Digital Commons Network^™

An Exploratory Investigation Of Tele-Counseling: Looking At The Power Of Therapeutic Alliance In Improving Wellness, Jorge Rostro

Theses and Dissertations

The present study explored the power of one tele-counseling session to elicit change within post wellness ratings scores and the relationship between clients’ perceptions of relationship, goals and topics, approach and method, and overall session with clients’ wellness ratings. Results indicated that the mean for post-session wellness was significantly greater than pre-test wellness ratings. The standardized effect size, d, was .43, indicative of a moderate effect size. No difference was found between client’s perceptions of predictor variables with post-wellness rating scores. This study adds support for the use of tele-counseling services as one session might have the power to elicit …

Impact Of Specialized Nursery Care For Late Preterm Infants On Nicu Admission Rate And Length Of Stay, Laura Hunt, Gene Hallford, Candace Robledo, Edgardo Szyld, Clara Song

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Objective To compare neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission rates and length of stay (LOS) of late preterm infants (LPIs) born before and after opening a specialized care nursery (SCN) at our academic, pediatric tertiary care center with 4,500 total deliveries annually

Study Design Retrospective chart review of inborn LPIs (350/7–366/7 weeks) who were asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic at birth and delivered 7 months before the opening of the SCN (pre-SCN) or 7 months subsequently (post-SCN). Infants were excluded for major congenital anomalies or other conditions requiring immediate NICU admission. The pre-SCN options for care were standard couplet care or …

A Global Perspective On The Influence Of Environmental Exposures On The Nervous System, Desire Tshala-Katumbay, Jean-Claude Mwanza, Diane S. Rohlman, Gladys E. Maestre, Reinaldo B. Oria

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Economic transitions in the era of globalization warrant a fresh look at the neurological risks associated with environmental change. These are driven by industrial expansion, transfer and mobility of goods, climate change and population growth. In these contexts, risk of infectious and non-infectious diseases are shared across geographical boundaries. In low- and middle-income countries, the risk of environmentally mediated brain disease is augmented several fold by lack of infrastructure, poor health and safety regulations, and limited measures for environmental protection. Neurological disorders may occur as a result of direct exposure to chemical and/or non-chemical stressors, including but not limited to, …

Depression, Obesity, And Metabolic Syndrome: Prevalence And Risks Of Comorbidity In A Population-Based Study Of Mexican Americans, Rene L. Olvera, Douglas E. Williamson, Susan P. Fisher-Hoch, Kristina Vatcheva, Joseph B. Mccormick

School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction: We examined the prevalence of depression, obesity, and metabolic syndrome and associations between them in a population-based representative cohort of Mexican Americans living on the United States-Mexico border.

Method: The sample in this cross-sectional analysis consisted of 1,768 Mexican American adults (≥ 18 years of age) assessed between the years 2004 and 2010, with whom we tested our central hypothesis of a significant relationship between obesity and depression. Depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) with a cutoff score of ≥ 16 for depression and a cutoff score of ≥ 27 for severe depression. We …

The Role Of Residential Segregation In Explaining Racial Gaps In Childhood And Adolescent Obesity, Igor Ryabov

Sociology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The present study used nationally representative data from the U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) merged with census-track data from the American Community Survey (ACS) to model race-ethnic disparities in overweight, obesity, and obesity-related disease among children and adolescents as a function of neighborhood race-ethnic segregation, socio-economic status, household size and structure, family history of obesity, and other important predictors. Results indicate that African American and Hispanic children and adolescents are more likely to suffer from obesity and obesity-related disease than their non-Hispanic White peers. We also found that race-ethnic segregation proxied by the Index of Dissimilarity has a …

'Mutiny On The Bounty': The Genetic History Of Norfolk Island Reveals Extreme Gender-Biased Admixture, Miles C. Benton, Shani Stuart, Claire Bellis, Donia Macartney-Coxson, David Eccles, Joanne E. Curran, Geoff Chambers, John Blangero, Rod A. Lea, L. R. Griffiths

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background

The Pacific Oceania region was one of the last regions of the world to be settled via human migration. Here we outline a settlement of this region that has given rise to a uniquely admixed population. The current Norfolk Island population has arisen from a small number of founders with mixed Caucasian and Polynesian ancestry, descendants of a famous historical event. The ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ has been told in history books, songs and the big screen, but recently this story can be portrayed through comprehensive molecular genetics. Written history details betrayal and murder leading to the founding of …

Certified Rehabilitation Counselors Working In Rehabilitation Agencies: An Investigation Of Factors Impacting Job Satisfaction And Intent To Quit, Cynthia A. Serrata

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this study was to examine job satisfaction in rehabilitation counselors who are Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRCs) practicing in rehabilitation settings and to identify the employment factors and work motivation factors that contribute to job satisfaction and intent to quit. Participants included in this study were obtained from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) list serve. Participants were from Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Region 5: Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Of the 1695 emails that were sent to CRCs from RSA Region 5, 315 surveys were completed resulting in a response rate of 19%. The …

The Perceived Impacts Of Disability On Family By Individuals With Disabilities In Vr Services: A Multivariate Analysis, Benjamin C. Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of individuals with disabilities regarding the impact of disability on family as encountered in the literature. Despite an abundance of research and literature documenting the experience of disability in the family the individual with the disability has largely been excluded from this research. This study investigated perceptions of individuals with disabilities regarding the impacts their disabilities have on their family that have been documented in the literature. Specific demographic variables were examined to determine any differences in perceptions based on these variables. Lastly, the underlying concepts of the perceptions of …

Don't Bring Me Down: A Study Of The Perceived Emotional Impact Of Positive, Negative, And Neutral Content On Facebook, Isis Lopez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The present study seeks to examine the influence of viewing pages that are categorized as positive, negative, or neutral on the social network (SN) Facebook in relation to college students’ levels of happiness and self-esteem. Viewers were predicted to spend more time viewing the Facebook pages that have been coded as negative compared to positive or neutral pages because of cognitive saliency, and they were predicted to show lower levels of self-esteem and happiness. In addition, participants who view the positive pages were predicted show higher levels of selfesteem and happiness. The results suggested no significant difference in emotion on …

A Phenomenological Study Of Middle School Bullying In The Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Vanessa Cristina Cantu

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this paper was to describe the study concerning special education students in middle school who were bullied. Many students in the special education program are being bullied, whether it is due to their disabilities or other factors (Mishna, 2003; Rose, Espelage, & Monda-Amaya, 2009; Coloroso, 2008; Christensen, Fraynt, Neece, & Baker, 2012). While several quantitative studies have been conducted addressing this worldwide phenomenon, few qualitative studies have been performed. A phenomenological approach allowed the participants to share their own experiences with bullying. Twenty-five students from several middle schools (6th, 7th, 8th grades) in a city in the …

Physician Assistant Students' Perceptions Of Mental Illness: A Correlational Study Of Empathy, Attitudes, And Stigma Levels, Juliann M. Garza

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Physician assistant students’ perceptions and attitudes towards mental illness were examined in relation to their empathy levels. The theoretical frameworks of stigma and labeling were explored and examined through the use of surveys and questionnaires to assess prior attitudes and beliefs about individuals with a mental illness. Based on a multiple-regression model and multi-way analysis of variance, this study showed a statistical significance between an individual’s empathy levels and their stigmatization towards mental illness. In addition, the results of this study identified significant relationships between gender and race in terms of empathy. Implications of this study could have far-reaching effects …

Alterations In Activation, Cytotoxic Capacity And Trafficking Profile Of Peripheral Cd8 T Cells In Young Adult Binge Drinkers, José Luis Zaldivar Fujigaki, América Guadalupe Arroyo Valerio, Juan Carlos Lopez Alvarenga, Esperanza Gabriela Gutiérrez Reyes, David Kershenobich, Joselin Hernández Ruiz

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: Excess of alcohol consumption is a public health problem and has documented effects on the immune system of humans and animals. Animal and in vitro studies suggest that alcohol abuse changes CD8 T cell (CD8) characteristics, however it remains unknown if the CD8 profile of binge drinkers is different in terms of activation, trafficking and cytotoxic capacity.

Aim: To analyze the peripheral CD8 cytotoxic capacity, activation and trafficking phenotypic profile of Mexican young adults with regard to alcohol consumption pattern.

Methods: 55 Mexican young adults were stratified as Light (20), Intermediate (18) or Binge drinkers (17) according to their …

Striatal Activity And Reduced White Matter Increase Frontal Activity In Youths With Family Histories Of Alcohol And Other Substance-Use Disorders Performing A Go/No-Go Task, Ashley Acheson, Malle A. Tagamets, Anderson M. Winkler, Laura M. Rowland, Charles W. Mathias, Susan N. Wright, L. Elliot Hong, Peter Kochunov, Donald M. Dougherty

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Introduction: Youths with a family history of alcohol and other drug use disorders (FH+) are at greater risk of developing substance-use disorders relative to those with no such family histories (FH-). We previously reported that FH+ youths have elevated activity in the supplementary motor area (SMA) and dorsal striatum while performing go/no-go tasks and have reduced frontal white matter integrity. A better understanding of relationships between these variables would provide insight into how frontostriatal circuitry is altered in FH+ youths, which may be an important contributor to their elevated risk.

Methods: In this study, we used structural equation modeling (SEM) …

Occupational Deprivation Or Occupational Adaptation Of Mexican Americans On Renal Dialysis, Shirley A. Wells

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications and Presentations

The aim of this study was to explore the occupational changes and perceptions experienced by Mexican Americans with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and their families living with dialysis. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 Mexican Americans with ESRD and 17 family members. The participants with ESRD described altered or lost activity patterns, capacities and freedoms. With a heightened awareness of death, the family members made altered occupational choices, which were consistent with their cultural values. Changes in the physical body, adhering to the dialysis regimen and environmental restrictions created barriers to occupational participation. These findings suggest that living with dialysis …

Diagnoses, Intervention Strategies, And Rates Of Functional Improvement In Integrated Behavioral Health Care Patients, Ana J. Bridges, Samantha J. Gregus, Juventino Hernandez Rodriguez, Arthur R. Andrews Iii, Bianca T. Villalobos, Freddie A. Pastrana, Timothy A. Cavell

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective—Compared with more traditional mental health care, integrated behavioral health care (IBHC) offers greater access to services and earlier identification and intervention of behavioral and mental health difficulties. The current study examined demographic, diagnostic, and intervention factors that predict positive changes for IBHC patients.

Method—Participants were 1,150 consecutive patients (mean age = 30.10 years, 66.6% female, 60.1% Hispanic, 47.9% uninsured) seen for IBHC services at 2 primary care clinics over a 34-month period. Patients presented with depressive (23.2%), anxiety (18.6%), adjustment (11.3%), and childhood externalizing (7.6%) disorders, with 25.7% of patients receiving no diagnosis.

Results—The most commonly …

Gratitude And Kindness: Just What The Doctor Ordered, Kathleen E. Glynn

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

In recent years, the positive psychology movement has grown and researchers have become interested in studying overall well-being and the predictors of happiness. Previous studies have indicated that biology plays a role in determining an individual’s happiness, but this is not the only contributing factor. Thought patterns and behaviors play a key role in one’s overall wellbeing. The current study evaluated the relationship that a practice of gratitude and performing acts of kindness had on participants’ scores on happiness, gratitude and social support scales. It was predicted that individuals who performed acts of kindness and practice gratitude for one week …

Personality Of Personal Trainers: A Study Of Perception And Preference, Andy L. Chasse

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study used a personality questionnaire to address the lack of literature concerning how the general population perceives personal trainers and what qualities they desire in them. The Big Five Inventory (BFI) with two demographic items (gender and previous experience) was administered to 130 undergraduate students at The University of Texas-Pan American to determine perceived and desired characteristics. High extraversion was most commonly associated with personal trainers. High extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, as well as low neuroticism, were most desired in personal trainers. Significant differences were seen between perceived and desired means across all dimensions. Additionally, gender produced main effects …

Secondary Complications Among Person's With Spinal Cord Injury And Best Practices For Life Care Planners, Noel A. Ysasi Jr.

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The current study was intended to deliver life care planners with a guide as to whether or not secondary complications (SCs) should be included within the LCP, while obtaining the professional opinion of physiatrists as to the incidence rate of SCs. Each research question was designed to determine whether differences exist between life care planners (LCPs) and physiatrists in their knowledge regarding SCs while comparing their responses with empirical research. In addition, it was determined to investigate whether costs should be included in a LCP based on the reports given from certified and non-certified LCPs; even though it meets the …

Theory Of Mind And Inhibitory Processing Among Bilingual Mexican American Young Children, Sarah E. Stegall

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Bilingual children have been found to demonstrate advantages on tasks dependent in part or in whole on inhibitory processing compared to their language dominant and/or monolingual peers. This study examines relations among performance on theory of mind (ToM), inhibitory processing (FF), and performance on an ambiguous-figures (AF) tasks among monolingual and bilingual children. Participants included 135 Hispanic children ages 4.5 to 8 from predominately low-income families. Results revealed a relationship between FF and AF performance with ToM performance and found no differences in performance between monolingual, language-dominant, and balanced-bilingual children.

Physical Activity As A Behavioral Treatment In Shr Rats: An Animal Model Of Adhd, Jessica A. Martinez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder defined by inattentive, hyperactive, and/or impulsive behaviors, typically treated with medications. Physical activity has been investigated as a treatment for children with ADHD and provides the ability for the individual to use it as a lifetime treatment option. Animal models can control for many of the issues posed by using human subjects. This study investigates whether physical activity in the form of wheel running reduces hyperactivity in an animal model of ADHD, the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR), compared to its control, Wistar Kyoto rat (WKY). Using an ABAB design, …

Common Genetic Variants Influence Human Subcortical Brain Structures, Derrek P. Hibar, Jason L. Stein, Miguel E. Renteria, Alejandro Arias-Vasquez, John Blangero, Anderson M. Winkler, Joanne E. Curran, Thomas D. Dyer, Peter T. Fox, Ravi Duggirala

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

The highly complex structure of the human brain is strongly shaped by genetic influences. Subcortical brain regions form circuits with cortical areas to coordinate movement, learning, memory and motivation, and altered circuits can lead to abnormal behaviour and disease. To investigate how common genetic variants affect the structure of these brain regions, here we conduct genome-wide association studies of the volumes of seven subcortical regions and the intracranial volume derived from magnetic resonance images of 30,717 individuals from 50 cohorts. We identify five novel genetic variants influencing the volumes of the putamen and caudate nucleus. We also find stronger evidence …

Perception Of Cultural Competence In Nurse Practitioners, Carolina G. Huerta, Peter L. Kranz, Janice A. Maville

School of Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose: Nurse practitioners are at the forefront in providing quality care to diverse populations and must become cognizant of the importance of cultural competence in caring for diverse patients. The purpose of this study was to examine perceptions of cultural competence and its integration in the delivery of health care in nurse practitioners practicing in a Mexican-American region of South Texas.

Methodology: A descriptive, qualitative design using grounded theory and purposive sampling was utilized for this study. Sixteen nurse practitioners, fourteen females and two males, participated in the study. Qualitative data collection was elicited through individual interviews and …

Association Of Insurance Status With Health Outcomes Following Traumatic Injury: Statewide Multicenter Analysis, Vatsal Chikani, Maureen Brophy, Anne Vossbrink, Khaleel Hussaini, Christopher Salvino, Jeffrey Skubic, Rogelio Martinez

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Introduction: Recognizing disparities in definitive care for traumatic injuries created by insurance status may help reduce the higher risk of trauma-related mortality in this population. Our objective was to understand the relationship between patients' insurance status and trauma outcomes.

Methods: We collected data on all patients involved in traumatic injury from eight Level I and 15 Level IV trauma centers, and four non-designated hospitals through Arizona State Trauma Registry between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011. Of 109,497 records queried, we excluded 29,062 (26.5%) due to missing data on primary payer, sex, race, zip code of residence, injury severity …

Determinants Of Adherence To Living On Dialysis For Mexican Americans, Shirley A. Wells

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study explores perceptions that affect adherence behaviors among Mexican Americans living with dialysis. In-depth narrative interviews were conducted with 15 Mexican Americans with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) living on dialysis, 15 family members, and 6 health care personnel who provided care to them. Four themes emerged: (a) positive influences to adherence, (b) obstacles to adherence, (c) daily activity losses, and (d) fears about living with dialysis. From the findings, the perceptions given for non-adherence with the dialysis regimen ranged from denial of the condition, lack of pre-education, to cultural factors. Those given for adherence included prolonged life, family, and …

Subclinical Atherosclerosis And Obesity Phenotypes Among Mexican Americans, Susan T. Laing, Beverly Smulevitz, Kristina Vatcheva, Mohammad H. Rahbar, Belinda M. Reininger, David D. Mcpherson, Joseph B. Mccormick, Susan P. Fisher-Hoch

School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background

Data on the influence of obesity on atherosclerosis in Hispanics are inconsistent, possibly related to varying cardiometabolic risk among obese individuals. We aimed to determine the association of obesity and cardiometabolic risk with subclinical atherosclerosis in Mexican‐Americans.

Methods and Results

Participants (n=503) were drawn from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort. Metabolic health was defined as <2 of the following: blood pressure ≥130/85; triglyceride ≥150 mg/dL; high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol <40 mg/dL (men) or <50 mg/dL (women); fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL; homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance value >5.13; or high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein >3 mg/L. Carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) was measured. A high proportion of participants (77.8%) were metabolically unhealthy; they were more likely to be male, older, with fewer years of education, and less likely to meet daily recommendations regarding …

Preconception And Early Pregnancy Air Pollution Exposures And Risk Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Candace Robledo, Pauline Mendola, Edwina H. Yeung, Tuija Männistö, Rajeshwari Sundaram, Danping Liu, Qi Ying, Seth Sherman, Katherine Grantz

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: Air pollution has been linked to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) but no studies have evaluated impact of preconception and early pregnancy air pollution exposures on GDM risk.

Methods: Electronic medical records provided data on 219,952 singleton deliveries to mothers with (n=11,334) and without GDM (n=208,618). Average maternal exposures to particulate matter (PM) ≤ 2.5μm (PM2.5) and PM2.5 constituents, PM ≤ 10μm (PM10), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3) were estimated for the 3-month preconception window, first trimester, and gestational weeks 1-24 based on modified Community Multiscale Air Quality models for delivery hospital referral regions. …

A Comparison Of Self-Acceptance Of Disability Between Thai Buddhists And American Christians, Roy K. Chen, Wilaiporn Kotbungkair, Alicia D. Brown

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications and Presentations

Having a disability can significantly change a person’s life in many aspects. Research has shown that people with disabilities collectively have diminished access and fewer opportunities to pursue education, find gainful employment, and engage in intimate relationships. Self-acceptance of disability is, therefore, critical to help build resilience, confidence, and psychological well-being in this population. The purpose of the study was to compare the self-acceptance of disability in international settings, specifically in the context of religions. The sample of the study included 98 Thai Buddhists and 95 American Christians with neuromuscular disorders. Constructs used for the study included demographic characteristics, Hope …

Sex-Specific Genetic Effects In Physical Activity: Results From A Quantitative Genetic Analysis, Vincent P. Diego, Raquel Nichele De Chaves, John Blangero, Daniel Santos, Thayse Natacha Gomes, Fernanda Karina Dos Santos, Rui Garganta, Peter T. Katzmarzyk, José Ar Maia

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: The objective of this study is to present a model to estimate sex-specific genetic effects on physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary behaviour (SB) using three generation families.

Methods: The sample consisted of 100 families covering three generations from Portugal. PA and SB were assessed via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF). Sex-specific effects were assessed by genotype-by-sex interaction (GSI) models and sex-specific heritabilities. GSI effects and heterogeneity were tested in the residual environmental variance. SPSS 17 and SOLAR v. 4.1 were used in all computations.

Results: The genetic component for PA and SB domains varied from …

Genetics Of Kidney Disease And Related Cardiometabolic Phenotypes In Zuni Indians: The Zuni Kidney Project, Sandra L. Laston, V. Saroja Voruganti, Karin Haack, Vallabh O. Shah, Arlene Bobelu, Jeanette Bobelu, Donica Ghahate, Antonia M. Harford, Susan S. Paine, Francesca Tentori

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

The objective of this study is to identify genetic factors associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and related cardiometabolic phenotypes among participants of the Genetics of Kidney Disease in Zuni Indians study. The study was conducted as a community-based participatory research project in the Zuni Indians, a small endogamous tribe in rural New Mexico. We recruited 998 members from 28 extended multigenerational families, ascertained through probands with CKD who had at least one sibling with CKD. We used the Illumina Infinium Human1M-Duo version 3.0 BeadChips to type 1.1 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Prevalence estimates for CKD, hyperuricemia, diabetes, and …

Bayesian Survival Analysis Of Genetic Variants In Ptprn2 Gene For Age At Onset Of Cancer, Ke-Sheng Wang, Yue Pan, Weize Wang, Chun Xu

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: The protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type, N polypeptide 2 (PTPRN2) gene may play a role in cancer; however, no study has focused on the associations of genetic variants within the PTPRN2 gene with age at onset (AAO) of cancer.

Methods: This study examined 220 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the PTPRN2 gene in the Marshfield sample with 716 cancer cases (any diagnosed cancer, excluding minor skin cancer) and 2,848 non-cancer controls. Multiple logistic regression model and linear regression model in PLINK software were used to examine the association of each SNP with the risk of cancer and AAO, respectively. …