Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Interplay Of Biomarkers And Psychosocial Variables In Ipv Perpetration, Arturo L. Cantos, María L. Mondolfi, K. Daniel O'Leary

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Relevant biopsychosocial factors, including testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) levels, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and difficulties in emotion regulation, have been implicated in IPV perpetration. However, further research is needed to clarify how biomarkers and psychosocial variables interact. The authors herein predicted that emotion regulation difficulties would moderate the association between ACES and IPV perpetration. The sample consisted of 30 IPV perpetrators aged 18 to 51 (M = 30.80, SD = 8.43) and 30 control non-perpetrator participants aged 18–35 (M = 24.13; SD = 4.28). All participants provided saliva samples to assess T and C levels and completed a sociodemographic …

The First Thirty Years Of Green Stormwater Infrastructure In Portland, Oregon, Michaela Koucka, Cara Poor, Jordyn Wolfand, Heejun Chang, Vivek Shandas, Adrienne Aiona, Henry Stevens, Tim Kurtz, Svetlana Hedin, Steve Fancher, Joshua Lighthipe, Adam Zucker

Geography Faculty Publications and Presentations

Over the past 30 years, the City of Portland, Oregon, USA, has emerged as a national leader in green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). The initial impetus for implementing sustainable stormwater infrastructure in Portland stemmed from concerns about flooding and water quality in the city’s two major rivers, the Columbia and the Willamette. Heavy rainfall often led to combined sewer overflows, significantly polluting these waterways. A partial solution was the construction of “The Big Pipe” project, a large-scale stormwater containment system designed to filter and regulate overflow. However, Portland has taken a more comprehensive and long-term approach by integrating sustainable stormwater management …

A Multi-Measurement Study Of The Relation Between Deliberation And Volition, Guillaume P. Pech, Emilie A. Caspar, Elisabeth Pacherie, Axel Cleeremans, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Historically, voluntary action and volition more generally have been investigated through the lens of meaningless decisions. Importantly, these findings have been used in the debate about key notions like free will and moral responsibility. However, more recent claims have challenged the possibility of generalizing findings from a meaningless context to a more meaningful one. The current study investigates the markers of volition, specifically comparing meaningful and meaningless decisions. In an effort to maximize their monetary gain, 50 participants repeatedly deliberated between two options, making either rewarded choices—hard-deliberation decisions (where the options differed along two dimensions) or easy-deliberation decisions (where the …

The Relationship Between Hindrance Demands And Work Engagement: The Moderating Role Of Resilience, Adoré Davis

Master's Theses

The coronavirus pandemic decreased work engagement globally due to increased hindrance demands. Many organizations were motivated to increase work engagement, which is positively correlated with beneficial organizational outcomes. The intention of this study is to examine if personal resources like resilience moderate the relationship between hindrance demands and work engagement. Hindrance demands are refined from job demands and hindrance stressors, which are stressors that impede progress in employees. Resilience is a personal resource correlated with pro-social behavior, internal locus of control, and higher levels of empathy. Resilience as a personal resource has mainly been studied as a predictor of work …

No Room For Complacency, Ishrat Husain Dr.

Faculty Research - Newspaper and Magazine Articles

Recent external developments have been quite favorable for Pakistan , some of them quite unexpected. Pakistan’s emerging importance after May skirmishes with India, President Trump’s soft pronouncements coupled with warm welcome to the top leadership, the souring of US- India relationship, a fairly good deal on reciprocal tariffs, upgrading of credit ratings, prospective investment in ‘ massive oil reserves “ and minerals etc have created some euphoria. But this exuberance should be tampered with the past experience that relationships with big powers are transactional in nature and not permanent . High wire acts are fraught with perilous risks . We …

First Report Of Fibropapillomatosis And Critical Habitat Use In Green Sea Turtles In Curaçao, M. Tripepi, I. J. R. Van Veghel, A. D. Vreugdenhil, E. Brunelli

College of Life Sciences Faculty Papers

Fibropapillomatosis, a disease affecting green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), has been documented in many regions of the world, including the Caribbean, but has not been scientifically reported in Curaçao until now. The present study utilized VHF telemetry in Caracas Bay, Curaçao, to track green sea turtles, both healthy and affected by fibropapillomatosis, with the objective of ascertaining their foraging locations. VHF telemetry proved to be a pivotal method for assessing habitat use in areas characterized by limited visibility and high boat traffic, conditions that present significant challenges for divers and snorkellers attempting to access the area. The results …

The Illusion Of “El Chingon”: A Scoping Review On How Machismo Affects Mental Health And Behavior, Vanessa Estrada Garza

McNair Summer Research Program

Machismo is a set of cultural values tethered to the gender binary, defined by the specific gender roles and expectations that men have to act upon. These ideals create a male archetype based on aggression, stoicism, superiority, and the enabling of sexist attitudes. Research has shown that rigid hypermasculine attitudes have a negative effect on mental health (e.g., depression and anxiety symptoms) and behavior (e.g., aggression and substance abuse). However, given its cultural context, much less is known about how machismo may manifest based on different demographic variables. Therefore, the goal of this scoping review was to understand the relation …

Streamlined Technology Systems: Optimizing Technology Systems For Meridian Public School District, Latoya Atterberry

Theses and Dissertations

Technology has become a cornerstone of modern education, reshaping how teachers instruct and students learn. "Technology plays a pivotal role in shaping modern learning environments, offering opportunities for enhanced engagement and personalized learning experiences" (Ascione, 2023). This project focuses on the critical role of effective professional development in equipping teachers to integrate technology into their instructional practices meaningfully. Drawing on the TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) and SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition) frameworks, this project examines how tailored professional development programs can bridge gaps in teachers’ technological and pedagogical knowledge, guiding them toward transformative technology use. This project culminates in …

Creating A Framework For Offering Alternative Credentials At Mississippi State University, Marian Montgomery Chancellor

Theses and Dissertations

As workforce demands evolve and learners seek more flexible, skills-focused education options, Mississippi State University’s College of Professional and Continuing Studies (CPCS) must innovate to remain responsive and competitive. This capstone project explores how MSU can design and implement a scalable framework for micro-credentials that align with employer needs, faculty expertise, and adult learner goals. Grounded in qualitative research, including interviews with faculty and industry leaders, the study identifies key workforce gaps—particularly in communication, leadership, and technical skills—and outlines a 6-stage development lifecycle for credential creation. Findings emphasize the importance of industry collaboration, applied learning, and policy support. The resulting …

Improving Engagement Through Readers' Theater: A Systematic Literature Review And Teacher Process Portfolio With Program Proposal, Karen K. Crum

Theses and Dissertations

This project investigated the impact of Readers’ Theater on elementary students’ attitudes toward reading, the teacher’s perception of effectiveness of Readers’ Theater as a tool to improve reading comprehension, and students’ test-related anxiety, within the context of the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) mandated by the Literacy-Based Promotion Act. While existing literature has highlighted Readers’ Theater as an effective instructional strategy that engages reluctant readers and enhances both reading fluency and comprehension through repeated, performance-based readings, gaps in current research exist regarding Readers’ Theater effectiveness as an instructional strategy to mitigate reading- and test-anxiety. Through research questions focused on how …

The Evaluation Of Traditional And Latency Based Functional Analyses On The Identification Of The Function Of Inappropriate Mealtime Behavior, Mallie N. Donald

Theses and Dissertations

Research indicates that up to 80% of children with developmental disabilities have feeding problems. Feeding problems typically coexist with the presence of inappropriate mealtime behavior which includes behaviors such as aggression, throwing food or utensils, or turning head away from the presented bite. As a result, functional analysis procedures are commonly used to determine the function of inappropriate mealtime behavior to later inform effective function-based interventions. Traditional functional analysis procedures utilize the measurement of the rate of inappropriate mealtime behavior. Several limitations exist within traditional procedures for the assessment of inappropriate mealtime behavior which include demands across all test and …

Tabletop Role-Playing Games As A Therapeutic Intervention: Translating Ttrpgs To Therapy, Joanne Adelle Hillerman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the aspects of tabletop role-playing games, or TTRPGs, that are appealing to therapists, aspects of TTRPGs that may be challenging for therapists to implement, and to identify outside factors that may associated with therapists’ interest in using TTRPGs. This study used the technology acceptance model (Davis, 1989) as a theoretical framework. A sample of therapists and mental health workers (N = 102) answered survey questions on their perceptions of the ease-of-use and usefulness of TTRPGs in therapy, their likelihood to use TTRPGs in therapy, and additional items measuring outside influences on their …

My Grandparents Raised Me: The Role Of Formative Individual And Family Experiences In Predicting Emerging Adult Substance Use, Attachment, And Mental Health Outcomes, Acacia Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

Individuals raised in a grandfamily, or family structure in which a grandparent raises their grandchildren, experience higher rates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), insecure attachment, and negative mental health outcomes during childhood. Literature on outcomes of these individuals across the lifespan is extremely limited, however, and it is unclear how formative individual and family experiences of being raised by grandparents carry into emerging adulthood (e.g., 18 to 25-years-old). Emerging adulthood is a developmental stage marked by significant instability and unpredictability that is linked with increased vulnerability to mental health concerns and substance use. It has been identified as an important …

Older Adult Men’S Well-Being: The Impact Of Masculinity And Negative Perceptions Of Aging, Darby D. Mackenstadt

Theses and Dissertations

Stereotype embodiment theory states that individuals who hold negative aging stereotypes may internalize them, and thus view their own aging process as negative. This study aimed to evaluate how older adult men may be influenced by their adherence to masculinity standards, such as men are expected to be strong and independent, in older adulthood. A sample of 438 men aged 55 and older living in the southern United States was analyzed, finding that beliefs of masculinity moderated the relationship between negative perceptions of aging and depression. Participants who reported a high adherence to masculinity beliefs and a negative perception of …

Family Matters: How Caregiver Influence And Internal Locus Of Control Relate To Academics, Maia Mclin

Theses and Dissertations

Academics in college predicts life outcomes; students from lower socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds often face greater challenges. One such population, consisting of many individuals from marginalized backgrounds, are those raised by nontraditional parents. This study investigated predictors of academics among 357 college students, examining authoritative parenting style, intrinsic motivation, academic locus of control (LoC), SES, and caregiver type (parental vs. non-traditional). Academics was assessed using two composite scores: 'academic knowledge' (GPA/ACT) and 'compensatory attention' (working memory via n-back task accuracy and attention/concentration via SMALSI-C). Hierarchical regressions revealed that higher authoritative parenting, higher SES, and being raised by biological parents significantly …

Expanding Access: A College Access Model For English Learners, Amanda Blackwell Mcleod

Theses and Dissertations

As one of the fastest-growing student populations in K -12 schools, English Learners (EL)s remain significantly underrepresented in postsecondary education. Barriers such as academic preparedness, financial constraints, and sociocultural factors hinder their access to postsecondary education. However, by developing targeted strategies to assist ELs in accessing and completing college, institutions can address these challenges and ensure a more diverse and sustainable student body in the face of declining enrollment. Effective models for helping EL students access college include family engagement, early college exposure, peer mentorship, and student-centered advising. By assisting ELs in accessing college, institutions can strengthen their enrollment efforts, …

Spatial Variability Of Heat Mortality Rate Relationships In Arizona At Primary Care Area Level, Ria Mukherjee

Theses and Dissertations

Heat Mortality Rates (HMR) in Arizona (AZ) are one of the highest in all of US. The HMR association with environmental, socioeconomic, demographic, and occupational factors has been widely investigated to inform mitigative policy. This study employed linear and spatial models- Ordinary Least Square (OLS), Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR), across AZ at Primary Care Area (PCAr) level to identify important spatial trends in HMR relationship. Results indicated a significant global association between heat mortality and environmental variables and the elderly population aged 65 and older. In contrast, the working age group between 54 and …

The Effectiveness Of Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports (Pbis) In Title I Secondary Schools, Robyn Rush-Grace

Theses and Dissertations

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is grounded in behaviorist theories, particularly Skinner's operant conditioning, which suggests that positive reinforcement can shape behavior over time. PBIS uses a tiered system to address student behavior, providing universal support for all students (Tier 1), targeted interventions for students who need more support (Tier 2), and intensive, individualized interventions for the few students who exhibit the most significant behavioral challenges (Tier 3). The literature on PBIS generally supports its effectiveness in reducing office discipline referrals, suspensions, and expulsions, as well as improving student behavior and overall school climate. Research specific to Title 1 …

Confirmatory Factor Analysis Of The Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised: Short Form In College-Attending Emerging Adults, Lydia Stanhope

Theses and Dissertations

Psychopathy research stems from the work of Dr. Hervey Cleckley, whose research aided in providing the foundation for psychopathy assessments currently utilized in the field. Several researchers used Cleckley’s framework to further home in on characteristics that are central to psychopathy. Among the primary researchers who adapted the characteristics into their own measures are Robert Hare, Paul Frick, and Scott Lilienfeld; the work of these researchers is what helped lead to the creation of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised: Short Form (PPI-R: SF). The current study aimed to confirm the two-, three-, and eight-factor models from previous versions of the measure …

“It Just Builds Character”: Building The Bullying Myths Scale, Jessica Weiss Utley

Theses and Dissertations

Approximately 20% of American children and adolescents report being victims of bullying each year (Irwin et al., 2022). Bullying victimization is linked to serious behavioral and psychological outcomes, like depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide (e.g., Chou et al., 2020; John et al., 2018; Mulder et al., 2017; Schoeler et al., 2018). Despite these sobering data, misconceptions continue to portray bullying as a normal part of growing up, that it is trivial in nature, and that some kids deserve to be bullied (Dawes et al., 2022; Kulig et al., 2008). This study tested the validity and efficacy of the Bullying Myths …

Nonprofit News Public Communication Data, Nik Usher

Communication: Faculty Scholarship

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Nonprofit news outlets have emerged as potential solutions to the market failure of for-profit journalism, particularly in local news "deserts." However, it is unclear whether digital-first nonprofit news outlets themselves are articulating their distinct value proposition to a wider public. Using an original dataset of 336 nonprofit news outlets across 45 states and Washington, D.C., we analyzed digital-first news nonprofit websites to assess public communication strategies across different geographic scopes (local, state/regional, national/international) and coverage types (investigative, explanatory/analysis, news and events). We specifically assess the presence of impact statements, evidence of financial …

Partnership, Collaboration, And Co-Production To Improve Patient Experience Beyond Conducting Surveys – Lessons From The Quebec Model, Canada, Marie-Pascale Pomey, Catherine Wilhelmy, Myriam Fournier-Tombs, Vincent Dumez, Cécile Vialaron, Monica Nelea Iliescu, Karina Prevost, Simon Courtemanche, Louise Normandin, Geneviève David

Patient Experience Journal

Objective: The objectives of this article are to present how, in the province of Quebec (Canada), healthcare and service partnerships have been implemented, to take stock of the current situation and to suggest ways to continue strengthening the model over the coming years, in Quebec and elsewhere in the world. Methods: Three methods were mobilized: (1) a review of the literature and reports published in recent years on implementations of partnerships in Quebec; (2) a survey sent to the persons responsible for partnerships in Quebec’s health and social services establishments; and (3) a working committee comprised of patient experts, partnership …

Peer Mentoring, Camaraderie, And Support (Pmcs) Of Southern New Jersey: Suicide Prevention Using Human Experience And Social Determinants Of Health, Ali A. Poorani, Matthew Jacobs, Patrick Carney, Jaclyn Tomasetti

Patient Experience Journal

Suicide prevention is a high priority for Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Recent data show an increase in suicide rates, especially among Veterans that had not used VHA health services and nor had received any VHA benefits. Meanwhile, data collected for the past two decades reveals a decline in suicide rates among Veterans who were recent VHA users with mental health or substance use disorders. The objective of the Peer Mentoring, Camaraderie, and Support (PMCS) Program was to explore novel ways to reengage and reintegrate Veterans into their earned VA healthcare benefits, and examine the effectiveness of this new initiative by …

“All Together”: A Case Study Demystifying Patient And Public Involvement (Ppi) In Brief Psychological Interventions Within A Community Mental Health Service For Adults In The Uk, Molly H. Nadel, Katherine Parkin, Stephanie Casey, Rachel Maciag, Alice Xie, Mu-Yin Chang, Youngsuk Kim

Patient Experience Journal

The importance and value of involving patients and the public in the decision-making processes within services designed to support them, and research projects aimed at understanding and improving those services, have long been established. This is often referred to as Patient and Public Involvement (PPI). However, establishing good quality involvement work in practical terms is often less well understood and therefore, the uncertainty surrounding this can lead to hesitation by clinicians in practice. In this paper, we will share our lessons learned and the practical outcomes of PPI when applied in an NHS community mental health service for adults. We …

The Implementation Of A Telehealth Patient Advisory Council In A Network Of Federally Qualified Health Centers, Jessica Korins, Lisa Schaffer, Nandini Shroff

Patient Experience Journal

Patient input is recognized across the healthcare field as essential for tailoring innovations and quality improvement initiatives to meet the needs of intended patient populations. This paper describes the implementation of a patient advisory council (PAC) established to provide feedback on telehealth innovations and quality improvement initiatives at a network of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in New York State (NYS). We report on the implementation process, success and challenges, and reflections shared by PAC members regarding their experiences.

Understanding Online Reviews Of Geriatricians: Correlations Within A Dataset Of 53,210 Physician Reviews, Yizhong Wu, Eric Reuben Smith, Nick Shaffer, Hanh Dieu Trinh, Becky Powers

Patient Experience Journal

Introduction: Online reviews are increasingly influential in how patients find and choose physicians. Patients appreciate the transparency of online reviews, and they offer an avenue for physicians to receive feedback. This cross-sectional study aims to provide insight into correlations between provider level information such as wait times or physician demographics, and the reviews patients submit online for geriatricians.

Methods: ParseHub software was used to extract and pool data from 6,631 provider profiles categorized under “geriatric medicine” on the popular open-source physician review website Healthgrades.com. Physician race or ethnicity was modeled by profile last name based on 2010 US census data. …

Family-Centered Care In Pediatric And Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Systematic Review Of Effects On Parental Satisfaction And Length Of Stay, Vincenzo Andretta, Valentina Cerrone, Veronica Strini, Angela Prendin

Patient Experience Journal

Background: Family-centered care (FCC) is essential in pediatric and neonatal intensive care units (PICUs), potentially increasing parent satisfaction and reducing length of hospital stay, but evidence of its effectiveness is inconsistent. Objective: To assess the effects of FCC interventions on parent satisfaction and length of hospital stay in PICUs. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, with 17 studies meeting the established inclusion criteria. The McMaster tool was used to assess the methodological quality of studies, along with an assessment of risk of bias. Results: The review identified a wide range of FCC interventions, including promoting parental …

I Felt More Confident That It Would Work For Me: A Grounded Theory Of Person-Centered Interprofessional Collaboration Based On Patients’ Lived Experiences, Katherine Hope Morgan, Cristina S. Barroso, Kathleen Conroy Brown, Michael R. Bleich, Soghra Jarvandi, Elizabeth B. Strand, Shaun Rowe

Patient Experience Journal

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is considered the highest standard of practice for delivering care to patients with multiple, complex, and chronic conditions. Despite reported benefits of IPC, the voice of the care receiver and how or whether they experience IPC is underexplored. Our objective was to examine patients’ experiences with IPC in two rural primary care settings in the U.S., where the burden of multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) is coupled with lower life expectancies and reduced access to care. We used a semi-structured interview to assess patients’ experiences within 72 hours after an IPC healthcare visit. This study, conducted in two …

Role Of Patient-Reported Measures (Prms) In Addressing Ethical Challenges During Telemedicine Consultation: A Narrative Review, Asiya Attar, Kasturi Shukla

Patient Experience Journal

Introduction: Telemedicine has revolutionized medical care delivery by emphasizing on Patient-Centred Care (PCC). Patient Reported Measures (PRMs) can assist in providing PCC since it assesses the treatment outcomes and patient experience. However, using PRMs is not just limited to gauging clinical efficiency; it can also play a role in addressing the ethical challenges in telemedicine. Yet this aspect of PRMs remains underexplored. Method: Literature search was conducted using a combination of keywords from the Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. 126 peer-reviewed journal articles in English from 2015 to 2024 were screened, and 34 relevant full-text …

Understanding Patient Experiences: A Qualitative Study On Communication And Cultural Competence In Multiple Sclerosis Care, Vaishnavi Sridharan, Charee Thompson, Rola Mahmoud, Minnatallah N. E. Eltinay, Chungyi Chiu

Patient Experience Journal

Objective: Effective communication is crucial in multiple sclerosis (MS) care, influencing patient satisfaction, self-management, and health outcomes. This study explores the experiences of people with MS (PwMS) regarding communication with healthcare providers and between providers within healthcare systems. Methods: This qualitative study analyzed open-ended responses from 590 participants in a national cross-sectional survey. Thematic content analysis was conducted to explore MS patients’ experiences with healthcare communication and care delivery. Results: Three major themes emerged: (1) Patient-provider communication, where 62.9% of participants reported positive experiences, citing responsiveness and empathy, while 37.1% noted issues such as inattentiveness and rushed consultations. (2) …