Browse the Social Science/Education/Public Health Collections
Measuring the Mental Illness Identity
Despite efforts to broaden public perceptions of mental illness, individuals who suffer from mental illnesses continue to experience the negative impact of public stigma. Negative consequences of stigma include its erosive effect on self-evaluation and mental health, particularly among individuals who internalize harmful stereotypes. The proposed research draws from identity and stigma theories to examine mental illness as a stigmatized identity. Identity theorists have traditionally focused on normative or socially acceptable identities; finding that individuals seek consistency between how they view themselves (self-view) and how they think others view them (reflected appraisals). This process, referred to as identity verification, has not been confirmed with stigmatized identities. Stigma scholars focus on non-normative identities such criminals or individuals who suffer from mental illness; however, while these scholars make a case for the negative impact of public perceptions on the self-evaluation of individuals suffering with mental illness, empirical support for this relationship has been mixed. This may be because some individuals use coping strategies to deflect (that’s not me) and/or challenge (that’s not accurate) stigmatizing stereotypes about mental illness. In this study, we use quantitative and qualitative techniques to develop measures for stigmatized self-views and reflected appraisals for the mental illness identity. We then explore the relationship between these identity measures and well-being for individuals with mental illness. Finally, we explore extent to which coping strategies such as deflection and challenging help to reduce the negative impact of stigma.
|
Image
The Rise in African American Children Suicide
Suicidal behaviors among Black children has become a growing health concern. Recent statistics reveal that suicide rates among Black children age 5-11 have surpassed their white counterparts. Researchers have yet to determine exactly what is causing the spike. For this reason, I have conducted a literature review in hopes of pinpointing potential causes for the spike. During my presentation, I will discuss 1) suicide trends for black children in the United States, 2) apparent risk factors for suicide among Black children, and 3) demographic themes in recent cases of suicide deaths. The purpose of this literature review is to fill a gap in the literature regarding the implications for a spike in suicide amongst black adolescent youth. Implications of this literature will help to create initiatives more culturally effective for African American youths.
|
Image
Is This Lady Like? Portrayals of Single, Career Based Women’s Relationship With Food in American Sitcoms.Exposure to popular culture is an important dimension of gender role socialization. The literature shows that there are specific gender norms that are reflected in the way individuals of a gender consumes, chooses, and thinks about food (Counihan, 1992, Oakes and Slotterbeck, 2005). In this paper, we report the results of a content analysis of six popular and influential American television situation comedies depicting a single, working woman. We are interested in the main character and the supporting cast’s eating habits and attitudes toward food. We are also interested in how the female protagonists eating habits and relationship with food changes between the first major TV sitcom starring an employed single woman, That Girl in 1966, and the most recent TV sitcom in our sample, The Mindy Project. Our findings indicate a paucity of food in TV programs portraying single working women, especially in more recent programs. Women are rarely shown eating, and when they do eat, they are shown consuming “feminine foods” such as salads. We observe a change in the portrayal of women’s domestic roles, with a gradual shedding of any domestic roles or skills in more recent programs and an emphasis on role reversal, with men depicted as more skilled in cooking and self-care. We contribute to the literature on the portrayal of women in popular culture and add a new focus by using the lens of eating and domestic roles in TV sitcoms to study gender roles. |
Physician Communication of Terminal Prognosis and Patient Satisfaction
Clear communication between health care providers and their patients is seen as “best practice” in medicine, especially for patients facing serious, life limiting illness. The purpose of this study is to understand how hospice patients and their family members perceive the quality of their communication with care providers when discussing diagnosis, prognosis, and care planning. Data are drawn from in-depth interviews with a sample of hospice patients (n=20) and family members involved in care (n=37). Findings suggest that the majority of patients feel very positive about hospice care in general. However, patients also indicate that providers generally do not communicate in explicit or clear terms with them about prognosis, leading to confusion about life expectancy. Patients who report that clinicians communicated prognosis in a more direct way are more confidant in care received. Patients also reported physicians that displayed empathy and consideration of patient input about care decisions were perceived as more trustworthy and competent than those that didn’t. We suggest that physician communication skills when giving terminal prognosis may have a significant effect on patient satisfaction and quality of life.
|
Image
There is hope and there is help: Reframing messages for families of opioid misusers
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 47,000 Americans died of opioid overdose in 2017, and more than two million Americans live with an addiction to opioids (HEAL Initiative Research Plan, 2019). This epidemic has affected the nation as a whole but hit the states of West Virginia and Ohio the hardest as of 2017 (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2019). Due to widespread effects, the opioid epidemic has received considerable media coverage and societal awareness, for example, scholars found that social media and news outlets have covered the epidemic extensively (Russell, Spencer & Thames, 2018). As coverage of the epidemic spreads, messages have reached platforms like social media (Russell, Spencer & Thames, 2018). This leads to affected family members being inundated by messages about opioid misuse. Despite the number of messages affected families encounter, little is known about the efficacy of such messages. In fact, more information exists about the importance of patient-doctor communication (Impact of Communication in Healthcare, 2011). This study seeks to fill this gap in the research by exploring communication elements geared toward family members of opioid misusers. 10 in-depth interviews (5 with family members of opioid misusers and 5 with health care communication specialists) were conducted to understand the current messaging. Five message themes were discovered: reframing the story of addiction, seeking credible media sources, meet face-to-face, educate young children, and target and tailor messages. In this study, I contend that currently there is a lack of messaging available for families and loved ones of opioid misusers and those that exist could be more effective.
|
Image
Medicaid Expansion and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Projects
Medicaid was expanded in a number of states under the Affordable Care Act. This expansion changed eligibility requirements to allow for those whose income is at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), including childless adults, to gain coverage. Prior to expansion, eligibility was more stringent, affecting many individuals experiencing homelessness. Homelessness is a major risk factor contributing to poor health outcomes. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide primary care services for underserved populations such as those in poverty and uninsured, regardless of ability to pay. Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Projects assist those experiencing homelessness specifically. This project is an analysis of how Medicaid expansion has impacted the homeless population by exploring the impact Medicaid expansion had on FQHCs and HCH projects. We used data from the Uniform Data System (UDS) and HCH specific data to describe differences between Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states in terms of patient characteristics, insurance coverage, services provided, clinical data, and cost across the years 2012 through 2018 to determine the impact Medicaid expansion has had on serving the homeless population. This is a preliminary study reporting trends found in these categories.
|
SURE Program Collective Efficacy
Over the summer, I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Julie Globokar, in which we researched the impact of community youth organizations and crime. During the summer, I spent much of my time researching different youth organizations in cities like North Lawndale and how when communities come together, they can make a difference. We researched how a variety of neighborhood youth organizations, programs and centers can predict adolescent participation in community-based activities. Also, that an influx of community-based organizations lower crime rates and youth exposure to violence. Creating familiarity and common expectations between neighbors, which establishes a baseline for trust and neighborhood norms through social networks that expand community resources like Derek Brown's North Lawndale Boxing program. Youth organizations don’t necessarily stop crime and violence completely, but it engages kids to put their energy towards positive goals, aspiring them to have a brighter future. Think about how helping members of your own community can positively impact your life, as well as, those around you. Volunteering for your local community organizations can make a difference.
|
Image
A Rhetorical Analysis of Mary Fisher's "A Whisper of AIDS"Beginning in the early 1980s, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) began to sweep minority populations throughout the United States. During the early years of this crisis, the Reagan presidential administration did little to promote accelerated research to help control and eradicate HIV/AIDS. However, in 1992, Mary Fisher delivered a speech to the Republican National Convention (RNC) to address the stigmas surrounding HIV/AIDS and the lack of political action towards the health crisis. This was a significant event, as Fisher spoke as a straight, white woman living with HIV, projecting an image that was not aligned with society’s expected profile of people with HIV/AIDS. Fisher’s address to the RNC became a nationally recognized speech due to her stark contrast in messaging and values compared to the Republican political party at that time. In this paper, I employ neo-Aristotelian and feminist lenses to analyze Fisher’s rhetoric, the political impact of her communication, and the social significance of her speech within the timeline of the HIV/AIDS crisis. This rhetorical analysis addresses themes on countering the stigma of HIV/AIDS, political action before and after the speech, and Fisher’s ethos as an established figure of the Republican party and as a person living with HIV/AIDS. This critique also addresses larger implications for understanding the context for breaking disease stigmas and progressing epidemiological agendas through communication-based strategies within public health initiatives. |
Oral History Project: KSU 50th Anniversary of LGBTQ Studies
Through audio-visual recordings, we are collecting LGBTQ+ oral history from LGBTQ+ Kent State University alumni, faculty, and staff, with a focus on 1) LGBTQ+ activism and 2) being LGBTQ+ at Kent State University. Methodology consists of open-ended interviews conducted in the style of the Oral History Association’s “OHA Principles and Best Practices”, making the interviews less of a questionnaire and more of a guided conversation. Planned topics of discussion include a) biographical information, b) LGBTQ+ activism, c) life at Kent State, d) love and relationships, and e) coming out as LGBTQ+. Subjects were gathered via snowball sampling, with an approximate sample size of 30. The results will be presented as video excerpts and oral presentations that contribute to the growing body of LGBTQ+ oral history research. A video compilation was shown at the KSU theatrical and art event Stonewall +50: The Uprising Continues on March 21-22 2019, and another will be shown at the 50th anniversary of Kent State’s LGBTQ Studies program in 2022. Beyond public viewing all material will be submitted to the LGBTQ archives at the Kent State University Library, documenting and preserving LGBTQ+ experiences for future generations.
|
Migratory Effects of SNAP Waiver Status
The “welfare magnet hypothesis” contends that an area offering generous welfare attracts more households to that area seeking to take advantage of its additional benefits. If true, this theory bears significance for policymakers, as more substantial welfare programs could increase the number of individuals on those programs; and, moreover, increase the burden on the area’s budget and taxpayers. We evaluate this theory by analyzing a recent policy change in Ohio, namely the rollback of work requirement waivers for SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) in many Ohio counties in 2014. As a result of this change, several Ohio counties newly require that households who previously qualified for SNAP work 30 hours a week (with some exemptions) in order to qualify for the program. If the welfare magnet hypothesis applies in this circumstance, we would expect to see households disproportionately migrating to counties that retained the work requirement waiver (and thus did not require beneficiaries to work) than to counties that enforce the restriction. Using household tracking data from a marketing company and supplementary data from the American Community Survey, we evaluate the migration patterns of Ohio households both before and after the policy change. While this research is ongoing, initial findings indicate that the SNAP policy change has little to no effect on migration between counties.
|