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[Social Work] Newsletter, 2017, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Social Work.

Social Work Newsletter

Inside This Issue:
--2017 Year In Review
--Professor Spotlights
--Professor Highlights
--Alumni Highlights
--Student Highlights
--Student Services
--Awards Ceremony
--In the Field
--Agency Highlights

Head Above Water Weighing: A Valid Method To Measure Body Fat Storage?, Molly Lin Hussey

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Hydrostatic weighing using underwater weighing with full lung expiration has been established as a valid method to assess body composition; however, many people do not prefer to submerse their heads in water due to various reasons. Keeping the head above water as a method for hydrostatic weighing at full lung capacity has been tested but has not been accepted as an alternative method. Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to determine if hydrostatic weighing with the head above water at residual volume could provide valid estimates of total body fat. Methods: Fifty-eight subjects (F=29. M=29) participated …

Graduate Voice Recital: Rachel Storlie, Soprano & Robin Guy, Piano, Rachel Storlie

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

At 6:00 p.m. on April 14, 2017, soprano Rachel Storlie and pianist Dr. Robin Guy presented a recital of song literature in Davis Hall at the University of Northern Iowa, in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Voice Performance degree. Selections performed included songs from Grieg’s Haugtussa, Berg’s Sieben frühe Lieder, selections from Pâque’s Sept mélodies pour Chant et Piano, and Rorem’s Ariel with faculty artist/clarinetist Dr. Amanda McCandless. This document serves as a guide for the recital program through: exploration of poetic meaning and text setting style, observation of musical texture and melody, and illumination of …

The Civic And Political Engagement Of Latinos In Omaha, Nebraska, Christian Israel Espinosa Torres

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Prior to 2006, Latinos in this country were virtually disregarded as an active political group. However, on May 1, 2006, thousands of immigrants and advocates across the United States marched in major cities to protest proposed immigration laws. In Omaha, Nebraska, alone, it was estimated that community groups energized 15,000 people to march in protest that day. Since the marches, both the number of Latinos and public participation of that group has grown dramatically. But, that growth has not been without its setbacks. While that first display of unity was striking in 2006, many factors have combined to prove that …

Psychoeducational Module To Promote Knowledge And Reduce Stigma Towards Recreational Marijuana Users, Stephanie J. Strong

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Stigma can affect many aspects of life for those who are subject to stigmatization. As contact with stigmatized groups increases, less stigmatization occurs. Marijuana is one of the most commonly used illegal substances and is growing in popularity. Relatively few studies have examined the relations between stigma and specific substance use or particular characteristics of non-users that may influence stigma. Additionally, current anti-stigma interventions targeted at the general population have been largely unsuccessful in the reduction of stigma. The current study assesses a 25- minute online psychoeducational module designed to increase knowledge and reduce the stigma of recreational marijuana users …

Ecocritical Post-Colonial Studies On Humans, Land, And Animals, Alia Afzal

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Ecocritical post-colonial study is a newly emerged field in literary criticism. The theory combines the study of post-colonial environment in literary work and reveals a relationship between literature and the environment. Before the word ‘Ecocriticism’ was coined in the world of literature, from the beginning, writers were exclusively engaged presenting nature as source of inspiration and a privilege to evolve their ideas and pen them down. With the introduction of the term Ecocriticism in literary criticism by the Association of the Study of Literature and Environment (ASLE) in 1993, scholars approached the analysis of texts to highlight environmental concerns and …

Living And Teaching For Social Justice: Teacher Educators' Stories And Experiences, Courtney Kay Clausen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In the United States, the population of students’ with diverse racial/ethnic, linguistic, and economic backgrounds is on the rise, while teachers entering the field of education continue to be White or of European decent, monolingual, and female. These experiential differences between students and teachers can result in a demographic gap, where teachers struggle to meet the needs of all learners due to misperceptions, stereotypical beliefs, and biases. Educational scholars have called for the integration of social justice education into teacher preparation programs in order to assist preservice teachers in challenging their perceptions of students, to challenge the existing inequitable educational …

Outcomes, Perceptions, And Experiences In One Cped-Aligned Educational Doctorate (Edd) Program, Jolene Kay Farley Teske

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

EdD programming has been questioned because of lack of clarity in the initial degree construction and confusion regarding its unique focus on enhancing practice. An improved, coherent focus was developed through the Carnegie Project on the Educational Doctorate (CPED). To understand the changes happening in CPED-influenced EdD programs, studies conducted within these newly-revised programs are vital.

The current mixed-methods study explored perceptions of education doctoral (EdD) students in a CPED-Influenced program at one Midwestern university (n=36 for survey; n=8 for interviews). The research questions examined: (a) the successful completion of outcomes in the program; (b) the influence of the seven …

Sick Of Deviants: How The Behavioral Immune System May Impact Responses To Violated Norms, Neal G. Pollock

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In order to protect themselves from harmful pathogens, individuals have evolved a behavioral immune system (BIS) that is sensitive to disease cues (Schaller, 2006). At the cultural-level, there are variations in norms based on the prevalence of pathogens within a region (Schaller & Murray, 2008). Previous findings support the notion that the BIS promotes conformity (Murray & Schaller, 2012; Murray, Trudeau, & Schaller, 2011; Gelfand et al., 2011), as this produces an environment that is more protected against harmful pathogens. The current study attempted to provide experimental evidence for increased punishment for norm violations when the BIS was activated. Seventy-six …

Gender Differences In Cognitive Dissonance Reduction Strategies For Partner's Physical Attractiveness, Lijing Ma

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Physical attractiveness is an important standard for mate selection for both men and women (Langlois et al., 2000). However, men may care more about their partners’ physical attractiveness than do women (Feingold, 1990). This study applied cognitive dissonance theory (Festinger, 1957) to physical attractiveness in mate selection. Not everyone can find a partner who is as attractive as he or she would ideally like, so this may create cognitive dissonance between their attitudes and behavior. Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that people try to reduce uncomfortable feelings caused by the differences between their attitudes and behaviors (Festinger, 1957). Because men care …

An Investigation Of The Assessment Practices Of Elementary General Music Teachers In Iowa, Michelle Linn Hyde Swanson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Assessment, leading to informed decisions, is an integral part of music education and may be a means to justify the importance of music as a valued content subject (Brophy, 2000). The purpose of this study was to describe the elementary general music assessment practices in Iowa. The study was framed using Stiggins’ (2005) categorical definition of assessment as gathering, organizing, summarizing, and reporting data. Mixed methodologies were utilized to gather data regarding these four categories through survey questions (N=211) and two focus group discussions. The participants were from a variety of school district sizes as well as teachers with varying …

Comparison Of Forward Lean During Bulgarian Split Squat At High And Low Box Heights, Craig Konrardy

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study examined the difference between forward lean while performing the Bulgarian Spilt Squat at different box heights of 40 cm and 20 cm. The study also compared the maximal force output of the front foot during the BSS at the different heights.

Fifteen male athletes (standing height=180.73 ± 6.67 cm; mass= 80.45 ± 7.63 kg; age=18.55 ± 0.69 years) volunteered to complete the study. The participants performed three repetitions of each leg at two different heights of the Bulgarian Split Squat with 30% of self-reported back squat 1RM. Participants stood on a force plate to report maximal force during …

Association Of Various Concentrations Of Cat's Claw Herb (Uncaria Tomentosa) On Lymphocyte Proliferation And Nitric Oxide Expression: An In-Vitro Study Of Osteoarthritis, Noha Fadlalddin

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Uncaria tomentosa, also known as cat’s claw, is an indigenous herb which originates from the Amazon River basin and has proven to be highly effective via case report and limited epidemiological evaluation in the pallative treatment of a number of inflammatory conditions. The herb is particularly preferred on the American market due to its various uses for healing, which provides the impetus for this research. The herb is being used to treat osteoarthritis and claims have been made for its ability to: enhance the repair of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), support joint health and improve immune function, enable normal division of …

Anthropocentrism, The Other Face Of Patriarchy: An Investigation Into Patriarchal Attitudes And Perceptions Of Non-Human Nature, Alexis St. Claire

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Attitudes about gender and ethnicity are a critical dimension for understanding how human behaviors impact the climate. Plumwood (1997) argued that conceptually humans relate to the environment is ideologically connected to the way dominant and oppressed groups interact. Past research has found that exposure to nature decreased negative body image and other mental health issues that are connected to oppressive ideologies (Gidlow et al., 2016; Goldenberg & Soule, 2015; Holloway et al., 2014). The current study explicitly tested the link between patriarchal attitudes and connectedness to nature among a student group. It was found that higher levels of patriarchal attitudes …

Creating Intentional Paths To Citizenship: An Analysis Of Participation In Student Organizations, Julianne Gassman, Jennifer M. Beck, Jonathan Klein

Faculty Publications

This study examines undergraduate students’ that graduated from a Midwestern university in May 2013 through December 2015 and their perception of their development of core competencies identified by Bok (2006), related to their participation in student organizations. The results indicated that students who participate in student organizations are significantly more likely to develop citizenship and other related skills and abilities. Furthermore, their degree of involvement, measured by the number of organizations they participate in, their level of involvement and the role students have within the organization can impact their development of competencies.

An Examination Of The Association Between Traumatic Brain Injury And Sleep Disruptions Among Athletes In Contact And Non-Contact Sports, Olivia A. Rigdon

Honors Program Theses

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem within the U.S. and accounts for a substantial proportion of deaths and disability in the U.S. population (Centers for Disease Control, 2016). Focus on TBI, which refers to a disruption of the normal functions of the brain due to a blow or jolt to the head, has risen dramatically due to the increased awareness of its high prevalence, particularly among individuals engaged in contact sports. There are many health implications of a TBI, one being that TBI increases the risk of a sleep disturbance in 30-70% of individuals (Viola-Saltzman, 2012). …

Anticipatory Reactions To Erotic Stimuli: An Exploration Into "Psychic" Ability, Margarita Meza

Honors Program Theses

The current study investigated psi ability (precognition) based on Bem’s (2011) experiments. The study used a computer-based program that tested for the prediction of erotic stimuli via erotic and non-erotic images. Sensation seeking and cortisol were explored as moderators of psi ability. Participants provided saliva samples at the beginning and end of the study for a measure of cortisol. It was predicted that participants would detect the future position of erotic images significantly more than they would by chance and more than non-erotic images. Additionally, it was predicted that those who scored high in sensation seeking would have greater psi …

Gender Differences In Sexual Assault And Ptsd Stigma, Megan Kennedy

Honors Program Theses

Sexual assault is a significant problem in our society, and is experienced differently by male and female sexual assault victims. Stigma, or blame and negative attitudes toward an individual or group, is frequently experienced by sexual assault victims and reinforced through media, culture, and rape/sexual assault myths. Sexual assault and experiences of stigma influence the mental health problems victims face after assault, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Overall, insufficient research has been conducted on the differing experiences of stigma related to male and female sexual assault victims. In order to separate stigma attributions based on sexual assault status and PTSD, …

Disparities In Infant Mortality: Are Sociocultural Risk Factors Shaped By Institutionalized Racism?, Madison Grimm

Honors Program Theses

The infant mortality rate (IMR) is an incredibly important indicator of the overall health of a nation. Because the IMR is so closely related with factors such as quality and accessibility of healthcare and socioeconomic conditions, it is helpful in evaluating a nation’s success. The United States (US) has one of the highest infant mortality rates among countries with a similar degree of economic development (those belonging to the OECD). In 2013, the IMR was 5.96 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC (Mathews, MacDorman, & Thoma, 2015). Furthermore, this rate …

The Filtered Self: What Instagram Postings Reveal About An Individual's Sense Of Identity, Stephanie Steiner

Iowa Journal of Communication

In this paper, I explore how an Instagram posting reveals an individual's identity by studying the relationship between the intentions of an Instagram post and the attributions of intentions other users provide. Using Attribution Theory, I analyze the attributions provided by 16 participants in an online survey and compare them to my original intentions. I present results from a thematic analysis by categorizing themes that emerged from the online survey. Based on my data, I evaluate how social media, particularly Instagram, has changed society's perceptions of identity formation. This study provides evidence that Instagram users are moving toward presenting filtered …

Keeping The Peace: Daughters In-Law's Relational Maintenance Behaviors With Their Mothers In-Law, Mary E. Donato, Scott A. Myers

Iowa Journal of Communication

The purpose of this study was to identify the specific behaviors daughters-in-law (DILs) use to maintain relationships with their mothers-in-law (MILs). Participants were 85 DILs who identified the behaviors they use to maintain their relationships with their MILs. Together, they identified 416 behaviors that were then coded into 14 categories of relational maintenance behaviors: mediated communication, family involvement, showing respect, keeping the peace, thoughtfulness, avoiding contact, expressing gratitude, visits, instrumental help, sharing meals, joint activities, frequent communication, common interests, and husband as buffer. From this, we concluded there are three general categories of behaviors in which DILs use: DILs engage …

Elementary School Students' Identity Negotiations In Their Literacy Classrooms, Kimberly Ilosvay, Jeff Kerssen-Griep

Iowa Journal of Communication

Existing research reveals too little about how elementary-level students make sense of their teachers' and others' interpersonal communication with them, particularly regarding how it impacts students' identity development and engagement in teaching-learning relationships and instruction. Addressing this timely exigency, this study applied a cross-disciplinary conceptual framework to examine identity aspects of elementary school students' interpersonal and relational communication experiences in and around their literacy learning classrooms. Guided by Hecht et al.'s (2005) communication theory of identity (CTI) and examining themes that emerged among 103 face-to-face interviews with second-through fifth-graders, this paper reports key findings related to four interpenetrating identity layers, …

Organizational Culture: An Analysis Of The Aggregate Impact On Financial Performance, Arijan Alagic

Honors Program Theses

Strong organizational culture, although an intangible asset, can produce tangible gains for businesses in the form of stock returns. This study uses Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work for in America to identify companies with strong organizational culture. Of those 100, I used the stock performance of 20 public companies who have (1) been on the list for at least 10 years and (2) have been publicly traded for at least 10 years. Each of the companies is assigned a matching industry sector and the returns are compared to the overall stock market, represented by the S&P 500. From …

Accommodating Invisible Illnesses And Disabilities In The Workplace, Elizabeth Simmons

Honors Program Theses

As our society evolves and becomes more accepting of people impacted by disabilities, we need to work to understand how to best accommodate those disabilities in the workplace. If employees and supervisors were trained on the importance of accommodating disabilities and the potential legal risk associated with a lack of accommodation, I believe they would be more open to implementing those accommodations. This research has taught me the value of how you can never understand what every person is going through. Each individual may have different needs, but it is the duty of HR professionals to attempt to create a …

Behavior Management Methods, Procedures, Strategies, And Resources For Camp Adventure Child And Youth Services, Shannon Nichole Betzer

Graduate Research Papers

The Child and Youth Services (CYS) programs strive to provide the best possible care based on standards for the children and youth they serve. Behavior management is an essential element in the success of programs and services offered during various play environments. Such environments are perceived to be essential to the positive and healthy growth and development of children and youth (Biddle, Garcia-Nevarez, Henderson, & Valero-Kerrick, 2013). The utilization of behavior management resources in the Camp Adventure Child and Youth Services (CACYS) program will serve as a tool for staff needing to incorporate a broader range of strategies to implement …

Effects Of Role-Goal Methods On Student Engagement: A Case Study, Zachariah John Lillquist

Honors Program Theses

As a pre-service teacher, areas of focus that I have found to be incredibly intriguing are student motivation and student engagement. How educators motivate their students in their respective classrooms is something that has always been of interest to me. Many topics, including science – my field of teaching – are often remembered by students as the class they disliked the most or the one with the poor teacher. This could be due to a number of factors; it may be the style of teaching, the methodology of teaching, the age of the teacher, the curriculum itself, etc. The list …

Lessons From "The Fleet": Improving Organizational Leadership Based On Prairie Lakes Church Practices Through Fictional Narrative, Christopher Huling

Honors Program Theses

Prairie Lakes Church (PLC) is a religious institution with a rich history within the Cedar Valley. The church’s origins date back to 1854, only one year after Cedar Falls was incorporated. Throughout the years there have been many changes to the organization, including their name, location, and the population served. Many of the more radical changes have occurred during the last decade. In 2006, Prairie Lakes Church had a single location with roughly twenty staff and a congregation of around 1,000 individuals. Since then, the church’s presence has expanded to five other communities across Iowa. Over sixty people are now …

Comparing First-Generation And Continuing-Generation College Students' Self-Efficacy, Campus Involvement, And Academic Performance, Kaylin Nichole Upah

Honors Program Theses

In order to highlight potential differences between first-generation college students (FGS), defined as neither parent having completed a Bachelor’s degree, and continuing-generation students (CGS), this study compares FGS and CGS in terms of self-efficacy, campus involvement, and academic performance measured by grade point average (GPA) during their first year at a university. In order to investigate these relationships, this study utilizes University of Northern Iowa (UNI)’s 2015-2016 Mapworks data. Mapworks is a voluntary survey that first-year students, including freshmen and transfer students, complete during the fall and spring semesters. A total of 1549 first-year students participated in the 2015-16 survey, …

Using The Growth Mindset To Improve Opportunities For Negotiation In Argument-Based Inquiry Elementary Classrooms, Bridget Tharp

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if teaching students about the growth mindset improves achievement on standardized science assessment in a classroom that uses argument-based inquiry (ABI) instruction. A critical part of ABI is also referred to as negotiation and is considered cognitively demanding for students. The demands of argumentation often make its implementation extremely challenging for teachers because students often do not have strategies to overcome the failure they will encounter during the process. ABI is a research-based instructional practice that has been shown to improve student learning in science. This study will look at specific aspects …

An Analysis Of Youth Participation In Athletics, Jonathan Wayne Klein

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

School athletics has a significant impact on the development of youth. This study is an exploration of the differences between youth who participate in school athletics and those who do not. Specifically, the study examined youth academic performance and behavior referrals, and variables such as grade level, age, gender, and ethnicity. In addition, the study examined whether or not there was a relationship between participation in the school’s free or reduced lunch program and athletic participation.

To determine the differences and relationships of youth that participate in school athletics and those who do not participate, an existing dataset of 4,078 …