Architecture

Authors: Danielle Black. Mentors: Chris Anderson. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common psychiatric disorder diagnosed in children, characterized by impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. It is frequently co-morbid with eating disorders, primarily bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge-eating disorder (BED). Impulsivity is an important factor in increasing the risk of binge-eating and subsequent feelings of guilt, which may prompt purging behaviors. This often manifests early in childhood as loss of control while eating and can indicate future development of an eating disorder. The current project aimed to assess the link between ADHD symptoms and disordered eating in Utah Valley University alumni. After obtaining IRB approval, 265 alumni responded to an email survey containing nineteen questions regarding ADHD symptoms and three items related to disordered eating. Pearson correlations revealed a significant association between ADHD symptoms and binging (r=.22, p <.01) as well as guilt about eating (r=.17, p <.01). Limitations of the study include the absence of a clinical ADHD diagnoses, relying instead on self-report, and the homogeneous sample, restricting its generalizability. The study was bolstered by its comprehensive coverage of ADHD symptoms and an adequately large sample size to detect statistical significance. This study provides valuable information for those suffering from eating disorders and the clinicians that treat them. Future research could assess the interplay between treating ADHD and reducing the risk of eating disorders. Notably, purging and ADHD symptoms were not significantly correlated, and future research could further explore that relationship. In conclusion, the relationship between binge eating and ADHD symptoms should be acknowledged by clinicians.

Authors: Cari Monson, Julie Pynn. Mentors: Julie Pynn. Insitution: Southern Utah University. Background music refers to music that is played while the listener’s attention is focused on another task (Radocy & Boyle, 1988). Research suggests that the effect of background music on performance during a cognitive task showed improvements in episodic memory. Music activates the limbic system which is involved in controlling memory(e.g., Blood et al., 1999). The purpose of this study is to predict the relationship between music and performance on a cognitive task. It is hypothesized that students who listen to white noise while studying a text will recall more information, than those listening to classical music or pop music. In particular, the lyrics in pop music will be especially distracting(Cheah, 2022). Studying the relationship between music and performance on a cognitive task has implications for understanding memory. Results are forth coming

Authors: Ivelynn Noel. Mentors: Julie Johnson Pynn. Insitution: Southern Utah University. High levels of sexual satisfaction have been correlated with higher levels of marriage satisfaction (Litzinger & Gordon, 2005), relationship satisfaction (Santilla et al., 2008), and mental health and general well-being (Brody & Costa, 2009). While we know that sex frequency and frequency of orgasm affect sexual satisfaction (Barrientos & Paez, 2006), we also need to explore nonsexual factors that affect sexual satisfaction. The existing literature of the effects of religiosity on sexual satisfaction is contradictory, and may have mediating factors such as sex guilt or marital status (Hackathorn et al., 2016). The proposed study aims to examine the effects of religious identity and marital status on sexual satisfaction by measuring sexual-spiritual integration. We predict that unmarried individuals will score higher than married individuals, which indicates a lower sexual-spiritual integration. The findings of this study will add clarity to the convoluted findings in the existing literature , and will help identify nonsexual factors that affect sexual satisfaction. The findings of the study will also provide insight that may help healthcare workers, pastoral counselors , and therapists to better service their clients. Results are forthcoming.

Authors: Vanessa Lozano. Mentors: April Reber. Insitution: Brigham Young University. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, “the total foreign-born or immigrant population in the U.S. hit 47.9 million in September 2022- a record high in American history. When non-English immigrant families arrive in the United States they face the challenges of new customs, rights, and practices in their new home. In the United States various NGOs, government aids, and non-profit organizations are available to immigrants to help them navigate these challenges. Evaluations about the efficacy of these resources should be considered with the increasing number of immigrants in the United States. In this research, we focus on one of these resources, a mental well-being support group geared to immigrants but attended mostly by Latina women. The support group is currently held at a non-profit community center the South Franklin Community Center (SFCC) in Provo, UT, and sponsored by the organization Inciativa Latina para el Bienestar Emocional [Latino Initiative for Emotional Well-being]. To consider the efficacy of this support group in this research we explore the following questions 1) How does support get produced in the context of this support group at the SFCC? 2) Does (and if so, how does) participating in these support groups expand the agency of participants? (By agency, I refer to the capacity or condition of someone to have control or power to act).

Authors: Kira Swann, Cody Dirks. Mentors: Joshua Price. Insitution: Southern Utah University. As students, we have personally noticed that when we had a long-term substitute in the classroom, we didn't learn as much compared to our peers in other classrooms. It has been found in California as well as other states that a teacher’s absence, leaving a substitute in place, leads to worse off standardized scores for students. This paper tests the impact of long-term substitutes on the STAR/CAASPP scores of students. The purpose of this study is to see if there is a detrimental effect on student scores and if long-term subs should be something addressed by the state. Using testing and demographic data from the California Department of Education, we use a fixed effects regression to test the true impact of the impact of long-term substitute teachers. Our results show that there is a small, but statistically significant impact on student performance.

Authors: Kelsey Grimshaw. Mentors: Joshua Price. Insitution: Southern Utah University. Job satisfaction is a multidimensional state resulting from one’s job and their responses to it. Job satisfaction contains eight facets: recognition, working conditions, management, pay, promotions, coworkers, supervision, and the job itself. The concept of economic sectors was first introduced by economist Colin Clark. He suggested industries could be separated into categories. These categories would be determined based on significantly different characteristics of industries. There are currently five economic sectors: primary (raw materials), secondary (manufacturing), tertiary (service), quaternary (information services), and quinary (public service). Data on occupation and job satisfaction from the General Social Survey were used to build a multivariate linear regression. Results are forthcoming.

Authors: Beckham Trigo. Mentors: Johnathan Chidester. Insitution: Southern Utah University. The lack of resources, funding, and federal recognition is leading to the deficit in K-12 Education around the United States compared to other first world countries with developed education systems. For years the United States has been hammered on the fact that the country doesn't provide every child with bilingual study opportunities. European countries such as Spain, Italy, Germany, and France all offer bilingual studies and are making them required for students to take. These are key elements in a successful education system and offer so many more opportunities and benefits than the standard single language system we have placed in our K-12 Schools. Statistically the change to a new bilingual research would greatly benefit our country and would help decrease political divisiveness and bring an extent of unity among several ethnic groups in the country. The country continues to grow through immigration where the United States is projected to become the top Spanish speaking country in the world with 140 million speakers. However, the United States is not preparing for this and investing in its future students and citizens. Research has proven time and time again that there are so many benefits to a bilingual education, some of these including an increase in brain activity, and power in children, an academic advantage, and competition in the job market. The United States has deeply oppressed this system due to systematic racism, and political motivation. However, the United States has no established language in which it defines itself even though the majority speak English. The United States is also a world power with a lot of interaction with foreign countries. This in itself is going to be very problematic for the future of the United States as the world climate changes. It needs leaders to represent itself in many other languages, not just in the English language. The contrary to this research is that the language is ineffective to learning, makes it harder for students to assimilate into the United States culture, and spend too much time learning the second language. However, none of these statements can be statistically backed and solely based on a few percent of people's personal experience. Overall the research time and time again directs the United States to the bilingual education system, but when will it be adopted?

Authors: Lauren Howell. Mentors: Joshua Price. Insitution: Southern Utah University. This paper empirically assesses the relationship between state abortion policies and birth control consumption per state in the United States. The intention is not to advocate for or against abortion, but to explore how abortion policy influences the usage of contraceptives per state. The surveillance of contraceptive use holds paramount importance in preventing unintended pregnancies, with 95% of these occurrences attributed to inconsistent or incorrect contraceptive use or the absence of any method. Understanding how behaviors and contraceptive practices change over time in response to state policy alterations is crucial for evaluating the health implications of healthcare access regulations. Contraception stands among the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century, significantly reducing maternal mortality, benefiting pregnancy spacing for both maternal and child health, enhancing female participation in the workforce, and fostering women’s self-sufficiency. Utilizing data from sources such as the American Community Survey (ACS), the Abortion Patient Survey (APS), the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), and the Natality Detail File, this study delves into a comprehensive analysis of contraceptive use in relation to state abortion policy. Through statistical analysis using Stata 18 and ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression, this research aims to build on prior studies and ascertain the relationship between strict state abortion laws and birth control consumption. It hypothesizes that restrictive policies, such as increasing the cost and difficulty of accessing abortion, might incentivize women to adopt more effective contraceptive methods to avert the consequences of unintended pregnancies. The study also references prior research that suggests changes in contraceptive use, notably an increased reliance on long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), and how it has contributed to a decline in abortion rates, particularly among adolescents. The results of this study hold the potential to advocate for an increased educational focus on safe sex practices and to increase the accessibility of family planning resources based on state policies. It aims to shed light on the potential impact of restrictive abortion laws on birth control consumption and encourages informed policy decisions for public health and family planning.

Authors: Allie Baumgartner. Mentors: Chizu Matsubara. Insitution: Utah Tech University. • ABSTRACT: A student’s understanding and comprehension of content specific vocabulary is essential for their learning. However, Multilingual Learners (MLs) can struggle to understand what they are learning when they do not have knowledge of content specific vocabulary. This research focuses on the implementation of strategies into a small group reading lesson. These strategies will work towards increasing students’ understanding of content specific vocabulary words, in the areas of social studies and science. By using the methodology of action research, the research will implement research-based strategies for strengthening vocabulary for students learning English as a target language. This research will be conducted over a six-week time frame, with two focus students that are multilingual learners. The research-based word-learning strategies will be incorporated into the small group consisting of four students, to support their learning. Word-learning strategies are strategies that assist students to ascertain the meanings of words that are unfamiliar to them. Students can then apply these strategies to learning of unfamiliar words that are included in the content reading that they do in another small group. The word-learning strategies will support the students in learning, and understanding the meaning of content specific vocabulary words.

Authors: Cole Murphy, Andrew Blazzard, Austin Barney. Mentors: Patrick Steffen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. BackgroundHigher levels of social media use (SMU) have demonstrated associations with higher levels of self-reported stress. However, the association between SMU and physiological markers of stress, such as heart rate variability (HRV), is less understood. We hypothesize that increased time spent each day on social media will be associated with decreased baseline HRV, but only for individuals who report high rates of stress. We also hypothesize that time spent on social media will be associated with decreased baseline HRV for individuals with higher levels of neuroticism. When considered together, we hypothesize the largest association between SMU and baseline HRV for individuals with higher levels of both stress and neuroticism.MethodsUsing a sample of 165 undergraduate students, we measured baseline heart rate variability with a 3-lead ECG. We determined the average SMU using the Social Media Use Questionnaire (SMUQ). We also ascertained self-reported stress levels using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS), and levels of neuroticism using the IPIP NEO Neuroticism Extraversion Openness - PR (IPIP-NEO-120). We will use multivariate regression for our analysis.ResultsResults are undergoing analysis. ConclusionsWhile the use of social media by itself may not have a clear direct association with HRV, it is important to consider the effects of social media use on people with a high emotional state of stress and/or high levels of neuroticism. As public policy continues to be developed for social media, it is important to consider how people with higher tendencies to become stressed and those with higher levels of neuroticism can be affected by social media use if unregulated.

Authors: Gabriela Coca. Mentors: Jocelyn Wikle. Insitution: Brigham Young University. This research project is a response to a policy gap in kinship care in the state of Utah. In conversations with Representative Watkins from Utah, I learned that there is interest among policy makers and policy influencers in improving adoption placements in Utah. There is interest in investigating the benefits and costs of prioritizing kinship care, so that better policy solutions can move forward. This project aims to provide research-based information on both benefits and costs of kinship care as well as to propose viable policy solutions that could improve outcomes for children and families touched by adoption.In the United States today, it is unfortunate to say that there are many kids that are living within homes that cannot provide them the adequate resources to succeed in life. Financial instability, substance abuse, and parents with mental health challenges are all strong predictors of being placed in kinship care (Jedwab et al., 2020; Tian et al., 2023). For these reasons, organizations such as Child Protective Services (CPS) and others are trying to find homes for these kids in which they can feel safe and still progress in life. For many countries, including the US, kinship care is at the top of the hierarchy when it comes to placement options (Jedwab et al., 2020). Kinship care is “any living arrangement in which children do not live with either of their parents and are instead cared for by a relative or someone with whom they have had a prior relationship. Many agencies include agencies beyond blood relatives such as god parents, family friends, or anyone else with a strong emotional bond to the child” (Geen, 2004, pg. 132). Kinship care has proven well in many cases because it brings a lot of stability to children (Jedwab et al., 2020; O’Brien, 2012; Hallet et al., 2023; helps them to understand their identity (O’Brien, 2012), and it allows them to stay close to the family and friends network (Clements & Birch, 2023).Although kinship care has many upsides, it also has many downsides, which is why it has been a difficult topic for many people. For example, research has found that many people who are kinship carers tend to be alone and older and in poor health (Geen, 2024; Clements & Birch, 2023; Farmer, 2009; Burke et al., 2023) compared to carers in the foster care systems. This may limit their ability to take care of children and provide them the adequate resources that they need in order to flourish. Multiple researchers recommend that state governmental institutions provide more training and financial support to kinship carers (Jedwab et al., 2023; Burke et al., 2023) so that they can at least have the abilities and resources to adequately take care of kids found in these situations. At the end of the day though, ideally it would be beneficial for precautions to take place and standards to be set forth so that children do not have to be placed in out-of-home placements in the first place (Burke et al., 2023). ReferencesBurke, S., Bouey, J., Madsen, C., Costello, L., Schmidt, G., Barkaskas, P., White, N., Alder, C., & Murium, R. (2023). Kinship care: Evaluating policy and practice. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 17(3), 647–668. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548732.2022.2091721Clements, J., & Birch, S. (2023). Exploring risk and protective factors in kinship family environments: A systematic literature review of the views of children in kinship care. Educational Psychology in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1080/02667363.2023.2243212Geen, R. (2004). The Evolution of Kinship Care Policy and Practice. The Future of Children, 14(1), 131–149. https://doi-org.byu.idm.oclc.org/10.2307/1602758Hallett, N., Garstang, J., & Taylor, J. (2023). Kinship care and child protection in high-income countries: A scoping review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 24(2), 632–645. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380211036073Jedwab, M., Xu, Y., & Shaw, T. V. (2020). Kinship care first? Factors associated with placement moves in out-of-home care. Children and Youth Services Review, 115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105104O’Brien, V. (2012). The benefits and challenges of kinship care. Child Care in Practice, 18(2), 127–146. https://doi.org/10.1080/13575279.2012.657610Tian, Y., Ma, Z., & Peng, F. (2023). Positive development of orphans in kinship care: The role of family stability. Child & Family Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.13083

Authors: Parker McKasson, Hannah Hornberger, Sydnee Bond, Olivia Heller, Josh Marchant. Mentors: Patrick Steffen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. BackgroundIntrinsic religiosity is a deeply rooted connection to one's faith. Individuals with high intrinsic religiosity find purpose and meaning through their spiritual connections. Extrinsic religiosity is primarily driven by social or other superficial factors. Individuals with high extrinsic religiosity may be more inclined to participate in religious activities and communities without having a deep connection to their faith. Intrinsic religiosity has demonstrated associations with lower self-reported stress, however, associations between intrinsic/extrinsic religiosity and baseline heart rate variability (HRV), a proxy measure of the parasympathetic nervous system, have not been studied. Such research has the ability to explain how the complex relationship between religiosity and stress affects overall well-being. We hypothesize that higher self-reported stress will be associated with lower baseline HRV, but intrinsic religiosity will serve as a buffer, such that stress will have a weaker influence on baseline HRV among individuals who are more intrinsically religious. We predict that extrinsic religiosity will have no influence on the relationship between stress and HRV. MethodsA survey and biofeedback study were conducted on a sample of 165 college students. We used the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) and Intrinsic/Extrinsic Religiosity Scale (IE/R), as well as measured baseline heart rate variability (HRV) using a 3 lead ECG. We will analyze the impacts of stress on HRV across people with varying levels of intrinsic/extrinsic religiosity through a multivariate regression model.ConclusionsReligiosity is not often viewed as a direct contributor to health and wellness, however, when viewed as a protective barrier against stress, intrinsic religiosity could play an important role in an individual’s stress response and wellbeing. In the presence of stressors, we expect intrinsic religiosity to be related to healthier parasympathetic functioning as measured through HRV.

Authors: Vanessa Tuttle. Mentors: Liz McGuire. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Despite significant strides in global gender equality, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles, prompting investigation into public perceptions of women’s leadership. Our research delves into the often-overlooked aspect of female-to-female interactions and their impact on women's self-perception as leaders. We aim to identify the voices that most influence women's beliefs about their leadership abilities, contributing to the broader discourse on gender parity in leadership. Drawing on historical and cross-cultural perspectives, we theorize that women, historically designated as primary caregivers and reproducers of society, play a pivotal role in shaping individuals' beliefs. This designated role may lead women to internalize societal norms that undervalue their leadership capabilities outside the home. We examine the potential impact of empowered female role models on women's confidence in leadership roles. We employ a lab-in-field experiment conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Arusha and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Participants are assigned to groups with varying gender compositions, engaging in a task where success is dependent upon the leader, followed by a post-treatment survey evaluating their experience, leader, and perceptions of female leadership. Through this experiment, we contribute empirical evidence to the ongoing discussion on gender disparities in leadership and challenge existing theories, providing valuable insights into the complex dynamics that contribute to the confidence gap between men and women in leadership roles. Our preliminary findings from our ongoing research may have implications for strategies aimed at fostering gender equality in leadership, encouraging a more nuanced understanding of the factors influencing women as leaders.

Authors: Tzu Yu Weng, Isaac Teuscher. Mentors: Xinru Page. Insitution: Brigham Young University. While online technology connects people around the world, norms around privacy, appropriate interactions, and information sharing vary significantly from culture to culture. Thus, we investigate potential issues that can happen when individuals from different cultural backgrounds interact through online platforms such as social media or texting. Our study consists of interviewing participants who have recently relocated to another country. Participants were invited to share instances of how their technology usage differs from that in their country of origin. Through inductive coding, we identified patterns in how cultural differences influence technology interactions. In this presentation, we will discuss the results from the analysis including recommendations for developing tools to enhance intercultural interactions online and reduce barriers in cross-cultural exchanges.

Authors: Ives Hong, Grace Carsey, Tara Caplin, Hunter Mitchell, Peg Bird, Bridger Lisonbee, Maria Balaceanu, Dannelle Larsen-Rife. Mentors: Dannelle Larsen-Rife. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Attachment is fundamental to human development. The parent-child relationship impacts the physical and mental health of the child, particularly social development. The two attachment dimensions — attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance underlie the caregiver-child relationship in early childhood (Bowlby et al., 1973). Attachment anxiety and avoidance may change or persist throughout the life span. Major life transitions may influence attachment, however, people tend to revert to previous attachment trajectories after experiencing life transition (Fraley et al., 2021). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to attachment insecurity which may have notable outcomes in adult relationships (Ross et al., 2022; Synder et al., 2023). Individuals with attachment avoidance and anxiety may have difficulty maintaining existing connections. People with high attachment anxiety and inadequate social support experience poor health outcomes (Stanton & Campbell. 2014). Lack of social support predict post-traumatic stress and thoughts of suicide (Scoglio et al., 2023). Loneliness and social isolation are associated with insecure attachment (Spence et al., 2020). Loneliness is correlated with poor mental health ratings and symptoms, and even mortality (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015; Jenkins et al., 2023). This study evaluates early attachment, health, and relationships. Approximately 200 adults will be recruited to complete the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised questionnaire (Fraley et al., 2011), Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire (Felitti et al.,1998), the Social Support Questionnaire-Short Form (SSQ6; Sarason et al. 1987), and the three-Item Loneliness Scale (Russell et al., 1980 ).We expect attachment anxiety and avoidance will be positively correlated with loneliness and negatively correlated with social support, while ACEs moderate these associations. Examining how ACEs may interact with attachment avoidance and anxiety may prompt early intervention to improve the caregiver-child relationship.

Authors: Frankie Medina. Mentors: Joy McMurrin. Insitution: Utah Tech University. My research looks at the multifaceted extent of the lived experiences of Mexican-American women through the eyes of Chicana feminist's scholarships and social media content. The first research question considers the insights presented by Chicana feminists’ scholarship to delve into complex experiences. This will highlight their struggles, identities, and achievements. I aim to root around the fundamental theories and narratives that support the study of Mexican-American women.Second, I will examine the everyday experiences of Mexican-American women, and how it aligns with and/or deviates from the scholarship mentioned above. Through secondary research, I will examine common themes in the scholarship and compare them with the everyday experiences that I previously identified.Thirdly, I will research how contemporary Chicanas interact in formal and informal actions of protest that go against traditional norms and patriarchal systems. My research will focus on the gap between scholarly discourse and activism in real-life norms. I seek to present the different ways in which Mexican-American women delve into their own resilience and resistance in challenging existing obstacles. This qualitative research has three phases: first I will identify and synthesize common themes in Chicana feminist scholarship; second, I will code social media content, using both a priori and in vivo coding methods; third, I will write a thematic analysis of the contemporary Chicana experience. By reviewing these sources and data, I will provide an understanding of the experiences of Mexican-American women, their morale with scholarly discourse, and their roles in continued socio-cultural and political activities. The outcomes of this research hope to have regard for the complications around the Mexican-American female experience and their continuing efforts to challenge and change traditional norms and patriarchy

Authors: Lilliana Rogers. Mentors: Dannelle Larson-Rife. Insitution: Utah Tech University. One in five girls and one in twenty boys are victims of childhood sexual assault in the United States (Crimes, 2012). There is ample research on the effects and treatment of CSA on victims, however, a paucity of research on pedophiles and sexual offenders. In this social policy paper, the effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on victims should use neuroscience research to prevent CSA. Furthermore, attachment in childhood is pertinent in developing healthy adult relationships, however, despite having a secure attachment to parents, children still face adverse effects of CSA in intimacy in adulthood (Barnum & Perrone-McGovern, 2017). Furthermore, adults exposed to CSA face a higher risk for mental health disorders, physical health problems, and substance abuse disorders, compared with adults who have not been exposed to CSA (Herder & Redner, 1991). Four main effects of concern are addressed in CSA victims: intimacy in adulthood, mental health risks, physical health risks, and substance abuse. These main points of concern illustrate the detrimental effects of CSA, and justify the need for change. Survivors are not the root cause of childhood sex abuse; perpetrators of sexual abuse against children are, leaving perpetrators who commit CSA at risk for reoffending. Incarceration is ineffective due to short sentencing and the child has already been sexually abused (Grady et al., 2015). In addition to ineffective reprimands, little research has been conducted on why and how pedophilia occurs. However, the limited research that has been conducted, is promising, but needs further funding and research to investigate the origins of pedophilia, how to treat it and how to prevent it. In addition, current pedophilia prevention efforts are noninclusive, inaccurate, and not targeted toward caregivers (Kenny & Wurtele, 2010; Grady et al., 2015; Finkelhor, 2009). Pedophilia is not addressed and treated, only the aftermath of CSA is. By analyzing these main concerns, we examine three points of intervention by addressing sexual offenders and pedophiles through the ineffectiveness of incarceration, the lack of funded research, neuroscientific research, and inadequate prevention methods. These points of intervention can be implemented and may reduce the risk of CSA so no child ever has to experience childhood sexual assault.

Authors: Reagan Bartholomew. Mentors: Dylan Hansen. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Unveiling the Challenges Faced by Deaf and Disabled Undocumented ImmigrantsThis paper shows the overlooked challenges confronted by a particularly vulnerable group—deaf and disabled undocumented immigrants. The motivation behind this study comes from the need to address the unique hardships experienced by this marginalized population. Our research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining participant observation, policy analysis and comparative analysis. Comprehensively exploring their experiences and shed light on their daily struggles.Our finding show that access to language resources is not just a matter of practicality but a matter of preserving their cognitive abilities and preventing language loss, particularly among young immigrants. We advocate for programs and specific policy changes that can help these individuals and their families with the skills they need to communicate effectively and integrate into society.This research significantly contributes to the fields of immigration studies, disability studies, and language acquisition. It underscores the urgency of allocating resources to address the specific communication needs of deaf and disabled undocumented immigrants, preserving their linguistic development and cognitive abilities.In conclusion, this paper seeks to raise awareness and advocate for more inclusive policies and resources to facilitate language acquisition for this vulnerable population. We look forward to presenting our research at UCUR 2024 and engaging in productive discussions about this pressing issue.