Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Staff Matters: Holiday Celebrations That Engage And Appreciate Employees, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Staff Matters column addresses a dentist's concerns about organizing inclusive end-of-year holiday celebrations for the staff. The response emphasizes the importance of recognizing diverse religious practices and fostering camaraderie. Suggestions include a themed recipe exchange, outdoor activities, community service, or involving staff in event planning. Emphasizing the need for initial guidance to align with goals, the column encourages inclusive celebrations that contribute to staff satisfaction, retention, and a positive workplace atmosphere.

Three Essays On Energy Markets Using Dynamic Time Series, Zuyi Wang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This dissertation investigates energy markets using dynamic time series and rolling panel approaches, aiming to enhance our understanding of their dynamics and interrelationships. The first essay focuses on the transfer of price bubbles between oil and gas markets. The findings indicate that price bubbles in the oil market have the potential to transfer to the gas market, with the probability of transfer depending on the gas price mechanism. The second essay delves into China’s natural gas market and specifically explores the dynamic relationship between imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and pipeline prices. This analysis utilizes a price discovery framework to …

The Caboose By A Longshot: Impact Of Large Age Gaps On Youngest Siblings, Kelly Clark Young

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Siblings play a large role in developmental experiences and views of oneself. However, most research addressing siblings looks at individuals who grow up close in age with their siblings. What is currently known about sibling relationships does not seem to fit for those who have siblings but are not close in age to them, referred to in this study as a sibling age gap.

To learn more about what it was like to grow up with siblings who are much older, I interviewed 11 individuals who were the youngest siblings in their family and five or more years younger than …

The Intersectional Experiences Of Young And Educated Latine Men's Masculinity: An Exploration Of Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Skin Tone, Sexual Orientation, And Region Of Origin, Juan Estrada

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Latine masculinity is often looked at through simplistic concepts like machismo or caballerismo, which fail to fully consider the different aspects of Latine men’s identities. For example, how might a cisgender, gay, dark skinned, Latine man understand his masculinity as he moves between Latine and United Statesian cultures. In this study, we wanted to do two things: first, we wanted to understand how the cultural and intersectional aspects of their lives shape how Latine men see their masculinity. Second, we wanted to celebrate the diverse ways in which they express their masculinity, considering things like their skin color, region …

Navigating Roadblocks In Utah's Path Towards Curbing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Emily K. Fletcher

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In places where discussions about climate change have become highly political and divided, community groups have attempted to connect rival political parties by focusing on improving air quality. This topic is often less politically charged. The effects of climate change have been disproportionately felt by marginalized communities around the world. In the west side of the Salt Lake Valley, many communities are more likely to experience the negative consequences of a drying lake, a problem that Utah and other regions are currently facing, compared to others in the valley. This research focuses on the individuals who have signed the Utah …

Navigating The Mind: Mental Health Struggles Among College Students Throughout And Post Pandemic, Megan Lempke

Honors Projects in Psychology

Several studies have reported that the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to the rise in stress, anxiety, and depression levels among college students. This has left mental health professionals at a loss and overwhelmed with the number of new cases during this time. Research has been conducted and has found that these levels have risen because of the pandemic, the lock down, personal factors, and their new learning environment which includes academics as well. Most of the research that has been done focuses on before the pandemic and during the pandemic, but not much research has been conducted for after the …

Modeling Land Use Change Using Spatial Statistics And Spatial Panel Data Regression In Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area (1990 - 2020), Ali Behseresht

Public Affairs Dissertations

In this dissertation research, we explored land use change for Activity and Residential land uses in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area (DFW) from 1990 to 2020 in association with spatial and socioeconomic factors. It aims to study three aspects of land use change: dynamics, drivers, and impacts. The research started with three hypotheses, all proven and accepted by the research findings. We reviewed the relevant literature from five aspects of land use change: theories, models, methods, drivers, and impacts. Based on the reviewed literature, the land use change model we discussed is an economics-based spatiotemporal modeling approach in which the …

Former And Present Military Service Members' Perceptions Of The Use Of Psychedelic Substances For The Treatment Of Mental Health Conditions, Chloe Seay

Social Work Theses

Now more than ever, Americans are experiencing a serious mental health crisis. However, it can be asserted that veterans are even more in need of effective interventions to address mental health concerns. Veterans experience disproportionally high rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse disorders, PTSD, and death by suicide. They often do not find significant symptom reduction from traditional mental health intervention methods. Psychedelics are re-emerging as an option for mental health treatment, however our knowledge of veterans’ attitudes toward the use of psychedelics for treatment for various mental health conditions is currently limited. This work presents the results of an …

Health Care Quality And Health Care Access Disparities Among Racial And Ethnic Populations With Comorbid Mental And Physical Health Conditions, Amanda Lee Ryan

Social Work Dissertations

This study reports the individual and county-level factors associated with racial and ethnic disparities in the ED and inpatient utilization rates and discharge status for adult individuals with chronic mental illness (CMI) and comorbid medical conditions. Social determinants at the individual and county levels associated with rates of higher risk discharge statuses, and the extent to which these account for heterogeneity in acute care utilization and post-acute care plans were also assessed. Despite the significant literature in racial and ethnic disparities, and emergency department and inpatient admission utilization, there remains gaps in the literature regarding individuals with chronic mental illness …

Unraveling The Tapestry Of Indigenous Maize In North America: A Case Study Of Pawnee Ancestral Maize, Kahheetah Barnoskie

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Studies on Indigenous ancestral landrace maize in North America has significant historical and scientific importance. Indigenous peoples, such as the Pawnee people, have been cultivating maize for thousands of years, resulting in diverse varieties adapted to their local environments. This study aims to deepen the knowledge of Indigenous maize by examining specific varieties from the Pawnee, including a comparative analysis of the genetic makeup through DNA sequencing. This study used Genotyping by Target Sequencing (GBTS) method to examine the genetic variation and characteristics among the multiple varieties the Pawnee people once grew historically, providing valuable information about the evolutionary history …

The Matching Function And Nonlinear Business Cycles, Joshua Bernstein, Alexander W. Richter, Nathaniel A. Throckmorton

Arts & Sciences Articles

The Cobb-Douglas matching function is ubiquitous in labor search and matching models, even though it imposes a constant matching elasticity that is unlikely to hold empirically. To examine the implications of this discrepancy, this paper uses a general constant returns to scale matching function to derive conditions that show how the cyclicality of the matching elasticity affects the shape of the job finding rate as a function of productivity and amplifies or dampens nonlinear labor market dynamics. It then shows that modest variation in the matching elasticity, consistent with recent estimates, significantly affects higher order moments and optimal policy. This …

Coverage Of Kidnapping In North-West Nigeria:An Analysis Of Daily Trust And The Guardian Newspapers, Amina Salisu Mohammed

Journal of Terrorism Studies

The study examined the coverage of kidnapping in North-West Nigeria by looking at the extent of coverage, prominence and major sources of news found in the stories in Daily Trust and The Guardian newspapers for the period of two years using content analysis research design. The findings indicated little attention to the interpretative role of the mass media, low prominence and too much reliance on Government/official news sources in reporting kidnapping in North-West Nigeria.

Keywords: Kidnapping, Terrorism, Insecurity, Coverage, Armed Banditry

Gaps In Teacher Professional Development For Technology-Supported Learning: Implications For School Leaders And Policymakers, Steven Bingham

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Theses and Other Student Research

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to develop an understanding of mobile technology integration in K-12 classrooms from the teacher’s perspective. This research was intended to help understand how mobile devices are being integrated into the classroom, including recommendations for teachers, school administrators, policymakers, and future researchers

Should State Land In Southern California Be Allocated To Warehousing Goods Or Housing People? Analyzing Transportation, Climate, And Unintended Consequences Of Supply Chain Solutions, Tianjun Lu, Jian-Yu Ke, Azure Fisher, Mahmoud Salari, Patricia Valladolid, Fynnwin Prager

Mineta Transportation Institute

In response to COVID-19 pandemic supply chain issues, the State of California issued Executive Order (EO) N-19-21 to use state land to increase warehousing capacity. This highlights a land-use paradox between economic and environmental goals: adding warehouse capacity increases climate pollution and traffic congestion around the ports and warehouses, while there is a deficit of affordable housing and high homeless rates in port-adjacent underserved communities. This study aims to inform regional policymakers and community stakeholders about these trade-offs by identifying current and future supply of and demand for warehousing and housing in Southern California through 2040. The study uses statistical …

Kejahatan Transnasional Di Indonesia: Studi Kasus Yakuza Sebagai Organisasi Kejahatan Internasional, Adi Saputra Rusli, Yanwar Iswahyudi Mansur, Nisrina Arumdanie, Biky Uthbek Mubarok

Jurnal Kajian Stratejik Ketahanan Nasional

This article presents an analysis of the Yakuza phenomenon, an organized crime organization with deep historical roots in Japan. Through a qualitative approach, this research explores the history and development of the Yakuza, their criminal focus, operational networks, and their impact both national and international levels. The Japanese government's efforts to combat the Yakuza, on a national and global scale, are detailed, including programs for drug prevention, anti-human trafficking, and counter-terrorism. In an international context, the Yakuza is known for its extensive networks, creating new challenges in global security. This research also highlights the importance of global efforts to counter …

Dampak Sekuritisasi Konflik Laut Cina Selatan Terhadap Keamanan Maritim Indonesia, Suyud Puguh Sunoto, Ade Aryanti Fahriani, Marthen Napang

Jurnal Kajian Stratejik Ketahanan Nasional

This study delves into the impact of the securitization of the South China Sea conflict on Indonesia's maritime security, with a focus on the geopolitical challenges faced by the country. National security encompasses not only military aspects but also involves non-traditional threats such as territorial conflicts, economic security, and regional stability. Drawing upon the Copenhagen School of Security Studies, this research considers threats from a liberal perspective, identifying international relations practices that emphasize cooperation and peace. This paper discusses the securitization of the conflict in the South China Sea and its implications for Indonesia's maritime security. By analyzing securitization efforts, …

Large-Scale, Collaborative Imagery Survey In Archaeology: The Geospatial Platform For Andean Culture, History And Archaeology (Geopacha), Steven A. Wernke, Parker Van Valkenburgh, James Zimmer-Dauphinee, Bethany Whitlock, Giles Spence Morrow, Ryan Smith, Douglas Smit, Daniel Plekhov, Multiple Additional Authors

Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Imagery-based survey is capable of producing archaeological datasets that complement those collected through field-based survey methods, widening the scope of analysis beyond regions. The Geospatial Platform for Andean Culture, History and Archaeology (GeoPACHA) enables systematic registry of imagery survey data through a ‘federated’ approach. Using GeoPACHA, teams pursue problem-specific research questions through a common data schema and interface that allows for inter-project comparisons, analyses and syntheses. The authors present an overview of the platform's rationale and functionality, as well as a summary of results from the first survey campaign, which was carried out by six projects distributed across the central …

Nonmedical Stimulant Use In An Undergraduate College Student Sample: Demographics, Academics, Stress, And Other Substance Use, Ashley Skye Vanover, Meredith K. Ginley, Shelby Whalan

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Nonmedical use of prescription stimuluants (NMUS) can cause adverse outcomes for college students including academic impediments, such as a lowered GPA, and polyuse of illicit substances (Garcia et al., 2021; Holt & McCarthy, 2019; Norman & Ford, 2018). The current study investigated the demographics, academics, stress, and polysubstance use between students who endorsed NMUS and those who did not in an undergraduate college population sample at a large public university in the Southeast. The sample consisted of 429 undergraduate students who completed online measures of demographics, perceived stress, stressful life events, and substance use. Overall, 3.4% of the sample reported …

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Readiness For Integrated Behavioral Health Services Among Primary Care Providers In East Tennessee, Baylee Rose

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: Individuals in rural areas tend to face unique barriers to accessing mental health care. One possible solution to make mental health services more accessible could be to integrate behavioral healthcare providers into primary care practices. However, the successful integration of behavioral health services into rural primary care is likely reliant on the knowledge, attitudes, and readiness of the primary care practice to initiate the process of integration. The current study aims to describe knowledge, attitudes, and readiness to adopt integrated behavioral health services among primary care providers in rural South-Central Appalachia and to examine how providers’ knowledge and attitudes …

Food As A Literary Device In The Hunger Games: World Building, Characterization, And Plot Momentum, Linzee Mitchell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Food relates to the experience of life, survival, and memory. It impacts us every day, whether we have plenty of it or not. It influences our memories and connects us to one another, while structuring details of our identities and cultures. As a creative writer and English major, I recognize that food influences a story to accentuate literary concepts and unveil them, such as a character’s compassion or the poison that a villain uses to unfold the plot. The best example of food as an impactful device within a story is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. From the first …

College Girl's Guide To Fayetteville, Ar, Sydney Johnson

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

The mission behind creating the College Girl’s Guide to Fayetteville, AR was to ease the adjustment from high school to college for females attending the University of Arkansas. This is one of life’s most monumental transitions, often resulting in anxiety, depression, and loneliness, specifically among the female demographic. With that in mind, the intent of the guidebook was to develop culture, confidence, and community on campus. In the aftermath of Covid-19, loneliness on college campuses has become an epidemic in need of a university-wide solution to increase student satisfaction and retention. A research aspect that heavily impacted the project was …

Growth Vs Fixed Mindset Program, Alyssa Gehrke

Goal 4: Intrapersonal Intelligence Narrative

It is easy for adolescents, because their lives are full of constant change, to feel like any conflict, challenge, or criticism makes them a failure. However, these are actually opportunities to grow and learn, about oneself and others. They are opportunities to self-reflect, challenge your own assumptions and knowledge, expand your knowledge and skill sets, gain a broader understanding of different perspectives, and develop yourself on an individual level and within a relationship—friends, family, roommates, significant others, professional, and so on. Adapting a growth mindset during adolescence will prepare teens well for college and the professional world ahead of them. …

Agency In Learning And E-Learning Through The Lens Of Disability And Inclusivity., Marta Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Through the analysis of ethnographic, qualitative data collected from students and their stakeholders at the University of Louisville, this thesis examines the experiences of students with disabilities in spaces of higher education, particularly virtual learning spaces. This research has illuminated systemic gaps in disability resources and accessibility within the landscape of higher education, restricting the agency of students with disabilities and their stakeholders.

Barriers To Policy, Systems, And Environment Work: Using Community Engagement As A Tool In Snap-Ed’S Multi-Level Comprehensive Programming, Cristian Meier, Casey Coombs, Amria Farnsworth, Lacee Jimenez, Heidi Leblanc

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Implementing policy, system, and environmental (PSE) changes has several well-known challenges that have been documented in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education’s (SNAP-Ed) comprehensive approach to obesity prevention and reduction. The purpose of the current study was to explore the use of community engagement (CE) as a strategy to address the common challenges experienced in implementing a multi-component community-based program. Phone interviews (N = 7) were conducted with SNAP-Ed educators in Utah using semi-structured interviews. Emergent themes were identified as transcripts were coded independently by two researchers until a high level of agreement was achieved. Four themes emerged from the interviews: …

Equipping Extension Professionals To Lead Volunteer Systems: An Evaluation Of An Online Course, Kandi O'Neil, Rachelle Vettern, Sarah Maass, Rebecca Harrington, Kari Robideau, Patricia Mcglaughlin, Josset Gauley

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Extension professionals enter their role with content-specific expertise; however, experience in volunteer leadership and management competencies is often limited. This study focused on the effectiveness of the Achieving the Extension Mission Through Volunteers (AEMTV) course in preparing professionals to use the Identification, Selection, Orientation, Training, Utilization, Recognition, Evaluation (ISOTURE) model to learn and apply volunteer systems concepts in a cohort-based online learning environment. We used quantitative and qualitative methods to assess how the course impacted participants and the programs they lead. Data from 127 participants indicated they increased their knowledge, improved volunteer systems, and influenced the quality of programming delivered …

The Effect Of Conditional Cash Transfers On The Prepaid And Postpaid Expenditures Of Internet And Cellular Services: The Case Of Filipino Households, Krisann Carmina G. Caoile, Edgar Desher P. Empeño, Raphael Manuel P. Ramos, Marie Angeline A. Trinidad, Myrna S. Austria, Ma. Ella Oplas, Tereso S. Tullao Jr, Winfred M. Villamil

Angelo King Institute for Economic and Business Studies (AKI)

Technology has been playing a large role in the lives of households regardless of income. How, then, do poor families value the importance of internet and cellular services due to the existence of outcome-improving or outcome-worsening effects associated with these services? At the same time, since the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) substantially affects its beneficiaries’ household expenditures, assessing its effectiveness concerning its objectives is important. Most literature on how poor households spend their cash transfers is centered on directly linked goods such as health and education. However, the relationship between CCTs and expenditures on goods that play a more …

Droned In: The Acquisition And Motivational Differences Between Autocracies And Democracies, Pete R. Hagan

ALL - Honors Theses

Drone technology has become a revolutionary development in warfare. They allow a nation to conduct offensive operations far from any soldier or base. As such, they have spread rapidly over the past few decades to incorporate many of the world’s foremost military powers. This thesis sought to discover the motivations and methods of acquisition of drones between different regime types. The research found a correlation between autocracies and democracies importing drones from similarly aligned states. Secondly, autocracies were found to be motivated to acquire drones due to a foreign supply excess and democracies were motivated by a domestic desire for …

Borderplex Business Barometer, Volume 7, Number12, Thomas M. Fullerton Jr., Steven L. Fullerton

Border Region Modeling Project

No abstract provided.

An Overview Of Sino-Indian Relations In The Last 15 Years, Suchi Patel

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

India and China are emerging as two of the most powerful countries in the world, threatening the dominance that Western nations have known for so long in recent history. With a rich and dynamic history behind both of these nations, there are many geopolitical factors at play when analyzing the nature of their relationship. Previous media that is widespread in news and magazines have often painted one as a villain and the other as heroic, depending on its political stances. Through analysis of peer-reviewed journals, economic data from the respective governments and the Observatory of Economic Complexity, along with cross-sectional …

Can Affective Symptomology Predict Somatic Complaints In Symptom Checklists?, Catherine E. Scales

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: Persistent and medically unexplained somatic symptoms are widespread and pose significant burden to the healthcare system as patients often overuse consultation services when seeking a diagnosis for their symptoms. In turn, this can lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment. Since somatic symptoms are commonly associated with affective disorders but are not always associated with any specific medical diagnoses, identifying accessible methods of better guiding diagnostic tendencies for clinicians should be a priority.

Methods: Participants (N = 114, Mean age = 18.9) were undergraduate students recruited from the University of Arkansas with no prescreening requirements. Linear regression analyses were utilized …