Digital Commons Network^™

Factors Associated With New Hospital Nurses' Self-Efficacy In Providing Palliative End-Of-Life Care, Penny Marie Brriese

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Self-efficacy is defined as confidence in one’s competence; the ability to successfully accomplish tasks and achieve favorable outcomes (Bandura, 1997). Many nurses today say they feel their undergraduate education was inadequate for them to feel competent to provide palliative and EOL patient care. (Chiplaskey, 2016; Scherlin & Quinn, 2016; Zheng et al., 2018).). Inadequate EOL preparation also results in nurses experiencing distress, death anxiety, burnout, feeling overwhelmed and leaving practice within just a few years (Friedman et al., 2011; Gaw, 2012; Kovner et al., 2006; Parry, 2008; Silverstein, 2017, November 28; Suzuki et al., 2008; Wilson & Kirshbaum, 2013). …

Instructional Coach Professional Learning: Developing Reflective Practices, Cultural Competence, And Self-Efficacy In An Asynchronous Course, Mena Hill

Theses and Dissertations

Effective instructional coaching programs have the potential to promote the development of reflective practices, cultural competence, and self-efficacy of educators, but require intentional professional development for coaches. This research inquiry examines instructional coach participants’ reflective practices, cultural competence, and self-efficacy after participating in an eight-week asynchronous Coach-Teacher Partnership Toolkit (CTPT) professional development course and the effects of the CTPT course on their coaching practices (Hill, 2021c). This study also examines teacher perceptions of cultural competence and reflective practice development as related to organizational and instructional coaching supports.

Results of the study indicate instructional coaches desire ongoing and purposeful professional development …

The Importance Of Inclusive Classrooms For Students With Disabilities: Research Leading To The Creation Of A Needs Assessment To Support Inclusive Classrooms, Tara Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

Inclusion of students with disabilities in the general classroom has many benefits for all students in the classroom, not just students with disabilities. Including students teaches all students kindness, compassion, and patience. For special education students, inclusion increases confidence, social skills, helps to create a sense of belonging, and makes learning more enjoyable. The purpose of this study was to see if students with disabilities make more progress being included in the general classroom with their peers or pulled into the resource room and placed on an alternate curriculum. Data was collected using progress monitoring scores and IEP goals. Results …

Internet Training Modules Targeting Home-Based Parent Involvement With Students In Early Childhood Special Education, Nicole Marie Reybok

Theses and Dissertations

Parental engagement is an essential element in the social-emotional and academic achievement of students. However, barriers to this involvement continue to exist. Barriers may take many forms including time, school and staff perceptions and bias, power dynamic, communication with teachers, curriculum, and differences in language and culture. Barriers to parent engagement are typically increased for parents of children with special education needs. Therefore, it is the responsibility of school staff to identify barriers that may exist for families and help them to develop solutions to overcome those barriers. This quantitative study investigated possible barriers to home-based parent involvement in Early …

Translocation Of Yops By Yersinia Pestis Into Canine Cell Lines, Betsy Louise Young

Theses and Dissertations

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, secretes a set of virulence proteins called Yops when in contact with eukaryotic cells. A subset of these Yops is translocated directly into the cytosol of the host eukaryotic cells by the type III secretion system. Using a protein tag-based reporter system, this study is focused on the translocation of these Yops into the cytosol of canine derived cell lines: MDCK and DH82. The MDCK cell line is a canine derived epithelial cell line, and the DH82 cell line is a canine derived monocyte cell line. The reporter system uses a phosphorylatable peptide …

Rural Community Park Accessibility, Ashleymarie Patricia Hirdler

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Rural Community Park Accessibility

Background: Play is a primary occupation for children and is critical for development (Yogman et al., 2018). School readiness and relationships with others can be impacted when opportunity for play is limited. Play also benefits adults by reestablishing their passion for activities and reducing stress responses to everyday events (Yogman et al., 2018). Lynch et al. (2019) found that when playgrounds were not accessible, children and parents with disabilities felt odd and experienced increased stress due to limited opportunities. It is important for children and their families to have access to accessible parks and spaces …

Educating The Interprofessional Team And Family About Sensory Challenges Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder May Experience, Delanie Vitosh

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often demonstrate difficulties processing and interpreting sensory input experiencing over-responsiveness or under-responsiveness to sensory stimulation (Autism Speaks, n.d.). A sensory education program was created to educate the interprofessional team and families about sensory challenges children with ASD experience and what strategies can be used to prevent or decrease the number of outbursts caused by over-stimulation, under-stimulation, and their potential impact on participation in meaningful occupations. Based on the literature review, non-compliance with home programs is a major factor negatively affecting therapeutic outcomes (Rone-Adams, Stern, & Walker, 2004). However, Koegel, Bryan, Su, Vaidya, and …

Iris Clubhouse: Experiences Of Community Integration, Rebecca J. Reeves

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The lived experience of community integration for those living with a serious mental illness (SMI) who are members of an unaccredited Clubhouse is an under investigated topic. The goal of this study is to better understand this phenomenon to inform the development of efficient and effective community integration programming for a local Clubhouse who is working toward becoming accredited. 15 active and inactive members of a local Clubhouse participated in a semi-structured interview to discuss their experiences of community integration while living with an SMI. The interviews were analyzed using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach (Dibley et al., 2020). Seven themes …

Interoception Toolkit: A Resource For Occupational Therapy Practitioners To Use With Children And Their Families, Heidi Lynn Janssen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Interoception refers to one’s ability to sense the internal condition of the body, including sensory messages from body parts and internal organs (Craig, 2002). In the past 30 years, scientists and researchers have discovered a powerful connection between interoceptive appraisal skills and self-regulation, emotional identification, emotional regulation, social skills, and nearly every task in daily life (Mahler, 2017). The purpose of this project is to provide practitioners with an educational platform that describes the sensorimotor skill of interoception applied throughout the occupational therapy process.

Methods: The development of this product was initiated with a thorough review of literature to …

Addressing The Recreation And Social Participation Gap In Children With Disabilities: Program Development Of A Recreational Summer Camp, Benjamin Isaac Germolus

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Recreation, social participation, and leisure are important occupations of children, however, children with disabilities participate in them less frequently and more often with parents when compared to their typically developing (TD) peers (Lin, 2020; Schreuer et al., 2014; Solish et al., 2010). Therapeutic summer camps have been shown to reduce these disparities in participation while achieving positive functional gains (Flynn et al., 2019; Guest et al., 2017; Kaboski et al., 2015; Petersen et al., 2020; Sakzewski et al., 2015; Sterman et al., 2016; Walker et al., 2010; Yang et al., 2021). However, few summer camp programs are available for occupational …

Meeting Sensory Needs: A Childcare Provider’S Guide To Support Sensory Strategies In The Daycare Setting, Mckenzie Dye

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Meeting Sensory Needs: A childcare provider’s guide to support sensory strategies in the daycare setting.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to create a supplemental sensory guide to support childcare providers in creating a sensory rich environment. This product incorporated the expertise of occupational therapy to create a sensory guide that outlines a sensory activity bank and environmental modifications.

Background: A high percentage of children in childcare experience sensory related difficulties that hinder their performance in daily activities. Many children in daycare who have sensory processing difficulties are being treated as if they have behavior problems, which can have …

Secondary To Post-Secondary Education Transition: A Guide For Self-Advocacy And Self-Determination, Karleen T. Vonkrosigk

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Post-secondary transitions encapsulate the stage of life between high school and adulthood where adolescents transition to college, technical school, work, or other options (Palmon et al., 2017). It is not uncommon for students to lack the skills and strategies needed for self-advocacy and self-determination, which are crucial to success throughout adulthood (Palmon et al., 2017). Upon reviewing current literature, it was identified that supportive transition services begin to diminish after secondary education ends (Kramer, 2015). A product that helps guide and support individuals transitioning to post-secondary education is beneficial and needed.

Methodology: Extensive research was completed through a literature …

Occupational Therapist’S Role In Addressing The Psychological Impacts Of Pain In Clients With Upper Extremity Conditions, Shivangi Patel

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background & Purpose: The experience of pain is different for every client (Felman, 2020). There are various ways to feel and describe the pain (Felman, 2020). A maladaptive response to pain has been associated with increased pain and physical limitations in clients with upper extremity pain (Verhiel et al., 2019). Upper extremity impairments can result in the disruption of many activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014). Clients with upper extremity pain often resort to maladaptive coping strategies, such as catastrophic thinking (Verhiel et al., 2019). The most common psychological factors related …

Functional Cognition In Long-Term Care: Implementing Allen’S Cognitive Level Screen, Sarah Janean Schumacher

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Functional Cognition in Long-Term Care: Implementing Allen’s Cognitive Level Screen

Purpose: It is motivating to many individuals to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. As we age, there is a shift to balancing needed support while maintaining independence. According to Allen (1991), cognition is the number one factor affecting an individual’s ability to live independently. Within long-term care, specifically assisted living facilities, cognitive screening processes are in place to measure one’s cognition, however, often the tools in place do not measure functional cognition (Stewart, O’Riley, Edelstein, & Gould, 2012). The purpose of this scholarly project …

Interventions Addressing Social And Leisure Participation For Adults With Musculoskeletal Chronic Pain, Kady Locke, Emily Ray, Josie Sylte

Critically Appraised Topics

FOCUS QUESTION:

P - Adults 18-90 years of age

I - Exploration of most effective OT programs and interventions

C - Musculoskeletal chronic pain

O - Improved participation in social and leisure activities

What are the most effective occupational therapy interventions to improve social and leisure participation in adults aged 18 to 90 who experience chronic musculoskeletal pain?

Energy Harvesting & Wing Morphing Design Using Piezoelectric Macro Fiber Composites, Md Saifuddin Ahmed Atique

Theses and Dissertations

Energy harvesting from vibration sources was a very promising field of research throughout the last few decades among the engineers and scientist as considering the necessity of renewable/green energy for the welfare of mankind. Unused vibration energy exists in the surrounding or machineries was always tried to be utilized. Since then, by using piezoelectric transduction, researchers started to harvest the vibration energy. However, after the invention of piezo ceramics Macro Fiber Composites (MFC) by NASA, the research in this field augmented a lot due to its high efficiency to convert mechanical strain or vibration to useful electrical power and vice …

Examining Attitudes Toward Transgender Defendants, Kendall Ann Klein

Theses and Dissertations

Individuals who identify as transgender are overrepresented in the criminal justice system due to their increased risk of victimization and contact with law enforcement. Ringger (2018) and Ringger (2020) are two of the few studies that have examined juror perceptions and decisions related to transgender defendants specifically as compared to cisgender defendants. The current study sought to fill this gap by further exploring juror decisions in cases involving transgender defendants. Additionally, the proposed study sought to identify potential attitudinal predictors of guilt and blame for transgender defendants. In this study, participants read crime vignettes featuring transgender and cisgender male and …

The Driving Forces Of Academic Integrity: A Survey Of Communication Disorder Students, Mary Ellen Huston

Theses and Dissertations

Academic dishonesty has been a pervasive problem in universities for decades, however, there has been limited research linking allied health students to specific cheating behaviors. For students studying to enter allied health fields, academic dishonesty is problematic as the health and safety of their clients is at risk. To date, there has been no research focused on the academic integrity of students enrolled in programs leading to a career in speech language pathology. This quantitative study explored the theories of reasoned action, neutralization, and motivation as they relate to academic dishonesty among SLP students. The study combined a slightly modified …

A Novel Numerical Model For Transient Mixed-Flow Analysis In Pipe And Conduit Systems, David B. Khani

Theses and Dissertations

While responding to a wet weather flow event, stormwater pipe systems experience complex transient flow in which both open channel and pressurized flow regimes may coexist. The resulting transient flows may induce significant positive and negative pressure surges that can be intense enough to compromise the integrity of the system such as pipe rupture or flooding the streets and damage to properties. Unfortunately, available off-the-shelf software such as InfoWorks, Mike Urban, etc. are not comprehensive enough to capture all features of the resulting transient flows. When the elastic feature of the flow system becomes of significant importance, these models fail …

Landscape Ecology Influence On Population Dynamics And Gene Flow: A Muskrat’S Tale, Ayla A. Morehouse

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding movement patterns across a landscape is an essential tool for wildlife managers to understand and predict population dynamics, interactions, and susceptibility to disease and environmental changes. Part of this is due to population spatial synchrony being driven by three primary factors: dispersal, the “Moran Effect”, and trophic interactions. We seek to understand if dispersal may play a larger role in population synchrony and, if so, what landscape features may hinder the movement of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), a small semiaquatic mammal that relies on ditches and shallow wetlands for habitat and local movement. In this study we genotyped eleven microsatellite …

Genetic Breed Association And Contraceptive Response Gwas Of The Feral Horses (Equus Caballus) Of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Melissa Amy Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) is home to a herd of feral horses (Equus caballus) which were present on the landscape prior to the establishment of the park and are now maintained as a living history demonstration herd. I used genomic analyses to investigate the TRNP horses’ relatedness to other breeds and the genetic basis for variation in response to a contraceptive vaccine. DNA from 118 horses was genotyped for 70k SNPs spread evenly across the genome. To clarify the relationship of this herd with other horses, I used population genomic analyses to compare the TRNP genotypes to a dataset …

Associations Between Handgrip Strength Asymmetry And Health Related Quality Of Life Among Canadian Adults: An Analysis Of The Canadian Health Measures Survey, Jessica Lembke

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Health related quality of life (HRQOL), a measure of perceived quality of health is significantly related to current and future health. Handgrip strength (HGS) asymmetry is an aspect of muscle function that can be measured using handheld dynamometry. While several studies have examined relationships between HGS asymmetry and HRQOL, few have used nationally-representative data, and none have used Canadian data. The aim of this study, therefore, was to examine the association between HGS asymmetry and HRQOL in a nationally-representative sample of Canadian adults.

Methods: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from cycles 5 and 6 (2016–17 and 2018–19) of …

Traditional And Technology-Enhanced Learning: Faculty Perspectives And Student Experiences And Satisfaction In An Art & Design Program During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Cynthia Margaret Boehm

Theses and Dissertations

Digital skills are essential in today’s digital age, which means that students require technology-enhanced skills in higher education to succeed in their future careers. In this study, faculty and students in an Art & Design (A&D) program at a Midwestern university were surveyed regarding their perspectives and experiences. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this university changed its teaching and learning strategy by offering courses online during the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters, where quarantine was mandatory. Still, the A&D program did not provide all courses online. This study included online surveys based on three constructs of quality of studio learning, …

Systems Modeling As A Means Of Building Accuate Mental Models Of Physiology Core Concepts In Undergraduate And Graduate Health Sciences Students, Michelle Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate medical and health sciences problem solving relies upon a solid foundation of basic sciences content knowledge, primarily physiology. Yet, due to its nature as a dynamic system of interconnected, networked, concepts, physiology is often difficult for students to master. The three studies in this dissertation explore the use of a cognitive tool, systems modeling, to facilitate the development of an accurate mental model of physiology content knowledge in undergraduate and graduate physiology students. In the first study, undergraduate physiology student participation within online asynchronous peer group systems modeling activities was associated with progressive improvement on multiple choice question answer …

Nursing Home Decision Satisfaction For Family Caregivers Of Older Adults, Kara Bauer

Theses and Dissertations

Nursing Home Decision Satisfaction for family caregivers who have made nursing home decisions with and on behalf of older adults was examined through Self Determination Theory. Participants (n = 297) completed the study via Amazon Mechanical Turk during March 2021. Structural equation modeling was used to assess relationships between Autonomy Support, Multicultural Inclusiveness, Perceived Competence, COVID-19, and Nursing Home Decision Satisfaction. Specifically, the relationship between the exogenous variable of Autonomy Support and the endogenous variable of Nursing Home Decision Satisfaction was partially mediated by Perceived Competence and demonstrated acceptable fit. Results suggest that Self Determination Theory is a compelling and …

Transformational And Executive Coaching Framework: Perceptions Of Elementary Principals, Clayton Dodson

Theses and Dissertations

Many successful Fortune 500 corporations have hired executive and transformational coaches to help their employees maximize their potential. This coaching framework has helped business executives explore the obstacles that are preventing their institutional growth. In many cases, workplace culture has become more positive, employee mental health has improved, retention has increased, and collaboration and stakeholder partnerships have flourished. This qualitative study’s intent was to explore the implementation of a coaching framework inspired by executive and transformational coaching in public elementary schools. Novice principals of three North Dakota elementary schools were selected as participants for this study. These principals had a …

Examining Cultural Identification And Substance Use Among American Indian And Caucasian Adults, Lynn Ruth Martell

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research suggests American Indians (AIs) demonstrate higher levels of substance use and related consequences. AIs have experienced historical trauma through colonization which has created shifts in the way AIs conceptualize their identity. However, the literature on cultural identification as an influencing factor of substance use among AIs is inconsistent. The current study examined alcohol and drug use/related consequences, collective self-esteem, and cultural identification among 213 AI (n = 44) and Caucasian (CA; n = 169) adults via online surveys. Results indicated higher scores on the American Indian Cultural Identification (AICI) scale was a predictor for increased alcohol and drug …

Thermal Stability And Decomposition Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas) Using Granular Activated Carbon And Other Porous Materials, Pavankumar Challa Sasi

Theses and Dissertations

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic chemicals that have been produced for decades as either processing aids or individual ingredients in many industrial and commercial products, including aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs), non-stick cookware, and fast-food packaging. PFOA and PFOS have been reported in >95% of blood samples collected during multiple U.S. national surveys at concentrations that are a risk to human health. Thermal treatment is routinely used to reactivate the spent granular activated carbon (GAC) from water purification facilities. The aims of this study were: (1) to improve our understanding of the thermal stability of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; …

The History Of Queer Resistance And Student Activism At The University Of North Dakota, Jeff Maliskey

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the queer history of the University of North Dakota from 1980 to present day and demonstrates how LGBTQ+ student activism lead to the development of LGBTQ+ programs and services at the University. Situated in a socially and politically conservative state, the University of North Dakota provides an understanding of how LGBTQ+ students organized in the 1980s out of necessity to combat social opposition and discriminatory state legislation. LGBTQ+ students were burdened with the responsibility to create their own support services and resources as there is no historical evidence of the university administration taking steps to improve the …

Increasing Implementation Fidelity Of Behavior Intervention Plans In Public Schools Following Delivery Of Remote Behavior Skills Training For Staff, Shayna Kia Shriver

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a remote training to educate teachers in effectively implementing interventions within a behavior intervention plan (BIP) following remote behavior skills training (BST). This study addressed the following research question: What are the effects of a remote behavior skills training program on the teacher percentage of correctly implemented steps of a behavior intervention program. The study was conducted with elementary school teachers who work with students who continue to exhibit problematic behaviors. Teachers were trained to effectively implement students’ current BIPs, which consisted of teachers reporting on the effectiveness of …