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Celebrities, Personalities, And Drinking Styles, Madeleine Krueger

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study replicated and extended the findings of Hill et al. by examining the influence of sociocultural factors, vulnerable and grandiose narcissism, and related psychological variables on drunkorexia behaviors. The replication was expanded to include body dissatisfaction and celebrity worship, as prior literature suggests these variables may be strongly associated with disordered eating and alcohol-related compensatory behaviors. Results indicated that body dissatisfaction emerged as a significant predictor of drunkorexia, supporting previous research that links negative body image with maladaptive weight-control behaviors surrounding alcohol consumption. Several limitations should be noted, including the use of a single-university sample, reliance on a cross-sectional …

Sport Injuries And The Impact On Athlete Mental Health, Chloe Crompton

Master of Education in Applied Human Development Graduate Projects

Over the last decade, there has been an increased focus on athlete mental health (Wiese, 2010). More studies have focused on why athletes struggle with mental health and how mental health can significantly impact athletic performance. According to research, “Across mental health disorders, injury is frequently identified as a sport-specific risk factor for mental health conditions and is one of the most frequently researched risk factors for mental health concerns in elite athletes” (Haugen, 2022, p.4). Considering the inherent risk of injury with athletic participation, the impact of sport-related injuries on individual athletes’ mental health remains an important area for …

Marketing Plan For Community Service Initiative L.A.C.E.S. (Limitless Accessibility For Children To Experience Sports), Grace Bryant

Master of Education in Applied Human Development Graduate Projects

I. Executive Summary

L.A.C.E.S. (Limitless Accessibility for Children to Experience Sports) is a community-based initiative focused on increasing access to youth sports for children in underserved communities. The mission of L.A.C.E.S. is to ensure that every child can experience the joy and benefits of sport by addressing barriers such as cost, transportation, lack of resources, and limited awareness. While youth sports are widely known to support physical health, mental well-being, and social development, access to these opportunities is not equal. Research shows that participation rates are significantly lower among children from low-income households and marginalized communities, largely due to structural …

Smu Launches Resilient Workforces Institute To Strengthen Singapore’S Workforce In The Age Of Ai, Singapore Management University

SMU Press Releases and News

Singapore Management University (SMU) announced the launch of the Resilient Workforces Institute (ResWORK), a new university-level research institute advancing workforce resilience and lifelong learning amid accelerating technological change. It is among the first institutes in Singapore and the region to jointly study adult-learning and the future of work through an integrated, interdisciplinary lens spanning economics, management, behavioural science and technology.

The Need To Identifying An Assessment Method To Evaluate Narcissistic Leadership Traits In Christian Churches In The Minneapolis Area And Determining Their Impact On Assemblies From The Perspective Of Congregants, Rita Lekova

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examined the need for effective assessment methods to evaluate narcissistic leadership traits in Christian congregations in the Minneapolis area and the consequential effects of these traits on assemblies, as perceived by the congregations. This study addressed growing concerns about destructive leadership behaviors that compromise spiritual well-being, organizational trust, and biblical paradigms of servant leadership, as exemplified by Jesus. Employing an interdisciplinary framework that includes the theological, psychological, and leadership studies literatures, the research examined the expression of narcissistic traits by ecclesiastical leaders and ministers and how these tendencies are perceived by congregants and attendees. Qualitative and quantitative research …

Mind The Gap: A Synthesis Of Research On The Theory Of The Mind Differences In Autism And Educational Bridging Strategies, Christopher K. Hansen

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This master’s thesis analyzes “Theory of the Mind” (how we understand other people’s thoughts) through a neurodiversity affirming lens. Rather than looking at autism as a one-sided social flaw, this paper explores the idea that communication gaps occur because neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals naturally speak different social languages. This literature review examines how forcing autistic students to mask their natural traits causes academic frustration and emotional and mental exhaustion. This can also cause anxiety and lead to depression. Part of this paper focuses on translating these findings into practical bridging strategies for the classroom, using a variety of approaches to …

Supporting Success In Collegiate Student-Athletes With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Coaching, Accommodations, And Mental Health Supports, Sharon Marcella Miller

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This literature review examines the support needed to promote the academic, athletic, social, and psychological success of collegiate athletes with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—research related to autism in higher education, mental health, and sensory processing disability accommodations. New diversity and coaching practices will be synthesized to identify common barriers and effective support strategies. Findings indicate that successful outcomes are less focused on the autism diagnosis itself and more focused on accessibility, communication, relationships, organizational culture, and practices surrounding the athlete. Direct communication, individualized accommodations, psychological safety, predictable routines, sensory-informed practices, and collaboration among coaches, disability service professionals, athletic trainers, mental …

The Impact Of Special Education Inclusion On The Academic And Social Development Of Students With Disabilities, Sarah Phoebe Phelps

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research of special education inclusion in mainstream classrooms indicated that it can enhance the academic and social development of students with disabilities, and that it could also make a positive impact on the peers without disabilities. However, there is continued concern regarding teacher readiness, resource limitations, and the appropriateness of full inclusion for students with significant disabilities. To create a successful inclusive classroom, teachers need support, proven strategies, and the implementation of the strategies. This literature review will look at the successes and challenges of inclusive education as a whole, and highlight the evolution of exclusive practices to the current …

Archives And Children's Knowledge, Elliott Kuecker, Ashley Rockenbach

Publications and Research

This article argues for the importance of collecting works created by children—not just about and not just for—in formal archival collections. Framed through the ideas of legitimate knowledge and epistemic injustice, this piece combines notions important to children’s rights activists and childhood studies scholars with the role archives can play in preserving children’s knowledge through child-created materials. The authors describe how researchers struggle to find work created by children within archives, impacting the ability to create child-centered research that centers children’s views of the world as prominently as adult views of the world. Some collections that do include child-created materials …

Between Stigma And Strength: How Ghanaian Mothers Navigate Societal Judgement And Build Resilience While Raising Children With Disabilities., Vera Bonku Turkson

Theses and Dissertations

The study explores the lived experiences of mothers raising children with disabilities in Ghana, West Africa. The purpose of the study is to understand mothers’ everyday caregiving realities, their experiences with social stigma, and the ways they build resilience. A semi-structured interview was conducted where a total of eleven Ghanaian mothers/caregivers were interviewed through phone calls, WhatsApp calls, and Zoom. The data were then analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis guide, which resulted in the development of five themes. The findings reveal that mothers’ experiences are shaped by continuous caregiving demands, financial strain, and deeply embedded cultural beliefs …

The Role Of Non-Academic Staff In First-Year Retention At Regional, Comprehensive Universities, Marco A. Krcatovich Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Regional comprehensive universities (RCUs) serve a large share of U.S. undergraduates, yet the role of non‑academic staff in shaping first‑year retention remains understudied. This dissertation examines how staff diversity and staffing structures relate to student persistence using seven years of IPEDS panel data and Linear Mixed‑Effects Models. Analyses were conducted separately for residential and commuter RCUs to reflect their distinct engagement environments. Findings show that staff diversity is significantly associated with retention, though the direction and magnitude vary by campus type and staff role. Staffing structure also matters as higher proportions of full‑time staff are positively associated with retention at …

Dining Experiences Across Hearing Profiles: The Influence Of Noise And Environmental Factors In Restaurants, Lorin M. Kmieciak

Theses and Dissertations

Dining out is a popular activity worldwide that is rooted in sensory and emotional engagement. How an individual experiences the sensory conditions in restaurants varies widely, highlighting the importance of designing dining environments that accommodate diverse perceptual needs and abilities. The purpose of this study is to address how existing dining environments overlook inclusive and accessibility-centered design by examining how hearing loss intersects with the acoustic, sensory, and social dimensions of dining environments. This study employed a mixed method, exploratory approach by gathering quantitative data through a survey and qualitative data through follow-up interviews to generate a holistic and data-driven …

Exploring Healthcare Students' Perceptions About Race And Privilege At A Large Academic Medical Center: A Pilot Study Of A Peer Education Program, Elizabeth A. Brown, Dante Pelzer, Katrina Black Reed, Chinieka Jackman-Rogers, Madison Kimmell

Health Behavior, Policy & Management Faculty Publications

Amid the racial unrest stemming from the summer of 2020, in the United States, many institutions had difficult conversations about race and the impact of racism with employees, students, and patients. In January 2021 and February 2021, we recruited undergraduate students for the Peer Education Program (PEP), a voluntary program conducted at a large academic medical center, and encouraged students to have a safe space to discuss controversial topics in healthcare. From April 2021 to July 2021 four interdisciplinary healthcare students met once a month for 1 hr to discuss privilege, race/racism, leadership, and advocacy and their influence on health …

Niu Working Papers 2025 - 2026, Northern Illinois University

Working Papers

No abstract provided.

A Scholarly Exploration Of Teaching Strategies For Learning About Pediatric Sleep, Laura J. Carpenter, Amanda M. Buono

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The occupation of sleep is an area of occupational therapy practice for which many practitioners report a lack of confidence and/or knowledge to properly address. The current study addresses this concern by studying the effects of a learning module on students’ confidence and knowledge to address pediatric sleep. The study used a pre-test, post-test non-experimental design and collected survey responses from 48 entry-level occupational therapy students in three different programs. The lecture portion of the module included content about both assessing and intervening, while the case study emphasized intervention-planning only. Results indicated significant gains in knowledge overall (z = …

Recognizing Excellence: Key Traits, Qualities, And Behaviors Of The Exceptional Fieldwork Educator In Occupational Therapy, Piper Hansen, Lydia H. Schallenberg, Jayde M. Kahn, Jacqueline Rizzi, Ariel Torres

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

All students of occupational therapy enrolled in accredited programs are required to complete Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences. A critical factor in shaping successful fieldwork experiences is the fieldwork educator, who guides clinical learning, models professional behaviors, and supports skill development for practice readiness. Despite the importance of the fieldwork experience, the fieldwork educator, and the impact of the supervisory relationship, there is limited understanding of the unique attributes and strategies that distinguish exceptional occupational therapy fieldwork educators. This study sought to investigate the key traits, qualities, and behaviors of the exceptional fieldwork educator in occupational therapy and …

Enhancing Occupational Therapy Students' Knowledge Of Menstrual Health: A Quantitative Pilot Study, Glynnis Jones, Skylar Edwards, Allison Bressette, Emilie Wright, Michelle Hiller

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study examined preliminary effects of a targeted learning module on occupational therapy students’ knowledge and perceived understanding of the profession’s role in menstrual health. Although menstrual health is a universal biological process, it remains underrepresented in occupational therapy curricula. Guided by occupational justice theory, this project aimed to enhance awareness within professional education to promote equity. A quasi-experimental, pre-posttest design assessed changes following completion of a self-paced online module. Fourteen second-year students from accredited occupational therapy programs participated. Subjects completed pre- and post-intervention knowledge assessments and the Menstrual Health Understanding Questionnaire (MHUQ), a 5-point Likert scale measuring perceived understanding …

Integrating Fieldwork Educators Into Didactic Coursework: Impact On Occupational Therapy Students’ Readiness For Level Ii Fieldwork, Tara Mansour, Victoria Denovellis

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Level II fieldwork represents a critical transition from didactic learning to clinical practice in occupational therapy education, yet students frequently report challenges related to applying knowledge, managing expectations, and navigating complex clinical environments. Many of these challenges reflect aspects of the “hidden curriculum,” including implicit expectations related to communication, professional behaviors, and feedback that are often not explicitly addressed in coursework. This study examined the impact of integrating fieldwork educator–led sessions into a didactic seminar to support student readiness. A mixed-methods survey using a retrospective pre–post design was administered to 33 students (97% response rate). Quantitative analyses demonstrated significant improvements …

Assessment Of Level Ii Fieldwork Performance (Alf): Development And Refinement Of A Level Ii Assessment Tool For Use In Occupational Therapy Curricula, Suzanne Marasco, Karen Weis, Zachary A. Myers

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The Assessment of Level II Fieldwork Performance (ALF) is a new tool developed for use in occupational therapy programs to evaluate students’ performance during Level II fieldwork. The present study reports on the development of the ALF and revisions of the tool based on two rounds of expert review utilizing a modified Delphi methodology. An expert panel of sixteen occupational therapists who had previously utilized the tool while serving as fieldwork educators was recruited to review the ALF and complete online surveys related to the tool’s content, pragmatics, and clinical value. Based on expert consensus, the ALF was modified and …

Association Between A Lifestyle Medicine Score And Stroke In U.S. Adults With Hyperglycemia: 2007- 2010 Nhanes, Swarnima Naithani

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between glycemic control and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well- established, however, lifestyle modifications to prevent CVD warrant further investigation. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between adherence to the six lifestyle medicine pillars promoted by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and stroke in U.S. adults with hyperglycemia. A lifestyle medicine composite score (LMS) was developed to quantify adherence with the hypothesis that a higher LMS (greater adherence to lifestyle recommendations) correlates with lower odds of stroke in adults with hyperglycemia. Methods: The study sample (n=2,079) included adult (≥ 40 years of age) participants in the …

The Role Of Department Chairs In Supporting Student Learning Outcomes, Tommy C. Molden Jr

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine high school department chairs’ perceptions of their role in relation to teacher leadership in achieving student learning outcomes.  The study adds significant implications for department chair training in the context of teacher leadership and the achievement of student learning outcomes.  Further, the study extends the literature on the importance of department chairs’ perceptions of their proficiency for adapting to and institutionalizing the role as teacher leader to increase student achievement.  Additionally, the study identified training strategies and resources that enhance department chair competence in teacher leadership for student achievement of learning …

Investigating Intersectionality: How Multiple Marginalized Identities And Social Perceptions Of Victims Influences The Efficacy Of Panic-Defense Narratives In Bathooms, Demitri James Aguilar

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Despite transgender Women of Color being the main victims of violent victimization and panic-narrative cases, very little research has investigated how race/ethnicity might impact perceptions of violence or the influence of panic-narratives. Thus, the current experiment (N = 1275) examined the social and legal ramifications of using panic-narratives against transgender and cisgender women of color (Black vs. Latino vs. White) in bathroom victimization contexts. The predictions were partially supported. Regardless of racial identity, the justification of transgender (versus cisgender) victimization via panic-narratives produced more anti-victim (e.g., increased victim guilty verdicts, sentencing, victim culpability, perceived deception, and threat) and prodefendant outcomes …

Brief Exposure Therapy With Exercise For Ptsd: A Pilot Study Using Single Case Experimental Design, Troy J.J. Hubert

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common and often disabling psychiatric disorder associated with an increased risk of multiple mental and physical health conditions. Exposure therapy is a gold standard treatment for PTSD, but attrition rates and treatment response are notable limitations. Animal and human research collectively indicate that aerobic exercise can enhance preclinical and experimental models of exposure by improving consolidation of fear-extinction memories. To date, only one clinical trial has attempted to translate exercise augmented exposure therapy for PTSD. The current study is an open-label pilot clinical trial aiming at gauging the effectiveness of a brief eight-session PTSD …

Making Words Count: Computational Linguistics In Management Research, Joseph J. Simpson, Richard A. Hunt, David M. Townsend, Judy Rady, Elham Asgari, Mohammad Rady, Daniel J. Beal

International Business and Entrepreneurship Faculty Publications

In recent years, a rapidly growing number of management scholars are using computational linguistics (CL) to analyze vast corpora of naturally occurring organizational language. Yet the rapid adoption of CL methods has outpaced the development of shared standards for linking theoretical constructs, linguistic data, and computational measurement. We synthesize 353 articles published in leading management journals for 2013–2025, identifying four recurring challenges shaping the credibility of CL-based research: misalignment between constructs and textual corpora, unnecessary model complexity, the opacity of large language model workflows, and insufficient transparency in reporting. Building on these patterns, we develop four integrative design principles—construct-language fit, …

Stress Dynamics Between Clinical Supervisors And Allied Health Students: A Scoping Review, Piao Wang, Laurie Peebles, Aine O'Connor, Xinrong Li, Yongsheng Wang

Funded Scholarship

Stress within clinical supervision in allied health education functions as a reciprocal and relational process that shapes both learning and professional development. This scoping review synthesizes findings from 54 studies published between 1980 and 2024 to examine how stress is experienced, transmitted, and managed between students and clinical supervisors. Four interconnected domains were identified through the synthesis: the supervisory relationship, systemic and contextual pressures, personal factors, and the placement environment. Together these domains illustrate how organizational demands and supervisory strain influence student engagement, feedback processes, and educational outcomes. The literature provides valuable descriptive insight but remains fragmented, methodologically inconsistent, and …

The Effects Of Auditory Stimulation On Vocal Stereotypy In An Individual With Autism In A Classroom Setting, Natalie Pastor

Masters Theses

Vocal stereotypy, which includes non-functional vocal behaviors such as babbling, grunting, or repetitive phrases, is often seen in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although this behavior is not harmful, it can interfere with learning and social interaction, especially during leisure time. When engaging in vocal stereotypy is disruptive to those around them, it may limit opportunities for meaningful social engagement with peers. The current study builds on prior research by examining the effects of different types of noncontingent auditory stimuli on vocal stereotypy in a classroom setting. This study seeks to answer the question: What is the impact of …

Faculty Perceptions Of Using Technology For Virtual Debriefing, Kelly Layne, Deanne Otto, Elisabeth Mcgee

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Face-to-face simulation and debriefing have been widely used and researched in occupational therapy and physical therapy education to provide students with authentic learning experiences. However, technology acceptance of virtual debriefing has not been studied with occupational therapy and physical therapy faculty. This is an important area of study, as the use of technology to facilitate virtual debriefing became more common during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to increase in use post-pandemic. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore faculty perceptions of using technology to facilitate virtual debriefing in graduate occupational therapy and physical therapy programs. The …

Advancing Interprofessional Communication: Preliminary Outcomes Of A Novel Collaboration Framework In A Student Head Injury Clinic, Natalia Noce, Kelly Ann Pena, Susan Paparella, Andrew Lynch, Erin Keller, Aaron Dallman, Pamela Rothpletz-Puglia

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

When healthcare providers practice interprofessional practice, care improves, and medical errors are reduced. Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) principles and the Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Patient Performance and Safety (TeamSTEPPS®) frameworks are utilized in healthcare education to develop interprofessional collaborative practice skills, but there is little understanding of how these skills change over time. We sought to evaluate the development of interprofessional collaborative practice skills by examining graduate occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology students' first-hand reports of their experiences over time in an interprofessional head injury clinic. We employed an applied interpretive qualitative research approach longitudinally collecting …

Recalibrating Readiness: Pandemic Impact On Ot Admissions, Bridget J. Hahn, Kajol Patel, Jacquelyn A. Siegel, Jessica Rappaport, Michelle Mcfall-Johnsen, Kia A. Burks

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study explored shifts in occupational therapy applicant characteristics across two distinct time periods: pre- and post-COVID-19, while also describing admissions policy changes implemented by an urban Midwestern Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program. Retrospective data from admissions records from 917 applicants (2017 – 2024) were grouped into pre-COVID (2017 – 2020) and post-COVID (2021 – 2024). Academic, pre-professional, interview, and underrepresented minority (URM) status was compared using independent t-tests and chi-square analyses. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) and research experience increased post-pandemic, while pre-professional experience and interview performance declined. The proportion of URM applicants rose significantly from 8.1% pre-COVID to …

Attribution Theory In Occupational Therapy Clinical Education: A Scoping Review, Julia Shin, Anna Domina, Ashley Fecht, Lisa Bagby, Raigan Borsh

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Intrapersonal and interpersonal skills are essential for occupational therapy students’ professional development and fieldwork success. Despite their importance, these competencies are often ambiguously defined, inconsistently assessed, and underemphasized in curricula. Attribution theory, a well-established framework from social psychology, provides a valuable lens for examining how students’ causal attributions influence their motivation, behavior, and professional growth. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the application of attribution theory in health professions education by characterizing attribution-focused interventions, assessments, and student outcomes. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) five-stage framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted systematic searches across Academic Premier, CINAHL, ERIC, OTSeeker, and PubMed …