Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Extending Norbert Elias: Adjacency And The Dynamics Of Civilizations, Arthur Michelino

Comparative Civilizations Review

Civilizations have rarely been approached as systems of interdependence and strain. Most modern theories have oscillated between cyclical visions of rise and fall and static conceptions of blocs defined by cultural essence. Both perspectives have offered sweeping interpretations, but both also detached civilizations from the environments of pressure and interaction in which they have always existed. To reframe civilizations as relational processes requires both recognition of their internal dynamics and attention to the external conditions that compel their transformation.

The Caregiving Experience: Comparing Stress And Quality Of Life Among Caregivers Of Children With And Without Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mona Khayal

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This comparative cross-sectional study investigated caregiving burden, quality of life, and anxiety among primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder compared to caregivers of typically developing children. Using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, 66 caregivers (31 autism, 35 comparison) of children aged 6-18 completed the Zarit Burden Interview-12, WHO Quality of Life-BREF, and GAD-7. According to the results, autism caregivers reported substantially higher burden (M = 31.26 vs. 13.23, d = 2.42) and anxiety (M = 9.13 vs. 4.63, d = 1.04), with 90% exceeding clinical burden thresholds compared to 26% of comparison caregivers. Quality of life was lower across …

Generation Z: Black Male Constructions Of Masculinity And Provider Roles In Heterosexual Marriages, Bentley Stafford Hylton

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study explores how expectations associated with the male provider role identity impact the psychological well-being of Black American Generation Z (“Gen Z”) men. Using a qualitative design, approximately 20 participants were surveyed to examine how efforts to meet provider role expectations influence well-being, as well as how Gen Z Black men construct and define masculinity within contemporary sociocultural contexts. While prior research has examined Black masculinity, limited attention has been given to its intersection with provider role expectations, particularly among emerging adults. Historically, messages about masculinity and marital roles have been transmitted through community institutions, leadership, and cultural narratives; …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Fitness Wearable Use And Embodiment, Lucas Brandt

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Wearable fitness technologies have become increasingly integrated into contemporary health and wellness culture, providing users with continuous access to physiological and behavioral data related to movement, sleep, stress, recovery, and overall health. Research has demonstrated that wearable devices can increase physical activity and support health behavior change (Ferguson et al., 2022; Koivisto & Hamari, 2019). Although less is known about how these technologies influence individuals’ lived experiences of their bodies. Understanding this relationship is particularly important given growing concerns regarding embodiment, self-surveillance, and the psychological effects of health-tracking technologies (Bergsland, 2017; Rapp, 2021). Drawing on theories of mind-body connection and …

Supporting Student Success: Student Perceptions Of The Community College First-Year Experience, Jennifer Mullen

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study builds on existing research examining the impact of First-Year Experience (FYE) courses, with a specific focus on community college students, and expands the measures of success for these courses. Most scholarship on the impact of FYE courses on student success focuses on students at four-year institutions and emphasizes academic achievement and retention as key measures of success. In this study, data were collected from community college students enrolled in an FYE-101 course during the Fall of 2025. Pre- and post-course surveys (see Appendices B and C) were administered at the beginning and end of one 15-week and two …

An Exploration Of Vicarious Trauma In The Integrated Trauma Team, Victoria L. Hadix

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study aimed to explore the impacts of self-care, coping skills, and resilience on the perceptions of vicarious trauma by members of the trauma team in a small community hospital in the Northeastern United States, through the use of qualitative methodology and a semi-structured interview. The goal of this study was to gain an understanding of the mental health factors impacting health care professionals functioning in the fast-paced, demanding environment of the emergency room. Furthermore, the study explored health care professionals’ perceptions of the integrated trauma team and the relationships between individual and team-based characteristics. This study helped increase understanding …

“They Don't Care If I'M Here Or Not”: The Impact Of Exclusionary Discipline On Black Boys In Elementary Schools, Arielle Gulley

DSW Capstone Projects

Disproportionate and exclusionary school discipline practices continue to affect African American boys as early as elementary school, with significant implications for their mental health, academic engagement, and long-term educational trajectories. This capstone project examines how racially biased discipline contributes to disparities in belonging, emotional well-being, and student-teacher relationships, and advances the need to reframe discipline as a site of mental health intervention rather than punishment.

The systematic literature review synthesizes peer-reviewed research to examine the relationship between exclusionary discipline and mental health outcomes among African American boys in elementary settings, with particular attention to patterns emerging in early educational environments. …

Unseen To Unstoppable: Critically Redefining Care For Rural Women With Alcohol Use Disorders, Nicole Gerace

DSW Capstone Projects

Research reveals that rural women with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are up to 90% less likely to seek treatment than men or urban women. This Doctor of Social Work capstone project brings together a systematic literature review (SLR), a conceptual paper, and a practice application paper to examine the clinical social work practice problem of rural women with AUDs underutilizing treatment. Collectively, these products investigate factors contributing to these disparities, identify gaps in care, and propose more equitable and responsive approaches to treatment for these women. This project began with an SLR (2020–2025) that investigated clinical treatment interventions that demonstrated …

Chin Up: Contextual Factors That Determine Positive Or Negative Reception Of Encouragement, Paige Tobias

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

This study investigated how relational closeness, trust, coping, spirituality, and religiosity impact a person’s subjective experience of encouragement. It also explored whether worldview alignment or the type of relationship determines whether a person experiences words of encouragement as positive or negative. Participants (n = 153) filled out questionnaires regarding these constructs as well as recalled times when they were encouraged and experienced that encouragement either positively or negatively. Results showed that positive and negative coping styles and relationship closeness were predictors of a positive experience with encouragement. Coping alignment with the recipient of the encouragement was a predictor for both …

Expanding Clinical Understanding Of Suicidality In Queer Adolescents, Garrett Cash

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Suicidality is seen at an exceptionally high rate for both sexual minority and gender minority youth (Zaza et al., 2016; Thoma et al., 2019). The American Psychological Association (APA) has set out guidelines for mental health providers working with queer youth (APA 2015 and APA 2021) but does not require clinicians to adhere to them, labeling them as “aspirational.” To bridge the gap in clinician education on how to best support this group, an organizing framework based on etiological and preventative research is necessary. This would allow providers to more accurately and efficiently assess and respond to risk. The Salience-Occurrence …

Religiosity And Political Affiliation As Moderators For Climate Change Belief, Jenna L. Hiljus

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Climate change remains a polarized issue in the United States despite broad scientific consensus. The present study examined how specific variables within political ideology (social and economic conservatism) and religiosity (belief, praxis, and morality) relate to climate change belief among undergraduate students at a private Christian university. Participants (N = 130) completed measures of climate change perceptions, multidimensional religiosity, and social and economic conservatism. Correlational analyses showed medium-sized, negative relationships between climate change belief and both social and economic conservatism, with no significant difference between the two domains. This finding suggests that political conservatism may operate as a unified construct …

Exploring The Relationship Between Discrete Cognitive Skills And Adaptive Skills In A Transdiagnostic Sample Of Children And Adolescents, Jacy L. Black

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The relationship between intelligence and adaptive functioning has been well researched for neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. However, the relationship between these constructs has yet to be fully explored in other clinical pediatric populations that exhibit significant deficits in adaptive functioning. This archival study investigated the relationship between cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior in a transdiagnostic sample of children and adolescents. Although past studies have examined these relationships utilizing estimations of generalized intellectual ability, the present research examined associations between adaptive skills and discrete cognitive skills, often referred to as cognitive domains. By identifying the association …

Utility Of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–Third Edition (Mmpi-3) Eating Concerns Scale In A Bariatric Sample, Darryl Ray

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The utility of the Eating Concerns (EAT) scale on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–3 (MMPI-3) was examined in a preoperative bariatric sample through comparisons with established measures and an assessment of internal consistency. Participants (N = 161) enrolled in a bariatric surgery program completed a comprehensive preoperative psychological evaluation that included the MMPI-3, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), and the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire–Short Form (WEL-SF). The EAT scale differentiated the disordered eating groups and showed moderate associations with the TFEQ-C, TFEQ-D, and WEL-SF. Within this sample, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the EAT scale was lower than the alpha …

Hugs And Horses: A Pilot Study Of Hold Me Tight Plusⓡ - An Emotionally Focused Workshop With Equine Interactions, Courtney Crouse

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Emotionally Focused Therapy has also been proven to help individuals to feel an improved sense of trust and dyadic adjustment in their relationships (Morgis et al., 2019; Kennedy, 2019). Hold Me TightⓇ (HMT) is an evidence-based workshop designed by Dr. Sue Johnson. Research on HMT has shown that couples significantly improved their relationship satisfaction and the security of their bond (Conradi et al., 2017). Equine-assisted interventions that are paired with therapeutic interventions have been shown to be effective in improving couples’ sense of relationship quality (Willmund et al., 2021). A combination of equine-assisted emotionally focused couples therapy has yet to …

Basc-3 Adolescent Version For American Indian / Alaska Native (Ai/An) Adolescents With Learning Difficulties: Identifying Comorbidities, Benjamin L. Shannon

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Deficiencies in cultural sensitivity among popular psychological assessment instruments can have significant consequences for diverse test takers, leading to inaccurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention. The present study aimed to explore possible differences in mean raw scale scores between an AI/AN adolescent sample and BASC-3 SRP-A and TRS-A normative sample data, as well as to establish preliminary evidence to suggest an increased prevalence of social/emotional dysfunction for AI/AN adolescents diagnosed with multiple specific learning disabilities (SLDs). Archival BASC-3 SRP-A and TRS-A data, collected from students and teachers at a residential school for American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescents from …

Adverse Therapy Experiences In Patients At An Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital As A Predictor Of Inpatient Risk And Distress, Jaycee Hallford

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Psychotherapy is widely assumed to be beneficial, yet research consistently shows that a meaningful proportion of patients experience deterioration or harm. Adverse therapy experiences (ATEs) may intensify distress, undermine trust in clinicians, and elevate risk for self-harm, particularly among psychiatric inpatients who are already in crisis; ATEs may thus contribute to deterioration while undergoing psychotherapy. This study examined whether ATEs predicted psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and perceived risk of harm to self or others among adult psychiatric inpatients. Data were obtained from 56 voluntary and involuntary inpatients using a newly developed measure of ATEs, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social …

Relationships Between Intimate Partner Attachment Style, Pet Attachment Style, And Type Of Pet, Hamilton Lovett

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Prior research has shown attachment figures can take many forms beyond human-to-human connection. As pets continue to serve an increasingly important familial role, they have also become strong attachment figures for children and adults alike. The present study explored pet attachment relationships in more depth, examining a sample of pet owners with traditional pets, dogs and cats, and those with an exotic pet, snakes. Participants completed a survey measuring their intimate partner attachment style and their attachment style to their pet. Findings indicated those with anxious intimate partner attachment styles also hold anxious attachment to their pets. However, participants with …

The Perfect Ten: How Perceived Sport Performance Outcomes And Other Factors Impact An Athlete’S Body Image, Mia Asuncion

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The present study investigated factors that influence body image in collegiate athletes before and after competition. Existing research has focused on factors such as sex differences and aesthetic versus non-aesthetic sports, but there is limited research on factors such as an athlete’s view of their performance, the weight pressures an athlete faces from external supports, and the interplay of these variables. Participants (n = 53) filled out a questionnaire 24 hours prior to, and following, a competition. They rated body image disturbance, subjective performance satisfaction, and weight pressures from external systems. Results showed a relationship between body image disturbance and …

Shame, Shame, I Don’T Know Your Name: The Association Of Shame In Asian Culture With Self-Compassion And Self-Criticism In Asian Americans, Lauren M. Nguyen

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

With depression and suicidality on the rise among Asian Americans and gaps in research for members of Asian culture, it is imperative to examine the factors that may influence mental health outcomes, to help inform clinical considerations. Shame plays a significant role in Asian culture and is an essential component in understanding the mental health of Asian Americans. Self-criticism and self-compassion have also been shown to influence mental health outcomes in Asian populations. This study examined how shame in Asian culture is linked to self-criticism and self-compassion in Asian Americans, and how acculturation can impact these relationships. A total of …

Disparities In Emergency Medical Services: Examining Care Gaps For The High-Frequency User Population, Sarah Krysl Cleveringa

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Although many studies have illustrated healthcare disparities related to patient demographic factors in emergency medical response, few studies have examined how differences in care may be related to a patient’s identity as a high-frequency utilizer of emergency medical services (EMS). The Superuser population (higher than average utilizers of EMS) has been examined for characteristics and costs to society, but it is unknown if they receive a different type or quality of care compared to the low-frequency utilizer population. The goal of this study is to examine the EMS care that Superusers receive and possible factors that may contribute to the …

Africa As A Strategic Arena: How Great Power Rivalry Is Reshaping Security Governance, Chick Edmond

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

The rising importance of Africa as a key battleground in great power rivalry is an important shift in global politics that will have significant impacts on security governance in Africa. This article will explore the ways in which increased competition between the U.S., China and Russia will affect African states and regional organizations, and how economic dependency, regional security architecture and diplomatic strategy will influence the overall security environment in Africa. Using recent case studies and academic research, along with current policy analysis, it will analyze whether or not African countries and regional organizations will be able to mitigate potential …

Exploring Drone Technology For The Survey And Documentation Of Aerospace Archaeology Sites, David G. Morgan, Thomas R. Allen

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

This research examines the implementation of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) during a pilot mission in Nike Park to support its aerospace preservation. Located in Carrollton, Virginia, it was a Cold War missile installation that formed part of the area’s air-defense network. This project aims to use a drone to capture high-resolution video and imagery of Nike Park’s Administrative Office Supply and PX building and the Nike Ajax missile to create virtual 3D models for the Isle of Wight County Museum’s exhibit. For this mission, the DJI Mini 4 Pro drone manually flew a circular flight pattern around the missile and …

“You’Re Denying God”: Thoughts On Institutional Homophobia From Lgbtq-Affirming Staff And Faculty At Christian Colleges, Kaytlin Epperly

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Over 4 million adults identify as LGBTQ Christians in the United States (Conron et al., 2020). Yet, despite increasing support in secular and religious circles alike, the LGBTQ community continues to face prejudice and discrimination in evangelical Christian spaces (Jones, 2026; Public Religion Research Institute, 2023). Unfortunately, much of this is experienced on Christian college campuses. During a crucial period of identity development, many emerging adults on these campuses struggle between their queer identities and Christian faith, leading to psychological distress, shame, and marginalization. However, previous research illustrates the integral role that social support plays in LGBTQ students’ wellbeing (Cook …

Relationships Between Substance Use, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Psychological Functioning, And Use Of Positive Coping, Jade Binford

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Clinicians have attempted to understand substance abuse for years, and theories attempting to explain substance abuse have evolved. Theories have ranged from viewing the issue as a moral failure to interpreting it through a disease-oriented viewpoint. The self-medication hypothesis has been used to understand substance abuse and describes the issue as deriving from individuals seeking relief from psychological distress (e.g., emotional dysregulation, behavioral impairment, painful memories). Substance abuse has been linked to the experience of depression, anxiety, exposure to adverse experiences in childhood and adulthood, and trauma-related clinical diagnoses. The role of positive coping has been considered a function that …

America 250, Arizona State University

History

Photographs, Bibliography, Collection Description and Word Search for a display of government documents from Fletcher Library at Arizona State University.

On Saying Goodbye: Interactional Role Liminality & Post-Death Symbolic Interaction, Deborah Cobb

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Grief is often understood as a process that culminates in detachment, with "saying goodbye" positioned as both an emotional and social necessity. Yet many bereaved individuals describe a different experience, one in which supernatural post-death contact allows them to receive messages from their deceased loved one. Drawing on 22 in-depth interviews and 47 anonymous open-ended surveys, this study explores how individuals who experience unsolicited post-death communication interpret these encounters and integrate them into everyday life. Analysis revealed three interconnected themes: resistance to saying goodbye, interpretation of encounters as specific messages from the deceased, and emotional stabilization following continued contact. These …

Watching Over Cold Waves: The Influence Of Social And Technology Surveillance On Independent Older Adults’ Safety, S M Ashfaqur Rahman

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Cold waves pose a recurring and serious hazard for independently living older adults, yet the monitoring arrangements that shape their protective responses remain understudied. This study examined how social surveillance, defined as check-ins and support from family, neighbors, and community contacts, and technological surveillance, defined as weather applications, smart devices, and emergency alert platforms, jointly and independently predicted cold-wave safety behavior. A cross-sectional, exploratory mixed-methods design was employed. One hundred independently living adults aged 65 and older, residing in cold-prone U.S. states, completed a survey measuring monitoring frequency, source trust, perceived autonomy, concern across six cold-wave hazard types, and a …

Pbis Fidelity As A Predictor Of School Connectedness For Secondary Students, Danielle German

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

School connectedness, defined as the extent to which students "feel accepted, respected, included, and supported in the school environment," (Goodenow, 1993, p.80) has been identified as a protective factor linked to numerous positive behavioral, academic, and affective outcomes for secondary students. Given its importance, schools may seek to invest in efforts that enhance students’ sense of school connectedness. Research suggests that targeted instruction may be particularly effective in promoting school connectedness among adolescents (German et al., 2026). Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based, multi-tiered framework that emphasizes explicit instruction of behavioral expectations and reinforcement of appropriate behavior. …

Stories That Wound, Stories That Heal: Navigating The Effects Of Performing Traumatic Experiences In Collegiate Forensics, Manuel Reyes

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis explores the student's motivation for performing traumatic experiences in forensics and what considerations come with the performance of choice. The literature review highlights the intricate nature of trauma, emphasizing benefits of storytelling in recovery, and the current state of forensics when it comes to performing traumatic experiences on judges and spectators. The research examines the motivation on students for performing traumatic experiences and how the students navigate the tensions before, during, and after performance. Through semistructured interviews with current and former competitors, the research delves into the justification and the impacts of performing traumatic experiences. The thesis shows …

The Future Of U.S. Higher Education: Equity Implications Of Shifting Immigration Policies, Research Institute For Social Equity Rise

Research Institute for Social Equity

This report examines the impact of U.S. immigration policies on higher education and international students from 2000 to 2025. It traces five major policy eras, from the post- 9/11 security overhaul and Obama-era expansion to the restrictive turns of 2017–2020 and 2025, and analyzes how shifting regulations have influenced enrollment patterns, economic contributions, and student well-being. Despite hosting more than 1.1 million international students in 2023–2024, the U.S. share of the global student market has fallen from 20% to 16%, underscoring how policy volatility and restrictive measures weaken national competitiveness. Drawing on federal data, scholarly research, and institutional reports, this …