Digital Commons Network^™

Examining Influences Of Academic Resilience Among Minority Adolescent Students, Sylvia Alice Okpon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative and correlational study aimed to investigate which variables of minority adolescent students promote academic resilience and focus on African American and Hispanic students within a public charter school located in Southeast Texas. Grounded on resilience theory, the research investigated the cognitive and emotional regulation of students and student–teacher connections in the process of academic resilience. A purposive sample composed of more than 100 students was used to collect data using the Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, the Inventory of the Student–Teacher Relationship, and the Academic Resilience Scale for an online survey. Data analysis indicated that cognitive and emotional resilience …

Utilizing Morphology Instruction To Improve Students’ Reading Proficiency, Michelle Marie Sweigart

Culminating Experience Projects

Many adolescent learners face difficulties with reading comprehension as grades progress. Research suggests that this is due to a variety of contributing factors, including deficits in decoding, fluency, and vocabulary, in addition to content-area vocabulary becoming increasingly challenging. While research has shown the vast benefits of utilizing morphology instruction across grade levels to improve vocabulary, especially in secondary education, it is a largely underutilized area for intervention. This project explores the potential benefits of offering adolescents a morphological intervention to make grade-level vocabulary across content areas more accessible. Through the use of explicitly-taught strategies to systematically break down and employ …

Equality In Programming For Girls And Boys: Adolescents' Shared Experiences From An After-School Support Program In Urban Nairobi, Nelson Muhia, Benta Abuya

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

There has been marked progress in access to education, representation of women in leadership, sexual reproductive health, and gender-based violence as a result of gender equality initiatives. However, there is still a strong focus on interventions targeting girls only. Through the adolescents’ lens, this study sought to establish if there is a preference for interventions targeting girls compared to boys in two urban informal settlements; and what benefits were realized from programming for both adolescent boys and girls enrolled in an after-school support program. We employed a thematic analysis approach to answer the research questions. Results showed that most interventions …

Educator Motivation For Acquiring Expertise To Support Students With Dyslexia: A Phenomenological Study, Maria T. Casale

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the invested motivation for acquiring expertise to support students with dyslexia for elementary school teachers at a charter school in a northeastern state. Teachers employed at Oakdale-Mission Charter School are uniquely positioned to receive in-service teacher training support regarding teaching those with dyslexia. The lack of Orton Gillingham-certified teachers to provide for those with dyslexia prevents these students from adequately receiving access and equity in a school district in a large metropolitan city in a northeastern state. Therefore, Oakdale-Mission Charter School was explored as a unique and innovative solution for those …

Infographic: Teenagers Reading For Pleasure, Max Hughes

Teacher infographics

A Deakin University study delves into secondary school students’ reading habits and explores the prevalence of reading for pleasure amongst teenagers. In this infographic we share some of the findings.

Trends In Substance Use And Mental Health Among Adolescents In Georgia, 2002-2022, Saumya S. Palipudi, Bangaru Talli Palipudi, Murty Komanduri

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: While substance use and absence of mental health disorders among youth in the United States (US) have declined over the past two decades, post COVID-19 pandemic, these conditions have increased significantly with notable disparities, and witnessed a crisis in public health. In 2022, 24.7% or 6.1 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the US had either Major Depressive Episodes (MDE) or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and 3.7 percent had both in the prior year². Increased stress, lack of peer connections, parental abuse, and poor mental health conditions were attributed to this increase in substance use^{3-7 …}

Speak My Language: Art Therapy Restorative Justice Hybrid For Disenfranchised High School Students, Catherine Day

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Abstract

This literature review examines the use of zero tolerance policies and exclusionary practices in schools throughout the United States. The adolescent population is more vulnerable now than ever, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. An increasing number of students are struggling with behavioral misconduct, mental health issues, and suspension/expulsion from school. The research contained in this review explores how zero tolerance policies have contributed to the current state of our education system, behavioral misconduct in schools, student involvement in the juvenile justice system, alternative methods of discipline such as restorative practices and therapeutic interventions like Art Therapy. The current exclusionary …

Mental Health And The Well-Being Of Adolescents, Janeice Pamuspusan

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on adolescents’ mental health and well-being. Before the age of twenty-five 70% of mental health disorders start to develop which is why it’s important to teach adolescents ways to improve their mental well-being along with the signs of mental disorders (Kutcher et al., 2008). According to the World Health Organization, many of those adolescents' mental health conditions go unrecognized or untreated. Those illnesses often go unrecognized and untreated because of the stigma that follows mental health including cultural differences. Because of those differences, many adolescents will go into adulthood still struggling with their mental well-being and …

Understanding Student Perceptions Of A High School Wellness Center: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Qualitative Study, Devan Audrey Clayton

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescents face many challenges at home and at school which impact various areas of their lives, including their academics. Schools have worked to ensure better student mental health outcomes by hiring school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers. School wellness centers can be an additional resource that students utilize to address mental health challenges during their school day. The purpose of this study is to understand adolescent perceptions of a school-based wellness center. Perceptions of populations who utilize the wellness center and those who do not utilize the wellness center were studied within one high school to understand how …

Diminished Adolescent Social Well-Being During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Michael J. Furlong, Mei-Ki Chan, Erin Dowdy, Karen Nylund-Gibson

Psychology Faculty Publications

Managing the COVID-19 pandemic involved implementing public health policies that disrupted students' lives, creating conditions that substantially influenced their mental health and well-being. Subsequently, research focused don the mental health sequelae of increased depression and anxiety, but the possible impacts on adolescents' social well-being have been largely unexamined. Social well-being is essential to youth's overall mental health and can be diminished even without symptoms of depression and anxiety. This report explored heterogeneities in changes in adolescents' social well-being from pre-COVID-19 to post-restrictions using longitudinal data from adolescents attending middle and high schools in California (N = 1,299; 49.9% female). …

Assessing The Types Of Juvenile Detention Medical Issues: A Focus On Florida, De’Angelo Dean

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

The justice system for young people in the United States has been a source of worry as more people acknowledge the possible adverse outcomes of involvement in the justice system during adolescence. Involvement with law enforcement can lead to various difficulties for young people, such as heightened susceptibility to psychological problems, interruptions in their education, and reduced prospects for achievement in the future. Hence, it is crucial to understand the interplays between the health care for juveniles referred by courts or law enforcement for hospital care to identify opportunities for process and outcome improvements. The interaction between juveniles and the …

Collaboration In East Africa: A Contextualised Approach To Defining The Construct, Claire Scoular, David Alelah Otieno

Assessment and Reporting

Collaboration has been highlighted internationally as a key skill for learning, working, and living in the twenty-first century. However, to teach it well, enhance its performance, and measure its growth, it is essential to have a clear and consistent definition of the skill. There are a number of frameworks that describe collaboration in a way that is meaningful to learning and growth. Despite some differences across frameworks, it is clear there is a common core set of contributing subskills. This suggests that collaboration is of global interest, and that there are components that transcend national or cultural specificities. Notwithstanding, definitions …

A159: Effects Of Social Supports On Chinese Adolescent Perceived Physical Literacy, Junyi Bian, Benjamin Colin Cork

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Purpose: Levels of physical activity in children have gradually declined from elementary to high school. This trend necessitates a greater need of perceived physical literacy (PPL) to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Because social supports for physical confidence (PC) and understanding (PU) are key to nursing PPL, this study investigated effects of perceived family support (PFS), perceived physical education support (PPES), and perceived community support (PCS) on PPL among a group of Chinese adolescents. Methods: The study was based on a retrospective investigation. A total of 3820 participants completed self-reported questionnaires assessing PFS, PPES, PCS. PPL was assessed by an eight-item …

The Shifting Landscape Of Adolescent Wellness In Boarding Schools: Can Time Spent Off Screens And Outdoors Improve Adolescent Wellbeing?, Kristen H. Peterson

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

For nearly twenty years I have worked directly with adolescents as an independent school educator. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or in the dorm, I have observed and supported students through their middle and high school experiences. During this time, I have witnessed an alarming shift in adolescent physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. Concurrently, I have observed a dramatic increase in the amount of time students spend using screen-based devices, and a decrease in their time spent outdoors.

Using research to ground my anecdotal accounts in empirical understanding, my thesis examines whether or not screen use might help …

Incorporation Of Nutrition Education With Medication Inject To Sustain Weight Loss, Julia Calvelo

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Nationwide prevalence of obesity is related to comorbidities including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. The United States spends nearly $173 billion annually for the medical cost of obesity, and obese adults have a difference of $1,861 of medical costs than those with healthy weight (CDC, 2022). Overweight individuals experience chronic health issues, resuling in a significant financial burden due to increased costs associated with medical treatment. Ozempic is a newly approved drug accepted by the FDA in 2017 to treat diabetes but is now gradually being implemented as a weight loss medication. It is used in conjunction with …

The Potential Relationships Between Utilizing Quarterly Assessments For Assessing Adolescents’ English Skills As A Predictive Indicator Of Students English Lanugage Arts Regents Scores, Tyler John Aracena

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative research study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of quarterly assessments administered quarterly to students in a large school district in the northeastern United States and their impact on students’ subject-specific corresponding Regents Examination Scores. The study aims to determine if a correlational relationship exists between the independent variable, students’ scores on quarterly assessments, and the effect on the dependent variable, students’ scores on the English Language Arts Regents examination. The conceptual framework supports this research, whereas a model represents the theory that the independent variable impacts the dependent variable. This research is grounded in a critique of the …

Effects Of Comprehensive Sex Education On Unplanned Pregnancy Rates And Sti Occurrences Among Chinese American Adolescents, Onsheng Seto

Nursing | Senior Theses

Sexually transmitted diseases/infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies is a continuing health concern among adolescents. They are more likely to engage in risky behaviors that increase the likelihood for STIs and unplanned pregnancies which emphasizes the need for comprehensive sex education (CSE). This research proposal strives to determine if CSE is an effective tool in reducing cases of STIs and unplanned pregnancies, specifically in Chinese American adolescents. The literature review identified CSE successfully decreasing STIs and unplanned pregnancies in youths. However, limited research correlates the relationship between CSE and Chinese American adolescents. In addition, few studies take cultural influences into account …

Incorporation Of Nutrition Education With Medication Injection To Sustain Weight Loss, Julia Calvelo

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Obesity is a widespread occurrence linked to comorbidities. Weight loss and maintenance is crucial to sustain existing health conditions and reduce risk of chronic diseases.

Lack of maintained weight loss is associated with poor education on nutrition, diet, and physical activity literacy. Objective: The purpose of this quantitative experimental study is to determine the efficacy of nutrition education among medication injection to sustain weight loss throughout treatment. It aims to promote comprehension of the aspects of nutrition, dietary habits, and physical education to not only sustain weight loss, but to understand the significance of how these elements contribute to …

The Associations Of Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior With Self-Rated Health In Chinese Children And Adolescents, Yahan Liang, Youzhi Ke, Yang Liu

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Objective

The study aimed to analyze the independent and joint associations of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) with self-rated health (SRH) among Chinese children and adolescents.

Methods

Cross-sectional data on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), school-based PA, extracurricular physical activity (EPA), screen time (ST), homework time, and SRH were assessed through a self-report questionnaire in the sample of 4227 Chinese children and adolescents aged 13.04 ± 2.62 years. Binary logistic regression was used to compare gender differences in PA, SB, and SRH among children and adolescents, and analyses were adjusted for age and ethnicity.

Results

In independent associations, boys …

The Role Of Teachers (De-)Motivational Styles On Students’ Autonomous Motivation In Physical Education And Leisure Time, Henri Tilga, Kaija Vahtra, Andre Koka

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The aim of this research was to examine the relationships of four perceived teaching styles (i.e., autonomy support, structure, control, and chaos) of physical education (PE) teachers with students’ satisfaction of psychological needs as well as autonomous and controlled motivation towards physical activity in PE and leisure time context. Materials and Methods: 320 students (166 boys and 154 girls) aged from 12 to 18 years old (M = 14.13, SD = 1.6) participated in the study. In this cross-sectional study, participants filled in a questionnaire of study variables. A variance-based structural equation model was employed to test the study …

Twelfth-Grade English Teachers' Lived Experiences Of Engaging Struggling Adolescent Readers: A Phenomenological Study, Ruth Ugonna Ebinama

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore 12th-grade English teachers' lived experiences of engaging struggling adolescent readers at a large public school district in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area of the United States. The theory that guided this study was Vygotsky’s social constructivism theory as it relates to engaging struggling adolescent readers. The central research question was the following: How do 12th-grade English teachers describe their lived experiences engaging struggling adolescent readers? Criterion purposive sampling was used to recruit 12th-grade English teachers with struggling adolescent readers in their English classes. Data collection methods consisted of open-response questionnaires, …

Cameroonian Teachers’ Perspectives Of School-Based Reproductive Health And Safety Education: A Qualitative Study, Sandra Nambangi Bume

Culminating Projects in Education Administration and Leadership

This research examines teachers’ perspectives of school-based sexuality/reproductive health education more fully than has ever been done in the field of education in Southern Cameroons and attempts at breaking the silence on a topic still greatly considered taboo in Cameroon. School-based sexuality education is a subject that aims to educate, enlighten, and “equip children and young people with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that will empower them to: realize their health, well-being, and dignity; develop respectful social and sexual relationships; consider how the choices affect their well-being and that of others, and understand and ensure the protection of their rights …

Informing Adolescents From Latino Immigrant Families About The Effects Of Their Family Responsibilities, Roxanna Emigdio Hernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on the different types of responsibilities that Latino immigrant families give to their adolescents and the effects it may have on them. Children play an active role in many immigrant families because of cultural traditions and immigration challenges (Fuligni & Telzer, 2012). Adolescents of immigrant parents are often involved in responsibilities such as caring for their younger siblings and cousins, cleaning, cooking, and translating for family members. Adolescents are given these duties because their parents often work multiple jobs and long hours to provide for their families. It is also important to note how difficult a …

High School Flash Sexual Health Education Curriculum: Lgbtq Inclusivity Strategies Reduce Homophobia And Transphobia, Kari Kesler, Andrea Gerber, B A Laris, Pamela Anderson, Elizabeth Baumler, Karin Coyle

Student and Faculty Publications

Homophobic and transphobic beliefs that lead to bias-based harassment remain a critical concern for young people in the USA. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of an inclusive comprehensive sex education program (High School FLASH) on homophobic and transphobic beliefs. Data from this study come from a randomized controlled trial that evaluated the impact of High School FLASH on students' sexual behaviors and related outcomes with 20 schools in two U.S. regions (Midwest and South). Following the baseline survey, the 20 schools were randomly assigned to receive FLASH or a comparison curriculum. Ninth and 10th …

Impacts Of Creatine Supplementation On Running Anaerobic Sprint Performance Test (Rast) Power And Velocity In Youth Soccer Players, Nia Howard, Citlaly Jauregui, Heitor P N Amorim, Sullen B. Sant'ana, Juan Mielgo Ayuso, Dailson Paulucio, Marco Machado, Steven B. Machek

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Creatine supplementation commonly enhances short-term, high-intensity effort performance such the soccer-specific ability to perform repeated sprints. Research in this regard is both generally sparse but specifically more so in youth athletes. PURPOSE: to determine the effect of 28 days of creatine monohydrate supplementation on running anaerobic sprint performance (RAST) power and velocity in youth soccer players. METHODS: Sixteen male youth soccer players were randomized in double-blinded, parallel-group fashion to either 28 days of creatine supplementation (CRE; 15.9±0.35y) or an equivalently-dosed dextrose (PLA; 15.5±0.54y; 0.3g/kg/d loading dose for the first seven days, followed by 0.03g/kg/d for the remaining period), whereby they …

Impacts Of Creatine Supplementation On Body Weight And Running Anaerobic Sprint Performance Test (Rast) Time Performance In Youth Soccer Players, Citlaly Jauregui, Heitor Pn Amorim, Suellen B. Sant'ana, Juan Mielgo Ayuso, Dailson Paulucio, Steven B. Machek, Marco Machado

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Creatine supplementation commonly increases intracellular water and/or lean mass-associated weight gain and concomitantly improved short-term, high-intensity effort performance such as repeated sprint ability. Research in this regard is both generally sparse but specifically more so in younger soccer athletes. PURPOSE: to determine the effect of 28 days of creatine monohydrate supplementation on body weight and running anaerobic sprint performance (RAST) time in youth soccer players. METHODS: Sixteen male youth soccer players were randomized in double-blinded fashion to either 28 days of creatine supplementation (CRE; 15.9±0.35y) or an equivalently-dosed dextrose (PLA; 15.5±0.54y; 0.3g/kg/d for the first 7 days, followed by 0.03g/kg/d …

Comparison Of Physical Activity Levels Among School-Age Adolescents In The Rural And Urban Areas Of District Swat Kpk, Pakistan- An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study, Imran Uddin

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Obesity and overweight represent significant global public health concerns. Young adolescents are in particular increasingly experiencing obesity and overweight due to their sedentary lifestyles, excessive electronic media use, and lack of physical activity (PA). This trend is linked to the development of non-communicable diseases in later life. Moreover, data regarding the lack of PA is available in Pakistan, but a gap exists in the comparative analysis of physical activity levels between rural and urban adolescents. Rural and urban areas exhibit distinctions in both geographical settings and technological advancements, potentially influencing the PA levels of their respective inhabitants.
Purpose: The …

The Effects Of Suicide Exposure In Adolescents: Absences, Academic Performance, And Behavior, Mika Pearson Brockington

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative research study is primarily about suicide exposure to adolescents and its effects. Most articles do not address the effects of exposure but only the ideation, attempts, and completion of suicide. In addition to the literature examined is the proposal to do more research to assist counselors and school staff in identifying and addressing students’ problems with academic progress, absences, and behavior. This article asked questions on a survey of participants exposed to suicide during their adolescent years. This information will be captured and analyzed to understand better how being exposed to suicide can affect many aspects of life …

Exploring Dimensions Of Bias-Based Bullying Victimization, School Fairness, And School Belonging Through Mediation Analysis, Deanna L. Burgess, Isak Kim, Youngwoon Seon, Seriashia J. Chatters

Counseling Faculty Publications

Bias-based bullying (BBB) is a serious problem for school-aged adolescents. However, limited attention has been paid to the mechanism of how BBB may affect youths' sense of belonging to the school. The purpose of the current study was to understand the associations between BBB victimization, school belonging, and school fairness among school-aged adolescents. The present study also examined whether school fairness mediated the link between BBB victimization and school belonging. Data were drawn from the “No Place For Hate” project, which examined bias-based incidents, school equity, and school belonging of a school district. The analytic study sample consisted of 2600 …

Incorporating Social-Emotional Learning Into Middle School Classrooms, Jessica Wolles

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This article is how the implementation of social-emotional learning in a middle school can improve behavior, academics, mental health, and social awareness amongst adolescents. This paper examines research from twenty research articles to communicate the need for social-emotional learning to be implemented in a middle school. This article outlines the school improvement plan for implementing a social-emotional learning curriculum.