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Aging Beauty: The Adaptive Reconstruction Of The Aging Process In Women, Sheila Marie Bluhm

Dissertations

The youth-based, patriarchal culture in which we live bestows valuable status, power and prestige upon young, beautiful women. Within the standards of this society, the natural aging process progressively deteriorates a woman's beauty, and, therefore, her social worth. A vast network of media and societal messages prompt middle-aged women to react to this devaluation. Several pathways or behavioral alternatives are available as reactions, adaptive reconstructions, and/or the medicalization of the aging process in women. The goal of this sociological/gerontological exploratory research is to identify, examine, label, and categorize the multiple options available to midlife women.

The primary method used for …

A Systems Approach To Designing An Internship Model That Benefits The Sponsoring Organization, Peter-Cornelius Dams

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Self-Criticism As Experienced By Performing Artists A Phenomenological Study, Rosemary Hakes

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and document the essence of the experience of self-criticism for performing artists with the aim of providing recommendations for educational and therapeutic purposes. Moustakas (1994) defines essence as “that which is common or universal, the condition or quality without which a thing would not be what it is” (p. 100). In this study a phenomenological research paradigm was used. Each step in the data reduction process built directly toward revelation of essence through synthesis.

The central question guiding this research was: What is the essence of self-criticism as it is experienced by …

The Incidence Of Caregiver Reported Sensory Processing Disorders In Children Who Are Experiencing Traumatic Stress Reaction, Ann K. Viviano

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research project was to determine whether children who are experiencing traumatic stress reaction to childhood neglect· or abuse demonstrate sensory processing disorders. It was hypothesized that since neurodevelopment has been disrupted in children who have been exposed to trauma or neglect, sensory processing abilities may also be disrupted.

The Sensory Profile, a judgment-based caregiver questionnaire, provides a standard method to measure a child's sensory processing abilities and to profile the effect of sensory processing on a child's functional performance. A convenience sample of 25 children, with documented traumatic stress reaction due to abuse and/or neglect, …

Gender Differences In The Career Paths And Wages In The Japanese Labor Market, Machiko Kitagawa

Masters Theses

This study examines the gender gap in career patterns in the Japanese labor force, with particular attention to the role of education. A chief concern regarding employment for women is the worsening situation of college-educated women in terms of wages and employment opportunities.

Two cohorts of age groups, 25-29 and 40-44, are used to examine gender differences in career paths by educational level. The latter section of study examines the determinants of the average monthly earnings of male and female regular employees.

Analysis revealed significant differences between men's and women's employment patterns and wages during the middle ages. The study …

Apoptosis Following Peripheral Sensory Deafferentation In The Olfactory Blub Of Adult Zebrafish, Danio Rerio, Akiko M. Vankirk

Masters Theses

Removal of the olfactory organ in the adult zebrafish results in a significant decrease in volume of the ipsilateral olfactory bulb. Our lab has been investigating the potential role of apoptosis in this phenomenon. My hypothesis is that cells in the adult olfactory bulb normally undergo minimal apoptosis and that apoptosis will increase when sensory stimulation is removed. The TUNEL method allowed detection of cells undergoing DNA-fragmentation, which indicates an apoptotic response. Double-label immunohistochemistry was used to mark which apoptotic cells are neurons by using antibody to Hu, a neuron specific protein. Triple-labeling with bis-benzirnide confirmed the apoptotic nature of …

Biracial Sensitive Practice: Expanding Social Services To An Invisible Population, Ronald E. Hall

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Although literature acknowledges the existence of a biracial population, there has been minimal discussion of the differences indicative of biracial clients and how these differences impact provision of services. Too frequently, race criterion has been utilized to categorize biracial clients resulting in an all but invisible population. A biracial individual may then assume a multiplicity of identities including African-, Asian-, Latino- and Native-American, when negotiating with macro institutions including social services. As an alternative to racial paradigms, identity across the lifespan is suggested as a more comprehensive model for biracial clients. In the aftermath said clients will be rendered visible …

From Plant Closure To Reemployment In The New Economy: Risks To Workers Dislocated From The Declining Garment Manufacturing Industry, Cynthia Rocha

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The current study investigates financial and emotional consequences to workers as the U.S. economy continues to shift from a manufacturing to a service economy. One hundred eighty-eight garment workers were surveyed before their plant closed in 1998 and six months later to assess reemployment opportunities, financial difficulty and emotional well-being. All workers experienced some financial difficulty after the plant closed, with single parents reporting the greatest financial difficulty. Workers who became immediately reemployed lost an average of $2.41 in wages per hour. Sixteen percent of the sample lost their health insurance. Overall depression and anxiety scores declined over six months, …

Welfare Reform Sanctions And Financial Strain In A Food-Pantry Sample, Jean Oggins, Amy Fleming

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Survey and interview data about life after welfare reform were collected from food pantry clients in upstate New York in 1997 and 1999. By 1999, respondents were increasingly likely to have no work or benefits. Having no work or benefits was also associated with having been penalized (sanctioned) for not working or for noncompliance with welfare rules. Sanctions for not working averaged 89 days. Clients sanctioned for job loss tended to report problems with health (including children's health). Sanctioned individuals reported relatively high levels of financial strain, unstable housing, children's changing schools, and lack of a phone. Implications for policy …

Managed Care And Social Work: Practice Implications In An Era Of Change, Sophia F. Dziegielewski, Diane C. Holliman

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The purpose of this article is to explore the role of the clinical social worker in a time of unprecedented change. The events of the last decade have transformed health care delivery as well as professional performance expectations. To facilitate understanding, the environmental considerations that surround these changes are traced and discussed. A direct linkage is made to clinical social work practice and suggestions for the future survival of the profession is discussed. These suggestions include: (1) a greater focus on behaviorally-based outcomes that result in cost-beneficial service provision; (2) increased marketing of social work services to health care providers; …

Citizenship And Migration: Globalization And The Politics Of Belonging. Stephen Castles And Alastair Davidson.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for Stephen Castles and Alastair Davidson, Citizenship and Migration: Globalization and the Politics of Belonging. New York: Routledge, 2000. $85.00 hardcover, $22.95 papercover.

Western News, May 31, 2001, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Heinigs to lead centennial celebration efforts; awareness campaign to be launched this summer, Three WMU students capture prestigious Down Beat awards, Firm partnering with University to train pilots for European airlines, Borish chosen for committee; to present three papers abroad, Delene tapped for position as vice provost, International convention draws horn players from around the world, On Campus with Barb Wygant, Gershon examines telecom industry in book, Speaker to discuss his personal struggle with little-known disorder, HUD grant funding multilevel project to improve quality of life in city of Benton Harbor.

Faculty Retirement Recognition Dinner 2001, Western Michigan University

Faculty Recognition

Faculty Retirement Recognition Dinner Program

May 22, 2001

Honored Guests:

• Raymond Alie
• William Appel
• Joseph Buckley
• Norman Carlson
• Phillip Caruso
• Ralph Chandler
• Joe Chapel
• David Cowden
• Kenneth Dahlberg
• H. Byron Earhart
• Robert Eisenberg
• Gyula Ficsor
• Margie Geasler
• Robert Griffin
• Meshulam Groper
• Salim Harik
• Helen Healy
• George Hobbs
• James Howell
• Frank Jamison
• Robert Jones
• Michael McCarville
• Dalia Motzkin
• Larry Oppliger
• Fred Orlofsky
• Kathleen Reding
• William Ritchie
• James Sanders
• Beatrice Sichel
• Herbert Smith
• Carol Stamm
• John Stroupe
• Michael Swords
• Darrell Thomas
• Edward Trembley
• Earl Washington
• Robert Whaley
• Kenneth Williams

Western News, May 17, 2001, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Floyd lobbies Senate subcommittee for increased funding from state, Engler appoints new trustees, Solar cars to be inspected at WMU before race, Grundler prize for medieval scholarship goes to Yale writer, Business college offering MBA program for non-business types, Temperature point set for campus community, Latulippe returns from mission, Tremblay joins board of local training and adventure center, Book urges English teachers to explore context of literary works, Mousavinezhad visits Sweden, On Campus with PenelopeWood, Malaysian students to visit campus for games, Doctoral student wins prestigious fellowship.

Western News, May 3, 2001, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Kalamazoo's Fluid Process is second firm to commit to BTR park, National City announces $2 million cash gift, WMU is part of two Michigan SmartZones, Engler appoints two to BOT, Medieval Congress will attract more than 3,000, Schmotter tapped for two roles, Joslin and Bailey head for Sino-U.S. relations conference in China, HPER department chairperson; faculty member earn honors, On Campus with Mike Black, Wireless initiative will affect entire campus, Lee Honors College student is University's second Udall Scholar, DeVries named to new development position.

36th International Congress On Medieval Studies, Medieval Institute, Western Michigan University

International Congress on Medieval Studies Archive

The printed program of the 36th International Congress on Medieval Studies (May 3-6, 2001).

Increasing Attendance At Voluntary Academic Tutoring Sessions On A Large University, Meghan Sadler

Honors Theses

High attrition rates have become an impetus for colleges and universities to develop programs to help students during the first years of their education. Various services such as supplemental instruction, tutoring, testing, counseling, college success seminars, and remedial help are offered to help students be successful in their university studies. While these services may be offered, encouraging students to voluntarily attend these sessions is a problem. This study was conducted to analyze the effect of prompts on improving the attendance at voluntary content tutoring sessions at a large Midwestern University. The participants were college students enrolled in any course that …

An Analysis Of The Past, Present, And Future Of Title Ix In Intercollegiate Athletics Through Various Case Studies, Specifically Western Michigan University, Tara L. Becker

Honors Theses

Although collegiate athletics i only a small portion of Title IX, it has been the most widely discussed and controversial part of the law to implement. It seems that colleges and universities have had the most trouble complying with the specifics of the law. However, they have made great strides since the days of the predominantly male world of collegiate sports in the past. This paper examines historical controversies, and takes a closer look at the impact of Title IX at Western Michigan University.

Western News, April 5, 2001, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Bush stops at WMU to plug economic views, Historical University photos on display tomorrow in East Hall, Hilberry poetry reading tonight, University's impact on Kalamazoo County tops $564 million, Public radio chief to visit campus for WMUK 50-year extravaganza, Native American Pow Wow slated for April 7-8, Hawker assumes antitrust post, WMU scholar earns coveted fellowship to study Congress, Office of Information Technology premieres Web pages for students, On Campus with Tony Dennis, Spring commencement to feature four ceremonies; honor Gilmer.

Inquiry, April 2001, Office Of The Vice President For Research

Research and Discovery News

Investigating Research, Outreach, and Education Activities at Western Michigan University:

• The Third Coast writing project: Making winning teachers
• Graduate student health care: New benefit package effective fall 2001
• Outstanding graduate teachers, scholars honored

The Ethics Of Making The Body Beautiful: Lessons From Cosmetic Surgery For A Future Of Cosmetic Genetics, Sara Goering

Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Papers

This piece was originally published in the Philosophy and Public Policy Quarterly, Spring 2001 issue (from the Maryland Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy).

The Effects Of Reengineering On Hospital Performance Indicators, Linda Rutgers Albery

Dissertations

Reengineering was a management tactic designed to reduce costs and increase efficiencies in the work place. Although many hospitals reported reengineering efforts were a priority during the latter part of the 1990s, little research has been done to determine the effects of reengineering on cost and quality performance indicators.

This research studied a large regional medical center located in southwest Michigan, which implemented patient-focused care redesign. Within this medical center, ten separate and distinct patient care departments were studied over a 5-year period. These departments included critical care, medical, surgical, obstetric and pediatric areas. During the first year o f …

The Effects Of Educational Development Plans Motivation To Learn, And Attitudes And Behaviors Toward Learning Among Eighth Graders, Mary Alice Schultz-Krajenta

Dissertations

Educational Development Plans (EDP) have been utilized by school students to structure their curricular programs to meet their high school educational outcomes and to align their curriculum with their desired adult roles. The focus of this study was to examine the effects of EDPs on motivation, attitudes and behaviors towards learning.

A total of 342 eighth-grade students participated in this research which utilized a quantitative and a qualitative approach. The quantitative study used existing data obtained from a small Midwest school district. There were 151 students in the treatment group and 191 students in the control group. Scores from the …

Transitioning And Adapting To College: A Case-Study Analysis Of The Experience Of University Students With Psychiatric Disabilities, Kenneth M. Werner

Dissertations

The psychiatric rehabilitation literature (Unger, 1987) indicates that few studies have been conducted about the adaptational demands associated with the transition to college for young adults with psychiatric disabilities who negotiate the university experience without the benefit o f a supported education program .

The purpose of this study was to describe how individual, social, and institutional factors contributed to the successful transition and adaptation to college life for students with psychiatric disabilities. The study sought to identify how students with psychiatric disabilities disclosed their illness in order to request support services and accommodations, and which services were essential or …

Correlates Of Life Satisfaction After Retirement, Richard A. Tackett

Dissertations

Much of the literature on aging, retirement, and stages of life has focused on men. The changing role from productive members of society to that of being retired can be either viewed as an opportunity to experience new adventures or depressing for those who are unable to move successfully into the next developmental stage of life. This study examined factors that could contribute to life satisfaction in 144 individuals who were over 65 years of age. The factors that were included in this examination are self-esteem, morale, depression, and demographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, educational level, marital status, income, …

The Sense Of Coherence In Adjustment To Widowhood, Nora Dorothy Hartung

Masters Theses

The purpose for this study is to discover if a feature of personality, the Sense of Coherence, is a factor in the adjustment of women to widowhood. It has been suggested that women with a strong Sense of Coherence (SOC) will use adaptive behaviors and resources in their transition to widowhood. My observation at the church I attend is the reason for this inquiry.

The method used in this research is a questionnaire administered at six senior centers of Senior Services Inc., in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A sample (n tested. 50) of widowed women were tested.

A questionnaire was administered to …

Gender Equality And Agricultural Development: Women And Agricultural Extension Programs In Malawi, Amanda Bigelow

Masters Theses

Since it gained independence, Malawi has struggled to produce enough food to feed its quickly growing population. As the Ministry of Agriculture has tried to implement new policies regarding agricultural development, it has restructured key organizations within the government.

Initially, women were largely ignored in governmental and international aid agencies' development plans. However, after several unsuccessful projects, most implemented by the World Bank, a new project created by USAID revealed statistics that attributed part of the failures to gender-related biases in planning. Once these biases were identified, the government of Malawi requested assistance in reaching women farmers for purposes of …

Nudists In The Know: Investigating Social Assumptions Of A Clothed Society, Sandra E. Schroer

Masters Theses

This work is an institutional ethnography on the ruling relations of clothing in society. Research was conducted through a standpoint methodology which combines interviews, participant observation and the first hand experiences of the researcher.

The interview data reveals nudists' belief in a social preoccupation with body ideals and the power structures created by some uses of clothing. The subjects in this research apply their experiences in both the clothed world and the non-clothed world to expose the implications of the social structures of clothing which appear to effect interpersonal relationships, gender and disability, inequality, prejudice and ageism.

In addition, the …

An Investigation Of Friedel-Crafts Alkylation Reactions In Super- And Subcritical Carbon Dioxide And Under Solventless Reaction Conditions, Kan Nie

Masters Theses

This study investigates the Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction of triphenylmethanol with methoxybenzene (anisole) in supercritical and subcritical carbon dioxide, and under solventless reaction conditions. The reaction was initiated using trifluoroacetic acid to produce triphenylmethylcarbocation as the reaction intermediate. Isolated product yields of the Friedel-Crafts product, p-methoxytetraphenylmethane, are reported. The possibility of using the above reaction as an alternative synthesis in an undergraduate organic laboratory to teach some of the tenets of green chemistry is also presented. Additionally, we have investigated the use of benzhydrol, 9-hydroxyxanthene and 9-phenylxanthen-9- ol as potential carbocation sources for supercritical carbon dioxide synthesis and we report those …

African-American Women’S Emotional Responses To Historical Racial Events As A Function Of Socioeconomic Status, Melissa Ruth Stevenson

Dissertations

One hundred African-American women between the ages o f 18 years and 80 years who were born in the United States and for whom English was their primary language were exposed to video taped incidents o f historically accurate racist events from American history. Measures of emotional reactivity including heart rate, blood pressure and measures o f anger and anxiety were taken and the Hollingshead Four Factor Index o f Social Status was used to classify subjects into three socioeconomic levels. The experimental protocol required that subjects be exposed to a period of adaptation followed by a period of exposure …