Social media is rapidly changing the way we view the world and live our lives, serving as an online space for connection, creative expression, and inspiration. However, the ever-evolving world of photo editing apps combined with popular health and fitness content on social media sites can be a dangerous combination for young women’s self esteem and body image. This thesis defense explores the ways in which young women are influenced by content that they interact with online. The goal of this project was to provide a general analysis of how fitness and diet-promoting culture on Instagram is affecting young women’s behaviors and perceptions of themselves with an emphasis on the local ASU community. A literature review was conducted as well as an informal survey in order to collect data on the topic and formulate suggestions for alleviating these issues.

Building on research on family communication and forgiveness, this study seeks to understand how families communicate the value and practice of forgiveness. Through semi-structured interviews, the study asks participants to recall their formative conversations and experiences about forgiveness with their family members and to discuss how those conversations influenced their current perspectives on forgiveness. Interviews from five female undergraduate students yielded seven main themes from where individuals learn how to forgive: 1) Sibling conflicts, 2) Family conversations about friendship conflicts, 3) Conversations with Mom, 4) Living by example, 5) Take the high road, 6) “Life’s too short”, and 7) Messages rooted in faith and morality.

Students from Student Health Outreach for Wellness (SHOW) partnered with Justa Center in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona to interview 10 elders (age 55+) experiencing homelessness. The approach used was narrative medicine with purposes of 1) demonstrate empathy and awareness for the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, 2) decrease negative stigmatization surrounding these individuals, and 3) use narrative medicine to promote healing of their traumas. The project's results include 30 social media posts for Instagram and Facebook and an approximately 50 minute film featuring all 10 interviews.