Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Exploring The Relationship Between Cannabis Use Motives And Readiness To Change Among Young Adult College Students, Emma Kathryn Rawls

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Cannabis use among young adult college students has risen steadily over the past decade, raising concerns about the associated health, academic, and psychological consequences. While cannabis use motives and readiness to change have each been linked to use patterns and outcomes, limited research has examined how these factors interact. The current study investigated whether readiness to change, based on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), moderates the relationship between cannabis use motives and cannabis-related consequences as well as past-30-day use frequency. A sample of 100 college students 18-25 years old (M_age = 20.08, SD = 2.12; 67% female; 55.0% Black or …

Drinking To Compensate: Expanding Upon The Motivational Model Of Alcohol Use, Douglas J. Glenn

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The motivational model of alcohol use identifies four key drinking motives – coping, conformity, social, and enhancement – as important proximal antecedents of problematic drinking. However, applications of this model have been inconsistent in explaining drinking outcomes. Specifically, it is unclear under which conditions each drinking motive can be a risky or benign indicator of drinking behaviors. The current study theorized that a problematic drinking to compensate behavior could emerge across all drinking motives when alcohol is used to counteract a psychosocial (i.e., nondrinking) deficit. It was hypothesized, at the cross-sectional and daily level, that the associations between each drinking …

Predictors Of Healthcare Providers' Readiness For Health System Transformation In Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Ali Alasiri

Health Services Research Dissertations

The healthcare system in Saudi Arabia is undergoing significant health reform to warrant sustainable welfare provision. Privatization or public-private partnerships (PPPs) were introduced in 2021 and outlined the vision for the health system for 2023. The planned initiatives aim to be comprehensive and effectively reach individuals and society, including citizens, noncitizens, and visitors. This dissertation seeks to study and explore privatization, the role of healthcare providers, and their capacity to adapt to the transformation of the healthcare system. To achieve this ambitious goal, several interrelated projects have been undertaken. The first project was a systematic review aimed at studying the …

Mental Health Counselors’ Perceptions Of Professional Identity As Correctional Counselors In An Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Setting, Jeanel L. Franklin, Kevin C. Snow, Edward S. Neukrug

Journal of Human Services Scholarship and Interprofessional Collaboration

This interpretive phenomenological study of four individuals examined clinical mental health counselors (MHCs) in a correctional integrated behavioral healthcare (IBH) setting to the purpose of examining how the unique experiences and roles of MHCs employed as correctional counselors in an IBH setting impacted the perceptions of their professional identity/development as counselors. Findings indicated how environment, work relationships, and multiple foci of mental health roles contributed to professional growth and identity development. Participants experienced an adaptive transitional process when applying counseling styles to the setting and population as well as integrating experiences as correctional counselors into pre-existing professional identities. Practical implications …

The Relationships Between Expectancy-Value Beliefs, Communal Value Beliefs, Family Identity, And Academic Persistence Among First- And Continuing-Generation College Students, Douglas W. Snuffer

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

First-generation college students (students for whom neither parent has a 4-year college degree) have lower college graduation rates than their continuing-generation peers (Cahalan et al., 2021; Fry, 2021). First-generation students may experience barriers to higher education, leading to lower levels of academic achievement motivation for college. Two of these barriers may include 1) cultural mismatch (Stephens, Fryberg, et al., 2012) with colleges via communal value (a value set that emphasizes community and family over the self) and 2) a strong sense of family identity, which lends itself to perceived family obligations (Fuligni et al., 2007). To examine the relationships between …

Examination Of An Experimental Paradigm Of Impaired Control Over Alcohol Use, Emily K. Junkin

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Alcohol use disorders peak during young adulthood with nearly 27% of individuals aged 18 to 30 meeting diagnostic criteria. Impaired control, or difficulty limiting alcohol use, has been identified as one of the earliest symptoms of an alcohol use disorder and is predictive of alcohol use severity. Despite the relevance of impaired control for identifying and preventing hazardous drinking behaviors, there is a dearth of research that exists on this critical risk factor. The current study tested an experimental paradigm of impaired control whereby participants self-administered alcohol following guidelines to limit consumption to a low level. It was hypothesized that …

Specialization Or Diversification? Creators’ Strategies On User-Generated Content Platforms, Ziwei Ye

Theses and Dissertations in Business Administration

Recent advancements in digital platforms have reshaped content creation and distribution. User-generated content (UGC), created and shared by internet users, is transforming entertainment, communication, and information sharing. The rise of UGC has fueled the growth of the "creator economy"—an ecosystem of creators, users, and advertisers facilitated by platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. While prior research has primarily explored how UGC platforms incentivize content quantity and quality, this study advances the literature by examining how creators' content strategies influence consumer attention and how platform mechanisms shape this relationship, offering new insights into the interplay between creator behavior and platform design. …

Power Asymmetry Dynamics: Assessing Interdependence In France-Cameroon Relations Through Economic And Security Cooperation (2000–2024), Chick Edmond

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

This paper examines the dynamics of power asymmetry in the interdependent relationship between Cameroon and France from 2000 – 2024 with a focus on security and economic cooperation. The main research question asks: To what extent has power asymmetry reinforced or mitigated the interdependent relationship between Cameroon and France within the realm of economic and security cooperation? Based on the hypothesis that increased interdependence between these two states during this period has strengthened existing power disparity. The paper examines how such dynamics have restrained Cameroon’s autonomy and its capacity to pursue policy goals.

The theoretical framework combines dependency theory, postcolonial …

Thriving In The Age Of Ai: Navigating Ai Identity Threat Through Ai Job Crafting, Yuming He

Theses and Dissertations in Business Administration

As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like GenAI tools increasingly reshape the workplace, employees increasingly face threats to their work identity. Grounded in the identity threat response model and job crafting theory, this study investigates how AI identity threat influences employee AI job crafting behaviors and how these behaviors, in turn, affect vitality and learning. Using survey data from 521 full-time employees who actively engage with AI tools, the results indicate that AI identity threat stimulates both AI approach job crafting and AI avoidance job crafting. AI approach crafting enhances both vitality and learning, while AI avoidance crafting only supports vitality. …

Post Soviet Russia: Challenges To Transition And Modernization, Chick Edmond

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the beginning of a complex, often turbulent, period of transition and modernization for Russia. Unlike the anticipated linear path toward Western-style democracy and market economics, Russia’s post-Soviet experience has been defined by profound contradictions, reversals, and ongoing contestations over its political, economic, and social order (Minakov, 2016). The initial wave of reforms, particularly in the 1990s, brought about radical economic restructuring, privatization, and an attempted shift to a free-market system. Yet, these rapid changes led to significant economic dislocation, social inequality, and the rise of oligarchic power structures, which ultimately undermined …

Understanding Anti-Racism In Counselor Education: A Narratology Of Anti-Racist Pedagogy In Sociocultural Courses, Danielle G. Rodgers

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Counselors have the privilege to join children, adolescents, and adults from all walks of life in a journey of working towards mental and emotional wellness. Our code of ethics outlines “honoring diversity and embracing a multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of people within their social and cultural contexts” (p.3) and promoting social justice as two of our core professional values (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2014). The ACA also stated in their Antiracist Statement in 2020 that “we have a moral and professional obligation to deconstruct institutions which have historically been designed to benefit White …

Frontlines Of Influence: State Vs. Nonstate Disinformation Campaigns, Lily Wershbale

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

This paper examines the evolution of disinformation campaigns conducted by state and nonstate actors, focusing specifically on Russia and the Islamic State as representative case studies. Through historical examples and qualitative comparative analysis, this research identifies the similarities and differences in disinformation’s role in actors’ core missions, resource allocation, and targeting decisions. This paper further explores the implications of artificial intelligence on disinformation campaigns, investigating how emerging technology will impact the influence operations of state governments and nonstate organizations alike. The findings reveal that while the ultimate intent of both state and non-state actors is to destabilize societies, their approaches …

Not Right Now: Factors Affecting Interruption Decisions In A Healthcare Paradigm, Matthew G. Pacailler

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Interruptions are common in the workplace, but when they happen during high-stakes critical tasks, they can have serious consequences. In the field of healthcare, interruptions can lead to serious adverse events or medication errors. Research on interruption management strategies addresses the potentially harmful outcomes of interruptions but often fails to account for the initial decision to accept or reject the interrupting task. Two experiments were performed to examine the decision-making outcomes for interruptions.

In experiment I, the participants monitored two EKG displays while simultaneously entering medication information into a patient chart. The decision to accept or reject an interruption was …

Investigating The Ability To Perceive Nonverbal Behaviors In Different Interaction Formats, Amanda J. Ashdown

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The rapid rise in interactive video-based communication has raised important questions about how it affects the perception of nonverbal behavior and impression formation. Guided by the Parallel Process Model (PPM), Multiple Resource Theory (MRT), and Working Memory (WM) models, this study investigated the ability of individuals to observe and assess another person’s nonverbal behaviors and form accurate impressions during conversations in live, face-to-face interactions compared to virtual formats. The study employed a 2 (interaction format: live vs. virtual; within-subjects) × 2 (observation type: active vs. passive; between-subjects) × 2 (genuineness: genuine vs. nongenuine behavior; between-subjects) mixed design. Participants either actively …

Relationship Between Local Fiscal Effort And High School Graduation Rate, Zachary Michael Haney

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Education is an investment in human capital, but the cost to provide this public service is significant. Understanding the return on this investment is essential for informed and effective financial decision-making. While previous school finance studies have examined the relationship between funding and various indicators of student achievement and student attainment, most have focused on spending practices rather than the level of investment itself. Although the literature affirms the need for educational resources, further research is required to determine which types of investment most positively affect student outcomes. Therefore, funding must be analyzed prior to budgetary allocation to evaluate its …

Evolving Nuclear Deterrence Strategies: Balancing Security And Stability In A Changing World Order., Chick Edmond

Graduate Student Government Association Research Conference

In an increasingly evolving global geopolitical landscape, nuclear deterrence strategies face an unprecedented challenge as the global order transcends from a bipolar to an inevitably multipolar dimension. This paper analyses the strategies of preserving stability and security in a World dominated by diverse power centers, technological advancements and emerging global threats. It examines the practical and theoretical implications of nuclear deterrence in a polycentric context including the risk of escalation, miscalculation and proliferation. By examining the historical trends, current mechanisms and potential future events which increases the likelihood of a nuclear disaster. This research paper provides a critical perspective on …

Carbon Accountability Scores: A Process-Oriented Approach For Carbon Offsetting Using Ai Agents, Joshit Mohanty, Vaishali Vaishali

Graduate Student Government Association Research Conference

Conventional carbon offset programs rely on quantified emissions to determine balancing requirements. While this approach offers a standardized means of measuring carbon output, it often provides industries with a loophole—allowing them to offset their emissions by purchasing equivalent credits for activities such as tree planting rather than tackling inefficiencies at the source. This research proposes a process-based framework called Carbon Accountability Scores (CA scores) to offer a proactive strategy for assessing and reducing carbon footprints. Instead of focusing on the mere balancing of emitted and sequestered carbon, CA scores integrate an organization’s operational processes into the calculation, thereby offering the …

49 - Speaking Through Art: Leisure As An Act Of Resistance For A Leader, Rowan Williams, Dejaune (Deja) K. Thompson

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Literature and anecdotal experience often depict leadership roles as high-stress positions, in which individuals can neglect the importance of leisure activities for personal development and well-being. This proposed study draws from Laura Ellingson's conceptual framework of crystallization (Ellingson, 2014; Ellingson, 2017) which acknowledges the multifaceted, dynamic nature of human experiences and identities. Additionally, crystallization can provide a rich and contextually sensitive approach to exploring how art is a multidimensional tool for personal reflection, storytelling, and resilience.

This study explores the intersection of leisure, art, and leadership, explicitly examining artistic practices' role in enhancing leaders' mental health, resilience, and identity formation. …

60 - Racial And Gender Differences In Trauma-Related Cannabis Use: Examining Ptsd Coping Mechanism In A Diverse College Sample, Daniela Chaname, Sage Hawn, Christopher Latourrette

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly comorbid with cannabis use disorder (CUD). One explanation for this comorbidity is the self-medication model, which suggests that individuals may use cannabis to cope with or reduce PTSD symptoms. This behavior, referred to as trauma-related cannabis use to cope (TRCU), may differ across gender and racial groups; however, research on these variations remains limited. The present study investigated gender and racial differences in TRCU, as well as their potential moderating effects on the relationship between PTSD symptoms and TRCU. Participants were 596 diverse college undergraduates (76.9% women, 18.9% men; 35.8% Black, 49% White, 6.6% …

65 - Evaluating Drone-Based Stem Camps For Enhanced Engagement And Sel Development, David Morgan

Undergraduate Research Symposium

STEM camps are programs designed to promote exposure to learning associated with science, technology, engineering, and math educational outcomes. However, there is a significant gap in participation for Black and Brown individuals in STEM careers. This study seeks to understand how STEM programs during out-of-school time may support students from underrepresented communities and foster future interest in STEM-related careers. This study employs a retrospective qualitative research design investigating program participation in a week-long STEM camp in Hampton, Virginia. Thirty middle and high school students participated in the curriculum, technical drone skills, emphasizing emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and social awareness. These findings …

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.

Odu Libraries Newsletter, Spring 2025, Old Dominion University Libraries

Libraries Newsletters

Spring 2025 ODU Libraries Newsletter.

Weapons Of Mass Disruption: How Small States Use Cyber To Resist Larger Powers, Russell Alexander Korb

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

This paper examines the ways in which small states can engage larger actors using cyber- attacks. Since the end of both World Wars, small states have increased in both numbers and relevance, with strong international institutions and norms against military aggression allowing small states to gain legitimacy by the very act of participating in the international system. However, although small states can now do more than simply choose a larger, stronger benefactor to ward off their enemies, they still cannot defy larger powers outright due to the still- dramatic difference in capabilities between them. Those small states interested in confronting …

Supervisees’ Responsiveness In Supervision With Doctoral Student Supervisors, Zübeyde Akpakır

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

This study explores the factors that influence the responsiveness of master’s-level counselors-in-training (CITs) to university-based supervision with doctoral student supervisors. Supervision is an important element and the requirement of CITs' professional development (Bernard & Goodyear, 2019; CACREP, 2024), and many counselor education programs educate their doctoral student to supervise master’s-level CITs (Luke, 2019). Despite its significance, there is no empirical data on how CITs engage with feedback and guidance, particularly in supervision led by novice doctoral supervisors. The study employed an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, Q methodology (McKeown & Thomas, 2013), to analyze CITs' subjective perspectives and identify factors …

Route 420: An Examination Of Cannabis Knowledge, Attitudes, And Use Behaviors Among Young Adults By Primary Route Of Administration, Samantha A. Fitzer

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Cannabis use among young adults in the United States has reached unprecedented levels in recent years. Previous research suggests that the escalating legalization of cannabis across the U.S. has made cannabis use more socially acceptable as well as accessible (e.g., expanding routes of administration) to young adults. However, less is known about how combined individual-level factors (i.e., knowledge and attitudes) may predict cannabis use patterns among young adult college students. Using the Knowledge-Attitude-Behavior (KAB) model, the current study examined a) the mediating effect of cannabis beliefs on the association between cannabis knowledge and cannabis use behaviors (frequency and typical intoxication …

An Examination Of The Role Bureaucratic Discretion Plays In Public Education Policy And Administration: A Revelation Of How Discretionary Discipline Impacts Historically Marginalized Students, Regina Francine Turner

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

An under-researched area of public administration, bureaucratic discretionary practices regarding student discipline and resulting inequitable consequences are explored throughout this study from a theoretical perspective. The study examines student discipline outcomes for conduct violations in America’s schools. Further, research will determine if data supports the notion that school leaders’ administrative discretion contributes to inequitable student disciplinary practices. Evidenced by research and corresponding data regarding discriminatory student disciplinary actions, this study relies on Critical Race Theory (CRT) as its foundation and theoretical framework.

Using relevant literature, research questions were formed, hypotheses were crafted, and statistical analyses were performed to test means …

Fostering Cognitive Complexity In Behavioral Health Providers: Perspectives From Supervisors In Integrated Primary Care, Katherina Nako

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

The integration of behavioral health into primary care settings, known as Integrated Primary Care (IPC), offers a holistic approach to addressing both physical and mental health needs (Ramanuj et al., 2019). Efforts to expand access to mental healthcare have contributed to the growing presence of IPC settings (Martin 2017), with mental health providers, such as mental health counselors, joining these teams as Behavioral Health Providers (BHPs; Blount, 2017). However, the unique complexities of IPC often leave BHPs feeling underprepared, largely due to the traditional training frameworks emphasized in many graduate counseling programs. The need for BHPs to adapt to the …

Modeling The Impacts Of Disruptive Events On Driving Behaviors, Transportation Safety, And Equity: Advanced Statistical Insights From The Covid-19 Pandemic, Xiaomeng Dong

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation aims to understand how disruptive events —particularly the COVID-19 pandemic—affect driving behaviors, transportation safety and equity by leveraging advanced statistical modeling techniques and data from Virginia. This research pursues three overarching objectives. First, it employs multigroup structural equation modeling (SEM) to uncover the complex interrelationships among risky driving behaviors, injury severity, and pandemic-related factors, delineating the mechanisms through which COVID-19 has impacted crash outcomes via changing risky driving behaviors. Second, it leverages hidden Markov models to trace shifts in safety states over the pre-, during-, and post-pandemic periods, determining whether and when safety conditions return to pre-pandemic norms. …

Communication During Perimmigration: A Life-Line Interview Method Study, Giada Roberta Rossi

Communication & Theatre Arts Theses

This thesis examines the communication challenges faced by migrants and their impact on acculturation using a new approach. The study analyzed autobiographical memories of immigrants’ communication to explore both positive and negative experiences over time. The study extends previous intercultural communication research by using the Life-Line Interview Method (LIM) (Assink & Schroots, 2010) to collect autobiographical narratives from twelve participants about their communication journeys. The findings reveal consistencies with past intercultural communication research insofar as uncertainty and identity problems were pervasive, but also positively extends past research arguing that supportive environments, characterized by culturally responsive educators and peer networks, play …

Intimate Partner Violence Among College Students: The Influence Of Gender, Sexual Orientation, Race/Ethnicity On Bystander Intention, Brooke M. Puharic

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Intimate partner violence (IPV) among college students is an issue across gender, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity. The present study highlights the sociodemographic characteristics that influence physical IPV involvement among college students by reporting past year prevalence and frequency rates of physical IPV involvement by gender, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity. Additionally, the current study builds on research about bystander intention to intervene by exploring the influence of these sociodemographic characteristics on participants intentions to intervene, as well as their preferred type of intervention.

Participants were 525 university students recruited from the psychology research pool. They were presented with eight hypothetical vignettes …