49755 research outputs found
Sort by
Using the Health Belief Model and the social-ecological model as frameworks to assess the health behavior of African-born immigrant mothers in Washington State toward the utilization of cervical cancer prevention services (cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination)
No full textCervical cancer remains a significant public health concern in the United States, disproportionately affecting African immigrant women who experience higher risks and lower participation in prevention programs. Although cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening, many African-born immigrant mothers remain under-informed or face barriers that limit access and utilization. This study explored African immigrant mothers’ knowledge, awareness, and utilization of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening. It examined cultural, social, and systemic factors, as well as broader social determinants and policy contexts, that shape access to and utilization of cervical cancer prevention services in Washington State. Guided by the Health Belief Model and the Social-Ecological Model, this qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 56 African-born immigrant mothers and key informants. Thematic analysis identified five overarching domains with 25 interrelated themes that shape cervical cancer prevention behaviors. At the individual level, limited availability of health information, cultural beliefs, misinformation, and perceived risks influenced awareness and utilization. Family, peers, and faith leaders significantly shaped decision-making, while trust in healthcare providers and access to culturally and linguistically appropriate information emerged as critical factors. Structural barriers, such as economic hardship, limited healthcare access, and a lack of follow-up reminders, further limited participation. Broader social determinants, including education, employment, and discrimination, also affected preventive behaviors. The findings emphasize the need for culturally grounded, community-driven interventions, including faith-based education, peer advocacy, mobile clinics, and HPV self-sampling, to improve awareness, access, and utilization
Unseen Choreographies: Male New York City Secondary School Dancers Navigating Gender and Society
No full textThis qualitative multi-site case study investigated the experiences of adolescent male dancers in New York City’s secondary schools. Framed by a multilayered theoretical approach that included Butler’s (2006, 2011) gender performativity, Foucault’s (2012) panopticism, and Connell’s (2005) hegemonic masculinity, the study described the complexities of maleness within the female-dominated dance classroom.
Analyzing curricular dance across three diverse secondary public schools, data were collected through extensive field notes and semi-structured interviews with 18 student participants and three dance teacher informants and reported through narrative portraiture. Findings revealed that boys use complex strategies of self-regulation and movement control, such as reducing hip articulation and strategic nonparticipation, to maintain masculine legitimacy and manage peer surveillance.
The three theoretical perspectives uncovered a layered ecology of performativity, surveillance, and hierarchy, where gender is constantly policed, reinforced through bodily actions, and hierarchically maintained. Although hegemonic culture suggests this binary should be enforced (Site 2), moments of micro-resistance and hybrid expressions show the potential for reimagining masculinity (Sites 1 and 3).
This study argued that transforming dance education requires an ecological approach that legitimizes multiple masculinities and reduces the disciplinary costs of visibility, ensuring that participation does not come at the expense of male social status
Relationships Among Professional Identity, Nurse Educator Competencies, and Job Satisfaction in Academic Nurse Educators: A Correlational Study
No full textA strong professional identity in nursing has been linked to safe clinical practice and job satisfaction. However, the influence of professional identity on role-specific competencies and job satisfaction in academic nurse educators is unclear. The ongoing nursing faculty shortage underscores the urgency of understanding this influence to help recruit and retain the educators needed to bolster the volume of qualified nurses in the workforce.
Framed within the International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing domains and definitions and Benner’s Novice to Expert theory, this study investigates the relationships among professional identity, academic nurse educator competencies, and job satisfaction in academic nurse educators practicing in the United States. A total of 165 nurse faculty from across the United States completed an online survey in which they self-rated their levels of professional identity, role competencies, and job satisfaction. Data were collected on the Professional Identity in Nursing Scale 2.0 and the Nurse Educator Skill Acquisition Assessment. A single item question was used to holistically measure job satisfaction. Demographic data were measured on a researcher developed survey.
The results of the study revealed a strong positive correlation between professional identity and academic nurse educator competencies (rs = .62). Job satisfaction showed weak positive but statistically significant correlations with professional identity (rs = .19), and academic nurse educator competencies (rs = .18). Professional identity and academic nurse educator competencies did not predict job satisfaction in the multinomial regression model, suggesting that additional variables may be needed for more accurate prediction. Additional findings included a significant relationship between highest completed degree and professional identity, and significant relationships between academic nurse educator competencies and highest completed degree, educational preparation, CNE status, and geographical region.
The findings of this study highlight the importance of professional identity and academic nurse educator competencies in preparing nurses for the academic role, reinforcing the need to integrate professional identity into all nursing curricula to support readiness for diverse practice settings. While the job satisfaction of academic nurse educators is influenced by professional identity and academic nurse educator competencies, it is multifactorial and requires more investigation.
Finally, the results provide a foundation for future interventional studies aimed at supporting academic nurse educators and examining how professional identity influences readiness for practice among future nursing graduates
Disease Mechanisms Revealed in the P23H Opsin Knock-in Mouse Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa: Figure Data
No full textThe molecular mechanisms driving disease progression in autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) due to a proline to histidine substitution (P23H) in opsin, are not completely understood. Thus we undertook to unlock features of the P23H/+ knock-in mouse model. Bisretinoids, the source of short- wavelength fundus autofluorescence, were elevated in albino P23H rhodopsin transgenic rats and in black and albino P23H/+ mice relative to wild-type. Conversely, bisretinoid levels were lower in albino P23H/+ relative to black P23H/+ mice. Fluorescence microscopy revealed an inherent and aberrant autofluorescence in photoreceptor inner segments of albino P23H/+ mice. Outer nuclear layer (ONL) thinning indicative of photoreceptor degeneration, was more pronounced in albino versus black P23H/+ mice and was accentuated in inferior versus superior hemiretina. Dark-rearing alleviated ONL thinning in albino P23H/+. The greatly diminished levels of ocular retinoid were not fully accounted for by loss of photoreceptor cells. P23H/+ mice treated with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine exhibited higher intensities of short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence, improved photoreceptor viability and diminished 4-HNE immunoreactivity; the latter included 4-HNE adducts deposited in association with photoreceptor cells. The lower levels of bisretinoid in association with higher retinal illuminance are indicative of toxic bisretinoid photooxidation/degradation while the higher bisretinoid levels conferred by NAC are consistent with inhibition of these photodegradative processes. Collectively, these findings reveal that anomalous bisretinoid production can account for fundus hyperautofluorescence and the photoreactive properties of bisretinoid can explain the propensity for environmental light to exacerbate photoreceptor cell degeneration. The findings support the benefits of antioxidant intervention in human adRP
On the Fence but Bridging the Gap: A Mixed Methods Study of Stakeholder Perceptions of Faculty Hesitancy Toward Online Learning and Its Diffusion in a Post-pandemic Era
No full textThis dissertation explores the conditions shaping faculty hesitancy toward online learning in a post-COVID era. This period was characterized by rapid change and dependence on remote modalities. Although online learning has experienced an extensive history and has become a permanent staple of higher education strategy, faculty reception remains mixed. While prior research has examined the persistent barriers hindering widespread online learning adoption by faculty, less is known about how faculty and administrators perceive the phenomenon of faculty hesitancy, particularly after the widespread exposure to online modalities during and after the pandemic. Guided by Rogers’s (2003) Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory, this study examines the complex issue of hesitancy and how it influences adoption within higher education ecosystems.
This dissertation uses a mixed-methods design to expand on the breadth of the existing research and add the additional depth of stakeholder perspectives. Combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews across faculty and administrators enabled a deeper exploration of the points of alignment and areas of divergence between these key stakeholders.
The findings suggest several central themes. First, faculty and administrators tend to agree on some commonly cited barriers, but there continues to be misalignment between their perceptions of the consequential barriers to adoption. Second, faculty remain pragmatic, perceiving hesitancy as being driven by newly identified barriers, such as pedagogical incompatibility, poor engagement, rather than technical difficulties. Administrators, on the other hand, remain positive about the value of online learning and believe barriers can be mitigated with more training and support. However, these supports often emphasize technical training over pedagogical preparation for online teaching and learning. Without explicit attention to pedagogy, faculty—and, by extension, their students—may struggle to develop confidence and shared expectations in online environments, reinforcing discomfort rather than adoption.
Additionally, an analysis of adopter innovativeness suggests that most faculty may be comfortable with online learning after its diffusion post-COVID. Innovators and early adopters believed online effectiveness was conditional, further implying that faculty hesitancy is shaped less by technology acceptance and more by deeper pedagogical concerns. These findings underscore the need for institutional strategies that address the social aspect of innovation and organizational change. Drawing on DOI adopter categories and innovation-decision models, this study contributes to the literature by clarifying how faculty and administrator perspectives converge and diverge, offering strategies for shared governance and sustainable diffusion of online programming in higher education
Navigating Sexual Health in Digital Spaces: Understanding the Role of Social Networks in HIV/AIDS Prevention Strategies for Black Gay, Bisexual, and Men Who Have Sex with Other Men: A Mixed-Methods Study
No full textIn the United States, LGBTQ+ populations, particularly Black, Gay, Bisexual Men (BGBM) who have sex with other men (MSM), face elevated risks of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV/AIDS. Despite the introduction of preventive measures such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (Doxy-PEP), risk levels remain high among BGBM. There remains a critical knowledge gap in understanding their sociocultural impact within diverse LGBTQ+ communities.
This dissertation research aimed to address this gap using social network theory and a mixed-methods approach to examine how social networks shape awareness, perceptions, and behaviors related to these preventive measures. This approach is innovative because it utilized a conceptual framework that combines critical race theory (CRT), intersectionality theory (IT), and qualitative research methods to explore individual experiences and perspectives regarding PrEP and Doxy-PEP among within BGBM.
Through the analysis of social media posts and qualitative interviews with BGBM in New York City, this research uncovered the sociocultural and systemic factors influencing the uptake and effectiveness of preventive measures as well as variations in perceptions of sexual behaviors among BGBM. The anticipated outcomes include a comprehensive understanding of the social and sexual network impact of HIV/AIDS and STI treatment and preventive measures, novel insights into preventive sexual health behaviors, and the development of targeted interventions and policies to promote health equity and address disparities within LGBTQ+ communities.
This research project is in accordance with the goals of the Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic (EHE) initiative and those set forth by Healthy People 2030. This research will provide insights into the development of tailored interventions targeting BGBM populations at risk for HIV/AIDS & STI transmission in New York City and throughout the United States. Through its diverse mixed-methods approach, the findings can facilitate the advancement of health equity by scaling up key HIV/AIDS and STI prevention and treatment strategies to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Courageous but Indebted? Regional Courage is Associated With Higher Debt-to-Income Ratio in the United States
No full textGeographic disparities in household indebtedness present an economic puzzle that traditional models inadequately explain. We examine whether regional psychological traits—specifically courage—help explain these differences. Analyzing data from 836,184 individuals across 1,220 U.S. counties, we tested whether areas with higher collective courage (willingness to act despite fear) exhibit higher debt-to-income ratios. Using spatial regression techniques to account for geographic clustering and controlling for sociodemographic factors and Big Five personality traits, we found that courage significantly predicted county-level debt-to-income ratios. A one standard deviation increase in regional courage was associated with a 0.22 standard deviation increase in debt-to-income—an effect that persisted across different geographic scales and modeling approaches. Courage hotspots in western and southern regions showed corresponding patterns of higher indebtedness. These findings reveal that psychological traits traditionally viewed as virtuous may have unintended economic consequences, highlighting the importance of considering regional psychology when designing financial policies and interventions.
Keywords: courage, household debt, financial risk-taking, regional personality, geographical psycholog
“/imagine [PROMPT]” : A Chat with @MidJourneyBot, or 10 Provocations for the Future of Media Literacy
No full textIn this series of ten multimodal dialogues with the @MidJourneyBot, Ioana Literat, Associate Professor of Communication, Media and Learning Technologies Design at Teachers College, Columbia University, explores the current and future states of media literacy and misinformation. These fluid dialogic explorations prompt the audience to think more about how communication forms related to human-computer interaction are currently taking shape—particularly in light of how generative AI, online dialogues, and the constantly evolving nature of conversation itself are being impacted.
Keywords: generative AI (genAI), media literacy, digital literacy, communication and educatio
If We Build It, We Will Come: Strategies for Developing Academic Institutions and the Evolution of Career Choices by Top Talent During Japan’s Industrialization v.2
No full textThis is an updated version of the paper at https://doi.org/10.7916/zm1p-hh66.
Modern day economies rely on academia—with its focus on generating new knowledge and training future work forces—as a critical complement to industry in contributing to endogenous growth. How well academia performs this role, however, depends on its ability to recruit and retain talented faculty who have lucrative alternative options in industry; moreover, such allocation of talent in academia vs. industry is conditioned by path-dependencies in the evolution of these sectors. We complement existing literature that has focused on factors in mature scientific labor markets by examining the endogenous evolution of academic institutions concurrent with industrialization in Japan during the turn of the 20th century. Our study combines historical methods with estimation of a dynamic occupational choice model and utilizes unique data on the census of university-educated engineers from the first 40 cohorts since the inception of higher technical education in Japan. The historical analysis reveals systematic shaping strategies to build institutions that catered to both monetary and non-monetary preferences, and the quantitative estimations highlight that the latter were particularly important in academia disproportionately attracting top talent in later cohorts, despite an increasing pay gap with industry
Balassa–Samuelson in the Long Run: Qualitative Success, Quantitative Limits
No full textI qualitatively and quantitatively revisit the Balassa–Samuelson (BS) mechanism in the long run. Traditional panel regression specifications without time fixed effects are fragile, but adding time fixed effects yields a stable, positive BS elasticity across samples and frequencies—evidence that the data support BS qualitatively on average across countries. Quantitatively, however, a standard multi-country trade model fed only by observed sectoral productivity cannot match country paths and delivers too small magnitudes. These failures persist with costly trade, multi-country, multi-sector settings, input–output linkages, and time-varying trade costs