Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding The Relationship Between Perceived Childhood Experiences And Relationship With God, Remaz Bahaa

Theses and Dissertations

The present study explores the relationship between perceived childhood experiences and one’s current relationship with God in an Egyptian Muslim sample. While such relationship has been researched in Western contexts, there is a notable gap in understanding these dynamics within Muslim Middle Eastern cultures. In this study, 180 participants, brought up in Muslim households, were given the following questionnaires: both versions of the Parental Acceptance Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ) referring to the father and mother, Attachment to God Inventory (AGI), and Images of God (LAMBI Scale). The results presented the internal consistency of both the AGI and LAMBI scales with the …

The Psychological Significance Of Cultural And Religious Values Among The Arab Population, Michel Sherif Mikhail

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Values, which are the guiding principles and beliefs of our lives, have an influence over one’s psychological health. This study aims to investigate how Schwartz’s four higher-order values (conservation, openness to change, self-transcendence, and self-enhancement) and religious values influence psychological health among the Arab population. Methods: A total of 1,023 respondent from nine Arab countries aged 18 to 71 filled an online survey with measures of the following constructs: Schwartz’s four higher-order values (Portrait Value Questionnaire-21), religious values (Sahin’s Index of Islamic Moral Values), and general psychological health (General Health Questionnaire-28). Results: Two models of multiple regression were …

Repetitive Thinking, Social Connectedness, And Distressing Sexual Experiences In Autistic And Non-Autistic Students: Examining Social-Cognitive Risk Factors And Mental Health During The College Transition, Erin Elizabeth Mckenney

Theses and Dissertations

The prevention and treatment of mental health concerns are consistently named among autistic adults’ highest clinical and research priorities. While several theories have been proposed to explain the high prevalence of depression and anxiety in autistic populations, virtually no longitudinal research has evaluated causal mechanisms. The first study in this dissertation aims to explore how known contributors to depression and anxiety identified by general population research – namely, rumination, dissatisfaction with social connectedness, and distressing sexual experiences – relate to the development of internalizing symptoms in autistic individuals during the transition to college. The second study explores potential contributors to …

Stress And Coping Mechanisms Of Non-Traditional International Doctoral Students, Ndidi Patience Iwuagwu

Theses and Dissertations

Higher education institutions are battling with the shrinking enrollment rate of students and the various college alternatives (Drozdowski, 2022); however, it has been evidenced in the literature that these issues can be augmented with international student enrollments and adult learners (Donaldson, 2022). Pursuing a doctoral degree is a tedious move (Devonport & Lane, 2014), and leaving one’s comfort zone to study in a different land for non-traditional international students can be exhausting due to the responsibilities at hand. Thus, this qualitative study examines the stressors experienced by non-traditional international doctoral students, the coping mechanisms utilized in the cause of these …

Hospital Provider Knowledge Of Behavioral Function And Management Of Severe Behavior For Patients With Autism, Giovanna Salvatore Devito

Theses and Dissertations

Hospital patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may engage in various topographies of severe behavior, with higher rates of restraint implemented than for their neurotypical counterparts. Qualitative research suggests that physician knowledge of function-based intervention is limited. Multidisciplinary behavior management teams were developed to decrease restraint across general hospital patients. In Study 1, the research team developed the Knowledge of Behavioral Function (KoBF) survey measure, using an iterative user-centered development process and administered the measure to multidisciplinary physicians and trainees. Results indicated low knowledge of behavioral function, with a mean percent correct of 66.60% on close-ended survey items and 14% …

Exploring The Role Of English Only Early Childhood Education Participation For Spanish Speaking Multilingual Learners’ Long-Term Academic Outcomes, Jennifer Moore Vice-Reshel

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate Spanish-speaking multilingual learner (MLL) students’ long-term academic outcomes after participation in an early childhood education (ECE) program with English instruction. The study included 359 Spanish-speaking MLLs who qualified for Free and Reduced Lunch from Grade 1 to Grade 6. Participants entered a large suburban public school district in the Midwest in Kindergarten in the 2014-2015, 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years. In this study, 186 MLLs participated in an English Only Early Childhood Education (EO ECE) program and 173 MLLs did not participate in an EO ECE (No-EO ECE) program housed within the …

Friendly, But Not Friends: Forensics Competitors' Relational Framing Of Compliments From Opponents, Benjamin Lee Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Prior research highlights the social benefits competitors gain from participation in intercollegiate forensics. Although competitors often interact with members of opposing teams, however, little empirical research exists explaining how competitor interactions unfold and how the outcomes of these exchanges contribute to the larger social environment between competitors in the intercollegiate forensics community. Using a framework informed by relational framing theory (RFT; Dillard et al., 1996) and relational turbulence theory (Solomon et al., 2016), this study explores how competitors make sense of compliments from their opponents. Collegiate forensics competitors (N = 121) were recruited to participate in an online survey and …

Optimizing Collaboration: A Qualitative Analysis Of Bone Marrow Transplant Provider Perceptions Of Palliative Care Roles, Madeline Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT), also referred to as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HPSCT), is a medical procedure utilized to treat a range of malignant and non-malignant diseases including leukemias, lymphomas, aplastic anemia, immune deficiency disorders, solid tumor cancers, and more (Champlin, 1990; Bone Marrow Transplantation, 2021; Franjul Sanchez et al., 2020). BMT patients typically experience symptoms associated with induction or condition regiments that are especially burdensome, including but not limited to pain, mucositosis, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, psychological, spiritual, and emotional concerns that may not be thoroughly addressed through their primary oncology and BMT teams alone (Ruiz et al., 2017). …

Comparison Of Previously Established Risk Factors In Predicting Ptsd Symptom Severity In The First Six Months Post-Trauma, Sebastiane Chen

Theses and Dissertations

This study aims to improve our understanding of the predictive value of previously identified risk factors for the severity of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms after a traumatic event. We recruited 178 participants from an Emergency Department and assessed four constructs previously associated with PTSD in the first few weeks after trauma and their relationship to PTSD symptom severity at six-month follow-up. Using structural equation modeling we examined four latent variables as predictors of PTSD symptom severity, cognitive attributions, trauma history, emotion response and regulation, and socioeconomic factors, along with two mediators, sleep quality and self-perceived pain. Our findings indicate …

Trajectories Of Depression Severity In The First Semester Of College, Nicole A. Kelso

Theses and Dissertations

Depression is a major public health concern among students in higher education. Prior work suggests that depressive symptoms increase during the transition to college. Transfer students face unique challenges during the transition to a new academic institution that may make them particularly vulnerable. There is a critical need to expand prevention efforts. Research that improves identification of students at greatest risk for developing impairing depressive symptoms, and etiological processes contributing to depressive symptoms could aid in the provision of limited prevention resources. Furthermore, longitudinal research tracking symptom trajectories during the transition to college could help inform the timing of preventive …

Improving Pitch Recognition By Fading Visual Prompts, Joshua Lawrence Ford

Theses and Dissertations

Behavioral Science and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) provides tools and technologies that can be used by players, coaches, and researchers to enhance the traditional training for student athletes. The current study was designed to examine whether stimulus prompts would facilitate collegiate baseball player’s accuracy of pitch identification for three pitches. A secondary measure was to decrease the latency from the launch of a pitch to identification of the pitch. Decreases in the latency of a hitter recognizing a pitch and increases in pitch recognition accuracy were noted using visual analysis. Stimulus fading showed mixed results across participants. Future directions and …

The Dark Side Of Engagement: An Organizational Fairness Perspective, Katherine Naomi Rau

Theses and Dissertations

Employee engagement has long been regarded as a positive phenomenon for organizations and individuals. However, recent investigations into unintended, negative consequences of engagement have illuminated the potential “dark side” of engagement. This research applied an organizational fairness lens by investigating the relationship between engagement and psychological contract fulfillment to explain why engaged employees may experience emotional exhaustion and turnover intentions. Additionally, autotelic personality and job crafting were explored as potential mitigating factors in weakening the relationships between psychological contract breach and emotional exhaustion and turnover intention. While findings across two studies did not support the assertion that engagement was related …

The Role Of Self In Self-Control Dilemmas: Self-Concept, Conflict, And Self-Conscious Emotions, Jasmina (Mina) Milosevic

Theses and Dissertations

Self-control dilemmas, typically defined as an internal conflict between short-term allurements and long-term goals, are a common feature of everyday life. How such dilemmas are handled is often viewed as a measure of one’s self-control, thus carrying significant implications for an individual. Despite a large body of research that has been amassed on this topic, a complete picture of how self-control dilemmas are processed and resolved still eludes us. In the present research, we bring attention to a largely unexplored aspect of self-control, the role of self-concept in shaping self-control efforts. We combined surveys, hypothetical scenarios, and experience sampling data …

The Evaluation Of Non-Specific Risk Indicators In Improving Detection Of Psychosis-Spectrum Liability, Thomas W. O'Kane

Theses and Dissertations

Psychosis-spectrum disorders remain a leading cause of disability for both individuals and society, with early identification and prevention efforts representing a promising avenue of research for addressing these concerns. One potential impediment to improving early risk identification is the historical focus on indicators thought to be exclusive to the psychosis-spectrum. This focus often comes at the expense of non-specific risk factors (e.g., disrupted sleep, adverse childhood experiences) which contribute to the risk of developing psychosis as well as other mental illnesses. Research suggests the inclusion of these non-specific factors may improve our ability to identify those at risk. The present …

Reforming Egypt’S Alternative Child Care System Through Deinstitutionalization: An Assessment Of The Current Status And Readiness To Change In The Residential Care Sector, Dina Elbawab

Theses and Dissertations

The main objective of this study was to assess the current status and readiness of the sector of residential care institutions for children to take part in the deinstitutionalization of children in alternative care in Egypt. The assessment was carried out using an adapted version of the Community Readiness Model (CRM), a tool developed by the Tri-Ethnic Center at Colorado State University. Accordingly, the assessment comprised semi-structured interviews with fourteen key informants to assess the following six readiness dimensions: efforts, knowledge of the efforts, leadership, community climate, knowledge of the issue, and resources related to the issue. The study briefly …

University Students' Wellbeing: A Case Study Of An International Private University In Egypt, Alia Attia

Theses and Dissertations

Wellbeing is a crucial topic that is gaining increasing attention in higher education and should be taken into careful consideration. This is a qualitative case study, using a phenomenological approach, which explores the phenomenon of student wellbeing in an international private university in Egypt. Data was collected through semi-structured individual interviews with a total of fourteen participants: eight purposefully selected students who have taken part in wellbeing programs, initiatives, or events at the American University in Cairo (AUC), as well as six faculty/staff members, leaders, mentors, or coaches in the field were interviewed. In addition to the interviews, conversations were …

The Relationship Between Cognitive Impairment In Psychiatric Patients And Readmission Rate To An Inpatient Facility, Cherilyn Isis Schuff

Theses and Dissertations

The primary intention of this study was to further understand the impact of assessing cognitive impairment in psychiatric patients, as a mediating factor on readmission rates. Mild cognitive dysfunction impacts a patient’s functional outcomes (Bowie & Harvey, 2006; Davis et al., 2012; Marcantonio, et al., 2001). Little information exists to guide best practices in the treatment of adults with cognitive impairment who are hospitalized for acute conditions (Davis et al., 2012). A cognitive impairment may impact patient prognosis and ability to function outside of a setting focused on stabilization. Neuropsychological testing is a valuable tool in predicting a patient’s cognitive …

Resisting Internalized Stigma (Ris): Acceptability And Feasibility Of A Cognitive Behavioral Stigma Intervention For Early Psychosis, Francesca Maria Crump

Theses and Dissertations

The clinical high-risk state for psychosis (CHR-P) was created to help identify individuals experiencing early signs of psychosis to help forestall worsening symptoms. CHR-P individuals may experience stigma that may stem from internal or external processes, including from receiving specialized care. Research has demonstrated associations between internalized stigma and psychosocial and functional outcomes, which underscores the need for interventions to help mitigate the impact of stigma while balancing the need for treatment. To date, there is only one stigma intervention specifically designed for individuals designated as CHR-P, which is psychoeducational in nature. Based on the recent call to action that …

Determining The More Effective Behavior Analytic Intervention For Children With Autism Who Exhibit Pica Behaviors, Jennifer J. Lanham

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Determining the More Effective Behavior Analytic Intervention for Children With Autism Who Exhibit Pica Behaviors. Jennifer J. Lanham, 2024: Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: autism, pica, eating disorders, intervention, applied behavior analysis

This dissertation was designed to determine which behavior analytic intervention was more effective in the treatment and reduction of mouthing non-nutritive substances in children diagnosed with autism. This study included four participants in an A-B-A reversal design with a component analysis across four intervention phases. The study participants were enrolled in a center-based treatment environment …

A Year As A Monk Parakeet, Eric Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

Monk parakeets are a species of parrot native to subtropical and temperate regions of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia that have been introduced to many parts of the world. Monk Parakeets have lived in Brooklyn, New York since the 1970s and many myths and legends surround how these birds came to live here. This thesis is a description of the behavior of monk parakeets in Brooklyn, New York’s Greenwood Cemetery based on observations I conducted twice a week from January through October of 2023. Because of the unusual nature of this population of parakeets as well as their unique …

Learning From One’S Own Errors Vs From Observing Other People's Errors: Ego Engagement Vs Ego Threat, Viktoriya Andreevskaya

Theses and Dissertations

Do people learn better from their own errors or from observing other people’s errors? A sense of ego-threat may impede learning from negative corrective feedback directed to self. A series of two experiments manipulated the degree of ego-threat between subjects. In the neutral ego-threat condition, results showed better learning from self-generated errors.

Individual Concepts And Personal Identity Judgement, Molly M. Ye

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research into personal identity judgments has yielded conflicting outcomes. This paper introduces an alternative argument, proposing that the concept PERSON and HUMAN BEING provide different ways of thinking about the identity of people. Two experiments in this study provide evidence for this claim.

A Comparison Of Low-Intensity Cbt Programs: Evaluating The Effects Of Design On Rebt Interventions, Alexey Dantes Breuss

Theses and Dissertations

Low-Intensity CBT interventions have become more popular over the years due to the expanding use of the internet and technology. A particular subset of Low-Intensity CBT, phone-based apps, have become more available on app-stores. The research literature on phone-based apps has not kept up in pace in comparison to the development of new applications. This leaves the quality and efficacy of such apps to be left untested. Furthermore, most applications are dominated by a Beck’s Cognitive Therapy (CT) approach, with more Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) apps on the horizon. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) has been largely neglected within the …

A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Psychosocial Interventions For Early Childhood Problems, Ages 0-5, Hara Stephanou

Theses and Dissertations

Early childhood consists of important developmental milestones, including the acquisition of daily living skills, including toileting, feeding, and sleep. While previous reviews have focused on interventions for some childhood problems, no single study has broadly assessed interventions across common presenting problems in children ages 0-5. This study systematically reviewed 41 studies on interventions for externalizing (23 studies), internalizing (3), sleep (11), feeding (3), and toileting (1) using meta-analytic methods where applicable. Overall, externalizing interventions were effective (TX1 Hedges' g = -.60; TX2 g = -.51) and largely homogeneous. Individual interventions reduced externalizing behaviors more than group or self-guided interventions (TX1 …

From The Deceptive Delinquent To The Illusive Illicit Alien: A Qualitative Study Of 21st Century United States Border Security Law Enforcement’S Capabilities, Competencies, And Capacities Designed To Counter Transient Criminality Recruitment, Christopher C. Palme

Theses and Dissertations

The transient criminal enterprise progressively evolved through expansion of illicit trafficking pathways throughout the 21st century. Scholars and practitioners share roles and responsibilities in missed opportunities to combat transient criminality. The Intelligence Community’s intelligence process is deficient in timely production and dissemination of their products. Starting with the transient criminality recruitment process, a correlated lack of psychosocial training programs dedicated to countering the transient crime threat exists. This study is rooted in sociological theory. It addresses Homeland Security dilemmas through the theoretical lens of sociology of security (Bajc, 2013) and is enhanced by concepts from Social Identity (Tajfel, 1979), Social …

Change In Rape Myth Acceptance As A Function Of Sexual Assault Experiences: A Prospective Analysis, Danielle Suzanne Citera

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, one in five women reports experiencing sexual assault while in college. Rape myths, or stereotypical beliefs that serve to blame survivors (i.e., “She Asked For It” and “She Lied”) and exonerate sexual assault perpetrators (“He Didn’t Mean To”), may influence how women conceptualize their own sexual assault experiences and relatedly, their post-assault functioning. Several demographic characteristics, including race and ethnicity, generational status, education level, sexual orientation, and religiosity, have been found to be associated with rape myth acceptance (RMA). Researchers have reported mixed findings, however, regarding the association between sexual assault history and RMA. This study …

A Longitudinal Examination Of The Relations Between Racial Discrimination And Executive Function, Aldona Chorzepa

Theses and Dissertations

Discrimination has been linked to changes in executive function. This relationship may explain links between discrimination and adverse health and mental health outcomes, including depression, substance use, and health behavior. To date, the research examining this question has been limited, as the majority of studies reviewed employed experimental manipulations for discrimination exposure and tested acute same-day effects in the lab. Clarifying the extent to which exposure to discrimination impacts executive function over time in young adults is crucial to identifying opportunities for intervention. The current study evaluates the relations of both recent and lifetime exposure to racial discrimination to three …

Variability In Perceptions Of Complementary Health Approaches Among Graduate Student Trainees, Delaney C. Bilodeau

Theses and Dissertations

Complementary Health Approaches (CHAs) encompass a diverse range of practices which are often used both independently and alongside conventional medical treatments. Understanding how graduate students training in different fields perceive CHAs is important because these professional trainees will go on to occupy roles as healthcare practitioners, researchers, policy makers, and consumers. This study used sequential rank agreement methods (Ekstrøm, Gerds, & Jensen, 2019) to investigate variations in perceptions of CHAs in a sample of graduate students (N = 416) from 140 possible training programs. Ratings of CHA familiarity, perceptions of CHA legitimacy, and willingness to recommend CHAs were compared …

Fitbit Engagement In An Health Physical Activity Intervention For Young Adult Cancer Survivors: A Secondary Analysis Of The Impact Randomized Controlled Trial, Jessica Gomez Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Wearable devices allow for objective remote and real-time data collection and have been increasingly popular among the general public and in mHealth activity (PA) interventions. Despite this, our knowledge of feasibility and efficacy for using wearable devices to increase PA among a particularly vulnerable population—young adult cancer survivors age 18-39 (YACS)—is limited. Engaging in physical activity while undergoing cancer treatment contributes to reduced risk for recurrence and secondary cancers, and can also help to manage treatment side effects. However, there are a multitude of barriers to PA engagement among cancer survivors, with YACS in particular demonstrating low rates of PA. …

African American Adolescents' Exposure To Community Firearm Violence And Associated Factors, Colleen S. Walsh

Theses and Dissertations

Firearm violence is a public health crisis in the United States that disproportionately impacts African American adolescents and families living in economically marginalized communities. The current firearm violence exposure literature includes a limited focus on the (a) the identification of risk and promotive factors that influence the likelihood of exposure to community firearm violence, (b) is cross-sectional, (c) focuses on outcomes of firearm violence exposure, and (d) does not examine bi-directional relations to determine if risk and promotive factors are causes and/or consequences of firearm violence exposure. This gap in research is further exacerbated by the limited focus on African …