Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Impact Of Traditional Machismo On Mental Health Outcomes: Depression And Suicide Risk Among Latino Immigrant And Non-Immigrant Men, Yesenia A, Romero

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traditional masculine norms have long been recognized as influential factors in men’s psychological well-being. Within Latino cultures, the construct of machismo represents a culturally specific form of masculinity characterized by ideals of masculinity and characterized by ideals of strength, dominance, and emotional restraint. While these norms may promote resilience and family responsibilities, rigid adherence to traditional machismo has also been associated with emotional suppression, reduced help-seeking behaviors, and increased psychological distress. The present study conducted a meta-analysis to examine the relationship between traditional machismo and mental health outcomes among Latino men, with particular attention to depressive symptoms as well as …

"Am I A Man Or A Muppet": A Rhetorical Analysis Of Generative Ai’S Representation Of Gender, Jessica Boaz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines how generative artificial intelligence constructs and performs gender roles through a rhetorical analysis of the fully AI-generated podcast Fairytale Forensics. Drawing on theories of constitutive rhetoric, stereotyping, and McLuhan’s approach to the medium, this thesis investigates how AI-generated hosts interpret classic fairy tales while simultaneously reproducing and negotiating gender norms through the lens of prosopopoeia, metonymy and synecdoche. These performances rely on normative gender stereotypes that align with broader societal expectations, thereby potentially reinforcing existing cultural assumptions about masculinity and femininity. Ultimately, it demonstrates that AI-generated discourse does not merely reflect human biases but actively participates in …

The New Wild West: A Case Study Analysis Of The Communication Methods Surrounding Ai Infrastructure In West Texas, Thomas Sorensen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the past several years, artificial intelligence has taken the world by storm. It has enabled numerous innovations across all sectors, and its usage continues to grow daily. This increase in demand for AI products has led to the development of AI data centers nationwide. Fueled by competition between the public and private sectors, many projects are underway. This study focuses on one such project in West Texas: the Stargate Data Center. This project is being constructed near Abilene, Texas, and has had an instrumental impact on the daily lives of its citizens. This research project seeks to answer the …

Scrolling For Connection: The Influence Of Loneliness, Self-Esteem, And Stress On Susceptibility To Conformity-Driven Online Purchasing And Gambling Behaviors In Generation Z, Emily M. Bauknight

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to examine the relationships among loneliness, self-esteem, conformity, and online purchasing and gambling behaviors in Generation Z college students. To do so, a cross-sectional design was implemented with a sample of 69 undergraduate and graduate students who completed self-report measures assessing self-esteem, loneliness, conformity, psychological distress, online shopping addiction, and online gambling severity. Data were analyzed using SPSS through multiple and simple linear regression analyses, moderated regression, and Pearson correlations. Results indicated that selfesteem and loneliness were not significant predictors of conformity, and conformity did not predict online shopping or gambling behaviors. Additionally, self-esteem, loneliness, and conformity …

Secondary Traumatic Stress Among U.S Army Active-Duty Social Workers., Jennifer Frazier

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and its relationship with functional impairment among U.S. Army active-duty social workers. These social workers practice in a uniquely demanding environment, balancing constant exposure to service members’ and families’ trauma narratives as well as organizational mandates. A mixed-method, exploratory, cross-sectional design was used, with data collected via an online survey. Resulting in a sample of fifteen, recruited via a Facebook group for Army Social Workers. Analysis focused on patterns and associations rather than causal conclusions, due to the sample size and design, and should be interpreted cautiously. Patterns …

Hearing Northern New Mexico's Silenced Voices: Exploring Intersectionality And Allyship., Cheri Loggains

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Hearing Northern New Mexico’s Silenced Voices: Exploring Intersectionality & Allyship Cheri Loggains, MSW, LCSW March 27, 2026 Oversimplified social constructs of identity and power were intentionally used in Northern New Mexico (NNM) by White settlers to perpetuate oppression. This oversimplification contributes to a false narrative of New Mexico centering White experiences and creating a hegemonic system of power. The repercussions of such acts are under new scrutiny, which calls out performative allyship. However, performative allyship is scarcely studied in current literature, even though it is a natural microcosm for examining the relational dynamics of power. The current literature also implies …

Attitudes, Behaviors, And Co-Workers Influence Of Those Who Provide Mental Health Support Services To Refugees And Immigrants., Irene Boamah

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

ABSTRACT

ATTITUDES, BEHAVIORS, AND CO-WORKERS INFLUENCE OF THOSE WHO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES TO REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS

Irene A. Boamah

April 3, 2026

Refugees and immigrants face a variety of mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Despite these mental health issues, there is limited research examining the attitudes, behaviors and coworkers’ influence on those who provide mental health support services to this population. This study examines the relationships between the demographic and professional characteristics of mental health support service providers in Kentucky and the stigmas they may have toward refugees and immigrants.

A cross-sectional …

Safe At Work: A Case Study On The Healthcare Response To Employee Disclosures Of Domestic Violence., Victoria Dobson

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that impacts individuals and communities at every level, including professionally. Despite this known impact, workplace-based interventions to address such violence, aside from leave policies, are seldom implemented, especially in healthcare settings. This paper presents a case study on a healthcare organization’s response to employee disclosures of domestic violence.  A retrospective review of HR data, five semi-structured interviews, and a survey of hospital leadership were conducted to explore employee experiences and preliminary outcomes associated with a workplace domestic violence leave policy and concurrent, on-site supportive services (Safe At Work Program) offered to employees experiencing domestic …

Integrating Organizational Theory In Student Employee Development Across Dispersed Workplaces, Anica C. Chesnut

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

Managing and developing staff at university residential desks presents unique challenges. One challenge is the complexity of supervising student employees while allowing them the opportunity to grow as well. Another challenge is the dispersed nature of residential desks across a university campus. Satellite desks present a difficulty to maintain community, a positive work culture, continuity of expectations, and procedures. Several organizational theory frameworks can be directly applied to the organization in order to reduce challenges. This capstone paper utilizes literature review and examination of current practices, to provide context of current inefficiencies while also critically analyzing pain points within the …

Christian-Based Community Engagement And Loneliness Among College Students, Ayodeji Fayemi

Master's Theses & Other Graduate Student Works

Loneliness among college students is a growing public health concern with significant implications for mental and physical well-being. Despite living in highly connected environments, many students report profound feelings of loneliness, which can exacerbate mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. Loneliness also influences cognitive and social processes and has been linked to physical health risks, highlighting the need for effective interventions. This study examined whether Christian-based community engagement served as a protective factor against loneliness among college students. Grounded in Social Support Theory, the study assessed associations among loneliness, general social support, church-based support, religious coping, institutional integration, …

Efficacy Of Implicit Bias Training Within The Hazel Park Police Department, Luke Londo

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

Among the many desired outcomes for uniformed police officers who undergo implicit bias training is a reduction in the level of discriminatory conduct related to such biases. Current research on the subject offers mixed results, and nearly all existing studies do not provide an empirical measurement of efficacy or other outcomes beyond officer sentiment. This case study examines and measures the impact of implicit bias trainings, which is a requirement for officers within the Hazel Park Police Department in Michigan, prior and subsequent to certification by using raw and sustained complaints of discriminatory conduct allegedly perpetrated by Hazel Park police …

Improving And Maintaining Public Trust In Law Enforcement: A Qualitative Case Study Of The Northville Township Police Department, Christopher Bachand

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

Public trust is a key component of effective law enforcement. While historically cyclical, trust in American law enforcement agencies has trended downward in recent years following several high-profile use of force incidents. In response, many agencies have begun incorporating new theories and models into their policies and procedures aimed at increasing public trust. This capstone paper draws upon the relevant literature surrounding these theories and conducts a qualitative case study of the Northville Township Police Department. This agency consistently achieved above-average levels of confidence from its community members by incorporating these theories using a hybrid-synthesis policy implementation approach. This paper …

Public Safety Policy In Michigan’S Rural Upper Peninsula: Collective Efficacy, Youth Engagement, And Prevention, Christopher J. Reynolds

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

Rural communities in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula face unique public safety concerns due to resource limitations and geographic isolation. Small townships and cities lack sufficient funding and personnel to respond effectively to emergencies across large land areas. By building stronger families and communities, rural areas can prevent public safety concerns through preventative strategies, rather than reactive strategies that focus on incarceration. Through strengthening social networks and providing programs for youth to build leadership skills and good character, public safety will become a part of daily life in rural areas and not just a reaction to negative situations.

Body Worn Cameras For The Madison Police Department, Caleb Wright

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

Body-worn cameras for law enforcement officers can ensure accountability of the officers and transparency to the public. Though body-worn cameras have become increasingly popular in police departments, some departments do not use them. The Madison Police Department is one of these departments. Body-worn cameras have been implemented with policy models in many surrounding departments in Wisconsin and have proved to hold officers accountable and ensure transparency during complaints and cases. Leveraging literature on integrated policy approach and policy implementation, this capstone paper summarizes the needs and benefits of body-worn cameras for the MPD. This paper contributes to broader debates on …

The Macroeconomics Of Intergenerational Mental Health Dynamics, Boaz Abramson, Job Boerma, Diego Daruich, Aleh Tsyvinski

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

We develop a quantitative macroeconomic theory of child mental health. The theory is grounded in child psychiatry, formalized in a life-cycle heterogeneous agent model of child development, and disciplined using micro data on mental health of children and parents. Intergenerational transmission of mental illness arises due to both biological factors and parental behavior. Parents experiencing mental illness have negative expectations and lose time due to rumination. As a result, they invest less in their child’s mental health. We use the model to evaluate policies designed to improve child mental health. We show that subsidizing mental health treatment for children generates …

Class Peers As Competitors And Educators: The Consequences Of Rank-Based Academic Rewards, Mark R. Rosenzweig, Bing Xu

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

This paper examines the theoretical and empirical consequences of rank-based reward systems in schools in which students’ performance and effort are evaluated relative to their peers. In such environments, classmates act simultaneously as competitors—due to rank-determined rewards—and as educators through peer learning and assistance. Using nationally representative panel survey data from U.S. high schools, combined with administrative information on the location assignments of new refugee student cohorts, we exploit variation in school competition policies and class ability compositions to identify empirically their dual effects on student effort and peer learning. We develop a theoretical tournament model with heterogeneous students who …

Regional Economic Impacts And Emission Responses Under Solar Radiation Modification, Jenny Bjordal, Evelien Van Dijk, Henri Cornec, Anthony A. Smith Jr, Trude Storelvmo

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) has been proposed as a potential tool to limit increases in global or regional temperatures caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. While previous research has extensively examined the climate system’s response to various SRM strategies, as well as their aggregate economic consequences, the regional distribution of economic impacts has received less attention. In this study, we use NorESM2–DIAM—an Earth System Model coupled to a high-resolution integrated assessment model—to assess the economic impacts, measured in GDP per capita, in an idealised SRM scenario where incoming solar radiation is reduced by 1%. Our results suggest that, relative to …

Beyond Exposure: Predicting Ai Adoption Based On Comparative Advantage, Ilse Lindenlaub, Ryungha Oh, Maria Alejandra Rodriguez, Laura Veldkamp

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

We document and explain the gap between measures of AI exposure and measures of AI adoption in the workplace. This leads us to propose a new AI adoption index based on comparative advantage. Using the representative German DiWaBe employee survey linked to worker and establishment information, we compare worker-reported AI use to prominent exposure measures and find that the relationship is weak. Motivated by this gap, we develop a framework in which adoption depends not only on technical feasibility—AI’s absolute advantage measured by exposure—but on profitability—AI’s comparative (dis)advantage relative to a specific worker—balancing AI productivity against AI user costs and …

Towards A Methodology For Measuring Rental Property Ownership In The United States, Stephanie Kestelman, Rebecca Diamond, John Eric Humphries, Kate Pennington, Winnie Van Dijk, John Voorheis

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

Roughly one-third of U.S. households rent their homes, yet measuring who owns rental property is difficult: ownership is frequently obscured by LLCs, partnerships, and other intermediary entities that separate legal from economic control. We develop a method that traces ownership through administrative records—combining deeds and property assessments with the Census Bureau’s Business Register, IRS Schedule K-1 filings, and SEC filings on REITs—to identify ultimate owners and construct property portfolios across the full landlord size distribution. Applying the method to 11 large CBSAs, we find that individual landlords own a large majority of rental units, though their share varies meaningfully across …

From People’S War To People’S Rule: Rebel Governance And The Foundations Of Inclusive Democracy, Bhishma Bhusal, Michael Callen, Rohini Pande, Soledad Prillaman, Deepak Singhania, Apurva Subedi

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

How does wartime rebel governance shape post-conflict institutions? We study this in Nepal, where the Maoist People's War (1996–2006) dismantled a 240-year caste-based monarchy and ended with Maoists entering democratic politics. During the conflict, Maoists established sub-national “People’s Governments” that administered justice, collected taxes, and delivered local services. Using a spatial regression-discontinuity design, we show that exposure to People's Governments increased political knowledge and participation especially among historically marginalized indigenous groups (Janajatis). Exposure also reshaped party institutions and inter-party competition: candidate-selection committees in more exposed areas have 26 percent more Janajati members who, drawing on novel implicit-attitude data, exhibit less …

Learning Through Imitation: An Experiment, Marina Agranov, Gabriel Lopez-Moctezuma, Philipp Strack, Omer Tamuz

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

We compare how well agents aggregate information in two repeated social learning environments. In the first setting agents have access to a public data set. In the second they have access to the same data, and also to the past actions of others. Despite the fact that actions contain no additional payoff-relevant information, and despite potential herd behavior, free riding and information overload issues, observing and imitating the actions of others leads agents to take the optimal action more often in the second setting. We also investigate the effect of group size, as well as a setting in which agents …

A Novel Approach To Creativity Assessment: Forced Pairwise Ranking With Large Language Models, Phillip R. Gregory Jr

Master's Theses

Assessing creativity at scale remains a persistent challenge in cognitive science, as human raters are costly, slow, and often inconsistent in their judgments. This thesis introduced a novel framework for automated scientific creativity assessment using forced pairwise ranking, in which fine-tuned large language models compared response pairs and determined which was more creative. Five empirical studies were conducted using Llama-2-7B and Llama-2-13B models adapted via LoRA fine-tuning and benchmarked against human scored responses from the Scientific Creative Thinking Test. A regression baseline achieved Pearson �� = .74 on the test set, matching the human inter-rater ceiling reported in the literature. …

Building Collaborative Capacity For Coexistence With The Montana Beaver Working Group, Shane Randle

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Despite beavers’ recent surge in popularity, prevailing negative attitudes and the persistence of beaver removal practices remain obstacles for those advocating living with beavers. The Montana Beaver Working Group (BWG) advances beavers’ role in ecological and community resilience through members’ collaborative efforts, including beaver-related restoration and conflict resolution projects. Bringing together people with diverse values and perspectives, the BWG builds collective understanding, develops a holistic vision for beavers in Montana, and supports members in pursuing it. As the group’s impacts and membership have grown, so too has their need to adapt. For my Civic Engagement Project, I strengthened the BWG’s …

Task-Dependent Modulation Of The N170 Erp Component In Facial Perception, Mary M. Krdikashyan

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The N170 component plays a key role in face perception, but how attention influences it remains debated. In a series of five electroencephalography (EEG) experiments, we examined how attention to different facial features (holistic versus feature-based) affects the N170 amplitude. This study aims to determine whether perceptual competition explains these effects. In a preliminary study (Experiment 1), participants were primed to focus on either gender, age, emotional expression, race, or no specific task. This study showed a larger amplitude for gender and age, followed by emotion, with minimal differences for race, and no task was assigned. Since all these conditions …

The Relationship Between Telecommuting, Autonomy, And Burnout, Aniko Nagy

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

With flexible work arrangements becoming more common, the need to expand our understanding of the relationships between flexible work arrangements and employee health and wellbeing outcomes, such as employee burnout, continues to grow. The purpose of the present study is to explore the relationships between flexible work arrangements, autonomy, and employee burnout. The Job Demands-Resource (Bakker and Demerouti, 2007) and Conservation of Resources (Hobfall & Freedy, 2017) theories propose that job resources such as flextime, flexplace, and job autonomy are vital, and that the loss of or failure to acquire job resources can lead to stress and burnout. The Self …

Raising Resilient Children: Parent Video Guide To Support Children’S Emotional Development, Perla F. Nunez-Chavez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Social-emotional learning (SEL) in early childhood plays a critical role in

children’s ability to recognize emotions, regulate behavior, build relationships,

and succeed in academic settings. During the preschool years (ages 3–5),

children experience rapid emotional development and rely heavily on parents for

co-regulation, emotional modeling, and guidance. Research consistently shows

that when parents engage in emotion coaching practices, such as labeling

feelings, validating emotions, and modeling regulation strategies, children

demonstrate stronger emotional competence and improved developmental

outcomes. However, despite strong evidence supporting parent involvement in

SEL, many existing interventions are delivered through structured, in-person

programs that are often inaccessible to …

Face Representations In The Fusiform Face Area, Krisha Orgo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Faces are among the most socially significant stimuli humans encounter, requiring recognition not just at the category level but at the level of individual identity. While the fusiform face area has been established as a dedicated region for face processing, whether it encodes distinct representations for different individuals or simply detects the presence of a face remains an open question. Evidence for identity-specific coding in the brain has come primarily from invasive single-neuron recordings in epilepsy patients, leaving open whether the same principles govern face processing in healthy populations. The present study addressed this gap using scalp electroencephalography to examine …

Game On! Level Up Your Teaching: A Digital Game-Based Learning Guide For Preschool Teachers, Scarlett Flores Marin

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Although digital game-based learning (DGBL) has emerged as a

promising technological advancement in early childhood education by offering

many developmental benefits for children, its effective implementation remains a

challenge. The integration of digital technologies in early childhood education has

led to the growing use of DGBL as an effective instructional approach with

research indicating that well-designed educational apps and games can enhance

young children’s cognitive, literacy, and social development by promoting active,

meaningful, and interactive learning experiences. DGBL encourages problem-

solving, critical thinking, and collaboration, aligning with how children naturally

learn through exploration and engagement. When used intentionally, technology

and …

Investigating Fentanyl-Xylazine Interactions: Implications For Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia And Affective Dysregulation In Rats, Alejandra R. Lujan

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The growing prevalence of fentanyl adulterated with xylazine presents a major public health concern, yet the behavioral and physiological effects of this combination remain poorly characterized. This study examined the effects of acute fentanyl administration, alone and in combination with xylazine, on opioid-induced hyperalgesia, affective behavior, and mortality in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=80). Rats received four fentanyl injections (60 µg/kg) administered at 15-minute intervals, with or without xylazine (0, 0.1, 0.333, or 1.0 mg/kg), as well as a saline control condition. Pain sensitivity was assessed using a hot plate assay at 6.5, 12, 24, and 48 hours post-injection. …

The Effects Of Excessive Smartphone Use On Interpersonal Relationships, Lisa M. Whitesell

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Smartphones are integral to daily life, generating a propensity for overuse that raises concerns about the potentially adverse effects on social connections and communication. Previous research is primarily quantitative, focused on male subjects outside the United States, and has not explored the impact of smartphone use on relationships from the perspective of close friends and family. This study addresses the gap by applying qualitative methodologies using a more balanced gender sample in the United States. Semi-structured interviews will capture participants’ experiences and perceptions of how excessive smartphone use affects their interpersonal relationships. Open-ended questions will explore smartphone use patterns, the …