The Mindful Officer: Enhancing Officer Mental, Physical, And Social Wellness Through Resilience Training,
2025
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The Mindful Officer: Enhancing Officer Mental, Physical, And Social Wellness Through Resilience Training, Tanya Dudinskaya
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
The issue of mental health among the U.S. population has gained national attention, with numerous wide-scale initiatives aimed at providing resources for the public. However, certain professional populations encounter unique challenges in their occupation and often lack specific support for their mental and physical health needs that stem from long-term exposure to unpredictable stressors. One population facing these issues is law enforcement. Police officers regularly experience chronic stress related to their job demands, as they manage high-pressure situations and exposure to significant trauma, all while being under increased public scrutiny in recent years. Previous research has highlighted the effects of …
Qualitative Analysis Of The Influence Of Military Culture On The Resocialization Of Combat Veterans,
2025
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Qualitative Analysis Of The Influence Of Military Culture On The Resocialization Of Combat Veterans, Kyle N. Rodgers
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
The researcher conducted in-depth interviews with 25 combat-experienced Veterans of the Global War on Terror who fit an operational definition of successful resocialization. How do successfully resocialized combat Veterans compare with combat Veterans who became involved with the criminal justice system? Utilizing a snowball method to identify each participant, the most significant finding from these interviews was that two factors seem to differentiate the civilian and military group styles the most, which were the overwhelming importance of purpose and tribe in the lives of combat Veterans. This confirmed the hypothesis that the most significant difference between the civilian and military …
Routine Activity Theory And The Severity Of Terrorist Act,
2025
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Routine Activity Theory And The Severity Of Terrorist Act, Yiwei Song
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Terrorist incidents have increased dramatically in the past several decades, leading to significant casualties and property damage worldwide. While prior studies grounded in lifestyle exposure theory have explored how victim demographics, lifestyle, and routine activities influence the likelihood of victimization, this study applies Routine Activity Theory to examine whether increased guardianship in the form of target security reduces the severity of terrorist incidents. Using data from 15,138 terrorist incidents in 2015 from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD), this study investigates the relationship between offender motives, target security, and the severity of attacks, measured by fatalities, injuries, and property damage. Furthermore, …
Foster Children’S Repeated Disruptions: A Qualitative Analysis Of Stakeholder Insights On Failed Permanency In Foster Care.,
2025
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Foster Children’S Repeated Disruptions: A Qualitative Analysis Of Stakeholder Insights On Failed Permanency In Foster Care., Teresa Marie
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
This study examines factors contributing to failed permanency outcomes in the foster care system, focusing on adoptions, guardianships, and reunifications. Using strain theory as a framework, this research examines the systemic pressures and institutional barriers within dependency courts, which mirror punitive aspects of the criminal justice system. Expanding strain theory to include a meso-level analysis, the study explores how organizational practices, resource distribution, and inter-agency collaboration influence permanency outcomes. A qualitative approach utilizing semi-structured interviews with judges, attorneys, social workers, district attorneys, and healthcare professionals provides an in-depth understanding of stakeholder perspectives. This research offers actionable recommendations to address systemic …
Avoiding Recidivism Of Recently Released Offenders In North Carolina,
2025
Walden University
Avoiding Recidivism Of Recently Released Offenders In North Carolina, Josue Genaro Galvez
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
There is a problem with recidivism in the North Carolina prison system and the United States. This study fills the gap in the literature by focusing on what life experiences contribute to behaviors in recently released offenders not to reoffend in North Carolina. Edmund Husserl's (1913) Transcendental Phenomenology used several angles of perception and a thematic analysis of the participant’s lived experiences. This study employed a purposive sampling method by targeting 17 participants who may have represented characteristics of the intended population. Researchers do not know what kept these released offenders from avoiding prison. This phenomenological design focused on the …
Our Obsession With Serial Killers: A Jeffrey Dahmer Media Analysis,
2025
University of South Dakota
Our Obsession With Serial Killers: A Jeffrey Dahmer Media Analysis, Aysia Jo Hall
Honors Thesis
Social media platforms have developed a new form of true crime media. This paper aims to discuss media portrayals of Jeffrey Dahmer on the Netflix series “Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” YouTube, and other forms of new true crime media, while specifically analyzing videos from TikTok. The goal is to demonstrate why this type of media is created, explain why society chooses to view this type of media, and signify what changes have been made across true crime media to satisfy society’s needs of entertainment. By viewing TikTok’s about Dahmer and his case, three portrayal elements are found …
A Qualitative Analysis Of Teachers' Perceptions Of School Security Measures,
2025
Walden University
A Qualitative Analysis Of Teachers' Perceptions Of School Security Measures, Rozetta Michelle Isaac
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
This study explored the lived experiences of six middle school teachers who provided their perceptions of school safety measures at their work locations. This phenomenological qualitative study aimed to examine whether the participants feel safe while at work. The theoretical framework that guided this study was PET (Punctuated Equilibrium Theory) which focuses on policy change over time. Participants were given a survey questionnaire to answer. The survey questionnaire contained open-ended survey questions. The survey was utilized in lieu of in-person interviews (due to COVID -19 restrictions). Participants were asked open-ended questions about their experiences and perceptions regarding school safety measures. …
"Significant Bodily Intrusions": Investigations Into Law Enforcement Phlebotomy,
2025
Portland State University
"Significant Bodily Intrusions": Investigations Into Law Enforcement Phlebotomy, Anne Kathleen Johnson
Dissertations and Theses
This three-paper dissertation explores law enforcement phlebotomy, the ability of law enforcement officers to draw blood. Phlebotomy is both a ubiquitous, invasive diagnostic tool as well as a social site with complex relational dynamics at play between phlebotomist and patient. Through law enforcement phlebotomy, the blood draw is co-opted from the medical field into the policing field, and the normative framework through which it is used changes: whereas medical edicts instruct providers to work with patients through an ethics of care--respecting consent and refusal--policing is not similarly bound, instead operating through a prioritization of security and efficiency. In the articles …
Examining The Impact Of Reentry Programs On The Employability Of African American Ex-Offenders Entering The Workforce In The State Of Michigan,
2025
Walden University
Examining The Impact Of Reentry Programs On The Employability Of African American Ex-Offenders Entering The Workforce In The State Of Michigan, Lawrence Gene Caldwell
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
African American ex-offenders in Michigan have faced numerous challenges when trying to secure employment after incarceration. Despite the well-documented difficulties of reintegration, their personal experiences and perceptions of these obstacles remain largely unexplored. Successful reintegration has required individuals to break free from the behaviors and social patterns reinforced during their time in prisons. This generic qualitative study examined the role of reentry programs in addressing these challenges and emphasizes the need to reassess current criminal justice practices to better support formerly incarcerated individuals. This generic qualitative study focused on the employment struggles faced by African American ex-offenders and the broader …
Probation Officers Perceptions Of Probationers Economic Barriers To Successfully Complete Probation In Eastern North Carolina,
2025
Walden University
Probation Officers Perceptions Of Probationers Economic Barriers To Successfully Complete Probation In Eastern North Carolina, Dwayne Ponton
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
This qualitative phenomenological study explored probation officers’ perceptions of the economic barriers that prevent probationers in Eastern North Carolina from successfully completing probation. Challenges such as unemployment, financial sanctions, housing instability, and debt were identified as key obstacles contributing to noncompliance and recidivism. Grounded in Merton’s Strain Theory, the study addressed a gap in research by focusing on the experiences of officers who directly supervise probationers facing economic hardship. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with twelve officers and analyzed using thematic analysis. The study was guided by two research questions: (1) What economic barriers prevent probationers from successfully completing …
Transforming Criminal Justice Leadership With A Servant-Oriented Trauma-Informed Approach,
2025
Concordia University St. Paul
Transforming Criminal Justice Leadership With A Servant-Oriented Trauma-Informed Approach, Janina Cich
Forensic Scholars Today
This paper explores the transformative potential of a criminal justice leadership model by integrating principles of servant leadership, emotional intelligence, and trauma-informed care, focusing on rebuilding community trust, improving officer well-being, and fostering equitable, empathetic public service. This transformative module emphasizes humility, accountability, and emotional awareness to address the deep-rooted effects of trauma on both criminal justice personnel and the communities they serve. Through proactive strategies, such as open communication, cultural competence training, and mental health support, future leaders can cultivate resilient, community-focused agencies prioritizing healing, justice, and human dignity.
How The Code Of The Street Contributes To Incarceration Among Black Women,
2025
Walden University
How The Code Of The Street Contributes To Incarceration Among Black Women, Jennifer Smith
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Rising incarceration rates of Black women in the United States highlight the urgent need to examine factors contributing to this trend. This study investigates how Elijah Anderson’s Code of the Street influences behaviors that lead to incarceration among Black women in low-resource neighborhoods. Via the social disorganization theory, the research explored how economic instability, weakened social institutions, and community disorder contribute to adopting the street code and how adherence to the code contributes to participants’ incarceration. This qualitative study employed thematic analysis of interviews with 11 formerly incarcerated Black women, focusing on their perceptions regarding how the street code shaped …
The Role Of Geographic Area On Juvenile Delinquency: Evidence From The 2023 National Survey On Drug Use And Health,
2025
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
The Role Of Geographic Area On Juvenile Delinquency: Evidence From The 2023 National Survey On Drug Use And Health, Sara G. Remy
Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses
This study explores the relationship between geographic area and juvenile delinquency, with particular attention to how this relationship varies across the following settings: large metropolitan areas, small metropolitan areas, and rural areas. Using nationally representative data from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the analysis focuses on youth under the age of 18 and incorporates additional social factors such as parental involvement, gender, grade level, and race/ethnicity. Results from my negative binomial regression models demonstrate that geographic area did not play significant role in delinquency overall. Income showed notable variation by geographic setting: in rural areas, …
The Rise Of Fitspiration: An Examination Of Social Media Influence, Body Image Concerns, And Online Harassment,
2025
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
The Rise Of Fitspiration: An Examination Of Social Media Influence, Body Image Concerns, And Online Harassment, Mary Owen
Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses
The fitspiration movement on social media has raised concerns about potential body image satisfaction issues and body standard internalization. The potential negative effects of body image dissatisfaction include disordered eating, excessive exercise, anxiety, depression, and a risk to online harassment victimization. This dissatisfaction from fitspiration is reinforced by pressures from family and friends. Relying on data from 347 respondents, the present study explores the potential relationship between fitspiration content consumption, body image dissatisfaction, social pressures, and experiences of online harassment. Bivariate correlations and regression analysis were employed to examine the connections between the variables. Results indicated that there was a …
Prosecuting The Material Support Of Terrorism In The Post-9/11 Era,
2025
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Prosecuting The Material Support Of Terrorism In The Post-9/11 Era, Kathryn C. Hammonds
Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses
Before the attacks of September 11th, material support of terrorism using the 18 U.S.C § 2339B statute was hardly investigated and prosecuted. In the years following 9/11, however, the government began to charge and prosecute material support offenders at an increasing rate. Structural-contextual theory is used to explain this phenomenon by analyzing how the government utilized tightened coupling to expand what they looked for and charged under 18 U.S.C § 2339B. The current study furthers past literature by analyzing 2339B offender demographics, case outcomes, counts outcomes, conviction rates, and the length of sentences. The findings solve discrepancies in past literature …
“Cry Harder!”: How Parents Traffic Their Children Through Forced Child Begging And Child Labor,
2025
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
“Cry Harder!”: How Parents Traffic Their Children Through Forced Child Begging And Child Labor, Abigail K. Bellocchio
Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses
This thesis examines the complex intersection of socioeconomic and cultural factors influencing forced child begging, a form of human trafficking, across different global regions. Through comprehensive literature analysis and examination of data from the Global K-anonymized Dataset from Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative (2021), this research reveals a critical gap in human trafficking discourse: the absence of a unified definition and understanding of forced child begging. Despite affecting millions of children worldwide, forced child begging remains fragmented in academic literature, scattered across disciplines including child welfare, anthropology, and media studies rather than being centrally addressed in anti-trafficking frameworks. The research identifies that …
Examining The Motivational Circumstances Of Bias-Motivated Violence And The Likelihood Of Fatal Outcomes,
2025
University of Arkansas
Examining The Motivational Circumstances Of Bias-Motivated Violence And The Likelihood Of Fatal Outcomes, Kathleen R. Sucher
Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses
Bias-motivated violence has emerged as an increasingly urgent social problem in the United States, with recent years witnessing significant rises in hate crimes against multiple marginalized groups. Although prior research has recognized that bias crimes are not motivated by a single factor, gaps remain in understanding how motivational circumstances relate to fatal outcomes and how situational factors differ between types of bias attacks. Using descriptive and bivariate analyses of cases from the Bias Homicide Database (2015-2022), this study examines the relationship between motivation, fatal outcomes, and incident characteristics in bias-motivated murders and attempted murders. Findings show that while predatory motivations …
How Gender Inequality Drives The Human Trafficking Industry,
2025
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
How Gender Inequality Drives The Human Trafficking Industry, Jessie D. Sanders
Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses
There are currently more than 40 million people subjected to human trafficking worldwide. People living under forced servitude and sexual exploitation, people in forced marriages, and child soldiers are victims of human trafficking. Research has shown that 71% of these victims are women and girls, making human trafficking a disproportionately gendered issue. However, does gender impact trafficking as a whole? The crux of this study uses a literature review, a comprehensive summary, and a critical analysis of existing works on a specific topic to understand how gender inequality relates to human trafficking. This study will also include a correlation test …
Echoes Of Radicalization: The Political Right And The Internet Through The Lens Of Moral Panic,
2025
Butler University
Echoes Of Radicalization: The Political Right And The Internet Through The Lens Of Moral Panic, Gabrielle Renee Mathus
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection
In the past decade, the prevalence of social media has become a part of everyday life. Alongside this, these issues have gained a unique venue for discussing identity-based political issues that were not previously given mainstream attention and, ultimately, contribute to panic among portions of the American public. In this study, I conducted a digital ethnographic content analysis to explore how Reddit and X act as venues for discussions of transgender issues, immigration, and racial discrimination and how these issues have manifested in mainstream discourse. Using Stanley Cohen’s moral panic theory and grounded theory practices, I found that these spaces …
Career Aspirations And Gender Norms: How Socialization Influences Women’S Professional Choices,
2025
Butler University
Career Aspirations And Gender Norms: How Socialization Influences Women’S Professional Choices, Emily Rose Hunt
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection
While legal frameworks grant women equal rights and opportunities to participate in any occupation, gender inequality continues in part due to the persistent gender segregation within the workforce. Gender socialization places women into roles that limit their occupational opportunities, so this study explores women’s understanding of their career options based upon the potential constraints that come from their identity as a woman. This study uses a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews conducted with students at Butler University to gather information on women’s personal perspectives on how their gender impacted their perceived career options. A sample of nine undergraduate women were …
