Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of Parental Incarceration: A Grandparent's Perspective, Katti J. Sneed, Cosette J. Mast

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

This qualitative study explored grandparents’ perceptions of parental incarceration effects on the grandchildren they are raising. Children of incarcerated individuals are directly affected by the high incarceration rate in the United States and often find themselves displaced from the people and environment they know. As one of the most common caregivers for children with incarcerated parents, grandparents offer a unique perspective on the effects that parental incarceration has on children. The study found that grandparents perceive that the effects of parental incarceration on children are diverse. Children represented in the study were negatively affected emotionally and behaviorally by parental incarceration, …

Correlates Of Custodial Grandparents’ Perceived Barriers To The Use Of Services, Bert Hayslip, Julian Montoro-Rodriguez, Jennifer Ramsey

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Getting timely access to help, information, and a variety of services is paramount among the challenges of raising a grandchild, and grandparents face a variety of internal and external barriers in getting such help. The present pilot exploratory study focused on caregiving-related and personal resource variables best associated with minority grandparent caregivers’ perceptions of barriers to receiving services. In contrast to previous work, the present study focused on African American and Latino grandparent caregivers. Fifty grandparents (M age = 58.59) of minority status (African American, Latino, Philippine) raising their grandchildren completed measures assessing caregiver strain, social support, resilience, self-care, …

Complete Issue Vol 7, Issue 1

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Complete Issue Vol 7(1)

The Effect Of Estrogen On Gdnf Production Of Skeletal Muscle In Vitro, Hope Welter

Honors Theses

As life expectancy continues to rise, the number of people over age 65 in the U.S. is increasing. An aging population brings with it impacts on the national health system and associated economic expenditures. As individuals age, the skeletomuscular system suffers reduced function due to disease or conditions such as sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is characterized by muscular atrophy resulting from reduced muscle innervation. Exercise has been linked to prevention of sarcopenia, a suspected result of increased production of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). GDNF promotes neuronal survival, regeneration, and the formation of neuromuscular junctions. Therefore, treatments like exercise that increase …

Literature Review On Outer Hair Cell Regeneration And Potential Hearing Restoration, Serena Karlov

Honors Theses

The cochlea is the portion of the inner ear responsible for hearing, containing both the organ of Corti and auditory hair cells. Sound wave vibrations mechanically bend the stereocilia on the three rows of outer hair cells and one row of inner hair cells. These hair cells transduce this mechanical energy into electrical impulses that are relayed from the auditory nerve to the brain, where sounds are processed. In this review I provide an overview of inner ear anatomy, ear physiology, and auditory transduction. I then move on to specifically focus on the importance of outer hair cells, their regeneration, …

Practice Guidelines: Addressing Vestibular And Visual Problems In The Neurologically Impaired Adult, Mary J. Mcguire

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The visual and vestibular problems experienced by adults post brain injury (concussion, traumatic brain injury, cerebral vascular accident, tumor removal, etc.) must be evaluated and treated in conjunction with each other for best outcomes. The American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA) Practice Framework categorizes both the visual and vestibular sensory systems as client factors (body functions) that are a part of the scope of practice of occupational therapy (AOTA, 2020). AOTA’s statement on vestibular impairment, vestibular rehabilitation, and occupational performance emphasizes the importance of occupational therapists addressing this critical client factor. The skills of entry-level and advanced-level occupational therapists are outlined …

Exploring Spirituality Of Elders Relocating Into Long-Term Care Facilities, Kai-Lai Tsai, Pei-Fen J. Chang, Anila J. Mathew, Clarissa Richard, Harriett A. Davidson, Gayle I. Hersch

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Spirituality is recognized as an important contributor to quality of life, particularly for older adults. Yet, limited research has been conducted to examine spirituality of older adults relocating to long-term care facilities (LTCFs). The intent of this mixed methods study was to cull data from a parent study to explore different aspects of spirituality among residents newly admitted to LTCFs.

Method: Qualitative and quantitative data of six participants from a parent study including interviews and scores from the religious and existential well-being sections of the Spiritual Well Being Scale (SWBS) were analyzed and triangulated.

Results: Descriptive …

Guidelines For Medication Education For Occupational Therapists, Jaclyn K. Schwartz

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Taking medications is a vital health management activity for people with chronic health conditions. These individuals must take their medications as prescribed to receive the intended benefits and minimize negative effects. Many people with chronic health conditions do not know essential information about their medications, which limits their ability to take their medications as prescribed. Occupational therapists regularly engage in client education to enhance performance of health management. When addressing medications, however, additional considerations are needed because of the highly regulated, interdisciplinary, and complex nature of this occupation. The purpose of this practice guideline is to describe the integration of …

Do Students Dream Of Electric Cats (Or Dogs)?: Using Robotics For A Unique Exam Week Activity In The Library, Jonathan Scherger, Juliana Espinosa, Autumn P. Edwards, Chad Edwards, Bryan Abendschein, Patricia Fravel Vander Meer

University Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

During two nights at the library, students were invited to interact with one of nine robotic animals. Five of the robots look and react like cats, four look and react like dogs. The robots mimic the motions and sounds of live animals, including purring and barking. Students took a stress pre-test prior to interacting with the robots and a stress post-test at the conclusion of their interaction. Faculty from the School of Communication and the University Libraries were on hand to observe the interaction and gather feedback. The aim of this chapter is to demonstrate how a partnership with a …

Neighborhood Tenure, Donated Social Support, And Participation In Low- And Moderate-Income Communities, Megan E. Gilster

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Understanding what facilitates participation in neighborhood civic life is important for improving participatory interventions, and ultimately improving neighborhoods. The longer someone lives in a neighborhood, the more likely they are to participate in their neighborhood by organizing with neighbors, volunteering, or taking on a leadership role in a neighborhood organization. At the same time, the longer someone lives in a socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhood, the more social ties they develop, which may increase social obligations. The present study examines whether helping friends and family (i.e., donated social support) is a barrier to neighborhood participation. Data come from the Anne E. Casey …

Journal Of Sociology And Social Welfare Vol. 49, No. 1

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

No abstract provided.

Informing Cognitive Screening In The Young Adult Population, Samantha L. Mcdaniel

Dissertations

The clock drawing test (CDT) is a cognitive screening measure with sound psychometric properties which has been well researched over the past century. The CDT is a popular tool for many healthcare professionals to administer independently or as part of a more thorough cognitive evaluation. Given the drastic technological and social developments over the years since the CDT was developed as well as the persistent research focus on older adult populations, a gap in the CDT literature presented for young adults, who may have difficulty drawing an analog clock. Identifying cognitive impairment can improve health outcomes. The young adult population …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Supporting The Needs Of Older Adults Who Identify As Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And/Or Transgender (Lgbt), Phyllis Simon, Lenin Grajo, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

There are growing numbers of older individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) who are in need of health care services provided by culturally and clinically competent providers, including occupational therapists. The LGBT community presents with unique needs and circumstances that impact occupational therapy (OT) practice. This Opinions in the Profession article presents an overview of the unique narratives of and special considerations for LGBT older adults that the OT profession needs to address to meet the needs of this population and improve our service delivery. We assert essential implications for OT practice and education to better …

Older Adults In An Lgbt Residential Community: Impact Of A Safe Space On Occupation And Well-Being, Daniel P. Swiatek, Sheryl Ryan, Terry Peralta-Catipon

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: LGBT seniors have suffered a lifetime of societal and institutional discrimination and health care inequalities. The number of LGBT people 50 years of age and older will surpass five million in the coming decades. LGBT seniors are at greater risk of disability, isolation, physical and mental health issues, and substance abuse. Supportive social environments and networks are correlated with higher quality of life. The purpose of this study was to better understand how living in a safe and secure apartment community specifically for low-income LGBT older adults impacted the residents’ daily life and well-being.

Method: This study …

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Sessionseptember 17, 2021, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Acceptance of the Agenda – Chen-Zhang

Approval of the Minutes (June 24, 2021 Meeting) – Chen-Zhang

Remarks by the Chair – Chen-Zhang

Remarks by the President – Montgomery

Updates by the Faculty Senate President – Kritzman

Updates by the Western Student Association President – Morris

Updates by the Graduate Student Association President – Hiremath

Navigating Excellence in Aviation – Powell

Public Comments Regarding Action Items – Schuemann

Action Items – Chen-Zhang

1. Labor Agreements

• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Labor Agreement – Van Der Kley
• Professional Instructors Organization Labor Agreement – Bott
• Western Michigan University American Association of University Professors …

A Preliminary Evaluation Of The Behavioral Gerontology Staff Training Protocols, Minyoung Kim

Masters Theses

Staff training in aging settings is integral to ensuring quality services, and such training has traditionally been conducted in person. With the COVID-19 outbreak, there is a need for innovative approaches to training that reduce exposure for trainers and staff. However, the efficacy of such an approach has not yet been demonstrated. To prevent the waste of staff resources at long-term care facilities, this study evaluates the efficacy of behavioral gerontology staff training protocols as a form of telehealth by utilizing graduate and undergraduate students as pilot participants. We use an additive concurrent multiple-probe design across participants to evaluate the …

Evaluation Of Telehealth Training To Teach The Stimulus Identification Questionnaire And Multiple Stimulus Without Replacement, Andrea Perez

Dissertations

The field of behavioral gerontology has seen a paucity in literature within the past 15 years focused on updating training technology and teaching best practice skills to staff. Specifically, there is a need to expand the breadth of training research focus areas could more broadly the elderly population (e.g., increasing engagement), to ensure that trainings are designed to equip caregivers with the skills to be independent, and finally, given the frequent staffing challenges experienced by aging settings (Harrington et al., 2020), to explore effective and efficient training techniques that are alternatives to lengthy, in-person training modalities. Given the personnel challenges, …

Assessment Of Modified Patient Education Materials For People With Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Jennifer Fortuna, Anne Riddering, Linda Shuster, Cassie Lopez-Jeng

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Existing research on health literacy identifies a disconnect between the readability of patient education materials (PEMs) and the reading abilities of American adults. For people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), central vision loss creates an additional barrier to health literacy. This study explored how evidence-based guidelines for creating easy-to-understand written materials influenced the usability of PEMs in people with AMD.

Methods: Evidence-based guidelines were applied to modify one PEM. Standardized tools quantified differences in readability and suitability between the original and modified PEM. Twelve people with AMD rated the comprehensibility (design quality) and shared personal preferences during semi-structured interviews. …

Inter-Rater Reliability Of Goal Attainment Scaling With Children With Sensory Processing Disorder, Teresa A. May-Benson, Sarah A. Schoen, Alison Teasdale, Jane Koomar

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) is advocated as a meaningful outcome measure for parents and clinicians using an Ayres Sensory Integration^® Intervention (ASI) approach. Although used in several treatment effectiveness studies, reliability of therapist goal writing and scoring has not been established in this area.

Method: Ten occupational therapists and 40 parents of children receiving ASI participated across two clinical sites. The interview therapists and inter-rater therapists wrote GAS goals based on the same goal-setting interviews conducted with parents. Follow-up parent interviews were conducted post-ASI intervention, and the GAS goals were rated by both the interview therapists …

Impact Of 9/11-Induced Adverse Experiences On The Mental Health Of Latino Americans And The Role Of Religious Service Attendance, Soyoung Kwon, Yongsok Kim, Jiyoung Moon Dr.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Much research has documented the mental health consequences of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; however, little is known about how the 9/11 attacks affect the mental health of Latino Americans. This study uses a nationally representative sample of Latino Americans (N = 2,346) from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS) to examine the relationships between 9/11-induced negative life experiences and mental disorders. The former includes losing a job, reducing family income, feeling less safe and secure, discrimination, loss of optimism, and inability to cope with things. For the latter, mental disorders may exhibit as psychological distress, …

Bobbie Cummings Smith, Ms, Otrl, Faota

OJOT Sponsor Profiles

No abstract provided.

Reconceptionalizing The Knowledge Base Of Social Work: The Imperative For Critical Theories And Perspectives In Social Work Education, Kristie L. Seelman, Elizabeth L. Beck, Shane R. Brady, Karimah Dillard, William Lane

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

As the U.S. continues to grapple with the need for a racial reckoning, and with a growth of progressive voices and movements—especially those lead by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color—now is an important time to re-examine social work’s knowledge base. Students, researchers, and practitioners need the tools to challenge hegemony, inequity, injustice, and White supremacy from a structural position. Critical theory is an important tool for such work, yet it is not well integrated into social work textbooks, and many students still have limited exposure to it. In this paper, we explore critical theory’s roots and evolution and discuss …

Addressing The Needs Of African American Grandparents: An Intersectionality Perspective, Dorothy Smith-Ruiz, Kendra Jason

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study seeks to demonstrate the intersecting structural and compounding challenges African American custodial grandparents experience collectively, rather than as separate non-competing factors, which has been modeled in prior studies. Using a mixed-method research design, the study explored the challenges faced by African American and white custodial grandparents. These challenges included difficulties attaining different types of support, respite care, and programs for teens and special needs grandchildren. Results showed that caregiving challenges among African Americans were more pervasive than their White counterparts. These findings have significant implications for the development of intervention programs for custodial African American grandmothers and their …

Journal Of Sociology And Social Welfare Vol. 48, No. 4

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

No abstract provided.

Occupational Therapy In Integrated Primary Care: Addressing The Needs Of Individuals Experiencing Homelessness, Caitlin E. Synovec, Marybeth Merryman, Josh Brusca

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Current health care policy supports occupational therapy services with individuals experiencing homelessness in primary care settings. Research on the impact of interventions is needed to support this emerging practice area.

Method: A retrospective, descriptive study was completed following the initiation of full-time occupational therapy services in an integrated primary setting and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) for clients experiencing homelessness. This study evaluated: (a) percentage of referred clients who engaged in ongoing intervention; (b) diagnostic demographics of those referred; (c) functional goal types and frequency; (d) a comparison of preintervention Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) scores with postintervention …

Online Certificate In Grandfamilies Leadership: Identifying And Fulfilling The Training Needs Of Grandfamily Practitioners, Jennifer Crittenden

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

This practice brief discusses the development and delivery of a unique online certificate program in grandfamilies leadership designed to serve the needs of a wide variety of grandfamily professionals and support personnel. To-date the program has engaged 177 learners from across the U.S. and Hong Kong representing a diverse set of organizations and professional and lay roles. Evaluation results from the first seven learner cohorts underscore the effectiveness of the program content as well as the utility of an initial program needs assessment to guide curriculum development. Practice implications for future continuing education efforts targeting grandfamily professionals and lay leaders …

Utilizing Family Life Education As A Resource For Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Jessie L. Piper, Melinda Stafford Markham

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Increasingly, grandparents have the responsibility for raising their grandchildren. Using Family Stress Theory as a theoretical framework, this study asked the question How can Family Life Education (FLE) be used as a resource to help grandparents raising grandchildren? Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Findings suggest grandparents raising grandchildren could benefit from education in a variety of areas. There are multiple barriers, however, that participants identified toward the utilization of FLE. Interestingly, grandparents identified their adult children or grandchildren as better suited recipients of FLE. Ultimately, there is a lack of collaboration …

Utilizing A Community-University Partnership To Meet Grandfamilies’ Needs: Development And Evaluation Of A Grandchildren-Mentoring Program, Christine A. Fruhauf, A. Nancy Mendoza, Pamela Bishop, Gail Engel, Suzanna Hetchler

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

In response to the increasing rate of grandparent-headed homes and the needs of grandparents and grandchildren, we engaged in a community-university partnership to develop, implement, and evaluate a grandchildren-mentoring program. Prior to developing the grandchildren-mentoring program, a county needs assessment was conducted. The needs assessment revealed that grandparents wanted opportunities for mentorship of their grandchildren. As a result, we partnered with an undergraduate practicum course to create a new option of college students engaging with grandchildren. During our inaugural grandchildren-mentoring program, we conducted focus groups/interviews with grandparents (n = 5) and grandchildren (n = 7) at the end of the …

Parenting Challenges Of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Discipline, Child Education, Technology Use, And Outdated Health Beliefs, Ludivine Brunissen, Eli Rapoport, Kate Fruitman, Andrew Adesman

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

BACKGROUND: As of 2015, approximately three million children in the United States were being raised primarily by their grandparents. This study aims to examine, in a large national sample, to what extent grandparents raising grandchildren (GRGs) have difficulty with discipline and meeting their grandchild’s educational and social needs, find computers/other technology challenging, and subscribe to outdated health beliefs.

METHODS: An anonymous online parenting questionnaire was administered to GRGs recruited through state and local grandparent support groups and elderly service agencies.

RESULTS: 733 grandparents that self-identified as the primary caregiver of one or more grandchildren met inclusion criteria. 56.5% of GRGs …

Thematic Dimensions Of Grandparent Caregiving: A Focus Group Approach, Bert Hayslip Jr., Rebekah P. Knight, Kyle S. Page, Carolyn Phillips

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

The present study involved 75 grandparent caregivers (M age = 59) who participated in focus groups targeting their needs and concerns relevant to raising their grandchildren. Based upon a qualitative analysis of group session notes reliably cross referenced across 3 observers, the following themes emerged: 1) Isolation, disenfranchisement, and marginalization with regard to others, 2) Difficulty in dealing with and frustration with the adult child whose child one is raising, 3) The need to be able to cope with one’s own emotions and life situation, 4) Difficulties in coping with the emotional, interpersonal, or behavioral problems of the grandchild, …