Sociology Commons^™

The Rhetoric Of Responsibilization: A Rhetorical Analysis Of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Campaigns For Hiv Prevention, Catherine M. Pabalate

Kentucky Undergraduate Journal for the Health Humanities

Responsibilization refers to the process by which patients are made accountable for their health and wellbeing, which is determined by their habits and behaviors. Though responsibilization affords greater agency to patients, it can also result in anxiety and guilt when the patient appears "deviant" or "noncompliant." Because sexual behavior is attributed to the causality of HIV/AIDS, patients’ sexual patterns and choices are included within their medical decision-making. This rhetorical analysis focuses on pharmaceutical campaigns and commercials for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which were released between 2012 and 2024 and are targeted towards patients at-risk for HIV/AIDS. Findings suggest that specific rhetorical …

Impact Wv: Adapting Patient Navigation Models Of Care To Improve Services To Caregivers Of Infants Exposed To Substances In Utero, Charlotte S. Workman Bsms, Ccrp, Lesley Cottrell, Mawyah Bashatah, Aisha Hashmi, Kayla Richard, Poornima Murthy, Susan Harrison, Ashleigh Mckinsey, Amy Bott, Sydney Leary, Cody Smith, Melina Danko

Journal of Appalachian Health

Patient navigation (PN) is a healthcare service delivery model designed to partner clients with service providers to reduce challenges to health care, as well as to improve access to care by identifying opportunities to coordinate services for clients. The IMPACT WV project at the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities (WVU CED) implemented PN models of care for caregivers of infants exposed to substances in utero. The purpose of this program was to reduce burden for potentially at-risk families and improve caregiver and infant outcomes as a result. To understand the processes that influence the implementation of PN …

Drive Time Analysis Of New Gynecologic Oncology Patients At West Virginia University, Kassandra Whitfield, Ariel Cohen, Krista Pfaendler, Kristy Ward

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: West Virginia is a rural mountain state; access to medical care, especially specialty care, can be difficult for patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the geographic status and transportation times of new gynecologic oncology patients.

Methods: Home zip codes for new patient gynecologic oncology patients were analyzed for drive times to the cancer center. Zip codes of oncology providers in the state were compared to the location of patients.

Results: A total of 1,097 new gynecologic oncology patients lived within a 240-minute drive of MBRCC; nearly half (48.9%) of them drove greater than 60 minutes. …

Patient-Clinician Communication In The Appalachian Region: A Scoping Review, Kawther Al Ksir, Hadii M. Mamudu, Chidiebube J. Ugwu, Emily K. Flores, Tracy Fasolino, Holly Wei, Rick L. Wallace, Florence M. Weierbach

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Effective communication between patients and clinicians is a critical component of quality health care, influencing disease prevention, management, and outcomes. In regions with unique socioeconomic and geographic challenges, communication barriers can further exacerbate health disparities. Understanding the factors that facilitate or hinder patient-clinician communication is essential for developing targeted interventions that improve health care delivery.

Purpose: This review explores the existing literature on patient-clinician communication concerning cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Appalachian Region with the aim to understand existing gaps and interventions.

Methods: PubMed and Web of Science databases were utilized to conduct a systematic search. The Population, Concept, …

Using Photovoice To Define The Experiences, Needs, Strengths, And Priorities Of Gay Men In South Central Appalachia, Ana D. Sucaldito, Lilli Mann-Jackson, Jorge Alonzo, John W. Chaffin, Scott D. Rhodes

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men and transgender and nonbinary persons living in rural Appalachia experience profound health disparities. Limited research, however, has focused on the needs, strengths, and priorities of these communities.

Purpose: This study sought to better understand the lived experiences of the vulnerable, underrepresented, and underserved Appalachian gay male community by working with a small group of self-identified gay Appalachian men.

Methods: As part of a larger community-based participatory research study (the Appalachian Access Project), four self-identified gay men participated in a photovoice project. Participants took photos based on …

Determinants Of Willingness To Share Wearable Health Data With Health Care Providers In Appalachian Populations: An Exploratory Study, Gilbert Munoz Cornejo, Joonghee Lee

Journal of Appalachian Health

Background: Wearable health devices capture metrics (e.g., physical activity, ECG, sleep) that can enhance care when shared with providers. Yet, willingness to share wearable data may differ in Appalachia, where chronic disease burdens, mistrust, and limited infrastructure pose unique challenges.

Objective: This study explored (1) which sociodemographic, health, and digital behaviors correlate with willingness to share wearable data and (2) how these insights can guide region-specific interventions in Appalachia.

Methods: We analyzed 320 Appalachian respondents from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 6). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models examined willingness to share wearable data. Because of small cell …

Heartache In The Heartland: Unraveling The Social Roots Of Deaths Of Despair In Kentucky, Lyndsey K. Blair, Madeline M. Tomlinson, Michele Abee-Biskis, Jessica Hume, Gabri Warren

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Deaths of despair (DoD), encompassing suicides, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related liver diseases, have emerged as a critical public health crisis in the United States, with their rise particularly pronounced from 1995 to 2013 and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kentucky, grappling with high rates of substance use disorder, poor mental health, and economic hardship, is at the forefront of this issue, particularly in its rural and Appalachian regions.

Purpose: This study explores the social determinants contributing to DoD in Kentucky, focusing on economic and social factors that influence rising rates of suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol-related liver disease. The …

Finding Freedom In Appalachia: Evaluating A Mental Health Intervention In West Virginia, Elizabeth A. Claydon, Karen Haring, Jessica Haring, Kelsey Riggi, Beth Currence

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Rural areas have limited capacity to provide comprehensive mental health treatment and resources. This creates the need for interventions to ensure individuals with mental health concerns have access to resources to improve their mental health.

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-methods evaluation was to assess the effectiveness and impact of Libera, a mental health program tailored for girls and women within the Appalachian region.

Methods: Quantitative surveys, including validated measures for depression, anxiety, and eating disorder symptoms, and life satisfaction, were collected pre- and post-Libera intervention for participants. Simultaneously, annual surveys were sent to Listeners in addition to qualitative …

Time And Location: Physical Activity Trends In Parents And Children In A Rural Region During Covid-19, Brooke C. Towner, Robert Broce, Rebecca A. Battista

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: COVID-19 restrictions altered the structure of the school and workday for families with children and led to changes in active transportation. Continued restrictions impacted access to many community locations and led to changes in physical activity (PA) behavior.

Purpose: The objectives of the study were to describe the changes in the 1) amount of PA time per day, 2) frequency of PA, and 3) sitting time. Information about how PA changed for parents and children during the COVID-19 pandemic will have potential implications for education, public health, and recreation management.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enlisted participants via an online …

Investigating Suicide Risk Factors Among Appalachian West Virginian Adults, Erin D. Caswell, Angela M. Dyer, Summer D. Hartley, Caroline P. Groth, Mary Christensen, Sahiti K. Tulabandu, Bryce K. Weaver, Ruchi Bhandari

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Suicide rates in the United States have increased over the past two decades, with rural areas, particularly the Appalachian Region, facing unique challenges that elevate suicide risk. These include economic hardships, social isolation, and limited access to mental health services.

Purpose: This study addresses critical gaps in understanding lifetime suicide risk in West Virginia (WV), a predominantly rural state entirely within the Appalachian Region. By identifying the factors driving urban-rural differences in suicide risk, this research seeks to inform interventions tailored to the state's distinct needs and provide insights applicable to the broader Appalachian Region

Methods: Using 2021 Mountain …

Current Attitudes And Barriers Among Appalachian Patients Towards Orthopaedic Surgery, Dylan Smith Md, Justin B. West Ms, Wade Smith Md, Micah Macaskill Md, Jonathan Lash, Matthew W. Bullock Do, Mpt

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: This study explores the challenges faced by residents of rural West Virginia in accessing orthopaedic care due to geographic and socioeconomic barriers.

Purpose: This study seeks to survey rural West Virginia residents about their attitudes and experiences regarding access to orthopaedic care in southern West Virginia.

Methods: A total of 132 electronic surveys were collected from rural West Virginia residents during an appointment with their primary care provider located at an affiliated outreach clinic. The survey was designed to investigate various factors influencing their access to orthopaedic care.

Results: Delays in seeking orthpaedic care are common in rural West …

The Journal Of Appalachian Health: A Year Of Growth And Impact, Noah Wren, Bradley Firchow, Emily Wilson, Randy Wykoff

Journal of Appalachian Health

The Journal of Appalachian Health continues to grow in strength and reach, serving as a critical platform for research and discussion on the unique health challenges and opportunities in Appalachia, as well as how the challenges and opportunities Appalachia faces are local manifestations of broader regional and global phenomena. Over the past year, we have witnessed a remarkable expansion in our readership, reflecting the increasing demand for evidence-based insights into the health of our region.

Parents Who Make America Great Again: Identity Politics In Right-Wing Populist Discourses On Gender Ideology And Immigration, Alina Hechler

Theses and Dissertations--Gender and Women's Studies

This dissertation explores how anti-immigration and anti-(trans)gender campaigns in the United States engage in an identity politics in which a group benefiting from heteronormative, white supremacist, and nationalist social structures discursively positions itself as an oppressed minority facing an elitist, oppressive, and parasitic establishment. While anti-transgender and anti-immigration platforms represent two distinct issues, they need to be situated within the broader context of right-wing politics. With a focus on the construction of parenthood, my dissertation juxtaposes these two forms of right-wing campaigns through a mixed-method approach by tracing the depiction of two parental figures that have recently emerged in right-wing …

Suicide Exposure In The Army National Guard: A Three Manuscript Dissertation, Rebecca Willis-Nichols

Theses and Dissertations--Social Work

Between 2000-2022, the U.S. suicide rate increased 36% with one death now occurring every 11 minutes (CDC, 2024). Despite the Department of Defense making a concerted effort to curb the suicide increases in their ranks, the rates have continued to rise. Active-duty component rates have slowly increased since 2011 while reserve and guard components have held steady (U.S. Department of Defense, 2023). After adjusting for age, the suicide rate in the veteran population was 57% greater than the civilian population in 2020 (CDC, 2024). There is a need for a better understanding of the impact of these deaths and the …

Stigma And Isolation: The Lived Experiences Of Male Sexual Assault Survivors In College, Vanessa Vela

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

Male sexual assault survivors on college campuses face barriers to disclosure, support, and recovery due to stigma, societal expectations of masculinity, and inadequate institutional resources. This hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of six male survivors of sexual assault enrolled in college, focusing on their perceptions of sexual violence before and after their assault, the psychological burden of disclosure, and their experiences with available support systems. Participants described challenges including rape myths, feelings of isolation, fear of emasculation, and limited access to gender-inclusive resources. While online communities provided some support, institutional services often failed to meet their needs due …

“A Safe Place”: Exploring Black Couples’ Perceptions Of Black Love And Relationship Coping In The Context Of Their Lived Experiences With Racism, Melinda Murdock

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

Historically, Black couples have not been studied within the context of their lived experiences as it relates to the effects of racism on relationship health. Only in the last decade have relationship scholars begun to consistently link racism-related stressors to relationship processes and outcomes. Despite the growing literature, recent studies are primarily quantitative in method and rely on samples, theoretical models, and measures that predominantly represent White couples’ experiences. It remains unclear how Black couples’ perceptions of love and relationship coping lead to resilient outcomes despite the negative effects of racism.

Therefore, the goal of the present study is to …

Black Love, Media Portrayals, And Social Identity, Nigel M. Taylor

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

This dissertation explores how media stereotypes about Black relationships influence Black individuals' perceptions, shaping their understanding and expectations of love. Using social identity theory as a foundation, a mixed-methods approach integrates both qualitative and quantitative methods to examine the impact of media portrayals on self-concept and relationship expectations. The quantitative findings investigate connections between media exposure, self-esteem, and partner preferences, revealing how media shapes ideas about ideal relationships and internalized racial dynamics. The qualitative analysis identifies seven themes that define Black Love and seven themes that depict media stereotypes of Black relationships. The study shows that while media often reinforce …

Essays On Public And Nonprofit Financial Management In Times Of Crisis, Junoh Jeon

Theses and Dissertations--Public Policy and Administration

This dissertation comprises three essays that examine critical aspects of public and nonprofit financial management, focusing on interorganizational relationships, local government influence, and financial reserve management in times of crisis.

The first essay examines how interorganizational relationships, specifically nonprofit organizations’ board interlocks, relate to their financial distress, depending on the temporal and spatial contexts. Organization-level fixed-effects regression analysis with Kentucky nonprofits from 2018 to 2022 shows that nonprofits with board interlocks in urban areas were less likely to experience financial distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. I suggest that board interlock acts as an adaptive buffering tool that helps manage resource …

The Paradox Of Survival: Gendered Food Insecurity, Labor Inequalities, And Coping Strategies During The 2023/4 Drought In Eastern Ethiopia, Meron E. Lemma

Theses and Dissertations--Geography

In drought-prone regions of Eastern Ethiopia, recurring droughts profoundly reshape everyday life in ways that deepen existing gendered inequalities. Drawing on fieldwork conducted in Fedis district, including semi-structured interviews with women, project implementers, and government officials, as well as group discussions with community members, this study explores how women experience, navigate, and resist the gendered impacts of drought. By attending to the sociopolitical dynamics of drought and the development interventions that accompany it, I analyze how these forces restructure labor, land, food systems, and authority in ways that reproduce and exacerbate existing inequalities. Women’s coping strategies, ranging from begging and …

“Single Girl, Married Girl:” Female Perspectives On Marriage, Maidenhood, And Motherhood In English-Language Folk Music, Avery Schanbacher

Libraries Award for Undergraduate Scholarship

In 1928, the Carter Family released “Single Girl, Married Girl.” The recording featured only Sara and Maybelle Carter, and in three short stanzas, highlighted the vastly differing lives of the single girl, who dressed fine and went where she pleased, and the married girl, with a baby on her knee, who rocked the cradle and cried. Sara and Maybelle Carter weren’t the only people who knew this song – before they recorded it for Ralph Peer at the famous Bristol sessions, it was alive as a part of musical traditions not just in their home in Scott County, Virginia, but …

Lgbt People's Sense Of Linked Fate: Belonging And Utility, Kay Hales

Theses and Dissertations--Political Science

This is a three study dissertation. While the LGBT community is often referred to as a monolith, research suggests that it may be separate subgroups under one umbrella. Linked fate is the sense that what happens to one member of a group will affect all other group members with consequences for political behavior. While research on racial identity groups suggests that members often feel a sense of linked fate with other group members, this research has not been generalized or explored in the LGBT community. This study empirically explores whether there is a sense of linked fate in the LGBT …

Towards A Sociological Theory Of Consent And Coercion In Sexual Violence Against Women, Lisa Kistler

Theses and Dissertations--Sociology

Recent data estimate that 26.8% of adult women in the U.S. have experienced rape in their lifetime. In this context, the phrase “consent to sex” is a prominent narrative countering sexual violence. Yet, there is no consensus on the meaning of consent, nor how the practice of consent is affected by coercion, resulting in a puzzle of consent. In response, the present project brings together existing research and theory to conceptualize consent and coercion in new ways. It asks, broadly, how do different forms of coercion complicate sexual consent and contribute to sexual violence against women today and answers this …

Family And Social Factors In Emotion Regulation And Adjustment In Adolescents, Julia J. Morgan

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

Adolescents face many challenges during this unique phase of development. Because of this, it is important to identify how to promote resilience and positive adjustment for these individuals. The present dissertation includes three studies which focused on familial and social factors in promoting emotion regulation and ultimately adjustment among middle and late adolescents.

The first study focused on the importance of alexithymia in the relationships between closeness and communication and internalizing problems, namely depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. Results showed that closeness was negatively associated with depression and positively associated with self-esteem. Communication was not associated with any of the studied …

Debt Through The Decade: Exploring Connections Between Debt Type, Psychological Stress, Spending Habits, And Life Satisfaction, Emily Johnson

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

Average households in the United States holds $101,915 in consumer debt, contributing to the greater total of America’s $17.3 trillion of total consumer debt (Experian, 2024). Accruing some amount of debt is considered normal throughout a financial lifespan, however, many Americans find themselves completely overwhelmed by keeping up with personal debts and increasing costs of necessities due to inflation. (George & Hansen, 2018; Kim et al., 2019). Following the financial crisis in 2020, many individuals felt increasing financial hardship, with many Americans heavily impacted by their debt holdings. The purpose of the present study is to examine the impact of …

Exploring Belongingness, Loneliness, And Distinctiveness On A College Of Agriculture Campus, Sophia Jaramillo-Vasconez

Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development

The purpose of this study was to explore how sense of belonging, loneliness, and distinctiveness affect students in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (M-G CAFE). By examining the intersection of student demographics and their experiences, this research aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the dynamics that shape students’ agricultural experiences at the postsecondary level. This study investigates the relationship between student characteristics and their reported levels of belonging and loneliness, and how these factors influence perceptions of their representation and distinctiveness within the M-G CAFE program. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was employed, beginning with …

Nothing Short Of Superheroic: A Quantitative Study Of Lifetime Exposure To Superhero Comic Book Media As A Predictor Of Attitudes Towards Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion, Michael Nguyen

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

This dissertation examined the relationship between lifetime exposure to superhero comic book media and attitudes toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Drawing on theories of identity formation—transitional objects, parasocial relationships, and cultivation theory—it investigated whether engagement with superhero narratives predicted DEI attitudes. Using quantitative methods, data from 499 U.S. adults were collected via Qualtrics. Two instruments were used: the Lifetime Superhero Comic Book Media Exposure Scale (LSES) and the Intolerant Schema Measure (ISM), which assessed prejudice across race, gender, sexuality, class, age, and religion. Multiple linear regression revealed that superhero media exposure significantly predicted ISM scores (B = 0.118, …

The Role Of Cooperative Extension In Community Development: A Study Of Success Stories And Leadership Practices, George Grant

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

The Cooperative Extension System (CES) plays a vital role in community education and development across the United States. CES agents and specialists work directly with community members to identify needs, mobilize existing assets, and empower action. Despite the overlap in the fields of CES and community development, few studies have systematically analyzed the specific practices used by extension personnel who act as facilitators of change within communities. To address this gap in knowledge, a qualitative study was conducted using directed content analysis of CES success stories published through the University of Kentucky to identify practices used among two integral positions …

Breaking Ground On Self-Efficacy: A Qualitative Exploration Of Intimate Partner Violence Survivors’ Experiences With Therapeutic Horticulture, Rachel Marie Reeves

Theses and Dissertations--Sociology

This dissertation explores how participation in a Therapeutic Horticulture program may support the self-efficacy of survivors of Intimate Partner Violence. Through a thematic analysis of interviews with 45 women living at a domestic violence shelter in Lexington, Kentucky, this study investigates whether and how gardening activities contributed to participants’ belief in their abilities to shape outcomes in their lives.

Findings are organized around Bandura’s four sources of self-efficacy: enactive mastery experiences, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and physiological/affective states. These insights contribute to feminist criminology and trauma-informed care literature by illuminating the transformative potential of nature-assisted healing programs.

Emplacing Deaths Of Despair Within The Rural Mortality Penalty: The Spatial Inequality Of Violent Death Across Rural America, Cameron A. Mcalister

Theses and Dissertations--Sociology

American life expectancy continues to diverge from most developed nations. Literature spanning several fields of scholarship has documented an uneven distribution of life expectancy between social groups and across geographic contexts. Frameworks such as “Deaths of Despair” and the rural mortality penalty describe the declining health trends among working class whites and rural America. But, conceptual development around these frameworks is still limited. This dissertation utilizes a rural sociological approach to bridging the gap between the Deaths of Despair framework and the rural mortality penalty by examining violent death patterns across diverse rural contexts. In doing so, I incorporate several …

An Examination Of The Effects Of School-Based Experiences On High-Achieving Black Female High School Students Using Photovoice 2.0, Kameron R. White Mcdaniel

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

This study used a youth-led participatory action research inquiry and Photovoice 2.0 methodology to investigate the school-based experiences of seven high-achieving black female students across two public high schools. The objectives of the project were to explore how high-achieving Black high school girls perceived their academic identity within their school setting, and to determine any school and/or classroom contextual factors that affected these participants' school-based learning experiences and outcomes. The demographic makeup of each school was also evaluated through qualitative analysis to consider if it served as a moderating variable in participants’ reported school-based experiences. It is through gained insight …