Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 91 - 110 of 110

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Evaluating The Acute Effects Of Caffeinated Waterpipe Tobacco In Waterpipe Users, Caroline Cobb Apr 2012

Evaluating The Acute Effects Of Caffeinated Waterpipe Tobacco In Waterpipe Users, Caroline Cobb

Theses and Dissertations

Caffeine and nicotine are the two most commonly consumed licit psychoactive drugs in the world. In addition, they are frequently co-administered with over 86% of cigarette smokers reporting caffeine use versus 77% of non-smokers. Research suggests the combination of nicotine and caffeine produces effects that are more rewarding or pleasurable than either drug alone, and this potential reward enhancement may influence patterns of tobacco use initiation and maintenance. Waterpipe tobacco smoking is an alternative tobacco use method that is increasing in prevalence in the U.S. and offers a novel opportunity for nicotine and caffeine co-administration via a caffeinated tobacco product …


Parent And Professional Perspectives About Autism Spectrum Disorders In South India: Beliefs, Practices, And Parent-Professional Relationships., Neeraja Ravindran Apr 2012

Parent And Professional Perspectives About Autism Spectrum Disorders In South India: Beliefs, Practices, And Parent-Professional Relationships., Neeraja Ravindran

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the experience of parents and professionals living in a large metropolitan city in South India who were raising and/or working with a child with an autism spectrum disorder. The study explored the unique perspectives of parents and professionals regarding their beliefs and practices about autism, as well as the nature of the parent-professional relationship. Nineteen parents (all mothers) and 21 professionals were interviewed in person at four schools, an early intervention program, a hospital clinic, and a physician’s office. Themes were developed using qualitative software, and reliability was established through multiple …


Poppies And Ptsd: Opioid Influence On A Preclincal Model Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder., Sarah Vunck Apr 2012

Poppies And Ptsd: Opioid Influence On A Preclincal Model Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder., Sarah Vunck

Theses and Dissertations

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that affects over 7.7 million adults and carries an estimated societal cost of $3.1 billion every year. People develop PTSD after exposure to a traumatic event. Alone or combined, approved pharmacotherapies or psychotherapy are somewhat effective, but symptoms for many remain refractory. Emerging evidence suggests that opiate systems may modulate the development and expression of PTSD, and their role can be investigated preclinically. Pavlovian fear conditioning is a preclinical model which elicits behaviors mirroring those that occur in humans during and after exposure to trauma. This presents an experimental tool that can …


Forecasting Effects Of Influence Operations: A Generative Social Science Methodology, Christopher W. Weimer Mar 2012

Forecasting Effects Of Influence Operations: A Generative Social Science Methodology, Christopher W. Weimer

Theses and Dissertations

Simulation enables analysis of social systems that would be difficult or unethical to experiment upon directly. Agent-based models have been used successfully in the field of generative social science to discover parsimonious sets of factors that generate social behavior. This methodology provides an avenue to explore the spread of anti-government sentiment in populations and to compare the effects of potential Military Information Support Operations (MISO) actions. This research develops an agent-based model to investigate factors that affect the growth of rebel uprisings in a notional population. It adds to the civil violence model developed by Epstein (2006) by enabling communication …


Analysis Of Social Network Measures With Respect To Structural Properties Of Networks, Joshua D. Guzman Mar 2012

Analysis Of Social Network Measures With Respect To Structural Properties Of Networks, Joshua D. Guzman

Theses and Dissertations

Social Network Analysis (SNA), the study of social interactions within a group, spans many different fields of study, ranging from psychology to biology to information sciences. Over the past half century, many analysts outside of the social science field have taken SNA concepts and theories and have applied them to an array of networks in the hope of formulating mathematical descriptions of the relations within the network of interest. More than 50 measures of networks have been identified across these fields; however, little research has examined the findings of these measures for possible relationships. This thesis tests a set of …


Predictors And Predictive Effects Of Attitudinal Inconsistency Towards Organizational Change, Scott T. Drylie Mar 2012

Predictors And Predictive Effects Of Attitudinal Inconsistency Towards Organizational Change, Scott T. Drylie

Theses and Dissertations

Studies have largely portrayed individual resistance as a pervasive, irrational, and problematic response to organizational change initiatives. The current study confronts this interpretation with a model of attitudinal inconsistency that provides a more holistic perspective of the individual during times of change. Inconsistency reveals the degree to which the mental evaluations of a change initiative may conflict and produce weak attitudinal foundations to govern behavior. Measuring affective-cognitive consistency, the tests in this study demonstrate that employees may form inconsistent attitudes towards a change initiative. Inconsistency relates negatively to the perceived quality of management transition techniques such as participation, communication, structured …


The Relationship Between Key Supply Chain Process Implementation, Competitive Advantage, & Organizational Performance, Anthonelli White Jr. Mar 2012

The Relationship Between Key Supply Chain Process Implementation, Competitive Advantage, & Organizational Performance, Anthonelli White Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

In spite of an ever-accumulating body of research on the topic of supply chain management (SCM), an agreed upon definition or framework regarding its essential constructs or practices does not exist. There are, however, a few leading academic perspectives on SCM that have been bolstered by the acceptance of industry leaders. One such perspective is that presented by the Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF). This study applies established survey methods to expand the body of knowledge pertaining to SCM by empirically validating the relationships conceptualized by the GSCF framework through an analysis of the perception of mid-level managers and senior-level …


The Relationship Between Religious Orientation, Age, And Eating Disorder Symptoms, Sara L. Susov Mar 2012

The Relationship Between Religious Orientation, Age, And Eating Disorder Symptoms, Sara L. Susov

Theses and Dissertations

Eating disorders are public health problems that are becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States. Research has shown that the etiology of eating disorders is multifaceted, and includes physical, socioemotional, and generic risk factors. One area that predicts eating disorder behaviors is religious orientation; however, the literature on the relationship between eating disorder symptomology and religious orientation has been mixed. Religious orientation is defined as reason for engaging in religious practice. People who have an intrinsic religious orientation live their religion instead of using their religion, and people with an extrinsic religious orientation use their religion to help them achieve …


Diverse Teacher Candidates' Perceptions Of A University's Special Education Preparation Program, Ashleigh Jay Cramer Mar 2012

Diverse Teacher Candidates' Perceptions Of A University's Special Education Preparation Program, Ashleigh Jay Cramer

Theses and Dissertations

As part of a four year professional development program centered on increasing cultural responsiveness at Brigham Young University, special education faculty members conducted interviews with teacher candidates who had completed the special education program. The interviews primarily focused on the candidates' experiences during their time in the program. The interviews were audio and/or videotaped and transcribed verbatim. The transcriptions were then analyzed using the inductive analysis design for qualitative research (Hatch, 2002). The candidates expressed what types of learning activities as well as what professors did or did not do that helped them to be successful. Also emerging from the …


Do Paraeducators Use Best Practices With Students Who Exhibit Aggressive Behaviors?, Michelle Weiss Mar 2012

Do Paraeducators Use Best Practices With Students Who Exhibit Aggressive Behaviors?, Michelle Weiss

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers question the growing use of paraeducators in public school special education classrooms, complaining that the professionals with the least education are being asked to assist the students requiring the most intervention (Blalock, 1991; Giangreco, Broer, & Edelman, 1999). How well are paraprofessional educators prepared to use best practices for behavior management in special education settings? The eight special education paraprofessionals surveyed in this study demonstrated varying levels of knowledge regarding how to respond to the aggressive behaviors often displayed by students with emotional disturbance (ED). Paraeducators who reported receiving the most district- or teacher-led training (4 to 16+ hours) …


Respite Care And Marital Quality: Families With A Child Diagnosed With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Amber Rachelle Harper Mar 2012

Respite Care And Marital Quality: Families With A Child Diagnosed With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Amber Rachelle Harper

Theses and Dissertations

Parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at greater risk than other couples for having higher stress levels and lower marital quality. Respite care has been suggested as a way to help alleviate stress. This study investigated the relationship between respite care and marital quality; and the potential of mother stress and father stress as mediating variables. One hundred and one couples, each consisting of a mother and a father who lived with their child with an ASD, were given questionnaires including a respite questionnaire, Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Experience in Close Relationships Questionnaire, and …


Visual Attention, Color Processing And Physiological Measure Differences In Males And Females With Substance Abuse And Opiate Addiction, Jo Ann Petrie Mar 2012

Visual Attention, Color Processing And Physiological Measure Differences In Males And Females With Substance Abuse And Opiate Addiction, Jo Ann Petrie

Theses and Dissertations

A biological marker of the addictive state would be a major breakthrough in objectively assessing the efficacy of treatment outcomes. Given its role in the mesolimbic system and drug reward, most biological marker studies for addiction focus on measures related to dopamine (DA). Dopamine is also implicated in some disorders of visual attention and plays a modulatory role in the processing of color in the retinal DA pathway. For example, visual processing in the retina has been shown to co-vary with DA levels during cocaine withdrawal. In this electroencephalographic (EEG) study, we studied event related potentials (ERPs) and reaction time …


Change In Group Therapy: A Grounded Theory Inquiry Into Group And Interpersonal Patterns In A Community Sample, Rebecca R. Canate Mar 2012

Change In Group Therapy: A Grounded Theory Inquiry Into Group And Interpersonal Patterns In A Community Sample, Rebecca R. Canate

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study investigated the group process and impact of pre-group feedback information on individuals in an eight-week therapy group. The feedback information was based on group members' results on the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) Intrex questionnaire given before the group began. The Intrex is based on Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT) theory, which is a combination of interpersonal psychoanalysis, attachment theory, operant conditioning, and studies of imitative learning, and has been utilized primarily in an individual treatment format. Because only a limited number of treatment strategies have utilized IRT theory in the group treatment setting, and because group …


Adolescent Girls' Experience Of Binge And Loss Of Control Eating, Allison Palmberg Mar 2012

Adolescent Girls' Experience Of Binge And Loss Of Control Eating, Allison Palmberg

Theses and Dissertations

The current investigation used qualitative methodology to examine adolescent girls’ perceptions of control over their eating, as well as triggers, and consequences of binge and related eating behaviors. Focus groups were completed with 19 adolescent girls (aged 13-17, 58% African American, 41% White) who endorsed the behaviors. Responses to focus group questions were qualitatively analyzed using a grounded theory approach and constant comparison coding. Results reflected a fundamental lack of awareness of the loss of control (LOC) eating behaviors. Yet, the data did reflect a central theme of the need to affirm independence and autonomy through eating behaviors via three …


Blood Glucose Monitoring And Metabolic Control In Youth With Type 1 Diabetes: Relation To Disease Care, Adrienne Borschuk Feb 2012

Blood Glucose Monitoring And Metabolic Control In Youth With Type 1 Diabetes: Relation To Disease Care, Adrienne Borschuk

Theses and Dissertations

Better disease care behaviors in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are strongly related to better metabolic control (HbA1c). However, HbA1c results are only available, on average, every three months, and may not accurately capture intricacies of blood glucose fluctuations. Youth then must rely on blood glucose levels obtained throughout the day to determine which disease care behaviors to perform to maintain optimal metabolic control. Youth may have difficulty performing these disease care behaviors properly or consistently, which makes parental monitoring a crucial aspect of the diabetes regimen. Additionally, youth who experience frequent or severe hypoglycemia may develop a fear …


Imaging And Behavioral Correlates Of The Anterior Cingulate In Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury, Tricia L. Merkley Feb 2012

Imaging And Behavioral Correlates Of The Anterior Cingulate In Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury, Tricia L. Merkley

Theses and Dissertations

The anterior cingulate has been implicated in a number of cognitive processes that are at risk following traumatic brain injury (TBI), such as executive function and emotional processing. While the cingulate is believed to play a role in the above-mentioned cognitive processes, the relative roles of gray and white matter in functional outcomes post-TBI are not fully understood. The current study investigated various quantifiable brain properties (e.g., cortical thickness and volume, volume of underlying white matter, and white matter integrity) of the caudal anterior cingulate (CAC) gyrus and their relationships with behavioral measures of cognitive control following pediatric TBI. Parent …


The Role Of Positive Emotions In Health-Related Outcomes For Caregivers Of Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury, Suzzette Chopin Feb 2012

The Role Of Positive Emotions In Health-Related Outcomes For Caregivers Of Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury, Suzzette Chopin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between both self-efficacy for caregiving and personal gain and several variables related to well-being in caregivers (N = 70) of veterans who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Specifically, the relationship between self-efficacy for caregiving and perceived physical health and the relationship between personal gain related to caregiving and depression and anxiety was examined. The relationship between caregiver personal gain and perceived care recipient behavior was also examined. Exploratory analyses considered kinship and racial/ethnic differences. This was a secondary analysis of pilot data collected at four Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers (PRC) …


Dispositional Mindfulness In People Diagnosed With Cancer: The Relationship To Depressive Symptoms And Well-Being, Karen Kersting Jan 2012

Dispositional Mindfulness In People Diagnosed With Cancer: The Relationship To Depressive Symptoms And Well-Being, Karen Kersting

Theses and Dissertations

Coping with a cancer diagnosis is known to be a stressful experience that can be related to declines in personal well-being and increases in distress. Dispositional mindfulness is known to be related to depressive symptoms and well-being. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between mindfulness and experiences of depressive symptoms and well-being in people recently diagnosed with cancer. Seventy-four participants who were diagnosed with cancer in the last 12 months completed an initial self-report survey, and 43 of those completed another survey 3 months later. Cross-sectional regression analysis showed that higher levels of mindfulness were …


Latino Parental Acceptability Towards The Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine, Linda M. Kondilis Jan 2012

Latino Parental Acceptability Towards The Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine, Linda M. Kondilis

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined parental acceptability of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination among Latino parents. The role that acculturation may play in Latino parents' acceptability of the vaccine was also examined. A survey conceptualized using the Health Belief Model and two acculturation measures were administered to participants (N = 130). Approximately 70% of parents endorsed that they would vaccinate their daughters with the HPV vaccine. A regression analysis revealed that perception of susceptibility, perception of seriousness, perception of benefit, and cues to action significantly predicted parental acceptability, with 57% of the variance accounted by these variables. Acculturation was not a …


How Successful Is Homework Success For Children With Adhd?, Alexis Resnick Jan 2012

How Successful Is Homework Success For Children With Adhd?, Alexis Resnick

Theses and Dissertations

ADHD-diagnosed children generally display multiple difficulties with academic functioning (DuPaul, 2007; Loe & Feldman, 2007; Raggi & Chronis, 2006; Rogers, Wiener, Marton, & Tannock, 2009) and tend to show more frequent and intense homework problems than their peers (Power, Karustis, & Habboushe, 2001). Traditionally, treatments for ADHD have included medication and/or behavioral interventions (DuPaul & Weyandt, 2006; Loe & Feldman, 2007); however, interventions targeting the homework problems of children with ADHD have been limited. One such intervention for the treatment of children with ADHD and homework problems, the Homework Success Program (HSP), has yet to be empirically evaluated with individual …