Digital Commons Network^™

Perceived Neighborhood Crime And Gun Carrying Behavior: Examining The Role Of A History Of Traumatic Brain Injury, Eric J Connolly, Anne C Wingert, Dennis E Reidy, Jarrad D Hodge, Jeff R Temple

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Individuals living in high crime neighborhoods are more likely to carry a firearm. Members of these communities are also more likely to experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in their lifetime, which is a common correlate of hypervigilance and aggression. The current study evaluates the independent and interactive effects of TBI on perceived levels of neighborhood crime and gun carrying.

Methods: Data from 2015 to 2017 from a longitudinal ethnically diverse sample of adolescents and young adults are analyzed (Ns = 600-734). Multivariate logistic regression models are estimated to evaluate associations between perceived levels of neighborhood crime, TBI, gun …

Exploring The Relationship Between Burnout, Professional Fulfillment, And Individual And Organizational Factors In Nurse Managers Across Ambulatory And Inpatient Settings, Yulia Romazanova Lopez

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Nurse managers play a vital role in the functioning and stability of healthcare systems, yet their well-being remains an underexplored area of research. The COVID-19 pandemic brought renewed attention to occupational burnout, including in nursing leadership, where nurse managers reported high levels of stress, emotional exhaustion, and organizational strain. While the literature on burnout has grown rapidly in recent years, there is limited research that addresses what comes next, what sustains nurse managers in their roles and how organizations might foster their long-term well-being and engagement. This dissertation compendium explores professional fulfillment (PF) as a proactive and constructive lens for …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Paraprofesionals' Use Of Mobile Technology To Coordinate Behavioral Support, Sean Erreger

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

Technology that is utilized to track and assess behavior is being used more frequently in social work practice. Social Workers frequently participate and lead organizations that provide services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) face significant workforce challenges, but mobile technology may assist with reducing their administrative burden, assist in training needs, and increase the level of support felt by their supervisors. One of those technologies is the use of mobile devices to record behavior. The developmental disabilities field has started to implement the use of such mobile devices. The …

A Community-Based Study To Investigate Persistent Ambient Odors In Childs Park, Fl, Gennaro Saliceto

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

For many years, residents in Childs Park, Saint Petersburg, Florida, have reported unpleasant odors. Although there have been prior efforts to address the issue, the odors continue to be a concern for the community, who worry about possible health implications. This research aimed to equip residents with information to address the issue by identifying the presence of airborne pollutants that generate odors, quantifying the concentrations of toxic organic pollutants, and exploring the sources and environmental conditions that contribute to odors and their perception.

To accomplish these aims, the study utilized different methods. First, two walking measurement campaigns were conducted to …

African American Women Veterans’ Lived Experience Of Barriers To Seeking Access To Mental Health Treatment, Aaliyah Shakirah Harris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women veterans' race and gender present challenges as the compounded nature of the racism and sexism they experience creates specific barriers to seeking access to mental health treatment. Much of the research to date has focused on the interconnections between African American women veterans' state of mental health and their experiences in the military; however, their lived experience of encountering barriers to seeking access to mental health treatment has remained unexplored. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore African American women veterans' lived experience of encountering barriers to seeking access to mental health treatment to better …

Strategies Senior Human Resource Leaders Use To Implement Flexible Work Arrangements, Valena R. Bewry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Flexible work arrangements (FWAs) have become increasingly significant in contemporary workplace settings, particularly for their role in enhancing employee morale and promoting work-life balance. Education stakeholders and employees are concerned with the failure to implement FWAs, as it may hinder employee productivity and retention. Grounded in the conceptual framework of Theory Z, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore senior HR leaders’ strategies to implement successful flexible work arrangements for employees. The study involved six educational leaders from the northeastern United States who successfully implemented flexible work arrangements. Data were collected through semi structured interviews and publicly …

The N-Pact Factor, Replication And Power Associated With Quantitative Research In Physical Activity And Health, Angelina Haidar, Jeffrey J. Martin, Adam J. Martin, Sarah Rogers, Fatemeh Dehghan, Eva Prokesova

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Physical Activity (PA) and health science researchers often face challenges related to sample size, which can impact the reliability and generalizability of study findings. The purpose of the current paper is to address these issues by discussing key statistical concepts: effect size and Type I and Type II errors, with a specific focus on examining statistical power and sample size using studies from the Disability and Health Journal (DHJ). We examined research articles published in DHJ over a 15-year period (2008–2022), covering 62 issues and analyzing a total of 1,177 articles. Our analysis revealed that the median sample sizes …

Complementarities In High School And College Investments, John Eric Humphries, Juanna Schrøter Joensen, Gregory Veramendi

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

This paper examines how high school specialization shapes college investment decisions and their subsequent returns through dynamic complementarities. Using Swedish administrative data, we estimate a dynamic Roy model that accounts for selection on multidimensional skills, family background, prior investments, and unobserved heterogeneity. We identify the model using rich skill measures and quasi-experimental variation in program popularity. For marginal students, STEM specialization in high school increases wages by 9%, with more than half this return attributed to dynamic complementarities that enhance the productivity of subsequent college investments. Consequently, we find that counterfactual policies encouraging high school STEM specialization generate twice the …

Cardiovascular Health In Cardiac Rehabilitation: Applying The American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 Framework In A Center-Based Cohort, Audry Chacin-Suarez, Tomoaki Hama, Matthew P. Johnson, Helayna Abraham, Thomas P. Olson, Laprincess C. Brewer

Einstein Health Papers

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a comprehensive secondary cardiovascular disease program with structured lifestyle interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality. The American Heart Association cardiovascular health (CVH) framework measures health-promoting behaviors and clinical factors, but it has not been rigorously evaluated in the CR setting.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients attending CR from January 2018 to September 2020. Patients were evaluated at baseline (pre-CR) and completion (post-CR) using 3 clinical factors (blood pressure, cholesterol, and hemoglobin A1c) and 4 health behaviors (smoking, body mass index, physical activity, and diet). CVH score was computed as a composite of each …

The Clinical Characteristics, Correlation With Other Disorders, And Treatment Methods For Children And Adolescents With Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, Paige Gunther

Student Works

Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) are repeated actions performed on oneself as acts of self-grooming that may result in self-harm. The most common BFRBs are nail biting, excoriation (skin picking disorder), and trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder). This literature review examines the clinical characteristics, correlation with other psychological and neurological disorders, and treatment options for various BFRBs. A search of APA PsycInfo and PubMed databases yielded 74 sources, 13 of which have been used in this review. Clinical characteristics of BFRBs include emergence during childhood and adolescence, influence of other psychological disorders, self-awareness, biological sex, internalizing and externalizing behaviors, high levels of …

“There Is Nothing”—Exploring Diagnostic And Service Access For Autistic Individuals In Uruguay: A Qualitative Study, Maria Montenegro, Gabriela Garrido, Leyla Feize, Liza Talavera-Garza, Bianca T. Villalobos, Cecilia Montiel-Nava

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Due to the higher autism research presence of higher-income countries, the known social and cultural experiences of families raising a child with autism are centered on their realities. This narrative overlooks the experiences of many families who do not fit this archetype, such as those residing in low- and middle-income countries, who are particularly challenged by the limited availability of trained professionals and barriers to accessing diagnosis and evidence-based treatments. That is the case in Latin American countries, such as Uruguay, where the present project transpires. By utilizing a Theory of Change framework, specifically developed to be used in low- …

Supporting Achievement Motivation In Black And Latine Middle School Students: Development And Evaluation Of The Feasibility And Acceptability Of A Motivational Interviewing Intervention, Austin Roy Cole

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Participation in accelerated high school curricula can provide substantive post-secondary benefits for students. However, participation continues to reflect disparate enrollment for Black and Latine students. Though organizations and legislatures have sought to improve Black and Latine student enrollment, the enrollment gap has not closed and there is little evidence of improving academic achievement for Black and Latine students beyond increased enrollment. Research shows that when students have their psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness met, as described by Self-Determination Theory, they demonstrate better academic outcomes and social-emotional development. Barriers reported by students of color reflect these psychological needs. Thus, …

Changes In Aggressive Behaviors Over Time In Children With Adverse Childhood Experiences: Focusing On The Role Of School Connectedness, Sei-Young Lee, Mijin Choi

Faculty Publications

Previous research has found the link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and externalizing behaviors later in adolescence and adulthood. However, limited studies have explored longitudinal trajectories of aggressive behaviors affected by ACEs. This study aimed to investigate how aggressive behaviors change over time and compare the trajectories of aggressive behaviors between children with three or fewer (low-risk ACEs) and those with four or more ACEs (high-risk ACEs) with the role of school connectedness on the trajectories of aggressive behaviors over time. The study sample consisted of 4231 children collected by the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a longitudinal …

Self-Initiated Police Activity, Crime, And Complaints Against Police, Vincent Joseph Schaan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quantitative study aimed to examine the statistical relationship between self-initiated police activity, citizen complaints against police officers, sustained findings of misconduct, and crime within three police agencies located in the southwest United States. Prevailing law enforcement perception fueled by protests and riots infers that reducing proactive policing will decrease complaints. Using chi-square and binary logistic regression, this study analyzed 53,585 police and public contacts to answer three core questions. The statistical tests found a statistically significant inverse relationship between self-initiated police activity and complaints against police, with an odds ratio of 2.386 (95% CI: 1.62,3.50; p<.001). The findings indicate that officers who engage in self-initiated police activity have a 35.95% lower statistical probability of facing a citizen complaint. This study also found no statistically significant relationship between actual police misconduct and self-initiated police activity. The findings advocate for evidence-based decision-making based on statistical data, which found a reduced probability of complaints when law enforcement officers initiate public and police interactions. These findings contribute to positive social change by providing critical knowledge and information, and creating the potential for law enforcement officers and agencies to improve their relationships with the public by reducing complaints. Increasing self-initiated police activity provides a gateway to a reduction in crime and fewer complaints against police; therefore, data and information may motivate agencies and officers to increase self-initiated police activity to help reduce complaints and reduce crime.

Successful Strategies Used By Leaders In The U.S. Medical Device Industry To Increase Employee Engagement, Jason Brockway

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Disengaged employees present significant challenges to firm profitability and competitiveness in the U.S. medical device industry. Leaders of U.S. medical device firms are concerned disengaged employees could negatively impact organizational sustainability. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to explore strategies used by leaders in the U.S. medical device industry to enhance employee engagement. Purposeful sampling of six medical device leaders in Massachusetts was used; participants held leadership roles, had at least five years of leadership experience, and were directly involved in employee engagement. The study was grounded in Kahn’s engagement theory, focusing on psychological meaningfulness, safety, and …

The Potential Mediating Role Of Perfectionistic Self-Presentation In The Relationship Between Other Stigma, Self-Stigma, And Attitudes Towards Mental Health Help-Seeking In Asian Americans, Trevor E. Taone

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

The importance of understanding why individuals decided to engage in mental health care cannot be overstated. This importance is further highlighted in the need to examine the different factors that may help researchers and clinicians to obtain more insight into why populations with a higher demand for mental health services, such as Asian Americans, possess negative attitudes toward seeking mental health care. Stigma has been identified as a significant barrier that influences these attitudes towards help-seeking. Other stigma and self-stigma, in particular, play an important role in understanding why individuals may possess negative views about mental health care help-seeking. With …

Beyond Diversity Initiatives: Building A Community Of Care In Scientific Societies, Richelle L. Tanner, Kathryn Wilsterman

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

"In this Professional Biologist article, we present one such reframing that centers individualized care through structural changes. We argue that psychological and sociological motivations of belonging and social capital in the academy are funda- mental challenges contributing to the cultural problems within STEM fields and are particularly present within professional scientific societies. In support of this argument, we present survey- based data alongside significant literature from the humanities. In this reframing supported by existing organizational culture literature and our survey results, we suggest that scientific societies are uniquely positioned to promote significant cultural change within STEM by focusing on building …

Interview With Cd, Jacey Terrill

What Happened Here

This is a transcript of an oral history with CD, who was a student at Cal Poly Humboldt but is no longer in attendance after the protest. They were a protester and explained some of the inner workings of the protesters. The main points they address are that People of Color (POC) protesters were not feeling listened to by white protesters and by the administration. Additionally, they mention the support protesters had for each other, discussions on vandalism, that many protesters were fearful, and that the building was occupied as a response to police presence. They greatly disliked the actions …

Rethinking The Philosophy Of Religion: Toward A Better Relationship Between Religion And Science, Jovino De Guzman Miroy

Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture

This paper rethinks the philosophy of religion by asking what it can learn from the less antagonistic and more dialogic relationship between science and religion. Greater heterogeneity amongst student beliefs requires that the philosophy of religion become pluralistic. Moving beyond antagonism, the task of the philosophy of religion is to improve the relationship between religion and science for the better. The paper also probes what it means to study religion scientifically. The reform of the philosophy of religion proposed here means that the field shed its apologetic nature, but continue its project of reason-giving for a synthesis of religious experience. …

How The Immediate Physical Environment Affects The Non-Physical Aspect Of Health, Katryn Noelle E. Valeriano

Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture

Human health has been closely intertwined with environmental health. By the term “environment,” I refer not only to nature or relationships found in an ecosystem but also to the immediate physical milieu of an individual or what is termed as “personal space.” Before the pandemic, the notion of personal space was more fluid and receptive due to the ease one had in “re-framing” the environment and reorienting oneself. However, during the pandemic, the personal space of humans was restricted in so many ways through lockdowns and various forms of isolation. This article intends to re-interpret concepts, such as of “physical …

Reviving The Classical Tradition: Philosophical Counseling For The 21st Century, Abhishek Shukla

Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture

This article explores the roots of philosophical counselling in ancient Greek philosophy, which is considered to be a form of spiritual practice. It demonstrates how contemporary philosophical counselling draws directly from ancient practices like Socratic dialogue, Epicureanism, Stoicism, and Scepticism. Importantly, this article argues that although philosophical counselling is not a branch of psychotherapy, but rather a distinct approach with its own unique history. It acknowledges the influence of philosophical forms of psychotherapy, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), which emerged in the late 20th century. These psychotherapeutic approaches, drawing on philosophical principles, contributed …

Experience Of Superhumans Center In Rehabilitation And Prosthetics For Patients With Limb Amputations Due To Combat Injuries, Andrii Vilenskyi

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

The full-scale military aggression of Russia against Ukraine in 2022 has deeply disrupted Ukraine’s healthcare system. The widespread destruction of medical infrastructure and the increasing demand for medical care from military and civilian patients have highlighted the urgent need for specialized rehabilitation services. In response, Superhumans Center was established to provide comprehensive care tailored to individuals affected by war-related trauma. Our services include prosthetics, physical and psychological rehabilitation, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and hearing restoration, ensuring holistic support for this unique patient population.

Military trauma rehabilitation presents significant challenges due to the complexity of cases. These include polytrauma, multi-limb amputations …

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.