Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Developing A Patient Handbook To Support Long-Term Recovery In Substance Abuse Treatment Centers, Prativa Subedi

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Substance use disorder affects people from all walks of life and all age groups. It creates physical as well as mental harm not only to those using illicit substances but also to their loved ones. Objective: This project is designed to understand the impact of substance use and help those struggling to stay sober by developing a handbook that will be a helpful guide for navigating the steps needed to remain clean and understand behavior change. Methods: A systematic review of literature from published articles was conducted to understand substance use disorders, their impact on mental health, and …

Formerly Incarcerated People's Experiences Trying To Access Affordable Housing, Maira Y. Fuentes

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Lack of affordable housing among formerly incarcerated people continues to be a major social issue, as thousands of individuals and families in the United States continue to struggle with being unsheltered. Formerly incarcerated people build up 69% of the population who reside within these shelters in the United States (Glassman, 2024). The literature in this research discusses that common systemic barriers among formerly incarcerated individuals accessing housing are lack of affordable housing, facing stigma and discrimination, or no employment opportunities. Previous research shows that there is a limited number of participants and is focused on newly released prisoners in their …

Contradictions In Policies And Practices: A Case Study Of Educational Opportunities For Transfer Students, Brystal Nevins

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Mission statements are a representation of an organization’s identity and can serve as a guiding factor for the development of policies and practices. However, in a setting of higher education where population demographics can shift over time, it may be necessary for periodic policy evaluation and adjustments to occur. A significant portion of the California State Universities’ students are being excluded from participating in their education to the best of their potential and excluded in a way that does not align with the overall California State University (CSU) mission. Through structurating activity theory, contradictions within policy processes can be used …

The Proverbial Milk And Honey: Frontier, Racial Lines, And The Development Of California Foodways, Ahlys Gandara

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This thesis proposes that the development of foodways in the state of California occurred concurrently with the development and failures of Americanization and the American frontier. This is done with respect to the fact that California has a much longer history than that of the United States. While foodways are often discussed and examined within the ideas of nationalization, this becomes harder to do within the United States as there is no unifying idea of a national identity and any attempts to do so were hampered by the lack of consensus as to a singular identity. This is especially true …

A Systematic Review Of The Effects Of Family Separation On Children’S Psychological Development, Janice Garcia, Jazmin Elizabeth Barriga

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Under the Zero-Tolerance policy formulated by President Donald Trump, families were forced to separate from their children, which led to a broken bond between parents and their children. As a result, children were classified as unaccompanied alien children to be put in the care and custody of the Department of Health and Human Services. Research has found that separating families at the border has harmful and lasting effects on children’s psychological development. However, no research efforts have been made to systematically synthesize the evidence on the effects of family separation. Objective: This systematic review proposes to review recent literature …

Effects Of Project Rebound On Reducing Recidivism, Lisa A. Ravega, Ashley Van Mouwerik

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Recidivism is the tendency of justice-involved individuals to relapse into criminal behavior and remains a critical challenge within the justice system. Objective: This proposed research aims to assess the effectiveness of campus-based programs to assist individuals with enrollment and success in higher education, specifically Project Rebound. Project Rebound is a campus-based re-entry program that assists justice-involved college students in obtaining their educational goals through such support as enrollment and counseling services. Methods: The proposed research suggests utilizing a quasi-experimental non-equivalent comparison group design to examine the impact of Project Rebound on reducing recidivism among justice-involved college students at California …

Barriers Individuals And Families Experience Utilizing Anti-Poverty Programs, Miranda C. Dube'

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This proposed study aims to explore the barriers experienced by residents of the High Desert communities. Using a quantitative method approach, the proposed research will employ surveys to provide a comprehensive understanding of the outcomes experienced by the High Desert residents. Participants will be selected within the High Desert communities, aged 18 years or older, who have or are currently experiencing poverty. The findings from this proposed study would contribute to bridging gaps in understanding the barriers residents of the High Desert experience. By identifying factors that suppress successfully utilizing anti-poverty programs, this research proposal would aim to inform the …

“Just Broken Rocks” The Lower Colorado River Through The Lens Of The Coastal Migration Theory, Ruth Musser-Lopez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

My thesis is that archaeological evidence from the Havasu Landing Site (CA-SBR-1456) in San Bernardino County, California, supports the Coastal Migration Theory (CMT) proposed by Davis and Madsen (2020). The CMT suggests that humans followed the Pacific coastline to America during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), approximately 24,000 years ago (Erlandson 2024). I examined the site’s minimally modified cobbles, described as “just broken rocks,” confirming them to meet the definition of “creative minimization tools,” a criterion of the CMT. I found clustering of the minimization and other atypical stone tools with siliceous blade cores representing a 30,000-year-old East Asian technology …

Incarcerated Parents And Their Minor Children: A Study On The Impact Of Maintaining Relationships, Jennifer M. Upstill-Tokaji

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Parental incarceration is a social problem that has not received enough attention in the criminal justice literature despite the increase in the prison population over the years and the large number of children adversely impacted by this issue. The purpose of this research proposal is to determine if regular communication between incarcerated parents and their minor children has a positive influence on their rehabilitation and if that communication is also beneficial for the development and well-being of children. Using convenience and snowball sampling methods, this cross-sectional study will recruit approximately formerly incarcerated individuals who had at least one minor child …

Breaking Barriers: Addressing Mental Health Disparities In Transgender Communities, Lauren Pettite

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explores the impact of barriers to gender-affirming care (GAC) on the mental health outcomes of transgender individuals using a mixed-methods secondary data analysis. Drawing on an existing dataset originally collected by California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) faculty in collaboration with the Transgender Health and Wellness Center (THWC), this research examines both quantitative survey data and qualitative open-ended responses from transgender participants in Southern California. This study focuses on how healthcare access issues—particularly those related to insurance coverage, provider discrimination, and systemic inequities—affect reported experiences of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality.

This research is guided by intersectionality theory …

Pedro Aceves Mfa Thesis, Pedro M. Aceves

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

My Work is about looking at Cruising through a queer decolonial lens. Using multiple mediums such as photo, glass, Augmented reality, and film, I explore these queer histories and aesthetics through not just an anthropological approach but also an artistic epistemological approach weaving together narratives of prehispanic and modern queer Latinidad.

Mental Illness Among The Homeless Communities, Tania Wilcox

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The goal of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the perspectives of individuals with substance use and mental illness on their co-occurring conditions. Mental illness and substance use disorder are commonly known in homeless communities, especially those experiencing chronic homelessness. Other social factors like gentrification, displacement, systemic racism, and insufficient affordable housing also contribute to the problem by restricting the availability of shelter for vulnerable groups. Furthermore, the lack of stable, affordable housing in California is a significant problem, and having access to comprehensive healthcare services exacerbates these problems.

The Stigmatization Of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Noah R. Ramirez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The research on obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is historically limited and understanding what knowledge college students have on the topic could allow researchers to have a baseline for understanding where the stigma comes from. This proposal aims to interview college students at California State University with the intention of understanding how much is known about OCD. Gaining this knowledge will hopefully further help society understand why OCD is considered something that is undermined. First, literature and current study was done on what is available. It was understood that the students at California State University, San Bernardino have never been asked …

The Adverse Effects Of Substance Use Among Caregivers On Children In The United States: A Systematic Review, Amanda R. Suchaire

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In the United States, Caregiver Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a significant public health issue that disrupts family dynamics and can severely impact the health of millions of children. The systematic review examines the adverse impact of caregiver substance use on children, with research published from 2020 onwards. The significance of this study is due to the increasing prevalence of substance use disorders among caregivers and their harmful effects on child maltreatment, psychosocial health, physical health, and overall well-being. A systematic review framework will be utilized, synthesizing peer-reviewed studies to describe the prevalence of caregiver substance use, developmental issues for …

Understanding Victim Blaming In Domestic Violence Among Adults In The U.S., Katja Estrada, Juliana Hernandez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Domestic violence, encompassing a range of abusive behaviors, remains a pervasive issue affecting countless individuals globally. Understanding the factors that shape attitudes toward domestic violence is crucial for developing effective interventions and prevention strategies. This study intends to explore the relationship between gender role belief, cultural orientation, and media influences and attitudes toward domestic violence. A non-random sample of 92 participants currently residing within the United States and over the age of 18 were recruited to participate in an online survey. Regression analyses revealed significant associations between attitudes toward domestic violence and gender role beliefs, indicating that individuals with more …

Examining The Transmission Of Paternal Trauma Across Generations And Its Effects On Offspring’S Developmental Outcomes, Brianna R. Montano, Margarita Balderas Barbosa

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are linked to a wide range of developmental, behavioral, and emotional difficulties across the lifespan. While significant research has examined the impact of maternal ACEs, limited attention has been given to the role of paternal trauma in shaping child development. Objective: This study proposes to use a quantitative descriptive design to examine the relationship between parental, particularly paternal, ACEs and developmental outcomes in children aged 0 to 5 years. Guided by social learning theory and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s (NCTSN) core concepts of trauma, the study explores how trauma-related behaviors and coping mechanisms …

Community Media Coalitions: Best Practices To Support Healthy Local News Ecosystems, Stepfanie E. Alfonso

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Local U.S. journalism is in crisis. Communities across the country are suffering from a loss of local outlets, journalists, and a shortage of original coverage that addresses critical information needs. Yet, community media coalitions (CMCs) offer a promising solution. These coalitions bring together media outlets, educational institutions, and civic organizations to collaboratively support local news ecosystems. However, little is known about these coalitions or how to effectively build and operate them from the perspective of their creators.

To address this information gap, a guidebook was created titled A Best Practices Guide for Community Media Coalition Building: How to Wrangle All …

Examining Support Systems For Youth With Type-1 Diabetes In Foster Care, Garrett Copeland

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Chronic illnesses such as type 1 diabetes can be hard diagnoses for children to understand and are a detriment to their mental and physical health. Evaluating current support systems for this interest group is necessary to make sure that they are receiving the best resources possible. Questioning type 1 diabetics who have grown out of the system, adults involved with T1D care, and social workers are included in the research design. Reviewing the ratings for each question allowed researchers to see where resources are lacking and what needs to be improved or implemented. Social workers should see the importance of …

Exploring The Contributing Factors To College Completion Among Csec Former Foster Youth, Xandra Vaughn

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: While 33% of the general population earns a college degree, only 3% of foster youth who age out of the child welfare system achieve this milestone. This percentage may be even lower among former foster youths who were commercially sexually exploited. Understanding the factors contributing to the lower educational attainment in this population is a critical step toward addressing this disparity. Objective: The purpose of this exploratory study is to determine whether social capital is a contributing factor to college completion among former foster youths who were commercially sexually exploited in San Bernardino County. Methods: This …

Evaluating Trauma-Informed Care In Higher Education For Hispanics, Latino/A/X/E, And Afro-Latinos Impacted By Adverse Childhood Experiences, Daylene A. Medina, Lilian Grijalva

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Henshaw (2022) discusses the importance of trauma-informed approaches in higher education institutes by implementing culturally responsive policy, research, and practice to support students impacted by trauma. However, less is known about how effective trauma-informed care is and its impact on the educational outcomes of racial and ethnic minority students, specifically Hispanics, Latino/a/x/e, and Afro-Latinos students in community colleges. Past studies have excluded Hispanics, Latino/a/x/e, and Afro-Latinos from research due to insignificant participation and risk re-traumatization. Objective: This evaluative study aims to determine effectiveness of trauma-informed care for adult (18 and older) Moreno Valley College students in their last academic …

An Educational Leadership Journey In Trustee Effectiveness And Board Governance, Deana Olivares-Lambert

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Purpose and Theoretical Framework: The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences, learning and professional development practices, and effective leadership practices of women of color trustees within California community college governance. Grounded in Gloria Anzaldúa’s theoretical concepts of Conocimiento and Nepantla, the study focused on how intersectional identities influence the governance leadership practices of women of color trustees. The theoretical framework emphasized transformation through interconnectedness, structural change, and self-reflection in leadership roles.

Methods, Data, and Analysis: Eight California Community College trustees women of color participated in semistructured interviews using qualitative methodology through interpretive phenomenological analysis. Data …

Evaluating The Effects Of Parental Serious Mental Illness On Life Functioning Of Adult Offspring: A Longitudinal Study, Lena E. Leyva

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Parental mental illness greatly impacts a child’s development by posing great risks to their physical and mental health, academic success, and overall functioning (Naughton et al., 2019; Adjej et al., 2023). It remains clear that exposure to parental mental illness has short-term implications. However, long-term impacts on offspring while entering and managing adulthood has not been thoroughly examined. Objective: This longitudinal study proposes to determine the effects of parental mental illness on life functioning of adult offspring at baseline and then occur every two years over the course of eight years. Method: Quantitative data will be collected from 120 …

Exploring The Factors That Influence Telehealth Usage Among Immigrants In The United States: A Mixed Methods Study, Jose M. Garcia-Castañeda

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Immigrants in the United States continue to face barriers in accessing healthcare services which are rooted in systemic inequities, cultural disconnects, and language-related challenges. The growing presence of telehealth services has offered new opportunities to expand access, but it has also highlighted new barriers which are language proficiency and digital literacy which could increase the gap in services for already marginalized populations. These barriers are factors that influence outcomes such as delayed care, reduced preventative care, and overall poorer health outcomes. The Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Service Use (Andersen, 1995) provides a useful framework in understanding how predisposing, …

Effectiveness Of Mental Health Interventions Amongst Parents With Child Welfare Involvement, Clarisa Grano

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explores the effectiveness of mental health interventions provided by child welfare agencies to parents involved in the child welfare system. By employing a mixed-methods approach, the research aims to assess intervention outcomes, identify barriers to service utilization, and provide qualitative insights into parents' experiences with mental health services. The quantitative component will gather data on mental health outcomes through structured surveys, while the qualitative component will explore the lived experiences of parents through semi-structured interviews. Findings from this study will contribute to the development of culturally competent interventions and inform policy changes that address systemic inequities in mental …

Effective Interventions For Women With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Kathryn Antoinette Gonzales

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Women diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often undergo powerless treatment interventions according to research. Institutionalized inequalities among service systems challenge women to receive access, begin, engage, and complete mental health services for PTSD. This mixed-methods systematic review sought to determine interventions that are effective for treating this client population. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) tool was used to screen four different electronic databases: PsycINFO, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and OneSearch to identify peer-reviewed articles under a purposive sampling method strategy. Of the 159 studies screened, 15 met the inclusion criteria for this review (n =15). …

The Underutilization Of Mental Health Services Amongst The Hispanic Community: An Exploratory Study, Stephanie Renteria, Andrea Aguilar

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Despite the development of mental health services, the Hispanic population within San Bernardino, CA continue to encounter barriers and limitation seeking mental health support. Objective: This exploratory study aimed to identify contributing factors that affect the level of accessibility to mental health services. Method: We propose to collect quantitative data from 25 participants ages 18 to 65 utilizing semi-structured interviews to gather personalized experiences. Recruitment will be collected utilizing interviews conducted in community hospitals. We are going to present open ended questions and collect demographic data to measure the factors of underutilization of mental health in the Hispanic …

The Effectiveness Of Trauma Informed Care Interventions After A School Mass Shooting Incident, Maurelys M. Areas Mendoza, Alondra Odaliz Rios

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: School mass shootings have a profound psychological and educational impact on students. Survivors often experience long-term trauma, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety, which affects the overall well-being and educational development of a student. Objective: This pilot study proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of a trauma-informed care intervention implemented in elementary schools for student survivors of school shootings. Methods: This study proposes a pre-experimental research design, with the proposed implementation taking place at Oakland High School in Oakland, California. A total of 100 students will be offered the opportunity to participate in the study. The primary tool …

Effect Of Counseling On Stem Student Gpa At A Community College: A Quasi-Experimental Longitudinal Case Study, Alexander Beechko

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The persistent under-representation and academic attrition of first-generation and underrepresented minority (URM) students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines present a critical challenge for institutions of higher education—particularly community colleges, which function as a primary access point for these populations. As the United States continues to face a growing demand for a diverse and skilled STEM workforce, it is imperative to identify and implement interventions that support the academic success and retention of these students. This dissertation examines the role of academic counseling as a potentially impactful support mechanism, analyzing its relationship with academic performance among STEM students …

Case Management Is Essential In A School-Based Setting, Estrella G. Moreno

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Case management in a school-based setting is an integral part in helping students overcome barriers by providing support services. These support services include meeting their physiological needs like food, shelter, and clothing. When students lack necessities, it prevents them from focusing on their academics. Therefore, developing feasible plans to address students’ needs is vital to a student’s continued academic success. The research question is as follows: What percentage of students who are referred to case management services end up having their needs successfully met? This study examined the number of students among the K-12 student population in Colton Joint …

Exploring The Role Of Intersecting Identities In The Prevention And Disclosure Of Child Sexual Abuse, Karen M. Lemus Lares

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Child sexual abuse (CSA) threatens the safety of children all around the world. It puts at risk their immediate physical and emotional well-being but also profoundly affects their long-term physical and mental health, as well as their emotional and social stability. This epidemic creates a cycle of harm and violence that persists from generation to generation and contributes to adverse outcomes. Despite various studies demonstrating the immediate and long-term consequences CSA has on survivors and their families, there are significant gaps remaining in understanding how cultural factors influence the prevalence and disclosure of CSA. This study aims to answer the …