Digital Commons Network^™

The Cost Of Care: Medical Bills, Mental Health, And The Protective Role Of Insurance Coverage Among U.S. Adults, Fahima Sultana

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This paper focuses on how medical bills and financial hardship are related to healthcare access in adults in the United States, based on the results of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). In particular, it examines the hypothesis that those with problems paying medical bills have a higher tendency to delay or ration medical care or health insurance cover offsets this effect. Logistic regression models were used to determine the relationship between financial hardship, delayed care, and psychological distress and demographic and socioeconomic variables including age, education, race, and poverty status. According to the results, it can be seen that …

Information Management / Bim Technology Deployment Plan, Robert Moore

Tools

This technology deployment plan sets out the practical steps required to implement and operationalise selected Information Management and BIM (BIM) technologies. It defines activities, responsibilities, sequencing, and dependencies to ensure systems are configured, tested, and adopted in a controlled and coordinated manner. The plan supports effective change management, training, and transition to business-as-usual use, reducing risk and disruption. Overall, it provides a clear, actionable framework for moving from technology selection to consistent, reliable use that supports standards-aligned Information Management / BIM delivery.

Information Management / Bim Adoption And Implementation Roadmap, Robert Moore

Tools

This roadmap sets out a clear, practical approach for organisations to adopt and implement Information Management and Building Information Modelling (IM/BIM) in line with ISO 19650 and the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF). It provides a phased pathway from early capacity to advanced capability, showing how organisations can progressively build skills, processes, and digital workflows while meeting the requirements of the Irish BIM mandate. The roadmap aligns organisational change with project-level delivery, emphasising the foundations of people, process, and technology, and the importance of collaboration, governance, and continuous improvement. Overall, it supports organisations in moving from basic information management to …

Suicidal Intentions Among Divorced Women In Wasit Province, Khitam Abbas Fadhel, Hassan Aii Ai-Sayed

Alustath Journal for Human and Social Sciences

The current research aims to: Identifying Suicidal Intentions Among Divorced Women Marriage is viewed as a social institution that includes a set of norms regulating the relationship between spouses. The strength of this structure relies on solid foundations such as proper selection and compatibility in social aspects. Marriage imposes on spouses a set of mutual obligations and rights ensuring the continuity of marital life and enabling the family to fulfill its basic functions Despite the psychological, health and social significance marriage, offers to individuals and society, the phenomenon of divorce has been increasingly prevalent in recent times across various communities …

Myth In The Poetry Of Hassan Abd Rady, Zahraa Mousa Jabbar Aayed, Iman Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Obaidi

Alustath Journal for Human and Social Sciences

This research reviews the topic of (Myth in the Poetry of Hassan Abd Rady), as the myth received the attention of contemporary poets as an important source that enriches their poetic texts and deepens their connotations. The poet Hassan Abd Rady invoked myth in all its forms to enrich his poetic texts because of the suggestive connotations it carries. The research included the following: the introduction and the preface, in which the myth was defined linguistically, terminologically, and its types. The research was divided into the number of myths employed by Abd Radi, including: Greek myth, Babylonian myth, Greek myth, …

What’S In A Group: A Social Science Inquiry, Maria Caridad H. Tarroja

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

No abstract provided.

Investigating Community Attachment, Quality Of Life, And Community Citizenship Behavior Toward Rural Tourism Development In Thailand, Supaporn Prasongthan, Pimonphat Rodtook, Jariya Supun, Rabhas Silpsrikul

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

In rural tourism destinations, residents serve as representatives of the area, and their involvement in tourism and discretionary behavior contributes to the destination’s success. The objectives of this study were to explore the community citizenship behavior (CCB) model and to examine the relationship among residents’ attachment, quality of life (QOL), and five dimensions of CCB, including involving, keeping interpersonal harmony, protecting, helping, and recommending behavior, across two stages of rural tourism destinations in Thailand. A multivariate quantitative research method was employed. A total of 1,052 samples were retrieved from residents living in 10 selective rural tourism destinations, with 526 respondents …

The Economics Of Homelessness: A Quantitative Study On Homeless Willingness To Pay For Affordable Housing In Thailand, Peera Tangtammaruk, Nattapon Siwareepan, Jennifer Chavanovanich, Nartsupon Dumchuen, Thanee Chaiwat, Mattana Wongsirikajorn

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

This study investigates the willingness to pay (WTP) for housing among homeless individuals in Thailand, using the contingent valuation method (CVM) and a structured choice experiment model. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 90 homeless individuals from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Khon Kaen. The study aims to understand the economic value that homeless individuals are willing to pay for various types of homelessness-related housing, as well as the factors influencing their WTP. The findings reveal that while most homeless individuals express a preference for affordable rental housing, their financial capacity remains limited due to low and unstable incomes. The …

From Cultural Enthusiasm To Academic Institutionalization: The Rise And Limitations Of Korean Studies In Taiwan’S Higher Education, Bumsig Ha, Hsien-Ming Lin

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

This study explores the institutionalization, development, and ongoing challenges of regional studies in Taiwan’s higher education system, with a specific focus on Korean Studies. It examines how Taiwan’s growing interest in South Korea, shaped by historical, political, and cultural ties as well as the widespread influence of Korean popular culture, has stimulated the expansion of Korean language learning and academic engagement. Through a comprehensive analysis of Korean Studies programs across Taiwanese universities, the study identifies a clear rise in student enrollment and curricular diversification, with course offerings now extending beyond language instruction to encompass interdisciplinary topics such as Korean politics, …

Basic Effectiveness Of Group Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (Gmbct) In The University Setting, John Robert C. Rilveria, Nisseth Clarize S. Carido, April Veronica G. Lansangan, Alaya Gabrielle N. Villaflor, Anna Cristina A. Tuazon, Divine Love A. Salvador, Violeta V. Bautista

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped daily life and amplified mental health challenges worldwide, with university students identified as a particularly vulnerable group. To address this need, the present study evaluated the effectiveness of group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (GMBCT) as an evidence-based intervention for students receiving psychosocial services during the pandemic. Using a pretest–posttest design, data from 34 students randomly assigned to either GMBCT or individual treatment-as-usual (TAU) provided by a university-based clinic were analyzed. To evaluate treatment effects, an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted to compare post-treatment outcomes between the two groups while controlling for pre-treatment scores, treatment length, …

Exploring Societal Development: The Impact Of Social Innovation And Social Entrepreneurship - A Critical Review, Sneh Prabha, Satyaki Sarkar, Supriyo Roy

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

In recent years, the emergence of social innovations and social entrepreneurship has dramatically influenced societal development. This paper explores the impact of synergizing social innovations and social entrepreneurship on various aspects of society, from economic policy to community resilience and societal development. Through a multidisciplinary lens, the research seeks an extensive review of social innovation and provides new solutions to entrenched social issues, whereas social entrepreneurship transforms these innovations into scalable initiatives that create meaningful change in society. While keeping traditional factors in mind, we explore the role of technology in developing new ways of working, the importance of collaboration …

Isomorphism And Network Governance:A Reflection Of The Thai Elderly Quality Of Life Development And Career Promotion Centers, Ratchaphon Amsuk, Piyamart Tupmongkol, Phengkamon Marnarath, Siriprapa Promma

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

This study aims to examine isomorphism, network governance, and the spectrum of participation, as classified by the International Association of Public Participation, in the management of the elderly quality of life development and career promotion centers (EQCCs). This study applied the concepts of isomorphism from institutional theory, network governance, and spectrum of participation as defined by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), as the instruments for analysis. The findings revealed that EQCCs’ isomorphism emerged before and after the establishment. The three isomorphism mechanisms—coercive, mimetic, and normative—affected the isomorphism of the EQCCs, leading to organization homogenization. However, the management of …

The Dynamics Of The G77, G7, G20, And Brics: Insights And Actions For Enhancing Asean’S Role In Global Economic Governance, Long Yang, Ploypailin Kijkasiwat

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

In recent decades, the Global North and South have established a number of global economic governance (GEG) clubs, including the Group of 77 (G77), Group of 7 (G7), Group of 20 (G20), and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Group, to influence the global economic order. Many sovereign countries and intergovernmental organizations have assumed influential roles in the GEG system by joining these governance platforms as full members. Recognizing ASEAN’s traditionally limited role in the global economic governance system, the authors suggest that ASEAN nations should strengthen their relationships with some of these governance clubs. This article discusses …

Mainstreaming Kautilya In Realism’S Intellectual Tradition: A Top-Down Approach For Global International Relations, Don Mclain Gill

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

Students of realism often find themselves limited in their appreciation of the paradigm’s dynamic characteristics due to the dominance of mainstream literature, which primarily presents the ideas and views of thinkers from just one part of the world. Although there is nothing wrong with promoting distinguished thinkers from the West whose ideas resonate strongly with contemporary realist analysis, this article seeks to broaden the conversation within realism through the lens of Global International Relations. Although non-Western scholars have recently endeavored to present novel variants of realism that reflected important experiences of the developing world, these bottom-up contributions have often faced …

The Jurisprudential Opinions Of Al-Sabzwari In His Book Muhadhdhab Al-Ahkam The Issue Of Resting In Prayer As An Example (A Comparative Study) Research Extracted From A Doctoral Thesis, Narges Mahdi Saghir Mohsen, Aqeel Razzaq Noaman

Alustath Journal for Human and Social Sciences

Sayyed Abd al-A’la al-Sabuzari is considered one of the leading contemporary Imami jurists, and his book Muhadhdhab al-Ahkam is one of the most prominent books of contemporary Imami jurisprudence. In these research papers, we have intended to study the issue of resting in prayer according to Sayyid al-Sabzwari as a comparative study, and the most prominent results that this study has yielded are that scholars They differed on this issue into four opinions, and it has been proven that the most correct opinion is what was preferred by Mr. Al-Sabzwari, which is the opinion of those who hold the first …

Leveraging Social Capital For Value Creation In Public Procurement: The Role Of Strategic Purchasing Integration, Iryna Malacina, Jad El Bizri, Frederik G. S. Vos, Elina Karttunen, Aki Jaaskelainen

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose Although the integration of the purchasing function within strategic decision-making has been extensively studied in the context of the private sector, its significance for the effective functioning of public procurement (PP) remains underexplored. Effective PP is critical for suppliers, users of public services and society at large. This study investigates how the strategic integration of PP influences operational, environmental and innovative value creation by developing social capital in buyer–supplier relationships. Design/methodology/approach This study empirically examined how strategic purchasing integration contributes to the development of social capital in buyer–supplier relationships, which in turn affects value creation. It utilizes survey data …

Enhancing Exercise Engagement And Gait In Parkinson Disease: Participation Factors, Novel Approaches, And The Role Of Rhythmic Auditory Cueing, Allison Haussler

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, characterized by gait and balance impairments that reduce independence and diminish quality of life. Exercise and other rehabilitation strategies, such as rhythmic auditory cueing, are well-researched methods to address motor impairments. However, despite the strong body of research supporting these approaches, many individuals with PD remain sedentary and do not meet current exercise recommendations. This highlights a critical gap between evidence and real-world behavior.

While prior research identified general motivators and barriers to exercise in people with PD, emerging exercise modalities and the growing diversity of community-based programs emphasize the …

Shallow Groundwater Extraction Strategies In The Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, Teryl Stacey

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Las Vegas Valley faces severe water scarcity due to Nevada’s limited Colorado River allocation and an arid climate. Population growth and prolonged drought have intensified these constraints, necessitating alternative resource strategies. This project evaluated a strategy to make use of brackish, shallow groundwater (from the top 30 feet below ground surface) located in the central and east-central parts of the valley. Its objective was to extract lower quality shallow groundwater for use as an alternative to fresh water currently being used for some applications that require little to no treatment. Dust suppression is among the most promising of such …

Beyond Additive Risk: Longitudinal Associations Between Discrimination And Positive Affect Development Among Adolescents With Single And Multiple Marginalized Identities, Vanni Jefferson V. Arcaina

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Adolescents with marginalized identities often face chronic exposure to discrimination, a social stressor linked to a range of negative mental health outcomes. While much of the existing literature focuses on internalizing symptoms, fewer studies have explored how discrimination may disrupt the development of positive affect (POA), which is a core dimension of emotional well-being linked to resilience, identity formation, and long-term health. The present study examined how overall, race/ethnicity-based, and sexual minority (SM)-based discrimination affects longitudinal patterns of POA among adolescents with single or multiple marginalized identities. Drawing on four waves of data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, …

Unseen, Unbroken: Black Women In Educational Leadership Overcoming Inequities, Microaggressions, And Invisibility, Inspiring Perseverance And Resilience In Future Black Women Leaders, Angella Baldwin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study explored the challenges that Black women face when pursuing leadership roles in K–12 education, specifically in middle schools. Despite being prepared and eager to lead, Black women are often overlooked and made to feel invisible. Still, we persevere, navigating barriers with determination, faith, and purpose, and continue to support those who follow. Guided by Black Feminist Thought, Endarkened Feminism, and Structural Intersectionality, this study centers Black women’s lived experiences as valid sources of knowledge. It highlights how leadership is shaped by overlapping systems of oppression and resistance, and how it is sustained by prayer, faith in God, and …

Mapping Climatic And Environmental Determinants Of Parasitic Helminth Prevalence In Southeast Asia, Angelica Avisado

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Climate change is reshaping environmental conditions across Southeast Asia (SEA) through rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased droughts. These changes alter transmission dynamics of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by shifting spatial distribution, increasing larval development rates, faster pathogen growth development, and increasing transmission rates. NTDs are a group of preventable and treatable infections that disproportionately affect more than 1 billion people globally, specifically in tropical and subtropical regions. A subgroup of NTDs, parasitic helminth infections (PHIs) - particularly schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and lymphatic filariasis remains a public health concern in the Southeast Asian region. PHIs and their ecological responses …

Comparative Study Of Vocal Pedagogy Systems In South Korea And The United States: Developmental Strategies For Classical Voice Education In South Korea, Dongmin Byeon

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation presents a comparative study of vocal pedagogy systems in South Korea and the United States, with the aim of identifying deficiencies in Korean higher education and proposing strategies for reform. While South Korean university voice programs are deeply rooted in the traditional master–apprentice model and rely heavily on anecdotal teaching methods, U.S. institutions have developed structured, evidence-based pedagogical frameworks informed by anatomy, physiology, acoustics, and voice science. This research explores the historical evolution of vocal pedagogy in both countries, highlighting how traditional practices in Korea, though culturally significant, have not sufficiently adapted to contemporary scientific standards.

Employing qualitative …

The Maroons: The First Black Nationalists Of The Americas, Marquise K. Camp

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Maroon communities are seldom discussed in academic discussions about Black nationalism. This suggests that the goals and achievements of the Maroons differed from those of Black nationalists, and that there are no significant historical links between the two. This project argues that Black nationalists and the Maroons are closely related, not only because of their shared roots in the African diaspora but also because they both sought independence and self-governance for Black people. The aims of Black nationalists like Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X closely resemble those of the Maroons. By examining the Maroons alongside Black nationalism, one can gain …

Creando Conexiones Verdaderas?: Examining Latinx Families’ Lived Experiences With Family-School Partnerships, Jacqueline M. Eddy

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Family-school partnerships are essential for a child’s academic and social-emotional well-being in schools. These partnerships thrive when families and school personnel cultivate trusting, communicative, and cooperative relationships. However, families from minoritized communities, such as those from Latinx backgrounds, may encounter challenges that prevent them from forming strong, meaningful relationships with teachers and administrators. This qualitative dissertation study was grounded in a social constructivist paradigm and a phenomenological tradition. The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of Latinx families as they navigate relational aspects of family-school partnerships in their children’s schools. Using semi-structured interviews, four participants were …

Towards Spatial Inversion Of Aerial Gamma-Ray Survey Data For Measurement Of Naturally Occurring Radioactivity, Daniel A. Haber

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Aerial gamma-ray surveying (AGRS) is used in geologic and environmental contexts to provide data on the surface spatial distribution of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) or other gamma-ray-emitting isotopes. The standard data reduction workflow for AGRS data involves a process whereby pointwise gamma-ray spectral data are denoised, corrected for numerous sources of background radiation and aircraft height, and are finally converted to physical values by empirical conversion factors. The reduced pointwise data are then typically spatially interpolated to form a continuous surface map.

This dissertation introduces and explores a novel spatial inversion method for reduced AGRS data that considers aircraft …

A Case Study Of The Implementation Of Nevada’S Program To Reduce Recidivism Of The State’S Female Prison Population, Lisa C. Levine

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Success in public administration is often defined by long-term goals that demonstrate how effective a program or policy is. These long-term goals can take years to measure leading to investment doubts, shifting stakeholder goals, and the sunsetting of programs. There is a need to better understand how short-term and intermediate outcomes of a program can be used to measure success and the role goal orientation of stakeholders play in the implementation. Prison education programming exemplifies this problem as reducing recidivism, a leading goal for these types of programs, take a lifetime to prove. This study examines a female prison education …

Geometric And Proximity Based Substrate Targeting By Cullin-Ring Ligases, Jerry Li

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Homeostasis, the process of maintaining stable biochemical and biophysical conditions, is a fundamental facet of cellular viability. Biochemical homeostasis is critical to support the biological functions that sustain living organisms. Protein ubiquitylation is one of the primary cellular pathways that regulate protein homeostasis and turnover. Ubiquitylation is initiated through the conjugation of a small globular protein known as ubiquitin, onto a given substrate. There exists a myriad of cellular fates that ubiquitylated proteins may undergo, but the most widely studied pathway is protein degradation, whereby a ubiquitylated protein substrate is shunted to a large macromolecular protease known as the proteasome, …

Gaming: An Untapped Resource For Women In Computer Science Careers?, Claudia Quynh Luu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This research focused on women who identify as gamers (i.e., an individual who regularly plays video games) with the goal of better understanding how being a gamer might help or hinder women’s interest in computer science careers. In particular, I examined the connection between interest in computer science careers, gaming, sexual harassment experiences, coping strategies, and allyship for women in gaming using a mixed-methods approach. The sample (N = 166) included women identifying as previous or current gamers. Participants were recruited from a psychology participant pool and gaming communities on Discord. We conducted a series of analyses to examine whether …

Preparing Aspiring School Administrators For Data-Informed Decision-Making, Brandi March

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

School leaders significantly impact student outcomes based on their ability to influence school culture, climate, and student engagement. They are essential for driving school achievement and instructional improvement. As educational policies increasingly emphasize data usage, leaders must utilize various data sources in a problem-solving process known as datainformed decision-making (DIDM) to effectively guide their school improvement plans. Using DIDM effectively can enhance instruction and student achievement when school administrators and teachers have access to quality training that builds a strong foundation in data literacy skills. It is critical for administrators to provide high-quality professional development for teachers on DIDM to …

A Mixed Methods Study Of Teacher Job Satisfaction And Principal Support In Private Jewish Day Schools Through The Lens Of Self-Determination Theory, Abigail E. Moyal

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This mixed methods study investigated how principal support influences teacher job satisfaction in private Jewish day schools through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). SDT asserts that motivation and well-being depend on the fulfillment of three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Using an explanatory sequential design, quantitative data were first collected from 68 teachers across five Jewish day schools in the Southwestern United States using the Teaching and Learning Survey (TALIS) Teacher Job Satisfaction Scale (TJSS) and the Principal Support Scale (PSS). Results showed moderate to high satisfaction levels and a strong positive correlation between principal support and …