Digital Commons Network^™

Mamanet: An Intervention Program To Promote Health Among Women Aged 21–53 With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Sharon Barak Dr., Riki Tesler Prof.

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

Background Women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) engage in less physical activity compared to women without disabilities and men with IDD. Mamanet, the community-based sports organization in 16 countries, provides a unique venue exclusively for women to engage in physical activity. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Mamanet program among women with mild-to-moderate IDD living in community housing.

Methods A mixed-methods study included 45 women aged 23–53 with mild-to-moderate IDD (25 in the intervention group and 20 in the control group). The training program lasted for 12 weeks, with a weekly one-hour session. The quantitative component measured mobility …

Device-Based Methods For Monitoring Physical Activity In Children And Adolescents With Disabilities, Piritta Asunta, Janne Kulmala, Tuomas Kukko, Harto Hakonen, Tuija Tammelin, Kati Karinharju

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

Introduction

Children and adolescents with disabilities (CAWD) engage in physical activity (PA) less than their peers. Device-based monitoring systems can be used to assess PA, but CAWD's diverse functional profiles must be considered. The FALLA project (2022–2024) aimed to develop a PA measurement and feedback system for CAWD, to collect data on PA, and to evaluate the usability of different PA monitors.

Method

Existing literature on device-based monitoring systems for CAWD was reviewed. As a result, questionnaire-based decision tree, the FALLA form, was developed to assist in choosing an appropriate PA monitoring solution. The first version of this form was …

Examining The Impact Of Stress On Collegiate Flight Students, Shivanee D. Cannon-Patron

Beyond: Undergraduate Research Journal

Stress may negatively affect the timely completion of a student pilot's flight training. A student pilot influenced by stress may be subject to what is known as "falling behind the aircraft," a condition that constantly requires minor interventions from their flight instructor. This lack of situational awareness and decreased performance may inadvertently cause the student pilot to repeat the flight lesson, increasing the time spent in the training course.

Examining The Anxiolytic Effects Of Flavonoids In Passionflower: A Gut-Brain Axis Perspective, Khelen R. Walsh

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

This literature review investigates the influence of Passiflora incarnata on the Gut-Brain Axis, focusing on the role of flavonoids and the specific biological mechanisms involved in this process. The study aims to identify Passiflora incarnata as a practical, non-harmful, and cost-effective alternative to current modern anxiety medications. This study also emphasizes the need for further clinical trials to integrate Passiflora incarnata further into healthcare settings. Using a narrative review approach, this analysis will examine pre-existing empirical articles, all of which have been found on credible sites, are peer-reviewed, and have been published within the past twenty-five years. The data discussed …

Safe-Haven Ignorance: The Epistemic Refugee, Purya Rabet

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

This paper engages with the emerging field of ignorance studies. Per feminist critique, the classic “X knows that p” formulation in epistemology fails to account for the subjectivity and situatedness of X. Building on feminist and critical race theory contributions, this paper puts forward a positive theory regarding resistance to belief-revision. The inquiry concerns the relationship between X’s ignorance and X’s self. This paper interrogates defensive reactions to knowledge and their connection to the narrative sense of self. It introduces “safe-haven ignorance”—a psycho-sociopolitical defense mechanism—which occurs when an individual becomes hostile toward knowledge that contradicts their established self-narrative. This contradiction …

Who's Afraid Of Femininity? An Examination Of Hegemonic Masculinity And Envy, Shiloh R. Frost, Emily Shafer

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

The woman's rights movement has made strong progress over the past years, yet strict attitudes on how men and women should behave persist. Manhood is defined as being the polar opposite to womanhood, as any expression of femininity is treated as a threat to its dominant position within gender hierarchy. Research has shown that while women have managed incorporate traditionally masculine roles into womanhood, the same has yet to be done for manhood — specifically in the case of cisgender and heterosexual men. In fact, societal wide disdain towards the femininities persists despite attempts to challenge the gender hierarchy. This …

Social Emotional Learning With Children And Social Cognitive Therapies Used In Treatment For Schizophrenia: What Is The Relationship Between Them?, Lynette Marie Lubiak

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

Why has mental illness in our children let alone society increased so significantly? In this paper I am doing a lit review to understand the need for a structured lesson plan of Social Emotional Learning (S.E.L.) and incorporating some techniques of social cognitive therapies for our children. This will be understood by comparing social cognitive therapies in Schizophrenia treatment that rewires healthy neural pathways from miswired neural pathways that are not functional in schizophrenia and the impact on a person with schizophrenia having difficulties to integrate into society while coping with their illness. I will do this by analyzing Theory …

Sports And Physical Activity Of Poles In The Context Of Good Health And Well-Being As A Sustainable Development Goal, Elżbieta Biernat, Monika Piątkowska, Robert Podstawski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Investing in physical activity (PA) is vital for achieving sustainable development goals. We examine PA trends in Poland using data from Eurobarometer surveys conducted in 2013, 2017, and 2022. In 2022, 64.6% of Poles did not participate in sports, and 41.8% did not engage in non-sport PA. There is a concerning trend of increasing inactivity in sports (Chi²_2022/2017 = 34.64; p < 0.001; Chi²_2017/2013 = 56.98; p < 0.001) and non-sports PA (Chi²_2022/2017 = 18.3, p < 0.01 and Chi²_2017/2013 = 16.95, p < 0.01). Participation in sport and PA is influenced by individual, inter-personal, environmental, political, and global factors. Notably, there is an upward trend in interpersonal (e.g., club membership, volunteering), environmental (e.g., PA in parks/nature, at home), and political (e.g., dissatisfaction with local government actions) factors. Government intervention is crucial and requires: (1) establishment of an institution for leadership and advocacy of PA, (2) adoption of a cross-sectoral approach for a coordinated change, and (3) increased in-vestment in monitoring systems to track the impact of interventions. These actions are essential for fostering a more active and healthier population in Poland.

Psycho-Analysis Will Not Save Us: Reflections On The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis, Victor Dubitans

Middle Voices

Generation Z (born between 1997 – 2012) is characterized as having both unprecedented mental health awareness and unprecedented mental distress. An apparent contradiction with troubling implications for the mental health field: Either the response to the mounting crisis has been insufficient or the field forms part of the problem. Taking seriously Wilks’ (2023) criticism of “therapeutic overreach” of the contemporary mental health field in the lives and development of youth, this paper attempts a selfanalysis and moral inventory about the field’s potential complicity in the crisis and in the history of hysteria. Lacan’s writings on the “analyst’s discourse” are considered …

Updates In Cryopreservation And Assisted Reproductive Techniques, Maha Abd Aljabbar Al-Sammak

BioMed Visions Journal

Cryopreservation is a crucial part of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) that has developed to maintain gametes and embryos viable for long periods of time. Recent technological developments, such as vitrification and innovative cryoprotectant that have significantly raised pregnancy success rates and enhanced embryo viability are highlighted in this review. The integration of state-of-the-art technology like single-cell sequencing is explored, and persistent issues with genetic stability and cryoinjury are addressed. The necessity for strong international regulations is emphasized in the discussion of ethical issues, especially those pertaining to the long-term storage and use of embryos. These developments are influencing the direction …

Public Acceptance, Attitude And Perception Toward Covid-19 Vaccination In Mosul City; Iraq, Nadia Hazem Saied

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: No doubt the recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic represents the most serious health and life threats globally. Vaccination against the disease is considered the cornerstone for controlling the disease.

Aim of the study is to explore public attitudes, perception toward vaccination against COVID-19 infection.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by using a modified questionnaire form which was translated into Arabic language and transformed into a Google form. The form was disseminated to the population online using different platforms in Mosul City over a period of one month during November 2021 and the participants were volunteered for …

Stop Campus Hazing Act Policy - Interim

Public Safety Policies

The Stop Campus Hazing Act was signed into law late in December of 2024. The law represents a significant step in national efforts to prevent hazing by improving hazing reporting and prevention efforts on college campuses.

UHSP has always taken hazing seriously and has worked to raise awareness about hazing and prevent hazing in any form on our campus. The Stop Campus Hazing Act adds another layer to our prevention efforts by requiring the enhancement of transparency, and prioritizing prevention efforts.

My Brand Is Cleaner: The Impact Of Brand Psychological Ownership On Contamination Perceptions In The Online Secondhand Apparel Market, Gail Yosh

ETD Collection

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Board Cognitive Diversity On Board And Company Performance: An Empirical Study, John Matsen, Jr.

ETD Collection

No abstract provided.

A Multidimensional Model Of Attitudes Toward Sponsorship, Zachary C. T. Evans, Terry Eddy

Global Sport Business Journal

Sport sponsorship is an important marketing tool, with many of its elements having received previous research attention. Although researchers have examined attitudes toward sport sponsorship, the theoretical grounding of attitudes is often incomplete, and theoretically distinct terms are frequently used interchangeably (e.g., attitudes and beliefs). The purpose of this study was to critically examine the literature regarding attitudes toward, and beliefs about, sponsorship to review the common frameworks utilized in examining the constructs, and analyze their theoretical appropriateness. A systematized review methodology was undertaken, through which a definition for attitude toward sponsorship was developed using the tripartite framework for attitude …

Mental Health Literacy In Middle School Classrooms: Be Resilient, Yolanda Michelle Travis

Masters Theses

When I first encountered the question, “Why is this important to me?” in our defense preparation assignment instructions, I felt overwhelmed. How could I answer such a loaded question? Here is my inspiration.

I have been clinically diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. My younger brother, who passed away in 2019, was the first person in California to die from a fentanyl overdose. He suffered from childhood trauma that severely impacted his mental health as an adult, and he was only 36 years old at the time of his death. Additionally, my mother struggles with panic attacks and depression, and my …

Recess: Utilizing Gamification To Encourage Lifelong Creativity In Emerging Adults, Julia Schneider

Masters Theses

While creative outlets are prioritized in childhood, adults in the United States are increasingly less likely to engage their creativity during leisure time, which ultimately impacts overall well-being. This project aims to explore: (1) What is creativity, and why is it beneficial? (2) What factors contribute to the decline of creative engagement? (3) How does engaging with creative outlets impact overall well-being? (4) How can play be used as a catalyst to foster creativity? Through a literature review, case studies, and visual analyses, this thesis examined and integrated existing research on creativity and play in order to effectively create a …

First-Year Experience Peer Mentors And Theory Of Generativity; A Generic Qualitative Study, Marie Haughton Flocco

Theses and Dissertations

Student retention is an intricate dilemma for all institutions of higher education. While college enrollment continues to increase, degree completion rates are not keeping pace. Research shows that most students who drop out of college do so during the first year of enrollment. In an effort to address student retention during the first year and ultimately increase completion rates, colleges and universities invest significant resources in what has become known as First-Year Experience (FYE). Peer mentoring programs, in particular, are often an essential aspect of FYE programming because of the successful outcomes reported by mentees. This generic qualitative study diverges …

Neuroinclusion In The Workplace: Leveraging The Power Of Cognitive Diversity As A Competitive Advantage, Mirudhuneka Varadarajan Senthiil

ETD Collection

No abstract provided.

Motivational Peer Influence On Behavior Change In Undergraduates: A Phenomenological Study, Heather A. Mina

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how peer testimonies from former students who successfully completed a Behavior Change Project (BCP) influenced motivation and anxiety in 148 undergraduate health and exercise science students preparing to begin their own BCP. The study was guided by the Transtheoretical Model (Prochaska & Velicer, 1997) and Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory (1986), both of which emphasize self-efficacy, observational learning, and readiness for behavior change. Research was conducted at a public university in western North Carolina with students enrolled in a required health and wellness course. Data collection included pre-BCP surveys, four weeks of …

Le Discours Éducatif « Expert » Dans L’Enseignement Supérieur À L’Épreuve Du Néolibéralisme, Youssef Aboudi

Al-Kīmiyā

This article aims to examine the main linguistic mechanisms employed by the “expert” educational discourse in higher education to reinforce its legitimacy and authority. The central hypothesis of this study posits that the “expert” educational discourse uses pseudo-technical/scientific rhetorical strategies to create an illusion of rationality and performance, with the aim of neutralizing critical and reflective thinking (Denault, 2016; Gobin, 2011). Theoretically, the study adopts a critical multidisciplinary approach that integrates socio-pragmatics, linguistic anthropology, political philosophy, and critical sociology of organizations. Methodologically, the study is based on a “hermeneutic” approach (Charaudeau, 2018) that seeks to explore the various discursive mechanisms …

Bridges And Mirrors: An Examination Of How Empathy Is Illustrated Through The Elements Of Quest Stories, Faith A. Rendles

Masters Theses

Stories are a gift. From generation to generation, in different cultures, through wars, festivals, pandemics, across dinner tables, and over a vast expanse of other connection points, stories have been a way for human beings to connect and empathize with each other and themselves. Quest stories specifically have been a mirror and bridge of life through the call to step out of the ordinary into courage, facing trials with bravery, and being challenged to practice empathy through the path that we walk. Through quest stories, readers learn to be aware of the moments on their journey that they are not …

Reconnecting To The Person Before Acquired Brain Injury: A Continuing Bonds Grief Intervention, Elizabeth Gilmour, Alyson Norman

School of Psychology

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) affects millions yearly potentially altering the emotional, behavioural and physical characteristics of the person. Consequently, it can result in the person before the ABI being markedly different from the person after. Family members of individuals with ABI often report feeling grief but there is limited support to help them. This study aimed to pilot a four-week grief writing intervention based on the continuing bonds intervention ‘Hello Again’, for family members after ABI. The purpose was to determine the experience of writing the letters and the perceived benefit. Recruitment was through volunteer sampling, and three participants took …

Increasing Behavior-Specific Praise Use And Variability With Secondary Education Teachers Using Behavioral Skills Training, Tactile Prompts, And Multiple Exemplars, Cecilia Pannone

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Teachers often receive minimal training in classroom management strategies, leading to punitive-based teacher-student interactions. Negative interactions (e.g., reprimands) may decrease behaviors momentarily but do not yield lasting behavior change. Behavior-specific praise (BSP) is a low-response effort classroom management strategy that positively impacts students’ behaviors and academic performance. However, training does not guarantee that BSP will be used throughout the academic years or across student cohorts, leading teachers to revert to negative interactions to manage classroom behaviors. Limited research has investigated the components of praise that increase effectiveness and saliency. This study aimed to increase teachers’ use of BSP using tactile …

Family Of Faith: Ole Miss Gospel Choir Offers More Than Joyful Praise, Marvis Herring

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Soulful voices soared, a packed crowd swayed and burdens felt lighter as the University of Mississippi Gospel Choir shared showstopping praise at its 50th anniversary spring concert.

Poland: A Forgotten Ally, Juliana Rose Pettis

Masters Theses

World War II created a significant change in Polish History. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact rendered Poland torn into two sections. Hitler occupied the western side, while Stalin overran the eastern side. The two dictators split Poland in September 1939. It was the only country singled out for such a destiny. In response, the Poles created the Polish Underground. This government utilized asymmetrical warfare to fight against the Nazi occupation and assist the West. The Poles assisted continuously throughout 1939 to 1945, but their fight for independence resulted in the partitioning of Poland and the beginning of Joseph Stalin’s communization of Europe. …

Implementing An Antibiotic Stewardship Program For Acute Respiratory Tract Infections In Urgent Care, John Childree

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Antibiotic overprescription for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) remains a persistent challenge in urgent care, contributing to antimicrobial resistance and increased healthcare costs. This quality improvement project evaluated whether a structured educational intervention an Antibiotic Stewardship Program (ASP) could improve providers’ knowledge and self-efficacy in evidence-based prescribing. A quasi-experimental, single-group pre-post design was used with seven urgent care clinicians. Data were collected through a custom Antibiotic Stewardship Questionnaire and a Self-Efficacy Survey administered before and after the intervention. Results demonstrated a 17% increase in knowledge scores (from 9.3 to 10.6 out of 11) and a statistically significant improvement in self-efficacy …

Proceedings Of The Cuny Games Conference 11.0, Robert O. Duncan, Grace Axler-Diperte, Joe Bisz, Christina Boyle, Devorah Kletenik, Carolyn Stallard

Publications and Research

The CUNY Games Conference combines workshops, idea exchanges, interactive participant presentations, playtesting, and playing tabletop games into a one-day online event to promote and discuss game-based learning. The conference focuses on creative pedagogy, such as playful learning activities or games, that teachers can use in the classroom every day. The conference is online and features interactive presentations by attendees, informal idea exchange sessions, and workshops by the conference organizers.

International Space Station Deorbit: A Qualitative Study On Aerospace Employees Perceptions Of Their Job During Decommission, Jesse Hudson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The decommissioning of the International Space Station (ISS) represents a significant organizational transition. Despite parallels with previous National Aeronautics and Space Administration program closures, research has not fully examined the human impact of such mission-driven disruptions. Employees face uncertainties regarding job roles, the relevance of specialized skills, and the future within a rapidly commercializing space sector. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how aerospace employees perceive and navigate the psychological and professional challenges associated with the ISS decommissioning. Bridges’ transition model and affective events theory grounded this study. The participants were 12 current aerospace employees who …

Assessing The Relationship Of Cultural Values, And Neighborhood Factors In Prenatal Depression Amongst Mexican Women, Esmeralda Lezama Ruiz

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Maternal depression during the perinatal period is a debilitating illness which negatively influences maternal health, child development and family functioning. The rate of maternal depression in Mexican-American mothers is substantially higher than non-Hispanic white populations. Some work has linked maternal depression in the US Mexican population to cultural factors and neighborhood dynamics, but these factors are only beginning to be addressed in perinatal mental health. This study investigates the independent and interactive roles of cultural values and neighborhood factors in predicting perinatal maternal depressive symptoms in women of Mexican descent. The study recruited pregnant women (N= 261) of Mexican descent …