Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Performing Identity On Social Media: Ethno-Nationalism In A Digitised India, Tara Iyer

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Medical Trauma In Pediatric And Adult Patients With Crohn's And Ulcerative Colitis, Catherine Raupe

Senior Theses and Projects

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a term that is used to classify Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. It is abundantly clear from past literature that hospitalizations and surgery can lead to PTSD (Taft et al., 2019). However, past research has not examined the impact that smaller procedures, such as infusions, can have on an individual’s mental health. Patients at Connecticut Children’s Infusion Center were recruited during their infusion appointments. After obtaining consent, patients completed questionnaires measuring their felt stigma and concealment, PTSD, and depression and anxiety symptoms. The research team completed medical chart reviews to identify the types of medications participants …

Comparative Analysis Of State-Funded Rental Assistance Voucher Programs In Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, And New Jersey, Syann Mannings, Fernando A. Rendon-Lopez, Syann A. Mannings, Jason Mendelson

Senior Theses and Projects

The decline in support for public housing investment in the U.S. prompted the federal government to pivot towards tenant-based rental subsidies by establishing the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, a revised version of Section 8, in 1998 (Edson, 2011). Through the HCV program, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), low-income households can receive rental subsidies without being locked into a neighborhood or rental unit, allowing for increased socio-economic mobility. Despite the federal government's rental assistance through the HCV program, limited funding and strict eligibility requirements make it challenging to meet the …

Do Resilience And Treatment Satisfaction Moderate The Association Between Adhd And Quality Of Life?, Allison Macht

Senior Theses and Projects

This study examined how resilience moderated the association between ADHD symptom severity and general Quality of Life (QoL) in emerging adults. Using data from an anonymous online survey distributed at six US colleges/universities, participants (N=4396; 73% female-identifying; 72% White) reported on ADHD symptomatology and their diagnostic status; resilience; perceived QoL; and satisfaction with pharmacological and behavioral treatment for ADHD (if diagnosed). As hypothesized, overall ADHD severity was inversely associated with the different facets of QoL (rs = -.18 to -.29). However, contrary to our hypothesis, inattentive symptoms showed larger inverse associations with QoL compared to hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. There was a …

The Relationship Between Social Media And Conspiracist Thinking On Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake, Gillianne Nugent

Senior Theses and Projects

Previous research has found a relationship between COVID-19 vaccine conspiracist beliefs, social media use, and COVID-19 vaccine uptake. The current study aimed to expand on previous findings to investigate the potential moderating effect of social media on the relationships between conspiracist beliefs, trust in experts, and political conservatism on vaccine uptake. Additionally, the current study examined two age groups (20-30 year olds and 50-60 year olds). Trust was measured using a Trust Scale (developed by researchers); Vaccine conspiracy beliefs were measured using an expanded version of the Vaccine Conspiracy Belief Questions (Shapiro et al., 2016); Frequency of social media use …

Politics Of Urban Design: Racist Agendas Built Into The Environment, Chassidy Titley

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Unraveling Tensions: A Study Of Montenegro's Interethnic Dynamics And Sociopolitical Shifts In The Wake Of The 2019 Law On Religious Freedom, Teodora Brnovic

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Trauma & Conspiracist Thinking On Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake, Lauren Bessette

Senior Theses and Projects

Previous research has found a relationship between childhood trauma & COVID-19 vaccine uptake and conspiracy beliefs & COVID-19 vaccine uptake. The current study intended to expand upon previous research findings to examine the potential mediating effects of trust and worldview on the relationship of childhood trauma, conspiracy theories, and vaccine uptake, as well as examining the potential differences between different age groups (20–30-year old’s and 50–60-year old’s) and gender (male and female). Trauma was measured using the Adverse Childhood Experience Scale (Fellitti et al., 1998); Childhood Trauma Questionnaire – Short Form (Bernstein et al., 2003); vaccine conspiracy beliefs was measured …

Spending Money In The Neighborhood? Trinity College, The Hartford Economy, And The Spending Habits Of College Students, Jack Godin

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Preventive Dental Care And Its Role On The Patient-Provider Relationship, Maria Figueroa

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

妻(Tsuma) Is Not 奥さん (Okusan) Hidden Figures In Japan: Japanese Housewives, Xingyuan Zhang

Senior Theses and Projects

In spoken Japanese, a husband will use妻 (tsuma) to refer to his own wife and use奥さん (okusan) to refer to the wife of another. The kanji for奥 (oku) means “deep inside” with 奥さん (okusan) carrying the literal meaning of “someone who is deeply hiding inside of the house”. Thus, this term illustrates the expectations for the wife to remain hidden deeply inside of the house, revealing how Japanese housewives are hidden figures in Japan.

The thesis shows the social situations of Japanese women and analyzes the pressures that lead Japanese women to become to housewives. The popular Japanese TV show …

What Is The Deal With Federal Student Loans?, Marissa Lopez-Ona

Senior Theses and Projects

Student loan debt is in the trillions. So why aren't Americans more mad about that? This thesis explores the how the submerged nature of student loan policy shapes the politics around it. Suzanne Mettler suggest that federal student loan policy is part of the submerged state where Americans do not "see" the role of government within the student loan program. However, I argue that this is not that reason. I argue and show through an original survey that the role of federal student loan servicers is actually what is hidden about federal student loan policy. And that revealing the role …

Windows Of The World: Postmodern Urbanism In Los Angeles And Shenzhen, Calvin Horning

Senior Theses and Projects

This work draws upon the ideas of Edward Soja and other spatial theorists to compare the postmodern urban development of Los Angeles and Shenzhen, China. Both cities have undergone rapid growth and become major urban metropolises, offering potential paradigmatic forms for contemporary urban studies. The thesis is based on the ideas of the LA School of Urbanism, of which Soja was a part, and reviews the school’s collective case for Los Angeles as a paradigmatic city for the postmodern age. This work then compares this account of Los Angeles with Shenzhen, a city that has risen from nothing to one …

Exploring Possibility Under Constraint: A Human Rights Approach To Higher Education In Connecticut’S Prisons And Jails, Emma Hersom

Senior Theses and Projects

This thesis investigates the landscape of higher education in prison (HEP) programs in Connecticut, aiming to evaluate their efficacy in ensuring a genuine right to education for incarcerated individuals. Through a comprehensive exploration grounded in human rights principles and informed by abolitionist perspectives, the research scrutinizes the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and adaptability of these programs. Drawing on insights from incarcerated students, program leaders, and existing scholarship, it delves into the intersection of education and incarceration, challenging prevailing neoliberal narratives. Furthermore, the thesis proposes actionable strategies for everyday abolition, emphasizing the need to dismantle carceral cultures and foster transformative approaches to …

Limitations Of Law Enforcement Involvement In Harm Reduction: A Multivariate Analysis Of State-Level Policies And Overdose Deaths, Marilyn L. Brach

Senior Theses and Projects

Research Question: How do state-level policies authorizing law enforcement to carry and administer Narcan while on duty shape overdose mortality?

Methods: State-level policies Narcan administration policies were examined and categorized. A cross-sectional regression analysis was performed to evaluate the factors influencing state variation in drug overdose deaths. Following bivariate analysis, a panel regression analysis was then executed to precisely estimate the relationship between state-level law enforcement Narcan administration policies and drug overdose deaths.

Results: The cross-sectional analysis provided findings that were largely consistent with the current literature. A higher proportion of non-Hispanic white individuals and a higher proportion of individuals …

Building Trust To Extinguish Burnout: A Qualitative Study Of Hospital, State, And Federal Policies That Impact Pediatric Nurse Burnout In Connecticut, Cecelia Angelica Morello

Senior Theses and Projects

This thesis explores how federal and state governments, as well as individual hospitals, respond or fail to respond to pediatric nurse burnout. The problem of nurse burnout is not new, and can cause nurses to make mistakes on shift, experience increased anxiety and depression, and increase risk of patient death or injury. Solutions to burnout in healthcare workers have been organized at the hospital, state, and federal government level. However, this thesis examines a lack of research on pediatric nurse burnout more specifically. After reviewing the national landscape of hospital-based solutions, short-term policy solutions, and long-term policy solutions, I examine …

A Case For Abolition: Analyzing The Death Penalty In The United States, Abigail E. Nick

Senior Theses and Projects

This thesis delves into the multifaceted debate surrounding the death penalty in the United States, exploring its constitutionality, morality, and implications for the justice system. Drawing from legal, philosophical, and empirical analyses, it argues against the continued practice of capital punishment, contending that it violates fundamental human rights, inhibits rehabilitation efforts, and fails to align with evolving societal norms. The discussion navigates through historical contexts, international perspectives, and philosophical theories of punishment, examining the right to life, methods of punishment, and evolving standards of decency. It underscores the tension between retributive justice and the protection of human rights, highlighting the …

Zamrock: Negotiating Masculine Urban Identity In Zambia And Music Success In A Postcolonial World, Emeline Avignon

Senior Theses and Projects

This thesis analyzes, through predominately an ethnomusicologist approach and methodology, the lyricism, instrumentation, performance, and album art of the movement of Zamrock in Zambia from 1970 to the mid-1980s. I explore the agency and construction of urban youth masculinity by Zamrock artists in the context of Zambia’s colonial history of the Copperbelt, into its decades after independence. First, I look at the socio-political and economic context of colonized and independent Zambia, and how out of these conditions Zambian rock music was fused and forged. I break down the negotiations and desires of Zamrock artists in their identity construction via their …

Abortion In America After Roe: An Examination Of The Impact Of Dobbs V. Jackson Women’S Health Organization On Women’S Reproductive Health Access, Natalie Maria Caffrey

Senior Theses and Projects

This thesis will examine the limitations in access to abortion and other necessary reproductive healthcare in states that are hostile to abortion rights, as well as discuss the ongoing litigation within those states between pro-choice and pro-life advocates. After analyzing the legal landscape and the different abortion laws within these states, this thesis will focus on the practical consequences of Dobbs on women’s lives, with particular attention to its impact on women of color and poor women in states with the most restrictive laws. The effect of these restrictive laws on poor women will be felt disproportionately due to their …

Does Age, Masculinity And Vaccine Conspiracy Beliefs Impact Covid-19 Vaccination Status?, Molly L. Menounos

Senior Theses and Projects

The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively impacted numerous aspects of daily life. The CDC states that one of the best ways to combat the virus to end the pandemic is high vaccination rates. However, despite this knowledge numerous US citizens remain vaccine hesitant resulting in lower vaccination rates across the country. Two possible variables that may explain the gap in vaccination rates is the adherence to traditional gender norms and vaccine conspiracy beliefs. To measure the effects of both these variables on vaccination rates two survey scales were used: The Male Role Norm - Revised Scale, (Brannon & Junni, 1984) and …

E-Cigarette Expectancies, Consequences, And Preferred Quit Strategies: Implications For Interventions With College Students, Leah Latimer

Senior Theses and Projects

Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), otherwise known as e-cigarettes, is a relatively new and increasingly prevalent behavior among young adults. The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive picture of young adult ENDS users by documenting ENDS prevalence, outcome expectancies, negative consequences, dependence, and readiness to quit, with the ultimate goal of informing cessation interventions. A total of 1606 students on six college campuses in the U.S. participated in an online survey that was administered between Fall 2021-Spring 2022. Nearly half (47%) reported using ENDS devices at some point in their lifetime; within that group, 51% …

Immigration, Identity, And Sub-State Nations: A Comparative Analysis Of Madrid And Catalonia, Reagan Flynn

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Wrong Choices, Missed Chances: The Motivations Of Opposition Politicians And The Ensuing Failures At Regime Change In Venezuela, 2013-2022, Daniel Santos Ramirez

Senior Theses and Projects

This work presents a study of the failures to achieve regime change in Venezuela between 2013 and 2022. By using the critical juncture framework, this thesis shows that there have been moments of opportunity where permissive conditions (i.e., structural factors) were present to achieve regime change, that the Venezuelan opposition was incapable of seizing upon those moments of opportunity because they made sub-optimum strategic and coordination choices, and that these choices were influenced by the motivations that opposition actors have to be in politics.

Recessionary Woes: Examining Economic Policies And Their Impact On Student Loan Debt And Housing Stability In The United States, Connor Recck

Senior Theses and Projects

Recessionary periods can seldom be avoided, but our modern public infrastructure has designed mechanisms to respond to these downturns. Economic policy has rapidly changed over the last 50 years, and the types of tools policymakers use have evolved with it. When looking at the Great Recession (2007-2009) and the COVID-19 recession (2020), a federal response structure was vital for the health of the macroeconomy. These recessionary periods serve as case studies for a review of economic policymaking activity in the United States since 2000. To examine the efficacy of the federal government’s fiscal and monetary infrastructure, policies focused on supporting …

How Activist Groups Use Human Rights Rhetoric In The Fight For Reproductive Rights And Abortion: The Cases Of The United States, Germany, And The Netherlands, Esme Ostrowitz-Levine

Senior Theses and Projects

Human rights advocates often argue their primary power is that claiming them and deploying human rights rhetoric adds legitimacy and authority to a cause. Yet our understanding of if, how, and why human rights language is used in the political struggle for equality is incomplete. In this thesis I examine the key question of the use of human rights rhetoric and claiming by activists and governmental actors via the struggle for reproductive rights, especially for access to abortion. Through a comparative case study of the United States, the Netherlands, and Germany, this paper finds that legislative bodies tend to utilize …

The Effects Of Trinity College’S Campus Culture On The Social And Academic Experiences Of Queer Male Students, Erica Desmond

Senior Theses and Projects

This qualitative study aims to examine the effects of Trinity College's campus culture on the social and academic experiences of queer men on campus. In order to properly uncover a possible relationship between queerness and the historic marginalization of minority identities at Trinity College, I conducted seven one-on-one interviews with queer male students to understand their first-hand experiences. Through analysis of data from these interviews, I uncovered that Trinity College’s campus culture significantly impacts the social and academic experiences of queer men. Within the context of this culture, queer men with alternate intersections are at an increased risk of social …

The Paradox Of Death Penalty Delay: A Judicial, Empirical, And Ethical Study, Zoë Gill

Senior Theses and Projects

The American death penalty has been at the center of political debates for decades. More specifically, the complexity of death penalty delay has gained significant attention from the public as well as the Supreme Court justices. Death penalty delay represents the time that transpires between when a capital crime is committed and when the execution is carried out. Today, more than half of all prisoners currently sentenced to death have been on death row for more than 18 years. This staggering statistic has ignited debate and divided the conservative justices from the liberal justices even more. This thesis will first …

The Maldivian Language Predicament: Language Loss Through The Lens Of Students, Azka Hassan

Senior Theses and Projects

This study dives into Maldivian students’ experiences of learning languages in classrooms, as well as how they perceive their proficiency in English relative to their first language, Dhivehi. I investigated the issue of language loss and its contributors via a qualitative study which consisted of 9 semi-structured 45-60 minute interviews with lower secondary Maldivian students who are in public schools in Male’ city. (Key stage 4, ages 13-17) Through this study, I argue that the Maldives is suffering from language loss among youth because students often have negative experiences in Dhivehi classrooms and feel pressure rooted in higher social and …

Reimagining Yiddishkeit: Place And Belonging In A Modern Orthodox Synagogue Community, Joshua Jacoves

Senior Theses and Projects

This is a study of the disruption of place and belonging in an urban, multi-generational, Modern Orthodox Jewish community in the Northeastern United States. It asks how members define themselves as part of a religious community. Living within walking distance of their synagogue, members build community based upon shared space. In order to embrace a more pluralistic community, local leaders in the past ten years have been pushing the boundary on what is and is not religiously allowed. This creates new, more inclusive spaces to be formed within this community, which fall along the lines of gender, sexuality, and religious …

The Influence Of Digital Media Consumption On Disordered Eating And Body Image, Tasha Casey

Senior Theses and Projects

Previous research states that disordered eating is a growing and concerning issue. With the rise in disordered eating, there has been a consistent rise of the media, especially in reports of time spent online. The key to understanding, and hopefully ending, the development of disordered eating may lie in understanding the media, and how it influences a need for perfection and the necessity of a thin-body ideal. To examine this, 83 students at Trinity College completed a questionnaire consisting of questions from the Eating Disorder Inventory -3 (EDI-3) and modified questions from the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Scale - 3 …