Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Associations Between Social Media Usage, Physical Activity And Flourishing In Rural University Students, Anna Dysart, Minu Sara Thomas

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Most adolescents and young adults report significant use of social media.^1-3 However, there is limited research on the effect of social media use, specifically on physical activity and flourishing.

Purpose: This pilot research study examines the correlation between social media usage and the physical activity and flourishing levels of college students at a rural university in Appalachia.

Methods: The authors conducted a survey including the validated Secure Flourishing Index and Stanford Leisure-Time Activity Categorical Item, containing questions on social media use and demographics. Spearman’s rho was used for nonparametric correlations. Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the correlation …

Impact Of West Virginia Abortion Ban On West Virginia Physician Trainee Practice Intentions, Rebecca Wald, Kristy Ward, Sarah Dotson

Journal of Appalachian Health

In June 2022, the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned the constitutional right to abortion established by Roe vs. Wade. Shortly after, West Virginia (WV) began enforcing a near total ban on abortion. Statewide restrictions on access to reproductive health care have important implications for the recruitment and retention of physicians. This project aimed to determine overall awareness of the 2022 changes in abortion laws among physician trainees, and whether the law influenced the intention of resident/fellow physicians to practice medicine in the state following completion of their medical training. A total of 178 resident and fellow physicians at …

Leveraging Community Health Worker’S Deep Community Knowledge To Address Food And Nutrition Security In Appalachia, Alexis Kimbro Scott, Melissa D. Olfert, Dawn Brewer, Makenzie Barr, Julie Plasencia

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Community health workers (CHWs) are trusted professionals in communities because of the deep understanding and cultural insights learned from their lived experiences. In Appalachia, CHWs are embedded in the community, giving them a unique understanding of how social determinants, like food and nutrition security, impact health outcomes.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the professional characteristics and knowledge of CHWs while identifying culturally sensitive practices around food insecurity.

Methods: This cross-sectional, mixed-methods study used an online survey and in-depth phone interviews with CHWs in the Appalachian Region to examine their professional characteristics and knowledge on food security in their …

Stigmatization And Healthcare Inequity Perceived By Individuals Served By Homeless Shelters In An Appalachian City, Molly Powney, James M. Mears, Reagan Sharp, Lisa Calderwood

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: People experiencing homelessness are medically vulnerable and suffer disproportionately from chronic physical and mental health conditions. Evidence-based standards to inform decisions surrounding care would be valuable for this population. Studies exploring how homeless individuals in Appalachia perceive their interactions with the healthcare system remain limited, however.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess perceptions of the healthcare system among homeless individuals served by temporary housing shelters in an Appalachian city.

Methods: A voluntary anonymous survey was administered to residents at three shelters in Charleston, West Virginia (WV) from September 2023 – March 2024. Responses were collected utilizing …

Influence Of Family Health History And Parental Education On Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure, And Lipid Levels In 5th Grade Children: A Secondary Data Analysis Of The Cardiac Project, Madha Rani Das, Lee A. Plyes, Eloise Elliott, Christa L. Lilly

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Childhood obesity and related cardiovascular risks reflect the interplay of genetic predispositions and socioeconomic adversity. Appalachia’s poverty, limited health care, and educational gaps worsen family health risks, driving early cardio-metabolic problems in children, highlighting the need for effective interventions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the association of family health history and parental education with BMI, BP, and lipid profiles among 5^th grade children in West Virginia (WV).

Methods: The study used WV CARDIAC data from 2006–2009. Outcomes were BMI, SBP/DBP, and fasting lipids (HDL, LDL, TG). Predictors were parental education and family health history …

¿Cómo Se Dice, "Liberty And Justice For All Cannot Exist Without Equal Access For All" En Español?, Turner Denise Reynolds

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Just A Place Or A Just Place?: Domestic Violence, Urban-Rural Differences, And Access To Justice, Cassie Chambers Armstrong

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Introducing Neuro Social Work: A Brief Reflection On Neuroscience And The Profession, Priscila Llamosa

Social Work Faculty Publications

Neuroscience offers language and evidence that can strengthen interdisciplinary communication, support advocacy in biomedically dominated settings, and validate relational practices long recognized in social work, including the impacts of early adversity, attachment, and healing through connection. At the same time, an epistemological tension underlies the profession’s unease with neuroscience when brain-based narratives are used to individualize structural harm or justify surveillance of marginalized families and communities. This teaching note introduces Neuro Social Work as a justice-oriented specialization that integrates contemporary neuroscience with social work’s person-in-environment commitments, relational practice traditions, and anti-oppressive ethics.The author argues that the key question is no …

Introducing Neuro Sscial Work: A Brief Reflection On Neuroscience And The Profession, Priscila Llamosa

Social Work Faculty Publications

This reflection introduces and contextualizes the term Neuro Social Work, which I coin to name a specialized practice area at the intersection of social work, neuroscience, and neurodiversity. Drawing on my experience as a social work educator and practitioner, I discuss social work’s uneasy relationship with neuroscience, marked both by the opportunity to deepen our understanding of trauma, development, and healing, and by the risks of using brain‑based evidence to individualize structural harms or justify surveillance of marginalized communities. I outline, in broad strokes, what distinguishes Neuro Social Work from general neuroscience‑informed practice. The note is intended as a concept …

Fighting Death: A Critique Of Kentucky's Death Penalty System, Pamela R. Goodwine

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Why Color-Blind Solutions Won't Solve The Racial Wealth Gap: How We Can Overcome The Constitutional Hurdles To Race Conscious Remedies In Addressing The Wealth Gap, Malik Edwards, William A. Darity Jr.

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Interest Convergence And The Racial Wealth Gap: Defusing Racism's Divide-And-Conquer Via Universal Basic Income, Palma Joy Strand, Nicholas A. Mirkay

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Wage Enslavement: How The Tax System Holds Back Historically Disadvantaged Groups Of Americans, Goldburn P. Maynard Jr., David Gamage

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Administering Money: Coinage, Debt Crises, And The Future Of Fiscal Policy, Rohan Grey

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Open Education As A Tool For Trans And Gender Diverse Inclusion, Stephen Krueger

Library Presentations

There has been little attention given to gender diversity in the open education world so far. But OER and open pedagogy have the potential to be extraordinary tools for supporting trans and gender diverse students: removing cost barriers for a population with extremely high poverty rates, adapting resources to include current and localized information about healthcare and law, and highlighting trans and gender diverse voices. This session will offer an overview of the relationship between open education and gender inclusion. It will also touch on ways in which widespread practices in open education do not serve trans and gender diverse …

Crawling Is More Fun With Friends: Active University Web Archiving Through Cross-Campus Collaboration, Ruth E. Bryan, Andrew Mcdonnell

Library Presentations

Between 2023-2024, staff of the University Archives at the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center (Lexington, Kentucky, United States) reviewed the sustainability of our web archiving program. Preserving our institution’s vast web presence is technologically demanding, requires ongoing specialized expertise, and is underfunded. It is also absolutely necessary: If university archives do not determine how to sustainably acquire, preserve, and provide access to online documents, we will suffer (and already have experienced) significant gaps in our understanding of the university’s actions, events, and decisions. We used Kristin R. Eschenfelder, et al.’s “nine dimensional framework for digital cultural heritage …

“Literally Made Me Cry”: The Results Of The Student Course Materials Cost Survey, Stephen Krueger, Brandon Bradley

Library Presentations

In 2024, over 300 UK students took a survey on how the cost of textbooks and other course materials impacted their academic experiences. The presenters will share highlights from the results and resources for finding solutions.

Understanding Rural Health Through Rae Garringer's Country Queers: A Love Letter, Bradley A. Firchow

Journal of Appalachian Health

Rae Garringer’s Country Queers: A Love Letter examines the experiences of queer individuals in rural America, emphasizing the relationship between place and identity. Through oral histories, the book presents perspectives on community, resilience, and healthcare access. While not centered on medical care, it highlights challenges in obtaining affirming services in rural areas. Garringer’s experience as a standardized patient provides additional context on healthcare gaps. For public health professionals, Country Queers offers insight into the structural and social factors affecting rural LGBTQ2+ populations, contributing to a broader understanding of community health and identity in Appalachia and similar regions.

The Status Of Children’S Dental Health In Rural Appalachian West Virginia, R. Constance Wiener, Gina Graziani

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Non-metro/rural Appalachian West Virginia (WV) residents have been stigmatized for poor oral health (OH), despite many advances.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine current OH in children in WV, as compared to children in the greater United States (U.S.), and secondarily in subgroup non-metro/rural comparisons.

Methods: This observational study involved the U.S. National Survey of Children’s Health 2022–2023 data from parents/guardians who were asked about their child’s previous 12-month OH. Rao-Scott Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used.

Results: Nationally, the mean age was 9.7 years; for WV children, it was 9.9 years. Nationally, 12.4% of …

Identifying Barriers And Place-Based Solutions To Physical Activity For Older Adults In East Tennessee, Lydia Hoskins, Jodi Southerland

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Older adults in East Tennessee (TN), the fastest growing demographic, face significant health challenges, with 44% reporting four or more chronic conditions. The state ranks 45th in physical inactivity among older adults, exacerbating chronic disease risks, fall-related injuries, and mental health issues. Urban-rural disparities in East TN further complicate efforts to promote active living, particularly for rural residents.

Purpose: This qualitative study explored socioecological barriers and solutions to increase physical activity (PA).

Methods: In April 2024, two focus group were conducted in East TN, with a total of 11 participants composed of six community partners and five older adults. …

Radon Environmental Health Literacy Among Health Council Participants In Northeast Tennessee, Kawther Al Ksir, Stacy Stanifer, Hadii M. Mamudu, Megan Quinn, Deborah L. Slawson

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Radon, a radioactive gas, poses significant health risks, including lung cancer, and is prevalent in indoor environments. Understanding radon testing behavior and Environmental Health Literacy (EHL) is crucial for individuals to take appropriate preventive measures.

Purpose: This study assessed radon-related EHL among Health Council participants in seven Northeast Tennessee (NETN) counties and examined associations between sociodemographic factors and EHL levels. Understanding radon knowledge and behaviors within this influential group is critical, as they often serve as trusted public health advocates.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September – November 2023 among Health Council participants across seven counties in …

Prevalence Of Screening Patients For Alcohol Use In West Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study, Bayan Abuhalimeh, Christopher Waters, R. Constance Wiener

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Consequences of alcohol consumption are well-established and compounded by physiological changes of aging (increased sensitivity; medication interactions; etc.). Alcohol screening for all ages is recommended, especially as most Americans believe moderate drinking is acceptable. Screening is important in high alcohol use regions, such as rural areas where isolation is more likely, especially for older adults. The Appalachian Region has a significant rural population of older adults. West Virginia (WV) is representative of Appalachia. It is a rural state, has many older adults, and all counties are Appalachian.

Purpose: The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine the likelihood …

Finding Community: A Thematic Analysis Of Resilience During The Pandemic, Myles Kwitny, Quinn Richards, Grace Digirolamo, Shannon Freedman, Sophie Wenzel

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic impacted those within rural Appalachian communities, particularly people with marginalized identities.

Purpose: Through interviewing 44 participants from New River Valley, an Appalachian community in Virginia, this study sought to understand how resilience impacted individuals' experiences during the pandemic.

Methods: Participants belonged to one of the following groups: African American, Hispanic, older adults, or people who use drugs. Participants were required to reside in the New River Valley and be older than 18. Each participant was interviewed either in person, by phone, or over video call. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, then thematically analyzed for themes of resilience. …

Addressing The Root Causes Of Population Health In Central Appalachian Virginia, David L. Driscoll, Kol Gold

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The Southwest Virginia Health Authority (SWVHA) recently commissioned a community health needs assessment (CHNA) to reduce the high rate of preventable health problems in Virginia’s (VA) Appalachian Region. The CHNA took place over a two-year period from 2023 – 2025.

Purpose: This iterative, mixed-method CHNA informed the development of a new iteration of the regional Blueprint for Health Improvement and Health-Enabled Prosperity identifying and prioritizing health issues and develop strategic planning to address them in VA’s three westernmost regional health districts.

Methods: The CHNA followed a sequential mixed methods design to assess the regional health status, the contextual factors …

Align Appalachia’S Opioid-Settlement Spending With Evidence And Emerging Threats, Bradley Firchow

Journal of Appalachian Health

State and local governments across Appalachia are allocating opioid-settlement dollars over the coming years. This funding opportunity can support lasting public health infrastructure or be spent on short-term programs anchored in the opioid crisis of the past. Evidence indicates that emerging synthetic drugs such as nitazenes and xylazine are altering overdose risk patterns in ways that require urgent policy attention.

“Literally Made Me Cry”: The Impact Of Course Material Costs On University Of Kentucky Students, Stephen Krueger

Library Reports and White Papers

The Student Course Materials Cost Survey was administered September 16 – October 6, 2024. It was open to current students at the University of Kentucky (UK). The goals were to help UK Libraries better understand how the cost of course materials affects students at UK and to provide a snapshot of student spending across the university. The questions were based on similar research done at other institutions in Virginia (Virginia Course Materials Survey, 2021) and Florida (2022 Student Textbook and Instructional Materials Survey, 2022). Other work based on those surveys includes the 2023 Illinois Course Materials Survey (CARLI, 2023) and …

Data For Services For Children Of All Abilities In Libraries (Scale) Project, Maria Cahill, Denice Adkins, Bobbie Sartin Long, Derek Thomas Myles Daskalakes, Caroline Gooden, Melissa Stormont, Alicia K. Long, Carol Russell

Information Science Faculty Data

The University of Kentucky, in collaboration with the University of Missouri and Emporia State University, and in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, the State Library of Kansas, the State Library of Missouri, the Kansas State Department of Education, the Kentucky Department of Education, and the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood, engaged in a four-year exploratory stage, multi-state, Research in Service to Practice project investigating the effectiveness of library services, practices, and behaviors effective for serving children with disabilities and/or developmental delays who span ages birth to 5-years. Aligned with the IMLS agency-level Promote Lifelong Learning …

Sisyphus And The Digital Library: Keep Rolling That Boulder Up The Hill (Careful, It's Heavy), Ruth E. Bryan, Sarah Dorpinghaus, Megan M. Mummey

Library Presentations

Oftentimes, archivists and programmers feel like Sisyphus of Greek myth, continually rolling our boulder, the digital library, up the hill of stakeholder expectations. Since 1998, the University of Kentucky Libraries has provided online access to digital and digitized archival content through ExploreUK.uky.edu and other sites. Like many other institutions, UK Libraries has faced technological, organizational, and communication challenges in this endeavor. This presentation explores how UK Libraries responded to these challenges by expanding the decision-making team, after years of unclear responsibility and ownership, to reinvigorate internal interest and investment in the local digital library system and workflows.

The Rhetoric Of Responsibilization: A Rhetorical Analysis Of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Campaigns For Hiv Prevention, Catherine M. Pabalate

Kentucky Undergraduate Journal for the Health Humanities

Responsibilization refers to the process by which patients are made accountable for their health and wellbeing, which is determined by their habits and behaviors. Though responsibilization affords greater agency to patients, it can also result in anxiety and guilt when the patient appears "deviant" or "noncompliant." Because sexual behavior is attributed to the causality of HIV/AIDS, patients’ sexual patterns and choices are included within their medical decision-making. This rhetorical analysis focuses on pharmaceutical campaigns and commercials for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which were released between 2012 and 2024 and are targeted towards patients at-risk for HIV/AIDS. Findings suggest that specific rhetorical …

You Are Here: Defining Our Hidden Born-Digital Backlog, Andrew Mcdonnell

Library Presentations

The digital archivist position was created at the University of Kentucky two years ago to help create and refine workflows and process born-digital collections in our manuscripts and university archives collections. While much of the initial work of these last two years was on newly acquired collections and materials, in the decades prior, a variety of born-digital materials on physical media had been gathered in hybrid collections and stored and described in myriad ways. This presentation will demonstrate my processes for discovering and assessing unmigrated born-digital materials on physical media hidden throughout our collection. The process is built on documentation …