Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Perseverance Pays Off For Ph.D. Student, Jacob Jaminet

The Scope

Lauren Griggs, a Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering, is working to increase the number of women and minorities entering the STEM disciplines – science, technology, engineering and mathematics. She was recently awarded VCU’s Susan E. Kennedy Award, which recognizes graduate students who are advancing the presence of women in education.

An Advocate For Minorities In Science, Paige Bellamy

The Scope

Dr. Teshell Greene, who grew up on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, moved to New York at 14 to pursue her dream of being a science researcher. Today she is an instructor in the VCU Department of Biology and a staunch advocate for underrepresented minorities in the field.

Levels Of Self-Compassion Among Injured Division I Athletes, Samantha Sanderson

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

While there are numerous health benefits that result from engaging in athletics, sport participation also comes with an intrinsic risk of injury. In order to understand the injury process (i.e., injury risk factors and recovery variables), researchers have used various models to conceptualize preinjury risk factors and postinjury response. Although personality factors, stress, coping skills, emotional response, and other factors have been studied, self-compassion is a relatively new construct to the western world that has not been examined in the injured athlete population. Self-compassion requires being kind to oneself and taking a nonjudgmental approach to one's suffering. High self-compassion is …

Identity And Antisemitism In Flux: The Psychology Of Religious Recognition In France, Joanna Marks

Psychology Honors Papers

How do individuals contend with conflicting components of identity? This thesis was a qualitative exploration of identity formation among Jews in France in a time of pronounced antisemitism. Participants included 12 French Jews interviewed in Paris, ranging in age from 23 to 78 years old. An interview protocol was devised that investigated Jewish identity, French national identity, and reactions to antisemitism. Because of the unstable nature of the political situation for Jews in France, no initial hypotheses were formulated. The interviews were transcribed and then translated into English. An in depth, bottom up analysis was conducted of each interview to …

Media And The Criminalization Of Mental Illness: The Impact Of Stigma Reduction Videos, Samantha Wilcox

Psychology Honors Papers

This research investigated the effectiveness of different stigma reduction campaigns following exposure to a newscast that depicted as criminal a mentally ill defendant in a mass shooting case. Participants included 183 individuals, 94 women and 89 men, who represented all major regions of the United States. Participants were recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk, the online crowdsourcing marketplace. The sample was predominantly White and ages of participants ranged from 18 to 69. The study used a 2 (Newscast) x 3 (Intervention) between subjects factorial design to investigate the hypothesis that participants exposed to either cognitive or emotional anti-stigma campaign would have …

Feminist Theory And The European Refugee Crisis, Maggie Rose

Conspectus Borealis

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Neighborhood Food Environment And Food Store Choice On Purchasing Habits Among Snap And Lower Income Households, Usda Foodaps Data, Alison A. Gustafson, James E. Allen Iv, Nancy E. Schoenberg, Mark Swanson

University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research Discussion Paper Series

The objective of the study was to determine relationship between neighborhood food store availability, store choice and food purchasing habits among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participating households. The study sample consisted of SNAP households (n=1581) and low income households participating in the USDA's National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS) a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of American households with household food purchases and acquisitions data. Main Outcomes: 1) Food purchasing choices (sugar-sweetened beverages, fruits and vegetables, snacks, water, and milk) obtained from store receipts over a one-week period; 2) food shopping activities was obtained from a log book …

Influence Of Snap Participation And Food Environment On Nutritional Quality Of Food At Home Purchases, Amy Hillier, Benjamin Chrisinger, Tony E. Smith, Eliza Whiteman, Michael Kallan

University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research Discussion Paper Series

A growing body of research describes how individuals make food shopping decisions in both time and space. The FoodAPS dataset provides a unique opportunity for understanding these patterns among a large sample across income, SNAP status, and settings. We addressed three questions in our research: (1) Where do participants shop for food at home (FAH) and how do individual characteristics interact with store characteristics and distance? (2) How does the nutritional content of foods purchased change as time from SNAP distribution increases? and (3) How does store choice influence the nutritional quality of FAH purchases? We used a conditional logit …

Do Snap Recipients Get The Best Prices?, Conrad Lyford, Raymond J. March, Carlos E. Carpio, Tullaya Boonsaeng

University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research Discussion Paper Series

This paper examines the relationship between SNAP participation and prices paid for food items. To test this relationship, we develop an expensiveness index following the method of Aguiar and Hurst (2007) and use the FoodAPS data set. Using both the ordinary least squares method and controlling for endogeneity using an instrumental variables approach, we found SNAP participation did not hold a statistically significant relationship with the prices paid for food items when we controlled for consumer behavior and food market variables. This suggests that SNAP participants are not systematically disadvantaged in their food purchases. Additional efforts to further educate SNAP …

Causes And Consequences Of The Calorie Crunch, Michael A. Kuhn

University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research Discussion Paper Series

Monthly welfare programs such as the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) produce consistent cycles of expenditure and consumption amongst recipients. Food insecurity and negative behavioral outcomes track these cycles. This paper leverages new data from the USDA, the FoodAPS survey, and to answer a variety of questions related to these phenomena: Are consumption and expenditure cycles correlated? Who bears the burden of food shortages at the end of each benefit month? Does diet quality track food expenditure? I find robust expenditure and consumption cycles in the FoodAPS data, but contrary to popular belief, they are only weakly correlated. The youngest …

Contextualizing Family Food Decisions: The Role Of Household Characteristics, Neighborhood Deprivation, And Local Food Environments, Sarah Bowen, Richelle Winkler, J. Dara Bloom, Lillian Macnell

University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research Discussion Paper Series

We employ multilevel models with neighborhood and state effects (fixed effects and random effects) to analyze the associations between household characteristics, neighborhood characteristics, regional attributes and dietary quality. We use data from the USDA National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey. Our dependent variable is a Healthy Eating Index that incorporates dollars spent and amount of food in several categories. Key explanatory variables at the household level include variables household financial condition, housing burden, home ownership, car access, household size. We include a variable for the number of large food stores in the neighborhood, a neighborhood deprivation index, and a …

An Overview Of Snap, Food Security, And Geographic Factors In Food Purchase And Acquisition Decisions, James P. Ziliak, Craig Gundersen

University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research Discussion Paper Series

In April 2012 the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in the U.S. Department of Agriculture embarked on an ambitious new data collection enterprise known as the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS). FoodAPS is innovative in that it is the first nationally representative household survey to collect comprehensive data on household food expenditures and acquisitions, including those obtained using benefits from food assistance programs. The survey includes data from 4,826 households, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households, low-income eligible households not participating in SNAP, and higher income households. FoodAPS is specifically …

Counselor Educators Lean-In To Walk The Talk: A Team Approach To Strengthening Faculty Multicultural Sensitivity, Lorraine Dekruyf, Steve Bearden, Anna A. Berardi Phd., Chris Cleaver, Keith Dempsey, Michelle Englbom-Deglmann, Jennifer Lichtenberg, Rand Michael, Beronica M. Salazar, Richard Shaw, Robert Simpson, Daniel Sweeney

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

This session offers an innovative approach for engaging faculty in the development and deepening of their own multicultural sensitivity, for improving pedagogy, and in turn promoting second-order change within students as they engage with multicultural competencies. Broader systemic issues are also addressed given the university's contextual setting as a faith-based, primarily Caucasian institution.

Integrating Narrative Family Therapy In An Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Program: A Case Study, Steven M. Demille, Marilyn J. Montgomery

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

Adolescent mental health is a significant societal concern in the United States. Diagnosable mental health disorders have been reported at rates of 10–20 % among children and adolescents and this does not include adolescents experiencing personal and interpersonal distress not meeting diagnostic criteria. Adolescents who do not respond to traditional mental health services are often placed in residential treatment centers or other out-of-home treatment programs. Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (OBH) is growing as a viable treatment option for adolescents who struggle with emotional, behavioral or substance related problems; however, questions have been raised about how to integrate the family into an …

Electronic Resource Management In 21st Century: Issues And Challenges, Kishor Chandra Satpathy

Edited Books

No abstract provided.

Editor's Page, Joseph M. Valenzano Iii

Basic Communication Course Annual

We are now in the 28th volume of the Basic Communication Course Annual, a testament to the dedication of those concerned with the introductory course in communication. Over the years these pages have been graced with significant work that has influenced the nature of the basic communication course, thereby impacting the lives of thousands of students across the country. That said, I am struck by the fact we have no “motto,” no phrase that captures our feeling about this important educational experience. I would like to muse about what might work as a motto for what we do and teach.

Singapore Management University Report To Stakeholders 2015 - 2016, Singapore Management University

Report to Stakeholders

As we enter the third year of our journey towards SMU Vision 2025, we need to build on the momentum that has been generated by the dedication and spirit of collaboration that has developed in the SMU community. SMU continues to transform the future of education with ground-breaking innovations in our undergraduate curriculum. At the same time, our postgraduate, professional and executive development offerings continue to expand in number and receive greater global recognition and prestigious accolades.

How Does Student Debt Affect Household Formation?, Robert Young

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper investigates the impact student debt has on household formation. In order to determine what the impact is, an existing model around household formation was used and that model expanded it to include additional variables in order to add student debt into the model. Overall student debt at the individual and household levels has increased tremendously in the last 30 years. With student loan debt taking up a greater share of income for individuals and households, this research seeks to demonstrate that as student loan debt increases, the rate at which households are formed decreases. The findings of this …

A Panel Analysis Of Fdi And Trade: Growth In Developing Countries, Matthew Guerriero

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper investigates the relationship between FDI and trade openness in 5 lower-middle income countries and 5 upper-middle income countries. This study utilizes a panel data regression analysis to determine what plays a role in growth and whether or not it varies depending on development level. The results show that lower-middle income countries should focus their attention on attracting FDI and upper-middle income countries should focus on increasing trade and decreasing government involvement in business operations.

Empirical Analysis Of Immigrant Wage Gap: Study Of Ethnicity And Language Proficiency, Dominik Kozlowski

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper investigates the effect of being an immigrant on a person’s wage. There is also a key focus on variables such as on language proficiency and ethnicity. Comparing the people that were born in New England to the people that were born in different areas of the world for the most recent data that was collected from the American Community Survey. The model shows and the research shows that immigrants’ wages are negatively affected because they are immigrants.

Terrorist And Insurgent Teleoperated Sniper Rifles And Machine Guns, Robert J. Bunker, Alma Keshavarz

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

This data set consists of twenty-one teleoperated weapons systems used by terrorist and insurgent groups. It is worth noting that there are many more systems’ images available, but no group affiliation could be associated with them, which is why they were not included in this research project. The plethora of videos and photos on social media indicates that terror and insurgent groups are increasingly turning to improvised weaponry use on the battlefield. One class of improvised weapon that is emerging is remote controlled sniper rifles and machine guns. They are being used across Syria, Iraq, and a lone case in …

Eluna Update, Michael North

Ex Libris Bluegrass Users Group Newsletter

ELUNA Update from ELUNA Chair-Elect, Michael North

Acquisitions In Alma: Transitioning From Voyager To Alma, Kate Seago

Ex Libris Bluegrass Users Group Newsletter

Presentation by Kate Seago, University of Kentucky at eBUG 2016

Starting Over: Coding To Work With Alma After Voyager, Kathryn Lybarger

Ex Libris Bluegrass Users Group Newsletter

Presentation at eBUG 2016 by Kathryn Lybarger, University of Kentucky

Experiences Learning English: A Case Study Of Adult Immigrants In Portland, Maine, Usa, Pamela L. Kasabian

MA TESOL Collection

The paper examines the process of English language acquisition for adult immigrants living in Portland, Maine, USA. The focus is on the process of language acquisition and integration into a new linguistic culture through analysis of personally narrated experiences of adult immigrants living in Portland, Maine. It seeks to expose similarities within highly individualistic linguistic journeys that contribute to investment and engagement in learning. In reviewing the data generated by the interviews, I hope to find situations to more deeply explore that could influence a more reciprocal learning culture for the mutual benefit of the language learner and the community …

Tribes And Water In The Colorado River Basin, Colorado River Research Group

Books, Reports, and Studies

4 pages : charts.

The special nature of tribal water rights -- Quantified water rights -- The Colordo mainstream reservations -- Central Arizona tribes -- Upper basin tribes -- Outstanding / unresolved tribal claims -- The path forward.

Location-Based Tax Incentives: Evidence From India, Ritam Chaurey

Economics Faculty Scholarship

While policies targeting particular geographic regions are widely used by governments, there have been few rigorous evaluations of their causal impacts. In this paper, I study the impact of a location-based tax incentive scheme in India. Using aggregated and firm-level panel data, I find large increases in employment, total output, fixed capital, and the number of firms as a result of the program. These increases are due to both the growth of existing firms as well as the entry of new firms. There is supporting evidence that the new firms entering the treated regions are larger and more productive. I …

Utilizing A Needs Assessment Process At The United Way Of Broome County, Jennifer Strange

Capstone Projects 2015-Present

This project intends to: • Explore the Working BridgesTM and other employee assistance programs • Provide needs assessment process guidelines for the United Way of Broome County

Environmental Nonprofit Advocacy Guide, Diana Truncali

Capstone Projects 2015-Present

By reviewing existing literature and interviewing nonprofit and government professionals, I have created a nonprofit strategic advocacy guide for environmental organizations at the local and regional level.

Binghamton Advantage Program- Program Evaluation, Erin Marulli

Capstone Projects 2015-Present

A program evaluation was conducted of the Binghamton Advantage Program (BAP) to determine how students in the program were performing and to obtain the participants’ overall thoughts on the program. Student demographic data was analyzed to determine the relationship between subgroups versus GPA and withdrawal rates. Additionally, a survey was administered to students to determine their connection to and identification with each institution, perceived preparedness levels, main concerns, and resources utilized. This evaluation serves as the first of its kind for BAP since its formation in 2011 and will help BAP administrators improve the program. Main findings include significant differences …