Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2013, Population and Social Gerontology

Diabetes is a major health concern affecting countries around the world. In Mexico, diabetes will be one of the most challenging health problems in coming years. Diabetes is associated with negative health outcomes, including micro and macrovascular complications that can decrease the quality of life and increase the risk of death. Though there is convincing evidence about the benefits of social support, religiosity, and self-management on physical and psychological well-being, there is no systematic examination of the specific interrelationships among these variables and how they predict self-rated health in Hispanics, especially in diabetic Mexicans. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the potentially beneficial effects of social support, religiosity, and self-management on health among Mexican diabetics who are middle-aged and older. A mixed methods approach featuring structural equation modeling and semi-structured key informant interviews was used to address the topic. Data from Mexican Health and Aging Study/Estudio Nacional de Salud y Envejecimiento en Mexico (MHAS/ENASEM), a national representative survey of older Mexicans was used to assess the quantitative relationships. Qualitative interviews with ten religious leaders were conducted to shed light on the role of the Church in promoting health of older Mexicans with diabetes. The results indicated that religiosity and emotional support from spouses/partners was positively associated with self-management, and emotional support from spouses/partners was also associated with health. The major themes from the qualitative interviews emphasized the importance of open communication between church leaders and their parishioners, the role of the church in diabetes programs, and the unique position of religious institutions as a link between physical and spiritual aspects of health. The findings could be used to develop culturally-specific and church-based education programs for this population (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Suzanne Kunkel (Committee Chair); Scott Brown (Committee Co-Chair); Robert Applebaum (Committee Member); Jennifer Bulanda (Committee Member); John Bailer (Committee Member) Subjects: Aging; Behavioral Sciences; Clerical Studies; Gerontology; Health; Health Care; Health Care Management; Health Education; Hispanic American Studies; Hispanic Americans; Individual and Family Studies; Latin American Studies; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Public Health; Public Health Education; Regional Studies; Religion; Religious Education; Sociology; Spirituality

Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2024, Doctor of Ministry Program

This project discovered the knowledge, attitudes, and actions of Living Word Ministries congregates in Strong, Arkansas, regarding starting a substance abuse recovery ministry. Twenty participants completed a five-point Likert scale survey that was collected and analyzed. The data revealed the three top findings in knowledge and attitudes were the community had many individuals impacted by it, the Bible demanded it, and the pastor supported it. Finally, as it relates to actions, the data revealed that participants are willing to participate in a substance abuse recovery ministry, faith-based social activism and follow the pastor.

Committee: William Myers (Advisor) Subjects: African Americans; Black Studies; Rehabilitation

Master of Arts, Case Western Reserve University, 2020, History

For over 150 years, the “Three-Self” principles, including “Self-Support,” have been central to Chinese Christianity. During the late nineteenth century, William Ashmore, the leading American Baptist missionary in South China, aggressively adopted these principles as an extension of his denomination's congregational approach to church governance—insisting that Chinese churches be self-governing and financially self-sufficient. During the 1920s and thereafter, Three-Self was widely embraced by Chinese Christians as an expression of resurgent nationalism. When the Chinese Communists came to power in 1949, they transformed Self-Support to establish official Chinese Christianity on a non-denominational, hyper-nationalist, and anti-imperialist basis. This thesis focuses on several conflicts over Self-Support in Kit-Yang between 1889 and 1949, showing how power struggles among different groups reshaped the Three-Self principles amid the larger revolutionary transformations of Chinese society. Ironically, the Communist government's reconceptualization of the Three-Self concept effectively reversed its original meaning, replacing local autonomy with centralized control.

Committee: Daniel Cohen (Advisor); Kenneth Ledford (Committee Member); Miriam Levin (Committee Member); James Bonk (Committee Member) Subjects: American History; Asian Studies; Bible; Divinity; History; Political Science; Religious History; World History

Master of Science, Miami University, 2014, Exercise and Health Studies

The purpose of the study was to compare the influence of multiple sources of social support on African American adults physical activity, including support from church members, pastors, family members, and friends. Participants were recruited from two Ohio churches and completed a paper-pencil survey. Participants self-reported their demographic and health-related information, weekly physical activity levels, and daily television minutes. Physical activity was assessed via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and computed into metabolic equivalents. Results were analyzed via linear regression analysis. All participants were African American, mostly female participants, with a mean age of 44 years. Participants had a mean body mass index of 31.23, and more than half of the sample was categorized as overweight and obese. Overall, results demonstrated significant associations between participants activity levels and social support, which varied by the source and type of social support. Implications were discussed.

Committee: Karly Geller PhD (Advisor) Subjects: African Americans; Health; Minority and Ethnic Groups