Digital Commons Network^™

A Comparison Of The Effects Of Moderate- And High-Carbohydrate Diets On Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors: A Pilot Study, Margaret Helen Fernandez, Julia Ava Niehaus Soper

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This pilot study compared the effects of two diets on total cholesterol to high- density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, body mass index, and waist circumference. A diet of 15% protein, 55% or more carbohydrate, and 30% or less fat was compared to a diet of 30% protein, 40% carbohydrate, and 30% fat. Lipid levels and anthropometric measurements were obtained on 18 adult males with moderately elevated lipid levels before and after 12 weeks of dietary intervention. Analyses showed variances between and within the study groups in the areas of anthropometric measurements and lipid levels; no statistically significant differences between the groups …

An Analysis Of Equity Preferences And The Relationship Between Belief And Behavioral Intent To Support Funding As A Basis For Regional Park Allocation Decisions In Brazoria County, Texas, Richard Mark Hansen

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this study is to assist the Brazoria County Regional Park Planning Team determine what patterns of equity preferences for allocating park and recreation resources are important among residents of Brazoria County. Random samples of equity opinions were taken. Factor analysis was used to discover three important dimensions or areas of consideration within residents belief system for allocation of regional parks. Multiple regression was used to investigate relationships between belief in equity choices and behavioral intent to support funding for equity choices. Belief and behavioral intent to support funding were found to be significantly related for allocation of …

Culturally Congruent Care: Predictors Of Patient Satisfaction Among Adult Mexican Americans, Shannon Marie Dowdall, Alma Rosa Flores, Karyn Elizabeth Taplay

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Predictors of patient satisfaction among hospitalized adult Mexican Americans were examined in this pilot study. Acculturation as determined by the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans-II (ARSMA-II), ethnicity of the nurse, age, gender, socioeconomic status, level of education and marital status were examined as predictors of patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction was measured by the Patient Satisfaction Inventory (PSI). The pilot study was conducted in an acute care setting in the lower Rio Grande Valley, where 81 participants provided the data. The questionnaires were offered in both English and Spanish. Two qualitative questions were asked regarding the patients' perception of culturally …

Depression In Mexican American Adolescence And Its Relations To Ethnic Identity And Self Esteem, Deborah Cohen Woloski

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study investigated incidence of depressive symptomatology, clinical depression, and suicidal ideation in a high school sample of 1751 Mexican-American adolescents. The relations of depression, as measured by the Diagnostic Scale for Depression-26 (DSD26), self-esteem, as measured by the abbreviated Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale and ethnic identity, as measured by the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) were analyzed. Results indicate that Mexican-American adolescents are at increased risk for depressive symptomatology and suicidal ideation. Results showed that there is no higher incidence of Major Depressive Episode (MDE) in Mexican-American adolescents but an increased risk for depressive symptomatology was found. Ethnic identity and …

Perceived Health Competency And Health Value, Acculturation And Obesity In A Mexican American Population, Roberto Eliud Maldonado

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Mexican Americans have a higher incidence of obesity than non-Hispanic whites, yet this population seems to be less concerned with maintaining an ideal body weight than non-Hispanic whites. This puts the Mexican Americans population at higher risk for illnesses associated with increased body fat and obesity. One important factor found to influence health maintenance behavior is perceived self-efficacy, or the degree to which the individual feels capable of effectively managing his or her behavioral outcome. This study examines the moderating effect of health competency and health value on body weight in individuals undergoing acculturation.

Although no significant correlations were found …

Intermarriage In Hidalgo County, 1860-1900, Ana Cristina Downing De De Juana

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

David Montejano and others characterize early Hispanic-Anglo relations as operating under a "peace structure," during which the two groups developed strong alliances. However, they suggest that after 1848, "conflict and distrust" replaced it. These studies rely on anecdotal evidence. To date, no one has sought to verify them using actual patterns of social interaction.

This study addresses intermarriage between Hispanic, white non-Hispanic, Black and mixed heritage individuals in Hidalgo County. The quantitative data shows that the demographic characteristics of the area played a major role in defining the patterns of intermarriage. However, it points to a multiethnic society that intermarried …

United States Policy Toward China's Most-Favored-Nation (Mfn) Status, Shengjun Yuan

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This thesis reviews the historical process of the Sino-American trade relationship. It delves into the United States policy toward China's most-favored-nation (MFN) status, especially after the Tienanmen Incident in 1989. The thesis also discusses the issues related to the trade status.

In essence, the thesis analyzes the political motivation for the U.S. government to shape its trade policy toward China. It provides an in-depth analysis of possible consequences of revocation of China's MFN status if the U.S. adopts a get-tough policy in its relationship with Beijing.

Acculturation Of A Mexican-American Male Population And Gender Role Conflict, Gary Evan Leka

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study examined the effects of different modes of acculturation upon self reported levels of gender role conflict, and explored the relationship among acculturative stress, the concepts of Machismo and Familism and gender role conflicts. Hispanic males (N = 164) from a university with an 90% Hispanic enrollment were surveyed. Low Bicultural subjects differed significantly upon the factors of restrictive emotionality and restrictive affectionate behavior between men than other modes of acculturation. Machismo was found to be significantly related to stress and conflicts with gender roles, while Familism was found to be related to two of the patterns of gender …

Perceptions Of Competencies For Americorps Supervisors Within The Texas Agricultural Extension Service: An Exploratory Study, Ruben Javier Saldana

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

As a special project of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, the AmeriCorps program requires special supervisional and management competencies on the part of supervising agents at the local level. This study tested 131 variables as indicators of high performance and surveyed all fourteen agent supervisors. Management areas were divided into structure, performance management, office management, and competencies. Exemplary supervisors were identified in a triangulation model that involved nominations by peers, immediate supervisors, and the AmeriCorps project director.

Findings were that the use of the plan of work and incorporation of project goals were highly related to high performance. Coaching behavior …

Voces De Las Buenas Mujeres: An Ethnographic Study Of Marianismo Among Mexican American And Mexican Women, Lori Anne Ruiz

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Research has focused on gender roles of the Hispanic male and female in regards to the machismo social construct. The current study examines the other side of machismo, via Gil and Vasquez's (1996) Ten Commandments of Marianismo, and explores the validity of this social construct through interviews with Mexican American and Mexican women. Twenty Mexican American and Mexican women were selected through a nonrandom purposive sample to participate in the interviews. The taped interviews were analyzed verbatim. Eight categories emerged which are directly related to marianismo. The women's responses are used to convey their attitudes, roles, and relationships and to …

20th Century Rhetorical Influences On United States-Mexico Relations, A. Gene Wendorf

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The thesis documents the important influences that have shaped Mexican-American relations in the late 19th century and in the 20th century. These influences uncover areas that go over and beyond the conventional schools of diplomacy. They include a whole myriad of forces. The thread of our relations is found to be based largely on self determination made by each Presidential administration.

It is demonstrated that many Presidents have acted as their own statesmen in regard to Mexico. In searching for influences the researcher finds culture, language, technology, politics, economics, history, geography and religion as relevant. The nature of United States …