Digital Commons Network^™

Factors Influencing Driving Confidence In Older Adults, Jill Linder, Beth Ann Walker, Elizabeth Moore, Anne Hegberg

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: It has been determined that both confidence and cognition impact driving performance and self-regulation. While it is known that cognitive decline impacts driving safety and that decreases in driving confidence can lead to self-driving regulation, further research is needed to determine whether cognition, demographics, and driving routines are associated with driving confidence.

Method: A non-experimental, cross-sectional design study using a convenience sample of 100 older adults was conducted to determine if individual factors are related to daytime and nighttime driving confidence.

Results: Multiple regression indicated that four variables predicted daytime driving confidence, including cognition, driving at …

Informing Modifications To Social Participation And Navigation (Span) For Adolescents With Social Anxiety Incorporating Pet Dogs, Nicole Porter, Gary Bedell, Jason Getzler, Megan Mueller

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Social anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health challenges of adolescence and profoundly impacts social participation. This study obtained adolescent and parent feedback to inform a future modification of Social Navigation and Participation (SPAN) for use with adolescents with social anxiety incorporating pet dogs.

Methods: The study had two phases: Phase 1 included interviews with adolescents with social anxiety (n = 8) about their social participation experiences, strategies, pet dogs, and thoughts on a proposed intervention to promote social participation; and Phase 2 included on-line survey completed by the adolescents and their parents (n = 14) assessing …

Artificial Intelligence: Analysis And Guidelines For Scholarly Writing, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Study Of Monolingual And Multilingual Employees, Megan Baldry

Honors Theses

This study examined the relationship between linguistic status and work outcomes including organizational citizenship behaviors and affective commitment, as mediated by communication competence, leader-member exchange, and psychological safety. The study examines nine hypotheses about these relationships, attempting to find differences in relationships between the mediators and outcomes among linguistic groups (monolingual, bilingual, and multilingual).

The study does not find support for the hypotheses, finding no difference between linguistic groups in either of the workplace outcomes, nor does it find strong support that communication competence, leader-member exchange, or psychological safety mediate the relationship between linguistic status and either of the workplace …

The Effects Of Therapy Dogs On Students, Chloe Romack

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the effects therapy dogs have on students. It begins with a literature review of 17 articles that involve animal-assisted interventions with students and children. The main topics covered include the definition of a therapy animal and how dogs can influence learning, socialization, emotional well-being, anxiety, and depression. It also discusses how dogs can be used in therapy and special education classrooms as well as the major concerns of dogs in schools. Drawing upon the previous research, a survey was sent to school staff in the Paw Paw Public School District. The participants of this study consisted of …

College Football Success And Its Impact On The Surrounding Community, Local Economy, And Institution Enrollment, Jacob Reynolds

Honors Theses

In the ever-changing field of college football, creating success has always been a top priority for institutions, and if not achieved, it can be detrimental to an athletic department. Success is important to those directly involved in college football, however, not often is it considered how others may be affected by the success or failure of a college football program. The purpose of this research is to determine what impact successful college football programs have on society and those not directly involved in athletics. In determining the purpose, it was important to find what components of society are impacted by …

Effects Of Peer Mentoring On Success And Satisfaction In Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Pilot Study, Rebecca Fraley

Honors Theses

Studying the impact of a mentorship program involving undergraduate nursing students can inform educators of methods to increase student success and decrease attrition in baccalaureate nursing programs. This study aimed to determine if a mentoring session every three weeks between a first semester Bronson School of Nursing (BSON) student and a senior year nursing student increased the confidence and satisfaction of the first semester BSON student. A Student Success Survey (see Appendix A) was filled out at the beginning, middle and conclusion of the mentee students fall semester. The Student Success Survey was also administered to a control group made …

Refining The Fashion Merchandising And Design Program Assessment Components, Mary Simpson, Chitra Singh, Zee-Sun Yun

Assessment Grants

To establish a strong and consistent assessment foundation, a program level assessment plan needs to be reevaluated periodically. The overarching goal of this project is to refine the current assessment plan of the Fashion Merchandising and Design program, which includes three components: curriculum evaluation, student learning outcomes, and student exit survey. Particularly, this proposal addresses two main assessment focus areas: i) alignment of the capstone course outcomes and assessments to the program-level outcomes and ii) refining the student exit survey as a tool for program-level assessment. In addition, this project aligns with assessment goals of the program accreditation Textile and …

Consumerism To Community: Bringing Main Street To The Suburbs, Constantina Mead

Interior Design Capstones

The decline of traditional shopping malls poses a significant urban development challenge. This research endeavors to explore the transformative potential of repurposing defunct shopping malls into vibrant, community-focused mixed-use developments. The objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these spaces, both within the mall buildings and the surrounding properties, can serve as catalysts for the betterment of communities, emphasizing revitalization, social cohesion, and sustainable urban living, while redefining v role in modern urban environments. By reconceptualizing the role of the present-day mall, this study aims to inspire new opportunities for the revival of neglected urban areas, ultimately fostering …

Unblocked Re-Imagining Incarceration By Restructuring The Cell Block, Carlee Castle

Interior Design Capstones

Prison cell blocks, often overlooked as monolithic structures of confinement, conceal a rich tapestry of complex social environments. This study delves into the interplay between the architectural and interior design of cell blocks and the individuals who reside within them, highlighting the profound impact of built elements on the promotion of privacy, independence, and collaboration among cellmates.

Incarceration, by its nature, places inmates in close proximity, fostering interactions that range from cooperation to conflict. However, the prison environment is not equivalent in different countries, and the layout of cell blocks varies widely. By examining these variations, it becomes evident that …

Emotionally Responsive Design: Shaping Spaces + Engaging Senses, Colleen Harmon

Interior Design Capstones

This research project delves into the intricate and symbiotic relationship between the human body and the built environment, with a particular emphasis on the transformative influence exerted by a nuanced integration of various textures. The primary focus revolves around the profound impact that these textures have on shaping sensory experiences and spatial perceptions within interior spaces.

The study employs a comprehensive exploration of tactile, visual, and auditory sensations, seeking to unravel the intricate ways in which intentional textural choices contribute to the overall design of architectural spaces. Beyond a superficial understanding, the research takes a deep dive into the collective …

Embarking On A Maritime Retirement - Re-Imagining The Retirement Experience, Carolynn Hoezee

Interior Design Capstones

In a constantly changing landscape of retirement options, retirement livingon cruise ships has emerged as a compelling alternative addressing several prevalent challenges in contemporary retirement communities. This research evaluates opportunities and concerns of retirement housing on a cruise ship or maritime setting.

The complex and ever-changing needs of older adults often go unmet in traditional retirement communities. There are a lot of adults who are retiring and the cost of retirement continues to increase.Retirement can cause health issues in older adults and a lot of people lose their identity when they retire.Current mainstream retirement communities face many issues, such as …

Designing Dignified Spaces: A Holistic Approach To Addressing Homelessness Among Children And Families, Megan Clark

Interior Design Capstones

In the face of the persistent and complex issue of homelessness in America, this project aims to reimagine the landscape for children and families facing housing insecurity. Seeking to tackle the problem at its roots by establishing resource hubs.

By innovatively establishing central resource hubs, the primary objective is to create dignified spaces connecting individuals with vital resources. This hub goes beyond being a mere refuge; it is envisioned as a dynamic center where individuals access essential services, receive mentorship, and rebuild a sense of belonging.

Given the ongoing urgency of homelessness, this project’s efforts strive to make a meaningful …

Integrating Sport’S Vision Training Into Vision Therapy: The Role Of Occupational Therapy, Emily M. Beaird

Capstone Projects

Sports vision training (SVT) is a specialized area of vision therapy focused on enhancing an athlete's visual skills for peak athletic performance. Vision training is vital for athletes because “athletic performance can be one of the most rigorous activities for the visual system” (Khanal, 2015) and is responsible for upward of 80% of the sensory input received during an athletic performance. However, it is often overlooked in traditional training regimens. Focusing on advanced clinical practice and program development, an unmet need for SVT at Origami Rehabilitation was achieved. The main goal was to create an SVT program that catered to …

Mindful Teaching In Adolescent Dance Educaton: Prioritizing Mental Health, Camille Chimner

Capstone Projects

Mental health continues to be a concern for all ages, especially those within the period of adolescence. Adolescence is a time of great physical, cognitive, social, and emotional change that can be positively facilitated with support and strong coping skills. Adolescent dancers have additional demands placed upon them within the dance space. Adults can play a large role in this support, especially adults who serve as educators and coaches. Dance educators have the opportunity to work closely with dancers and can have great influence on both their physical and emotional health, but are not often trained to be mindful of …

Evaluating Sensory Processing And Functional Outcomes Of Children Participating In A Therapeutic Horseback Riding Read And Ride Program: A Single-Subject Research Study, Samantha Dunleavy-Shotsberger

Capstone Projects

Therapeutic horseback riding (TR) can be beneficial to various populations, such as individuals with disabilities, trauma, behavioral problems, anxiety, developmental delay, depression, and learning challenges. However, individuals come with a variety of complex needs and diagnoses, therefore more research is needed to determine how TR impacts the individual. Specifically, there is a lack of understanding of how the individual’s behavior, learning, and sensory processing is affected by TR intervention. Therefore, this study examined the effects of TR on childhood sensory processing and at-risk academic occupational performance in reading as it relates to behavior and attention. A single subject ABA design …

Promoting And Sustaining An Adaptive Sports Program On A College Campus Through Outreach And Resource Developmen, Morgan E. Otero

Capstone Projects

Participation in physical activity is essential for an individual’s health and well-being. However, persons with disabilities have limited access to physical activity due to personal, environmental, institutional, and/or social barriers. This limited access increases a disabled individual’s likelihood of developing secondary health conditions, decreased mental health outcomes, and feelings of social isolation. To combat this, it is important that these individuals have equitable access to and knowledge of adaptive physical activity opportunities such as adaptive sport, recreation, and fitness. To address this need, this capstone project focused on promoting and sustaining an existing adaptive sports and recreation program through the …

Wild Wheels: Meaningful Art Program Designed For Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Alexis Bailey-Lauchie

Capstone Projects

The Wild Wheels program was designed to offer adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) an opportunity to engage in meaningful and purposeful art-based activities. The aim supports the distinctive value of occupational therapy (OT) defined as enhancing the health and quality of life (QOL) of individuals by promoting participation and engagement in meaningful daily activities. Typically, for individuals with IDD options for meaningful engagement are limited due to various physical/mental limitations and increased need for assistance. The Center for Disability Services (CDS) at Western Michigan University (WMU) introduced the Wild Wheels program to enable participants to create unique artwork …

Combating Social Isolation Among Older Adults Through Intergenerational Relationships With Children; Facilitating Meaningful Connection During Intergenerational Interactions By Improving Sensory Environment And Increasing Engagement During Group Activities, Lillian John

Capstone Projects

The following capstone project focused on the enhancement of meaningful engagement among all participants of an intergenerational care center. The interventions implemented within the intergenerational program were put in place to facilitate communication, improve behavioral regulation, modify sensory environment, create the just right challenge for group activities, and increase independence to promote meaningful engagement and social connection. The implementation of the interventions was completed through on-site education to the employees, the creation of various educational binders to support the participants individually, and adjustments to the environment and group activities. This capstones projects’ primary goal was to improve the efficacy of …

Development Of Carf Accreditation Requirements For A Vocational Rehabilitation Program For Individuals Independently Living With Post-Traumatic Brain Injury, Samantha Kowalczyk

Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to assist a vocational rehabilitation program at Community Connections in Sterling Heights, Michigan with developing requirements for CARF Accreditation for individuals independently living with post-traumatic brain injury. This work program site is unique in the fact it is primarily run by Occupational Therapists and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants. Achieving CARF Accreditation, which stands for Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, demonstrates that standards are being met and provides greater satisfaction and the possibility for reimbursement and funding for a program. The overall aim was to assist in the development of the primary materials …

Reimagining Comfort: Designing For Climate Resilience, Dissinger

Capstone Projects

In a world undergoing constant transformation, driven by factors like extensive CO2 emissions since the Industrial Revolution, the impacts of greenhouse gases are irreversible, necessitating innovative solutions to confront global warming. Adapting to a progressively warmer planet presents unforeseen challenges, from shifting ecosystems to heightened vulnerability to natural disasters, and rising global temperatures.

The solution lies in the creation of a harmonious structure that fuses nature and technology, fostering self-sufficiency and compassion for the climate crisis. This structure aspires to be a paragon of eco-consciousness, adorned with entirely recyclable materials and integrated green systems, promoting sustainability. In a departure from …

Designed Memories: How Can The Built Environment Affect Memories, Jared Schneider

Capstone Projects

Memories have served as a fundamental conduit for transmitting history across generations, whether shared around a dining room table or by the flickering flames of a campfire. These memories serve as our bridge to the past, offering invaluable lessons from prior experiences. The process through which information is transformed into lasting memories is known as encoding.

Encoding, in essence, relies on our sensory faculties, encompassing taste, smell, touch, vision, and hearing. These senses enable us to capture and preserve information within the intricate framework of our brains. An exploration of the individual strengths and weaknesses inherent in each sensory modality …

Current To Best Practice: An Approach To Establishing A Clearinghouse, Alycia Sterenberg Mahon

Dissertations

Clearinghouses provide a central location for evaluating and synthesizing studies to inform practice and policy. Many stakeholders rely on these clearinghouses to make evidence-based decisions for practice and research. This investigation aims to develop and evaluate a sequence of methods that fields/disciplines can use to establish a clearinghouse. Specifically, this research provides a roadmap to form a clearinghouse for music therapy (MT) intervention-based research. This work consists of three individual research studies. Each study addresses a component of how the field of MT, through a clearinghouse, can provide a solution for disseminating evidence-based practices. Study 1 provides a framework to …

Unlocking Potential: Analyzing The Impact Of Special Education Services On The Assessment Outcomes Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Kaitlyn Billops

Dissertations

Since the enactment of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 2004, there has been a notable increase in the enrollment of students receiving special education services (National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2022). However, despite advancements in special education programming and service delivery, academic performance for students with disabilities still falls behind their general education peers, particularly on state summative assessments (Aron & Loprest, 2012). Disparities in academic achievement on these assessments can be attributed to various factors, including assessment practices, students' comfort levels during testing, and the severity of their disabilities. Assessing the efficacy of special education …

The Effects Of Combined Evaluative And Memo, Matrix, And Graphic Objective Feedback On Performance When Receiving Fixed Pay, Amber L. Derthick

Dissertations

The purpose of this current study was to examine the relative effectiveness of written feedback in the form of a memo that displays the performer’s current performance (memo feedback), written feedback in the form of a matrix that displays the performer’s current performance along with past performance (matrix feedback), and graphic feedback that displays the performer’s current performance along with past performance on a line graph (graphic feedback) when individuals receive fixed pay. The memo, matrix, and graphic feedback displayed “objective” feedback. Participants were 70 undergraduate students who were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions. Participants attended a …

Say Her Name: A Phenomenological Study On Black Women’S Experiences With Fearful Encounters With The Police, Marilyn Shantey Buford

Dissertations

Police violence is a historical, systemic issue that continues to plague the Black community to this day. Research discussing the systemic oppression of police violence on Black people has seen an increase over the past decade. However, little has been discussed on the effects of police violence on Black people’s health and wellness, particularly their mental health. The research that exists surrounding police violence and mental health is largely concentrated on the experiences of Black men. Little is known about how Black women personally experience police violence or how these experiences impact their mental, emotional, and physical health. Not exploring …

Pathways To Leadership In A Professional Association, Cheryl Lynn Endres

Dissertations

This purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to explore the experiences of former volunteer leaders who served in the role of president for a professional association. A qualitative design framed by phenomenology is appropriate when seeking to understand individual reflections on a common experience (Brinkmann, 2008, Patton, 2018, Creswell & Poth, 2018). The research was framed as exploratory due to the limited qualitative studies on leadership in professional associations, and more information to understand this experience can be gained by using the qualitative phenomenological method. The phenomenon of focus in this study is motivations related to volunteer leadership, in …

An Examination Of Specific Learning Disability Identification Post Participation In The Michigan Department Of Education Transformation Zone, Erin E. Senkowski

Dissertations

The identification of students with specific learning disabilities has evolved since the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) in 2004. This reauthorization gave state agencies parameters that disallowed using the severe discrepancy model for identification as a stand-alone method. In response to this change, Michigan provided Intermediate and local school districts with further guidance that disallowed the use of the severe discrepancy model for identifying children with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs) and instead required Intermediate School Districts, on behalf of their local districts, to choose one of three models, including Patterns of Strengths and Weakness (PSW), …

The Development Of Youth Voice In A Community-Based Social Action Program, César A. Briones Mendieta

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamics of youth voice development within the Great Lakes PeaceJam program, a community-based initiative aimed at engaging high school and college students in social action. This research builds upon scholarship that explores youth development in the context of community-based and social action programs. Situated within the overlapping fields of youth development, developmental psychology, and sociopolitical theory, these narratives frame youth voice as a normative process influenced by social interactions and cultural contexts and as a driving force in youth activism, civic engagement, and social action, highlighting the role of youth in …

Reconnect: The Importance Of Beauty Within Architecture, Rebekah Lueck

Interior Design Capstones

In a world where secular design has become the norm, this project addresses the profound disconnect individuals experience in modern spaces. This research investigates the impact of contemporary design principles on user well-being and the built environment. It explores how secularism and modern design have contributed to this disconnect and alienation, and further how reforming a classical view and approach of architecture and design contribute to its remedy.

The integration of classical architecture not only offers an aesthetic and functional solution but also serves as a powerful response to the negative impacts of the fragmented view that has been embraced …