In the aging population, falls are a leading public health concern. Evidence-based community programs such as A Matter of Balance (AMOB) have shown a reduction in medical costs and an increase in falls efficacy. The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of AMOB on fall risk factors among rural community dwelling veterans and non-veterans.

This special issue of the Humboldt Journal of Social Relations (HJSR) captures work and experiences in higher education as they relate to changes and challenges around diversifying U.S. college campuses. Race, class, gender, sexuality, able-bodiedness, and citizenship shape contemporary conversations about campus climate, curricular content, organizational structures, decision making and the disparate impacts of related policy changes or stagnation. These conversations shape the everyday experiences of faculty and staff, and ultimately are linked to student success.

Headwaters Forest Reserve, located in Southern Eureka, protects over 7,400 acres of old-growth and second-growth redwood forest, sensitive riparian habitat, and threatened species. As recreation use increases, managing the impacts of pets — especially dogs — has become a growing challenge for both resource protection and visitor experience. In partnership with the College Corps program, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) launched the B.A.R.K. Ranger Program at Headwaters following a successful student pitch that won funding. This national visitor education initiative promotes responsible pet recreation through positive messaging and public engagement.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a structured exercise program on the total amount of exercise completed by the participant. The researchers believe that providing an environment that included the major components of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) would support the participants increase in exercise output. This study used a changing criterion design over the course of 6 weeks. Results suggest that the structured exercise program along with the major components of SDT had a positive impact on the exercise levels of the participant.

Drawing from stages of behavioral change framework, the goal of this research study is to examine changes in importance and confidence ratings for health behavior change associated with the course ‘Health Psychology.’ We hypothesize that self-efficacy for behavioral change will be associated with greater importance ratings. We further hypothesize that ratings of importance and confidence for diet and exercise change will increase from the beginning to end of the semester. A survey was administered to 227 undergraduate students in Health Psychology during the first and last two weeks of class. Results suggest that health curriculum may be associated with health behavior attitude change.

Humboldt Social Work Alumni experience unique challenges and exhibit particular strengths as a virtue of the unique focus of the Program and the context of the rural & Indigenous communities served. I assessed how alumni’s sustainability in the field might be bolstered, and how their education impacted their practice/values. I facilitated a focus group of graduating Master’s students and an online survey open to all alumni, and translated the data into recommendations. I used Indigenous MMR, combining quantitative data, thematic analysis, & relational epistemology. I recommend the creation of a decentralized alumni organization, drawing from other postcolonial-education-focused alumni orgs.

This project aims to increase CR participation among rural women, women of color, and Native American women in Humboldt County. The Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model proposes hybrid and online continuing professional development (CR) programs that are culturally responsive and community-driven. Key interventions include peer mentoring, automatic electronic referrals, and collaboration with tribal and local health leaders. The goal is to reduce access barriers, enhance health equity, and improve cardiovascular outcomes through sustainable, patient-centered care.

Our team partnered with Humboldt County's Dual Recovery Program to design/implement new methods for evaluating the degree to which their program supported clients in recovery from co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Our project took a holistic, whole person approach which took cultural, social, environmental, and medical factors into account when assessing client's process of recovery. In addition to quantitative data, we also gathered qualitative data by facilitating a focus-group discussion with DRP clients. The statistical analysis and qualitative themes that emerged were reported back to DRP clients and staff in series of meetings held at the county.

A project in collaboration with Nord University in Norway to highlight students' perspectives on International Social Work day 2024. The theme for this year's international social work day is "Buen Vivir: Shared Future for Transformative Change" with an emphasis to adopt innovative, community-led approaches that are grounded in indigenous wisdom and harmonious coexistence with nature. The video project interviewed social work students at both universities on their perspectives of what it means to be a social worker contributing to a shared future for transformative change. File too big to upload. https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Aj_VVYMtyfVcDTzoVMrscCPCSMUfRe0/view?usp=sharing

Eye contact with another person (social gaze) produces a reflexive emotional responses measurable using skin conductance (SCR). A ‘domain specificity’ model of the social gaze response mechanism was tested by comparing SCRs during social and 'self-gaze' (gazing at one’s own eyes in a mirror). Domain specificity (versus generality) predicts responses only during social gaze and has theoretical implications for how this reflex evolved. Participants (N=76) completed ten, 20 second, social or self-gaze trials. Social gaze produced significantly greater mean SCR’s and showed more habituation across trials. There were no effects of sex or sex match on gaze-evoked SCRs. Results support domain speci