Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Applying The Power Of Social Media To Generate Awareness And Support For Symphony Orchestras Among Younger Target Markets, Gina Bittner

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this exploratory investigation were to (a) provide insight to communication managers at symphony orchestras into how social media can be used in their marketing efforts and to (b) ascertain how to effectively use social media as a strategy to attract younger demographic groups (ages 19-35). The researcher distributed an online survey to communication professionals at U.S. symphony orchestras (n=220) selected at random from the 2010 Musical America Directory and conducted in-depth interviews with members of the 19 to 35 age group in the southern New Jersey area. The average survey responder demonstrated interest in social media, but …

Punjabi Tonemics And The Gurmukhi Script: A Preliminary Study, Andrea Lynn Bowden

Theses and Dissertations

Punjabi, a language primarily spoken throughout Pakistan and in the northern Indian state of Punjab, is one of a few closely related Indo-Aryan languages, including Lahnda and Western Pahari, or Dogri-Kangri, which are counted among the world's tone languages, despite having no genetic link to other recognized tone languages. Few grammars have been published for Punjabi, and of those available, the grammars either fail to discuss the existence of lexical tone or note tone only in passing, and these disagree among themselves on even the number of tones. Unfortunately, those grammars which do make note of the presence of lexical …

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 …

The Changing Meaning Of Marriage: An Analysis Of Contemporary Marital Attitudes Of Young Adults, Nicole Margaret Kay

Theses and Dissertations

An interesting paradox in the literature about marriage is that despite the substantial changes to marriage over the last half century, young adults remain committed to the ideal of marriage. While changes to marriage as a social institution have been well documented, research concerning the contemporary attitudes of young adults about marriage has been limited. Even less research has focused on how these contemporary attitudes may cluster young adults into groups that have different perceptions of marriage. This study explores young single adult attitudes about marriage, and group differences in these attitudes. A quota sample (n=700) of 18-35 year-old young …

An Exploratory Analysis Of Factors Associated With Participation In Self-Directed And Traditional Marriage And Relationship Education, Shelece Mcallister

Theses and Dissertations

Although self-directed marriage and relationship education (MRE) has the potential to reach a larger or different audience than traditional MRE, little has been done to examine the characteristics of those who access self-directed materials. This study examined individual, couple, family, and sociocultural context variables that predicted participation in both self-directed and traditional MRE programs. A series of logistic regressions were conducted using SPSS 19.0. Different factors predicted participation for each intervention. For self-directed programs, those who were older, more educated, more religious, less materialistic, whose partners were more neurotic, who had been dating for a shorter amount of time, and …

Family Structure And Family Instability: Evaluating Their Influence On Adult Outcomes, Hsin-Yao Chiu

Theses and Dissertations

Family structure is a widely used independent variable. However, in recent years researchers have questioned its predicting power. They also strive to improve its use. This study drew on Holman's (2001) theoretical model and examined the association between the family structure independent variables (Family Structure, Family Instability, and Parental Romantic Partners) and the outcome variables (Coming to Terms, Self-esteem, Maturity, and Depression). The analysis was conducted with a sample of 3,705 individuals (2,316 females and 1,389 males) randomly selected from the entire population that completed the Relationship Evaluation Questionnaire (RELATE). Results showed that Family Instability was a stronger predictor than …

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 …

Don't Worry....Be Happy: The Influence Of Parental Anxiety On Adolescent Self-Esteem, Holly Olson Coutts

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was to explore the direct and indirect influences of both paternal and maternal anxiety on adolescent self-esteem as mediated by parental criticism and autonomy allowance. Participants included 331 parent-child triads with a child between the ages of 12 and 15 from the Flourishing Families Project. Findings suggested that maternal anxiety had a significant negative influence on adolescent self-esteem while paternal anxiety did not. Also, the influence of maternal anxiety on adolescent self-esteem was carried directly rather than indirectly through autonomy allowance and parental criticism; however, this influence was only significant prior to adolescent gender …

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

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) …

Communicating A Centralized Message Within A Decentralized Political Movement: The Tea Party, Michael Walsh

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the effectiveness of how well the Tea Party movement has communicated its message to both members and non-members. This research indicates that the present day populist political movement has done an exceptional job informing the public of its goals. While many non-members of the Tea Party movement disagree with its goals, they were, nonetheless, well versed in both the primary and secondary goals of the movement. Additionally, the research showed that the message has been consistent over various channels including broadcast and cable television, social media, websites, radio, and face-to-face.

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

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

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 …

Is Tdr In Virginia Doa? A Study Of The State Of Transfer Of Development Rights Programs In Virginia, Alissa Akins

Theses and Dissertations

Transfer of development rights has been approved as a tool to manage growth in Virginia since 2006, yet it has not been widely employed. This tool can be used to direct growth and development at little or no cost to society while simultaneously preserving land for future generations. In an effort to understand the limited use of transfer of development rights programs in Virginia, this research collected information regarding obstacles and limitations to TDR program development and implementation, from every locality in the Commonwealth authorized to employ this tool. Based on findings of pertinent TDR literature, this research outlines the …

Addressing Increased Ridership And Demand: Grtc – Care Paratransit Service Sustainability For The City Of Richmond, Ashray Pande

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis will be to evaluate and assess the current Care Service being offered by GRTC and recommend economic efficient, equitable and sustainable opportunities for a better Human Mobility Service transportation effectiveness and coordination. Transportation demand management strategies that generate revenue and contain costs are required to meet the demands and needs of future aging populations without compromising quality of service. With the baby boomer population set to retire and advancing health care improvements, the elderly population and disabled segment of the population is bound to rise, increasing the demand for human mobility services. This trend and …

Modeling Intermittent And Perennial Headwater Stream Origins In North Carolina., Kevin Macleod

Theses and Dissertations

Low-order headwater streams, a link between the upland landscape and larger streams within a watershed, affect watershed hydrology. Yet current widely available maps inadequately depict headwater streams, underestimating channel length or omitting channels entirely. Intermittent and perennial headwater streams each provide unique habitat. Until recently, it has not been possible to accurately delineate these streams or predict channel flow durations without fieldwork. Recent advances in remote sensing may allow more accurate headwater stream mapping.

Methods for mapping intermittent and perennial headwater streams with a GIS-based modeling approach coupled with field verification were adapted, tested, and evaluated. Four models were developed …