Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Refugee Experiences Of Trauma And Ptsd Effects On Psychological, Physical, And Financial Well-Being, Karen J. Cusack

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

State Regulations Of Smoking In Public Places: Determinants And Implications On The Demand For Smoking And Consumers' Behavior, Ioana Raluca Mazare

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Involvement Of Females As Authors, Editors, And Participants In Journals Concerned With Mental Retardation And Related Topics, Cari L. Porter

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Factors Related To Resilience Abilities And Self-Care Practices In Adolescents, Sandra L. Solem Phd, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

Identification of resilience factors in adolescents is necessary to promote health and decrease the incidence of negative health outcomes related to risk-behaviors in this age group. The purpose of this descriptive-correlational research was twofold: (1) to investigate the inter-relationships of perceived health status, perceived self-efficacy, resilience abilities, self-care agency and self-care practices in adolescents and (2) to evaluate a revised measure, The Solem Adolescent Resilience Abilities Scale (SARAS-R). Orem's self-care theory was used as the theoretical framework for this study. The convenience sample of 100 adolescents from San Diego county in southern California were recruited through health professionals and secondary …

Therapeutic Alliance: Development, Evaluation, And Application Of The Kim Alliance Scale, Son Chae Kim Phd, Msn, Fnp, Rn

Dissertations

The quality of therapeutic alliance between the patient and healthcare provider is a pivotal contributing factor toward optimal healthcare in the current context of rising healthcare costs, shorter hospital stays, and patient's rights. The availability of a well-designed and sound therapeutic alliance instrument can provide understanding and insight into improving the quality of healthcare. The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable and valid therapeutic alliance instrument, to evaluate its psychometric properties, and to explore its usefulness in predicting patient satisfaction. The retroductive triangulation method provided a framework for the development of the instrument, the Kim Alliance Scale …

Quality Of Life Factors Among Recovering Alcoholics, George Edwin Compton Jr.

Dissertations

The inspiration for undertaking the current research came from the Student Investigator’s own experience of 19 years in recovery from alcoholism. During his early years in graduate school, the Student Investigator witnessed occasional misunderstandings among some academics and helping professionals regarding the nature of alcoholism, and, specifically, the tasks involved in sustaining enduring recovery from alcoholism. Thus, this dissertation research, which has sought to examine, through qualitative research methodology, the factors involved in achieving and sustaining quality of life in extended recovery from alcoholism was undertaken.

Several authors have noted the need for research which focuses on long-term recovery from …

Analysis Of Factors Involved In Ratings Of Treatment Acceptability For Trichotillomania, Amy J. Elliott

Dissertations

Based on the literature, trichotillomania (or chronic hair pulling) appears to be responsive to behavioral interventions, with habit reversal as the most promising intervention. Habit reversal has been shown effective with children and adults of varying levels of severity, but some have questioned the generality and acceptability of the procedure. Little is known about the acceptability of interventions for habit disorders. These two research studies were designed to answer questions regarding the acceptability of behavioral and pharmacological interventions for trichotillomania and to expand the conceptual knowledge of treatment acceptability.

Study 1 compared the acceptability of four interventions targeting trichotillomania. The …

Women's Experiences With Chronic Heart Failure, Denise M. Boren Phd, Msn, Cns

Dissertations

Nationwide, approximately 4.1 million Americans suffer from chronic heart failure accounting for estimated direct and indirect costs of over $21 billion spent annually for health care. The incidence of heart failure has doubled each decade since the 1940's and slightly more men were inflicted with the illness. This trend changed three years ago, with a decline in the overall incidence of heart failure and a slight predominance of the illness in women rather than men. The incidence of this condition was reduced in males nearly three times that of females. Women survive longer after diagnosis, however they are hospitalized more, …

Sepsis Bundle Completion, Jenna Churnock

Dissertations

Background: Sepsis is a serious condition resulting in end organ damage and ultimately, death. Communication techniques for nurses and physicians on septic patients admitted to the hospital from the emergency department was evaluated. Paper communication was used in 2020 to facilitate serum diagnostic acquisition and antibiotic administration (i.e., sepsis bundle), but an electronic communication form was utilized in 2021.

Method: An observational, descriptive design utilizing a medical record review was completed to compare the same time-period in 2020 and 2021. Communication methods for sepsis bundle completion were compared.

Results: A total of 100 medical records were reviewed (N …

Effect Of Relaxation On Neuro-Immune Responses Of Persons Undergoing Chemotherapy, Patricia K. Taylor Pothier Phd, Ms, Rn

Dissertations

Chemotherapy can be considered both a physiologic and a psychological stressor. Anxiety, nausea, emesis, and immunosuppression are commonly associated with chemotherapy, and may adversely affect the outcome or the process of treatment. Chemotherapy-related anxiety can exacerbate negative side-effects. Some psychological stressors, such as anxiety, can result in down-regulation of certain immune functions. Studies have demonstrated that behavioral interventions, such as specific relaxation strategies, can modify stress-related immune modulation. These behavioral interventions have also been shown to decrease the degree of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to examine whether a relaxation intervention would result …

Self-Criticism As Experienced By Performing Artists A Phenomenological Study, Rosemary Hakes

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and document the essence of the experience of self-criticism for performing artists with the aim of providing recommendations for educational and therapeutic purposes. Moustakas (1994) defines essence as “that which is common or universal, the condition or quality without which a thing would not be what it is” (p. 100). In this study a phenomenological research paradigm was used. Each step in the data reduction process built directly toward revelation of essence through synthesis.

The central question guiding this research was: What is the essence of self-criticism as it is experienced by …

Exploring The Effects Of Guilt, Spousal Support, And Role Conflict On The Psychological Well-Being Of The Educated Full-Time Stay-At-Home Mother, Susan Donley Desimone Phd

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of guilt, degree of spousal support, role conflict, and decreased psychological well-being experienced by educated stay at home mothers with young children. Social role theory is utilized as a basis for the development of a theoretical model. Relevant research literature does not identify a link between guilt, degree of spousal support, role conflict, and decreased psychological well-being in stay at home educated mothers. The significance of this study was to bring recognition to the phenomenon among educated stay at home mothers that little or no attention has been acknowledged. The …

The Effects Of Reengineering On Hospital Performance Indicators, Linda Rutgers Albery

Dissertations

Reengineering was a management tactic designed to reduce costs and increase efficiencies in the work place. Although many hospitals reported reengineering efforts were a priority during the latter part of the 1990s, little research has been done to determine the effects of reengineering on cost and quality performance indicators.

This research studied a large regional medical center located in southwest Michigan, which implemented patient-focused care redesign. Within this medical center, ten separate and distinct patient care departments were studied over a 5-year period. These departments included critical care, medical, surgical, obstetric and pediatric areas. During the first year o f …

Transitioning And Adapting To College: A Case-Study Analysis Of The Experience Of University Students With Psychiatric Disabilities, Kenneth M. Werner

Dissertations

The psychiatric rehabilitation literature (Unger, 1987) indicates that few studies have been conducted about the adaptational demands associated with the transition to college for young adults with psychiatric disabilities who negotiate the university experience without the benefit o f a supported education program .

The purpose of this study was to describe how individual, social, and institutional factors contributed to the successful transition and adaptation to college life for students with psychiatric disabilities. The study sought to identify how students with psychiatric disabilities disclosed their illness in order to request support services and accommodations, and which services were essential or …

Promoting Healthy Behavior Change In Skin Cancer Risk Reduction Using The Transtheoretical Stages Of Change Model, Sherry L. Pagoto

Dissertations

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States with 20% of people developing some form of skin cancer in their lifetime (American Cancer Society, 1999). In spite of the high incidence of skin cancer, it is highly preventable. Approximately 90% of the cases are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun (Skin Cancer Foundation, 1992). The effect of an intervention aimed at reducing skin cancer risk was compared to a survey only control group in 99 Chicago beach-goers. The intervention was based on the Transtheoretical Stages of Change Model (TTM) and included sun sensitivity …

Crossing Myriad Borders: A Dimensional Analysis Of The Migration And Health Experiences Of Indigenous Oaxacan Women, Sharon Mcguire Phd, Op, Msn, Rn-C

Dissertations

The growing feminization of the migration of ethnic indigenous women, such as Mixtecs, Zapotecs and Triquis from the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, are altering the dynamics and configuration of traditional Mexican migration, making it especially significant for the health professions. Informed by a postcolonial ecofeminist paradigm, this bi-national grounded theory study explored the migration and health experiences of indigenous Oaxacan immigrant/migrant women. Data collection using participant observation and interviewing occurred in Oaxaca, Mexico, along the US-Mexico border, and the interior of California. Dimensional analysis was used as the method of data analysis to generate theoretical understandings of these phenomena. …

A Comparison Of The Health Beliefs Of Florence Nightingale And Ellen G. White And The Incorporation Of Them Into Their Respective Schools Of Nursing, Ruth Duncan Abbott

Dissertations

This study explored the similarities and differences of the health beliefs of Ellen G. White and Florence Nightingale and how these beliefs were incorporated into each of their respective schools of nursing, the Nightingale Training School for Nurses at St. Thomas' Hospital and the Medical Missionary Training School for Nurses at the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Battle Creek, Michigan. The research also examined the contextual factors that shaped each woman's philosophy and influenced the manner in which they carried out their work. Additionally, the research provides information about the historical context surrounding the beginnings of modern nursing, education, health, society, …

Job Satisfaction Among Psychologists In A Managed-Care Environment, Walter R. Vyhmeister

Dissertations

The problem. The efforts of managed care to balance resources, cost, and quality of services have created new issues among mental health professionals, affecting their careers and having the potential to affect their job satisfaction. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to investigate how managed care has impacted career satisfaction among professional psychologists.

The method. The present investigation examined 21 factors in the prediction of job satisfaction among licensed psychologists. A sample of 1,000 licensed psychologists located in California, Oregon, and Washington was randomly selected from the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. Three hundred seventeen participants …

The Effect Of A Jail-Based Substance-Abuse Program On Anxiety, Depression, And Locus Of Control, Peggy Leigh Frick

Dissertations

Problem. More and more alcohol and drug users are coming into contact with the criminal justice system. Some of these individuals may have comorbid mental health issues. This present study sought to determine whether the New Avenues Substance Abuse Treatment Program, housed at the Correctional Work Center, Davidson County, Tennessee, did, in the course of treatment, have an impact on the anxiety, depression, and locus of control of those individuals completing the program.

Method. The Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Rotter Internal versus External Control of Reinforcement Scale were utilized to measure depression, anxiety, and locus …