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Identity Style, Substance Use, And Perceived Family Functioning Among Young Adults: An Exploratory Study, Larry F. Forthun

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

One hundred eight individuals between the ages of 17 and 25 completed measures assessing identity style, family functioning, and substance use. Fifty-seven respondents were evaluated as they were applying for services at a local substance abuse treatment center. Fifty-one respondents were surveyed from a local university general education class.

The identity style construct is a self-report measure that evaluates the problem-solving and decision -making strategies of respondents. These constructs echo Marcia's identity statuses with the Normative and Diffuse/Avoidant subscales being utilized in this study. Family functioning was also assessed by self-report and evaluated overall family functioning. A factor analysis of …

An Analysis Of Item Bias In The Wisc-R With Kainaiwa Native Canadian Children, Deborah Faith Pace

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The present study examined the responses of 332 Kainai students ranging in age from 6 to 16 years to the Information, Arithmetic, and Picture Completion subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) in order to determine the validity of these subtests as a measure of their intelligence. Two indices of validity were assessed: (a) subtest unidimensionality, and (b) order of item difficulty. With regard to the assumption of unidimensionality, examination of the data indicated low item-factor loadings on the Information, Arithmetic, and Picture Completion subtests. Examination of difficulty parameters revealed a nonlinear item difficulty order on all three …

The Perceived Influence Of Mobile Telework On Aspects Of Work Life And Family Life: An Exploratory Study, E. Jeffrey Hill

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Telework is an emerging trend in the workplace today. According to recent estimates, almost nine million Americans work electronically from home and this number is expected to grow 10% to 20% per year for the next decade. The purpose of this study is to explore the perceived influence of mobile telework on aspects of work life and family life.

A group of mobile teleworkers and an equivalent group of nonmobile workers were asked to respond to questions about their work life and family life (N=299). The data were analyzed from four perspectives: (a) comparison of mobile teleworker and nonmobile groups, …

Conjunctival Impression Cytology Assessment Of Vitamin A Status Of Migrant Children, Laura Nihan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Subclinical vitamin A deficiency was assessed in 65 Hispanic children attending four migrant Head Start programs in Utah. Subjects aged 2 to 6 years (median 3 years 10 months) were examined for evidence of vitamin A deficiency by conjunctival impression cytology. Biochemical indices for serum vitamin A, retinol-binding protein, zinc, and iron were performed.

Of eight children (12.5%) with subclinical vitamin A deficiency, one child had a marginal serum vitamin A of 11 μg/dl. Retinol-binding protein concentrations were significantly lower in two subjects with abnormal conjunctival impression cytology. Serum zinc, which when low can mimic signs of ocular vitamin …

The Effects Of Therapist Gender On Group Therapy For Eating-Disordered Clients, Todd A. Soutor

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This present study examined the session-by-session content of group therapy for eating-disordered clients. The main objective of this study was to identify how therapist-client gender match affects group therapy process , regarding the disclosure of important issues relevant to eating-disordered clients. It was hypothesized that the group therapy process for eating-disordered clients would be qualitatively different if therapy was facilitated by a female as opposed to a male therapist. The evaluation of the research question required using an alternating treatments single-subject research design, in which the presentation of treatment conditions was counterbalanced across two therapy groups. The treatments consisted of …

An Investigation Of The Construct Validity Of The Preschool And Kindergarten Behavior Scales, Clarice E. Jentzsch

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A relatively recent measure, the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales (PKBS), has been developed to measure both problem behavior and social competence in young children. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the construct validity of the PKBS through the application of several validation procedures. Results of the study support construct validity of the PKBS. In a discriminant analysis, the PKBS classified correctly 89.36% of the 94 subjects. A secondary purpose of this study was to examine social-emotional behavior differences between kindergarten students who were divided into different behavioral status groups based on a teacher nomination procedure: a …

Gender And Depression: Analysis Of The Effects Of Sex Roles, Sex-Role Self-Discrepancy, And Attributional Style, Scott V. Cutler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of attributional style, sex roles, and sex-role self-discrepancy in the relationship between gender and depression. Epidemiological studies report a higher incidence of depression among women then men (approximately 2:1). Among the various theories suggested to explain this gender difference, sex roles, attributional style, and self-discrepancy have been conceived as possible explanations. The relationship between gender and depression may be better understood through examining the possible contribution of these three independent variables.

To examine these theories, a sample of 130 subjects was drawn from clients at the USU Counseling Center, the …

Taxonomic Or Thematic : Categorization Of Familiar Objects By Preschool-Aged Children, David Owen Calhoun

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

To acquire language, children must learn how to categorize objects on the basis of the meanings that cultures have assigned to the objects. A series of six experiments tested how preschool-aged children categorize familiar objects. Each experiment used a matching-to-sample format in which children matched pictures of familiar objects (comparisons) to a sample stimulus picture. The sample and one comparison related taxonomically (on the basis of similar features) and the other comparison related thematically (on the basis of function) from which the children were to find another stimulus that was the same as the sample. Each experiment was a systematic …

Common Dimensions Of Social Skills Of Children And Adolescents: A Review And Analysis Of The Literature, Paul Caldarella

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Previous research in the area of social skills of children and adolescents has resulted in confusion over the number and name of empirically derived dimensions. While much work has been done to derive empirically based taxonomies of child and adolescent problem behaviors, such is not the case for positive social behaviors. The present study conducted an extensive review, analysis, and synthesis of over two decades of factor analytic research on child and adolescent social skills to derive an empirically based taxonomy.

Results suggest five dimensions that occurred in over one third of the studies: Peer Relations, Self-Management, Academic, Cooperation, and …

Establishing The Validity Of The College Adjustment Scales (Cas) As Outcome Measures In A University Counseling Center: A Test Of Construct And Convergent Validity, Denise K. Wiswell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The College Adjustment Scales (CAS) are a multidimensional psychological measure designed specifically for use in college and university settings. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of the College Adjustment Scales (CAS) to function as outcome measures in university counseling centers. Study 1 assessed the ability of the CAS to track change following brief therapy using a nonequivalent control group design. Study 2 assessed the convergent validity of the CAS by correlating two of the nine CAS scales with two established measures. The results of a three-factor MANOVA revealed that the CAS were able to track change …

Relatedness And Autonomy Aspects Of Self-Concept In 8- To 12-Year-Old Children, Cherie Martin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to look at age-associated changes in relatedness and autonomy in 8- to 12-year-olds. A psychosocial and attachment theory perspective was taken to help explain the integration of relatedness and autonomy issues. The influence of gender, parent involvement, and selected demographic variables was also considered. The sample included 94 children . This excluded those with single fathers or stepmothers.

Instruments used were (a) the relatedness, autonomy, and parent involvement portions of the Rochester Assessment Package for Schools (Wellborn & Connell, 1987); (b) an age appropriate revision of the Eriksonian Psychosocial Stage Inventory (Jones & Anderson, …

Adolescent Leisure-Time Activity And Problem Behavior: The Integration Of Three Major Explanatory Theories As A New, Gail B. Yost

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Adolescence has in recent decades gained attention as being salient for study of social trends. Increases in youth social problems are seen nationally, statewide, and locally. They include substance abuse, precocious sexual activity, related consequences of pregnancy and STDs, suicide and depression, truancy, running away, crime against property, and violent crime against persons.

This study integrates three major explanatory theories of adolescent behavior into a macro-synthesis. R. Jesser's Problem Behavior Theory emphasizes how problem behaviors do not occur singularly, nor do they justify unique prevention methods. T. Hirschi's Social Control Theory describes how adolescents with little or no attachment to …

The Influence Of Workplace Stressors, Resources And Perceptions On Work-To-Family Spillover: An Application Of The Double Abcx Model, Steven A. Dennis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Changes in the American workforce have raised concern over the interface between family and work. The responsibilities and frustrations of the work domain frequently spill over to the family domain and vice versa. The purpose of this research has been to investigate the influence of workplace stressors, resources, and perceptions on subsequent negative work-to-family spillover. The theoretical direction for the study stems from a modified application of McCubbin and Patterson's double ABCX model, which fits well into the larger spillover perspective.

The data for the study came from 1992 National Study of the Changing Workforce [NSCW). A subsample of respondents …

Maternal Responsivity To A Child With A Disability: A Comparison In Single- And Two-Parent Families, Kristin Bollwinkel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this research was to examine the differences between mothers in single- and two-parent families as they interact with their child with a disability. The sample consisted of 240 children with developmental disabilities and their mothers. Maternal interaction behaviors were measured using the Maternal Behavior Rating Scale. Demographic information, child characteristic measures, and family functioning variables were also considered. Analyses of covariance indicated that there were no differences between interaction behaviors of mothers in single- and two-parent families. However, relationships between income, education, and family cohesion, and the types of interactions displayed between mother and child were found. …

Clinical Typologies Of Youthful Male Sex Offenders Derived From The Sex-Offender Characteristic Inventory-Male Version (Soci-M), Susan L. Ericksen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Sex-Offender Characteristic Inventory-Male Version (SOCI-M) was filled out by a national sample of 78 clinicians experienced in the treatment of youthful sex offenders. Using factor analysis, clinician perceptions of the biopsychosocial characteristics related to normal, conduct-disordered, and sex-offending youth were determined.

All of the variables in the categories considered in this study factored into at least three distinct normal, conduct-disordered, and sex-offender youthful factors, with sex-offender variables loading onto more than one sex-offender factor in some categories. The normal youth factors accounted for the greatest variability in the Learning Disabled, Tourette's Syndrome, Borderline Traits, Histrionic Traits, DSM III-R Diagnosis, …

Effects Of Therapist Gender On Client Communications In Marital Therapy, Laurel C. Agee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore how therapist and client gender are associated with communication behaviors of males and females in marital therapy. The majority of research on therapist gender issues has been conducted with individual clients. Few data exist on the effects of therapist gender within marital therapy. This study examined the communication patterns of couples within a marital therapy setting and the influence of therapist gender on those patterns. Forty-six 10-minute videotape segments of marital therapy were coded for communication patterns. Coded verbal statement categories included the verbal behaviors of agreement, supportive, solution of problems, and …

Assessing Family Strengths Using The Family Profile: Study To Validate And Evaluate Constructs Across Four Models Of Family Functioning, Troy D. Randall

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The concurrent criterion-related validity of the Family Profile (FAMPRO) was investigated using the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales II (FACES II), the Self-Report Family Inventory (SFI), and the Family Assessment Device (FAD) as criterion measures . Further analysis was conducted through a principal component factor analysis with a varimax rotation and correlations with a Family Satisfaction Scale.

The Family Profile is an easy-to-administer, -score, and -interpret instrument designed for use in family life education. It is a 35-item instrument that measures seven areas of family functioning: Family Fun, Family Decisions, Family Pride, Family Values, Family Caring, Family Communication, and Family …

Academic Goals, Achievement, And Age At First Sexual Intercourse: Reciprocal Influences, Paul L. Schvaneveldt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study examined the reciprocal relationship between the age of first sexual intercourse and academic goals and achievement. It was hypothesized that lower educational goals and achievement were likely to be associated with an adolescent who initiated sexual intercourse at a younger age than those with higher educational goals and achievement. It was also hypothesized that initiating sexual activity early would be associated with a decrease in subsequent academic achievement and goals. Possible explanations are that the costs of engaging in sexual intercourse (pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases) may deter adolescents from initiating intercourse. Weak attachment to parents and future …

Noticing Pretreatment Change: Effects On Therapeutic Outcome In Family Therapy, Lee N. Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Family therapy, similar to other mental health services, has focused on ways to make therapy brief or short term. One model of family therapy, the brief/solutions therapeutic orientation, claims that certain techniques can reduce the number of sessions. This therapeutic model focuses on the solutions clients bring with them to therapy. By focusing on clients' solutions and not their problems, the brief/solutions orientation claims that clients reach their goals more quickly, finish therapy more quickly, and are more satisfied with the services they receive. However, there is little empirical evidence to support these claims. This research specifically looked at the …

Issues Of Consensus And Concern: Family Relationships Of The Elderly In The United States And Japan, Takashi Yamamoto

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore cultural differences between America and Japan concerning four domains: past family relationships, current family relationships, the support network, and well-being.

Concern and consensus in the family are the principal background issues in this study. In America there has been a change from consensus (sharing basic similarity of values or attitudes and interests) to concern (an intense emotional involvement and affectional closeness). In contrasting the American and Japanese societies, consensus and concern constitute different orders from a more traditional context to the current societal context. This cultural difference impacts the relationship between the …

The Relationship Between Postretirement Activity And Life Satisfaction, Dorothy Jane Gould Nelson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the types of activities people engage in after they retire, how often they participate, how or with whom they participate, and how these independent variables influence the dependent variable of life satisfaction. The majority of the research done to date on postretirement activity focuses primarily on recreational activities. This study examined the effects of including some type of substantive or service activity in addition to hobbies and recreational activity. Participants were surveyed concerning their health, mobility, and financial conditions so that these variables could be controlled for in determining …

The Efficacy Of Massed Versus Distributed Practice As A Function Of Desired Learning Outcomes And Grade Level Of The Student, Vanessa D. Moss

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The study examined the extent to which type-of-practice strategies (massed or distributed) had an effect on learning a verbal information (reading) or intellectual skill (math) task for second- and fourth-grade students. One hundred and ninety students from eight second- and fourth-grade classrooms participated in the study. Classrooms were randomly assigned to the two practice conditions and all students participated in a 9-week integrated learning system (ILS) intervention.

The present study found that intellectual skill tasks are learned slightly more effectively in a massed than distributed practice mode, though the difference was not statistically significant. Students also learned verbal information tasks …