Digital Commons Network^™

When Speech Speaks Louder Than Truth: Language Variation And Credibility In The Courtroom, Melanie E. Spinnie

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study aims to investigate how linguistic variation affects perceptions of credibility in courtroom settings. It focuses on how jurors, judges, and other individuals in the legal system may exhibit bias (consciously or unconsciously) based on how a defendant or witness speaks-- this could include speech disorders as well as differences in dialect, accent, and speech style. Through review of relevant literature, review of a relevant historical case, conducting a survey, and conducting a semi-structured interview, this study explores whether certain speech patterns or characteristics are disproportionately associated with negative judgments during legal proceedings, such as reduced credibility and trustworthiness. …

Healthcare Students' Perspective On The Clinical Placement Learning Environment: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Third- And Fourth-Year Students At A College Of Health Sciences In The Uae., Wuni Abdul Razak, Fatima Alrayssi, Arwa Alkarbi, Latifa Al Saedi, Suliman Salih, Ajnas Alkatheeri, Mohamed Hassaneen, Mohd Nazmi Nordin, Mbambo Collen, Emne Hammoud, Shaik Balkhis Banu, Monika Sachdeva, Noon Kamil

Health Professions Education

Purpose: This study evaluates the clinical placement learning environment from the standpoint of Year 3 and Year 4 healthcare students in the UAE. Methods: The perspectives of healthcare students on clinical learning environments were studied using the validated Undergraduate Clinical Education Environment Measure (UCEEM). Third- and fourth-year (fifth-year pharmacy students inclusive) undergraduate healthcare students (radiography and medical imaging, emergency health, midwifery, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and psychology) (n=647) at a United Arab Emirates university were invited to participate in the study. The UCEEM contains 25 items under two overarching aspects, experiential learning and social engagement, with four subscales: learning opportunities at …

Exploring Job Stressors And Burnout Among Core Faculty In Entry-Level Physical Therapist Education Programs: A Convergent Mixed Methods Study, Jj Ferguson, Adam Fritsch, Jodi L. Young

Health Professions Education

Purpose This study explored burnout among core faculty in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs, identifying its most prevalent aspects and key organizational correlations. Methods A convergent parallel mixed-methods design integrated quantitative data from the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Educators Survey and the Areas of Worklife Survey with qualitative data from semi-structured interviews. Data were collected concurrently, analyzed independently, and merged during interpretation. Quantitative analyses used multiple linear regression, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Results Eighty-one faculty completed the survey and 20 participated in interviews. Emotional exhaustion emerged as the most prevalent burnout dimension, with 51.9% reporting moderate to high levels. …

Professional Identity Development Among Nursing Students: The Impact Of Structured Reflective Practice, Abdelmonim El Fadely, Kamal Takhdat, Charaf-Eddine Ahraiba, Rahma Bouali, Sabah Selmaoui, Boujemaa Agorram

Health Professions Education

Purpose This study aimed to assess the impact of a structured reflective practice intervention on the development of professional identity among nursing students. Method A mixed-methods design was adopted. The intervention, based on guided reflective practice, was implemented with a voluntary sample of 58 participants. The evaluation relied on a quasi-experimental quantitative approach using the Macleod Clark Professional Identity Scale, with a comparison group and both pre-test and post-test measurements. A qualitative component was also included to explore the dimensions of the studied concept in greater depth. Results Quantitative findings showed a statistically significant difference between the post-test means (p < 0.001), indicating that the reflective practice intervention had a positive effect on the experimental group compared to the control group. The qualitative results further illuminated students’ reflections, which were organized into ten themes corresponding to the study’s conceptual framework: professional knowledge and skills, values and ethics, the nursing role, leadership, professional self-image, social image of the profession, sense of belonging, identification with role models, theory–practice integration, and career choice. These dimensions provided a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of professional identity, capturing the complexity of the concept. Conclusion These results support the integration of reflective practice as a pedagogical approach to fostering the construction and development of a positive professional identity. Professional identity, as a rich and multidimensional concept, goes beyond the process of professionalization—it represents its ultimate achievement.

The Predictive Ability Of Decision-Making For Cognitive Dissonance Among Nursing Students, Adnan Yousef Atoum, Omar Atallah Al-Adamat, Emran A. Abu Aqoulah, Aya Al-Ali, Marah Al-Smadi

Health Professions Education

Purpose: The present study aimed to examine the levels of cognitive dissonance and decision-making among nursing students at Irbid National University-Irbid, Jordan, and to investigate the predictive ability of decision-making for cognitive dissonance.

Method: The study sample consisted of (251) male and female nursing students at Irbid National University-Irbid, Jordan. The cognitive dissonance scale and the decision-making scale were used after assuring validity and reliability.

Results: The study results indicated that the level of cognitive dissonance was low, and the level of decision-making ability was high. The study results also indicated that decision-making variable explained 17.2% of …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of The Well-Being Through Occupational Participation (Wbop) Intervention In Promoting Well-Being In Occupational Therapy Students From A Philippine University: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study, Elena Wong Espiritu, Maria Concepcion Dc. Cabatan, Guia Allyza D. Rabacca, Marlowe Eriberto P. Acuña Jr, Jay Allen B. Villon, Peñafrancia E. Ching

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Filipino occupational therapy students experience decreased well-being during their educational experience. However, there is a limited amount of literature describing their well-being and a scarcity of culturally specific interventions to promote student well-being. The Well-Being Through Occupational Participation intervention is an evidence-based, manualized program consisting of a variety of occupation-based activities. The objective of this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a modified version of the intervention in promoting undergraduate Filipino occupational therapy student well-being.

Methods: A convergent mixed-methods approach was used, specifically longitudinal survey for the quantitative design and qualitative descriptive for the qualitative design. Data was …

Attitudes Toward Dementia Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study, Ngoc Ha Vo Thi, Thuy Nga Tran Thi, Ngoc Sen Hoang Thi

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Dementia is the loss of cognitive function, including thinking, memory, and communication, due to brain disorders. The global prevalence of dementia is increasing, affecting younger populations. Caring for individuals with dementia requires preparedness to manage behavioral and psychological symptoms. As future healthcare providers, nursing students are expected to have the necessary knowledge and attitudes to support dementia patients. To describe nursing students' attitudes toward dementia and explore related factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 520 nursing students at Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy. A structured questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, academic information, knowledge, and attitudes …

The Need For A Validated Psychometric Scale To Assess Multidimensional Language Barriers In Medical Education Among Arabic Speakers, Ali Alfaifi, Nasser Shubayr

Health Professions Education

Language barriers significantly hinder academic performance, psychological well-being, and clinical communication skills of Arabic-speaking healthcare students educated through English-medium instruction. Although existing instruments focus on clinical communication—often among physicians—critical dimensions such as academic challenges and psychological impacts remain underassessed, and tools rarely address disciplines beyond medicine (e.g., nursing, pharmacy, radiology). Studies in Arabic-speaking contexts typically employ author-developed or adapted questionnaires lacking rigorous validation. This short communication underscores the need for a comprehensive, psychometrically sound scale tailored to Arabic-speaking healthcare students. Proposed dimensions include Language Proficiency, Academic Impact, Psychological Impact, and Clinical Communication. Validation will involve systematic item development, exploratory and …

Health Students’ Knowledge, Perceptions, And Willingness Toward Artificial Intelligence In Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance: A Cross-Sectional Study, Ikhwan Yuda Kusuma, Fauziah Fauziah, Afriza Pujiati, Dhiya Zulayta, Septi Nurkhasanah, Khamdiyah Indah Kurniasih

Health Professions Education

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) causes approximately 4.95 million deaths annually. Although artificial intelligence (AI) may enhance AMR detection, surveillance, and antimicrobial use, evidence remains limited regarding how health students’ knowledge, perception, and willingness influence AI adoption for AMR control.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the direct and mediating relationships between health students’ knowledge, perception, and willingness toward AI-based approaches for combating antimicrobial resistance in Indonesia using structural equation modeling.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 4,369 health students across Indonesia was conducted using a validated questionnaire. Data on knowledge, perception, and willingness were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), SmartPLS, …

The Role Of Participant–Clinician Relationality And Intervention Source In A Violence Reduction Trial: A Qualitative Study, Paul Leslie Simpson, Freya Stephenson, Patricia Morgan, Emaediong I. Akpanekpo, Jocelyn Jones, Peter William Schofield, Lee Knight, Tony Butler

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Violence and domestic violence are global public health problems with prevention programs showing limited effectiveness. The form of delivery of such programs can influence their utility yet delivery characteristics are often poorly described. We analysed interviews with clinicians (n = 5) and participants (n = 12) involved in ReINVEST, a violence reduction clinical trial, to identify key elements of delivery. Three themes were identified: (1) clinician accessibility; (2) clinicians as participant advocates; and (3) humane care, reflecting participant–clinician ‘relationality’ as a central component of program delivery. We propose that this relationality is more likely to emerge in interventions delivered independently …

Reimagining Patient Interviews: The Effect Of Ai-Generated Chatbots On Dpt Student Engagement - A Case Report, Leslie M. Smith, Samantha Hsu, Peter F. Bodary

Health Professions Education

Background and Purpose: Artificial intelligence generated chatbots (AIGC) present new possibilities for physical therapist education, especially for self-directed learning and skill development. Their impact on Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students’ communication and interviewing skills is still underexplored. This case report evaluates DPT students’ experiences and perceptions of AIGC in a case-based classroom activity. Case Description: Participants were first-year entry-level DPT students (n=64) enrolled in a 9-week critical thinking course. They practiced history taking and interview skills with seven patient cases using AIGC and completed a post-activity survey (n=59).

Outcomes: A total of 93.2% found AIGC relevant for learning patient …

Exploratory Study Of The Relationship Among Religiousness, Resilience, Grit, Calling, And Differentiation Of Self In Nursing Students, Christine L. Sommers, Yonathan Aditya, Grace Solely Houghty, Ihan Martoyo

Health Professions Education

Purpose: To explore the relationships between resilience, religiousness, grit, calling, and differentiation of self in nursing students.

Methods: A cross-sectional design with a questionnaire was used. A total of 434 nursing students currently enrolled in a nursing degree program completed the online questionnaire, for a response rate of 32.3%. The study used the Indonesian version of the following instruments: 1) CD-RISC 10; 2) Four Basic Dimensions of Religiousness; 3) 12-Item Grit Scale; 4) Brief Calling Scale; 5) Differentiation of Self.

Results: Most of the participants were female, enrolled in a Bachelor of Nursing program, and desired to be nurses to …

Study And Evaluation Of The Trimester System In Ksau-Hs, Saudi Arabia, Ayesha Mukthar, Sharon Pricilla Jeevan Kumar Leela, Suchithra Koipurathu Rajappan

Health Professions Education

Purpose: The study aimed to identify the perceptions of students, faculty and administrative staff in College of Science and Health Professions (COSHP), Al Ahsa campus, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), about the trimester system implemented in education sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the Academic Year 2022-23 i.e. (1442) AH.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with a structured questionnaire of 30 closed-end items consisting of three sections was implemented. The first and second section focusses on the overall opinion, impact, and challenges observed as well as evaluating the trimester plan, the academic …

Firearm Violence In Health Care Professional Education In The United States: A Scoping Review., Kim D. Dao, Melissa D. Burgemeister, Sierra M. Hakanson, Audrey Rc Elias, Liana C. Wooten

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Despite widespread recognition of firearm violence (FV) as a public health crisis in the United States (US), gaps persist in understanding the education provided to health care professionals (HCPs) regarding prevention and management. This scoping review aimed to characterize FV education curricula for HCPs in the US, focusing on identifying target learners and understanding curricular content and implementation to inform future educational initiatives.

Methods: This scoping review was conducted according to Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Cochrane. Search terms included “health occupations”, “allied health personnel”, “gun violence/prevention”, “firearm violence/prevention”, “curriculum”, “education”, …

Clinical Spanish Instruction In Physical Therapist Education: A Quasi-Experimental Comparison Of Instructional Schedules, Rose M. Vallejo, Eric Kruger

Health Professions Education

Purpose: As the U.S. Hispanic population grows, patients with limited English proficiency encounter health disparities that compromise their care. As a result, clinical Spanish instruction in health professions education has become increasingly necessary to address these disparities. This study compared the effects of two instructional schedules: condensed (8-week) versus distributed (2-year), for a required clinical Spanish course in a physical therapist education program. A secondary aim was to implement a Spanish-language OSCE to assess functional communication proficiency.

Methods: Forty-eight students (mean age 25.0 ± 3.3 years; 54% female) from two consecutive cohorts received 16 hours of flipped classroom Spanish instruction. …

Patterns And Characteristics Of Incident Reports From Residents: A Single-Center Pilot Study, Atsushi Tanikawa, Tatsuya Ueno, Miyuki Kamitsuma

Health Professions Education

Background Incident reports are essential for identifying patient safety events in hospitals, yet physicians—especially resident physicians—submit relatively few reports. Understanding residents’ awareness and experiences related to patient safety is important for promoting reporting and improving organizational safety.

Methods We conducted a questionnaire-based survey between December 20 and 29, 2020, among resident physicians at a single teaching hospital. The survey evaluated satisfaction with residency training, exposure to patient safety education, understanding of incident reporting, and experiences with submitting incident reports.

Results Of the 16 eligible residents, 15 participated in the survey (response rate: 93.8%), including 10 postgraduate year (PGY)-1 residents and …

Chronicles Of Film Tourism: An Integrative Review And Future Research Directions, Sangkyun Kim, Anton Klarin, Stijn Reijnders, Qijie Xiao, Nicky Van Es

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study triangulates historiographical and scientometric reviews to provide a systems perspective on film tourism. The three phases of historiographical analysis (exploration, growth, and maturity) correspond to the three clusters of scientometric analysis: (i) initial research exploring film tourism development and management, (ii) growing the field through studies on film tourists’ perceptions and practices, and (iii) reaching maturity through extending research into different cultural contexts and meaning-making processes. Based on the analysis, we offer a set of directions for future research, including the need to integrate sustainability research and film tourism studies in developing country contexts, as well as intertextuality …

Code-Switching, Identity-Shifting, And Identity Distress Among Black Undergraduate Women Attending Predominantly White Institutions, Erin Smith

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Code-switching (altering language or speech) and identity-shifting (modifying appearance or behavior) are adaptive strategies often used by individuals from marginalized groups to navigate environments shaped by dominant cultural norms. Although these behaviors are commonly discussed in qualitative literature, relatively few quantitative studies have examined their psychological correlates among Black undergraduate women attending predominantly White institutions (PWIs). These behaviors may function as coping strategies in response to racialized and gendered expectations, yet the psychological implications of these strategies remain understudied. The present study examined the relationships among identity distress, code-switching, identity-shifting, and gendered racial identity centrality within a diverse sample of …

Hierarchical Bayesian Regression For Experimental Psychology: A Case Study Of Cognitive Control, Thomas A Dudey, Joshua J Jackson, Shelly R Cooper, Todd S Braver

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Arising from the so-called 'replication crisis' in the experimental psychology literature, there has been a growing call to reassess whether specific analytic practices might enhance the accuracy and precision of reported findings. This issue is explored here, through a case study examination of two previously collected datasets from the Dual Mechanisms of Cognitive Control (DMCC) task battery. This case study highlights the unique advantages afforded by Hierarchical Bayesian Regression (HBR) models as a potentially more rigorous analytic approach to statistical inference. In the DMCC datasets, two sets of HBR models are presented, with the estimates of the former used as …

Perception Of Dementia Risk Among Black Adults: An Ecological Analysis Of Causal Loop Diagrams With A Structural And Social Determinant Of Health Composite Index, Jean-Francois Trani, Ramkrishna K Singh, Alexis Ib Walker, Semere Bekena, Yiqi Zhu, Ganesh M Babulal, Robbie Hart

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: To investigate drivers of dementia risk disparities among older Black Americans using a community-based system dynamics (CBSD) approach.

METHODS: Over 18 months, 234 participants created 36 causal loop diagrams (CLDs) on dementia risk. An ecological analysis compared structural differences across groups based on scores on a structural and social determinants of health composite index (S/SDOH-CI).

RESULTS: Groups in the highest SDOH-CI quantile were more likely to identify key protective pathways linking mental health, substance use, exercise, medication, and community support to reduce dementia risk. In contrast, fewer than 25% of low-SDOH-CI groups identified these connections, and under 15% recognized …

Criterion And Convergent Validity Of Plasma Biomarkers In Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease: Initial Findings From Leads, Dustin B Hammers, Kyle Womack, Erik Musiek, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Congenital Heart Disease On The Timing Of Alzheimer's Disease In Down Syndrome, Julianne G Clina, Beau Ances, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Down syndrome (DS) exceeds 90%. Approximately 50% of people with DS have congenital heart disease (CHD). Having CHD increases risk for early-onset AD in populations without DS, but it is unclear if CHD influences AD in DS.

METHODS: Data from the Alzheimer Biomarker Consortium-Down Syndrome (ABC-DS) were used. Participants with CHD (

RESULTS: People with CHD scored lower for visuospatial ability (

DISCUSSION: Presence of CHD may influence AD progression in DS.

HIGHLIGHTS: In adults with Down syndrome (DS), those with congenital heart disease (CHD) had higher amyloid beta and reached the …

The Constitutional Significance Of The First American Pope: The Promise Of Listening In An Era Of Mutual Suspicion, Derek A. Webb

Scholarly Articles

Pope Leo XIV has focused a good deal of writing and speaking in the first year of his pontificate on the theme of listening, dialogue, and bridgebuilding. For Leo, listening, dialogue, and creating harmony across diverse perspectives where possible are at the heart of the Christian life. But his reflections on these themes, while rooted in theology, are aimed at a wider audience, going well beyond the church community, and addressing philosophical issues of universal human concern. Indeed, the first American pope happens to be highlighting certain ideals regarding dialogue that, while perhaps forgotten today, are central to the American …

Disrupted Intrathalamic And Thalamocortical Structural Covariance Networks In Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Nick Steele, Ahmed Hussain, Delin Sun, C Lexi Baird, Courtney Russell, Neda Jahanshad, Lauren E Salminen, Miranda Olff, Jessie L Frijling, Dick J Veltman, Saskia B J Koch, Laura Nawijn, Mirjam Van Zuiden, Li Wang, Ye Zhu, Gen Li, Dan J Stein, Jonathan Ipser, Sheri Koopowitz, Yuval Neria, Xi Zhu, Orren Ravid, Sigal Zilcha-Mano, Amit Lazarov, Benjamin Suarez-Jimenez, Ashley A Huggins, Jennifer Stevens, Kerry Ressler, Tanja Jovanovic, Sanne J H Van Rooij, Negar Fani, Emily L Dennis, David F Tate, David X Cifu, William C Walker, Elisabeth A Wilde, Ivan Rektor, Pavel Říha, Milissa L Kaufman, Lauren A M Lebois, Justin T Baker, Anthony King, Israel Liberzon, Mike Angstadt, Nicholas D Davenport, Seth G Disner, Scott R Sponheim, Thomas Straube, David Hofmann, Guang Ming Lu, Rongfeng Qi, Amit Etkin, Adi Maron-Katz, Xin Wang, Austin Kunch, Hong Xie, Yann Quidé, Wissam El-Hage, Shmuel Lissek, Hannah Berg, Steven E Bruce, Josh Cisler, Marisa Ross, Ryan Herringa, Daniel W Grupe, Jack B Nitschke, Richard J Davidson, Christine Larson, Terri A Deroon-Cassini, Carissa W Tomas, Jacklynn M Fitzgerald, Brandee Feola, Jennifer U Blackford, Bunmi O Olatunji, Geoffrey May, Steven M Nelson, Evan M Gordon, Chadi G Abdallah, Ruth Lanius, Maria Densmore, Jean Théberge, Richard W J Neufeld, Paul M Thompson, Rajendra A Morey

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The thalamus is a heterogeneous structure crucial for corticocortical communication, affective–perceptual integration, motor preparation, and memory-related functions. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by various symptoms that likely relate to thalamic functions. Group-level and individual differential structural covariance (SC) analyses were conducted on intrathalamic, thalamocortical, and thalamosubcortical volumetric networks by segmenting structural MRI data from 2,784 subjects (PTSD n = 1,306; controls n = 1,478) into 25 thalamic nuclei per hemisphere. We found that PTSD was associated with stronger intrathalamic and thalamocortical network strength and stronger SC between the limbic thalamus and the somatomotor and auditory thalamus. PTSD severity was …

Combination Therapy With 308-Nm Excimer Laser, Compound Glycyrrhizin, And Tacrolimus For Pediatric Facial And Cervical Vitiligo, Yingying Qian, Yafen Wu, Wei Li, Qian Chen, Siyuan Song, Ting Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Vitiligo is a common acquired depigmenting disorder in pediatric dermatology. Facial and cervical involvement is particularly distressing due to cosmetic disfigurement, leading to psychosocial impairment in children and significant psychological burden for parents. Safe and effective treatment strategies to halt disease progression and promote repigmentation are urgently needed.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy, onset of repigmentation, safety, and repigmentation patterns of 308-nm excimer laser combined with oral compound glycyrrhizin and topical 0.03% tacrolimus in children with facial and cervical vitiligo.

Methods: A total of 112 pediatric patients were randomized into two groups: treatment group (n=56, 86 lesions) received …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool (Smhat-1) Between Paediatric And Adult Olympic And Paralympic Athletes, Ashley N Triplett, Travis Anderson, Eric G Post, Jessica Bartley, Jeffrey S Shilt, Eric L Dugan, Amber Donaldson, Jonathan Finnoff, William M Adams

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: To determine if paediatric athletes exhibit differences in positive screenings on the Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool (SMHAT-1) compared with adults.

Methods: Team USA Olympic and Paralympic paediatric athletes ≤21 years (n=589; 58.8% female; age=19.5±1.7 years) completed the SMHAT-1 between January 2021 and September 2024. A comparative sample of Team USA adult athletes (n=493, 54.2% female; age=27.3±4.9 years) matched for sex and sport was randomly sampled, and the percentage of athletes with a positive screening on each questionnaire was calculated. χ2 analysis compared the proportion of positive screenings between paediatric and adult samples. Piecewise linear regression assessed the association …

Professionalism In Practice: A Novel Approach To Integrating Small Doses Of Case-Based Professionalism Education Into Monthly Grand Rounds., Allison H Taylor, Andrew Caruso, Kelley Arredondo, Ellen M Friedman, Stacey R Rose

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Professionalism is a critical construct across the health professions, though learners and faculty report feeling underprepared to navigate difficult situations; education in professionalism is challenged by the absence of a universal definition, time constraints due to overcrowded curricula, and the lack of consistent messaging to learners and faculty.

Methods: Professionalism in Practice (PiP) was developed to provide small doses (∼5 minutes) of case-based professionalism education as part of an existing educational forum (Grand Rounds) to optimize attendance of both learners and faculty. Each vignette highlighted a common professionalism challenge and was aligned with an AAMC professional competency. Sessions were …

Integrating A Project-Based Learning Methodology Into A Department-Wide Quality Improvement Curriculum: A Nine-Year Experience In Pediatric Subspecialty Training, Venessa Lynn Pinto, Danny Castro, Constance M Wiemann, Liza Bonin, Cagri Yildirim-Toruner, Nicholas A Ettinger, Sharada Hiranya Gowda, Joyee Vachani, Mehmet Fatih Okcu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Quality improvement (QI) training of subspecialty fellows is an essential component of graduate medical education, yet often delivered in silos within departments through a variety of instructional methodologies.

Objective: We applied project-based learning (PjBL) as a guiding methodology for a QI curriculum for pediatric subspecialty fellows and describe our curriculum development, instructional design, and its implementation.

Methods: We integrated the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Model for Improvement with the 6 key features of PjBL: a driving question, defined learning goals, active participation in educational tasks, collaboration among learners, scaffolding with learning technology, and production of tangible artifacts. The …

Exploring The Temporal Context Of Abusive Supervision, Alexandra Kandah

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

This dissertation examined the temporal dynamics of abusive supervision and their implications for employee burnout and turnover intentions. Drawing from gestalt characteristics theory and uncertainty management theory, this research investigated whether the timing, frequency, variability, and change in abusive supervision influence employee outcomes beyond traditional cross-sectional conceptualizations. Study 1 used a qualitative design to explore how abusive supervision unfolds over time. Fourteen working adults reporting a past abusive supervisor participated in semi-structured interviews focused on the temporal dynamics of their experience with abusive supervision. Results indicated that abusive supervision often began early, recurred frequently, and was characterized by unpredictability and …

Gratitude As Social Information: How Leader And Follower Gratitude Expressions Influence First-Level Supervisors’ Work Experiences, Meghan E. Kane

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Gratitude is an important other-oriented, moral emotion known to promote individual well-being, strengthen social relationships, and foster positive workplace outcomes. Yet, organizational research has largely focused on gratitude as an individual trait or internal emotional state, with limited attention to its interpersonal signaling functions. Drawing on Emotion as Social Information (EASI) theory, this dissertation conceptualizes gratitude expressions as social cues that shape how others feel, think, and behave in the workplace. Focusing on first-level supervisors, an underexamined yet critical role in organizations, and integrating insights from leadership and followership research, this work examines how the source of gratitude expressions (leader …