Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

An Evaluation Of Media Messaging By African Fashion Designers And Marketing Message Strategies, Esther Oyindamola Oyanibi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In recent times, African brands have been featured heavily in global landscape fashion events, with brands from Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya leading the way. Although such recognition could be traced to their expertise, the unique approach of African brands involves putting out unique designs that easily stand out in the global fashion market. However, their uniqueness goes beyond the designs they put out, as it is also strongly expressed in their media messaging and, consequentially, their marketing strategy.

This study provides a content analysis of the most important characteristics of eight brands from different regions of the African continent. …

Chinese Celebrities’ Political Signaling On Weibo, Dan Chen, Gengsong Gao

Political Science Faculty Publications

In China, celebrities can dominate public discourse and shape popular culture, but they are under the state’s close gaze. Recent studies have revealed how the state disciplines and co-opts celebrities to promote patriotism, foster traditional values, and spread political propaganda. However, how do celebrities adapt to the changing political environment? Focusing on political signaling on Weibo, we analyze a novel dataset and find that the vast majority of top celebrities repost from official accounts of government agencies and state media outlets, though there are variations. Younger celebrities with more followers tend to repost from official accounts more. Celebrities from Taiwan …

A Promising Place-Based Collaborative Impact Investing Fund Strengthens Community And Informs Philanthropic Practice, Benjamin Kerman, Clara Miller

The Foundation Review

A recent evaluation of the Western New York Impact Investment Fund adds to the proof-of-concept literature regarding “doing good and doing well” while pointing to experience-based best practices in philanthropic impact investing. Born of a collaboration between regional and national philanthropies, the fund brings together corporate, individual, and philanthropic investors to deliver an inclusive impact investment mechanism. Founded in 2017, the fund evolved from concept to operating entity, focusing on mitigating capital gaps, longterm economic decline, and wealth divides.

Evaluation at Year 5 describes how the professionally managed, collaboratively governed fund has attracted and deployed capital, contributing to ecosystem improvements …

The Field-Building And Grantee Experimentation Role Of Foundations In Impact Investing As Illustrated By A Gender-Lens Investing Case Example, Courtney Bolinson, Laura Allan

The Foundation Review

This article argues for foundations to play two critical roles in the impact investing ecosystem: to commission and/or support research that helps build more equitable and socially just impact investing and to fund grantee-specific experimentation in areas of impact investing and social enterprise that are nascent or developing.

To illustrate what this can look like, this article presents action research conducted on gender-lens investing, describing in detail a 2019 Mastercard Foundation grant to Engineers Without Borders Canada. The project involved two main goals: testing and developing gender-lens investing tools and processes with seed-stage investees during pre- or post-investment phases and …

Flexible Aid In An Uncertain World: The Coronavirus State And Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program, Philip B. Rocco, Amanda Kass

Political Science Faculty Research and Publications

Emergency fiscal transfers to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments have been at the core of the U.S. federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The most extensive of these transfer programs is the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) program, contained in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The CSLFRF is not only larger than prior rounds of emergency aid, it was also designed to address a broader series of crises, address pre-existing inequities, and provide greater discretion to public officials in deciding how to allocate funds. In this article, we consider the extent to which …

Frontmatter (Volume 42, Issue 9), Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Music Scholars And Open Access Publishing, Rachel E. Scott, Anne Shelley

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Interviews with twenty-one music scholars in various subdisciplines explored experiences and motivations that led them to publish their work OA as well as factors that have discouraged them from doing so. Each participant discussed the availability of OA publishing opportunities in their subdisciplines of music, how these are perceived, how they are evolving, and how they compare to opportunities in other disciplines. Participants also spoke to ways in which institutions support or value OA. The authors found that perspectives on OA publishing among music scholars vary considerably, ranging from those who identify as “an evangelist for open access” to those …

Full Issue, Volume 10, Number 3, Donna J. Peterson, Scott Cummings

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

No abstract provided.

Hispanic/Latino Mothers Of Children With Developmental Disabilities: Identifying Factors Associated With Practicing Self-Care And Mental Health Outcomes, Jessica Gutierrez

Capstone Experience

Caring for a child with developmental disabilities can be challenging, exhausting, and overwhelming for many parents. The level of care that a child with disabilities requires can be intense, resulting in stress and negatively impacting caregivers' mental health. Many Hispanic/Latino mothers of children with developmental disabilities are not practicing self-care or using support services; thus, the mothers may experience high stress, depression, and anxiety. Previous research studies have found adverse psychological effects such as high levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. This quantitative study sought to identify the gaps and barriers Hispanic/Latino mothers of children with developmental disabilities encounter when …

Dentistry And The Law: Employee Vs. Independent Contractor, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This month’s Dentistry and the Law column discusses hiring a dentist as an employee or an independent contractor. Employing a dentist as an independent contractor offers advantages such as avoiding compliance with various employment laws and not having to withhold taxes. However, there is uncertainty regarding whether tax and other authorities will recognize the independent contractor relationship. Factors like supervision and control play a significant role in this determination. To mitigate uncertainty, practices can contract with an entity owned by the dentist, providing a potential solution. Legal counsel is recommended for setting up such arrangements.

Staff Matters: What Will Be The Impact Of Changes To Michigan’S New Paid Sick Leave Law?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Michigan's paid sick leave law has seen several changes in recent years, and the latest updates, if upheld, will go into effect in February 2023. The original ballot-initiated law requires most employers to provide paid sick leave to employees. Employers need to be proactive in understanding the potential impact of these changes, including accrual rates, usage limits, notice requirements, and supporting documentation. It's crucial to review current leave policies and prepare for compliance if the law takes effect.

The Art In Science: The University Of Michigan’S Bioartography Project, Deborah L. Gumucio Phd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

"The Art in Science: The University of Michigan’s BioArtography Project" emphasizes the importance of using art to convey scientific information to the public. Scientists and medical professionals often struggle to communicate their research effectively to non-experts. The BioArtography Project, initiated in 2005, combines art and science to bridge this communication gap. It features striking images of cells and tissues under microscopes, accompanied by lay-language descriptions of the research behind each image. The project aims to engage the public, stimulate curiosity, and convey information about scientific discoveries. BioArtography images have led to meaningful discussions with the public, dispelling myths and educating …

J Mich Dent Assoc December 2022

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Monthly, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and feature articles to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover story on Ensuring an Inclusive Environment for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patients.
• A clinical feature: Traumatic Ulcerative Granuloma Mimicking Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Lichen Planus.
• Feature information on the University of Michigan’s BioArtography Project.
• A recap on MDA volunteer leadership activity at the 2022 ADA House of Delegates.
• News you need, Editorial and regular department …

The Mechanisms Of Peer Support In An Online Support Group For Veterans, Zachary William Tarbet

Social Work Dissertations

Military veterans experience a transition process when returning to civilian life that involves reintegration across life domains. Reintegration has been shown to be a significant challenge for a contingent of former servicemembers that can be exacerbated by an erosion of social support networks. Difficulty accessing peers due to wider social trends away from community connectedness and geography have inspired the creation of virtual gathering spaces for a wide range of populations. The emerging evidence for peer-driven online support groups suggests the potential for facilitating development of new supportive interpersonal connections and improved access to tangible resources. The current study seeks …

Nurturing The Disease - A Glimpse From The Outside Looking In: An Autoethnographic Exploration Of The Nature Of Nurture And Its Role In Chronic Illness, Michelle Leeann Koudsi

Social Work Theses

This autoethnographic illness narrative explores nature versus nurture’s impact on chronic illness. The author argues that environmental factors play a significant role in the rise of chronic illnesses. My hope is that this study will allow society and healthcare providers to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between illness and trauma as well as the importance of quality, positive patient-provider relationships. This study also demonstrates the importance of establishing a connection within oneself to create self-awareness and emotional healing. Despite this study being one of the most mentally tasking things I have ever willingly chosen to do in my …

Postpartum Depression And Covid-19: A Special Emphasis On Military Women, Lacey R. QuiￃﾱOnes

Social Work Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore the possible factors that contribute to postpartum depression in military women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study had a total of 10 participants who were recruited by snowball and purposive sampling. The participants agreed to an interview with questions related to their overall experience of becoming a mother during a pandemic. The data collected showed two main themes emerged: environment and support. Of those, five subthemes appeared: policies and procedures and healthcare staff; in-person support, educational support, and mental health support, respectively. These findings point to potential shortcomings surrounding perinatal care for …

Age Differences In Preparing For, Responding To, And Recovering From The Covid-19 Pandemic: The Strengths Of Older Adults, Zhirui Chen

Social Work Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three independent articles, investigating the age differences in preparing for the continuation of COVID-19 pandemic, experiencing negative COVID-19 impacts across multiple domains, and psychologically recovering from cumulative disaster exposures during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on the strengths of older adults. Data used were from the longitudinal research project “Vulnerability and Resilience to Disasters” conducted in Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama, USA. Multiple linear regressions from Article 1 (N = 450) showed that compared to those aged 65+, people aged 18-44 perceived a lower level of preparedness for the ongoing COVID-19; and there was no significant …

Creative Collaboration In Rural Texas Communities, Kathryn May Lattimore Norris

Public Affairs Dissertations

The body of research investigating collaboration has grown exponentially in recent years with the realization of its potential in generating innovative solutions to complex problems. Even though an abundance of literature on collaboration exists, scholars have fallen short of understanding how collaboration works towards creativity. Lack of consensus on understanding how this critical construct functions has not only made furthering theory on the matter challenging for researchers, but also made recognizing, utilizing, and realizing the full benefit of collaboration difficult for practitioners. Until the ways collaboration can result in creative outcomes are better understood, practitioners will not be able to …

Competence And Bias In The Provision Of Transgender Mental Health, Taylor Dahlia Bolinger

Social Work Theses

Historically, clinicians have functioned as gatekeepers to access gender-affirming care for individuals identifying as transgender. However, current best practice standards by reputable professional associations have encouraged clinicians to minimize potential barriers for clients seeking gender-affirming care. This care includes hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and gender confirmation surgeries, and other gender-affirming interventions such as name and gender marker change. This study seeks to describe Texas clinicians’ attitudes toward transgender clients and their self-perceived competency to perform gender affirming care. Licensed mental health care clinicians were recruited from various professional associations to complete an anonymous internet-based survey on providing gender-affirming mental health …

How Do Filipinos Remember Their History? A Descriptive Account Of Filipino Historical Memory, Dean C. Dulay, Allen Hicken, Anil Menon, Ronald Holmes

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

How do Filipinos remember their history? To date this question still has no systematic answer. This article provides quantitative, descriptive results from two nationally representative surveys that show how Filipinos view three of the country's major historical events: the Spanish colonization of the Philippines; martial law under President Ferdinand Marcos; and the 1986 People Power Revolution. The descriptive results include several takeaways, including: first, the modal response towards all three events was indifference (versus positive or negative feelings); second, positive feelings towards martial law were highest among those who were alive at that time; third, the distribution of feelings towards …

Chesapeake Governance Study: Report Of 2021 Decision Maker Interview Results, D.G. Webster

Dartmouth Scholarship

This report describes the aggregate results from a series of interviews conducted with decision makers involved in governance of the Chesapeake Watershed. Interviews began in June and ended in December of 2021. Information collected will be combined with other data to create and then test a computer model to predict likely policy changes under a range of future scenarios. It is part of a larger project funded by the National Science Foundation called Modeling the Dynamics of Human and Estuarine Systems with Regulatory Feedbacks (Award #2009248). Using the Chesapeake Bay as an example, this project will combine the policy model …

Intra-Skeletal Variation In Stable Isotopes Through Non-Destructive Approaches: Applications Of The Patterns Of Skeletal Remodeling To Biological Anthropology, Armando Anzellini

Doctoral Dissertations

Stable isotope analysis is a well-established method in biological anthropology used to deliver data on residence, diet, and life history. Samples for these analyses are often collected from the diaphyses of long bones with an assumption of an expected rate of turnover between five and ten years, depending on the skeletal element. However, the biological foundations of this assumption are still uncertain, especially concerning the intra-skeletal and intra-element variation of isotopic signatures that may relate to patterns of remodeling. Exploring these gaps in intra-element isotopic variation requires fine-grained work using multiple bones from multiple individuals, but such work is limited …

Three Essays In Experimental And Behavioral Economics, Vasudha Chopra

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation presents three essays that use experimental economics methods. The first essay examines how behavior in inter-group contests is altered when players have incomplete information on their opponent. The game is a Tullock contest with heterogeneous groups (differences in cost-of-effort, prize value, and group-size), and players only know the probability their opponent is a particular type. For cost and value treatments, incomplete information increases effort in uneven contests but has no effect in even contests. Group-level effort is higher in group-size treatments, but incomplete information does not systematically alter effort. Overall, group-level effort is much higher than what standard …

Mindfulness And Avoidant Coping: Examining The Behavioral Correlates Of Suicidal Ideation Among Sexual Minority College Students, Matt Siroty

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are at higher risk for mental health problems including suicidal ideation (SI). Previous research has indicated that coping strategies and mindfulness may explain disparities in SI among LGB individuals. The aim of the present study was to examine how coping strategies (self-sufficient, avoidant, socially-supported) and trait mindfulness facets (observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging, non-reactivity) contribute to these differences. The sample consisted of 927 college students, 124 of whom identified as LGB. Within the analytic sample, a majority identified as women (n = 639, 68.9%), 18 or 19 years of age (n …

The Role Of Female Offenders In Sex Trafficking Rings, Caroline Johnson

Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examines the role of female offenders in sex trafficking rings. Using the Human Trafficking Study database, I found 502 cases that had clear information coded about convictions, sentences, and genders. It was hypothesized that women typically receive a lower sentence than men do. Bivariate analysis revealed that to be true. In addition, I compared conviction rates between the two genders, finding that women are more likely to plead guilty in comparison to men.

Using a smaller sample with additional information, I also isolated the roles that women play in a sex trafficking ring. I found that 48% were …

Murray Library December 2022 Newsletter, Murray Library

Library Publications

What's new at the library? News and information about Murray Library at Messiah University written by its staff.

• Gift of Music Handbell Quartet at Murray
• Exam Cram Extra Hours
• Maximize Reading with Audiobooks
• Friends 20th Annual Dinner and Program with Anita Voelker
• Christmas Film Classics

Realizing Sdgs In Indonesia Through Productive Waqf, Faizatu Almas Hadyantari

Journal Of Middle East and Islamic Studies

Waqf is a form of Islamic social financial instrument that has sustainability benefits. Efforts to produce waqf assets aim to increase their use to create an even distribution in all aspects. This is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely maintaining sustainable improvement in the economic welfare of the community, maintaining the sustainability of community social life, and maintaining environmental quality. the pillars of development are the pillars of social development, the pillars of economic development, the pillars of environmental development, and the pillars of governance and law. The research method used is a qualitative study of literature …

Qatar Foreign Policy In Middle East Conflict Mediation, Kresna Kusumawijaya, Yon Machmudi

Journal Of Middle East and Islamic Studies

Qatar's role as a regional mediator allowed it to emerge even further into global politics and it’s a step toward creating its own evolving independent political persona. As a mediator, Qatar has left its choices open to develop diplomatic relations with non-state actors and countries that have controversies in the Middle East. This research uses a case study approach to explore information about several foreign policies carried out by Qatar against countries and non-state actors in the Middle East. The results of this study show that Qatar, with its rationality, weighs the benefits for the personal interests of the state. …

Relasi Sunni-Syi’Ah Dalam Budaya Politik Sektarian Dan Pengaruhnya Terhadap Pemerintahan Lebanon, Nasrul Mukhsinin, Muhammad Syaroni Rofii, Khairil Zaki Al-Asyurra

Journal Of Middle East and Islamic Studies

In a national pact, the Maronite Christians share power with Sunni Muslims. The agreement changed to the Ta'if agreement by adding Shia Muslims in the government. The growing influence of Shia politics along with the weakening of Maronite Christian influence made the axis of sect competition focused on Sunni and Shia groups. After the assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, both of them played a political role in dividing political factions in the state government. Sunni-Shi'a political relations are very influential on the course of the Lebanese confessional government. This is a challenge for Hassan Diab as the new Prime …

Moderation Of The Islamic Movement In Peace Implementation Between The Government Of The Republic Of The Philippines And The Moro Nation In The South Philippines, Fahrudin Alwi, Yon Machmudi

Journal Of Middle East and Islamic Studies

This study discusses the moderation of the Islamic movement in efforts to implement peace between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Nations in the southern Philippines. In this study, the authors use the Moderation Inclusion theory from Schwedler, the Social Movement theory from Sidney Tarrow, and the Wasathiyah Islamic theory. The authors will raise the actors who play a role in the Islamic movement and the factors that cause changes in the pattern of the movement. This research begins with an overview of the prolonged conflict that began with the arrival of the Spanish and …