Dissertations and Theses
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Publication Connection Mindset: A Proposed Study(2024) William H. Groner; McLaughlin, ErinConnection occurs from interactions between people and other people, places, and things. The results include enhanced subjective well-being, positive emotions, meaning, and belonging. Mindset relates to cognitions and implicit beliefs that inform motivation and behavior. This paper proposes the study of a new construct—a connection mindset. This mindset would explain why some people consider and act on connection opportunities more than others and enjoy greater well-being. Further research is proposed regarding the validation of connection mindset and the characteristics of interventions that may be developed to prime, enhance, or create a connection mindset, the success of which could profoundly impact individual and interpersonal well-being in a polarized, fragmented society.Publication Not Quite White: Exploring Shifts in Classification and Self-Identity Among Racially Ambiguous Groups(2024-05-20) Baghdady, Isabela; Jones-Correa, MichaelWhen Americans hear the terms “race” or “ethnicity,” certain categories come to mind: “White,” “African American,” “Hispanic,” “Asian.” From filling out the Census Race Question to checking off a box on a job application, these racial categorizations shape both public policy and self-identity. While racial categorizations play an important role in American society, there are certain groups whose identities do not fit into these neatly delineated categories, placing them in the ambiguous space between white and nonwhite. This thesis project examines racial categorization through the lens of three racially ambiguous groups, who each test the boundaries of whiteness and occupy a discrete position outside the lines drawn by present-day racial classifications: (1) Portuguese, (2) Lebanese, and (3) South Asian Indian Americans. Through tracking how these three communities have sought to institutionally express their racial identities over time, this project conducts a qualitative case study to consider: why did the Portuguese, Lebanese, and South Asian Indians—three groups who sought legal classification as white in the early twentieth century—move toward distinct racial self-definitions in the contemporary period, and how does this shift impact the boundaries of whiteness in the United States? This paper finds that shifts in racial classification among these three groups are due to a change in the meaning of whiteness between the early twentieth century and the contemporary period. The transition from overt racially discriminatory laws to covert racially discriminatory laws altered the ways in which whiteness is sustained and enforced, ultimately making it a less appealing label among racially ambiguous groups over time. In assessing this project’s broader implications for where America draws the boundaries of whiteness, this paper introduces a model that depicts whiteness as a concentric circle, arguing that whiteness is better understood as a series of degrees or gradations rather than a bounded category.Publication Postpartum Flourishing(2024-08) Jacqueline Pelletier; Emanuel, DanaThis capstone project describes the mental health of mothers during the perinatal period. It provides a review of disorders that occur during the perinatal period, from conception through 12 months after childbirth, with a particular focus on depression. In addition to focusing on depression, it also describes postpartum flourishing, a term coined by Aurelie Athan (2011). This capstone also describes interventions that can be utilized to decrease depression as well as interventions to increase the mental well-being and flourishing of new mothers during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Investing in the well-being of new mothers and helping new mothers to flourish has the potential to have a positive impact on the well-being of the infant and the well-being of the family.Publication A SURVEY TO EVALUATE OUR CURRENT UNDERSTANDING OF THE ANIMAL EXPERIENCE AND WELFARE OF CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS (ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS) UNDERGOING REHABILITATION AT RESCUE CENTERS IN CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.(2024) Megan Ann Koehn; Thomas, ParsonsCalifornia sea lions are one of the most common pinniped species to strand along the United States west coast, particularly along California coastlines. While data on the number of strandings that occur on a yearly basis, analyses of why they strand, and the criteria for an individual to be released are well documented, knowledge gaps still persist. The welfare of marine mammals under permanent human care has been studied; although more is known about cetacean welfare than pinnipeds. However much less is known about the welfare of many marine mammals during rehabilitation, and particularly about California sea lions. Thus, a survey of those supervising the rescue, rehabilitation, and release process of these animals promises a clearer understanding of the animal experience, and thus hopeful indications of their general welfare, when undergoing rehabilitation. Data collected from survey answers will serve in exploring a wide array of topics related to the rehabilitation process. These topics include those directly related to the animals as well as the administrative background of these facilities. This survey will serve as a way to better understand the interconnectivity of each aspect of the rescue, rehabilitation, and release process while also identifying areas of the process that are thriving and those that may need improvement or further exploration.Publication An evaluation of the awareness of the 3Rs within biomedical research institutions(2024) Jennifer Davis; Punt, JenniApproximately 1.1 million laboratory rodents (mice and rats) are used for biomedical research in the United States (Carbone, 2021). Contributing to the large animal numbers is the genetically modified mouse. Hundreds, if not thousands, of different strains of mice have been developed to better understand human disease. The principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement, known as the 3Rs, are crucial in ensuring the ethical treatment of research animals. In accordance with US federal law, it is the responsibility of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee to oversee the ethical use of animals in biomedical research. Many biomedical research institutions continue to face challenges in upholding the principles of the ‘3Rs’, particularly in the aspect of reduction. Here I assess the promotion of the 3Rs, specifically reduction, and welfare in the regulations and standards set by the US government for research involving animals. Additionally, NIH-funded peer institutional policies and staff training related to laboratory mouse breeding and colony management were also examined. Upon review and in line with the existing literature, it is crucial to consistently emphasize the significance of the 3Rs and animal welfare to research staff. These principles should be integral to training programs, actively implemented by all individuals engaged in animal research oversight, and regularly referenced by regulatory agencies.