Sociology Commons^™

Disability Determination Services And The State Of Michigan Media Project, Eric Hartstein

Honors Theses

I designed two informational brochures as part of a media project for both the State of Michigan Internship Program (SoMIP) and Disability Determination Services (DDS), which were both host agencies for my student internship during the spring 2012 semester. The purpose of the project is to raise awareness about the programs among college students, as well as to recruit talented students to become future interns for either of the programs. I chose this project because I felt that brochures would be a simple and effective way to distribute information regarding the programs across campuses statewide. I corresponded with both WMU …

Mental Health And Drug Disorders Less Common At Early Stages Of Juvenile Justice, Jeffrey A. Butts

Publications and Research

Youth in the juvenile justice system are at a higher risk for mental health disorders and substance abuse problems, but these differences in risk are often misunderstood. This databit looks at the prevalence of mental health and substance abuse and makes recommendations for early intervention and prevention programs.

Case Study Of An Art Intervention For Older Foster Youth, Ashley Plushnik, Sarah Morris

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

Fostering Art is a photography intervention for adolescent foster youth. Participants in the evaluation study completed a pretest at the start and a posttest upon completion of the one-year program. Seven participants completed both the pre and posttest in their first year of the program. Data about demographics, general feelings, and expression of feelings, as well as standardized measures of self-esteem and stress were collected.,. Results suggest that alternatives to traditional mental health treatment for older foster youth, such as a photography class, may be an effective method of providing stability and continuity for these vulnerable youth.

Attachment Intervention With Parents And Infants In Early Substance Abuse Recovery, Rosana Aguilar

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

The current study evaluates the impact of a 10-week infant massage intervention program designed to increase attachment between parents in a drug rehabilitation facility and their infants. Parents were interviewed before and after the intervention. Analyses revealed a non-significant decrease in parental stress. Depression scores were essentially the same before and after the intervention. Knowledge of infant development scores revealed non-significant trends demonstrated higher levels of knowledge after the completion of the intervention. Parents who completed the intervention indicated that they learned about infant development, how to understand and soothe their baby, and how to communicate with their baby.

Layering Sel(F)Ves: Finding Acceptance, Community And Praxis Through Collage, Sarah K. Mackenzie, Mary M. Wolf

The Qualitative Report

There are multiple aspects that shape one’s experience as a student teacher; however often as teacher educators, we focus on the intellectual rather than the emotional nature of the experience. Within this a/r/tographical inquiry, we render a story of what can happen when teacher educators intentionally engage the multidimensional nature of the student teaching experience through the integration of arts-informed epistemologies within the context of the student teaching seminar. Student teachers entered into a dialogic space of reflexivity and praxis where they discovered that their experiences mattered and did not occur in isolation. This project has implications for considering ways …

Fostering Growth In The Survivorship Experience: Investigating Breast Cancer Survivors’ Lived Experiences Scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro From A Posttraumatic Growthperspective, Shaunna M. Burke, Catherine M. Sabiston

The Qualitative Report

The aim of this study was to use an ethnographic case study approach to explore breast cancer survivors’ experiences scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro from a posttraumatic growth perspective. Three breast cancer survivors who participated in interviews and observations during a nine-day climb on the mountain were included in this study. Findings are presented first as three individual case studies and then offered as a cross-case analysis to emphasize themes that illustrated the women’s shared experiences of growing from adversity. Participation in the climb on Mt. Kilimanjaro provided an opportunity for the women to (a) nurture priorities, (b) foster self-belief, and (c) …

An Ethnographic Analysis Of The Struggles And Priorities Of Medical Missionaries Serving In The Dominican Republic, Randi Hafele

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Violent Crime Rates Continue To Fall Among Juveniles And Young Adults, Jeffrey A. Butts

Publications and Research

Violent crime (murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault based on the FBI Violent Crime Index) declined per capita for ages 10 – 17 after 2004. This databit looks at the arrest rates for these four offenses between 1994 and 2004.

Hiv/Sti Risk Factors Among African-American Students Attending Predominantly White Universities, Marya L. Shegog, Lisa Lindley, Melva Thompson-Robinson, David Simmons, Donna Richter

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Introduction: The majority of African American college students in the U.S. attend predominantly white institutions (PWIs). However, there is minimal research examining this population’s HIV/STI risk behaviors. The purpose of this investigation was to assess HIV/STI behavioral risk factors among African American college students (aged 18 – 24years) attending PWIs. (n = 2,568)

Methods: Backwards step-wise logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with a positive HIV/STI diagnosis (past year) among sexually active African American college students who participated in the Spring, 2006 National College Health Assessment.

Findings: Nine factors were significantly associated with an HIV/STI diagnosis among …

Using Concepts From Freire’S Pedagogy Of The Oppressed To Promote Colorectal Cancer Screening In An Urban Minority Population, Corey H. Brouse, Charles E. Basch, Randi L. Wolf

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

This paper briefly introduces Freire’s philosophy of education, as well as examples of how this philosophy can be used in health education. Concepts from Freire’s work are highlighted along with how they are applicable to educating adults about colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, a health behavior that is less prevalent among poor and minority populations. Concepts highlighted in Freire’s writing can be directly applied to reducing disparities in health.

Prioritizing Interventions And Research To Address The Cancer Disparities Of Arizona’S American Indian Population, Norman J. Petersen, Sujata Joshi, Tim Flood, Kathryn Coe

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The aim of the Southwest American Indian Collaborative Network (SAICN) is to reduce cancer disparities by closing the gap between community needs and the promise of cancer prevention and cure through participatory education, training and research programs. In an effort to provide evidence-based recommendations and promote the use of relevant data in tribal communities, the SAICN Data and Evaluation Core developed two comparison matrices that present scientifically sound practices for use by community health decision makers in prioritizing activities likely to reduce the irrespective community’s burden of cancer. In their current configurations, Matrix A considers those cancers for which prevention …

A Communication Strategy To Address Health Inequities In Municipal Settings, Christine Unson, Ben Tyson, Angela Funaiole, Comfort Agaba

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

This study assessed knowledge of health inequities, importance and benefits/barriers of addressing inequities, and ways of communicating information about inequities among municipal officials. Five focus groups (N=47) were conducted with officials from economic development, land use and housing, public safety, education, and environment departments. Discussions were recorded, transcribed and analyzed for key themes. Findings show that participants had an uneven understanding of the symptoms and causes of health inequities and identified limitations to participating in health equity initiatives and collaborating with local health departments. Recommendations are that a communication strategy to reduce health inequities should aim to increase awareness of …

Pap Test Follow-Up Pattern Among American Indian Women In Arizona, Merrill Eisenberg, Kathryn Coe, Charlton Wilson, Kathleen Evans, Elizabeth Brewer

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objective: To quantify the loss to follow-up rate after abnormal Pap test results at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center, an Indian Health Service regional facility, and identify barriers to follow-up from the patients’ point of view.

Materials and Methods: Patient records were used to identify women who had abnormal Pap tests in 2002 and to document the status of their follow-up care. Women who had no clinical record of follow-up were contacted by telephone to arrange a follow-up appointment and to request participation in a structured qualitative interview to identify barriers to follow-up at the individual, family, community, and health …

Application Of The Pen-3 Model In A Diabetes Prevention Intervention, Joan E. Cowdery, Shandowyn Parker, Amy Thompson

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

More effective strategies for addressing health issues in African American communities are needed. As part of a three year NIH funded Project Export grant, this community campus partnership used community-based participatory research principles and thePEN-3 Cultural Framework to develop a culturally specific, locally relevant intervention to prevent Diabetes among African-Americans. A comprehensive needs assessment which included 13 elicitation interviews, 3 focus groups, and 217 surveys resulted in identifying major themes including overall lack of knowledge regarding Diabetes,issues of denial and stigma, sense of inevitability, influence of family on perceptionsand behaviors, communication issues with health care providers, and lack of culturally …

Racial Differences In The Use Of Most Commonly Performed Medical Procedures In The United States, Syed S. Haque, Mohammad A. Faysel, Hafiz M. R. Khan

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objective: This study investigates racial disparities in the use of commonly performed medical procedures in U.S. hospitals. Methods: To examine racial disparities, we calculated age-adjusted rate of procedures used by all Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians or Pacific Islanders and Native Americans and calculated corresponding Relative Risks(RRs) of White vs. all other races based on procedure utilizations and insurance types using 20% random sample of Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data between 2001 and2003. Results: Whites were significantly more likely to receive 3 of the study procedures than Blacks, 3 of the procedures than Hispanics, 2 of the procedures than Asians or …

Racial Disparities In Cancer Screening Among Women With Chronic Joint Pain, Edith M. Williams, Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter, Christopher Purdy, Adrianne Ransom, Judith Anderson

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Chronic pain related disorders and breast and cervical cancer are more prevalent among African-American women compared with non-Hispanic White women. However, few studies address how racial differences in the context of comorbidity may compound these disparities. This study used secondary analysis of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to assess racial differences in breast and cervical cancer screening and patient education among adult women with chronic joint pain conditions. Statistical analyses included chi-square and independent samples t-tests. African-American women compared with non-Hispanic White women were less likely to receive a pap smear or mammogram within the last two years and …

The Sociology Of Harriet Martineau In Eastern Life, Present And Past: The Foundations Of The Islamic Sociology Of Religion, Deborah A. Ruigh

Department of Sociology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This paper is a critical analysis of Harriet Martineau’s philosophical stance and epistemological modes, her systematic sociological methodology, her use of this methodology, and her sociology of religion. How to Observe Morals and Manners (1838), Eastern Life, Present and Past (1848), and other relevant works will be used to examine Martineau’s evolving epistemological modes as well as her sociology of religion. How to Observe, Martineau’s treatise on systematic sociological methodology and cultural relativism, will serve as an exemplar for analysis of Martineau’s methodological practice as evidenced in Eastern Life. The research problem herein is three-fold: (1) to examine …

We're Still Not There Yet: The Continued Struggle For Black Gay Men To Live Openly In Arkansas And Tennesee, Dominique Antoinette White

Student Theses and Dissertations

Living as a gay man can be difficult for individuals living in the Southern United States due to political conservatism, religious affiliation, and cultural norms. The experiences of gay men not only differ by region but also by race. There is a vast amount of research focusing on what it is like to be gay in America; however, not much attention has been given to the lives of gay black males besides discussion of life on the "down-low" or having a gay relationship that one's heterosexual partner is not aware of. In my study I find that gay black males …

Drinking Games Among College Students, Emily Schumacher

2012 Awards for Excellence in Student Research & Creative Activity - Documents

The purpose of this study was to explore, analyze, and compare the attitudes, behaviors, consequences, and reasons for participation in drinking games among college students. An 11-item questionnaire was created and used to survey respondents. Face and content validity were established by using an expert panel. The survey included demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal information and consisted of yes or no, multiple choice, and ranking questions. The data was analyzed through descriptive statistics using SPSS. Data was reported by frequencies and percentages. Descriptive studies allowed the researcher to gain a better understanding of the attitudes and behaviors of college students participating …

Protect Your Pension: Important Documents You Should Keep, Mia Midenjak

Pension Action Center Publications

No matter what kind of pension or retirement plan your employer offers, you should keep certain documents indefinitely to ensure that your retirement benefit is paid correctly. Based on our experience with finding lost retirement income and assisting workers and retirees to get the benefits they have earned, we recommend that you save the following information.

Apartment Rental Prices In Dallas, Mandi Lovett

Undergraduate Research Conference

There are many questions in a graduating students mind such as “Will I get that job?” and “Where will I live?” We wanted to predict apartment rental prices in Dallas to give students an idea of what their living expenses could be. We found that an apartment's distance from downtown Dallas and if the apartment has a pool are two factors that decrease the apartment's overall rental price.

The Importance Of Wedding Rituals In Human Societies, Courtney Snow

Undergraduate Research Conference

Symbolic interaction is the best explanation as to why, despite regional differences, modern style wedding dresses have similarities between cultures. Women of the world acknowledge and respect the traditions styles of their ancestors and try to incorporate some hint of tradition into their weddings. However, due to popular culture and style trends many of the wedding dresses from around the world use symbolism and detail to achieve the perfect balance between modern and time-honored.

From The Struggle To Liberation: A Critical Analysis Of The Film The Color Purple, Rebecca Matlock

Undergraduate Research Conference

This paper critiques and analyzes The Color Purple movie. The Color Purple movie released in 1985 is based on the 16982 novel written by author Alice Walker (Jones & Spielberg, 1985). The movie sheds light on he struggles that African American females faced as their reality in the 1930s. This paper begins with a brief overview of the movie discussing the context of the movie. The paper then discusses four intercultural concepts that is significantly related to the movie. The four concepts are: cultural norms, identity, self-awareness, and discrimination. From an intercultural communication view, the movie impacts, viewers by making …

Maymester 2011: New York City Trip, Eneida Marie Santiago

Undergraduate Research Conference

The NYC Maymester Trip 2011 was an unconventional learning experience. A small group of students drove up to NYC with Professor Peter Andrew for a Maymester Advanced Art Studio Course. Each student was responsible for making a connection between this class and their major. One condition set for making this class trip was an agreement to document it and upon returning create a piece of artwork that reflected our experiences to showcase in a group exhibit.

The Electric Housewife: Post-War Supermoms And The Modernization Of The American Home, Mary Welch

Undergraduate Research Conference

THe ideal American housewife is based off of post World War II media driven model. Society judged a 1950s family on the involvement of the wife within the home. By social standards housewives were expected to work full-time in the home. Electric appliances were introduced as saving devises and became socially accepted as necessities of the modern home. Contrary to popular belief electric home appliances did not reduce the amount of work required by a housewife but rather increased the number of obligations which she became responsible for.

Bullying In The Lgbt Community, Dasha Evans

Undergraduate Research Conference

Bullying is not a new trend, but something that has always existed. Different forms of bullying have evolved over time ranging from physical abuse to misuse of cyber activity. Within the past decade there has been a great influx of bullying in all forms in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This new phenomenon of targeting children and teens in the LGBT community has swept legislative and nationwide attention. Popular stories of suicide as the result of targeted bullying are provided. For children and teens who have suffered from such humility and hurt, generalist social workers are able …

Art And Space: Impacting The Workplace, Erin V. Mccool

Senior Honors Theses

Art in its various forms and applications has always been a part of the human experience. Art can be intrusive, thought provoking, or simply beautiful. Although art comes in many different styles and forms, art continues to capture our imagination. The purposes of this thesis are to discover how art affects human activity in the workplace as well as the qualities that make artwork in the workplace successful. Based on the findings of this study, artwork will be created for the Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence at Liberty University in order to create a lively, creative environment. By …

Comparing Risk Factors Of Hiv Among Hijra Sex Workers In Larkana And Other Cities Of Pakistan: An Analytical Cross Sectional Study, Arshad Altaf, Aysha Zahidie, Ajmal Agha

Community Health Sciences

Background

In 2005, Pakistan was first labeled as a country with concentrated epidemic of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This was revealed through second generation surveillance conducted by HIV/AIDS Surveillance Project (HASP). While injection drug users (IDUs) were driving the epidemic, subsequent surveys showed that Hijra (transgender) sex workers (HSWs) were emerging as the second most vulnerable group with an average national prevalence of 6.4%. An exceptionally high prevalence (27.6%) was found in Larkana, which is a small town on the right bank of river Indus near the ruins of Mohenjo-Daro in the province of Sindh. This paper presents the risk …

Precincts And Prospects In The Use Of Focus Groups In Social And Behavioral Science Research, Dominic Sagoe

The Qualitative Report

Over the past few years, the focus group method has assumed a very important role as a method for collecting qualitative data in social and behavioural science research. This article elucidates theoretical and practical problems and prospects associated with the use of focus groups as a qualitative research method in social and behavioural science research. The core uses of focus groups in social and behavioural science research are discussed. In addition, the strengths and limitations of employing focus groups in social and behavioural science research are elucidated. Furthermore, the article discusses practical recommendations for strengthening the focus group method in …

Indicators Of Relatedness In Adolescent Male Groups: Toward A Qualitative Description, Heidi Hutman, Karolina Anna Konieczna, Emily Kerner, Calli Renee Armstrong, Marilyn Fitzpatrick

The Qualitative Report

Self-determination theorists (SDT) argue that the satisfaction of the need for relatedness is essential for growth and well-being. However, the current research has yet to account for the unique ways in which adolescent males engage in behaviors to fulfill their need for relatedness within their peer groups. This qualitative study investigates relatedness in six 16-to 17-year-old adolescent males. Independent observations of videotape data and a collaborative analysis revealed 13 main indicators of moment-to-moment relatedness. These indicators include expressing belonging, referring to shared experiences, and helping others out. The indicators of relatedness are discussed in the context of SDT, and additional …