This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of African immigrant women in the United States. Through interviews, it examines stressors, their impacts on women and families, and coping strategies. The research aims to address gaps in existing literature and to inform professionals providing culturally responsive services to African immigrant communities.

This phenomenological study explores music therapists’ experiences working with women in the military. Findings highlight gender-based discrimination, the importance of advocacy and empowerment, and the influence of military culture on therapy. The research underscores a critical gap in the literature and calls for expanded, women-focused music therapy research.

This research explores why children avoid eating fish despite its vital role in brain development. Through focus groups, it reveals gaps in children’s knowledge and emotional responses to fish. The project develops interactive, hands-on interventions to increase fish acceptance, helping children make informed, enthusiastic food choices that support health and learning.

This research examines nutrition and hydration challenges after ileostomy surgery. Interviews and surveys reveal widespread fear, confusion, and poor hydration knowledge due to inconsistent advice. By developing evidence-based dietary guidance, this work aims to reduce complications, improve quality of life, and help ileostomates eat and drink with confidence.

This research examines how “sitting is the new smoking” headlines affect people with spinal cord injury. Interviews revealed these messages are harmful and exclusionary. Reframing sedentary behavior as low energy expenditure, rather than sitting itself, improves understanding. The work promotes inclusive, evidence-based public health communication.

This research argues that Black teacher recruitment must start in kindergarten, not in adulthood. Because Black children rarely see Black teachers and often have negative school experiences, they decide early that teaching is “not for them.” Effective pipelines must center Black students’ voices and reshape school experiences, not rely on financial incentives.

Police are increasingly the first responders to mental-distress calls despite minimal mental-health training. Through ride-alongs, interviews and analysis, the research shows people in crisis often receive coercive, criminal-justice responses instead of care. The work calls for major investment in mental-health services and redesigned systems to ensure appropriate, compassionate support.

Older adults with severe joint pain often consider cannabis, yet receive little guidance from physicians who lack reliable evidence. This silence pushes patients toward unregulated products and poor medical decisions. The research develops a user-friendly cannabis decision-support tool to empower patients, support clinicians, and enable informed, safe conversations about cannabis use.

This thesis explores how whiteness operates as an invisible cultural norm in Australia by analysing Aboriginal accounts of exclusion and marginalisation. Through creative and critical methods, the research reveals how white cultural dominance shapes social life and highlights the need for awareness, debate, and structural change to build a more equitable nation.

This research explores masking, unmasking, and disclosure among autistic individuals. Through interviews and surveys, the study shows masking is exhausting and harmful, while unmasking and disclosure can reduce stress and foster authenticity—but only in supportive environments. Findings highlight the need for societal change to genuinely accept autistic people and their differences.