Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Venezuelan Migrants In Prostitution: A Personal Decision?, Yazmin Maria Lucila Cadena Camargo, Izara Maite Mondragon Moreno, Isabela Osorio Jaramillo, Paula Angélica Suárez Álvarez, Andrés Duarte Osorio, Carlos Gómez-Restrepo

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

This paper explores the multifaceted experiences of Venezuelan migrant women engaged in prostitution, framed through three critical moments: the “decision to enter in prostitution,” the unique abuses faced, and the resultant consequences on mental, physical, and social health. The study highlights how socioeconomic vulnerabilities—exacerbated by migration and poverty—significantly influence the likelihood of entering prostitution. It also shows how traumatic experiences, particularly in childhood and adolescence, coupled with a lack of support networks, contribute to a heightened risk of exploitation. Eleven life stories were collected through a phenomenological approach, revealing a common narrative of abuse, poverty, and the search for survival …

Portfolio And Appendix Chris M. Larson, Chris M. Larson

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Abstract:

This is a collection of assignments and reflections of my work throughout the course of the Masters in Social Work program at the University of Montana. Included are assignments reflecting on the Indian Child Welfare Act, housing, barriers to care for Non-White and female veterans within the VA clinic, the quality of care in nursing homes, American Drug policy, confidentiality in the YWCA, training on interventions based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, cost benefit analysis of in home care programs, and a proposal for my practicum site Missoula Aging Services. It has reflections on the five elements of advanced practice, …

Housing Options As We Age, Michele Dinman, Jeff Brandt, Logan Fox

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

Almost 75% of adults ages 50 and older want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. This is referred to as “aging in place.” Our homes and communities can help us feel safe and give us a sense of belonging and connection. Furthermore, our living situations effect our health and quality of life as well as our ability to live independently. Changes in our physical, psychological, social, and financial well-being later in life can affect our abilities to age in place. Finding the best housing based on our resources, interests, and needs is important for living well …

Job-Training Programs For Older Americans, Byeongju Ryu, Cal J. Halvorsen

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

The traditional notion of retirement—stopping work completely to focus on personal pursuits in one’s golden years—is not guaranteed. In the United States, three in four adults plan to work past age 65. Many older adults continue working due to financial necessity, including rising healthcare costs, insufficient retirement savings, and gaps in pension coverage. Low-wage workers, in particular, may struggle to retire at all, forced to keep working to afford basic necessities such as housing and food. Older adults also seek employment for their personal health and well-being, such as staying physically and mentally active, finding a sense of purpose, and …

Adapting To Inflationary Pressures: Household Coping Strategies In Urban Egypt (2016– 2025), Mohamed Mohamed Ashraf Kamal

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decade, Egypt has faced persistent economic challenges including repeated currency devaluations, high inflation rates, subsidy reforms such as the gradual reduction of food and energy subsidies, and the ripple effects of global crises that have significantly impacted household well-being, especially in urban areas. These pressures have eroded purchasing power and heightened food insecurity, especially among low- and middle-income families. Although substantial attention has been paid to macroeconomic indicators, there remains a critical gap in understanding how households adapt on a daily basis to manage financial stress and sustain their livelihoods. This inquiry is especially timely, as household …

Charting An Open Future, Michael Fernandez, Rachel E. Scott

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

[In the absence of an abstract, the opening is presented.]

Here at LRTS, we are excited to mark the conclusion of our third year as a fully open access (OA) journal. The editors feel honored to be able to showcase top-tier research and new developments in best practice within the field of library technical services, brought directly to our readers without paywalls or embargoes and without article fees for our authors. Nonetheless, making content OA is one matter; sustainability for open publishing is another matter altogether. That sustainability for LRTS has been top of mind since we followed the …

Beyond The Call Of Duty: Exploring The Prevalence And Consequences Of Self-Sacrifice By Academic Library Leaders, Kate Tallman, Susan R. Franzen

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

In the face of limited resources and increasing demand, academic library supervisors often  sacrifice their own time and energy to support employees’ well-being. Self-sacrificial  behavior includes taking on additional responsibilities, being especially “visible” during  crises, and supporting the emotional, physical, or financial needs of employees. Most research on self-sacrificial leadership highlights its positive impact on organizational  culture. But how does it impact library leaders’ mental health, job satisfaction, and/or  attrition? This presentation explores self-sacrificial behavior and concludes with a  discussion of strategies to reset the balance when leaders find themselves going above  and beyond at their own expense.

Edgeworth Expansions In Curved Cross Section Autoregression, Peter C.B. Phillips

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

Edgeworth expansions are developed for the finite sample distribution of the least squares estimator in a time series parametric first order autoregression with Hilbert space curves of cross section data. The main result extends to this functional data environment the Edgeworth expansion in the corresponding scalar time series AR(1). In doing so, the results show how function-valued cross section data, and hence general forms of cross section dependence, affect the finite sample distribution of the serial correlation coefficient. Autoregressions with functional fixed effect intercepts are included and the results therefore relate to dynamic panel autoregression with individual effects. The primary …

What Can Trends In Emergency Department Visits Tell Us About Child Mental Health?, Han Choi, Adriana Corredor-Waldron, Janet Currie, Chris Felton

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

Increases in mental health diagnoses and suicidal behaviors in Emergency Departments are often cited as evidence of an accelerating child mental health crisis. We ask whether trends in ED visits provide an accurate picture of changes in U.S. child mental health. These measures have been profoundly affected by changing conventions about screening, defining, and coding of mental illness. We conclude that child mental health has been deteriorating, but not by the startling magnitudes suggested by jumps and trends in some measures such as suicidal ideation. Although reported suicidal behaviors rose 228% from 2006–2021, the true rise in mental health disorders …

The Moderating Effects Of Community Involvement On The Association Between Witnessed Community Violence And Mental Health Outcomes Among Black Adolescents, Curtisha Tamara Shacklewood

Theses and Dissertations

Black youth and adolescents are at a disproportionately high risk for experiencing community violence exposure (CVE) and the potential influence it may have on psychological functioning. Research posits that Black youth who experience community violence are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing elevated internalizing symptoms (e.g., depression) and externalizing symptoms (e.g., delinquency). Previous research has utilized the ecological model to investigate interpersonal protective factors that potentially buffer the effects of CVE, including parental support and family characteristics. However, there is little research that explores community-level factors, such as community activities (e.g., youth activities and parental perception of collective efficacy) …

Leveraging After School Programs As Resources To Support Adolescent Health And Wellbeing Within Underserved Communities: A Qualitative Study, Olivia Staples

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decade, youth have shown a consistent rise in stress, major depression, anxiety, and suicide, with underserved youth (low-income, minoritized communities) at greatest risk of exposure to chronic stress, related outcomes, and less access to health services (APA, 2017). Afterschool programs (ASPs), which serve as important resources in underserved communities, can be a critical support for youth health and well-being (Afterschool Alliance, 2019). However, few studies have examined ways in which ASPs address the challenges underserved youth face across their ecosystem to promote youth resilience (Jones & Deutsch, 2011). Using qualitative interview data from staff and youth across …

Too Much Of A Good Thing? Can Students Be Too Behaviorally Engaged, Rosemary Louise Odem

Theses and Dissertations

Student engagement in school is a key determinant of students’ academic success. Student engagement is commonly conceptualized as a meta construct comprised of three dimensions: emotional, cognitive, and behavioral engagement (Fredricks, 2015). Behavioral engagement, the focus of this study, is defined by positive conduct, involvement in learning and academic tasks, and participation in school-related activities (Fredricks et al., 2004). Some researchers have suggested that psychological strengths, like engagement, can be overused and result in maladaptive consequences (Niemiec, 2019; Oishi et al., 2007). This study addressed this notion using archival data from a sample of 422 students from one Southeastern US …

From Seapower To Shining Seapower, Michael Lee

Publications and Research

The liberal world order is dead: the United States has abandoned both the domestic and international institutional commitments that enabled it to function. How can liberal democracy survive in an increasingly hostile world? How can liberal democracies grow powerful enough to defend themselves without becoming the empires they fear? I argue that seapowers have historically represented a distinct kind of hegemon, that is more amenable to international cooperation, and democracy at home. Moreover, the transition from declining seapowers to rising ones has played a vital role in preserving a space for more liberal states (relative to their historical context), such …

Beyond The Bipolar: Allowing Satisfaction And Dissatisfaction To Coexist, Dustin J. Souders, Yixiu Yu

Publications

Copyright © 2025 Souders and Yu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).

Diabetes-Related Foot Complications And Socioeconomic Influences Among Hispanic Males In South Texas: A Scoping Review, Mariana J. Rodriguez, Demian Rodriguez, Amanda L. Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is the 7^th leading cause of death in the United States and is 6^th in the state of Texas. Counties from South Texas are primarily affected with higher rates of diabetes than both the state and national average. Diabetes mellitus is a complex and progressive disease which can affect multiple systems of the body, leading to serious complications if untreated, especially in the lower extremities. Uncontrolled diabetes is often associated with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), foot infections, and lower extremity amputations (LEA). South Texas is a region predominantly populated by Hispanic Americans who are disproportionally …

A Data-Driven Framework For Optimal Retail Store Location, Ming Hui Tan

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This study develops a data-driven framework for optimal retail store location planning that integrates road network analysis, mobility data and optimization techniques. By addressing the limitations of traditional approaches that rely on outdated census data and manual site selection, this research offers a scalable and adaptable solution for retail expansion in diverse urban environments. Chapters 1 and 2 establish the foundational context and theoretical underpinnings of this research. Chapter 1 introduces the research problem and motivation, highlighting the limitations of existing approaches and defining three key research objectives: automating candidate site identification, improving footfall estimation, and developing a scalable multi-site …

Design-Led Leadership: A Mixed Methods Study On Understanding How Design Thinking Capabilities Impact Leadership Effectiveness, Tareq Waleed Muhmood

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

“Widespread design thinking among organisation leaders is desirable for the creation of a humanly and sustainable future” (R. J. Boland et al., 2008a)

This study investigates the impact of design thinking capabilities on leadership effectiveness through a mixed-methods research design.

While design thinking is widely used in product and service innovation, its application as a leadership development framework remains underexplored.   To address this gap, the study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods, including pre- and post-intervention survey of leaders, their supervisors, and subordinates within an education business in Vietnam (EBV), as well as semi-structured interviews with senior leaders at a …

Is Doing-Good-Enough (Dge) Related To Quitting Or Thriving: Organizational Support Moderates The Link Between Dge And Employee Well-Being, Job Satisfaction And Job Crafting, Yun Zhuo

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This research introduces the construct, Doing-Good-Enough (DGE), a work strategy in which employees consciously meet, but do not exceed, core job expectations. It is a satisficing approach aimed at prioritizing well-being and managing work demands. Three studies were conducted to build the DGE scale and examined its outcomes. Study 1 developed the new measurement scale of DGE by integrating its initial work definition with the existing Quiet Quitting (QQ) scales. Items composing the DGE scale were identified through an exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Study 2 validated the DGE scale as unidimensional via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and established its discriminant …

Postcolonial Policies And Practices Towards Language In Algeria And Côte D’Ivoire, Charlotte Anne Dutcher , '26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

This thesis discusses language policies and practices in Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire. These two countries were both colonized by France in the 19th century, and under their rule, French was enforced as an official language across French colonies. After their respective decolonizations in the mid-20th century, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire diverged in their language policies. Côte d’Ivoire kept French as an official language, and Algeria instead chose Arabic, pursuing a national policy of Arabization. This thesis aims to analyze the factors contributing to these differing policies, while also addressing the language practices, and how they vary from the policies. To …

Mama, Appa, And Titi: What Makes Words Sound Parental? A Phonological Exploration Of Parental Terms In And Beyond The Gender Binary, Madeleine C. S. Kruckemeye , '26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

This paper addresses the following research question: What phonological components make a word sound ‘parental’ cross-linguistically and (how) do those components relate to the social genders associated with the word? The goal in answering this question is to extend Jakobson (1960) and Murdock’s (1959) work to be inclusive of our current understanding of gender and gender roles, and to create more options for queer parents and other families that are recognizable as parental terms, an important factor as found by Frank et al. (2017). The research consists of a literature review, an analysis of cross-linguistic parental terms, and an online …

What’S In A Name (Order): Linguistic And Extralinguistic Constraints In Fandom Ship Names, Glory Zhang , '26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

No abstract provided.

Sustainability And Funding Of Young Feminist Organizing/Organization In Kenya, Chantalle Okondo, John Malkia, Ivy Kutswa, Ruth Juliet, Sar Kagendo, Stacie Akinyi, Gladys Jerop, Juma Damaris, Terry Owino, Jerry Okal

Adolescents and Young People

The Nawiri Project used a core Participatory Action Research Evaluation (PARe) approach to explore the landscape of young feminist organizing/organizations (YFOs) in Kenya and Mexico. The project aimed to synthesize evidence on YFOs’ context, impact, and strengths. In Kenya, the core PARe team included nine young feminists and seven Feminist Advisory Panel (FAP) members, who collaborated with Population Council, Kenya from the project’s inception to dissemination. To define and measure impact, the team conducted five case studies with YFO leadership, nine focus group discussions with YFO beneficiaries, 31 key informant interviews with current and previous partners, and cost and benefit …

Sex Worker Stigma, Morality And Ambivalent Sexism, Emily Kate Kinzel

Dissertations and Theses

Sex worker stigma has received limited attention in psychological research. Although stigma is often theorized to relate to moral concerns, the relationship between stigma and moral concerns has not been empirically established. This study aims to address these gaps by developing a measurement tool for attitudes towards sex workers--specifically an implicit association test (IAT)--and explore the relationships between sex worker stigma, moral concerns, and ambivalent sexism. Mock policy questions on the criminalization and punishment of sex workers were also included to approximate behavioral intentions of participants. A cross-sectional correlational study of 168 community members found evidence that both moral concerns …

Exploring Impacts Of Diversity Ideologies On Allyship (Intergroup Responsiveness), Fiona Nguyen

Dissertations and Theses

Colorblindness and multiculturalism are widely studied diversity ideologies that reflect prominent attitudes about how diversity should be understood and managed, as they can help predict individual behavior. Colorblindness proposes that distinct group identities should be ignored, and can be used to exclude minoritized groups and downplay racial minorities' experiences, whereas multiculturalism embraces and values group differences, can foster inclusive environments for minority groups, and leads to positive intergroup outcomes such as reduced prejudice. Despite much research dedicated to exploring the intergroup outcomes of diversity ideologies, few studies have examined their impacts on specific interpersonal interactions, particularly allyship. Research has defined …

Lost In Translation: Chomskyan Analysis Of Language Variation In Ai, Post-Critical Learners, And Native Speakers, Hannah Van Rijnswou

Holster Scholar Projects

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) have revolutionized linguistic theory, raising questions about human language acquisition. Some argue AI's language generation challenges the concept of innate linguistic ability, while others contend it reinforces it. This research examines AI's "Surplus of the Stimulus" learning—relying on vast datasets—against human language acquisition, particularly within Chomskyan frameworks of Universal Grammar and the "Poverty of the Stimulus." By analyzing language production across three groups—Native English Speakers, Post-Critical Period Second Language Learners, and LLMs—this study compares linguistic complexity using the Lexical Opulence Index (LOI). Data is collected through structured prompts across four linguistic registers: …

Climate Change And Human Migration, Jennifer R. Guzmán

Climate Change and the Individual, 2025-26

Migration is one of the oldest human behaviors and among the most important of human survival strategies. Climate change has always been a significant driver of human migration because humans are interdependent with the ecosystems where they live. Today’s climate change is anthropogenic, and its harmful effects are made worse by social inequities. Millions are having to leave their homes, including internally displaced people, climate refugees, and labor migrants. Radical changes are needed in science, policy, law, and cultural narratives to minimize the harms of climate displacement.

Understanding Impact Among Young Feminist Organizing/Organizations In Kenya, Chantalle Okondo, John Malkia, Ivy Kutswa, Ruth Juliet, Sar Kagendo, Stacie Akinyi, Terry Owino, Jerry Okal

Adolescents and Young People

The Nawiri Project used a core Participatory Action Research Evaluation (PARe) approach to explore the landscape of young feminist organizing/organizations (YFOs) in Kenya and Mexico. The project aimed to synthesize evidence on YFOs’ context, impact, and strengths. In Kenya, the core PARe team included nine young feminists and seven Feminist Advisory Panel (FAP) members, who collaborated with Population Council–Kenya from the project’s inception to dissemination. To define and measure impact, the team conducted five case studies with YFO leadership, nine focus group discussions with YFO beneficiaries, 31 key informant interviews with current and previous partners, and cost and benefit analysis …

The Psychology Of Collegiate Basketball: A Review Of The Literature, Paige Ashlyn Bordenkecher

Senior Theses

This literature review aims to further the understanding of the psychological factors that impact the performance of collegiate basketball players. Past reviews have focused on specific performance elements of basketball (e.g. free throws) or how a singular psychological factor affects sports performance; none have focused specifically on the collegiate level of play. The present review systematically collected thirty studies from the databases PsycInfo and SportDiscuss. The following psychological factors were the focus of the literature: player qualities, motivation, feedback, location of play, mood/emotional states, mental fatigue, preshot routine, momentum, sleep, self-talk, self-modeling, leadership, choking, flow, touch, and color. Performance was …

It Just Means More: The Cultural Bond Between The South And Sec Football, Ryan Stinson

Senior Theses

With the success of programs like Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech in the early 1900s, college football quickly became means of establishing Southern superiority over the northern U.S. Their success continued into the 20th and 21st centuries with the creation and rise of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). During and prior to the existence of the SEC, rivalries, traditions, and pageantry developed and thrived in communities across the southeast. These aspects created a unique environment that drew in fans of college football across the region. This resulted in a unique bond between fan, university, team, and community that has thrived within all …

The Economic Impact Of The Soda City Market In Columbia, Sc, Sarah E. Lillard

Senior Theses

This study examines the role of Soda City Market in the economic and social revitalization of Columbia, South Carolina’s Main Street district. Since relocating downtown in 2012, the market has evolved from a small farmers market into a major cultural and entrepreneurial hub attracting more than 300,000 visitors annually. To evaluate its impact, the study integrates two primary methods: a vendor survey capturing business characteristics and an IMPLAN input–output model estimating the market’s economic effects within Richland County. Survey results from 25 vendors reveal a diverse and culturally representative business community in which Soda City serves as both an incubator …