Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

An Imputation Approach To Developing Alternative Futures Of Country Conflict, Zachary J. Kane

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding what causes countries to be in a state of violent conflict is of vital importance to developing realistic national strategies on both a regional and global scale. Given these causes, it is important to understand the effects of missing data, how to impute that data, and the interrelation between data elements. Utilizing both open source data and previously generated equations that predict a country’s likelihood to transition conflict statuses, this research projects data into the future and predicts each nations’ subsequent conflict statuses. Future data is populated using a novel approach inspired by stochastic regression imputation. The replicated future …

Application Of Absorbing Markov Chains To The Assessment Of Education Attainment Rates Within Air Force Materiel Command Civilian Personnel, Matthew C. Ledwith

Theses and Dissertations

Increasing the education levels of an organization is a common response when attempting to improve organizational performance; however, organizational performance improvements are seldom found when the current and future workforce education levels are unknown. In this research, absorbing Markov chains are used to probabilistically forecast the educational composition of the Air Force Materiel Command civilian workforce to enable organizational performance improvements. Through the purposeful decoupling of effects resulting from recent workforce arrivals and education level progressions, this research attempts to determine the implications that stationarity assumptions have throughout the model development process of an absorbing Markov chain. The results of …

Secure Attachment With Parents As A Moderator Between Child Sexual Abuse And The Development Of Borderline Personality Features, Febrian Moten

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study was to examine the association between child sexual abuse (CSA) and borderline personality (BPD) features and examine attachment security with parents as a moderator on that among college women. A total of 453 participants completed the study, of which 29 had experienced CSA. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire measuring a history of CSA and felt stress from it, attachment security measured through attachment anxiety and avoidance and parental bonding, and BPD features. CSA victims showed higher level of BPD features than non-CSA victims. Among CSA victims, attachment insecurity with the mother and BPD features were …

The Moderating Effect Of Employee Bottom-Line Mentality On The Relation Between Personality And Unethical Pro-Organizational Behaviors, Jordan Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

Unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB) refers to unethical actions that employees engage in to benefit the company they work for. The issue of employees engaging in UPB has been high-lighted in various high-profile scandals, such as the Volkswagen emissions scandal. The current study examined the interaction between employees’ personality traits, perceptions of bottom-line mentality (BLM), and UPB. The results suggested that when employees who are low on trait conscientiousness and honesty-humility are placed in an environment in which they perceive to have high levels of BLM, they are more likely to engage in UPB than those individuals who had higher levels …

Social Emotional Learning Through Depression Education In A High School Setting, Antonette Minniti

Theses and Dissertations

Education on depression is an important part of social emotional learning. Lacking emotion regulation skills tend to lead to larger problems, such as academic struggles, disconnect from peers, strife at home and trouble in interpersonal relationships. Research in depression education or educational programs connected to mental health literacy are minimal, especially at the high school level. The purpose of this research will focus on examining the impact of one depression education program, John Hopkins Hospital’s Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP). ADAP is a three-day program that informs students about the facts of depression, how it is treated, and what to …

Labeling Intimacy: Examining Attitude Differences About Romantic And Sexual Intimacy In Sexual And Asexual People, Alyssa N. Clark

Theses and Dissertations

Although asexuality is a vastly understudied sexual orientation, some researchers have explored how asexual people navigate romantic and intimate relationships in order to see how and why they vary from typical cultural norms. There is a consistent lack of comparisons between sexual and asexual people, and no research has explored the frequencies of sexual attitude subgroups (i.e., sex-positive, sex-neutral, and sex-averse). Little quantitative data has been gathered on romantic partner label usage, as well as views on polyamory. The current study asked participants to complete the Experiences and Attitudes about Sexual and Intimate Behaviors questionnaire, the Engagement in Sexual Intimacy …

The Role Of Perceived Academic Control, Preoccupation With Failure, And Academic Emotions On Major Satisfaction, Alison N. Lehman

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis reports the results of a study exploring how preoccupation with failure, perceived academic control, and academic emotions are associated with students’ major satisfaction. The responses of 391 college students to an online survey revealed that positive emotions and perceived academic control were significantly related to major satisfaction. Even after controlling for the variables of year in school, interests overlap, preoccupation with failure, and positive and negative emotions, academic control and academic emotions still explained a significant proportion of the variance in major satisfaction, which provides counselors and college professors possible intervention points to target major satisfaction. Contrary to …

Kosova Nën Administrimin Ndërkombëtar Dhe Levizjet Drejt Statusit Final, Vanesa Kabashi

Theses and Dissertations

Kosova është ndër shtetet më të vogla në rajon, dhe atë, si ekonomikisht, ashtu edhe nga aspekti i madhësisë së territorit dhe popullatës së saj, mirëpo kjo në të njëjtën kohë e luan një rol të rëndësishëm për sigurinë dhe stabilitetin rajonal. Kosova ka treguar që është faktor stabiliteti në dy raste të ndryshme por gradualisht të ngjashme. Së pari, Deklarata e Pavarësisë e 17 shkurtit 2008 nuk e destabilizoi rajonin dhe nuk u bëri thirrje aktorëve të tjerë të rajonit për të kërkuar ndryshim kufijsh, ashtu siç u frikësuan disa, dhe që, në fakt, u shfrytëzua si argument (nga …

A Systematic Review Of Interventions For Implementation Fidelity For Academic Interventions, Emily Morgan Beecher

Theses and Dissertations

To address students’ academic and behavioral needs, schools are held accountable for implementing effective evidence–based interventions. An important relationship exists between implementation fidelity and the effectiveness of interventions. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify and evaluate the evidence of interventions to improve the implementation fidelity of academic interventions and to evaluate the quality of the existing research with a focus on the quality of the research on the most successful interventions. A total of 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Each study was coded based on a quality of evidence coding protocol and the findings were then …

Do College Students’ Perceptions Of The Police Differ By Education Level And Major?, Lashanti Wilson Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Little is known about the impact that higher education has on students’ perceptions of the police, especially with respect to justice education. This study examines perceptions of the police among college students at Illinois State University. It questions how differences in education levels, major, race, age, and gender affect student perceptions about the police. A 55-question online survey was administered to 451 students at Illinois State University.

Results revealed that those with more education did not have significantly different contact with police officers than those with less education, however, they were significantly more likely to report negative attitudes towards the …

Sociocultural Identification With The United States And English Pronunciation Comprehensibility And Accent Among International Esl Students, Christinah Paige Mulder

Theses and Dissertations

Sociocultural identity is defined for this study as the element of identity affixed to a social or cultural group. Previous research on sociocultural identity has recognized the need for further study of its effect on second language performance, particularly pronunciation. Previous studies have found contradictory results when studying the relationships between sociocultural identity and various measures of second language pronunciation. This thesis takes a quantitative correlational approach to the study of sociocultural identification with the United States and English pronunciation comprehensibility and accent in a group of 68 international students learning English in the United States. Participants completed a survey …

The Effects Of Repeated Reading On The Fluency Of Intermediate-Level English-As-A-Second-Language Learners: An Eye-Tracking Study, Krista Carlene Rich

Theses and Dissertations

Most would agree that reading fluency is a concern of every L2 teacher. Repeated reading (RR) positively affects fluency development, supported by much research with L1 children. However, relatively little focus has been given to L2 RR. Most research on RR in L2 settings has focused on audio-assisted RR, used insufficient data collection methods prone to human error, and taken place in an EFL setting. In our experiment, we used eye–tracking as a direct mode of measurement of the effects that RR has on early and late reading measures. In this study, 30 intermediate-level English language learners studying in an …

Parent Perceptions Of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Ends) And Restrictions Of Use, Michael Martin

Theses and Dissertations

Prevalence rates of cigarette smoking are decreasing among U.S. adults, fewer people start smoking each year, and rates of cessation are increasing. However, the rates of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) use are on the rise. ENDS are battery operated devices that involve heating a liquid to create an aerosol or vapor that is then inhaled by the user. They are often referred to as Electronic Cigarettes, e-Cigs, Vaporizers, Vapes, and other terms. These devices are commonly believed to be a relatively harmless and risk-free means of reducing smoking behavior and an aid to smoking cessation. Although still in its …

Exploring Local Environmental Factors Influencing Geographic Distribution Of Black-Legged Tick Questing Activity, Chong Di

Theses and Dissertations

The deer tick (Ixodes scapularis or I. scapularis), also known as the black-legged tick, is the primary vector that transmits Lyme Disease (LD) in Northeastern United States. To contain the geographic expansion of Lyme disease ticks across the US in recent decades, ecological studies have been conducted to understand the biotic and abiotic environmental factors affecting tick activity. We observed in preliminary surveys that the tick host-seeking activity varies across small local areas. The primary objective of this project is to identify the environmental factors that impact deer tick questing activities at the micro-geographic scale. From 2017-2018, we …

Project Palmms (Physical Activity Levels And Family Medical Histories): An Undergraduate Sample, Pierre Alexander Leon

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Physical inactivity has garnered significant attention as it is considered an emerging worldwide young adult problem. There is empirical evidence on predictors of low levels of physical activity (PA), such as an individual’s sex and/or socio-economic status. There are also other possible reasons for the decline in PA, such as an individual’s motivations and/or barriers for participation in physical activity and an individual’s understanding of their predisposition to chronic illnesses. This study seeks to identify perceptions of benefits/barriers to PA and motivating factors needed to increase physical activity in college populations. Methods: A survey gathering information on demographics, PA, …

Privatësia E Politikanëve Kosovar, Me Theks Të Veҫantë Portalet Kosovare, Fatlume Zaskoku

Theses and Dissertations

Tema e titulluar Privatësia e politikanëve kosovarë dhe etika e portaleve, me theks të veçantë portalet kosovare, është e një rëndësie të veçantë. Etika në media trajton parimet dhe standarde specifike mbi mbrojtjen dhe rekomandimin e koncepteve të sjelljes së drejtë dhe të gabuar. Media është mjeti nëpërmjet të cilit bëhet e mundur shpërndarja e informacionit apo edhe dijes në drejtim të një pluraliteti marrësish ose shfrytëzuesish pa dallim. Në të gjithë botën ne e dimë se komuniteti i fuqishëm i medias punon me një ritëm të jashtëzakonshëm për të qenë në pararojë të lajmit apo zhvillimit teknologjik. Në platformat …

Etika E Raportimit Për Vrasjet E Rënda Në Kosovë, Leotrim Canaj

Theses and Dissertations

Etika është e rëndësishme për rregullimin e shkrimeve në mediat online. Fillimisht përmes këtij punimi si qëllim primar është që të njoftohemi me etikën dhe zbatimin e saj në raportimet online mbi vrasjet e rënda dhe po ashtu me rolin e saj në gazetari dhe sa respektohet. Mirëpo, sado që është e rëndësishme dhe rregullon, etika edhe shkelet nga ana e vetë mediave. “Etika e raportimit të vrasjeve në mediat online” si temë është zgjedhur për arsyen se mediat online janë të prira që lajmet t’i publikojnë sa më shpejtë të jetë e mundur, kështu që ekziston edhe mundësia e …

Menaxhimi I Burimeve Njerëzore Në Postën E Ferizaj-T, Agnesa Devqa

Theses and Dissertations

Ky studim ka si qëllim të jap një përshkrim të qartë të koncepteve dhe termave të menaxhimit te burimeve njerzore ne institucionin perkates. Studimi i menaxhimit në shërbimet publike ka të bëjë me rregullimin e marrëdhënies së punësimit dhe është një fushë në të cilën kontribuojnë një shumëllojshmëri disiplinash. Menaxhimi merret me vlerat themelore të marrdhënjeve ndërnjerëzore, vlera të tilla janë pjesë e shoqërisë dhe natyrshëm reflektohen në cdo aspekt po ashtu në zhvillimin dhe mirëfunksionimin e administratës publike. Punonjësit janë shumë të ndryshëm nga njëri-tjetri edhe objektivat e tyre personale, apo e thënë ndryshe ajo çka duan ata të …

Etika Në Menaxhimin Publik, Ardita Beqiri

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Politikat E Drogës Administrimi Dhe Parandalimi I Tyre, Ilire Drenica

Theses and Dissertations

Në këtë punim diplome të hartuar dhe të sistemuar në këtë mënyrë, është si rezultat i një pune dhe përkushtimi të parashtruar shkencor. Gjatë studimit dhe analizimit të çështjes së rehabilitimit të të varurve nga droga e cila është një temē shumë me rëndësi që diskutohet çdo ditë nga individ. Çështjet më thelbesore të cilat dëshiroj t`i parashtroj në këtë temë që sipas mendimit tim, vlerësohen si çështje shume problematike në shoqeri.Në ditet e sodit ato konsiderohen si çështje të padëshiruara dhe që dëmtojnē shumë të rinjë dhe të gjith rrethin dhe shoqërinë, të njohura me emrin droga.Ku si pasojë …

Constraint And Control, Patricia Ayres

Theses and Dissertations

I have long considered themes of the body. Drawing on my knowledge as a fashion designer, I bring materials and hardware from the fashion industry into my artwork transforming and rendering them non-functional. My sculptures relate to stories of isolation, separation, and confinement. The following pages will analyze how the United States penal system controls, constrains and restricts the body through physical and psychological wounds. Furthermore, they will examine how the Catholic Church controls people’s minds and behavior through a ritualistic belief system.

Climatic Variables Are Strong Predictors Of Allonursing And Communal Nesting In Primates, Alexandra Louppova

Theses and Dissertations

Allomaternal care (AMC) is widespread throughout the primate order, previous studies have focused on benefits and costs to individuals. However, our understanding of environmental impacts on AMC behaviors in primates is still limited. Our study examines how ecology and environmental factors can predict certain AMC behaviors more than others.

Female Leaders: A Re-Evaluation Of Women During The Viking Age, Sorayda Santos

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will re-examine the roles of women in the Viking world. Did Viking women dominate the home or did they participate in activities that have traditionally been associated with men? This thesis will bring together historical data and archaeological excavation data to demonstrate that Viking women were leaders.

9/11 Exposure And Parental Monitoring, Heather Zemeck

Theses and Dissertations

This paper investigates the effects of 9/11/01 exposure on parental monitoring, and how depression and anxiety are associated with these effects. This research utilizes data collected from Evacuees, First Responders, and non-exposed Controls. Results revealed moderate 9/11 exposure is associated with increased parental monitoring; while, depression is associated with decreased parental monitoring.

The Effect Of The Dependent Coverage Provision Of The Affordable Care Act On Opioid Use And Abuse, Christian Carrillo

Theses and Dissertations

The non-medical use of prescription opioids has become the fastest growing drug problem in the United States. This paper examines the effect of the ACA's dependent coverage provision on the prevalence of prescription opioid misuse and abuse along with the mechanism driving the results.

Effects Of Physician-Hospital Integration On Malpractice Claims, Elizabet Shvets

Theses and Dissertations

Recent increases in physician-hospital (i.e., vertical) integration has spurred both opposition on the grounds of anti-trust concerns and support on the basis of lowering transaction costs and improving communication. This paper examines the effects of vertical integration on quality of care as measured by malpractice claims.The study employs four data sets from the state of Florida (FL AHCA Financial Data, AHA Survey Data, FL AHCA Discharge Data, and FL Malpractice Claims from the Office of Insurance Regulation) culminating in an unbalanced panel dataset for the years 1998 to 2013. I utilize a linear model with hospital and year fixed effects …

The Impact Of Legalization Of Marijuana On Opioid Overdose Deaths, Radhika N. Bharadwaj

Theses and Dissertations

This masters’ thesis aims to examine the impact of the legalization of marijuana for recreational use on the death toll from opioid misuse in the state of Colorado. This investigation was done using the Synthetic Controls Method via data collected primarily from the CDC and IPUMS databases. The results indicate that the 2012 legalization policy in Colorado appears to reduce the number of deaths due to opioid overdoses.

A Bite Of The Big Apple: The Anthropology Of Pesticide Use In New York City, Faye O'Brien

Theses and Dissertations

Pesticide exposure in the developing world is well described in anthropology. How pesticide use and exposure is ordered and experienced socially, economically and culturally in Western urban communities is less well studied. The long-term consequences of synergistic pesticide exposure is not easily measurable, which this research addresses through social inquiry.

The Impacts Of State Anti-Bullying Laws On Bullying Perpetration Levels Among School-Aged Children And Adolescents In The United States, Min Ji Ryu

Theses and Dissertations

Using data from National Survey of Children’s Health, this paper studies the causal effect of state anti-bullying laws (ABLs) in reducing the prevalence of bullying. The nonlinear difference-in-differences (DD) estimates suggest that the state ABLs decrease the likelihood of students’ having higher levels of bullying perpetration with a statistical significance.

The Effect Of Public Transportation Quality On Economic Outcomes, John Safy

Theses and Dissertations

This paper examines the relationship between public transportation quality and economic well-being using New York City data from 2010-2016. We use fixed effects, random effects, and finite mixture models, and find that increasing on-time performance increases the number of businesses but decreases the number of employees and total payroll.