Human Development and Family Sciences electronic theses and dissertations (MU)
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The items in this collection are the theses and dissertations written by students of the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (formerly the Department of Human Development and Family Studies [2017]). Some items may be viewed only by members of the University of Missouri System and/or University of Missouri-Columbia.
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Item Storied romance : a qualitative investigation of expectations through romantic life stories(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2025) Talley, Karen; Monk, KaleInterdependence theory (Thibaut & Kelley, 1959) describes reference points through which individuals assess rewards and costs of their current relationship (comparison level; CL) to evaluate satisfaction and assess alternatives to current relationships (comparison level of alternatives; CLalt). Despite extensive theoretical utility, relatively little information is available regarding CL development and adaptation over time. Additionally, the relationship science literature has typically focused on the functioning of a single, current relationship, missing key changes to the way individuals conceptualize and evaluate their relational standards across their lifelong relationship history. I used a grounded theory approach (Charmaz, 2014) to answer the question: How do past relationship experiences shape current standards for romantic relationships? Analysis covered lifetime romantic histories of 35 participants aged 24-40. Participants engaged in a process of developing standards including (a) evaluating relationship-oriented events (b) comparing characteristics across relationships, and (c) reflecting upon unique needs within relationships. These results expand upon the theoretical understanding of interdependence theory and the formation and revision of comparison levels, and thus informs our understanding of expectations within relationships. Furthermore, this process of developing standards encompassed multiple relationships, highlighting the need for future work to include various relationship types (e.g., family of origin, friends, past and current romantic partners) for a holistic view of the role these relationships play across the lifespan.Item A longitudinal study of parent-adolescent relationship quality, family respect values, and adolescents' mental health outcomes(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2025) Acuna, Spencer; Killoren, SarahGiven the increasing rates of adolescent depressive and anxiety symptoms, there is a considerable need for insights into the mental health experiences of adolescents. The current study examines how adolescents' endorsement of family respect values, changes the associations between mother- and father-adolescent relationship quality, and adolescents' depressive and anxiety symptoms over time. Participating adolescents reported on maternal and paternal positivity, negativity, and psychological control, as well as their individual experiences with family respect values, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. Parent-adolescent relationship quality was a significant predictor of adolescent anxiety and depressive symptoms one to two years later, especially for father-child dyads. However, these longitudinal associations uniquely differed based on the gender of the involved parties and the family's context, specifically adolescents' endorsement of family respect values. The present study contributes to the literature on the importance of parents in the lives of their adolescent children. Implications and future directions are discussed.Item Shades of prejudice : the moderating role of skin tone and gender in the link between racial discrimnination and sexual risk-taking among African American young adults(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2024) Jasso, Jailyn; Landor, Antoinette M.Racial discrimination is a pervasive social issue affecting various domains of life, including sexual behavior. The prospective study explores the relationship between experiences of racial discrimination and risky sexual behaviors in a sample of 572 African American young adults. Data on experiences of racial discrimination during adolescence were analyzed to predict engagement in risky sexual behaviors during young adulthood. The primary outcome variables included inconsistent condom use, engagement in sexual activity with someone suspected of having HIV, drug/alcohol consumption before sexual engagement, prior STI diagnoses, overall sexual partner count, and number of sexual partners during the past three months. Findings revealed that experiences of racial discrimination significantly predicted overall sexual partner count and the number of sexual partners in the past three months. Skin tone significantly predicted overall sexual partner count when racial discrimination and gender were included in the model. Gender significantly predicted inconsistent condom use, prior STI diagnosis, and when all factors were included, engagement in sexual activity with someone suspected of having HIV, and overall sexual partner count. Significant interaction effects included racial discrimination and gender on sexual engagement with a suspected HIV-positive partner; racial discrimination and skin tone on overall sexual partner count; racial discrimination and gender on the number of sexual partners in the past three months; skin tone and gender on overall sexual partner count; and the three-way interaction predicting overall sexual partner count. This study highlights the intersection between racial discrimination and sexual health, underscoring the importance of addressing discrimination as a social determinant of sexual risk behaviors. Public health interventions should consider these impacts, and future research should explore mechanisms underlying these relationships and potential protective factors.Item Sense of place and social capital in community centers : the role of the physical environment(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2024) Aly, Shahnaz Joneilia; Cole, Laura; Kim, Jong BumWhile previous studies address the social viability of community centers, research has been scarce on the physical design and spatial quality of these "third places" contributing to social factors. Hence, this study explored how the physical environment of an essential third place--community centers--fostered the feelings of connectedness to place and the development of social capital for its users. Four research questions guided this study: (1) What design features attract patrons to the community center and why? (2) How does the environment of the community center support the psychological processes of place identity, place attachment, place dependence, and place satisfaction? (3) How does the environment of the community centers support the ways in which users develop a sense of community, social networks, neighboring, trust, reciprocity, and cooperation? (4) What is the relationship of the process of developing satisfaction of place to the process of developing social capital in the context of the physical environment of community centers? For this study, sense of community, social networks, and neighboring were considered the dimensions of social capital. The dimensions for sense of place were place identity, place attachment, place dependence, and place satisfaction. Conducted in two regional community centers in a diverse metropolitan area of a southern state, this qualitative multi-case study included 34 semi-structured interviews, observations, and photographic documentation as methods. Participants were primarily female, African Americans, and over 55, providing unique perspectives and adding depth and richness to the study. Results showed that physical attributes influence place identity, place attachment, place satisfaction, and sense of community. Aspects of cleanliness, safety and security, openness and transparency, natural lighting, adequate spaces, and furniture and fixtures were essential considerations for users. Physical and social factors were inextricably linked. Place attachment was related to all dimensions of social capital, and sense of community was related to all dimensions of sense of place. Implications of findings contribute to the design of community centers and the literature on African American seniors' participation. The study brought to the forefront how the design and quality of the built environment support the development of social capital and sense of place.Item Transformations in the Midwest landscape through perennial agriculture(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2024) Caruthers, Andria Deneise; Rotman, Robin M.Integrating perennial crops into working lands is proposed as one strategy to support ecologically-friendly farming practices that benefit farmer livelihoods and healthy lands. However, transitioning into perennial practices must occur in an agricultural regime that increasingly prioritizes the cultivation of a few annual crops on a very large scale. These agricultural practices benefit from institutional support and mechanisms that rarely extend to perennial crops. Accordingly, growers who wish to adopt perennial crops as a livelihood strategy are required to innovate, assemble resources, and strategize to meet their objectives. This study uses spatial autocorrelation methods, semi-structured interviews, and a survey to explore current trends and perennial cropping practices in the US. The interviews and survey use American elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) production to understand growers' values, motivations, and challenges they experience with elderberry production. Results from these studies are intended to provide guidance on optimizing strategies for targeting technical assistance, policy, programs, and provide a deeper understanding of the various capitals and resources that growers use and need to maintain and enhance production. Addressing these knowledge gaps will hopefully improve the efficacy of perennial agriculture as a viable livelihood strategy that continues to spread through US working lan