Digital Commons Network^™

High School Students’ Sense Of Belonging In Math, Marie Louise Stevenson

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

A student’s sense of belonging in math describes the extent to which a student feels that they are a member of their math community. It is important to study math sense of belonging because it is believed that when a student feels that they are a valued and respected part of their math community, they are more likely to exhibit higher participation and performance in their math class and take more math courses in high school and college. They also have an increased chance of pursuing a STEM career. In this study, we investigated the math sense of belonging of …

Evaluating School-Based Interventions And Programs In Treating Children Mental Health Disorders, Rozandra Yazmin Sanchez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: The implementation of mental health services such as school-based interventions and programs have been well established within schools. However, it is uncertain how effective school-based interventions and programs are in treating children who are diagnosed with a mental health disorder specifically for children who are younger than 11 years old as it has not been explored. Objective: This proposed quasi-experimental study aims to determine the effectiveness of school-based mental health intervention programs in supporting and treating children (ages 6 to 11) who are diagnosed with a mental health disorder by evaluating their symptoms. Method: The proposed study would collect …

Punk's Not Dead, You Are: Punk, Shock-Effects, & Self-Reflection, Fernando Martinez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In this thesis, I argue that punk can be anything, but dead. I honor punk as part of a wider avant-garde movement. In that spirit, I lay out a theoretical framework of shock-effects that I eventually employ as a lens for analyzing data. In “reviewing” the literature, I call attention to the mysteries that early scholarship revealed, how present-day scholars have turned these mysteries into practical approaches to living, and the importance of autoethnographic approaches to studying punk. To employ autoethnography, I generated data through personal memories of punk, self-observation and self-reflection of punk in my life, and considered what …

Hands On Archiving: Aid In Reorganizing The San Bernardino County Museum Archive Room And Archival Material, Ezequiel Vera

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This paper documents the process and details of the History Archives Inventory Project at the San Bernardino County Museum (SBCM). Most of the work of this project is done in-person and will include photographic evidence of the project, a written portion that will explain the process of the project, and secondary literature that will help explain the process of the project and its corresponding decision making. The History Archives Inventory Project is a multiple year-long project; this paper will be limited to my time working on the project while completing my Master of Arts in History at CSUSB. My time …

"Voces De Inspiración: Testimonios Of Mexican-American/Chicano/-Latino/A Educators Across The Pk20+ Higher Pipeline Pursuing Higher Education From San Bernardino". (A Qualitative Study), Juan C. Luna

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to explore the motivational and inspirational factors that contribute to the academic success of Mexican-American / Chicano/a-Latino/a in K-12 students, particularly those who are mentored and guided by educators within the PK20+ educational pipeline in San Bernardino. By documenting and analyzing the lived experiences and testimonios of these students, this research aims to serve as a source of inspiration for others facing similar challenges in their pursuit of a four-year degree.

As a Mexican-American researcher, my shared cultural background may establish a foundation of trust and rapport with participants, facilitating the collection of …

Law Enforcement Perspectives Towards Mental Health Crisis Interventions, Anna P. Silva

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Mental health crisis calls create significant challenges for law enforcement officers, who often serve as the first responders to individuals experiencing psychological distress. Research indicates that 50% of fatal encounters with law enforcement involve individuals with a mental health disorder (Fuller et al., 2015; Kindy & Elliott, 2015). Although the increasing prevalence of mental health- related calls, law enforcement officers frequently lack the specialized training and resources necessary to effectively de-escalate these situations (Cohen & Bagwell, 2023). As a result, interactions between police officers and individuals with mental illness tend to lead to criminalization, unnecessary incarceration, and even fatal outcomes. …

The Effects Of Police Brutality Upon Marginalized Communities: An Exploratory Study, Tera S. Person

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: A 2018 study revealed that members of the African American community and those from marginalized communities experience sadness, depression, anxiety and an overall decrease in mental health after the shooting or killing of an unarmed African American or Latino by a white police officer in their city or state (Bor et al., 2018). Experiencing, witnessing or hearing stories of others who have been victims of police brutality has contributed to increased levels of anxiety when anticipating an encounter with law enforcement or when needing assistance from law enforcement (Alang et al., 2017; Davis & Jackson, 2023). Studies have …

Diversity In Social Work Organizations, Andrea I. Corona

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research proposal explores social workers’ attitudes toward diversity within organizations. The goal is to measure individual perception, beliefs, and receptiveness to diversity. The ATD scale measures attitudes across different dimensions, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and cultural differences. Bachelor's of social work and Master’s of social work professionals working within an organization will answer the scale and results analyzed.

Diversity is the presence of a wide range of differences among people and groups. These characteristics can be visible or invisible and make individuals unique. Diversity also involves recognizing, valuing, and respecting those individual differences. Diversity fosters inclusive …

Mi Testimonio: The Beginning Of My Healing Journey, Maria A. Vega

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

My testimonio, presented as my dissertation, is a deep and personal reflection on my experiences as an immigrant and multilingual student. I share my story by trenzando—braiding—lived experiences, critical analysis, and relevant research on immigration and trauma, language and identity, and the links between multilingualism and academic success. Through deep reflection and analysis, I draw on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (1943), Giles and Johnson’s Ethnolinguistic Identity Theory (1981), and García’s (2009) translanguaging framework to explore the following questions:

1. How does the oppression of one’s linguistic and cultural practices affect identity development?
2. How does my story—my testimonio—empower the mother, …

The Impact Of Marijuana Use On Adolescent Youth, Heather J. Miller

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research investigates the impact of marijuana use on adolescent youth, focusing on its effects on school attendance, academic motivation, behavior, and conflicts with significant adults. As marijuana use becomes more prevalent among adolescents, understanding its broader consequences is critical for educators, parents, and policymakers. The purpose of this study was to explore how marijuana use correlates with academic performance, school behavior, and interactions with adults such as parents, caregivers, teachers, and law enforcement. A survey was administered to these adult figures in the adolescents' lives, gathering data on their perceptions of the youth’s marijuana use, school attendance, disciplinary issues, …

Sustainabilty Reporting And E-Waste Management In The Electronic Industry, Sai Prasad Pochampally

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The rapid expansion of the electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) industry has led to a critical surge in electronic waste (e-waste), which is currently growing at an annual rate of 4%. E-waste contains hazardous substances such as mercury, cadmium, and lead, which contribute significantly to environmental degradation and pose serious health risks—particularly in low- and middle-income countries where proper recycling infrastructure is lacking. In response, electronics manufacturers increasingly rely on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting frameworks to demonstrate transparency and accountability. However, a significant gap persists between what companies choose to report and what stakeholders—particularly consumers—expect to see.

This …

Descriptive Statistical Examination Of Mental Health Challenges Faced By International Students, Niharika Perkari

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The mental health and well-being of international students is an increasingly important concern for universities worldwide. International students often encounter unique challenges, including cultural transitions (Ward, Furnham, & Bochner, 2001; Furnham & Bochner, 1986), academic pressure (Yeh & Inose, 2003), financial constraints and social integration difficulties (Hendrickson, Rosen, & Aune, 2011; Sawir et al., 2008; Lee & Rice, 2007) which significantly impact their mental health. This study employs descriptive statistical methods to analyze the mental health challenges faced by international students aiming to identify trends, stressors, coping mechanisms and risk factors. Some datasets comprising survey responses from international students were …

A Pipeline To Prison Or A Pathway To Promise? The Inequities Fueling The School To Prison Pipeline, Ranishia Lachelle Bailey

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This systematic review proposal would investigate the school-to-prison pipeline and examine the role of pedagogical interventions in mitigating youth involvement in the justice system. By analyzing existing literature, this proposal would study and explore how school system biases, educational frameworks, and systemic factors contribute to the perpetuation of this pipeline, with a specific focus on how educational policies and disciplinary practices impact at-risk youth. The review aims to identify effective interventions that can disrupt this cycle, including restorative justice practices, trauma-informed education, positive behavioral interventions, and culturally responsive teaching. A comprehensive search strategy should be employed across various academic databases, …

Time Series Deep Learning Approach For The Intermittent Operational Performance Of A Wellhead Water Treatment And Desalination System, Michael G. Clement

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Distributed water treatment and desalination (DWTD) systems are becoming significant for serving disadvantaged communities that are geographically segregated from centralized water distribution networks. However, given the remote nature of the communities, these systems must operate autonomously adapting to intermittent operations due to varying water use patterns and unavailability of continuous manual labor support. Machine Learning models describing and forecasting system performance are critical, allowing for model-based control, performance forecasting, fault detection, and determination of causal relationships among process attributes. Accordingly, graph convolutional neural networks with an attention mechanism (GATConv) were developed to describe the intermittent operational profiles of a wellhead …

Examining The Relationship Between Social Capital And College Enrollment Among Latina Adult Learners: A Mixed-Methods Study, Josefina Balbuena

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Despite their potential, Latinas are often underrepresented in higher education, facing unique challenges and barriers. Objective: The study will investigate the role of social capital in the college enrollment decision of Latina adult learners. Methods: A convergent mixed-method approach will be used to examine how social networks and access to resources impact their choice to pursue higher education. To determine how social capital links to the possibility of enrolling in college, this study proposal will combine quantitative data from the Bridging Social Capital Questionnaire (BSCQ) with qualitative information from in-depth interviews. The interviews can highlight other elements that could …

Precarious Manhood: Masculinity Threats In Gay Men, Andrew S. Rivera

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Manhood is a precarious state that is both sought and easily undermined and demands continual validation from public perceptions. Previous research shows that threats to one's masculinity often coerces reactions of bravado, aggression, and sexual risk-taking behaviors in men in an attempt to reestablish their manhood. However, little empirical attention is paid to deviations of such reactions as a result of varying self-concepts of masculinity and femininity, such as in gay men. In the current study, I explored the different ways in which self-identified masculine and feminine gay men navigate the volatile state of manhood, particularly when confronted with masculinity …

Safety, Access To Resources, And Inclusion: A Mixed-Methods Study Of The Lgbtqia+ Community In The Inland Empire, Jessica Mary Fanene, Leonardo Serrano Jr.

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

LGBTQIA+ individuals face growing discrimination, exclusion, and systemic inequities that threaten well-being. Rising anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric exacerbates these challenges, contributing to anxiety, depression, and heightened suicide risks. This study explores LGBTQIA+ individuals’ sense of well-being by analyzing how external factors impact safety and inclusion. Using an exploratory, mixed-methods approach, this study surveyed members of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Inland Empire to determine perceptions on well-being (n = 219). Based on descriptive statistics, about one third of participants reported a below average to average sense of safety (35.6%), access to resources (32.0%), and inclusion (33.8%). Meanwhile, thematic analysis revealed that the …

Problematic Social Media Use And Its Effects On Adolescents’ Mental Health: A Longitudinal Study, Elaine Moreno

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU) has been associated to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and disruptions in identity development among adolescents, who are especially vulnerable to the effects of excessive digital engagement (Keles et al., 2019). Even though there is increasing evidence to support these conclusions, many of the studies that are currently available employ cross-sectional designs, which makes it more difficult to identify the causal links between PSMU and mental health outcomes (Keles et al., 2019). This disparity raises concerns regarding the long-term effects of persistent overuse of social media as well as the directionality of these effects. …

Micronutrient Deficiencies In Celiac Disease: Systematic Review, Natalie A. Martinez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune disease triggered by the ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals, leading to villous atrophy, nutrient malabsorption, and a range of systemic complications. Although adherence to a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) remains the only effective treatment, growing evidence suggests that the GFD alone may be insufficient in meeting the long-term nutritional and psychosocial needs of adults with CD. This systematic review evaluates the prevalence and persistence of micronutrient deficiencies—including iron, calcium, vitamin D, folate, vitamin B12, magnesium, and zinc—in adult CD populations following a GFD. It also examines the psychological burden associated with …

Explaining The Long-Term Mental Health Impacts Of Childhood Exposure To Domestic Violence: A Mixed-Methods Study, Sabrina A. Medel

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Domestic violence (DV) is a social phenomenon that occurs when an individual perpetuates violent and aggressive behavior toward their significant other in the form of financial, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. Adversely, children may be exposed to DV, which can result in lasting impacts on their mental health. Although scholars have previously explored this social phenomenon, their studies overlooked the experiences of diverse populations.

Objective: This research study aims to bridge this gap of knowledge by explaining the relationship between childhood exposure to DV and the long-term mental health impacts of BIPOC college students. Methods: This …

The Impact Of Adverse And Positive Childhood Experiences On Immigrants And Their Psychological Well-Being, Sofia Martinez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between immigration status, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), and psychological distress using a representative dataset from California (N=21,463). It investigates two primary research questions: (1) how immigration status influences ACE scores and (2) whether ACE and PCE scores are associated with psychological distress. Chi-square tests, logistic regression, and multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess these relationships. Findings indicate that non-citizens report significantly lower ACE scores, and lower levels of psychological distress compared to U.S.-born, supporting the "immigrant paradox"—where immigrants exhibit better mental health outcomes than their U.S.-born counterparts despite exposure to …

The Sense-Making Of Race, Gender, And Masculinity In College Men Of Color: A Critical Race-Grounded Theory Approach, Leon Phú Strayer

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Literature on Men of Color in college has highlighted the disparate retention, persistence, and graduation rates of college Men of Color when compared to their female counterparts or White male peers. As a contribution to the scholarly research on Men of Color, this qualitative critical race-grounded theory study explored this phenomenon and made further inquiry about the nuanced and unique lives of Men of Color attending a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI). This research involved nine Men of Color undergraduate students who attended an HSI in Southern California who collaborated and coconstructed knowledge during the study. The collaborators, or participants, contributed to …

The Multigenerational Impact Of Mass Incarceration On Families In Southern California, Adelle G. Phillips

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Mass incarceration has been a serious social issue in the United States, affecting directly and indirectly millions of individuals and families, particularly those with minority backgrounds. The generational impact of this social issue is significant. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of individuals on the multigenerational impact of mass incarceration on their families. Using convenience and snowball sampling techniques, this mixed-methods study surveyed residents of Southern California who have been affected by incarceration, either personally or through a family member (n = 63). Descriptive statistics demonstrate that the vast majority of the participants (92.1%) reported a moderate to very …

Aiding Foster Youth Toward High School Graduation, Desiree A. Amaya

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Research has displayed the differences between the number of students who are non-foster youth graduating high schools and the number of students who are foster youth graduating high schools. The foster youths’ numbers are low in comparison to those who are non-foster youth. Why? The research paper has gathered articles and references to determine common factors that prevent these students from graduating with their classmates and from being successful for the outside world. Through this research, it will go over the common factors that can impact a youth’s life, the supports that can aid towards the youths’ struggles, the sources …

Health And Community Resource Book, Gabriela Gonzalez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The High Desert Health and Resource Guide offers an in-dept exploration of the challenges and resources available to support the high desert communities, particularly to include cities of Apple Valley, Phelan and Victorville. These communities are composed of low-income households, and they face significant health disparities and food insecurity. Factors such as limited access to healthcare, mental health services, homeless shelters, and limited availability of health food choices. Additionally, many cities in the region are affected by food deserts, which further hinder resident’s ability to access nutritious, wholesome food. The resource guidebook highlights both the challenges and issues that …

Trade, Commerce, Ceremony In Association With The Kizh Village Of Lukuupagna Ca-Ora-162, Aurelia R. Torres Ms.

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The Kizh of Southern California were an influential part of the trade, commerce, and ceremonial networks in the region before the invasion of the Spanish colonists into their ancestral territory. Their ancestral territory consisted of what is today known as Santa Catalina, Santa Nicholas, Santa Clemente, Santa Barbara Island, Los Angeles County, northern Orange County, western San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. At time of Spanish contact, the Kizh people identified themselves as “Kizh”, the people of the willow houses”. After the Kizh were forced into the Spanish mission system, the Spanish renamed them the “Gabrieleño” connecting them to the …

Degradation Of Martian Glacier-Like Forms In Relation To The Observed Evolution Of Emmons Glacier On Mount Rainier, Wa, Jose E. Jimenez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study establishes parallels between the observed degradational evolution of debris-covered glaciers on Mount Rainier, WA and select glacier-like forms (GLFs) by studying the time-varying morphologies of the debris cover. Mount Rainier is home to 28 debris-covered valley glaciers, including Emmons Glacier which has a history of orthoimages taken from 1951 to 2023 and high-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) coverage of 2008, 2021 and 2022. We can observe the degradational evolution of Emmons Glacier through orthorectified black and white imagery collected from an airborne platform and the National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) colored satellite images periodically collected over the last …

Challenges The Sporting Industry Faced During Covid-19 On Fan Attendance: The Case Of The National Basketball Association, Marlon Long

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This culminating experience project investigates the challenges the sporting industry faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focused look at the National Basketball Association. The research questions are: (Q1) How did the NBA arena shutdowns impact fan attendance for each team during the COVID-19 pandemic? (Q2) What factors influenced NBA arena attendance before the COVID-19 shutdowns? (Q3) What factors influenced NBA arena attendance after the COVID-19 shutdown? The data collected includes all 30 NBA teams from 2019 through the 2024 seasons. The research questions were analyzed using multilinear regression analysis and comparison of attendance data over 6 seasons including the …

Awareness And Attitudes Toward Diabetes Among Students In The California State University System, Cesar Fajardo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background and Aims: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has been increasing globally. Studies examining patient awareness and attitudes toward diabetes have been conducted and found that diabetes education does increase patient knowledge but has no effect on attitudes. Additionally, many of these studies did not assess university students’ views on type 2 diabetes. Given that type 2 diabetes incidence is increasing among young adults, more attention must be given to this population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate CSUSB students' understanding and attitudes toward type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using electronic surveys with …

Assessing The Social And Structural Impediments That Preclude Black Males From Entering The Teaching Profession: Exploring The Effectiveness Of Project Impact, Kerry Neal

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The acute underrepresentation of Black male educators in the United States constitutes a persistent crisis in both education and social equity. Despite numerous efforts to diversify the teaching profession, Black men represent only 2% of the national teaching workforce—a figure that falls even lower in regions such as Southern California, where they comprise just 1.8% of teachers despite representing a significant share of the student population (California Department of Education, 2022). Empirical evidence consistently affirms the critical impact of Black male teachers on the academic achievement, identity development, and long-term success of Black students (Gershenson et al., 2018; Dee, 2020). …