Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Pike And Attwoods' "Neurodiverse Relationships: Autistic And Neurotypical Partners Share Their Experiences" (Book Review), Jaclyn Lee Parrott

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Shanti's "The Recovery Mama Guide To Your Eating Disorder Recovery In Pregnancy And Postpartum" (Book Review), Elizabeth A. Nolan

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

James' "The Science Of Parenting Adopted Children: A Brain-Based, Trauma-Informed Approach To Cultivating Your Child’S Social, Emotional, And Moral Development" (Book Review), Nathanael Davis

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Huebner's "Something Bad Happened: A Kid’S Guide To Coping With Events In The News" (Book Review), Juliana Morley

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Cook And Garnetts' "Spectrum Women: Walking To The Beat Of Autism" (Book Review), Susanah J. Hanson

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Long's "Truth Telling In A Post-Truth World" (Book Review), Julie E. Sweeney

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Grewe's "Time To Talk About Dying: How Clergy And Chaplains Can Help Senior Adults Prepare For A Good Death" (Book Review), Armand Ternak

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Thomas' "Voices From Captivity: Incarceration From Siberia To Guantanamo Bay" (Book Review), John Jaeger

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Dura-Vila And Levis' "Me And My Pda: A Guide To Pathological Demand Avoidance For Young People" (Book Review), Esther Lang

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Rooke's "You Can Change The World! Everyday Teen Heroes Making A Difference Everywhere" (Book Review), Nancy Warwick

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Brexit: Britain's Best Bad Option?, Kyle Patrick Moran

Senior Honors Projects

Over the last decade, insurgent Authoritarian-Populist parties have made considerable inroads throughout much of Europe. Up until its 2016 In/Out referendum on continued membership of the European Union, the United Kingdom (UK) was also experiencing such a surge. This paper asserts that regardless of the costs and/or benefits of leaving, “delivering” on Brexit has allowed the UK to navigate today’s resurgent nationalism and Authoritarian Populism comparatively better than its continental counterparts. The UK has been, is today, and by all indications is on track to remain a healthy liberal democracy. This is in no small part due to the collapse …

Observing Waste Production And Bringing Sustainable Options To The Houses In Fraternity Circle, Lindsay Travers

Senior Honors Projects

In our ever-changing world, focusing on sustainability has become important due to human-caused climate change. As a result of our world changing and advancing, the majority of the population now moves at a fast pace. In some cases, this speed of living requires the easiest route possible when it comes to using resources or disposing of items. However, there have been many advancements that have given our world options to be more sustainable. In the 1970’s, recycling was introduced and groups ranging from large corporations to individual households began recycling items and reducing their overall waste production. This was a …

The Impact Of Stress On Diet, Sleep, And Exercise Amongst College Students, Jessica Rizzo

Senior Honors Projects

Stress is something that everyone faces in their lifetime and has an everlasting impact on their health. College students face high levels of stress throughout the semester, but how is that impacting their behavior? I conducted a survey alongside Dr. Melanson, a professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, to see just how college students are reacting to stress. The survey was circulated to different departments and classes to achieve a widespread collection of data. The survey remained completely anonymous and posed questions about eating, exercise, and sleep habits, along with questions on demographics and stress levels. Our …

Safe Sleep: Developmental Implications For Hospitalized Infants, Katherine Kohlsaat

Senior Honors Projects

The rate at which an infant develops both physically and cognitively is significant during sleep, as this is the time when the entire body can dedicate its efforts to this cause. Parents of healthy infants follow the guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) relating to safe sleep, and since their introduction in 1992, the rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has decreased by 40% (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). However, if an infant has been hospitalized since birth due to necessary invasive procedures such as open-heart surgery, these protocols cannot be initially implemented. Common …

Relationships Between Sexual Identity And Risk-Taking Behavior, Emily S. Taft

Senior Honors Projects

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of Non-Traditional Bridal Wear And Its Primary Consumer, Erica Thalmann, Kristina Dimaria

Senior Honors Projects

Bridal wear has traditionally been viewed as big white dresses. But as times change, so do brides’ preferences for bridal wear. Jumpsuits, rompers, short dresses, and other “non-traditional” choices are experiencing an increased demand in the market. Unfortunately, brides who seek these options are often not met with a promising assortment. This study examined primary consumers of non-traditional bridal wear. Specifically, we sought to find out whether women who belong to the LGBTQ community choose to consume more non-traditional bridal wear compared to heterosexual brides. The study also examined through which channels (e.g., online, in store, etc.) consumers predominantly purchase …

Teaching Economic Risk Management Through A Video Game Concept, Samantha Montella

Senior Honors Projects

Many video games imply economic behavior: making decisions within a game highlights the fundamentals of human action. The basic idea is that virtual worlds, like the real world, present us with a series of choices. Games impose digital scarcity, obliging players to weigh the benefits of different courses of action, make tradeoffs, and incur costs.

Good examples are found in the role-playing game (RPG) genre, where players face tough choices between different specializations and skill trees. Obliging players to make difficult decisions highlights the opportunity costs of choice, not the money cost. Games also encourage players to think entrepreneurially: to …

Contemporary Leadership Theory In Biomedical Engineering, Anna Seifried

Senior Honors Projects

Modern leadership theories have begun to slowly weave their way into technical skill based fields, such as Biomedical Engineering, due to a critical need for effective communication skills.

Effectively and efficiently integrating contemporary leadership techniques into these industries, allows for clear goal setting and increased personal and professional satisfaction for both the customers and faculty.

For my Honors Project, I sought to find pre-existing connections and form new ones between modern leadership theories and the current Biomedical Engineering field. I focused specifically on Prosthetics and Orthopedics, but these theories can be applied to other branches of Biomedical Engineering and extend …

How Often Does Active Learning Actually Occur? Perception Versus Reality, Brandon J. Sheridan, Ben O. Smith

Economics Faculty Publications

I. Measuring Active and Passive Learning
There is now a robust literature touting the benefits of various active learning techniques relative to passive learning pedagogy such as lecturing (e.g., Freeman et al. 2014, Emerson and English 2016, Swoboda and Feiler 2016, Caviglia-Harris 2016). However, recent studies suggest that lecturing is still the dominant pedagogical choice in economics, even though most instructors believe that active learning methods are superior (Goffe and Kauper 2014, Watts and Schaur 2011). A limitation of these studies is that estimates of passive and active learning are based on instructors’ subjective, self-reported data.

Aces, Onset Of Aggression, And Initiation Of Out-Of-Home Placements In A Sample Of Youth In Residential Treatment For Sexually Abusive Behavior, Teliyah Cobb

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) exhibit a strong influence on later functioning in adolescence and adulthood, including impacts on physical and mental health, as well as behavioral and risk-related outcomes. Youth who have engaged in sexually abusive behaviors experience ACEs and negative outcomes at significantly elevated rates. The current study evaluates the relationship between ACEs and the youth’s own behavior and onset and length out-of-home placements, including family- or home-based, residential, and correctional placements. Data for this study consisted of archival records that were collected from a nonprofit inpatient treatment facility for adolescents who had engaged in sexually abusive behavior. The …

Can Spiritual Experiences Promote Empathy In The Context Of Past Adverse Childhood Experiences?, Alison Ickes

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Previous research suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can greatly impact a child’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing later in life. ACE exposure has been associated with lower levels of empathy in the literature. Spirituality is often associated with a number of positive outcomes, including those associated with empathy, like prosocial behaviors. The present study examines spirituality as a buffer against reduced empathy in those with exposure to adverse events in childhood. Participants for this study were recruited through the SONA research platform at East Tennessee State University as part of a larger research project, the REACH (Religions, Emotions, and …

Putin's Invisible Hand: Why Are Gongos Increasingly Resurfacing Under The Putin Administration?, Sydnee Merritt

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Government Organized Non-Governmental Organizations (GONGOs), once common during the Soviet-era, are now increasingly resurfacing under the Putin administration. Once completely abolished from Russia, these deceitful organizations are accompanying various new laws signed by President Putin in the Russian Federation. While Russia does not claim to be a liberal democracy with a free civil society and Putin has described his state as a “managed democracy,” the puzzle still remains why the Putin administration is secretly using organizations to fulfill government ploys. This thesis will analyze the types of GONGOs along with new laws and policies signed into effect under the Putin …

Ethical Standards Of Human Services Professionals In Trauma Informed Care Across Diverse Settings, Emily Burroughs

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Ethics are important in every aspect of our professional lives. Actions have consequences and in the Human Services field, decisions that we make will potentially directly impact our clients. A human services professional’s responsibility is to care for their clients and provide them with the appropriate resources needed to succeed in their daily lives. When a professional begins working with a trauma victim, they must be sure to assess their ethical behaviors and provide proper resources to the victim. This work is often referred to as trauma informed care which goes beyond the typical helping process of professionals. It is …

Is There A Relationship Between Experiences Of Workplace Discrimination And Self-Stigmatization Among Mental Health Peer Support Workers?, Nicole King

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis aimed to explore whether a statistically significant relationship existed between experiences of workplace discrimination and self-stigmatization among mental health peer support workers. This relationship has not previously been explored in this group. The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI) was used to measure self-stigmatization, and a 3-measure scale adapted by Stromwall, Holley and Bashor (2011), alongside a newly created measure, were used to assess perceived workplace discrimination. The sample was a convenience sample of 20 participants. The researcher expected a positive correlation between workplace discrimination and self-stigmatization. Ultimately, no statistically significant relationship was found between the two …

How Resilience-Building Interventions Impact Parenting Stress And Cortisol Reactivity In Mothers With Adverse Childhood Experiences, Victoria Jones

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Research has found that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with changes in both parenting stress and cortisol. Resilience-building interventions may be able to help diminish the effects of ACEs, thus impacting parenting stress and cortisol reactivity. This study aims to examine how two resilience-building interventions (emotion-based and behavior-based) will impact parenting stress and cortisol reactivity in mothers with ACEs. This project is in the preliminary stages of data collection; as such, this honors thesis will review the relevant literature, describe current methodology and proposed analyses, and discuss possible implications and future directions. Participants (goal N=100) undergo a pre-assessment where …

Maternal Stress And Child Internalizing Symptoms: Parent-Child Co-Regulation As A Proposed Mediator, Tatum Harvey

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The effects of maternal stress on child behavior, especially externalizing problems such as aggression, defiance, and lack of self-control, are well-established within psychological literature. Few studies, however, have examined the effects of maternal stress on child internalizing problems, such as loneliness, withdrawal, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Moreover, there is much research within developmental psychology to support the notion that parent-child co-regulation, sometimes called dyadic synchrony, can predict child behavioral outcomes. Currently, researchers lack an understanding of how this process can interact with maternal stress to predict child internalizing symptoms. The following thesis details a multi-method assessment which is …

College Students’ Attitudes Towards Police Officers And Their Perceptions Of Prison Systems, Lee Poff

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The current research seeks to study and gauge current perceptions of police among college students at East Tennessee State University. As well as studying perceptions of police among students, the research will compare police perceptions among students with student opinions on incarceration. Correlations will be attempted to be observed through various demographical characteristics and similar standardized viewpoints. This will build on prior research from Lim (2015) and others in which college students were used to gauge results around perceptions of police. It is important to understand college student perceptions on police and incarceration as they form the future work force …

An Analysis Of Substance Use In College: Identifying Possible Risk And Protective Factors, Stephanie Penpek

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the United States, an estimated 20% of college students have an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). AUD is conceptualized as compulsive use of alcohol even when presented with adverse effects. Historically, student activities and organization-involvement (e.g., Greek life) was a hypothesized risk factor for student substance use. However, other studies suggest that joining clubs and developing a support system during college can protect against substance use disorders. Undergraduate students were recruited from a South Eastern University using a university-sponsored, online recruitment website. The sample was predominantly White (n = 150; 86.70%) and female (n = 127; 73.40%). We …

Employer Perceptions About Addiction Recovery And Hiring Decisions, Haley Henderson, Joseph Barnet, Valerie Hoots, Andrea Clements

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Drug and alcohol addiction is a nationwide epidemic with an increasing number of Americans being affected. Individuals who seek treatment for their addiction often face barriers, such as costs, waiting time, and available support, and those who are able to receive treatment are likely to experience or anticipate stigma from others. Existing literature has found that many employers have negative perceptions of individuals in addiction recovery. However, there is limited research that has analyzed whether these negative perceptions affect hiring decisions. We predicted that employers would have negative perceptions of those in recovery, would be less likely to hire individuals …

Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) And Temperament In Children Aged 14 To 36-Months, Elysabeth Sexton

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Researchers have explored the effects of early adverse life experiences (ACEs) on children’s developmental outcomes for decades. In this study, I explored whether ACEs in toddlerhood were associated with temperament. I tested the hypotheses that: 1) children who were determined to have a difficult temperamental profile would have higher parent-reported ACE scores than children with an easy temperamental profile, and 2) children’s temperament types would have stronger associations with abuse and neglect ACE scores than with household dysfunction ACE scores. Parents of 94 toddlers, who were between 14 and 36 months of age, completed online surveys on behalf of their …