ScholarWorks (California State University)
Not a member yet
87523 research outputs found
Sort by
Overcoming the Challenge of Finding Comics Studies in Medline
Full text linkComics are increasingly being used to communicate health information. This has created a need to search the literature for prior work. However, the lack of settled vocabulary in the field and a poor fit into MeSH terms means that such searches are not simple, and important studies easily missed. During a recent systematic review in this area, I found each comics-related term to have its own peculiarities of usage in medical studies. Viewers of my poster will learn the technical usage of various terms, such as 'graphic medicine', 'cartoons', and 'manga', and the search strategies required to deal with them
Machismo and Latinx Family Functioning
No full textPrevious research highlights machismo's role in Latinx family functioning, serving as a key factor in how families navigate social, economic, and institutional stressors and inequities. To better understand its impact on family well-being, this study explores the relationship between machismo family values and levels of family conflict, cohesion, and communication. Through an anonymous online survey of 51 close-ended questions and the use of The Machismo and Caballerismo Scale (Arciniega et al., 2008) and the Brief Family Relationship Scale (Fok et al., 2014), this study examines nuanced perceptions of their family's values of machismo and family functioning within Latinx families. Although results revealed no significant relationship between machismo and family functioning, cohesion, communication, and conflict domains, findings revealed a stronger relationship between caballerismo and family functioning. Findings indicated that caballerismo is positively and significantly correlated with family cohesion, suggesting that households with higher caballerismo value and experience greater family unity and emotional closeness. Unveiling a relationship between caballerismo and Latinx family functioning promotes reason to further study positive features of current dualities of machismo that can help implement interventions that foster healthy Latinx family relationships
Exploring What Drives Volunteers to Facilitate Grief Groups
Full text linkPurpose: Volunteering takes time and dedication, and grief work is complex. The purpose of this study was to explore what motivates volunteers and keeps them doing grief work. Research question: How do volunteer's experiences and perceptions influence their decision to facilitate grief groups? Methods: In-depth individual interviews explored personal narratives and emotional responses related to volunteers' (N=10) involvement in facilitating grief groups and provided qualitative data that allowed participants to share their personal experiences. Results: Findings of the interviews revealed that agency support, mutual aid, family values, and healing through connection influenced them to facilitate grief groups with OUR HOUSE. Discussion: Personal values and having a connection to grief motivates volunteers to continue facilitating grief groups. Findings revealed in this study are important when recruiting additional volunteers and to increase support for children and families experiencing grief
Creating Cozy, Comforting Places and Spaces: Trauma-Informed Design in Monterey County Homeless Shelters
Full text linkPurpose: This research seeks to utilize the act of research as a form of intervention, providing information on Trauma-Informed Design and encourage an open dialogue with Monterey County homeless shelters' key decision makers. Inquiry: This research asks the following questions: 1.) What are key decision makers of Monterey County homeless shelters' understanding of Trauma-Informed Design? 2.) What barriers do key decision makers face in terms of implementing Trauma-Informed Design in homeless shelters in Monterey County? Methods: Qualitative research was conducted through five virtual, hour-long, semi-structured interviews with Monterey County homeless shelters' key decision makers, and/or those who work closely with key decision makers. Results: This study found that key decision makers of Monterey County homeless shelters have limited awareness and knowledge of TID but exhibited adequate knowledge of trauma-informed care. The study also found that the barriers of funding constraints, organization and community perceptions, and stigmatization of the homeless population present barriers to the implementation of TID in homeless shelters in Monterey County. Discussion: The findings from this study contribute to the body of work that currently exists on TID and, more specifically, TID in homeless shelters. By utilizing this research as an intervention, this writer spread awareness and education on TID and how TID elements can be implemented on a budget to key decision makers who had little to no prior knowledge of TID. By creating a dialogue on TID and providing information to the participants of this study, this writer provided tools to key decision makers to be able to properly advocate for the use of TID in homeless shelters
Empowering Journeys: Exploring Life Coaches' Perspectives on Job Satisfaction and Professional Fulfillment
Full text linkPurpose: The purpose of the current qualitative study is to explore how former life experiences of having been previously incarcerated influence the job satisfaction of life coaches. Research question: The study aimed to answer the following research question: How do former life experiences influence the job satisfaction of life coaches? Methods: Participants (N=11) were HART life coaches and were asked 11 in-depth open-ended questions that consisted of job satisfaction, motivation, and fulfillment. Results: The findings showed three key factors contributed to high levels of job satisfaction and fulfillment, including: 1) being uniquely qualified for this specific role, 2) discovering a higher purpose, and 3) experiencing emotional healing. Subthemes were developed to emphasize specific elements that participants identified as the most meaningful and impactful in their role as a life coach. Discussion: Reentry programs can use the findings to understand and strengthen employment retention rates, adopt similar models, and lastly can improve the transition from incarceration to employment by developing valuable tools that contribute to sustainable long-term success
A Qualitative Study: Exploring the Role of Cultural Connectedness in Postsecondary Education for People of Color with Foster Care Backgrounds and Its Impacts on Education, Mental Health, and Financial Stability
Full text linkStudy Purpose: This qualitative study explores the experiences of people of color foster care alumni (POC FCA) in postsecondary education and culture, and the impact of Foster Care Focused Programs (FCFPs) on academic, financial, and mental health outcomes. Methods: Participants were recruited via social media using convenience and snowball sampling; eligibility was determined through systematic sampling. Researchers conducted one-hour interviews and analyzed data using thematic analysis. Findings: Participants defined culture as connected to their skin color, relationships, foster care identity, and as something that adapts to transitional circumstances. FCFPs provided emotional, mental, financial, and community support, but participants also noted barriers due to stigma. Discussion: This study highlighted the need for continued discussion on POC FCA's culture and its impact on education and wellbeing and research on diverse foster care identities
Suicide Prevention in Elementary School Students: Promoting Mental Health and Resiliency Through Home-School Collaboration
Full text linkSuicide among elementary school children is a growing concern, yet there is a lack of research and as such minimal efforts are focused on this population (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). This project aims to promote resilience and suicide prevention in young children. Specifically, it involves the development and implementation of parent workshops designed to educate them on recognizing risk factors, fostering emotional resilience, and supporting their child's mental well-being. These workshops provide parents with evidence-based strategies, community resources, and practical tools to strengthen protective factors in the home environment
Understanding Exclusions Among Adoptees and Former/Foster Homeless Youth
No full textIndividuals with experiences in foster care, adoption, or youth homelessness often navigate a world where stigma and exclusion are part of their daily lives. Despite growing awareness, little attention has been given to understanding their experiences of exclusion in a holistic way. This study investigates how individuals with experiences of foster care, adoption, or youth homelessness experience exclusion. A survey was conducted to collect data from individuals who identify as having backgrounds in foster care, adoption, or homelessness (n=8). This exploratory study aimed to capture the exclusionary perspectives of those with these experiences. Findings revealed that individuals from these backgrounds commonly face bullying, invasive questions, negative comments, and discrimination. Many participants also reported feelings of shame and being denied resources or services. Furthermore, participants emphasized the need for compassion, respect, and increased awareness of trauma within organizations to create more supportive environments. They called for an increase in resources, understanding their needs, and offering continued support, especially for those pursuing higher education. In this study, implications for social work are discussed
Barriers to Care: Understanding Exclusionary Criteria for Foster Parent Licensure in the United States
No full textThere is limited research on the foster care licensing process in the United States. To address this scientific limitation, this study conducts a national investigation examining the foster care licensing process. Specifically, we draw upon critical race theory and citizenry exclusion theory to evaluate exclusionary elements embedded in state licensing requirements. Some of the exclusionary criteria include exclusion based on age, legal status, income level, marital status, and pet ownership. Further, many of the criteria have racial undertones. The results also reveal that foster licensing requirements are not accessible to the general public. We conclude with scientific and social work implications
3D Rigid Body Localization with Unknown Anchors
Full text linkRigid body localization (RBL) is a fundamental problem in various fields, including robotics, computer vision, and virtual reality. This thesis addresses the challenging task of 3D RBL in scenarios where the positions of reference points (anchors) are not precisely known. The primary objective is to accurately determine the positions, and orientation of sensors mounted on a rigid body relative to a fixed reference frame, by estimating the parameters of the rotation matrix and translation vector that define the rigid body's pose. To achieve this, two novel methodologies are developed: the Divide and Conquer (DAC) approach and the Centering Approach. These approaches efficiently address the non-linearity and measurement errors inherent in range-based localization. The contributions of this thesis include the development of a two-step DAC approach, which involves initial sensor position estimation and refinement through linearization and least-squares estimation. Additionally, the Centering Approach introduces a novel transformation using a projection matrix to simplify non-linear equations, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. These contributions provide significant advancements in RBL with unknown anchors, offering valuable insights and potential applications in fields requiring precise localization