Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Anger Coping And Its Relations To Ambulatory Blood Pressure Reactivity And Recovery: The Moderating Effects Of Ethnic Discrimination, Brandon Dial

Theses and Dissertations

Past research has found significant associations between anger coping (i.e., anger-in, anger-out, anger-control) and blood pressure. As these studies used retrospective surveys to measure anger coping and clinic measures of blood pressure, less is known about the relations of anger coping and blood pressure in daily life. This ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study tested whether momentary use of anger coping styles in the context of interpersonal interactions were associated with momentary blood pressure reactivity and nocturnal blood pressure recovery (i.e., blood pressure dipping). Lifetime perceived ethnic discrimination was tested as a moderator of the relations of anger coping and blood …

The Relation Between Referral Source And Completion Of Trauma-Specific Assessment And Therapy In A Community-Based Training Clinic, Olivia Fiallo

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, more than 60% of youth experience at least one trauma by age 16, and about one-third develop a trauma-related disorder. Evidence-based trauma-specific cognitive behavioral therapies (TS-CBTs) exist, yet fewer than 20% of trauma-exposed youth receive trauma-focused treatment, with dropout rates as high as 75% after treatment initiation. Referral sources are gatekeepers to TS-CBTs and may be a key system-level factor shaping barriers to starting and staying in treatment. This study examined whether referral source was associated with entry into and completion of a full TS-CBT service delivery pathway in a community-based trauma clinic. Participants were 346 …

Exploring Perceived School Administrator Leadership Support And Teacher Burnout, Matthew H. Stifelman

Theses and Dissertations

Burnout is an issue that affects those in numerous occupational settings and comes with tremendous risks for physical and psychological consequences (Edú-Balsania et al., 2022). Burnout is defined as one’s psychological response to chronic work stressors that can cause cognitive, emotional, or physical health damage (Maslach & Leiter, 2016). Decades of research have identified numerous risk factors for burnout across occupations. Risk factors include job and personal values, workload, lack Burnout is an issue that affects those in numerous occupational settings and comes with tremendous risks for physical and psychological consequences (Edú-Balsania et al., 2022). Burnout is defined as one’s …

Beliefs And Recommendations Of Parents And Teachers For Internalizing Vs. Externalizing Disorders: A Thematic Analysis, Kyle Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of mental health disorders among school-aged children continues to rise, underscoring the importance of effective collaboration between families and schools. This qualitative study explored how parents (N=11) and teachers (N=11) perceive the causes, severity, and most appropriate interventions for internalizing (e.g., anxiety, depression) and externalizing (e.g., ADHD, conduct) disorders. Using vignette-based interviews and thematic analysis, six central themes emerged: (1) causal attributions (biological vs. environmental), (2) links between causes, symptom permanence, and intentionality, (3) intervention preferences, (4) importance of collaboration, (5) perceptions of severity, and (6) gendered interpretations of symptoms. 12 of the 22 participants (5 parents, 7 …

Interference Under Pressure: Task-Switching And Cognitive Control In Adhd, Rocio Belen Varela

Theses and Dissertations

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a widespread neurodevelopmental condition associated with significant academic difficulties, often resulting in students scoring a year below average on standardized examinations (Lawrence et al., 2020; Mohammadi et al., 2019). A proposed core feature of the disorder involves impairments in working memory (WM), specifically the Central Executive component responsible for attentional control (Alderson et al., 2013; Kofler et al., 2008). These WM operations are governed by two cognitive control modalities: proactive control (sustained, anticipatory maintenance) and reactive control (cue-driven, on-demand processing) (Braver et al., 2007). This quasi-experimental study investigated whether a natural tendency toward reactive control grants …

Don’T Hit Mommy! Associations Between Harsh Parenting And Aggression In Toddlerhood: The Moderating Role Of Temperament, Serah Betancourt

Theses and Dissertations

Physical aggression is known to be particularly common in toddlerhood. Further, harsh parenting practices and certain temperament traits in children have been found to be associated with aggressive behaviors. Recently, aggression has been demonstrated to be differentiated between provoked and unprovoked aggression. The current study examined early aggression and explored the mechanisms by which harsh parenting practices and temperament traits may predict different types of aggression and how that may also change depending on the stage of development in toddlerhood. That is, we proposed that harsh parenting would be more strongly associated with provoked aggression among toddlers with higher negative …

Vulnerable Narcissism In Borderline Personality Disorder: Impact On Emotion Dysregulation, Identity Disturbance, And Rejection Sensitivity In Psychiatric Inpatients, Lauren Baker Lloveras

Theses and Dissertations

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe personality disorder frequently seen in clinical settings due to high service utilization. It is characterized by emotion dysregulation, identity disturbance, suicidal behavior, fear of abandonment, and impulsive or risky behavior. BPD is categorized as a Cluster B personality disorder, alongside narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), which is defined by grandiosity, attention-seeking, and a lack of empathy. NPD can be further conceptualized across two subtypes: grandiose narcissism and vulnerable narcissism (VN). Unlike grandiose narcissism, VN has been largely neglected in research – despite overlapping features with personality and mood disorders, especially BPD. These shared features …

Exploratory Research Into U.S.-Based College/University Population Perceptions And Security Responses To On-Campus Active Shooter Incidents, Donald E. Stanton

Theses and Dissertations

On-campus active shooter incidents challenge U.S.-based Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) as they are usually only identifiable after the first shot. My mixed-methods, exploratory study was conducted to fill gaps in the limited research regarding on-campus active shooter incidents. Using purposive sampling, I identified two IHL security directors for the initial qualitative phase of my research. I conducted separate virtual interviews to discuss active shooter-specific responses, policies, procedures, security measures, potential active shooter-specific security systems, and their views on the importance of open-campus learning and social environments. We also discussed their active shooter response postures and whether they believed their …

Public Image Vs. Patient Experience: A Comparative Study Of Children's Hospitals, Abigail M. Giles

Program in Community Action (PICA)

This study examines the divergence between the curated digital brand identities of children’s hospitals and the lived experiences of their patients. Focusing on how institutions carry out their marketing objectives whilst navigating a “manipulated public sphere” on social media to maintain institutional viability and gain philanthropic support, a qualitative content analysis of 1,618 social media posts from Instagram and Facebook and 239 Google Reviews from 2023-2025 was performed. The analysis compares the difference in content curation of urban children’s hospitals and rural children’s hospitals, collecting posts from Boston Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth. Key findings include the use …

Assessing Urban–Rural Differences In Largemouth Bass Abundance In Minnesota, Jonathan Gates

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Urbanization can significantly alter freshwater ecosystems and influence sport fish populations. This study examined differences in largemouth bass Micropterus nigricans catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) between urban and rural lakes in Minnesota and evaluated temporal changes between 2000–2010 and 2011–2021. Forty lakes (20 urban, 20 rural) were selected using Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fisheries survey data. Lakes were classified using NLCD 2019 land cover data, with ≥10% developed land designated as urban. Nonparametric analyses (Wilcoxon rank-sum and signed-rank tests) were used to assess spatial and temporal differences in CPUE. Results showed that rural lakes had consistently higher median CPUE than urban lakes …

Educational Inequality In Health Insurance Coverage Before And After The Affordable Care Act, Madelaine R. Adamich

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Health insurance and health care accessibility have historically been ongoing issues within the United States. Two key factors associated with the likelihood of an individual being insured are educational attainment and income. The 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA), which has been the largest overhaul of health care in the US to date, aimed to reduce disparities in health insurance coverage and health care accessibility. My research analyzes the extent to which the ACA succeeded in reducing disparities related to educational attainment. To examine the ACA’s effects, I utilize the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey data from 2008 and 2015 …

Neonicotinoid Bioaccumulation In Bluegill And Bullhead Within Lake Julia And Lake Zumwalde, Jake Stuber

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Brown Bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus, Yellow Bullhead Ameiurus natalis, and Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus are unique in their stark differences. Bullhead are scaleless bottom feeders that can tolerate high pollution and low O₂ conditions. In contrast, Bluegill are scaled, aggressive nesters and are less tolerant of high pollutants or low-oxygen conditions. Among these pollutants include a class of chemicals called neonicotinoids (hereafter referred to as neonics). Neonics are a class of insecticides primarily used within agriculture and pest management. Due to the effectiveness, application has escalated on a global scale. They have been well documented by many toxicology assessments. …

Indigenous Land Seizure & Environmental Injustice: Impacts Of Settler Colonialism, Lydia Moorman

Journal of Earth and Life Science

The fields of conservation and environmentalism prioritize ecosystem health, yet both emerged from western frameworks that displaced and criminalized Indigenous land stewardship. The idealization of “pristine wilderness” narratives served to justify the removal of Indigenous peoples from their homelands and erased millennia of sustainable land stewardship that had maintained ecological balance long before western conservation existed. These narratives not only misrepresented Indigenous relationship with land but also constructed a false dichotomy between humans and nature that positioned Indigenous presence as a threat rather than a source of ecological knowledge. Simultaneously, anthropogenic expansion; such as pipelines, mining, railroads, and other extractive …

Powering The Machine, Draining The Planet: Whether U.S. Environmental Law Is Equipped To Regulate The Energy And Water Demands Of Ai Data Centers, Michael Marcu

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Artificial intelligence (AI) data centers have become one of the United States' fastest-growing and least-regulated sources of environmental stress. In 2024 alone, U.S. data centers consumed 183 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity more than the entire nation of Pakistan and consumed an estimated 17 billion gallons of water (IEA, 2025; Berkeley Lab, 2024). By 2030, electricity demand from these facilities is projected to reach 426 TWh, a 133% increase in six years (Pew Research Center, 2025). This paper examines whether the existing U.S. environmental regulatory framework put by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), and the …

Contractual Democracy From Statehouse To School Board: Shifts In Legislation And School Board Authority In Kentucky, Hannah M. Edelen

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

School boards have long been regarded as a cornerstone of American democracy, providing local governance over public education. While considerable scholarship highlights the increasing involvement of state and federal governments in education, relatively few studies examine with specificity how legislatures shape the local authority of these governance structures. This study investigates how the Kentucky State Legislature has influenced the authority of local school boards over three legislative sessions (2020–2022) and how board members perceive their evolving role. Using a multi-method approach and conceptualized in principal-agent theory, this research contributes to understanding how legislatures shape the governing responsibilities of school boards …

Soft Diplomacy Today...Global Influence Tomorrow, Michael Sutnick

NYLS Law Review

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The United States stands at a critical juncture where its global influence depends on adapting visa and tourism …

I’M A Sucker For You: The Role Of Parasocial Relationships And Celebrity Worship In Predicting Loneliness Among Fans Of The Jonas Brothers, Samantha Lynn D'Anna

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The current study sought to better understand the dynamics between parasocial relationships and celebrity worship in predicting loneliness among the Jonas Brothers fan community. A comprehensive review of existing literature positioned this dissertation within the context of current research. A quantitative, survey-based methodology was used to examine associations between variables through correlational analyses, and a qualitative component invited participants to share written narratives about the impact the Jonas Brothers have had on their lives. Quantitative findings showed that although parasocial relationships did not directly relate to loneliness, they were strongly linked to celebrity worship, which then mediated the connection between …

How Does Residing In A Battleground State Explain Republican Elites Election-Denial Rhetoric On Social Media?, Caedmon P. Brewer

Theses and Dissertations--Political Science

After the 2020 election the U.S. democratic process was challenged by Republican challengers many of which were office holders including the president. Many of these criticisms were shared and perpetuated in online spaces What encourages elites to post on social media about election denialism? This paper attempts to partially answer the question by performing an analysis on Facebook posts made by 1,154 congressional candidates between 2023 and 2024 using a dictionary search method to flag posts for election denialism. I propose a theory that suggests the combination of political, financial, and media attention given to battleground states encourages candidates in …

Spe 1200 - Interpersonal Communication Syllabus Redesigned For Use With Oer, Gordon Alley-Young

Open Educational Resources

This document is a syllabus for an Interpersonal Communication course that has been redesigned to be used with open educational resources (OERs). The class outlined in the syllabus is for first and second year college students.

Engagement Across The Cultural Divide: Accommodative Communication In The Study Abroad Context, Charles W. Choi Ph.D.

All Faculty Open Access Publications

Study abroad contexts can generate apprehension and reluctance to communicate across cultural difference, constraining opportunities for meaningful intercultural engagement. This qualitative study examines how students described intercultural willingness to communicate and intercultural competence during study abroad. Using Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) as an interpretive framework, semi-structured interviews were analyzed thematically, yielding four interrelated themes: intercultural apprehension as it relates to a willingness to communicate, intergroup dynamics, accommodation, and intercultural communication competence. Participants described how apprehension and perceived group boundaries shaped whether interaction felt possible or worthwhile, while accommodation (both behavioral and psychological) helped them remain engaged, manage perceived distance, and …

Nuclear Deterrence And Nuclear Modernization: A Strategic Analysis Of Global Nuclear Threats And U.S. Policy, Abraham Morland

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The nuclear imperative comes from the idea that all three legs of the Triad must be retained to ensure a viable deterrent posture, provide flexibility in a response, and give decision makers options to create uncertainty in an adversary’s decision calculus. The nuclear imperative is the need to fund suggested shortfalls in the nuclear enterprise and modernize the U.S. Triad, not just one or two legs, but all three, due to the ever-increasing nuclear risk. To understand the current state in which the United States finds itself and the need for the nuclear modernization program, this thesis will review nuclear …

Drone Dichotomy: Investigating The Application Of Unmanned Aerial Systems For Offensive And Defensive Chemical, Biological, Radiological, And Nuclear-Related Tasks, Evan Jacob Martinovitch

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis investigates the application of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for both offensive and defensive chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) tasks to determine if they serve as a force multiplier on the modern battlefield. As CBRN weapons reemerge as realistic threats alongside the rapid proliferation of UAS, the intersection of these fields presents unique challenges and opportunities. Through a methodology that examines the history of the UAS-CBRN intersection, military doctrine, and the status of UAS technology, this research evaluates the capability of current and emerging UAS against specific CBRN delivery, reconnaissance and surveillance, and decontamination tasks. The analysis conducted …

Northern Luzon In A Taiwan Flashpoint: The Philippines’ Place In U.S. Strategy, Carson Keller

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

While the defense of Taiwan from a potential invasion by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has long been a topic of debate and scrutiny in U.S. strategic thinking, the role of its southern neighbor, the Philippines, has received far less attention. This thesis argues that northern Luzon would constitute key terrain in a cross-strait conflict and may become an early target of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) operations. Its proximity to Taiwan and position along the Luzon Strait, particularly the Bashi Channel, places it at the center of efforts to control access to the hypothetical battlespace. Drawing on PLA and …

The Use Of Performance Feedback To Decrease Latency Of Clinical Documentation, Taylor Reynolds

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Organizational behavior management (OBM) applies behavior-analytic principles to workplace settings. This study evaluated the effects of performance feedback on documentation latency among full-time staff in an ABA clinic. Reducing documentation latency is intended to improve the timeliness and accuracy of clinical documentation and to reduce risk related to non-reimbursement and liability. An ABABC design was used to evaluate the effects of performance feedback and the addition of a lottery reinforcement system on documentation latency. For each participant, the sequence consisted of a standard feedback phase (A), an enhanced feedback phase (B), a return to standard feedback phase (A), a reintroduction …

Gene Editing And The Accessibility Of Bioterrorism: Rethinking Global Biosecurity In The Post-Covid-19 Era, Nicholas Morales

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

COVID‑19 demonstrated how a single biological event can strain health systems, disrupt supply chains, undermine national security, and erode public trust. This shock occurred as biotechnology became dramatically more accessible: gene editing and synthetic biology tools once limited to specialized laboratories are now widely available through inexpensive equipment, open‑source data, and decentralized expertise.

This expanded access accelerates innovation but also broadens the threat landscape. The ability to reconstruct pathogens using publicly available sequences and mail‑order DNA shows that complex biological synthesis is no longer confined to state programs. These risks are amplified by opaque biotechnology activities in China, Russia, and …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Counselor Traits And Wellness Practices, Emily Velidow

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study is a qualitative thematic analysis of counselor wellness practices as well as how selfidentified personal traits are part of how a counselor practices and prioritizes wellness. Theoretical underpinnings of the study integrate trait activation theory (Tett & Burnett, 2003), Martin Seligman’s wellbeing theory (Seligman, 2011), and Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1977). Participants included nineteen licensed counselors (N=19). Analyzed responses lead to four main themes, each with two to four subthemes. Resulting themes included (1) intentional caseload and workday structure, (2) deliberately emphasizing physical wellness, (3) setting boundaries attending to mental and emotional energy, and (4) the …

Hiding In Plain Sight, Gayle M. Perreault

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Some autistic individuals reach adulthood without receiving a diagnosis, and the processes contributing to delayed recognition are not yet fully understood. This study explored how contextual conditions across development related to the emergence and use of camouflaging behaviors in late-diagnosed autistic adults from groups historically underrepresented in autism research. Using an inductive collective case study design, narrative interviews were conducted with seven autistic adults diagnosed after age 15. The analysis examined how participants described learning, maintaining, and interpreting camouflaging behaviors across childhood through early adulthood within social, environmental, and institutional contexts, with attention to how participants experienced environmental expectations and …

Predicting The Effectiveness Of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Using Personality Assessmente, Seth Sizemore

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Depression, a pervasive and historically stigmatized disorder, has been treated through various paradigms over centuries, from spiritual to medical frameworks. Despite advances, Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) remains a significant clinical challenge, affecting a substantial proportion of patients. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) offers a promising approach for those unresponsive to conventional treatments. This study aims to assess the efficacy of TMS in treating TRD and its broader psychological effects using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3). Participants undergoing TMS at Lexington Forensic Psychiatry were invited to partake in the study. The treatment regimen consisted of 36 TMS sessions over nine weeks. Psychological …

Assessment Of Risk Factors In Sexual Offenders, Jennifer Bulin

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the importance and historical development of sex offender risk assessment, highlighting its critical role in managing public safety and guiding treatment interventions. This project traces the evolution of these assessments, from early methods focused on static risk factors to contemporary approaches that incorporate dynamic elements. The review discusses the most commonly used risk assessment tools for both adults and juveniles, evaluating their methodologies, strengths, and limitations. Assessments reviewed to be used with adults include the Static-99, Static-2002, Minnesota Sex Offender Screening Tool Revised (MNSOST-R), Rapid Risk Assessment for Sex Offence Recidivism (RRASOR), Sex …

Turning ‘Meh’ Into ‘Yeah!’: Modifying Motivational Interviewing For The Collegiate Experience, Mahala M. Saylor

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

This doctoral specialty project titled Turning 'Meh' into 'Yeah!': Modifying Motivational Interviewing for the Collegiate Experience explores the adaptation of Motivational Interviewing (MI) to better engage college students in mental health services. Traditional MI is highly effective in resolving ambivalence and fostering behavior change, yet its structure does not always align with the brief, solution-focused counseling models used in university settings. This project examines how MI can be tailored for time-limited interventions while enhancing student autonomy, self-efficacy, and retention in care. It integrates core MI principles—including empathy, ambivalence resolution, and self-efficacy—with developmental psychology and neurobiological research. The final product is …