ScholarWorks (California State University)
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Impact of CBT on Depression symptoms and Self-care Promotion in patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa.
No full textBackground: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition associated with an increased risk for developing depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may offer benefit in treating depression symptoms which would help promote better self-care adherence by these patients. Aim: Evaluate whether CBT-based reductions in depression (BDI scores) is associated with improved self-care behaviors (SC-CII) in HS patents by delivering a 12-month CBT intervention to adults with HS and explore preliminary effects on their self-care and depression symptoms. Hypothesis: Participants who show improved depression scores will demonstrate increased treatment adherence and self-care engagement. Materials and Methods: A prospective, single blind, correlational study will be conducted with 30 HS participants who have mild to moderate depression. Participants will undergo CBT plus usual care. The study group will receive CBT over a 12-week period, consisting of weekly 60-minute sessions delivered by the primary investigator trained in CBT. Assessment of the participant's self-care scores with the Self-care Chronic Inventory form (SC-CII) and depression score (BDI) will be assessed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months post CBT intervention. Exploratory secondary outcomes include changes in HS severity, HS treatment adherence and depressive symptoms (BDI)
Using non-monetary incentives to improve talent recruitment and retention in the public sector
No full textThis thesis explores non-monetary incentives-employee engagement, professional development, work-life balance, and organizational mission-as crucial strategies for recruiting and retaining talent in local government General and Administrative (GA) roles amidst a pervasive workforce shortage. The analysis, grounded in secondary data and Kingdon's three-stream theory, reveals a convergence of the problem (workforce crisis), policy (viable non-monetary solutions, including the emerging role of Generative AI in HR), and politics (receptiveness to new approaches), creating a significant window of opportunity for policy change. The review highlights the need for local governments to shift towards a holistic "employee value proposition" beyond monetary compensation. While identifying key effective incentives, the methodological limitations of qualitative secondary data necessitate future quantitative and longitudinal research to empirically quantify impacts and address contextual nuances, informing evidence-based public administration practices
Leadership Styles for Promoting Innovation and Creativity in Public Organizations
No full textThe infrastructure of a city is planned and maintained by the Department of Public Works. However, the internal clients who cater to the public's needs are just as significant. Employee potential is often limited by ineffective leadership styles, which can lower productivity and overall organizational performance. Additionally, outdated structures hinder the development of a creative culture by introducing multiple inefficiencies that make addressing new challenges more difficult. The integrity and stability of the workforce infrastructure may be threatened when workers feel underappreciated, as they may produce less or seek employment elsewhere. Therefore, this study will examine different strategies for creating an innovative culture within the Los Angeles County Public Works workforce. Specifically, this thesis will employ a qualitative research approach, where participants will be asked about leadership strategies and methods for fostering creativity and innovation within the company, two key factors in an organization's success. It is anticipated that the results will ultimately demonstrate the relationship between leadership tactics and innovation, as well as their impact on enhancing overall employee creativity and productivity within the organization
Challenges and limitations of collaborative services in addressing homelessness in Los Angeles County
No full textThis study examines the systemic challenges within collaborative services, specifically between contractors and supportive service providers that work together to address homelessness in Los Angeles County. Previous studies suggest that inefficiencies in collaborative services reduce the quality of care given to the homeless population. While numerous organizations have partnered to ensure that immediate and long-term assistance is provided to many unhoused individuals and families, misalignments in coordination, communication, and service implementation have hindered the overall effectiveness of these collaborations. Through the qualitative data gathered in this study, this paper identifies numerous barriers to the partnerships now in place to address homelessness in Los Angeles County, including the lack of coordination, failure to prioritize needs, and ongoing contractual issues. Therefore, addressing these concerns and implementing necessary changes will increase the likelihood of making effective and efficient modifications across the county's services addressing homelessness
Barriers and Opportunities in Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Educators in California
No full textThe underrepresentation of teachers of color in California's public schools remains a pressing challenge to educational equity. This study focuses on the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), one of the most diverse districts in the nation, to examine the systemic and institutional factors influencing the recruitment and retention of teachers of color. Through qualitative, semi-structured interviews with pre-credentialed candidates and practicing educators, the study explores how credentialing barriers, financial strain, mentorship access, and school climate affect entry into and longevity in the profession. It also considers the impact of targeted initiatives, such as teacher residencies and grow-your-own programs. By centering the lived experiences of educators of color, this research highlights how their training and induction experiences shape both entry into the profession and long-term career persistence. Findings will inform culturally responsive strategies and policy reforms that address economic and institutional barriers, with the goal of better aligning California's educator workforce with its diverse student population
Artificial Intelligence: Improving Public Safety Through Smart Governance
No full textAs artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into local governance, ethical concerns about its impact on privacy, fairness, accountability, and public trust have intensified. This study investigates how residents of San José, California, an early adopter of AI in public safety, perceive the ethical implications of these technologies in their daily lives. Using a cross-sectional, phenomenological qualitative research design, the study will conduct in-depth interviews with a diverse sample of residents to understand their lived experiences with AI-enabled systems such as predictive policing, facial recognition, and surveillance tools. The proposed study aims to uncover how these technologies shape citizens' perceptions of civil liberties, trust in local authorities, and feelings of safety or vulnerability. Anticipated findings suggest a complex balance between perceived benefits and ethical costs
Long Term Effects on No Child Left Behind Act
No full textThis study systematically analyzes the impacts and implications of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001, as it examines the accountability measures, educational equity, curriculum effects, and outcomes for marginalized student populations. This research employs a qualitative approach, synthesizing findings from secondary sources, including peer-reviewed articles, policy documents, and government reports, to evaluate the effectiveness of NCLB critically. This analysis identifies major strengths and unwanted adverse outcomes, including inequitable effects on students with disabilities, English Language Learners, curriculum narrowing, and declines in teacher morale. Policy implications emphasize the importance of balanced accountability frameworks, targeted support for marginalized groups, and comprehensive educational strategies. The study recognizes anthropomorphism in data scope, including geographic focus. To improve policy effectiveness and educational equity, the study recommends that researchers conduct further research into primary data, analyze data comparatively, and study data longitudinally
The spread of communicable diseases in the Los Angeles Homeless Population
No full textPeople experiencing Homelessness (PEH) in Los Angeles are more vulnerable to contracting and spreading communicable infectious diseases such as Hepatitis A, COVID-19, Tuberculosis, Typhus, Shigella, Influenza, and Hepatitis B. Local interventions such as portable personal hygiene stations, mobile vaccine distribution units, and temporary housing programs have remained limited despite being shown to be successful. The findings in this study suggest that the continued spread of infectious diseases among the various groups within the PEH population is the result of generations of systemic inequality as well as a lack of prioritization to fully address the structural issues that give rise to the spread of disease within the PEH population. This systematic analysis will conclude by recommending that all levels of government address the spread of communicable diseases among the unhoused population as a major ongoing health crisis that endangers all people living in Los Angeles and recommend that solutions be multi-faceted, addressing all structural aspects that result in the unhoused population spreading infectious diseases
The Importance of Physical Activity among College Students
No full textCollege students are undergoing different changes in their lives. Some are experiencing living away from home for the first time, and balancing jobs along with their academic and social lives. College students tend to be at risk for physical inactivity. Physical inactivity can put an individual at risk for developing chronic diseases such as obesity. College students tend to be more at risk at this crucial time of change because they are learning to balance different aspects of their lives. Other factors that can affect a college students' risk for developing these chronic diseases are poor nutrition in conjunction with low physical activity levels. It is crucial for college students to be given the proper tools to develop into healthy adults. The tools we can provide are education and resources for college students to have the chance to develop healthy habits.The goal of this project is to prevent obesity among California State University, Northridge students through an intervention based on the Social Cognitive Theory and Health Belief Model. Social Cognitive Theory is essential and is often used for interventions regarding physical activity. Self efficacy is a key construct when developing an intervention for at-risk populations such as college students. Additionally we will evaluate the perceived benefits and barriers that students have when considering physical activity. This project includes prior research to guide this intervention. The Klotz Student Health Center will be conducting an intervention to improve physical activity among students to reduce risk of developing obesity. This will be done via education, and providing resources for students. The intervention will be a collaboration with American College Sports Medicine's program: Exercise is Medicine-On Campus. Budgeting and timelines have been included. The expected outcome is that we will increase physical activity among CSUN students and reduce their risk of developing obesity
Infection dynamics of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Western Washington amphibians
No full textThe novel amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is found across the globe and has threatened amphibian populations on multiple continents. Nationwide reconnaissance surveys have documented the distribution of Bd across the United States, revealing declines and local extirpations of susceptible species such as the mountain yellow-legged frog in California. However, little is known about this disease in Washington state. Washington is geographically pertinent to study due to its varying degrees of human land use. The mixture of urban, rural, and protected ecosystems provides habitat to different species. However, the proximity of these ecosystem types does allow for the potential increased risk of pathogen spread. In this study, we sampled 386 field pathogen swabs across 18 amphibian species over the course of three field seasons. We collected samples from varying habitats from pristine to developed regions for diagnostic PCR to indicate Bd prevalence among species. We observed eight incidences of Bd among five species. We found that there was a correlation of infection prevalence with site conditions. The highest prevalence of Bd was in western toads (Anaxyrus boreas) sampled from managed timber farms, followed by introduced African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) sampled from developed urban ponds. There was also a correlation with the presence of invasive species in disturbed habitats, and infection among invasive species. These results reveal that Bd persists in both managed and urbanized habitats in Washington — particularly among western toads and African clawed frogs — underscoring the necessity for targeted land-use management and invasive-species control to mitigate pathogen spread and safeguard regional amphibian biodiversity