Attitudes of Recognizable and Unrecognizable Disabilities in Various Contexts

Alicia Martin, Psychology Staff

College of Professional Studies

Some disabilities are apparent (i.e., recognizable), while other disabilities are not (i.e., unrecognizable). Different situational contexts (i.e. dating, marriage, work, classroom) and the type of disability being judged (recognizable or unrecognizable) may impact one’s attitudes towards those with disabilities. In addition, one’s own personal characteristics (e.g. gender, sexual orientation, and disability status) may also impact one’s disability attitudes.

Autonomy Support Promotes College Student Engagement Through Mastery-Approach Goals and Self-Esteem

College of Professional Studies

COVID-19 brought about unprecedented difficulties for college students. Challenges associated with online learning, such as one-way interactions, presented obstacles to college engagement. We explored the role that instructors play in fostering greater academic involvement. Specifically, we examined the effects of autonomy support. Autonomy support involves encouraging students to explore their own interests and self-regulate. We posited that autonomy support would predict, respectively, greater self-esteem and mastery-approach goals for students. In turn, we expected that these effects would predict greater engagement. Our findings highlight the importance of autonomy support.

Bake the World a Better Place: 501(c)3 Development

College of Professional Studies

Bake the World a Better Place is a non-profit organization based out of Denver, Colorado that aims to holistically improve the community. Presently, the organization engages in job training and job placement of marginalized populations such as those experiencing homelessness. Additionally, continuing collaborations are being made with local hotels to assist with housing individuals during the job training process. Products made during the classes are shared with individuals living on the streets. Through building community partnerships between business, social service agencies, and vulnerable populations, each entity is taking an active role in helping improve their community.

Balance and Wellness in First Responder Agencies

College of Professional Studies

This project fulfills the requirements for the Masters degree in Social Work. The design of the project is informed by a relational worldview, specifically the work of Terry Cross who suggests that a circular experience of the world intersects with more linear representations of reality. It is at the places of intersection that opportunities for dialogue occur and the intent of the project is to make the experiences of first responders visible to those who do not have access to this knowledge and experience. The creative work is the construction of an empathic bridge between the community and first responders through poetry in honor of the belief that we are all connected.

Balance, Mobility, and Fall Risk in Indigenous Rural-Dwelling Older Adults and Urban Dwelling Older Adults in Humboldt and Del Norte County

College of Professional Studies

By 2030, 20% of the U.S. population will be over the age of 65. Among this age group, falls are the leading cause of injuries, hospitalizations, and fatalities in the United States. Within California, rural community dwelling communities have higher rates of falls than urban. Indigenous populations fall more than the national average (34-40.3% vs. 30%), suggesting the rates of falls, and thus physiological declines, may be greatest among Indigenous rural community-dwelling populations. The purpose of this study is to examine intrinsic, extrinsic, and the incidence of falls among rural dwelling Indigenous older adults and urban dwelling older adults in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties.

Barriers to LGBTQ+ Transition Age Youth in Humboldt County

College of Professional Studies

My community partner is the Humboldt County Transition Age Youth Collaboration (HCTAYC). The project is a preliminary research project that looks at the barriers in systems serving the LGBTQ+ transition age youth (16-26) population in Humboldt County. The outcomes from the research are the base for policy recommendations that will be used at HCTAYC. The results from the research done will address the specific question: “How are systems serving the LGBTQ+ transition age youth community in Humboldt County?”

Beau Pre Golf Club presents: College Night

Brenden Barry, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

The event was referred to as College Night or College Golf Night, but all the flyers said Beau Pre Golf Club presents: College Night. The goal for the event was to get students out recreating at a local recreation facility and to introduce my fellow students to the great game of golf in the cheapest way possible, FREE!

Behavioral Health Resource Booklet For Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

Sally Stewart, Social Work Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

My community project proposal mirrors what the youth in Humboldt County supervision, emergency monitoring, juvenile custody, ward, and non-ward probation, and their guardian(s) wish they knew, or want to reflect on. Resources for support and relevant information to navigate our legal system and improve our clients’ probabilities for success on the outside.

Benefits of Birth by Water Immersion

Kylie Dennhardt, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Water birth has always been a controversial topic amongst expecting mothers, and I wanted to research the outcomes of water births to see if it really is as controversial as people think. In my research I highlight the benefits of birth by water immersion on both maternal and neonatal physiology.

Benefits of Physical Exercise On Motor and Non Motor Aspects in Parkinson's Disease

Ebony Isaiah, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that tends to affect the older adult population. The disease slowly takes away motor functioning and has negative repercussions on the individuals mental health. My research explores the interventions that physical exercise can have on non- motor and motor functions instead of using the medications that are prescribed for PD. The use of medications that are provided with long term use can be detrimental to motor function. The goal of this research is to help maintain health related quality of life and independence for those with PD.