The current study examined the impact of resilience and self-compassion on the relationship between combat exposure and psychological outcomes, specifically post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth. Service members and veterans with combat exposure (N = 143) completed an online survey, through which they were administered a Background Questionnaire, the Combat Exposure Scale, the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Self-Compassion Scale. Results of a path analysis revealed a positive direct effect of combat exposure on post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth and a negative direct effect of self-compassion on post-traumatic stress symptoms. Furthermore, self-compassion moderated the relationship between combat exposure and post-traumatic growth. Implications of these findings and future directions for research are discussed.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has emerged as a major cause of morbidity among U.S. soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even mild TBI (mTBI) can result in cognitive impairments that can impact how veterans experience such things as physical symptoms, emotions and behaviors, instrumental activities of daily living, interpersonal interactions, and community reintegration. The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive self-management intervention for veterans with mTBI to facilitate their community reintegration upon returning from deployment to combat zones. This study was conducted in two Phases. Phase I entailed collecting qualitative data regarding needs, concerns, strategies used, and advice given by eight veterans with mTBI, guided by a conceptual model derived from Ferrans’ and colleagues’ health-related quality of life model and the TBI literature. Six key categories and predominant themes emerged providing further support for the model (cognitive impairments, physical symptoms, emotions and behaviors, instrumental activities of daily living, interpersonal interactions, and community reintegration). Guided by the conceptual model, a mTBI Veteran Needs and Concerns Checklist and 14 algorithms making up the VETeranS Compensate, Adapt, REintegrate (VETSCARE) intervention were developed. Phase II entailed obtaining review of the mTBI Veteran Needs and Concerns Checklist and the 14 VETSCARE algorithms from six TBI experts. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being strongly agree, expert ratings provided moderate evidence of content validity for the checklist (3.33), and for the 14 algorithms (problem relevance 3.92, accuracy 3.73, feasibility 3.80, acceptability 3.84). The average overall expert rating for the VETSCARE intervention was 3.82. The checklist and the 14 algorithms are being revised based on specific comments provided by the experts. Once revised, the mTBI Veteran Needs and Concerns Checklist and the VETSCARE intervention will be tested for feasibility in a future pilot study with veterans with mTBI who have recently returned from combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / This thesis applies the ontological turn to the war fiction of veteran authors, Kurt Vonnegut and Tim O’Brien. It argues that some veteran authors desire to communicate truth through fiction. Choosing to communicate truth through fiction hints at a new perspective on reality and existence that may not be readily accepted or understood by those who lack combat experience. The non-veteran understanding of war can be more informed by entertaining the idea that a multiplicity of realities exists. Affirming the combat veteran reality—the post-war ontology—and acknowledging the non-veteran reality—rooted in what I label “pre-war” or “civilian” ontology—helps enhance the reader’s understanding of what veteran authors attempt to communicate through fiction. This approach reframes the dialogic interaction between the reader and the perspectives presented in veteran author’s fiction through an emphasis on “radical alterity” to the point that telling and reading such stories represent distinct ontological journeys. Both Kurt Vonnegut and Tim O’Brien provide intriguing perspectives on reality through their fiction, particularly in the way their characters perceive and express morality, guilt, time, mortality, and even existence. Vonnegut and O’Brien’s war experiences inform these perspectives. This does not imply that the authors hold an identical perspective on the world or that combat experience yields an ontological understanding of the world common to every veteran. It simply asserts that applying the ontological turn to these writings, and the writings of other combat veterans, reveals that those who experience combat first-hand often walk away from those experiences with a changed ontological perspective.

No description available.

Human trafficking is an ever-growing crime in this century. It is estimated that there are 29.8 million slaves around the world today - 16.36% of which are located in sub-Saharan Africa. The sub-Saharan region is a region in which human trafficking is combatted ineffectively due to a lack of food, lack of access to education, lack of post-education opportunities and lack of proper legislation. This thesis explores the environment in which human trafficking is taking place in sub-Saharan Africa, and proposes potential changes that will theoretically disallow human trafficking to take place in the region. The only way in which an environment conducive to trafficking in persons will ever change is through establishing partnerships amongst governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other international organizations. Through the analysis of case law from the United Nations Human Trafficking Case Law Database, data from the World Bank, the United States State Department Trafficking in Persons Reports, the United Nations Global Reports on Human Trafficking, and various reports from NGOs, this thesis evaluates the approaches taken by various governments in sub-Saharan Africa to change the environment in which human trafficking thrives. Through raising awareness of the environment of sub-Saharan Africa, and by describing three ways in which human trafficking can be combatted effectively, such as the use of food, education, and the law, this thesis contributes not only to the legal discipline, but also to helping combat trafficking in persons effectively throughout the world.

Objective assessment for the effect of hearing protectors, background noise levels, and backup alarm acoustic features on listeners' abilities to localize backup alarm signals in the horizontal dimension, as well as on their ability to detect backup alarm signals in the distance dimension, is lacking in the acoustics and safety literature. Accordingly, two research experiments were conducted for this dissertation. In the first experiment, the effect of seven hearing protectors, two background pink noise levels (60 dBA and 90 dBA), and two backup alarm signals (standard and spectrally-modified) on the ability of normal hearing listeners to localize backup alarm signals in the horizontal dimension was investigated. Results indicated that a diotic sound transmission earmuff significantly degraded localization accuracy as compared to all other hearing protectors and the open ear condition. In addition, no significant difference existed between the open ear condition and the other hearing protectors in localization accuracy in most of the conditions tested. However, the E-A-R/3M HiFiTM earplug was advantageous in localization performance since it provided a significantly higher percentage correct localization than the Moldex foam earplug, the diotic earmuff, and the dichotic earmuff in 90 dBA pink noise. As for main effects of the other independent variables, the 90 dBA pink noise significantly degraded localization performance as compared to the quiet condition of 60 dBA, and a spectrally-modified backup alarm significantly improved localization performance as compared to the standard (narrowband) backup alarm. Potential application of these results includes the revision of backup alarm standards. In addition, these results provide clear advice for safety professionals to avoid the application of diotic sound transmission earmuffs for workers if localizing backup alarms is important. In the first experiment, listeners' feeling of comfort for each hearing protector was assessed subjectively by using a comfort rating scale. In addition, a subjective assessment for listeners' confidence in their localization decisions was established. Results indicated no significant difference between the hearing protectors in terms of comfort. However, in terms of listeners' confidence in localization decisions, their confidence was significantly degraded when they were fitted with the diotic earmuff. By contrast, they showed significantly more confidence in their localization decisions when they were fitted with the E-A-R/3M HiFi™ earplug as compared to when they were fitted with the Moldex foam earplug, the E-A-R/3M Ultrafit™ earplug, and the Bilsom passive earmuff. In the second experiment, listeners' performance in detecting a stationary backup alarm signal, including both a standard (narrowband) and broadband (pulsed white noise) alarm, was determined while they were equipped with various passive and electronic hearing protection devices. Listeners' performance was quantified by detection distance, which was defined as the distance between the stationary backup alarm device and the position where the listener detected the backup alarm signal. The resultant data demonstrated that normal hearing listeners detected a standard (narrowband) backup alarm signal at significantly longer distances as compared to the broadband (Brigade™) backup alarm signal, thus indicating the earlier forewarning by the standard alarm. In addition, passive hearing protection devices characterized with high attenuation significantly reduced the detection distance. These results may be applied to assist safety professionals in selecting hearing protectors and backup alarm signals that provide on-foot workers with ample time to react to an approaching backing vehicle, thus improving their safety. / Ph. D.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents a significant mental health challenge for many veterans, prompting interest in innovative interventions such as the use of service dogs. Despite this, there remains a gap in understanding the specific impact of service dogs on the mental well-being of veterans who served in combat zones. Aim: This integrative review aims to explore the associations between service dog exposure and the mental health of veterans following deployment to combat zones, focused on those with PTSD. Through a systematic literature search, review, and synthesis, the study seeks to identify gaps in knowledge to inform future research efforts and interventions. Design: Adopting an integrative review design, the review explores existing literature to uncover insights into the associations between service dog exposure and veterans' mental well-being. The study ensures a comprehensive examination of relevant research articles by employing a systematic literature search methodology and rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. Methods: Inclusion criteria involve selecting research articles published in peer-reviewed journals focusing on veterans' participation with service dogs or canine exposure and their subsequent mental health outcomes. Exclusion criteria are non-U.S. research, abstracts without full-text articles, grey literature, and non-research articles. This rigorous approach aims to assemble reliable evidence to enhance understanding and inform future research and interventions supporting veterans' mental well-being. Results: This study examines the demographics, characteristics, challenges, and benefits associated with veterans with PTSD and their service dogs. Veterans in the studies ranged from 36.8 to 50.9 years old, were predominantly male, and mostly white, with significant portions being honorably discharged and married. The service dogs were mostly male, mixed-breed, or Labrador Retrievers sourced from shelters. Veterans faced challenges obtaining and training their dogs, such as demanding training processes and adjusting to public attention. Despite these challenges, service dogs provided substantial benefits, including reduced PTSD symptoms, improved sleep, increased physical activity, and emotional reconnection. Studies showed a reduction in PTSD severity, improved quality of life, and enhanced social participation for veterans with service dogs. However, veterans also experienced drawbacks like increased public attention and misconceptions about service dogs. The bond between veterans and their dogs was associated with lower anxiety and higher positive affect, highlighting the overall positive impact of service dogs on veterans' mental health and daily life. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the substantial benefits of service dogs for veterans with PTSD, including reductions in stress, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms and improvements in depression management, safety, and quality of life. Unexpected challenges with nonobedience issues arose, but they did not diminish the overall positive impact. Future research should explore the cost-effectiveness of service dog programs, their effects on different veteran demographics, and standardized training protocols. The findings emphasize the need for continued support and refinement of service dog programs to optimize their benefits and improve the well-being of veterans with PTSD.

Ce travail de recherche est une généalogie de la notion de « désir sexuel » telle qu'elle fut conçue dans le christianisme antique du IIIe au Ve siècle. À partir de la distinction entre deux anthropologies concurrentes, nous cherchons à reconstituer les modalités selon lesquelles ce désir a été pensé comme une pulsion irrésistible. Nous nous inscrivons donc dans la tradition des études de genre puisque nous posons la question de savoir s'il existe, au fondement des catégorisations sociales et des modes de légitimation du pouvoir, une forme de naturalité irréductible. Notre objectif est de mettre en évidence, d'une part, en quoi l'idée de désir naturel est une forme de problématisation contingente du désir sexuel et, d'autre, part, les conséquences de cette façon de penser. Entre le IIIe et le Ve siècle, les auteurs chrétiens s'opposent en ce qui concerne la question des capacités humaines. Pour les « perfectionnistes », l'homme est capable d'accéder par ses propres forces à la perfection. Par conséquent, le « monde » est pensé par eux comme un ensemble de liens qui entravent l'itinéraire spirituel du sujet. La solitude du « désert » apparaît alors dans ce cadre problématique comme un moyen d'accéder à la liberté. Au contraire, pour les « défaillantistes », l'homme est par nature infirme, si bien que la perfection est conçue non plus comme ce à quoi il peut lui-même accéder, mais comme un don de Dieu. En soulignant que l'homme n'est pas le maître dans sa propre maison puisqu'il ne peut maîtriser sa libido, Augustin montre que sa libération n'est envisageable qu'au prix de sa soumission à des institutions coercitives ayant pour fonction de compenser sa faiblesse. Proposant une forme originale de problématisation de la nature humaine en naturalisant la pulsion sexuelle, le défaillantisme chrétien permet donc de justifier la soumission des hommes. En faisant la généalogie du désir sexuel, ce travail s'emploie à montrer que la liberté ne requiert pas seulement une critique de l'idée de répression, mais une remise en cause plus fondamentale du modèle naturaliste de la pulsion. / This thesis is a genealogical study of the notion of “sexual desire” as it appeared in Ancient Christianity from the 3rd to the 5th century. Distinguishing between two competing anthropologies, it seeks to reconstruct the modalities according to which this desire has been understood as a compelling drive. It is in line with gender studies in so far as it asks the question of whether there is, at the basis of social categories and justifications of power, a form of irreducible naturality. The purpose here is, on one hand, to show that the notion of natural desire derives from a contingent problematization of sexual desire and, on the other hand, to highlight the consequences of this reasoning. Between the 3rd and 5th centuries, Christian authors opposed one another on the question of human capabilities. For the “perfectionists,” man was able to achieve perfection on his own. Consequently, they saw the “world” as full of bonds hindering the subject's spiritual progress. In this context, being alone in the “desert” appeared as a means to achieve freedom. On the contrary, the “defaultists” held that man was naturally flawed, so that perfection was not thought to be an achievable goal any more, but a gift from God. Underlining that man was no master in his own house because he could not master his own libido, Augustine showed that his liberation could only depend on his submitting to coercive institutions designed to compensate for his weakness. Offering an original problematization of human nature by naturalizing the sexual drive, Christian defaultism could thus justify the submission of men. By tracing a genealogy of sexual desire, this study seeks to demonstrate that freedom does not only require criticizing the idea of repression, but more radically questionning the naturalist model of the drive.

History / D. Litt. et Phil. (History)

本論文之主旨即在系統析述民國二十（一九三一）年冬在瑞金所建立之「江西蘇維埃 」諸般狀況，由而採討其所產生之影響。 本論文全十章，分三部綜論其建立，作為及崩潰。 本論文第編含三章，分別析述其建立背景、建立經過、及建立後之組織型態。 第二編論蘇維埃政權之主要作為，四、五兩章即分析其土地鬥爭及軍事鬥爭之實質。 第六章探討中共政權如何克服財政困難，如稅制、幣券、公債、及征糧工作等諸般作 為。第七章論「肅反」工作，蓋中共承受了俄共肅反鬥爭特質，對於黨內黨外固然經 常以「肅清反革命」排斥異己，即政務之推行亦以「紅色恐怖」為依恃，此種肅反工 作實為中共政權之主要特質。 第八章析論該時期中共重要黨務活動及黨內派系鬥爭。在江西時期，中共黨內派系之 爭，以留俄派與毛澤東集團為兩大陣營，幾乎無「時」不鬥，無「事」不鬥，爭端尤 其集中於「富農路線」、與「游擊主義」，至於反「羅明路線」鬥爭乃是具有代表性 的著名事例。 第三編論蘇維埃政權之崩潰，其中第九章說明崩潰經過，第十章分析其崩潰原因。第 五次圍勦歷時一年，國軍採用新戰略，配合經濟封鎖，政治動員及農村復興諸般方略 ，以雷霆萬鈞之勢向贛南步步進逼，國民政府是以組織民眾、動員民力、改善民生作 為最高作戰策略，由於國軍在軍事上的勝利，同時誘發了蘇區民眾長時期潛在的反共 意識轉而化為行動，乃更加速了共黨政權的潰敗，其間雖歷「閩變」，仍未能挽回紅 色政權之厄運，至民國二十三年（一九三四）年十月，紅朝乃終告全面崩潰。