Social and Behavioral Sciences | Open Access Articles

Remarks At The Dinner Celebrating The Centennial Of The Journal Of Criminal Law And Criminology, Steven A. Drizin

Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology

No abstract provided.

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The Modern Irrationalities Of American Criminal Codes: An Empirical Study Of Offense Grading, Paul H. Robinson, Thomas Gaeta, Matthew Majarian, Megan Schultz

Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology

No abstract provided.

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Package Bombs, Footlockers, And Laptops: What The Disappearing Container Doctrine Can Tell Us About The Fourth Amendment, Cynthia Lee

Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology

No abstract provided.

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Productivity Growth Of Us States, Bibhudutta Panda

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation makes a contribution to regional studies by constructing Multi-Factor Productivity (MFP) growth measures at the state level for the US. The first essay of the dissertation exploits a dual growth accounting technique to calculate sector-specific MFP growth for all US states from 1980 onwards. In the process, the essay contributes by constructing a data set on the state level real user cost of capital paying particular attention to inter-state variations in the composition of output, relative prices of investment goods, effective corporate taxes, and inflation rates for the manufacturing and service sectors. Some of the key implications of …

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Changing Perceptions Of Archaeology In Post-Katrina New Orleans: A Geographic Information Perspective, David Patrick Harlan

LSU Master's Theses

Hurricane Katrina had a significant impact on the number and distribution of known archaeological sites in New Orleans, Louisiana. Due to government mandated investigation in heavily damaged areas, many archaeological sites were recorded in geographic locations where there were previously none recorded. This thesis examined the spatial distribution of sites in the context of archaeological predictive modeling to determine the impact of disaster recovery on site location. In addition, decision making processes that led to the discovery of sites were examined to determine how they contributed to spatial bias in the distribution of sites recognized by the Louisiana Division of …

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A Taxometric Analysis Of Autism Spectrum Disorders In Toddlers, Jessica Ann Boisjoli

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that are generally first diagnosed in childhood. With the advances in technology to identify this group of disorders, children are being identified at younger and younger ages. Early identification of ASD is critical due to the beneficial effects of early intensive behavioral interventions. While children are being diagnosed with the disorder at very high rates, etiology and definitions of the disorders are still being investigated. Great variability exists with regard to symptoms between individuals. Additionally, less is known about symptom expression in individuals without ASD and symptoms of ASD occurring …

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Multidistrict Litigation: A Surprising Bonus For Pro Se Plaintiffs And A Possible Boon For Consumers, Danielle D'Onfro

Scholarship@WashULaw

Conventional wisdom says that pro se plaintiffs almost invariably fare worse than represented plaintiffs. However, there exists in federal court a procedural regime under which pro se plaintiffs effectively receive attorneys and therefore experience success rates similar to their represented peers: multidistrict litigation. Multidistrict litigation is a procedure for consolidating multiple federal civil cases sharing common questions of fact into a single proceeding in one federal district court for coordinated pre-trial proceedings and discovery. This paper takes an empirical look at all federal civil cases terminating between 2006 and 2008 to determine what effect multidistrict litigation has on case outcome …

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The Voting Rights Act’S Secret Weapon: Pocket Trigger Litigation And Dynamic Preclearance, Travis Crum

Scholarship@WashULaw

Following NAMUDNO, the search is on for a way to save section 5 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). This Note offers a solution through an examination of the VRA’s most obscure provision: section 3. Commonly called the bail-in mechanism or the pocket trigger, section 3 authorizes federal courts to place states and political subdivisions that have violated the Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendments under preclearance. This Note makes a two-part argument. First, the pocket trigger should be used to alleviate the NAMUDNO Court’s anxiety over the coverage formula’s differential treatment of the states. The Justice Department and civil rights groups …

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The Puzzle Of Brandeis, Privacy, And Speech, Neil M. Richards

Scholarship@WashULaw

Most courts and scholarship assume that privacy and free speech are always in conflict, even though each of these traditions can be traced back to writings by Louis D. Brandeis – his 1890 Harvard Law Review article “The Right to Privacy” and his 1927 concurrence in Whitney v. California. How can modern notions of privacy and speech be so fundamentally opposed if Brandeis played a major role in crafting both? And how, if at all, did Brandeis recognize or address these tensions? These questions have been neglected by scholars of First Amendment law, privacy, and Brandeis. In this paper, I …

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"Blessed Be The Critics Of Newspapers": Journalistic Criticism Of Journalism 1865-1930, Yasmine Tarek Dabbous

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study examined journalistic press criticism between 1865 and 1930. It sought to understand how the first modern journalists conceived of their profession in a period of great transitions. As the study revealed, journalists writing about journalism between 1865 and 1930 discussed recurring themes such as commercialization, sensationalism, advertising, and ethics. They expressed ambivalence toward the rise of big business in their field and the consequences it could have on the quality of the work. In the process, journalists also defined journalism as a profession providing a public service or as a business aiming solely for circulation and profit. Definitions …

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Person Or Place? A Contextual Event-History Analysis Of Homicide Victimization Risk, Emily R. Berthelot

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study is a contextual event history analysis of the risk of homicide victimization in the United States from 1986 to 2002. Although the majority of research on homicide deals with how community factors influence homicide rates, a much less studied aspect of homicide victimization deals with the influence of individual factors on homicide victimization risk. This study examines the influence of contextual-level measures of social disorganization on the risk of homicide victimization and focuses specifically on how the effects of these measures change once individual-level characteristics are considered in the models. Grounded in social disorganization theory, this study includes …

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Gender Differences In Symptom Presentation Of Sexually Abused African American Children Ages 8 Through 12, Tania Czarnecki Wismar

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

A well-documented connection exists between child sexual abuse and psychological symptoms that may persist into adulthood. Because of the significant public health implications of child sexual abuse, it is critical to examine the many variables related to such a potentially traumatic event, including its psychological effects and effects on gender, so that treatment providers are able to gain a better understanding of how males and females are affected by their abuse experiences. This study examined the role of gender on psychological symptoms in a largely understudied population of inner city African American children; it also examined gender roles regarding the …

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The Effect Of Homesickness On Air Force Academy Cadets, Earl J. Banning

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

A slightly modified version of the Homesickness Questionnaire (HQ) was administered to 176 Air Force Academy cadets during the spring semester of 2010. Total HQ scores were positively correlated with cadet somatic complaints. Total HQ scores were negatively correlated with cadet Grade Point Average (GPA), but only for male cadets. Factor analysis of the HQ revealed two factors, as in previous studies, disliking the Academy and attachment to home. There were no significant correlations found between cadet HQ total score and Military Performance Average (MPA), Physical Education Average score (PEA), or number of demerits received. Cadets were less likely to …

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The Relationship Between Therapeutic Alliance And Treatment Outcome In Prolonged Exposure Therapy For Adolescents With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Sandy Capaldi

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The present study focused on the therapeutic alliance in Prolonged Exposure Therapy for adolescent girls with sexual abuse-related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Two major questions were investigated. First, how does the therapeutic alliance act as a moderating variable between outcome and three predictor variables (homework compliance, habituation to the trauma memory, and number of sessions completed)? Second, how is the relationship between outcome and these same variables affected by the strength of the therapeutic alliance? The data used in this study were taken from an existing database of information on 40 sexually abused adolescent girls with PTSD (mean age = …

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A Qualitative Analysis Of School-Based Mental Health Professionals’ Views On The Use Of Self-Disclosure And Humor, Robert Felloney

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

There is some controversy in the therapeutic community over the use of therapist self-disclosure and humor. On one hand, there are those who contend that use of these therapeutic techniques can have both relational and outcome benefits. On the other hand, there are those who indicate employment of these counseling methods can interfere with the counseling process by being a distraction, as they take the focus away from the client. Relatively little research has been done on the effectiveness of utilizing these techniques, especially the use of therapeutic humor. Review of the research shows there are relational and consequent outcome …

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Assessment Of Teachers’ Core Beliefs Related To Key Features Of Response To Intervention, Jacqlyn Tumolo Zarabba

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act require that schools are accountable for the outcomes of all students. Response to Intervention (RtI) provides a framework to assist in the actualization of this goal. This educational reform effort requires dramatically different functioning on the part of all school personnel, particularly teachers. In order for this model to be successful, researchers must acknowledge the primacy of teacher level factors, such as beliefs and attitudes related to core components of RtI. The purpose of this study was to examine the core beliefs of elementary-level teachers relative to foundational components of RtI, …

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The Relationship Between Cognitive Distortions And Psychological And Behavioral Factors In A Sample Of Individuals Who Are Average Weight, Overweight, And Obese, Christina Berchock Shook

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The current study was designed to investigate the relationship between the frequency of cognitive distortions, as measured by the Inventory of Cognitive Distortions (ICD), and psychological and behavioral factors, as measured by the Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic (MBMD), which includes negative health habits, psychiatric indications, and treatment prognostics among a sample of individuals who were average weight, who were overweight, and who were obese. The sample of 385 men and women was recruited primarily from a health and fitness center. The results of this study indicated that negative health risk behaviors such as inactivity and overeating, as well as depression …

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Hypnosis As An Effective Treatment For Hot Flashes From Naturally Occurring Menopause, Carol F. Oliver

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Hot flashes are a significant problem for many women with naturally occurring menopause and can cause physical symptoms as well as a decreased quality of life. In the past women were treated with hormonal replacement therapy. However, recent research has shown that the risks may outweigh the benefits. In addition, nontraditional nutritional treatments, such as herbal supplements, are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and often, the exact amount of the substance contained in each dose cannot be guaranteed. Many women and their doctors are looking for an alternative treatment. The use of hypnosis has been shown to …

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The Relationship Between Prenatal Alcohol Exposure And Special Education Eligibility For Children In New Jersey: Early Intervention Is Key, Jacquē L. Jones

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Depending upon the amount of alcohol consumed by the mother during pregnancy and when the consumption occurred during fetal development, a child may develop fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), alcohol-related birth defects, or alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder, all of which are under the umbrella category of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Children in whom a presumptive diagnosis has been made, such as FAS, are automatically eligible to receive early intervention services, regardless of whether the child demonstrates developmental delays. The purpose of the current study is to provide support for the notion that the Early Intervention System should broaden its FAS automatic …

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The Development Of The Measure Of Perceived Overscheduling (Mops), Aaron S. Pollock

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

It has been suggested that extracurricular activity involvement can lead to later behavioral or developmental challenges for children, particularly when children are pressured or overscheduled. Research, however, has shown mixed results in attempts to find a relationship between overinvolvement in activities and emotional/behavioral challenges. However, previous research did not take into consideration the individual’s perception of being overscheduled. The Measure of Perceived Over-Scheduling (MOPS) was developed to assess if a difference exists between adolescents who believe they are overinvolved in activities and adolescents who do not hold this belief. The MOPS was subsequently utilized to assess the relationship between perceived …

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Examining The Effectiveness Of A Social Learning Curriculum For Improving Social Skills And Self-Regulation Behaviors In Middle School Boys With Autism Spectrum Disorder Or Social Skill Deficits, Jessica Beth Bolton

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Social skill deficits are hallmark characteristics noted in children with autism. The behavioral indicators of autism, including language impairments, display of preservative behaviors, and restricted interests contribute to the social difficulties experienced by children with autism. The current paper provides a review of the relevant literature on theoretical contributions to social skill deficits in autism. A review of the use of cognitive behavioral therapy and social skill training programs and curriculums that have been shown to be efficacious at targeting deficits and improving social skills is provided, with a focus on treating children with high functioning autism (HFA) and Asperger’s …

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A Comprehensive Investigation Of Variables Related To Children's Self-Perceptions, Renee Payton Cahill

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

In recent decades much has been revealed regarding children’s self-perceptions and sense of worth. Children engage in social comparisons to gauge their strengths and weaknesses relative to those around them. Thus one’s environment plays a critical role impacting one’s perceptions of self. Other variables suggested as contributing to children’s formulation of self-worth, include academic achievement, perception of victimization by peers, and academic placement. However, findings have been inconsistent in regard to the extent to which these variables relate to self-worth. The present study sought to discern if these variables relate to children’s self-perceptions. Results revealed a positive correlation between students’ …

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Effect Of Individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy On Depression And Anxiety In Older Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease : A Feasibility Study, Eileen Lightner

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in older adults has been associated with a high prevalence of depression and anxiety (Kunik et al., 2005). The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a COPD-specific individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention on depression and anxiety in older adults with COPD. Three older adult patients with moderate to severe COPD and comorbid depression and anxiety were recruited from a large hospital affiliated pulmonary practice to participate in this single subject multiple baseline feasibility study. Pre-test-post test assessments were conducted utilizing the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the State …

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Preschool Teachers' Perceptions Of Obesity At Ages 3-5 Years, Jessica D. Mackinney

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The purpose of this study was not only to investigate the knowledge of preschool teachers on the topic of obesity, but also to determine whether or not they find obesity to be a significant problem facing 3-5 year old children. Results indicate that preschool teachers agree that obesity is a concern; however, they are unclear on the causality of obesity. Preschool teachers feel the long-term consequences of being obese at ages 3-5 years affect future academic, social, and physical growth, but they do not feel intervention should take place at the preschool level. This study contributed to a better understanding …

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Age At Kindergarten Entrance And Its Relationship To Early Academic Achievement, Joanne E. Perry

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study investigated whether age at kindergarten entrance has any effect on future language arts and literacy, using a sample of 340 students entering kindergarten in one largely white, middle-class, New Jersey, suburban school district. Students were grouped by age into two age categories: young (56-59 months) & on-time (60-72 months). Achievement was studied through archived measures of academic performance using correlations and chi square analyses to determine differences in literacy and language arts functioning related to age at school entrance. Results indicated young students were weaker in literacy and language arts achievement in first and second grade, but this …

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Understanding The Impact Of Physical Functioning On The Experience, Desire, And Satisfaction Of Physical, Emotional And Social Intimacies In Persons With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als), Jamie Lee Rodriguez

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The understanding of intimate relationships in persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is not yet understood. A review of the current literature, including an overview of ALS and the development and maintenance of intimate relationships using psychological theory, is included. Comparisons to multiple sclerosis, acquired physical disability, and older adults are included to gain a greater understanding of how changes in physical functioning may impact an intimate relationship. This study used archival data, in which participants completed the following measures: ALS Functional Rating Scale–Revised, Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships, and ALS Specific Quality of Life Measurement–Revised. Results suggest high …

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Addressing Negative Effects Of Psychotherapy During The Informed Consent Process : The Licensed Psychologists' Perspectives , Neshe Sarkozy

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This survey study investigated attitudes and practices of 161 licensed psychologists from a nationwide sample, relative to addressing negative effects of psychotherapy during the informed consent process. Results revealed discrepancies in attitudes toward risk of negative treatment effects in psychotherapy and in addressing risk during the process of informed consent. Information obtained from this study may contribute to research in the area of clinical implementation of the American Psychological Association’s Code of Ethics. Implications for clinical practice are discussed. Limitations of the study and directions for future research are also addressed.

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Similarities And Differences In Self-Disclosure And Friendship Development Between Fact-To-Face Communication And Facebook, Pavica Sheldon

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This research identified the patterns of self-disclosure between face-to-face and Facebook friends’ interactions. A survey of 317 participants was conducted to compare the hypothesized relationships among social attraction, self-disclosure, predictability and trust in three types of relationships: recently added Facebook friend, exclusive Facebook friend, and an exclusive face-to-face friend. Data was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), t-tests and correlations. Results indicated that individuals reporting high levels of social attraction also reported having greater self-disclosure with their latest added Facebook friend, exclusive Facebook friend and an exclusive face-to-face friend. This supports a theorem of Uncertainty …

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Parent Education In A Child Welfare Setting: Understanding Maltreatment Following An Intervention For Parents And Their Infants, Toddlers, And Pre-School Children, Rhenda Hotard Hodnett

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Child abuse and neglect is a complex, multi-faceted problem that often has lifelong, negative consequences for its victims; most significantly affecting infants, toddlers and pre-school age children. Parenting classes are the most common intervention used by child welfare agencies as a means to prevent repeat maltreatment, yet there is very little research involving these targeted families. Prior research has primarily focused on the prevalence of and risk factors for child maltreatment, with much less attention on specific parenting program outcomes as implemented in a child welfare setting. In 2005, focusing on a more deliberate and systematic approach in the use …

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Editor’S Statement, David Polizzi

Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Criminology

No abstract provided.

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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Remarks At The Dinner Celebrating The Centennial Of The Journal Of Criminal Law And Criminology, Steven A. Drizin

Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology

The Modern Irrationalities Of American Criminal Codes: An Empirical Study Of Offense Grading, Paul H. Robinson, Thomas Gaeta, Matthew Majarian, Megan Schultz

Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology

Package Bombs, Footlockers, And Laptops: What The Disappearing Container Doctrine Can Tell Us About The Fourth Amendment, Cynthia Lee

Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology

Productivity Growth Of Us States, Bibhudutta Panda

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Changing Perceptions Of Archaeology In Post-Katrina New Orleans: A Geographic Information Perspective, David Patrick Harlan

LSU Master's Theses

A Taxometric Analysis Of Autism Spectrum Disorders In Toddlers, Jessica Ann Boisjoli

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Multidistrict Litigation: A Surprising Bonus For Pro Se Plaintiffs And A Possible Boon For Consumers, Danielle D'Onfro

Scholarship@WashULaw

The Voting Rights Act’S Secret Weapon: Pocket Trigger Litigation And Dynamic Preclearance, Travis Crum

Scholarship@WashULaw

The Puzzle Of Brandeis, Privacy, And Speech, Neil M. Richards

Scholarship@WashULaw

"Blessed Be The Critics Of Newspapers": Journalistic Criticism Of Journalism 1865-1930, Yasmine Tarek Dabbous

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Person Or Place? A Contextual Event-History Analysis Of Homicide Victimization Risk, Emily R. Berthelot

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Gender Differences In Symptom Presentation Of Sexually Abused African American Children Ages 8 Through 12, Tania Czarnecki Wismar

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The Effect Of Homesickness On Air Force Academy Cadets, Earl J. Banning

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The Relationship Between Therapeutic Alliance And Treatment Outcome In Prolonged Exposure Therapy For Adolescents With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Sandy Capaldi

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

A Qualitative Analysis Of School-Based Mental Health Professionals’ Views On The Use Of Self-Disclosure And Humor, Robert Felloney

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Assessment Of Teachers’ Core Beliefs Related To Key Features Of Response To Intervention, Jacqlyn Tumolo Zarabba

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The Relationship Between Cognitive Distortions And Psychological And Behavioral Factors In A Sample Of Individuals Who Are Average Weight, Overweight, And Obese, Christina Berchock Shook

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Hypnosis As An Effective Treatment For Hot Flashes From Naturally Occurring Menopause, Carol F. Oliver

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The Relationship Between Prenatal Alcohol Exposure And Special Education Eligibility For Children In New Jersey: Early Intervention Is Key, Jacquē L. Jones

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The Development Of The Measure Of Perceived Overscheduling (Mops), Aaron S. Pollock

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Examining The Effectiveness Of A Social Learning Curriculum For Improving Social Skills And Self-Regulation Behaviors In Middle School Boys With Autism Spectrum Disorder Or Social Skill Deficits, Jessica Beth Bolton

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

A Comprehensive Investigation Of Variables Related To Children's Self-Perceptions, Renee Payton Cahill

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Effect Of Individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy On Depression And Anxiety In Older Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease : A Feasibility Study, Eileen Lightner

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Preschool Teachers' Perceptions Of Obesity At Ages 3-5 Years, Jessica D. Mackinney

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Age At Kindergarten Entrance And Its Relationship To Early Academic Achievement, Joanne E. Perry

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Understanding The Impact Of Physical Functioning On The Experience, Desire, And Satisfaction Of Physical, Emotional And Social Intimacies In Persons With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als), Jamie Lee Rodriguez

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Addressing Negative Effects Of Psychotherapy During The Informed Consent Process : The Licensed Psychologists' Perspectives , Neshe Sarkozy

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Similarities And Differences In Self-Disclosure And Friendship Development Between Fact-To-Face Communication And Facebook, Pavica Sheldon

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Parent Education In A Child Welfare Setting: Understanding Maltreatment Following An Intervention For Parents And Their Infants, Toddlers, And Pre-School Children, Rhenda Hotard Hodnett

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Editor’S Statement, David Polizzi

Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Criminology