Digital Commons Network^™

The Guardian The Month Of January 2025, Wright State Student Body

The Guardian Student Newspaper

News articles from The Guardian for the Month of January 2025. The Guardian is the official student-run newspaper for Wright State University. It has been published regularly since March of 1965.

Impact Of Trauma-Informed Care In Higher Education, Lauren Mochnal

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Trauma is prevalent among students in higher education, with 66% to 85% of university students having experienced a traumatic event (Wells et al., 2021). Additionally, college students in the United States currently report greater psychological distress and mental health challenges than in the past (Ray et al., 2024). Traumatic experiences can lead to challenges in emotional regulation, delayed brain development, and increased risk of adverse health outcomes and academic failure (Gao et al., 2023). However, use of a trauma-informed care approach to higher education at both a departmental and classroom level can minimize barriers and improve occupational engagement in education, …

Mindfulness Strategies For Older Adults, Jennifer Macnie

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This literature review aimed to identify the current research related to mindfulness in addressing mental health concerns. Anxiety and depression are extremely prevalent amongst older adults living in Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) (Morgan et al, 2016; Wallis et al., 2018). Currently, anxiety and depression are mainly treated by pharmaceutical treatments and cognitive behavioral therapy, however an increase of non-pharmaceutical treatment methods are needed (Wallis et al., 2018). The development and evaluation of occupation-based mindfulness programs in ALF will help to identify best practices for addressing mental health concerns in this setting.

Mindfulness Interventions For Pediatric Cancer, Dara Studnitzer, Tori Sandull, Bella Fazio

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Research on mindfulness-based interventions is limited but necessary to determine the potential impacts on quality of life among children diagnosed with cancer. The objective was to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in improving quality of life outcomes for children diagnosed with cancer. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used for the systematic review. Studies from 2014 to 2024 that focused on interventions such as mindfulness, meditation and yoga for children ages 6-12 with a cancer diagnosis were reviewed, and outcomes that include quality of life, life satisfaction, well-being, and happiness were analyzed. Six studies met …

Ot For Acquired Physical Disabilities, Olivia Rousseau, Stephanie Tudela, Jacqueline Needle, Joanne Barnhart, Thuy Do

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Sexuality is often overlooked in the rehabilitation process for adults with newly acquired physical disabilities, and adequate resources are not provided to clients experiencing difficulty with sexual function. This review explored research on the impacts of Occupation-Based Interventions (OBI) on the ability of adults with acquired physical disabilities to engage in sexual activities. Articles were assessed using PRISMA guidelines to review data quality, validity, and risk of bias. Six peer-reviewed articles were examined regarding occupation-based approaches in sexual rehabilitation for adults with spinal cord injuries, amputations, multiple sclerosis, and strokes. Data was analyzed to identify recurring themes and intervention outcomes. …

Medical Providers' Understanding Of The Role Of Ot, Zachery Edwards

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The purpose of this scoping review was to gather information on medical providers’ current understanding of occupational therapy’s (OT) scope of practice and how their understanding impacts OT referrals. The question that guided this review was: does an increase of education on occupational therapies (OT) scope of practice for medical providers increase their understanding of OTs role? Current research highlights an inaccurate understanding of OT’s role by medical providers, which leads to decreased referrals. Further research is needed to determine medical providers’ motivation to receive education on OT’s scope of practice, what education methods are most beneficial, and if that …

Benefits Of Aquatic Therapy In Older Adults, Matile Kaplan

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Aquatic Therapy (AT) helps with physical, mental, and psychosocial components of recovery. Substantial evidence shows that traditional (on-land) therapy has a positive impact on quality of life and occupational performance. However, limited research exists on the impact of combining traditional and aquatic therapies on rehabilitation outcomes and occupational engagement. Aquatic therapy has been a therapeutic modality since 2400 B.C. and is not fully exploited despite having strong evidence of its benefits (B.E. Kauffman & B.W. Kauffman, 2014; Chesapeake Bay Aquatic and Physical Therapy, 2024). There is a large gap in the literature about the benefits of combining aquatic and on-land …

Si & Processing On Student Occupational Engagement, Kyla Campbell

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Sensory Integration (SI) is defined as the brain's ability to organize and respond to information within the body and environment. School-aged children begin school with varying difficulties in SI and processing, which affects their social and academic performances. The field of occupational therapy (OT) promotes engagement in meaningful activities, in which going to school and participating in activities is vital to a child's development and wellbeing. The school setting is the second-largest employer of occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) in the United States. Children with SI and processing difficulties have decreased participation in the classroom compared to their peers with typical …

Lsvt Big Vs. Boxing: Community Engagement In Pd, Amber Brown, Grace Carolonza, Shannon Fogarty, Alexis Labelle

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive disease that can impair an individual’s ability to engage fully in community activities. This systematic review aimed to compare the effects of Lee Silverman Voice Treatment BIG (LSVT BIG) and non-contact boxing (NCB) on community engagement among individuals with PD. A comprehensive search was conducted across four academic databases—CINHAL, EBSCO Academic Complete, PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, this review assessed risk of bias and levels of evidence using established, industry-standard tools. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed, published between September 2019 and September 2024, focused on either LSVT BIG or NCB, …

Adaptive Skiing And Complex Communication Needs, Jordan Chizmadia

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Participation in adaptive sports, those modified to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, empower athletes by fostering self-determination, helping them recognize their potential, and build confidence (Hajjar et al., 2018; Labbé et al., 2019). Communication is a critical aspect of adaptive sports, enabling athletes to express their needs and understanding of the sport (Hajjar et al., 2016; Hajjar & McCarthy, 2022a). For individuals with complex communication needs (CCN), or those with barriers using natural speech for everyday communication; adaptive skiing can present unique challenges due to communication barriers. Occupational therapists can develop client-centered strategies to adapt communication, incorporating both …

Sensory Intervention For Bereaved Children, Eleanor Gemma

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Bereaved children have unique sensory needs due to unregulated bodily experiences impacting one’s sensory modulation. There is a lack of evidence-based sensory strategies used with children receiving bereavement services in Rhode Island, and little understanding of how sensory strategies can impact client's regulation. The purpose of this scoping review was to explore the sensory interventions currently being applied with children who are experiencing bereavement.

Building Adolescent Wellness Through Fitness, Serena Mora

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Neurodivergent (ND) adolescents are less physically active than their typically developing (TD) peers. Challenges associated with ND include low self-confidence, high anxiety, impaired social skills, or unwillingness to try new things, which can impact engagement. Physical activity (PA) has been shown to reduce many of these difficulties, having a positive impact on TD peers. (Soga et al., 2015). Current programs available for adolescents that focus on PA are competitive and can increase anxiety. The prevalence of ND conditions continues to rise, so it is crucial to support the social-emotional wellness of ND adolescents. Use of PA can improve independence and …

Lbsci 702: Information Sources And Service: General, Nafiz Z. Shuva

Open Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

University Of Richmond Magazine - Spring 2025

University of Richmond Magazine

The University of Richmond's Alumni Magazine was first published as The Alumni Bulletin in 1936 and continues to this day as the University of Richmond Magazine.

How Decontextualised Risk Information Affects Clinicians’ Understanding Of Risk And Uncertainty In Primary Care Diagnosis: A Qualitative Study Of Clinical Vignettes, Alex Burns, Elizabeth Shephard, Raff Calitri, Adrian Mercer, Edmund Jack, Mark Tarrant, Sarah Dean

School of Psychology

Background: Decontextualised risk information (DRI) is any information pertaining to diagnosis, which is introduced into a clinical consultation, or a diagnostic thought process, without being requested by the clinician. It can be risk scores, computerised warnings, or laboratory tests or diagnostic imaging requests ordered by other clinicians. It is an increasing, and yet under-researched phenomena in UK primary care. Aim: To investigate how GPs integrate DRI into their clinical decision making and how might they communicate this to patients. Design & setting: Clinical vignettes of cases that involve DRI, designed to increase the diagnostic uncertainty of the case, were presented …

Experiences And Understandings Of Multiculturalism In Mainstream Primary Schools In Southwest England, Suparna Bagchi

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

The present study is an exploration of teachers’, parents’ and students’ experiences and understandings of multiculturalism in four mainstream primary schools situated in a predominantly White location in Southwest England. It adopts qualitative methodology under a single case study design underpinned by a sociocultural theoretical framework. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews conducted virtually with adult participants, students’ classroom activities and field notes supplemented by photographs of classroom and corridor displays. Study findings suggest strong support among participants for incorporating multicultural components in school teaching and learning. Findings also suggest varying levels of accessibility, knowledge and availability of resources around …

The Other Secret Deals: Uncovering The Power Of Non-Binding International Agreements, Guillermo J. Garcia Sanchez

Fordham International Law Journal

No abstract provided.

The Good Friday/Belfast Agreement's Human Rights Promise—Fulfilled Or Unfulfilled?, Martin O'Brien & Maggie Beirne

Fordham International Law Journal

The recent twenty-fifth anniversary of the Good Friday (or Belfast) Agreement provided several opportunities for people in Northern Ireland to come together to reflect and comment on the successes and failures of the 1998 peace agreement. Fordham, by publishing this new collection of articles, further allows an important opportunity to share reflections on the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, its implementation, and the current state of the peace in Northern Ireland. This Essay will provide a high-level assessment of the extent to which transition of human rights from the margins to the mainstream (as discussed in the 1999 Mageean and O’Brien article) …

Variation In Early 20th Century Rural Utah English, Joseph A. Stanley, Hallie Davidson

Faculty Publications

Utah English Pronunciation

Early 20th Century Utah English:

• Early work (Cook 1969, Helquist 1970) compares rural Utah to Salt Lake City.
• Bowie (2003, 2008, etc.) analyzes archival recordings of religious sermons.
• Primary focus in those studies: the decline of the CORD-CARD merger.

Introducing the Kohler Tapes

Background:

• Norm Kohler, a middle school teacher in Heber in 1980s–2000s.
• He had students to interview a local older person, like a grandparent.
• He provided questions to ask, akin to sociolinguistic interviews.
• Collected 1200+ cassette tapes.
• Intended to write a history based on these oral narratives.

Processing:

• Digitized in 2021 at BYU’s Office of …

Creating Equitable Employment Practices For Adjunct Faculty: Perceptions Of Academic Administrators At Public Institutions In A Great Plains State, Constance Mciver

Theses and Dissertations

Adjunct faculty are a substantial feature of the higher education classroom. Their increased prevalence has contributed to elevated concerns regarding the employment practices of these part-time faculty. While numerous published accounts of adjunct faculty experiences are available, recorded perceptions of academic administrators are less prevalent. Eighty-six academic administrators from six public universities in a Great Plains state participated in a researcher-developed survey to determine the expectations placed upon and compensation practices for adjunct faculty, as well as perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of the adjunct system and the feasibility of providing more equitable compensation. Survey findings suggest there is …

Exploring The Experiences Of First-Year Pre-Nursing Students’ Sense Of Belonging In A Living-Learning Community And First-Year Seminar, Robyn Bancroft

Theses and Dissertations

Many factors may influence how a student experiences their first year adjusting to college life. The University of North Dakota, a public research institution located in Grand Forks, ND, recently implemented a nursing living-learning community (LLC) comprised of first-year, pre-nursing students, which also required the students to take a one-credit first-year seminar (FYS) together, known as UNIV 101 – Introduction to University Life. A total of 10 participants who resided within this living-learning community for a minimum of one academic year and were enrolled in the same section of UNIV 101 during their first semester submitted reflection papers. Additionally, eight …

Exploring Refugee Students’ Experiences In Midwest Higher Education Environments: Culturally Responsive Practices For Educators, Rohana De Silva

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the teaching and learning strategies used by highereducation faculty to support refugee students at a Midwestern university. Recognizing that refugee students bring diverse cultural, linguistic, and experiential backgrounds to academic environments, this research examined how instructional practices can either promote or hinder their educational success. Traditional teaching methods often fall short in addressing the complex needs of this student population. Using Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth Framework, Bourdieu’s Theory of Cultural Capital, and Resilience Theory, this study analyzed the narratives of refugee students to uncover how their lived experiences influenced their educational journeys. Findings revealed that refugee …

Stem Professors’ Motivation To Engage In A College Teaching Certificate, Justin Craig Alexander

Theses and Dissertations

Despite an expanded focus on educating students in STEM disciplines, nearly half of U.S. college students who enroll in these degree programs fail to graduate (Hamm et al., 2020, p. 623). Critics sometimes blame pedagogically untrained faculty (e.g., Kahn, 2022). This Dissertation in Practice (DiP) focused on STEM university faculty's motivation for teaching and whether professors are motivated to enroll in pedagogy courses. Via the lens of self-determination theory (SDT), this DiP examined to what extent STEM faculty at a major research university in the upper Midwest could devote additional time to pedagogy by enrolling in a college teaching graduate …

Practices Of North Dakota Vocal Music Educators With Exemplary Implementations Of Culturally Responsive Education, Allyse L. Dunnigan

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the culturally responsive practices of exemplary vocal music educators in North Dakota, with a focus on understanding how they implement culturally responsive education in their classrooms. As student populations become increasingly diverse, educators remain predominantly White, leading to cultural disconnects that can hinder student engagement and academic success. Utilizing a qualitative, phenomenological research design framed by culturally responsive music education, this study captures the lived experiences of five vocal music educators identified for their exemplary use of culturally responsive practices. Data collection included semi-structured interviews, analyzed to identify practices, challenges, and impacts on students. Findings reveal that …

Mindfulness And Modification Therapy (Mmt) Group Feasibility And Acceptability Among Prison Residents With Dysregulated Behaviors, Leslie Unger

Theses and Dissertations

Mindfulness and Modification Therapy (MMT; Wupperman, 2019) is a transdiagnostic therapy that systematically integrates aspects of six empirically supported treatments for impulsive and dysregulated behavior. As such, MMT may offer an efficient approach to addressing a variety of dysregulated behaviors, thereby supporting increased safety within carceral settings and enhancing goals of rehabilitation. To date, MMT has demonstrated positive results in community settings when treating substance misuse and anger/aggression, but it has not yet been examined in a prison setting. The present research examines the feasibility and acceptability of using a 14-session version of group MMT as a voluntary treatment option …

Which University Faculty Are Successful Researchers? Developing And Testing Measures Of Research Competence To Predict Faculty Research Motivation And Success, Muhammad Salahuddin

Theses and Dissertations

University faculty play a pivotal role in producing research that leads to positive social change through the creation of new knowledge, enhancement of higher education quality, and improved university rankings. Faculty produce more when they feel competent, autonomously motivated, and acknowledged. Past studies have measured faculty research competencies using self-report scales that may contain biases, potentially leading to significant discrepancies in research outcomes. My program of research – a three-article dissertation – aimed to develop and validate the test-based measures of faculty research competence that can more reliably predict faculty research success. The three studies provide an enhanced understanding of …

Visible, Invisible: (Levantine) Arab American Men On Mental Health, Nesreen Jaber

Theses and Dissertations

To address the dearth in psychological research and practice in regards to Arab American men, this study examined the lived experiences of seven Levantine (Belad Al Sham) Arab American men with origins in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iraq. Semi-structured interviews, Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), and a Liberation Psychology framework were utilized to explore their definitions of mental health, their experiences of stigma, their experiences with mental health therapy, and their attitudes towards psychology and therapy. A total of seven superordinate themes emerged that highlighted the roles of gendered stigma, cultural incongruence in therapeutic praxis, Eurocentric norms in psychology, and conceptualizations of …

Mental Health Stigma Among Latiné Adolescents: Help-Seeking Intentions And Recommendations, Brenda D. Barragan

Theses and Dissertations

Latiné adolescents in the United States face increasing mental health challenges, including elevated rates of depression, suicidal ideation, and emotional distress, particularly in underserved regions such as the Midwest. Despite these needs, Latiné adolescents remain underrepresented in mental health research, particularly with respect to how cultural values and intersecting identities—such as gender, immigrant status, and perceived socioeconomic status—influence stigma and help-seeking behaviors. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study explored how mental health stigma and cultural factors shape help-seeking intentions and recommendations among 95 self-identified Latiné adolescents in North Dakota and Minnesota. The study examined two primary …

Addressing The Impact Of Unlicensed And Under-Licensed Teachers In Pk-12 Schools: How School Administrators Offer Support, Taylor Topinka

Theses and Dissertations

As the impact of the teacher shortage grows, more teachers are entering classrooms with incomplete teacher licensure. Related literature affirms that new-to-profession teachers experience what Danielson (1999) described as a “sink or swim in the deep end of the pool” culture as they attempt to navigate the beginning of their teaching career with an incomplete license or no license entirely (p. 251). The influx of partially-licensed teachers engaging students is a dilemma created by the growth of the teacher shortage. The purpose of this study was to address the impact of unlicensed and under-licensed teachers on student growth and achievement …

Spatial And Temporal Assessment Of Meteorological Drought Using The Standardized Precipitation Index (Spi) And Its Effect On Crop Yield Over The Corn Belt Region Of The United States From 2000 To 2023, Victor Araya

Theses and Dissertations

Climate change and global warming have contributed to extreme weather events and patterns, including severe flooding, earthquakes, wildfires, and drought. Drought happens to be the deadliest catastrophic event around the world. Drought's impact on ecosystems and local communities has been increasing in many parts of the world, including the United States and, most importantly, the corn Belt, which also happens to be the country's food basket. Understanding drought prediction and mitigation can be investigated through drought indices. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) is considered the most reliable in this study. It is used in this study to present the critical …