Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Novel Method For Deriving The Binaural Interaction Component And Its Association With Spatial Listening Ability In Adults, Kate M. Fisher, Marlana J. Petersen, Mindee Anderson, Annika P. Williams

Student Research Symposium

• Spatial listening helps children detect and focus on specific sounds in noisy environments.
• Classrooms require filtering relevant speech (e.g., teacher's voice) from background noise, which is challenging without strong spatial listening skills.

Examining Cultural Competency In Audiologists Across The United States: A Pilot Survey, Olivia Montoya

Student Research Symposium

• Cultural competency refers to the ability of systems to provide care to patients with diverse values, beliefs, and behaviors, including tailoring delivery to meet patients' social, cultural, and linguistic needs (Betancourt, 2002).

• Limited studies to date have explored the implementation of cultural competence in audiology, which begs the question of how audiologists are fighting against—instead of contributing to—healthcare disparities among ethnic minorities.

Prenatal Exposure To Pm2.5 Concentration And Risk Of Preterm Birth In New Mexico; A Seasonal Pattern And Spatio-Temporal Modeling., Onyedikachi J. Okeke

Mathematics & Statistics ETDs

This study investigates the association between prenatal PM2.5 exposure and preterm birth risk in New Mexico (2014–2021). Using descriptive statistics, time series models, and spatial analyses, findings show an average preterm birth rate of 14.87 per 1,000 live births, with moderate correlation (r = 0.727) between PM2.5 levels and very preterm births. While traditional models revealed no significant global effect, spatial methods such as Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and Multiscale GWR uncovered strong spatial heterogeneity. PM2.5 effects varied by county (coefficients: -0.00154 to 0.00150), with clustering evident in 2018–2019 (Moran’s I = 0.155–0.174). Results highlight the limitations of global models …

52 - The Intersection Of Trauma Type And Alcohol Use In College Women: Examining Maladaptive Coping In A High-Risk Population, Mira I. Hopkins, Christopher T. Latourrette, Niya Richardson, Mellyssa G. Deoliveira, Sage E. Hawn

Undergraduate Research Symposium

This study examines how different types of trauma exposure, interpersonal and non-interpersonal, relate to alcohol use as a coping mechanism in college women with trauma histories. Given the unique social and environmental pressures of college life, this research aims to highlight the ways in which trauma and substance use intersect in this high-risk population.

Mindfulness Meditation For Informal Caregivers Of Individuals Living With Alzheimer's Disease, Stacey Miller

Theses and Graduate Projects

Abstract

Caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease places significant emotional, physical, financial, and psychological burden on caregivers. Alzheimer’s disease is leading to an increase in family members becoming informal caregivers for their loved ones living with this disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association (2022), 66% of caregivers for people with dementia live in their homes with them. This scholarly project, through a literature review and qualitative data collection, explored the lived experiences of informal caregivers leading to feelings of stress. Mindfulness meditation provides proven benefits to stress management. Margaret Newman’s theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness lays the foundation for …

A Cross-Sectional Analysis: Employment And Its Impact On Physical Activity, Academic Performance, And Quality Of Life Among Bellarmine University Students, Orlando Exposito Nuñez

Undergraduate Theses

Introduction: Half of undergraduate students are employed, meaning they must balance work with academics, physical activity (PA), and personal responsibilities. This study examines the potential negative impact of employment on PA, academic performance, and quality of life (QOL) among college students. Methods: The cross-sectional survey comprised 125 Bellarmine University students (Age 21.07 ± 3.40; 52% female, 48% male). Measures included the RAND SF-36 for QOL, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and a custom academic and employment questionnaire. Racial and ethnic demographics included White (75.2%), Black or African American (11.2%), Hispanic or Latino (15.2%), Asian (4.8%), Multiracial (4.8%), …

The Impact Of Perceived Discrimination On Mental And Physical Health Among The Hispanic Immigrant Population, Cheyla Tabares Cuesta

Undergraduate Theses

Discrimination has profoundly shaped the lives of individuals within disadvantaged communities, but its impact on mental and physical health has often been overlooked. In this project, I review literature on perceived discrimination based on immigrant status and its effects on psychological and physical health and examine a potential mediator and moderator of these relationships. Specifically, the relationships between immigration-based discrimination and both mental health and physical health may be mediated by perceived stress, meaning that discrimination may lead to higher stress levels, which results in poorer health outcomes. Furthermore, these relationships may be moderated by psychological resilience; individuals with higher …

04.07.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

New ORED Website Goes Live

Oxford Pitch Competition

Hughes Miller, Strategic Partnerships

Methods For Community-Engaged Data Collection And Analysis In Implementation Research, Lawrence A. Palinkas, Benjamin Springgate, Leopoldo J. Cabassa, Michelle Shin, Samantha Garcia, Benjamin F. Crabtree, Jennifer Tsui

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Community engagement is widely recognized as critical to successful and equitable implementation of evidence-based practices, programs, and policies. However, there are no clear guidelines for community involvement in data collection and analysis in implementation research. METHODS: We describe three specific methods for engaging community members in data collection and analysis: concept mapping, rapid ethnographic assessment, and Photovoice. Common elements are identified from a case study of each method: 1) selection and adaptation of evidence-based strategies for improving adolescent HPV vaccine initiation rates in disadvantaged communities, 2) strategies for implementing medication for opioid use disorders among low-income Medicaid enrollees during …

No Vaccine? Why Not: Causes Of Vaccine Hesitancy And How Governments Can Stop It, Alexander (Alec) Mccarty '25

Honor Scholar Theses

Vaccine hesitancy is a term that has entered the spotlight since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. With concerns about efficacy, safety, and individual choice, many people have developed a hesitancy toward receiving any vaccine, creating concerns for public and global health. Through responses from local and state health departments about their actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and through analysis of state vaccine rates based on political affiliation, this study suggests that vaccine hesitancy is a current issue that is likely politically motivated. States that are Republican affiliated have lower rates of vaccine uptake, and in turn they have higher …

Blue Chairs And Broken Minds: The Troubled Teen Industry’S Legacy Of Abuse, Macie Barker '25

Honor Scholar Theses

The Troubled Teen Industry (TTI) operates under the veil of rehabilitating adolescents with behavioral challenges. However, evidence reveals a system rife with abuse, manipulation, and inadequate oversight. From the infamous blue chairs of Straight, Inc., to the isolation tactics of WWASP program, this industry has maintained a facade of treatment while subjecting youth to severe abuse. This paper explores the history, recruitment tactics, institutional failures, survivor recovery journeys, and legal battles that define the TTI. Advocacy movements, including Breaking Code Silence and WWASP Survivors, have emerged to combat industry malpractice and push for policy changes to protect vulnerable youth. Additionally, …

Perceived Risk And Hpv Vaccination Awareness Among Women In Rural And Underserved Communities In The State Of Louisiana, Deborah Gurgel Smith, Emily M. Dantes, Robbie Beyl, Yanna X. De Koter, Margaret Bourg, Corey D. Smith, Gelinia Jackson, Justin Brown, Jerry W. Mclarty

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Despite the availability of effective preventive measures, women in rural and underserved communities of Louisiana face health disparities regarding human papillomavirus infections. This study explores how perceived risk and socioeconomic factors, such as income, influence HPV vaccine awareness and attitudes toward HPV risk. A cross-sectional study was conducted among women in rural and underserved areas of Louisiana from November 2022 to December 2023. Participants were eligible to be included in the study if they were adult females aged 25 to 64 with no history of hysterectomy and no history of cervical cancer. We used convenience sampling through a mobile health …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Nurses' Feelings, Stress, Coping, And Motivation In Palestinian Treatment Centers Of Corona, † Wafaa Menawi, Shatha Mari, Ahmad Adel Hanani

An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities)

Background: Frontline nurses of COVID-19 found themselves in an unfamiliar new disease work environment, fighting to adapt and control the stress while working at covid-19 centers in Palestine. Aim: To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on nurses' feelings, stress, coping, and motivation in COVID-19 Palestinian treatment Centers. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design was conducted between Mid of July to the end of October 2021 by recruiting a purposive sample of 390 nurses who worked at the Ministry of Health during COVID-19 pandemic treatment centers. The nurses filled out the COVID-19 Health Personnel Questionnaire with Cronbach's Alpha > 0.9. Results: Palestinian frontline …

The Impact Of Childhood Sexual Abuse On Resilience And Empathy In Adulthood: Exploring Psychological Outcomes And Interrelationships Among Adult Survivors, Helen Dao

NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

Background: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a traumatic experience that can have lasting psychological impacts on its survivors. Resilience and empathy are crucial for the recovery and social functioning of CSA survivors. However, the relationship between CSA and these constructs remains complex and not fully understood. Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether significant differences exist between individuals who have experienced CSA and those who have not. Additionally, the study also investigated the relationship between empathy and resilience. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 36 adult participants, including CSA survivors and non-CSA participants. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale was used …

Building Empathy Through Storytelling: A Living Library Program Focused On Women’S Health, Jess King, Belinda Boelter, Catherine Medici-Thiemann

Posters and Presentations: Leon S. McGoogan Health Sciences Library

An academic health sciences library hosted a grant-funded living library program titled “Bringing Stories of Women’s Health to the Forefront.” With a campus that is increasingly focused on incorporating the humanities into medical education, the library added to this momentum by offering a program which encouraged empathy through the art of storytelling. The program was delivered via three routes: an in-person event for the city’s metro community, a virtual event for the university community and their clinical partners, and oral interview video recordings that are hosted on the library website. In order to host a successful event that met the …

Findings From A Qualitative Analysis: Social Media Influencers Of Color As Trusted Messengers Of Hpv Vaccination Messages, Amelia Burke-Garcia, Erin Cutroneo, Dasha Afanaseva, Kayla Madden, Angela Sustaita-Ruiz, Preethi Selvan, Estefany Rivera Sanchez, Amy Leader

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Despite HPV vaccination reducing the prevalence of cervical cancer by 90%, vaccination rates remain lower among communities of color due to vaccine hesitancy and mistrust in traditional public health messengers. The emergence of social media influencers, a newer kind of messenger, presents a unique opportunity to share immunization messages in new ways with a variety of communities. This paper reviews the qualitative findings from a study aimed at assessing influencers' perceptions of and approaches to sharing messaging about the HPV vaccine.

METHODS: Guided by several theories (Theory of Planned Behavior, Narrative Theory, and Opinion Leader Theory), the study team …

Investigating The Effects Of Intranasal Esketamine On Suicidal Ideation In Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression, Ciara White, Izma N. Khaliq, Nicholas Mischel, Kirsten Brinkmeier

Medical Student Research Symposium

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains a significant challenge, with many patients failing conventional treatments. While intranasal esketamine has demonstrated efficacy for depression, its specific effects on suicidal ideation (SI)—a critical symptom of depression—are underexplored. Unlike most studies that adhere to the 84mg dosing paradigm administered twice weekly, this study explores the novel use of varying esketamine doses, including 54mg, 84mg, and 112mg. This study aims to evaluate the impact of varying esketamine doses (54mg, 84mg, and 112mg) on SI in a real-world outpatient population (n=24). This study analyzed data from patients in Southwest Michigan with major depressive disorder (MDD) and psychiatric …

Evaluating The Current State Of Quality Measure Reporting In The Merit-Based Incentive Payment System, Kinan Sawar, Geoffrey Potts Md

Medical Student Research Symposium

The Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) requires physicians to report quality measures along with other metrics that are used to determine an annual percentage adjustment to physician Medicare Part B payments. Unfortunately, physicians have been forced to choose from an ineffective, limited set of quality measures. This has led to an overreliance on process measures, which fail to stratify physician performance effectively; it has also led to differences in the number of reporting options across specialties, resulting in unequal opportunity for physicians to succeed in MIPS. Using Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) public use file data from 2021-2024, …

Assessing Middle Eastern American Attitudes Towards Substance Use Disorders, Hazem Alata, Hussein Bazzi, Saleh Al-Juburi, Angie Achkar, Liam Browning, Nicole Oska, Adam Chaban, Arash Javanbakht

Medical Student Research Symposium

Assessing Middle Eastern American Attitudes Towards Substance Use Disorders

Introduction:

Substance use disorders (SUD) among Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) populations remain largely understudied, despite evidence of high prevalence rates and lower rates of treatment engagement. Unique cultural conceptualizations and beliefs surrounding substance use disorders may perpetuate stigma, further contributing to disparities in access to and utilization of treatment services. This study aims to explore the attitudes and perspectives of individuals from MENA communities regarding substance use disorders, with the goal of identifying and addressing barriers to treatment.

Methods:

An anonymous bilingual Qualtrics survey was administered, gathering responses from …

The Role Of Age, Experience, And Physical Fitness In Technical Performance In Karate: An Observational Analysis, Rui Miguel Silva, Joaquim Ferreira, Georgian Badicu, Jarosław Muracki, Beata Pożarowszczyk-Kuczko, Adam Kawczyński

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between age, experience, anthropometric measures, physical fitness, and the quality of technical performance in karate practitioners. We conducted an observational cross-sectional study with 53 federated karate athletes, aged 5 to 55, affiliated with the Youth Karate Association Portugal. The participants were divided into age and experience groups to assess differences in anthropometric measures (body mass, height, BMI) and physical fitness (strength, power, flexibility). The technical performance of four specific karate techniques – kizami, gyaku zuki, mawashi geri, and ura mawashi geri – was evaluated using a custom-designed technical evaluation …

Exploring The Impact Of Social Media And Social Networks On Juvenile Sexual Behavior Problems: A Scoping Review, Shaleen Clay

LSU Master's Theses

The issue of juvenile problematic sexual behavior has become a pervasive problem, and little research exists on the topic. How social media and social networks impact problematic sexual behaviors in juveniles is even less known and understood. The objective of this scoping review was to determine what is known about the impact of social media and social networks on juvenile sexual behavior problems. Four key themes appeared in the literature including the use of adult terminology, rather than juvenile, to describe juvenile relationships; the normalization of abusive behaviors within adolescent relationship; the influence of social networks/peer groups on aggression and …

A Mapping Review And Critique Of The Literature On Translation, Dissemination, And Implementation Capacity Building Initiatives For Different Audiences, Ana A Baumann, Danielle R Adams, Laura-Mae Baldwin, Rachel G Tabak, Sara Malone, Maura M Kepper, Anita D Misra-Hebert, Kathleen R Stevens, Maria E Fernandez, Sunil Kripalani

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Capacity building is critical for research and practice as the fields of dissemination, implementation and translation science continue to grow. Some scholars state that capacity building should be grounded in competencies. However, the fields are unclear in determining which competencies are relevant for whom, including the content and appropriate level of information and skills for different roles. The goal of this study was to catalogue competencies across current D&I capacity building initiatives.

Methods: We conducted a mapping review to examine to what extent are theories or frameworks used to guide capacity building, who is being trained, to what extent …

"I Know Who I Am": Draw-And-Tell Conversations With Gender-Creative Children, Eline Leemans Lenne

Dissertations and Theses

A growing number of children identify in various gender-creative ways, likely due to broader social awareness and affirmation of transgenderism. Gender-creative children face higher risks for adverse social, academic, mental health, and healthcare outcomes compared to non-transgender peers. Support from loved ones along with guidance from pediatric providers can mitigate poor outcomes and ensure that gender-creative children live healthy and happy lives. Young gender-creative children's perspectives about the aforementioned topics are markedly absent from the literature, which instead highlights adolescent and adult proxy perspectives.

In this participatory arts-based study anchored by a constructivist epistemology and informed by post-structuralist, queer, and …

Growing The Good: A Communal Garden Case Study Among Marginalized, Rural Populations, Claire Barbier

LSU Master's Theses

Community and Communal gardens (CG) have been documented as early as the late 1800s during periods of economic recessions and high food insecurity (The MIT Press Reader, 2022). However, C.G. adoption rates are expanding on a global scale as communities and municipalities see the potential for the tool to bring relief to environments in dire need of additional resources. Utilizing a communal garden can be used to address a surplus of systemic barriers a community faces; it has a significant opportunity to bring forth the interconnected tiers of public health altogether (Twiss et. al, 2003). Modernized C.G projects bring forth …

Heroes At The Clinic, Dalila Ulloa Perez

FUSION

This project explores different themes of heroism as seen through comparing my volunteer experience at the Veterinary Clinic at the Avenues in Marietta with major works of World Literature. It is shown how dedicated and selfless the staff are, as well as how strong and content the animals are. It puts an emphasis on how little acts of service can truly make a meaningful impact as it helps to create a broader understanding of heroism in our society.

For this assignment, students were asked to examine modern and ancient literary definitions of heroism by completing community service hours in person …

The Growth Of African American Nurses

The Civil Rights Movement (HIS/BLS 347) Zine Project

No abstract provided.

“Lyfting” The Possibilities And Opportunities For Sustainable And Safe Transportation To Access Medical Care, Saneywongse Le Mar

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being

No abstract provided.

Risk And Outcomes Of Pregnancy-Related Acute Kidney Injury: A Cohort In Bronx, Ny, Erica Marnet, Mayssaa Hoteit, Isbell Crevantes, Sonail Gupta, Ladan Golestaneh

Posters

Pregnancy-related acute kidney injury (PR-AKI) has been increasing in incidence and is associated with worse maternofetal outcomes. The goal of this study is to examine risk and hospitalization outcomes of PR-AKI compared to pregnancy without AKI in a low-income, minoritized population in Bronx, New York

Implementation Of Performance-Based Budgeting For Public Health Care Service Delivery In An Emerging Economy, Isaac O. Randa, Christine A. Adere

Southern African Journal of Policy and Development

This study investigates the determinants and implications of the implementation of performance-based budgeting (PBB) on public health care service delivery at the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in Windhoek, Namibia. Using a cross-sectional survey research design targeting 100 respondents, this study employed a quantitative research approach involving MoHSS's budgeting and health care services departments. Data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Communication, bureaucratic structures, and implementers’ disposition significantly influenced PBB implementation alignment, thereby enhancing service delivery. However, resource utilisation showed no significant effect. Additionally, implementation alignment effectively mediated the relationship between latent exogenous variables and …

2025- The Twenty-Ninth Annual Symposium Of Student Scholars

Symposium of Student Scholars Program Books

The full program book from the 29th Annual Symposium of Student Scholars, held on April 16-18, 2025. Includes abstracts from the presentations and posters.