Digital Commons Network^™

Measuring Emotional Well-Being Across Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Alecia Mercier

All ETDs from UAB

Emotional well-being has emerged as a crucial determinant of both physical and mental health, with implications for public health initiatives aimed at improving quality of life and reducing mortality. However, a clear and consistent understanding of emotional well-being, its components, and optimal measurement strategies remains lacking, especially for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. This dissertation investigated how emotional well-being is conceptualized and measured in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. Paper one was a scoping review that identified 20 emotional well-being measures developed or adapted for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Findings demonstrated that many existing measures do not include emotional well-being …

Differential Susceptibility: How Parenting Behaviors Predict Adolescent Antisocial Behavior In The Context Of Candidate Plasticity Genes, Amanda Moore

All ETDs from UAB

Adolescent antisocial behavior (ASB) has been consistently linked to parenting behaviors, yet individual variability in response to parenting remains poorly understood. Grounded in the differential susceptibility theory, this study examined how candidate plasticity genes interact with poor parenting to predict ASB in adolescents. A sample of 272 youth from the Birmingham Youth Violence Study provided genetic data and participated in two waves of behavioral and parenting assessments. Parenting behaviors were measured using a composite index of harsh, inconsistent, and low-nurturance parenting. ASB was assessed through self- and parent-reported measures of delinquency, aggression, and conduct problems. The study tested whether individual …

Reducing The Risk Of Phishing Attacks Through Providing Consistent Training Via The Kaizen Education Platform, Dalton E. Pena

All ETDs from UAB

Introduction: Many healthcare organizations have experienced cybersecurity related phishing email attacks, costing these organizations many thousands to many millions of dollars to release ransomed data to maintain patient care delivery and operations. Use of technology alone has proven to be insufficient, as most occurrences of data breaches are related to human behaviors. Background: Cybersecurity is a threat increasingly common to healthcare organizations, and it is gaining in both sophistication and complexity, aided by artificial intelligence. Healthcare organizations have adopted new technologies and increased the prevalence of cybersecurity training to develop a healthy cyber culture and construct a human firewall against …

Psychedelics And Psychosis: An Interdisciplinary Re-Examination, Haley Maria Dourron

All ETDs from UAB

Psychedelics have long been described as potential drug models of psychosis. There is also concern that psychedelics might worsen psychotic symptoms in individuals with a history of psychotic disorders. This dissertation examines the overlap between psychedelic-induced states and non-affective psychotic disorders (NAPD) from both subjective and neurological perspectives, as well as the perceived impact of psychedelic use in people with a history of NAPD. Nineteen people with a history of NAPD who had used psychedelics were interviewed about their experiences. Participants generally described psychedelic and psychotic experiences as distinct, though both affected similar experiential domains, such as sensory alterations. Altered …

Influence Of Transportation Access And Geographic Distance On Retention And Completion In Substance Use Treatment: A Retrospective Study Of In-Person And Telehealth Modalities, Yasemin Tanik Morgan

All ETDs from UAB

Substance use disorder (SUD) remains a public health concern in the United States. Low-income and underserved populations continue to face barriers to accessing effective treatment. The rapid expansion of telehealth has been proposed as a solution to barriers such as geographic distance and transportation. However, it is unclear whether telehealth effectively addresses these barriers or how access-related factors influence treatment outcomes across care modalities. This retrospective cohort study, guided by the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) framework, evaluated the impact of treatment modality, transportation access, and geographic distance on retention and completion in a publicly funded Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) …

A Concurrent Mixed Methods Formative Process Evaluation Of A Telehealth Mental Health Awareness Program For People With Mobility Limitations, Sangeetha Mohanraj

All ETDs from UAB

People with mobility limitations face higher levels of mental health challenges and often face barriers to accessing mental health resources to overcome them. Raising mental health awareness and providing accessible resources are essential for improving the quality of life in this population. The NCHPAD’s (National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability) GROWTH (Growing Resilience Out of Wellness and Thoughtful Habits) program is a telehealth mental health wellness program developed for individuals with mobility limitations. The primary objective of this dissertation is to conduct an process evaluation of the GROWTH pilot program using a mixed methods approach to assess its …

Core Body Temperature (Cbt) Monitoring Among Groundskeepers Under Heat Stress, Lara Anne Parker

All ETDs from UAB

Heat is the leading cause of death for outdoor workers. In Alabama, there are an estimated 11,160 - 21,460 workers employed in the landscaping and groundskeeping industry, which are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses (HRI). In this study, core body temperature (CBT) and wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index were examined as potential indicators of heat stress. A SlateSafety (SS) Band V2 wearable CBT device and a WBGT monitor were used to collect CBT and WBGT values, respectively. Sampling for the main two measurements was performed over five days for two participants. An additional CBT device option, the e-Celsius performance ingestible pill, …

An Analysis Of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Levels With Structural And Functional Connectivity In Antipsychotic Medication-Naïve First Episode Psychosis Patients, Genelle Dano Samson

All ETDs from UAB

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and abnormalities in emotional expression, social interaction, and motivation. Cognitive deficits and alterations in perception are core features of psychosis spectrum disorders, though the neurobiological bases of these impairments are not thoroughly understood. Examination of the structures responsible for cognition, along with how their connectivity and neurochemistry are altered in psychosis, is crucial to understanding and treating schizophrenia. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and plays a crucial role in the regulation of neuronal activity. Evidence from animal models and postmortem …

Sex Differences In Symptom Presentation Among Children And Adolescents Referred For An Autism Spectrum Disorder Evaluation, Jeremy John Cottle

All ETDs from UAB

The current study aimed to examine item-level sex differences in the diagnostic evaluation of ASD traits for children and adolescents referred for an ASD evaluation. By including all those referred for an ASD evaluation, the study aimed to include females who may be mis- or under-diagnosed by current ASD diagnostic procedures. Participants included 458 children and adolescents who were referred for an ASD evaluation at a tertiary care clinic. In this sample, 118 participants (25.8%) were female, 282 (61.6%) were diagnosed with ASD, and the average age was 6.67 years (SD = 3.65). MIMIC models were used to examine differential …

Radio And Television Media And Health-Seeking Behavior Among Women In Rural Northern Nigeria, Olufolake Akeju

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor maternal health-seeking behavior (MHSB) has contributed to persistently high maternal mortality in rural northern Nigeria. Despite increasing access to health information via media platforms, little is known about the association between media exposure and MHSB in this region. In this study, the association between mass media exposure (radio and television) and MHSB was investigated using institutional delivery as a proxy. The health belief model was applied as the theoretical framework for this study and sought to answer two key questions focused on whether there is an association between media exposure and MHSB in rural northern Nigeria and what the …

Counselors With A History Of Sexual Abuse Who Work With Sexually Violent Offenders, Chandra L. Goodwin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research on counselors who treat sexually violent offenders has emphasized professional challenges, ethical dilemmas, and vicarious trauma, while less attention has been given to clinicians with personal histories of sexual abuse who may face added strain yet also bring unique empathy and resilience to their work. Addressing this gap is critical for the counseling profession, as it informs how training, supervision, and wellness practices can be structured to better support clinicians with lived trauma histories. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of counselors with personal histories of sexual abuse who work with sexually violent offenders. Grounded in interpretative phenomenological …

Human-Centred Supervision: Shaping Future Designers Through Coaching In Final Year Projects, Ina O'Connor, Ceri Almrott

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Our most significant products require a designer whose understanding of human empathy matches their technical skills; therefore, design education must evolve to reflect this crucial balance. In this context, the supervisor’s role in Product Design final year projects is not just crucial but pivotal in preparing students to meet modern industry challenges. This paper argues that the most effective supervisors act not just as instructors but also as coaches – cheerleaders who push each student to navigate creative challenges, grow personally and professionally and reach their individual potential. The supervisor's influence has a considerable transformative effect, extending beyond the boundaries …

Advice For Improving The Experience Of Web-Based Patient Portals: Qualitative Interviews With Caregiver-Adolescent Dyads, Rachel E Granberg, Jessica M Goldberg, Alison L Antes, Christine Bereitschaft, Fabienne Bourgeois, James Dubois, Bryan A Sisk

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Web-based patient portals can benefit adolescents and their caregivers by increasing access and providing greater understanding of one's health information, enhancing communication with clinicians, and supporting caregiver influence. Despite these benefits, adolescent uptake has been low with high attrition rates. Feedback from adolescents and caregivers is essential to improve the uptake and usability of the web-based patient portal.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to identify advice for medical informatics administrators and clinicians directed at improving the adolescent and caregiver experience with the web-based patient portal.

METHODS: Caregivers completed a demographic survey followed by separate qualitative, semistructured interviews …

The Influence Of Political Fake News On Tiktok And Its Impact On Inter-Ethnic Relations In Malaysia, Ahmad Luqman Mohd Shamsul Amri, Muhammad Aiman Daniel Mustazar, Muhammad Adib Farhan Mohd Hamim, Mohamad Hafifi Jamri

Jurnal Wacana Politik

TikTok as a platform has become an ideal environment for political discussions and even plays a role in spreading false information. Malaysia, a country with diverse ethnicities, has experienced the impact of viral political misinformation on societal harmony. Thus, this study aims to enhance our understanding of how political misinformation on TikTok can exacerbate ethnic differences in Malaysia by highlighting its potential social implications. The study adopts the Uses and Gratifications Theory as a foundation for developing a framework. A quantitative survey method was employed, with data collected via Google Forms from 407 respondents. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS …

The Effectiveness Of The Project-Based Learning (Pjbl) Model Based On Tiktok Videos In Improving Elementary School Students’ Understanding Of Cultural Diversity Concepts, Putri Fajriani, Encep Supriatna, Mubarok Somantri, Resti Hidayat

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

In the 21st‐century digital era, education faces challenges in integrating innovative technologies with relevant curricula, particularly in elementary‐level cultural diversity learning that still relies on traditional methods and lacks engaging media. This study analyzes the effectiveness of integrating Project‐Based Learning (PjBL) with TikTok videos to enhance primary students’ understanding of cultural diversity through a comprehensive systematic literature review. Keyword searches in Google Scholar, Scopus, the Indonesian Publication Index, and university journal portals yielded 48 articles, of which 25 met inclusion criteria—15 quasi‐experimental studies, 6 descriptive studies, and 4 meta‐analyses (14 national, 11 international). Findings reveal that optimal PjBL implementation increases …

Accelerations And Emg Differences Between Isocaloric High-Incline Walking And Level-Grade Jogging, Taj Krieger, Motoki Sato, Lex Gidley, Justus Ortega, Eli Lankford

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(7): 995-1009, 2025. High-incline walking is a popular mode of exercise and often serves as an alternative to level-grade running for improving cardiovascular fitness. This study examined the muscle activation and biomechanical differences between high-incline walking (HIW) at a 20% grade and level-grade jogging (LGJ) at matched exercise intensities. Nineteen physically inactive adults (18-31 years) participated. Participants completed two isocaloric exercise trials (HIW and LGJ), each lasting ten minutes. EMG data were obtained from eight muscles: biceps femoris (BF), gluteus maximus (GM), lateral gastrocnemius (LG), tibialis anterior (TA), vastus lateralis (VL), anterior deltoid (AD), erector …

Editorial: A Step-By-Step Statistical Decision Framework For A Gender-Inclusive Approach In Sport And Exercise Science Research, James W. Navalta, Dustin W. Davis, Jafra D. Thomas, Whitley J. Stone

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(1): 1010-1029, 2025. The conflation of sex and gender in sport and exercise science research has led to gaps in representation and understanding of gender-inclusive outcomes. This invited editorial presents a framework to guide researchers in conducting statistical analyses that account for multiple gender identities beyond the traditional binary classification. The invited editorial guides deliberation on whether to test for sex or gender differences in sport or exercise science research. It prompts investigators to answer the question, “Is there a valid, literature-supported rationale for investigating sex or gender differences?” If “yes”, we propose approaches that …

Building Grit And Understanding Drivers Of Dropout Intentions Among Nursing Students, Marianne Biangone, Daniel Terry, Blake Peck, Jeong-Ah Kim, Linda Jones

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Introduction: Defined as a combination of passion, perseverance, and long-term commitment, grit is the sustained effort to achieve difficult goals over time.^1,2 Nursing students have grit, which continues to develop as they enter the profession. However, nearly 20% of students do not complete their studies, despite academic and pastoral support.³ Interventions designed to develop mindsets, such as the six-week ‘Grow your Grit’ program⁴, better equip students for the rigors of academia. However, limited insights regarding the granular issues that drive dropping out exist.⁵

Purpose: To understand challenges that lead to increased dropout intentions among first-year …

Empowering Nurses Through Scope Advancement: Strategies For Professional Growth, Venise Bryan, Kristin Petrovic, Kelly Decoste

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Nurses globally work within various scopes of practice, from entry-level to advanced roles, and play a vital role in meeting the health needs of individuals and communities across diverse healthcare settings. Nurses can further their education, to advance their scope, such as diploma-prepared Licensed/Registered Practical Nurses (LPNs/RPNs) completing their Bachelor of Nursing (BN) to become Registered Nurses (RN). In Canada, select BN programs use innovative pedagogies to specifically bridge curriculum that recognizes LPN/RPN experience (Chachula et al., 2020). LPN/RPN to BN learners bring rich clinical experience and diversity as they engage in career advancement and professional development (Almost, 2021).

A …

Trauma-Informed Practices In A School Of Nursing: An Assessment, Oluwatoyin Olukotun, Kala Mayer

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Trauma-informed environments have been shown to foster academic success by creating trauma-sensitive learning spaces (Crosby, 2015), aligning with nursing’s core values of empathy, patient-centered care, and holistic health. However, despite the increasing use of trauma-informed approaches in K-12 settings, their application in higher education, particularly in nursing schools, remains underexplored (Doughty, 2018; Ernest et al., 2022; Henshaw, 2022; Thomas et al., 2019). This study aimed to assess the implementation of trauma-informed practices at a U.S. school of nursing (SON) from the perspectives of faculty and staff. In Spring 2024, an online Qualtrics survey was administered to faculty and staff at …

Nurses’ Lived Experiences During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study, Kala Mayer, Jo Anne Bennett, Elizabeth Reifsnider, Jeanie Skibiski, Soojung Jo

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for nurses, including confronting end-of-life decisions, witnessing patient suffering, and burnout. Nevertheless, many nurses demonstrated resilience and personal growth despite adversities. Notable gaps in the literature include limited exploration of the long-term impacts of the pandemic on nurses, variations in experiences based on geographic, gender, and cultural factors, as well as the role of leadership and organizational response. Likewise, how nurses adapted to innovations such as new technologies and the impact of their pandemic experiences on patient outcomes and care quality remain underexplored. This study employed a phenomenological descriptive approach to capture nurses’ lived …

Intergenerational Programs: Reducing Loneliness Of Older Adults In Congregate Care Settings, Rachel Elaine Bagley, Yolanda Rodriguez, Jacelyn Tappert

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Loneliness is an increasingly recognized public health issue, especially among the elderly, where it contributes to the decline in both physical and mental health (WHO Commission on Social Connection, 2024). In the geriatric population, loneliness is associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular disease, falls, and overall mortality (Holt-Lunstad, et al. 2015; Millett et al., 2024; National Institute on Ageing, 2019). Loneliness in congregate care settings is often exacerbated by residents' loss of physical mobility, death of spouses, removal of the individual from their neighborhood and community, and reduced autonomy. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified these issues, reducing …

Development Of A Nurse-Led Interprofessional Community Health Nursing Education Program, Kim Alexander Decker, Wendy R. Miller

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

This presentation will describe an interprofessional community health nursing education project in a 5-county region. The preliminary phase of the project was to create a nurse-led interprofessional advisory group to direct a comprehensive health needs assessment with county health departments, area clinics and school officials, to determine community-based priorities. This phase was followed by an investigation of evidence-based interventions to address the acknowledged community health needs of substance use prevention and mental health promotion. Program costs and funding were identified and obtained through alumni donor gifts and internal university grants. A trained facilitator was selected to educate community health nursing, …

Trauma-Informed Design And Student Well-Being In Higher Education: An Exploratory, Descriptive Study, Isabelle Sadorra, Kala Mayer, Cara Poor, Olivia Mattern, Bella Small

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been heightened reports of stress and trauma among students. Despite increasing evidence of the importance of trauma-informed design (TID) in healthcare and housing, its application in higher education settings remains underexplored. TID incorporates elements that create environments conducive to safety, well-being, and healing, which are critical for academic success. Design elements in the built environment that have the potential to reduce student and nurse stress and promote learning include access to nature and outside areas, safety and privacy features, and ambient noise and sound dampening features, for example. This study aims to assess students' …

Exercise Dependence: A Qualitative Study Of Fitness Enthusiasts’ Motivations For Excessive Workouts, David Paul Rubia Ramos, Edith Gili Habig, Jessica May Guillermo

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

More and more people around the globe are motivated to be physically fit and healthy. While a lack of regular physical activity can be a barrier to a healthier lifestyle, too much or excessive exercise may lead to exercise dependence and may pose serious health concerns. Excessive exercise or exercise dependence refers to a maladaptive pattern of exercise which can lead to clinically significant impairment or distress. This qualitative study explores the motivations for excessive exercise and contributing factors to exercise dependence among at-risk Filipino fitness enthusiasts. Using descriptive qualitative research, we conducted in-depth interviews with ten gym regular members …

Smooth Transitions: Helping Faculty And Staff Navigate The Implementation Of A New Lms, Miwako Hoshi, Mathew Lee Porter, Kazue Matsuo, Saiko Iizuka, Kevin Weir

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: This study presents the approach taken by our small nursing university when adopting a new learning management system (LMS), as well as an evaluation of the various activities developed and implemented to support and facilitate faculty and staff use of the system. In 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the transition of all classes to an online format. However, Course Power, the LMS used at that time, lacked the necessary features to fully support online learning. As a result, the Library & Information Technology Committee, composed of faculty and staff, had to explore the adoption of a new LMS. …

Exploring Cultural Dimensions Of Nurses' Experiences During Covid-19 In The Us And Hungary, Kala Mayer, Judit Staller, Jo Anne Bennett, Zoltán Balogh, Jeanie Skibiski, Anna Jeney, Soojung Jo, Elizabeth Reifsnider

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Both the Hungarian and U.S. public health and care systems were inadequately prepared to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to significant distress among nurses. The role of geographical, gender, and cultural factors, along with leadership and organizational response during the pandemic between countries, remains underexplored in the literature. Nurses around the world are now more likely than before the pandemic to leave direct patient care roles. Cultural influences and healthcare system structure play crucial roles in shaping nurses' decisions to stay in or leave the profession. To address this research gap, we are using the lens of Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions …

The Effect Of Disaggregated Country Risk On Foreign Portfolio Investment Flows In South Africa, Paul-Francois Muzindutsi, Tristan Kyle Govender, Nokwanda Nkwanyana, Sanelisiwe Zulu, Nondumiso Myeni, Sinegugu Khuzwayo, Fikile Dube

Economic and Business Review

This study explores the relationship between disaggregated country risk and foreign portfolio investment (FPI) flows in South Africa, focusing on both the long-run and short-run effects of economic, financial, and political country risk measures on net foreign purchases of shares (NFPS) and net foreign purchases of bonds (NFPB) during the period from 1995 to 2019. We employed autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) models to assess the relationships between the variables. The results indicate that all disaggregated country risk measures have a long-run effect on NFPS and NFPB, and the impacts of these risks are asymmetric. …

Summer 2025, Office Of Univeristy Marketing And Communications

Bryant Magazine (1997-2019)(2024-present)

In this issue of Bryant magazine: Go beyond the Archway and discover the secret history of the university's Smithfield campus; dive into international trade as students guide one of the world's oldest companies through global turmoil; learn about some of the powerful bonds that bring Bulldogs together; and more stories from the Bryant community.

Mental Health Services For Older Hispanics/Latinos: Incorporating Culture And Context Into Clinical Approaches To Care, Denise Longoria, Romeo Escobar, John M. Gonzalez, Luis R. Torres-Hostos

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

This article discusses older Latinos and their use of mental health services. A brief history of utilization and the contributing factors, including access to services, barriers, and acceptability of mental health services, are included. Sekhon et al.’s theoretical framework of acceptability is discussed in the context of Latino clients. The authors adapt the framework and apply the elements to work with older Latinos and their families. Common stereotypes and faulty assumptions about older Latinos are examined as the Latino population grows and changes in levels of education, language, family structure, roles, religion, and alternative practices continue. Core values for working …