Digital Commons Network^™

Prospective Associations Among Loneliness And Health For Servicemembers: Perceived Helplessness And Negative Coping Appraisal As Explanatory Mechanisms, Sarah N. Arpin, Cynthia D. Mohr, Todd Bodner, Leslie B. Hammer, James D. Lee

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Links between loneliness and health are robust, though evidence for associations with alcohol use is mixed. Previous research has supported perceived stress as a predictor of alcohol use and as a pathway through which loneliness impacts health over time. Yet findings are primarily limited to civilian samples, and less is known about how loneliness relates to stress and health among service members. The current study explores prospective associations among loneliness, stress, and health (i.e., sleep, alcohol misuse, and psychological distress) within a sample of mostly male service members. We examine two dimensions of perceived stress, perceived helplessness and negative coping …

Quality Improvement Project Enhancing Provider Education On Phq-9 Depression Screening To Improve Compliance, Obianuju Okafor

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide; however, screening in primary care remains inconsistent. Even though the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a validated screening tool, its use is often limited by insufficient provider training. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to evaluate the impact of structured provider education on PHQ-9 screening practices, with the purpose of improving provider knowledge, confidence, and adherence to screening guidelines in a primary care setting. Guided by Donabedian's Model of Quality Care and Lewin's Change Theory and implemented using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework, the project used a one-group pre/post design at an outpatient …

Survival Impact And Sociodemographic Correlates Of Colon Cancer Surgery, Refusal, Paola Berrios Jimenez, Angel Aguayo Merly, Ramin Shekouhi, Berkay Demirors, Jade C. Bowers, Vishal Abhimutt Mahesh, Anjali Yadav, Bansi P. Savaliya, Reed Popp, Syeda Hoorulain Ahmed, Esinam Ekpeh, Guido Chiriboga, Emmanuel Gabriel

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background/Aim: Surgical treatment for colon cancer is often curative when diagnosed early. This study evaluated the sociodemographic characteristics and survival outcomes associated with refusal of surgery among patients with colon cancer. The objective was to identify disparities to improve patient outcomes. Patients and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) data from 2004 to 2019, including 1,048,575 patients with colon cancer. Variables analyzed included demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment facility type, and geographic and socioeconomic factors. Descriptive statistics were assessed using Wilcoxon Rank Sum and Chi-square tests. Survival outcomes were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis and …

Legal Realism, Legal Positivism, And Determinacy, Dan Priel

All Papers

It is a commonplace that the legal realists argued that law is deeply indeterminate. According to this familiar account, the legal realists insisted that legal materials don’t constrain judges, who are therefore free to decide cases in almost any way they want. An influential argument has argued that the only way to explain this view is by showing that the legal realists presupposed a legal positivist theory of law. This Essay offers a different understanding of the relationship between realism, positivism, and determinacy, challenging this interpretation of the realists as both historically false and as philosophically unwarranted. I provide many …

Rights In The Eyes Of The Beholder: The Lived Hierarchy Of Rights In India's Democracy, Sehar Abdullah, Keerthana Satheesh, Prashant Narang

Socio-Legal Review

This paper examines how citizens in India perceive and prioritise fundamental rights, with particular attention to the six freedoms under Article 19(1) and the property right. While the freedoms of Article 19(1) remain central to democratic citizenship, the Forty-Fourth Constitutional Amendment of 1978 reclassified the right to property as a constitutional right under Article 300A. This shift prompts an important question: Does the diminished constitutional rank of property correspond to its place in popular hierarchies of rights? Our in-depth interviews with 26 respondents, whose livelihoods make them especially sensitive to changes in both categories of rights, reveal that citizens continue …

Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Remarks At The 2025 Military Law And Operations Conference, Samuel J. Paparo

International Law Studies

Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Remarks at the Military Law and Operations Conference, September 8, 2025

Leading Through Times Of Financial Uncertainty In Nonprofit Organizations, Lakisha A. Dent-Gordon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This macro analysis examines the leadership effectiveness of a CEO within a nonprofit re-entry organization dedicated to reducing the 36% recidivism rate in a Southwestern U.S. state. The organization serves up to 50 clients recently released from the state prison system, offering housing and support services. The organizations leadership faced imminent closure due to a financial crisis driven by limited funding, high employee turnover, and a lack of community partnerships, allowing for an examination of the CEO’s response to the crisis. The quantitative study includes a review of peer-reviewed literature, assessments based on the Baldrige Framework of Excellence, and interviews …

Using Supply Chain Management Strategies To Create Competitive Advantages, Marlon Mitchell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, small and medium businesses (SMBs) can use effective supply chain management (SCM) to strengthen competitiveness. Supply chain stakeholders and SMB owners are concerned with maintaining resilient and innovative supply chains to sustain growth. Grounded in game theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore effective strategies that small business leaders use to identify and implement supply chain innovation. Data were collected through Walden University and peer-reviewed studies. Through thematic analysis, nine themes were identified: supplier diversification, inventory management, cost evaluation, visibility systems, technology and automation, improved communication, risk management, changes …

Native Hawaiian Culturally Appropriate Substance Use Disorders Formative Program Evaluation, Kelly J. Penn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Substance use disorders (SUDs) disproportionately affects Native Hawaiians, yet conventional treatments often overlook the cultural, spiritual, and relational foundations of well-being for Native Hawaiians. This gap represents a human services problem, as it perpetuates health disparities, limits recovery, and slows social change within Native Hawaiian communities. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to identify culturally relevant components for an SUD treatment program tailored to Native Hawaiians. The research question guiding this study was, what are culturally appropriate components for a SUD program for Native Hawaiians. The Nā Pou Kihi framework grounded the exploration of Indigenous approaches to …

Caregiver Perspectives About Implementing Educational Goals For Children Of Incarcerated Parents In A Head Start Program, Alissa Jane Stark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study is that caregivers of children with incarcerated parents inconsistently implement the mandated educational goals developed through the Head Start program. Grounded in Bowen’s family systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore caregiver’s perspectives on implementing Head Start Educational goals for children of incarcerated parents and their views on the resources or training needed to support these goals. For this case study, 12 former caregivers from a Head Start program in a women’s correctional facility in Oregon were interviewed. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed thematically with the …

Opportunities And Barriers To Engaging Caregivers In Firearm Suicide Prevention: Findings From Focus Groups With Caregivers Of Veterans., Katherine Macwilliams, John Marmion, Dee Blascyk, Sharon Urbina, Rachel Moyers, Gala True

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Firearms are involved in more than 70% of U.S. Veteran suicides. Caregivers, defined as family members or concerned significant others, can play an important role in firearm suicide prevention through initiating conversations about secure firearm storage with Veterans. Our objective was to explore caregivers' experiences with lethal means safety (LMS) conversations and identify perceived barriers to caregivers discussing LMS with healthcare providers and with Veterans. Methods: We conducted focus groups with 32 caregivers with experience caring for a Veteran at risk for suicide. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: We identified three primary themes: 1) caregivers recognize …

The Perceptions And Receptiveness To Responsible Gambling By College Men Who Sports Bet: A Focus Group Study, Chance V. Dow, Matthew D. Andersland, Emily A. Velandia, Rory A. Pfund, James P. Whelan

UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal

Responsible Gambling (RG) includes prevention messages aimed at mitigating harms. Research examining the experiences of college students who sports bet is lacking, hindering efforts to tailor messaging to college students. This qualitative study explored how college men who sports bet perceive and respond to existing RG messages, gathering their feedback on the characteristics of messages they find effective. Online focus groups were conducted with college men who sports bet (N = 12) using a semi-structured interview guide. The discussions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an open coding Thematic Analysis approach. Codes were independently identified and analyzed resulting in …

“Who All Gon Be There”: The Relationship Between Racial Identity, Perceived Social Distance, And Anxiety Among People Of African Descent, Veronica R. Mixon

All ETDs from UAB

Mental health disparities among people of African descent are an important public health issue within the US. During COVID, between 2020 and 2021, anxiety symptoms among African American adults increased, which led to an overall increase in anxiety and depression rates (Vahratian et al., 2021; CDC, 2023). Despite this increase, only 39% of African Americans who experience mental health difficulties, receive treatment. The pandemic made it difficult for people to come together and there were heightened experiences of racial distress due to the events surrounding George Floyd. Prior research has shown that experiences of racism, isolation, and cultural disconnection have …

The Level Of Awareness Of County Services In Maryland Offered By A Local Care Team To Youth With Developmental Disabilities And Mental Illness, Wanna Nedgie Dare

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental and developmental health challenges remained a significant concern in one Maryland county. The Maryland Governor’s Office for Children (GOC) funds and supports the Local Care Team (LCT). Participation remains low, indicating a lack of community awareness. The purpose of this study was to explore the awareness of LCT services and strategies to improve outreach, interagency coordination, and communication to increase service use. The research question was: What is the Level of Awareness of County Services in Maryland Offered by a Local Care Team to Youth with Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness? Guided by the person-centered care (PCC) model, evidence …

Association Between Therapeutic Alliance And Clinical Outcomes In Virtual Telepsychiatry: A Retrospective Analysis Of Data From Talkiatry, Cheryl Person, Nathaniel David Phillips, Kartik Venkatachalam, Georgia Gaveras

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Given the increasing demand for accessible mental health services, fully virtual telepsychiatry has become a vital component of modern health care delivery. Therapeutic alliance, the collaborative and affective bond between patients and therapists, is a well-established predictor of clinical outcomes in traditional face-to-face and teletherapy. However, the relationship between therapeutic alliance and clinical outcomes in an outpatient telepsychiatry setting remains less understood.

Objective: Our primary objective was to evaluate the relationship between therapeutic alliance and clinical outcomes for depression and anxiety in an outpatient telepsychiatry practice.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from treatment-seeking adults receiving services from Talkiatry, …

The Power Of The Mind: Managing Dental Phobia Through Hypnotherapy, Casper Jonker, Ness Avery, Jim Carey

Peninsula Dental School

Treatment of dental disease is documented since ancient times. According to some sources, there is evidence that civilisations including the Egyptians, Greeks, and early Chinese were already practising dentistry. Teeth were extracted, primitive restorations placed and ways were even found to construct basic forms of dental prostheses.1 Interestingly, a team of experts determined that as far back as 9,000 years ago, people were able to remove ‘rotting' dental tissue and there is evidence of drilling on an area near an abscess. Since these early days of dentistry, it has evolved tremendously in all facets of the profession.

A Rural Ministry Helping Adults With Intellectual Or Developmental Disabilities Meet Their Vocational Goals: A Case Study Of The Canteen And Trading Post (Ctp), Julie Byford Harstin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This study's purpose was to describe and evaluate the Canteen & Trading Post’s (CTP’s) approach to workforce education for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (AIDD) and CTP participants’ perceptions of AIDD’s employability in their rural community. A qualitative study method was used, including semi-structured interviews, arts-based research, and participant-observation. The guiding research questions for the study were: 1. How is the Canteen & Trading Post helping adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities meet their vocational goals?, 2. How are AIDD's needs for accommodation changing through their experiences at the CTP?, and 3. How is the CTP demonstrating AIDD’s employability …

Perceptions Of Black Male Alternative High School Students' Disciplinary Experiences A Qualitative Narrative Inquiry Study, Rahmod Traylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The current study examines how Black male students in alternative high school settings interpret and describe their disciplinary experiences and educational trajectories. Guided by Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy (CSP) as the theoretical framework and Narrative Inquiry as the methodological approach, the research investigates how cultural identity, systemic inequities, and school-based disciplinary practices intersect in shaping students’ academic pathways. The study addresses two central questions: (1) How do the educational experiences of Black males who graduated from alternative high schools differ from those who did not? (2) In what ways do culturally sustaining pedagogical practices inform or fail to inform these experiences? …

The Emerging Role Of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine In Enhancing Quality Of Life For Palliative And End-Of-Life Patients: A Narrative Review, Ambrose Loc T. Ngo, Linda Nguyen, Cynthia Shahbandeh, Jared W. Nichols

Student Publications

Palliative and end-of-life care aim to minimize suffering and optimize the quality of life for individuals nearing the end of their lives. Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) represents a potentially valuable nonpharmacological approach within this integrative care framework. Emerging evidence from clinical observations, small-scale studies, and foundational osteopathic principles suggests that OMM may help support patient comfort, alleviate certain symptoms, and contribute to dignity in care. Techniques such as myofascial release, cranial manipulation, and lymphatic drainage have been reported to improve comfort and emotional well-being; however, these findings are based primarily on limited and heterogeneous studies. This narrative review synthesizes current …

Between Two Worlds: Nationality And Identity In Korean Immigrants – A Qualitative Exploration Of A Sense Of Belonging In California, The United States, Chulwoo Park, Patricia Angelica

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: Korean immigrants are among the top five Asian immigrant groups in California. Many came to the United States with a visa or green card, and later some became U.S. citizens. One’s nationality refers to the country of their legal citizenship, but it is often also the country where they were born. As some people renounce their citizenship from their country of origin, the impact of nationality on identity and the influence of identity on nationality have yet to be studied. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured, in-depth interviews between March 2023 and July 2023. A total of …

Psychometric Testing: College Assessment For Risk Evaluation Of Depression (Cared), Grace Gass, Julie Brandy, Theresa A. Kessler

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: In a nationwide study, 44% of college students screened positive for depression, with 23% screening positive for a provisional diagnosis of major depression (Eisenberg et al., 2023). The American College Health Association [ACHA] (2024) reported significant mental health symptoms among undergraduates, with 78.8% reporting moderate to high levels of stress and 24.2% reporting a previous diagnosis of depression. Concerningly, 28.1% had a positive screening for suicide risk on the Suicide Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (ACHA, 2024). These statistics highlight the severe mental health crisis in this vulnerable population, offering a key opportunity to reach at-risk individuals during this transitional period. There …

Relationship Between Personal Resilience And Organizational Resilience In Multidisciplinary Team, Nihal Khatib

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: This study examined the response of multidisciplinary medical teams in Israel's healthcare system during the Israel-Gaza War that began on October 7, 2023, focusing on the Haifa and Western Galilee district. The research analyzed the relationships between personal and organizational resilience and their impact on medical team functioning across diverse populations.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between employees' personal and organizational resilience and their effects on performance during crisis. It sought to identify factors influencing resilience and performance, and to develop an intervention program for adaptation and crisis management.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was administered, incorporating …

Bibliotherapy For Enhancing The Mental Well-Being Of Informal Caregivers Of People With Dementia, Shanshan Wang

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

This project is designed to investigate the potential of bibliotherapy as a self-help intervention for informal caregivers of individuals with dementia. A series of studies were carried out to examine its feasibility and efficacy in improving mental health and enhancing caregiving appraisal among informal caregivers of people with dementia, emphasizing its potential for broad implementation following successful clinical trials.

Researching Unheard And Silenced Voices, Vanessa Heaslip

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Around 32% of the global population are at risk of social exclusion (Cuesta et al., 2024). This has significant impact upon morbidity, mortality and quality of life (Aldridge et al., 2017). In research, these individuals are underserved (NIHR 2024), perceived to be ‘difficult’, ‘hard to reach’ or in need of protection, so their voices and experiences remain unheard. This keynote shall explore some of these challenges, share ideas and explore ways to promote inclusive research.

Health Consequences Of Climate Change In The 21st Century: The Role Of The Nursing Profession, Patrice K. Nicholas

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Health consequences of climate change are occurring due to increasing carbon dioxide levels, rising temperatures, extreme weather, and rising sea levels contributing to complex public health issues. Significant adverse health sequelae include asthma, cardiovascular disease, respiratory allergies, heat-related illness, vector-borne diseases, and mental health impacts. The nursing profession has a critical role addressing the health impacts of climate change in a climate-changing world.

Navigating Dual Roles: Parental Stress And Barriers In Undergraduate Nursing Student-Parents, Emma Stover, Ryoko Kausler

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Over the past five years, the proportion of student-parents in undergraduate nursing programs has steadily increased, now comprising 20-25% of the population. Despite this significant representation, there remains a paucity of research examining their unique educational experiences and needs. These individuals navigate complex challenges at the intersection of parental responsibilities and rigorous academic demands. This study aims to identify critical factors influencing both academic achievement and psychological well-being among nursing students with caregiving responsibilities, addressing a notable gap in the nursing education literature.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive methodology was selected to explore the experiences of undergraduate nursing student-parents, with …

Artificial Intelligence, Age, And Dynamic Ticket Pricing: A Mixed-Methods Study In Professional Sports, Joshua Greer, Nicholas Zoroya

Global Sport Business Journal

Abstract

This study investigates how age moderates fan perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) and dynamic ticket pricing (DTP) in professional sports. Using a mixed-method design, data was collected from a self-administered online survey (N = 57) and triangulated with secondary sources, including industry reports and academic literature. Survey participants were divided into four generational cohorts and responses were analyzed across three constructs: perceived fairness, accessibility, and willingness to pay. A one-way ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference in willingness to pay across age groups, F(3, 53) = 3.41, p = .015, with the most pronounced disparity between the youngest and …

Investment Tax Credit For Farmers And Agriculturalists, Douglas O. Thure

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Method And System For Cognitive Optimization Of Distributed Engines Framework, Swagat Kumar, Amitabh Ranjan, Soumendra Kumar Mishra

Defensive Publications Series

Present disclosure provides a method and system for cognitive optimization of distributed engines framework. The present disclosure discloses a telemetry-driven optimization system designed to elevate the performance and efficiency of distributed data pipelines operating on Hadoop YARN. The system harnesses the analytical power of Large Language Models (LLMs) and a standardized Model Context Protocol (MCP). Further, the system identifies and remediates inefficiencies in application code, resource allocation, and cluster configurations. The system seamlessly integrates with developer workflows, enabling automated diagnostics and corrective actions while embedding feedback loops for continuous learning and improvement. Thus, present disclosure discloses the architecture and implementation …

The Roddey Mcmillan Record - September 25, 2025, Winthrop University

The RMR 2020-2029

The Roddey McMillan Record (RMR) is Winthrop’s monthly multicultural student publication. The RMR has been a significant voice of the minority population of the Winthrop community since its creation by Gail Harris in April 1986. It promotes awareness and understanding of issues concerning minorities for the prosperity of the entire Winthrop community. The purpose of the RMR is to shine light on the many diverse cultures at Winthrop, focusing on issues, concerns and happenings of those who represent the multicultural community on campus. The Roddey McMillan Record is named after Dr. Cynthia Roddey and Atty, Sheila McMillan. Cynthia Roddey was …