Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Factors Associated With Handgun Carriage Among U.S. Adolescents, 2021–2022, Marisa Booty, Maggie K. Richardson, Dylan B. Jackson, Delvon T. Mattingly

Sociology Faculty Publications

Objective: The rise in adolescent handgun carriage over the past decade represents a significant public health concern. Using nationally representative data, this study examines risk factors associated with handgun carriage among U.S. adolescents.

Methods: We used data on adolescents aged 12–17 years from the 2021 and 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health ( n = 20,869), with past-year handgun carriage defined as a binary variable. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to determine factors associated with handgun carriage across adolescent age groups (12–13 years, 14–15 years, 16–17 years).

Results: The average prevalence of …

Poppers, Apps, And Pleasure: From Set To Setting Among Sexually Diverse Men In Mexico, Juan Carlos Mendoza-Pérez, Keith J. Watts

Social Work Faculty Publications

Background: Poppers (alkyl nitrites) are widely used among sexually diverse men to enhance sexual pleasure. However, research has historically been dominated by risk-centered frameworks such as associations with HIV or other STIs, overlooking user motivations related to hedonic reward, intimacy, and agency. This conceptual oversight is particularly evident in the Global South. This study explores the benefits, motivations, and social meanings of poppers consumption among sexually diverse men in Mexico, emphasizing its relationship with dating applications.   Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study used an electronic survey administered in 2023 to sexually diverse cisgender men. The analytic sample included participants who reported …

Childhood Mental Health And Major Depression In Later Life: A Survival Analysis Across 12 Years, Xiaoling Xiang, Xiafei Wang, Xinyin Zhang, Josephine Abrials

Social Work Faculty Publications

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between childhood mental health conditions and incident major depression in middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: This longitudinal panel study used 12 years of data from 27,220 adults aged 51 and older in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study. Childhood mental health conditions were assessed retrospectively with a question about having a depression, drug/alcohol, or other emotional problem before age 16. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs).

Results: Childhood mental health conditions were reported by 6.04% of the unweighted sample (n = 1643) and were associated with a more than 2-fold …

A Collection Of Mussels: Ancestors, More-Than-Human Relations, And The Transformation Of Shell-Bearing Places In The Green River Valley, Kentucky, Karen A. Stevens

Theses and Dissertations--Anthropology

For over a century, archaeological investigations in the Lower Ohio River Valley have provided extensive evidence of Indigenous Ancestors’ lifeways and practices. However, interpretations of shell-bearing sites have largely been shaped by Eurocentric and Western perspectives, often framing Indigenous actions as responses to environmental shifts rather than as expressions of dynamic social, spiritual, and ecological relationships. Within this historical context, explanations for the relatively abrupt decline of freshwater mollusk collection at the end of the Archaic Period (ca. 3000 cal yr BP) have primarily emphasized environmental change, particularly fluctuations in riverine conditions and resource availability. Yet, these explanations often overlook …

Associations Between Traumatic Life Events And Substance Use Among Black Men Who Are Incarcerated, Jasmine K. Jester, Brittany Miller-Roenigk, Paris B. Wheeler, Danelle Stevens-Watkins

Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology Faculty Publications

The current study examined associations between traumatic life events, current and lifetime importance of mental health and substance use treatment, and crack cocaine use among 201 Black men who were incarcerated and nearing community reentry. Results indicated age, sexual trauma and lifetime importance of drug treatment were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of crack cocaine use. Substance abuse treatment in correctional settings should consider culturally tailored assessment and treatment for history of unaddressed sexual trauma among Black men who are incarcerated and use crack cocaine.

Different Destinations: Clarifying And Addressing Pipeline Problems For Women In Academic Archaeology, Scott R. Hutson, Jaycee Castro, Bruno Athie Teruel

Anthropology Faculty Publications

In STEM fields, women tend to leak out of the pipeline to the professoriate. In archaeology, however, robust databases and chronological control reveal that there is no leakage from earning a PhD to tenure-track positions. Nor is there a leak from assistant professor to associate professor. Nevertheless, men get hired as faculty in PhD programs more often than women. This is important because PhD programs are research-intensive and train future leaders. Furthermore, women PhD students have women as advisers more than often men and report advantages to this arrangement. Yet with fewer women faculty in PhD programs, women mentors are …

Dissolution Or Restructuring? Fiscal Implications For Taxpayers In Special Tax Districts: A Case Study Of The Reedy Creek Improvement District, Tasha Huber

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Although extensive research has examined the creation and function of special tax districts in the U.S., little research has been done regarding the fiscal and governance implications of dissolution of these entities. This study examines the fiscal outcomes of dissolution versus restructuring special districts, using the former Reedy Creek Improvement District as the primary case study. Using a qualitative approach, the analysis compares restructuring and dissolution cases in California, Vermont, and Tennessee. Drawing on publicly available material such as financial documents, media coverage, and legislative records, this research evaluates impacts on taxpayer burden. Findings suggest that dissolving large, active special …

Expenditure Management Strategies For Long-Term Fiscal Sustainability In South Korea, Jaehyun Ryu

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

This capstone examines strategies for managing government expenditures to secure long-term fiscal sustainability in South Korea. Although South Korea currently maintains a relatively low public debt-to-GDP ratio compared with other OECD countries, rapid population aging, slowing economic growth, and the continued expansion of mandatory expenditures pose significant long-term fiscal risks. Given the political and economic constraints associated with tax increases and growth-led debt management, this study focuses on expenditure management as a primary and feasible policy instrument for sustaining fiscal soundness.

The research combines empirical analysis with comparative case studies. First, the study examines the relationship between government debt and …

A Comparative Policy Analysis Of Lung Cancer, Maternal Mortality, And Obesity, Destiny M. Rucker, Rhonda M. Lawson, Trinity Olmstead

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Kentucky has significantly poorer outcomes than peer states across key women's health indicators. This capstone focuses on lung cancer, maternal mortality, and obesity to evaluate the structural and policy factors behind these disparities. Using a quantitative comparative research design, the study analyzes secondary data from sources including CDC WONDER, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), America’s Health Rankings, and the March of Dimes. Data were analyzed in Excel to create comparative figures, benchmarking Kentucky’s outcomes against the U.S. average and four regional peer states: Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, and Virginia. These states were chosen for their demographic and geographic similarities …

Ai Data Center Boom: An Analysis Of Economic And Legislative Impacts, Shelby Jackson

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The United States is currently experiencing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) data center boom due to increased demand for generative AI following the launch of models such as ChatGPT. Data centers, particularly hyperscale data centers, have become a flashpoint due to environmental and public health concerns, along with rising utility costs. Although more than 70% of Americans do not want data centers in their community, state and local governments often offer tax incentives to attract data center development with the aim of job creation and tax revenue.

This study assessed whether the financial benefits that AI data centers may offer state …

A Comparative Analysis Of Governance And Financial Frameworks In Public Transit Systems: A Case Study Of Lextran And Peer Transit Agencies, Kelin E. Beattie

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Public transportation serves as a vital community "lifeline," providing essential mobility for the 45% of Americans without private vehicle access and generating a 5-to-1 economic return on investment. This research investigates a critical fiscal paradox within Lextran, the transit authority for Lexington, Kentucky: despite achieving a cost per passenger trip 22% lower than the national peer average, the agency faces a $25.95 million unfunded capital gap over the current five-year planning horizon. Utilizing a comparative case study methodology, this paper evaluates the "rules of the game"—the hybrid governance and fiscal frameworks—that influence long-term financial sustainability.

The study benchmarks Lextran against …

Balancing Accountability And Efficiency: A Policy Review Of The City Of Toledo's Purchasing Contract Threshold, Jennifer L. Baskey

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Municipal procurement policies are intended to balance fiscal accountability with the efficient acquisition of goods and services necessary to support public operations. One of the primary mechanisms used to achieve this balance is the establishment of purchasing thresholds that determine when formal contracts are required. While these controls are essential for protecting public resources, procurement policies should also evolve to reflect changing economic conditions and contemporary public-sector management practices.

The City of Toledo currently requires formal contracts and legislative approval for purchases exceeding $10,000 pursuant to Toledo Municipal Code, Chapter 13, Section 228 (City of Toledo Municipal Code, 2026). This …

Allocation And Governance Of Opioid Response Funding In Rural Kentucky: A Case Study Of The Big Sandy Area Development District, Hayley M. Mccarty

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The opioid epidemic continues to present significant public health, economic, and administrative challenges throughout the United States, with rural Kentucky experiencing some of the nation's highest rates of opioid-related morbidity and mortality.

Effectively responding to this crisis requires not only adequate financial resources but also transparent governance, coordinated implementation, and accountability for how public funds are distributed.

This study examines the allocation, governance, and implementation of opioid response funding within the Big Sandy Area Development District (BSADD), a rural multi-county region in eastern Kentucky. Using a qualitative case study and policy analysis approach, the research evaluates four primary funding sources: …

Best Practices For Budgeting In Small Non-Profit Organizations: The Arts Commission Of Danville/Boyle County, Esther Rugerio

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Nonprofit arts organizations face unique financial management challenges due to limited staffing, restricted funding sources, and fluctuating revenue streams. This thesis examines the Arts Commission of Danville/Boyle County located in Danville, KY. It identifies opportunities to strengthen financial oversight, accountability, and long-term sustainability. Using a qualitative research approach and document-based analysis, the study evaluated organizational budgets, governance documents, and nonprofit financial management best practices.

The findings revealed several areas for improvement, including reliance on line-item budgeting, recurring use of carry-forward funds, limited board financial oversight, fiscal sponsorship complexities, and a lack of formal financial policies. Recommendations include adopting a program-informed …

Should Kentucky Adopt A Formal Statewide Framework To Address The Local Fiscal Effects Of Tax-Exempt Public Universities On Host Communities?, Trina Shields, Catie Baumstark

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Kentucky’s public universities provide significant educational, economic, and workforce development benefits to the Commonwealth. However, because these institutions are exempt from local property taxes, questions arise about the fiscal effects on the communities that host them. While the benefits generated by universities extend beyond municipal boundaries, the fiscal effects of tax-exempt property are often concentrated within host communities. As universities expand their campuses and acquire additional property, local governments may face increased demands for public services without a corresponding increase in property tax revenue.

This study examines whether Kentucky should adopt a formal statewide framework to address the local fiscal …

Brief Report: Naloxone Decline Among African American Kentuckians, Rayven Peterson, Mona Goggins, Destin L. Mizelle, Brittany Miller-Roenigk, Candice Hargons, Danelle Stevens-Watkins

Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Opioid-involved overdose fatalities among African Americans continue to rise. The current study examines African Americans who reported use of opioids in the past 6 months and declined overdose education and free naloxone.   Method: Eligible participants included African American Kentuckians who used opioids in the past 6 months and consented to a larger study examining their opioid use. This paper qualitatively explored their reasons for declining overdose education and naloxone using an adjusted and inductive application of structural tabular thematic analysis.   Results: Out of 588 participants, 70 (12%) declined naloxone: the most cited reason for declining naloxone was already possessing …

Hallucinogen Use Among Parents Of Children In The United States: Associations With Mental Health And Substance Use, Maggie K. Richardson

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

Hallucinogen use has reemerged in the United States amid expanding clinical research and shifting social and policy contexts. However, population-based evidence remains limited regarding hallucinogen use among adults living with children and its relationship with mental health impairment severity in caregiving environments. Therefore, this study’s objective was to examine associations between past-year hallucinogen use and past-year mental health impairment among U.S. adults, and to test whether associations differ by parental status and number of children in the household. A secondary aim examined correlates of co-occurring substance use among those reporting hallucinogen use.

Data were drawn from the 2023 National Survey …

Bridging The Intention–Behavior Gap In Mental Health Help-Seeking, Wenqi Weng

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

Objective: To examine whether modifiable factors shape the extent to which help-seeking intention is translated into formal mental health service initiation among distressed adults. Method: Participants were U.S. adults (N = 777; M age = 47.21 years, SD = 16.70; 73.23% women; 77.74% White) who reported at least moderate psychological distress and were not currently receiving formal mental health treatment. At baseline, participants completed measures of help-seeking intention, focal moderators (action planning, psychological distress, and mental health steward self-identity), coping planning, cues to action, and emotion regulation as exploratory candidate moderators. At three-month follow-up, participants reported whether …

Contractual Democracy From Statehouse To School Board: Shifts In Legislation And School Board Authority In Kentucky, Hannah M. Edelen

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

School boards have long been regarded as a cornerstone of American democracy, providing local governance over public education. While considerable scholarship highlights the increasing involvement of state and federal governments in education, relatively few studies examine with specificity how legislatures shape the local authority of these governance structures. This study investigates how the Kentucky State Legislature has influenced the authority of local school boards over three legislative sessions (2020–2022) and how board members perceive their evolving role. Using a multi-method approach and conceptualized in principal-agent theory, this research contributes to understanding how legislatures shape the governing responsibilities of school boards …

How Does Residing In A Battleground State Explain Republican Elites Election-Denial Rhetoric On Social Media?, Caedmon P. Brewer

Theses and Dissertations--Political Science

After the 2020 election the U.S. democratic process was challenged by Republican challengers many of which were office holders including the president. Many of these criticisms were shared and perpetuated in online spaces What encourages elites to post on social media about election denialism? This paper attempts to partially answer the question by performing an analysis on Facebook posts made by 1,154 congressional candidates between 2023 and 2024 using a dictionary search method to flag posts for election denialism. I propose a theory that suggests the combination of political, financial, and media attention given to battleground states encourages candidates in …

Experiential Spillover In Public Views Of Police And Courts, Emma Henderson, Matthew Mettler, Jeffery J. Mondak, Mark Peffley

Political Science Faculty Publications

Personal experiences with public officials influence how those officials are perceived. We question whether these experiential effects extend to other officials. If people draw on what they know to make inferences about unfamiliar evaluative targets, then interactions with one actor may shape evaluations of other independent actors. Focusing on police and courts, analyses of data from two surveys reveal that personal interactions with public officials produce spillover effects on appraisals of officials in different sectors. The findings indicate that experiential spillover constitutes an underappreciated force in public opinion, one that operates outside the control of the actors being evaluated.

Response Efficacy And Discrete Emotions In Message Design: Testing Emotional Pathways To Help-Seeking Intentions And Engagement, Marian Jaitto-Jeffrey

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

Research on fear appeals shows that threat-framed messages promote adaptive outcomes when accompanied by efficacy information. According to the extended parallel process model (EPPM), danger-control responses, including message acceptance, positive attitudes toward recommended behaviors, and help-seeking intentions, are most likely to occur when efficacy appraisals, particularly perceptions of response efficacy, are sufficient to meet perceived threat. When efficacy appraisals fall short of perceived threat, fear-control responses, such as message derogation, denial, or resistance to seeking help, are most likely to emerge. Beyond reducing defensive processing, response efficacy cues may also evoke positive emotions such as hope. Whereas fear is often …

Technology-Facilitated Violence And Abuse: Portrayals And Perceptions, Christina S. Walker

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

In the past, intimate partner violence (IPV) was primarily perpetrated in person. However, due to new mediated communication technologies and capabilities like social media and artificial intelligence (AI), perpetrators can use this technology for various purposes including subjecting others to violence, harassment, and abuse. Such violence can be a form of IPV and is referred to as technology-facilitated violence and abuse (TFVA). TFVA is becoming increasingly prevalent and is encountered by a staggering percent of women. Furthermore, unlike traditional forms of IPV, even men are subjected to TFVA at increasing and disproportionate rates, particularly male teens.

In the current state …

Evaluation Of The Healthy Eating And Recovery Together (Heart) Digital Health Intervention To Support Head And Neck Cancer Caregivers And Survivors, Katherine R. Sterba, Jessica L. Burris, Rong Duan, Benjamin A. Toll, Kent Armeson, Christina Sithideth, Bhishamjit Chera, Kenneth Ruggiero, Evan M. Graboyes

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors and their caregivers face significant challenges at the end of treatment and interventions are critically needed to support their needs. The Healthy Eating and Recovery Together (HEART) intervention includes a needs assessment and tailored care plan for dyads and an application (App) for caregivers. The objectives of this trial were to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and short-term effects of HEART on unmet needs and depression in HNC survivors and caregivers.

Methods: In a single arm clinical trial, HNC caregivers and survivors (n=23 dyads) completed baseline surveys followed by an in-person or virtual HEART …

Endocranial Morphological Affinities Of The Early Holocene Individuals From Lagoa Santa And Implications For The Peopling Of The Americas, María Clara López-Sosa, Hugo Reyes-Centeno, Lumila Paula Menéndez, Rodrigo Elias Oliveira, Claudio Campi De Castro, André Strauss

Anthropology Faculty Publications

The ectocranial morphology of early Holocene humans from Lagoa Santa, Brazil has been described as exhibiting a ‘Paleoamerican’ form with affinities to African and Australasian individuals, in contrast to past and present Native Americans, who predominantly exhibit ‘Amerindian’ form. While this interpretation remains disputed, its led to the ‘Two Main Biological Components Model’, which proposes separate dispersals from Asia into the Americas. This study aims to assess whether the endocranial morphology of Lagoa Santa individuals similarly reflects these affinities. For this study, the overall endocranial morphology, as well as the temporal bones of the crania of twenty individuals from Lagoa …

The Receipt Of Psychological Services And Acceptability Of Local Follow- Up Care For Childhood Cancer Survivors: Are There Rural Vs. Urban Differences?, Tyrone F. Borders, Abigayle Feather, Jerod L. Stapleton, John A. D’Orazio, Eric B. Durbin

Psychology Faculty Publications

Purpose This study examined rural and urban parents’ reports of their children’s receipt of general follow-up care and psychological services, ratings of the acceptability of common sources of follow-up care, and ratings of local/nearby follow-up care access and effectiveness.

Methods A cross-sectional, quantitative survey was conducted among 238 (139 urban, 46 rural adjacent, and 53 rural non-adjacent) parents of childhood cancer survivors (ages 2–17 and at least 2 years since cancer diagnosis) recruited through the Kentucky Cancer Registry. Bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regressions adjusting for predisposing, enabling, and need factors tested for differences across residence in urban counties, rural …

Formative Research To Identify Contributors To Risky Drinking And Adapt An Alcohol Reduction Intervention Among Young Adults Vulnerable To Hiv: Qualitative Focus Group Study, Fidelis Y. Sesenu, Sally Kirklewski, Bryce Takenaka, Jaime Brown, Erin Nicholson, Kimberly Haney, Kaylia Carroll, Arjee Restar, Donte Travon Boyd, Keisa Fallin-Bennett, Trace Kershaw, Carolyn Lauckner

Communication Faculty Publications

Background: Across populations, risky drinking has been demonstrated to increase HIV risk behaviors. This is of special concern for sexually minoritized cisgender men and gender-diverse young adults (aged 18‐34 years), who report greater incidence of hazardous drinking (as defined by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption criteria) and HIV compared to their heterosexual and/or cisgender peers.

Objective: This study aimed to examine alcohol perceptions, patterns of use, and the role that anti-LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) policies and discrimination played in alcohol risk behaviors for sexually minoritized cisgender men and gender-diverse individuals. Results were used to inform …

Social Engagement Moderates The Relationship Between Cognitive Functioning, Depressive Symptoms, And Restless Sleep In Older Black Adults, Sunkanmi Folorunsho, Olufunmilola Abraham, Darlingtina K. Esiaka

Pharmacy Practice and Science Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Older Black adults face higher dementia risk, but it is unclear whether social engagement offsets the effects of depression and restless sleep.

METHODS: We analyzed 1,905 Black adults aged 50+ from the 2016-2020 Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Linear mixed-effects models tested how depressive symptoms, restless sleep, and social engagement predicted baseline cognition and cognitive decline.

RESULTS: Higher depressive symptoms and restless sleep were associated with lower baseline cognition (about 0.2 and 0.5 points lower) and faster decline (β×time ≈ −0.07 and −0.05). Greater social engagement predicted higher baseline cognition (about 0.6 points higher) and slower decline (β×time ≈ …

From Barriers To Breakthroughs: Academic Advising And Resilience Among Online Social Work Students In Appalachia, Jessica Williamson

DSW Capstone Projects

This Doctor of Social Work (DSW) capstone project examines how academic advising can be leveraged as a resilience-informed intervention to support persistence among online social work students in the Appalachian region. Although online education has expanded access to higher education, Appalachian students continue to face significant structural, technological, and cultural barriers, including limited broadband access, financial instability, geographic isolation, and norms that emphasize self-reliance. These challenges contribute to lower retention and degree-completion rates, highlighting the need for intentional, context-responsive support strategies. This project integrates three scholarly products: a systematic literature review (SLR), a conceptual paper, and a practice application paper. …

Evaluating The Effects Of Abbreviated And Full-Length Training Formats On Implementation Of Embedded Instruction Practices, Hannah Elizabeth Keene

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an abbreviated training package and full-length behavioral skills training (BST) on staff implementation of embedded instruction (EI) procedures in a university-affiliated inclusive early childhood center. A nonconcurrent multiple baseline design across participants was used with four student workers in inclusive preschool classrooms. The initial intervention included a package of didactic instruction and in-vivo modeling. Full BST was planned for participants who did not reach mastery criteria following the brief training.

The primary dependent variable was participant fidelity of EI implementation, and the secondary dependent variable measured the rate of …