Although substance use is very common, it is estimated that about 37% of those enrolled in college regularly use substances, and 54.9% used substances in the last month (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2018). This population is more susceptible to use than those not enrolled due to the risk factors they experience.…

Diabetes is a chronic condition that is complexly influenced by internal and external factors with patterns of increased disproportion in diagnosis among populations of color. African American women are among those who experience increased susceptibility to diabetes related complications and mortality. This condition is further exacerbated…

Early childhood home visiting services aim to reach expectant parents or parents of young children ages birth to 5. Home visiting is a strategy to reach parents, particularly those at higher risk to ensure the overall safety and well-being of the entire family. Early childhood home visitors can offer information in the following areas but not…

Bullying is widely prevalent in the US. Although anti-bullying laws have been implemented across the country since 1999, bullying prevalence rates remain high. Research suggests that being a bully or a bully victim or both makes an individual more likely to experience worse physical, mental, and financial health. This dissertation comprises of…

This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of former high school African immigrant students (AIS) in US classrooms. Using a theoretical framework that drew from funds of knowledge and racist nativism, the literature review focuses on risk factors and factors that promote success for AIS, including both deficit and asset-based approaches…

When children come to a new country and have difficulty communicating, it may be unclear whether they have developmental problems or are simply struggling with a new language. Early identification and treatment of developmental concerns are crucial to garnering the best results for developing an intervention plan and optimizing child outcomes.…

This phenomenological qualitative study used a descriptive questionnaire and interview protocol to explore the perceptions of African American students regarding how bias and microaggressions impact their performance and classroom culture in a high school in an at-risk environment. A qualitative phenomenological approach was chosen because it aids…

In 2018, 6,807 youth aged ten to twenty-four died by suicide in the United States. Suicide prevention programs vary in their content, distribution, and target audience. Many programs encourage adults to recognize the warning signs and red flags. However, the number of children who die by suicide each year steadily rises despite the various…

Children with emotional disturbance have historically poor outcomes, including separate school environments, exclusion from school due to disciplinary actions, high dropout rates, poor employment outcomes, and incarceration. Therefore, it is imperative that children displaying early warning signs for risk of emotional disturbance receive effective…

Homelessness and housing insecurity (HI) have impacted college students' success for years but were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when lots of educational institutions closed their student housing, which resulted in college students having to vacate student housing. This was a major concern especially if their student…

Juvenile delinquency has been a great issue in the United States and there have been a multitude of efforts to reduce these offenses along with reducing recidivism rates. A 2015 report from Council of State Government Justice Center reported that there is a 76% probability that juvenile offenders will reoffend within three years and an 84%…

Workplace stress is pervasive and changes to the postsecondary teaching and learning environment have contributed to stress among women faculty and adversely impacted their personal well-being. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how the constructs in the health belief model (HBM) play a role in the use of worksite wellness…

College students face high levels of stress due to academic demands, financial pressures, and the challenges of adjusting to college life. College students are at an increased risk for mental health problems, with rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns higher among this population compared to their non-college-attending…

This demonstration project describes the construction and critique of a proposed informational resource guide for college counselors. If published and distributed, it would ostensibly function as a supplemental training manual, reference tool, and guide to online resources. The goal is to help college counselors engage in more culturally-competent…

Youth who are exposed to more adversities in life and at-risk for engaging in delinquent behaviors have been found to be less likely to have a caring adult in their life. Mentoring is among one of the most evidence-based preventative interventions/supports applied to at-risk youth in order to promote resilience/protective factors. Youth mentoring…