Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Predictors Of Health-Related Quality Of Life Among Youth With Spinal Cord Injury, Kathleen E. Mcauliff

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the different dimensions of psychosocial HRQOL for youth

with spinal cord injury (SCI) is still a developing research focus in medical and disability studies. Pediatric-onset SCI is relatively rare. Family Stress Theory’s Adaptation Phase accounts for how a stressor can impact all family members (McCubbin and Patterson, 1993). This study aimed to look at new factors, including cognitive approaches to challenges, physical health indicators (i.e., incontinence), caregiver mental health problems (i.e., anxiety and depression), and general family dysfunction that may impact psychosocial HRQOL for youth (ages 6-18) with SCI, in terms of the perspectives of both the youth and …

Beyond Access Towards Success For First-Generation College Students Of Underrepresented Ethnic Backgrounds: The Role Of College Adjustment And Perceived Stressors On Academic Achievement During The First Year, Shannon Williams

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

The current study explored the first year college transition between traditional and underrepresented student groups (ethnic minorities and first-generation college students; N = 500; M age = 18.34) at a diverse institution, comparing GPA and college adjustment over time. Using Tinto’s retention model (1975), the aim of the current study explored whether social and academic adjustment differences would explain any gap in academic achievement among underrepresented students groups. Results indicated that first-generation college students (FGC) of minority ethnic backgrounds reported significantly lower GPA scores, and had lower adjustment subscale scores compared to all other student groups by the end of …

Perspective-Taking Of The Defendant: Does Race Influence The Final Sentencing Verdict For Mock Jurors?, Matthew A. Pardo

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

The main objective of this study is to test whether there are disparities in a final sentencing verdict, of a guilty defendant that identifies as either African-American or Caucasian. Using a mock-jury design, participants were randomly assigned to the police report of Jamal Washington (representing the African-American defendant), or Greg Sullivan (representing the Caucasian defendant). Additionally, participants were randomly assigned to either take the perspective of the defendant or not to take the perspective of the defendant (control). This combination of race and perspective-taking as manipulations allows for the examination of the extent of racial schemas in courtroom settings through …

Relational Cultural Theory And Mentoring In A Science Support Program, Kathleen Buehler

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Increasing the number of Latinx students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields is a national priority, but statistics show that Latinx students are still underrepresented in these fields (U.S. Department of Education, 2014). Mentoring interactions are thought to be integral to the retention and success of STEM students (George & Neale, 2006) and a contextualized mentoring model that both supports growth in STEM fields and also meets the needs of underrepresented groups is essential. This study used relational cultural theory (RCT; Ragins & Fletcher, 2007) to examine non-hierarchical relational mentoring approaches within STEM contexts. Using qualitative data from …

The Benefits Of A Science Support Program For Low-Income Latina/O Students, Alison L. Mroczkowski

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

A current national priority is to increase the number of students prepared for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM; U.S. Department of Education, 2015). Unfortunately, Latina/os are underrepresented in STEM fields (National Science Foundation, 2010). STEM support programs may be one avenue for increasing the number of Latina/o students who enter the STEM pipeline (Afterschool Alliance, 2011), but few studies have examined the benefits of participation in a STEM program for Latina/o youth, and very little is known about the specific program activities that are related to beneficial outcomes. Social cognitive career theory offers a model of career …

The Impact Of Conformity And Qualifications On Perceptions Of Power, Competency, And First Offers In Negotiations, Scott Mcluckie

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Norm violations typically result in negative consequences and perceptions towards the transgressor; however, recent research has indicated that violating norms may result in positive outcomes if the transgressor was perceived as high status (Bellezza, Gino, & Keinan, 2014). Negotiators in a job hiring process might have their own set of social norms that they are expected to follow, such as the attire they should wear to a negotiation. A violation of one of these norms may have an impact on the perceptions of the job applicant, and thus, alter the negotiation process for a starting job offer. It was hypothesized …

Diabetes-Specific Distress And Glycemic Control In Children And Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes: A Longitudinal Analysis Of The Moderating Effect Of Social Support, Carolyn E. Turek

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the roles diabetes-specific distress and social support play in impacting glycemic control trajectories in youth with type 1 diabetes. Due to the increase in responsibilities and stressors occurring during pre-adolescence and adolescence, it is particularly important to consider the impact of diabetes-specific distress on glycemic control trajectories during this time, in order to determine best practices for screening and treating this population. It is also important to consider how social support may serve as a buffer against negative diabetes outcomes. In order to determine how diabetes-specific distress and social support impact glycemic control trajectories in this population, …

Childhood Gender-Role Nonconformity And Adult Psychopathology, Andres Carrion

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Children who endorse cross-gendered behaviors, or behaviors that deviate from the sociocultural expectancies of a member of a specific gender (e.g., opposite-sex toy preferences), are described as being gender nonconforming. Gender nonconforming children are often subjected to victimization and childhood maltreatment, and because gender roles are much more rigid in boys than in girls, boys may be at a heightened risk for victimization. Past research suggests that gender nonconforming children are at risk for maladaptive development, such that gender nonconforming children are placed at a heightened risk for poor mental health outcomes due to the victimization and adversity they experience. …

The Reciprocal Effects Of Language Proficiency And Depression Among Low Income Latino Youth, Nicole Colon Quintana

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Extant research suggests that language plays an important role in both social processes and emotional encoding and regulation. In dual language youth, the maternal tongue has been observed as a protective factor against maladaptive outcomes (Toppelberg & Collins, 2010). Although Latino youth are at a heightened risk for depression (CDC, 2013), and a majority grow in Spanish-English speaking households (Pumariega et al., 2013), the impact of dual language development in their psychosocial well-being remains poorly understood. It is known that limited English language proficiency during early school years is predictive of maladaptive outcomes such as externalizing problems (Dawson & Williams, …