Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Microblogging As A Facilitator Of Online Community In Graduate Education, Vincent Anthony Rhodes

English Theses & Dissertations

Part-time and distance-learning students can experience a sense of isolation from their peers and the university. Concern about this isolation and resulting student attrition has increased in the midst of explosive growth in online course enrollments. One possible solution: building a stronger sense of community within the online graduate classroom using microblogging technology such as Twitter. Unfortunately, scholars across disciplines define community in different ways with some rejecting the concept altogether in favor of other theoretical constructs. And, few scholars have examined the notion of online classroom community from an English Studies perspective exploring the rhetorical exigencies that underpin this …

Explaining Nuclear Energy Pursuance: A Comparison Of The United States, Germany, And Japan, Lauren Emily Mckee

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

Energy is critical to the functioning of the global economy and seriously impacts global security as well. What factors influence the extent to which countries will pursue nuclear energy in their overall mix of energy approaches? This dissertation explores this critical question by analyzing the nuclear energy policies of the United States, Germany and Japan. Rather than citizen opposition or proximity to nuclear disasters, it seems that a country's access to other resources through natural endowments or trading relationships offers the best explanation for nuclear energy pursuance.

A Cross-National Analysis Of The Impact Of Conscription On Crime Rates, Nicolette G. Rose

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

This paper examines the relationship between conscription laws (mandatory military or social service) and crime rates across countries. This cross-national study focuses on three major crimes: burglary, robbery, and homicide. In addition to conscription laws several control variables have been included in the analyses are: percent of the labor force that is military, level of civil liberties/freedom, level of industrialization, illiteracy rates, percent of urban population, unemployment rates, percent under the international poverty line, income disparity (measured using the Gini index), and population.

This study assesses the impact of conscription on crime rates by formulating and testing three hypotheses. First, …

The Influence Of Childhood Maltreatment On Substance Abuse In Adulthood, James Michael Blinco

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between suffering physical or sexual abuse as a child and drug or alcohol use in adulthood. Data was used from the first three waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health survey. This study found that being a victim of childhood physical abuse can lead to abuse of alcohol later in life. In addition being male and African American are key factors in predicting alcohol abuse and other illegal drug use in adulthood. No significant relationship was found between being a victim of sexual abuse and abusing alcohol, using marijuana, or using any other …

The Role Of Friendships Among Latino Male Adolescent Immigrants Who Are Unauthorized, Marcel Hernani Tassara

Dissertations (1934 -)

It is estimated that the United States is home to three-quarters of a million immigrant Latina/o youth who do not have proper authorization to be in the country (Passell, 2011). Given their unauthorized status these youth face a bevy of constraining factors, both proximal and distal. Furthermore, migration is typically characterized by a loss of social networks and cultural practices in exchange for disorienting social and cultural changes in a new land (Hernandez & McGoldrick, 1999). The importance of friendships during adolescence, has been well documented across cultures (Hartup, 1996). While a few studies have demonstrated the positive role friendships …

Assessment Of Performance Validity During Neuropsychological Evaluation In Patients With Epilepsy, Nichelle Rothong

Dissertations (1934 -)

Patients with epilepsy are considered a motivated population without clear incentive to perform suboptimally on neuropsychological testing. However, in the limited research exploring performance validity testing (PVT) in patients with epilepsy, the base rate of suboptimal performance has ranged from 4 (Hill, Ryan, Kennedy, & Malamut, 2003) to 28% (Loring, Lee, & Meador, 2005). These findings are concerning, as suboptimal PVT scores have been found to be associated with significantly lower neuropsychological performance across most cognitive domains (e.g., Green, Rohling, Lees-Haley, & Allen, 2001). One possible explanation for the variance in base rate of suboptimal performance is the significant cognitive …

Barriers And Facilitators Of Suicide Risk Assessment In An Emergency Department: Perspectives From Health Care Providers, Megan Lynn Petrik

Dissertations (1934 -)

Emergency departments (EDs) are critical sites for identifying patients with heightened suicide risk but there are no practice guidelines for the assessment of such patients. This study aimed to inform ED suicide risk assessment practices by examining ED providers' perspectives on this practice via a mixed methods approach. ED providers (n = 92) from two hospital systems completed an online survey that assessed demographic information, occupational information related to screening for suicide risk and related conditions, attitudes toward suicide prevention, and knowledge of suicide risk factors. A subset of ED providers (n = 19) completed a qualitative interview to gain …

The Effect Of Meritocratic Worldviews On Mental Illness Stigma, Andrew Newsom

Dissertations (1934 -)

Mental illness stigma is an ongoing barrier to the treatment of individuals experiencing psychiatric distress. Many individuals who need mental health services avoid treatment due to fear and shame. Understanding the determinants of mental illness stigma is an important step toward increasing treatment seeking and effectiveness. One meritocratic worldview (The Protestant Work Ethic or the belief that hard work, determination, and responsibility lead to positive outcomes) has been consistently shown to be related to mental illness stigma. The present study examines the connection between the Protestant Work Ethic (PWE) and attitudes toward mental illness. A sample of Marquette University students …

Effect Of Parenting Styles On Children's Emotional And Behavioral Problems Among Different Ethnicities Of Muslim Children In The U.S., Noor A. Rosli

Dissertations (1934 -)

Parenting styles create different social environments in the lives of children within the home. Many studies have investigated the effects of parenting style on children's emotional development and behavior (Liem, Cavell, & Lustig, 2010; Pezzella, 2010; Schaffer, Clark, & Jeglic, 2009; Steward & Bond, 2002; Timpano, Keough, Mahaffey, Schmidt, & Abramowitz, 2010) as well as differences in parenting across cultures (Keels, 2009; Paulussen-Hoogeboom, Stams, Hermanns, Peetsma, &Wittenboer, 2008). Limited research has been conducted on parenting style and religion, however, and especially in Muslim families, and among Muslim American families in particular. There is also a lack of research that focuses …

Predicting Cognitive Decline In Older Adults Through Multi-Voxel Pattern Analysis, Nathan Hantke

Dissertations (1934 -)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is associated with cognitive and structural decline beyond what is seen in normal, healthy aging. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research indicates that prior to the onset of measureable cognitive impairment, individuals at-risk for AD demonstrate different patterns of neural activation than individuals at lower risk. Thus, differences in task-activated fMRI may be beneficial in predicting cognitive decline at a "pre-symptomatic" stage. The present study utilizes multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) of baseline fMRI task-related activation to predict cognitive decline, with the hypothesis that famous and non-famous name task activation will discriminate …

The Transformative Power Of Narrative As A Behavioral Change Communication Tool To Reduce Health Disparities In Cervical Cancer Among Latinas: Global Implications, Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, Joyee S. Chatterjee, Lauren B. Frank, Sheila T. Murphy, Meghan B. Moran, Lisa N. Werth, Nan Zhao, Paula Amezola De Herrera, Don Mayer, Jeremy Kagan, Dave O'Brien

Communication Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer in women globally. Latinas carry a disproportionate burden of this disease. In the United States, when compared with non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), Latinas endure much higher incidence rates (13.86 vs. 7.70 per 100,000) with mortality rates 1.5 times greater than for non-Hispanic white women . In order to address this disparity, a multidisciplinary team engaged in a transformative study to test if narrative, developed in culturally specific ways as a behavioral change communication tool, works better than non-narrative in increasing knowledge and changing attitudes and behaviors and, if so, why. This …

Treating Young People With Co-Occurring Disorders: What Works?, Molly Oberweiser Kennedy, L. Kris Gowen

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Youth with substance use disorders often also face mental health challenges. Two recent studies analyzed two different treatment approaches for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders: (1) a standardized therapy approach and (2) 12-step support groups, as modalities for effectively treating and continuing positive outcomes for young people with co-occurring mental health and substance use issues. The findings from these studies are summarized below.

Accessibility-Based Transportation Planning: Literature And Applications For Shrinking Cities, Joanna Ganning

TREC Final Reports

For 15 years, scholars have claimed that accessibility-based transportation planning was at the brink of becoming a new paradigm, and yet this hope remains unrealized. Its implementation may lag due to vague definitions when compared to mobility, or because those who would benefit from accessibility-based planning lack political power to rally its support. Possibly, the lag in implementation reflects the missing linkages between theory and application for many contexts. This literature review synthesizes knowledge regarding the applications for accessibility-based transportation planning for shrinking cities along the themes of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. While residents in shrinking cities might especially …

Combined Traction And Energy Recovery Motor For Electric Vehicles, James Long, Xin Wang, Claude Kansaku, Brian Moravec

TREC Final Reports

Electric vehicle manufacturers are looking for ways to optimize energy use for vehicle range extension and reduction of battery capacity. Electric motors have lower efficiencies at very low speed and high torque. This is typically at vehicle launch from standstill, at very low speeds, and during energy regeneration at lower speeds and approaching standstill. The KersTech solution is a breakthrough technology allowing supplement of the electric drive with a hydraulic drive, active in lower speeds ranges, dropping out as the electric motor takes over in its higher efficiency range of operation. The report consists of four parts. Part I presents …

Hermiston School District Enrolment Forecasts 2014-15 To 2023-24, Portland State University. Population Research Center, Charles Rynerson, Vivian Siu

School District Enrollment Forecast Reports

This report presents the results of a demographic study conducted by the Portland State University Population Research Center. The study includes analyses of population, housing and enrollment trends affecting the Hermiston School District (HSD) in recent years, and forecasts of district‐wide enrollment by grade level for the 2014‐15 to 2023‐24 school years.

The Landscape: Activating The Waterfront, Jeremy Young

Metroscape

This article discusses ideas from a 6-month project (Downtown Portland Waterfront Activation Strategy) completed by a team of students in PSU’s Masters in Urban and Regional Planning program.

Training For Change: An Interview With Dr. Jeremy Brown, President, Pcc, Sheila A. Martin, Jeremy Brown

Metroscape

Interview with Dr. Jeremy Brown, President of Portland Community College, provides insights into PCC’s role in our community and in fulfilling our aspirations for a highly educated, engaged citizenry. The Indicators page shows us how community colleges like PCC fill important needs in the post-secondary education system.

Rekindling The Public Romance: Rethinking Civic Engagement, Tony Andersen

Metroscape

Public engagement specialist Tony Andersen, examines the state of the relationship between the government and the public and finds the relationship wanting. In his piece he examines new tools for public participation and channels for improving communication—always the first step on the path of reconciliation.

Hiding In Plain Sight: The Baldock Restoration Project, Andrée Tremoulet, Ellen M. Bassett, Allison Moe

Metroscape

Authors Andrée Tremoulet, Ellen Bassett, and Allison Moe tell a story about balancing public concerns about encountering the homeless in highway rest areas with the need to connect them with resources to address the complex social, political, and economic circumstances underlying their lack of housing.

Regional Connections 2: Economy, Jeremy Young, Shelia A. Martin, Meg Merrick, Robert Smith

Metroscape

This article provide Part 2 of our discussion of the connections among different parts of the region by exploring how our economy—in particular, employment in our region’s key economic clusters—creates important economic connections among the cities and counties in the region.

Part 1: http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/10978

Business Owner Outreach: Creekside District Master Plan, Meg Merrick, Brenda Martin

Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies Publications

In April 2011, the City of Beaverton adopted its Civic Plan Central City Strategy (“the Civic Plan”). The Civic Plan provides a new understanding of the Central City. One of the Civic Plan’s most important strategic goals is the transformation of the Creekside District (an underutilized 50-acre site situated at the heart of the Central City) into a vibrant, sustainable, mixed-use community. The Creekside District master planning effort (that is supported by a HUD Community Challenge Grant) will produce a development program that integrates: suitable and affordable housing for existing and future populations; increased efficiency and connectivity of existing public …

Getting Performance Metrics Right: A Qualitative Study Of Staff Experiences Implementing And Measuring Practice Transformation, Devan Kansagara, Anaïs Tuepker, Sandy Joos, Christina Nicolaidis, Eleni Skaperdas, David H. Hickam

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

BACKGROUND: Quality improvement is a central goal of the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model, and requires the use of relevant performance measures that can effectively guide comprehensive care improvements. Existing literature suggests performance measurement can lead to improvements in care quality, but may also promote practices that are detrimental to patient care. Staff perceptions of performance metric implementation have not been well-researched in medical home settings.

OBJECTIVE: To describe primary care staff (clinicians and other staff) experiences with the use of performance metrics during the implementation of the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model of care. …

Development, Implementation, And Assessment Of A Competency Model For A Graduate Public Affairs Program In Health Administration, Jill Jamison Rissi, Sherril B. Gelmon

Public Administration Faculty Publications and Presentations

Competency-based education has become the norm for professional graduate degree programs. This paper describes the development, implementation, and ongoing validation of a competency model designed for a multifaceted public administration program. The model is based on accreditation standards and competencies promulgated by NASPAA and CAHME, and reflects a unique focus on community-engaged pedagogies. A framework consisting of 10 competencies was implemented in 2011–12 and validated through feedback from stakeholders, alumni, field preceptors, and graduates. A two-dimensional matrix of content coverage and expected levels of competency attainment delineates the articulation of competencies, curriculum, and course content, and provides a framework for …

Grid Based School Enrollment Forecasting, Richard Lycan, Charles Rynerson

Publications, Reports and Presentations

In this paper we will show how a simple model that is normally based on data for school attendance areas –elementary, middle, and high school, or perhaps planning areas, can be implemented for small grid areas roughly the size of a city block.

The Oregon Health System Transformation: Preliminary Report Of Coordinated Care Organizations In The First Year Implementation, Carlos J. Crespo, Ellen Smit

Community Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Because of the US Affordable Care Act, 16% of Oregonians without health insurance will be able to obtain coverage through Coordinated Care Organizations (CCO).

A Survey Of Urban Agriculture Organizations And Businesses In The Us And Canada: Preliminary Results, Nathan Mcclintock, Mike Simpson

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

This report summarizes the results of an online survey, conducted during February and March 2013, of 251 groups involved with urban agriculture (UA) projects in approximately 84 cities in the US and Canada. This is only a preliminary report. As such, we present descriptive statistics rather than a interpretive analysis of the survey responses. Furthermore, it is important to recognize that these results are not necessarily representative of all urban agriculture businesses and organizations across North America. Nevertheless, these results point to certain trends and patterns that offer rich opportunities for further inquiry.

Our preliminary results reveal that the UA …

Service Provider Promising Practice: Job Squad, Inc. (West Virginia) - A Blog That Conveys The Importance Of Community Employment, Thinkwork! At The Institute For Community Inclusion At Umass Boston

ThinkWork! Publications

Job Squad is a medium-sized CRP that provides services to individuals in 13 counties within West Virginia. In 2005, responding to customer demands, executive director Brenda Hellwig and her staff received training from Griffin Hammis Associates to offer community employment services. Once trained, the career counselors at Job Squad found that their most successful jobs were matches between job seekers and small businesses that needed their skills and could provide natural supports. The team then started the Community Economic Development blog at http:// jobsquadinc.blogspot.com/. This is a platform to communicate with employers,

Social Actors Fight The Rising Tide Of Hiv In U.S. Southern Poor, Courtenay Sprague, Sara E. Simon

Center for Peace, Democracy and Development Publications

The greatest number of persons living with HIV in the United States are now living in the South, and they face poorer health outcomes and increased AIDS-related deaths as compared to the rest of the country. The southern United States has a disproportionate share of low-income individuals, with many lacking access to health care and health insurance. Health facilities are also comparatively fewer and more difficult to reach than in other areas of the United States. The impacts of this already poor health infrastructure on low-income people living with HIV in the South can be life-threatening.

This policy brief summarizes …

Neomercantilism And Great-Power Energy Competition In Central Asia And The Caspian., Charles E. Ziegler, Rajan Menon

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The neomercantilist energy policies of China and Russia contribute to what is largely a competitive relationship among all three great powers in Central Asia. While neomercantilist policies do not negate the possibility of cooperation and the development of norms, rules, and institutions designed to promote collective action, they certainly erect formidable barriers.

From Antipolitics To Post-Neoliberalism: A Conversation With James Ferguson, Nils Gilman, Miriam Ticktin, James Ferguson

Publications and Research

Humanity co-editors Nils Gilman and Miriam Ticktin spoke with James Ferguson on May 31, 2013, at Stanford University.