Digital Commons Network^™

When Education And Qualifications Are Not Enough, Carla Hamilton-Yates

Theses and Dissertations

African-American women face substantial career barriers when seeking ascension to educational leadership. Numerous factors contribute to career advancement barriers, such as systemic, institutional challenges, organizational factors, personality, and individual contributors. Various systemic and managerial aspects, directly and indirectly, were considered barriers for African-American women when attempting to gain equity in the ascension process to leadership. Microaggressions, racism, and overt harassment in the workplace inhibit African-American women from advancing to leadership positions. The percentage of African-American principals is proportionately low compared to White principals. African-American employees are less likely to be promoted, wait longer for promotion, or are passed over for …

Coping Strategies Of African American Lgbtq Same-Gender-Loving And Heterosexual Women After Intimate Partner Violence, Victoria Moran

Theses and Dissertations

A thematic analysis of literature was applied to academic studies of African American women who identify as same-gender-loving (SGL), meaning either lesbian or bisexual, and African American heterosexual women who have endured intimate partner violence (IPV). The aim was to identify in the literature coping strategies used by the IPV survivors, as well as under-utilized coping strategies. Few studies (28) met the inclusion criteria related to this intersectional identity. Main themes of positive coping skills mentioned were as follows: spirituality, mindfulness, religious practice, community support, social support, confrontation, safety precautions, activism, attitude or self-help, mental health services, participation in research …

Intraday Price Bubbles And Their Influencing Factors: A Small- And Micro-Cap Analysis, Benjamin Sawyer

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores episodes of intraday stock price bubbles in small- and micro-cap stocks, a type of price bubble that is understudied in traditional financial literature. Stock price bubbles, marked by significant deviations of market prices from fundamental value, often cause undue harm to market participants and hinder the efficient allocation of capital. Despite their long history and recurring nature, the anatomy of price bubbles is still highly debated--their existence, causes, and impacts. Drawing on market efficiency, microstructure, and behavioral finance theories, the research applies a number of traditional and more recently developed statistical tests to detect intraday bubbles and …

The Strong Black Woman Schema, Wellness Outcomes, And Mental Health Interventions: An Integrative Systematic Review, Breanna Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Black women have a unique sociocultural and historical context that impacts their health. Research indicates that the Strong Black Woman schema (SBWS) can serve as a coping strategy for the specific array of stressors faced by Black women. The primary aim of this integrative systematic review was to explore the associations between Strong Black Woman schema and wellness/health outcomes, and to review the available or emerging SBWS-related interventions targeting wellness and mental health for Black women. This review posed the questions: (1) What health/wellness outcomes have been identified or hypothesized to be related to the SBWS? (2) What relationships between …

Racialized Lived Experience And Equitable Decision-Making Among Philanthropic Leaders: A Narrative Inquiry, Janae Asali Oliver

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the influence of racialized lived experiences (RLEs) on equitable decision-making among philanthropic leaders, employing a narrative inquiry approach. It examined how diversity within philanthropy, beyond tokenistic representation, can introduce a wide range of perspectives that enhance equitable decision-making processes. The study emphasized the significance of RLEs in philanthropic leadership and decision-making, despite potential institutional constraints on grant processes. Twenty philanthropic leaders from various backgrounds, including private and family foundations, community foundations, and corporate social responsibility initiatives, participated in the study. Utilizing a critical race conceptual and theoretical framework, the researcher analyzed philanthropic leader’s narratives of race, …

Heat Shields And Friendship Bracelets: Features That Enable Effective Employee Resource Groups, Kevin Sakamoto

Theses and Dissertations

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are a potentially powerful means of addressing inequalities and improving working conditions for underrepresented groups in organizations. However, little attention has been given to the motivation of employees who voluntarily donate their time in support of their ERG. The fact that membership in ERGs often coincides with a social identity group (e.g., Asian American) adds a dimension not associated with other non-formal groups (e.g., softball team) within an organization, and may increase the potential for ERGs to achieve valued outcomes. Drawing from academic literature on Social Identity Theory (SIT), employee voice, and activism, this qualitative study …

Pivotal Moments Of Change For First Generation High Income Earners, Claudette Renae Simon

Theses and Dissertations

This narrative research study explored the role of Pivotal Moments of Change (PMOC) experiences in the lives of First-Generation High-Income Earners (FGHIEs). Through retrospective storytelling in virtual Semistructured interviews with six FGHIEs, this qualitative study validated the Pivotal Moments of Change conceptual model designed for this study. The model features five elements: antecedents, experience, change, action, and impact. The data also revealed six emergent themes which included that trajectory changes in the lives of FGHIEs may be singular occurrences or multilayered events that consist of epiphanies, decisions, or PMOC that build upon each other. That environment plays a major role …

From Virtual Gaming To Virtual Teams: Best Practices For Leading Diverse Virtual Teams In A Global Organization, Tianshi Hao

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates virtual leadership within video game environments and its transferability to real-world virtual team management. Employing quantitative ethnography and epistemic network analysis, the study explores the leadership behaviors observed in MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) and OFPS (Online First Person Shooting) game genres, drawing parallels with global virtual team management in corporate settings. The findings reveal that Squad-Based Game Leaders (SGLs) and Organizational-based Game Leaders (OGLs) employ a mix of authoritarian and democratic leadership styles to navigate both the tactical and strategic demands of their teams. SGLs focus on tactical decisions utilizing real-time data and player feedback …

Differences In The Neurological Functioning Of Females And Males During The Human Sexual Response Cycle: A Quantitative Systematic Review, Zachary Larson

Theses and Dissertations

The psychology field recognizes differences between females and males. Yet, there is a lack of research examining neurobiological sex differences, and a sophisticated understanding of neurobiological contributors that explain these sex differences related to sexuality is lacking. An integrative systematic review of the literature examined differences in the neurological functioning between females and males during the human sexual response cycle (SRC). This study investigated sex differences and commonalities in regional neural activation during the four stages of the human SRC (i.e., excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution). The main result of this study is that the differences between females and males …

Faculty Support And Resource Seeking, A Collective Experience Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective, Amber Victoria Stokes

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to capture collective faculty experiences of adapting to teaching entirely or partially online during the three years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature suggests that emergency remote teaching (ERT) was only a temporary stopgap for higher education institutions and faculty to move instruction online early in the pandemic (Hodges et al., 2021). Before the initial move to being entirely online in March 2020, higher education institutions had already lagged compared to other industries in providing digitally driven, outcomes-focused business models (Gallagher & Palmer, 2020). Therefore, it is no surprise that higher education leadership, faculty, and staff faced …

A Phenomenological Study Of Teachers' Perception Of Professional Development Sessions Focused On Artificial Intelligence: Utilizing The Tpack Framework To Address The Professional Development Needs Of Teachers, Xuanyi Chen

Theses and Dissertations

AI-enabled educational tools have great potential for enhancing learning and teaching, yet there is a notable lack of study on AI-focused professional development for K-12 teachers. This phenomenological study employed the TPACK framework to examine teachers' incorporation of AI and engagement in professional development activities. The use of a social constructivism framework explored teachers' views on knowledge, learning, and motivation. Data were collected from 12 K-12 teachers across various districts in a large metropolitan area who attended AI professional development sessions in their own context and from that experience created AI artifacts. Primary data included (a) semistructured interviews, (b) professional …

Best Practices For Coaching Secondary School Teachers To Provide Social And Emotional Learning Support To Students, Vailet Yarijanian

Theses and Dissertations

Consequential to the COVID-19 global pandemic, widespread school closures ensued, profoundly affecting secondary school students' academic, social, and psychological well-being. Simultaneously, the academic year of 2020-2021 witnessed a notable surge in the departure of public school teachers, with nearly half opting to resign. This exodus was primarily attributed to the heightened stress associated with virtual instruction and the inadequate provision of mental health resources for educators and students. This dissertation sought to elucidate best practices for instructional coaches collaborating with secondary school teachers to develop a comprehensive toolkit for instilling social and emotional learning competencies within classroom environments. The contagious …

The Consumer’S Choice To Boycott, Agnes Bresee

Seattle University Law Review

In the wake of employees losing their jobs upon voicing their political opinions concerning Israel, Harvard and Columbia law students’ job offers being rescinded upon expressing support for Palestine, and the names and social media profiles of individuals who support Palestine being collected and listed on Canary Mission, such backlash may leave many Americans wondering what form of resistance to settler-colonialist apartheid is acceptable in the twenty-first century. Recently, the movement to collectively boycott brands like Starbucks, which sued its Worker’s Union for a tweet expressing support for Palestine; Disney, which donated money to Israel; and McDonald’s, where a location …

The Ethics Of Brain-Machine Interfaces, Devon J. Lynn

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Brain Machine Interfaces (BMI) are a rapidly developing technology that raise unique ethical issues that demand review. They have demonstrated impressive restorative potential, particularly for individuals living with epilepsy, and those who are locked in. Although BMIs have the potential to provide significant benefit to millions of users, further advancement of the technology should proceed cautiously, according to the guidelines outlined in this paper. Failure to adhere to ethical guidelines could lead to severe privacy concerns, and would violate moral principles of beneficence, virtue ethics, care ethics, and utilitarianism. Despite the moral risks, BMIs hold promise for reshaping future healthcare …

Differences In Health-Related Quality Of Life Among Breast Cancer Survivors By Hispanic Origin In A Cross-Sectional Study, Meera Lakshmanan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among American women. Research has examined the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among breast cancer survivors of various races/ethnicities, reporting that Hispanic women have lower levels of HRQOL compared to non-Hispanic whites. Hispanics are not a homogenous population, and subpopulations may have different lifestyles, socioeconomic status, and cultural/personal/social ideals that could affect their HRQOL after treatment of breast cancer. The objective of this study was to examine the differences in HRQOL by Hispanic origin among breast cancer survivors in Central Florida.

Patient data was obtained from the Florida Cancer Data …

Renewing Voter Confidence In Election Outcomes: A Qualitative Examination Of Election Processes And Security Measures, Hannah Barnes

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This paper explores the topic of voter confidence in U.S. election outcomes and seeks to identify the factors that influence that confidence. Given the increasing interest in questions surrounding election integrity and election security, it is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the current election structure in America. By analyzing components of the election process such as voter registration, voting machines and other election technology, along with existing voting laws and proposed legislation, I highlight key areas where voter confidence is strongly impacted. Through this research I determined that by improving voter education and awareness of functions within …

Madness As Epistemic Advantage: The Relevance Of Standpoint Epistemology To The Evolution Of Mental Health Care, Aven E. Kazmier

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The intent of this thesis is to examine the potential epistemic advantage possessed by those with lived experience of mental illness. The frequent lack of conceptual alignment between the perspectives of individuals with lived experience and the biomedical model of mental illness has often resulted in epistemic injustice—lived experiential knowledge tends to be devalued and excluded from larger discussions about mental health. I propose that by occupying a marginalized social location and critically engaging with one’s social position, psychopathologized individuals may achieve a standpoint that allows a deeper comprehension of the systems of power that affect the mental health care …

Attitudes And Perceptions Of Mental Health In The Vietnamese Community: A Comprehensive Analysis, Mai Ly Nguyen-Luu

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis explores the complex and multifaceted landscape of attitudes and perceptions toward mental health within the Vietnamese community. Mental health issues remain a significant global concern, and understanding how these issues are perceived and addressed within specific cultural contexts is vital for effective mental health promotion and intervention. In the case of the Vietnamese community, the interplay of cultural values, stigmatization, and access to mental healthcare services makes this study particularly relevant.

The research investigates the cultural factors that shape attitudes and perceptions toward mental health in the Vietnamese community, including traditional beliefs, familial roles, and the influence of …

Linguistic Gender Differences In English Among Saudi Medical Students In Online Courses, Ala Mohammed Alshahrani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research explores gender differences in language use among Saudi medical students in online courses. Employing purposive sampling, the study, aims to comprehend the influence of gender on language patterns and communication styles in online education. Data collection involves online interviews with five teachers and survey questionnaires administered to twenty actively enrolled Saudi medical students. The interviews provide insights into language use patterns in the online learning environment, while surveys offer a broader perspective on student language use. Thematic analysis unveils recurring themes: “courses developed,” “reasons for online courses,” “interaction among male and female students in online courses,” “comfort …

Student Leadership In The Musical Ensemble: A Descriptive Study, Anna Bullock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research study investigated the nature of student leadership opportunities in middle school, high school, and collegiate ensembles. It comprehensively reviewed existing research and proposed potential avenues for future developments. Through a descriptive inquiry, the investigation aimed to ascertain whether similar outcomes are observed across all facets of music education classrooms, including choir, band, and orchestra. The exploratory nature of this study lends itself to no specific hypotheses; however, the findings may have implications for music education classrooms.

The research questions are structured based on relevant literature to uncover the skills conferred by occupying a student leadership position. Subjects were …

Effects Of Music-Induced Arousal On Spatial Cognition, April Marie Joyner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Arousal is known to influence the manner in which spatial stimuli are processed and remembered. Although music is considered a spatial stimulus, the relationship between music-induced arousal through music listening and spatial ability remains understudied. This study was designed to determine whether arousal induced by musical stimuli differentially impacts memory performance on a map learning task created to measure spatial memory. Participants were exposed to two different pieces of music selected to induce either high or low arousal or were exposed to a control condition in which music was not presented. Participants listened to music or completed multiplication problems prior …

The Effect Of A Scarcity Mindset On External Auditors' Reliance On The Internal Audit Function, Brett Patterson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Audit regulators are concerned that times of economic uncertainty will likely cause external auditors to misuse the work of the internal audit function (IAF). These concerns are consistent with prior psychology research finding that objective poverty or a subjective, perceived lack of resources induces a scarcity mindset, which then leads to counterproductive economic behaviors. Therefore, I examine the effect of such a scarcity mindset on external auditors’ IAF reliance choices. In an experiment that incorporates a setting mimicking the evidence collection process, I manipulate the external auditor’s scarcity mindset and the internal audit function’s competence. I find that external auditors …

Pig: A Novel, William Hal Walker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A novel exploring addiction, recovery, faith, and family in Central Florida.

Fostering Inclusive Excellence For Black Women In Undergraduate Computing Sciences At A Predominantly White Institution, Toni Avant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Employment projections indicate that the computing sciences field is expected to increase by more than 600,000 jobs from 2020-2030. As society becomes increasingly reliant on technological innovations, the demand continues to rise for qualified graduates in this field. It is essential that employers build a diverse and inclusive workforce in order to accommodate the markets they serve. Yet, the lack of representation of Black women in the computing sciences field is of great concern.

Nourishing Narratives: A Photovoice Exploration Of Black Maternal Nutrition In Tennessee, Carissa Bacon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the perceptions of facilitators, barriers, and feelings of empowerment related to achieving healthy nutrition outcomes among pregnant and postnatal African American women in Tennessee. Data in this study was gathered utilizing the qualitative Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach of photovoice and the Transdisciplinary Contextualized Resilience Framework (TCRF) to examine factors influencing nutrition across multiple levels. The study recruited 13 African American mothers who ages ranged from 24-35 years old and who lived in the Greater Knoxville, Tn area. The study utilized a survey to capture the participants’ demographic characteristics and employed a modified version of the …

Social Capital: The Link Between State Political Culture And Civic And Political Participation, Austin Marie Conner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Systemic racism inhibits African Americans’ civic and political participation, yet the scholarship on this topic is scarce and examines Black behavior as homogenous. This study utilizes Putnam’s social capital theory and Elazar’s state political culture typology to identify social and regional distinctions in African American civic and political behavior. Both social capital and state political culture have been linked to civic and political participation, however, not much is known about how these two constructs specifically influence African American civic and political behavior. Utilizing data from the 2016 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey, this study conducts five logistic regression models to examine …

Water Insecurity In K-12 Schools In The U.S.: Understanding State Laws, Drinking Water Violations, And Lived Experiences, Shannon O'Donnell Fitzgerald

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Access to safe, reliable drinking water is essential for children's health, development, and academic success. This study examines water insecurity in U.S. K-12 schools, focusing on state policies, county-level violations, associated outcomes, and school staff experiences.

Methods: This mixed-methods study utilized secondary data analysis, mapping, regression analyses, and primary data collection. Secondary data from state sources were used to examine the presence of state legislation and Department of Education and Department of Health policies on school drinking water across the United States, examine associations between state legislation and policies with county drinking water violations, and investigate relationships between water …

Perceived Use Of True-Self-As-Guide And Decision Satisfaction In Self-Control Conflicts, Madelyn Church

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

When encountering ambiguous situations, individuals may look to their ‘true self’ to help guide their behavior and decisions (see Rivera et al., 2019). Empirical research has demonstrated that the perception of using one’s “true-self-as-guide” is beneficial in eliciting more satisfaction in decisions (e.g., Kim et al., 2021). Self-control conflicts create a unique challenge involving two aspects derived from the self: impulse and self-control. True-self-as-guide may be beneficial in feeling satisfied when navigating these situations. Through two studies, I investigated the effect that perceived use of the true self may have on decision satisfaction under self-control conflicts. Study 1 (N = …

Temperamental Fear As A Vulnerability Factor For Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms: An Examination Of Fight, Flight, Freeze Using A Trauma Film Paradigm, Jaime P. Murtagh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fear is often the primary emotion associated with anxiety and stress-related disorders with research suggesting that the expression of fear varies greatly between individuals and has been hypothesized to be associated with differences in behavioral inhibition, personality, as well as temperament. One theory which has been used to conceptualize variations in temperament is the reinforcement sensitivity theory which consists of the behavioral inhibition system (BIS), behavioral approach system (BAS), and the fight, flight, freeze system (FFFS), with the latter being of particular interest in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Variations in FFFS sensitivity has been linked to variations in psychopathology with …

Do Storytelling And Survival Processing Have Additive Effects On Recall Performance?, Zoe Helena Fischer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Both survival processing and storytelling have been shown to enhance memory performance relative to control conditions. We examined the extent to which combining these two techniques improves participants’ memory abilities relative to comparable control conditions. In one experiment, participants (n = 100) were randomly assigned to write sentences using unrelated common nouns in a sentence creation control, storytelling, survival, or survival plus storytelling condition. Participants who were instructed to write a story about survival were predicted to remember more words on a subsequent free recall test than participants in the other conditions. Mechanistically, we predict that combining predominantly item-specific processing …