Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2023, Sociology

While the field of criminology has focused on turning points that could shift individuals away from crime, little research has examined how criminal offending shapes sexual behaviors, adult relationships, and achieved fertility. Those involved in criminal activity arguably could face worse outcomes in these behaviors, largely due to considerations of labeling theory, where stigma could result in difficulty finding relationship partners. Certain types of crime may also be more stigmatizing than others, making one less desirable as a partner. This effect may be gendered in nature, such that certain types of crime may be more damaging for women as opposed to men. My project draws on criminology literature on labeling theory, the age-graded theory of social control, and social homogamy to predict numerous sexual, relationship, and fertility outcomes. Using Waves I, III, and IV of the National Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), the following studies examine the impact of criminal activity on a variety of risky sexual behaviors, relationship type, and fertility outcomes. I find that both types of crime predict a younger age at first sex and more opposite-sex partners, though gender differences exist in how well the mechanisms included explain these relationships. While property crime initially decreases early union risk for women, this type of criminal behavior increases early union risk for men. Violent crime decreased early union risk for both gender groups, but the relationship only remained significant for women. Violent crime decreased the odds of Multiple-Partner Fertility (MPF), but only in reference to Single-Partner Fertility (SPF). Overall, linkages existed between the outcomes of all three studies.

Committee: Danielle Kuhl Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Lee Nickoson Ph.D. (Other); Karen Benjamin Guzzo Ph.D. (Committee Member); Stephen Demuth Ph.D. (Committee Member); Thomas Mowen Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Criminology; Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2024, Chemistry and Biochemistry (Arts and Sciences)

In this dissertation, the gas-phase fragmentation chemistries of deprotonated carbohydrates were characterized. Tandem mass spectrometry and density functional theory (DFT) reaction pathway calculations were applied to rationalize the gas-phase fragmentation mechanisms. The fragmentation behavior of singly charged deprotonated glucose-α-glucose positional isomers: b,b-trehalose and isomaltose was investigated. The gas-phase chemistry of two other glucose-α-glucose positional isomers was studied: kojibiose and nigerose. The fragmentation mechanisms of singly deprotonated glucose- 1,4-glucose stereochemistry isomers α/β for maltose and cellobiose, respectively were examined. Finally, the fragmentation chemistry of acidic glycan galacturonic acid is studied, both singly and doubly deprotonated precursor ions were individually fragmented, and theoretical modeling was used to compare the charge-state effect on the fragmentation behavior of digalacturonic acid.

Committee: Benjamin Bythell Mr (Advisor); Howard Dewald Mr (Committee Member) Subjects: Chemistry

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2021, Sociology

Numerous surveys have demonstrated the common nature of paranormal beliefs, as well as the popularity of substance use in American society, particularly among college students. Studies have also linked substance use to negative consequences including decreased academic performance, cognitive functioning, physical and sexual violence, and even death. Although paranormal beliefs are relatively common, there is a theoretical justification that belief in the paranormal and substance use may be correlated. Drawing from labeling theory, I examine if individuals who embrace paranormal beliefs experience negative label internalization, and if this leads to elevated levels of substance use. Multivariate analysis of an original dataset of college students from a Midwestern public university revealed that respondents who internalized a negative label due to their paranormal beliefs reported elevated levels of substance use. Moreover, contrary to expectations, individuals who reported believing that society assigns a negative label to paranormal beliefs reported lower levels of substance use. An interaction effect between the internalized variable and external views was positive and marginally significant, indicating that greater external labels and negative internalization of the label of paranormal beliefs magnify in their effects on substance use. Given the widespread concern of substance use among college students and the co-occurring broad acceptance of paranormal beliefs, understanding the empirical linkage between these two dimensions is a key first step to address this critical gap in literature.

Committee: Thomas Mowen Dr. (Advisor); John Boman Dr. (Committee Member); Stephen Demuth Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2010, Social Work

Mental health consumers encounter numerous barriers that complicate their lives such as housing, employment, social support, and resulting low self-esteem. Stigma has been found to be a primary deterrent for individuals who need mental health services as well as impacting those already receiving services (Hinshaw, 2007). What has not been clear in the research is how stigma varies across psychiatric disorders. Also, the deinstitutionalization movement has led to increase in the number of consumers who live in the community so consequently, a better conceptualization of the attitudes held by the general public toward mental health consumers is critical in understanding how these consumers are ultimately treated by others. Studies have shown that the public learns about mental illness primarily through the media, particularly newspapers (Corrigan, 2005; Wahl, 1995). Negative stories far outnumber positive ones and the message being delivered to the public is that people with mental illness are dangerous and are to be feared. The current study used deception by not informing respondents as to the true purpose of the study until debriefing and measuring their impression management to control for self-selection and socially desirable responses. This study simulated a phenomenon popular in media today: a newspaper article featuring a man with mental illness who committed murder. Six vignettes were created and all featured a fictitious person who assaulted another man who later died from head trauma. The perpetrator had a wife, children and a part-time job and was being charged with murder. The only difference between vignettes was the diagnostic label (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, panic disorder without agoraphobia, major depressive disorder, cancer, and control) of the perpetrator. The independent variable was vignette type, and dependent variables were the Social Distance Scale and the four subscales (authoritarianism, benevolence, social restrictiveness, community (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Theresa Early PhD (Advisor); Tom Gregoire PhD (Committee Member); Susan Saltzburg PhD (Committee Member); Michael Vasey PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Behaviorial Sciences; Mass Media; Mental Health; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Public Health; Social Work; Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2008, Sociology

This study uses a synthesis of conflict and labeling theory to reexamine the often-observed link between race and arrest. Where past research has not adequately explored the specific nature of this relationship, I show how it is conditioned by social class and gang membership. Using longitudinal data on a representative sample of U.S. teens, various direct and indirect effects of these test items on arrest frequency are detected with Poisson and Negative Binomial regression. In support of main effects labeling hypotheses, I find that race-ethnic minority status, low SES, and gang membership increase the risk of arrest, controlling for demographic and legal items. Interaction effects are modeled with the probing of simple slopes for race groups for a clearer depiction of the nature and form of the various relationships. Consistent with research on “out of place” effects for minority youth in high-SES contexts, and counter to expectations, interactions show that racial minority status increases arrests for high-SES youth relative to low-SES youth. Reminiscent of research on the “Latino Paradox”, the effect of race-ethnicity on arrest at low-income levels exerts a slight protective feature for Hispanics, opposite of the effect for blacks. Race by Gang interactions were robust for both groups, with slightly stronger effects for black youth, again underscoring the importance of running tests for minority groups separately. This approach to theory testing corresponds to a recently stated objective of the ongoing federal initiative on Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) with the juvenile justice system. Recommendations for future research include examining a broader range of delinquent offenses and exploring interactions between extralegal and legal variables.

Committee: Paul Bellair PhD (Committee Chair); Richard Lundman PhD (Committee Member); Ruth Peterson PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2004, Chemistry and Biochemistry

The lithiation reactions of mid-sized cyclic vinyl ethers were studied using density functional theory calculations at the level of B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p). Gas phase and several major solvation models were incorporated in the calculations in an attempt to reproduce and explain experimental results – the regioselectivity of these lithiation reactions. The solvation models employed here include the microsolvation model with one dimethylether solvent molecule, the continuum models such as the Onsager model, the Polarized Continuum model – PCM (including the polarizable conductor calculation model – CPCM, and the integral equation formalism model – IEFPCM), the isodensity PCM approach – IPCM, and the mixed continuum-microsolvation model (which is the combination of a continuum model and the microsolvation model). Transition structures of the reactions were located and optimized at the same theory level. The calculations with the continuum solvation model alone usually give inconsistent results with experiment. The short-range solvation effect, expressed by the microsolvation model, must be included along with the long-range solvation effect of continuum models. The relative electronic energies of the transition structures using this mixed continuum-microsolvation model are in better agreement with the experimentally observed regiochemistry than either model alone. Vinyl angle compression and allyl angle expansion were observed in optimized anions. The natural population analysis shows that all of the transition structures are of multi-center processes. The continuum solvation model calculations indicate that all three PCM approaches (PCM, CPCM, IEFPCM) tend to give very similar energies. The microsolvation model indicates that more than one solvent molecule might be needed in the “first shell of solvation” for large and flexible rings such as 2,3,4,5-tetrahydrooxepin. The 1-D and 2-D NMR characterizations of the trienolate product of 2,3-dihydrooxepin lithiation with 6-lith (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: John Sebastian (Advisor) Subjects: Chemistry, Organic

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2010, Social Welfare

This study employed grounded theory methodology and a three-stage analytic strategy to advance conceptual frameworks regarding fundamental transformation in mental health service delivery systems. The emergence of consumer provider (CP) models represents one manifestation of systemic transformation within mental health systems. Yet, while CP models enjoy a growing base of both advocacy declarations and supporting efficacy research, research also shows CP models are not broadly adopted. Individual interviews with 40 mental health providers (including psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, therapists, case managers, and administrators) were completed to gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives regarding CP models of service delivery. Findings from a multi-dimensional analysis include identification of 49 first level thematic codes (presented with constituting participant quotes), construction of four axial codes (or higher level constructs for grounded theory formation), and composition of narrative plot lines that anticipate transformative potential grounded in participant discourse. The essential plot line proposes that mental health providers construe their work in terms of both professional roles and human relationships. When providers consider CP models through a professional roles lens, they struggle with the notion that people with mental illnesses could consistently manage the gauntlet of mental health services, policies, and funding demands, fulfill ultimate responsibility for vulnerable others, and maintain uni-directional relationships expected in professionalism. However, providers also acknowledged the value of having been there; that people with mental illnesses do often have deeper understanding and credibility regarding navigation of stigma, labeling, and isolation. Study participants identified social isolation as a significant challenge associated with mental illnesses and mutual human relationships as an essential vehicle for improved mental h (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Elizabeth Tracy PhD (Committee Chair); Jerry Floersch PhD (Committee Member); David Biegel PhD (Committee Member); Martha Sajatovic PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Mental Health; Social Research; Social Work