Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Leadership's Role In Improving Completion Rates In Substance Use Disorder Programs, Benjamin John Hoppie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the influence of leadership on low treatment completion rates in a nonprofit outpatient substance use disorder program in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The purpose of this case study was to examine how leadership styles, decision-making processes, and supervisory alignment affected client engagement and treatment outcomes at the program. The study was grounded in the Baldrige Excellence Framework, which provided a systems-thinking lens to assess leadership behavior and organizational performance. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with two senior leaders and a review of limited internal documents, including the organization’s …

The Social Standing Versus The Mind Standing Of Older Adults In Egypt: Cross-Sectional Analysis Of The Relationship Between Social Capital And Cognitive Functions, Shaza H. Shinaishen Dr

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Egypt's population, much like that of other countries, is expected to age considerably over the course of the coming decades. Although biological and socioeconomic predictors of cognitive function have been studied widely, personal level social capital remains unexplored, especially in LMICs.

Purpose: This study primarily investigates the relationship between individual social capital and cognitive functioning among older adults aged 65 years and older in Egypt using the structural and cognitive components of social capital, including group membership, civic engagements, and caregiving roles.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey on 363 older individuals in different geographical and demographic segments of Egypt using …

Finding Meaning In Loss: The Role Of Attachment Styles, Coping Strategies, And Resilience, Salma Seyam

Theses and Dissertations

Grief is a deeply personal yet universal experience impacted by personal, social, and cultural factors. The present study examines how attachment styles, coping mechanisms, and resilience impact both grief intensity and the ability to find meaning after a loss, within an Egyptian sample. While previous studies have explored the experience of grief, few have looked at these factors within a Middle Eastern cultural context. A total of 140 bereaved Egyptians who experienced the loss of a loved one within the past three years completed standardized measures assessing grief intensity (Prolonged Grief Disorder-Revised; PG-13-R), coping strategies (Brief COPE), meaning-making (Grief and …

Exploring The Role Of Religious Media In Shaping Public Perceptions Towards Climate Change In Egypt, Hebatullah Ashour Abdel Fatah Ibrahim Ashour

Theses and Dissertations

Climate change poses significant threats globally, with particular vulnerability noted in developing nations like Egypt. While effective communication is crucial for societal engagement, the role of influential actors like religious media within specific cultural contexts remains under-explored. This thesis investigates the role and communication practices of religious media (Islamic and Coptic Christian) concerning climate change in Egypt, a country where religious institutions command significant public trust and influence. Existing literature highlights gaps in understanding how these specific media outlets navigate and frame climate change discourse.

Employing Framing Theory and Communication for Development (DevCom) Theory as a combined framework, this study …

In-Service Teachers’ Awareness And Professional Development In Egyptian Public Schools, Hanan Mohamed Metawea

Theses and Dissertations

Neuroscience is an emergent field that focuses on studying brain structure and understanding its significance in the learning process. There has been a recent movement in how to bridge the gap between neuroscience concepts and education by incorporating neuroscience principles into the teaching process. However, there have been limited studies in Egypt on how educators understand and utilize neuroscience principles in the classroom. This qualitative exploratory case study examines Egyptian teachers’ understanding of neuroscience concepts and how they apply them in their teaching practices. This case study was carried out in two government schools, including interviews with 11 teachers representing …

Heightened Risk: Childhood Trauma And Anticipatory Grief Exacerbate The Impact Of Loneliness On Depressive Symptoms And Lps-Stimulated Cytokines In Dementia Caregivers, Kelly N. Brice, Jensine Paoletti-Hatcher, E Lydia Wu-Chung, Vincent D. Lai, Daniel L. Argueta, Michelle A. Chen, Itee Mahant, Bryan T. Denny, Charles Green, Luis D. Medina, Multiple Additional Authors

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Dementia spousal caregivers are at a disproportionate risk for adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Loneliness is associated with depressive symptoms and proinflammatory cytokine production among caregivers. Additionally, childhood trauma, anticipatory grief, and poor sleep quality are all associated with enhanced stress reactivity. This study used a cross-sectional design to investigate whether loneliness is associated with proinflammatory cytokine production and depressive symptoms in caregivers, and whether these relationships are strongest among caregivers who report high levels of childhood trauma, high amounts of anticipatory grief, or poor sleep quality. A sample of 111 dementia spousal caregivers provided blood samples and completed …

Psychological Interventions Added To Standard Care Improve Pain And Function Outcomes In Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review And Meta‐Analysis, Tim Phelps, Jonathan Gilby, Joanne Hosking, Jonathon Gill

School of Health Professions

Objective: Knee osteoarthritis is a primary cause of disability across the world and current standard care fails to address all biopsychosocial contributions to pain. The current review aims to evaluate randomised controlled trials examining the effect of adding cognitive behavioural therapy or pain coping skills training to standard care on pain and function outcomes for individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Data sources: Systematic searches were conducted of CINAHL, EMBASE (OVID), Medline (EBSCO) and PsycINFO databases until July 2024 with no date restrictions. Methods: This systematic review followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Risk of bias …

The Effects Of Caregiving For A Family Member With Alzheimer’S Disease, Megan Layton

Student Works

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive disease that leads people with AD to become dependent on a family member. As the disease worsens, caregivers face an increase in responsibility and burden. There is a rising number of AD cases which will result in an increase of caregivers. Twelve articles were examined using the EBSCO database by using keywords such as “Alzheimer’s disease,” “caregiver burden,” “coping,” “assisted living,” and “grief.” An analysis of these articles indicated the complexities of caregiving for a loved one with AD. These complexities such as stress, decision-making challenges, changes in family dynamics, the adjustment to placing …

The Enduring Lessons Of Vietnam: Implications For Us Strategy And Policy, Martin G. Clemis

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

This article argues that the Vietnam War is a useful case study for assessing an enduring flaw in America’s approach to war. The United States suffered defeat in Vietnam because it privileged military strength and the pursuit of victory on the battlefield over other elements of national power. As in Vietnam, the wars America will likely face in the future will blend conventional and unconventional methods and use a carefully calibrated mixture of military and non-military means. The United States must situate its demonstrated strengths in conventional war fighting within a holistic framework or face similar strategic outcomes.

What The Russia-Ukraine Conflict Tells Us About Educational Resilience, Jason Jabbari

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

Education, which can operate as a source of vulnerability or resiliency across multiple domains before, during, and after armed conflicts, is often only examined within a single domain, limiting the use and effectiveness of civil-affairs operations. This article outlines a novel conceptual framework of the primary mechanisms across seven unique domains by which education can serve as a key area of resiliency or vulnerability. A case study of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine illustrates how vulnerabilities can manifest in the seven domains and what military planners can do to build resiliency. The article concludes with a discussion of the costs, benefits, …

Book Reviews, Usawc Press

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

Self-Assessment In Educational Makerspaces: Exploring Self-Regulated Learning As A Formative Assessment Tool, Sarah Margalus

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

This study explores the role of self-assessment in makerspaces, examining how students engage in metacognitive reflection and self-regulation within these creative environments. Although self-assessment is the most popular assessment strategy in educational makerspaces, little research has been done on how to best support teachers and students in their attempts at self-assessment. Self-regulated learning was chosen as a theoretical framework since it is well-researched in educational psychology, leads to positive learning outcomes, and is one example of self-assessment. This study employed a qualitative approach, using concept content analysis to evaluate the presence of self-regulated learning phases in blogs written as part …

When Access Is Not Enough: The Role Of Utilization Barriers In Nutrition Security And Cardiometabolic Risk, Maha Almohamad, Ruosha Li, Natalia I Heredia, Jayna M Dave, Eric E Calloway, Anjail Z Sharrief, Shreela V Sharma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Food and nutrition security are key social determinants of cardiometabolic health. While food security reflects access to sufficient food, nutrition security incorporates the quality, consistency, and usability of food that supports long-term health. However, few studies have examined how household-level barriers to food utilization shape these relationships. Objective: This study assessed whether tangible (e.g., equipment, storage) and intangible (e.g., time, knowledge) food utilization barriers modify the associations between food and nutrition security and cardiometabolic outcomes in low-income adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 486 low-income adults across five U.S. states. Participants reported household food security (USDA …

Microglial Phagocytosis In Epilepsy: Mechanisms And Impact, Abhijeet S Barath, Long-Jun Wu

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Microglia are resident immune cells critical in maintaining brain homeostasis via their surveillance and phagocytosis function. Under disease contexts such as seizures and epilepsy, microglial phagocytic signalling is activated in response to both inflammatory and non-inflammatory cell death. This process involves a range of well-characterized 'find me' and 'eat me' signals, phagocytic receptors, and less well-characterized intracellular signalling pathways. In addition, epigenetic and transcriptional regulators orchestrate microglial responses to seizures, including the integration of phagocytic and inflammatory pathways. Interestingly, although inhibiting phagocytosis has been shown to improve neuronal survival and cognitive performance after seizures, it paradoxically increases the risk of …

Photographic Truth: Civilian Manipulation And Reality Under Stalinism, Reese Finnigan

Sociology Between the Gaps: Forgotten and Neglected Topics

No abstract provided.

Crispr-Dcas9 Genomic Engineering For Boosting The Therapeutic Potential Of Extracellular Vesicles, Iker Martinez Zalbidea

Theses

Degenerative disc disease is a major contributor to low back pain, characterized by inflammation of the intervertebral disc (IVD), degradation of the extracellular matrix, loss of hydration, and cell death. Current therapies fail to address these underlying mechanisms, underscoring the need for regenerative strategies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit immunomodulatory and regenerative potential, but their efficacy is hampered by the harsh microenvironment of the degenerated IVD. Acellular MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown therapeutic potential and offer a promising alternative for IVD regeneration. Here, we explore CRISPR-dCas9 mediated activation of TSG6 and STEAP3 to boost the therapeutic potency and biogenesis …

Examining The Impact Of Single-Case Design Graph Characteristics On Decision-Making For School-Based Professionals Within An Mtss Context, Jessica L. Andrews

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research investigating the display of single-case design (SCD) data has demonstrated that graphing characteristics can influence visual analysis and rater interpretations regarding the effect of an intervention. Data-based decision making within school settings, particularly within the framework of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), commonly includes the use of SCD’s to support this process. Despite the push for adherence to a standard assembly for linear graphs, there is no requirement as to how these graphs should be constructed. MTSS team members are often required to make decisions about whether an intervention should be continued (or not), and thus it is important …

Nepaliness As Assemblage: Diasporic Belonging, Colorism, And Caste In The Associational Life Of Nepali Migrants In Florida, Shuvechha Ghimire Sharma

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The research fundamentally challenges romanticized ideas of migration—shedding older inequalities, idealizing “leveling up,” and being a part of “unified diasporic communities”—and unmasks a rather uneasy, far more intricate reality: the preexisting sociocultural and political structures and identities are not shed, rather actively reproduced and rigorously, often consciously, reconfigured within the transnational diasporic spaces. As such, the research reveals that Nepali diasporic associations in Florida play a vital role in perpetuating and reshaping social inequalities and contested national identities, significantly impacting transnational dynamics. The work contends that caste hierarchies persist in structuring associational life, influencing participation and resource distribution. Concurrently, colorism …

Learning To Support Science: Gender Differences In How Scientific Literacy Mediates Formal Education's Effect On Us Adults' Public Support For Science, Kevin Mark Roessger, Arie Todd Greenleaf

Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction Scientific literacy is targeted by the knowledge deficit model, which predicts that increased scientific literacy improves public support for science. The model, in part, assumes formal education drives scientific knowledge, which, in turn, drives support for science. To date, though, this relationship is unclear, and research shows that, while formal education is associated with adults' public support for science, scientific literacy maintains only a small relationship with support for science, one that may differ by gender.Methods Using a conditional process analysis, we drew on 2018 General Social Survey data to examine whether scientific literacy mediates education's effects on support …

Examining Family Accommodation In Early Childhood, Allison Smith Dupre

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The relationship between parent and child anxiety is well established. One factor that may account for this relationship is family accommodation (how family members alter their behavior to alleviate child distress). Family accommodation has been studied in child anxiety for the past decade and has been linked to increased parent and child anxiety. However, little research has focused on a young sample without clinical elevations of anxiety. Acknowledging the impact of family accommodation on child anxiety, the strong link between parent anxiety and accommodation, and the importance of early intervention, this study aimed to expand the literature of family accommodation …

Examining Associations Between Sleep Variability And Treatment Outcomes In A Clinical Sample Receiving Psychotherapy Treatment For Alcohol Use Disorder, Charles A. Manzler

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent among individuals with AUD. Sleep and alcohol have a bidirectional relationship such that alcohol damages sleep-promoting brain regions, and impaired sleep exacerbates cognitive and emotional deficits that can promote alcohol use. Despite the evidence that sleep improves across treatment for AUD, these improvements have had inconsistent associations with treatment outcomes. This may result from previous research focusing solely on mean values of sleep parameters rather than daily within-person variability. Sleep variability is emerging as an important correlate of physiological dysregulation and is connected to a range of negative symptoms that may promote alcohol use. The …

Do Emotion Malleability Beliefs Buffer Social Ostracism? An Experimental Investigation, Bingjie Tong

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Social ostracism is linked to adverse psychological outcomes, including increased suicide risk among college students. This study examined a manipulation targeting emotion malleability beliefs and its effect on psychological outcomes after a lab-induced social ostracism task (Cyberball). Psychache, a well-established predictor for suicide risk, was examined as a potential moderator variable. College students (N = 243) were randomly assigned to either an experimental condition, which presented information stating that emotions are malleable, or a neutral control condition. Participants in the experimental condition reported a greater increase in beliefs about emotional malleability, greater use of cognitive reappraisal, and less perceived burdensomeness …

Creative Movement In Action: An Adapted Dance Workshop, Baillie R. Ollila

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Dance, as both a type of physical activity and an art of self-expression, may provide a variety of physical, social, and psychological benefits for people with and without disabilities. Adapted dance is a non-traditional physical activity that can allow participants with disabilities to explore movement through the fine art of dance. Adapted dance programming should promote creativity, confidence, and physical activity in a structured setting. This presentation aims to provide professionals with the necessary information to develop and implement adapted dance programming in various settings, thus creating additional opportunities for individuals with disabilities in their areas. The audience will be …

The Relationship Between Weight Stigma And Exercise Avoidance: Exploring The Role Of Internalized Weight Stigma And Social Anxiety, Qingqing Li, Yun Li

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Introduction Appearance-related and weight-related stigma have been identified as factors influencing an individual’s engagement in physical activities and exercise. However, the social-psychological mechanisms underlying the avoidance of these activities remain insufficiently explored. This study aims to investigate the impact of weight stigma on exercise avoidance behaviors among university students and examine the mediating roles of internalized weight stigma and social anxiety.

Methodology The study recruited 1,397 Chinese university students (ages 17-25) through an online survey, assessing their perceptions of weight stigma, internalized weight stigma, social anxiety, and exercise avoidance behaviors. A chained mediation analysis was conducted using the PROCESS macro …

Dietary Intake, Body Composition Analysis, Muscle Soreness, Fatigue, Mental Stress, Sleep Patterns And Alertness Observance In Jordanian Paralympic Athletes, Omar Suleiman Hindawi Prof., Tamara Mohammad Alhalaiqah Msc, Mohammad Hassan Abualtaieb Prof.

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Introduction Jordanian Paralympic (Para) athletes are a small and rare category among Jordanian athletes; their nutrition and wellness (Sleep quality, fatigue, stress, mental health) are essential to their performance. This research aims to assess Jordanian Paralympic athletes' nutritional status, body components, muscle Soreness, fatigue, mental stress, sleep patterns, and alertness.

Methodology

A descriptive case series study will be conducted with 74 participants, adult male and female Jordanian Paralympic athletes who are at age of 18 years and above and diagnosed with different disabilities. Three 24-hour dietary recalls (24HR) will be collected (2 training days, 1 resting day). Moreover, the Hooper …

Together Rapid: Inclusive Football For People With Disabilities, Gabriel Mayr, Matias Costa, Margit Straka, Jürgen Kerber

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

The SK Rapid Special Needs Team (SNT) is an inclusive football program in partnership with the Sports Federation for the Disabled of Vienna (WBSV), designed to provide accessible and empowering sports opportunities for people with disabilities. The initiative currently engages 94 participants , with an average age of 21.5, including individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, deafness, visual or mental disabilities, and learning difficulties. The primary goals are to enhance physical health, social integration, and well-being through football, fostering a sense of belonging to the Community and empowerment.

The initiative includes training sessions, coaches clinics and an international festival promoting cultural …

The Journal Of Texas History

Journal of Texas History

Published by: The Alliance for Texas History in cooperation with the University of Texas at Arlington Vol. 1, No. 1 June 2025

A Single Subject Study On The Improvement Of Depressive Emotions In Junior High School Students Through Exercise Intervention, Xinyue Mao, Chuanfu Xiong, Mengxiao Shen, Pengcheng Li, Yue Che, Yuanzhen Huang, Zichao Chen

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Introduction Depression is a chronic disease that is widely prevalent worldwide, characterized by high incidence, high disability rate, high recurrence rate, and high suicide rate. Over 40% of junior high school students in China have depressive symptoms. Depression is showing a trend of younger onset and increasing prevalence, and it is one of the common psychological disorders among junior high school students and the leading cause of suicide among them, with a significantly higher suicide rate than those without depressive symptoms. Physical activity can effectively improve psychological problems in adolescents, reduce depressive symptoms, and decrease self-harm behaviors. It is also …

Exploring Leisure Activity Interest, Participation, And Satisfaction In Visually Impaired Adults, Kathryn E. Creveling, Justin Haegele, Xihe Zhu

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Introduction

Physical activity levels are low among Visually Impaired (VI) adults (Ackley et al., 2009; Haegele & Zhu,2022). Identifying the factors that influence PA engagement is essential to improving overall health and quality of life outcomes for this population. While several works examine barriers to PA participation for VI individuals, fewer works explore leisure interests and satisfaction, both factors which influence recurring participation and overall quality of life (Dattilo, 2015; Kim et al.2020). This cross-sectional study seeks to explore the relationships between leisure activity interests, participation, and satisfaction among VI adults in the U.S.

Methodology

VI adults were recruited to …

Lntercultural Communication

Communication Research Trends

The 1950s novel, The Ugly American, symbolized the mentality that generated the study of intercultural communication. The 'uglies' were the 'beautiful people' of the embassy set who made no effort to learn the language or culture and barely concealed their disdain for the 'locals' in rare excursions outside the golden ghetto of transplanted Western culture. The hero, a homely agronomist, went out among the peasants of Southeast Asia, gradually immersed himself in their culture and found he had much to learn from them. He alone communicated.

In the centuries of colonialism there have long been 'ugly imperialists', but the national …