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Ways of knowing: A narrative content analysis of Black mothers' decision-making process in podcasts
No full textThis qualitative study explored African American mothers' decision-making processes, considering societal and maternal influences during their formative years. Moreover, I examined the impact of systemic racism and anti-blackness, highlighting Black women's knowledge acquisition, ability to demonstrate epistemic resilience, and the strategies Black mothers employ to resist oppressive forces. The following research questions formed the foundation of my study: How do Black mothers story their lives in podcasts about families and parenting? How do Black women describe their decision-making in the context of mothering and motherhood? I conducted a qualitative narrative content analysis using purposive sampling to select five publicly available podcasts on family and parenting. I employed a thematic analysis approach to transcribe and analyze 15 podcast episodes depicting Black mothers' realities. The dataset produced three main themes: (1) Motherhood: Identity thief and identity enhancer, (2) Mothering, cultural knowledge, and the village, and (3) We live in a racist ass country. The results of the study reveal assertions consistent with literature that centers on Black motherhood, mothering, and the intersecting oppression of racism, sexism, and classism. The study proposes a visible use of digital mediums in family sciences, family studies, and the social sciences to explore further hegemonic ideologies and epistemic injustices that impact Black mothers from the lens of BFT.
Podcasts have become a valuable tool for Black mothers to share their experiences, challenges, and achievements with a broader audience, a form of oppositional knowledge. Moreover, podcasts hosted by Black women provide a platform for Black women to story their lives while challenging traditional and dominant forms of content creation and harmful depictions of Black mothers, often found across mass media outlets in academic research and textbooks (O'Byrne, 2019). The present study concludes with recommendations for researchers and policymakers to understand the hegemonic ideologies and epistemic injustices that impact Black women, mothers, and Black motherhood from the lens of Black feminist thought (BFT)
Trauma Reporting
No full textResearch has demonstrated the prevalence of PTSD among specific racial demographics (Roberts et al., 2019), while also showing that social support is vital for those who experience PTSD symptomology, with those who seek it out overcoming the adverse effects of trauma (Jenzer et al., 2020). However, there is very little research that looks into social support seeking in such marginalized groups. The purpose of this study is to understand how identity (e.g., race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, etc.) influences an individual's ability to cope with trauma. Participants will complete an online survey consisting of demographic questions, open-ended questions related to their experiences of trauma and their subsequent coping mechanisms, and a PTSD symptomology screener (Grasso et al., 2019). These results of this study can help practitioners discern whether a person is likely to seek out social support after experiencing trauma, enabling them to develop effective treatment plans. Implications and future directions are discussed. (Faculty Sponsor: Professor Otter Day
Dancing woman(ist)/black feminist aesthetics: An embodied epistemology of sweat and spirit
No full textThis qualitative narrative study explores Black aesthetics as embodied affirmation of Black life through the performative work of three women choreographers in dialogue with me as a dance artist and researcher. The participants are Michelle N. Gibson, Michelle Grant Murray, and Dr. L’Antoinette Stines. In this dissertation, I posit that centering Black women’s spirit experiences and the rigors of creativity, or what I refer to as sweat, enable us to theorize embodied Black aesthetics not only as a concept but as an activity that manifests knowledge. I relate to dance scholar Luana’s definition of Black aesthetics as sensibilities that inform Black art creation; however, I center art creation as dynamic and embodied cultural production through sweat and the presence of spirit. I contend that attention to sweat and spirit as generative Black aesthetics opens up attention to Black women’s embodied work and their inner landscapes, including their self-perceptions, values, and beliefs. Moreover, through aesthetic risk and aesthetic agency, the participants’ distinct sweat and spirit work shapes Black experience as critical embodied cultural production. I examine the participants’ lives and teaching, performing, and choreographing through interviews and videos of their work. Our creative and life experiences generate theories and discourse from the fields of Black aesthetics, Black performance, womanism, and Black feminism. I engage in this study to amplify Black aesthetic discourse with Black women’s presence as dynamic and integral to Black experience
Syntheses and characterizations of homoleptic and heteroleptic copper complexes with monocyclic and polycyclic azine ligands
No full textThis thesis is concerned with the following ligands to use to coordinate and react to copper: a pyrimidine: niacinamide, the polyazine monocyclic triazine: cyanuric acid, and bicyclic N- donating hydrocarbons: quinoxaline and caffeine. When reacted with cuprous salts consisting of organic ligands they form multi-ligand coordination supramolecular architectures (1) or halides to form copper halide clusters. In the novel compounds, metal-metal interactions occur, which exhibit low-lying triplet state charge transfers, allowing the tunability of a photon-emitting compound which is expected to form the emission. Cuprous metal centers also possess the ability to self-assemble to form coordination polymers. Group 11 d10 coinage metals exhibit strong metal-to-ligand charge transfers (MLCT) as well.(50) Characterization of all compounds was completed using thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray crystallography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The acquired data is analyzed and discussed further in the following thesis
What are the lived experiences of caregivers to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
No full textThe purpose of this qualitative phenomenology design was to describe the experiences of caregivers to adults with I/DD in the State of Texas. The theory guiding this study was the social constructivism framework which focused on how language and culture frame how individuals communicate, experience, and understand reality. In this study, the social constructivism framework assisted in understanding the challenges, and coping strategies employed by caregivers as they navigate the demands of caregiving. This study was guided by one research question: What are the lived experiences of caregivers of adults with I/DD that contribute to their perceived quality of life? An individual, semi-structured interview was completed with each of the four participants. The participants were asked three general questions: (a) What have you experienced in providing care to an adult with I/DD; (b) What are the highlights of your experience; and (c) What would you change. Through the narratives and experiences of the participants, several themes emerged such as familial bonds, challenges, coping mechanisms, and the need for support. The theme of family bonds underscores the connections that fuel caregiving journeys, while the challenges and coping strategies unveil the resilience of caregivers in navigating multifaceted responsibilities. The study's implications provide evidence for policy changes and societal shifts that can empower caregivers, enhance their support systems, and amplify the quality of life for both caregivers and those they care for
Embodied Imagery-Based Practices and Activities for Young Dancers Ages 12 - 14 Years Old for a Body Conditioning Class
No full textMary Margaret Scalici’s research was to create an embodied practice combining Pilates and conditioning for dance through imagery for young dancers ages 12 to 14 years old. This research was a qualitative teacher self-study employing a literature review, memory work, critical conversations, and creating and implementing a six-week session of Pilates and conditioning in the dance studio. The author outlines her practices of teaching this class primarily through imagery as a way to pursue teaching new terminology and exercises utilizing imagery. Through implementing these practices and activities, patterns and themes evolved beyond Pilates and conditioning but critical to the learning environment. This research paper concludes with the five movement blocks taught throughout the six-week session and imagery to accompany each exercise
The WorkWell Program: The Integration of Health and Wellness and Worksite Safety for Blue-Collar Work
No full textThe shortage of blue-collar workers places the population at risk for increased physical exertion, temporal demands, or decreased mental health. Therefore, this capstone project focused on worksite-based program development and education. The WorkWell program aimed to increased perceived quality-of-life and job satisfaction by addressing the dimensions of wellness. The occupational therapy student created a self-guided resource book, provided ergonomic assessments and recommendations, and consulted with worksite management for policy development to target employee-driven initiatives. Workplace programming is a tool for client empowerment and occupational justice.JPS Books + Logistic
An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the roles family and consumer sciences teachers play in sexual health education in Texas
No full textResearch into sexual health education is not a new phenomenon, but with recent law changes it continues to be at the forefront of legislation in Texas. The purpose of this study was to examine the roles and responsibilities FCS teachers experience while teaching sexual health topics in interpersonal studies, human growth and development, child development, and parenting through the lens of social learning theory. Video recordings of semi-structured interviews were captured, and transcripts were coded and analyzed using four separate coding cycles. Through an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), findings included four themes related to experiences FCS teachers have with sexual health education in public schools in Texas, (1) utilizing personal experience to compensate for a lack of training, (2) variety of perspectives on FCS roles in sexual health education, (3) need for clarity in Texas sexual health guideline, (4) biological approaches utilized as a safeguard. This study has implications for increasing training opportunities for FCS teachers, additional district guidance, and deeper understanding and research on the FCS curriculum
Using Video-Based Support to Improve Vocational Skills in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disability at Bridges Training Foundation
No full textA 6-week video-based support program was conducted at Bridges Training Foundation in Midlothian, Texas, to improve vocational skills among its clientele. Utilizing video-based support strategies such as video modeling and prompting is an effective EBP to establish, promote, restore, or maintain vocational skills in adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disability.Bridges Training Foundatio
Happy, healthy, and making new friends: Guangchangwu and the lived relationships of participants
No full textGuangchangwu 广场舞, or square dancing, is a mass dance practice performed in public squares that has become extremely popular among the middle-aged and elderly in China, especially women. The narrative surrounding guangchangwu online and in media presents the participants as cranky, outdated, belligerent troublemakers. But after participating with a group of guangchangwu dancers who met every evening in the park located in my apartment complex in Shenzhen, I understood this representation to be undeserved. Noting that the voices of the participants were largely missing from the narrative, this dissertation shares the voices of guangchangwu participants in Shenzhen, China, as they describe their experiences of dancing in large groups in public spaces.
This ethnographic study explores the practice of guangchangwu, describing how participants use the practice to stay “happy, healthy, and making new friends.” It examines embodiment within the practice of guangchangwu and how this relates to the role of dance in China and what it means to be Chinese; the distinct Chinese experience of public space and how guangchangwu participants subvert said places for their own personal and group needs; and how the experiences of the guangchangwu participants influence their engagement, exploration, and performance of the aging female body. My findings suggest that contrary to the negative representation of guangchangwu I had initially found online, my participants were warm, welcoming women craving camaraderie, health, and happiness within a community of their own creation. This research is important because it puts into conversation the often-neglected voices of the dance participants with the voices of journalists and researchers observing and writing about the dancing event