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    How Do School Leaders Influence Workers' Stress?: Evidence from a School District in Chile

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    Thesis advisor: Shanta PandeyThesis advisor: Eduardo AbarzuaStress among school workers and teachers is a growing global concern, specifically in Chile. This has worsened in post-pandemic times. School leadership can be a key factor for school performance and employee well-being. In Chile, although research in this area is still limited, it has suggested the importance of the role of school leaders in the work environment. The local context seems to affect the school leaders’ capacity to promote well-being. While the leaders’ influence on workers’ work stress and well-being is well established, we don’t know its mechanisms. It is not clear how personal and local contextual factors that influence school leaders' ability to manage work psychological risks are associated with work stress. Informed by conceptual frameworks of risk management, this dissertation helps to address current gaps in knowledge by probing the impact that leaders have on work stressors in a school setting within a school district in Chile. The author used mixed methods to accomplish this study’s objectives. Quantitative data were obtained from the Questionnaire of Psychosocial Risk Surveillance in the Workplace collected from 1,194 school workers of Talcahuano School District (DAEM) in 2018. The Qualitative data was obtained by conducting 12 semi-structured interviews with principals and pedagogical heads of the Talcahuano School District in 2022.Four key findings from this study will advance empirical knowledge of School leaders' abilities to manage and change the work environment: (1) The extent of school leaders’ influence on job stress is significant and relative. This influence is not the same for all psychosocial risks; for some, the leaders had no impact. Also, leaders’ capacity to influence the work environment varied by the school setting's meso and macro level factors that constrain leaders' abilities to mitigate these risks. (2) In addition to contextual constraints, School leadership substantially influences some risk factors compared to other predictors related to the school context and school leader characteristics. In the quantitative analysis, Quality of Leadership is a significant predictor of some stress-related risks and alone explains 8% of the variance in Psychological Demand and 23% of the variance in Meaningful Work. Qualitative results also suggest some possible ways for leaders’ practices and behaviors to influence other risks. (3) Leaders' general approach to work stress is characterized by their idea that work stress is a reaction to the whole environment of the educational system (micro, meso) and that they can manage stress among staff by focusing primarily on the socio-emotional aspect of the school and its environment. (4) School leaders implied that they can better reduce the stress level of workers with support at the meso and macro levels of management. The results also shed light on trends in pandemic and post-pandemic Schools’ work-stress.Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Social Work.Discipline: Social Work

    Towards a Just and Corrupt-Free Nigerian Society: Proposing Virtues and Their Exemplars

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    Thesis advisor: Daniel DalyThesis advisor: James F. KeenanI propose in this long essay that men and women of virtue, clergy and lay alike, who dot the Nigerian landscape, bedeviled by vices and lack of social trust, can, by their virtuous formation and lives, bring enduring change.Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry.Discipline: Sacred Theology

    Phenotypic characterization and genetic requirements of Streptococcus pneumoniae biofilms:

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    Thesis advisor: Tim van OpijnenThesis advisor: Michelle MeyerAlthough bacteria are often studied as planktonic or free-living organisms, they frequently grow in complex surface-attached communities known as biofilms. Biofilms are communities of microorganisms attached to surfaces and embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix. Biofilms are dynamic structures analogous to human settlements shaped by space and environment. These microbial communities fulfill critical roles in multiple infections in the human body. Streptococcuspneumoniae is a human pathogen that can cause biofilm-associated infections in various tissues and organs. This thesis offers a unique outlook for the study of S. pneumoniae biofilms by combining in vitro, genome-wide, and in vivo experiments to elucidate the complex population dynamics of S. pneumoniae biofilms. Existing methods to cultivate S. pneumoniae biofilms fail to fully capture the complexity of these communities, and most studies are limited to short periods of time. We developed a robust in vitro assay to grow S. pneumoniae biofilms. This assay can be maintained forever rather than days. We then use this robust assay to study their behavior in vivo and monitor disease outcomes. After establishing clear differences in biofilm and dispersal samples, we monitor population dynamics using genome-wide techniques (Tn-seq, RNA-seq and WGS) to provide some insights into this complex mode of growth. This work includes the first global identification of genetic requirements during biofilm establishment in two different S. pneumoniae strains using Tn-Seq. Coupled with our transcriptomic analysis, we found that genes involved in multiple pathways, such as capsule biosynthesis, nucleotide metabolism, and stress response, contributed to biofilm growth. Lastly, we studied the development of antibiotic resistance to three different types of antibiotics under S. pneumoniae biofilm conditions. We revealed common adaptive pathways to achieve biofilm growth and antibiotic resistance (antibiotic target genes), as well as novel routes of adaptation to develop resistance. Our findings add to the growing body of knowledge in the field of bacterial genetics and antimicrobial resistance, paving the way for future research and therapeutic advancement.Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.Discipline: Biology

    Ambrose's Teaching and Exemplars on the Virtues of Prudence and Fortitude and their Relevance to Contempoary Christians in Nigeria

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    Thesis advisor: Brian DunkleThesis advisor: Catherine M. MooneyEvery generation encounters moral problems. Thus, designing an ethical standard or a moral guide for any generation has been a major concern for great minds who believe in a genuine pursuit of happiness through virtuous life. Ancient philosophers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics debated on this in their time by acknowledging essential virtues such as wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance as moral principles. Marcus Aurelius Cicero followed the moral principles of these ancient Greek philosophers and, to encourage young Romans aspiring for leadership positions, wrote a book titled De Officiis, a handbook on duty and responsibility. Ambrose of Milan, a statesman turned churchman, who also studied the pagan virtues of these Greek philosopher and the work of Cicero, wrote De Officiis Ministrorum, a handbook on duty for clergy, religious, and Christians of his diocese. Ambrose adopted and adapted the pagan virtues into Christian virtues. The virtues of prudence and courage are critical virtues among the cardinal virtues that Ambrose analyzed in his work using biblical exemplars as models for Christians of his time. The current situation in Nigeria needs a reconsideration as corruption and other moral vices have occupied the central stage in Nigeria. Highlighting Ambrose's virtue theory and teaching on prudence and courage as part of daily catechesis and homily will be necessary for the development of moral consciousness and values among the Christians and non-Christians in Nigeria. This work traces the historical development of virtue theory from ancient times to the time of Ambrose. It uses historical analysis to bring forward the Christian virtues taught by Ambrose and their exemplars, and argues for emulation of these tremendous biblical exemplars and suggests modern and local exemplars from the Nigerian perspective and Africa at large.Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry.Discipline: Sacred Theology

    Catch Them Young: The Game Changer in the Fight Against Religious Extremism in Nigeria

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    This study examined the "Catch Them Young" approach as a game-changer in the fight against religious extremism in Nigeria with the aim of fashioning a Virtue Ethics-based framework for tackling and erasing religious extremism from Nigeria, especially in its violent forms. The study utilized the qualitative methodology, designed with the Almajiri Islamic system of education practiced in Northern Nigeria as case study. In data collection, the study utilized archival research and secondary data collection, using existing datasets from paperback and electronic books, academic journals, other academic works, newspapers, websites, electronic magazines, and other available media sources. The method of analysis was thematic. The study explored the theoretical frameworks through which the question of religious extremism has been studied. The study probed the approaches which the Nigerian goverenment has applied in its response to violent religious extremism and terrorism in Nigeria. The key findings of the study showed that political interest, unemployment, poverty, deprivation, ignorance and inadequate education are the major factors contributing to religious extremism in Nigeria. The existing approaches of military means (hard power) in combating religious extremism have not worked, and a feasible, proactive, non-military (soft power) means is needed. Results equally showed the Almajiri system in it's present state as counterproductive. Based on the success of youth programs with nearly the same goals as the catch them young strategy in other fields and/or in other places, the success of the "Catch Them Young" approach in virtue or character education of the Nigerian child is a feasible game-changing stratey to pursue in fighting religious exteremism in Nigeria. One limitation of the study is the small sample size, the Almajiri of norther Nigeria, which may not be representative of the entire population of Nigeria. This study serves as a reference for creating virtue ethics-based frameworks in the fight against religious extremism in Nigeria. More research is needed to give traction to the formulation and utilization of virtue ethics-based frameworks in the fight against religious extremism, and in every other field of human endeavor in Nigeria. This makes available more material to researchers, professionals and policymakers.Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry.Discipline: Sacred Theology

    Consumerism in the Digital Age: Motivations for College Women’s Fashion Purchases

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    Thesis advisor: Ali KadivarThe fashion industry has historically used marketing to increase sales. Women are the primary consumers of clothing, and with the growth of social media, trends cycle more frequently. As women observe their peers and influencers on these platforms, they are encouraged to purchase more items even without viewing deliberate advertisements. However, current consumption patterns are not sustainable. The researcher conducted thirteen interviews with college women aged nineteen to twenty-two to understand their motivations for purchasing new clothing and what values informed their decisions. The hypothesis was that access to peers’ and influencers' fashion choices via social media catalyzed overspending. The environmental and social implications of the industry would only deter some individuals' habits. Other studies have used surveys to ask social media users how the platforms inform their consumption. However, this study adds to the literature by offering in-depth anecdotes of why people make purchases and how often they do so.Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences.Discipline: Departmental Honors.Discipline: Sociology

    Essays in Industrial Organization and Behavioral Economics:

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    Thesis advisor: Michael GrubbThesis advisor: Lucas CoffmanWhat You Don’t Know Can’t Pass Through: Consumer Beliefs and Pass-through Rates I model consumer search with imperfect information about firms’ costs and test predictions about consumer beliefs and pass-through in the US residential mortgage market. In the model, when consumers are unaware of an increase in costs, a high price would be surprising and may induce additional search. In equilibrium, sellers do not pass though the entire change in costs, and average pass-though is decreasing in consumer uncertainty about costs. The model provides a unified explanation for a number of patterns in pass-through rates including incomplete pass-through (passthrough rates less than one), pass-through over-shifting (pass-through rates greater than one), and asymmetric pass-through (greater pass-through rates for cost increases than decreases). I test a novel prediction of this model using confidential Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data. I find that different components of the marginal cost of mortgage lending have different average pass-through rates. Widely known costs are passed through nearly completely while more obscure costs have much lower pass-through rates. This pattern is not explained by existing models of pass-through, as the standard determinants of pass-through are identical across all cost components of the same mortgage. People Don’t Demand Commitment Devices That Might Not Work Demand for costly commitment devices is rare. A possible explanation is that individuals are unaware of their present bias and their need for commitment. I run an experiment that successfully corrects subjects’ beliefs about their present bias and find that this increased awareness does not increase demand for commitment. These results, interpreted through the lens of a theoretical model of commitment demand, imply that low demand for commitment is not driven by a perceived lack of present bias, but rather subjects’ accurate belief that they may fail to follow through, even with the offered level of commitment. The Illusion of Competition with Michael Grubb Most existing models of price competition in the presence of search costs ignore the possibility that multiple products in a market are sold by the same firm. We develop a theoretical model of equilibrium price dispersion under costly consumer search over prices in the presence of jointly owned “brands.” We establish conditions on consumers’ search technology that determine consumer welfare implications and suggest antitrust remedies (e.g. post-merger consolidation of brands).Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.Discipline: Economics

    From Religious Cosmology to Environmental Praxis: Empowering Agency for Sustainable Social Change

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    Thesis advisor: Kristin E. HeyerDiscourse about climate change has the potential to empower moral agency toward sustainable praxis or arrest action by furthering moral oblivion. This dissertation analyzes sources for moral narratives about climate change—in theology and ethics, in public discourse and the news media, and in social movements—to determine their relative influence on agency. Because climate change and environmental degradation are wicked problems, there are always multiple ways to understand the problems and propose solutions that influence agential action. This dissertation promotes a pragmatic approach to environmental ethics, which analyzes the particularities of each problem to mediate the interconnected impact of historic injustice, social sin, and lived experiences of harm. Social movements provide new moral visions for enacting social change opposing structural injustice. The environmental justice movement, generated from experiences of environmental racism in the disposal of toxic waste, provides both a corrective moral vision and normative metrics by which sustainable action can be measured: recognition, participation, and distributive justice. Application of these normative principles makes it possible to analyze the extent to which environmental action pursues redress for structural injustice or continues to perpetuate social and environmental harm. Rooted in a social praxis of Christian hope, environmental ethics ought to stimulate the moral imagination to sustain action pursuant to tangible and lasting social change.Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.Discipline: Theology

    Learning About Love: The Presence, Nature & Influence of Love Mentoring Relationships

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    Thesis advisor: Jacqueline V. LernerConsiderable scholarly attention has been dedicated toward the role of peers in adolescents’ romantic lives (Brown, 1999; Collins, 2003; Connolly & McIsaac, 2009, Korobov & Thorne, 2006). However, when it comes to the developmental significance of adults in promoting the healthy romantic functioning of adolescents, there has been comparably little research. For college students in particular, navigating romantic experiences can be a stressful and complex endeavor (Hurst et al., 2013) - one that may be aided by supportive relationships with adults who can listen, ask questions, and offer a distinct perspective. Indeed, recent literature has indicated that late adolescents (18-25 years of age) want more guidance from the adults in their lives about romantic relationships (Weissbourd et al., 2017). The present study introduces the concept and term love mentoring - opportunities to think, learn, and/or talk about romantic experiences with someone who is older or more experienced in this domain. Through the theoretical framework of Relational Cultural Theory, the study investigates the presence, nature, quality, and influence of love mentoring relationships in the lives of college women enrolled in a university-based mentoring program. Through reflexive thematic analysis of survey data and 12 in-depth follow-up interviews, the study’s results are distilled into six integrative findings: love mentoring is prevalent in families and universities, love mentors (LMs) are trustworthy, love mentoring supports self-worth, conversations around sex complicate love mentoring relationships, LMs are distinct from friends, and LMs promote healthy romantic development through conversation and modeling. These foundational findings on the phenomenon of love mentoring provide an important contribution to existing bodies of literature on college students’ romantic relationships and mentoring. Implications for research and practice are discussed in the context of study limitations.Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education.Discipline: Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology

    The Covenant Formula in Jeremiah: The Safeguard of the Identity of YHWH's People

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    Thesis advisor: Andrew R. DavisThesis advisor: Jaime L. WatersThesis (STL) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry.Discipline: Sacred Theology

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