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Subjective Experiences of Quality of Life in Autistic Adults Across Race and Gender Identity: A Study of Happiness and Physical, Cognitive, and Social Well-Being
Get PDFThe need for effective programming and intervention to improve the Quality of Life for autistic individuals is well documented. Yet relatively little research is devoted to autistic adults, leaving substantial gaps in programs and services for this subgroup of the autistic population. A review of the current literature emphasized the need for a more robust understanding of predictive indicators of quality of life in the autistic adult population, the inclusion of quality of life domains that are important to the subjective experiences of autistic adults, and more representative samples within autism research. The current study, grounded in Maslow’s human needs theory, aimed to address these gaps by exploring the effects of race; gender identity; and Physical, Cognitive, and Social Health and Well-being satisfaction on Global Happiness Ratings in the autistic adult population.
Hierarchical Multiple Regression was used to analyze the results of the study, which had a sample size of N = 83 adults who self-identified as being on the autism spectrum. The sample ranged in age from 18 years to 73 years, with a mean age of 34.7 years. Approximately 11% of the sample identified as Black, 69% identified as White, and the remaining 20% identified with Racial Intersectionality. Regarding gender identity, approximately 41% of the sample identified as Female, 42% identified as Male, and the remaining 17% identified as Gender Non-conforming.
Physical Health and Well-being was found to be a significant positive predictor of Global Happiness Ratings for those who identified as Black. Because the impacts of race on quality of life domains has not been previously explored in the autistic adult population, this finding is the first of its kind to indicate that Black autistic adults may be more impacted by aspects related to Physical Health and Well-being than other demographic groups. Social Health and Well-being emerged as the strongest predictor of Global Happiness Ratings in the autistic adult sample. As Social Health and Well-being increased, so did Global Happiness at a relatively large rate with a high degree of certainty. This finding is consistent with previous studies and supports the inclusion of social health and well-being considerations at all levels of programs and services for autistic adults regardless of race and/or gender identity. In addition to the significant findings, trends were observed in the current study that warrant attention, including negative trends in global happiness for those who have racial intersectionality and those who are gender non-conforming. These trends are consistent with previous studies that have found indications of excess intersectional disparity and lower quality of life in those who live with multiple marginalized identities.
Like all research, the current study had limitation that impacted the interpretability and generalizability of results. Specific limitation included those inherent to cross-sectional survey research and a lack of acceptable reliability in the Cognitive Health and Well-being domain utilized. However, this study contributed to the current body of knowledge of autistic adult quality of life and has several critical implications for clinical practice, administration and policy, and future research. Administration and policy efforts need to focus on social inclusivity so autistic adults, including those with other marginalized identities, will be seen as equitable members of society. Recommendations for future research include incorporating longitudinal designs in autistic quality of life studies, enhancing diversity within autistic samples, establishing professional consensus on the ideal instrument to use when measuring subjective quality of life in autistic adults, and integrating self- and informant-report measures to improve reliability and validity of findings
Utilizing Frailty Assessment to Impact Nursing Care for Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease: A Quality Improvement Project
Get PDFFrailty is highly prevalent in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and predictive of morbidity. Nurses lack frailty education and face practical challenges to assessment which prevent effective inventions to address frailty. A quality improvement project sought to determine if frailty education and utilization of a renal frailty index tool impacts telephonic case management nursing care of ESKD patients by improving knowledge, perception, identification, and assessment of frailty thereby prompting nursing interventions. Positive impacts were seen across all outcomes influencing outreach and resource utilization by nurses. Limitations included a small sample size, time burden, and manual processes. Findings suggest the importance of embedding frailty care into daily practice, automation of frailty scoring, and expansion into advance practice to improve quality of care and reduce cost of care.D.N.P
CONNECTIONS, COMMUNITY, AND CULTURE: FACTORS ATTRIBUTED TO NEW EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION, PREPARATION, AND RETENTION THROUGH INTENTIONAL ONBOARDING IN STUDENT AFFAIRS
Get PDFStudent affairs is a field within higher education that noticed the impact of attrition at high rates through the "Great Resignation" following the global COVID-19 pandemic. Staff turnover presents institutions with an opportunity to examine factors associated with employee retention and job satisfaction and explore the effectiveness of onboarding and acclimation processes as one method to promote organization stability. Using Transitional Theory and Invitational Theory as a theoretical foundation, this action research inquiry aimed to examine the influence an intentional division onboarding could have on employee job preparation, satisfaction, and retention promotion. An intentional onboarding curriculum was presented during two onboarding sessions hosted for new employees withing the Division of Student Affairs at a public higher education institution through the support of the Student Affairs Professional Development Committee. Following the onboarding session, nine participants consented to participate in the explanatory sequential mixed methods action research inquiry. A survey administered through Qualtrics allowed participants to select their level of agreement using a five-point Likert scale across 22 statements, respond to three open-ended questions, identify onboarding experiences, and volunteer demographic information. Three participants attended an individual semi-structured interview following the survey. Descriptive statistical analysis and thematic analysis were used to examine quantitative and qualitative data sequentially. The results revealed that new employees seek onboarding and training opportunities. Such experiences correlate to their acclimation, transition, and preparedness for their role and can influence their satisfaction and retention. Participants highlighted the value of building working relationships, identifying a connection to the institution and intersections of their role with other departments, viewing their role in the strategic plan and institutional mission, signaling the significance of a welcoming environment and culture. An effective onboarding curriculum and experience can be beneficial to new employees, extending to student success: student affairs professionals can provide students with the appropriate direction and guidance necessary to persist in graduation and proceed in achieving their career and personal goals. Findings indicate that connections, community, and culture are elements that contributed to new employee experiences
Recreation of the Chancellor's Residence in the French Colonial Architecture Style
No full textIn this project our group was assigned with creating a French colonial themed recreation of the chancellors residence off of 5 street. With over 7000 sq ft of livable space and enough room to fit 6 cars in total. We went for a mainly open concept to encore rate the use of breezeways, heavy usage of single and double casement windows as well as broad columns were used to really bring out that French colonial feeling, let’s not forget the dormer and eyebrow dormer windows these are located above the garage and top of the house on the northern elevation
UNVEILING RACIAL DYNAMICS: BLAIWOC TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION WITHIN WHITE-DOMINANT ONLINE RECOVERY SUPPORT SPACES
Get PDFThis dissertation investigates how Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, and Women of Color
(BLAIWOC) navigate and respond to racism in predominantly white online recovery support
spaces (ORSS). Using Critical Race Theory (CRT) and a trauma-informed lens, this study
introduces a Critical Race Trauma-Informed Ethic (CRTIE) to guide technical communicators in
addressing systemic racism within white-dominant environments, emphasizing six core
principles: (1) recognition of racial trauma, (2) trauma-informed practices, (3) centering
marginalized voices, (4) critical reflection and education, (5) action-oriented strategies, and (6)
transparency and accountability.
The study examines the racialized dynamics within ORSS and highlights the strategies
BLAIWOC employ to challenge dominant narratives and advocate for racial equity. Through a
multi-method approach that combines autoethnography, surveys, and interviews, the research
explores how BLAIWOC act as technical communicators, bringing specialized knowledge about
race, racism, and recovery to these spaces. The findings show that, despite the intended purpose
of these spaces to provide community, connection, and healing, BLAIWOC participants often
encounter microaggressions, cultural erasure, and the minimization of race as an "outside issue,"
leading to emotional disengagement and the creation of BIPOC-specific spaces. Their
contributions, rooted in lived experience and collective knowledge, serve as vital resources for
reshaping recovery discourse and practices.
By amplifying the voices of BLAIWOC and situating their experiences at the center of
analysis, this dissertation not only critiques the racism embedded in recovery spaces but also
proposes CRTIE strategies for fostering racial equity and cultivating more inclusive and
supportive online communities. Beyond recovery spaces, the insights from this project have
broader implications for technical and professional communication (TPC), demonstrating how
applying CRT and trauma-informed principles can advance social justice initiatives across
various contexts. Through this work, I argue that technical communicators have a unique
opportunity to disrupt systems of oppression by integrating a CRTIE framework into their
respective environments, fostering more racially equitable and trauma-informed spaces for
marginalized communities
Leveraging Virtual Reality for Pedagogical Innovation: A Case Study of a 3D Heart Model for Anatomical Education
No full textA 3D Heart Visualization is available at this link: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/3d-heart-visualization-garrett-clayton-moore-13704e234c98403f9c6beff5b6303f59
garrettclaytonmoore.comTraditional anatomical models and textbook
depictions have long been fundamental to
medical education, providing accurate
representations of human anatomy. These
tools effectively convey structural details and
remain essential in foundational training.
However, their static nature limits exploration
of complex physiological processes and
spatial relationships, particularly in dynamic
systems like the human heart. This study
aims to enhance medical education by
developing an interactive 3D model of the
human heart within a virtual reality (VR)
environment through:
• Creating a High-Fidelity, Interactive 3D
Model of the Human Heart
• Enhancing Spatial and Anatomical
Comprehension
• Simulating Dynamic Cardiac Functions
and Physiological Processes
• Improving Learning Outcomes and
Knowledge Retention
• Supporting Medical Diagnosis Training
through Interactive Simulations
• Providing Interactive Learning
EnvironmentsEast Carolina University Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award
Supporting Education Through the Growth of the ECU School of Hospitality Leadership Food & Wine Festival
No full textThe ECU School of Hospitality Leadership Food and Wine Festival is an annual event designed to provide invaluable hands-on learning experience for students, while also celebrating culinary flavors and fostering community engagement. Since the first event in 2023, the festival has grown steadily, both in scale and impact, becoming a cornerstone event for the hospitality department. This project was developed as a part of the School of Hospitality Leadership to emphasize multi-discipline collaboration with event planning, marketing, management, and execution. The primary focus of this project is the festival’s ability to sustain and expand the SHL scholarship fund, which supports our students pursuing their degrees in hospitality management. The 2025 festival, happening on March 28th, will showcase the continued growth of the event, enhancing the attendee experience. This presentation will highlight the festival’s evolution over the years, examining factors contributing to its growth, including innovative planning strategies, increased marketing, and enhanced student involvement. By analyzing ticket sales, attendee feedback, and sponsorship contributions, this project will explore the future growth potential for the festival.
Moreover, this project will examine the festival’s impact on education, as it serves as a department-wide project for SHL students. By actively participating in the festival students can apply the knowledge they have learned in the classroom and develop crucial skills in leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. These opportunities not only enhance the student’s understanding of hospitality concepts but also prepare them to enter the competitive industry. The ECU School of Hospitality Leadership Food and Wine Festival is more than just an event; it is a platform that bridges education and industry, providing students with hands-on experience. As the festival continues to grow, its dual focus on education and fundraising ensures that it
continues to be a transformative event for students and a celebrated tradition throughout the SHL department and university as a whole. This presentation will showcase how the festival serves as a model for innovative, student-led initiatives that combine education, community involvement, and philanthropy, while also exploring its long-term impact on the growth and success of the School of Hospitality Leadership and its students
A NOVEL ANTIVIRAL THERAPEUTIC PLATFORM: ANCHORING IFN-β TO THE SURFACE OF INFECTIOUS VIRIONS EQUIPS INTERFERON-EVASIVE VIRIONS WITH POTENT ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY
No full textEmerging viruses with the potential to cause epidemics and pandemics pose a severe threat to human health. Herein, we introduce a novel fusion protein platform that enables therapeutic targeting of distinct viral species based on host receptor specificity. Proof-of-concept studies focused on the human coronavirus NL63, which shares specificity for the ACE2 host receptor with the pandemic SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 species. This antiviral fusion protein combines IFN-β with the soluble extracellular domain of ACE2 (IFNβ-ACE2). The physical linkage allows ACE2 to target IFN-β to the surface of NL63. The fusion protein is thereby designed to decorate virions with a surface array of IFN-β such that robust IFN-β signaling and upregulation of antiviral innate defenses invariably precede subsequent cellular infection. Both domains retained the predicted bioactivities in that the IFN-β domain exhibited potent anti-proliferative activity and the ACE2 domain exhibited full binding to the transmembrane SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. In virus-washed (virus-targeted) and non-washed in vitro infection systems, we showed that the pool of IFNβ-ACE2 targeted to the virion surface had potent and superior antiviral activity against NL63 infection compared to soluble ACE2, IFN-β, or the unlinked combination of ACE2 and IFN-β. The pool of IFNβ-ACE2 on the virion surface exhibited robust antiviral efficacy based on the preemptive targeting of antiviral IFN-β activity to the proximal site of viral infection. In conclusion, virus-targeted IFN-β places interferon optimally and antecedent to viral infection to constitute a new antiviral therapeutic strategy.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for new antiviral strategies to counter emerging pathogenic viruses. According to a recent study, there is a 38% probability of experiencing a similar pandemic in an individual’s lifetime, and this number may double in the next few decades. Our best chance of combating new outbreaks and pandemics is by being proactive rather than reactive. With continuous antiviral development, we can quickly eliminate and potentially obviate emerging problematic viruses. This platform can be re-engineered to target various viral species by altering the receptor domain. Additionally, the IFN-β domain can be modified to a different effector protein (e.g. IFN-α) with superior activity against the targeted virus
STUDENT BELONGING AT EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY AND HOW IT AFFECTS ACADEMIC SUCCESS
No full textStudent belonging is important to the college experience and more specifically to ECU. Everyone wants to feel as though they belong; as Abraham Maslow states “it is something we as humans crave to feel” (pg. 370), especially when it comes to a college setting. Having that sense of community and feeling as though there are people in one's corner is something everyone deserves to feel. But realistically how many people feel as though they belong at college? More specifically, how many students at ECU feel as though they belong to ECU? Many things go into the college experience that influence belonging in a multitude of ways. What exactly are things that boost the feeling of belonging for students? It is as important to ask questions about why students do not feel like they belong at ECU, and why exactly is that? What has made them feel that way? Was it an experience or other people? When students feel like they belong in college, they have the motivation to live their college life to the fullest. Students go to class, try to make friends within those classes, bond with professors and numerous other things. But on the other side of that coin when students do not feel like they belong, their approach to college is quite different. They may not want to go to class, they stop trying to make connections, and it can be self-isolating and can produce a lot of negative feelings. While student belonging at ECU is an important thing to explore, the impact of sense of belonging on academic success is just as important
Latine Immigrant Women in North Carolina: Barriers, Backlash, and the Power of Advocacy
No full textThis study examines the intersecting structural barriers and forms of resilience shaping the lives of Latine immigrant women in North Carolina, a state that has emerged as a new immigrant gateway. Drawing on in-depth interviews with advocates embedded in community organizations, this research highlights how gender, immigration status, and racialized assumptions converge to shape Latine immigrant women’s experiences in labor, education, healthcare, housing, and encounters with law enforcement. Guided by intersectionality, framing theory, and accounts theory, the analysis shows how advocates make sense of systemic injustice, strategize for change, and center the leadership of Latine women in their work. While respondents emphasized the harm caused by anti-immigrant policies, gender-based violence, and economic exploitation, they also underscored the power of collective action, cultural pride, and political engagement. By focusing on advocacy as both a site of struggle and transformation, this study offers insight into the lived realities of Latine immigrant women and calls attention to the need for policies that affirm their rights, voices, and leadership