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The Impact Of Humor On Energy, Tension, Task Choices, And Attributions: Exploring Hypotheses From Toughness Theory, Richard A. Dienstbier

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Hypotheses derived from toughness theory suggest that nonaggressive humor should lead to increased feelings of energy without influencing tension, to preferences for studying materials that require more effort and energy, and to ratings of mundane laboratory activities as more challenging but not more threatening. Eighty-one college-age men and women were randomly assigned to watch a 12-minute video of Bill Cosby's humor or to watch a nonhumorous control video that analyzed the Cosby comedy routine. The humor condition resulted in significant increases in feelings of energy but not in feelings of tension. The other hypotheses were also confirmed except that performance …

The Effectiveness Of A Preoperative Patient Education Handbook In Decreasing Anxiety Of Veterans Undergoing Elective Surgery, Garletta White Steen

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this experimental, pretest/posttest study was to examine the effectiveness of a preoperative patient education handbook developed by postanesthesia care unit (PACU) nurses in decreasing state anxiety of veterans undergoing minor elective surgery. State anxiety was measured by the State Anxiety Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, developed by Spielberger, Gorsuch, Luschene, Vagg, and Jacobs (1983). The population for the study was composed of veterans undergoing elective surgery in a hospital which is part of the South Texas Veterans Healthcare System. The sample consisted of 38 patients admitted to the hospital for a variety of minor elective surgeries. …

Optimal Survey Design For Community Intervention Evaluations: Cohort Or Cross-Sectional?, Paula Diehr

Paula Diehr

Community intervention evaluations that measure changes over time may conduct repeated cross-sectional surveys, follow a cohort of residents over time, or (often) use both designs. Each survey design has implications for precision and cost. To explore these issues, we assume that two waves of surveys are conducted, and that the goal is to estimate change in behavior for people who reside in the community at both times. Cohort designs are shown to provide more accurate estimates (in the sense of lower mean squared error) than cross-sectional estimates if (1) there is strong correlation over time in an individual's behavior at …

Effects Of An Aids Education Program On Nurses' Knowledge, Attitudes, And Intention To Behave Toward Patients With Hiv/Aids, Cezar Derla Dumago Jr.

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This pretest/posttest control group study design sought to determine the effects of an AIDS education program on nurses' knowledge, attitudes and intention to behave toward HIV-positive/AIDS patients. The study, based on Ajzen and Fishbein's Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), was conducted on a sample of 90 nurses (exp=45 Ss; con=45 Ss), randomly selected from among those employed in one large medical center in South Florida. Only the experimental group participated in a 2-hour AIDS education program. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, which included t-tests for non-independent samples and Pearson's correlation coefficients. Significance level was set at p.05. …

The Relationship Between Common Language And Length Of Treatment In Occupational Therapy, Nivia Liz Binett

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The diversity of ethnic and cultural groups and the effects of language in the therapeutic relationship are timely professional issues of concern to occupational therapy practitioners. The tri-ethnic, tri-cultural South Florida area offers a natural environment where one can study how patient-therapist interactions are influenced by language barriers in a diverse society. This study examines the effects of language on the adequacy of occupational therapy services, specifically how language affects the length of the treatment program. The nature of diagnosis therapists' ethnicity, and how they impact treatment outcomes are also addressed. A sample was drawn from the occupational therapy outpatient …

The Hardiness Of Adult Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse And Their Adaptation To A Healthy Adult Life Style, Myra P. Buttacavoli

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There are many negative consequences of childhood sexual abuse, (Browne Finkelhor, 1990). These effects do not vanish with adulthood and some adults stay scarred for life. However, it has been noted that some victims of childhood sexual abuse recover better than others regardless of the particular type of abuse. Could this adaptation be related to, or represent "hardiness" of the adult?

The purpose of this report is to explore the hardiness of adult victims of child sexual abuse and the adaptation strategies practiced. To achieve this goal, The Health Related Hardiness Scale, created by Susan Pollock, PhD. was adopted. Data …

Loss Associated With Chronic Illness: Application Of The Roy Adaptation Model, Linda M. Dehaan

Masters Theses

The Roy Adaptation Model guided this pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study to test an intervention addressing loss associated with chronic illness. Differences in adaptation and well-being were evaluated between control (n = 20) and experimental groups (n = 20) 30 days after intervention. Adaptation was measured by PAIS-SR scores and analyzed using ANCOVA to adjust for pretest differences. T-test and Mann-Whitney U was used to evaluate well-being as measured by the Global Well-being Scale. Changes in adaptation were not significantly different between groups, but well-being improved 12.8% in the experimental group as compared with 1.4% in the control group. Inconsistency of results …

Hospice Nurses' Attitudes On Active Voluntary Euthanasia, Belinda Arjona Godfrey

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Active voluntary euthanasia is one of the most controversial issues in the nursing and legal systems today. The purpose of this study was to explore hospice nurses' attitudes on active voluntary euthanasia (AVE). One hundred useable questionnaires were collected, for a response rate of 33%. The questionnaires included demographic data, four vignettes which described a patient care situation and possible responses to AVE, questions on awareness of organizations and legislation that promote legalization of AVE, and questions on adequate pain relief. The findings revealed fifty - three percent of the nurses supported AVE. Eighty - three per cent of the …

Physical Therapy Recruitment And Retention Strategies Of Hospitals In The Us, Laura Burgos

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hospitals are seeing a reduction of physical therapy (PT) staff due to increased opportunities and competition. Planning effective recruitment and retention strategies for PTs in hospital settings may play an important role in reducing the problem. The primary purpose of this descriptive research was to compile information on recruitment and retention strategies used for physical therapists working in hospital settings. Four hundred surveys were mailed nationwide to hospital-based physical therapy managers. Strategies most commonly used were: attractive benefit package, interdisciplinary teams, competitive salaries, and student employment. The least used strategies used were: sign-on bonus, incentive pay programs, recruitment and retention …

Selective Increases In Antibody Isotypes And Immunoglobulin G Subclass Responses To Secreted Antigens In Tuberculosis Patients And Healthy Household Contacts Of The Patients, R Hussain, G Dawood, N Abrar, Z Toossi, A Minai, M Dojki, J J. Ellner

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antibodies (immunoglobulin M [IgM], IgE, IgG, and IgG subclasses) were determined in 164 tuberculosis patients (pulmonary involvement, n = 135; lymph node involvement, n = 29), 59 healthy household contacts (HC), and 51 healthy endemic donors (EC) by a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for reactivity with culture filtrate. Among the isotypes, significant differences between tuberculosis patient groups with either pulmonary or lymph node involvement and healthy control groups (HC and EC) were detected only for IgG (P < 0.001) and IgG1 (P < 0.001) antibodies. Pulmonary patients also showed a significant difference with IgM (P < 0.01) and IgE (P < 0.05) antibodies. HC showed elevation of only IgM antibodies compared with EC, indicating that IgM antibodies may be an indicator of recent infection with M. tuberculosis. These results suggest that the switching of IgM antibody response to IgG1 is a critical event in disease progression. Polyclonal IgG1, IgG3, and IgE antibodies also showed significant elevation (P < 0.05) in patients compared with EC. A strong correlation (rho = 0.254; P < 0.003) was observed between M. tuberculosis-specific IgG1 and polyclonal IgG1 in patients, suggesting that activations of antigen-specific and polyclonal antibodies are related events. No correlation was found between IgG1 antibodies and purified protein derivative skin test results. Since IgG1 antibody responses to culture filtrate are present only after disease establishment, IgG1 responses could provide a useful diagnostic marker of disease.

News On Tap (Autumn 1995), Eve Cimmel, The Aids Project

News on TAP (1995)

No abstract provided.

Monopsony Power And Relative Wages In The Labor Market For Nurses, Barry T. Hirsch, Edward J. Schumacher

Health Care Administration Faculty Research

This paper examines the thesis that monopsony power is an important determinant of wages in nursing labor markets. Using data from the 1985-93 Current Population Surveys, measures of relative nursejnon-nurse wage rates for 252 labor markets are constructed. Contrary to predictions from the monopsony model, no positive relationship exists between relative nursing wages and hospital density or market size. Nor is support found for the presence of monopsony power based on evidence on union wage premiums, slopes of experience profiles, or the mix of RN to total hospital employment.

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 37 Number 4, Fall 1995, Santa Clara University

Santa Clara Magazine

8 - OF QUARKS, OBJECT IDENTIFICATION, AND PORPHYRIN MOLECULES SCU undergraduates get a taste of scientific research. By Miriam Schulman

14 - WHAT'S YOUR BOTTOM LINE? By investing in mutual funds that reflect their values, an increasing number of shareholders hope to put their money where their morals are. But can socially responsible investing really change the world? By Jeff Brazil ' 85

22 - A BIG ENOUGH UMBRELLA Tens of thousands of women from around the world gather for a unifying-albeit rainy- conference in China. Photographs By Kim Johnson ' 87

26 - THE ART OF MATHEMATICS For every …

Basics Of Research (Part 4): Research Study Design (Part 2), Cheryl Thompson, Edward A. Panacek, Eric Davis

Journal Articles: College of Nursing

No abstract provided.

A Feminist Understanding Of Sex-Selective Abortion: Solely A Matter Of Choice, April L. Cherry

Law Faculty Articles and Essays

This essay consists of five sections. The first section describes the problem of sex-selective abortion, including an analysis of sociological data regarding adult preference for male children and its current effects. Section Two discusses various philosophical paradigms and analyses of sex-selective abortion with the goal of developing a coherent philosophical base from which to argue for a policy regarding sex-selective abortion which furthers the goals of gender equality. Section Three addresses the constitutionality of sex-selective abortion prohibitions in light of the Supreme Court's pronouncement in Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey. Section Four outlines the liberal feminist response to …

The Relationship Between Levels Of Dentist Supervision And The Ability Of Dental Hygienists In Nontraditional Settings To Provide Care, Julie Ann Dunphy

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to determine if a relationship exists between levels of dentist supervision and the ability of dental hygienists in nontraditional settings to provide care, and to ascertain differences in the ability of dental hygienists practicing in legal jurisdictions with direct, indirect, general, and no dentist supervision. The Dental Hygiene supervision in Nontraditional settings Questionnaire (DHSNSQ) was sent to a purposive sample consisting of dental hygienists employed in nontraditional settings within one of the four levels of dentist supervision. The levels of dentist supervision were based on criteria, education, and competence, stipulated by each of the …

Affective Reactions, Social Support And Willingness To Self-Disclose To Hiv Seropositive Individuals: Impact Of Sexual Orientation And Responsibility For The Infection, Susan Paige Sherburne

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

An attributional model of controllability suggests that perceptions of someone's controllability of an event lead to anger and rejection, whereas perceptions of uncontrollability lead to pity and helping. This study examined the impact of an HIV victim's sexual orientation and "responsibility" for infection on subjects' affective responses, self-disclosure to the person, social support, and liking and trust for the person. Subjects received messages from their "partner" (a confederate) stating that he had just learned he was HIV positive. The message either stated that he was heterosexual or homosexual, and that he had either only one partner or many partners. Subjects …

Mmpi And Rorschach Findings Of Individuals Approved For Gender Reassignment Surgery, Gregory Ralph Caron

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Both clinical experience and empirical data from psychological tests present a picture of extreme clinical variation among those individuals who request gender reassignment surgery. Results of past empirical studies utilizing the MMPI and the Rorschach Test have tended to be equivocal regarding the level and nature of psychopathology associated with samples of gender dysphorics. These past studies are considered limited particularly in terms of methodological problems related to statistical power. This present study examined the nature and degree of psychopathology in a sample of candidates approved for gender reassignment surgery as reflected on their MMPI-2 clinical scale values and scores …

Views Of Feminist Family Therapy: A Q-Methodological Inquiry, Bronwen Cheek

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The feminist critique of family therapy has had a growing impact on theory and practice for almost two decades (Hare-Mustin, 1978; Bograd, 1990). Writings on feminist family therapy (FFT) reveal both common and diverse opinions about what FFT is. The present study examined how views of FFT are segmented using Q-methodology (Stephenson, 1953; Brown, 1980; McKeown & Thomas, 1988), a small-sample empirical technique for identifying emergent viewpoints and studying their similarities and differences. A Q-sort instrument of 60 statements was constructed to sample diverse discourse on FFT. Magraw's (1992) interviews with leading experts in FFT served as a primary source …

Impact Of Spinal Cord Injury On The Life Roles Of Women., M Claire Quigley

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

This qualitative study was conducted to explore and describe the role experience of five women whose lives were disrupted by a traumatic spinal cord injury and who later returned to their communities after completing intensive rehabilitation programs. In-depth interviews and participant observations were used to examine the experiences of these women. The findings exemplify how the women's use of adaptation and negotiation and the development of a new role as self-advocate facilitated the reestablishment of their life roles. As the women's occupational roles were redefined, the processes of adaptation and negotiation were evident in three aspects of their lives: daily …

Computer-Assisted Instruction As A Learning Resource For Applied Anatomy And Kinesiology In The Occupational Therapy Curriculum., Susan Toth-Cohen

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of these studies was to examine the learning outcomes of a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) tutorial in applied anatomy and kinesiology for occupational therapy students and to determine its applicability for use in two university settings.

METHOD: Two separate pilot studies were conducted at two universities. In each study, the learning outcomes of an experimental group of occupational therapy students using a CAI program and a control group using books to study the same material were compared. Learning outcomes were assessed with post-test achievement test scores on an applied anatomy and kinesiology test and responses to an attitude …

Colloquium - Gender, Law And Health Care: New Perspectives For Teaching And Scholarship: The Role Of Gender In Law And Health Care, Karen H. Rothenberg

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Relationship Between Hardiness And Compliance To Diabetic Treatment Regimes With Diabetes, Karen Nichols Reece

MSN Research Projects

Over 3 million elders in the United States are afflicted with diabetes mellitus. This number is predicted to rise as the number of elders continues to increase. Hardiness is a personality characteristic that has been shown to help people adapt more effectively to chronic illness. Little is known about the relationship between hardiness and compliance to diabetic treatment regimens. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to determine if there was a relationship between hardiness and compliance to diabetic treatment regimens in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus. Becker's Health Belief Model served as the theoretical framework for this study. …

A Comparison Of Children's Knowledge Levels About Cardiovascular Fitness And Nutrition Before And After A Teaching Module, Susanne Isbell

MSN Research Projects

Many diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, are often the result of specific lifestyle behaviors or habits which can develop in childhood. Growing evidence suggests high levels of cardiovascular risk prevalence among school-aged children. Teaching strategies that are effective in seeking to promote health and well-being in children need to be developed and empirically evaluated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in pre and posttest knowledge levels about cardiovascular fitness and nutrition after a teaching module. Nola J. Pender's Health Promotion Model served as a guide for this research. The design used for …

Health Locus Of Control And Health Behaviors In Hiv/Aids Individuals, Brian W. Higgerson

MSN Research Projects

Since the early 1980s AIDS has become a major pandemic. Health care practices and the motivational factors influencing these behaviors have become essential elements for health care providers to implement individualized care for persons with HIV or AIDS. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to determine the relationship between health care behaviors and the Health Locus of Control in HIV/AIDS individuals. The Health Belief Model was used as the theoretical framework. The hypothesis stated that there would be no correlation between health care behaviors and the health locus of control in HIV/AIDS individuals. A convenience sample of HIV/AIDS …

Patient Satisfaction With The Nurse Practitioner, Diane Mcmahen

MSN Research Projects

Due to the increased need for nurse practitioners to provide primary health care and the current national emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention, nurse practitioners can help solve the health care delivery dilemma. The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify the level of satisfaction for patients who received care by a nurse practitioner. Orem's Nursing Systems Theory was utilized to guide the study. The research questions were is there a difference in the perception of patient satisfaction when comparing nurse practitioners and physicians as health care providers? and do demographic variables correlate to patient use of a …

Residents' And Nursing Staff's Perceptions Of The Needs Of Nursing Home Residents, Joan M. Pritchard

MSN Research Projects

Historically, perceptions of nursing home residents have been based on stereotypes which compromise individuality. Care has been structured for efficiency of the organization, with staff emphasis on activities of daily living (ADL). Indeed, most residents move into nursing homes when they can no longer manage alone. The purpose of this descriptive study was to replicate research by Lindgren and Linton (1991) which focused on perceptions of residents' needs in nursing homes. Pender's Health Promotion Model provided the theoretical framework. The following research question was addressed : Do residents and nursing staff differ in their perceptions of residents' needs in nursing …

Women's Perception Of Heart Disease As A Health Risk Associated With Identified Risk Factors, Kathy Mckay

MSN Research Projects

Heart disease has been identified as the leading cause of death in women in the United States, affecting an estimated 21,000 women under the age of 65. While these figures are alarming, population survey data have shown women do not perceive heart disease as a priority health problem- The purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate women's perception of heart disease as a health risk. The Health Belief Model served as the theoretical framework for this study. Two research questions guided this study: Is there a significant correlation between selected demographic variables and perception of heart disease as a …

The Health Locus Of Control Of Women Who Have Successfully Lost Weight In Weight Reduction Programs, Tami Babette Johnson

MSN Research Projects

Since obesity and oversight continue to be prevalent health care problems affecting 45% of adult women in the United States, health care providers must understand the factors which influence an individual to participate in weight reduction activities. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to determine if there was a relationship between health locus of control and successful weight loss among women in weight reduction programs. Pender's Health Promotion Model was used as the conceptual framework for the study. The research hypothesis for this study was there is a positive relationship between internal locus of control and successful …

Factors Associated With Safer Sex Practices Among College Freshmen, Renee Johnson Lyles

MSN Research Projects

Adolescents and young adults have engaged in sexual behaviors that increase the risk of becoming infected with HIV. Thus, this descriptive correlational study examined the relationship of knowledge of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), misconceptions about AIDS, knowledge of safer sex practices, perceived susceptibility, and future time perspective to the practice of safer sex behaviors in single, sexually active college freshmen. The theoretical framework was the Health Belief Model. The research question was what is the relationship between college freshmen who practice safer sex behaviors and their knowledge of AIDS, misconceptions about AIDS, knowledge of safer sex practices, perceived susceptibility, and …