Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating The Relationships Between Study Abroad, Language Immersion, And Intercultural Sensitivity, Isabella Bea Battistoni

Communication Science and Disorders Honors Theses

An increasing number of students are choosing to study abroad. Once only an experience for those learning a language (University of Delaware, 2024), international education has become much more accessible for students of all disciplines. When choosing a program, students face a decision in choosing the level of language immersion and learning the trip will offer. This study examined the impact of different levels of language immersion on a student's intercultural sensitivity following a short-term study abroad trip. Intercultural sensitivity, defined as, “an individual's ability to develop emotion towards understanding and appreciating cultural differences that promotes appropriate and effective behavior …

Striving For Thriving: A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring The Relationship Between Presidential Leadership And Organizational Flourishing At Faith-Based Colleges And Universities, Noah Huseman

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

In response to the myriad challenges facing colleges and universities in America today, particularly amidst demographic shifts, rising costs, and the disruptive impacts of events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, institutional leaders are under unprecedented scrutiny. Recent incidents involving renowned institutions underscore a growing distrust among the public in these foundational establishments. The urgent need for innovative leadership is evident, particularly as colleges and universities navigate a complicated landscape. Against this backdrop, this study examines the relationship between presidential leadership and organizational flourishing through a mixed-methods convergent design. The results of this study suggest that there is a complex-adaptive relationship …

Exploring The Role Of Pain On Physical Activity Among Youth With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Using The Biopsychosocial Model, Anna Van Asselt, Renee Gilbert, Meghan Tokala, Jacee Weber, Meredith Dreyer, Robert C. Gibler, Carolyn R. Bates

Research at Children's Mercy Month 2024

Introduction: Engaging in physical activity (PA) during cancer treatment benefits a child’s physical and mental well-being (McLaughlin et al., 2021). However, engaging in PA may be challenging due to treatment and disease-related pain (Uhl et al., 2020). Pediatric cancer research has primarily focused on management of procedural and chronic pain, with fewer studies examining how pain may interfere with PA during treatment (Clews et al., 2022). The current study qualitatively investigated the impact of pain on PA using a biopsychosocial framework in a sample of youth with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Method: Caregivers (N=17) of a child diagnosed with ALL …

Understanding The Impact Of Food Insecurity Among First Generation College Students On The University Of Arkansas Campus, Madison Price

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to: 1) better understand food insecurity among first generation college students and how it might differ from that of other college students, and 2) gather opinions from students that may serve as solutions to alleviate food insecurity. This study was conducted with a mixed-methods survey that included both open-ended and close-ended questions. This study had six detailed parts, including research design, population sampling, instrumentation, data collection, data analysis, and finally, the results. All of these unique phases allowed for first generation students’ voices to be heard and to help meet their needs on the …

Easter Island's Painkiller: How A Soil Bacteria Could Relieve Chronic Pain, Marko Krtinic

Scientific Kenyon: The Neuroscience Edition

No abstract provided.

The Perceptions Of Psychologists And Speech-Language Pathologists On Intervention Methods For Selective Mutism, Abby Olmstead

Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: This is a study done to evaluate the perceptions of speech-language pathologists, psychologists/licensed professional counselors and their thoughts on selective mutism intervention. These thoughts will be gathered and analyzed to be compared to speech-language pathologists perceptions to see if there are differences. The goal is to be able to see the overall most-shared opinion to better be able to understand the intervention involving selective mutism. Selective Mutism (SM) is a rare disorder as only 1% of the population is diagnosed with it. The purpose is to provide more education on the disorder and help various kinds of professionals better …

Exploring The Influence Of Integrating Soft Skills Training Into The Undergraduate Stem Curriculum On The Stem Identity Of Students, Candace King

Dissertations

One of the major issues that STEM graduates face is overcoming Imposter Syndrome, and there is a consensus amongst STEM graduates and job recruiters that the current higher education system is missing some elements that could better prepare students for a successful STEM career. A solution to this issue results from recent research on the importance of “soft skills.” In general, “soft skills” or non-technical skills, include communication, critical thinking, and self-motivation. These skills complement “hard skills,” or technical skills, such as skills needed for performing laboratory experiments, like pipetting and Western blotting. The lack of soft skills among recent …

Advertising On Snapchat: Exploring The Influence Of Celebrities Among Young Women In Saudi Arabia, Hessah Alqahtani

Dissertations

This study explored the influence of Snapchat celebrities on the purchase decisions of young women in Saudi Arabia. Uses and Gratifications theory and Source Credibility theory were used to investigate motivations for and factors that affect engagement with Snapchat celebrities. An online survey was conducted among 467 social media users. It was found that most Saudi women (62.9%) were motivated to engage with Snapchat celebrities to seek information.They would likely to purchase products endorsed by celebrities who were deemed trustworthy, attractive, and experts in the field. They also responded more favorably to celebrities who they believe are a fit for …

“Triple Consciousness”: How Chinese International Students Navigate Identity Amidst U.S-China Tension And Covid-19 Xenophobia, Haoxuan Gao

Sociology Honors Projects

International students from China account for the largest number of international students in the United States. Behind their vast and growing population lies the legacy of U.S. soft power diplomacy to spread democracy during the Cold War era, while a similar strategy has been utilized by the Chinese government for students to “represent China.” However, Chinese international students now stand on the intersection between COVID-19 xenophobia and the contentious U.S.-China relationship. How do these individuals navigate and (re)orientate their identities when they are pulled to opposite directions? This study utilizes one-on-one interviews with 22 Chinese international students from a small …

Ecmo Diaries: Can We Reduce The Symptoms Of Pediatric Pics Through Bedside Journaling?, Johanna I. Orrick, Sarah P. Jimenez

Research at Children's Mercy Month 2024

In the realm of pediatric critical care, advancements in technology and medical interventions have significantly increased survival rates, particularly in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) cases. Children’s Mercy Hospital, a pioneer in pediatric ECMO, boasts consistently lower mortality rates and surpasses international survival benchmarks. However, the success in saving lives has unveiled a new challenge – Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) in children.

PICS, defined in 2010 for adults, manifests as new or worsening long-term comorbidities, affecting cognitive, psychological, social, and physical aspects, persisting after an intensive care stay. With up to 88% of pediatric patients demonstrating psychological issues post-ICU, the …

A Valid And Reliable Method For Measuring Navicular Drop, Kayla Ellison, Bree Lindley, Ashley Conneran

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose/Hypothesis: Understanding navicular motion during gait is crucial for research and clinical applications. This study aimed to assess a method of measuring navicular drop during dynamic walking trials. Our technique used a two-stage assessment of navicular drop; these stages consisted of an initial static examination of the navicular position in subtalar neutral, combined with a dynamic evaluation of navicular drop during walking gait. These stages were conducted twice, with a week between data collections. This study aimed to determine the reliability of this two-stage method. We hypothesize that a two-stage process, using two independent Vicon systems, will be able …

The Effect Of Physical Therapy Intervention On Fatigue, Balance, Depression And Quality Of Life In Clients Following Medical Treatment For Cancer: A Pilot Study, Elle G. Bryant, Morghan J. Bugge, Riley A. Grube, Megan M. Lacrosse, Hunter M. Lake, Katie J. Leary

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Approximately 18.1 million people living in the United States have survived cancer. The treatment for cancer can be accompanied by many long-lasting residual side effects including fatigue, decreased quality of life, balance deficits, and depression. A current problem that healthcare providers face is understanding these side effects and how to effectively treat the people who experience them.

The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate how cancer treatments affect the human body, specifically with fatigue, balance, quality of life, and depression, and how physical therapy interventions can be used to combat these factors. To assess the effects of physical …

Civil Disobedience Of Social Workers In Hospice, Jamie Leigh Roper

Poster Presentations

What is civil disobedience? Civil disobedience is often thought of as peaceful protesting or non-violent law breaking. However, the textbook definition is “the refusal to obey the demands or commands of a government or occupying power, without resorting to violence or active measures of opposition” (Britannica). Peaceful protesting has been an integral part of American history. Henry David Thoreau, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King Jr. were all civilly disobedient citizens who altered the course of history. Any and all protests, however, cannot be considered civil disobedience, since there are some requirements of this category.

Addressing Social Determinants Of Health In Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs, Audrey Hunter

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

Introduction: Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is considered the most effective treatment for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD); however, MAT program retention rates are consistently low across the United States. Addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) through text message could impact MAT retention; therefore, a pilot project at a federally qualified healthcare center (FQHC) was implemented.

Methods: The Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patients’ Assets, Risk, and Experiences (PRAPARE) SDOH screening tool was implemented for patients undergoing MAT for OUD. Community resource referrals were provided via text message based on the screening results. Retention in treatment was measured by prescriptions …

Body Image, Eating Disorders, And School Psychology, Zariah Jackson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

There is an ongoing problem surrounding eating disorders and body dissatisfaction in school aged youth. School psychologists play a major role in ensuring the safety and success of students in the school. Despite the prevalence of these issues in children and adolescence, it is unknown how regularly the field of school psychology is publishing articles that examine eating disorders and body dissatisfaction. This project was a systematic review of school psychology journals to explore the trends in publications related to eating disorders. Specifically, articles published within school psychology journals with the search terms “eating disorder,” “body image,” “body dissatisfaction,” “anorexia,” …

Change In Academic Self-Efficacy Across Gender And Year In School For Undergraduate Sport Management Students, Jarid Morton

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Academic self-efficacy (ASE) is a construct derived from social cognitive theory developed to assess an individuals perceived competence in academia. It has been found to significantly relate to academic achievement. Students scoring higher in ASE are more likely to obtain higher cumulative grade point averages and higher test scores. Studies assessing ASE have examined degree programs such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (i.e., STEM), business, and the humanities. Despite the wide scope of fields studied, sport management programs have yet to be assessed. This study aims to fill this gap. Part of the study aimed to construct a valid …

A Process Model Of Workplace Cyber Incivility Spillover, Cora Hurt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Cyber incivility is a pervasive problem, affecting individuals not only while at work but also at home. It has been found to spillover to the home domain in the form of aggression and withdrawal, affecting the target and their partner, but the mechanism behind this association has not been examined. This study examines work-related affective rumination as a spillover mechanism between experienced cyber incivility and aggressive and withdrawn behaviors at home. I hypothesized that daily experienced cyber incivility will be positively associated with both aggressive behavior and withdrawn behavior at home, and work-related affective rumination will mediate this relationship. Using …

Bidirectional Relationships Between Use Of Popular Social Media Platforms And Anxiety, Depression, And Social Support, Olivia Dick

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes among young populations has been a cause for increasing concern in research. However, the directionality of these relationships remains ambiguous due to existing literature being largely cross-sectional and having limited focus on individual platforms. This study aimed to explore the bidirectional relationship between social media use across prominent platforms and various mental healthrelated outcomes among young adults. A sample of 203 young adults, ages 18-29, completed baseline and 6-month follow-up assessments measuring social media use across Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, as well as measures of depression, anxiety, and perceived friend …

Meaning In Life And Metacognition: Application Of The Self-Validation Hypothesis, Liam Hill

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Meaning in Life is a robust predictor of various positive outcomes, and provides a buffer against a host of negative outcomes. Due to this fact, it becomes important to examine all the facets of a meaningful life. One consistent predictor of Meaning in Life (MIL) in the literature is one’s sense of positive affect. I tested the idea that it is possible to doubt (or have confidence in) one’s affect, such that under conditions of doubt, positive affect is less strongly related to MIL. It may be the case that positive affect predicts MIL because of what we think of …

Impact Of Framing Depression On Illness Perceptions And Coping Strategies, Abby Mcginnis

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The current study aimed to adopt an experimental design used by Schroder et al. (2023) to investigate how framing of depression (as a disease vs a functional signal) impacts illness perceptions and coping strategies. Participants were given the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42) to assess depression severity and prime participants for the framing condition. Each condition had five videos describing depression and the corresponding frameworks. Perceived control, timeline, and causes of depression were measured using the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R). Participants were given the brief-COPE questionnaire to measure coping strategies, such as avoidant and problem-focused. There were no differences …

An Investigation Of The Effectiveness Of Student’S T-Test Under Heterogeneity Of Variance, Hayden Nelson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Within the field of psychology, few tests have been as thoroughly investigated as Student’s t-test. One area of criticism is the use of the test when the assumption for heterogeneity of variance between two samples is violated, such as when sample sizes and observed sample variances are unequal. The current study proposes a Monte Carlo analysis to observe a broad range of conditions in efforts to identify the resulting fluctuations in the proportion obtained significant results for two conditions: no mean difference (𝜇􀬵 = 𝜇􀬶) compared to the set level of alpha, and small-to-moderate mean differences (𝜇􀬵 ≠ 𝜇􀬶) compared …

Cannabidiol (Cbd) And Resistance Training: Does Cbd Attenuate Acute Pain?, Guillermo Pacheco

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

INTRODUCTION: Resistance training (RT) is an advantageous form of physical activity for health and performance benefits; these benefits are maximized when done strenuously. However, strenuous RT can induce acute inflammatory pain which can lead to delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Common analgesics like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can block protein synthesis, so other alternatives are needed for exercise and athletic communities to maintain physiological adaptations. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid with purported anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and analgesic properties. One of the main reasons for the use of CBD in exercise is pain alleviation; however, research in humans is limited. Therefore, the …

The Effect Of Mindfulness Training On Muscular Endurance Exercise Performance, Mindfulness, And Mental Toughness, Donte Mcgee

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

INTRODUCTION: Mindfulness training is a method of mental training becoming increasingly popular and has been positively associated with mental toughness, which may be valuable in highly fatiguing and stressful activities, like endurance exercise. Mindfulness training has resulted in increased endurance performance, but limited literature exists on a similar modality, muscular endurance exercise. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of an acute bout of mindfulness meditation on muscular endurance performance, mindfulness, and mental toughness. METHODS: Participants (n=24) completed two sessions, a week apart, of three planks until fatigue, with one-minute rest intervals. Immediately following each plank, RPE …

Investigating The Association Between Incivility Variability And Burnout At Work, Tamia Eugene

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Incivility is a prevalent workplace stressor for many employees in the workplace. Over time, exposure to stressors may lead to increased burnout, which can be costly for organizations. However, variability in uncivil experiences may be more detrimental to employees than chronic exposure to incivility due to the uncertainty associated with it. Using previously collected data from a larger grant, I examined the direct effect of incivility variability on burnout. Specifically, I hypothesized that employees who experienced incivility frequently but sporadically will report more burnout. Furthermore, I hypothesized that a perceived organizational climate that supports civility will moderate the direct effect …

Building Bridges: An Improvement Science Approach To Fostering Cross-Group Connections And Friendships Among Elementary School Students, Cody Russelburg

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The persistent issue of limited cross-group connections and friendships among diverse elementary school students is addressed, specifically in a district with five elementary schools that converge into a single middle and high school. The tendency for students to maintain selfsegregated social circles from their zoned elementary schools into middle and high school highlights the need for an intervention designed to foster cross-group connections. Utilizing the Improvement Science framework, this research incorporates two intervention cycles to refine and enhance outcomes related to cross-group connections. Fifth-grade students from two distinct elementary schools had intentional and direct intergroup contact utilizing an adapted version …

Female Leaders In Occupational Safety And Health: Perceived Barriers And Potential Interventions, Jacqueline Basham

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Limited research exists about the challenges women face working as leaders within the occupational safety and health (OSH) industry. This study aimed to help fill this gap by utilizing key informant interviews to qualitatively analyze what the perceptions of female safety leaders were within OSH related to barriers and interventions to sustain or increase the number of female safety leaders. Both convenience sampling and snowball sampling methods were utilized to recruit female safety leaders to participate in key informant interviews. In order to be eligible for inclusion in the study, participants needed to identify as female, be safety leaders currently …

2024 Nsu Undergraduate Commencement Program, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Social Media Reliance And College Students' Tendency To Conform To Online Behaviors And Trends, Emily Grucello

Honors Theses

The importance of social media is undeniable among college students who frequently turn to online platforms as a form of recreation. While researchers have analyzed the influence of social media on emotional factors, fewer researchers have investigated if reliance on social media has an impact on public behavior and conformity habits. Therefore, the current study assesses if user reliance on two common platforms, TikTok and Instagram, are associated with conformity levels. Data collection came from a sample of 124 college-aged participants. Results found a significant correlation between conformity and Instagram reliance (r = .31, p < .001), as well as conformity and TikTok reliance (r = .32, p < .001), such that higher levels of conformity was associated with higher reliance on Instagram and TikTok. These findings highlight the importance of understanding how consumption of social media has the potential to alter the decisions and behaviors of young adults.

Examining Higher Education Through Hyflex, Emily Howell, Sandra Linder, Joseph Ryan, William C. Bridges

Publications

This design-based research (DBR) study investigated the following research question: How can the HyFlex instructional model be leveraged to create more accessible and equitable education for graduate students? To address this question, the researchers explored two education doctoral courses in the USA, with 37 participants for one semester. The essential elements of the intervention included the following: digital, multimodal tools; equity of online and face-to-face learning environments; and engagement in community. A mixed methods approach to data collection and analysis was utilised in accordance with the DBR framework, including inhibiting and enhancing factors of the intervention, modifications made, unanticipated outcomes, …

The Breakdown Of Soviet-American Relations After World War Ii: Changes In The Historiography, Angelina K. Lambros

Publications and Research

This article analyzes Cold War historiography, addressing how interpretations have evolved regarding the historical question of whether the Soviet Union or the United States was more responsible for the breakdown in Soviet-American relations after World War II. In the years immediately after World War II, the dominant interpretation in the U.S. was that the Cold War was a result of Soviet aggression. But by the late 1950s, a revisionist school began to develop, and it blamed the Cold War on America's desire for capitalist expansion. Eventually, a post-revisionist school emerged. Post-revisionism sought a more complex picture, and refrained from blaming …