Digital Commons Network^™

Coming To The United States: An Exploration Of Third Culture Building Processes Emerging From University Sponsored International/Host-National Student Interactions, Margaret E. Baker

Masters Theses

International students studying in the United States encounter a number of challenges that affect their ability to achieve their academic and social goals. These changes and acculturative pressures often influence their psychosocial wellbeing and factor into their satisfaction in their experiences abroad. Forming relationships with host-national students aids international students in their adjustment to life in the U. S. and influences their satisfaction and success both in and out of the classroom. This qualitative study analyzes third culture relationships as well as the challenges to their formation and the negotiations necessary for the relationship’s continued survival. This project explores the …

Guided By The Spirits: The Meanings Of Life, Death And Youth Suicide In An Ojibwa Community, Seth Allard

Masters Theses

Suicide is a leading cause of death amongst indigenous North American youth. The majority of studies on indigenous youth suicide focus on quantitative data collection and analysis. Qualitative and collaborative methods provide the cultural and historical contexts necessary for a critical understanding of youth suicide in indigenous communities. Through classic ethnographic methods (structured interviews, participant observation) and descriptive analysis, this work highlights the value of qualitative data. Medical anthropology informs an ethnomedical approach toward youth suicide, death, life, health and related concepts. Analyzing the semantics of prevention and intervention aids a critical-interpretive approach to current research and prevention-intervention frameworks and …

Alaska Native Artifacts; Eskimos And Aleuts Of The Bering Sea Rhythm Of The Sea Collection, Marcia Sue Taylor

Masters Theses

“Only his artifacts provide his earthly testimony” (Thiry 1977, p. 5). The purpose of the research is to catalogue Eskimo and Aleut artifacts that comprise an unprovenienced (anonymous) collection in the Anthropology Department at Western Michigan University, and provide a corresponding ethnography. This will be accomplished in two ways: (1) a museum curation project, and (2) an ethnographic study that will focus on cultural synthesis within the parameters of artistic styles of harpoon head artifacts and geography as these pertain to the artifacts and their distribution. Analysis of the collection’s harpoon heads will provide both artistic and inventive evidence of …

Interpersonal Impressions Of Emoji Use In Computer-Mediated Decision Making, Austin Jonathan Beattie

Masters Theses

Text-messaging is among the most popular forms of computer-mediated communication (CMC). However, the lack of most nonverbal cues in text-messaging interaction limits communication in certain contexts. Some recent innovations, such as emoji, attempt to enhance nonverbal limitations in text messaging. However, despite ample scholarship in text messaging, nonverbal communication, and CMC, a smaller body of research explores their intersections. This study reviews literature in these areas and, through the lens of Media Richness Theory, offers several hypotheses regarding the effects of emoji on interpersonal impressions in a decision-making scenario. It then experimentally tests and quantitatively measures how emoji usage in …

Eudemonic Care: A Future Path For Occupational Therapy?, Charlotte L. Royeen, Franklin Stein, Alivia Murtha, Julie Stambaugh

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The core tenets of occupational therapy date to ancient Greece. Philosophers and physicians alike promulgated that quality of life, or “eudemonia,” is at the center of both ethical and medical concern and can be attained through healthful engagement in meaningful occupation. In more recent times, there has been a strong call to return to the powerful implementation of the eudemonic moral philosophy in health care practice, especially in occupational therapy. Searches of recent occupational therapy research show that integration of wellness initiatives into rehabilitative treatment sessions can have a profound impact on the physical and emotional healthfulness of people with …

How Society’S Philosophy Has Shaped Occupational Therapy Practice For The Past 100 Years, Jim Hinojosa

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The Anne Cronin Mosey lecture seeks to stimulate provocative thinking about issues important to occupational therapy. The speaker is asked to raise a controversial issue and provide a perspective that may challenge many in the audience. In this paper, I examine occupational therapy practice in the context of the dominant philosophical movement of American society. The first part presents the influence of America’s dominant philosophical movements on the profession: pragmatism (1917), modernism (1940), and, currently, postmodernism. I propose that occupational therapy’s acceptance of modernism has resulted in two major opposing viewpoints, prompting polarization and fragmentation in the profession. I argue …

Past Negative Time Perspective As A Predictor Of Grade Point Average In Occupational Therapy Doctoral Students, Pat J. Precin

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Time perspective is a fundamental dimension in psychological time, dividing human experiences into past, present, and future. Time perspective influences individuals’ functioning in all occupations, including education. Previous research has examined the relationship between time perspective and academic outcomes, but the same research has not been done, to date, with occupational therapy doctoral students. This quantitative, cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between time perspective and academic success in occupational therapy doctoral students across the United States. Data from the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) and grade point averages (GPAs) were collected from 50 participants via surveymonkey.com. Past Negative time perspective …

Occupational Therapy Students’ Self-Efficacy, Experience Of Supervision, And Perception Of Meaningfulness Of Level Ii Fieldwork, Lynne Andonian

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study explored the relationship of perceived self-efficacy to demographic and fieldwork variables for occupational therapy (OT) students. Self-efficacy is related to student and employee success and competency.

Methods: OT students (n = 306) from 42 OT programs in the United States completed the Student Confidence Questionnaire and the Demographic Questionnaire and Survey addressing demographics, practice setting, students’ experience of supervision, and perceptions of the fieldwork’s personal meaning during Level II fieldwork. Correlational and regression methods examined the relationships among the variables. Analysis of variance methods tested differences between higher and lower self-efficacy student groups.

Results: The degree of …

Traditional Lectures And Team-Based Learning In An Occupational Therapy Program: A Survey Of Student Perceptions, Anne H. Zachry, Brittany H. Nash, Ann Nolen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Team-Based Learning (TBL) is an active instructional approach used in health care education that incorporates group work.

Methods: Two occupational therapy professors adopted a TBL instructional approach in two courses for first- and second-year occupational therapy master’s degree level students. The investigators administered a survey to evaluate student perceptions of TBL and lecture-based instruction (LBI). A principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation identified two 5-item factors: “perceptions of LBI” and “perceptions of TBL.” Internal consistency for each factor was strong (Cronbach’s alpha 5 0.856 [preference for LBI]; 0.865 [preference of TBL]). A Wilcoxon matched pairs signed …

Satisfaction And Occupational Performance In Patients With Functional Movement Disorder, Sarah E. Dahlhauser, Amanda Theuer, John Hollman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Behavioral Shaping Therapy (BeST) is a program that uses a multidisciplinary approach to treat patients diagnosed with functional movement disorder (FMD). While this diagnosis is classified as a psychological disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the BeST program focuses on treating the physical manifestations of FMD. Occupational therapists are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, employing a variety of cognitive behavioral and motor reprogramming techniques to normalize movement patterns.

Method: Patients 18 years of age or older with a confirmed diagnosis of FMD participated in this study. This retrospective chart review used …

A Service Delivery Model For Addressing Activity And Social Participation Needs Of People Living With Hiv, Gayle Restall, Theresa Sullivan, Tara Carnochan, Emily Etcheverry, Kerstin Roger, Pumulo Roddy

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Occupational therapy can contribute to the health and well-being of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who are experiencing health consequences of living long term with this disease. However, there are no comprehensive rehabilitation service delivery models to guide this emerging area of practice. The purpose of this study was to obtain critical feedback about a service delivery model to address the activity and social participation needs of people living with HIV.

Method: We developed a service delivery model from a synthesis of the literature. Using a qualitative research design, we conducted individual and focus group interviews with 35 …

A Sleep Intervention For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study, Sarah A. Schoen, Sheryl Man, Chelsea Spiro

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Parents of children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) commonly report sleep problems, which typically exacerbate daytime behavior problems. This pilot study sought to identify the short-term effects on sleep, behavior challenges, attention, and quality of life of children with ASD following use of the iLs Dreampad^™ pillow, which delivers bone conducted music and environmental sounds. Aims were to demonstrate acceptability and feasibility, identify measures sensitive to change, and describe individual characteristics responsive to change.

Method: Parent report questionnaires assessed sleep behavior, attention, autism-related behaviors, and quality of life from 15 participants before and during intervention. A …

15-09 Impact Of Access Management Practices To Pedestrian Safety, Deo Chimba, Henry Ajieh

Transportation Research Center Reports

This study focused on the impact of access management practices to the safety of pedestrians. Some of the access management practices considered to impact pedestrian safety included limiting direct access to and from major streets, locating signals, limiting the number of conflict points and separating conflict areas, removing turning vehicles from through traffic lanes, using nontraversable medians to manage left-turn movements and providing a supporting street and circulation system. The study evaluated through statistical modeling the correlation between access management practices to pedestrian crashes. Focused on the impacts of access management on pedestrian crashes, eight (8) major roadway corridors were …

Western News, March 30, 2017, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Grad programs ranked among nation’s best, University gets final OK to offer classes in Florida, Presidential search process ‘on track and on time’, Fulbright Scholarship has Jon Davis talking math in South Africa, Open house slated to obtain input on new student center, Today’s changing perspectives on gender to be discussed, On Campus with Deanne Puca, Psychologist to deliver lecture in honor of Croteau

Grandparenting In Selected West African Countries: Implications For Health And Hygiene Behaviours In The Household, Joshua Oyeniyi Aransiola Dr, Akanni Ibukun Akinyemi Dr, Ambrose Akinlo Dr, Funmi Togonu-Bickesteeth Prof.

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

This is a descriptive study of the health and hygiene behaviors of grandparents who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren in four West African countries, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. The article utilizes data from each country’s most recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). The study identified 20,841 households where grandparents were primary caregivers. As expected, most of these households are in Nigeria given their population exceeds the collective population of the other three West African countries. However, the number of grandfamilies in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia is still worrisome for their population size. In each country, …

Grandparents As Foster Parents: Psychological Distress, Commitment, And Sensitivity To Their Grandchildren, Karine Poitras, George M. Tarabulsy, Emmanuelle Valliamée, Sylvie Lapierre, Marc Provost

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Grandparents are increasingly solicited to become foster parents. This study aims to describe the psychological distress, parental sensitivity, and parental commitment of a group of Quebec foster grandparents. Forty-eight foster parents were assessed in this study, including 12 grandparents. Psychological distress was assessed using the Symptom Checklist–90–R (SCL–90–R®; Derogatis & Lazarus 1994), parental sensitivity using the short version of the Maternal Behavior Q-Sort (Tarabulsy et al., 2009; Pederson & Moran, 1995) and commitment using a semi-structured interview (This is My Baby; TIMB: Bates & Dozier, 1998). Results indicate no difference between foster parents and grandparents as a function of parental …

Grandparents Of The Community: Lakota Elders’ View Of Intergenerational Care, Mary Kate Dennis, Nancy J. Kepple, Joseph Brewer Ii

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

This exploratory, qualitative study provides insight into the traditional concept of tiospaye (extended family and kinship to these relations) by Oglala Lakota elders in the modern context of the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota. The authors reframe the modern implementation of these traditional practices of kinship as community grandparenting, in which the elders extend the role and responsibilities of grandparenting behaviors to all youths in the community. This study employed Indigenous methodologies, which allowed the 25 elders to share their stories in a culturally tailored, relational manner. The study uses thematic analysis to identify three themes associated …

Parenting A Second Time Around: The Strengths And Challenges Of Indigenous Grandparent Caregivers, Jessica Y. Hsieh, Kristen J. Mercer, Sarah A. Costa

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Background: There is a lack of knowledge and research of Indigenous grandparents rearing grandchildren. A burgeoning area of research, the literature only includes studies conducted from the year 2002 and onwards. In order to minimize the burdens that Indigenous grandparents encounter when assuming this role, a greater understanding of this population is crucial. This scoping review was undertaken in an attempt to gain insight into and generate awareness of this population, specifically concerning their needs and experiences. Methods: Sixteen databases were searched, including two medical databases and fourteen social science databases. A total of 92 titles and abstracts were independently …

Guardianship Planning Among Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Orphaned By Hiv/Aids In Northern Vietnam, Lesley M. Harris, Jordan Wilfong, Nguyen D. Thang, Bum Jung Kim

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Increasingly, grandparents are raising grandchildren because of the absence of the parental generation due to HIV/AIDS in Vietnam. However, few studies have explored the strategies and plans of grandparents for the future care of their grandchildren in case they can no longer provide care. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 21 grandparent caregivers and seven key informants in both urban and rural communities in Hanoi and Hai Phong, Vietnam. Five grandparents were selected from the sample to complete participant observations. ATLAS.ti was used as a qualitative data analysis tool. Transcriptions from interviews and field notes …

Caregiving Among Community-Dwelling Grandparents In Jamaica, Julian Gm Mckoy Davis, Douladel Willie-Tyndale, Kathryn Mitchell-Fearon, Desmalee Holder-Nevins, Kenneth James, Denise Eldemire-Shearer

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Grandparents play invaluable caregiving roles in the general upbringing of grandchildren. The objective of the present study is to provide a profile of grandparents providing care to co-resident grandchildren younger than 18 years old in Jamaica. A subsample of 451 grandparents providing care to co-resident grandchildren under than 18 years old was derived from a larger nationally-representative community-based study of 2943 older adults residing in Jamaica. Data pertaining to caregiving, demography, health, socioeconomic status, and social participation were analysed using bivariate and multivariate analyses. Seventy one percent of grandparents were involve in regular care of their grandchildren. Hypertension (65.9%), arthritis …

Reflections From The Guest Editors: Introduction To The Special Issue On The Global Phenomenon Of Grandfamilies, Bert Hayslip Ph.D., Carol Musil Ph.D., Rn, Faan, Fgsa,

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Introduction to the Special Issue: The Global Phenomenon of GrandFamilies

Complete Issue 4 (1): Global Phenomenon Of Grandfamilies

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Complete Issue 4 (1): Global Phenomenon of GrandFamilies

Implementation Of Common Core–Based Curriculum In A Fourth-Grade Literacy Classroom: An Exploratory Study, Elizabeth Jaeger

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were adopted by most states by 2010. Yet, many teachers still lack confidence in their ability to integrate these standards into their classroom instruction and this uncertainty undermines their effectiveness. This article presents findings from a study of a fourth grade literacy curriculum informed by the CCSS. The study mobilized the Vygotskian notion of mediation as it applies in a literacy learning context and addresses the following research questions: (a) What were fourth grade student English language arts achievement levels and beliefs about literacy prior to and following the implementation of a CCSS-based curriculum? …

Enewsletter- March 2017, College Of Education And Human Development

College of Education and Human Development News

• Dr. Jianping Shen selected as a Distinguished Grant awardee
• WMU's Ming Li among national diversity award honorees
• Exercise Science graduate receives prestigious Gilman award to study abroad
• CEHD Alumni Awards Nominations open through June 15
• Alumna Angela Harness designs Colorado Springs office space
• CECP Assistant Professor and graduate students publish article on career development

Connections, 03/2017, College Of Health And Human Services

College of Health and Human Services Newsletter

• Seven CHHS programs in U.S. News & World Report top 100
• Ph.D. alumna finds success in Detroit, DC and Seattle
• HDReAM aids Kalamazoo County in fight against STDs
• Interprofessional Education on display at 2017 IPE Expo
• Ph.D. student receives prestigious award
• WMU Fostering Success program saluted as a 'beacon' for college access
• Several CHHS programs expand to Florida

Self Management: Overcoming Barriers To Success, Jazmyn Souryamat

Honors Theses

Individuals with an autism spectrum diagnosis often have a social-skills deficit that may include the tendency to avoid eye contact. In addition, they may have sensory issues and become easily overwhelmed by excessive sensory stimuli. Self-management is a treatment that has been found to enhance the quality of life for individuals with or without an autism spectrum diagnosis. It has been helpful in treating procrastination, used to increase physical activity, lower caloric intake, and increase independence. In this study, self-management treatments were used to increase instances of appropriate social responding and to decrease behaviors that posed a barrier to personal, …

Cross Cultural Study Of Food And Consumer Packaged Good Products In A New Market: Case Study In Thailand, Savanna Everett

Honors Theses

This study examines whether there are differences in consumers’ shopping behavior due to cultural orientation. The study uses comparing samples of American and Thai culture on two occasions. Theory suggests that these two cultural groups have dramatically different shopping practices. Thai, raised in a collectivist society that values price consciousness and sophistication in money handling, differ from Americans raised in an individualist society that traditionally do not have the same values (Ackerman and Tellis 2001).

We argue that differences in culture provide the most likely explanation for the differences in prices between the two types of super markets. The overall …

Cross Cultural Study Of Food And Cpg Products In A New Market: Case Study In The United States Vs Thailand, Mariel Dehn

Honors Theses

This study examines whether there are differences in consumers’ shopping behavior due to cultural orientation. The study uses comparing samples of American and Thai culture on two occasions. Theory suggests that these two cultural groups have dramatically different shopping practices. Thai, raised in a collectivist society that values price consciousness and sophistication in money handling, differ from Americans raised in an individualist society that traditionally do not have the same values (Ackerman and Tellis 2001).

We argue that differences in culture provide the most likely explanation for the differences in prices between the two types of super markets. The overall …

Western News, February 23, 2017, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: WMU hailed as top U.S. Fulbright producer, Professor wins prestigious Japanese literary prize, Faculty; staff members to discuss student success at summit, Sports media students getting real-world experience with ESPN3, New precollege programs office is up and running, On Campus with Greg Youtzy, Variety of exciting camps offered on campus this summer for young people

Western News, February 9, 2017, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Join Dunn on leg of five-day; 14-city farewell tour, Local exec named to serve out trustee term, WMU’s supply chain program ranks No. 2 in world, WMU celebrates research; diversity and global engagement, Safety communication changes enacted, Learner support program self-study reports available for review by faculty; staff, On Campus with Michelle Loedeman