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Articles 1 - 26 of 26
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Physiological Correlates Of Aggression In Adolescent Females, Ashley Dibble
Physiological Correlates Of Aggression In Adolescent Females, Ashley Dibble
Theses and Dissertations
Recently, with the development of new technology, researchers have focused on physiological predictors of aggressive behavior, specifically cortisol and alpha amylase. Gordis, Granger, Susman, and Trickett (2006) found the interaction between cortisol and alpha-amylase significantly predicted parent reports of aggression indicating that low levels of physiological reactivity was associated with higher levels of problem behavior. While this research has provided valuable information about aggressive behavior, a major limitation is the majority of research focuses on males, or has not examined gender differences explicitly. This study expanded on work by Gordis et al. (2006) and other researchers on the HPA axis …
Asian American Social Workers: Exploring Relationships Among Factors Influencing Career Choices, Soon Min Lee
Asian American Social Workers: Exploring Relationships Among Factors Influencing Career Choices, Soon Min Lee
Theses and Dissertations
Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing minority groups in the United States. One of the stereotypes associated with Asians is that they are more likely to choose careers in science, medicine, and engineering rather than social science, inclusive of social work, mass communication, or humanities (Leong & Serafica, 1995; Tang et al., 1999). This occupational stereotyping of Asians is not just a myth in that descriptive studies have shown that only a few Asians choose social work as a career (Lennon, 2005; NASW, 2006). Few studies exist on Asian Americans who do not choose Asian stereotypical career choices, …
An Exploration Of The Effects Of Long-Term Intimate Partner Violence: Listening To Older Women, Suzanne Lowe
An Exploration Of The Effects Of Long-Term Intimate Partner Violence: Listening To Older Women, Suzanne Lowe
Theses and Dissertations
Abstract AN EXPLORATION OF THE EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE: LISTENING TO OLDER WOMEN By Suzanne Faries Lowe, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2008 Chairman of Committee Laura J. Moriarty, Ph.D. Professor of Criminal Justice Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs There has been a great deal of research during the past four decades on the topic of domestic violence. Very little research has been conducted, however, on the effects of long-term intimate partner violence on older women. The …
Pathways To Drug Use Among Rural And Urban African American Adolescents: The Mediating And Moderating Effects Of Parent And Peer Influences, Trenette Clark
Pathways To Drug Use Among Rural And Urban African American Adolescents: The Mediating And Moderating Effects Of Parent And Peer Influences, Trenette Clark
Theses and Dissertations
African American adolescents have traditionally engaged in drug use at disproportionately lower rates than youth of other ethnic groups. Nonetheless, African American youth and adults suffer disproportionately higher rates of drug-related consequences. This paradox is a health and social disparity that has been given fair attention but needs additional culturally intelligent theoretical and empirical explanations. Research that targets African American adolescent drug use has emerged but has failed to fully or moderately explain this paradox. The purpose of this study was to fill a gap in the literature by helping to explain the first part of the paradox, African American …
Making Sense Of The Access Problem: A New Methodology For Analyzing The Postsecondary Education Decision, Farrah Graham
Making Sense Of The Access Problem: A New Methodology For Analyzing The Postsecondary Education Decision, Farrah Graham
Theses and Dissertations
This study is interested in defining new variables that contribute to the explanation of whether or not an individual applies to postsecondary institutions. Prior research has explained differences based on demographic variables, such as first generation status, income and race, and differences in information and social support that an individual possesses. While these variables have a significant effect on the decision, they do not completely explain why individuals decide to pursue postsecondary education. This research suggests that how an individual moves through the decision process, as well as how information is interpreted and used will have an effect on the …
Agenda-Setting And The Media: A Look At Child Welfare Legislation, 1995-2005, Tamara Temoney
Agenda-Setting And The Media: A Look At Child Welfare Legislation, 1995-2005, Tamara Temoney
Theses and Dissertations
This project used a content analysis methodology to determine the agenda-setting capacity of the media to influence child welfare legislation in a state legislature. With a foundation in agenda-setting theory, this study identifies how the coverage of child abuse and neglect in the print media impacts decision-makers to introduce legislation related to child abuse and neglect. Through a comparison of the issues covered in the newspaper with the issues receiving legislative attention, this study showed that media influence varies by topic, with some topics being more open to media affects than others. A second component of this study analyzed how …
Self-Determination Realized? Consumer Direction: A Case Study Of Virginia, Parthenia Dinora
Self-Determination Realized? Consumer Direction: A Case Study Of Virginia, Parthenia Dinora
Theses and Dissertations
Consumer direction, a model of long-term care service delivery where service recipients and their families/advocates have enhanced control and choice over the services that they receive, is a growing phenomenon in United States. As it becomes greater utilized, it is important to understand the model and study its impacts. This dissertation details the history of the consumer direction movement, describes the current landscape of consumer direction in the United States, and presents a comparison study of users of consumer-directed (CD) services in three of Virginia Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waivers. Self-determination theory is provided as a theoretical …
Developmental Aspects Of Diabetes Knowledge, Kari Morgan
Developmental Aspects Of Diabetes Knowledge, Kari Morgan
Theses and Dissertations
The Test of Diabetes Knowledge (TDK) was studied to determine its appropriateness for children. Early onset diabetes was examined for residual effects on poorer adolescent understanding of diabetes and problem solving that could affect self-care behaviors. Participant groups were created as children (<12) and adolescents (≥12). A second division created a group of adolescents with early onset disease (EOD < 12 years) and with late onset disease (LOD >12 years). Participants were predominantly Caucasian and from middle class families. 51% were boys with an average age of 12.95 years, disease duration of 4.35 years and onset age of 8.58 years. Children scored significantly lower and responded “I don’t know” significantly more often for all levels of knowledge when compared to adolescents. EOD and LOD group …
Program Approach For Childheaded Households In Zambia, Samson Chama
Program Approach For Childheaded Households In Zambia, Samson Chama
Theses and Dissertations
Using an emergent design, this study developed a program approach for young people in the child headed households of Zambia. Phase I dealt with prior ethnography, Phase II focused on independent living services, and Phase III concerned translation to Zambia. A total of 36 participants from Richmond, consisting of 20 Richmond Department of Social Services workers and youth and 16 Africans, were recruited. Three major themes emerged: feasibility, content, and quality. Lessons learned about translational research highlight the need for uniformity in a cultural screen’s composition. This might enhance the richness of perspectives on young people. Lessons for the Department …
Shadows On The Cave Wall: The Cognitive Accuracy Of Social Network Perception, David M. Ouellette
Shadows On The Cave Wall: The Cognitive Accuracy Of Social Network Perception, David M. Ouellette
Theses and Dissertations
How accurately people perceive interpersonal relationships, both among others and with themselves, forms the basis of social inferences about the structure of the social environment and one's place in it. Six hypotheses were tested using the cognitive social structures method from social network analysis with five independent but similar student networks from two universities. Results from all networks were meta-analyzed. Participants gave both their self-reported friendship ratings for every alter in their group and also gave their perceptions of the ratings the other member would give. Perception ratings were correlated to self-report ratings for each participant as a measure of …
Male Survivors: Walking The Tightrope Of Masculinity, Luke Rogers
Male Survivors: Walking The Tightrope Of Masculinity, Luke Rogers
Theses and Dissertations
Sexual assault of men is a serious social problem and has drawn well deserved attention from many different researchers as well as the general public. Even though there is much concern and interest in this troubling crime, limited research has been conducted on the long-term effects of sexual abuse on male survivors. Using data collected by the Virginia Department of Health, this study investigated the effects of sexual abuse of men. Specifically, this inquiry examined specific emotional and physical conditions as potential consequences of sexual victimization among men and the extent to which those conditions vary between male victims and …
Preventing Weight Gain In First Year College Students: An Internet-Based Intervention, Rachel Gow
Preventing Weight Gain In First Year College Students: An Internet-Based Intervention, Rachel Gow
Theses and Dissertations
The transition to college has been identified as a critical period for increases in overweight status. Overweight college students are at-risk of becoming obese adults, thus prevention efforts targeting college age individuals might be one key to reducing adult obesity rates. The current study developed and implemented an intensive, 6-session, internet intervention. This intervention was evaluated with first year college students assigned randomly to one of four treatment conditions: 1) no treatment, 2) 6-week weight and caloric feedback only, 3) 6-week internet intervention, and 4) 6-week combined feedback and internet intervention. As expected, the combined intervention group had lower BMI …
Applying Movement Success Models To Marian Apparition Movements, Rachel Bobbitt
Applying Movement Success Models To Marian Apparition Movements, Rachel Bobbitt
Theses and Dissertations
This research seeks to explore Marian apparition movements as applied to movement success models. Among the numerous reports of the Virgin Mary appearing to the faithful, a select number of these experiences have developed into social movements. These movements take on similar patterns in their development and are contingent upon group involvement and support. This analysis researches how certain cases of Marian apparitions transition from lone psychic experience into a social movement and seeks to expand upon existing movement success models.
Evolution Of Urban Design In Practice (Case Studies Of Chicago, Detroit And Cleveland Through Time), Sulabh Aryal
Evolution Of Urban Design In Practice (Case Studies Of Chicago, Detroit And Cleveland Through Time), Sulabh Aryal
Theses and Dissertations
Throughout the twentieth century various urban design theories came into light. These theories were sometimes original and sometimes derivative of some previous theory.These theories can be broadly categorized in different urban design models. The chronological study of different urban design theories gives us the theoretical and generic evolution of urban design. The practical evolution of urban design in any city can be different from the generic evolution of urban design. This thesis examines the urban design of three Midwestern American cities from their origins to the present day. The urban design of these cities, related to different time periods is …
Causative Factors Of Crashes Between A Motor Vehicle And The Amish And Old Order Mennonite Horse And Buggy, Cory Anderson
Causative Factors Of Crashes Between A Motor Vehicle And The Amish And Old Order Mennonite Horse And Buggy, Cory Anderson
Theses and Dissertations
Horse and buggy transportation is spreading as rapidly as its Amish and Old Order Mennonite users are, as are buggy crashes with motor vehicles. This study examines the primary causes of 76 reported horse and buggy crashes in Pennsylvania in 2006. The main crash types identified include a motorist rear-ending a forward-moving buggy, motorist failing to pass a buggy, buggy struck while crossing an intersection, and buggy struck while making a left turn. While causative factors varied for each crash type, major factors include the motorist or buggy driver incorrectly comprehending speed differentials, the motorist acting carelessly around the buggy, …
Beyond The Early Adopters: Examining The Potential For Car-Sharing In Richmond, Virginia, Steven P. Spears
Beyond The Early Adopters: Examining The Potential For Car-Sharing In Richmond, Virginia, Steven P. Spears
Theses and Dissertations
Car-sharing is a membership-based mobility service that offers short-term vehicle rentals. Studies have shown that car-sharing can increase transportation sustainability by encouraging the use of public transit and reducing vehicle miles traveled. This thesis examines the potential for car-sharing in Richmond, Virginia through an attitude-based qualitative pilot study. Using the theory of planned behavior as a framework, urban and suburban residents were asked questions that measured car-sharing intention strength, mode choice habit, and life change effects. The study found that even among those with positive attitudes toward car-sharing, existing habits, lack of adequate commuting alternatives and the needs of non-driving …
The Effects Of Family, School And Peer Support On The Achievement Outcomes Of African American Adolescents, M. Annette Clayton
The Effects Of Family, School And Peer Support On The Achievement Outcomes Of African American Adolescents, M. Annette Clayton
Theses and Dissertations
This study used survey design to explore the relationship between protective influences (support from parents, teachers and peers, social capital assets, and social support use), contextual risks, and two achievement outcomes in a representative sample of male and female African American high school seniors (N=317). Responses to two questionnaires, weighted cumulative grade point averages, and eleventh grade Virginia English Reading Standards of Learning test scores were analyzed. Multiple regression analysis revealed that some support variables were predictive of better achievement outcomes and others were associated with poorer outcomes. Three of the parent support predictors were associated with poorer achievement outcomes, …
Civic Habits: A Predictive Model Of Volunteer Behavior, Susan G. White
Civic Habits: A Predictive Model Of Volunteer Behavior, Susan G. White
Theses and Dissertations
The findings of this research indicate that volunteering is influenced by a number of factors, one of which is gender. The data used in this study reveal a different profile of the volunteer than is presented in much of the research on volunteering, which tends to profile the "most likely" volunteer as female, employed by the public sector, possessing a higher education and having children. The questions addressed in this research are: 1) What are the contextual effects of volunteering and 2) Is there a relationship of one or more of these effects to gender? The findings indicate men in …
Examining Student Engagement And Its Influence In A Social Contextual Model Of Adolescent Health Behavior Change, Ian Joseph Wallace
Examining Student Engagement And Its Influence In A Social Contextual Model Of Adolescent Health Behavior Change, Ian Joseph Wallace
Theses and Dissertations
Current theoretical models of health behavior change frequently serve as the theoretical backdrop to adolescent health promotion programs. Yet, despite that each main theory was developed with adults and for adults, appropriate and necessary changes for adolescents are often neglected. The unique values, priorities, and abilities of adolescents are important and therefore necessary to consider during health promotion efforts. The present study explored student engagement, a unique adolescent need that has been shown to facilitate achievement in academic environments. Evidence from the psychological and educational literatures suggests that engagement may uniquely influence the process of health behavior change for adolescents. …
Comparative Practices & Perspectives: Gender, Development And Empowerment In Uttarakhand, India And Northern Virginia, Sara Duke
Theses and Dissertations
The following thesis is a qualitative comparative case study which investigated the values, practices, perspectives, and strategies of Indian and American community organizers (practitioners and volunteers of non-profits and non-governmental organizations) who use microfinance, including savings schemes, as an instrument within the social intermediation process of developing disadvantaged women's capacities for self-sufficiency/empowerment. The focused inquiry was conducted through similarly structured in-depth interviews of directors, staff members and volunteers/community-based organizers of a women's business center in Northern Virginia, a large U.S. metropolitan area, and a women's federation in the rural Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India. Interview questions focused on savings, social intermediation, …
The Influence Of Differently Framed Information On Decision Making In The Public Budgeting Process: Does Budget Reform Mean A Damn?, Robert Dennis Malarkey
The Influence Of Differently Framed Information On Decision Making In The Public Budgeting Process: Does Budget Reform Mean A Damn?, Robert Dennis Malarkey
Theses and Dissertations
Public budgeting has become a central artifact of American government the principal means for establishing and implementing policy. Modern public budgeting was introduced in the early Twentieth Century as an adaptation of objects of revenue and expenditure budgeting used in commercial businesses. Since then - over a hundred years - a series of budget reform movements have sought to overcome a major drawback to this model: the lack of a direct link between revenues and expenditures and any measure of the quality or quantity of public benefits derived from budget allocations. While a number of major budget reforms have …
In Pursuit Of Paternal Significance: Fathers' Influence On Their Daughters' And Sons' Sexual Behaviors And Beliefs, Rachel S. Everley
In Pursuit Of Paternal Significance: Fathers' Influence On Their Daughters' And Sons' Sexual Behaviors And Beliefs, Rachel S. Everley
Theses and Dissertations
The United States has the highest teen pregnancy and adolescent STD rates of any industrialized nation. Numerous factors are involved in adolescent sexual decision-making and the social-ecological framework suggests that there are multiple levels of influence on adolescent development, including familial. Utilizing survey data from the Virginia Abstinence Education Initiative (VAEI), this project specifically explores paternal influences on adolescent sexual behavior and beliefs by examining paternal residence in the home, perceived paternal figure sexual beliefs, and father-child relationship factors. Results indicate that paternal figures influence their daughters' and sons' sexual behaviors as well as beliefs. Differences in paternal figure influence …
Informal Caregivers Of Advanced Cancer Patients: The Impact Of Geographic Proximity On Social Support And Bereavement Adjustment, John Garland Cagle
Informal Caregivers Of Advanced Cancer Patients: The Impact Of Geographic Proximity On Social Support And Bereavement Adjustment, John Garland Cagle
Theses and Dissertations
This research explored the social and psychological needs of caregivers of advanced cancer patients, and their subsequent bereavement adjustment. The study focuses exclusively on informal caregivers who provide assistance to patients receiving hospice care for end-stage cancer. Those individuals living furthest from the dying care recipient, the long distance caregivers, were of particular interest. This study used a prospective design to explore how a caregiver's geographic proximity impacted their social support and bereavement adjustment. A 2 x 3 repeated measures design was used to gather data from caregivers before a patient's death (using a pre-death questionnaire) as well as after …
Self-Appraisals, Perfectionism, And Academics In College Undergraduates, David Edward Canter
Self-Appraisals, Perfectionism, And Academics In College Undergraduates, David Edward Canter
Theses and Dissertations
The influences on perfectionism and procrastination of race, gender, cognitive-affective and academic self-appraisals, and academic performance expectations were studied. The sample consisted of 155 Introductory Psychology students (57 African Americans, 41 Asian Americans, and 57 European Americans; 51.6% women) with a mean age of 19.4 years (SD = 3.6). Data were collected during the final week of the Fall 2007 semester. Consistent with previous research indicating that men are more likely to procrastinate than women, men were over-represented in this sample. Self-esteem, measured with the Rosenberg (1965) Self-Esteem Scale, was conceptualized as having two components: self-liking and self-competence (Tafarodi & …
Evaluation Of An Early Discharge Policy For Infants With Apnea Of Prematurity, Cheryl N. Bodamer
Evaluation Of An Early Discharge Policy For Infants With Apnea Of Prematurity, Cheryl N. Bodamer
Theses and Dissertations
This research examines the safety and cost effectiveness of an institutional policy on discharge of preterm infants with Apnea of Prematurity (AOP) from the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center Newborn Intensive Care Unit (VCUNC NICU) with caffeine therapy and a cardiorespiratory monitor. This practice policy was developed over a decade ago as a cost containment measure in neonatal care and continues to be implemented today despite the lack of a formal evaluation. The secondary objective was to examine through a review of the literature the psychosocial impact of premature birth on the family and the potential effect on the infant's …
Faith-Based Organizations And Legislative Advocacy: A Qualitative Inquiry, M. Lori Thomas
Faith-Based Organizations And Legislative Advocacy: A Qualitative Inquiry, M. Lori Thomas
Theses and Dissertations
Since the early 1990s, religion and matters of faith and spirituality have become a focal point in numerous arenas beyond the individual and traditionally sacred. With President George W. Bush's White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives of 2001, the Charitable Choice provision of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act that preceded it in 1996, and the myriad of legal challenges that followed, matters of religion have become paramount in political discourse regarding social welfare. The viability of faith-based social service provision and the organizations providing the direct services have been the focus of speculation, debate, and …