Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Social Network Disapproval On Partners' Dating Relationship: The Romeo And Juliet Effect Revisited, Rebecca Rawlins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

By using online self-report data provided by 41 undergraduate students and their dating partner (N = 82), this study examined the potential curvilinear relationship between four social network sectors (own parents, own friends, partner's parents, and partner's friends) and romantic dating partners' relationship characteristics (perceptions of partner's agreeableness, love, satisfaction, commitment, and ambivalence). After controlling for the effects of age, relationship duration, and social network overlap, the hierarchical regression analyses provided little support for the Romeo and Juliet Effect, that is, the negative association between social network approval and characteristics of the dating relationship. Instead, the study mostly replicated …

Single Parenting Of Early Adolescents: Clinical Application To A More Helpful Perspective, Ane Weed

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to discover the most important self-identified areas for a particular group of single parents to focus their limited time. Single parents have been pathologized and compared to two-parent families. A strength-based perspective that acknowledges single parent families as a legitimate family system with the possibility for being healthy may be more helpful. The objective of this study was to identify common strengths between self-reported satisfied single parents (n = 86) and early adolescent children of single parents (n = 67) through data collected with the use of the Parent Success Indicator (PSI) …

Burnout In Marriage And Family Therapists, Cory A. Eddington

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Among the profession of marriage and family therapy, the goal is to help those individuals, couples, and families that are struggling in life. While working with these clients there is the possibility that the therapists may become stressed themselves and experience burnout. The following is a descriptive study of 30 marriage and family therapists (MFTs) in the state of Utah. The demographic variables of clinical experience, sex, case load, setting of practice, education level, and marital status were studied as to their relation to the experience of burnout. Statistically significant findings demonstrated that the variables of sex and caseload were …

Marital Quality, Context, And Interaction: A Comparison Of Individuals Across Various Income Levels, Victor W. Harris

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research compared measures of marital quality between married respondents who were classified as adults currently receiving government assistance (GA) or adults not currently receiving government assistance (NGA). Additional demographic/contextual variables such as gender, age, age at first marriage, religiosity, income, education, cohabitation, mental health, and substance abuse along with four interactional variables - escalating negativity, criticism, negative interpretation, and withdrawal - were measured as potential correlates with marital quality.

Results indicated statistically significant differences between GA and NGA individuals on all of the marital quality measures and on 8 of the 11 demographic/contextual variables. Additionally, the four interactional variables …

Wellsville City Trails Master Plan, Lindy Bankhead

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Wellsville City is a small, rural community seeking to provide a high quality of life for its citizens. A valuable amenity to accomplish this goal is a trail system, as part of a regional greenway network. Greenways are interconnected linkages between community hubs or open spaces, destinations, parks, neighborhoods and public lands. Trails are a part of greenways, allowing recreational access through the corridors connecting these community hubs. The citizens of Wellsville desire the benefits that are provided by a trails or greenway system.

This document is the Wellsville City Trails Master Plan. Its purpose is to provide information on …

Prevalence Of Type 2 Diabetes In Youth And Adolescents, Julie Patterson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Until recently, Type 2 diabetes was typically regarded as a disease of the middle-aged and elderly. While it is still true that this age group maintains a higher risk than younger adults, evidence is accumulating that onset in those of a much younger age. Children and adolescents are now part of this epidemic. This new phenomenon brings a serious new aspect to the global diabetes epidemic and heralds an emerging public health problem of major proportions. Prevention and treatment in these youth cannot be taken lightly. Prevention can be maintained through implementing exercise and balanced nutrition. It is essential to …

Food Insecurity And Hunger In America, Elizabeth Zufelt

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Studies have shown that about twelve percent (13.5 million) of American households experience at least some form of food insecurity in one year. Causes for food insecurity include disability, low income if employed, unemployment within the past six months, and retirement. Hunger and obesity are often seen in the same person at the same time, including children. The effects of hunger and food insecurity seen among children include: anemia, higher levels of anxiety, poorer performance on mathematical tests, depression, aggression, tardiness, a poorer sense of well-being, lower physical abilities, and lower psychosocial abilities. Food insecurity also affects the elderly population. …

Menander's Samia: A New Translation, Seth A. Jeppesen

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

It is a commonplace thing nowadays for people to get home from work or school and settle down in front of the television to watch their favorite sitcom. There are numerous ones to choose from, but most of them involve a family or tightly knit group of friends who wander their way through seemingly everyday situations, dealing with them humorously, but in the same way you might expect someone you know to deal with them. We watch these shows, laugh at them, think about them, and sometimes even incorporate phrases and lines we hear from them into our everyday speech …

Dietary Supplement Use Among The Elderly, Diana Kristine Keith

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Introduction: According to NHANES data from 1999-2000, 52% of US adults reported talcing a dietary supplement in the last month. Even greater use of dietary supplements is observed among older individuals. Dietary supplements contain a wide range of ingredients from vitamin and minerals (VM) to botanicals, herbs, amino acids, and other ingredients sometimes referred to as non-vitamin and minerals (NVM).

Methods: Data on VM and NVM supplement use was collected in a prospective study of elderly people living in Cache Valley, Utah. The reported supplements were researched to obtain ingredient information and then categorized into groups representing the types of …

Effects Of Gender And Ethnicity On Adolescent Experiences In Same-Race And Interracial Romantic Relationships, Angela Marie Enno

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

In recent years, the field of psychology has seen considerable growth in the body of literature on adolescent romantic relationships (e.g., Florsheim, 2003; Furman, Brown, & Feiring, 1999). As this trend continues, the need for a more thorough understanding of the processes that underlie normal relationship development becomes increasingly apparent; particularly in the case of adolescent members of ethnic minority groups, for whom literature on normal development is sparse. The present study sought to gain insight into some of the forces that shape adolescents' experiences of romantic relationships: namely, race/ethnicity and gender. We hypothesized that, like their adult counterparts, adolescent …

An Analysis Of Nutritional Services Available For Persons With Developmental Disabilities, Dawnie Elzinga

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Developmental disabled (DD) individuals are living longer, more normal lives in the United States. There has been an influx of DD individuals living in residential settings instead of the more traditional institutional setting. Consequently, dietetic professionals will encounter persons with DD in every area of practice. Nutrition therapy is becoming more important in the multidisciplinary treatment of DD individuals. Governmental legislation and community programs have improved the treatment and rights of DD persons over the past decade. Even with these advocacy efforts, DD persons are often not receiving the nutritional treatment they need. Common nutritional problems encountered in the DD …

Nutrition In Traumatic Brain Injuries, Jaylene Dalley

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Nutrition intervention and support is a critical part of caring for traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. TBI patients have high energy and protein needs, as well as increased needs for some vitamins and minerals. There are a number of ways to assess energy and protein needs for TBI patients including indirect calorimetry, the Harrris-Benedict Equations and the Glasgow Coma Scale Equation. Most TBI patients are either non-responsive (comatose) or develop some form of dysphagia and, therefore, are unable to consume adequate amounts of nutrition via the oral route. Nutrition support through enteral or parenteral routes may improve the medical outcome …

Improving Utah State University's Healthcare Plan, Aleece Blake

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Utah State University provides health insurance for 10,400 people (3,500 contracts). Employees of the university who qualify for this insurance have the option to pick one of 2 plans, Blue or White. Utah State essentially self-insures these plans, and Blue Cross Blue Shield administers them. This means that the university has a reserve set up to pay the medical claims of all of the people covered by these plans and bears most of the risk associated with providing this insurance. Some of the risk is transferred from the university to the covered individuals through deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. The rest …

Native Landscape Design In Alaska, Larinda Peterson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

As the frontiers of Alaska are developed in the coming years, there is a progressive need for landscape design that appropriately embraces the native wilderness, while creating livable environments for the people who cohabitate with nature at its fullest. This insight and real life application present an interesting understanding of the possibilities for landscape design in Alaska. With a rich history and diverse habitat, the constraints upon land transformation reflect an inert need for preservation of wilderness and the native landscape, protection of viable resources (peat bogs, wetlands, fresh water, vegetation and wildlife), and restoration of disturbed lands.

Cystic Fibrosis And Nutrition Risk, Kristen Rae Stokes

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Introduction: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder with serious pulmonary and nutritional implications. Nutrition status has a direct affect on lung function and longevity. Screening patients for growth velocity makes it possible to identify patients at nutritional risk. This identification is the first step towards appropriate nutritional interventions. The current screening tool used for children and adolescents with CF is not reliable and leaves too much room for clinical judgment. It is for this reason that a new screening tool was developed. Methods: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation established a panel of experts for the purpose of developing an …

Government Food Assistance Programs: A Nutritional Perspective, Marlee Harris

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Food security remains a problem in the United States. Historically, the government began to distribute excess agricultural goods to those in nutritional need. Efforts to provide food to people in need continue today through the Food Stamp Program (FSP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Nutrition status of participants in these programs demonstrates the nutritional effectiveness of these programs. These programs provide needed benefits and are making positive changes in food security, but improvements can be made to fully improve the nutrition status of these low-income participants. Nutrition professionals can be key in improving …

Selective Mutism: The Little Known Disorder That Causes Big Problems, April Meyer Vogt

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

For my senior thesis/project, I planned on delving into the subject of Selective Mutism (SM) and how it interferes in a child's education, and what treatments and evaluations are available to help treat and diagnose a child with SM. SM is a type of anxiety disorder that can occur when a child develops an acute fear of speaking. Treatment of a child with SM usually focuses on techniques to lower anxiety and increase self-esteem and confidence in communication and social settings. I focused my presentation towards treatment models and options, including, but not limited too: behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, …

The National School Lunch Program: History Of The Past, Challenges Of The Present, Solutions For The Future, Hilary Annie Smith

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) was initially designed to provide nutritious meals to hungry schoolchildren. Over time, it seems as though this focus has shifted to serving as a source of proper nutrition in a society of over-fed yet undernourished children. The stated purpose of the NSLP is to "safeguard the health and well-being of the nation's children and to encourage the domestic consumption of nutritious agricultural commodities and other food." Currently, there are many challenges that the National School Lunch Program faces in meeting its goal of promoting healthful lifestyle practices among school-aged children. Three main challenges include …

Motivation And The Dietitian: Dietitians Must Increase Their Efforts To Motivate And Bring About Long-Term Success In Their Clients, Cory Ann Hansen

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of a dietitian's job is motivating clients to make necessary changes in their lives to benefit their health. Although most people are capable of enduring short-term attempts at healthy living, a lifetime of appropriate dietary habits is difficult for virtually everyone. One of the greatest challenges of long-term success is a lack of motivation. This signifies that it is not skills or knowledge that people lack in general. Therefore, dietitians must focus part of their efforts on motivation rather than simply teaching people what they need to do. Methods that have been found to be …

Campus Climate: Effect On Ethnic Minority Students' Mental Health Utilization, Laura C. Pruitt

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The idea of climate as a construct that could impact the perception of one's environment was introduced by Bernice Sandler and colleagues (1996) with the idea of "chilly climate" as it relates to the inequitable differences between women and men. However this concept has been applied to other populations as well in particular that of ethnic minorities. A chilly climate describes how a person perceives the environment in terms of being welcoming and accepting, or intolerable and chilly. Taken alone any chilly behaviors may have little to no effect however behaviors that are overt and frequent can have a devastating …

Nutritional Concerns In Pediatric Renal Disease, Rachael Firmage

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Chronic kidney disease is a growing area of nutritional concern as the number of diagnosed cases increases. Children suffering from these renal diseases require special attention and medical nutrition therapy because of concerns and problems unique to this renal population. Uncontrolled kidney failure in pediatric patients can result in a number of consequences, such as growth retardation, anemia, metabolic imbalances, renal osteodystrophy, anorexia, and malnutrition. With the proper guidance, medical interventions, and dietary prescriptions, these untimely side effects can be reduced or avoided all together.

Health Promoting Aspects Of The Mediterranean Diet, Devrie Fielding

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

In the 1960's information regarding the diet of the Mediterranean Regions was publicized as a healthful way of eating. Information was obtained from the Seven Countries Study conducted by Ancel Keys. This study revealed that residents of these regions had a lower incidence of coronary heart disease and increased longevity. Such health benefits were connected with low intakes of saturated fat. However, several other studies since then have found the Mediterranean dietary patterns to be more than cardioprotective. A decreased risk of cancer, reduced morbidity and mortality, and a decreased risk of several other diseases are also attributed to the …

Finding Flow In Photography, Cynthia Olsen Mcconkie

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The associations I bring to an image are unique to me and my life experiences. I did not fully appreciate this until, as a photographer, I began to produce a body of work about activities that provide a refuge for me from the challenges of everyday life. I am an avid runner. For me running is a spiritual experience that renews my spirits and gives me hope. I took photos of the physical act of running and I was very disappointed with the results. The images failed to capture or recreate the sensations that I experienced while running. They elicited …

Gender Differences In Emotion Regulation, Kristiane Madsen

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Emotion regulation is conceptualized as the ability to identify and respond appropriately to emotions. Previous research on gender and emotional expression suggests that female children are socially conditioned to be more expressive, and thus may be more able to regulate emotion with their mothers in relation to their male peers. Participants include 144 mother-child pairs at child age points 14, 24, and 36 months and at Pre-Kindergarten entry who participated in a local Early Head Start Research and Evaluation project. Data consist of videotaped interactions of mothers and infants engaged in a 10 minute free play activity with three bags …

Diet And Nutritional Concerns Of Hispanic Americans, Valerie Rawlinson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Hispanic Americans are the second largest ethnic minority group in the United States today, at 12.5% of the total U.S. population. They face considerable nutrition-related challenges, of which dietitians and other nutrition professionals who serve this population need to be aware. Their diet goes through drastic, rapid changes soon after immigration to the United States, many of which have a strong negative impact on their health, putting them at greater risk for obesity and chronic diseases than the general population. In addition to diet and disease, Hispanic Americans face other issues that hinder their ability to benefit from nutritional counseling, …

Refeeding Practices Of Malnourished Children, Marcianne Wittwer

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Over 200 million children in developing countries under the age of five are malnourished. Malnutrition contributes to more than half of the nearly 12 million under-five deaths in developing countries each year. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines malnutrition as "the cellular imbalance between the supply of nutrients and energy and the body's demand for them to ensure growth, maintenance, and specific functions." Because of the high demand for energy and essential nutrients, infants and children are at a particular risk for under-nutrition. Malnutrition is a condition that needs to be taken seriously and with proper treatment can save the …

Personal Restoration Garden Design: In Search Of Balance, Don Burger

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Life in today's society dictates that all of us need healing from time to time. Maladies and illnesses take ever higher tolls on our bodies, while work and life-related stress tax our willpower, mental health, and even our souls. The incidence of stress-related illness and fatigue is reaching almost epidemic proportions. The National Institute on Mental Health estimates that one in four Americans is affected by mental illness of some sort. That equates to over 57 million people in the United States alone (NIMH 2006).

The Determinants Of The Distribution Of Mortality In Mountain States Counties, Anne Israelsen Whyte

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

There has been significant concern about economic equity, expressed in legislation at federal, state, and local levels affecting income distribution and access to public services. Such a large interest in equity must also extend, then, to the ultimate inequality: distribution of life spans. The purpose of this paper is to determine the significant factors that affect the distribution of mortality by county in the Mountain States. Mortality distribution is the span of differences of age at death. This is an interesting topic because mortality affects everyone. Hence, individuals who care about living longer would be interested in knowing the factors …

Therapy Gardens Healing Environments For Children, Suzanne L. Kohlmeyer

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Valley Mental Health is located in Salt Lake City, UT and is a metropolitan Community Mental Health Center serving Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele counties. They serve about 6,000 children with mental health problems per year, most of whom are at or below poverty level. Ann Foster the Director of the Children's Services at Valley Mental Health, approached the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at Utah State University for the aid in developing an inner courtyard into a therapeutic garden for their Children's Outpatient Clinic. The inner courtyard would be available to children who are receiving therapy at …

Body Image Among Elementary-Aged Children: Development, Implications, And Interventions, Mindy Beth Probst

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Body image is the mental image or conception that one has of one's body. Its development is effected by an individual's life experiences beginning at birth. Statistics show that close to half of elementary-aged children are already dissatisfied with their bodies and have begun to develop negative body images. Review of the current literature suggests that family, peers, cultural values and the media, and changes in physical appearance related to adiposity rebound and puberty are the major causes of this unfortunate situation. Research is also showing that children are participating in unhealthy diet and exercise practices as a result of …