Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Ideas Of The "Russian World" And Ukraine: Value Epicrises On The Ukrainian Orthodox Church Under The Moscow Patriarchate, Oleksandr Brodetskyi, Iryna Horokholinska

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Against the background of the identity, jurisdictional, and institutional crossroads in which contemporary Ukrainian Orthodoxy finds itself, the authors analyze the mental, value-related, and personal (linked to the “human factor”) influences in Ukraine of the destructive and militant ideology of the “Russian World” (Russkiy Mir), as well as the degree of involvement of leading functionaries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the dissemination of these influences.

The article reveals the mechanisms of the corrosion of spirituality among the ecclesiastical elites of Russia and their satellites in Ukraine. This corrosion is manifested in the substitution of the Church’s …

2025 Digital Commons And Experts Annual Report, Amanda Steinvall

Publications 2026-present

No abstract provided.

A Modern Optimization Approach With Data-Driven Analytical Modeling For The Healthcare Business Segment (Hbs) From The S&P 500, Aditya Chakraborty, Chris Tsokos

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Introduction: The S&P consists of eleven business segments, which are classified according to the type of industry. The current study focuses on developing a non-linear analytical model for the Healthcare Business Segment (HBS) of the S&P 500, as a function of different economic & financial indicators. Materials and Methods: The analytical model used six financial indicators together with four economic indicators to predict the weekly average closing price (WCP) of HBS stocks. Johnson’s SB transformation corrected skewness, while desirability-based optimization identified indicator values maximizing WCP. The model’s performance and generalizability were validated through repeated 10-fold cross-validation. Results: All attributable contributors …

Global, Regional, And National Burden Of Cardiovascular Diseases And Risk Factors In 204 Countries And Territories, 1990-2023, Global Burden Of Cardiovascular Diseases And Risks 2023 Collaborators, Benjamin A. Stark, Nicole K. Decleene, Emily C. Desai, Johnathan M. Hsu, Catherine O. Johnson, Laura Lara-Castor, Kate E. Legrand, Prof Bhoomadevi A., Mohammad Amin Aalipour, Nasir Abbas, Madineh Abbasi, Mohammadreza Abbasian, Hedayat Abbastabar, Abdallah H. A. Abd Al Magied, Samar Abd Elhafeez, Gregory A. Roth, Et Al.

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality and are among the foremost causes of disability globally. CVD burden has continued to increase in most countries since 1990, with trends driven by changing exposures to harmful risk factors, population growth, and population aging.

Objectives

We report estimates of global, national, and subnational CVD burden, including 18 subdiseases and 12 associated modifiable risk factors. We analyzed change in CVD burden from 1990 to 2023 and identified drivers of change including population growth, population aging, and risk factor exposure.

Methods

The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study, a multinational …

An Integrated Machine Learning Approach For Identifying Emergency Rescue Messages On Social Media During Natural Disasters, Wael Khallouli, Jiang Li, Jingwei Huang, Ghaith Rabadi, Samuel Kovacic

School of Cybersecurity Faculty Publications

During large-scale disasters, emergency call centers are often overwhelmed by the large volume of rescue requests and calls for help. Consequently, people are turning to social media platforms to seek assistance. Rescue information posted on these platforms is extremely valuable for first responders to make informed rescue decisions. Therefore, the automatic identification of these requests from the vast amount of data posted on social media during crises is critical yet challenging. This work presents our ongoing research on applying deep learning techniques to extract actionable rescue information from social media during crises. We proposed a novel deep learning model that …

Skeletons At Sea: Unpacking The Oceanographic And Taphonomic Variables That Impact The Remains Of Decedents At Sea, Ella Tartsa

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Poetry Is Change: Close Reading In The Context Of Trauma Research, Maeve Cecilia Tobin Flusser

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Deportations And Debt: How The Trump Administration’S Immigration Policies Affect The United States’ National Debt Situation, James D. Webster

Honors Theses and Capstones

The value of the United States’ national debt measured as a share of its economic output, otherwise known as its debt-to-GDP ratio, is projected to reach an all-time high and continue to climb over the span of the next 30 years. This can be attributed to a combination of tax and spending policies which generate annual budget deficits as well as a projected slowdown of economic growth. A major factor contributing to this situation is the slowing growth of the labor force in the United States. As time goes on, the growth of the U.S. population slows, and immigration becomes …

Mental Health Outcomes And Client Perception Of Religious/Spiritual Integration In Psychotherapy, Cole R. Bouchard-Liporto

Honors Theses and Capstones

Religion and spirituality have been shown to have positive effects on physical and mental health in recent years. Despite this, research suggests religion and spirituality as characteristics of clients to be overlooked in modern secular psychotherapy treatments. This study investigated mental health outcomes from psychotherapy related to the perceived integration of religious and spiritual beliefs. A survey was administered to and taken by 178 University of New Hampshire students on the web-platform Qualtrics to investigate client psychotherapy experiences and their perception of how their religious and spiritual beliefs and values were integrated. The research conducted for this study points to …

The Fate Of Coffee: A Socioeconomic Analysis Of Peruvian Coffee Management In The Face Of Usaid Withdrawal And Climate Change, Sophia E. Elliott

Honors Theses and Capstones

Coffee is one of the most widely traded commodities globally, with the market valued at over USD 223 billion in 2023. The cultivation and management of this crop are largely carried out by small-scale farmers, who make up approximately 80% of producers and rely heavily on coffee farming for their livelihood. Despite the relevance of this crop for producers and consumers alike, these producers often live in conditions of extreme poverty. Variability within climatic conditions has increased the vulnerability of coffee plants to pests and pathogens, in particular Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) (Hemileia vastatrix). This, in turn, has led to …

Perceptions Of Stem Education And Artificial Intelligence: A Twitter (X) Sentiment Analysis, Demetrice Smith-Mutegi, Yoseph Mamo, Jinhee Kim, Helen Crompton, Matthew Mcconnell

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Background, context, and purpose of the study: Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, holding promising potential for supporting the design and implementation of quality STEM education. However, there is a lack of data-based research studying the diverse perceptions of AI in STEM education as conveyed on social media, the factors that influence those perceptions, or the change in those perceptions over time among public audiences. Results, the main findings: The purpose of this study was to examine public perceptions of AI in STEM education by analyzing X posts (Tweets) between 04/28/2020 …

Rural Families' At-Home Stem Tinkering Stimulates Creativity, Self-Expression, And Social-Emotional Engagement, Kristie S. Gutierrez, Kylie J. Swanson, Margaret R. Blanchard

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Introduction: Informal STEM learning experiences include visits to museums, zoos, and aquariums as well as experiments and other activities performed at home. Family involvement in these experiences has been linked to increased student interest and participation in STEM fields; yet, scant research has been conducted on at-home STEM.

Methods: This descriptive case study investigated the tinkering experiences of nine rural middle school students and their families who participated in a series of interactive, at-home activities. The overarching research question was, in what ways do families engage in at-home STEM interventions? Data analyses of at-home audio recordings were guided by the …

Fostering Critically Conscious Lesson Planning In A Generative Artificial Intelligence Era, Derek Riddle, Paula Cristina Azevedo, Catharyn Shelton, Jaime Colwell, Jori Beck

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Teacher candidates (TCs) use digital resources and social media to plan and develop learning material, and with publically accessible generative artificial intelligence (GAI), TCs are able to generate lesson plans within seconds rather than hours or days. While there is research on how to support TCs' evaluation of reliable digital media, there is little known on how to prepare TCs for GAI content. Using the complementary frameworks of Freire’s (1970) critical consciousness and Jonnasen’s (1991) theory of constructivism, this in-progress design based research seeks to develop an adaptable framework that addresses the evolving nature of technology, specifically GAI, and the …

The Continuing, Resistance Popularity Of Critical Race Theory- Informed Pedagogy, Kaavonia Hinton, Karen Chandler

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

The article focuses on the ongoing commitment of educators to incorporate critical race theory (CRT)–informed pedagogy in English classrooms despite legislative efforts to suppress it. Topics include the historical and political context of anti-CRT policies, the personal and professional responses of educators to these restrictions, and student-centered strategies used to navigate and resist such limitations in meaningful and legally cautious ways.

A Review Of Infrared Thermography Applications For Civil Infrastructure, Prabal Shrestha, Onur Avci, Sahabeddin Rifai, Feras Abla, Michael Seek, Karl Barth, Udaya Halabe

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Civil infrastructure is continuously subject to aging and deterioration due to multiple factors, which lead to a decline in performance and impact structural health. Accumulated damage on structures increases operational costs and poses significant risks to public safety. Effective maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation strategies are needed to ensure civil infrastructure’s overall safety and reliability. Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) methods are utilized to assess latent damage and provide decision-makers with real-time information for mitigating hazards. Within the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the research and development of innovative NDE techniques to improve data processing and promote efficient and …

Minds, Made Up Or Malleable? Covert Commands At The Eclipse Of Vaccine Communications, David H. Lee

Publications and Research

Abstract: Although millions have died from SARS-CoV-2 illness, COVID vaccines are credited with stemming the tide. Vaccinations and boosters significantly decrease the incidence of severe illness and death (even if they don’t usually prevent COVID-19 infection). Despite the success of global vaccination efforts, frequent reports of vaccine hesitance and refusal suggest that public health communications need improvement.

The chapter begins by acknowledging adverse events associated with COVID vaccination, including rare cases of anaphylaxis, GBS, and myocarditis. An inoculation-theoretic rationale is offered for this admission of vaccine risks: just as immune defenses mount when organisms are exposed to pathogens, so too …

Developing Employability Skills: A Case Study Of Synchronous And Asynchronous Modalities, A. Mark Gray, Michelle E. Bartlett

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

In today's workforce, soft skills such as communication and adaptability are increasingly critical for career success, yet many graduates lack these competencies. As online learning continues to expand, questions arise about its effectiveness in cultivating essential workplace skills. This mixed-methods case study examines how synchronous and asynchronous distance learning modalities support the development of soft skills, focusing on communication and adaptability. Drawing on data from two online courses, an asynchronous professional development course (n = 24 pre, n = 19 post) and a synchronous construction leadership course (n = 2), the study utilizes surveys, reflections, and assignments to …

The Future Of Interviewer-Administered Surveys, Kristen Olson

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

One of the most substantial shifts over the last decade has been in the use of in-person and telephone interviewers as a survey mode of administration. Historically in-person surveys switched to being conducted by telephone or mixed with self-administered modes of web and paper questionnaires (de Leeuw 2005; Olson et al. 2012; 2021). As one example, Figure 1 shows the proportion of telephone interviews conducted in three government surveys in the United States—the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the Current Population Survey (CPS), and the American Community Survey (ACS). The NHIS and CPS traditionally use primarily in-person interviews. Before 2020, …

The Role Of Formal Social Networks In Mitigating Age-Related Mental Stress Among Older Nigerians Living In Poverty: Insights From Social Capital Theory, Sunkanmi Folorunsho, Munirat Sanmori, Medinah Suleiman

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

As Nigeria’s aging population increases, older adults living in poverty face growing threats to their psychological well-being. This study examines the role of formal social networks such as government programs, non-governmental organizations and faith-based initiatives in alleviating mental stress, defined as persistent psychological distress characterized by anxiety, loneliness and emotional strain, distinct from clinically diagnosed mental illness. Using Social Capital Theory as a guiding framework, the review explores how bonding, bridging and linking social capital influence the ability of formal networks to reduce financial insecurity, social isolation and health-related vulnerabilities. Traditional family caregiving structures are weakening due to rapid urbanization …

Aging With Hiv In Nigeria: A Narrative Review Of Multimorbidity And Healthcare Access Challenges, Sunkanmi Folorunsho, Beulah Suleman

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Background and Aims: The population of older adults living with HIV (OALHIV) in Nigeria is growing, bringing forth a dual challenge of chronic comorbidities and barriers to adequate healthcare. This narrative review aims to synthesize empirical evidence on multimorbidity, treatment access, and systemic healthcare gaps affecting OALHIV in Nigeria.

Methods: A structured narrative review was conducted using peer‐reviewed articles and institutional reports published between 2005 and 2024. Searches were performed across PubMed, Google Scholar, African Journals Online (AJOL), Science Direct, and WHO and UNAIDS databases. Eligible studies focused on individuals aged 50 years and older living with HIV in Nigeria …

Household Income And Obesity Among Older Adults: The Moderating Role Of Race In A Longitudinal Analysis, Sunkanmi Folorunsho, Munirat Sanmori, Victor Ajayi

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Background: Obesity among older adults in the United States is a growing public health concern, with rising rates contributing to chronic disease, disability, and premature mortality. While higher income is generally associated with lower obesity risk, this relationship may not hold equally across racial and ethnic groups. This study examines how household income relates to obesity among older adults and whether race moderates this association.

Methods: We used longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (2014–2018), a nationally representative panel of U.S. adults aged 50 and older (N = 12,118). Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 30 using …

Integrated Behavioral Health In Pediatric Primary Care: Identifying Latent Patient Subgroups And Differential Outcomes, Karen Glownia

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Fifty percent of children do not receive care for their mental health concerns, while 95% are seen annually within primary care by age 6. Individual, cultural, and systemic barriers limit access to mental health care. Integrating mental health services into primary care has the potential to increase awareness, reduce costs, and decrease stigma. However, integrated primary care often relies on a brief and targeted intervention approach that may not be suitable for all families. Therefore, it is important to examine differential outcomes within this setting. Methods: This study analyzed retrospective data from 3,494 new patient medical records at a large …

Self-As-Context Moderation Of Relationship Fusion: A Comparison Of Intimate And Familial Relationship Impact On Weight Concern, Carly Carrasco-Wyant

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study explored how fusion in important relationships relates to weight concern and whether these effects are moderated by self-as-context perspectives and racial and ethnic background. Grounded in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and relational frame theory (RFT), eight models were constructed to evaluate influence of important others when absent or present and when moderated by self-as-context, racial and ethnic background and in multiple moderation models analyses using data from 1,323 participants. Results indicated that fusion with family was significantly associated with greater weight concern, when family was absent (ß = 0.10, p = .03) and present (ß = 0.12, …

Examination Of Barriers To Accessing Integrated Behavioral Health Care, Alyssa Buthman

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Research has found that pediatric integrated behavioral health (IBH) significantly increases utilization of behavioral health services, but there are still families who are missing out. The purpose of the current study is to examine characteristics that may influence or impede utilization of an IBH referral. Phase 1 utilized survey methodology paired with electronic medical record review in a sample of 24 caregivers to pediatric patients to investigate whether parent-reported perceived stigma of accessing mental health care, barriers to accessing health care in general, and child symptom severity uniquely predicted referral utilization. Phase 2 used electronic medical record data in a …

English Pronouns: Default Case And Conversion, Olivia Ziemelis

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Case is a well-defined feature of generative syntax. However, the phenomenon of default Case, while widely accepted and discussed, is less defined in its triggers and limitations. The main body of work that seeks to explore default Case is that of Schütze (2001), which presents the main principles of default Case as well as the environments in which it may occur. The purpose of this thesis is to explore default Case at a deeper level, focusing on the interactions of Case, structure, and phi-features to determine how exactly the mechanism works. To achieve this, the data set used consists of …

Predicting 18-Month M-Chat-R/F With Pediatractmv3.0 Motor And Social/Communication/Cognition Domains, Ryan Krebs

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Background. The developmental cascade framework suggests early delays in one system can impact others. Infants born preterm or with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often show such delays. Methods. The study included 498 infants enrolled in PediaTracTM a novel caregiver-report measure. The convergent validity of PediaTrac with the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) was examined, along with its ability to predict ASD risk at 18 months using cross-sectional (9- and 12-month) and longitudinal (0–12-month) latent traits of motor (MOT) and social/communication/cognitive (SCG) abilities. Results. Strong convergent validity was found between PediaTrac and ASQ-3 domains at both time points. MOT at 9-months …

Ubuntu In Namibia And Kenya: How Emerging Adults Live An Essential African Value Today, Julia S. Rotzinger, Lene Arnett Jensen, Amber Gayle Thalmeyer

Psychology

Psychology in Africa often relies on Euro-American theories, despite their limitations in African cultures. Here, a shift to an Afrocentric perspective was made by exploring Ubuntu in two sub-Saharan African countries using a cultural-developmental psychology approach for in-depth emic understanding. Ubuntu (also known as botho, etc.) is a moral ideal that at core means placing a higher importance on the community than on oneself. Most literature on this important African concept has been theoretical rather than empirical, and little is known about how well it describes contemporary worldviews and experiences of emerging adults. In this interview study, Namibian and …

Psychophysiological Responses To An Objectified Environment In College-Aged Females, Urska Dobersek, Richard A. Bennett, Sarah E. Siebers, Laurel A. Standiford Reyes

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

Objectification and its associated negative psychological consequences of self-objectification are well-established. Specifically, internalization of an observer’s perspective can lead to habitual body monitoring, negative psychological consequences, and mental health risks. Nevertheless, comparatively few studies examined physiological responses to an objectified environment. To remedy this gap, we explored the effects of an objectified environment on stress levels assessed via salivary cortisol in a single-blind experimental study of 34 undergraduate female students (M_age = 18.62, SD = 0.74). State self-objectification was manipulated by participants wearing tight, revealing exercise clothing (experimental condition; n =16) or baggy exercise attire (control condition; …

Maternal Incarceration, Adolescent Delinquency, And Siblings, Tracey L. Woodard

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

Researchers have estimated that approximately 2.7 million children in the United States have a parent in jail or prison. Since 1991, the number of children with a father in prison grew by 77%, while the number of children with a mother in prison more than doubled (131%). In examining the consequences of maternal incarceration on children, many researchers have found an association between negative child outcomes and maternal incarceration. However, not all research has produced the same conclusions, thus yielding heterogeneous findings. It is essential to understand the factors that may explain the variation in outcomes of children experiencing maternal …

Statement From The Indiana Academy Of The Social Sciences And Board Of Directors

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.