Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2007, Physical Activity and Educational Services

A non-experimental, exploratory survey design was used to determine the relationships between hope, executive function, behavioral/emotional strengths, and school functioning. The sample (N=236) included 10-12 year old students in a large Central Ohio school district. Data were gathered from students in two intermediate schools during group sessions in each building. Three self-report measures were used, including The Children's Hope Scale (CHS), The Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale- 2nd edition (BERS-2) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function- Self-Report Version (BRIEF-SR). The relationship between hope and demographic variables such as gender, race, and age were considered. No significant differences were discovered between hope and demographic variables, with the exception of special education status. Students receiving special education services reported significantly lower hope than students without special education status. More specifically, Hispanic males who speak English as a second language and receive special education services were significantly less hopeful than Hispanic males who speak English as a second language without special education status. Hope, then, may be a casualty of special education labels. A mediational model was tested to determine if hope enhances school functioning, even in the presence of executive dysfunction. Results revealed a partially mediated model, such that 74% of the total effect of executive dysfunction on school functioning was mediated by hope. Notably, students with high hope reported significantly higher levels of school functioning and behavioral/emotional strengths than their low hope peers, while students with low hope reported more executive dysfunction. Implications for school psychologists include the development and implementation of hope-enhancing interventions that aim to reduce the impact of various components of executive dysfunction on school functioning. Facilitating hope in children (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Educational Studies

Suicide is a growing concern in the United States and around the world. Approximately 50,000 people die by suicide each year and more than 15 million additional people struggle with thoughts of suicide in the U.S. As a result, there are very few people who have not been affected by suicide. Much of the work that has been performed around suicide places a focus on awareness and interventions, which is necessary for understanding the issue and critical in directing people to help. In recent years, the increases in suicide have been met with increases in social awareness. There is one obvious gap, which has been a lack of implemented solutions. Unfortunately, little has been done to provide actual treatment models that have proven effective. This study explored the work conducted at an outpatient treatment center utilizing a novel treatment model specifically developed for individuals actively struggling with thoughts of suicide. This model merges two evidence-based models with over 50 randomized controlled trials between them to bring both access and treatment to the public. The sample included 58 participants with a mean age of 20 years and which was 57% female and 43% male. Importantly, 31% of those in the study had no prior history of mental health diagnosis. The study found that the treatment was effective in reducing suicidality scores in the sample from pre-treatment scores to post-treatment scores, with a very large effect size [t(57) = 8.1, p < .001, d = 1.02]. There were also a significant decreases in scores on hopelessness [t(56) = 9.875, p < .001, d = 1.630], psychological pain [ t(57) = 9.768, p<.001, d = 1.294], stress [t(57) = 9.560, p < .001, d = 1.266], and self-hate [t(57) = 8.118, p < .001, d = 1.075], all with large effect sizes. The treatment and dosage data shows that the participants were able to appropriately address the issue of suicide and achieve resolution in an average of 7.52 sessions over an average of 5.6 weeks, with a 93% succe (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Education, Miami University, 2024, Educational Leadership

In this qualitative case study, strategies used in elementary school classrooms to promote hopefulness were examined. The strategies investigated were goal setting, agency, and pathways through six detailed interviews with high-qualified elementary teachers from diverse school systems located in Ohio. Teachers were chosen based on recommendations by principals who rated the teachers highly in the domain of culture and climate through the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System. The interview format in conjunction with the case study provided a platform for the teachers to share their stories on the strategies they use in elementary classrooms that benefit student mindsets. The strategies each teacher expressed as important in their classroom were analyzed through qualitative coding to decipher similarities and differences between perspectives and approaches. There were eight central principles that were present throughout the case study analysis: mistakes are part of learning, relationships with students are first and foremost, growth mindsets are important, commitments and goals are important steps in hope, celebrations are important in the classroom, reflections are part of the process, and it is important to have the sayings and phrases in the classroom. Overall, findings appeared to indicate that the most important contributor to hope is having adults believe in the student's ability to do exceptional things.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), University of Findlay, 2023, Education

Since fewer than 13% of probationary students and 40% of non-traditional students complete their college degree, educators should search for new strategies to retain and support probationary and non-traditional students (Hamman 2018; Muljana & Luo, 2019). The mixed-methods study analyzes how traditional probationary and non-traditional students perceive academic hope, the correlation between academic hope and academic achievement, and the efficacy of an academic hope intervention. The study includes qualitative data to explore how students conceptualize academic probation and academic hope. The mixed-methods study also utilizes descriptive and inferential statistics to determine the correlation between academic hope and academic achievement. Lastly, the study determines the efficacy of an academic hope intervention for traditional probationary students. The study's results suggest probationary students feel an array of negative emotions from their placement on academic probation. The results also dismantle the assumption that the primary reason probationary students are unsuccessful is that they are underprepared. The study discovered probationary students had inflated expectations and lacked a sense of belonging to the institution, both of which seem to contribute to students' lack of academic success. Next, the study's results indicate there was not a significant correlation (r=.127, r=.014) between academic hope and academic achievement. The results suggest there was a practical benefit with administering an academic hope intervention. The academic hope intervention increased seven students' level of academic hope from average to high. The results indicate there was a strong correlation (r=.828) and effect size (.543) between pre- and post-intervention academic hope scores. The study provides recommendations for how educators and staff can support traditional probationary or non-traditional students.

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2008, History (Arts and Sciences)

This thesis chronicles the creation of Project HOPE, an American humanitarian nongovernmental organization, and the first voyage of its hospital ship, known as the S.S. Hope, to Indonesia. Through extensive archival research, including access to the largely unused Project HOPE archives, this study concludes that, at least from 1958 to 1961, this humanitarian venture was also a propaganda campaign during the total Cold War, the all-encompassing ideological struggle for national survival between the United States and the Soviet Union. As domestic propaganda, Project HOPE tried to get ordinary Americans to participate in the Cold War, build up their morale for the long struggle, expose them to world affairs, and gain their support for the global expansion of U.S. power. As foreign propaganda, Project HOPE aimed at containing communist expansion by securing friends for the United States through a positive demonstration of the material advantages of American-style freedom. This thesis also argues that Project HOPE was part of the “State-private network,” a web of organizations that received support from the U.S. government while spreading propaganda on behalf of the United States.

Master of Music (MM), Bowling Green State University, 2009, Music Composition

Hope Reaching Beyond the Limit is a musical setting of a six-poem cycle by Karol Jozef Wojtyła (Pope John Paul II, 1920-2005) for bass-baritone and string quartet. This poetry explores the deepest and most fundamental questions of the human person: what is the meaning of life and death? In an effort to wrestle with such lofty questions, I use a variety of techniques to enhance the listener's experience of the poetry. For example, throughout the piece, I employ text-painting so that the listener can more easily enter into the scenes which the singer is describing. I portray changes in mood by shifts in harmonic centers. For ideas that may be a key to understanding the entire work, I alter pitch material to create a sense of freshness or important arrival. And in order to reinforce the main message of the poetry, I incorporate fragments of a traditional Gregorian chant sequence, Victimae Paschali Laudes, whose message is similar to that of the poetry being used.

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2007, Graduate School

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 1925, Graduate School

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, 2023, Psychology

Instilling hope using brief hope therapy (BHI) has the potential to promote well-being among a variety of individuals across various contexts (e.g. Chang et al., 2019; Feldman & Dreher, 2012); however, research has not examined the variable effectiveness of BHI based on participants' experiences of childhood adversity. The current study explores the effectiveness of BHI on hope, affect, well-being, and health behaviors in a sample of undergraduate students (N=61) across one month. Participants completed measure of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), hope (state, trait, and goal-specific), affect, well-being, and health behaviors at pretest and were randomly assigned to hope therapy or control group. Participants completed questionnaires related to state variables at posttest and questionnaires related to trait variables at follow-up. Results indicated that participants in the BHI condition reported significantly greater increases in state hope levels and positive affect at post-test and trait hope levels during follow-up in comparison to the control group. There were no relationships between ACE scores and outcome variables at pretest, and ACEs did not significantly predict any of the outcome variables. BHI demonstrated to be equally effective in promoting hopeful thinking and positive affect among all individuals within the experimental condition, regardless of the amount ACEs they had experienced. Future studies may benefit from implementing BHI on samples known to have higher instances of ACEs and to compare the effectiveness of BHI among individuals without ACEs, with one or more ACEs, and with four or more ACEs. Additionally, future research should investigate ways to adjust the dosage of BHI to explore its effectiveness on well-being and health behaviors.

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2023, Spatially Integrated Social Science

The increase in rate of international migration to the United States since the late 1960s, coupled with a generally high rate among minority populations, altered the racial and ethnic composition of America's urban neighborhoods. The changing demography and increase in shares of minority subpopulations underscore the salience of conducting multigroup studies of residential and socioeconomic segregation beyond the traditional white versus black dichotomy. Segregation based on subgroup characteristics (de facto or de jure) is problematic, particularly for racial minorities and low-income residents who are limited in moving to areas they can afford. These minority neighborhoods are associated with physical and socioeconomic disadvantage due to public and private de-investment. The undercurrents of segregation were explored in the racial tipping point and white flight literature where non-Hispanic white majority residents exit old inner and central city neighborhoods when the share of minority populations increase beyond a critical threshold. Due to strong correlations between race and income, white flight also tends to concentrate poverty in the abandoned neighborhoods. Beyond this relationship between personal choice and segregation however, local and federal public policies have also been historically linked with segregating urban America. Federal highway programs, mortgage loan underwriting processes, suburban housing developments, and restrictive local zoning laws have created race and income-based segregated spaces. Also, reinvestment programs aimed revitalizing physical and socially distressed neighborhoods tend to yield minimal outcomes. This is often due to either limited funding compared to the magnitude of the problem or lack of sustained political commitment, overemphasis on market-based ideas which alienate minorities and low-income residents, and emphasis on new urbanism housing designs associated net losses in the public housing stock. In this dissertatio (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2023, Journalism (Communication)

The study examined the effects of emotional appeals, message sources, and social endorsement on message elaboration, social media engagement, and other persuasive outcomes. The study employed a 2 (emotion appeals: guilt and hope) x 2 (message sources: influencers and organizations) x 2 (social endorsement: high and low likes) between-subjects design. From the perspective of a dual-processing theory (i.e., heuristic-systematic model), the study tested how systematic cues (i.e., emotional appeals) and heuristic cues (i.e., message sources, and social endorsement) influenced the persuasive effects of a campaign message. 350 participants were recruited for an online experiment through a panel service company. Each participant was exposed to a nonprofit organization's Facebook message encouraging blood donations. The results showed that hope appeals produced higher message elaboration than guilt appeals, but guilt appeals had higher comment intentions and greater donation intentions than hope appeals. Also, influencers produced greater like and comment intentions, higher self-efficacy, and better attitudes than organizations. Moreover, high likes had higher message elaboration than low likes. Furthermore, influencers produced greater social media engagement than organizations in hope appeals with high likes. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.

Master of Arts in Psychology, Cleveland State University, 2023, College of Sciences and Health Professions

Prior research suggests that COVID-19 perceived threat and existential isolation (EI) would be associated with an individual's subjective health, levels of anxiety, and feelings of hope relating specifically to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it was unclear whether such concerns might be unique predictors (no interaction, two cumulative main effects) or interact (one effect modifies the other). To learn more about the possible combined effects, I analyzed data gathered via MTurk, during an 11-week period at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic (March-June 2020). Method: This study (N = 2,673) measured perceived COVID19-related threat, EI, anxiety, subjective health, and hope. Results: EI was found to be positively correlated with anxiety and negatively correlated with subjective health and hope. Perceived COVID-19-related threat was negatively correlated with subjective health and positively correlated with anxiety. Greater perceived threat was not found to be negatively correlated with feelings of hope. One outcome interaction was observed such that perceived COVID-19-related threat decreased hope when people felt existentially isolated, but increased hope when people felt a sense of existential connection (e.g., “we're all in this together”). Conclusion: Discussion highlights theoretical considerations, limitations, and practical implications of addressing mental health.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2022, Human Ecology: Human Nutrition

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major health concern in the United States and its prevention is necessary. Strong evidence suggests lifestyle modification such as dietary and physical activity modifications can delay or prevent the onset of T2DM. The Impact Diabetes Prevention Trial was a 12-month worksite intervention developed to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus among adults with prediabetes. During weeks1 to 4, participants enrolled in weekly Group Lifestyle Balance (GLB) sessions. Starting week 5, participants who lost ≤2.5% of their body weight were enrolled into GLB plus (GLB+), an augmented version of GLB. A key component of the GLB+ was use of Goal-setting Theory and Hope Theory to help participants establish appropriate goals and create appropriate strategies to overcome potential barriers. After week 16, participants were match paired and randomized into GLB or GLB+ for the extended intervention phase with monthly sessions. During this time GLB+ participants received additional support through bimonthly coaching calls which established goals and goal strategies to overcome barriers to change. There is little evidence showing what types of goals and strategies participants set and how they change during the extended period of a diabetes prevention intervention. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine potential differences in goals and strategies created during three individual, intervention coaching calls. Thematic analysis was used to determine goal categories and strategy themes created from coaching call notes taken during the bimonthly coaching calls. Totals of goal categories and strategy themes were also calculated. Pearson's chi-square test was used to examine differences between coaching calls, gender, and intervention sequencing on goals and strategies created. Two-way ANOVA examined whether gender and intervention sequence affected goal or strategy type across the three coaching calls. Thematic analysis revealed g (open full item for complete abstract)

Bachelor of Arts, Capital University, 2022, Psychology

Abuse, neglect, and poverty are easily observed in the society we live in. These experiences can be measured by observing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that commonly occur (Felitti et al., 1998). Despite having these experiences individuals that have a high number of ACEs can exhibit the characteristics of hope (Saint Arnault & Sinko, 2019). Hope can be defined as a personal inner desire or knowledge that has the potential to improve the situation that someone is currently in or situations that may occur in the future (McDonald, 2007). Studies that have looked at this relationship mainly focused on religious faith, but one does not have to be religious to exhibit hope. Previous research has shown that having experienced a high number of ACEs is related to continuing the cycle of poverty, having a higher chance of becoming incarcerated, and having a greater probability of being a perpetrator of child abuse. This study provides new data to the literature because it was hypothesized that as a person experiences a greater number of ACEs, they will have a lower Hope Scale score (Snyder et al., 1991). Surveys were completed to collect data on a person's experiences from childhood and a measure of hope. The relationship between ACEs and hope was also explored through interviews that explored individuals' lived experiences surrounding these two factors. It was found that an increase in ACEs was negatively correlated with the Hope Scale score. Findings surrounding the interaction of ACEs, hope, and income demonstrated that these factors may have severe consequences for the living outcomes of individuals. This work contributes to the body of work surrounding Adverse Childhood Experiences and hope theory by presenting the results of a mixed-method study to develop a greater understanding of ACEs' effects on the lives of individuals.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), University of Dayton, 2021, Educational Leadership

Abstract Predicting Student Success in an Introductory Programming Course at an Urban Midwestern Community College with Computer Programming Experience, Self-Efficacy, and Hope Name: Newman, Reece Elton University of Dayton Advisor: Dr. Charles J. Russo This study of a convenience sample of 66 Introductory Computer Programming students at an urban Midwestern community college used age, computer programming experience, self-efficacy, and hope to predict overall course score. The age, computer programming experience, self-efficacy, and hope frequency distributions were not statistically normal or Gaussian in the sample. Computer programming experience statistically significantly correlated with both computer programming self-efficacy and computer programing hope. Age and computer programming experience, age and computer programming self-efficacy, and age and computer programming hope did not statistically significantly correlate. Computer programming self-efficacy and computer programming hope did not statistically significantly correlate. Relations between age and overall course score, computer programming experience and overall course score, computer programming self-efficacy and overall course score, and computer programming hope and overall course score were nonlinear, so the assumptions for correlation, simple linear regression, and hierarchical multiple linear regression did not hold for the sample data. Correlational, simple regression, and multiple hierarchical regression results were not statistically significant, nor were Student's independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVAs, and twoway 2 X 2 and 3 X 2 ANOVAs. Despite the overall lack of statistical significance in the findings, there were novel contributions to human knowledge discovered through the observational study of the sample data. Instrument response patterns were internally consistent, providing evidence that the instruments are reliable in the introductory computer p (open full item for complete abstract)

Specialist in Education (Ed.S.), University of Dayton, 2021, School Psychology

Evidence-based research suggests that schools offer the most extensive intervention opportunities for students at-risk for suicide (Evans & Hurrell, 2016). An important aspect of this system is the implementation and evaluation of school-based suicide prevention programs, such as Hope Squad. Current literature on this program is limited, as this program is relatively new and is being implemented in a growing number of schools across the country. Thus, the present study investigated the perspectives of school personnel on the suicide prevention program, Hope Squad. Following a qualitative method of research, eight participants, who are directly involved with Hope Squad, were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol. Through a thematic analysis, categories and themes emerged, including: need for Hope Squad (mental health concerns, being proactive, and social-emotional supports), benefits of Hope Squad (trained and trusted peers, suicide training, mental health awareness, and change in the culture of the school), challenges within Hope Squad (time for training members and stigma), and pandemic response (social media platforms, dramatic decrease in referrals, and delay in training). Schools can facilitate trainings through programs such as Hope Squad, to better equip staff and students to help students at-risk for suicide and create a more positive school environment. The findings from this study can be used to increase awareness of Hope Squad and the perspectives of school personnel towards this suicide prevention program.

MA, Kent State University, 2020, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Sociology and Criminology

Since the late 1990's, the U.S. has been struggling with an epidemic linked to the use of opiate drugs and their synthetic counterparts. While many have died in this epidemic, many also recover. In this qualitative study, I aim to gain a better understanding of how people with opiate addiction seek out, navigate and sustain recovery. Eighteen in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals in recovery from opiate addiction. Analysis of data suggests that individuals with opiate addiction utilize a wide range of resources to access treatment and engage in recovery. In this paper, I discuss four major themes and four subthemes. Specifically, individuals who suffer from addiction mobilize various forms of recovery capital, including social, economic and cultural capital (e.g. Cloud and Granfield 2008). I also find that in this sample of middle-aged, White individuals in recovery, themes and experiences such as existential pain, hope, and engagement with the criminal justice system figure prominently in narratives about recovery.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2020, Counselor Education (Education)

Historically, human beings and human behavior and health have been viewed through the lens of disease and dysfunction, rather than a lens of wellness and growth (Seligman, 2000). Mental health care and health care in general, still widely utilize the medical model, which focuses on illness (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). When examining mental health care and overall health, it is valuable to utilize a holistic approach that focuses on positive psychology and growth. This exploratory, cross-sectional study utilizes a positive psychology approach and examines adverse childhood experiences (Felitti et al., 1998), psychological capital (Luthans, Youssef, & Avolio, 2007), and students' subjective well-being and mental health (Keyes, 2002). Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are measured utilizing the adverse childhood experiences (ACE) questionnaire which is comprised of 10 yes or no questions and assesses traumatic events in childhood. The PsyCap consists of four measures which include Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, and Optimism (HERO), which are assessed through the PsyCap Questionnaire (PCQ) (Luthans, Luthans, & Jensen, 2012). Mental health and subjective well-being are measured utilizing Keyes Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) which includes a mental health score, well-being clusters, that include emotional, social, and psychological, and mental health categories that range from languishing to flourishing (Keyes, 2009). The objectives of the study included evaluating the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACE), psychological capital, mental health, and well-being. Further objectives included to evaluate the relationship between psychological capital and mental health, to determine variability in psychological capital utilizing the adverse childhood experiences score as a predictor, and to determine variability in mental health and well-being by utilizing the ACE score as a predictor. Descriptive statistics, correlation (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2019, City and Regional Planning

This dissertation identifies factors that influence the subjective perceptions of relocatees after relocation, provides an understanding of the complex ways in which the relocation experience affects relocatees' lives, and fills gaps in the literature about residential satisfaction, neighborhood context, and the effects of residential mobility on low-income households. Existing literature on the subjective perceptions of relocatees is fragmentary, and causality is unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study is to bring all existing concepts together into one comprehensive model and analyze the direct and indirect effects of individual- and household-level characteristics and perceptions of neighborhood context, neighborhood social ties, and place attachment on residential satisfaction. A better understanding of the complex ways in which the relocation experience and process affect relocatees' lives will be valuable in designing or modifying housing policy. To fill in knowledge gaps about residential satisfaction, perceptions of neighborhood context, and the effects of residential mobility on low-income households displaced by public housing redevelopment, the following research question is poseds: 1) How do their subjective perceptions of the original site affect those of the new residential environment after relocation?, 2) How does attachment to public housing mediate the impact of perceived neighborhood attributes on residential satisfaction after relocation to a new place?, 3) How does involuntary relocation affect relocatees' neighborhood social ties, place attachment, and residential satisfaction after relocation to a new place? Using two waves of survey (post-move and two years later) with three time points (retrospective pre-, post-move, and two years later) of the Bremerton Washington's Westpark project, this study investigates: 1) what predicts residential satisfaction over time through a cross-lagged effect modeling, and 2) the causal relations (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Arts, Case Western Reserve University, 0, Psychology

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate hope and executive functioning as they related to adherence, glycemic control, and depression in youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: Youth (n=67) ages 11-17 with T1DM completed questionnaires on hope, depressive symptoms, and adherence, and parents completed a questionnaire on executive functioning. HbA1c and average number of checks were gathered from medical charts as indicators of glycemic control and adherence, respectively. Results: The interaction of hope and executive dysfunction predicted a significant amount of the variance in self-reported adherence, with hope as a main effect. Higher hope and lower executive dysfunction predicted better adherence, whereas lower hope with lower executive dysfunction predicted worse adherence. There was a main effect of gender on glycemic control, and of executive dysfunction on depression. Conclusion: Hope may be an important target for improving adherence in those youth with higher levels of executive functioning.