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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

What’S In Your Cup: A Critique Of The Fair Trade System And Its Ability To Support Qualitative Socioeconomic And Environmental Transformation, Brittan M. Stockert Dec 2012

What’S In Your Cup: A Critique Of The Fair Trade System And Its Ability To Support Qualitative Socioeconomic And Environmental Transformation, Brittan M. Stockert

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.


Facilitation Of Surgical Decisions Within A Functional Restoration Program For Chronic Disabling Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders, Emily Brede Jan 2012

Facilitation Of Surgical Decisions Within A Functional Restoration Program For Chronic Disabling Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders, Emily Brede

Psychology Dissertations

Preventing delayed recovery is an important treatment goal in the treatment of chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders (CDOMDs). However, when CDOMD patients are potentially eligible for elective surgical procedures, decisions about whether or not to pursue surgery can be complicated by surgical uncertainty, which can decrease the likelihood of complete recovery from injury. Resolution of surgical uncertainty allows treatment to proceed, so that patients can reach Maximum Medical Improvement, and ideally return to productivity. The purpose of the current study was to resolve surgical uncertainty while preventing delayed recovery through a surgical option process. Patients who were undecided about pursuing …


Characterizing And Predicting Growth In Reading Skills In Children With Developmental Dyslexia Through Functional Neuroimaging, Emily A. Farris Jan 2012

Characterizing And Predicting Growth In Reading Skills In Children With Developmental Dyslexia Through Functional Neuroimaging, Emily A. Farris

Psychology Dissertations

Children with developmental dyslexia exhibit deficits in a wide variety of reading skills that are attributable to underlying deficits in phonological processing. Functional neuroimaging studies show that these children exhibit differences in the activation of a distributed network of brain regions during reading tasks when compared to children without reading impairments. It is anticipated that children with dyslexia who are enrolled in a reading intervention will exhibit significant growth in reading skills over the course of their intervention. Furthermore, research has shown that activation of a distributed network of brain regions during reading tasks can be used to predict changes …


The Effects Of An Early Intervention Program On Physical Symptoms In A Tmd Population, Kara Lorduy Jan 2012

The Effects Of An Early Intervention Program On Physical Symptoms In A Tmd Population, Kara Lorduy

Psychology Dissertations

Aims: 1) Identify comorbid, non-specific symptoms of CSS, and TMD specific symptoms across three groups of Axis I RDC/TMD disorders, 2) investigate the influence of three interventions on TMD specific and comorbid symptoms of CSS and pain and pain-related disability, and 3) examine the influence of emotional distress on symptoms, pain, and pain-related disability. Methods: Participants were patients recruited from dental clinics within a major metropolitan area assessed for TMD nonspecific symptoms of CSS using the Symptoms Checklist (Study 1) and TMD specific symptoms using the RDC/TMD (Study 2). In Study 2, participants at high-risk for chronicity were randomly assigned …


The Antinociceptive Role Of The Anterior Interposed Nucleus Of The Cerebellum, Christopher E. Hagains Jan 2012

The Antinociceptive Role Of The Anterior Interposed Nucleus Of The Cerebellum, Christopher E. Hagains

Psychology Dissertations

The cerebellum has been extensively studied for its role in pain. It is safe to say that the cerebellum has a modulatory role in pain. It is active during various types of pain, but it also plays a role in inhibiting pain. An overall contribution to pain has yet to be defined. This study was performed to contribute to knowledge pertaining to the cerebellum's role in pain. Specifically, the role of the interposed nucleus in descending inhibition was of interest.To test the role of the interposed nucleus in descending inhibition, single-unit extracellular electrophysiological recordings were collected to observe dorsal horn …


The Impact Of An Intensive Physical Exercise Program (Ipe) On Mental Processing Speed And Postural Control In Older Adults, John R. Biggan Jan 2012

The Impact Of An Intensive Physical Exercise Program (Ipe) On Mental Processing Speed And Postural Control In Older Adults, John R. Biggan

Psychology Dissertations

One in three Americans over the age of 65 fall each year. In 2000, this equated to an annual cost of $19 billion in healthcare costs and this cost is expected to rise to $54 billion by 2020. One factor related to the increased risk of falls is a slowing mental processing speed. Mental processing speed is the speed at which a person is able to successfully process and respond to stimuli. As people age, they are not able to process information as quickly as younger adults. A positive correlation between physical speed and mental processing speed has been found …


Identifying Associative Memory Deficits And Neurobiological Correlates Of Encoding And Performance In A National Sample Of Veterans With Gulf War Illness Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Crystal Marie Cooper Cortes Jan 2012

Identifying Associative Memory Deficits And Neurobiological Correlates Of Encoding And Performance In A National Sample Of Veterans With Gulf War Illness Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Crystal Marie Cooper Cortes

Psychology Dissertations

Roughly 26-32% of U.S. veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War of 1991 report suffering from chronic health problems (Golomb, 2008). Memory complaints are regularly reported by ill Gulf War veterans (GWV), but there is scarce data to verify their complaints. Using an associative memory paradigm of faces and names, the present study was conducted to investigate the memory deficits reported by ill GWV in a nationally representative sample comprised of both ill and well GWV. During administration of the memory task, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to acquire the Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) contrast to …


Development Of Gist Processing Skills And Memory In Children And Young Adults: Effects Of Presentation Type In A Modified Drm Paradigm, Haylie Lauren Miller Jan 2012

Development Of Gist Processing Skills And Memory In Children And Young Adults: Effects Of Presentation Type In A Modified Drm Paradigm, Haylie Lauren Miller

Psychology Dissertations

To date, studies have separately tested the influence of narrative context, source-monitoring, and list length on gist extraction. The present study expanded upon that body of work by examining those variables in combination. Specifically, I observed the effects of presentation type (list versus narrative) on children's ability to process gist at ages 5, 7, 9, and 11, as well as young adults age 18-30. Participants watched two puppets present either a list of words or a narrative with an embedded DRM list. Following presentation of the puppet show, participants were given a source memory test where they were asked to …


The Individual Approach To Contact: How Personality Predicts Intergroup Contact Behavior, Nicole Sharp Jan 2012

The Individual Approach To Contact: How Personality Predicts Intergroup Contact Behavior, Nicole Sharp

Psychology Theses

Personality has been shown to be associated with prejudice levels and intergroup contact has been shown to reduce negative outgroup attitudes and discrimination, but until now the motivating factors that encourage naturalistic contact have not been examined. Participants were recruited from undergraduate introductory psychology courses and partook in a two-part study. During phase 1 of the study, participants completed personality measures as well as intergroup contact and prejudice scales. In the second phase of the study participants rated and selected potential future interaction partners based on an evaluation of short profiles. Results indicated that the Cultural Empathy subscale of the …


Bullying, Victimization, Depression, And Substance Use: Sex As A Possible Complicating Factor, Michael C. Natishyn Jan 2012

Bullying, Victimization, Depression, And Substance Use: Sex As A Possible Complicating Factor, Michael C. Natishyn

Psychology Theses

As previous research emphasizes a complex model of substance use regarding bullying dynamics and influence with depression, further investigation is warranted. Adolescents aged 15 years were selected from the Health Behaviors in School Aged Children (N = 2656) and the National Institute of Child Healthcare and Development (N = 1364) databases. Analyses were performed using mixed regression models with the SPSS PROCESS macro (Hayes, 2012b), employing both mediation and moderated-mediation. Four models were produced from each dataset: (a) mediation of victimization on substance use through depression, (b) moderated-mediation of victimization on substance use through depression, moderated by sex; (c) mediation …


The Effects Of A Preparatory Skills Training On Student Success, Ajal B. Patel Jan 2012

The Effects Of A Preparatory Skills Training On Student Success, Ajal B. Patel

Psychology Theses

The effects of college-level student attrition are wide-spread. Numerous different approaches have been implemented to reduce these rates, such as offering freshman level seminars to aid the transition from high school to college and the use of support systems consisting of guidance counselors, teachers, parents and/or friends. A great deal of research has advocated for, and supported the utility of, using training initiatives for employees to improve their job performance. Based on these same principles, we can improve student success. A thorough literature review was first conducted, examining the factors that relate to student success. Moreover, a pilot study was …


Exergame Use As A Gateway To The Adoption Of And Adherence To Sport-Specific And General Physical Activity, Colin Jenney Jan 2012

Exergame Use As A Gateway To The Adoption Of And Adherence To Sport-Specific And General Physical Activity, Colin Jenney

Psychology Theses

Despite increasing the amount of information regarding the need for regular physical activity, rates of inactivity have not seen a corresponding decrease. The aim of the current study was to determine whether exergame use would serve as a gateway to the sport of racquetball, thereby providing a feasible and innovative way to influence behavior change regarding physical activity. The current study randomly assigned participants into one of three conditions for racquetball training: a no–exposure control group, a racquetball videogame (exergame) group, and a traditional training group. College aged adults (N = 103), who reported not being regular exercisers at recruitment …


Ratio Bias In Judgment Under Specific Emotions, Yanfei Liu Jan 2012

Ratio Bias In Judgment Under Specific Emotions, Yanfei Liu

Psychology Theses

How does specific emotion influence the ratio bias phenomenon? Previous studies suggested that a more systematic and analytical reasoning with logical rationality seemed to be stimulated by negative emotions. However other studies regarding appraisal congruency effects have demonstrated that information processing is dependent on the certainty of emotion. To explore the effect of specific emotions on numeracy and ratio bias in judgment, I conducted a 2 (positive vs. negative emotion) ×2 (certainty vs. uncertainty emotion) between-participants design, contributing to four conditions: happy (positive, certainty), hope (positive, uncertainty), disgust (negative, certainty) and fear (negative, uncertainty). Four groups of participants were induced …


Perceived Fairness Of The Use Of Facebook In The Selection Process, Donielle Gustafson Jan 2012

Perceived Fairness Of The Use Of Facebook In The Selection Process, Donielle Gustafson

Psychology Theses

Although research has examined applicant attitudes in the selection process regarding the use of a variety of assessments tools, no scholarly or empirical studies to date have examined attitudes towards the use of Facebook in the selection process. Nonetheless, organizations are using Facebook in the selection process and are asking applicants for Facebook usernames and passwords resulting in applicants withdrawing from the application process (Valdes & McFarland, 2012). This demonstrates why it is essential for research to examine applicant perceptions in regards to Facebook use in the selection process. The current study consisted of 422 participants of whom 92% indicated …


Physcial Symptoms In Patients With Acute Tmd: The Influence Of Emotional Distress, Kara Lorduy Jan 2012

Physcial Symptoms In Patients With Acute Tmd: The Influence Of Emotional Distress, Kara Lorduy

Psychology Theses

The current study investigated symptoms of central sensitization syndrome (CSS), as well as, pain and pain-related interference among those with acute temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Additionally, the current project investigated the influence of emotional distress on the prevalence of physical symptoms and on self-reports of pain as indicated by the Characteristic Pain Inventory (CPI) and pain-related interference on the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS). Consistent with our expectations, those with an Axis I muscle disorder and those at high-risk for chronicity had more symptoms of central sensitization, and higher CPI and GCPS compared to those without an Axis I muscle disorder …


Does Fibromyalgia Resolve With Functional Restoration Treatment In Chronic Disabling Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders? Prevalence And Treatment Responsiveness, Meredith M. Hartzell Jan 2012

Does Fibromyalgia Resolve With Functional Restoration Treatment In Chronic Disabling Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders? Prevalence And Treatment Responsiveness, Meredith M. Hartzell

Psychology Theses

Fibromyalgia (FM), a musculoskeletal syndrome involving widespread pain and tenderness to palpation, is considered stable and chronic, with few researchers evaluating diagnosis loss at post-treatment. FM patients (N = 117) entered functional restoration (FR) treatment, and 41% lost ACR 1990 diagnostic criteria for FM at post-treatment. Patients that lost the diagnosis (LFM group; n = 48) differed from patients who retained the diagnosis (RFM group; n = 69) on psychosocial measures of depressive symptoms, pain intensity, health-related quality of life, and disability at post-treatment, but were similar to the lumbar only comparison group (n = 87). LFM patients physically functioned …


Fear And Hopelessness In Two Types Of Sexually Exploited Women, Ashley Elizabeth Martin Jan 2012

Fear And Hopelessness In Two Types Of Sexually Exploited Women, Ashley Elizabeth Martin

Social Work Theses

Thirty-four women self-identified as engaging in prostitution and were sampled from two prostitution intervention agencies over a 6 month period. Participants ranged in age from 22 to 55 years old (M = 37.40, SD = 8.43), over half the women had been sexually exploited through pimp-control, and over half the women had been sexually exploited under the age of eighteen. Participants completed a survey related to questions about levels of fear and hopelessness at the time of the sexual exploitation experience.Significant differences were found between women exploited through pimp controlled prostitution versus women exploited through survival sex. Women who had …


Lgbtq Youth: An Exploration Of The Relationship Between The Coming Out Process And Spiritual Intelligence, Kristen Leigh Hohn Jan 2012

Lgbtq Youth: An Exploration Of The Relationship Between The Coming Out Process And Spiritual Intelligence, Kristen Leigh Hohn

Social Work Theses

This study explored the relationship between coming out and spiritual intelligence in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. An online survey that utilized the Gay Identity Questionnaire (GIQ) and the Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISRI) was used to investigate this relationship. Spiritual intelligence is a relatively new concept in the social work field as a method of healing and growing. This can, however, play a potentially important role in empowering LGBTQ youth to overcome negative experiences associated with the coming out process. The results of this study indicate no significant relationship between the GIQ and SISRI. There are, …


Urban-Rural Differences In The Use Of Modern Contraceptive Methods Among The People In The Republic Of Yemen-1997, Vivin Thomas Jan 2012

Urban-Rural Differences In The Use Of Modern Contraceptive Methods Among The People In The Republic Of Yemen-1997, Vivin Thomas

Social Work Theses

Population explosion is a major concern for many Middle Eastern countries. This study is aimed at exploring the urban-rural differences in the use of modern contraceptives in Yemen. The study also took into consideration the variable education that can influence the use of contraceptives among people of Yemen. This analysis utilized the secondary data from Yemen Demographic and Maternal Health Survey (YDMHS) of 1997. The YDMHS (1997) survey sample consisted of 10,414 women. The YDMHS survey was conducted with ever-married women in the age group of 15 to 49. This study is based on the ecosystem theory that states that …


Reproductive Health In India : An Empowerment Model, Fanghsun Wei Jan 2012

Reproductive Health In India : An Empowerment Model, Fanghsun Wei

Social Work Dissertations

This study examined the effects of social and economic factors on women's reproductive health in India. Primarily, the study analyzed data from the India Human Development Survey I (IHDS-I 2004-2005). Several statistical methods were used to analyze the data, including descriptive analysis, regression, structural equation modeling (SEM), and multinomial regression. The regression result suggests that social capital, spousal communication, region, autonomy, and accessibility all have significant positive effects on women's reproductive health in India. The SEM suggests that all independent variables have significant effects on women's reproductive health. Multinomial regression offers similar results as regression. Income has no effect on …


Modeling Son Preference In Pakistan, Sadia Saeed Jan 2012

Modeling Son Preference In Pakistan, Sadia Saeed

Social Work Dissertations

Gender has become one of the most politicized issues in South Asian countries over the past 100 years. They were expected to cook for the family, clean the house, feed their children, look after all family members, and give birth to a male child. When a woman gave birth to a male child she was considered very respectable in the family. Son preference is one of the oldest issues in most societies, with males given preferential treatment over females. In spite of the rapid advancement in education and communication, the desire for a son continues to remain (NIPS, 1992). Sons …


Women's Disclosure Of Hiv/Aids Status And It's Relationship To Intimate Partner Violence, Yasoda Sharma Jan 2012

Women's Disclosure Of Hiv/Aids Status And It's Relationship To Intimate Partner Violence, Yasoda Sharma

Social Work Dissertations

The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study is to examine the frequency and severity of physical, sexual and emotional intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by women before and after diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. This research also examines the effect of social support on the IPV experienced by these women. During the fall of 2011, women living with HIV/AIDS and receiving services from AIDS Outreach Center located in the southwestern part of the United States were recruited to participate in a study through the purposive sampling method. They were asked to complete surveys about their HIV/AIDS diagnosis, disclosure, level of IPV experienced, …


The Struggle And Strength Of Sexual Minorities And Suicidality: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis, Albert L. Crump Jan 2012

The Struggle And Strength Of Sexual Minorities And Suicidality: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis, Albert L. Crump

Social Work Theses

The researcher conducted a Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis (QIMS) of the intersection of sexual minority status and suicidality. Seven qualitative research studies were identified which included the stories of members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community (n=96). Five overarching themes were discovered: Internal Struggle, External Struggle, Isolation, Internal Strength, and External Strength. The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide was used to guide the interpretation of the findings of this QIMS in order to expand the understanding of suicide as it applies to the GLBT community. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.


Exploring Emerging Advocacy Networks Among Ngos Fighting Female Sex Trade Human Trafficking In Japan, Chie Noyori Corbett Jan 2012

Exploring Emerging Advocacy Networks Among Ngos Fighting Female Sex Trade Human Trafficking In Japan, Chie Noyori Corbett

Social Work Dissertations

This study is an exploratory qualitative research investigating current advocacy networks among NGOs trying to alleviate female sex trade human trafficking (FSTHT) in Japan. The principal objective is to identify the structure, context and process of how advocacy networks are emerging. This study grounds its philosophical belief in constructivism; and constructivist grounded theory inquiry was employed as a research strategy. Data collection was conducted through 9 open-ended telephone or face-to-face interviews, 7 demographic questionnaires through e-mail, direct observation at a conference, and other documentation. The constructivist grounded theory analytical approach guided the analysis stage by observing how participants construct meanings …


Positive Parenting Intervention: As Prevention To Child Maltreatment, Khadra Abdille Jan 2012

Positive Parenting Intervention: As Prevention To Child Maltreatment, Khadra Abdille

Social Work Theses

One of the biggest social problems in the United States today is child maltreatment. Extensive literature has been written about the problem and many researchers, child welfare workers, and policy makers believe that the astounding numbers of child abuse and neglect is directly associated to poverty and stress among single parents, parental substance abuse, low self-efficacy and ineffective parenting. Studies have proven that there is a strong relationship between child maltreatment (abuse and neglect) and low self-efficacy, substance abuse and poverty. Many studies have suggested that prevention and intervention educational programs can help parents learn positive parenting skills and subsequently …


Inter-Ministerial Coordination And Collaboration In Social Programs: A Case Study Of The Human Development Program Oportunidades, Guillermina Benavides RincóN Jan 2012

Inter-Ministerial Coordination And Collaboration In Social Programs: A Case Study Of The Human Development Program Oportunidades, Guillermina Benavides RincóN

Social Work Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to use the case study approach to determine how coordination is achieved in the Program for Human Development: Oportunidades (Opportunities). Oportunidades is the largest anti-poverty program in Mexico. The program has its origins in the Program for Education, Health and Nutrition (Programa de Educación, Salud y Alimentación, PROGRESA) implemented in 1997 under the administration of former President Ernesto Zedillo. In 2002 the new elected government change its name to Oportunidades without any substantial changes in its operation. The Program began in 1997 serving 300 thousand families; today 5 million people are enrolled. This means …


Effect Of Urbanization And Level Of Education On Women's Age At Marriage In Yemen, 1997, Nivisha Dinesh Shah Jan 2012

Effect Of Urbanization And Level Of Education On Women's Age At Marriage In Yemen, 1997, Nivisha Dinesh Shah

Social Work Theses

Women's oppression and gender inequality have become predominant concerns of our times with the emergence of concepts such as social justice and human rights. Even after years of intervention, we still find ourselves in the midst of the same struggle. In under developed and developing nations, women are still considered property of the dominant male of the family. This study examined the effects of urbanization and level of education on women's age at marriage. By studying these effects, we try to test the efficiency of developing social culture and its effectiveness.A regression analysis comparing the effects of urbanization and level …


Posttraumatic Growth And Positive Macro-Level Outcomes, Patricia Dearman Moser Jan 2012

Posttraumatic Growth And Positive Macro-Level Outcomes, Patricia Dearman Moser

Social Work Dissertations

Common patterns and themes emerge from the unique experiences of individuals who have managed to turn personal tragedies into positive macro-level outcomes, such as societal change or agency creation. A number of research questions exploring the factors that influence an individual's decision and ability to create positive change from trauma, pain or suffering were explored throughout the study. Interviews and document reviews contributed to the study of why and how some individuals have been able to accomplish such commendable undertakings. A purposeful sample of nine individuals, both males and females, were interviewed. Purposeful and snowball methods of sampling were used …


Emerging Adulthood As A Unique Stage In Erikson's Psychosocial Development Theory: Incarnation V. Impudence, Alicia Victoria Patterson Jan 2012

Emerging Adulthood As A Unique Stage In Erikson's Psychosocial Development Theory: Incarnation V. Impudence, Alicia Victoria Patterson

Social Work Dissertations

This dissertation adds to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development by adding a stage between adolescence and young adulthood called emerging adulthood. It was theorized that the crisis of emerging adulthood, incarnation versus impudence, is resolved through experimental sexuality, temporal and spatial social and intimate relationships, interdependence and self-sufficiency and dependence and helplessness, and relativist and absolutist ideological experimentation. Research on transitions to adulthood and a sociological phenomenon of emerging adulthood, boomerang children, provide the background for study of Eriksonian emerging adulthood. An online questionnaire was created to collect data to determine if the theorized dimensions of emerging adulthood contribute to …


Reproductive Health Of Tribal Populations In India: A Sustainability Approach, Mashooq Azad Salehin Jan 2012

Reproductive Health Of Tribal Populations In India: A Sustainability Approach, Mashooq Azad Salehin

Social Work Dissertations

In the context of global climate change, the sustainability approach takes a holistic view of development through preservation of nature during the course of socioeconomic and human development. Reproductive health functions as an integral component of human development, enabling `continuity' of human species through successful `reproductive processes'. Prior studies on reproductive health are restricted to determinants such as fertility, family size, and infant mortality with limited focus on developing a holistic or comprehensive explanation of reproductive health. Although social and economic factors have been identified as reproductive health factor in prior studies, ecological component has been overlooked historically in understanding …