Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Not Just Anyone: Living Situation Is Indirectly Associated With Cognitive Impairment Via Depressive Symptoms, Chin Hong Tan, Jacinth Jia Xin Tan

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Objectives: Socially isolated individuals are at a greater risk of cognitive decline. We examined whether this relationship is dependent on the type of household living situation, living alone or living with others (spouse/ partner or relative/friend), and the indirect effects of depression. Methods: We evaluated 10,545 cognitively normal (CN, mean age = 71.6) and 9334 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, mean age = 72.9) cross-sectional data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center. Participants' living situation was classified as living alone, living with spouse/partner, or living with a relative/friend. Cognitive function and depression were assessed by a neuropsychological battery and …

Geography, Income, And The Incidence Of A Massachusetts Carbon Tax, Susan Stratton Sayre

Economics: Faculty Publications

I use spatial microsimulation to estimate the geographic incidence of the consumer-facing portion of various revenue-neutral carbon tax designs in Massachusetts. I identify a substantial urban-rural disparity in impacts that is reduced, but not eliminated, by proposed revenue-targeting mechanisms. I further demonstrate that seemingly small variations in the definition of rural households can have substantial impacts on urban-rural equity and the distribution of gains and losses. Proposed policies are highly progressive in the aggregate with most low-income households receiving more in rebates than they pay in taxes, but notable numbers of low-income households are likely to experience significant losses. Methodologically, …

The Double Desert Dichotomy And Its Political Consequences, Sophie Coker

Political Science

Millions of Americans lack adequate broadband access. While there is a lack of clear consensus of the number of households without broadband services between Federal Communications Commission and independent estimates, one factor is clear: rural communities are disproportionately excluded from adequate broadband coverage. The same areas which lack broadband access find themselves in news deserts, or a community that is no longer covered by daily or nondaily newspapers. Moreover, there is a crossover between the communities underserved by broadband services and the communities lacking local news sources. Double deserts, where lack of broadband and local news access meet, are threats …

Protest, Power, And Democratic Accountability, Prajeeta Vaidya

Political Science

Around the world, organized forms of protest have become the central mechanism through which citizens attempt to hold political elites accountable and keep urgent public issues alive. Protest is not a new concept; it started from mass street mobilizations to digitally networked movements. Collective action increasingly serves as an alternative arena for exercising democratic voice when institutions appear unresponsive. Ancient Greece was the first to coin the word "democracy," meaning "rule by the people" (National Geographic, Democracy, n.d.). Elections, parties, and public institutions are designed to channel citizens' voices into policy outcomes, but in practice, these mechanisms often fall short. …

Art As Resistance, Art As Hope: The Crane, The Nopal, And The Knowledge They Carry, Mayra Urbina

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

This reflection explores the crane-and-nopal motif in Talavera Poblana ceramics as a lens for understanding artisan knowledge, cultural identity, and the impacts of globalization on Indigenous communities. Through my own painting of a Talavera-style vase, I trace the layered colonial history embedded in this motif — including the quiet resistance of Indigenous artisans who encoded Aztec memory into colonial art forms by replacing the eagle with the crane. The reflection examines how globalization threatens artisan traditions through fast-fashion appropriation, the limitations of Mexico's 2022 cultural heritage protection law, and the displacement of Indigenous artisans in Mexico City. Ultimately, I argue …

The Case For Undergraduate Student Organizing, Nina Goldshmid

Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy

This paper is a reflection and timeline of my experience organizing a union and negotiating a contract as a student worker at Barnard College. I explored the power dynamics between student workers and college administrations, how to promote unity for progress, and why some undergraduate students are deciding to organize. I discussed the actions of the college that could stifle union organizing and negotiations, the obstacles involved in organizing, and the ways to build solidarity through awareness and coalition. I summarized the main takeaways from my experience and characterize the current student labor movement.

One Faculty, One Mission: A Unified Faculty Model For California Community Colleges, Debbie Klein

Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy

This article advances a unified, non-tiered faculty model as essential to fulfilling the mission of the California Community Colleges (CCC) system. Although the system is charged with realizing open access and educational equity, nearly 70% of faculty serve in part-time or contingent roles—often without proportional compensation, institutional stability, or meaningful participation in governance. Drawing on research demonstrating that faculty working conditions shape student learning conditions, the article argues that structural employment inequities undermine the system’s democratic promise. Situating the proposal within national “One Faculty” efforts and recent legislative attention to pay parity in California, it demonstrates that reform is both …

Pepperdine Journal Of Communication Research: Volume 14, Issues 1-2, 2026, Kampton Carter

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.

Editor's Note: Light, Kampton Carter

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

The fourteenth volume of the Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research brings together a dynamic collection of peer-reviewed undergraduate scholarship that reflects the breadth, depth, and interdisciplinary nature of communication. This student-led journal features exemplary undergraduate student research which unifies diverse topics under the volume's theme “Light.” The Editor's Note reflects on the year's theme and the traditional research papers, speeches, and persuasive essays that have been published.

Leading Academic Health Centers In Times Of Uncertainty, Wendy L. Ward

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Times of uncertainty and rapid change can negatively impact academic health centers (AHC) in complex ways, creating challenges for leaders. These include policy uncertainty, financial instability, workforce stress, reputational risk, operational disruptions, and advocacy pressure. There are also potential opportunities for AHCs during this time of immense change and disruption. This perspective piece reviews the diverse negative and positive impacts of political turmoil on academic health centers. Five considerations are offered for leaders navigating times of uncertainty.

Field Notes: Introducing Godly Play In Cross-Cultural Contexts: Notes From A Short-Term Mission Trip In Kenya, Shannon Clarkson Rains

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This field note explores the use of Godly Play in a short-term mission context in Kitale, Kenya. It focuses on the author’s experience using this method to limit the temptation to impose one’s own theological and cultural interpretation when teaching Bible stories. While Godly Play emphasizes open-ended wondering, participants often hesitated to respond, reflecting familiarity with didactic learning environments. The study highlights how prior knowledge, language, and adult mediation influence theological engagement. It argues that pedagogy itself is culturally embedded and offers practical implications for cross-cultural ministry, including the need for cultural awareness, translator preparation, and realistic expectations for short-term …

Developing Leadership In Ghanaian Churches Of Christ: Problems, Principles, And Proposals, Francis Brown, Nathan Bills

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This article explores the need for leadership development in the Churches of Christ in Ghana, focusing on Church of Christ congregations in Teshie. It highlights persistent challenges, including the lack of spiritual maturity, structure, and contextualization. To meet these challenges, this article emphasizes principles and practices of discipleship, intentional training, and cultural relevance. This study contributes to a broader understanding of ecclesial leadership of the Churches of Christ within African Christian contexts and suggests practical pathways for strengthening leadership in similar congregations.

Investigación Reciente (Resumenes Académicos), Sebastian Dorantes, Erica Jensen, Faith Manchester, Isabelle Stoddard

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Por Qué Las Personas Hacen (Y No Hacen) Donaciones, Sebastian Dorantes

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

La filantropía es una práctica mundial formada por la cultura, los ingresos y las normas sociales. Su escala es considerable y puede ser medible a través de datos e informes. En los Estados Unidos, las donaciones benéficas alcanzaron $592,500 millones de dólares en 2024, la cifra más alta registrada. Las personas contribuyeron con aproximadamente $392,000 millones de dólares de esa cantidad, o aproximadamente dos terceras partes del total de las donaciones. A nivel mundial, la generosidad sigue siendo muy común. Países como Estados Unidos, Myanmar y Nueva Zelanda figuran consistentemente como los más caritativos, con grandes porcentajes de personas que …

Mapping The Global Classroom: An Innovation Spotlight On The Ngo Education Survey Directory Database, Angie Holzer, Roseanne M. Mirabella

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This article highlights the NGO Education Survey Directory Database as a critical tool for strengthening global nonprofit infrastructure by addressing longstanding gaps in data on nonprofit education programs. It maps the global landscape of nonprofit management education with detailed, institution-level insights, enabling researchers, funders, and practitioners to better understand capacity-building efforts worldwide. By improving transparency and access to information, the directory supports more strategic philanthropy, fosters collaboration, and promotes the development of locally grounded leadership within the nonprofit sector.

Why People Do (And Don’T) Give, Sebastian Dorantes, Erica Jensen, Isabelle Stoddard, Faith Manchester

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Philanthropy is a global practice shaped by culture, income, and social norms. Overall giving remains high, but participation is becoming more concentrated. This raises key questions about who gives, why they give, and why others choose not to. Ultimately, the relationship between donors and nonprofit organizations can have a significant impact on philanthropic behavior. It is essential for nonprofits to consider what motivates a person to donate in order to create a point of connection between the donors and the organizations.

Academic Summaries - Philanthropy, Erica Jensen, Sebastian Dorantes, Faith Manchester, Isabelle Stoddard

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Philanthropy - Joni Full Issue April 2026, Angie Holzer, Erica Jensen

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Race And Resistance In Boston: A Contested Sports History, Eddie G. Walker Ii

Global Sport Business Journal

This review examines Cvornyek and Stark’s edited collection on race, resistance, and sport in Boston, highlighting how the essays collectively reflect Hartmann’s contested terrain theory. Through historical and contemporary examples—from Bill Russell’s activism to the cultural role of sports like cricket—the book demonstrates how sport functions as both a site of racial conflict and a tool for resistance and community-building. The collection offers a nuanced case study of Boston’s complex relationship with race, sport, and social progress.

Preventable Tragedy: A Negligence Case Study In University Recreation Programs, John J. Miller, Jeffrey F. Levine, Jason W. Lee

Global Sport Business Journal

This case study examines the lightning strike that killed a player during a university intramural softball game, emphasizing the importance of understanding legal responsibilities in sport and recreation settings. The incident occurred after visible lightning was observed yet play continued due to the absence of a formal severe-weather policy and uncertainty among student officials and administrators. Although industry standards for lightning safety were widely available, the lack of clear institutional guidance contributed to delayed decision-making and confusion at a critical moment.

This case study is important to students because it demonstrates how legal concepts discussed in class can have real, …

Pedagogical Strategies For Training Psychology Graduate Students: Examining Graduate Students' Satisfaction, Confidence, And Learning Across Three Approaches For Teaching A Standardized Assessment, Emma R. Slade

Ramifications

Competence in assessing mental health concerns, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is essential for psychologists. However, students can learn to use assessment tools in many ways, and students’ preferences and satisfaction with various instructional techniques may predict the extent to which they learn and gain confidence in their ability to apply such learning. The current study was an experiment designed to test how to best teach graduate students to assess ADHD. An instructional paper, a PowerPoint presentation with an included voiceover narration, and a case study applied example were each created to teach students how to administer and interpret the …

Beyond The Books: Student Researcher Perspectives On The Benefits And Challenges Of Service Learning In The Context Of A Research Study, Tatum Williams, Kaylee R. Grazul, Sarah Richter

Ramifications

Service learning, or an approach to teaching and learning that combines community service with academic study, has been shown to produce positive outcomes in undergraduate participants. Students who participate in service-learning programs reported higher levels of satisfaction as compared to students in non-service-learning programs (Gomez-Estern et al., 2021). Undergraduate research students who have engaged in service learning also found that it can help develop critical thinking and communication skills, leads to a stronger interest in pursuing a higher level of education, and shows more independence and problem-solving skills (Crowe and Boe, 2019). Other studies revealed that if adequate self-reflection after …

Understanding Modern American Politics Through Identity And Pop Music Between 2018 And 2025: A Musicological Analysis, Emilyn Bedell

Ramifications

This project studies how music impacts our society by examining the ways popular musicians (Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, and Hozier) imbue their songs with their identity. Their music engages their authentic self and social interests, effectively communicating their artistic and social values to their audience. This study examines three artists who recently became popular, so there is less established musicological research focused on them. To explore them deeper, I draw on cultural sources such as newspapers and magazines, in addition to academic journals. I also analyze their music and videos alongside recorded interviews to understand the sociopolitical issues for which …

Portland Public Schools ' Board Meeting Attendance And Awareness, Matan Schoenfeld

Thinking Matters Symposium

Portland Public Schools District Board meetings are the primary

touchpoint for parents, students, and staff to engage with their educational

leadership. They provide transparent communication about current and

upcoming initiatives within the district, and allow for attendees to voice questions,

concerns, and opinions. The political culture cultivated by these meetings is on

with heavy emphasis on dialogue and citizen participation. Yet there is one large

problem: many members of the PPS district community are unable (due to lack of

awareness or other practical obstacles) to attend the meetings. I believe the PPS

district would better function as an extension of …

A Scalable Model For Resident And Faculty Well-Being: Applying Self-Determination Theory And The Job Demands-Resources Framework In Graduate Medical Education, Gregory Guldner, Adam Neufeld

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Despite growing attention to burnout in graduate medical education (GME), many institutional efforts remain fragmented and lack theoretical coherence. In response, HCA Healthcare developed a system-wide initiative grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) framework to guide leadership development, learning climate improvement, and resident and faculty well-being. What began as a single-program effort evolved into a multi-year, system-wide initiative involving more than 5800 residents across 366 programs at 85 hospitals. In collaboration with workplace psychologists from Claremont Graduate University and Immersyve Health, the initiative integrated theory-informed leadership workshops, validated assessment platforms, and continuous quality-improvement processes to help …

Chicago, Arbitrary Detention And Torture: An Examination Of Human Rights Violations And Legal Responses Under The Second Trump Administration, Gianna Keuer

Bates College Undergraduate Law Review

This paper uses a human rights-based analysis to explore the legal implications of the second Trump administration’s deportation policies, using frameworks enacted by international legal organizations and state-level bodies. Drawing upon the Convention Against Torture, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and established state policies, the paper identifies important jus cogens norms against arbitrary detention and torture. With Chicago serving as a case study, the paper explores different avenues that have been employed to counter violations of prohibitions of arbitrary detention and torture, ultimately concluding that state-level policy responses and impact litigation cases serve as a more efficacious …

Some Promises Are Worth More Than Others: How “Free Community College” Programs Impact Postsecondary Participation, Destinations, And Degree Completion, David Monaghan, Elizabeth Hawke

Journal of Student Financial Aid

“Free college” programs are widespread in American higher education.  They are discussed as addressing college access, affordability, inequality, and skills shortages.  Many are last-dollar tuition guarantees restricted to use at single community colleges.  Using student-level data spanning the transition to college, we investigate how two similar local community college tuition guarantees in Pennsylvania affected college-going outcomes.  We estimate that the Morgan Success Scholarship has large impacts on any college enrollment, community college attendance and associate degree attainment, but also diverts students from four-year colleges and reduces bachelor’s attainment. Meanwhile, we find scant evidence that the Community College of Philadelphia’s 50 …

Eating Trees To Save The World, Belle Breyanna Li

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

This essay posits that all climate solutions will require change, an important one being eating more trees. While our current crisis is the result of indifference and inaction, we must consider innovative solutions. Like all the other possibilities, investing in more trees will require the joint efforts of our communities. As we allocate effort, time, and resources to climate solutions, the benefits will return tenfold in numerous ways. By prioritizing trees as a food source, we can empower our communities and increase their resilience. At the same time, we will positively contribute to the global climate by sequestering carbon. This …

Unraveling The Path From Stress To Coping Among Indonesian Emerging Adults: The Role Of Cognitive Flexibility, Stephanie Yuanita Indrasari, Sri Hartati Suradijono, Lucia R.M. Royanto

Psychological Research on Urban Society

Abstract

Emerging adulthood (ages 18-25) is a developmental stage marked by significant life transitions, which can heighten stress levels. In Indonesia, urban dynamics and socio-cultural pressures further intensify this stress among emerging adults. Cognitive flexibility, the ability to adaptively shift thoughts and strategies in response to changing circumstances, is an important factor in effective coping. This study examined the relationships among stress and adaptive coping, with cognitive flexibility playing a role as a mediator, among Indonesian emerging adults over three months (Time 1: N = 512; Time 2: N = 166) using a two-wave cross-lagged panel model (CLPM). Results indicated …

The Effect Of Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing) Concept On Decreasing Academic Stress Of College Students: A Pre-Experimental Study, Shinta Mustika, Witrin Gamayanti, Fitri Kurniawati, Ujam Jaenudin

Psychological Research on Urban Society

Academic stress is a common issue among university students due to heavy academic demands and performance pressure, affecting both physical and mental well-being. This study examines the effectiveness of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) in reducing academic stress. Using a quantitative pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design, stress levels were assessed before and after a session of shinrin-yoku among six Cianjur students with high academic stress. The research was conducted in locations within the scientific collection area of Cibodas Botanical Garden, identified as suitable for health and well-being interventions. The Profile of Mood States (Indonesian version) and Perception of Academic Stress Scale were used …