Digital Commons Network^™

The Lived Experiences Of Transition-Age Youth With Usher Syndrome Preparing For Postsecondary Education: A Retrospective Study, Tara Mae Brown-Ogilvie

Dissertations

Youth with Usher syndrome (USH) can experience unique challenges in postsecondary preparation. Currently, there is a paucity of research addressing the postsecondary preparation experiences of youth with USH. The purpose of this study was to learn from college students with USH about their lived experiences of preparing for postsecondary education; specifically, exploring K-12 educational supports, transition planning, and support systems that helped youth with USH prepare for postsecondary education. Due to the unique nature of this microcosm of deafblindness, qualitative and phenomenological methods were best suited for this study to garner first-hand accounts of those who have experienced this phenomenon …

Implicit Bias Toward Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And The Influential Role Of Teacher Self-Efficacy, Laurie Claire Landrieu

Dissertations

The current study observed the presence of implicit bias toward students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the classroom and the influential role of teacher self-efficacy. Teachers report a lack of readiness to work with students with diverse learning needs. Students with alternative learning needs, such as those with ADHD, report less social competency with adults and peers, and lower self-concept. The purpose of the study is to provide further information about the implicit biases held toward students with ADHD within the classroom and the influential role of teacher self-efficacy. Forty general education teachers were recruited. A paired samples t-test was …

Facilitating Language Development In Late-Talking Toddlers: A Study Of Caregiver Training And Intervention Effectiveness, Kelly Meadows

Dissertations

The prevalence of late language emergence (LLE) in young children is high, comprising 10 to 20% of toddlers. Late language emergence refers to children who do not use at least 50 single words and 2-word phrases at the age of two. Current best practices for the under-three population with or at risk of having disabilities include the use of family-centered services in early intervention. One method of EI for LLE is caregiver-implemented interventions, where the caregiver learns techniques or strategies to help support their child’s expressive language development. This service delivery model prioritizes building the family’s capacity to support their …

Understanding The Acculturation Experiences Of Post-9/11 Student Veterans In The Higher Education Culture Of Civilian Postsecondary Educational Institutions, Jansen Sheridan Legreid

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe the essence of the acculturation experiences of post-9/11 student veterans as they navigated within the dominant higher education culture of civilian postsecondary educational institutions (PEIs). Specifically, this study aimed to conceptualize the acculturation experiences of post-9/11 student veterans by simultaneously identifying the components of their military cultural identity that they decided to maintain or abandon in PEI settings as well as which components of the dominant higher education culture that they decided to adopt or reject. This study answered the following research questions: Q1 What are the acculturation experiences of post-9/11 student …

Voices Of Change: Exploring The Narratives Of Physical Education Stakeholders’ Policy Work In Colorado, Lisa Paulson

Dissertations

Quality physical education, pivotal for the development of physical, social, and emotional skills for an active and healthy lifestyle (Society of Health and Physical Educators [SHAPE] America, 2014; United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization [UNESCO], 2021), has been globally marginalized, necessitating a heightened focus on policy advocacy engagement (Hardman, 2013; van der Mars, 2021). Policies touch nearly all aspects of physical education (UNESCO, 2014), and a significant barrier is the ‘policy illiteracy’ that contributes to the field’s neglect (van der Mars et al., 2021). Many educators receive little to no policy education, often not identifying as policy actors (Lorusso …

Examining Novice Teacher’S Perspectives On Mentoring Programs And Their Influence On Attrition, Lakeisha Ector

Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the perspectives of novice teachers on mentoring programs and their influence on attrition. Mentoring programs present opportunities for skilled educators to teach, sponsor, encourage and advise novices, improving their personal and professional development. The research determines whether mentoring and induction programs strengthen teacher efficacy and their influence on attrition rates. The study is rooted in constructivism, which seeks to develop an understanding and knowledge of individuals through their experiences and reflection. The research employs an inductive and deductive approach, facilitating pattern and theme identification. The study involves nine participants – novice teachers – from Martin-Ellison County …

Republican Klansmen: The Ku Klux Klan And The Grand Old Party In Prohibition Era Indiana, Andrew Scott Barbero

Dissertations

Since the proliferation of Trumpism in American politics there has been newfound interest in Ku Klux Klan related studies. Scholars have turned to the rise of the “Invisible Empire” in the 1920s, and the massive political influence it yielded nationwide, to better understand and contextualize the MAGA Movement of Republicans currently dominating their own party, and American politics more broadly. This dissertation focuses on the rise of the Ku Klux Klan as a dominant force in Indiana politics throughout the 1920s. Indiana boasted one of the largest Klan groups at the time, and it was seen in popular culture as …

'Crowned With The Wreath Of Immortality': Martyrdom, Death, And The Afterlife In North African Religious Discourse, Matthew William Egbert

Dissertations

This dissertation explores North Africa’s role in the development of its own religious discourse, specifically with regard to martyrdom, death, the afterlife, and other eschatological themes. Historians of early Christianity and Islam often depict the region as peripheral, but it was actually a crossroads where pre-existing traditions met new ideas to develop unique, localized versions of these religions. More often than not, these emphasized a pursuit of martyrdom and veneration of saints. This longue-durée study covers a vast timeline, spanning the pre-Christian period to the late Fatimid Caliphate. Its central focus, however, is the Donatist schism that divided North Africa …

Factors Impacting Treatment Decisions In Caregivers Of Autistic Children, Tiffany Harris

Dissertations

Caregivers of autistic children are not only tasked with deciding upon various treatment options for their children’s symptoms but must also navigate the initial crisis that is experienced after receiving a diagnosis of ASD for their children (Blancher, 1984; Ellis, 1989). Leventhal’s Common Sense Model of Self-Regulation (the CSM; Leventhal et al., 1980) is a theoretical framework developed to understand the self-regulatory processes involved in adapting to and managing health threats and posits that cognitive and emotional illness perceptions influence illness outcomes through coping behaviors. This is the first study to examine all major components of the CSM (i.e., cognitive …

Examining The Association Between Parental Attachment, Fictive Kin Bonds, Psychological Needs Satisfaction, Emotional Distress, And Subjective Well-Being Among Black Americans, Roxanne Watts

Dissertations

Secure attachment with parents predicts less emotional distress and greater subjective well-being across the lifespan. One mechanism by which parental attachment supports mental health outcomes is through psychological needs satisfaction (PNS). In addition to the attachment to parents, relationships with fictive kin caregivers are prevalent and important among Black families. The present study investigated the association between parental attachment, fictive kin bonds, psychological needs satisfaction and mental health outcomes (i.e., emotional distress and subjective well-being) in a sample of Black American adults. Two hundred twenty-three (N = 223) participants completed measures of parental attachment, fictive-kin bonds, psychological needs satisfaction …

Derogatory, Racist, And Discriminatory Speech (Drds) In Video Gaming, Sean Woodford

Dissertations

Video games have been examined for their effects on cognition, learning, health, and physiological arousal, yet research on social dynamics within video gaming is limited. Studies have documented the presence of derogation, racism, and discrimination in this anonymous medium. However, gamers‟ firsthand experiences are typically examined qualitatively. Thus, this study aimed to establish a quantitative baseline for the frequency of derogatory, racist, and discriminatory speech (DRDS) in gaming. DRDS frequency, sexual harassment, and hate speech measures were administered to 150 individuals from online forums and social media groups. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used to gauge which factors affected DRDS …

Caring For A Family Member With Dementia: Collectivism And Individualism As Predictors Of Caregiver Burden, Christina Wawrowski

Dissertations

Caregiver burden, often associated with physical, emotional, and financial strain, is a significant concern for family members who are providing care to their loved ones. This study involved exploring the experiences of serving as a caregiver to a family member with dementia to better understand the relationship of collectivistic and individualistic orientations with perceived caregiver burden, while considering the level of social support and dementia severity. The research involved a quantitative approach, administering the Individualism and Collectivism Scale (Cultural Orientation Scale), the Caregiver Burden Inventory, the Functional Rating Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and a demographic survey …

Exploring Psychology Graduate Students’ Desire And Ability To Discuss Their Personal Trauma History With Clinical Supervisors, Madeleine Lane

Dissertations

Inspired by the archetype of the “wounded healer,” described by Carl Jung as a psychologist who enters the field with psychological wounds of their own, and the prevalence of such wounded healers in the mental health field today, this study aimed to explore clinical psychology doctoral students’ experiences of self-disclosure of their personal trauma history, a specific type of psychological wound, in clinical supervision. The goal was to explore whether and how students’ trauma history is discussed in clinical supervision; the importance of such discussions for students’ professional and personal development; and the impact of having or not having …

The Association Between Social Media, Toxic Masculinity, And Depression In Young Adult Males, Anthony Warren

Dissertations

The world is shaped by diverse influences that significantly affect individuals’ internal landscapes, leading to both positive and negative effects with profound implications for society. Role models play a pivotal role in shaping the aspirations of young adult males by providing direct and indirect lessons that leave lasting impressions and influence their worldview. In recent years, social media use, toxic masculinity, and mental health have garnered significant attention in understanding the experiences of young adult males. The focus in this study was to examine the relationships between social media use, toxic masculinity, and depression in young adult males ranging in …

Medical Imaging Dataset Management Leveraging Deep Learning Frameworks In Breast Cancer Screening, Inchan Hwang

Dissertations

In the domain of Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CADx) for breast cancer diagnosis through mammography, prevailing models have traditionally been trained and validated using old film-based mammography. However, contemporary U.S. hospital practices involve the utilization of Full Field Digital Mammography (FFDM), offering more detailed images captured at various angles than old film-scanned mammography. Despite this shift, the existing body of research predominantly focuses on old-film based datasets, the implications of FFDM for CADx systems have not been understood. This dissertation addresses the issues emerged from FFDM such as data augmentation between old film-based set and new FFDM whether they are more effective …

Respiratory Treatments In Post-Covid Patients To Improve Physical Activity, Pamela Tarver

Dissertations

A significant number of individuals affected by the coronavirus (COVID) developed severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), causing respiratory dysfunction which led to decreased functional capacity. This project aimed to evaluate the project site's archival data for post-COVID patients to determine whether respiratory treatments improved physical activity, as evidenced by the results of the pre and post 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels. The Donabedian quality model was utilized to evaluate the resources, the interventions, and the outcomes of post-COVID patients.

Beyond The Classroom Walls: Examining Educational And Social Outcomes Of Cross-Curricular Peer Observation In Secondary Schools, Jacinda Miller

Dissertations

This qualitative case study involved a sample of middle school teachers participating in a cross-curricular peer observation of teaching (POT) program. The study aimed to explore the experiences of these teachers in the POT program, focusing on its impact on teaching pedagogy and partner relationships. Data collection methods included a demographic questionnaire, writing prompts, feedback forms, observation of feedback meetings, interviews, and a researcher journal. The findings demonstrated that cross-curricular peer observations are perceived as an effective form of professional development among this group of middle school teachers, benefiting both the observer and the observed. Participants acquired and implemented new …

Implementing A Tai Chi Exercise Program To Prevent Falls In Long-Term Care, Angela F. Miles

Dissertations

Falls can be a frequent occurrence in older adults residing in long-term care facilities. At the project site there was no systematic process to impact falls, so an evidence-based solution was sought. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine if the translation of Li et al.'s research utilizing Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance (TJQMBB) exercise in conjunction with the current fall risk assessment would impact fall rates among older adults over a 12-week period in an urban Georgia long term care facility. Betty Neuman's systems theory and Kurt Lewin's change model provided the scientific underpinnings …

Emailed Prompt Package To Increase Alternative School Educators’ Use Of Behavior Specific Praise, Chelsea Johnson

Dissertations

Alternative school educators are often placed in alternative education settings with minimal training or support to manage disruptive behaviors in the classroom. To combat this, school-based consultation may be provided to assist alternative school educators with classroom management strategies. However, face-to-face consultation may be limited due to the numerous responsibilities placed on school-based consultants. Behavior specific praise (BSP) is a strategy that is recommended, but often provided at low rates. To address these barriers, previous literature has examined the use of emailed prompts to increase treatment integrity, feasibility, and acceptability of a variety of evidence-based interventions. A concurrent multiple baseline …

A Comparison Of Instructor Audio-Video With Text-Based Feedback Versus Text-Based Feedback Alone On Students' Perceptions Of Community Of Inquiry Among Rn-To-Bsn Online Students, Marie K. Lindley

Dissertations

In order to meet the healthcare needs of the US population, Registered Nurses (RNs), with Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, are needed. This descriptive posttest study, with independent samples, examined the use of audio-video with text-based feedback versus text-based only feedback on student's perceptions of the community of inquiry (COI) among RN-BSN online students (n=125), enrolled in one course at one university. The COI survey performed reliably with Cronbach's alpha .94 on the pretest and .98 on the posttest. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups on the pretest for teaching presence (p=.31), …

Perspectives Of An Automotive Technician And Automotive Technician Educator: An Autoethnography, Christopher E. Reynolds Sr.

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore automotive technician and automotive technician educator’s obstacles and expectations they faced during their educational and occupational endeavors. Constructivism and social constructivism were used as theoretical frameworks. Autoethnography was the selected qualitative research method. Using an interpretive process, several convergent topics were identified: education encouraging professional interests, professional obstacles, challenging normalcies, training and educating automotive technicians, the drive for professional certification, bridging the gap between industry and education, experience, patience, and exposure.

Several methods are recommended to help future automotive technicians and automotive technician educators overcome obstacles they might face, which include the …

An Analysis Of Teachers’ Viewpoints From Public, Private, And Charter Schools On Effective Lesson Planning And Instruction, Samone Smith

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the perspectives of elementary school educators in St. Louis, Missouri, regarding impactful lesson planning and instruction across public, charter, and private school settings. Drawing on existing literature and empirical data, the study seeks to unveil the approaches and perceptions teachers hold towards lesson planning, shedding light on essential characteristics for effective teaching. The introductory chapter sets the stage by presenting the significance and purpose of the study, framing research questions, and outlining the methodology. The following chapters explore the theories, review the literature, and analyze collected data to help us understand lesson planning practices in modern education. …

Depression Screenings In Older Adult Primary Care Patients: A Pilot Study, Karissa A. Rodriguez

Dissertations

Depression is a profound problem among people of all ages, but it is especially prevalent in older adults aged 65 and older. Identification and diagnosis of depression are obtained through screenings.

This project aimed to increase the frequency of depression screenings at all primary care office visits and analyze the agreement between the depression screening tools, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) or the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), when assessing depression in older adult primary care patients ages 65 and older. Theoretical Framework: The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle is a problem-solving model used to create change and adapt to a project's needs. …

The Development And Testing Of An Instrument To Measure Perceptions Of Body Art Among Nurse Educators And Nursing Students, Deana M. Nunes

Dissertations

Increasing diversity in the nursing workforce is a national priority to better care for a diverse patient population and minimize healthcare disparities. Nurse educators teach students to practice with compassion and respect, recognizing the dignity, worth, individual choice, and unique attributes of all patients. Perceptions of nursing professionalism are heavily influenced by appearance. Many nursing programs restrict visible body art in their dress code policies based on long-held notions and negative stereotypes of individuals with body art. Shouldn't nursing students who choose to have body art receive the same respect and lack of judgment? A better understanding of nurse educators' …

A Case Study Of Educational Context Influencing High School English Teachers’ Knowledge, Perceptions, And Uses Of Technology, Alicia Curles

Dissertations

One-to-one programs are being implemented in schools and districts to improve and increase students’ learning opportunities. This qualitative case study aimed to examine high school English teachers’ perceptions, knowledge, and contextual uses of one-to-one technology devices in a unique context after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study consists of a single case study in a large South Georgia district that is a combination of rural, urban, suburban, and island communities. This research study was guided by Brianza et al.’s (2022) extension of the technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge framework, XTPACK, and was informed by a social constructivist approach. Qualitative data from …

Exploring Students' Perceptions And Experiences Of Faculty Caring In The Undergraduate Classroom In A Traditional Baccalaureate Nursing Program: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Sheila M. Garilli

Dissertations

Academic nurse educators' use of caring attributes in the classroom could impact students' educational journey. Educators are leaders who should model caring behaviors toward their students. This role modeling will empower students to demonstrate these caring behaviors toward their patients. A literature review discovered a gap surrounding the study of faculty caring in the classroom. This research study explored students' perceptions and experiences of faculty caring in the undergraduate classroom in two traditional baccalaureate nursing programs. This study utilized a qualitative descriptive method with purposeful sampling and in-person recruitment at two universities in a Northeastern state in the United States. …

A Culturally Informed Mentorship Model For Historically Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Students, Lonnie P. Herring

Dissertations

Ethnic minority students pursuing advanced practice nursing degrees often face unique challenges that hinder their academic success and persistence, such as limited mentorship opportunities that address their cultural considerations. A lack of culturally informed mentorship (CIM) may contribute to feelings of isolation, lower self-efficacy, and reduced retention rates among ethnic minority advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) students. Through cultural competency, CIM programs are emerging as a promising approach to address these challenges and support the needs of historically underrepresented ethnic minority (HUEM) students. The underrepresentation of HUEM APRN students in graduate nursing education and advanced nursing practice is a persistent …

The Implementation Of A Care And Communication Bundle For End-Of-Life Patients, Brendalee Carty Obiorah

Dissertations

Research studies have noted an improvement in end-of-life (EOL) patient's quality of life (QOL) from hospice. However, little research has been conducted to explore how the involvement of hospice care affects those in an assisted living facility (ALF). The purpose of this quantitative, pre and post-test quasi experimental design DPI project was to see to what degree a relationship exists between the care and communication bundle (independent variable) implementation and QOL (dependent variable) for 20 EOL patients on hospice in an ALF in Central Georgia. Jean Watson theory of caring and the theoretical domains framework (TDF) guided this project. The …

Organizational Control And Technological Capabilities: The Moderating Role Of Family Influence On The Firm, Sean Leahy

Dissertations

This dissertation examines the influence of organizational controls on technological capabilities in privately owned U.S. corporations, with a specific focus on family-owned businesses. The primary objective of the study was to investigate how formal controls (process and outcome) and clan controls (informal practices) impact technological innovation and competence. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 177 individuals and analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) path analysis. The findings indicate a significant relationship between formal controls and technological capabilities. However, the interaction of family influence on this dynamic was not supported. Results also revealed a robust association …

Perceptions Of Graduate Nurse Practitioner Faculty On The Use Of Simulation In Lieu Of Traditional Clinical Hours, Virginia Strong

Dissertations

Simulation in undergraduate nursing curriculum has been identified as an effective and safe substitution for the traditional clinical experience; however, graduate nurse education programs could not substitute clinical hours with simulation-based education. These clinical hours required NP students to provide direct face-to-face patient care. Simulation had wide variability in the number of hours utilized within each specialty. NONPF discussed the use of simulation, as it pertains to the curriculum of the NP student on more than one occasion and concluded its impact on NP education was a potential alternative to traditional clinical experiences. Studies indicated that graduate nursing students enjoy …