Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Association Between Participation In Organized Sports And Positive Youth Development Among Grade School Students, Jennifer Wilenta

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This quantitative study aims to understand the role of organized sports in youth development from a parental perspective. Specifically, it addresses whether grammar school-aged children (Mean Age = 9) who participate in organized sports have higher levels of positive youth development (PYD) compared to those who do not participate or who minimally participate. This study also explores the barriers to participation for those who do not participate. The sample was drawn from the two public grammar schools in Secaucus, N.J. during the 2012-13 academic year.

The major findings of this study do not show a difference in PYD levels based …

Experiences Of Mothers Of Children With Autism And Aggression : The Process Of Becoming "Super-Copers", Christine Peters

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of 14 mothers who have children with Autism and aggression issues. The combination of marginalization, stigma and the impact of aggression were found to be an overarching theme with emotional effects of fear, despair, guilt and anxiety being experienced by the mothers. Using grounded theory and feminist disability theory, a process of coping emerged which included analyzing for aggression triggers, as well as searching and utilizing resources. The end result of this model was mothers becoming advocates or maintaining a level of coping. A significant finding of this study …