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Alumni Dissertations

2026

Anderson, Abigail
"Religious Young Adult Mental Health and Suicide Risk: Social Safety as Both a Protective and Risk Factor Among Religious Youth"

Cowell Mercier, Mariah
"Community Violence Interventions as a Mechanism for Reimagining Public Safety: a Mixed Methods Evaluation and Exploration of Implementation Determinants"

Garcia, Myra
"Navigating Intra-group Colorism: A Qualitative Study on Distress, Coping, and Resistance among Afro and Indigenous Latine"

Levitt, Sarah Elizabeth
"Exploring College Student Poverty and Defining Basic Needs Insecurity: Perspectives from Public College and University Professionals"

Patin, Kara
"Toward a Framework for Inclusive Resilience"

2025

Bradbury, Laura
”Doing it With a Broken Heart:” Understanding the Meaning and Value of Personal Bereavement Rituals  


Dilanchian, Aundrea
"Practicing in Place: School Social Workers’ Perspectives on Neighborhood Strengths and Service Barriers in Salt Lake City, UtahPracticing in Place: School Social Workers’ Perspectives on Neighborhood Strengths and Service Barriers in Salt Lake City, Utah"


Ghneim, Staci
"Managing Public Human Services for Public Value: Utah’s Initiative to Improve Performance with Service Operations Management"


Howey, Whitney
"Judicial Engagement in Child Welfare Court"


Musson Rose, Devon
" Early childhood suicidal thoughts and behaviors: Theoretical and provider perspectives"

 

2024

McInture Goodsell, Misty
"Exploring the Relationship between ACES and Pubertal Timing for Adolescent Females: Analysis of the National Longitudinal Study
of Adolescent and Adult Health"

O'Connor, Allison 
"Utility of Animal Assisted Therapy for Addressing Maltreatment in Children" 

Rehn, Kyle
"Chronically Inaccurate? Assessing the Reliability and Validity of the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tools for Persons Experiencing Homelessness"

 

2023

Arroyo, Karla
"Understanding Victim Advocates’ Practices and Experiences When Working With Victims of Intimate Partner Violence Who Abuse Substances: An Exploratory Study"

Gonzalez-Pons, Kwynn
"Understanding Victim Advocates’ Practices and Experiences When Working With Victims of Intimate Partner Violence Who Abuse Substances: An Exploratory Study" 

Hendrix, Elizabeth
"Understanding Victim Advocates’ Practices and Experiences When Working With Victims of Intimate Partner Violence Who Abuse Substances: An Exploratory Study"

 

2022

Brooks, Malisa
"A Psychometric Investigation of the Posttraumatic Checklist for PTSD (PCL-5) in Student Veterans"

Hardy, Clinton
"Admission Coercion in Adolescent Residential Treatment" 

Lecy, Natalie 
"The Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on College Graduation"

 

2021

McDonald, Chad 
"Dissertation Title: Child Welfare Expert Consensus through Virtual Reality Learning"


Moleni, Kristina (Teena)
Dissertation Title: Pacific Islanders: Wayfinding in Higher Education


Velazquez, Lizbeth (Liz) 
Dissertation Title:  Authentic Cariño Between Educators and Students: Counterstories from Latinx Students at an Urban High School in Utah

 

2020


Baker, Anne
Dissertation Title: A Psychoneuroimmunological Investigation of Risk for Opioid Misuse Among Chronic Pain Patients

Current Position: Faculty and Research Investigator at the University of Michigan 
Abstract


Ha, An Thi
Dissertation Title: Community Participation and Community-led Initiatives: Cultural Identity Preservation and Resilience of Communities with Various Refugee Backgrounds
Abstract


Metzler, S. Candice
Dissertation Title: The Implications of Language in the Therapeutic Process and Relationship with Gender Nonconforming Clients
Abstract 


Reese, Sarah
Dissertation Title: Targeting the Underlying Mechanisms of Prenatal Opioid Use and Child Well-Being with Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement
Abstract


Shepard, Lindsay
Dissertation Title: A Systematic Overview of Systematic Reviews in Social Work
Abstract 


Strock-Lynskey, Diana 
Dissertation Title: 9/11 World Trade Center Disaster 10th Anniversary: Exploring Catholic, Religiously-Affiliated Disaster Mental/Behavioral Health Response Efforts and Responder Resilience
Abstract

 

2019

Droubay, Brian
Dissertation Title: Subjective Distress Among Pornography Consumers

Abstract


Ibrahim, Ujal
Dissertation Title: Understanding Entrepreneurship and its Impact on the Integration Process for Refugees in the U.S.

Current Position: Faculty at the University Canada West

Abstract


Molloy, Jennifer
Dissertation Title: Aligning Theory and Practice: Deepening the Understanding of Restorative Justice in Schools

Current Position: Associate Professory at the University of Montana
Abstract


Nguyen, Van
Dissertation Title: I didn’t choose to be a person of color but you chose to be a cop": An Exploration of Disproportionate Minority Contact from the Perspectives of Youth 

Current Position: Director of Juvenile Justice Policy and Reserach at the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice 
Abstract


Riquino, Michael 
Dissertation Title: A Mixed Methods Investigation of Attention and Mindfulness among Young Adults with a History of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury
Abstract


Sarver, Christian
Dissertation Title: “Lost. Lost. And Lost.”: A Narrative Analysis of Desistance in the Context of Parole
Abstract


Taholo, Leilani 
Dissertation Title: Kaimana: An Integrative Study of Reclaiming our Cultural Power for Pacific Islander Well-being and Collective Care
Abstract

 

2018

Akter, Jesmin
Dissertation Title: Potential Risk Factors for Successful School Reentry for Children Diagnosed with Cancer
Abstract


Hennick, Emogene
Dissertation Title: The Homeless Court in Salt Lake City, Utah: Access to Justice and Mercy for a Disenfranchised Population
Abstract


Spears, Jeff
Dissertation title: Development of Self-Efficacy of Baby Boomers through Computer Use: Impact on Health Literacy, Social Connectedness, and Financial Literacy
Abstract


Thomas, Elizabeth (Liz)
Dissertation Title: Targeting Biobehavioral Mechanisms in Obesity Among Cancer Patients with Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement
Abstract

 

2017


Blackman, Laurie
Dissertation Title: Lifestyle Physical Activity among Older Adults: The Health Implications

Current Position: Clinical Associate Professor at the Yeshiva University 

Abstract


Demientieff, LaVerne
Dissertation Title: Deg Xit’an, Athabascan Conversations on Wellness: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Radical Possibilities of Relationships
Abstract


Nielson, Elijah
Dissertation Title: Mormons, Sexual Minorities, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Abstract


Vanderloo, Mindy
Dissertation Title: Caseworker factors that influence removal decisions in child welfare
Abstract


Watson, Curtis
Dissertation Title: What is recovery?: Understanding chemical dependency stakeholder expectations
Abstract

 

2016

 

Asante, Samuel
Dissertation Title: Social determinants of health among older adults: Evidence from the Utah Fertility, Longevity, and Aging (FLAG) study
Abstract


Byrne, Kara
Dissertation Title: Community Voices for Housing Equality: Engaging Tenants with Immigrant and Refugee Background in Participatory Action Research 
Abstract


Feize, Leyla
Dissertation Title: Development of self-awareness and cultural competency in social work education
Abstract


Hadley, Nathan
Dissertation Title: Cultural Competency in Social Work Scholarship and Research on Latinos in the United States: A Content Analysis of Peer-Reviewed Social Work Journals
Abstract


Tian, Tian
Dissertation Title: An exploratory study of Chinese college students’ autonomy development and parental influence
Abstract


White, Melinda
Dissertation Title: Examining Characteristics of Mother-Daughter Relationships and Adolescent Self-Injury
Abstract

 

2015

 

Galvin, Kathleen (Katie)
Dissertation Title: The socio-economic impact of E-Verify in an era of globalization: A scoping review and analyses of workforce outcomes
Abstract


Geary, Erin
Dissertation Title: American Indian child and family well-being: A systematic review of research from twenty-two national datasets
Abstract


Greene, Dorothy Saxon
Dissertation Title: Relapse among recovering addiction professionals: Prevalence and predictors
Abstract


Groot, David
Dissertation Title: Usability testing of a mobile technology for children with high-functioning autism spectrum and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders
Abstract


McDonell, Martin
Dissertation Title: Houseless versus homeless: An exploratory study of Native Hawaiian beach dwellers on Oahu’s west coast
Abstract


West, Amanda
Dissertation Title: Invisible children: An exploratory examination of child trafficking in the United States
Abstract


Whiting, Richard
Dissertation Title: The effect of ageism on law enforcement response to elder mistreatment
Abstract

 

2014

 

Andersen, Troy Christiansen
Dissertation Title: Proactive dementia care: A pilot study of social work and health education interventions with patients with mild dementia and their caregivers
Abstract


Baird, Nancy Coyne
Dissertation Title: Attachment experiences of grandparent kinship caregivers and nonkinship foster parents with preschool-aged children in their care
Abstract


Brocious, Heidi
Dissertation Title: Activities that promote ethnic identity development in transnational adoptees
Abstract


Nover, Cynthia
Dissertation Title: Effective primary care for individuals with serious mental illness: An intervention and systematic review
Abstract


Rolstad, Erik
Dissertation Title: The challenges, adaptations, and areas of need that confront adult men with hemophilia: A community-based qualitative study
Abstract

 

2013

 

Christensen, Mary Candace
Dissertation Title: Using theatre for social change to address sexual violence against college women
Abstract


Crews, Douglas
Dissertation Title: Exploring self-compassion with lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons
Abstract


Fawson, Peter
Dissertation Title: Fostering healthy teen intimate relationships through an in-school violence prevention program
Abstract


Hughes, Jennifer
Dissertation Title: Relationships, caregiving and Multiple Sclerosis: Gender and perceptions of care
Abstract


Jacobsen, Jeanna
Dissertation Title: Mormon women’s experiences with same-sex sexuality
Abstract


John-Frisk, Hena
Dissertation Title: Uncovering the realities of prostitutes and their children in a cross national comparative study between India and the U.S.
Abstract


Kim, Seong
Dissertation Title: The nature of elder mistreatment in South Korea and implications to improve policy and practice: A qualitative secondary analysis
Abstract


Moore, Trudi
Dissertation Title: Exploratory study of medically fragile children in Utah’s child welfare system
Abstract


Ned, Dena
Dissertation Title: Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act 36 years later: An interpretive policy analysis
Abstract



Poduthase, Henry
Dissertation Title: Parent-adolescent relationship and juvenile delinquency in Kerala, India: A qualitative study
Abstract


Supiano, Katherine
Dissertation Title: Complicated grief in older adults: A randomized controlled trial of complicated grief group therapy
Abstract


Wright, Rachel
Dissertation Title: Qualitative explorations of the factors influencing the selection of the copper intrauterine device as a method of emergency contraception
Abstract

 

2012

 

Bonella, Barrett
Dissertation Title: Bridging professional gaps in the delivery of mental health and criminal justice systems
Abstract


Christensen, Brandon Nyle
Dissertation Title: Factors affecting mental health service utilization among deployed military personnel
Abstract


Feller, Kelly
Dissertation Title: An exploratory study of the lived experience and contributing factors to blending stepfamilies — A dynamic systems and transformational learning theories approach
Abstract


Golden, Tracy
Dissertation Title: Parents in relationships with their children with autism: A qualitative study
Abstract


Hinton, Deborah
Dissertation Title: Expanding our notions of power: A community-based participatory action research project
Abstract


Hurtado Gomez, Marcella
Dissertation Title: Curriculum-based family intervention programs: Meeting the needs of Latinos in the U.S.
Abstract

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: 4/7/26