Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Book Review Of, Form Follows Fever: Malaria And The Construction Of Hong Kong, 1841-1849, Shawn Smallman

Politics and Global Affairs Faculty Publications and Presentations

Book Review of: Form Follows Fever: Malaria and the Construction of Hong Kong, 1841-1849. By Christopher Cowell. (Shaw Tin, NT., Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong Press, 2024. 320 pp.)

Capital Structure And Business Failure: The Collapse Of Canada’S Dome Petroleum, Bruce Gilley

Politics and Global Affairs Faculty Publications and Presentations

In popular lore, the failure of Canada’s once-biggest company, Dome Petroleum, was caused by the interventionist policies of the federal government or its misadventures drilling for oil in the Arctic. But these factors acted in varied ways on the company. Rather, corporate finance theories offer more insight into the dynamics that led to Dome’s takeover by the American oil major Amoco in 1988. Dome was unique in its unwillingness to issue new share capital during its growth phase and instead relied on easy debt financing. This in turn was a result of both insider preferences as well as capital market …

Displaced: Distinguishing Housing Outcomes From Judicial Outcomes In Oregon’S Eviction Cases, Colleen Carroll, Minji Cho, Lisa K. Bates

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

In an eviction case, the tenant’s housing outcome refers to whether the tenant remains in their home (the unit) at the end of the eviction process. At the end of the eviction process, either the tenant remained in the home or was displaced. Unfortunately, housing outcomes are not systematically recorded as part of the eviction process. In some cases, the tenant’s housing outcome is recorded in the case records or court documents, but this is not always consistent. To address this, we developed three categories of housing outcomes—remained, displaced, and undeterminable—to measure the outcomes of eviction cases filed in Multnomah …

Post-Prohibition Changes In Cannabis Genetics, Caleb Y. Chen

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This research examines changes in Cannabis genetics with a focus on Cannabis genetic bottlenecking. Significant knowledge gaps exist in the study of how and why Cannabis genetics have changed over time. To fill these gaps, a series of semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with self-identified Cannabis breeders around the world. Previous qualitative Cannabis research has centered around users, growers, and dealers with few studies looking exclusively at Cannabis breeders. Results include insights into becoming a Cannabis breeder, Cannabis ideotypes, as well as Cannabis genetic bottlenecking due to unanticipated genetic linkages combined with the emphasis on breeding for agronomic factors such …

Thorstein Veblen: The Independent Thinker Whose Contributions Advanced A Distinct Tradition Of Heterodox Economics, John B. Hall

Economics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Challenging Charles Camic’s perspective, this article argues that Thorstein Veblen’s time at the top amounted to about nineteen years; a fraction of his professional career. While drawing from and building upon challenges associable with a changing world which he faced – related to the ending of Laissez-faire and the rise of big business; the institutions initiated for prosecuting World War I; and the accompanying rise of the vested interests – Veblen’s writings effectively and propitiously provided a solid foundation for an American school of heterodox thought known as Original Institutional Economics.

A 14-Year Content Analysis Of School-Family Partnership Publications In Counseling: Trends, Gaps, And Future Directions, Yi-Wen Su, Dan Li

Counselor Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

This content analysis examined 55 articles on school-family-community partnerships published in counseling journals between 2010 and 2024, identifying trends in publication type, methodology, and population focus. Most articles (54.54%) were conceptual, with Professional School Counseling leading in publication volume. Limited empirical research and a lack of focus on diverse populations were noted, with only 18.18% addressing racial minorities (primarily Latino and African American) and 5.45% focusing on rural communities. Four primary strategies for strengthening partnerships emerged: Inclusivity, Leadership and Empowerment, Equity-Focused, and Consistent Communication—each aligning with the school counselor’s roles in fostering collaborative, equitable partnerships. Recommendations emphasize a need for …

Who Belongs And Why It Matters: Belonging At An Oregon Elementary School, Kelly Smith

Educational Leadership Professional Doctorate Dissertations

Student sense of belonging is at the foundation of student outcomes with impacts reaching far beyond the walls of the elementary school classroom. This study investigates factors that shape students’ sense of belonging at an Oregon elementary school where Youth Truth survey data over the past three years have revealed a lack of sense of belonging amongst students. Correlates to the low sense of student belonging were identified via a root cause analysis process with students, staff and families. As a result of the root cause analysis, a theory of improvement was developed with input from students, staff and families. …

Queer In & Out Of Montana: Oral Histories Of The Lgbtq+ Exodus From Montana, Erin T. Heaton

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

This project will summarize findings from six oral histories of LGBTQ+ people who lived in Montana, but have left or are leaving in the near future. This project will explore the questions: Why are queer and transgender people leaving Montana? What are common experiences for LGBTQ+ people living in Montana? The answer to these questions will be derived from the stories of the Narrators who provided their oral histories. The questions utilized in the oral histories covered topics of identity, “coming out,” living history, cultural observations, community experiences and perceptions, well-being, healthcare, laws, and reasons for leaving. Thematic Analysis was …

Social Determinants Of Mental Health Outcomes, Ariana Fein

Honors Theses

Mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and depression, are a growing global concern with profound consequences on individuals' well-being and societal functioning. The burden of these disorders is not only psychological but also economic, affecting quality of life. Mental health outcomes are heavily influenced by a range of social determinants, such as financial status, education, and access to healthcare. While extensive research has focused on WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) countries, there remains a significant gap in understanding how these determinants affect mental health in low-resource settings or non-WEIRD countries. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring the …

The Role Of Remote Sensing And Gis Techniques In Analysis Of Southern California Wildfires In January 2025, Sara Fitzgibbon

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

California is no stranger to wildfires, with them becoming more frequent and larger in recent years. In early January 2025, Southern California had one of the worst outbreaks of wildfires in its history, with the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Fires being considered among the most destructive in state history. To help prevent this from happening in the future, remote sensing techniques are essential in combating these issues. In this report, geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing data utilized to explore fire behavior by various organizations were investigated. By using this data, this study aims to predict and monitor fire …

Remixing Oer Assignment: "Advantges And Disadvantages Of State-Level Policies", Katie Zuber

Open Educational Resources

This assignment, created by Katie Zuber, uses OER readings to help students understand how federalism impacts their everyday lives. Using the United States’ response to the Coronavirus as a case study, students will see firsthand that where decisions get made (i.e., the state or federal level) often dictates who gets what, when, and how. This assignment was made as part of a workshop on remixing OERs at John Jay College in 2025.

Remixing Oer Assignment: Incarceration And Homicide Trends, Veronica Michel

Open Educational Resources

In this assignment, Professor Veronica Michel asks students to look for data in two different open access sources and combine them into a new, remixed dataset that they will use to conduct analysis and write a report. The assignment encourages students to play an active role in selecting, formatting and interpreting openly available data. This assignment was created as part of a seminar on remixing OER that ran in 2025.

Climate Change And Parenthood: Impact On Family Size Decision-Making, Minha Hossain, Jennifer Lai, Mindy Engle-Friedman

Publications and Research

This study explores how parental status relates to childbearing decisions in the context of climate change and builds on prior research linking climate anxiety to reduced family size intentions. A survey of 114 participants revealed that non-parents were significantly more likely than parents to plan to have fewer children and to express concerns about climate change. These findings underscore differences in how parents and non-parents approach future reproductive decisions and highlight the role of climate-related concerns in shaping family planning intentions.

Simplified Regional-National Dsge Models For U.S. State-Level Analysis, Michael Telkamp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis develops a series of simplified Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model variants to analyze macroeconomic dynamics at the U.S. state level. Using South Dakota as a case study, I extend the Smets and Wouters (2007) mediumscale framework by implementing state-specific output, labor, consumption, investment, and wages into a dual-economy structure, where the state is modeled as a closed economy influenced by national-level shocks. The models are estimated using Bayesian techniques on quarterly data from 2007 - 2020. Model performance is evaluated through impulse response functions and variance decompositions. A key result is that South Dakota exhibits firm habit …

Burnout In Board-Certified Behavior Analysts, Casey J. Kane

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Burnout is a pervasive challenge among board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) due to the high performance demands and extensive workload associated with their roles. This study investigated the effectiveness of a self-advocacy intervention in mitigating burnout among BCBAs. Using a waitlist control design with repeated measures, nine BCBAs participated in an asynchronous intervention focused on communication, organization, and self-care strategies. Burnout levels were measured at baseline, post-waitlist, and post-intervention using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. Results showed a reduction in burnout levels, with improvements in disengagement and exhaustion scores across participants. Additionally, the intervention increased the frequency of behaviors associated with burnout …

Parasocial Relationships And Women’S Friendship Expectations, Perceptions, And Satisfaction, Renee N. Plaza

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Television (TV) and film have increasingly become meaningful ways for people to connect, whether through discussing content, engaging with celebrities online, or forming imagined relationships with fictional characters. These one-sided connections are known as parasocial relationships (PSR). While prior research has mainly focused on how PSR influence romantic relationships—affecting ideals, expectations, perceptions, and satisfaction—the current study expands this examination to non-romantic relationships, specifically friendships.

The aim of this research is to explore how stronger non-romantic PSR might influence an individual's expectations, beliefs, perceptions, and overall satisfaction with their real-life friendships. Participants completed several assessments, including the Parasocial Relationship Measure, Relationship …

Predictors Of Mental Health Services Use In Integrated Primary Care During Covid-19, Joseph D. Harrison

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the predisposing, need, and enabling factors that predict mental health services use before and during COVID-19 in an integrated primary care network in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. This retrospective observational study examined a sample of primary care patients from January 2018 to February 2020 (i.e., pre-COVID-19) and March 2020 to December 2022 (i.e., peri- COVID-19) using electronic health record data. Mental health services use was defined as the number of appointments attended by patients. A hierarchical regression was conducted to identify predictors of mental health services use by sequentially adding sociodemographic predisposing …

Evaluating Online Resources: Providing Parents With Reliable Emotional Intelligence Training Tools, Melissa Van Embden

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The rise of online resources has produced a shift in how parents seek guidance in fostering their child’s emotional intelligence (EI). Yet, the quality and accessibility of these resources remain largely unexamined. This study evaluates the top Google search results generated from six prompts designed to reflect the information-seeking behavior of parents looking to develop their child’s EI. Using an incognito browser, the first 20 links for each prompt were recorded, with Google Gemini AI-generated responses specifically marked. The researcher vetted the recorded links by utilizing a comprehensive checklist assessing professional credibility, communication and engagement features, and pricing. The Findings …

Exploring Screen Time Trends Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Quantitative Survey Analysis, Jessica Rachel Ponzo

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Research exploring the trends, motivations, and parental influences of screen use among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is limited. The purpose of this study was to address these gaps by examining screen time habits among children with ASD. Specifically, it explored the duration of screen time, screen-based activities, device ownership, parental mediation strategies, functional uses of screens, and caregiver perceptions of children’s screen time. Besides entertainment, children with ASD also use screens for emotional regulation, sensory seeking, accessing restricted interests, and communication, including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. The data for this study were collected using a quantitative …

Anxiety And Self-Esteem In Adolescents And Young Adults Undergoing Bariatric Surgery, Julia Nikolajuk

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Bariatric surgery, a medical procedure that alters an individual’s digestive system, has gained popularity in the last several years as a weight loss method. After this surgery, many individuals report improvements with their quality of life as they lose weight, change unhealthy eating patterns, experience a decrease in symptoms of depression, and gain a strong sense of self-esteem. However, research has found increased rates of depressive symptoms and patterns of disordered eating associated with obesity and bariatric surgery, but little research exists regarding anxiety and bariatric surgery with adolescents and young adults. The purpose of this study was to clarify …

Acculturation, Self-Esteem, Family Norms, And Disordered Eating Behaviors In South Asian Women, Angela Abraham

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study investigated the relationships among acculturation, self-esteem, family norms, and disordered eating behaviors among South Asian women living in the United States. Although research suggests culture plays a role in the etiology of eating disorders, little information on the experiences of South Asian women exists. This study sought to fill this gap in the literature. Using a cross-sectional, quantitative survey-based design, 151 South Asian women provided insight into their experiences with family norms, acculturation, self-esteem, and eating behaviors. Results indicated that acculturation was not significantly associated with disordered eating. However, self-esteem was found to be negatively associated with disordered …

Identifying Needs Of School-Age Children With Cardiospondylocarpofacial Syndrome, Erin Henning

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Advancements in genetic testing have led to the identification of many rare genetic conditions, yet comprehensive knowledge of their broader impacts remains limited. Most existing research focuses narrowly on medical outcomes. Cardiospondylocarpofacial Syndrome (CSCF) is an ultra-rare genetic condition for which little is known beyond its physical manifestations. This descriptive case series study examined the behavioral, social, emotional, and academic functioning of eight school-aged children diagnosed with CSCF, as well as the experiences of their families. Participants were recruited from North America, Europe, and Australia via a private Facebook group. Data were collected through an open-ended, written questionnaire completed by …

The Role Of Teacher Engagement In Enhancing Children’S Organizational Skills: A School-Based Intervention Study, Brooke Goldsmith

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Executive functioning skills, including organization, time management, and planning (OTMP), are critical for an individual across the lifespan. Deficits in these skills can negatively impact academic achievement, social-emotional functioning, and future occupational opportunities and satisfaction. Organizational Skills Training (OST) interventions have been shown to improve OTMP skills in children, however, less is known about the role of teacher engagement in supporting these interventions. The current study examined the relationship between teacher engagement in a school-based Organizational Skills Training-Tier 2 program (OST-T2), and improvements in student organizational skills outcome. Secondary data were analyzed from 96 students in grades 3-6 and their …

Predictors Of Psychologists’ Self-Reported Knowledge And Self-Perceived Competence In Treating Transgender Clients, Tara N. Bennett

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

It has been widely recognized that transgender (trans) and gender nonconforming (TGNC) populations face significantly greater rates of depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidality than the general population. Despite these risks, little research has analyzed how psychologists are prepared to provide culturally competent therapy to trans clients or what predicts competence in treating this population. This study aimed to identify what factors predict psychologists’ selfperceived knowledge and self-perceived competence in working with trans clients. The study’s secondary aim was to collect information about how psychologists receive education related to trans clients. This study employed a correlational research design to examine …

Promoting Perinatal Mental Well-Being: Empowering Healthcare Professionals, Deborah Flam

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This pilot study aimed to address the critical need to enhance healthcare providers’ knowledge and shift their beliefs regarding perinatal mental health disorders through the development and implementation of a targeted educational workshop, “Promoting Perinatal Mental Health Well-Being”, designed to improve their understanding and attitudes toward identifying, treating, and supporting affected individuals. Using a qualitative approach, pre- and post-tests were administered to assess changes in knowledge and beliefs. While statistical significance was not achieved, likely due to a small sample size, prior training among participants, and other limitations, the findings revealed a meaningful shift in provider beliefs. Participants reported increased …

(In)Animate: Exploring The Relationship Between Obsessivecompulsive Disorder, Perceived Thought Control, And Anthropomorphism, Kaitlyn O’Neill

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Introduction: Ritual behaviors help manage uncertainty and anxiety by providing a sense of control, but rigid engagement in such behaviors can indicate obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD). Most OCD research has focused on harm-avoidance versus "not-just-right-experiences" (NJREs), with exposure and ritual prevention (ERP) being less effective for those without clear feared outcomes. Anthropomorphizing, or assigning human traits to objects, complicates OCD treatment, particularly for those with hoarding behaviors.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between OCD with and without hoarding behaviors ("saving" behavior) and anthropomorphism. Given ERP’s role in OCD treatment, understanding how anthropomorphism affects OCD is crucial. It was …

Impact Of Pcos Knowledge And Treatment Recommendations On Women’S Quality Of Life, Sydni Yadin

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic endocrine disorder affecting 15–20% of women of reproductive age (Krug et al., 2019). Characterized by hyperandrogenism, irregular menstrual cycles, and ovarian cysts, PCOS is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and infertility (Correa et al., 2015). These complications can significantly diminish women’s quality of life. This study investigated the relationship between women’s knowledge of PCOS health outcomes, providers’ use of lifestyle management interventions, and quality of life. A cross-sectional survey design was used, and participants completed the PCOS Quality of Life Scale (Williams et al., 2018). It was hypothesized that greater knowledge of PCOS …

A Qualitative Study Of Euphemistic Language And Identity Development Involving Sexual Assault, Keena Stewart

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sexual violence refers to a situation in which sexual activity occurs and consent is not obtained or freely given. Sexual violence is a worldwide epidemic that impacts individuals of all communities, genders, ages, and sexual orientations. When considering the impact of sexual violence, the use or misuse of language is fundamental. Furthermore, the recovery process following a sexual assault is directly related to the presence or absence of resiliency factors. The purpose of this study was to explore and understand the effects of euphemized language on the identity development of individuals …

Predictors Of Anxiety And Depression In Dental Students - A Nationwide Study, Margaret Xiaojiao Yang

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Student mental health is a growing concern in higher education, particularly within rigorous clinical training programs. This study estimated the prevalence of anxiety and depression among U.S. dental students and examined associations with resilience and perceived institutional and faculty support. A cross-sectional survey was administered to more than 1,100 full-time students at over 30 accredited dental schools. The instrument collected demographics, the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7 (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9), and four items assessing perceived support. Among respondents who completed the GAD-7 (n = 965), 43% scored ≥ 8, indicating probable generalized anxiety disorder. …

Pediatric Anxiety Disorders: Therapy Process Predictors Of Response To Cbt, Samantha Baker

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

CBT is moderately effective in the treatment of youth anxiety, yet there remains a sizeable number of youth who remain nonresponsive at posttreatment, and less than half achieve remission. Various patient-level variables have been examined concerning differential treatment outcomes for anxious youth, but fewer studies have examined therapy process variables. Using archival data, this study aimed to identify predictors of treatment response in youth with primary anxiety disorders who completed 16-weeks of CBT at a university-based clinic. Four samples of anxious youth, aged 7-17 were included in the analysis. Regression analyses revealed that increased skill acquisition and greater change in …