Digital Commons Network^™

Supporting Reentry: An Occupation-Based Approach, Savannah B. Ullyott

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Individuals transitioning back into the community following incarceration need holistic care to support a successful reintegration process (National Institute of Justice [NIJ], 2023). There are a variety of supports and barriers to successful reintegration that should be considered when guiding programming for this population, as these individuals often face many challenges when transitioning back into the community (Galletta et al., 2021). Specific supports facilitating successful transitions back into the community includes those of basic or daily needs, often related to housing, employment, transportation, social supports, food security, and access to mental and physical health services (Galletta et al., 2021; …

Occupational Wellness For Mother & Baby: Education For Young Mothers In Rural North Dakota, Kaelyn Talley

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this project was for an occupational therapy doctoral student to collaborate with the staff of a maternity home in rural North Dakota. The goal of this collaboration was to provide the residents of the maternity home with education on safety and caring for their child as well as information regarding pregnancy, postpartum, and bonding with their child. This will help to support the mother in her newfound role as well as the child in their various occupations as an infant. Women face many barriers in pregnancy that may lead to them being in maternity homes. The …

Mitigating The Effects Of Technology Use In The Classroom: An Occupational Therapy Approach, Hannah E. Ibach

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: The average child spends three times the recommended time on technology, which is leading to a wide range of consequences affecting education, such as fine motor, cognitive, and social deficits (Christensen, 2021; McGough, 2021; Qi et al., 2023). Parents and teachers play a crucial role in helping children be prepared for their education, yet many are not aware of the impacts of too much technology use (Srivastava, 2022). Developing strong foundational skills early in childhood is critical for setting the stage for long-term educational success. When skills are nurtured from a young age, children are better prepared to adapt …

Supporting Occupational Competence Among American Indian/ Alaska Native Students, Adam Nadeau

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) students face significant systemic barriers in higher education, resulting in the lowest enrollment and graduation rates of any student cohort (Dabdoub et al., 2025; McMillan et al., 2025). Challenges such as cultural discontinuity and a lack of supportive “counterspaces” often led to occupational alienation and deprivation (Buckingham et al., 2023; Fetter et al., 2024; McMillan et al., 2025; Reitz & Graham, 2019). There is a critical need for culturally grounded interventions that address the unique needs of these students to foster a sense of belonging (Delgado-Guerrero & Gloria, 2025; Kuchynka et al., 2025). …

Early Occupational Therapy Services: Addressing Health Disparities Following Discharge From The Nicu, Ellie Maree Schumacher

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background and Purpose: One out of ten infants born in the United States are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU); a status that has been directly linked to ongoing infant health disparities and disabilities, requiring continued support and education following discharge (Griffith et al., 2022; National Center for Health Statistics, 2025). NICU graduates and their families work with occupational therapy to address or prevent developmental delays and ensure well-being (Craig, 2018; Riley & de Sam Lazaro 2021).

Methodology: A literature review was conducted to determine the needs of the population and context and include NICU admissions, family needs, …

The Role Of Ot In Enhancing Mental Health Outcomes For Primary Care Patients, Amorelle Upton

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose. Primary care settings often serve as the first point of contact for individuals experiencing mental health concerns. However, occupation-based and function-focused interventions remain underutilized in these settings. The purpose of this Doctoral Experiential Capstone (DEC) was to implement an Occupational Therapy Mental Health Toolkit designed to support holistic and integrative mental health care in primary care settings.

Methods. This project was guided by the ecology of human performance (EHP) model. Methods included a literature synthesis, development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and structured learning objectives, contextual needs assessment through stakeholder collaboration and site observation, and a product design, …

Gamifying Occupational Therapy Education: Enhancing Student Engagement And Outcomes, Payton Alise Baumann

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Occupational therapy students face high rates of burnout and attrition during graduate education due to mental health challenges, reliance on passive learning strategies, and non-learner-centered curricula. These barriers limit active learning and reduce practical readiness for independent practice. Gamification has been shown to enhance engagement and application of knowledge; however, its adoption is limited by time constraints, attitudinal barriers, and lack of implementation guidance.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop practical, evidence-based faculty training resources and gamified learning activities to incorporate gamification into occupational therapy curricula for the promotion of student well-being, engagement, and professional readiness. …

The Effect Of Sensory Processing And Integration On Engagement In Occupations For Children With Sensory Processing Disorders, Ashley Schindele

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition where the person is unable to process and respond to sensory information (Guardado & Sergeant, 2023). Children who are lacking sensory integration skills may have more behavior problems due to their inability to regulate their responses (Guardado & Sergeant, 2023; Pfeiffer et al., 2013). Children with SPD may have abnormal sensitivities in any or all the sensory systems which may cause the child to not participate in their occupations (Guardado & Sergeant, 2023; Parham & Mailloux, 2020).

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to provide parents/caregivers a handout that thoroughly …

Holistic Occupational Therapy Approach In Addressing Women’S Health Needs & Access To Care, Lilja Jurva

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: As women across the lifespan experience complex physical, emotional, and occupational challenges related to maternal transitions, mental health needs, chronic conditions, and rural healthcare disparities, occupational therapy is uniquely equipped to address the complex challenges. Services have been proven to be directly correlated to lower incidence of preterm birth, cesarean delivery, low birth weight, excessive gestational weight gain, diabetes mellitus, and hypersensitive disorders, and higher incidence of vaginal delivery. A clear gap for maternal support services was identified in the Grand Forks community through literature review, interviews, and community engagement, leading to the development of NoDak Therapy and Wellness. …

The Missing Link: Psychosocial Integration In Neuro Ot Care, Emily Nelson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Over 1 in 3 people are affected by neurological conditions, making it the leading cause of illness and disability worldwide (World Health Organization, 2024). Patients are often referred to inpatient rehabilitation to increase independence and functional recovery. There is a need to address psychosocial factors within this setting thus, The Missing Link: Integrating Psychosocial Factors into Neuro OT was created.

Methodology : The capstone is guided by the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), which emphasizes the dynamic interaction between the person and their environment and its influence on psychosocial factors, personal identity, and competence. A comprehensive needs review was …

Harvesting Health: Cultivating Skills For Wellness In Agricultural Workers, Katie Renee Quinley

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The nature of agricultural work is physically demanding and associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury due to repetitive movements, heavy lifting, awkward postures, and prolonged physical labor. Despite the importance of agriculture as a meaningful occupation and major contributor to the workforce, limited resources address the unique physical demands of agricultural labor. The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a video-based educational resource to promote safety and continued occupational participation in agricultural workers. Additionally, the project aims to assist therapy professionals in implementing ergonomic and task modifications through an accompanying resource guide.

Methodology: A literature …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Prevention Of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (Suid), Natalie Ryan Mcfarren

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Each year, 3,700 infants die from SUID; this equates to about ten infants per day. SUID is an umbrella term that covers three separate subcategories: suffocation and strangulation in bed, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and unknown (Cribs for Kids, 2026). Suffocation and strangulation in bed is the only subcategory that is 100% preventable with safe sleep practices, while the risk of SIDS can be decreased by adhering to safe sleep guidelines. While the prevalence of SUID has decreased since the 1992 Back to Sleep campaign, current data indicate a plateau, if not a slight increase, in SUID cases …

From Play To Pressure: Understanding Early Sports Specialization Through An Occupational Lens, Kiley Jade Washnieski

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Youth sport participation plays a significant role in the daily lives of children ages 6-12 (Lee et al., 2018). Participation in organized sports can offer numerous benefits; however, the expectations surrounding youth sports have evolved over time. Increased emphasis on early specialization has intensified training demands and performance pressures placed on youth athletes during critical developmental years (Brenner et al., 2019). Although occupational therapy is well positioned to address both the physical and psychosocial demands of youth sport participation, the profession’s role within this context remains underexplored (Bulan et al., 2025).

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was …

Empowering Caregivers: An Occupational Therapy-Informed Educational Program For Dementia Care In Rural Communities, Maria Lynn Johnson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Hospitalization presents significant risks for individuals with dementia, including increased behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD), delirium, functional decline, and reduced occupational engagement (Boltz et al., 2023; Teichmann et al., 2019; Zwingmann et al., 2020). Acute care environments are often overstimulating, unfamiliar, and task-oriented, which can exacerbate cognitive impairment and contribute to caregiver distress. Despite strong evidence supporting nonpharmacological, occupation-based interventions, structured engagement opportunities are rarely integrated into acute care workflows (Burgdorf et al., 2023; Faeder et al., 2023). This doctoral capstone project aimed to develop occupation-based dementia activities for use during hospitalization while equipping formal and informal caregivers with …

Quality Of Life Of Individuals Residing In Senior Living Facilities, Meagan R. Danda

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Formal caregivers play an essential role in supporting residents’ physical, emotional, and social needs which contribute to overall health and well-being (Spilsbury et al., 2024). Due to these responsibilities, caregivers need to be properly equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform clinical duties with confidence. The purpose of this scholarly project is to develop a product that increases caregiver confidence by providing caregivers with occupational therapy informed education. By enhancing caregivers’ knowledge and skill set, this product may contribute to a supportive environment that fosters resident engagement in meaningful occupations and promotes improved quality of life (QoL) …

Cultivating Connections: Empowering Agricultural Community Members Through Collaborative Care, Kearyn E. Nelsen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Agriculture and mental health – two words not typically used in the same sentence; however, considering the rate of suicide among those working in the agriculture profession is significantly higher than the general population, the need for both awareness and action is critically important. Despite a lack of research specific to occupational therapy and the agricultural population, occupational therapists on an interprofessional healthcare team are uniquely positioned to serve this population. Interprofessional collaboration is essential when serving agricultural community members, whose needs involve a complexity of physical, mental, social, and environmental factors, each impacting the overall health and well-being …

Pathways To Participation: Enhancing Inclusion For Individuals With Idd, Katie Koxlien

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) continue to experience barriers to meaningful community participation despite policies promoting inclusive community-based services (Friedman, 2017). Sensory sensitivities, difficulty with transitions, and overstimulating environments frequently limit engagement and increase anxiety or behavioral responses when appropriate supports are not present (Bagatell et al., 2022; Dean et al., 2018; Tint et al., 2017). Research indicates that inclusion requires intentional programming that incorporates structured supports, consistent routines, and opportunities for meaningful engagement (Edwards et al., 2021; Hall, 2016).

Methods: The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a week long sensory exploration camp for …

Optimizing Healthy Aging: A Preventative Approach To Support Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Jada Welke

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Healthy aging is a complex and multidimensional process influenced by physical, cognitive, psychosocial, environmental, and lifestyle factors across the lifespan. Increasing evidence from researchers suggests that many health care systems continue to rely on reactive models that address decline only after functional limitations emerge. Preventive interventions initiated in midlife have the potential to significantly influence long-term health outcomes, independence, well-being, and quality of life. As a result, there is growing recognition that multidimensional, proactive screening and intervention should begin earlier, before age-related conditions become clinically significant.

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to address this need through …

Introduction Of Occupational Therapy Into A Suburban Supportive Housing Organization, Madeline Kuntz

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Abstract: Unhoused individuals experience compounded barriers beyond housing access and are often underserved within occupational therapy practice. This doctoral capstone project partnered with a nonprofit residential program to develop a research-informed onboarding manual grounded in the holistic occupational therapy framework, Model of Human Occupation (MOHO, O’Brien, 2017). The manual was designed to clarify expectations of the supportive housing program, address diverse resident needs, and promote independence as the organization expands. Development was informed by a comprehensive literature review and informal needs assessment of the organization, identifying anticipatory barriers and supports commonly experienced prior to program entry. Key areas of need …

Expanding Access To Hand Therapy In Rural Wyoming Through Telehealth, Cheyenne Rose Thompson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Individuals living in rural Wyoming experience significant barriers to accessing specialized hand therapy services, including geographic isolation, limited availability of certified hand therapists, and inconsistent healthcare infrastructure, resulting in delayed rehabilitation and reduced functional outcomes (Hirth et al., 2022; Rural Health Information Hub, 2025). Although telehealth has emerged as a potential solution to improve access, challenges related to clinician training, safety, and adaptation of interventions to virtual environments persist (Feldhacker et al., 2022; Morris, 2024). The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop an evidence-based telehealth hand therapy program to improve access to upper extremity rehabilitation services in rural …

The Lens Of Farmers: Understanding Culture To Improve Occupational Therapy Care, Allison Marie Stephani

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Accessible healthcare is essential for farmers due to their limited available time and hazardous job duties (Hildebrand et al., 2019; Hopkins et al., 2023; Salmon et al., 2025; U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2023). Due to the high incidence of injuries that occur within the profession, it is crucial that farmers seek appropriate healthcare services to address these concerns. However, a significant barrier for seeking healthcare assistance is the limited cultural competence among healthcare professionals in understanding the unique needs within farming communities (Gordon et al., 2024; Hildebrand et al., 2019; Hopkins et al., 2023; Purc-Stephenson et al., 2024). The …

A Firm’S Operational Risk: Data Set And Empirical Evidence, Vivek Astvansh, Joseph J. Simpson

International Business and Entrepreneurship Faculty Publications

Problem definition: A firm’s stakeholders would benefit from a quantitative measure of the managerial disclosure of its operational risk and the implications of this disclosure. However, a quantitative and scalable measure of a firm’s disclosed operational risk is unavailable. Thus, the firm’s stakeholders remain unaware of its disclosed operational risk and the risk’s implications. Methodology/results: U.S. law requires a public firm to textually disclose its operational and nonoperational risks in Item 1A of its annual report (i.e., Form 10-K). We train 64 transformer models on U.S. public firms’ Item 1A text to score 131,920 firm-years (16,959 firms, 2005 to 2024) …

Making Words Count: Computational Linguistics In Management Research, Joseph J. Simpson, Richard A. Hunt, David M. Townsend, Judy Rady, Elham Asgari, Mohammad Rady, Daniel J. Beal

International Business and Entrepreneurship Faculty Publications

In recent years, a rapidly growing number of management scholars are using computational linguistics (CL) to analyze vast corpora of naturally occurring organizational language. Yet the rapid adoption of CL methods has outpaced the development of shared standards for linking theoretical constructs, linguistic data, and computational measurement. We synthesize 353 articles published in leading management journals for 2013–2025, identifying four recurring challenges shaping the credibility of CL-based research: misalignment between constructs and textual corpora, unnecessary model complexity, the opacity of large language model workflows, and insufficient transparency in reporting. Building on these patterns, we develop four integrative design principles—construct-language fit, …

(2026) Maughn Rollins Gregory Curriculum Vitae (Short Version), Maughn Rollins Gregory

Collected Papers of Maughn Rollins Gregory

No abstract provided.

(2026) Three Traditions Of Philosophical Dialogue, Maughn Rollins Gregory

Collected Papers of Maughn Rollins Gregory

This chapter distinguishes and interrelates three major traditions of philosophical dialogue: inquiry, political, and contemplative. Inquiry dialogue, exemplified by the “community of philosophical inquiry,” emphasizes collaborative reasoning aimed at forming the most reasonable judgments about contested concepts. Political dialogue, exemplified by the story circle, shifts the focus toward democratic transformation, highlighting how discourse is shaped by power, ideology, and the need for emancipatory critique and action. Contemplative dialogue, exemplified by lectio divina, foregrounds self-awareness, ethical disposition, and attentive presence as conditions for meaningful exchange. Across these traditions, dialogue is presented as a normative practice that simultaneously cultivates the self and …

The Effects Of Stress-Related Hormones On Excitatory Synapse Formation, Autumn C. Garvey

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Stress profoundly influences brain function through neuromodulatory hormones that regulate synaptic plasticity, yet how temporal patterns of hormone exposure shape excitatory synapse formation remains poorly understood. This study investigates how exposure to stress hormones, norepinephrine and cortisol, affects excitatory synapse development. While existing research primarily compares concentration models, real-world stress occurs in variable patterns that may produce distinct neural outcomes. To address this gap, differentiated Neuro2A neuronal cells are exposed to norepinephrine or cortisol under a continuous treatment paradigm designed to model chronic stress conditions. Following treatment, immunofluorescence imaging is utilized to quantify excitatory synapse formation through analysis of presynaptic …

Beyond Amateurism: The Evolving Role Of Sports Agents In The Nil Era, Madison Taylor

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Neighborhood Deprivation Associated With Impaired Sit-To-Stand Performance In Middle-Aged And Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis With Clinical Implications, Kenneth Harrison, Silvia Campos-Vargas, Brandon M. Peoples, Keven G. Santamaria-Guzman, David T. Redden, Michael A. Samaan, Jaimie A. Roper

Kinesiology and Health Promotion Faculty Publications

Background: Socioeconomic factors significantly influence health outcomes in older adults, yet their impact on specific aspects of mobility remains unclear. This study investigates the relationship between area-level socioeconomic disadvantage and mobility health in older adults.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 110 community-dwelling older adults recruited and collected using voluntary response sampling at eight health fairs across rural Southeast Alabama in 2022–2024 (60 ± 16 years, 80% female). Area-level socioeconomic status was measured using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a validated composite measure of neighborhood disadvantage. Mobility was assessed using the Instrumented Timed Up and Go (iTUG) test and …

Forward Chaining And Emotion Regulation: Exploring The Effects Of Forward Chaining On Emotion Regulation Skills, Celoine Akouri

Masters Essays

Emotion dysregulation places the quality of life for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at risk. The current research on emotion regulation teaching strategies after emotion recognition training is limited. This study explored the effectiveness of forward chaining on teaching emotion regulation skills to an adult with ASD who engaged in a long history of self- injurious, property destruction, and screaming behaviors. The emotion regulation intervention used forward chaining procedures to teach a three-step sequence of behaviors to the participant in their adult day program setting using a multiple baseline across time design. The results showed that as the participant’s …

A Comparison Of Using Token Economy With Differential Reinforcement Procedures In Increasing Compliance In Children With Autism, Jada Keyes

Masters Essays

Compliance, or engaging in an adult-delivered instruction, is a prerequisite skill for following daily routines in school-aged children. Noncompliance, engaging in any other behavior than the directed activity or task, is a common barrier among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Behavioral interventions, such as token economy and differential reinforcement, have been implemented to increase compliance among children with ASD. However, limited research has compared the effectiveness of combining token economy with different types of differential reinforcement interventions. Thus, this study compared the effects of using token economy with differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) versus differential reinforcement of other …