Digital Commons Network^™

Predicting School Placement Outcomes Of Children With Disabilities Who Was Once Enrolled In Early Intervention, Mark Stanley Jesinoski

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

From longitudinal data from 223 children with disabilities in Utah, variables collected at entry into Part C early intervention and Part B early childhood special education services were used to differentiate between children and to predict placement outcomes in elementary school. Scores on the Battelle Developmental Inventory, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, Parenting Stress Index, Social Skills Rating System, number of hours mothers worked outside the home, and fathers ' education in years were differentiated between children who exited from and children who remained in special education. These same scores were also used to predict whether children would remain in or …

Fathers' Perceptions Of Relationships With Young Adolescent Children: Implications For Family Therapy, Tyler D. Patrick

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study used family systems theory as a lens to examine fathers' relationships with young adolescent children as it relates to the areas of time spent together, communication between generations, and paternal satisfaction in raising an early adolescent child. Similarities and differences of scores on the Parent Success Indicator were examined for 191 Caucasian American (n=110) and African American (n=81) fathers of 10- to 14-year-old-children. Results showed that increased amounts of time that fathers report spending with children was significantly associated with paternal satisfaction, communication between generations, fathers' use of time, parental frustration, and parental teaching. …

Assessing The Cognitive Development Of A Sample Of Infants In Paraguay, Shannon Peairson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

There is very little research to date on infant development in developing countries, including Paraguay. The present study aimed to determine the effects of Pastoral del Nino, an ECD program, in rural Paraguay by assessing two groups of infants. Group 1 (n = 50) was receiving no intervention and group 2 (n =58) was participating in Pastoral del Nino. Both groups were matched for SES and age of infant. Results indicate that group 2 performed better on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development Mental Development Index. Group 1 had a mean MDI score of 77.96 and group 2 …

Tapirs And Rhinoceroses In Captivity: An Examination Of The North American Captive Populations And Their Husbandry, Lisa A. Nordstrom

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

All species of Tapiridae and Rhinocerotidae are threatened or endangered in the wild. Captive populations have been established for most of these species, but successful management has proved challenging. Effective ex situ conservation strategies, however, rely on the ability of zoological institutions to maintain and breed these endangered species. In this study, I examined the captive environment to identify the factors associated with reproduction, mortality, and health of rhinos and tapirs. Zoological institutions in the North American region that currently housed rhinos and/or tapirs were surveyed in 2003. Attaining an approximately 90% response rate, I compiled information on the following …

The Relationship Between Physical Activity In Adulthood And Late-Life Cognitive Decline: A Population Study, Tera L. Lensegrav-Benson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The present study examined the relationship between occupational physical activity, late-life leisure time physical activity, and cognitive performance/change over time considering vascular factors. The study followed participants over 7 years (baseline 1995/96; wave 2, 1998/99; wave 3, 2002/03) from the ongoing Cache County Study on Memory, Health, and Aging. Mean age at baseline of the 3,366 participants was 74.55 years (SD= 6.64) and 53.03% were female. Occupational physical activity was assessed via the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Late-life leisure time physical activity based on light, moderate, and vigorous activity was assessed at baseline. Cognitive status was measured with …

Acculturative Factors And Mental Health Among Latinos: A Meta-Analytic Review, José De Jesús Rodríguez

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Research on the relation between acculturation and mental health has yielded discrepant findings, with some studies finding a positive association between the two variables, others a negative association, and still others a curvilinear association. A meta-analysis of 84 studies yielding 3 73 individual effect sizes was conducted to examine the relation between acculturation and mental health among Latinos. The meta-analysis spanned the years of 1989 to 2004 and was comprehensive in its design. Several variables were chosen a priori to determine whether these would moderate the relation between acculturation and mental health. Results of an initial meta-analysis that disregarded the …

Model-Centered Instruction: A Design Research Study To Investigate An Alternative Approach To Patient Education, Mary Ann Parlin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

While medical technology, intervention, and treatment continue to advance, patients often find themselves involved in an increasingly complex healthcare system. Because of this, many patients lack access to the knowledge to facilitate successful navigation or participation in healthcare systems to their best advantage. Patient education that provides experiential information has been shown to reduce anxiety levels and increase patient health outcomes and compliance with medical instructions or recommendations. Given the demonstrated effectiveness of experiential instruction in patient education, Model-Centered Instruction (MCI) has the potential to be an effective instructional design for patient education because it affords the learner experience with …

The Integration Of The Nutrition Screening Tool With The Interdisciplinary Plan Of Care Form, Beth Hyatt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Literature Review

Undernutrition in the hospital setting has been shown to cause adverse outcomes. Screening for nutritional risk assists in the detection of undernutrition with subsequent early intervention to prevent further decline. While many nutrition screening tools exist, none are proven to detect undernutrition. Furthermore, many barriers exist for utilizing nurses as primarily responsible for screening patients for nutritional risk.

Background

A hospital reviewed the nutrition screening process and found that the form used and screening factors were insufficient to adequately detect undernutrition and appropriate referrals for dietitians.

Objectives

1) Determine if nursing compliance improved when the nutrition screening form …

Therapeutic Processes In A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment For Depressed Adolescents With Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Meredith Brent

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Youth with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have higher rates of depression than healthy youth. A cognitive-behavioral treatment, primary and secondary control enhancement training-physical illness (PASCET-PI), for depressed adolescents with IBD was associated with reductions in depressive symptoms. The purpose of this study was to examine the salience of nonspecific processes (factors inherent in any human relationship) and specific processes (factors related to therapy content) during PASCET-PI sessions and their association with improvements in psychological functioning.

Participants included 10 adolescent patients with IBD with mean illness duration of 31.9 months. At intake, eight participants qualified for a diagnosis of major depressive …

New Perspectives On The Relationship Between Emotion Decoding And Social Acceptance In School-Age Children, Eri Suzuki

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The relationship between children's emotion decoding ability and their social acceptance was examined, with a major focus on potential nonlinear components. Based on the display rules literature, the prediction was tested that social acceptance and emotion decoding skills can be best described as an inverted U-shaped function. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade (113 girls and 123 boys) completed measures of postural and facial decoding accuracy (FACES and TALK) and their social acceptance was assessed using child and teacher reports (SPPC or PSPC). The results showed only a statistically significant quadratic relationship for girls and a statistically significant linear relationship …

Expressive Writing And Breast Cancer: Outcomes And Linguistic Analyses, Kelly N. Hughes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This project examined the imp act of an expressive writing intervention as compared to a general health in formation control on breast cancer patients' postradiation treatment. It further examined the content of the expressive writing narratives. The sample included women who were completing radiation treatment for breast cancer at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and City of Hope hospital. The measures utilized in this study were self-report instruments targeting psychological distress (PANAS, JES) and general functioning (SIP), as well as demographic questionnaires. Results revealed the expressive writing intervention significantly impacted positive affect over time. Furthermore, participants from both the treatment and …

Predictors Of Recidivism In An Adolescent Substance Abusing Population, Christine Pacetti

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Many adolescents with substance use disorders have ongoing problems with abuse and/or dependence throughout their lives. Little research has been conducted examining the differences among adolescents who do and do not continue to have difficulties. This study compared adolescents who recidivate versus those who do not recidivate after receiving treatment for substance abuse. Adolescents were compared on four categories of variables: (a) demographic variables, (c) delinquency /substance use history, (c) social/educational support, and (d) treatment history. It was found that the most powerful predictors of recidivism within these categories were criminal history severity, age at intake, and treatment completion. The …

Towards A More Comprehensive View Of The Use Of Power Between Couple Members In Adolescent Romantic Relationships, Charles George Bentley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study investigated the construct of power in adolescent romantic couples using multiple measures. The project examined gender differences in power, created models of powerlessness for each gender, and examined relations between power and aggression and relationship quality. Participants were 90 heterosexual couples, aged 14-18 years old, living in rural areas in Utah and Arizona. Couple members completed surveys assessing attitudes and behaviors in their relationships and a video-recall procedure in which partners rated their own and their partner's behaviors during problem solving discussion.

Few gender differences emerged in reports of perpetration of aggression, but boyfriends reported higher levels of …

Uncovering The Key Of Success In The Utah Medicaid Work Incentive Program: A Grounded Theory Study, Renee H. Nolan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this grounded theory research was to determine what differentiates people with disabilities who leave Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits due to increased income from those who cannot. Fifteen individuals, former and current participants in a Medicaid Buy-In program, were interviewed. Within the context of health and disability, four theoretical propositions were identified: education, opportunity to work, interpersonal support, and secure housing. Higher benefit levels were also found to be an effective barrier for many.

Identity Development, Identity Disclosure, And Identity Exploration Among Adolescent Sexual Minorities, Jenna A. Glover

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study investigated the utility of applying the social constructionist perspective to adolescent sexual minority identity development, disclosure, and identity explorations. Differences between middle and late adolescents and male and females were examined. No differences were found between middle and late adolescents on measures of identity development and identity exploration; however, differences in identity disclosure were found regarding history of accidental discovery of sexual orientation. Biological sex differences were found for identity development, disclosure, and exploration. Relationships between same- and opposite-sex attractions, behaviors, romantic experiences, and self-labels are presented. Trends in intentional disclosure patterns and unintentional discovery identify predicted reaction …

Social Interactions And Bullying In Withdrawn Children: An Evaluation Of Generalization Strategies Within A Social Skills Training Intervention, Kyle Max Hancock

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Socially withdrawn children are at increased risk for various maladaptive outcomes. One intervention suggested to mediate these outcomes is the use of peermediated social skills training. However, little research supports its use with socially withdrawn children; even less research has investigated the role of peer mediators in the generalization of treatment effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a generalization training package on the generalization of socially withdrawn students and their peer mediators' interactions. This study compared the effectiveness of various procedures in a peer-mediated intervention on the generalization of prosocial interactions with socially withdrawn students and examined …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Telepresence-Enabled Cognitive Apprenticeship Model Of Teacher Professional Development, R. Shawn Edmondson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This exploratory research used a mixed-methods design to compare the effectiveness of a telepresence-enabled cognitive apprenticeship model of teacher professional development (TEAM-PD) to that of a traditional workshop model by examining outcomes in teacher pedagogy and student achievement. Measures of the degree to which teachers in both groups enacted mathematics pedagogy provided mixed results. Both groups demonstrated similar patterns of behavior and cognition, indicating modest levels of pedagogy implementation. Although the experimental group demonstrated higher levels of enactment of the mathematics pedagogy, the comparison group demonstrated a faster rate of growth. Student outcome data were clear: students of teachers in …

Identification Of Factors Affecting Susceptibility To Depression And Influencing Quality Of Life In Adult Cystic Fibrosis Patients Based On Age-At-Diagnosis, Marlene Israelsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Approximately 10% of cystic fibrosis (CF) cases remain undiagnosed until age 18 or later and medical professionals are still unclear about the needs of these individuals. Adults with CF must either adapt to life with a chronic disease or transition into adulthood with CF. The purpose of this study was to address the impact of age-at-diagnosis on quality of life in a CF adult population.

The psychological functioning of 21 adult CF patients (seven adult-diagnosed (AD) and 14 pediatric-diagnosed (PD)) was assessed using the Beck Depression Index (BDI)-II. A descriptive review of demographic and clinical data, which included an assessment …

Ethnic Identity And Migrant Youth, Amanda K. Morgan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study sought to examine the relationship between ethnic identity and the grade and gender of the subjects. Changes in ethnic identity over time were also analyzed. Students attending grades four through eight of the Nyssa Migrant School summer program participated in this study. One hundred twenty-four participants completed the pretest, eighty-nine completed the posttest, with a total of seventy-nine completing both the pretest and posttest. Students responded to the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure, which examined the subcategories of belonging and exploration to comprise the overall ethnic identity level.

Scores were compared by grade and by gender at pretest and …

Navajo Ethnic Identity And Acculturation: Discovering Connections Between Ethnic Identity, Acculturation, And Psychosocial Outcomes, Matthew D. Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

American Indians are severely disadvantaged and yet known relationships among risk and protective factors and cultural identification are limited. The current study assessed associations among measures of acculturation, ethnic identity, and psychosocial outcomes among Navajo adolescents. Adjustment of Navajo adolescents in the domains of school bonding, social functioning, self-esteem, depression, delinquent behaviors, and substance use was assessed. Navajo adolescents, between the ages of 14 and 18, also completed a self-report questionnaire containing the Revised Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure, the Orthogonal Cultural Identification Scale, and the Native American Acculturation Scale. Measures of ethnic identity were positively associated with aspects of psychosocial …

Hand-Held Calculators And Mathematics Achievement: What The 1996 National Assessment Of Educational Progress Eighth-Grade Mathematics Exam Scores Tell Us, Kenneth L. Wareham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to analyze the 1996 National Assessment of Educational Progress data to identify the relationship between calculator use and student performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress Mathematics Assessment. This general purpose includes several sub issues. In addition to being interested in the overall relationship between use and National Assessment of Educational Progress achievement (including the effort to control for spurious factors), this study examined the contextual factors that moderate the impact of calculator use. Similarly, it analyzed the relationship between calculator use and student performance on calculator-allowed and calculator-restricted items, as well as …

Building A Bridge Between Graduation And Marriage And Family Therapy Core Competency, Todd Graves

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Most mental health professional organizations are establishing core competencies standards, which are the basic skills that practitioners are expected to possess. The core competency movement originated from concerns about the abilities of clinicians to provide competent service to clients. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) recently established the core competencies that each marriage and family therapist 's skill s should be measured by and that may lead to changes in education and training.

This research examined the perspectives of AAMFT-approved supervisors to determine how they see their trainees' performances compared to the core competency standards. Comparisons were …

Development And Evaluation Of An Electronic Food Frequency Questionnaire For Estimating Calcium Intake Among Multiethnic Youth, Siew Sun Wong

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Youth consuming inadequate amounts of calcium are at risk of developing osteoporosis later in life. To better assess dietary calcium intakes and the efficacy of dietary intervention strategies to improve bone health among youth, it is important to develop calcium intake assessment tools that are reliable, accurate, and interactively engaging for a new generation of youth who have a higher computer literacy and are more technologically knowledgeable than preceding generations. The goal of this dissertation was to develop and evaluate an electronic food frequency questionnaire (eFFQ) that measures calcium intake among 11-to 18-year-old Asian, Hispanic, and White youth. Enhancing this …

Women's Substance Abuse Treatment With Supplemental Couple's Therapy: Changes In Women's Levels Of Intimacy And Autonomy In Relation To Treatment Outcomes By Treatment Modality, Charles N. Davis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The current study is a secondary analysis of a National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) study in which 122 women received treatment for their substance abuse problems. Three models of substance abuse treatment were administered. One included standard substance abuse treatment alone and two models included supplemental couple's therapy in addition to standard treatment. The current study examined the significance of the relationship between changes in the women's levels of intimacy and autonomy, during and after treatment, and their treatment outcomes according to the treatment modality they received.

It was hypothesized that the relationship would be significant in that levels …

The Relation Between Religiosity And Late-Life Depression In A Community Sample Of Members Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Lynn Marie Franklin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A secondary analysis of extant data from The Cache County Study on Memory Health and Aging (CCSMHA), this study examines the association between religiosity and new-onset depression between baseline and 4-year follow-up interviews in a sample of 1,439 community-dwelling elderly members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), aged 65 to 100. Logistic regression models found that church attendance, voluntarism in religious groups, and direct experiences of God occurring more often than weekly were (statistically and practically) significantly associated with lower depression risk. No evidence was found for moderator effects of gender or prior depression history; however, …

Homework, A Bridge Between Therapy And Life: Therapeutic Methodology In The Assignment Of Homework And Homework Compliance, Darren R. Elkins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between homework methodology and compliance. The "Clinical Perception of Homework Style and Compliance Survey" was developed to measure compliance, methodology, and relating variables. A convenience sample consisted of 121 participants in this study. Participating therapists were asked to rate the likelihood of using various examples of homework methodologies and estimate the compliance they have received over the past 3 months. The results show that items used on the survey factored into two groups, which can be called direct and collaborative. Neither of the groups (i.e., direct and collaborative) was significantly …

A Needs Assessment Of Marriage And Family Therapy Approved Supervision In Utah, Daniel J. Woodbury

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research presents data gathered through a needs assessment regarding approved supervision in Utah. A sample of ISO therapists in Utah gave descriptive facts about the current need for supervision in Utah as well as the number of therapists that are willing to provide supervision. Additionally, therapists that are not currently approved supervisors indicated whether or not they would be willing to become approved supervisors, what would make the designation more appealing, and what would impede them from becoming an approved supervisor. Therapists in agencies also gave information regarding how agencies currently view marriage and family therapy interns and their …

Comparisons Of Adopted And Non-Adopted Young Adults' Heterosexual Relationships, Bryan W. Winward

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Adoption has been seen as a good solution for providing each party involved in the traditional adoption (i.e. , young birth parents, infants, and infertile couples) with a positive outcome. Adoptions, however, are generally more complex and diverse than supposed. Variables such as age of placement, levels of abuse and neglect, and foster care have been shown to place adopted children at risk for later struggles and challenges. Research studying outcomes of adopted young adults and their formation of heterosexual relations has been very limited.

Most adoption studies have focused their attention on young school-age or teenage children, or on …

Relationship Between Infant Reactivity And Maternal Emotional Well-Being During The Early Postpartum Period At Two Points In Time, Karen Udy Hansen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study examined the relationship between infants' reactivity and mothers' emotionality during the early postpartum period, specifically during the first days of life and again by three months of age. The Clinical Neonatal Behavioral Scale (CLNBAS) was used to evaluate the infants. The mothers were evaluated at the same time by responding to questions on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

Forty-six mother-infant dyads were recruited from the Logan Regional Hospital childbirth classes for first-time parents. Minimum criteria for participation were that the mother must be married, be at least 18 years of age, have at least a high school …

The Relationship Between Attachment, Love Styles, And Marital Quality In A Sample Of Married Members Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Jeannine D. Nielson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Research on attachment suggests that attachment styles do exist in adulthood and appear to be an evolutionary product of infancy. This research was particularly focused on examining the relationship between attachment styles at various stages of the marital life cycle and the relationship of these styles of attachment to styles of love and marital quality among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).