Digital Commons Network^™

Child Maltreatment Severity And Adult Trauma Symptoms: Does Perceived Social Support Play A Buffering Role?, Sarah E. Evans, Anne L. Steel, David Dilillo

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Objectives: The current study investigates the moderating effect of perceived social support on asso-ciations between child maltreatment severity and adult trauma symptoms. We extend the existing literature by examining the roles of severity of multiple maltreatment types (i.e., sexual, physical, and emotional abuse; physical and emotional neglect) and gender in this process. Methods: The sam-ple included 372 newlywed individuals recruited from marriage license records. Participants com-pleted a number of self-report questionnaires measuring the nature and severity of child maltreat-ment history, perceived social support from friends and family, and trauma-related symptoms. These questionnaires were part of a larger study that investigated …

Supportive Supervision And Resiliency Ohio - Accwic Training Curriculum, Atlantic Coast Child Welfare Implementation Center

Other QIC-WD Products

Purpose The International Federation of Coaches (ICF) defines coaching as: “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” “Coaching is highly focused on individuals designing their future – and that of their organization – and achieving excellence through setting personally and professionally challenging goals and committing to taking the actions necessary to achieve them” (Byrne, 2007). In the field of child welfare, coaching is being utilized in work situations, at all levels of the system, to focus on specific skills and abilities to reach specific outcomes, enhance performance and …

Correlates Of Bullying Behaviors Among A Sample Of North American Indigenous Adolescents, Lisa A. Melander, Kelley J. Sittner Hartshorn, Les B. Whitbeck

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between familial, educational, and psychosocial factors and bullying among 702 North American Indigenous adolescents aged 11–14 years. The study used multinomial logistic regression models to differentiate correlates of bully perpetration and victimization versus being neither and between being a perpetrator versus being a victim. Analyses reveal that being a bully victim had different correlates than being a perpetrator. Perceived discrimination was associated with increased odds of being either a victim or a perpetrator, relative to being neither. Several factors differentiated being a bully perpetrator from being a bully victim: adolescent …

Unopa Notes, Volume 51, Issue 4, December 2012

UNOPA: Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Young Children’S Understanding Of Conservation Concepts, Julia C. Torquati

Discipline-Based Education Research Group Speaker Series

This presentation will summarize an investigation of young children’s conservation knowledge and reasoning. Eighty‐two preschool aged children (3‐5 years) were interviewed at two points in time six months apart using a semi‐structured interview. The interview protocol developed by Peter Kahn (2001) was used to assess children’s conservation attitudes. This was the first time the interview was used with preschool aged children. Children were asked questions about the importance of animals, plants, parks, and gardens, and whether it is acceptable to litter (and why or why not). Fifty‐seven of the children attended a preschool located at a nature center, ten children …

Building Research Collaborations, Athletics, And Research: Kickoff Conversation, August 23, 2012, University Of Nebraska–Lincoln

Office of Research and Economic Development: Publications

Just as Nebraska Athletics has long been regarded as a pioneer in the field of collegiate strength and conditioning programs, was among the first to emphasize the link between health and nutrition and athletic performance and stood in the vanguard in life skills training for student-athletes, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) now is taking the lead by integrating athletics and research and using cutting-edge imaging technology to better elucidate the biological underpinnings of behavior and performance. No other university in the nation is conducting research in this way.

This emerging collaboration between athletics and research at UNL led to allocation …

Approaches To Teaching Young Children Science Concepts And Vocabulary And Scientific Problem-Solving Skills And Role Of Classroom Environment, Amy Colgrove

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The current study was a replication of the study completed by Hong and Diamond (2012) which explored the effectiveness of two approaches to teaching young children science concepts and vocabulary and scientific problem-solving skills related to objects’ sinking and floating: responsive teaching (RT) and responsive teaching combined with explicit instruction (RT + EI). The current study also examined the moderating effects of classroom environment and teacher-specific factors on the relation between teaching approaches and children’s science learning. Participants included 26 (15 girls) four-and five-year old prekindergarten children. Responsive Teaching (RT) mirrors common approaches to teaching (observing and commenting on behaviors, …

Portuguese Translation And Validation Of The Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Cody S. Hollist, Olga G. Falceto, Luciane M. Ferreira, Richard B. Miller, Paul R. Springer, Carmen L. C. Fernandes, Nalu A. Nunes

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

The absence of a translated and validated instrument for measuring marital satisfaction in Brazil, the largest country in South America and fifth most populous country in the world, is a significant barrier for research and mental health service delivery. The purpose of this study was to translate and validate a marital satisfaction scale into Portuguese that would have both empirical credibility and cultural relevance in Brazil. A six-step serial approach was used to simultaneously translate and culturally validate the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS). The translated instrument (RDAS-P) demonstrated good psychometric properties during field testing.

Stress, Coping And Suicide Ideation In Chinese College Students, Xiaoyun Zhang, Haiping Wang, Yan Ruth Xia, Xiaohong Liu, Eunju Jung

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

The study was to examine 1) whether stress and coping styles could significantly predict the probability of suicide ideation; 2) and whether coping styles were mediators or moderators on the association between life stress and suicide ideation. The survey was conducted in a sample of 671 Chinese college students. Approximately twenty percent students reported having suicide ideation. Life stress, active coping styles, and passive coping styles all had independent effect on the probability of suicide ideation. Passive coping styles, especially fantasizing, mediated the relation between life stress and suicide ideation. Moderation hypotheses were not supported. Implications of the findings and …

Male And Female Perceptions Of Aftercare Supports And Services, Jacqueline N. Huscroft-D'Angelo

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Youth depart residential care with many continued risk factors, unique needs, and challenges as they reintegrate into the home, school, and community settings. Currently, there is limited research on needs and best practices in aftercare services and supports for youth departing from residential settings and even less is known about how these differ by gender. While preliminary studies have explored perceptions of need during reintegration and aftercare by youth and caregivers, little is known about how these may differ by gender or if perceptions change over time after experiencing the initial transition period. One way to address this knowledge gap …

The Impact Of Parental Involvement On Preschool Children’S Later Language Development In Low-Income Hispanic English Language Learners, Yanjie Long

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Previous research has revealed the importance of parental involvement in children’s language development (Raikes, et. al., 2006). However, few studies have focused in detail on the impact of parental involvement on the language development of English Language Learners (ELLs). The purpose of this study is to examine how early and concurrent parental involvement affects preschool children’s later language development in a sample of low-income Hispanic ELLs. More specifically, two aspects of parental involvement will be examined: (1) home support of language and cognitive stimulation; and (2) parent emotional supportiveness. The results indicate that early home language and cognitive stimulation and …

Research And Creative Activity:July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012: Major Sponsored Programs And Faculty Awards For Research And Creative Activity, Office Of Research And Economic Development, University Of Nebraska-Lincoln

Office of Research and Economic Development: Publications

This eleventh annual “Major Sponsored Programs and Faculty Awards for Research and Creative Activity” booklet highlights the successes of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty during the fiscal year July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012. It lists the funding sources, projects and investigators on major grants and sponsored program awards received during the year; published books and scholarship; fellowships and other recognitions; startups and intellectual property licenses; and performances and exhibitions in the fine and performing arts. This impressive list grows each year and I am pleased to present evidence of our faculty’s accomplishments. Grants and contracts in a diverse range of …

Mexican Immigrant Families Crossing The Education Border: A Phenomenological Study, Sandra Ixa Plata-Potter, Maria Rosario De Guzman

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

This phenomenological study examines Mexican immigrant parents’ experiences of helping their children navigate and succeed in school and their perceptions regarding differences between the U.S. and Mexican educational systems. Findings highlight parents’ challenges in helping their children succeed in a new and unfamiliar school system and the often serious implications for the success of their children. Challenges identified include language barriers, difficulties in understanding and dealing with unfamiliar rules, requirements and expectations for children, and feelings of ineptness in unfamiliar territory. Findings also highlight the importance of cultural resources in response to challenges. Educational and programming implications are discussed.

2012 Annual Report

Lancaster County, Nebraska Extension: Reports

B1G Outreach

B1G Connection

B1G Community Value

Celebrating 150 Years of the Land-Grant Legacy

Big Impact

http://lancaster.unl.edu = B1G Outreach & B1G Connection

Lancaster Extension Education Center Conference Facilities

B1G Honors, Awards, and Accomplishments

B1G Benefit to Youth

B1G Volunteerism

B1G Community Service

B1G Local Programs

Food & Nutrition

Yard & Garden

Pests & Wildlife

B1G Diagnostic Services

Extension Responds With Drought Resources

Families & Home

Farms & Acreages

Randomized Trial Of A Broad Preventive Intervention For Mexican American Adolescents, Nancy A. Gonzales, L. E. Dumka, R. E. Millsap, A. Gottschall, D. B. Mcclain, J. J. Wong, M. German, A. M. Mauricio, Lorey A. Wheeler, F. D. Carpentier, S. Y. Kim

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

Objective—This randomized trial of a family-focused preventive intervention for Mexican American (MA) adolescents evaluated intervention effects on adolescent substance use, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and school discipline and grade records in 8th grade, one year after completion of the intervention. The study also examined hypothesized mediators and moderators of intervention effects. Method—Stratified by language of program delivery (English vs. Spanish), the trial included a sample of 516 MA adolescents (50.8% female; M =12.3 years, SD=.54) and at least one caregiver that were randomized to receive a low dosage control group workshop or the 9-week group intervention that included …

Two Approaches To Teaching Young Children Science Concepts, Vocabulary, And Scientific Problem-Solving Skills, Soo-Young Hong, Karen E. Diamond

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

The present study examined the efficacy of two different approaches to teaching designed to facilitate children’s learning about science concepts and vocabulary related to objects’ floating and sinking and scientific problem-solving skills: responsive teaching (RT) and the combination of responsive teaching and explicit instruction (RT + EI). Participants included 104 children (51 boys) aged four to five years.Small groups of children were randomly assigned to one of the two intervention groups (RT, RT + EI) or to a control group. Responsive teaching (RT) reflects a common approach to teaching young children, and the combination approach (RT + EI) includes explicit …

Getting Ready: Results Of A Randomized Trial Of A Relationship-Focused Intervention On The Parent– Infant Relationship In Rural Early Head Start, Lisa Knoche, Susan M. Sheridan, Brandy L. Clark, Carolyn P. Edwards, Christine A. Marvin, Keely D. Cline, Keely Cline, Kevin A. Kupzyk

Department of Educational Psychology: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a relational intervention (the Getting Ready intervention) on parenting behaviors supporting the parent–infant relationship for families enrolled in Early Head Start home-based programming. Two-hundred thirty-four parents and their children participated in the randomized study, with 42% of parents reporting education of less than a high-school diploma. Brief, semistructured parent–child interaction tasks were videotaped every 4 months over a16-month intervention period. Observational codes of parent–infant relationship behaviors included quality of three parental behaviors: warmth and sensitivity, support for learning, and encouragement of autonomy; two appropriateness indicators: support for learning and …

Best Outcomes For Indian Children, Loa L. Porter, Patina Park Zink, Angela R. Gebhardt, Mark Ells, Michelle Graef

Center on Children, Families, and the Law: Faculty Publications

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families and the Midwest Child Welfare Implementation Center are collaborating with Wisconsin's tribes and county child welfare agencies to improve outcomes for Indian children by systemically implementing the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act (WICWA).This groundbreaking coUaboration wiU increase practitioners' understanding ofthe requirements of WICWA and the need for those requirements, enhance communication and coordination between all stakeholders responsible for the welfare of Indian children in Wisconsin; it is designed to effect the systemic integration of the philosophical underpinnings of WICWA.

In December 2009, Governor James Doyle signed the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act, signaling …

Are We There Yet? Examining Sociocultural Contexts Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy And Antibias Teachings In Early Childhood, Tonia Durden, Kimberly Blitch

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

What is our role in teacher education and development in preparing a workforce that has the professional competencies and skills to provide quality experiences for the culturally and linguistically diverse children in their care? We argue, it is imperative to draw upon the cultural and linguistic tools of children and families. An educational program that is culturally responsive to the child and encourages their sociocultural awareness and anti-bias beliefs toward others is critical in our emerging global society and essential to maximizing children’s learning experiences and future success. Culture still matters. Culture sensitivity, consciousness and awareness are all still integral …

Perceived Social Support Networks And Prosocial Outcomes Among Latino/A Youth In The United States, Maria Rosario De Guzman, Eunju Jung, Kieu-Anh T. Do

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

This study examines Latino/a adolescents’ perceived sources and types of social support, and links between social support and prosocial tendencies. Latino/a adolescents (N=126) in Midwestern United States participated in the study. Respondents of higher generational status reported broader social support networks and a higher amount of overall social support compared to peers of lower generational status. Youth perceived the highest amount of social support from immediate family, followed by extended family, and lastly from non-kin individuals. Path analysis indicated that overall social support was directly and positively associated with altruistic prosocial tendencies, and directly and negatively associated with public prosocial …

What Does It Mean To Be Prosocial? A Cross-Ethnic Study Of Parental Beliefs, Maria Rosario T. De Guzman, Jill Brown, Gustavo Carlo, George P. Knight

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

This study explored parental beliefs surrounding prosocial behaviors and the parenting practices that promote them. A total of 47 mothers of young adolescents participated in one of the seven focus groups, three of which were conducted in Spanish with first-generation Mexican-American immigrants, two were conducted in English among second generation (US-born) Mexican Americans, and two were conducted with European Americans. Responses were coded using elements of the grounded theory approach, and results indicate patterns of shared and unique beliefs about prosocial behaviors in ways that reflect the sociocultural context and acculturative experiences of the respondents. Findings suggest that beliefs about …

Poor Parenting And Antisocial Behavior Among Homeless Young Adults : Links To Dating Violence Perpetration And Victimization, Kimberly A. Tyler, Lisa Melander

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Though research has examined risk factors associated with street victimization among homeless young people, little is known about dating violence experiences among this group. Given homeless youths’ elevated rates of child maltreatment, it is likely that they are at high risk for dating violence. As such, the current study examined the association between child maltreatment and parental warmth with dating violence perpetration and victimization through substance use and delinquency among a sample of 172 homeless males and females. Results from path analysis revealed that physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect were all significant correlates of both substance use and delinquency, …

Unopa Notes, Volume 50, Issue 5, December 2011

UNOPA: Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Unopa Notes, Volume 50, Issue 4, November 2011

UNOPA: Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Community Capacity Building: Supporting Military Children And Families Environmental Scan Of Extension Professional Development Opportunities For Early Childhood And School-Age Providers: Final Report, Jennifer K. Gerdes, D. Felix, Amanda Prokasky, Tonia Durden, Kathleen Lodl

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this environmental scan was to discover what professional development is offered through the Cooperative Extension System to early childhood or school age providers across the nation. A secondary focus was to assess the availability of professional development opportunities offered through the Cooperative Extension System for providers who serve children (birth–12) from military families, both on and off installation. Through this process, the strengths of Extension were highlighted and existing resources that could be replicated for use in other states were identified.

Family Income, Parent Education, And Perceived Constraints As Predictors Of Observed Program Quality And Parent Rated Program Quality, Julia C. Torquati, Helen Raikes, Catherine Huddleston-Casas, James A. Bovaird, Beatrice A. Harris

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

Observed child care quality and parent perceptions of child care quality received by children in poor (below Federal Poverty Line, FPL), low-income (between FPL and 200% of FPL), and non-low-income families were examined. Observations were completed in 359 center- and home-based child care programs in four Midwestern states and surveys were received from 1313 parents whose children were enrolled in these programs. Multilevel structural equation modeling revealed that programs with higher proportions of low-income families tend to have lower observed quality than programs with a higher proportion of non-low-income families. Programs with more educated parents tended to have better observed …

Grandparenting In Chinese Immigrant Families, Xiaolin Xie, Yan Xia

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

In light of the life course perspective, this semistructured interview study with 29 grandparents involved in the caregiving of their grandchildren in Chinese immigrant families revealed three major themes: intergenerational connectedness and continuity of cultural practices, role varieties and responsibilities, and adjustment and adaptation. Despite immigration, Chinese grandparents continued the tradition of providing care to grandchildren. Although the grandparent role entailed responsibilities and there were adjustments to make when living in the new place, overall, grandparents considered their caregiving experiences positive. Support to these grandparents, however, was needed at both family and community levels to ensure their stay in the …

A Phenomenological Study Of Millennial Generation Cooperative Extension Educators' Development Of Core Competencies, David L. Varner

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to describe the experiences that contribute to the development of core competencies among Millennial Generation, county-based Extension educators in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Division. Fourteen educators were randomly purposefully selected to participate in the study. Participants were born in 1977 or later as determined by Tapscott (2009). Educators’ tenure in Cooperative Extension ranged from two months to seven years. Three themes and associated sub-themes emerged from semi-structured interviews: (a) Blindfolded and Scared—educators were confused, overwhelmed and in need of support; (b) Developing the Big Skills: A Daunting Task—focused on discovering competencies …

A Theatre-Based Youth Development Program: Impact On Belonging, Developmental Assets, And Risky Behaviors, Denise A. Craig

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study investigates if Nebraska Improvisational Theatre (Improv) increases a sense of belonging, positive identity, positive values, and decreases risky behaviors in participating youth. Improv is a positive youth development program focusing on health promotion through theatre. Training involves building teamwork skills, theatre skills, and self-esteem building. This work adds to research on youth development programs. It also expands on previous qualitative research on the Improv program (Knox, 1998.)

Youth were surveyed before Improv training, one week later, and six months later. Data is analyzed from three different trainings in 2002 with 50 participants completing all surveys. Participants are ages …

A Qualitative Study Of Nebraska Sixpence Program Directors' Experiences And Perceptions, Katherine E. Hauptman

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In Nebraska more than one-third of infants and toddlers live in conditions that are not conducive to early learning, putting them at-risk of failing in school and in life. By age four impoverished children are behind their peers by an average of 18 months. Sixpence Early Learning Fund works to ensure that children who are identified as at-risk in Nebraska are given the most optimal beginnings, preparing them for success throughout their lives. Currently, Sixpence is supporting thirteen programs across eleven school districts in Nebraska. Early childhood educators fulfill an important role that deserves increased recognition. Leadership in regards to …