Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Examining Differences In Implicit Bias Towards Students Of Color Within The Higher Education System, Marlene Drake

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, quasi-experimental, static-group comparison design study aims to address the unknown factors of implicit bias within our public education system by examining the differences between the awareness of school staff towards students of color. The theories that guided this study were the Theory of Experience and the Theory of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory. The Theory of Experience emphasizes the need for a positive connection between the school staff and students of color to prevent social injustice through awareness and empathetic behavior. The LMX theory supports the need for positive behavior from the school staff to increase the motivation and …

Hella Much Variation: Intensification In Northern California English, As Seen Through The South Bay, Clara Mcmahon

Yale Working Papers in Grammatical Diversity

In this paper I present a unified syntactic analysis to account for all of the typical usages of the Northern California lexical item hella. Specifically, I focus on hella’s usage in the South Bay—a subregion of the San Francisco Bay Area which corresponds roughly to Santa Clara County. Contrary to Boboc (2016), who proposes that Bay Area speakers do not allow hella to modify silent elements, I provide evidence that hella is a degree word which can license silent elements for South Bay speakers. Using a silent MANY and a silent MUCH (Kayne 2005), all of hella’s …

Consent, Healthy Relationships, And Sexual Misconduct Education, Bergen Babich, Dinorah Blanco Reyes, Samantha Campbell, Balkhita Mweru, Spencer Roth, Alyanna Velasco

Nursing Leadership in Community Engagement Projects

Introduction

Our team of nursing students collaborated with a university's security office and health services to educate the campus community on sexual assault and gender-based violence. According to the University’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, there was a 550% increase in rape cases from 2022 to 2023 (personal communication, 2024). This increase in rape cases indicated a need for increased education and awareness of sexual assault and gender-based violence. Our educational sessions aimed to provide the campus community with education and resources on sexual misconduct and consent to promote healthier relationships on campus.

Background

The population that we served …

Local View: Boulder Tells Deeper Story, Susan Reay

Social Work Faculty Publications

When my son, a freshman at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, placed his hand on the glacial boulder outside Morrill Hall, he turned to me and said, “I guess it’s my turn to keep watch over the rock now.”

His words marked a poignant moment that connected our family history to Nebraska’s geological and cultural legacy and our enduring ties to the university.

This boulder, an artifact of Nebraska’s glacial past and human history, is more than a simple chunk of granite. Originally found on my family’s farm near Hartington, Nebraska, in 1869, it carries a story etched on its surface …

Mixed Race Futurity Through Contemporary Archetypes: Mutants, Cyborgs And Dhampirs, Kobe Jackson

Masters Theses

Analysis of Enlightenment philosphes reveals how the contemporary archetypes, mutants, cyborgs and dhampirs may be situated as sources for understanding mixed race positionality. Arranged on a trajectory of hybrid mythology reaching from ancient times into the present day, their contemporary relevance is put into context. Through modern speculative fiction, historical mythology and the theoretical frameworks of sociology, and philosophy, two tropes are revealed to be imposed roles for mixed race people. The first one, the tragic hybrid is a term which references a character specific to the context of American colonial slavery, the tragic mulatto. By reframing the term, tragic …

Essays In Economic Theory, Kohei Yamagata

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three theoretical analyses. In the first chapter "Who Takes Responsibility and Preventive Action? Centralized vs. Decentralized Risk Management in an Organization with Heterogeneous Agents," we investigate the optimal allocation of risk management responsibilities in organizations with multiple agents possessing heterogeneous preventive action costs. Extending the principal-agent framework to a multi-agent context, we analyze how a manager and agents choose preventive efforts to mitigate risks. Two scenarios are considered: (1) centralized risk management, where the manager bears all expected damages, and (2) decentralized risk management, where agents bear their own damages. Our findings show that centralized risk …

It's Going To Be Okay: Experiences And Perceptions Of People Who Seek Reassurance At Work, Liana Bernard

Dissertations and Theses

This study examined the experiences and perceptions of people who seek reassurance at work using a mixed methods (focus groups and experimental) approach. Reassurance-seeking is an attempt to elicit supportive communication from another person to help one reduce experienced anxiety. First, using focus groups with 32 participants, this study found that people seeking reassurance at work develop complex cognitive structures to reduce the prospective negative impacts of reassurance-seeking behaviors, particularly for those with marginalized identities. Then, in a 3x2 between-person experimental design in which employee gender and reassurance-seeking were manipulated, participants read a transcript of an interaction between an employee …

A Text-Linguistic Analysis Of Deliberative Discourse In Hebrew With Review Of The Lxx Translation, Timothy C. Lang

Masters Theses

This thesis intends to demonstrate that linguistics, specifically the text-linguistic (TL method), may be practically applied to biblical translation and interpretation. Consequently, one may use text-linguistics to discover the biblical author’s intended meaning expressed through the structure of the text. Foundationally, the work of Robert Longacre and Kenneth L. Pike is applied. Functionally, this thesis tests the process described in the dissertation of Ewell Ray Clendenon. While the word test is used, the test is not intended to validate or invalidate the TL method. Rather, the test is analogous to that of a mathematician whereby a proof test is applied …

Design(Ing) Disruptions: Towards Intimacies Between Feminist Situated Knowledge, Gossip And Design, Senjuti Sangia

Masters Theses

This project highlights and problematizes the knowledge traditions and politics foundational to problem-solving paradigms in design education and practice. By emphasising the ontological nature and turn in design (Willis, 2006, Fry, 2012) , this thesis critically appraises the aforesaid formulations by extending intersectional feminist theories to dominant design epistemology. Drawing on the sociological framing of the matrix of domination, I investigate the dichotomy of the designer and user- as designers, users, and communities find themselves at different junctions in the matrix of domination. Further, I critique design frameworks from the analytical lenses of feminist situated knowledge, In so doing, I …

The Erosion Of Democratic Norms: A Comparative Case Study Of The Rise Of The Authoritarian Right In The United States And Germany, Derya Aydin

Undergraduate Scholarly Works

Liberal democratic norms have eroded over the 21st century, driven by the rise of right-wing authoritarianism in Western democracies. This study examines the role of anti-immigrant attitudes and shifting social capital structures in fostering right-wing authoritarian values utilizing quantitative data from the United States and Germany. Findings reveal that in the United States, social capital and anti-immigrant attitudes exhibit moderate positive correlations with right-wing authoritarian values, explaining a moderate percentage of the variance. In Germany, the correlations are weaker, with these variables explaining around 5% of the variance. Statistical analyses, including regression and ANOVA, demonstrate that while both independent variables …

A Mission Simulation Retreat For Senior Youth Leaders To Train Adventist Young Professionals In The South Bahamas Conference, Jamal Doran Franklyn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The mission simulation retreat SDA action research project trains senior youth leaders of young adult professionals for urban ministry through their vocational orientation. To address the problem of only having a global youth day one-day mission drive, the Mission Simulation Retreat (MSR) equipped young leaders in local SDA churches to simulate mission projects matching their professional careers. By building on the Hebrew culture, the priesthood of all believers, and spiritual gifts, MSR customizes a spiritual gifts database that aligns with vocational careers to provide mission project options by vocational skills. Through focus group presentations, a questionnaire, and a survey, data …

Evaluating The Relationship Between Retrieval Practice, Spacing And Interleaving, And Feedback-Driven Metacognition Tools For Learning And The Academic Achievement Of Students Living In Poverty, Angie Leigh Sholar Dutton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study evaluated the relationship between learning tools such as retrieval practice, spacing and interleaving, and feedback-driven metacognition tools for learning and the academic achievement of students living in poverty as measured by reading pre and post -assessments. This study utilized a quantitative approach using a between-subjects design to determine if the learning tools have an impact on student reading achievement. Additionally, this study explored if a positive interaction between learning tool conditions and the reading achievement of third grade students pre and post reading assessments would be evident. At the conclusion of this study, a factorial analysis of variance …

Divorce: A Phenomenological Study On Estrangement In Fathers In Older Adulthood, Janet H. Shaffer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This proposed study will be to look at the phenomenon of estrangement framed in the family system theory through a Biblical lens. The qualitative interpretive approach will look at a minimum of ten individuals who have been or are currently experiencing the outcomes of familial estrangement that occurred between fathers and their adult children. This destructive phenomenon has been found to increase the risk of negative mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, chronic stress, feelings of grief, and loss for those within the family unit. The growing number of parent-adult-child estrangements highlights the need to study the lived experiences …

Participation As Preparation: A Phenomenological Study Of Black Greek Letter Organization (Bglo) Members In The Workforce, Letasha Carrie Mcfarlane

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how membership in a Black Greek Letter Organization (BGLO) impacts the experiences of Black professionals in overcoming obstacles in the modern workforce. This study utilized a qualitative, phenomenological design to capture the lived experiences of 10 BGLO members working in federal military and educational organizations in the United States. Participants were recruited through purposeful sampling, and data were collected via open-ended questionnaires, semi-structured individual interviews, and a focus group. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which revealed four major themes: (1) Utilization of Opportunities to Overcome Workplace Challenges, (2) Cultivation …

The Development Of A Men’S Ministry At Remnant Church To Foster The Spiritual Leadership Development Of Men To Provide Leadership For Family, Church, And Community, Anthony L. Herron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem this student seeks to address is that the Remnant Church in Midwest City, Oklahoma, does not have a men's ministry to develop men as spiritual leaders. The Remnant Church is a non-denominational church focused on growing and developing people to become more like Jesus Christ. The men of the Remnant Church do not meet regularly for discipleship or fellowship.

The men of Remnant Church are not organized to provide a network of support for men. Men need a support network within the church to develop spiritually. Men need a forum for discussing men's issues, such as leading in …

Exploring Generational And Vicarious Trauma In The Haitian Diaspora Of America: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Lourna Charles-Thelusca

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study is to understand the generational and vicarious trauma experiences of first-generation Haitians living in the diaspora in the United States (U.S.) and to gain insight into how trauma affects their lives. To achieve an advanced understanding of this population, this study explores the factors contributing to participants' trauma experiences focusing on coping strategies and interpersonal impacts. Haitians, as the first enslaved people to liberate themselves from their European colonizers, have built a rich history marked by overcoming adversity and resilience. Historically, the ongoing cycle of trauma stemming from Haiti's persistent challenges, including …

Working Paper No. 96, Swedish Social Democracy And The ‘Meidner’ Plan, Aden Quenemoen

Working Papers in Economics

This inquiry seeks to establish that what became known as the “Meidner Plan” should be understood as an attempt to resolve contradictions within Swedish Social Democracy through promoting collective ownership. This thesis is demonstrated through a three-part structure. To elucidate the contradictions that gave rise to this policy proposal, part one situates Swedish Social Democracy within the broader social democratic tradition before analyzing its historical development as an economic model. Part two investigates the development of the Meidner Plan as an effort to address these contradictions, analyzing its theory, design, and transformative implications. Finally, part three examines the opposition that …

The Impact Of Intergenerational Racial Trauma On High-Achieving African American Women, Andrea L. Tanner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The historical trauma of chattel slavery in the United States created a system of race-based discrimination, exploitation, and oppression still experienced today. Extensive research is required to comprehensively understand and address the intergenerational effects of trauma. The intergenerational transmission of trauma affects future generations, as traumatic memories affect those who have personally experienced conflict and violence. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe how high-achieving African American women who are descendants of enslaved Africans experience intergenerational trauma. Conceptually, it is framed by Critical Race Theory, which this study utilized a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology. Qualitative interviews were conducted …

Detransitioners: Dealing With The False Promises Of Gender Transition, Diane M. Roselli

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Until recently, sex change surgery was rarely performed and on adults only; however, the discovery of cross-sex hormones, advances in plastic surgery, and the Dutch protocol contributed to the use of a treatment regimen for children consisting of puberty blockers (GnRHa), cross-sex hormones, and sex reassignment surgery, known as gender-affirmative treatment (GAT). A growing number of individuals, who opted to undergo the transition process, are detransitioning by ceasing hormone therapy or requesting corrective/reconstructive surgery. Their lived experiences are relatively unknown because most detransitioners drop out of treatment, are silenced by trans activists, and are not acknowledged by medical organizations. This …

Exploring Family Mealtime Environment, Screens, And Mental Health Among School-Aged Children In Japan, Ami Nishimori Alnouri

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of family mealtimes during breakfast and the mental health of school-aged children (6-18 years) in Japan, comparing those who used and did not use screens during breakfast. This study involved two research questions: How did parents of Japanese school-aged (6 to 18 years) children who used screens (electronic devices) at mealtime experience family mealtime during breakfast? How did parents of Japanese school-aged (6 to 18 years) children who did not use screens (electronic devices) at mealtime experience family mealtime during breakfast? In this study, a qualitative phenomenological approach employed semi-structured interviews with …

Navigating The In-Between: Transformational Practices In The Church's Liminal Spaces, Matthew James Engel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation-in-praxis explored the concepts of transformational and adaptive leadership within the Christian Church during periods of liminality, emphasizing the continuous presence and certainty of challenges rather than focusing on specific challenges such as digital technologies, attractional methods, or COVID-19. The study draws upon Bass's transformational leadership theory (1985) and Heifetz’s (1994) adaptive leadership theory to establish a framework emphasizing the importance of thorough leadership training in times of uncertainty and transition. Integrating biblical narratives, the study highlights the need for adaptive and visionary leadership in religious contexts. Employing a mixed-methods approach involving quantitative surveys and qualitative measurement of responses …

Nature Of Child Welfare Social Work, Sarah Vail Anders

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social workers in the field of child welfare ensure the safety and well-being of children. While this career field is rewarding, it results in high levels of stress, burnout, and fatigue for workers. To support the challenging needs of child welfare social workers and to enable them to successfully protect children and support their families, an examination of the nature of child welfare social work was conducted. The purpose of this study was to understand the nature of child welfare social work in North Carolina, which was gained through a qualitative transcendental phenomenological study. Twenty-one child welfare social workers were …

Disproportionate Rate Of Mental Health Care For African American Service Members, Amy Tesla Kingjones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This case study understands and describes the disproportionate rate of mental health care for African American Service Members in the US military. With minorities making up less than 20% of the US armed forces, fitting into predominantly white spaces is necessary for continued success and can cause stress, depression, and anxiety. The theory guiding this study is critical race theory, as it uncovers and challenges how laws, policies, and societal norms perpetuate racial hierarchies and disadvantage marginalized communities. It emphasizes the social construction of race, highlighting that it is not an inherent biological category but a product of historical, political, …

Rooted In Identity: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study Describing The Pre-Freshman Self-Esteem Experiences Of African American Female Students Entering Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Wanda Minor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to describe the pre-freshman self-esteem experiences of African American (AA) female students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The study explored the experiences of AA women and the factors that contribute to the development of their self-esteem before their enrollment as students in HBCUs. Literature suggests that numerous issues, including racial discrimination and prejudice, cultural stereotypes, socioeconomic concerns, historical and intergenerational trauma, beauty standards, and institutional and systemic hurdles, have affected their self-esteem (Woods-Giscombe, 2010). However, there was a void in addressing the issues AA women face in college, particularly students at HBCUs. This …

Perceived Childhood Paternal Betrayal Trauma: The Impact To Attachment And Interpersonal Relationships As Adults, Jacquelyn S. Marcum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore adult female perspectives of being abandoned by a father during their grade school years (between ages 6 and 12). Current research has indicated that parental abandonment or rejection creates anxious, avoidant, and insecure attachments into adulthood. Wounded attachment can significantly impact the ability to form healthy attachments as adults. Limited research is available on children between the ages of 6 to 12 on how betrayal trauma impacts the developmental stages, the sense-of-self, and the ability to form and maintain healthy attachments within relationships throughout adolescence and adulthood. In the current …

The Relationship Between Perceived Leadership Communication And Feedback On Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment, And Professional Isolation Of Remote Workers, Simone I. Orlowski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown have significantly contributed to the fact that teleworking has established itself in all branches of industry. With remote working, communication mainly occurs via digital channels such as emails, chat platforms, or video conferencing, and leaders need to ensure that communication is clear, regular, and effective to avoid misunderstandings and promote collaboration. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between effective communication and feedback from leadership with job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and professional isolation of remote employees. In a quantitative correlational study, participants were recruited from different branches in …

Family Communication Patterns Theory: A Mixed Methods Examination Of Single Mothers’ Communication Styles, Susan Renee Mattson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The mixed methods approach was used to research single mothers’ communication patterns. Fitzpatrick and Ritchie’s family communication patterns theory (FCPT) was used to guide the research. Online surveys and semi structured interviews were used to gather data that were analyzed through MAXQDA and SPSS software. The research examined factors such as age, culture, and the number of children a mother has in correlation to variables such as conformity and conversation orientation on the FCPT scale. The quantitative portion of the research revealed significant findings about culture and conformity orientation in single mothers from collectivist cultures. The qualitative section mirrored similar …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Experiences Of University Faculty Navigating The Diverse Environments Of Remote, Office-Based, Or Hybrid Work, Justen Gross

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In this phenomenological qualitative analysis, the experiences of university faculty in diverse environments of remote, office-based, or hybrid work were explored. COVID-19 significantly impacted businesses and organizations' ability to function in the traditional office-based environment based on government restrictions and directives. Office-based work and remote work have been in place for some time. Hybrid work was a relatively new phenomenon that required additional exploration as little was known about hybrid working models. This study explored how diverse work environments, personal factors, social factors, and organizational factors influenced job stress and job satisfaction post-COVID-19 with staff and faculty at a large …

Mentorship Among Early Career Senior Pastors: Examining Whether Mentored Leaders Are Better Equipped To Lead, Shayla Lenai Hilton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Early career senior pastors are often expected to confidently step into senior leadership positions with minimal support, direction, guidance and/or training. The support of an experienced mentor could potentially lessen the challenges for early career leaders. The purpose of this mixed-methods phenomenological study was to explore the effectiveness of mentorships for early career senior pastors who hold senior leadership positions in Christian churches in the United States. For the purposes of this study, a early career senior pastor is defined as an individual with 0-10 years of experience in a senior leadership position. The phenomenological study explored three questions: (1) …

Higher Education And Women In Leadership: Gender-Based Training For African American Women In Transformational Leadership, Chavon Anette Freeman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christian African American women in leadership have unique lived experiences. Although God calls women to lead, they often meet challenges in ministry and the marketplace. Developing into a great woman in leadership requires intentionality and preparation. This study explored the perceptions and perspectives of Christian African American women in senior leadership roles in ministry and wider corporate America. The qualitative research revealed the need to address gender and racial issues in higher education, develop gender-based training, and further transformational leadership development. The research design utilized interviews with ten open-ended questions to collect data. The study focused on Christian African American …