Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Humans Are Not Normal: How Did This Happen?, Hermann Strasser

Sociology Between the Gaps: Forgotten and Neglected Topics

No abstract provided.

Gendered Sexual Behaviors: Unintended Pregnancies, And Sexually-Transmitted Infections, Deirdre Ferguson

All ETDs from UAB

Education is the most effective way to address unintended pregnancies and sexually-transmitted infections (STIs). Education through preventative counseling has been negatively correlated with unintended pregnancies. Although research has shed light on the risks posing challenges to the prevention of unintended pregnancies, the consequential costs of these pregnancies continue to mount, both individually and societally. Birth control counseling corresponds with reducing the behavior of nonuse of contraceptives significantly. Education is thus associated with combatting inaccurate information passed along via primary social groups. To gain insight into the prevention of unintended pregnancies and STIs, data was gathered using a mixed-method approach incorporating …

The Power Of Connection: Unraveling The Significance Of Social Support In The Stress Levels Of Informal Black Women Caregivers, Antoinette Shantay Williams

All ETDs from UAB

This study examines how three types of social support—having someone to talk to, someone to help with activities, and someone to provide care—affect the stress levels of informal Black women caregivers compared to Black men, White men, and White women caregivers in the United States. It explores the intersection of race and gender, with a specific focus on how social support influences the emotional, financial, and physical stress levels of informal Black women caregivers. This research aimed to answer two questions. Does social support decrease stress levels among informal caregivers? Does the association between social support and stress levels differ …

Perceptions And Preferences Of Virtual Health To Promote Exercise Among People With Physical Disabilities: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study, Madison Mintz

All ETDs from UAB

People with physical disabilities and mobility limitations can greatly benefit from participating in a physically active lifestyle and adopting health-promoting strategies and behaviors. Benefits of physical activity include better sleep quality and quantity; decreased anxiety; weight loss or healthy weight maintenance; and maintained or increased balance, coordination, strength, and endurance, to name a few. However, rates of physical activity and exercise participation are disproportionate among people with disabilities (PWD). Current literature suggests a myriad of barriers and environmental inaccessibility as a leading cause of PWD not engaging or meeting physical activity guidelines. However, community-based, virtually-delivered programs have become dramatically available …

The Role Of The Executive Control Network In Social Functioning In Autism, Mckayla Kurtz

All ETDs from UAB

Social functioning difficulties are often seen in autism and impact one’s ability to engage in meaningful social interactions and to maintain social relationships. Emerging research suggests that executive function (EF) impairments may underlie these social challenges, though the neural mechanisms involved remain unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between the functional connectivity of the executive control network (ECN) and social functioning in autistic children using resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI) data. Resting-state fMRI data was obtained from 95 autistic participants (ages 5-13 years) from the publicly available Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange II (ABIDE-II) database. Data were preprocessed …

The Development Of A Valid And Reliable Survey To Assess Sexual And Reproductive Health Knowledge, Practices, Beliefs, And Risk For Abuse In Adults With Spina Bifida, Betsy Hopson

All ETDs from UAB

Adults with spina bifida (SB) face significant sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges, including knowledge gaps, limited access to services, and increased vulnerability to abuse. Sexual health is critical for this population, as most now live into adulthood. By age 20, many individuals with SB are sexually active, and over 90% express a desire for sexual activity. However, only 5% have discussed SRH with a healthcare provider, leading to sexual dysfunction, low contraception use, and inadequate SRH knowledge. Despite guidelines from the Spina Bifida Association (SBA) advocating for patient-centered SRH communication, healthcare providers’ lack of training and discomfort in having …

Predictors Of Everyday Function Among Older Adults Using Data From The Active Clinical Trial., Deborah Awusuah Dadson

All ETDs from UAB

The nature of the lifespan causes a decrease in the bodily functioning of people as they age which affects the ability to engage in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), mostly amongst older adults. A reduction in the individual’s abilities combined with environmental changes can lead to functional decline impacting everyday function. The aim of this study was to examine the association between visual, cognitive and physical factors with everyday function (IADL/ADL) among older adults and assess whether social determinants of health (SDoH) measures moderate the associations of vision, cognitive and physical function with …

The Latter-Day Saint Indian Placement Program: An Examination Through An Experiential Lens, Quinn Elise Christiansen

Theses and Dissertations

The Indian Placement Program, operated by the LDS Church from around 1947 to 2000, was influenced by the Church's belief in a connection between Native Americans to a Book of Mormon group known as the Lamanites. This group held a special status within the LDS Church because of their believed Israelite heritage as well as a prophecy promising their conversion in the last days. Spencer W. Kimball, motivated by both personal goals and his authority within the LDS Church, expanded on a successful experience of a young Native girl, Helen John, growing it into the broader Indian Placement Program. This …

Autoethnographic Action Research As A Contemplative Practice: Awareness And Transformation Of Inner And Outer Selves, Jiju Varghese, Bal Chandra Luitel, Niroj Dahal

The Qualitative Report

Contemplation as a spiritual practice has taken various forms across different religious traditions and regions worldwide. Over the years, various contemplative practices have evolved and become popular even outside religious traditions to promote the well-being of all for inner and outer selves’ transformation. In education, many scholars worldwide have expounded on the benefits of contemplative practices in the classroom for students and teachers. Contemplative practices have penetrated research practices in the form of contemplative inquiry considering performative, philosophical, and artistic transformations, where researchers enter into a deep, thoughtful, and reflective introspective journey to see the connection between what is seen …

Health Checks For Autistic Adults: Study Protocol For A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial, Jeremy R. Parr, Helen Taylor, Colin Wilson, Clare Scarlett, Sarah Al-Asmori, Carole Buckley, Sally-Ann Cooper, Cristina Fernandez-Garcia, Tracy Finch, Rhianna Lees, Nicholas Lennox, Hannah Merrick, Sebastian Moss, Christina Nicolaidis, Malcolm Osbourne, Dora M. Raymaker, Tomos Robinson, Anna Urbanowicz, James M. S. Wason, Barry Ingham

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background Autistic people commonly have physical and mental health conditions. They also frequently experience barriers to accessing healthcare, contributing to problems identifying and treating health conditions. These factors may lead to increased and earlier morbidity and lower average life expectancy for autistic people. Health checks specifically designed for autistic people, incorporating adjustments to healthcare, may help to overcome these barriers and reduce health inequalities. This trial aims to investigate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a primary care health check for autistic adults and explore factors related to implementation such as acceptability and feasibility of delivery. The trial is co-designed and …

Urban Security And The Crisis Of Values In A Risk Society: Elements For Reflection And Research, Bahamou Abdelilah, Abdelghani Chafik

Journal of Maya Heritage

Abstract: Urban security has become one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century, shaped by the complexities of modern urban life. As cities grow and evolve, they face unprecedented security challenges that transcend traditional notions of crime prevention. These challenges encompass social, cultural, economic, and psychological dimensions, deeply intertwined with societal transformations.

In the context of what sociologist Ulrich Beck refers to as the "risk society," rapid globalization, technological advancement, and cultural diffusion have disrupted traditional social values. This disruption has created environments of uncertainty and fear, where mutual trust and social cohesion are eroded. As Émile Durkheim …

A Wonderfully French New Year's Eve, Jean Lavigne

Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Redefining Success: Insights From Lebanese Women Leaders In Higher Education, Lina H. Safa

Education Division Scholarship

This presentation explores how Lebanese women leaders in higher education define and measure success, emphasizing their innovative approaches and transformative impact. By examining personal narratives through a phenomenological lens, the study reveals how these leaders navigate cultural challenges, offering insights into leadership dynamics in a patriarchal society and contributing to global discussions on gender equity and academic leadership.

Is Ai Bias In Journalism Inherently Bad? Relationship Between Bias, Objectivity, And Meaning In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence, Gregory Gondwe

Communication Studies Faculty Publications

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism has led to debates about the impact of AI bias, with critics arguing that AI systems perpetuate societal stereotypes and inequalities. Critics argue that AI systems, influenced by historical data and human biases, may exacerbate stereotypes, marginalize underrepresented voices, and skew news coverage, thereby reinforcing societal inequalities. However, this article contends that bias, while often considered detrimental, is an inherent aspect of journalism that has shaped news production for centuries. Drawing on a historical perspective, the article explores the relationship between bias and journalistic storytelling, arguing that bias can, if managed ethically, …

"It Would Ruin My Life”:Pacific Islander Male Adolescents’ Perceptions Of Mental Health Help-Seeking Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Focus Group Study, Melia Fonoimoana Garrett, Elizabeth Cutrer, G. E. Kawika Allen, Ellie Young, Kristopher J. Urbina, Isabel Medina Hull

Faculty Publications

Given rising mental health concerns among Pacific Islander (PI) adolescents, this population remains underserved by available mental health resources. This interpretative phenomenological analysis with focus groups (IPA-FG) examined the lived experiences and perceptions of 19 male PI adolescents (ages 14–16) from Native Hawaiian, Maori, Samoan, and Tongan backgrounds regarding mental health help-seeking behaviors. Four overarching themes emerged: stigma and judgment, cultural misalignment in professional services, impact of disclosure and perceived punitive consequences, and a complex ecosystem of trusted relationships as mental health support. Notably, participants expressed belief that disclosing mental health challenges would “ruin their lives” and held misconceptions about …

Us Military Veterans’ Perceived Concordance With Their Providers Regarding Persistent Physical Symptoms Prospectively Predicts Satisfaction With Care And Adherence To Care Plans, L Alison Phillips, Laura M Lesnewich, Katharine Bloeser, Yong Lin, Rachel L Boska, Justeen K Hyde, Peter J Bayley, Helena K Chandler, Matthew J Reinhard, Susan L Santos, Rachel Stewart, Drew A Helmer, Lisa M Mcandrew

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Background: Medically unexplained, persistent physical symptoms and syndromes are commonly seen in primary care. These are debilitating for patients and difficult to treat, causing frustration for patients and providers.

Purpose: This study investigates how well US military veterans with multiple persistent physical symptoms (PPS), called Gulf War illness (GWI), agree with their healthcare providers about their illness. This agreement, called perceived concordance, is hypothesized to influence veterans' satisfaction with care, adherence to care plans, and disability levels.

Methods: Participants were 230 veterans with GWI deployed to the 1990-1991 Gulf War who were recruited from Veteran Affairs primary care and War …

Victim/Perpetrator, David D. Moy

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout this text, David Moy will discuss the inner working of his investigation on image overload and materialization. Through tactics of blurring, erasure, and layering he achieves obfuscation in his printed media. In doing so, he questions the compounding nature of image/text that negate themselves in the larger context of time in the digital age.

Survey Of The Labor Market For New Ph.D. Hires In Economics 2025-2026, Kashfia Kamal, Mervin Jebaraj, Raja Kali

Labor Market Survey

This year, the survey questionnaire was sent to 478 organizations. Questionnaires were returned by 145 organizations (30.3 percent). Of this year’s responses, 78 (53.8 percent) were from those who responded to the last survey conducted for the 2024-25 academic year. Among the academic institutions responding, the distribution of highest degrees offered was as follows: Ph.D.—43.4 percent; Master’s—11 percent and Bachelor’s—44.8 percent.

The responses are reported for all respondents, and separately for Ph.D. Degree granting institutions and for schools whose highest degree offered is the Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree. Data for the top 30 institutions in the revised National Research Council’s …

“Watch Me!” The Impact Of Training Experience On Dogs Social Referencing Human Emotional Cues, Madison Murray

Theses and Dissertations

Dogs utilized human facial expression and vocal tone to drive decision making during a novel object choice task, displaying a preference for negatively valenced objects. Training experience was not correlated to dog likelihood to social reference.

Geospatial Machine Learning Approaches For Studying Urbanization Impact, Surface Reflectance Patterns, And Groundwater Health Risks, Bibhash Nath

Theses and Dissertations

Geospatial machine learning techniques have been used to study: the impact of urbanization on land use and land cover change, surface reflectance patterns in boreal regions, and groundwater health risks from arsenic in India. These studies combined spatial data, remote sensing, and predictive models to gain valuable insights for sustainable living and protecting human health.

Identifying Personality In Reptiles And Assessing Welfare Implications For Their Roles As Ambassador Animals In An Educational Setting, Valery Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined behavioral variability and personality in 13 reptiles used as ambassador animals at the American Museum of Natural History. Observations across seasons and novel object tests revealed individual differences, behavioral components, and correlations. Findings emphasize reptilian complexity, highlighting welfare implications while underscoring the need for further research.

Examining Risk Factors For Comorbidity Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder And Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder In A Sample Of Trauma-Exposed Transgender Adults, Dylan Seeley

Theses and Dissertations

Comorbid PTSD-OCD post trauma exposure is understudied. Little research examines specific risk factors and marginalized populations. This study examined gender-based victimization, emotional avoidance, and executive functioning as risk factors. Findings suggest gender-based victimization is a unique gender minority stressor that may pose significant risk for transgender populations.

Using Spatial Network Analysis To Explore Migration Of Extended Families In Historical Research, Rock Miller

Theses and Dissertations

This project proposes a geoinformatics approach for understanding the migration of extended families in historical contexts. It uses full-count longitudinal census data (developed by the Minnesota Population Center) and graph methods to define multi-generational extended family relationships and to model the locational structures of these families as a spatial network. Graph algorithms and mapping methods are used to interrogate these structures as reflections of the patterns of family outmigration and extension over time. The study is based on a set of extended families resident in a 15-county study area in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky in 1870, and their evolution …

Factors Associated With Intimate Partner Violence Among Non-Binary Individuals Assigned Male At Birth (Nbamab), Ahmad Z. Mouazzen

Theses and Dissertations

One hundred-fifty partnered Nonbinary assigned male at birth (NBAMAB) people completed an online survey assessing experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV), and associated factors, including mental health, internalized and anticipated stigma, and relationship power and functioning. The results contribute to understanding of IPV among NBAMAB people, with further research suggested.

Afro-Caribbean/Afro-Caribbean Descendant Students' Attitudes Towards Mental Healthcare, Imani Tucker

Theses and Dissertations

The low mental healthcare utilization rates for Afro-Caribbean College students living in the USA has been seldom studied. This study sought to add to the literature by measuring if Afro-Caribbean cultural affiliation, an Afrocentric worldview, and/or student generation influences mental health seeking actions and mental illness stigma in this group.

Serious Music With Bea Witkin: An Upper West Side Audio Walk, Megan Hattie Stahl

Theses and Dissertations

Serious Music with Bea Witkin is a site-specific audio walk on New York City’s Upper West Side produced by Megan Hattie Stahl. This immersive, musical documentary explores and extends the life and work of composer Beatrice Witkin (1916-1990). Across four stationary chapters and three walking interludes, participants follow a one-mile route from Riverside Park to Straus Park by way of Witkin’s longtime residence on West End Avenue. Through guided narration, archival music, interviews and recordings of contemporary musicians sight-reading a 1985 string quartet piece by Witkin, Serious Music invites listeners to consider where music begins and ends.

Witkin, who graduated …

Forest Above-Ground Biomass Estimation Using Nasa Gedi Lidar Waveforms And Global Tree Allometry, Ian Grant

Theses and Dissertations

Above-ground forest biomass plays a crucial role in global carbon cycles, yet accurately estimating biomass at global scales remains challenging. This thesis addresses two key challenges in processing NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) space-borne lidar data to estimate above-ground biomass density (AGBD): accounting for global variation in forest structure and developing robust physical interpretations of lidar returns. The first component of the thesis analyzes global patterns of tree allometry using the Tallo tree allometry dataset, examining relationships between tree dimensions across biomes, continents, and plant functional types. This analysis reveals consistent allometry across continents for some biomes (e.g., tropical …

Art As Resistance: Challenging Colonial Legacies Through The Eyes Of South Asian Diasporic Women, Sofina Tanni

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores how South Asian diasporic women artists in New York utilize art to resist colonial legacies and express their multifaceted identities. Through ethnographic research, it highlights how themes of nostalgia, preservation, community, and activism shape their work, fostering collective resistance and transformative decolonial pathways.

Universal Asset Building: New Social Policy For A New Era, Michael Sherraden, Jin Huang, Li Zou

Center for Social Development Research

This Perspective explores the concept of universal asset building, beginning with Child Development Account policy, as a new paradigm in social policy, suggesting that it will be a positive social-policy strategy for navigating the information age, and especially artificial intelligence (AI). Universal asset building can address social and economic challenges posed by rapid technological advancements.

The Perspective is adapted from a keynote address given by Michael Sherraden (with Jin Huang and Li Zou) at the joint convening of the 2024 Annual Academic Conference for the Social Policy Research Committee of the Chinese Sociological Association and the 19th International Symposium on …

Stop The Silence Of Sudan, Julia Weir

Opinion Matters: Student Analyses of World News

This Op-Ed seeks to bring greater awareness to the Sudan civil war and the resulting mass displacement, famine, genocide, and rape, and thus pressure the international community to act and prevent an increasingly dire humanitarian crisis.