobia than younger adults (Song et al., 2025). The fear and anxiety occurs with use of smartphones, tablets, social media, and telehealth and is associated with higher rates of social isolation and reduced autonomy. Technology-use anxiety is a preventative obstacle that inhibits both technology acceptance as well as overall health (Kim et al., 2023). Aim: To reduce technology-related anxiety among older low-income adults living in a senior residential facility in Richmond, CA by at least 25% using a brief, individualized technology …

Bicultural Identity, Work-Life Balance And Mental Health Outcomes In Swana Students, Julie M. Salama

Master's Theses

Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) college students navigate academic demands alongside immigration-salient stressors that may shape their mental health and academic performance. This study examined generational status (Gen 1 vs. Gen 2+), identity conflict, ethnic identity, and work–life balance (WLB) in overall GPA and major GPA, and mental health outcomes of depression (PHQ-9), and anxiety (GAD-7) among SWANA students (N = 35). Two one-way MANOVAs found no generational differences for academics (overall/major GPA) or mental health (PHQ-9/GAD-7). Identity conflict was unrelated to GPA or symptoms but was positively associated with ethnic identity, while WLB was negatively correlated with depression …

Holding Space For Complexity: Remembering Leslie Combs, Kimberly A. Morelli

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This tribute reflects on the teaching legacy of Allan Leslie Combs, focusing on his capacity to hold space for complexity during intimate online salons conducted with students and colleagues. Drawing from my experience as a participant in these gatherings, the essay highlights Leslie’s emphasis on relational, creative inquiry over rigid theory. Rather than positioning development as linear progress or achievement, these conversations were experienced as an ongoing, reflective inquiry into consciousness itself. Leslie’s mentorship fostered deep personal reflection and affirmed lived experience as a valid and generative source of knowing. His legacy endures not only through his scholarship, but also …

Healing, Together, Courtney Cleek

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio reviews the topics of mutual rehabilitation and the human animal bond (HAB) as a holistic approach to addressing topics of mental health, suicide prevention, and innovative services. Displaying work through the Ten Specialization Year Competencies and the Five Elements of Advanced Integrative Practice, we examine ways to expand social justice, amplify voices, and promote healing within our communities.

Ripples Of Impact: A Journey In Social Work Practice, Talisa Marie Hides

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio, Ripples of Impact: A Journey in Social Work Practice, reflects my academic and professional development throughout the Master of Social Work program at the University of Montana. It demonstrates the integration of theory, research, and practice across diverse contexts, including trauma-informed care, rural and Indigenous communities, and pediatric behavioral health. The narrative highlights my progression from foundational knowledge to advanced competencies in ethical practice, cultural humility, advocacy, and leadership. Through practicum experiences, collaborative projects, and community engagement, I have strengthened my ability to assess, intervene, and evaluate at micro, mezzo, and macro levels. This work underscores my …

Caring For The Herd: Lessons From The Buffalo, Drea Rightsell

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This document represents a summary and reflection of my profound journey through the University of Montana Masters in Social Work Program. It begins with the life and professional experiences that led me to the program, and continues to reflect upon the ten competencies of advanced social work practices as I experienced them trough rigourous academic and field work. It weaves together core beliefs from my pre-MSW life and illuminates the ways in which the values and ethics of social work have helped me grow as a person and a practitioner. The title refers to my connection with wild buffalo and …

Journey Through, Cathan B. Tautfest

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Journey Through is the Master's Portfolio for the University of Montana for Author Cathan Tautfest. This paper serves as the capstone graduation requirement for students of the School of Social Work. Over the final semester of the Master's program, this Portfolio was created, reviewed by committee, and defended before its publication. This Portfolio is a culmination of three years and thousands of hours to demonstrate mastery of the ten Social Work competencies, the elements of Social Work Practice, and critically reflect on time spent in the School of Social Work's Master's of Social Work (MSW) program. This Portfolio reflects on …

Master Of Social Work Portfolio, Cynthia Elaine Worcester

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Sex Disparities In Prescription Opioids Associated Cardiovascular Adverse Events, Li Ma

Theses and Dissertations

The opioid crisis in the United States has evolved from a medical response to pain into a nationwide public health emergency. The prescription opioids (POs) – associated cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) remain insufficiently studied, especially in relation to sex disparities. This dissertation investigates sex disparities in PO-associated cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) through an analytic framework integrating artificial-intelligence-assisted literature mining and real-world pharmacovigilance analytics. In the analytic framework, first, AI powered topic modeling was employed to uncover POs-associated CVAEs risks with a focus on sex differences. A total of 1,837 PubMed abstracts were analyzed using two methods, Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) …

Factors Affecting Interest In Orthodontic Treatment Among Adults In Jakarta, Joko Kusnoto, Lia Hapsari Andayani, Budi Kusnoto

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objectives: The misalignment of teeth and/or jaws caused by abnormalities in the dynamic process of craniofacial growth and development is known as malocclusion. Over half of children and adolescents worldwide experience some form of malocclusion. Orthodontic treatment is the process of adjusting the position of teeth and jaws to achieve optimal occlusion. In recent decades, there has been a global surge in the need for orthodontic treatment among adults. This study aims to evaluate the factors affecting interest in orthodontic treatment among adults in Jakarta. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2023. A total …

Prevalence Of Bruxism And Its Association With Stress Among Dental Students: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Ketavatu Durga Prasad Naik, Prasanthi Gortha, Madhu Varma, Mohan Kumar, Rama Laxmi Koruprolu, Mounika Rameswarapu

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: Bruxism has been described as a parafunction associated with a multifactorial etiology, but primarily as a psychological factor. This study determined the prevalence of bruxism among dental students and explored the potential contributing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among dental students across various academic years. The prevalence of bruxism (awake and during sleep) was assessed along with stress levels, lifestyle factors, and demographic variables. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of bruxism was significantly associated with stress and academic workload. Most participants exhibited moderate to severe …

Dental Students’ Preferences In Selecting Artificial Teeth For Older Adults' Dentures, Muhammad Afif Sapie, Nur Hanim Farhana Mohamad Hilmi, Aiemeeza Rajali, Nik Rahayyu Nik Zulkifeli, Nor Wati Nur Atikah Mustafa, Hazem Mofreh Dakhilallah Al Tarawneh

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: Selecting and arranging acrylic resin teeth for dentures is essential to achieve a natural appearance; however, limited understanding and older adults’ aesthetic expectations may result in inconsistencies and increased patient visits. This study aimed to explore the methods and factors dental students prefer when selecting artificial teeth for dentures for older adults. Method: A validated questionnaire, including consent, demographics, and six domains of the methods with related factors for selecting acrylic teeth, was distributed to dental students of the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). The participants responded using a five-point Likert scale and closed-ended questions. Result: 161 dental students participated …

Factors Associated With Initial Psychogenic Non Epileptic Seizures (Pnes) Amongst Patients With/Without Epileptic Seizures (Es), Enow Ogork

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizure (PNES) is an important individual and public health concern, but inconsistent results exist in the literature in terms of the circumstances surrounding the initial occurrence of PNES among patients without a prior diagnosis of epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent patient sex, number of medical comorbidities, sleep deprivation, head injury in the past, and eyes closed during seizures predict initial PNES among patients with or without PNES. The precaution adoption process model provided a framework for exploring how individuals become aware of health risks and decide to adopt preventive behaviors. Secondary …

The Underrepresentation Of Black Women In Executive Leadership Roles, Bre Hayward

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract The problem that was addressed through this study is that Black women are underrepresented in executive leadership roles in the United States. Grounded in Ladson-Billings’ critical race theory and Hill Collins’ Black feminist theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of Black women executives regarding the challenges they face in attaining executive leadership roles and their recommendations to address the underrepresentation of Black women in executive leadership roles. Data were collected using semistructured interviews of 13 adult Black female executive leaders in a private sector organization who had at least 2 …

Improving Doula Visibility And Integration In The Labor & Delivery Unit Through The Implementation Of Creative Standardized Visual Strategies, Ninna Alessandra Arcena Acebedo

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: The 22-bed, Labor and Delivery (L&D) unit lacks a standardized model to introduce doulas, clarify their scope of practice, or communicate the value of the services they provide. To address this gap, the team implemented a standardized doula awareness poster that included each doula’s name, photo, years of experience, and personal interests. Aim: The goal is to enhance visibility and promote integration of doula support to strengthen team collaboration and patient engagement. Methods: A pre- and post- implementation survey was distributed exclusively to the volunteer doulas. After the doula awareness poster was displayed for four weeks, …

Increasing Nursing Staff Confidence And Documentation Compliance For Psychotropic Medication Use, Ei Chit Paing

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Psychotropic medications place a high risk for side effects such as confusion, dizziness, falls, and death in older adults above age 65 (Seifert et al., 2024). Educational training on appropriate psychotropic drug use to nursing staff is linked to a decrease in penalties (Jung et al., 2021), side effects, and an increase in staff knowledge in caring for patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms (Pinazo-Clapés et al, 2020). Aim: Facility A in Northern California is currently non-compliant with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines for appropriate psychotropic use due to limited staff understanding of regulations and …

An Axe To The Funny Bone: Curated Instability And Horror-Comedy Intersections In American Storytelling, Samantha Box

Masters Theses

Funny. Terrifying. Subversive.

Horror-Comedy twists and bites at the intersection of two incredibly reactive genres— with both Horror and Comedy being well known for the political and social discourses they embody and reinvent through story. While prevalent in American popular culture, scholarly analysis of this hybrid space barely exists beyond a small number of Film Studies investigations. Despite this lack, Horror-Comedy works continue to be successfully produced. This thesis unpacks the vibrant relationship between fear and laughter in contemporary American storytelling through Horror-Comedy, maintaining a focus on structural dynamics and the audience-disarming results of simultaneously applying horror and humor to …

Modern Technology Addiction: Developer Duty Of Care, Jonah Hampton

Honors College Theses

Technology addiction includes any frequent use of technology which interferes in the user’s life. The subject continues growth as an epidemic and research field, yet prior literature does not often analyze the role of technology developers. This study performs a literature and legal synthesis to evaluate user and company responsibility, implications of responsibility, and promising solutions. Post 2020 literature was selected for coverage on context, addictive features, effects, solutions, or perspectives on law. Legal examples from different addiction industries were also selected for analysis to understand previous precedents. The study found a pattern of addictive traits, persuasive design, and recurring …

There’S Cardio And There’S Cardio: How Fitness And Sexual Attitudes Relate To Needs For Approval And Loneliness, Isaac Robertson

Honors College Theses

This study looked to collectively investigate the relationships of both fitness/sexual activity attitudes with a need for social approval, while also determining if biological sex could play a role in either of these relationships. Additionally, loneliness and mental well-being were examined with the aforementioned variables. Predominantly white (82.5%) females (75%) data were analyzed after completing an online survey (N = 40). Significant relationships were found between fitness attitudes and a need for social approval in women only (r (28) = -.50, p = .005) and between sexual activity attitudes and a need for social approval in men only (r (8) …

Trust, Influence, And The Two-Step Flow Of Communication: How Msu Jmc Freshmen Navigate Information Networks In The Digital Age, Caroline Blakeman

Honors College Theses

This study examines how Murray State University students in the Journalism and Mass Communications department engage with information and interpersonal trust through the lens of the Two-Step Flow of Communication. Using a quantitative survey, participants reported how they receive and evaluate information across six domains: politics, healthcare, education, international conflict, religion, and campus news. The survey also explored participants’ own perceptions as “opinion leaders” within their social networks. Findings reveal that coworkers, family members, and religious associates were consistently rated as high-trust sources of information. In particular, trust in religious associates showed a notable pattern: participants who expressed higher levels …

Stakeholder Criteria For Trust In Artificial Intelligence-Based Computer Perception Tools In Health Care: Qualitative Interview Study, Eric A Storch, Casey J Zampella, Julia Parrish-Morris, Anika Sonig, Gabriel Lázaro-Muñoz, Kristin Kostick-Quenet

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Computer perception (CP) technologies hold significant promise for advancing precision mental health care systems, given their ability to leverage algorithmic analysis of continuous, passive sensing data from wearables and smartphones (eg, behavioral activity, geolocation, vocal features, and ambient environmental data) to infer clinically meaningful behavioral and physiological states. However, successful implementation critically depends on cultivating well-founded stakeholder trust.

Objective: This study aims to investigate, across adolescents, caregivers, clinicians, and developers, the contingencies under which CP technologies are deemed trustworthy in health care.

Methods: We conducted 80 semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of adolescents (n=20) diagnosed with autism, Tourette …

Fayetteville State University Winter Commencement December 12, 2025, Fayetteville State University

Graduation Exhibit

Program for Fayetteville State University Winter Commencement December 12, 2025

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Monica Terrell Leach, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Fayetteville State University

More Than Just A Criminal: Talking Back As A Critical Autoethnographic Journey, Anakin Rivera Ramirez

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This article explores the experiences of doctoral students with criminal records navigating higher education, using a critical theoretical framework to highlight the unique challenges and triumphs I faced. Drawing upon decoloniality and critical race theory perspectives and activism, I define my critical scholarship as challenging the dominant oppression through thoughts and actions. Through autoethnographic and self-reflective narratives, I reflect on how my lived experiences as a Latino who has experienced criminalization. I have shaped my academic pursuits and critical consciousness. The autoethnography discusses systemic barriers such as stigma, discrimination, and institutional biases, showing how these obstacles have informed the author’s …

The Effects Of Bullying Victimization And Bullying Perpetration On Academic, Social, And Emotional Self-Efficacy Among Adolescents, Amber Crenshaw

Theses and Dissertations

Bullying remains a persistent challenge in schools and has been linked to diminished perceptions of capability across multiple domains. This quantitative, cross-sectional study examined how bullying victimization and bullying perpetration relate to domain-specific self-efficacy, academic, social, and emotional, among students in grades 4-12 in the southern United States. Students (N = 81) completed the Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument (APRI-BT) measuring victimization and perpetration across verbal, social, and physical behaviors. Students also completed the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C) measuring domain-specific self-efficacy. Analyses included descriptive statistics, internal consistency estimates, bivariate correlations, and hierarchical multiple regressions. Moderation by parental education and socioeconomic …

Understanding Acceptance Capacity And Intentions Of Mississippians To Participate In The Conservation And Management Of Black Bears In Mississippi, Basant Pant

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the acceptance capacity of Mississippians towards black bears (Ursus Americanus), and their intentions to participate in their conservation and management. It intends to bridge the theory and application of wildlife acceptance capacity among three main objectives. First, a systematic literature review of journal articles employing the Search, Appraisal, Synthesis and Analysis (SALSA) method revealed the development phase of Wildlife Acceptance Capacity (WAC)-conceptual phase (1988 -2000) and applied phase (post 2000), highlighting the strong scholarly collaboration among high human development index (HDI) countries with limited collaboration with the low HDI countries. Second, a mail survey of 4,080 Mississippi …

Effects Of Parenting And Differentiation Of Self On Career Identity Development In Emerging Adults, Benjamin Alexander

Theses and Dissertations

This work investigates how parenting styles relate to the development of career identity in emerging adults and whether differentiation of self helps explain those links. Using a two?manuscript format with a shared dataset of U.S. undergraduates (n =148), parenting behavior (i.e., warmth and control) was assessed alongside career identity constructs (career exploration and commitment); a second study added differentiation of self as a possible mediator of these relationships. Manuscript 1 examined whether parenting styles are associated with Marcia-based career identity outcomes. After deriving identity groupings consistent with achievement, foreclosure, moratorium, and diffusion, multinomial models indicated that more autonomy?supportive, high-warmth parenting …

‘Cog In The Machine’ Or Social Being? How Digital Communications Affect Social Capital Development In Higher Education Institution Workplaces., Daphne Abigail Knox

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of digital communications on social capital development within the workplace in public institutions of higher education. While previous literature recognizes the potential implications of the internet on areas like social capital (Putnam, 2000; 2020) and formal and informal communications in organizations (Simon, 1997), an in-depth understanding of how modern digital communications impact social capital development is still necessary to address the gap in literature and to analyze the impact of digital communications on the development of organizational social capital. The potential implications of this work on scholarly research include expanding …

A Case Study On Redesigning Classroom Activities And Assessments For Generation Z Students, Sushma Shrinivasan

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the dynamic interplay between pedagogical strategies, learner diversity, and emerging educational technologies through three interconnected studies. Study 1 compares Traditional instruction, Problem-Based Learning (PBL), and Simulation-Based Learning (SBL), revealing that while PBL and SBL enhance student performance—particularly PBL—their impact on perceived learning varies. Notably, SBL reduced perceived learning despite strong outcomes, underscoring the affective and metacognitive complexities of active learning. Study 2 examines the role of demographic factors such as gender, ethnicity, employment, and first-generation status, finding no significant main effects but identifying a key two-way and three-way interactions, suggesting that instructional effectiveness is influenced by the …