Digital Commons Network^™

Coping Among Advocates With And Without Lived Experience Of Sexual Assault, Martina Mihelicova

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Volunteer sexual assault survivor advocates are vital to the provision of services by rape crisis centers. Volunteer advocates are exposed to trauma by witnessing the emotional and psychological impact of sexual assault on survivors. Trauma exposure places providers at risk for experiencing negative outcomes, such as vicarious trauma or secondary traumatic stress. Additionally, advocates who are survivors of sexual assault may be at higher risk for these negative outcomes. However, trauma exposure can also be a source of positive outcomes, such as posttraumatic growth. Focusing on advocate strengths, such as coping and self-care strategies that help advocates overcome distress during …

Toward Improving Metalloenzyme Inhibitor Design: A Thermodynamic Study Of Small Molecule Interactions With Copper(Ii), Cobalt(Ii) And Manganese(Ii), Fatimah Aldakheel

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

This work aimed at understanding the interactions of 1) three physiologically relevant transition metal ions copper(II), cobalt(II) and manganese(II) with five tri- or tetra-dentate metal chelators (ligand or L) and 2) the resulting ML complexes with two known metalloenzyme inhibitors, 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) and acetohydroxamic acid (AHA). The ultimate goal of the work was to identify ligands that can form enzyme active site M²⁺ structural mimetics capable of interacting with metalloenzyme active site inhibitors. The ligands studied were N-(2-(1-methylimidazolyl)methyl)iminodiacetic acid (DA2Im), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TREN), tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA), and bis(2-picolyl)amine (BPA) and they were chosen to mimic the coordination environment …

Effects Of Pedagogical Agent Design On Training Evaluation Measures: A Meta-Analysis, Timothy J. Quesnell

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Pedagogical agents are, "conversational virtual characters employed in electronic learning environments to serve various instructional functions" (Veletsianos & Miller, 2008). They can take a variety of forms, and have been designed to serve various instructional roles, such as mentors, experts, motivators, and others. Given the increased availability and sophistication of technology in recent decades, these agents have become increasingly common as facilitators to training in educational settings, private institutions, and the military. Software to aid in the creation of pedagogical agents is widely available. Additionally, software use and agent creation often requires little formal training, affording nearly anyone the opportunity …

Individual And Contextual Factors And The Efficacy Of An Experiential Sexism Intervention, Samantha M. Smith

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a sexism-focused diversity training program. More specifically, this study examined the direct and indirect relationships between individual characteristics (i.e., gender, self-efficacy, and reactance), contextual factors (i.e., organizational diversity climate) and diversity training outcomes and training transfer. To test hypotheses, graduate and undergraduate students participated in a two-stage study (baseline and intervention stages), with the intervention consisting of a 90-minute sexism-focused diversity training workshop. Data from one hundred and forty participants were retained for regression analyses. Results suggest the workshop was generally effective at reducing endorsement of sexist attitudes, improving …

The Longitudinal Effects Of Violence Exposure On Delinquency And Academic Outcomes For African-American Youth, Adina Cooper

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

There are millions of violent crimes reported each year in communities across the United States, disproportionately affecting ethnic minority and low-income communities. Violence exposure has harmful effects on residents and significant implications for adolescent development. Youth who are exposed to violence are at greater risk for problem behaviors and experiences, including delinquency and low academic performance (Baskin & Sommers, 2014; Patton, Wooley, & Hong, 2012). Many of the consequences of violence exposure impact trajectories of adolescent development and can be observed well into adulthood. However, some youth overcome the challenges associated with violence exposure and successfully transition into adulthood. Resilience …

The Impact Of Social Norms On Bystander Behaviors To Prevent Campus Sexual Violence, Kelly Collins

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

High incidence rates of sexual violence (SV) on college campuses and the limited effectiveness of traditional prevention programs has created a need for innovative prevention programing. In recent decades, bystander intervention approaches that target broader campus community norms have gained popularity. These programs aim to prevent SV by equipping student bystanders with the skills to intervene before, during, and after instances with the risk of SV. Student bystanders’ ability to effectively intervene hinges on their ability to recognize SV risk situations as problematic and worthy of intervention. However, situational ambiguities and mixed social norms messages often create challenges to recognizing …

Effectiveness Of Nurse Practitioners/Physician’S Assistants In Triage, Kyle T. Bergan

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

As the number of patients seen annually by Emergency Departments (EDs) continues to increase, EDs have implemented a number of strategies to improve throughput efficiency, including placing nurse practitioners and/or physician’s assistants in triage. While prior studies have found these strategies to be effective, they have failed to distinguish between whether this intervention truly reduces left without being seen rates or simply encourages elopement, whereby patients who have received a medical screening exam then leave without receiving definitive treatment or disposition. This study reviewed throughput at a site that placed mid-level providers in triage, comparing metrics in the months prior …

Socio-Political Contradictions In Brown’S American Gothic: An Important Historical Precursor To The Conceptualization Of Ideology In Modernity, Robert T. Schassler

College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Theses and Dissertations

Charles Brockden Brown's American Gothic is distinctly American in its dealings with Revolutionary-era culture and distinctly Gothic in its subversion of the foundational aspects of this culture. Brown draws upon his own revolutionary experience, to first connect, then criticize the two main tenents of the transatlantic migration of ideologies to America. The two, seemingly opposite, ideologies in question being radical German-Protestant theology and the political and socio-economic philosophies of the Enlightenment. Brown creates an obvious commonality between the two opposing concepts through the common thread of, “seeking illumination,” or in other words, the assertion of ultimate truths about man and …

As Above, So Between: Configuring Miss Lala As A Mixed Race Subject, Elizabeth Fei

College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Theses and Dissertations

Elizabeth Fei situates Miss Lala, the subject of Degas’ “Miss Lala at the Cirque Fernando” painting to recenter Lala’s racially mixed body as a crucial site for understanding how discourses of race and gender manifested then and continue to manifest. Using images, articles, and recollections of her act, Fei recovers Lala’s subjectivity by drawing on three main aspects of Lala’s identity: her black womanhood, her circus performances, and her multiraciality. Fei contends that to configure Lala as a mixed race figure allows for all of the possible ways she might have identified to emerge as it is dexterous and adjustable …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Factors Determining The Immigration Policies Of Germany And Hungary, Dominika Kleinova

College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Theses and Dissertations

Currently, the European Union struggles to deliver a united response to the immigration issue. In order to bring forth a framework for its improvement, it is important to consider the reasons for individual member states’ behaviors. This study attempts to examine the factors influencing the immigration policies of Germany and Hungary, whose policies appear to differ the greatest and should thus encompass most of the spectrum a majority of other member states fall under. The thesis will describe the effect of the economy, history, previous contact with foreigners, shaping of national identity, as well as education on the populations’ attitudes …

The Perversion Of The Absolute: Religion And Representation In Hegel’S Phenomenology Of Spirit, Thomas Floyd Wright

College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Theses and Dissertations

The question of the role of religion in Hegel’s philosophical legacy has long been a fraught one. Beginning with the schism between so-called Right and Left Hegelianism, two lines of interpretation have developed in nearly diametric opposition. On the one side, Hegel’s system is regarded as the culmination of the tradition of rationalist theology, attempting a fully rational demonstration of the validity of Christian doctrine. On the other, it is proclaimed to be comprehensible only when stripped of its “mystical” elements, of which his validation of Christianity is a considered particularly problematic instance of what Kant called “ontotheology”—a doomed attempt …

A Standardized Electronic Handover Report For Anesthesia Providers, Amber Kristine Lindsay, Elisa Rue

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Background: Despite numerous studies and agencies recommending the standardization of handovers to improve the quality and safety of patient care, intraoperative anesthesia handovers have remained unstandardized at many institutions.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to 1) develop the preliminary Anesthesia Handover Report (AHR) and evaluate its accessibility, layout, and content using feedback from an Expert Sampling Group; 2) create the finalized AHR and evaluate the impact it had on the perceived quality of handover among anesthesia providers; and 3) to assess the uptake of the finalized AHR.

Methods: This study was implemented at NorthShore University Health System (NSUHS), …

Intra-Operative Awareness With Recall Under General Anesthesia, Kelly Lannert, Dulcie J. Schippa

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Background: Anesthesia practitioners are familiar with awareness with recall (AWR) as a phenomenon, however, research has shown it is inadequately assessed, evaluated, and treated in patients receiving general anesthesia leading to significant undesired sequela.

Objectives: The purpose of this quality improvement project (QIP) was to attempt to improve the perceived knowledge and comfort of anesthesia practitioners relative to the assessment, evaluation, and treatment of patients with AWR, thus, closing the gap between knowledge and practice.

Method: The sample consisted of 150 anesthesia practitioners from the Northshore University HealthSystem. Pre-and post-test Likert-type surveys were used and uploaded into Qualtrics to maintain …

Evaluation Of A Video-Based Left Ventricular Assist Device Education Program For Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists And Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Andrew Gause, Zain Rehman

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Background: Video-based educational programs have been proven as a more effective means of instruction than traditional lecture and paper-based formats. Therefore, a video-based left ventricular assist device (LVAD) program was developed to address an identified knowledge gap for the NorthShore University HealthSystem (NSUHS) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) and Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNA). Objectives: The purpose of this quality improvement project (QIP) was to pilot a newly developed educational video intervention and evaluate the CRNAs’ and SRNAs’ pre- and postintervention knowledge difference of the LVAD and the LVAD patient population. Methods: The sample consisted of CRNAs and SRNAs from …

Inferring Character Emotions During Text Comprehension: A Divided Visual Field Study, Blaine Tomkins

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

During reading, individuals often need to activate mental representations of a character’s emotional state. Currently, little is known about how readers infer positive and negative character emotional states. Furthermore, the selective involvement of the two cerebral hemispheres in generating emotional inferences is unclear. In the current study, participants read texts that primed either a positive (Experiment 1) or negative (Experiment 2) emotion of a character in a text. Using a divided visual-field paradigm, participants performed a lexical decision task for target words congruent with the character’s emotional state, which were presented to either the left visual field-right hemisphere or right …

Examination Of Multidimensional Acculturation Theory And Acculturation Process On Latinas/Os In Communal Recovery Homes, Roberto Lopez Tamayo

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Disparities in access and utilization of substance abuse treatment (SAT) among Latinas/os, accentuated by the rapid growth of this population are creating a public health issue. Among those in need of SAT, only 7.7% receive treatment and nearly half of these individuals complete SAT or continue their recovery in a controlled environment. Additionally, Latinas/os who complete SAT reported their needs were not met in treatment. Although substance abuse literature has given more consideration to environmental factors and social support in relation to treatment outcomes, current substance abuse models fail to address important contextual and cultural aspects for Latinas/os in recovery. …

The Impact Of Values As Heuristics On Social Cognition, Lauren James

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Stereotypes, and other forms of heuristics, are used in our everyday lives to assist our brains absorb information. An argument is made here to show that values can act as a form of heuristics and affect implicit attitudes. Drawing on research regarding implicit attitudes, heuristics, and values, we believe that values, such as equality, can act as a heuristic and consequently alter implicit attitudes on race. In this experiment, participants were primed with equality, intuition, or a stereotype inhibition prompt and ran through the affect misattribution procedure (AMP). Contrary to the hypothesized expectation, the results showed that participants in the …

Maternal Trauma Experience On Infant Cortisol Reactivity At 12 Months, Michelle Anne Gilchrist

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a major public health concern in the United States (US). One third of women in the US have experienced rape, physical assault or stalking by a former or current partner (Black et al., 2011). Evidence suggests that women experience increased risk for IPV during the perinatal period and exposure to IPV during and after pregnancy increases risk for adverse physical and mental health outcomes for victims. The “fetal programming” hypothesis proposes that prenatal experiences are also particularly impactful for offspring development in the short and long term; prenatal poor nutrition and stress have been linked …

Proactive Workplace Bullying In Teams: Test Of A Rational And Moral Model Of Aggression, Anthony S. Colaneri

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

This study tested part of a recently developed theoretical model of proactive workplace aggression put forth by Dixon, Chang, and Johnson (2015). The model postulates distinct motives underlying why perpetrators will morally justify their aggressive behavior, dependent upon the relative in/out-group status and relative hierarchical status of the target. Participants from Amazon’s MTurk community were shown one of four vignettes that described a team workplace scenario where the participant was presented with the choice to act aggressively toward a coworker in order to help facilitate the team’s goal. All four of the model’s dyadic perpetrator-target relationships were represented, but the …

The Lived Experience Of Recovery Home Residents: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Dina Chavira

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Substance use disorders have had an enormous impact on individuals, families, and communities in the United States. The societal cost of substance abuse in terms of health care, crime, and lost wages is over $700 billion annually. Despite advances in evidence-based treatments, the chronicity of substance use disorders underscores the need to explore and expand long-term aftercare options to prevent relapse after acute residential treatment. Oxford Houses offer an affordable alternative to more costly and limited forms of transitional housing. These self-sustaining, democratically-run recovery homes provide a safe and sober living environment with peer support and no professional staff. Provided …

Investigating Post-Exertional Malaise As A Core Symptom Of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Meta-Analytic Approach, Abigail A. Brown

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Efforts to establish a reliable and valid case definition for myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME and CFS) have been complicated by an over-reliance on clinical consensus, and inconsistent application of established case definitions by researchers across study sites. This has resulted in the absence of an empirically-based case definition for ME and CFS, as well as failed replication studies on potential diagnostic tests and biomarkers. One step toward an empirically-driven case definition is determining which symptoms best discriminate between patients with ME and CFS versus controls. Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is considered a cardinal symptom of ME and CFS …

The Role Of Therapeutic Engagement, Oral Language Proficiency, And Core Learning Indicators On The Effects Of Therapy For Youth With Depression, Amanda E. Wagstaff

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Youth with depression, particularly ethnic minority youth, have low rates of engagement in mental health services, indicating a large need to better understand the role of engagement in effective treatments for depression (Merikangas et al., 2011). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the leading psychotherapeutic treatments available for youth with depression (Weisz, McCarty, & Valeri, 2006), but several questions still remain regarding why and in what circumstances this therapy is most appropriate. CBT posits that part of the positive treatment effects is accounted by learning certain cognitive and behavioral skills during and outside of session (i.e., through active homework …

Corporate Social Responsibility (Csr) And Its Impact On Actions: Exploring Social Change Through College Students, Rachael Leigh Suffrin

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

The present study has three goals. First, it validates a new Sensitivity to Employer Social Responsibility Scale, used to help understand how undergraduate students perceive their values related to corporate social responsibility (CSR) impact their prospective employment decisions. Second, this study examines whether students value working for a socially responsible employer and third, how (a) social justice experiences in college and/or (b) social justice attitudes and beliefs may predict how students perceive the impact their CSR values have on their prospective employment decisions. Results indicate that students who participated in the study overall positively endorsed a degree of sensitivity to …

Universal Teacher-Child Interaction Training: A Pilot Study Examining Coaching With Random Assignment, Alexandra Lauren Barnett

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Classrooms are in dire need of teacher support services and effective child behavior management, particularly in low-income urban areas (Campbell & Ewing, 1990; Fantuzzo & Mohr, 1999; Hamre & Pianta, 2004; Visser, Bitsko, Danielson, Perou, & Blumberg, 2010). Teacher-Child Interaction Training - Universal (TCIT-U) is a preventive, classroom-wide teacher training protocol that shows promise for strengthening teacher and child behavior (Budd, Garbacz, & Carter, 2016; Fernandez, Gold, Hirsch, & Miller, 2015b; Garbacz, Zychinski, Feuer, Carter, & Budd, 2014; Lyon, Budd, & Gershenson, 2009a). To date, this is the first pilot study with random assignment to investigate TCIT-U; further, it is …

Egg Morphology, Dispersal, And Transmission In Acanthocephalan Parasites: Integrating Phylogenetic And Ecological Approaches, Alana C. Pfenning

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Acanthocephalans are endoparasites that infect arthropods as intermediate hosts and vertebrates as definitive hosts and are found in diverse habitats (freshwater, marine, terrestrial) throughout the world. Free-living eggs are expelled from the definitive host into the environment, which are then consumed by an intermediate host. Once ingested by the intermediate host the parasite undergoes a series of developmental stages, the final stage is infectious to the definitive host. Transmission to a definitive host occurs when the predator consumes an intermediate host containing an infectious parasite. The parasites reach sexual maturity within the definitive host. Most research to date has focused …

Task-Management Training For Recognition, Prioritization And Decision-Making For The Srna, Laura Majewski, Pauline Kenneth Borja Tselonis

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Background: Non-technical skill deficiency can increase the chance of error, which can result in adverse events. While the traditional anesthesia teaching plays a significant role on knowledge acquisition and development of technical skills, non-technical skills have been identified to be the key determinant of successful anesthesia particularly during crisis management (Yee et al., 2005). Task-related non-technical skills, such as recognition, prioritization, and decision-making are essential for safe administration of anesthesia (Wunder, 2016). Purpose: The purpose of this study is to improve three non-technical skills (recognition, prioritization, and decision-making) in SRNAs new to the clinical setting with the use of an …

Intraoperative Blood Pressure And Effect Of Volatile Anesthetic In Brain Dead Organ Donors, Alison Lynn Karmanian

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Background: There is a large disparity between the number of people waiting for organ transplants and the number of organs available. Optimal hemodynamic management can influence transplant outcomes, therefore evidence-based hemodynamic management should be practiced to maximize scarce donor organs.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine intraoperative blood pressures and administration of volatile anesthetics during brain dead organ donor procurements. Use of volatile anesthetics was examined to determine how use and dose affected the ability to maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) between 60 to 90 mmHg.

Design: This study was a retrospective chart review.

Results: Twenty-eight cases …

Video Simulation As An Educational Strategy To Increase Knowledge And Perceived Knowledge In Novice Nurse Anesthesia Trainees, Rachel A. Kozlowski, Jennifer A. Kurdika

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Background: Video simulation is gaining popularity as an alternative method of teaching and can play an important role in nurse anesthesia education.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of an educational video simulation on acquisition of knowledge and perceived knowledge of anesthesia induction in novice nurse anesthesia trainees (NATs).

Method: A single group pre-test post-test design was used to compare knowledge and perceived knowledge on standard and rapid sequencing induction of anesthesia. Pre test scores on knowledge and perceived knowledge were obtained and followed by a viewing of pre-recorded video simulation on standard and rapid …

Crna’S Knowledge And Attitudes Regarding Acupressure As An Adjunct To Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting Prevention, Kimberly A. Homa, Jacqueline Kuhn

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) continues to be a problem for patients despite multimodal pharmacologic treatments available. Although acupressure has demonstrated clinical usefulness, it is still not widely used in mainstream anesthesia practice. Objectives: The purpose of this descriptive survey design was to assess current knowledge and attitudes among CRNAs and SRNAs regarding acupressure for PONV treatment. A secondary objective was to develop an educational handout designed to increase the use of acupressure as an adjunct to postoperative nausea and vomiting prevention using the findings from this current study. Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional survey design was utilized to …

A Needs Assessment For Development Of An Interpreter Services Educational Tool For Crnas, Rachel Ferral, Angela Meyer

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Background: Despite evidence of provider misuse of interpreter services and the resultant adverse outcomes that can and have occurred, few studies have assessed or addressed the gaps in knowledge and attitudes of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) towards interpreter service usage when providing care for and consenting limited English proficient (LEP) patients. Objectives: The purpose of this descriptive survey study was to identify CRNA knowledge and attitudes toward interpreter service usage for LEP patients to guide the development of a competency educational tool for CRNAs. Methods: A descriptive, online survey research design was used. The Qualtrics online survey platform was …