Digital Commons Network^™

An Analysis Of Free-Will, Matthew Campbell

Honors Theses

The following paper is a broad analysis of the concept of free-will. Free-will can be defined as having the ability to act outside of necessity, such that one can be the ultimate author and initiator of their actions and decisions. Stated differently, possessing free-will allows an individual to be held accountable for their behaviors, because those behaviors are the result of something controllable within the individual, rather than something external to the individual and beyond their control.

A belief in free-will is widely assumed, for we hold individuals both legally and morally accountable for their actions. Nevertheless, it remains a …

Western News, April 16, 2015, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: WMU course recognized at Americas summit; YWCA to honor two WMU women leaders in May; "Living Mentally Well"—Respecting Differences with Kevin Hinds; Lighthouse logbook project sheds light on 1800s coastal life; On Campus with David Marlatt.

Western News, April 2, 2015, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: WMU grads headed for 89 percent success rate; Board OKs bond sale, amends president’s contract; Prospective students get into the spirit of ‘get-branded’ initiative; Student group reviving WMU Pow Wow; On Campus with Tom Howe.

Lifesteps: An Evidence-Based Health Promotion Program For Underserved Populations – A Community Service Learning Approach, Melanie Austin-Mccain

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Chronic diseases are the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems in the United States. Chronic diseases represent the leading causes of death and are experienced at higher rates by minority populations (CDC, 2012). Innovative community-based health promotion programs are recommended that meet the diverse needs of underserved populations (Yeary, et al., 2011). LifeSteps is being developed as an evidence-based health promotion program focusing on health and wellness, a domain area defined within the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF, 2008). LifeSteps will utilize a client-centered approach to coach individuals in making health behavior changes. Fieldwork and service-learning components …

A Study Of Engagement In Active And Passive Roles In Casual Leisure Occupations, Anne M. Fenech

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This article explores whether engagement with listening occupations varies depending on the occupational role or the level of sensory stimulation presented to participants with neuropalliative conditions.

Method: The study used a multiple case quasi-experimental study involving marginal-participant time-sampled observations of engagement of individuals with neuropalliative conditions, with casual leisure occupations using the Individual Child Engagement Record. Data was collected using the Individual Child Engagement Record with 14 participants (who had Barthel scores averaging 7/100). The participants represented a particular sub-group of individuals with profound levels of neurological disability.

Results: The time-sampled observations of engagement showed a significant difference between …

The Challenge Of Cultural Competency In The Multicultural 21st Century: A Conceptual Model To Guide Occupational Therapy Practice, Wesam Darawsheh, Gill Chard, Mona Eklund

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Occupational therapists increasingly encounter clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and need to meet their professional obligation of delivering culturally competent practice. Yet the process of cultural competency is poorly understood in occupational therapy practice. There is a need for a clear understanding of the meaning and process of cultural competency as it is enacted in practice with a wide range of individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Aim: To investigate the process, stages, characteristics, and requirements of cultural competency as practiced by experienced occupational therapists.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 community occupational therapists experienced …

Field-Testing Reusable Learning Objects Related To Sensory Over-Responsiveness, Bryan M. Gee, Kiersten Moholy, Kimberly Lloyd, Anthony Seikel

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background. There is an increased need for dynamic, mobile, and relevant parent and caregiver education related to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and Sensory Processing (SP). This need may be due to the increased incidence of the conditions’ co-morbidity and the revision of the diagnostic criteria of ASD. Reusable learning objects (RLOs) have been implemented as instructional tools as a part of, or adjunct to, formal health care education programs. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the appropriateness of RLOs as a part of routine patient and caregiver instruction of children with ASD.

Method. A semi-structured interview/rating scale was …

A Novel Cognitive Cueing Approach To Gait Retraining In Parkinson’S Disease: A Pilot Study, Stephanie Morrison, Sandi Spaulding, Jeff Holmes, Mary Jenkins

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) impairs gait performance, which can lead to falls and decreased quality of life. This study examined the feasibility of implementing a novel home-based intervention designed to elicit gait improvement in individuals with PD.

Methods: Five participants with PD completed a two-week home-based gait retraining intervention designed around guided video feedback. Semi-structured interviews were conducted postintervention and two months postintervention to acquire feedback from the participants about their experience with the intervention. Spatiotemporal parameters of gait and functional mobility were assessed pre and postintervention and at two months postintervention.

Results: Participants reported high levels of usability …

How To Make An Editor Happy, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of A Career Exploration Course's Impact On Student Career Development, Mark St. Martin, Adam Osborne, Shaakira Jones, Michael Bobbitt

Assessment Grants

Mark St. Martin, Associate Professor, Western Michigan University Counseling Center, Adam Osborne, MA, Shaakira Jones, MA and Michael Bobbitt, MS, at WMU shared this poster at the Assessment in Action Conference 2015 on April 3. The group were recipients of one of the 2014-2015 WMU Assessment Fellows Grants to conduct research to measure the effectiveness of the UNIV 1020 Career Exploration and Development course at WMU on student career knowledge and decision-making skills. This poster provided information regarding their assessment project.

Prism, Spring 2015, Office Of The Provost

Prism: Western Michigan University's Newsletter for Academic Affairs

No abstract provided.

Professional Reflections - Spring 2015, College Of Education And Human Development

College of Education and Human Development News

• Message from the Dean
• Student Spotlight
• Education in Poverty
• Washington Writers’ Academy
• Dietetic Interns Grant
• Student Profiles
• Faculty and Staff Spotlight
• Excellence in Discovery
• CEHD Grant Winners
• Faculty and Staff Profiles
• Alumni Spotlight
• Accultured Alumni
• CEHD Alumni Award Winners
• Alumni Profiles
• Throughout the College
• College Academic Profile
• Reading Clinic: Literacy in Action
• ECCU Education Forum
• D.R. Doctoral Program
• CEHD Award Winners
• CEHD Global Initiatives
• CEHD New Faculty and Staff

Lhc Lines - Spring 2015, Lee Honors College

Lee Honors College News

• Greetings Friends and Alumni!
• Staff Spotlight:
• Outstanding Alumni
• Alumni Updates
• What’s New
• New Medallion Scholarships
• Student Research Spotlight
• Graduation
• Lyceum Lecture Series
• Metropolitan Series
• Future Leaders of Kalamazoo
• Alpha Lambda Delta
• Keep In Touch
• Wishlist
• Alumni Reunion

College Of Arts And Sciences E-News Issue 24: April 2015, College Of Arts And Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences news

• The Hunting Ground Comes to WMU
• Graduate Programs Rank High in 2015
• Economics, Chinese language profs snag Light Center research grants
• CAS Faculty Judge Japanese Quiz Bowl
• An Education for Change
• Anomie
• WMU student team wins national Wege sustainability prize
• CAS Student Interns with the Clinton Foundation
• Creative Cookie

The Department Of Family And Consumer Sciences Newsletter Spring 2015, College Of Education And Human Development

Family and Consumer Sciences News

• A Message from the Chair
• Career and Technical Education
• Dietetics
• Family Sciences
• Fashion Merchandising and Design
• Food Service Administration
• Interior Design
• Awards and Recognition Ceremony
• Faculty Publications
• Giving

Emeriti News, April 2015, Emeriti Council

Emeriti News

Contents from Volume XXI Number 1:

• Message from the Co-Chair
• The Emeriti Council is 40
• Council Election
• Upcoming Events
• Emeriti Past Events
• Emeriti Council Book Scholarships
• Scholarship
• Announcements
• In Remembrance
• Outgoing Council Members
• Emeriti Council Voting lnformation
• Annual Emeriti Break-Fest

International Journal Of African Development, Vol. 2, Issue 1

International Journal of African Development

Complete issue of International Journal of African Development, Volume 2, Issue 1.

Wmu Junior Spotlight, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Western News, March 19, 2015, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Three grad programs named best in state; Engineer wins NIH grant for research on heart disease; WMU icon being installed inside West Campus turnaround; On Campus with DeVon Miller.

Critical Self-Reflection Questions For Professsionals Who Work With Grandfamilies, Megan L. Dolbin-Macnab

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

One of the reasons that grandparents raising grandchildren may not receive needed services is because they perceive professionals as being judgmental or holding negative attitudes toward them. As such, it is important for human service professionals to critically examine their opinions and attitudes toward grandfamilies, within the context of larger social structures, for the purposes of identifying those views that might interfere with the delivery of high quality services. This practice brief provides an overview of critical self-reflection questions that can be used, in a variety of ways, for training purposes. By utilizing these critical self-reflection questions, professionals can discover …

Practice Recommendations For Mental Health Professionals: Perspectives From Grandparents And Their Adolescent Grandchildren, Kendra A. O'Hora, Megan L. Dolbin-Macnab

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Although grandfamilies are consumers of a variety of mental health services, less is known about what these families, particularly the grandchildren, want from practitioners. To gain insight into how practitioners can best meet the needs of grandfamilies, 40 custodial grandmothers and their adolescent grandchildren were interviewed. Results of a qualitative analysis indicated that grandmothers and grandchildren did not make clear distinctions between various types of services and service providers. Grandchildren, in particular, emphasized the need for mental health professionals to facilitate mentoring and to provide opportunities for grandchildren to socialize with other grandchildren who have been through similar circumstances. Grandmothers …

The Experience Of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Deborah Sampson, Katherine Hertlein Ph.D.

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the experiences of grandparents and the challenges they face raising their grandchildren. This study was conducted through qualitative interviewing, where participants responded to open-ended questions regarding the challenges of raising their grandchildren. Themes and patterns were identified through an open-coding process. The five themes discussed include: characteristics of everyday life, parenting experiences, lack of resources, managing negative emotions, and social changes. Implications for clinical practice and further research are discussed.

Early Childhood Overweight And Obesity In Multigenerational Households, Chelsea O. Mckinney

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

This study investigates grandmothers’ role in the health of their grandchildren. The relationship between child weight status from ages three to nine and grandmothers’ coresidence up to age nine is examined using data from The Fragile Families and Wellbeing Study, a large nationally representative dataset of urban low-income families in the United States. Logistic regression estimates the association between grandmother coresidence and child unhealthy weight status. Analyses adjust for child and mother characteristics, culture, race/ethnicity, SES, parenting practices, and built environment. Children who have ever lived with a grandmother by age three are at increased odds of unhealthy weight at …

Complete Issue - Vol 2 Issue 1

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

No abstract as this is a composite issue submission from the editors.

Discovery, March 2015, Office Of Vice President For Research

Research and Discovery News

• Discovery Success Recognized
• President and Provost Host Celebration Luncheon for Special Group
• Excellence in Discovery Event Photos
• Discovery Workshops for March and April
• Save the Date: April 24 Is 9th Annual Poster Day
• SFSA Winners; Twitter; and F&A Recovery

Western News, Feb. 12, 2015, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Supply chain program ranked second in nation; Alumni Center on track, many chances to donate; Donor’s final gift to WMU establishes fine arts professorship; On Campus with Jim Middleton.

Grand Rapids Rotary Presentation, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Western News, Jan. 29, 2015, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Hettinger, Miller to lead Board of Trustees; Nation's first sustainable brewing degree announced; Google Apps for Education at WMU aids teaching, learning; On Campus with Kenny Martin Jr.

Demon Possession In Anglo-Saxon England, Peter Dendle

Research in Medieval and Early Modern Culture

Anglo-Saxon England was a society governed by the competing discourses of illness, spirituality, power, and community. The concepts of demon possession and exorcism, introduced by Christian missionaries, provided a potential outlet for expressing the psychological, biological, and sociopolitical dysfunctions of a society that was at the center of multiple conflicting cultural dimensions.

Demon Possession in Anglo-Saxon England is a reexamination of the available sources describing the possessed and a study of the currently recognized medical and psychiatric conditions that may be relevant to and resemble medieval possession.

Neurodiversity’S Lingua Franca?: The Wild Iris, Autobiography Of Red, And The Breakdown Of Cognitive Barriers Through Poetic Language, Dani Alexis Ryskamp

The Hilltop Review

Persons with mental and emotional disabilities, including self-advocates in the fledgling "neurodiversity" movement, often find themselves at a loss to communicate effectively with the "neurotypical," abled majority when experiences of language differ dramatically across typical and atypical populations. This paper explores the possibility of poetic language as a "lingua franca" permitting communication of neurodiverse experiences. It does so by examining examples of animism, synesthesia, and metonymy in Louise Gluck's The Wild Iris and Anne Carson's Autobiography of Red - poetic elements that also appear frequently in the writing of activists with depression, autism, and other neuroatypical conditions. I argue that, …