Literature Review Posters (Social Science) - Purple
Dog Therapy
Subject: Research Poster (Health Science)
Presenters: Jasmin Alvarez
Faculty Sponsors: Pamela Higgins
Abstract: Animal-assisted therapy aims to improve or maintain a patient’s physical, psychological, and sociological functioning by influencing the interaction between the therapist (animal) and the patient. Using this type of therapy helps patients with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia because they rely more on body language.
The animal employed for therapy is usually a dog, who as an effective and emotional stimulus to patients and helps improve the patient's mood. The available literature used where from 2007-2018.
Five articles were selected that included the animal-assisted therapy, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia. The articles looked at the patient’s cognitive function, depression, quality of life and their caregiver stress levels. Based on these articles more researcher is needed to see the overall impact that animal-assisted therapy has on patients with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Do Helmet Laws Save Lives?
Subject: Research Poster (Health Science)
Presenters: Scott Hebert
Faculty Sponsor: Pamela Higgins
Background: There have been several studies from various countries observing associations between helmet use and injury and mortality rates. However, there is an obvious lack of literature review and meta-analysis of these studies to review their efficacy. This topic is important to review, as motorcyclist safety carries with it economic and social benefits to individuals and the state.
Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to observe the association between helmet laws (and helmet use) and injury and mortality rates.
Methods: Articles were obtained from the Academic Search Complete and Medline Complete databases.
Results: This review included four studies, specifically three retrospective cohort studies and one cross-sectional study. All of the studies, cohort and cross-sectional, found positive associations between helmet laws (and use) and injury and mortality rates (with one study finding increases in those rates of 42 percent and 32 percent, respectively), although all of the findings were not exactly parallel.
Conclusions: There is a negative association between helmet laws (and use) and injury and mortality rates among motorcyclists in the United States.
Death Penalty
Subject: Research Poster (Criminal Justice)
Presenters: Jaydell Torres
Faculty Sponsor: Francesca Spina
Abstract: The purpose of this project is to examine the history of the death penalty, as well as methods of execution. Capital punishment has been a controversial topic in the United States and internationally. There are issues related to its implementation and concerns about how it is only in some states.
This project used existing literature and case studies to examine these factors related to the death penalty. There’s much research on the death penalty that needs to be researched on because to understand more about the history and how it is implemented in different states.
Recommendations will be made for the next generation that hopefully they will change a lot of things related to the death penalty.
Effectiveness of Border Patrol Strategies, Tactics, & Funding
Subject: Research Poster (Criminal Justice)
Presenters: Kyle Ortiz
Faculty Sponsor: Francesca Spina
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to examine whether or not the financial costs of border control are effective at reducing crime across the border. There are many problems that the criminal justice is faced with regarding drugs, immigration, human trafficking, and terrorism across the borders. Using existing literature and case studies, this project looks at some of these issues.
Based on the existing literature, recommendations regarding border patrol tactics and funding will be discussed.
Emancipation Bill To Capital Hill
Subject: Research Poster (History)
Presenter: Zelarn Bly
Faculty Sponsors: Ian Delahanty
Abstract: This paper explores the timeline, politics, and events leading up to the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment, during the American Civil War, abolishing slavery in the United States. President Abraham Lincoln was the Republican known for freeing black slaves; however, abolishing slavery was not done by one man, but by the union of one party. At the beginning of the Civil War, the Republican Party was divided into two different subsections being Radicals and the Moderates. The two parties, although both anti-slavery, differed in the way they saw the future of blacks in America and the end of slavery.
Radical Republicans were egalitarians and abolitionists who wanted slavery quickly abolished to create a society where blacks and whites had equity and equality. While the Moderate Republicans, wanted slavery to slowly die off and didn’t believe in an interracial society. Moderates more believed in a society of white-men advancement, wanting slavery to end so that whites could get jobs.
This paper shows that Abraham Lincoln, at the beginning of the Civil War, was a Moderate Republican. However, at the end of the Civil War, President Lincoln had a very controversial meeting showing a change in his views from Moderate to Radical. This change allowed the subsections to join and pass the Thirteenth Amendment, ending slavery in the United States.
How Terrorism Affects State Level Law Enforcement
Subject: Research Poster (Social Science)
Presenter: Matthew Pagan
Faculty Sponsor: Francesa Spina
Abstract: The purpose is to observe how acts of terrorism have shaped state level law enforcement in terms of readiness, training, and overall investigation and collection of information regarding acts of terrorism. Since terrorist attacks have been more frequent during the 21st century, the probability of an attack is increasing, along with an increasing pressure to have law enforcement be prepared at all levels. This research is concentrated on the readiness and prevention, terrorists background and goals, as well as detection of terrorism.
Through the collection of data, law enforcement attempts to counter the threat of terrorism, and develop vulnerabilities of terrorism. it is hoped that we can accept the statement that more frequent acts of terrorism have increased the pressure for law enforcement to be better equipped to prevent and assess these situations.
How We Can Combat Narco-Terrorism
Subject: Research Poster (Criminal Justice)
Presenter: Jessica Pioggia
Faculty Sponsor: Francesa Spina
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to define the dominant factors that contribute to narco-terrorism. The term narco-terrorism refers to acts of terrorism or violence associated with trade of illicit drugs. Terrorism and the use of drugs has heightened over the years and data shows how the two are intertwined. Although there is no known method or agency to deal with narco-terrorism, this study’s literature review shows that there is a strong correlation between international drug trafficking and acts of terrorism.
By gathering data from previous cases, we can implement new tactics in border security, including more border patrol agents and the presence of customs. We might also benefit from an agency that can deal with narco-terrorism solely, in the hope to one day reduce the influx of narcotics and terrorist attacks. It will continue to have a tremendous impact on public safety as long as we do not have a proper task force to deal with narco-terrorism.
Impact of WIC Food Package Changes
Subject: Research Poster (Nutrition)
Presenter: Jennifer Lusty
Faculty Sponsors: Carolyn Stocker
Background: WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children that helps improve the nutritional status of those who are at nutritional risk. The WIC food package provides a wide range of healthy foods to supplement the diets of WIC mothers and young children, and is reviewed at least every 10 years.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of WIC’s food package changes in aid to improving diet quality.
Methods: Literature review of selected cross-sectional studies and longitudinal studies evaluating the impact of WIC food package changes on diet quality of WIC participants.
Results: The new WIC food package for children 2 years and older eliminates whole milk and only makes available low-fat milk. The monthly benefits also now include a voucher for $13 for fresh fruits and vegetables. Since the food package updates, WIC families’ food purchasing habits have become healthier. The changes in the Federal Policies to the WIC food package had significant improvements on the consumption of the nutrient dense foods, as evidenced by children scoring higher on the Healthy Eating Index. Households enrolled in WIC are found to purchase more whole grain breads and brown rice than low-income families that are not receiving WIC benefits or nutrition education.
Conclusions: Changes to the WIC package have resulted in improved diet quality among WIC recipients. Future research should not only assess the effectiveness of these WIC food package improvements in changing dietary patterns, but should also evaluate their impact on rates of pediatric overweight and obesity.
Prescription Drugs, Street Drugs and the Opioid Epidemic
Subject: Research Poster (Health Science)
Presenter: Caitlin Worthington
Faculty Sponsor: Pam Higgins
Background: Drug abuse in the United States has been an issue since harder drugs were introduced in the 1970’s. People using constantly needed something stronger to adjust to their craving. Once prescription opioids were introduced, the overdoses from the opioid epidemic are at their highest and are ringing alarms for medical personnel, public officials and families of drug abusers.
Objective: The literature review is going to assess whether prescription drugs and the laws and choices surrounding them or the access to street drugs are causing more overdoses within the opioid epidemic. Methods: To achieve the needed results to prove the question, a database search was conducted to obtain articles of previous studies. Key words such as “opioid crisis”, “overdose” “prescription drugs” and “heroin, cocaine” were used to gain general knowledge for the reader. Then the same keywords were used again, but in this search “pain management”, “ER visits” and “over prescribing” were added with the hopes of solidifying solid studies rather than definitions.
Results: There was a significant association with the introduction of prescription drug monitoring programs and the increase in the use and abuse, of prescription opioids. Street drugs such as heroin and cocaine did represent numbers in the drug overdoses but not enough to claim the cause of the large increase.
Conclusion: The cause of the increase of opioid drug overdose, specifically prescription drugs, is directly related to the normalization of pain management.
Reducing Recidivism Among Opioid Addicts: Differences in Effectiveness Between Treatment and Incarceration
Subject: Research Poster (Social Science)
Presenter: Zachary Wright
Faculty Sponsor: Francesa Spina
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to determine whether treatment or incarceration is more effective in reducing recidivism in relation to the opioid epidemic in the United States. Recidivism refers to the relapse of criminal behavior, occurring after an individual has been sanctioned in some way. The opioid epidemic, specifically opioid-related crime, is a growing contributor to mass incarceration and recidivism rates in the United States.
I conducted my research through reviewing existing literature and analyzing case studies related to this topic, and identified three major results: early parole reduces recidivism; incarceration inadequately reduces recidivism; and medically assisted treatment showed varied effectiveness. This research is imperative because research findings can determine which forms of treatment, if any, are effective in reducing criminal recidivism among opioid dependent individuals.
Research on the ostentatiously sports consumption of teenagers: Theories, Perspectives and Methods
Subject: Research Poster (Sports)
Presenters: Chen Ziying
Faculty Sponsor: East China University of Science and Technology / Deborah Alm
Abstract: In order to diagnose the recent research situation of teenagers’ ostentatiously sports consumption, a comprehensive evaluation was carried out by using the methods of literature and comparative analysis. Results indicate that the body of relative research is very limited, the application of theories is narrow, the research perspectives are focused, but research methods are multiple. Based on this situation, the research of teenagers’ ostentatiously sports consumption is combed, summarized and analyzed, which provides reference and guidance for the research of teenagers’ ostentatiously sports consumption."
Role of Afterschool Programming in Youth Violence Prevention: A Literature Review
Subject: Research Poster (Health Science)
Presenter: Tiffany Tenney
Faculty Sponsor: Pam Higgins
BACKGROUND: Annually, 4,300 youth are victims of homicide, making it the third leading cause of death in the United States for those between the ages of 10 and 24. Violence in the United States continues to affect this segment of the population. In an attempt to combat the issues of youth violence, one of the many interventions developed is afterschool programming. The aim of the present literature review is to serve as a basis of investigation for the successfulness of afterschool programming, as the existing information is limited.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of afterschool programming and to determine what elements of afterschool programming make for a successful intervention by decreasing rates of youth violence.
METHODS: The literature search strategy involved the Springfield College Library Services Database and Google Scholar. The terms and phrases used in each search engine were “youth violence”, “youth violence afterschool programming”, “afterschool programs”, and “youth violence prevention”.
RESULTS: Of the studies included, results were consistent in finding that afterschool programming reduced youth violence. Outcome variables included arrests for violent crimes, arrests for a minor crime, and self-reported feelings of willingness to intervene or prevent violent situations.
CONCLUSION: Afterschool programming is an effective measure in youth violence prevention, however, more research should be done to determine the effectiveness of afterschool programming elements. Four program elements, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), empowerment through collaboration and education, fostering connectedness, and the presence of an adult role model have been identified as effective in youth violence prevention."
Serial Killers
Subject: Research Poster (Criminal Justice)
Presenters: Justin Przypek
Faculty Sponsor: Francesca Spina
Abstract: The purpose of my research is to differentiate motives and victimology among serial killers. When looking at serial killers, there are many motives and types of victimology ranging from age, race, and gender, among other factors. This research focuses on what makes serial killers tick and why they have these motives.
Serial killers pose a challenge to law enforcement, specifically the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the agency trained to track down and apprehend them, because they blend in with society.
The current research examines existing literature and case studies on two notable serial killers, Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy. Contributions of this research examine ways that law enforcement can find and apprehend serial killers.
The development of stress compared to experience in law enforcement
Subject: Research Poster (Criminal Justice)
Presenters: Derek Bohle
Faculty Sponsor: Francesca Spina
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to identify and understand the different types of stress that law enforcement endure throughout their job based on their work experience in order for a lowered rate of occurrence. Poor media attention towards law enforcement has been prominent recently and stress has never been addressed as an issue to some outcomes they presented.
I conducted my research by literature review and analyzing several case studies that aim to address the types of stress that law enforcement deals with through their level of experience. Stress has yet to be seen as a big factor with law enforcement but these studies allow a better understanding of stressors and how it can affect their work. This research is important to take into consideration in order to prevent more negative attention.
The Effectiveness of Wilderness Therapy as an Alternative to Juvenile Incarceration
Subject: Research Poster (Social Science)
Presenter: Seve Burgos
Faculty Sponsor: Francesa Spina
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to examine how effective wilderness therapy would be as an alternative to incarceration for juvenile delinquents. Attempting to implement a different form of rehabilitation is vital for the future of these juveniles and the community in the long run. Thus far, research has shown how recidivism has increased over time for juveniles who initially serve sentences in juvenile detention centers.
Many juveniles who are released eventually find themselves behind bars again due to reoffending, essentially proving that their time served did not help them rehabilitate. I am examining and researching existing literature and case studies that show the effectiveness of wilderness therapy on a cognitive and behavioral level. Based on these findings, I hope to provide more evidence on how wilderness therapy can serve as an effective alternative for juvenile incarceration.
The Importance of DNA in Jury Convictions
Subject: Research Poster (Social Science)
Presenter: Marcelino Diaz
Faculty Sponsor: Francesa Spina
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to indicate how the use of DNA evidence plays a crucial role in proving a defendant guilty as well as exonerating wrongfully convicted inmates. Now that technological advances allow for us to use DNA evidence more effectively, the number of inmates being exonerated is also increasing.
This goes to show that prior to having access to DNA evidence as a way proving guilt, many mistakes were made. I have come to this finding by analyzing numerous literature reviews as well as looking at different case studies that identify incidents of wrongfully convicted inmates being exonerated. Throughout the course of this research, I have discovered that while initially one may want to link the usage of DNA evidence in court to more convictions, the major benefit that comes from the introduction of DNA evidence is the confidence that law enforcement is able to have when convicting a defendant.
Through the given research, it is clear that the rise of technology has caused for the use of DNA evidence to be beneficial in the court of law and scientists should continue to work towards developing more technology that can help law enforcement make more precise convictions during a criminal trial.
The Relationship Between Mass Media Exposure and Body Dissatisfaction due to Thin-Idealized Images
Subject: Research Poster (Health Science)
Presenter: Alexandra Dacunto
Faculty Sponsor: Pamela Higgins
Background: Eating disorders (ED's) are a rising public health problem, and their relation to mass media. In the US, 30 million individuals of all genders, ages, and socioeconomic status, suffer from an eating disorder. In addition, this mental illness holds the highest mortality rate.
Objective: To assess the effects of high exposure of different forms of mass media, on body dissatisfaction and thin-idealized images association with eating disorders in adolescents. Previous research shows an evident correlation between traditional medias effect on body dysmorphia, through various cross-sectional studies. New research entailing social media and other forms are revealing a relatively new variable, due to continuous advances in technology.
Methods: Search methods included using key terms such as mass media, body dissatisfaction, thin-idealized images. Key terms were put into databases such as Mendeley, Cochrane, and PubMed, all within this decade but fixating mostly within one lustrum, resulting with twelve stellar scholarly resources.
Results: Of the twelve analytic studies of mass medias association to body dissatisfaction and ED's three were randomized control trials (RCTs), five were cross-sectional studies, two were cohort studies, and two were case-control studies. Eight studies out of the twelve all relatively, homogeneously concluded, individuals with greater access to mass media are often influenced more thus internalize the images more, showing clear results of decreased body confidence and high ED risk. "
Why Parole Matters: Effective Strategies in Parole to Reduce Recidivism
Subject: Research Poster (Criminal Justice)
Presenter: Nicholas Pichie
Faculty Sponsor: Francesa Spina
Abstract: The purpose of my research is to examine the most effective strategies in modern day parole systems, and how these strategies attempt to reduce recidivism rates (or criminal re-offending) within our criminal justice system. The primary focus of today’s parole officers is to guide offenders in making positive changes in their lives and staying out of the criminal justice system, Throughout my paper, I will demonstrate the daily struggles parolees face upon release from prison, and how parole officers attempt to combat these issues.
Through my literature review, I analyzed the different features and methods used within parole systems to assist offenders, including electronic monitoring systems, effective drug and mental health treatment, the institutionalization of halfway houses, and much more. If administered correctly, these methods could provide more stability within our criminal justice system. With the prolonged issues of prison overcrowding and sky rocket rates of recidivism, it’s integral that parole officers utilize these strategies effectively.
Youth Gangs & Crimes
Subject: Conference Paper (Criminal Justice)
Presenter: Michael Dragone
Faculty Sponsor: Francesca Spina
Abstract: The purpose of my presentation is to examine why juveniles join gangs and what theories lead most juveniles into gangs. There are many theories that could explain why a juvenile would join a gang, but the theories this research focuses on are social learning theory, social deviance theory, and social disorganization theory.
This research was conducted through a review of existing literature and case studies. I will also be discussing the school life and after-school life of these juveniles seeing if they had a good education and if they have after-school programs like clubs or sports. These theories can prove if minors do resolve for gangs for support or boredom without sports and after-school programs.
I will also compare minors that grew up in low-income households versus middle-class income households, to see who has a higher arrest rate or the rate of more likely to join a gang. I will also be discussing how older gang members utilize young kids to commit crimes they can't do.