Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating Community Attachment, Quality Of Life, And Community Citizenship Behavior Toward Rural Tourism Development In Thailand, Supaporn Prasongthan, Pimonphat Rodtook, Jariya Supun, Rabhas Silpsrikul

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

In rural tourism destinations, residents serve as representatives of the area, and their involvement in tourism and discretionary behavior contributes to the destination’s success. The objectives of this study were to explore the community citizenship behavior (CCB) model and to examine the relationship among residents’ attachment, quality of life (QOL), and five dimensions of CCB, including involving, keeping interpersonal harmony, protecting, helping, and recommending behavior, across two stages of rural tourism destinations in Thailand. A multivariate quantitative research method was employed. A total of 1,052 samples were retrieved from residents living in 10 selective rural tourism destinations, with 526 respondents …

The Economics Of Homelessness: A Quantitative Study On Homeless Willingness To Pay For Affordable Housing In Thailand, Peera Tangtammaruk, Nattapon Siwareepan, Jennifer Chavanovanich, Nartsupon Dumchuen, Thanee Chaiwat, Mattana Wongsirikajorn

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

This study investigates the willingness to pay (WTP) for housing among homeless individuals in Thailand, using the contingent valuation method (CVM) and a structured choice experiment model. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 90 homeless individuals from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Khon Kaen. The study aims to understand the economic value that homeless individuals are willing to pay for various types of homelessness-related housing, as well as the factors influencing their WTP. The findings reveal that while most homeless individuals express a preference for affordable rental housing, their financial capacity remains limited due to low and unstable incomes. The …

Basic Effectiveness Of Group Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (Gmbct) In The University Setting, John Robert C. Rilveria, Nisseth Clarize S. Carido, April Veronica G. Lansangan, Alaya Gabrielle N. Villaflor, Anna Cristina A. Tuazon, Divine Love A. Salvador, Violeta V. Bautista

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped daily life and amplified mental health challenges worldwide, with university students identified as a particularly vulnerable group. To address this need, the present study evaluated the effectiveness of group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (GMBCT) as an evidence-based intervention for students receiving psychosocial services during the pandemic. Using a pretest–posttest design, data from 34 students randomly assigned to either GMBCT or individual treatment-as-usual (TAU) provided by a university-based clinic were analyzed. To evaluate treatment effects, an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted to compare post-treatment outcomes between the two groups while controlling for pre-treatment scores, treatment length, …

Exploring Societal Development: The Impact Of Social Innovation And Social Entrepreneurship - A Critical Review, Sneh Prabha, Satyaki Sarkar, Supriyo Roy

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

In recent years, the emergence of social innovations and social entrepreneurship has dramatically influenced societal development. This paper explores the impact of synergizing social innovations and social entrepreneurship on various aspects of society, from economic policy to community resilience and societal development. Through a multidisciplinary lens, the research seeks an extensive review of social innovation and provides new solutions to entrenched social issues, whereas social entrepreneurship transforms these innovations into scalable initiatives that create meaningful change in society. While keeping traditional factors in mind, we explore the role of technology in developing new ways of working, the importance of collaboration …

From Spark To Agency: Metalinguistic Awareness, Investment, And Liberatory Autonomy In Introductory And Honors Intermediate Spanish And Intermediate Italian At Cod, Brian Kapustka

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This field experience capstone documents the application of sociocognitive, reflective, and equity-oriented pedagogy across multiple Spanish and Italian instructional contexts at the College of DuPage, a large and diverse community college. Grounded in applied linguistics frameworks including sociocognitive second language acquisition (Atkinson, 2011), learner motivation and identity through the L2 Motivational Self System (Dörnyei, 2009), the inseparability of cognition and emotion in second language learning (Swain, 2013), learner autonomy and postmethod pedagogy (Kumaravadivelu, 2002; 2003), learner investment (Darvin & Norton, 2015), willingness to communicate as a volitional process (MacIntyre, 2007), and transformative learning (Mezirow, 2000), the project examines language learning …

The Loop That Eats Itself: Fast Fashion And The Myth Of Accessible Sustainability, Christie Westby

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

This chapter examines fast fashion as a self-reinforcing system driven by speed, consumption psychology, and misaligned incentives, arguing that true sustainability requires slowing supply chains and redesigning governance rather than simply buying “better” products.

Assessing A Model Of Customer Rage: Does Customer Entitlement Moderate Relationships Between Rage Emotions, Expressions And Behaviors?, S. Mostafa Rasoolimanesh, Martin Gannon, Babak Taheri, Josip Mikulić

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Across travel and tourism services research, studies investigating “customer rage” typically prioritize the direct point-of-consumption, often within airport, airline, or hotel contexts. However, the sector is awash with intermediaries (e.g., travel agencies, insurance brokers, booking platforms), which serve as primary points-of-contact capable of shaping customer expectations. Accordingly, the consequences of service failure therein are nuanced and complex. Yet, extant research often portrays service failure as unilateral (i.e., solely the firm in question’s responsibility), overlooking one core demand-side characteristic: the customer’s sense of entitlement. Thus, while this study draws upon the Iranian travel agency setting (as a service intermediary) to assess …

The Impact Of Screen Time Patterns On Digital Behaviour And Productivity: A Data Analytics Study Across Age Groups, Maytha Alshamsi

Theses

The increasing incidence of screen time of all ages has generated a greater interest in the effect of screens on the human psyche. This paper looks at behavioural data of 2, 000 individuals aged 13-64 to investigate the predictability of a composite mental- health score by various modalities of screen-time, lifestyle and psychological charac- teristics. We determine, based on exploratory statistics, multivariate regression and su- pervised machine-learned models, that in as much as the influence of total screen time and social-media consumption has significant relationships with worse mental health, the effects are small when juxtaposed to those of lifestyle and …

Honoring Philip Zimbardo: Personal Reflections On A Legacy In Heroism Studies, Zeno Franco, Scott T. Allison, Brian R. Riches

Heroism Science

This article concludes our Special Issue of Heroism Science devoted to honoring the legacy of Philip Zimbardo. Across the preceding contributions, scholars have offered personal reflections, examined his influence on psychology and heroism studies, and discussed the applied interventions of the Heroic Imagination Project. In this closing essay, we situate Zimbardo’s distinctive contributions to psychology and reflect on the cumulative insights of the Special Issue. We then shift to a more personal register, as each of the three authors describes how Zimbardo’s mentorship, vision, personality, and scholarship have shaped our own lives and research trajectories. In doing so, we underscore …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Academic Achievement, Leah A. Brehmer

Graduate Teacher Education

The paper examines the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on student success. Through the literature review, three themes emerge: the first is the impact of ACEs on learning, the second is the usage of trauma-informed practices, and the third is how resilience plays a role in student success. Awareness regarding how ACEs impact students and academics, changes can be made to prioritize the student and their success in schools. The review incorporates statistics from studies primarily conducted in the United States, supplemented by a few international studies that support the research findings. Nearly half of the students in the …

Impact Of Small Group Literacy Instruction For English Language Learners, Olivia R. Freehauf Kirchoffner

Graduate Teacher Education

This literature review examined the impacts of small group literacy instruction for English Language Learners (ELL). ELL students often face challenges in developing literacy skills due to language barriers and limited exposure to English, making targeted instructional strategies crucial for academic success. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2008 and 2024 were analyzed to identify trends in effective literacy practices. Studies were selected from academic databases based on relevance, publication date, and focus on elementary-level ELL students. The review included quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies, focusing on learning approaches, instructional strategies, and outcomes of small group instruction. Findings indicate that structured routines, …

Pediatric Anesthesia And Virtual Reality: Managing Perioperative Pain And Anxiety– A Scoping Review, Moneer Sharafi, Mason Pham, Alec Wiscombe

Doctoral Projects

Pediatric surgery is common, but it often causes considerable anxiety and pain. A staggering percentage of children experience preoperative anxiety, which can heighten pain, delay recovery, and contribute to complications such as emergence delirium and longer-term behavioral issues (Fortier & Kain, 2015). Virtual reality (VR), which immerses users in computer-generated environments, has been proposed as a distraction technique to reduce these challenges. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project conducted a scoping review to examine the effectiveness of VR in reducing perioperative pain and anxiety in pediatric patients. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses …

The Role Of Multimodal Analgesia In Spine Surgery: A Scoping Review Of Its Impact On Opioid Consumption And Surgical Outcomes, Madison Milam, Kristie Mullins, Tatum Trent

Doctoral Projects

The ongoing opioid epidemic emphasizes the need for alternative perioperative pain management strategies, particularly in high-risk surgical populations such as spine surgery patients. This project proposes a scoping review to examine the role of multimodal analgesia (MMA) in reducing opioid consumption and improving surgical outcomes in adult neurosurgical patients. MMA analgesia involves the use of multiple pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches that target different pain pathways in the human body, aiming to enhance patient comfort while minimizing reliance on opioids.

This review synthesizes current literature on MMA strategies used in spinal surgeries, evaluates reported outcomes such as pain control, postoperative complications, …

The Hidden World Of Evil: Documenting Serial Killers Through The Centuries, An Evolution., Semieca Wilson

Master of Arts in Human Services

The following is an analysis of the phenomenon of serial killers from their development over time, and why it mattered due to how they operated on society. Cases reported from the past to present century were read and analyzed in search of recurring psychological patterns, changes in methods of inspecting cases and the effects of cultural, technological transformation on both felons as well as those who trailed them. The site is a product of my professional interest in the area of criminal psychology and forensic analysis and reflects my objective to provide myself and other interested professionals, academics, law enforcement …

Behind The Badge: Effects Of Stress And Trauma In Policing -- Understanding The Importance Of Evidence-Based Prevention, Early Intervention, And Wellness Programs, Jessica Rolshouse

Master of Arts in Human Services

Law enforcement officers are exposed to occupational stress and trauma routinely and at rates that far exceed the general population. This chronic exposure places them at risk for physical and psychological injury and negative outcomes to include mental health disorders including burnout, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Prolonged exposure to occupational stress and trauma also increases the risk of suicidal ideation and dying by suicide, the most tragic outcome of the stress law enforcement officers face. This literature review focuses on individual risk factors, occupational stress, and trauma, and the development of mental health disorders in law enforcement officers. It also …

The Sexual Assault And Violence Experiences Questionnaire: Community-Developed Items For Gathering Sexual Violence Histories With Displaced Women, Meredith A. Blackwell

Psychology ETDs

Improving measurement of sexual violence has contributed to major policy changes in the United States. However, research on sexual violence largely overlooks those exposed to conflict and displacement: a population especially at risk. Assessment measures often ignore contextual features and use phrasing that is vulnerable to underreporting. This community-based participatory research project collaborated with cultural experts from Mexico/Central America and Afghanistan to develop a preliminary item list for a self-report measure of prior sexual violence. Analysis of focus group data from 30 women revealed a range of sexual violence experiences, and provided critical phrasing used to form an item list …

Investigating Teacher Perceptions Of Strategies That Led To Success Of Long-Term English Learners Passing English Assessment Exams, Whitney Hodges

Ed.D. Dissertations

Long term English learners are those who have been enrolled in United States public schools for at least five to seven years yet have not exited language services via passing scores on language assessments. Those students have less opportunity to take preferred elective courses in middle and high school, and less opportunity to take higher level course work. This impacted the students, teachers, and instructional leaders when it came to scheduling, fulfilling graduation requirements, and meeting schoolwide and statewide growth and achievement goals. Previous researchers provided strategies for helping newcomers learn a language, and move from basic interpersonal communication skills …

Nurses' Comfort Toward Caring For The Dying: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study, Candies Warren

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional descriptive research study was to explore nurses’ comfort levels toward caring for dying patients and what factors influence the bedside nurses’ comfort levels in providing end-of-life care in an acute care hospital setting. A convenience sample (N=63) of RNs voluntarily participated in an online survey from January 2025 to March 2025 that provided direct patient care. Data was collected through Question Pro. Data collected included sociodemographic questions, questions about current comfort level, factors that influence nurses’ comfort level, and selected items from the Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Patient (FATCOD) scale. Institutional …

How To Talk To A Seahorse: Communication In Transmasculine Gestational Experiences As Told Through Narrative, Emerson Armstrong

Communication ETDs

Transmasculine experiences before, during, and after pregnancy were evaluated using focus groups and autoethnographic research. As transgender people are more likely to experience inequality in healthcare encounters, this project aims to shed light on, and counter sensationalized accounts of male pregnancy, as transmasculine gestational individuals sought normalization in their experiences of pregnancy. Seven focus groups consisted of 90 minute sessions, with a total of 15 participants. Transcripts were analyzed using a trans narrative approach to find a greater understanding about identity construction, challenges, and changes around trans pregnancy. Asking about communities and healthcare experiences worked to create a complete picture …

2025 Fall - Commencement Program, Office Of The Registrar, East Tennessee State University

ETSU Commencement Ceremonies and Programs

No abstract provided.

The Incorporation Of Salivary Diagnostic Testing In Dental Hygiene Program Curriculum; A Pilot Study Using A Self-Reported Questionnaire, Carrie B. Palmer-Hawkins

Dental Hygiene ETDs

This study evaluated the incorporation of salivary diagnostic testing in dental hygiene program curricula. A recruitment email and survey link were sent to a convenience sample of 296 CODA-accredited program directors in the United States. Using a descriptive research approach, the survey gathered quantitative and qualitative data exploring directors’ perspectives on the role of salivary testing in dental hygiene education. Thirty-seven responses were gathered over three weeks, and 34 participants were included in the study, resulting in a response rate of 13%. Thirty-eight percent (n=13) reported incorporating salivary testing into their dental hygiene program curriculum through didactic or clinical coursework. …

176th Commencement, Fall

Commencement Programs

Commencement program (graduate and undergraduate exercises) for fall 2025

2025 Fall Commencement, Harding University

Commencement Programs

Program for the Harding University Commencement on December 13. 
Commencement Speaker: Dr. Susan Kehl

From Public To Private: Understanding Parental Perceptions On Middle School Transitions, Joseph P. Peeden

Ed.D. Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore parents/guardians’ perceptions of their children’s transition from elementary to middle school, focusing on transitions to private middle schools and differences based on prior schooling (private versus public elementary) and gender. In this study, I addressed the lack of understanding regarding how private education transitions impacted students academically, socially, and culturally, including challenges related to social-emotional learning and cultural adjustment. I collected data from 75 parents/guardians using questionnaires and conducted 20 follow-up interviews in the Southeast United States to examine their experiences. I found that students transitioning from public schools to private …

Rogue Artificial Intelligence, Science Fiction, And The Law, Kerry L. Macintosh

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Neurobehavioral Mechanisms Of Psychotic-Like Experiences And Cannabis Use, Ethan Campbell

Psychology ETDs

As cannabis use has increased steadily over the past decade, there is critical need to evaluate early cannabis use as a potential risk factor for the development of psychosis. Neurobehavioral mechanisms underlying novelty salience could clarify how cannabis exposure may influence subclinical psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). The present study leveraged dynamic functional connectivity and task-fMRI to assess the role of novelty processing in cannabis use and PLEs. A group of brain regions dynamically tied to the salience network while viewing short films were found to increase their activation as a function of stimulus novelty during a novelty bandit task. PLEs were …

Testing Tocqueville’S Troops: American Democracy At War In Mexico, Corbin V. Cali

History Theses

This thesis explores Alexis de Tocqueville's theory of democratic armies through the lens of the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), testing his predictions about how democratic social conditions influence military institutions and performance. Tocqueville argued that armies in democratic societies would face tensions between egalitarian ideals and military discipline, with citizen-soldiers resisting hierarchy while professional officers, often isolated from civil society, grew dangerously ambitious for war. He predicted that democratic armies would show energetic initiative but struggle with weak formal discipline, and that equality would fundamentally change the relationship between the military and the broader society. The Mexican-American War serves as an …

When Two Worlds Collide: A Narrative Inquiry Into The Teacher Identity Development Of Graduate Students Of Additional Languages, Hannah L. Garver

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

This study explores a population that has been understudied in teacher identity research: native English-speaking graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) of additional languages who assumed this role with no prior teaching experience. Influenced by my own experience as a GTA, the purpose of this study is to gain insight into how this population’s experiences shape their identities as teachers and later careers. This qualitative study uses narrative inquiry as a method by which to examine their experiences through the stories told by participants: six former GTAs of French and German.

Using data in the form of semi-structured interviews and some participants’ …

Guillaume Dustan's Ethico-Politics Of The Body, Noah Mertz

Foreign Languages & Literatures ETDs

In this MA Thesis, I lay out a synthetic overview of polemical French writer Guillaume Dustan's (1965-2005) political philosophy. He is criticized first as irresponsible and dangerous for his defense of barebacking (sex without condoms) in the midst of the AIDS epidemic, and then, after his death, as a neoliberal/anarcho-capitalist for his focus on individual liberty. My overview touches on Dustan's Freudian belief that repression is the root of all social ills, his functional ethics of self-responsibility, the revaluation of heteronormative Judeo-Christian morality towards 'virtusex,' and his social contract that minimizes repression. Dustan’s goal is for you to autonomously subjectify …

Instrumental Music Educator Strategies To Reduce Or Remove Participation Barriers For Middle School Students, Rachel A. Gorden Mercer Ed.D

Doctorate in Education

Scholars have found that students who participate in instrumental music programs achieve higher academic levels, have better attendance, and build stronger community connections than students who do not participate. This dissertation examines successful strategies for increasing participation in instrumental music programs by reducing socioeconomic barriers, enhancing instrument access, creating ensemble opportunities, and fostering a positive culture within the instrumental program for students during the middle school years. Music educators have found successful strategies to recruit and retain students despite the barriers they encounter.

Researchers have investigated the benefits of participating in instrumental music and the reasons why students discontinue their …