Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Hooves For Hope: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy As A Modality For Social And Emotional Learning In At-Risk Youth, Mattie H. Hyland

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

The purpose of this paper is to educate its readers on the utility of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy; an emerging modality of mental health treatment and to introduce a new program model for utilization of this treatment with at-risk youth. This paper is particularly focused on the use of this modality to facilitate social and emotional learning in at-risk youth. It begins by establishing the reasons that mental health providers, and American citizens on the whole, should be concerned with at-risk youth as well as defining what this term “at-risk youth” means within the context of this paper. In order to …

Group Ideation Treatment (Grit)-A Group Approach To The Treatment Of Suicidal Ideation And Relapse Into A Maladaptive Coping Skill, Hogan J. Gagle

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Suicidal ideation is experienced across both acute presentations and chronic conditions of suicidality. For some, the ideation may be the only symptom that is present while others who have undergone treatment for suicidality may find a relapse into suicidal ideation. With the prevalence and potential relapse back to this maladaptive coping skill, the development of an intervention is needed that directly targets this case presentation. Ideation acts just as any other maladaptive coping skill, and just as with those, there is support for the use of group intervention. The individual’s family or friends may become apprehensive towards being supportive if …

Implementing A Strengths-Based Cbt Specialization For African American Girls, Myresha C. Hinton

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Historically, the African American community has experienced years of hardship and adversity. Beginning in the 17th century, enslaved African Americans were utilized for labor and labeled as “others” which in turn led the community to be viewed as inferior. With that preconceived notion, individuals were not allowed to obtain basic human rights (Oca & Bhugra, 2021). While there have been laws and regulations set for African Americans to have basic human rights, other forms of racism and discrimination have plagued the community for many decades. For example, systemic racism and healthcare disparities are other forms of discrimination that have seriously …

Focusing On Friendship: Online Supported Activities For Adolescents On The Autism Spectrum, Molly King

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

A core feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is social skills differences. Social skills groups have received support as an intervention that fosters social skills of those with ASD. However, there is limited information about the use of telehealth-based social skills groups. The proposed ASD adolescent social group design is formatted for telehealth services, and has been conducted virtually since 2020. This ASD social group program features unique virtual teaching and recreational activity curriculum as well as some program evaluation data methods and responses from participants.

A Clinician-Created Art And Activity Workbook For Children And Adolescents Used During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Gabriella R. Martin

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

The Covid-19 Pandemic provided a unique need for telepsychology services. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach applicable to a variety of populations and referral concerns, applicable both for in-person or telehealth settings. In the literature review presented here, the development and use of CBT as well as the advantages, challenges, and considerations of teletherapy with children and adolescents is examined. After, a proposed supplemental intervention material is explored: an adaptable art and activity workbook for children and adolescents that is rooted in CBT. Designed for use during telehealth sessions, but adaptable for in-person sessions as well, this workbook …

Growing With Our Heroes: Utilizing Hero Narratives In Therapy To Foster Psychological Resilience And Posttraumatic Growth, Reagan Overby

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

With the rise of positive psychology, clinical psychologists and other helping-professionals have rightly begun to emphasize the importance of psychological factors that predict human flourishing rather than studying risk factors and psychopathology alone. This new emphasis has largely driven research into constructs such as psychological resilience and posttraumatic growth (PTG); both manifestations of the human ability to survive or grow following experiences with extreme adversity that are often traumatic. The current standards of care for those who have experienced a trauma include asking these individuals to voluntarily discuss and confront their traumatic experiences; a task made challenging by nature of …

Pride: A Review Of Lgbtq+ Affirming Therapy Techniques And Recommendations For Clinical Practice, Stephen Lemon

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Despite recent advances in legal protections for and increases in social acceptability towards LGBTQ+ individuals, they continue to experience widespread prejudice and discrimination and seek therapy more often than their heterosexual counterparts as a result. As more and more LGBTQ+ people sought out therapeutic services, psychological research in the field of LGBTQ+ affirming therapy began to develop in order to meet these needs. Although the number of articles and studies conducted in this field has grown exponentially since the start of the 21^st century, a sizeable gap between research and application remains. Research often provides vague suggestions without discussing …

Finding Confidence, Balance, And Self-Acceptance: A Clinician’S Guide To Treating Involuntary Celibates, Brian Keller

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Involuntary Celibates (incels) are a new and poorly understood population. In the field of psychology, very little research has been done on the population, and even fewer clinicians have successfully worked with clients from this group. This handbook was created in an attempt to outline the history, belief system, terminology, and common mental health problems of incels and their related groups. This information is distilled down and presented as a primer for anyone looking to understand this new population. Also, possible treatment recommendations are suggested and discussed in detail based on the particular psychological difficulties that incels often face.

Child Pain Matters: A Training Protocol For General Nursing Staff In An Infusion Center On Procedural Anxiety In Pediatric Patients With Crohn's Disease And Ulcerative Colitis., Mera El Ramahi

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Procedural anxiety is a broad concept that encompasses fear, distress, and pain. Anxiety is the most critical factor affecting pain perception. There is a growing body of literature suggesting that early pain might have long-term consequences. There is also research evidence that has linked inadequately managed pain in the pediatric population to negative behavioral and physiological consequences later in life. Pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These chronic conditions often require multiple and repeated medical procedures that may cause pediatric patients to experience procedural anxiety. Needle related procedures are any procedures involving …

Imaginaries Of The Great Outdoors: Comparing Facebook Postings Across Resource Places, Frances Hoag

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Communication across agencies, interested audiences, and the public is central to resource management. While social media expands agencies’ communication options, it also may present opportunities for constructing and presenting “imaginaries” – collectively imagined discourses that that shape understandings of place and influence the world views of followers. Imaginaries are “socially constructed, taken-for-granted meanings about reality that make everyday social and cultural practices seem obvious and sensible to people” (Stokowski et al., 2021). Extending prior research, we sought to understand whether/how resource management agencies used social media to construct and deploy imaginaries. Data were collected during 2021-2022 from resource management agencies …

Differences In Attentional Processing Of Sexual Stimuli For Men With Varying Degrees Of Sexual Arousal Function, Robert Brandon Wyatt

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Sexual arousal problems remain prevalent for many men despite the availability of medications such as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PED5) inhibitors used to treat sexual dysfunction. Theoretical models that attempt to explain the underlying psychological mechanisms of sexual dysfunction highlight the important role of attention during sexual arousal (e.g., Barlow, 1986; Janssen, Everaerd, Spiering, & Janssen, 2000), but fail to integrate a contemporary understanding of attentional processes (i.e., preattentive and selective; Broadbent, 1958, Driver, 2007; Triesman, 1969) to explain why individuals with and without sexual arousal problems direct their attention toward or away from a given stimuli during sex. Moreover, these …

Understanding The Connections Between Cross-Sector Collaboration And Service Delivery For Charitable Organizations Using Mixed Methods, Kristin Elizabeth Darby

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Two of the most pressing challenges in the world today are food and water access. Charitable organizations frequently use cross-sector collaboration to address food and water access. Cross-sector collaboration is grounded in knowledge, relationships, communication, action, and trust, which cultivate innovation and resilience. However, very few studies have discussed the connections between collaboration, service delivery, and perceptions. Using a convergent design of mixed methods, this thesis examined how cross-sector collaboration enhances service delivery and resilience in charitable organizations. Specifically, the project is guided by three research questions: (1) What communication practices support effective cross-sector collaborations for impactful service delivery for …

The Role Of Dentate Gyrus Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide (Pacap) In Contextual Fear Discrimination, Samantha Kelly Moriarty

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

When dysregulated, neural systems important for fear behaviors can contribute to mental health disorders such as anxiety, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In PTSD, a myriad of symptoms is possible, but a hallmark feature of the disorder is generalizing fear. This occurs when fear is experienced inappropriately in relation to the environment or circumstances. To study this behavior in rodent models, contextual fear conditioning is used. Contextual fear conditioning is a learning theory preparation where rodents are conditioned with an aversive stimulus such as foot-shock in one distinct context (A), while concurrently being exposed to a safe context (B). …

Group-Level Frameworks For Data Ethics, Privacy, Safety And Security In Digital Environments, Juniper Lovato

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

In today's digital age, the widespread collection, utilization, and sharing of personal data are challenging our conventional beliefs about privacy and information security. This thesis will explore the boundaries of conventional privacy and security frameworks and investigate new methods to handle online privacy by integrating groups. Additionally, we will examine approaches to monitoring the types of information gathered on individuals to tackle transparency concerns in the data broker and data processor sector. We aim to challenge traditional notions of privacy and security to encourage innovative strategies for safeguarding them in our interconnected, dispersed digital environment.

This thesis uses a multi-disciplinary …

How Autism Representation In The Media Influences People's Attitudes: A Literature Review, Eleanor Klein

A with Honors Projects

A literature review of research revealed how media influences attitudes about autistic* people. Several factors lead to negative attitudes: Not emphasizing positive characteristics, emphasizing differences, and portraying autistic people as burdens. Contrasting factors lead to positive attitudes, including: Emphasizing positive characteristics and commonalities, portraying intergroup friendships, giving accurate information about autism, and depicting differences positively. Examples of media are described that are likely to promote negative or positive attitudes towards autistic people. Further research must improve measures of attitudes, determine what autistic people believe is accurate representation, and explore the impact of attitude change based on type of media consumed.

Assessing The Impact Of The Yellowstone Tv Series On Montana's Tourism Economy, Patrick Barkey, Melissa Weddell

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The hugely successful and popular dramatic television show Yellowstone, which portrays the fictional Dutton family ranch in Montana, has sparked the interest of a worldwide audience in our state. In addition to its critical and commercial success, the show has emerged as a significant factor in the marketing of Montana, with its more than 10 million viewers treated to storylines, characters and scenery of the mountain west. How has the show’s success affected the arrival and subsequent spending of visitors to the state? A new study jointly produced by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) and the Institute …

Is There An App For That? Introducing Self-Guided Therapy-Based Mental Health Apps In A Primary Care Setting, Althea Jem Darbin Tapales

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The prevalence of mental health disorders in Vermont continues to be an economic burden, especially in Addison County. The Addison County, VT Community Health Improvement Plan 2022-2025 identified “Access to Mental Health Services” as the top priority with a general concern regarding the affordability and demand of such services, and shortage of providers in the general community. Consequently, the shortage of mental health services along with the coronavirus pandemic resulted in a mental illness epidemic which led to an accelerated growth of self-guided therapy-based mental health apps. Most apps are affordable, accessible, and prioritize patient privacy which overcomes barriers to …

Community Resilience In Vermont After The 2023 Flooding Event, Alex Poniz

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Between July 10th-11th 2023 Vermont experienced catastrophic flooding after receiving prolonged heavy rainfall of up to 9” over 48 hrs. Damage from the 2023 event rivals the historic destruction of Hurricane Irene in 2011 and is exceeded only by the Great Vermont Flood of 1927, an event predating modern flood controls. We collected oral histories from Vermonters to better understand their lived experience of the flood and its impacts, and identifed common themes related to community and individual resilience.

Re-Tribute: Reconsidering The Moral Psychology Of Culpability And Desert, Guyora Binder, Matthew Biondolillo

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

A Diversity-Enhanced Memetic Algorithm For Solving Electric Vehicle Routing Problems With Time Windows And Mixed Backhauls, Jianhua Xiao, Jingguo Du, Zhiguang Cao, Xingyi Zhang, Yunyun Niu

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The electric vehicle routing problem (EVRP) has been studied increasingly because of environmental concerns. However, existing studies on the EVRP mainly focus on time windows and sole linehaul customers, which might not be practical as backhaul customers are also ubiquitous in reality. In this study, we investigate an EVRP with time windows and mixed backhauls (EVRPTWMB), where both linehaul and backhaul customers exist and can be served in any order. To address this challenging problem, we propose a diversity-enhanced memetic algorithm (DEMA) that integrates three types of novel operators, including genetic operators based on adaptive selection mechanism, a selection operator …

Champions For Social Good: How Can We Discover Social Sentiment And Attitude-Driven Patterns In Prosocial Communication?, Raghava Rao Mukkamala, Robert J. Kauffman, Helle Zinner Henriksen

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The UN High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) is pursuing a social media strategy to inform people about displaced populations and refugee emergencies. It is actively engaging public figures to increase awareness through its prosocial communications and improve social informedness and support for policy changes in its services. We studied the Twitter communications of UNHCR social media champions and investigated their role as high-profile influencers. In this study, we offer a design science research and data analytics framework and propositions based on the social informedness theory we propose in this paper to assess communication about UNHCR’s mission. Two variables—refugee-emergency and champion …

Neighborhood Retail Amenities And Taxi Trip Behavior: A Natural Experiment In Singapore, Kwan Ok Lee, Shih-Fen Cheng

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

While a small change in land use planning in existing neighborhoods may significantly reduce private vehicle trips, we do not have a great understanding of the magnitude of the project- and shock-based causal change in travel behaviors, especially for the retail purpose. We analyze the impact of newly developed malls on the retail trip behavior of nearby residents for shopping, dining or services. Using the difference-in-differences approach and big data from a major taxi company in Singapore, we find that households residing within 800 m from a new mall are significantly less likely to take taxis to other retail destinations …

Local Community-Based Workforce To Increase Covid-19 Vaccine Access: Deliverables Summary Binder, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Evelyn Ali Bs, Katie Rosingana Ba, Tyler Egeland Ba, Katharine Freund Mph

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

Public health evaluators from the Catherine E. Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine worked with Healthy Community Coalition and the Hometowns Partnership to provide evaluation services of the Health and Resources Services Administration (HRSA) grant to address vaccination hesitancy and access for the Western Public Health District. This grant program ran from June 2021 to January 2023. The primary goals of the evaluation were to: (1) document implementation strategies and identify barriers and facilitators to implementation, (2) evaluate the efficacy of the education activities at reducing vaccine hesitancy and improving vaccination rates in Western Maine, and (3) assess …

Claimdistiller: Scientific Claim Extraction With Supervised Contrastive Learning, Xin Wei, Md Reshad Ul Hoque, Jian Wu, Jiang Li

Computer Science Faculty Publications

The growth of scientific papers in the past decades calls for effective claim extraction tools to automatically and accurately locate key claims from unstructured text. Such claims will benefit content-wise aggregated exploration of scientific knowledge beyond the metadata level. One challenge of building such a model is how to effectively use limited labeled training data. In this paper, we compared transfer learning and contrastive learning frameworks in terms of performance, time and training data size. We found contrastive learning has better performance at a lower cost of data across all models. Our contrastive-learning-based model ClaimDistiller has the highest performance, boosting …

Deeppatent2: A Large-Scale Benchmarking Corpus For Technical Drawing Understanding, Kehinde Ajayi, Xin Wei, Martin Gryder, Winston Shields, Jian Wu, Shawn M. Jones, Michal Kucer, Diane Oyen

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Recent advances in computer vision (CV) and natural language processing have been driven by exploiting big data on practical applications. However, these research fields are still limited by the sheer volume, versatility, and diversity of the available datasets. CV tasks, such as image captioning, which has primarily been carried out on natural images, still struggle to produce accurate and meaningful captions on sketched images often included in scientific and technical documents. The advancement of other tasks such as 3D reconstruction from 2D images requires larger datasets with multiple viewpoints. We introduce DeepPatent2, a large-scale dataset, providing more than 2.7 million …

When Does Csr Payoff?, John A. Doukas, Rongyao Zhang

Finance Faculty Publications

We investigate whether firms engaging in corporate social responsibility (CSR) can preserve firm value during normal and unprecedented exogenous adverse events. Our evidence shows, in regular times, a negative relation between CSR engagement and firm value, but under adverse economic conditions, CSR protects firm value by decreasing firm risks. We also find that firms with high managerial attributes engage in greater CSR activities that benefit shareholders in both normal and aberrant financial times. Despite the controversy surrounding CSR, our evidence points out that CSR can be viewed as a set of intangible assets that can improve firm value across good …

The Future Of Enterprise Information Systems, Ali Sunyaev, Tobias Dehling, Susanne Strahringer, Li Da Xu, Martin Heinig, Michael Perscheid, Rainer Alt, Matti Rossi

Information Technology & Decision Sciences Faculty Publications

[First paragraph] Enterprise information systems (EIS) have been important enablers of crossfunctional processes within businesses since the 1990s. Often referred to as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, they were extended in line with electronic businesses to integrate with suppliers as well as customers. Today, EIS architectures comprise not only ERP, supply chain, and customer relationship management systems, but also business intelligence and analytics. Recently, the move towards decentralized technologies has created new perspectives for EIS. Information systems (IS) research has already addressed opportunities and challenges of these developments quite well, but what will be the pressing opportunities and challenges for …

Classes Without Labor: Three Critiques Of Bourdieu, Michael A. Mccarthy, Josh Seim

Social and Cultural Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

This article offers three interrelated critiques of Bourdieusian class analysis. First, Bourdieu replaces classes on paper with capitals on paper. He offers a false break from Marx in an effort to make capital more ‘relational’ via a theory of social space, but in doing so he neglects capital’s fundamental relation to labor. Second, Bourdieu offers a theory of domination without exploitation. Bourdieu’s classes live against one another, but it remains unclear how some classes might also live off of others. Third, and as a consequence of the first two missteps, he emphasizes position over production. Bourdieu typically sees ‘production’ as …

Vcu And The Virginia Course Materials Survey, Jessica Kirschner

Open and Affordable Course Content at VCU

In Fall 2021, VIVA, Virginia’s Academic Library Consortium, distributed the Virginia Course Materials Survey to a selection of students at Virginia higher education institutions. The survey hoped to explore:

1. The relationship between educational equity and textbook costs, and

2. Which textbook features most benefited students’ learning experiences.

This report presents the results from this survey, focused on Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Included is an executive summary, full report, and data set for the VCU summary level data, available as percentages, and select student quotes from the free response.

Implementing A Library Intern Program, Janice Derr, Brad Tolppanen

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Poster presentation at the Illinois Library Association annual meeting.