Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Policy Overview (August–September, 2025)

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

No abstract provided.

Coaching America's Youngest College Football Team: My Plan, Trent Figg

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

“From the start, I’ve made it clear that being a champion isn’t just about football. The time a young man spends playing college football is some of the most formative in a young man’s life, and I refuse to let that time be wasted focusing solely on the game. I’m committed to shaping their character and preparing them to win on the field and in their future roles as husbands, fathers, leaders, and men of faith.”
~ Trent Figg in an op-ed for The Christian Post

Analisis Aktivitas Fisik Pekerja Mal Pelayanan Publik Kota Cilegon, Muhammad Syifa Abdy Mulya, Indri Hapsari Hapsari Susilowati

National Journal of Occupational Health and Safety

Physical activity is important because it has so many benefits. Even so, there are still many workers who are exposed to the risk of lack of physical activity. For this reason, it is necessary to know what affects the implementation of physical activity in workers. Quantitative design was used with a cross sectional study on 58 Cilegon Public Service Mall workers who met the criteria. As a result, 65.5% of workers are classified as active, 34.5% of workers are inactive and 12% of workers do not carry out any physical activity at all. Level of education (p value = 0.005), …

Ai-Enhanced Qualitative Research: Insights From Adele Clarke’S Situational Analysis Of Ted Talks, Natalija Mazeikiene, Judita Kasperiuniene

The Qualitative Report

This study explores the integration of ChatGPT-4 into the qualitative research process, focusing on the methodology of Situational Analysis by Adele Clarke and analysing TED Talks transcripts. Findings show ChatGPT's ability to process data quickly in initial coding, formulating broader categories reflecting Clarke's complexity of “situation,” recognising human and non-human elements, discourses, debates, and issues, temporal and spatial. In analysing data for different map types (situational, social worlds and arenas, positional), ChatGPT-4 “understands” their different analytical purposes, recognising different levels of abstraction and theoretical structuring. The research highlighted the challenges for generative AI in translating complex theoretical frameworks into situational …

"Traditionalizing" Effect Of Parenthood On First Time Mothers: Insights From A Longitudinal Study, Vilma Ražauskienė

The Qualitative Report

Researchers have documented that transitioning to parenthood may have a "traditionalizing“ effect on the gendered division of housework and childcare. The goal of this research is to enhance an understanding of the factors that influence this change in behaviour and attitudes swaying it to the side of traditional gender roles. To achieve this objective, two waves of individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten women during pregnancy and four to six months postpartum. Although convenience sampling was employed for data collection, the research participants displayed variation in terms of marital status, educational level, number of children, breastfeeding practices, and other …

Methodological Combinations In Qualitative Research In Music Education: Autobiography And Grounded Theory, Monica Marques, Teresa Mateiro

The Qualitative Report

This article explores the theoretical and methodological approaches of (auto)biographical qualitative research and grounded theory, based on their historical and epistemological characteristics. This study in music education aimed to gain an understanding of the process of becoming a primary school music teacher. The Supervised Internship course in teacher education for a music degree was analyzed using the methodological and formative (auto)biographical dispositifs of the Biographical Project Workshop (Delory-Momberguer, 2006) and situational analysis (Clarke, 2005), constructed through the students’ oral, written, and musical narratives based on their experiences as music teachers in the public elementary schools. As a result of the …

Cover And Forewords, Steven M. Schnell

The Geographical Bulletin

Cover and Forewords

Note From Editor, Steven M. Schnell

The Geographical Bulletin

Note from Editor

Volume 49-2 Complete Issue, Steven M. Schnell

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 49-2 Complete Issue

The Power Of Place: Geography, Destiny, And Globalization’S Rough Landscape, By Harm De Blij, James Lowry

The Geographical Bulletin

I have come to expect a great deal from Harm de Blij over the years and he has always delivered. So, when I was presented the opportunity to review this new look at globalization from the de Blij perspective I jumped at the chance. The purpose of The Power of Place is to examine the many assertions of a flattening of the earth; of the globalization we are constantly being told is leading us to a loss of regional cultures. So how does de Blij accomplish this task considering the flattening of the earth has been widely recognized as gospel? …

Spring Valley, Washington Dc: Changing Land Use And Demographics From 1900-2000, Benefsheh D. Verell

The Geographical Bulletin

Spring Valley, located in northwest Washington D.C., has had a dynamic land use history, changing from farmland to military base to residential development during the span of one hundred years. The development and marketing of Spring Valley in the 1930s and 1940s reflects the changing socioeconomics and settlement patterns of D.C. The data suggest a “white flight” out of the inner-city neighborhoods to Spring Valley and the surrounding suburbs. Additionally, Spring Valley, as a Formerly Used Defense Site, presents environmental hazards to the current residential community. The Army’s response to this hazard demonstrates changes in military environmental policies from nonexistent …

Predicting Paths Of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Using Monthly Surface Pressure Data, P. Grady Dixon, Michael E. Brown, W. Michael Carter, W. Scott Gunter, Kelsey N. Scheitlin

The Geographical Bulletin

Previous research has had some success in predicting likely tracks of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin using North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) anomalies (above or below average values) during preceding months. This paper expands on this research by incorporating other surface pressure values as independent variables as alluded to by some of the earliest NAO research. We examine monthly sea-level-pressure (SLP) data from Reykjavik (Iceland), Cape Hatteras (North Carolina), and Nassau (Bahamas), along with NAO index anomalies, to see if they can be used to predict future paths and landfall locations of Atlantic tropical cyclones during the period 1970–2005. Average …

Remote Sensing Quantification Of Wetland Habitat Change In South Carolina: Implications For Coastal Resource Policy, John All, Jenna Nelson

The Geographical Bulletin

Increased urbanization of coastal areas has resulted in the pollution and destruction of wetland ecosystems worldwide. The effect of development on local wetland habitat was examined for Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, USA. Changes in the areal extent of wetlands in Mount Pleasant were determined through a quantification of changes in wetland margins from the 1970s to 1990s using Landsat data. The rate of wetland habitat loss accelerated from the 1980s to 1990s compared to the 1970s, even though coastal zone regulations had been strengthened and the rate of population increase was comparable for the decades selected for comparison. This paper …

Assessing A Small Summer Urban Heat Island In Rural South Central Pennsylvania, Danielle Doyle, Timothy W. Hawkins

The Geographical Bulletin

The development of cities potentially has a significant impact on climate. Buildings and infrastructure that replace natural vegetation often create new microclimates through changes in the energy balance associated with the built environment. The urban heat island effect, the phenomenon where air temperatures within an urban area are warmer than the surrounding rural areas, has been thoroughly examined for large urban areas. The purpose of this study is to determine the magnitude and extent of the urban heat island for a small urban area surrounded by agricultural land. Temperature data collected from several urban and rural locations over a four-month …

Reviewer Acknowledgements, Randy Wykoff, Emily Wilson

Journal of Appalachian Health

We at the Journal of Appalachian Health would like to thank the multitude of reviewers who have volunteered their time, talents, and attention to the journal. Reviewers help us consider the rigor and quality of the submissions we receive, and their willingness to read material ahead of publication ensures we can bring timely research to our readers in Appalachia and further afield.

Impacts Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Intimate Partner Violence And Child Maltreatment Services In Rural Northwest North Carolina, Elisabeth G. Galphin, Adam Hege, Amy Dellinger Page

Journal of Appalachian Health

The current study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on IPV and child maltreatment services in rural northwestern North Carolina. Qualitative interviews were conducted with eight professionals representing six service organizations across four counties. The findings highlighted challenges these agencies faced throughout the pandemic, new risks for the clients served, and positive outcomes. In addition, it has been a useful learning experience as public health and social service agencies learn to serve their communities more effectively moving forward. This is especially relevant for rural communities, as it has put public health preparedness at the forefront.

The Impact Of Primary Care Physician Capacity On Preventable Hospitalizations: Identifying Bright Spots In The Appalachian & Mississippi Delta Regions, Michael Topmiller, Peter J. Mallow, Hoon Byun, Mark Carrozza, Yalda Jabbarpour

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Several studies have documented that higher rates of primary care physicians are associated with lower rates of preventable hospitalizations. Counties with higher rates of preventable hospitalizations are found in the Appalachian and Mississippi (MS) Delta Regions.

Purpose: (1) To determine if the association of primary care capacity with preventable hospitalizations is different in the Appalachian and MS Delta regions compared to the rest of the U.S., and (2) to explore primary care capacity in counties with lower-than-expected preventable hospitalization rates.

Methods: This study modeled preventable hospitalizations with primary care physicians (PCP) per 100,000 (PCP capacity) while controlling for several …

Psychosocial Factors, Stress And Sleep Among Rural Appalachian Kentucky Residents With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Blake Dipaola, Zoe Taylor, Eric Hennemann, Brittany L. Smalls, Philip M. Westgate, Nancy Schoenberg

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Rural Appalachian residents experience higher rates of most chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Stress and sleep deficiency also are common in the region.

Purpose: To better understand these associated health burdens, the relationship among these conditions and psychosocial factors—such as depressive symptoms, distress, empowerment, and social support—was examined among Appalachian residents with T2DM.

Methods: Using data collected from a community-based sample of Appalachian adults with T2DM, the study examined whether psychosocial factors were associated with perceived stress (Cohen Perceived Stress Scale) and self-reported sleep deficiency (Epworth Sleepiness Scale). Multilevel linear mixed effects regression modeling was used …

Nutrition Education Needs And Barriers Of Uninsured Clients Who Utilize Free Clinics In Western North Carolina, Manan Roy, Alisha Farris, Erin Loy, Lauren Sastre, Danielle L. Nunnery

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Many uninsured adults rely on free health clinics for prevention and treatment of chronic disease. Little is known about the nutrition education needs of adults served by free health clinics, especially those living in counties within the Western North Carolina Appalachian Mountain Region.

Methods: An in-person survey was distributed to 202 clients of two free health clinics in western North Carolina. Descriptive analyses were conducted to determine frequency distributions for food and physical activity practices, acceptable topics and strategies for nutrition education, and the acceptance and barriers for various modalities.

Results: Depending on the clinic, 49-58% of participants were …

Aftermath: A Word To Appalachia Following Hurricane Helene, Emily Wilson

Journal of Appalachian Health

On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene caused massive and catastrophic flash flooding in the lower Appalachian Region, leveling towns and forever altering much of the landscape. This is an open letter to the people of Appalachia who were affected by the disaster that blindsided our region.

Navigating Past The Tragedy Of The Commons, Maximilian Theriot, Walter E. Block

Journal of New Finance

Privatization of environmental resources is a promising approach for mitigating the tragedy of the commons. The present paper focuses on the impact and theoretical underpinnings of privatization within economic structures. The first part lays out a strong ethical case against state ownership, rooted in the belief that the state's claim to ownership inherently involves coercion, which likens taxation to theft due to its compulsory nature. The second part provides evidence that privatization leads to enhanced profitability and efficiency across sectors. The third part discusses the necessity of robust corporate governance and legal reforms post-privatization to ensure environmental protections are not …

Nato’S Nuclear Strategy Post Russia’S Ukraine Attack: Shaping Global Nonproliferation Talks, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

This document examines NATO's nuclear strategy in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, exploring the implications for global security and nuclear nonproliferation. It discusses the enduring reliance on nuclear deterrence within NATO, the challenges of transitioning toward disarmament, and the role of treaties such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Highlighting regional perspectives, strategic policies, and the potential risks of nuclear conflict, the study emphasizes the urgent need for diplomacy, international cooperation, and renewed commitments to global disarmament efforts.

Multicultural Therapy With Vulnerable Populations: A Narrative Case Study, Nicole M. Velez-Agosto, María C. Almario-Zgheib

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Vulnerable populations with high rates of socioeconomic deprivation have an increasing need for mental healthcare and the lowest access to culturally competent care. Narrative therapy and critical multiculturalism are inclusive paradigms of mental health that appear appropriate for the treatment of people who endorse vulnerable intersecting identities. The purpose of this case study is to examine the impact of using a critical multicultural-developmental approach to therapy with a cisgender, mixed-race, LatinX woman with severe mental illness (SMI). Recommendations about the implementation of this approach in community mental health centers that treat women with SMI are provided.

Joy Is A Strategy: How We Sparkle Together, Sarah Forzetting, Maridath A. Wilson, Lindsay Cronk, Jessica Morales

Collaborative Librarianship

The authors reflect on their leadership experiences in the NERL consortium, suggesting that purposefully pursuing joy in collaborative work offers an alternative to traditional academic structures that dismiss affect in favor of stoic isolation and competition.

Cliques Or Collaborators: Impressions Of Cultural Collaboration In Academic Libraries, Lauren Turner, Natalia Umaña, Denisse Solis

Collaborative Librarianship

In 2016, Absher and Cardenas-Dow wrote that for people of color, collaboration is often “a complex social and cultural negotiation” that acts as “a coping mechanism, a way to meet every day needs, the way we succeed and thrive in an environment that is not always accepting of our viewpoints[i].” Approaching collaboration as library faculty members with an understanding of its complex nature, the authors were delighted when the opportunity to collaborate arose. All women of color, the ease at which we were able to share, create, and flow together naturally offered us all the coping that Absher …

Upending Tradition Through Strategic Change: The Evolution Of Archival Processing At The Byu Library, J. Gordon Daines Iii, Karen Glenn, Cory L. Nimer, Rebecca Wiederhold

Collaborative Librarianship

Organizational change is challenging. At the heart of this challenge is an attachment to the status quo. Both employees and managers tend to prefer the status quo because it is known and, unless shown otherwise, enables them to successfully accomplish their responsibilities. They often use tradition as a way to maintain the status quo. This case study provides an example of organizational change in the Brigham Young University (BYU) Library and discusses how tradition was used to both promote and resist change.

Countering Weaponized Tradition: An Editorial On An Idea, Erin Renee Wahl, Arlene Schmuland

Collaborative Librarianship

No abstract provided.

When Catalogers And Archivists Come Together: The Creation Of The Metadata Justice In Oklahoma Libraries & Archives Symposium, Shay Beezley, Heather Scheele-Clark

Collaborative Librarianship

The Metadata Justice in Oklahoma Libraries & Archives Symposium is an event focused on improving metadata and description for historically overlooked communities in library and archival collections. This event is a result of collaboration between people working in libraries and archives in an environment that has traditionally kept library and archives work separate. Two members of the 2023 Planning Team discuss the symposium’s inception, event logistics, successes, opportunities for growth, and the impact that this symposium has on the Oklahoma library and archives community.

Helen V. Stelle And The Tampa Public Library: A Case Study In The Development Of Florida Public Libraries During The 1920s, Rachel E. Trnka

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Presentation at the Florida Historical Society Annual Meeting and Symposium.

As has been discussed by many historians, the nineteen twenties were a complex period in Florida, marked by the promise of the great land boom and increased migration to the state, which was countered by the challenges of the land bust, two major hurricanes, and the subsequent depression. The career of Helen V. Stelle, who served as the director of the Tampa Public Library from 1917 to 1949 and helped to establish the Florida Library Association (FLA) in 1922, provides one example of how Florida libraries were affected by these …

Adverse Childhood Experiences Moderate The Association Between Sensory Processing Sensitivity And Depression, Grant Benham

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Investigations of the link between personality and depression provide a path to identifying at-risk individuals and developing tailored treatment. Sensory processing sensitivity, reflecting individual differences in processing of internal and external stimuli, has been found to predict depression severity. Based on a diathesis-stress model, the present study examines whether this association is moderated by adverse childhood experiences. An online survey containing standardized measures of adverse childhood experiences, sensory processing sensitivity, and depression severity, was administered to 558 college students. The sample was predominantly Hispanic (92%) and female (70%) with a mean age of 20.2 years. In support of the diathesis-stress …