Digital Commons Network^™

Nonmedical Prescription Stimulant Use, Mood Lability, And Quality Of Life Among Graduate Students, Anastasia Skliros, Donald P. Masey, Ashley Poole, Michael B. Roberts

Research Day

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly diagnosed in childhood, yet research indicates that symptoms persist into adulthood for approximately two-thirds of clinical cases. Stimulant medications are the primary treatment for all ADHD presentations across developmental ages. This prospective study investigated the relationship between nonmedical prescription stimulant use (NMPSU), mood, anxiety, and quality of life among graduate college students. Quantitative data from 321 participants were obtained using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHO-QOL) measure. Four participant groups were examined: those with ADHD engaging in NMPSU, …

Examining The Effects Of A Teacher-Led Coaching Intervention On Increasing Paraprofessionals’ Use Of Behavior-Specific Praise In An Approved Private School Setting, Melanie Singh, Barry Mccurdy

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: The role of paraprofessionals in education is important as they support students in classrooms in conjunction with teachers. While the role of a paraprofessional can vary based on the needs of the school, classroom, and student, paraprofessionals are known to support students at the individual and group levels by providing academic and/or behavioral support. Despite their roles being prevalent in education, paraprofessionals may benefit from additional training methods, specifically when working with students with behavioral needs and applying behavior-specific praise (BSP) to students in the classroom setting. Research has shown that performance feedback (PF), when applied to paraprofessionals through …

The Covid-19 Pandemic: Predictors Of Inpatient Admission For The Severely Mentally Ill, Ashley Killoren, David Rubenstein

Research Day

Introduction: How we understand mental health and its treatment has evolved over the past century. From the 19th century to the present day, different eras have reflected how mental illness is defined, how it is treated, who is treated, and the emergence and evolution among mental health treatment facilities and standards of care. This progression over time has reflected ongoing changes to different considerations of the etiology of mental illness. Each era has also reflected changes in the environmental and socio-geopolitical climate, resulting in the emergence of representative clinical phenomena (e.g., PTSD) and demographic factors (e.g., immigration trends) that have …

Populists For And Against Technocracy: A Comparative Study Of Rafael Correa And Donald Trump, Sofia Antonella Chamorro Pilacuan

Gettysburg Social Sciences Review

This paper proposes a comparative analysis of two cases of populism in the United States and Latin America. The comparison between these democracies with distinct features is used to highlight two contrasting variants of populism. Therefore, the populism developed in the United States by Donald Trump and in Ecuador by Rafael Correa will be explored to argue that Correa implemented a technopopulist government, while Trump in the United States developed an anti-technocratic populism. These two case studies will be used to assert that both forms of populism are equally dangerous because they polarize societies, put democratic institutions into question, and …

Peer Educator Recognition & Awards Banquet, April 17, 2024 [Program], University Of Northern Iowa. Undergraduate Studies Program.

Graduation with Distinction Posters

The program for the 2024 Peer Educator Recognition & Awards Banquet held on April 17, 2024.

"Fearfully And Wonderfully Made": The Reconciliation Of The Lgbtqia+ Community To American Christianity, Madalyn Sailors '24

Senior Scholarly and Creative Symposium

I explore in this paper the ways in which churches in the United States treat LGBTQIA+ issues and members in their congregations. To do so, I will focus on several case studies, including the Metropolitan Community Church, the Episcopal Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the United Methodist Church. These examples range from socially affirming to conservative and from traditional to contemporary worship styles. I plan to research the social landscapes of these churches and propose possible solutions for how other faith spaces can create more inclusive membership. I also address my …

Beneath The Mask: The Performance Of Blackness And Economies Of Caricature In American Fiction, Terri Bowles

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

In American Fiction (2023), written for the screen and directed by Cord Jefferson, satire, drama and comedy frame a knife-sharp examination of America’s cultural reproductions of stereotype and caricature. The film, based on Percival Everett’s novel Erasure, explores the fraught professional position of Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Jeffrey Wright), a professor-author pressed to write a bestseller amid family upheaval and financial strain. Monk’s resulting novel, a gritty send-up of urban tropism drafted in a fit of fury and frustration, exploits America’s fixation on commodifying and flattening Blackness—and becomes an instant hit. This review explores the film’s interrogations of race, class and …

Can Marketing Transcend Entrenched Gender Biases?, Thinh Nguyen

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

Through a feminist lens, Maclaran and Chatzidakis (2022) challenge conventional assumptions about gender, emphasizing its performative nature shaped by social practices rather than inherent traits. This commentary extends analyses of key themes such as gender performativity, the male gaze, and subject-object binaries within marketing. It critiques how marketing strategies reinforce existing power imbalances and systemic biases rooted in historical narratives. The writing also reflects on media interpretations of gender issues through films like 'Turning Red' and 'Barbie'. By contextualizing gendered marketing within broader societal frameworks, this writing contributes to ongoing dialogues in media studies, sociology, and gender studies, highlighting the …

How Can Pastors Who Are Working With Youth In Tanzania Help Youth Resolve Christian-Muslim Tensions?, Ombeni Martin Ulime

Master of Theology Theses

No abstract provided.

Love And Politics: A Convergent Reading Of Hegel’S Philosophy Of Right And Kierkegaard’S Works Of Love, Andrés Roberto Albertsen

Doctor of Philosophy Theses

This dissertation got its start when I realized that a convergent reading of Hegel and Kierkegaard may be possible on the topic of love and politics. That is not a capricious topic, but one that has become central in contemporary political philosophy besides being at the heart of what Christianity is about, and I will address it with the goal of making love politically operative today. So, before I immerse myself into Hegel and Kierkegaard, I will investigate some contemporary political philosophers who, although with different perspectives, agree that love is a significant concept for philosophy and politics: Roberto Mangabeira …

Capitol 'H' Horror: Pereptuations Of Risk And Fear In Horror Movies, Lavinia Greer

Senior Theses

In this study, I dissect the messages symbolically communicated by horror movies through the eyes of their consumers, and thus how they reproduce systemic inequality through the ideals they perpetuate (Berger, P. L., & Luckmann, T., 1966). Through two rounds of interviews, this thesis argues that not only do horror movies have lasting impacts on watcher’s behavior and constructions of social realities, but that the very industry of horror films has lasting effects on the social construction of what is scary, who deserves to be afraid, and what we should consider entertainment.

A Multi-Group Public Goods Game Experiment, Aaron S. Berman

Behavioral and Computational Economics (MS) Theses

People belong to many different groups, and few belong to the same network of groups. Moreover, people routinely reduce their involvement in dysfunctional groups while increasing involvement in those they find more attractive. The net effect can be an increase in overall cooperation and the partial isolation of free-riders, even if free-riders are never punished, excluded, or recognized. We test this conjecture with a multi-good extension of the standard finitely repeated public goods game. Our results from four treatments suggest that the multi-group setting indeed raises overall cooperation and dampens the impact of free-riders.

Examining Social And Academic Integration Of International Students From Saudi Arabia And Mexico Attending Universities In The United States, Faisal Alqadiri

Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the problems and challenges of social and academic integration in U.S. higher education institutions for Saudi Arabian and Mexican undergraduate international students. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive, and causal-comparative study was to examine the relationship among (a) demographic variables (i.e., age, gender, education, marital status, nationality, and previous academic performance), (b) academic integration, (c) social integration, and (d) intent to drop out among Saudi and Mexican students studying at U.S. colleges and universities. In addition, the study compared whether Saudi and Mexican female students were less integrated academically and socially than their male counterparts. Previous …

Cultures Represented In Everyday Life: Japanese And American Values And Culture, Andrea Korbel

University Honors College

Culture is an important factor in a country because of how it displays the values of the people within it. Japan is a homogenous society that has been around since 600 B.C., the culture created since early in age. While only having been officially founded in 1776, America has also grown to have a culture of its own, heavily due to it being a vast melting pot of a country. Both countries hold aspects of culture and their values within society that are similar and different. This paper examines parts of everyday life that the culture and values of the …

Women In Weights: Contraindications Of Cycle Syncing In Osteosarcopenia, Erin Underwood

University Honors College

The purpose of this scientific research was to examine the holistic health practice of women’s cycle syncing utilizing an in-depth analysis scope of non-pharmacological practices to prevent osteosarcopenia. Osteosarcopenia is the duplicate diagnosis of osteoporosis, low bone mineral density, and sarcopenia, low muscle mass, co-existing together. Cycle syncing is a media-popularized women’ reproductive health practice promoting to balance and regulate hormonal cycles holistically. This practice causes concern for fitness professionals because each menstrual cycle phase is treated differently regarding exercise and nutrition intake, which directly impacts energy levels, hormonal peaks, and overall bodily function in women. The focus of this …

Mental Health And Traumatic Occupational Exposure In Wildland Fire Dispatchers, Robin M. Verble, Rachel Granberg, Seth Pearson, Charlene Rogers, Roman Watson

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Wildland Fire Dispatchers Play a Key Role in Wildland Fire Management and Response Organization; However, to Date, Wildland Fire Studies Have Largely Focused on the Physical Hazards And, to a Lesser Extent, Mental Health Hazards of Wildland Firefighting Operational Personnel, and Dispatcher Studies Have Primarily Focused on 911 and Police Dispatchers. Studies of Other Dispatchers Have Provided Some Limited Insight into Potential Strains Impacting This Workforce, Including Work-Related Fatigue, Burnout, and Traumatic Exposure. However, the Specific Job Hazards that Are Faced by Wildland Fire Dispatchers Are Poorly Understood. in 2023, We Conducted a Cross-Sectional Survey of 510 Wildland Fire Dispatchers …

A Delphi Study Of The Characteristics Of School Counselor Leaders Who Have Overcome Adversity, Anita Shirley

Dissertations

Purpose: This Delphi study aimed to identify essential qualities school counselor leaders need to navigate role confusion, drawing from Maxwell’s (2021) Leading in Tough Times strategies. The Delphi panel identified the following strategies: connecting their roles to the organization’s vision or big picture, promoting their roles through organizational teamwork, and making good choices or strategic organizational decisions which would assist them in meeting and exceeding their professional school counseling standards.

Methodology: A mixed methods Delphi multivariable research design was utilized to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. This approach aimed to gather consensus from 20 current or former school counselors …

Emotional Experiences Of Black U.S. Computer Science And Engineering Students Amid Faculty-Student Interactions, Kyle Shanachilubwa

Honors Theses

Black students encounter unique challenges in computer science and engineering education. Chief among these is a disconnect with faculty due to a lack of mentorship and difficulties in interactions with faculty. Despite these challenges, Black students bring many engineering and computer science assets. This study aims to understand the emotional experiences of Black students in computer science and engineering education. We present an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to answer the questions: (1) How do Black students experience faculty-student interactions in computer science and engineering education? (2) How do Black students experience professional shame in these interactions? To answer these research …

Effectiveness Of Student-Corrected Pretests To Increase Spelling Test Scores Of Students With Adhd And Low Working Memory, Melissa J. Johnson

Master of Education Program Theses

This action research study investigated the efficacy of student corrected pretests as a part of spelling instruction especially as it affects learners with ADHD or low working memory in a 3rd and 4th grade classroom. After pre-tests were implemented in the classroom, spelling tests scores were compared to previous test scores when pre-tests were not implemented. Findings showed that spelling pre-tests had a moderately significant effect on final test scores.

The Benefits Of Using Open-Note Assessments, Logan Schaefers

Master of Education Program Theses

This action research study investigated the impact of open-note assessments on student learning as measured by the student’s overall score on unit assessments inside of a 9th grade Algebra 1 classroom. This study included 332 freshmen: an experimental group (open-note assessments) of 72 students and a control group of 260 students. Findings of this study did not show a statistically significant increase in the scores of students using open-note assessments. However, when looking at the different quartiles of test scores, the overwhelming evidence by the researcher revealed the benefits that open-note assessments had on student’s academic performance resulting in better …

Mysticism As Spiritual Consciousness Of God’S Presence In Bernard Mcginn’S History Of Western Christian Mysticism, Michael Nguyen Phuoc Bao Dai Loi

Jesuit School of Theology Dissertations

This thesis explores the concept of mysticism as a spiritual consciousness of God's presence, drawing on Bernard McGinn's multi-volume work, The Presence of God. Chapter One delves into McGinn's definition of mysticism, emphasizing "consciousness" over "experience" to capture the immediacy and ongoing nature of this awareness. It explores the themes of God's absent presence, mysticism as a process, and its role within religion and broader contexts. Chapter Two examines the roots of Christian mysticism in Jewish traditions, Greek philosophy, the life of Jesus, and early church practices. It then investigates the role of scripture, particularly through Origen's approach, and the …

The Lead, End-Of-Spring 2024, Lindenwood University

The Lead

The Lead is an electronic newsletter produced by the Lindenwood College of Education & Human Services.

An Exploratory Study Investigating The Potential Application Of Coping Strategies For Pain Used By Athletes And Their Potential Application To Patients Dealing With Chronic Pain, Joseph D. Harrington, Bs, Erika L. Manning, Phd, Md, Mph, Robert J. Diecidue, Dmd, Md, Mba, Msph

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Posters

Abstract

• High-level athletes often have elevated tolerance for experimental pain methods.¹
• Research has not focused on the specific mechanisms behind this.
• The current study was designed to assess the potential role of coping strategies in this elevated pain tolerance - Phase 2 will examine if they can be taught to chronic orofacial pain patients.
• During Phase 1, the Coping Strategies Questionnaire² was modified for athletes and was distributed to 50 athletes to assess how athletes dealt with pain.
• In comparison to TMD patients, more of the athletes reported that they chose to ignore or reinterpret the pain, or …

Cotl 2024 Conference Program, S. Raj Chaudhury, Lisa Lacross, Hannah Wilson

CoTL 2024 Conference Program

The program for the 2024 Conference on Teaching and Learning.

Simulacra And Historical Fidelity In Digital Recreation Of Lost Cultural Heritage: Reconstituting Period Materialities For The Period Eye, Trent Olsen, James Hutson, Charles O'Brien, Jeremiah Ratican

Faculty Scholarship

The advancement of digital technologies in art history has opened avenues for reconstructing lost or damaged cultural heritage, a need highlighted by the deteriorated state of many artworks from the 1785 Salon. Grounded in the concept of the “Period Eye” by art historian Michael Baxandall, which emphasizes understanding artworks within their original historical and cultural contexts, this study proposes a subfield focused on Reconstituting Period Materialities for the Period Eye. This methodology bridges comprehensive historical research with generative visual artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, facilitating the creation and immersive virtual reality viewing of artworks. Beyond mere visual replication, the approach aims …

Pre To Post Course Differences In Knowledge And Perception Of A Careers For Psychology Majors Course, Laura Powell

CoTL 2024 Research Talks

The Psychology Department at the University of South Alabama began teaching a course titled “Careers for Psychology Majors” in Fall 2019. This sophomore level course was created to help psychology majors explore careers options with a bachelor's degree in psychology as well as careers that require graduate study. Students completed a pre and post course survey from their Landrum and Davis (2020) textbook regarding their knowledge and perceptions of career options after graduating. Pre to post course changes in student surveys were analyzed with paired samples t-tests for each question. Increases from pre to post was observed with every question …

Second Victim Syndrome: Nurses Suffering In Silence, Matthew Riehm

Dissertations

Medication errors are inherent in health care due to human fallibility and inherent systemic complexities. Nurses are often unjustly blamed after committing a medication error despite the multitude of contributing factors. Formal education and healthcare organizations focus on preventing medication errors, but little has been done to support nurses involved in these tragic incidents. Recent cases, including RaDonda Vaught and Kimberly Hiatt, demonstrated the victimization of nurses after committing medication errors that plague the healthcare system potentially causing profound psychological trauma, often known as Second Victim Syndrome, SVS. There is limited research on the phenomenon of SVS in nursing due …

Impact Of Social Determinants Of Health On Skill Of Involvement: Differences In First Year Adn And Bsn Nursing Students In Rural Oklahoma, Cynthia Brown

Dissertations

The impact of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) on Skill of Involvement (SOI) has not been adequately studied in nursing education. The skill of involvement is defined by Benner (2022) as necessary to expert-level nursing and it brings humanity, meaningfulness, acute situational awareness, and rapid thinking required for strong clinical decision-making in crisis management of the deteriorating patient. It is important for nurse educators to understand how SDOH impacts SOI on nursing students in order to transform the delivery of nursing education. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of SDOH on SOIs in first-year nursing students …

Night Shift Acute Care Nurse Narratives: Exploring Collaborative Solutions To Reduce Burnout, Increase Morale And Engagement, And Improve Retention, Melissa Queen-Lomas

Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on nurse recruitment and retention in the United States exacerbated the problem of nurse shortages, particularly for acute care nurses on the night shift. Long hours, heavy workloads, stressful work environments, high patient-nurse ratios, and dissatisfaction with administration are causing nurse burnout at an alarming rate. Burnout leads to low morale, exhaustion, intent to leave, and turnover. Moreover, exhausted night shift nurses compromise patient safety and care with unintentional medication errors or tasks left undone due to rigorous hours and little support or resources. Teambuilding, camaraderie, mentoring, and shared learning opportunities are scarce on night shift, …

Examining The Career Path Of Certified Public Accountants In Audit And Tax Services: Perceptions Of Accounting Graduates' Competencies, Steven Mulhollen

Dissertations

Accounting professionals claim there is a deficiency of individuals with the appropriate competencies to enter the accounting workforce (Pasewark, 2021; Richardson, 2020; Sandifer, 2018; Thomson, 2017). Also, recent trends indicate a need to increase the number of qualified accounting professionals who can pass the Certified Public Accounting Exam (CPA Exam) and enter the public accounting workforce (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants [AICPA], 2021a; Dawkins, 2023). This quantitative, causal-comparative study expands existing studies by analyzing the impact of CPA's chosen career path of audit or tax on their perception of the required and attained accounting competencies. This study contributes to …