Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

For Richer Or For Poorer: The Security Environment Index To Measure Effects Of Security Assistance, Lam Huynh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation develops and validates the Security Environment Index (SEI), a multidimensional, empirically grounded framework to assess the political and military effects of U.S. security assistance—specifically Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and International Military Education and Training (IMET)—on partner nations. Drawing from the need for more robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks in the security assistance space, this study addresses a longstanding gap in how policymakers measure the outcomes of military aid. The SEI consolidates publicly available indicators into a cohesive structure capable of capturing both internal and external changes in the recipient nation’s security environment.

This research employed an explanatory …

Shifting From Damage Towards Desire At History Colorado: An Exploratory Case Study, Amanda Cali

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the paradigm shift within the fields of anthropology and museum studies away from decolonization and towards indigenization through a case study of the changes in museological practices of the History Colorado Center in Denver, Colorado, and one of its community museums, the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose, Colorado. This thesis examines the changes in consultation and collaboration, the care and stewardship of collections, the implementation of the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials (PNAAM), and co-curation of exhibits. This thesis looks at the paradigm shift as a movement away from “damage-based research” within communities to “desire-centered research” …

Beyond The Benefit: A Multi-Modal Narrative Study Of Black Women's Experiences With Employer-Sponsored Tuition Assistance, Britany Patricia Hamilton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the lived experiences of Black women engaging with employer-sponsored tuition assistance programs, focusing on how social, structural, and identity-based factors shape their educational and professional trajectories. While these benefits are often framed as neutral tools for career advancement, this study examines them through the intersecting lenses of race, gender, and labor, revealing deeper dynamics of access, value, and belonging. Guided by a qualitative narrative inquiry approach, this study employed a multi-modal data collection design involving video diaries, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group. Three participants, all Black women between the ages of 30 and 40, shared their …

Transgender Individuals’ Experiences Of Ruptures And Repairs In Group Psychotherapy, Gabrielle W. Kaufman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the political climate across the United States worsens for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals (Harmon, 2025), it has become increasingly important to attend to the mental health needs of this population (James et al., 2016). Group therapy is a widely used treatment modality that is often more accessible than individual therapy (Burlingame & Strauss, 2021) and provides unique interpersonal opportunities (Burlingame et al., 2016). While it is expected that TGD individuals face unique challenges in group therapy due to their gender identities (Chen et al., 2020), very little is actually known about the experiences of TGD individuals participating …

“My Body Was Never Mine”: An Arts-Based Phenomenological Analysis Of Queer And Trans Adolescent Involuntary Psychiatric Hospitalization Experiences, Megan Doyle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Involuntary psychiatric hospitalization has life-saving and crisis-stabilizing intentions for queer and trans adolescents experiencing mental health crises; however, there are significant concerns about the adverse effects of this practice. This study employed two interwoven qualitative methods, interpretative phenomenological analysis and arts-based research, to gain a deeper understanding of queer and trans individuals’ adolescent experiences of involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. The theory of abolition was applied to examine the carcerality and identity-based oppression embedded within this procedure. Participant narratives and artwork revealed how involuntary psychiatric hospitalization is non-affirming for queer and trans young people in crisis, and the impacts of experiencing coercion, …

Why Jerk Bosses Stress Us: Burnout As An Evolved Appeasement Strategy, Hector A. Garcia, Jarad Reiss, Ray Garza

All Faculty Scholarship (Archived)

Burnout is a pandemic and costly public health problem. Studies link leadership and peer behavior to burnout, but explanations are constrained to proximate mechanisms. Evolutionary models describe depression as an ancient appeasement response to avert dangerous physical conflict with higher-ranking group members and coalitions. In turn, psychometric research consistently finds high construct overlap between burnout and depression. This shared phenomenology suggests that burnout in response to workplace social stressors reflects appeasement. The purpose of the current study is to test the relationship between rank and competition related variables and burnout.

A Clinical Pathway For Differential Diagnosis Of Adhd Vs Trauma: Early Childhood Recognition And Intervention, Maria Neiers

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Distinguishing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) presents significant diagnostic challenges due to overlapping symptom presentations, shared neurobiological impacts, and frequent comorbidities. This paper explores the nuanced clinical differentiation between ADHD and C-PTSD, and other trauma disorders, in pediatric populations, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed assessment, early identification, and integrative clinical reasoning. The discussion highlights how structured diagnostic reasoning can reduce uncertainty, enhance diagnostic clarity, and support effective treatment planning. As a central contribution, this paper introduces an original clinical reasoning flowchart and a case conceptualization to illustrate its practical application in real-world diagnostic dilemmas. The need …

There Is No Finish Line: The Ramps Framework – An Evolving Model For Working With Racial Identities In Sport And Performance Psychology, Dylan Vas

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

The field of sport psychology has persisted in its calls for action on increasing cultural competence, being more inclusive of underrepresented identities, and progressing towards social justice (AASP, 2024b; Bejar et al., 2022; Fisher et al., 2003; Martens et al., 2000; Quartiroli, et al., 2023; Ryba et al, 2013; Ryba et al., 2024). This work attempts to contribute to these calls by providing attention on racial identity – including the proposal of an actionable and novel model, The Racial Identity Model of Psychology in Sport (RAMPS) Framework. The proposed model incorporates publications from sport psychology, clinical psychology, and social justice …

Essays On Economic Behaviour, Yiting Guo

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

My PhD thesis comprises three studies. The first study examines prosocial behavior; the second analyzes vaccination behavior; and the third investigates communicative behavior in the context of trade. Specifically, the first study investigates the impact of donation visibility on individual prosocial behavior. It develops a sequential-move model based on the prosocial behavior framework proposed by Benabou and Tirole (2006). In Stage 1, individuals decide whether to attend a charity event, and if so, in Stage 2, decide on the amount to donate. In this model, an individual’s decision to engage in prosocial behavior is influenced by three main factors: intrinsic …

Playing Catch Up: A Brief Look Into Modern Internet Culture And Its Impact On Adolescent Male Development, Xavier Bird

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

This doctoral paper argues that the internet, particularly the "manosphere," poses three significant threats to the development of adolescent males in the U.S.: the influence of misogynistic online personalities, the normalization of risky online behavior, and the spread of right-wing misinformation. The paper highlights the role of the COVID-19 pandemic in exacerbating these issues due to increased internet usage. Furthermore, it proposes a research study to investigate the link between exposure to online misogynistic content and aggressive behavior in schools, emphasizing the unique challenges of studying adolescents and their online culture. Finally, the paper stresses the urgent need for updated …

Applying Contextual Behavioral Science To Address Addictions In Monsters, Chase Hollander

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

The dominant essentialist paradigm in addiction treatment often conceptualizes addiction as a curse or plague which seizes the individual afflicted by it. Such views are reinforced by neurobiological interventions like Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). While MAT can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, its long-term efficacy is mixed, and its emphasis on abstinence as a primary outcome limits its scope. Addiction is a multifaceted phenomenon shaped by physiological, psychological, social, and systemic factors—including stigma, moral judgment, and structural oppression. Essentialist approaches frequently pathologize individuals and obscure these broader influences. In contrast, contextual behavioral sciences and therapies aligned with functional contextualism such as …

Supporting Healthy Siblings In Pediatric Cancer: Advancing Relational Interventions To Heal Invisible Wounds, Kristen K. Wederski

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Healthy siblings of children diagnosed with cancer occupy a uniquely vulnerable position within the pediatric oncology landscape. Individuals within this population often demonstrate significant emotional distress and can experience long-term psychological challenges. Despite their risk, healthy siblings remain under-researched and under-supported compared to pediatric patients and caregivers. Existing interventions tend to prioritize individual coping skills and psychoeducation and often overlook the critical relational dynamics that shape healthy siblings' psychological adjustment. Grounded in systematic and relational theories, this paper proposes a paradigm shift toward relationally focused interventions that strengthen the caregiver-sibling bond as a core mechanism of change to foster resilience …

The Journey Of Psychotherapy: Understanding Therapeutic Technique Through Ultralight Thru Hiking, Emma Bossier

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

This paper explores several principles of ultralight backpacking as metaphors for developing one’s therapeutic technique. The tenets of ultralight thru hiking, when interpreted through a clinical lens, offer early clinicians insight into the importance of moving through fear and leaning into exploration, discomfort, and authenticity while on the journey of becoming a therapist. The experiences of numerous thru hikers are synthesized into five principles: Don’t Pack Your Fears, Be Present for the Journey, Slow Simplicity, Embrace the Suck (and The Stink), and Trail Legs. These principles do not define ultralight as carefreeness but rather offer a metaphor for the careful …

The Developmental Cohort Model Of Interpersonal Process Groups: A Clinician's Guide For University Counseling Centers, Lauren Caldas

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

The purpose of this paper is to outline a clinician's manual that guides providers in the development, facilitation, and maintenance of long-term interpersonal process groups (IPGs) within university counseling centers (UCCs). This manual also presents a new model: The Developmental Cohort Model (DCM), which utilizes a stepped model throughout a traditional student's college timeline. I will present this manual in the context of the Developmental Cohort Model (DCM), but it can certainly remain useful for any type of IPG. Research suggests that group therapy is an effective way to increase access to mental health care (Burlingame & Strauss, 2021) and …

Proposed Theoretical Model Of Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis And Restrictive Eating Behaviors, Anna L. Smith

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic, demyelinating, autoimmune disease that causes an array of physical and cognitive symptomatology, is commonly diagnosed in adulthood. Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis (POMS) is characterized by diagnosis of the disease before age 18 and accounts for about 5% of MS cases. While there is a growing body of literature examining the impact of adult-onset multiple sclerosis on psychosocial functioning, research specifically addressing POMS remains limited. Moreover, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding the risk of eating disorders among individuals with POMS. This paper will explore a constellation of potential risk factors that may …

Assessing The Role Of Employees' Esg Perception On Turnover Intention: A Moderation Analysis, Michelle Leong

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation examines the relationship between employees’ perceptions of their organization’s ESG performance and turnover intentions by drawing upon Social Identity Theory (SIT). SIT suggests that individuals internalize organizational values and beliefs through organizational socialization, which strengthens their identification with the organizations, leading to support for organizations that embody those values. This study also investigated whether ESG awareness is a better predictor than ESG perception. The research employed a cross-sectional survey design to examine whether age and political affiliation moderate the relationship between ESG perception and turnover intention. The findings suggest that employees’ perceptions of their organization’s ESG performance are …

Emotional Armor: An Exploration Of Emotion Regulation On Race-Related Stress And Well-Being, Jibri Khalia Parker

Doctoral Dissertations

Scholars have examined at length the impact of stress on well-being. However, people of color experience an additional stressor called racism. Increased experiences with chronic discrimination and racism have been associated with increased hypertension, heart disease, anxiety and depression to name a few (Williams, 2018). Chronic experiences with racism leads to a phenomenon called race-related stress (Utsey & Ponterotto, 1996). The research has shown the impact of race-related stress on physical and mental health outcomes, particularly on individuals from an ethnic background (Williams, 2018). However, not much research has focused on potential moderators in this relationship. This study poses emotion …

Eating Habits, Eating Behavior Mediators, Body Composition And Physical Fitness Among Rotc Cadets, Kaitlin Renee Hanks

Master's Theses

The physical and mental demands of the military and the requirement to maintain body composition standards make healthful eating essential to military service. Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets are a unique subgroup of the United States military, and the combined demands of their military training and educational pursuits may increase their susceptibility to unhealthy eating patterns. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between eating habits, eating behavior mediators, body composition, and physical fitness among ROTC cadets. This study used a cross-sectional design that included an online survey, an inperson body composition assessment, and carotenoid measurements …

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

From Infection To Restoration: A Case Study On Dental Extraction In The Maxilla Anterior, Melanie Ramirez

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

A dental implant is a restorative surgical procedure that serves as a solution to replace missing teeth that imitate the function, sensation, and appearance of natural teeth. The objective of this dental case study is to examine the diagnosis, treatment, and post-operation of a patient with a history of tooth loss and infection in the anterior maxilla. This case follows a 55-year-old patient, Jorge Marquez, name changed for confidentiality, who presented a severe tooth abscess on tooth #10 on the anterior maxilla which had previously undergone root canal treatment (Figure 1B). Radiographic evaluations illustrated the severity of the abscess the …

The Residual Impact Of Slavery On How Enslaved Black Females Defined And Made Meaning Of Sexual Violence: A Content Analysis, Suzanne R. Bates

Dissertations

Thompson-Miller & Picca (2016) and Feimster (2023) argued that enslaved African American women, and even free African Americans after the Civil War were victims of non-consensual sexual activity and rape. The NISVS report revealed that before the age of 18 years old, 35.5% of African American women experienced contact sexual violence, 29.5% experienced non-contact unwanted sexual encounters, and 20.7% experienced rape (Basile et al., 2022). Researchers of slave scholarship have made the case for the importance of including discourse on slavery and enslaved Black females’ experiences when discussing present day sexual violence among Black women in the US today (Balfour, …

The American Politics Of Firearms - The Case Between Illinois And Missouri, Michael J. Thompson

Dissertations

The issue of gun control is a hot topic in the field of American politics. It is a huge issue in the field of political science and in American public policy. In 2023, there were 18,874 firearm deaths in the United States, excluding suicides. The highest was in 2021 with the firearm related deaths at 21,068. One side argues that firearms can cause serious harm and death while the other side argues they can also reduce the rates of gun violence. There are different opinions on how to resolve the issue of mass shootings across the country. According to prior …

Roles Of Sex And Education Level With Alcohol Use Milestone Attainment And Progression, Elisabeth P. Cabot

Theses - ALL

Emerging adults report the highest rates of alcohol use, with drinking patterns varying by sex and education level. Few studies have explored how these factors relate to the attainment and progression of alcohol use milestones. The current study addresses this gap by examining the associations between sex, education level and alcohol use milestone progression and attainment in emerging adults. Secondary data analyses were conducted using National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III) data (N = 36,309, Mage = 45.63 [SD = 17.53], female = 56%, 53% White, 21% Black, 19% Hispanic and 2% Multiracial). Ordinal regressions indicated males …

A Framework For Advancing And Strengthening The Veteran Entrepreneur Ecosystem, Rosalinda V. Maury, Adam Pritchard

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is designed for funders, program leaders, and policymakers working to build stronger veteran entrepreneurship ecosystems. This paper brings together insights about veteran entrepreneurial ecosystems from Military Entrepreneurship Forum (MEF) roundtable conversations, the National Survey of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs (NSMAE), and other entrepreneurship research. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, this paper lays out a set of components that communities can use to strengthen their own ecosystems. Veteran entrepreneurship is a lens into broader questions of economic mobility, local resilience, and civic leadership. But systems matter. With veteran-serving organizations facing revenue declines and donor fatigue, coordinated entrepreneurial ecosystems are a …

Ectopic Adipose Tissue In Subsistence Populations With Minimal Coronary Disease, Large Left Atria, And Very Low Rates Of Atrial Fibrillation, Randall C. Thompson, Benjamin C. Trumble, Daniel K. Cummings, Angela D. Neunuebel, Paul L. Hooper, Samuel Wann, Adel H. Allam, Frances Neunuebel, Benjamin D. Gans, Samantha I. King, Edmond Seabright, Caleb E. Finch, Margaret Gatz, Kenneth Buetow, Michael I. Miyamoto, Guido P. Lombardi, M. Linda Sutherland, James D. Sutherland, Christopher J. Ward, Madeleine J. Lee, Ashna Mahadev, Daniel Eid Rodriguez, David E. Michalik, Chris J. Rowan, Tianyu Cao, Jonathan Stieglitz, Cameron M. Quick, Gregory S. Thomas, Jagat Narula, Damini Dey, Michael Gurven, Hillard Kaplan

ESI Publications

Background

Methods

Newhouse Impact Magazine 2025, Newhouse School

Newhouse Impact Magazine

Showcasing the research and creative work of faculty, staff and students at the Newhouse School

Are You Watching People Via Social Media?, Linlin Wang

Theses - ALL

This study examines why Chinese Generation Z surveil non-intimate acquaintances on social media. Drawing on surveillance theory, social comparison orientation, fear of missing out (FoMO), communication privacy management, and platform affordances, this study proposes a "social comparison orientation → FoMO → surveillance" model. The study employed a sequential mixed methodology. In the first phase, 129 respondents aged 18 to 28 completed a survey validating these pathways. In the second phase, 21 high-monitoring participants were interviewed. The results indicate that social comparison, influenced by the unique "social clock" in Chinese society and the information exposure of online spaces like panopticon, can …

Perceptions Of Pain And Benzodiazepine Use Interrelations: A Qualitative Study, Emma Carnes Lape

Dissertations - ALL

Growing concern and research attention have focused on potential harms associated with widespread use of benzodiazepine (BZD) medications. Individuals with chronic pain bear a disproportionate burden, characterized by higher rates of BZD prescriptions, longer-term use, and increased dependence compared to the general population. Although theory and emerging evidence suggest that pain may play a role in the maintenance of BZD use, there is no extant data describing how individuals perceive interrelations between their pain and BZD use. The aims of the present study were to conduct a thematic analysis of interview data regarding perceptions of interrelationships between pain and BZD …

Asian/Asian American College Students’ Help-Seeking Attitudes For Adhd, Nandini Jhawar

Dissertations - ALL

Background: Asian/Asian American (AA) college students are least likely to engage with ADHD treatment compared to other racially minoritized groups, which may increase their risk for negative outcomes from untreated ADHD symptoms. Public stigma of ADHD contributes to these negative help-seeking attitudes. This study used the minority stress theory to examine if the distal and proximal stress of internalization of the model minority myth, a racial stereotype, influences the relationship between public stigma and help-seeking attitudes. Methods: Participants were undergraduate students recruited from nine geographically diverse universities in the United States. Data was collected over two academic years and included …

Mobility At The Margins: Insights Into Gender, Class And Climate Change In Islamabad's Transit Spaces, Shanel Khaliq

Dissertations - ALL

This dissertation sets out to explore how the urban built environment- particularly public transport infrastructure- shapes class, gender and climate inequality in Islamabad, Pakistan. I tried to understand this issue by using mixed methods, primarily consisting of semi-structured in depth interviews, supplemented by ethnographic fieldwork and a brief consultation of english-language newspaper archives. I conducted 95 interviews in total, and clocked in around 80 hours moving around the city and engaging in a mobile ethnography. The first empirical question that I asked relates to the state and urban transportation planning. I wanted to understand what assumptions regarding class-based, gender-based and …