Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Relations Between Sexual Identity Exploration And Risky Sexual Behavior In Emerging Adulthood, Jennifer J. Reid

Theses and Dissertations

Examined within this study were the relations between two processes within sexual identity development, sexual identity exploration and sexual identity commitment, and risky sexual behaviors. The moderating effects of sexual identity commitment, sexual self-efficacy, and positive condom use attitudes on relations between sexual identity exploration and risky sexual behaviors were also examined. Risky sexual behaviors included the frequency of substance prior to and barrier protection use during sex, multiple sex partners, and the initiation of sex prior to age sixteen. Study participants included 322 college students attending an urban university in the Southeastern United States. All were heterosexual and reported …

Engagement And Appraisals Of Risky Behaviors Among Repressors In A University Sample, Melissa Nicole Slavin

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Repressors are individuals who report low anxiety on the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (Taylor, 1953) and high defensiveness on the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (Crowne & Marlowe, 1960). These individuals are largely out o f touch with their true feelings o f anxiety and general distress, as indicated by discrepancies between their self-reported emotions and objectively measured physiological symptoms. Prior research has indicated that repressors underreport behaviors that could be negatively perceived, such as substance and alcohol use. This study assessed risky behaviors and appraisals o f benefits and consequences among 50 classified repressors and 50 randomly selected nonrepressors from …

The Effect Of Foreign Direct Investment On International Migration: Does Education Matter?, Miao Wang, M. C. Sunny Wong, Jim Granato

Economics Faculty Research and Publications

Using migration data in 1990 and 2000, we find that inward foreign direct investment (FDI) in non-OECD countries affects the out-migration of individuals with tertiary and secondary education to OECD countries originating the investments, but has no significant effect on the out-migration of individuals with primary education. Distinguishing between linkage and home effects, our results show a dominant home effect of FDI for individuals with tertiary education, but a stronger linkage effect for those with secondary education. The existing stock of former migrants in foreign countries influences the out-migration of individuals with primary education.

Getting Help When Needed: Food Insecurity Among College Students And The Impact Of Food Pantry Availability, Jasmine Loftin

HIM 1990-2015

Although studies on food insecurity among low-income families and children are prevalent, it's rare to come upon a study specifically measuring food insecurities among college students. There are limited accesses for students to government assistance such as food stamps because of their "dependency" on their parents. Although, on paper, the student may still be a dependent, there are a myriad of instances where they are unable to receive monetary help from their parents for different circumstances. My current study is examining an understudied population of college students who use the Knights Helping Knights pantry. The Knights Helping Knights pantry is …

Psychological Distress And Substance Use Among College Students, Katelynn Messer

HIM 1990-2015

Research indicates that young adults have relatively high rates of psychological distress and substance use. Research also suggests that psychological distress and substance use are correlated as individuals may turn to substance use as a coping mechanism for psychological distress. The goal of the current research is to examine the relationship between psychological distress and substance use among college students. A secondary question is to determine if the relationship between psychological distress and substance use is different for men and women. College students are a good sample for this research question for a number of reasons. First, more young adults …

An Examination Of The Influence Of Religiosity On Political Views Of The Millennial Generation, Kelsey Degenaro

HIM 1990-2015

The millennial generation is said to consist of all those born between the years of 1978 and 1996. The majority has come of age and has the ability to be active participants in the political community. For the past three elections they have been the democratic party biggest supporters. In the 2008 presidential election 68% of all Millennial voters voted for Barack Obama. Millennials are also reporting to be less religious and more spiritual. They are attending religious services less frequently and identify with religious denominations less often. Throughout American history, religion is known to have an effect on political …

Left In The Dark: University Of Central Florida Students' Perception Of Safety On Campus, Amber Krauss

HIM 1990-2015

The last few years a struggle of feeling safe has become more of an issue with all the tragedies that have taken place on college campuses throughout the years. Tragedies like Columbine then Virginia Tech and most recently the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Connecticut. This research focuses on student's perception of safety and the issues with violence on campus. The question is how the students, faculty, and staff will react if an incident like this occurs on the University of Central Florida campus. The intent of this thesis was to explore the student body of UCF students and their …

Does Knowledge Predict Fear: Prior Knowledge Of Mass School Shootings And Students Fear Of Crime On A College Campus, Emily Rosenbaum

HIM 1990-2015

On April 16, 2007, 32 students and faculty were killed on the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University campus, making this incident the deadliest mass school shooting in United States history. Other school shootings, such as the infamous Columbine High School shootings and the more recent Northern Illinois State shootings, have become popular topics in today's social media (Kaminski et al, 2010; Reese 2009). Due to these events, schools and universities have become interested in the safety of their students as well as the students overall feelings towards crime while on their campus. New research studies have taken an interest …

Sexuality Online: Exploration And Self-Identification Among College Students, Chelsea Nordham

HIM 1990-2015

The Internet is a space that offers the exploration of sexual experiences without social repercussions to one's identity. As a de-centralized environment, social conventions, cues, judgments and risks may be present, but are not fixed. Online sexual activities are accessible through both interactive and observational means, such as forums, blogs, chat rooms, e-mail, instant messaging, video conferencing and websites. The current study sought to uncover the motivation and significance of Internet use on how college students perceive, experience and define their sexuality. The intent of this thesis was to look into the complexity of human sexuality that can be embodied …

The Offline Impact Of Cyberbullying, Kathleen Ortiz

HIM 1990-2015

Over the recent years, we have seen an immense increase in technology. Though the Internet can be convenient to students, it can also bear negative repercussions. Cyberbullying has impacted millions of people across the nation hindering them in many ways. The Bullying occurs through different outlets, from websites, emails to text messages. Victims cannot truly escape the matter because it follows them wherever they may go. The intent of this thesis was to see who the victims of cyberbullying are, what the aftermath effect is, and whether they notify an adult about their situation. Using data from the School Crime …

A Half-Century Of California Poverty, Robert G. Mogull

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In this article, poverty statistics are examined over the past 50 years for insights on trends. Data were tabulated by Decennial Censuses for the state of California and categorized by demographic group. Trends are revealed by evidence from unique calculations of Poverty Indexes, that is, of 'fair shares" of poverty. By examining 5 decades of evidence, it is found that some groups have clearly progressed-specifically Asians & Pacific Islanders, Blacks, and Hispanics, while others have found their recent poverty status deteriorate- especially the elderly, Native Americans, and Whites.

Remarital Chances, Choices, And Economic Consequences: Issues Of Social And Personal Welfare, Kevin Shafer, Todd M. Jensen

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Many divorced women experience a significant decline in financial, social, physical, and psychological well-being following a divorce. Using data from the NLSY79 (n= 2,520) we compare welfare recipients, mothers, and impoverished women to less marginalized divorcees on remarriage chances. Furthermore, we look at the kinds of men these women marry by focusing on the employment and education of new spouses. Finally, we address how remarriage and spousal quality (as defined by education and employment) impact economic well-being after divorce. Our results show that remarriage has positive economic effects, but that is dependent upon spousal quality. However, such matches are rare …

Black Women In The "Black Metropolis" Of The Early Twentieth Century: The Case Of Professional Occupations, Robert L. Boyd

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Little research has examined the employment of Black women as teachers, nurses, and librarians in the urban Black communities of the early twentieth century. The present study fills this void, analyzing Census data on the largest urban Black communities at the start of the Great Migration to cities. The results show that, in spite of the supposed advantages of the northern "Black Metropolis," Black communities in the urban North were relatively limited in their potential to offer opportunities for Black women to enter pursuits that were, at the time, mainstays of a nascent class of Black professional women.

Specialists, Generalists, And Policy Advocacy By Charitable Nonprofit Organizations, Heather Macindoe, Ryan Whalen

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Previous research finds modest levels of engagement in policy advocacy by charitable nonprofits, despite legal regulations permitting nonprofit advocacy and the significance of public policy to nonprofit constituencies. This paper examines nonprofit involvement in policy advocacy using survey data from Boston, Massachusetts. Nonprofit participation in policy advocacy is associated with professionalization, resource dependence, features of the institutional environment, and organizational characteristics such as size and mission. Drawing from population ecology theory, we examine an additional aspect of organizational mission: whether a nonprofit serves a specialized or general population. We find that nonprofits serving specialized populations are more likely to participate …

The "L" Word: Nonprofits, Language, And Lobbying, Jocelyn D. Taliaferro, Nicole Ruggiano

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Despite the many benefits associated with policy advocacy, many nonprofit organizations do not lobby. Recently, scholars have called attention to the possibility that the vagueness and ambiguity of the term lobbying may hinder policy advocacy activities, though few studies have systematically explored the relationship between nonprofit professionals' perception of this term and political activity. This study explored the social construction of the term "lobbying" by examining nonprofit leaders' beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding lobbying activities. Participants reported having a strong aversion to the term "lobbying" and preferred alternative language to describe their political activities. Implications for practice and research are …

Review Of For Love And Money: Care Provision In The United States. Nancy Folbre (Ed.). Reviewed By Jill B. Jones., Jill B. Jones

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Nancy Folbre (Ed.), For Love and Money: Care Provision in the United States. Russell Sage Foundation (2012). $35.00 (paperback).

Review Of Striving To Save: Creating Policies For Financial Security Of Low-Income Families. Margaret Sherrard Sherraden & Amanda Moor Mcbride, With Sondra G. Beverly. Reviewed By Carol B. Stack., Carol B. Stack

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Margaret Sherrard Sherraden & Amanda Moor McBride, with Sondra G. Beverly, Striving to Save: Creating Policies for Financial Security of Low-Income Families. University of Michigan Press (2010). 340 pages, $65.00 (hardcover).

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 40, No. 2 (June 2013)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• A HALF-CENTURY OF CALIFORNIA POVERTY - Robert G. Mogull
• THE POTENTIAL OF YOUTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS IN THREE EAST AFRICAN COUNTRIES: KENYA, TANZANIA, AND UGANDA - Njeri Kagotho, Proscovia Nabunya, Fred Ssewamala, and Vilma Ilic
• THE MASARYKS OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA: CONTRIBUTIONS IN SOCIOLOGY, SOCIAL WELFARE AND POLITICS - Rebecca L. Hegar
• SWEDEN'S PARENTAL LEAVE INSURANCE: A POLICY ANALYSIS OF STRATEGIES TO INCREASE GENDER EQUALITY - Juliana Carlson
• REMARITAL CHANCES, CHOICES, AND ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES: ISSUES OF SOCIAL AND PERSONAL WELFARE - Kevin Shafer and Todd M. Jensen
• BLACK WOMEN IN THE "BLACK METROPOLIS" OF THE EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY: THE CASE …

Buy American: Can Businesses Capitalize On The Calls For Patriotic Spending?, Robert Reed

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research analyzes the business opportunities created by the "Buy American" movement. Current literature reflects a consensus that most consumers have an initial bias in favor of purchasing domestic products. However, domestic production is frequently more costly than producing abroad. In order for domestic production to increase a firm's profit, consumer willingness to pay more for domestic products is prerequisite. This study investigates whether that prerequisite is satisfied. By collecting revealed preference data from multiple locations, this study finds that, on average, domestic products do carry a price premium over similar foreign imports.

It's Not So Simple: The Role Of Simplicity In Science And Theory., C. R. Gregg

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The principle of simplicity (parsimony) has long been invoked as a regulative principle that helps guide theory selection in science. However, it is unclear if there is justification for a globally applicable criterion of parsimony. This paper briefly reviews the salient features of what it means for something to be simple, as well as argues for simplicity as relevant only to a set of background assumptions.

Spirit In The Speakers: Collective Spirituality In Electronic Music Subcultures., Heather K. Covington

Undergraduate Honors Theses

By definition subcultures harbor their own sets of norms and unique characteristics. From fashion to slang vocabularies, each subculture stands apart as a world of its own. In the subculture of psychedelic trance, an electronic music based subculture, such marking characteristics are taken beyond superficial expressions. Through repeated exposure to spiritual concepts, language, and rituals, thecommunity fosters spiritual practices and beliefs in individual members. Using in-depth interviews and extended participant observation, Iidentify patterns and commonalities, as well as divergences, in the spiritual practice and beliefs of subculture members. Ultimately psy-trance members draw on organized religious traditions while also distinguishing their …

Content Analysis: U.S. Newspaper And Social Media Portrayal Of President Obama In Association With The Killing Of Osama Bin Laden During The 2012 Presidential Election Year, Whitney Y. Thomas

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In a broad sense, public relations is the communication between an organization and its audience. Public relations helps create and maintain a relationship between the two. When an organization experiences a success or failure public relations is put into place to help rally public support.

The intent of this thesis aims to determine the tone of President Obama in U.S. newspapers and social media in association with the capturing and killing of terrorist Osama bin Laden.

This thesis examines a variety of U.S. newspapers by region and social media. Newspaper articles related to the topic were retrieved from six regional …

Determinants Of Food Insecurity Among Vulnerable White And Latino Households: Contextualizing The Impact Of Sociodemographic And Household-Level Factors, Alexandra Lund

Master's Theses

Household-level characteristics have been shown to be associated with food insecurity but studies among vulnerable populations are sparse. A food security assessment was developed to determine food security and collect sociodemographic and household level data across San Luis Obispo County. The assessments were administered to vulnerable groups through interviews at multiple sites across the County. Three household characteristics (marital status, number of children in the household and number of workers in the household) were examined in this analysis. A total of 808 surveys were collected, 69% in English and 31% in Spanish. Through ethnicity-stratified sequentially adjusted logistic regression models, the …

Site Location Modeling And Prehistoric Rock Shelter Selection On The Upper Cumberland Plateau Of Tennessee, Lucinda M. Langston

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Using data collected from 2 archaeological surveys of the Upper Cumberland Plateau (UCP), Pogue Creek Gorge and East Obey, a site location model was developed for prehistoric rock shelter occupation in the region. Further, the UCP model was used to explore factors related to differential site selection of rock shelters. Different from traditional approaches such as those that use (aspatial) logistic regression, the UCP model was developed using spatial logistic regression. However, models were also generated using other regression-based approaches in an effort to demonstrate the need for a spatial approach to archaeological site location modeling. Based on the UCP …

The Consciousness Of Water: Narrative Flows, Environmental Change, And The Voice Of Yemen, Tricia Nellessen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Icebergs are melting in the Arctic. The Gulf of Mexico is warming and producing hurricanes such as Katrina. The delta of the southern United States is drying. And, Yemen will be the first country in modern history to experience a lack of accessible ground water, as soon as 2017 possibly. Yemen's situation has been tracked by scholars and governments since the 1960s. Despite this fact, cities have expanded in Yemen and the population has increased its use of water while little has been invested in desalination or infrastructure to offset growth. Climate change has affected humans for thousands of years; …

(Wp 2013-05) Future Implications Of Debt And Deleveraging In The United States Economy, Abdur Chowdhury, Patrick Brown

Economics Working Papers

This paper will take a broad based approach in analyzing the structure of the U.S. economy with a particular emphasis on the disruptive U.S. recession and financial crisis which began circa 2008. The role of the U.S. government and the implications high levels of fiscal debt have on the projected growth path of the U.S. economy will be the primary focus of the paper. The discussion will show that the U.S. has likely entered a new, much more difficult stage in its history of economic growth. The short to medium term growth potential of the U.S. economy has fallen below …

Can Neoclassical Trade Theory Explain Congressional Voting?, John Dellipriscoli

Master's Theses

The neoclassical trade model has notoriously been unable to empirically predict trade flows throughout the world, however there has been a notion that the same theories and predictions could also be applied to democratic voting on free trade legislation. Using roll-call votes on three 2011 United States bilateral trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea, respectively, a simple empirical model based on the neoclassical concepts, specifically the Heckscher-Ohlin and Stolper-Samuelson corollary theorems, is outlined. After an analysis using a logit estimation method, it is revealed that there is conflicting evidence whether the voting on the 2011 free trade agreements …

Hand Preference For Tool-Use In Capuchin Monkeys (Cebus Apella) Is Associated With Asymmetry Of The Primary Motor Cortex, Kimberley A. Phillips, C. R. Thompson

Psychology Faculty Research

Skilled motor actions are associated with handedness and neuroanatomical specializations in humans. Recent reports have documented similar neuroanatomical asymmetries and their relationship to hand preference in some nonhuman primate species, including chimpanzees and capuchin monkeys. We investigated whether capuchins displayed significant hand preferences for a tool use task and whether such preferences were associated with motor-processing regions of the brain. Handedness data on a dipping tool-use task and high-resolution 3T MRI scans were collected from 15 monkeys. Capuchins displayed a significant group-level left-hand preference for this type of tool use, and handedness was associated with asymmetry of the primary motor …

The Relation Between Parenting Beliefs, Behaviors, And Acculturation On The Social Skills Of Prekindergarten Hispanic Children, Peter C. Winstead

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Research related to the importance of social skills in children shows that they are important to children's development and performance in school. Research on problem behaviors in children, such as bullying, have been shown to be related to negative outcomes later in life for children such as lower performance in school, and juvenile and adult criminal behavior. What parents believe and how they act on those beliefs have been found to be related to fewer problem behaviors, and to higher social skills in children. However, the research we have has focused on the parenting behaviors and social outcomes in children …

Facebooking For Social Support: An Experimental Test Of Relational Regulation Theory, Odessia Knowles

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Transitioning to college can be difficult. While some individuals choose to attend a college that is local to their home, others move away from their family and friends to
attend their college of choice. This move adds additional stress to the already stressful nature of attending college. Research suggests that having social support can help with this additional stressor. However, individuals who move away from their family and friends may have difficulty receiving social support in their new, unfamiliar environment.

Facebook is a well-known, widely used form of social media with a significant number of users worldwide. College students spend …