Digital Commons Network^™

The Influences Of Family Supportive Supervisor Behaviors On The Relationships Among Work-Family Conflict, Stress, And Turnover Intention In Saudi Arabian Registered Nurses, Sitah S. Alshutwi

Theses and Dissertations

Many countries around the world are struggling to maintain adequate number of nurses. Inadequate nurse staffing could compromise the quality of patient care. Among many factors that contribute to RN turnover, the influence of work–family conflict (WFC) has gained little attention. In Saudi Arabia, the turnover rate among Saudi nurses reached 50 % of the total employed nurses. Work-family conflict was found to be a reason that influence Saudi nurses to leave their workplace. In addition, WFC was found to be significantly association with increased turnover intention (TI) among employees. Furthermore, WFC has been linked to a number of negative …

The Utility Of Mobile Phones For Health Among Women Living With Hiv In Urban Malawi, Linda Marie Dietrich

Theses and Dissertations

The use of mobile phones are becoming ubiquitous with growing interest by healthcare providers to utilize mobile phone technology for various health-related applications, called mHealth. This is especially true in low-income countries such as those in sub-Saharan Africa. When implementing mHealth applications, it is important to understand the dynamic social, cultural and environmental factors where mHealth will be implemented to ensure that interventions developed are effective. A qualitative study to explore the sociotechnical factors experienced by women participating in an HIV support group in urban Malawi was conducted to enhance our understanding of women’s experience with mobile phone use and …

Patient-Delivered Partner Therapy: Elicitation Research Using A Mixed-Method Study Design To Support The Development Of A Behavioral Intervention For Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic Patients, Steven Alan John

Theses and Dissertations

The transmission of sexually transmitted infections (i.e., STIs) remains a preventable public health problem within the United States. Repeatedly acquired STIs are highly prevalent despite efficacious treatment options, and mechanisms to increase partner notification are paramount to decreasing reinfections. One mechanism to accelerate the time to partner treatment, increase partner treatment, reduce repeat infections, and reduce community prevalence of STIs is the use of patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT). PDPT is the practice of providing patients diagnosed with a bacterial STI medication to give directly to their partner for treatment without requiring the partner to participate in diagnostic testing, screening, or …

Type 1 Diabetes: Factors That Affect Youth/Parent Dyads’ Health Related Quality Of Life And Youth Metabolic Control, Joan Pennington Totka

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

TYPE 1 DIABETES: FACTORS THAT AFFECT YOUTH/PARENT DYADS’ QUALITY OF LIFE AND YOUTH METABOLIC CONTROL

by

Joan Pennington Totka

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2016

Under the Supervision of Professor Julia Snethen

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is one of the most psychologically and behaviorally demanding of all chronic illnesses for youth (preadolescents and adolescents) with T1D and their primary caregivers. T1D affects one out of every 400 to 600 youth, making it one of the most common chronic conditions in school-aged youth in the United States. Advances in technology and treatment continue; however, more than 80% of youth do not …

A Feasibility Study Of Using Headspace For Mindfulness Among Individuals Undergoing Surgical Repair Of The Rotator Cuff, Hanna Rae Paul

Theses and Dissertations

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been found to help reduce psychological distress and pain in chronic musculoskeletal conditions. However, very limited evidence exists determining the impact of mindfulness on psychological distress and pain in acute musculoskeletal conditions including rotator cuff tears. Among individuals undergoing surgical repair of a rotator cuff tear, it is not clear how mindfulness may be combined with usual care, given the requirement of intense training as part of frequently used MBI protocols. The purpose of the present study was to determine if it was feasible to combine Headspace, a mobile application for mindfulness training that can be …

False Positives On Neuropsychological Measures Of Effort Among Bilingual Neurologically Intact Mexican Americans, Arnoldo Amador Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The present study examines the performance of bilingual Mexican Americans on neuropsychological measures of effort in language and visual-perceptual formats. Optimal/suboptimal effort cutoff scores derived from monolingual English Speakers were used to test participants divided by language of administration and bilingual groupings based upon Spanish-English difference scores on the Woodcock Munoz Language Survey-Revised Picture Vocabulary subtest. Participants produced more false positives (misidentification of suboptimal effort) on the Reliable Digit Span, a language formatted measure, and similar rates of false positives on visual-perceptual effort measures: Test of Memory Malingering and the Dot Counting Test as compared to established rates using monolingual …

The Meaning Of Nursing Education As Described By Students With Learning Disabilities, Jacqueline Lee Reep-Jarmin

Theses and Dissertations

The numbers of students with learning disabilities (LD) in post-secondary education settings is rising (National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 2016). The Americans with Disabilities Act, Amendments Act was passed in 2008, since that time little research has been done to reflect any impact of the original ADA (1990) being amended. Research is needed about the experiences of students with learning disabilities in higher education, and more specifically nursing education. The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the lived experience of nursing education from the perspective of students with learning disabilities, and delineate the essence of …

Critical-Care Nurses' Suggestions To Improve End-Of-Life Care Obstacles: Minimal Change Over 17 Years, Kacie Hart Hadley

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Critical-care nurses (CCN) provide end-of life (EOL) care on a daily basis as one in five patients dies while in Intensive Care Units (ICU). CCNs overcome many obstacles to perform quality EOL care for dying patients. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to collect CCNs' current suggestions for improving EOL care and determine if EOL care obstacles have changed by comparing results to data gathered in 1998. Methods: A 72-item questionnaire regarding EOL care perceptions was mailed to a national, geographically dispersed, random sample of 2,000 members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Nurses were asked for …

Childhood Abuse Types And Adult Relational Violence Mediated By Adult Attachment Behaviors And Romantic Relational Aggression In Couples, Tabitha Nicole Webster

Theses and Dissertations

The current study investigated how three distinct types of childhood abuse—witnessing of parental domestic violence, experiencing physical abuse and total in-home violence, and experiencing sexual abuse—predicted partner reports of relational violence through the mediating factors self-perceptions of attachment and partner reports of relational aggression. The study used paired dyadic data from 1,658 couples who had completed the RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE). The Family Violence, the Brief Accessibility and Responsiveness, Couples Relational Aggression and Victimization, and the Conflict Tactics scales were the measures used. Data was analyzed by using structural equation modeling to estimate an actor-partner interdependence model exploring these relationships. Results …

Ipad Application For Pain Assessment In Youths With Developmental Disabilities And Complex Communication Needs, Alyssa Rose Guard

Theses and Dissertations

Aims: Development of a new pain assessment for youths with communication challenges. The Guard-Putzer Pain Assessment Domains (gPAD) for the iPad was designed and tested as a more universally accessible way for youths, ages 7-to-12 years, with a developmental disability (DD) to express their private pain experiences through self-report. Methods: A two-phase process developed the design for an app, created an interactive prototype, and tested its face validity and user interface. This work included a review of current assessments and pain apps as well as completed a survey to obtain descriptive data on clinical practicality of the gPAD. Fifteen occupational …

Essays On Health And Labor Market Practices In The U.S., Mona Khadem Sameni

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the link between different aspects of labor market and individuals’ health. The first chapter analyzes the relationship between the use of four different substances and nonstandard work schedules. Using the NLSY97 and applying standard panel techniques as well as survival analyses, I find that contrary to most previous evidence, nonstandard work schedule is not necessarily associated with an increase in substance use, and in the case of drinking and binge drinking such correlation is actually negative. Evidence also suggests that drug prone individuals tend to work more at nonstandard schedules. Results are robust to the specification at …

The Influence Of Transcultural Humility Simulation Development Activities On The Cultural Competence Of Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Teresa Hamilton

Theses and Dissertations

One way to mitigate health disparities in the provision of nursing care and impact social justice with vulnerable populations is the development of cultural competence. Although addressed in nursing curricula, gaps in how to best address cultural competence remain. A study was undertaken to determine whether participation in a researcher-designed intervention, entitled Transcultural Humility Simulation development, based on components of Campinha-Bacote’s model with an emphasis on “becoming” culturally competent, improved cultural competence in graduating baccalaureate nursing students. A longitudinal, descriptive, quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest comparison group design using embedded mixed methods was used. A total of 57 student participants from one baccalaureate …

Exploring Proximal And Distal Psychosocial Stressors Influencing The Health Outcomes Of Urban American Indians In The Midwest, Alina Aloma

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers have theorized that colonization and forced assimilation of American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) in the U.S. are associated with the current health outcomes of AI/AN groups. The literature has begun to link a number of negative health outcomes such as chronic illnesses, substance abuse, grief, depression, and anxiety with distal stressors associated with historical loss, as well as with proximal stressors that are continued reminders of historical trauma such as present day discrimination. The present study utilized a quantitative methodology along with a community informed framework through collaboration with multiple urban AI/AN-serving agencies in a metropolitan area of the Midwest …

Is The Therapeutic Alliance Associated With And Predictive Of Treatment Retention And Outcome Among Latinos?: A Secondary Analysis Of An Rct Of Behavioral Activation For Latinos With Depression Versus Treatment-As-Usual, Maria Magdalena Santos

Theses and Dissertations

A robust association between the therapeutic alliance and various forms of psychotherapy outcome has been demonstrated. The therapist-client alliance has been shown to be associated with and predictive of dropout and depression symptom change with primarily U.S. White samples. The current study examines whether the alliance is associated with retention, as measured by dropout and session attendance, and depression change in a sample of low-income Spanish-speaking Latinos in the U.S. who received Behavioral Activation for Latinos (BAL) with depression or treatment-as-usual (TAU). Given the proposition that BA treatment fosters the alliance systematically throughout treatment, and that usual treatment was not …

Perspectives Of Stuttering Treatment: Parents, Children, And Adolescents, Heather Darlene Salvo

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Perspectives of Stuttering Treatment:

Parents, Children, and Adolescents

By Heather D. Salvo

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee August 2016

Under the Supervision of Carol H. Seery

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Purpose. The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether age affects the perspectives of children (ages 8-12), adolescents (ages 13-17), and parents related to stuttering treatment experiences and outcomes. A secondary purpose of this study was to investigate whether the perspectives of children and adolescents regarding stuttering treatment experiences and outcome preferences differed from the perspective of their parents.

Participants. Participants required internet access and minors …

U.S. Ethnic Groups In The Journal Of Family Psychology: A Content Analysis, Jessica Croft Gilliland

Theses and Dissertations

Articles published in the Journal of Family Psychology over a 23-year period (1990-2012) were analyzed for their attention to ethnic groups in the United States. Articles were analyzed in terms of their ethnic population of interest, topic of study, funding sources, sample characteristics, and use of measures. Findings indicated that the journal has showed an increased focus on and sensitivity to issues relevant to ethnic groups in the U.S. However, there are several gaps in research for some groups, especially for Native American populations. Recommendations are offered to family science researchers, psychologists and other mental health professionals and educators.

The Effect Of Marital Therapy On Physical Affection, Tiffany Ann Migdat

Theses and Dissertations

Research indicates that marital satisfaction is associated with levels of physical affection between partners. This is important because there is evidence of physical and mental health benefits of physical affection. Although past research has shown that marital therapy increases levels of marital and sexual satisfaction, the association between marital therapy and physical affection has not been explored. This study used a treatment group and a control group of 108 married couples to assess the relationship between marital therapy and physical affection over a course of 12 weeks. Using structural equation modeling and an actor partner analytic model, results indicated that …

Does Self-Esteem Mediate The Effect Of Attachment On Relationship Quality, Alexis Lee

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the possible mediating effect of self-esteem on the relationship between attachment security and relationship quality. Previous studies have found a positive association between attachment style and relationship quality. One possible explanation for this link may be self-esteem, which has been shown to consistently predict relationship quality. Therefore, I hypothesized that self-esteem may mediate the relationship between attachment and relationship quality. A sample of 680 married couples that completed the sections on attachment, self-esteem, marital satisfaction, marital stability, and problem areas in the relationship of the RELATE questionnaire between 2011 and 2013 was …

Pathways To Marriage: Relationship History And Emotional Health As Individual Predictors Of Romantic Relationship Formation, Garret Tyler Roundy

Theses and Dissertations

The process of forming a committed, romantic relationship is described as a developmental phenomenon that cannot be accurately viewed without the context of prior relationship experiences because the social competencies that facilitate successful navigation of the tasks of relationship formation are developed in relationships. Furthermore, a cumulative relationship history that has a negative influence may lead to poor emotional health, further disrupting relationship formation processes through that mechanism. Hypotheses were tested using data from a prospective longitudinal study of participants (218 women, 174 men) who were not in a romantic relationship at initial data collection and reported on their relationship …

Implementing Prophylactic Amiodarone In Heart Surgery To Reduce Post -Operative Atrial Fibrillation, John M. Russell Msn, Apn, Fnp-Bc, Denise Wilson Phd, Apn, Fnp, Cde

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to evaluate a practice change of implementing peri-operative amiodarone infusion for cardiac surgical patients at a large northern Illinois hospital to reduce the incidence of post-operative atrial fibrillation. Evidence supports use of prophylactic amiodarone as a strategy to reduce its incidence. The sequelae of untreated post-op atrial fibrillation include increased risk of embolic stroke, extended hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs.

Data Sources: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgical Database is a validated research tool used to collect comprehensive data on its member surgeons. A pre/post intervention case-controlled retrospective study design …

Comparison Of Iron Supplementation And Albendazole On Anemia In Ghanaian Children, Megan M. Zitting

Theses and Dissertations

Half a billion school aged children suffer from anemia, with the majority of anemia caused by iron deficiency. Researchers have shown a strong correlation between low hemoglobin levels and presence of intestinal parasites in children with anemia. Childhood anemia has profound negative effects on physical growth, maturation, and cognitive development leading to poorer educational achievement. Using hemoglobin as a measure of anemia, this quasi-experimental study investigated impact of either iron supplementation or an antiparasitic medication on hemoglobin levels in two groups of children in a rural region of Eastern Ghana. Surprisingly, after a 6-month intervention period, hemoglobin levels in both …

Pediatric Icu Nurses' Suggestions Forimproving End-Of-Life Care, Jeremy Ratliff

Theses and Dissertations

Of the 34,000 children who die annually, over 28,000 are four years old or younger. Nurses working in pediatric intensive care units (PICU) provide end of life (EOL) care before, during, and after death of these children. The purpose of this study was to determine thesuggestions PICU nurses have for improving EOL care for dying pediatric patients and their families. A sample of 1047 PICU nurses, who were members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), were sent a 70-item questionnaire. One open ended item asked nurses to offer a suggestion for improving EOL care for dying PICU patients. …

Story Retell Narratives In Five School-Aged Children With Language Impairment, Megan Bradshaw Deere

Theses and Dissertations

Many children identified with Language Impairment (LI) demonstrate difficulty comprehending and producing narratives. Their narratives are often structurally less complex and of overall poorer quality than those produced by their typically developing peers. These difficulties may negatively impact the academic and social success of children with LI. This thesis evaluates the performance of five school-aged children with LI on a story retell probe embedded within an intervention designed to address their social and emotional language abilities. During the 10-week intervention, participants completed a series of story retell probes using wordless picture books. The story stimuli were taken from the Edmonton …

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Effects On Core Temperature, Hydration, Gastrointestinal Distress, And Performance In Exercising Humans, Dawn Marie Emerson

Theses and Dissertations

Naproxen is a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug designed to relieve pain and inflammation. Due to potentially adverse effects on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, cardiovascular and immune system, and renal function, naproxen may negatively affect thermoregulation, fluid and electrolyte balance, and performance during exercise, particularly in the heat. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of naproxen on core temperature (Tc), inflammation, hydration, GI distress, and performance during cycling in a hot environment. We utilized a double-blind, randomized and counterbalanced, cross-over design to determine the effects of naproxen (dose = 3 220 mg naproxen sodium pills) …

Sleep Disruption And Cancer Incidence In A Southeastern Veteran Population, Alexandria F. Delage

Theses and Dissertations

Sleep disruption influences biological processes that can facilitate carcinogenesis. However, studies examining the relationship between sleep disruption and cancer risk have been inconclusive. This retrospective cohort study used de-identified data from the Veterans Administration (VA) electronic medical record to test the hypothesis that sleep disorder diagnoses among Veterans seeking care in the Southeast United States Service Network are associated with increased risk for cancer of the prostate, breast, colorectum, or total cancer (1999-2010, N=663,869). Sleep disorders were defined as patients with an in- or out-patient diagnosis as specified by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders. Cancer cases were defined as …

Bayesian Semiparametric Quantile Regression For Clustered Data, Xin Tong

Theses and Dissertations

Traditional frequentist quantile regression makes few assumptions on the form of the error distribution and thus is able to accommodate non-normal errors. However, inference on the quantile regression models could be challenging for the unknown error distribution, though asymptotic or resampling methods were developed. Bayesian literature on quantile regression with random effects is relatively limited. The quantile regression approach proposed in this dissertation is founded on Bayesian probabilistic modeling for the underlying unknown distributions. By adopting the error density with a nonparametric scale mixture models, we developed Bayesian semiparametric models to make an inference on any quantile of interest and …

Low-Intensity Physical Activity And Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Among Older Adults With Multiple Chronic Conditions, Yueyao Li

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among older adults in the Unites States and is driven largely by cardiometabolic risk factors including elevated blood pressure and blood glucose. Studies have found the protective effect of moderate intensity physical activity (MIPA) and vigorous intensity physical activity (VIPA) on cardiometabolic risk factor; however, the association between light physical activity (LIPA) and cardiometabolic risk factor among older adults is not clear.

Objectives:

1. Examine the association between LIPA and cardiometabolic risk factors.
2. Examine whether the association between LIPA and cardiometabolic risk factor is moderated by multiple chronic conditions. …

Conversations About Sexuality On A Public University Campus: Exploring Perspectives From Campus Ministry Leaders And Students, Charis Rebecca Davidson

Theses and Dissertations

Since the 1800s, religious organizations have been a presence on public universities. However, there is limited research on the influence these organizations may have on student health communication and behaviors. Prior research on campus ministries has focused primarily on the culture of individual organizations. In this study, researchers explored the goals and experiences of USC leaders related to communication around sexuality with their students, as well as student perceptions of these messages, and how students incorporate religious messages about sexuality into their lives. The present study had four aims:

1. Assess whether students participating in campus ministries at USC differ …

Effectiveness Of Community-Based Eibi Treatment: A Longitudinal Analysis Of Adaptive Behavior And Language Outcomes, John Kuntz

Theses and Dissertations

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of lifelong, neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication, relationship development and by the presence of repetitive or stereotypical behaviors including restricted interests. Continued advances in understanding treatment outcomes and broadening access to effective treatment is critical to improving the quality of life of children with autism and their families and minimizing the cost associated with care. The overall aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a community-based implementation of an Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) treatment program through a large-sample, longitudinal secondary analysis of administrative data. Additionally, …

Prospective Assessment Of Health Disparities And Injury Risk Factors At Basic Combat Training At Ft. Jackson, Kristin Lescalleet

Theses and Dissertations

Numerous recruits for Basic Combat Training (BCT) for the Army fail to complete the course due to injury and time lost. This study was designed to provide a more thorough list of risk factors involved in injury and attrition through real-time data analysis throughout a cycle of BCT. Throughout BCT, a researcher was placed in the Battalion Aid Station (BAS) and recorded the reason for the visit, whether it was a new or existing condition, injury location, medical history, and how long this injury has been an issue. Several risk factors were tested: sex, age, and ethnicity/race. It was found …