abstract: Prior sentencing research, especially research on cumulative disadvantage, has mainly focused on the treatment of male defendants, and little attention has been paid to female defendants, especially minority female defendants. Drawing on the intersectional vulnerability and focal concerns perspectives, the current study emphasizes the need to examine disparity in sentencing through an intersectional lens and across multiple decision-making points. Using the State Court Processing Statistics dataset (SCPS) from 1990-2009, this paper investigates the impact that race/ethnicity has for female defendants across individual and successive stages in the sentencing process. The results suggest that race operates through direct and indirect pathways to cause lengthier sentences for Black female defendants compared to White female defendants, thus providing evidence of cumulative disadvantage against Black female defendants. Theoretical, research, and policy implications will be discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Criminology and Criminal Justice 2018

As the U.S. population ages, there is a significant increase in functional impairment, chronic conditions and other age related health concerns. In later life, functional limitations and poor quality of health often lead to the utilization of skilled nursing care in institutional settings. However, older adults often report the desire to age in place even when experiencing health challenges. Therefore, identifying ways to promote aging in place at home as a long-term care option could enhance quality of life. The objective of the study is to examine the impact of home modification and other home and community-based services on the ability of Black older adults to age in place in comparison to Whites. The study utilizes administrative data from the Georgia Money Follows the Person program. The results indicate that race, the use of financial support and the utilization of many services were significant in attaining success in the MFP program.

abstract: In this dissertation, I examine the treatment and sentencing of American Indian defendants. This work contributes to research on cumulative disadvantage and the role race and social context play to influence federal sentencing outcomes. Disparities in federal sentencing for racial and ethnic minorities are an important concern to scholars and policy makers. Literature suggests that blacks and Latinos are sentenced more harshly than similarly situated white offenders. These findings are concerning because they suggest that minorities are treated unfairly by the criminal justice system, questions the legitimacy of how offenders are processed and treated, and defendants of color who are meted out tougher punishments face substantial social and economic difficulties thereafter. Although the black-white and Latino-white disparities have been identified and highlighted, less is known about whether disparities extend to other minority groups, and consequently little is known about the treatment of these neglected groups. I investigate whether American Indian defendants experience cumulative disadvantages at multiple decision points, disadvantage over time, and the effect of social context on drawing on American Indian disadvantage, the focal concerns and minority threat perspectives. The focal concerns perspective is used to develop hypotheses about how American Indian defendants will receive harsher punishments at multiple decision points. I also use this perspective to predict that American Indian disadvantages will increase over time. Lastly, I examine social context and its effect on punishment decisions for American Indians using the minority threat perspective. I hypothesize that 
social context impacts how American Indian defendants are sentenced at the federal level. Data come from the Federal Justice Statistics Program Data Series, the US Census, and the Uniform Crime Report, with a focus on data gathered from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and the United States Sentencing Commission. A range of modeling strategies are used to test the hypotheses including multinomial logistic regression, ordinary least squares regression, and multilevel modeling. The results suggest that cumulative disadvantages against American Indian defendants is pronounced, American Indian disparity over time is significant for certain outcomes, and social context plays a limited role in American Indian sentencing disadvantage. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Criminology and Criminal Justice 2019

abstract: The beginning of the large Baby Boomer cohort's retirement, coupled with the increased divorce rate among older adults, means that there will be more single older adults than ever before beginning to consider living arrangements and long-term care needs as they age. Using a cumulative (dis)advantage framework and logistic regression, this research examines whether marital disruption and social support at Wave 1 increase the odds of having a specific chronic disease at Wave 2, diabetes, heart failure, and hypertension. The sample consists of 2,261 adults age 57-85 who participated in the first two waves of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP). Being female and having more positive social support reduced the odds of having diabetes at Wave 2. Being older at Wave 1 increased the odds of having congestive heart failure at Wave 2. Being black and having a happy family life in childhood increased the odds of having hypertension at Wave 2. Suggestions for increasing positive social support are discussed, along with implications for long-term care and health education. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Sociology 2016

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