Columbus State University Honors College: Senior Theses, Fall 2019

This is a collection of senior theses written by honors students at Columbus State University in 2019.https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/honors_theses/1000/thumbnail.jp

Development of an intervention programme theory to increase movement in care homes for people with cognitive impairment:Care homes achieving realistic movement strategies (CHARMS)

There is an increase in both the number of people living in care homes, and the cognitive impairments they experience. Some of these experiences of cognitive impairments can be improved by appropriate movement and physical activity interventions, delivered in ways which take into account an individual’s preferences, needs and abilities. A clear intervention programme theory (how we expect an intervention to work) can improve effectiveness, acceptability, transferability and sustainability. We used a systematic framework (Six Steps in Quality Intervention Development) and a co-production approach, to develop an intervention programme theory for Care Homes Achieving Realistic Movement Strategies (CHARMS). We identified twenty factors contributing to low levels of physical activity and movement which we grouped into four categories for change: i) cultural/staff; ii) residents; iii) environmental and iv) policy/system. A theory of change was developed using these categories plus additional theories to create ownership. It became evident that the intervention (the theory of action) needed to include activities in all categories; intervening in just one category (e.g. providing weekly physical activity) was not sufficient in itself. Developing the programme theory enabled care homes to develop activities to meet their specific contextual needs and develop ownership of the process and the intervention

Health inequality implications from a qualitative study of experiences of poverty stigma in Scotland

Rationale: Individuals living in Scotland's most deprived communities experience a higher burden of morbidity and early mortality than those living in more affluent areas. Experiences of poverty-based stigma may be one psychosocial mechanism through which socioeconomic position influences health, although there is little available data on this issue from a Scottish perspective. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify which aspects of poverty stigma are particularly salient to individuals with lived experience of poverty, and may therefore contribute to health inequalities. Methods: Five focus groups were conducted with 39 individuals with experience of living on low incomes in Scotland in order to explore their experiences and perceptions of poverty stigma. Results: Five main themes were identified, reflecting aspects of poverty stigma operating at various structural, public and individual levels: media representations of poverty; negative encounters with social security systems; perceived public attitudes regarding poverty in Scotland; lowered self-esteem and internalisation of negative attitudes, and; emotional responses to stigma. Conclusion: These dimensions of stigma potentially influence public health and health inequalities in Scotland, although future research will be necessary to quantify these and estimate their relationships with health outcomes

Public Perceptions of Sentencing : Qualitative Research Exploring Causing Death by Driving Offences

The aim of this research study was to explore public perceptions of the sentencing of causing death by driving offences in Scotland, including the perceptions of families of victims. Until now, no in depth qualitative work has considered Scottish attitudes towards sentencing in this context. The research raises major questions about views of sentencing, the sentencing process and the experiences of bereaved family members

A “step too far” or “perfect sense”? A qualitative study of British adults’ views on mandating COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine passports

BACKGROUND: Debate is ongoing about mandating COVID-19 vaccination to maximise uptake. Policymakers must consider whether to mandate, for how long, and in which contexts, taking into account not only legal and ethical questions but also public opinion. Implementing mandates among populations who oppose them could be counterproductive. METHODS: Qualitative telephone interviews (Feb-May 2021) with British adults explored views on vaccine passports and mandatory vaccination. Participants (n=50) were purposively selected from respondents to a probability-based national survey of attitudes to COVID-19 vaccination, to include those expressing vaccine-hesitancy. Data were analysed thematically. FINDINGS: Six themes were identified in participants’ narratives concerning mandates: (i) mandates are a necessary and proportionate response for some occupations to protect the vulnerable and facilitate the resumption of free movement; (ii) mandates undermine autonomy and choice; (iii) mandates represent an over-reach of state power; (iv) mandates could potentially create ‘vaccine apartheid’; (v) the importance of context and framing; and (vi) mandates present considerable feasibility challenges. Those refusing vaccination tended to argue strongly against mandates. However, those in favour of vaccination also expressed concerns about freedom of choice, state coercion and social divisiveness. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first in-depth UK study of public views on COVID-19 vaccine mandates. It does not assess support for different mandates but explores emotions, principles and reasoning underpinning views. Our data suggest that debate around mandates can arouse strong concerns and could entrench scepticism. Policymakers should proceed with caution. While surveys can provide snapshots of opinion on mandates, views are complex and further consultation is needed regarding specific scenarios

Identifying Dis/Misinformation on Social Media: A Policy Report for the Diplomacy Lab Strategies for Identifying Mis/Disinformation Project

Dis/misinformation was a major concern in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and has only worsened in recent years. Even though domestic actors often spread dis/misinformation, actors abroad can use it to spread confusion and push their agenda to the detriment of American citizens. Even though this report focuses on actors outside the United States, the methods they use are universal and can be adapted to work against domestic agents. A solid understanding of these methods is the first step in combating foreign dis/misinformation campaigns and creating a new information literacy paradigm. This report highlights the primary mechanisms of dis/misinformation: multimedia manipulation, bots, astroturfing, and trolling. These forms of dis/misinformation were selected after thorough research about common pathways dis/misinformation are spread online. Multimedia manipulation details image, video, and audio dis/misinformation in the form of deepfakes, memes, and out-of-context images. Bots are automated social media accounts that are not managed by humans and often contribute to dis/misinformation campaigns. Astroturfing and trolls use deception to sway media users to join false grassroots campaigns and utilize emotionally charged posts to provoke a response from users. This policy report also defines case studies of disinformation in China, Russia, and Iran, outlining common patterns of dis/misinformation specific to these countries. These patterns will allow for more accurate and quick identification of dis/misinformation from the outlined countries by State Department Watch Officers. Recommendations have also been provided for each type of disinformation and include a list of what individuals should look for and how to make sure that the information they receive is accurate and from a reputable source. The addendum at the end of the paper lists all of the recommendations in one place so that individuals do not have to search the paper for the recommendation they are looking for. This report intends to aid State Department Watch Officers as they work to identify foreign developments accurately. Still, researchers may find this information useful in anticipating future developments in foreign dis/misinformation campaigns

Health, Happiness and Wellbeing in the Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood. A Systematic Overview of Population Level Interventions

A systematic review of empirical evaluations of interventions intended to improve health, happiness and wellbeing or reduce inequalities for young people with a focus on population interventions