Digital Commons Network^™

Modern Retail Experience Design For Gen Z And Millennials In India: The Roles Of Convenience, Personalization, And Sustainability, Pratibha Rai, Om Jee Gupta

Management Dynamics

India’s retail sector is undergoing dramatic change, increasingly defined as an omnichannel journey in which shoppers navigate marketplaces, social media, quick-commerce apps, and physical stores. Focusing on Gen Z and Millennial consumers, this study tests whether three retailer-controlled experience levers, consumer convenience, personalized shopping experience, and sustainability and social responsibility (SSR), are associated with Purchase Intention.

A cross-sectional survey was administered in Pune, Maharashtra, India. After data screening, 320 responses were retained and analyzed using multiple linear regression. All three predictors show positive, statistically significant relationships with purchase intention, and convenience has the largest standardized effect among the three factors …

Band-Aid Over A Bullet Hole: The Lack Of Mental Health Care In Women’S Prisons And The Culture That Perpetuates It., Deborah, Julie, Karli Tellis, Misty, Olivia Hatch, Sara Manian

Vanderbilt Social Justice Reporter

No abstract provided.

Leading A School District During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Teresa M. Murphy Phd

Educational Studies Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic altered the conditions of district leadership and required superintendents to make high-stakes decisions amid uncertainty, public scrutiny, and sustained operational disruption. Although scholarship on educational crisis leadership has expanded, fewer studies center superintendents’ own accounts of the knowledge, skills, and conditions that shaped their leadership during COVID-19, and its professional impact. This phenomenological study examined district-level crisis leadership during the first two years of the pandemic, with attention to crisis problem solving, role isolation, crisis communication, and superintendent sustainability. Three research questions guided the study: (1) What knowledge and skills did superintendents perceive necessary for leading during …

Putting An End To Protective Privilege: Georgia Should Recognize The Psychotherapist's Duty To Warn, Jan M. Levine

Journal of Health Care Law and Policy

No abstract provided.

House Managing Hand To God And Henry V, Ashley E. Cravaritis

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Documents used to complete a senior project house managing Hand to God and Henry V at UMW Theatre during the Spring semester, February and April of 2026.

Philosophy Professor Studies Polarization As Carnegie Fellow, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi philosophy professor Deborah Mower plans to use her new Carnegie Fellowship to study how moral convictions drive political polarization and how structured dialogue could bridge those divides.

Taking Off The Mask: Development Of A Role Method For Late-Diagnosed Neurodivergent Women, Maria Moutzalias

Expressive Therapies Theses

Neurodivergent women are frequently underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or late diagnosed due to gender differences and the prevalence of masking. Masking is the unintentional or intentional suppression of neurodiverse traits to present more neurotypical. Consequences of long-term masking can include increased risk of anxiety, depression, and burnout. This study explores the potential of drama therapy as a modality to support unmasking and increasing self-esteem in neurodivergent adult women. Drawing on existing literature on neurodiversity, masking, and drama therapy, a two staged role-based intervention was developed and implemented within a six weeklong psychotherapy group for five late diagnosed neurodivergent women. All participants were …

Playing The Part Online: A Role-Based Telehealth Intervention Supporting Trauma Integration In Adults, Mary Schwabenland

Expressive Therapies Theses

This study explores a telehealth-adapted, role-based drama therapy intervention designed to support trauma integration in adults. Grounded in trauma theory, experiential approaches, and drama therapy frameworks, the intervention utilized interoceptive awareness, metaphor, and role embodiment to explore emotional material in dramatic reality, with aesthetic distance serving as an adjustable mechanism of activation and containment. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted on clinical session notes from five adult clients. Five themes emerged from the analysis, including: aesthetic distance and modes of engagement; aesthetic quality and symbolic coherence; role narrative as integration pathway; intervention as catalyst within ongoing process; and therapist positioning …

Co-Active Therapeutic Filmmaking: A Methodology Pilot Project, Blair Webber

Expressive Therapies Theses

This pilot project examined the intersection of drama therapy and filmmaking. Drawing on the Co-Active Therapeutic Theater model from drama therapy and digital storytelling and participatory video methods from social work research, this methodology designed and delivered a co-created filmmaking intervention at a residential treatment center for adult men with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder. Four participants made a seven-minute-long short fictional film based on their definition of active recovery and a theme of recovery they wished to share with an audience. It was screened at the treatment center for staff and their fellow residents. Data collection was …

How Can Art Therapy Intergenerational Groups Support Fostering Connections For Individuals With Memory Loss?, Clara Drew

Expressive Therapies Theses

This thesis explores the question: How can art therapy intergenerational groups support fostering connections for individuals with memory loss? In the study conducted, there were two separate groups, family-based and community volunteer-based. Both included residents of a memory care community. Through the process of this study, a total of seven groups were conducted. These groups explored art activities that focused on fostering connection through sensory and collaborative art processes. The study noted changes in the residents' moods, level of engagement, collaboration and socialization, and post-group affect throughout the day. While the focus was observing these factors for memory care residents, …

Exploring Identity Development In Adolescents Through A Series Of Self-Portrait Making Using Art Therapy, Kayla Lincoln

Expressive Therapies Theses

This study explored how self-portrait making in art therapy can support adolescent identity development. This concept was implemented through a three-part series of self-portrait directives (past, present, and future self) in a group setting at an adolescent partial hospitalization program (PHP). There were a total of 7 participants in this study, ranging in age from 14 to 17 years. Data was collected through note-taking of observations and expressions of participants and their artwork. Using thematic analysis, three themes were identified from the three group sessions: influence of others on identity, identity as an evolving process, and resilience and growth. Findings …

Queer Creativity In A State Of Surveillance: Community Art-Making As Embodied Resistance, Rachel "Frankie" Uhrig

Expressive Therapies Theses

This thesis explores the relationship between community art-making and queer resilience in response to state-sanctioned violence and surveillance. Furthermore, this paper focuses on the impact of visibility/invisibility on individuals within a community that is heavily policed and how less Eurocentric, medicalized approaches to support can serve these individuals. To better study and understand this approach, multiple sessions of community-based open studios were held from the writer’s home. Research was gathered from a group of individuals already in community together through the spectrum of queerness within a roller derby team. Participants were given a variety of materials to work with and …

How Can Dance Movement Therapy Help People With Autism Cope With Stigma? – A Community Engagement Project, Samantha B. Diamond

Expressive Therapies Theses

Abstract

As society continues to evolve, individuals on the autism spectrum often face increased challenges, particularly with the rise of stigma. Autism Unmasked Workshop is an in-person community engagement workshop that I led and developed for my thesis capstone project. My capstone thesis focuses on the impact of dance movement therapy (DMT) on helping people with autism and their caregivers improve self-awareness by increasing expressiveness and enhancing socialization, specifically in managing stigma in the media. The goal is to develop guidance for identifying needs and adapting support for those helping this population, such as family members and professionals. The results …

Burnout In Dancers & The Use Of Dance/Movement Therapy As An Intervention: A Literature Review, Delia Tan

Expressive Therapies Theses

Burnout is recognized by the World Health Organization as an occupational phenomenon characterized by exhaustion, cynicism and reduced professional efficacy (World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). While burnout is well researched in high-stress professions, burnout in dancers appears to be lacking. This literature review examines existing burnout theories, current assessment tools and the lived experience of burnout within the dance population together with the role of Dance/Movement Therapy as an intervention.

Creating Safety In Trauma-Informed Care, Grace Alzamora

Expressive Therapies Theses

This study investigated the implementation of narrative art therapy directives focused on identity development and support for adults who have experienced childhood trauma. Narrative therapy was applied to further examine the ways operating from a strength-based perspective benefits clients. Existing research supports the application of the narrative art approach with various populations as a way to validate the client’s lived experiences, strengthen personal identity, and improve the perspective of the situation. A series of art therapy directives were implemented at a partial hospitalization program for mental health and substance use. The participants were between the ages of 19-65 years old …

Loneliness Among Growing Adolescents: How The Bible Is The Sufficient Example For Every Aspect Of Forming Community, Savannah Paige Clemons

Senior Honors Theses

Adolescents in the world today have a variety of opportunities to take part in, as they are more digitally connected with people than ever before. In American culture there is a recognizable goal to stay at a constant pace of achieving more and more; however, technology no longer acts as an aid, but it has become a replacement to physical community. This isolation and lack of living life with community is causing a detriment to adolescents’ mental health. The Bible is sufficient for every aspect of community through showing structure of belonging and relationship.

'Here's What Bali Can Do For You': Social Media's Impact On Travel Writing, Carlisle Avalon Jarnigan

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis examines how social media has initiated a shift in the genre of travel writing from educational cultural observation to a form of engagement-driven, monetized travel content creation. Historically, the genre has functioned as a descriptive genre dedicated to educating readers who would never get to see the destinations they read about modern travel writing and content creation use emotional persuasion to market travel experience as a product, redefining the genre. Using methods like geotagging, user-generated content (UGC), and emotionally charged storytelling approaches, travel creators no longer just describe locations but instead promise readers that if they visit, they …

Sustainability In The Fashion Industry: Environmental Effects & Analyzing Innovative Approaches To Reducing Environmental Impact While Maintaining Profitability And Effectiveness, Haley Castillo Rebollar

Senior Honors Theses

The fast-fashion business model has several severe environmental impacts, including resource overconsumption, chemical pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and solid waste consumption. Hence, the sustainable fashion alternative is questioned as to whether it can be applied with recoverable economic value and limited consequential impact when considering novel approaches in business model innovation, supply chain transformation, and the adoption of digital technologies. Evidence suggests that sustainability and profitability need not be mutually exclusive when strategic intervening actions are effectively managed. The set of principles of the circular economy, sustainable enterprise architecture frameworks, green supply chain management, advanced systems of forecasting, and three-dimensional …

Behavioral Biases In Investment Decision-Making: Evidence From Short-Term Trading Behavior During High-Volatility Market Events, Jayden A. Shwed

Honors Theses

This study examines how behavioral biases influence short-term trading behavior during periods of high market volatility. While traditional financial theory assumes that investors act rationally, real-world market behavior often reflects the influence of psychological factors. Rather than treating behavioral bias as a single market force, this thesis compares how different biases appear across distinct market environments. Using an empirical, case-study-based approach, this study evaluates three recent market episodes: the COVID-19 market crash in 2020, the GameStop meme stock surge in 2021, and the rise of NVIDIA during the artificial intelligence boom from 2023 to 2024. Historical price and trading volume …

Executive Committee - Agenda, 05/05/2026, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Socioeconomic Status, Motivations And Barriers To Higher Education, And The Academic Achievements Of Women Attending Postsecondary Institutions In The Freely Associated States, Laura Ann Mccormick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Improving Nursing Orientation: A Preceptor-Led Competency Program, Brandy Tanesa Broadway

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Staff Education To Improve Phq-9 Knowledge, Confidence, And Competency In An Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Zainab Lawal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

A Qualitative Analysis Of Reddit Posts Made By Formerly Incarcerated Women, Madison R. Diaz

Graduate Student Thesis

Women with felony convictions who serve prison sentences encounter significant barriers during reentry, making it difficult to achieve stability. These barriers are shaped by stigma, background check policies, and limited access to supportive resources, often leading to feelings of hopelessness and isolation. The current study analyzes Reddit posts made by self-identified women in the r/Felons subreddit to understand how they describe these barriers and how they use online spaces for support. A qualitative content analysis was used to identify common themes related to employment, education, housing, and stigma. Many posts reflect frustration, discouragement, and anger toward the criminal justice system …

Barriers To Palliative Care Access In Rural South Dakota: A Policy And System-Level Analysis, Harshavardhan Kadarkaraisamy

Honors Thesis

Palliative care improves the quality of life for people living with serious illness. It helps by addressing symptoms, improving communication, and providing mental, physical, and spiritual support. However, in South Dakota access to palliative care is limited in rural areas. These challenges include geographic isolation, workforce shortages, healthcare infrastructure, reimbursement, and misunderstandings about palliative care. This thesis examines the key policy barriers that limit access to palliative care in rural South Dakota. This work involves engaging with South Dakota-specific literature, rural health research, policy sources, community education, telehealth expansion, and policy reform. By focusing on the rural context of South …

Falling Star Program: A Visual Cue Intervention To Reduce Falls In Long-Term Care, Maggie Shanahan

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Falls among older adults in skilled nursing and long-term care settings remain a leading cause of injury, functional decline, and increased healthcare utilization, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality in this population (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ], 2022). The primary purpose of this project aimed to implement and evaluate a structured visual cue–based fall prevention intervention to reduce fall rates among high-risk residents in a long-term care facility in Northwest Indiana. The project included 23 participants aged 65 years and older who were identified as high risk for falls. Using …

Rehabilitation In Name Only: Structural And Procedural Failures In Tennessee’S Parole System, Laney Quickel, Ashia Davis, Kresha Patel, Michelle, Camillia, Sherra

Vanderbilt Social Justice Reporter

No abstract provided.

The Need For A Sentencing “Second Look” Statute In Tennessee, Alisha, Bershia, Lindsey, Rhyma Asim, Cassandra Berice, Kyle Smith

Vanderbilt Social Justice Reporter

No abstract provided.

Variation In Prevalence Of Participation Limitation, Injury Location, And Training Habits Between Young And Master Runners: A Cross-Sectional Study, Rachel Berns, Jo Armour Smith, Natalia Sánchez, Samantha N. Jeffcoat, Susan Sigward, Andrew Hooyman, Shawn Farrokhi

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background/Objectives

Running is a popular form of physical activity, but its growing participation has been accompanied by high rates of injury that may limit ongoing engagement, particularly in older runners. This study explored differences in running participation limitation, injury location, and training characteristics between young (18–34 years) and master (>35 years) runners.

Methods

A total of 207 runners (105 young, 102 master) completed an online survey assessing demographics, training habits, and injury-related participation limitations using the updated Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire.

Results

Master runners reported higher rates of injury-related participation limitation than young runners (51% …

A Quality Improvement Project To Strengthen Hospice Spiritual Care Delivery, Patricia Boudreau

Doctoral Projects

Spiritual care is an essential component of holistic end-of-life nursing, yet it is inconsistently provided in home hospice settings. For this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project, we developed and implemented the Compassionate Spiritual Comfort Integration Program (CSCI), a brief, theory-based educational intervention to strengthen hospice nurses' spiritual care practices. Grounded in Kolcaba's Comfort Theory and Jinpa's Compassion Framework, the CSCI was delivered as a prerecorded webinar. A quasi-experimental single–group pretest–posttest design was used to evaluate changes in spiritual care behaviors, measured with the 17-item Nurse Spiritual Care Therapeutics Scale (NSCTS) and a single-item confidence measure. Twenty-two nurses …