Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Food Justice Advocates In Creating And Influencing Public Policy, Michael Joseph Chadukiewicz

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

This case study explored the impact that food justice advocates had on creating and implementing public policy to provide access to adequate, healthy, and culturally appropriate food for the residents of New Haven, Connecticut. The problem the case study explored is in 2020 food insecurity affected 22% of the residents of New Haven, more than twice the national average. This qualitative case study used grounded theory to analyze the experiences of 31 food justice advocates that were members of a coalition of researchers, food service providers, non-profit agencies, grassroot organizations, and residents tasked with improving the city’s emergency food system. …

Recognizing And Addressing Conflict That Emerges From Sociotechnical Change In Higher Education, Kathleen Ann Watkins-Richardson

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

Today’s unprecedented technology growth impacts at many levels—from individuals to groups to society. This study aims to characterize how exponential digital technology growth and organizational change is explained and experienced in a university setting deploying new instructional technologies—and how or where conflict emerges. Organizational conflict is a phenomenon that takes many forms and may not be fully recognized. This dissertation highlights theories of technology invention and disruption, the dynamics of sociotechnical change (defined as the interdependencies between people, technology, and the environment) and response in organizations, complex adaptive systems, and practice theory of change. It considers current technological forces at …

Spiritual Intelligence: The Next Intelligence Tool For Conflict Resolution Practitioners?, Peter Tokar

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Spiritual intelligence is currently being utilized with positive results in many professional communities, yet it is practically unknown within the conflict resolution and peacebuilding communities, at least by name. Recent national polls have demonstrated a high percentages of Americans still embrace a spiritual dimension to their humanity. Although church attendance has been on the decline for the past couple decades, polls show that even the Millennial Generation and GenZ are still interested in spirituality, though in a non-ecclesiastically organized way. Although significant sensitivities remain in society and culture concerning the separation of church and state, literally millions of Americans …

Nsu College Of Psychology Graduate Student Catalog 2022–2023, Nova Southeastern University

College of Psychological Services / College of Psychology Postgraduate Student and Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Social Media Analytics And Information Privacy Decisions: Impact Of User Intimate Knowledge And Co-Ownership Perceptions, Bradley Alukwe Wangia

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

Social media analytics has been recognized as a distinct research field in the analytics subdomain that is developed by processing social media content to generate important business knowledge. Understanding the factors that influence privacy decisions around its use is important as it is often perceived to be opaque and mismanaged. Social media users have been reported to have low intimate knowledge and co-ownership perception of social media analytics and its information privacy decisions. This deficiency leads them to perceive privacy violations if firms make privacy decisions that conflict with their expectations. Such perceived privacy violations often lead to business disruptions …

Violence Without Thought Or Memory, Marvin W. Acklin

Archives of Assessment Psychology

Understanding mental states in criminal defendants who have committed extreme homicidal violence invokes perspectives from neurobiology, psychoanalytic theory, and personality assessment. Individuals who commit extreme violence frequently claim to have no awareness or recollection of their violent actions. This paper examines violence without thought or memory—with a special focus on rage-type murder—through the lens of the neurobiology and neuroscience of affective violence, clinical and forensic personality assessment, and clinical case history. A forensic case study is presented of an extreme violent homicide perpetrated by a 14-year-old youth who killed his foster mother, including a psychological evaluation and a mental state …

Review Of The Efficacy Of Methods In The Early Detection Of Vascular Dementia, Daniella G. Maciel, Charles J. Golden

Archives of Assessment Psychology

Various assessments are used to detect cognitive decline throughout the stages of vascular dementia (VaD); however, the literature lacks a review of assessment efficacy. Early signs of VaD may include a decline in executive functioning, processing speed, attention, visuospatial abilities, and memory retrieval deficits. This review examines peer-reviewed publications addressing the validity and efficacy of widely accepted (and some lesser-known) neuropsychological assessments used to detect cognitive dysfunction in VaD. in addition to some common related medical assessments. Articles reviewed here include selected case-control studies and a case. The Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) surpassed the …

Inventory For The Assessment Of The Severity Of Body Integrity Dysphoria (The Bid Assessment), Maria A. Garbos, Erich Kasten

Archives of Assessment Psychology

Objective:Body integrity dysphoria (BID; also known as body integrity identity disorder, xenomelia, amputee identity disorder, or apotemnophilia) describes a very rare condition in which non-disabled people feel a desire or need for a physical disability (e.g., amputation, paralysis, or blindness). BID is included in the new version of ICD-11 (6C21: body integrity dysphoria), but, thus far, we are without a standard test of whether a subject suffers from BID and, if so, at what intensity. Accordingly, this study aimed to develop an inventory for the assessment of BID. Methods: We created a questionnaire comprising 80 items covering the desire for …

Preliminary Evidence Demonstrating The Utility Of The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale Of Intelligence–Second Edition (Wasi-Ii) In The Neurocognitive Assessment Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Samuel T. Gontkovsky, Joseph J. Ryan, David S. Kreiner, Gordon Teichner

Archives of Assessment Psychology

Although memory deterioration is the primary symptom of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), this may not be the first/only deficit of the disorder, necessitating more comprehensive assessment of neuropsychological functioning. This study examined the usefulness of the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence–Second Edition (WASI-II) in the neurocognitive assessment of AD. Participants were 68 individuals classified into AD, depression, and healthy comparison groups administered the WASI-II as part of an outpatient clinical neuropsychological evaluation. Patients with AD obtained significantly lower scores on the WASI-II relative to the standardization sample as well as healthy comparison and depressed participants. Classification accuracy statistics and receiver operating …

Psychiatric And Neuropsychological Sequelae Of Herpes Simplex Encephalitis, Carla F. Cabrera, Charles J. Golden

Archives of Assessment Psychology

Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), often from the Type 1 (HSV-1) viral infection. This neurotropic double-stranded DNA virus impairs the integrity and permeability of the blood-brain barrier, allowing the virus to enter the brain. In several studies, HSV-1 impacts the temporal lobe, frontal lobe, and limbic system, leading to brain damage. While significant progress has occurred in understanding this infection, clinicians should be vigilant for acute and chronic complications associated with HSE, such as autoimmune encephalitis, differential diagnoses, and psychological disorders. A growing body of literature focuses on the evidence of an association …

Revisiting The Need For Age-Based Norms In Personality Assessment Using The Cleveland Adaptive Personality Questionnaire, Amir M. Poreh, Jennifer B. Levin

Archives of Assessment Psychology

The need for age-based norms in personality assessment is of great interest given the trend of adjusting for demographic variables in neurocognitive evaluations. We examined the need for age-based norms using the Cleveland Adaptive Personality Questionnaire (CAPQ; Poreh & Levin, 2019) in 1,646 individuals ages 25 to 95 years (M = 44.5, SD = 16.1). Results showed that scores on the CAPQ clinical scales linearly declined across the lifespan in conjunction with a linear increase in measures of social desirability. Power analysis indicated that the CAPQ Avoidant scale produced the most significant effect, followed by a moderate effect for the …

Assessing Aggressivity With The Comprehensive System-Revised, Part I: The Rorschach Gacono & Meloy Extended Aggression Scores: An Updated Review, Carl B. Gacono, Jason M. Smith

Archives of Assessment Psychology

Determining a patient's aggressivity is a function of assessing multiple factors, including personality vulnerabilities, past behaviors, and potential future circumstances. Evaluating the nature and predominance of aggressive drive, impulse control, affect lability, inhibitory mechanisms, cognitive deficits, and conscious and unconscious attitudes (e.g., use of devaluation; the presence of internal identifications and imagery) is essential. All of these issues have correlates in the Comprehensive System (CS; Exner, 2003; also CS-R; Fontan & Andronikof, 2022) and supplemental Rorschach data (primitive defenses: Cooper et al., 1988; Lerner & Lerner, 1980; object relations phenomena: Kwawer, 1980; extended aggression scores: Gacono & Meloy, 1994). Pre-Oedipal …

Assessing Aggressivity With The Comprehensive System-Revised, Part Ii: The Gacono Aggressivity Cluster (Gac), Carl B. Gacono, Jason M. Smith

Archives of Assessment Psychology

The coding of Rorschach aggressive imagery, while essential, is not sufficient for assessing aggressivity. This evaluation requires an analysis of multiple personality domains and functions, such as nature and predominance of aggressive drive, impulse control, affect lability, inhibitory mechanisms, cognitive deficits, and conscious and unconscious attitudes (e.g., use of devaluation; internal identifications & imagery; Finney, 1955; Rose & Bitter, 1980). As personality attributes correlate with Rorschach variables and indices, the Rorschach contributes to identifying and confirming the nature and quality of an individual’s vulnerabilities. Ultimately, however, a determination of an individual's aggressivity must be considered not only through the lens …

Female Delinquency And Pathways To Crime, Pamela Lynn Smykal

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation investigated gendered relationships and their potential influence on women’s criminal motivation. Historically, researchers attempted to understand criminal behavior using a male-oriented perspective which has dominated criminological literature. Criminologists have neglected to consider the role of gender as a significant predictor or pathway toward criminal behavior of either males or females. Within the last two decades, female criminality has become a spotlight for recognition and attention separate from male criminality. Traditional research on crime has been limited in understanding the pathways for female criminality and motivations for offending as individual predictors of male crime. Analyzing the role of …

Connecting The Dots Between American Islamic Converts, Homegrown Violent Extremists, And Members Of The Islamic Guerillas Of America: Phenomenological Exploration, Joseph Francis O'Brien

Theses and Dissertations

This autoethnographic qualitative study details the researcher’s interest in the world of Islamic terrorism, which stemmed from the 2007 disappearance of a colleague in Iran, while on a rogue CIA mission. From the literature review, four basic themes emerged, which were applied to five case studies. One of the first scholarly articles encountered, speculated that the lack of empirical research and evidence in Islamic terrorism studies, may be caused by conceptual and methodological difficulties and pointed out that social phenomenon such as radicalization, rehabilitation and reintegration are hard to conceptualize and measure. Also, there is no consensus regarding the causes …

The Risk Protection Order: Protection From Mass Homicide?, Brooke Elvington

Theses and Dissertations

Gun control measures, referred to as “risk protection orders” or “Red Flag” laws, are expanding with widespread public support. Currently, 19 states have similar legislation, varying in procedural approaches and enforcement to reduce firearm-related homicide, emphasizing mass homicide. However, little is known about whether the legislation is effective. The following questions are presented: (1) Is there a difference between rates of firearm related homicide incidences prior to and after the creation of Florida’s “Red Flag” law? (2) Do risk protection orders target individuals demonstrating known mass homicide offender typology characteristics? The study used data derived from open-source resources. An interrupted …

Understanding Hispanic Parent Experiences Of Participation In Children’S Special Education Programming, Ana Katrina Ramirez

Theses and Dissertations

The problem of the applied dissertation was parents who have children with disabilities at the target middle school are not fully involved in their child’s IEP educational planning. The purpose of the qualitative study was to understand Hispanic parents’ experiences with participating and contributing to the education of their children who are in the special education program. The study explored parent involvement in the process of their children’s Individualized Education Plan. It explored the issues Hispanic parents face when becoming involved with their child’s education and working with the school.

Parent participation in Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings with schools …

Middle School Literacy Educators' Views About Student Texting And Its Impact On Student Writing, Rehana Lynda Mohamed Hussain

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation investigated middle school literacy educators’ views about the impact of text messaging on students’ spelling and writing abilities. Specifically, the researcher determined educators’ views about the impact of text messages from Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) and Short Message Service (SMS) on middle school student writing and spelling. The researcher interviewed middle school teachers about their experiences with student writing and whether text speak is present in students’ writing and spelling.

Four research questions are posed: (a) To what extent do middle school teachers notice textspeak within student writing? (b) What do middle school literacy teachers report as the …

An Analysis Of Florida Educators' Perceptions Of The School Superintendency, Qualifications, Leadership Skills, Longevity, And Student Achievement: A Quantitative Study, Natalie Whitco

Theses and Dissertations

High turnover in the role of school superintendent signaled functional disruption, decreased morale and impaired student achievement. The principal researcher sought to explain perceptions among professional Florida K-12 public school educators about key factors related to the role of school superintendent, necessary qualifications, important leadership skills, longevity and its impact on student achievement.

The principal researcher disseminated a 10-question online self-administered survey she developed for the study to a sample of 199 professional Florida K-12 public school educators. Independent demographic variables among sample participants included: gender, current job, highest level of completed education and years of experience as an educator. …

Social Media Use, Acculturation, And Self-Esteem Of Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Adults, Taylor A. Paglieri, Caroline Kobek Pezzarossi Ph.D, Deborah Schooler

JADARA

Social networking sites (SNSs) have become increasingly popular in modern society; however, research into the impacts of SNS use on Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (D/HH) individuals is lacking. Through an online survey completed by 217 D/HH adults, we examined the demographic predictors of SNS use and how frequent SNS use relates to self-esteem. Deaf acculturation, age, attending a mainstream school with support services, and education level were significant predictors of SNS use for D/HH adults. Furthermore, D/HH adults with increased Deaf acculturation and frequent SNS use reported higher self-esteem.

Book Review: Deaf People In The Criminal Justice System: Selected Topics On Advocacy, Incarceration, And Social Justice, Meghan L. Fox

JADARA

None

Quality Of Life For Deafblind Individuals: Comparing The Effect Of Living With And Without Support Service Providers, Sheridan K. Whitworth, Jaime Wilson

JADARA

The current study examines the quality of life for DeafBlind individuals who have support service providers (SSPs) compared to those who do not have SSPs. A measure of quality of life (KIDSCREEN Survey, 2004) was administered to 56 DeafBlind individuals (N=58), ages 18 years and older. Half of the individuals (n = 28) participated in the group with SSPs, and the other half participated in the group without SSPs. Results from the quantitative survey indicate that DeafBlind individuals with SSPs have consistently higher positive responses than those without SSPs.

Book Review: Deaf People In The Criminal Justice System: Selected Topics On Advocacy, Incarceration, And Social Justice, Neil S. Glickman

JADARA

None

The Implementation Of Conversation-Help-Activity-Movement-Participation-Success Procedures To Improve Behavior And Academic Performance, Henreta Jarrett

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation was designed to examine the fidelity level of implementation of Conversation-Help-Activity-Movement-Participation-Success (CHAMPS) classroom management strategies designed to reduce students’ behavior problems and boost academic performance at a large Title I elementary school in the southeastern United States. The participants included 10 teachers with experience teaching Grades 3 to 5 who had 3 years of experience implementing the CHAMPS classroom-management plan.

The researcher implemented bracketing, intuition, open-ended coding, and Axial coding to examine the implementation of the CHAMPS classroom-management plan in reducing behavior problems and boosting academic performance. The evaluation intended to address the central research question: How is …

Does Most-To-Least Prompt Fading Lead To Independence In Tooth Brushing In Children With Intellectual Disability?, John W. Byrd

Theses and Dissertations

The problem identified in this research was that the most-to-least (MTL) prompting strategies used for individuals with intellectual disability (ID) had not been consistently demonstrated in research for personal hygiene, specifically tooth brushing. It has been well known that people with ID acquire skills differently than typically developing individuals (Cengher et al., 2018). Difficulty with developing hygiene skills such as brushing teeth is not limited only to those with physical disabilities because individuals with ID can struggle with hygiene skills as well. MTL prompt fading procedures have been used to teach many skills to individuals with ID (Drummond, 2018).

The …

Autoeficacia Del Docente De Educación Física General Y La Inclusión De Estudiantes Con Necesidades Especiales [Self-Efficacy Of The General Physical Education Teacher And The Inclusion Of Students With Special Needs], Raul Berrios

Theses and Dissertations

El propósito de este estudio fue determinar el nivel de autoeficacia de los docentes de educación física general, sobre la inclusión de estudiantes con necesidades especiales en las áreas de estrategias de instrucción, manejo de la sala de clases y cómo lograr la participación de los estudiantes.

El diseño utilizado fue uno no experimental con un enfoque transeccional o transversal descriptivo. El marco teórico seleccionado fue la teoría social cognitiva de Bandura, de la cual se desprende el componente de la teoría de autoeficacia.

La muestra estuvo conformada por los 37 docentes de educación física general de un municipio del …

The Experiences Of The Elderly Transitioning From Home To The Nursing Home Setting, Brent James Munson

Theses and Dissertations

Elderly persons transitioning from home to a nursing home setting may struggle with unaddressed mental health issues. The problem addressed in this study involved a lack of evidence regarding how elderly individuals experience these transitions in living from their own perspectives. The purpose of this study was to better understand the lived experiences of elderly people who are making the transition from home to a nursing home setting.

The qualitative design utilized in the research was phenomenology. Fourteen participants were interviewed to ascertain their experiences in the transition from home to a nursing home setting. Follow-up questions were formulated and …

Exploring Attitudes Of Middle School Stakeholders Towards Teachers Carrying Handguns In Schools, Roger Pacheco

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation focused on the attitudes of teachers, administrators, and parents towards teachers carrying handguns in middle schools. This qualitative study will illustrate the perceptions of specific middle school stakeholders and their views on the issue of middle school teachers carrying guns on school grounds. The lack of research about teachers carrying handguns in schools can be detrimental to informing policymakers and school officials when deciding to allow teachers to carry firearms on campus. Arming teachers has become a phenomenon of interest with many high stakeholders, but to understand the logic behind arming teachers, a historical timeline of school …

Self-Actualized Leaders’ Relationships With Dynamic Teams, Joseph Walter Pieri

Theses and Dissertations

A recent study of 831 companies around the world found that employees on average tend to spend 54% of their time working within teams (Frey et al., 2013). Today, this number is estimated to be an additional four to six percent higher (Gallup, 2020). Despite the upward trend of increased reliance on team-based structures in effort to improve productivity and boost morale, research reveals approximately two-thirds of U.S. employees are not engaged in their workplace (Gallup, 2020). More than half (51%) of workers merely go through the motions of their job, barely meeting minimum position responsibilities. However, leadership is essential …

Examining Motivators That Influenced African American And Latinx Students To Degree Completion Of A Doctoral Program, Travis L. Stokes

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to provide an investigation of the motivators that influence African American and Latinx students to complete a doctoral program. There are numerous studies that show data on low enrollment and retention of this population. Further, there is ample evidence of attrition, but there is a need to hear their voices share the experiences of successful doctoral graduates from this population.

The researcher posited systemic racism in education caused low enrollment and graduation rates among African American and Latinx students. Then, an interview protocol was developed to elicit responses regarding what caused the persistence to complete …