Digital Commons Network^™

Marital Quality, Acculturation, And Communication In Mexican American Couples, Audrey Lyn Schwartz

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Marital quality is a broad measurement of perceptions of satisfaction, happiness, and stability by partners in an established relationship. Marital quality has been relatively understudied among Mexican Americans, a population that warrants the inclusion of cultural constructs in any model concerning relationship outcomes. Therefore, acculturation differences between Mexican American couples were conceptualized as a distal context for understanding marital quality. Traditional gender role values and communication style (warmth and hostility) were included as proximal contexts. Data from Conger’s California Families Project were utilized; results indicated that while most measures of acculturation did not impact marital quality, language use interacted with …

The Use Of Life History Collage To Explore Learning Related To The Enactment Of Social Consciousness In Female Nonprofit Leaders, Susan R. Seymour

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This paper advances a novel qualitative research approach using life history collage. Rather that utilizing an interview protocol to enter into a participant’s story, life history collage invites participants to create a longitudinal collage of significant life events around a theme such as learning, relationships, or identity. The longitudinal nature of the collage situates and prioritizes significant life events with images, words, and elements chosen to represent events and circumstances. Each image within the collage contains rich and nuanced storylines that invite exploration by both researcher and participant. Meanings and subtexts are revealed as participants describe their collage and the …

An Exploration Of The Relationships Among Connectedness To Nature, Quality Of Life, And Mental Health, Peter G. Tauber

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In recent decades, a new branch of psychology has emerged—ecopsychology. This field looks at the complex relationship between human beings and the natural world. Previous research has shown the importance of direct experiences in nature for the promotion of human health and well-being. However, it is still not understood why these experiences in nature carry so much importance.

It is possible that the concept of connectedness to nature (CTN) plays a role in this relationship between nature and wellness. CTN is defined as feelings of close affiliation with the natural world in a physical, cognitive, and emotional manner. Previous research …

"Super Salesmen" For The Toughest Sales Job: The Utah Nippo, Salt Lake City's Japanese Americans, And Proving Group Loyalty, 1941-1946, Sarah L. B. Fassmann

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In this thesis, I examine the Utah Nippo, a newspaper that published in Salt Lake City, Utah, in Japanese and English during World War II. People of Japanese descent are called Nikkei. The immigrant parents are termed Issei and their U.S. citizen children are Nisei. I look specifically at the Utah Nippo English section editors' messages to Salt Lake City's Nikkei population and draw out the paper's editorial themes intended for resident Utah Nikkei—and for the larger Euro-American population.

After the 7 December 1941 Japanese military attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States government ordered that Nikkei on the …

Juvenile Drug Court: Predictors Of Graduation And Non-Graduation Status, Joshua D. Hoyt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Joshua Hoyt and Dr. David Stein at Utah State University evaluated the differences between juvenile drug court participants who graduate and don’t graduate from the juvenile drug court program in Idaho. Joshua Hoyt and Dr. David Stein coordinated this project with Scott Ronan, Idaho Supreme Court felony sentencing alternative specialist. Dr. David Stein has significant experience in conducting research projects centering on drug courts and will be assisting Joshua Hoyt in the implementation of this thesis project. Further, Scott Ronan has significant experience in working with the juvenile drug court program and has access to data that were used in …

Agreement Of Peer Comparison Data Between Direct Behavior Rating Scales And Systematic Direct Observation Methods, Elizabeth Ashley Popescue

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Elizabeth Popescue, M.A. and Donna Gilbertson, Ph.D. at Utah State University (USU) propose to evaluate how a new type of tool to measure classwide behavior in a
school classroom compares to the current gold-standard tool. They will coordinate with undergraduate professors teaching psychology classes to be able to videotape classrooms of students to use as subjects to observe behavior with the different types of tools. The advantage of the new tool is the reduced amount of effort and time it takes to collect the behaviors observed. This could lead to a more efficient way for school personnel to collect data …

Asian College Students’ Perceived Peer Group Cohesion, Cultural Identity, And College Adjustment, Xin Zhao

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Although there has been an increased focus on multicultural research of college adjustment, Asian students’ adjustment is still a major concern that is under studied. Asian students, like other minority students, may be experiencing difficulties such as changes in family expectations and support, acculturation, ethnic identity issues, intergenerational conflict, immigration status, and racism and discriminatory treatment. Successfully adjusting to changes encountered during college requires the use of effective coping techniques, such as social support, to help relieve the stress. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between perceived cohesion and university-based peer group’s college adjustment of Asian …

Liberalis, Summer 2012, Utah State University

Liberalis

Freedom to Think, Discover, and Create. The alumni magazine for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Utah State University.

Preparing Children For A Healthy Marriage, Naomi Brower, Daryl Zadok Budd

All Current Publications

Research indicates that the principles for preparing youth for future healthy marriage relationships include many of the basic principles of good parenting such as a healthy home environment, modeling healthy relationships, being involved in a child’s life, and encouraging healthy choices. Ultimately, as children progress into adulthood they will make their own choices about relationships; however, by providing healthy role models, encouragement, and support, youth will have the framework necessary to develop a healthy and lasting marriage.

Healthy Conflict Management, Naomi Brower

All Current Publications

Without healthy conflict management skills, conflict can often escalate or intensify over time. This fact sheet gives tips on utilizing key negotiation skills to help individuals effectively address and cope with conflict and potentially build stronger relationships with others.

My Other Life: Ogden Relay Runners Explain Why They Run Long Distances On Purpose, Center For Persons With Disabilities

Blog Posts

No abstract provided.

Reflections On The Psychological Preparation Of The Usa Ski And Snowboard Team For The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, Richard D. Gordin, Keith P. Henschen

Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications

This article explains the program in existence since the 1990s that has been used to prepare the USA’s male alpine and USA’s male Nordic Combined ski teams for international events including World Cup competitions, World Championships, and multiple Winter Olympic Games. The authors initially developed this program in the 1980s for use with Summer Olympic teams including track and field, women’s gymnastics, and other Olympic sports. Philosophical components of service delivery will be explored as well as the range of services provided, problems encountered, and how these issues were handled. Also, special attention will be provided to explain how we …

Enhancing Alphabet Knowledge Instruction: Research Implications And Practical Strategies For Early Childhood Educators, Cindy D'On Jones, Sarah K. Clark, D. Ray Reutzel

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

Alphabet knowledge is consistently recognized as the strongest, most durable predictor of later literacy achievement. Recent research offers practical implications for increased effectiveness of teaching alphabet knowledge to young children. In this article, we outline Enhanced Alphabet Knowledge instruction (EAK), a method of practical instruction that early childhood teachers can use to organize, plan, and teach the essential skills of alphabet knowledge. EAK emphasizes identifying the letter name and sound, recognizing the letter in text, and producing the letter form, through flexible, distributed cycles of review based on factors that influence acquisition of alphabet knowledge.

I'M Not Stressed: Effective Stress Coping Techniques, Naomi Weeks, Kimberly Stanley

All Current Publications

This publication gives tips on how to respond to stress and how to cope with stressful situations.

Recommendations For Counseling Native Americans: Results Of A Survey, Timothy Thomason

Journal of Indigenous Research

Opinions of a sample of counselors and psychologists who work with Native American clients were examined by means of an internet survey. Most respondents recommended humanistic counseling approaches. Other recommendations concerned methods for building rapport with Native clients, reducing barriers to counseling, and incorporating Native practices and spirituality into counseling.

Corporate Style Guides: Understanding And Construction, Riley Ann Ashcroft

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Style guides have existed for many years and yet there is almost no information concerning how to write one. Since corporations are so different from one another, each could have its very own style guide. Most, however, use an existing style guide and fill in any gaps with customer specific information. One such corporation is the Utah State University Research Foundation (USURF). To answer the question “how to write a style guide,” this paper compares five style guides with similar content to what would appear in a USURF guide. The paper then discusses interviews from USURF’s technical writers to determine …

The Cpd Salutes Its 2012 Graduates, Center For Persons With Disabilities

Blog Posts

No abstract provided.

The Benefits Of Exercise During Pregnancy, Nikelle Holbrook Hunsaker

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

People are often confused about the effects and recommendations of exercise during pregnancy. A review of the literature demonstrates that regular physical activity provides benefits to both mother and fetus during pregnancy. These benefits range from decreasing the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus to improving the mother's psychological well-being and can be obtained without causing harm to the fetus. The recommendations for physical activity during pregnancy include thirty minutes of physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week. These recommendations are the same as those for non-pregnant individuals. Contrary to popular opinion, a sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy …

Using Songwriting To Assist The Healing Process Of Victims Of Domestic Violence, Rebecca Marie Tanner

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Utah State University’s Music Therapy Program has a close association with the Community Abuse Prevention Services Agency (CAPSA) located in Logan, UT. CAPSA provides a variety of services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault including a fourteen-week women’s support group designed to help victims work through the therapeutic process of naming, accepting, and moving forward from the abuse. Fourteen modules have currently been written and compiled into a manual for these sessions. Once finished, the manual will be published and distributed to other abuse prevention agencies throughout the nation for use in leading women support groups similar to …

Huntsman Alumni Magazine, Spring 2012, Usu Jon M. Huntsman School Of Business

Huntsman Business Magazine

Alumni magazine for the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University.

Utah State University Commencement, 2012 – Main Campus, Utah State University

Commencement Programs

125^th Annual Commencement of Utah State University.

Moving Toward Culture Change: Defining Skilled Nursing Facility Residents Dining Style Preferences, Katheryn Adams

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Background Public policy fulfillment coupled with skilled nursing facility's desire to increase quality of service to meet changes in residents' expectations and improve marketability warrant a new look at culture change and home like dining as defined by the residents in skilled nursing facilities.

Objective The objectives of this study were to determine residents' home dining practices, define residents' desired dining style practices in the skilled nursing facility and determine the relationship between at home dining and dining preferences in skilled nursing facilities.

Design The quasi-experimental study started with a convenience sample taken from a facility generated potential participant list. …

Influences Of Disclosure Among Child Sexual Abuse Victims, Michelle Jones

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Child forensic interviews are essential in eliciting disclosures in child abuse cases. Due to the nature of abuse and the child victims, barriers are inevitable to obtaining a full disclosure. This research describes the barriers as well as the factors that increase the likelihood of eliciting a disclosure during child forensic interviews. Previous research has found that factors more likely to induce a disclosure are having a supportive primary caregiver, an investigation which was instigated by the child victim, and if the victim is an older female. Barriers preventing disclosure include threats made by the perpetrator, fear, lack of opportunity …

Perceptions Of Naturalized Playgrounds: A Qualitative Study, Jeffrey C. Hamarstrom

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Play is an important part of childhood as it helps to develop social skills and ensure proper mental and physical development. Electronic media, stranger danger, and urbanization have reduced both the time and access children have to play in natural areas. Many people believe that this is an integral part of childhood and, therefore, concern that children are not interacting with the natural world is becoming a popular topic. Research has shown that natural environments can have various benefits such as reducing anxiety and promoting developmental skills. Play providers are now creating playgrounds that attempt to recreate natural settings, referred …

A Quantitative Analysis Of Response Elimination And Resurgence Using Rich, Lean, And Thinning Schedules Of Alternative Reinforcement, Mary M. Sweeney

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Mary M. Sweeney, graduate student in the Experimental and Applied Psychological Science graduate program, proposed and completed this thesis in partial fulfillment for the requirements of the degree of Master of Science of Psychology. This project was supported in part by the American Psychological Society of Graduate Students (APAGS) Basic Psychological Science Fall2010 Research Grant awarded by the members of the APAGS Science Committee.

Many problem behaviors, such as aggression or self-injury in persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) or drug abuse can be maintained by the consequences of those behaviors. For example, many instances of aggression in individuals …

Relationship Between First-Year Student Retention, Noncognitive Risk Factors, And Student Advising, R. David Roos

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was undertaken by David Roos, a USU doctoral student and an employee at Dixie State College, in fall semester 2009. The purpose of the study was to measure the possible impact that nonacademic student information would have on retention when used by advisors and shared in an advising session with students. This information was gathered using an in-class survey that identified nonacademic or "noncognitive" risk factors not apparent by looking at a high school transcript or reviewing a student's demographic background. Such factors as college commitment, self-efficacy, and resiliency were measured using a survey instrument called the Student …

Designing For Problem-Based Learning: A Comparative Study Of Technology Professional Development, Lei Ye, Andrew Walker, Mimi Recker, M. Brooke Robertshaw, Linda Sellers, Heather Leary

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Despite of much focus on professional development aimed specifically at developing teachers' technology integration skills, rigorous studies of effective PD (professional development) are lacking. Evidence is also lacking on how these skills can best be integrated with pedagogical and content knowledge to improve student learning. The purpose of this article is to present two "design-oriented" TTPD (technology-related teacher professional development) designs and investigate the designs' impact on teachers. In one TTPD (tech-only), teachers learned technology skills to create activities using online learning resources. In the other (tech+PBL), teachers learned to create PBL (problem-based learning) activities using online resources. All teachers …

Hierarchical Structural Organizations Of State Political Parties, Isaac Mckay Higham

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

From August through November of 2011 I worked as an intern for the Utah Democratic state party at their state party headquarters. I started my internship around the same time as the newly elected chair of the state party, Jim Dabakis, assumed his new role as head of the party. Dabakis did not have the traditional resume of a party chair but rather had his background as an international art dealer and businessman. He had always been politically minded and involved in political causes, but he did not have the extensive partisan politics background that previous chairs had. In anticipation …

Ethnic Disparities In Prenatal Care Utilization In Vietnam, Ha Ngoc Trinh

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Prenatal care is credited with reducing neonatal, perinatal, and maternal mortality and morbidity. The main purpose of the thesis is to examine the ethnic disparities between majority and ethnic minority women in prenatal care usage. The thesis also analyzes the effects of age, education attainment, female employment, and region on prenatal care utilization in Vietnam. I employ the Demographic and Health Survey 2002 in Vietnam. Descriptive statistic and logistic regression are the two statistical tests employed in this research. Results exhibit evidence of ethnic disparities in type of prenatal care utilization. Although ethnic minority women are likely to enter prenatal …

Water Infrastructure Challenges In Urbanizing Environments: A Case Study Of The 2009 Logan Canal Landslide, Kathryn Davis Henderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In July, 2009 in Logan, Utah, a wet, steep hillside failed, leveling a home below and destroying an irrigation canal that ran along the hill. Three people were killed. The event and the resulting policy changes present an opportunity to uncover how frames, or social constructions, play into the policy development cycle. This case also uncovers the nuances involved when old infrastructure takes on new social meanings. Planners and policymakers that pay attention to frames and social dimensions may be able to minimize conflict.

The landslide received immediate media attention and spurred state legislation on canal safety. The event had …