Digital Commons Network^™

Social Support Following Pregnancy Loss And Its Implications For Women’S Experiences Of Posttraumatic Growth, Agata Freedle

Dissertations

The available literature suggests that social support can contribute to individuals’ positive psychological changes following a traumatic event. However, the effects of the social milieu following pregnancy loss on women’s post-loss adjustment continues to be vastly unexplored. This dissertation explores a gap in the literature surrounding the relationship of interpersonal and intrapersonal social factors on women’s posttraumatic growth (PTG) after miscarriage or stillbirth via three studies. Specifically, the following factors were investigated in relation to PTG: 1) Adult attachment and women’s experiences of dyadic coping; 2) self-disclosure, positive social reactions and deliberate rumination; 3) empathy and prosocial behaviors. Women who …

Peace At Last Or Just A Piece Of Paper? Assessing The Utilization Of Civil Protection Orders And Reported Violations, Jennifer Medel

Dissertations

Over the past 50 years, attention to domestic violence as a social problem has grown substantially. With this heightened interest, remedies available to survivors have evolved in both scope and access. One popular avenue of help-seeking concerns civil protection orders (POs), which attempt to prevent subsequent abuse by setting conditions that regulate future interaction between abusers and survivors. Abusers, unfortunately, often violate POs with estimates of cases with violations ranging from 40 to 60%. Relatively little research, however, has examined the nature and determinants of PO violations using court records.

This dissertation addresses these little-studied issues by exploring variations in …

Uncertainty In The Context Of End-Of-Life Communication In Heart Failure, Caleb Pardue

Dissertations

End-of-life communication between patients, their family members, and healthcare providers is essential to quality care at the end-of-life. Advance care planning is increasingly utilized to facilitate end-of-life communication, but heart failure patients in particular face numerous challenges to achieving adequate end-of-life communication. Extant literature has highlighted the inherent uncertainty in heart failure as a barrier to end-of-life communication as well as the role of time perspective on the experience of heart failure patients, but little empirical research has been conducted to examine the impact of these constructs. The sample included 168 participants with heart failure who were recruited online through …

A Quantitative Assessment Of The Effectiveness Of A Global Online Professional Development Course To Enhance 21st Century Skills In Stem Instructional Design, Chris Link

Dissertations

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines are becoming increasingly important in the 21st century workforce, but there is currently a shortage of STEM professionals around the world. Even when students graduate with STEM degrees, many lack basic interpersonal skills such as communication and problem solving that would position them for success in the marketplace. The New York Academy of Science developed the STEM Education Framework to help ensure that STEM curricula teach the Essential Skills that students need in order to thrive in the modern workplace. In order for educators to proficiently utilize the STEM Education Framework, they must …

Elitnauristet Yuutllu Calillgutkut Elitnaurluki Elitnaurat: Yup’Ik Peoples And Public-School Principals In Southwestern Alaska, A Quantitative Survey Of Cultural Values, Anthony Graham

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the alignment between local school principals’ values and ideas about what should be taught in their public schools and the values of the local Yup’ik communities in which those principals serve. A review of scholarly literature served as a basis for identifying Yup’ik values and a survey which measured principals’ beliefs about the importance and priority of those values was used to collect a variety of data. Findings showed both differences and similarities between principals’ priorities and Yup’ik values and was clear that the similarities and differences were predominantly related to the number of years of a …

Guided Pathway Elements From The California Community College Counselor Perspective, Tiffany Welter

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative multicase study was to describe what California community college counselors consider important elements of guided pathways that increase student success. Additionally, this study will explore how counselors describe the challenges of guided pathways. Lastly, this study identified counselor recommendations for improving guided pathways to increase student success.

Methodology: This qualitative study used a multiple-case study to explore what important guided pathway features California community colleges offer students from the counselor’s perspective. Semi-structured interviews were held with 12 counselors from six California community colleges that have implemented guided pathways on their campuses to capture rich …

Do User-Generated Ratings Affect Hotel Valuations? – An Analysis Of The Chicago Hotel Market, Shailesh Patel

Dissertations

Today’s travelers are increasingly relying on aggregated online opinions to make purchase decisions. One of the sectors most impacted by these online reviews is the hospitality industry, where consumer review websites such as TripAdvisor, Expedia, and Bookings.com play a critical role in influencing consumer's choice of hotel and the price they will pay for the room. Recently, there have been studies investigating the various aspects of user-generated online reviews and ratings. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of user-generated ratings on hotel valuations. Our paper does this using regression analysis to study the impact of TripAdvisor …

An Outcome Evaluation Of An Evidenced-Based Leadership Framework On Nursing Retention In A Tertiary Medical Center, Robbie G. Rabe

Dissertations

An evidence-based leadership (EBL) framework is an intervention designed to facilitate organizational changes such as the reduction of nursing turnover and the improvement of nursing job enjoyment. This project provides an overview of the effect of nursing turnover on an organization, presents the components of the EBL framework, and provides an evaluation of the influence of EBL on nursing turnover and job enjoyment. The EBL framework provided a method for reducing variance in leadership skill and behavior by outlining specific methods necessary to reduce inconsistency. The project objective was to determine if the implementation of an EBL framework for 820 …

Automated Medication Dispensing Cabinet And Medication Errors, Marie Walsh

Dissertations

The number of deaths due to medical errors in hospitals ranges from 44,000 to 98,000 yearly. More than 7,000 of these deaths have taken place due to medication errors. This project evaluated the implementation of an automated medication dispensing cabinet or PYXIS machine in a 25-bed upper Midwestern critical access hospital. Lewin's stage theory of organizational change and Roger's diffusion of innovations theory supported the project. Nursing staff members were asked to complete an anonymous, qualitative survey approximately 1 month after the implementation of the PYXIS and again 1 year later. Questions were focused on the device and its use …

Minorities In Nursing: The Experience Of Incivility In Nursing Education, Tammy Williams

Dissertations

The aim of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of minority nursing students with nursing faculty's incivility. Six students of varied ethnicity participated in the study. The guiding theoretical framework for the study included Roy's adaptation model and Clark's conceptual model for fostering civility in nursing education. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Colaizzi's (1978) phenomenological method for qualitative research was used to guide the data analysis of the student's experiences with faculty incivility. Seven themes emerged related to nursing faculty uncivil behaviors including: learning environment, unfair treatment, student faculty relationships, demeaning/belittling, emotional impact, adaptive behaviors, and …

The Experience Of Early Mobility After One Week Of Hospital-Acquired Deconditioning, Lila S. Moersch

Dissertations

Abstract

Older adults who are hospitalized spend most of their time in bed. Prolonged bed rest and immobility in older adults may result in deconditioning of the muscles, leading to a loss of muscle mass and strength. The loss of muscle mass results in weakness and reduced physiological functioning post-hospital discharge. Immobility is especially problematic in older adults who naturally lose muscle mass and strength due to the aging process. Older adults who experience weakness post-hospital discharge face challenges with mobility. The purpose of this study was to describe the early mobility experiences of adults who are 60 years old …

A Mixed Methods Examination Of Generational Faculty Perceptions When Developing Online Courses, Jelena Fleming

Dissertations

As technology continues to change rapidly, online learning altered higher education. As a result, instructional designers and instructional technologists became more critical in supporting faculty in online course design. Transitioning courses to the online environment created external barriers, such as no training and support, primarily for faculty who never taught online. Instructional designers and instructional technologists helped address external barriers among full-time and adjunct faculty and provided a positive online course development experience. Therefore, the researcher conducted a mixed-methods examination of generational faculty perceptions experienced during online course development at a small Midwestern institution. The researcher investigated a difference between …

Examination Of Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (Ces) On Depressive And Anxiety Symptoms Of Caregivers: A Double Blind Experimental Study, Reginald Gerard Jefferson

Dissertations

The caregiver population has recently been recognized in society as a population highly susceptible to problems related to increased anxiety, burden, and abnormal psychological well-being. This experimental pretest post-test 2-group double-blind study was designed to measure the efficacy of cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) on anxiety and depressive symptoms of caregivers. Changes in anxiety and depressive symptoms were identified using pre- and posttest measures of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory. Caregivers were assigned a pre-coded CES device. Neither the researcher nor the caregiver knew whether a device was active or sham until the completion of the entire study. This …

Development And Validation Of A Food Frequency Questionnaire For The Adult Emirati Population For Use In Epidemiological Studies, Najoua El Mesmoudi

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Applications Of Land Surface Temperature From Satellite Remote Sensing Over The United Arab Emirates (Uae), Abduldaem Saeed Farea Qasem Alqasemi

Dissertations

In cities worldwide, increasing urbanization causes major land use and land cover changes on the surface of the Earth. It has been identified as being one of the most important anthropogenic effects on the climate. As a result, rapid population growth and the rise in industrialization in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may have created substantial environmental stress and consequence for life quality. Remote sensing-based Land Surface Temperature (LST) is significantly essential for different studies. Satellite images obtained by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) are used to retrieve LST. This research consists of an introduction and five components of …

Building Integrated Photovoltaics: Barriers And Drivers In The United Arab Emirates, Daniel Efurosibina Attoye

Dissertations

Buildings consume about 40% of the total annual energy produced globally; however, under the extreme hot climate of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this reaches almost 80%. From an architectural perspective, this study focuses on Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) as a multi-functional, innovative solar technology that provides on-site renewable energy. Researchers affirm that BIPV has the potential to convert the building from a consumer of energy, to a producer of renewable energy while advancing net-zero targets, and maintaining building aesthetics, functionality, and structural stability. Along with other technical and economic benefits, BIPV can also contribute towards advancing the global energy …

The Impact Of The Proposed Mathematics Enrichment Program On The Uae Students’ Mathematical Literacy In Light Of The Pisa Framework, Hanan Shaher Almarashdi

Dissertations

Mathematical literacy is an important skill that students must possess, as it helps students understand and use mathematics in the real world. The main aim of this dissertation is to investigate the impact of a proposed mathematical enrichment program developed based on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) framework. This assessment is particularly important because it is on the National Agenda as the UAE aspires to be among the top 20 countries in the world in PISA by 2021. An explanatory mixed method design was adopted to achieve the purpose of this study. Subjects included were 102 grade 10 …

Noncognitive Factors: Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Graduates’ Perceived Influence On College Readiness, Cindi Swenson

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and describe how deaf and hard of hearing college graduates perceive the extent to which Farrington’s (2012) five noncognitive factors influenced their ability to successfully complete a four-year college degree.

Methodology: This phenomenological study identified and described the extent to which noncognitive factors influenced deaf and hard of hearing college graduates’ ability to successfully attain their college degree. Eight participants were selected through purposeful sampling based on criteria including being a resident in California and graduating with a four-year college degree between 2017 and 2020. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews …

The Impact Of Medicare Insurance Plans Upon Healthcare Services Utilization Considering Patients' Characteristics And Their Access To Medical Care, Steven Stout

Dissertations

The annual average cost of healthcare for services utilization by a Medicare beneficiary is projected to grow from about $10,000 to over $16,000 by 2023. As an ongoing initiative to address this trend, the federal government contracts with private insurance companies and other entities, called Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs), to develop and administer alternative health insurance plans designed to contain service utilization and costs. One feature of some Medicare Advantage plans is the presence of risk-bearing contracts with primary care physician organizations that voluntarily accept financial responsibility for the overall cost of care for patients attributed to them. In this …

Investment Advisor Succession Planning: Attitudes, Norms, And Control, Don Mueth

Dissertations

This study investigated succession planning intentions of investment advisors who lead their small businesses. We employed the theory of planned behavior to better understand the attitudes, norms and perceptions of control that impact these business leaders’ intentions to plan. Our research included a pilot study of interviews with 10 investment advisors and a main study of advisor survey responses. With a sample size of 198 participants, we analyzed survey responses measuring traditional TPB constructs as well as involvement in outside activities. Using two-step structural equation modeling, our model fit was acceptable, and our results supported our hypotheses that beliefs, attitudes, …

Phenomenological Study On The Impact Of Servant Leadership For Establishing A Culture Of High Performance As Perceived By Middle School Principals, Alison L. Wills

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and describe middle school principals' perceived impact of servant leadership constructs developed by Patterson (2003) for establishing a culture of high performance.

Methodology: This phenomenological qualitative study described the lived experiences of middle school principals' use of Patterson's (2003) seven servant leadership constructs for establishing a culture of high performance in Orange County, California. The researcher was part of a thematic team of eight peer researchers and two faculty advisors. Data collection included virtual, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews using a protocol developed by the thematic team. Observations and artifacts for triangulation …

The Impact Of Teacher Beliefs On Classroom Technology Use: A Case Study On The Interplay Between Teachers’ Beliefs About Students And Technology And Their Classroom Technology Practices With A Primarily Minority Student Population, Tracee Miller

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to assess the intersection of teachers in urban public schools’ digital beliefs and with their technology practices in the classroom, especially in classrooms where most students are students of color. It examines some subtopics of the primary research question, including what beliefs tech-savvy teachers hold about how technology should be used in classrooms, whether teachers use technology to empower students and encourage creativity, whether teachers integrate students’ self-created digital identities in a classroom setting, and how school- or district-level expectations and support regarding technology integration into classroom settings impact teachers’ implementation and students’ experiences. …

A Quantitative Study Of Collaborative Theories Of Action, Teacher Collective Efficacy, And The Behaviors Of Student Self-Directedness, Melissa Ann Huff

Dissertations

This quantitative study was conducted to investigate the relationships among teacher collective efficacy, espoused theories of collaboration, collaborative theories in use, the gap between these theories, and student self-directedness. Costa and Kallick (2014) and Tough (2016) suggested student success is more than just academic. Frey, Hattie, and Fisher (2018) indicated student success is achieved when students develop a self-directed disposition. Based on the historical work of Argyris, Putnam, and Smith (1987), establishing the difference between espoused theories and theories in use, espoused theories of collaboration, collaborative theories in use, and the gap between these theories of action were investigated. The …

Searching For A “Home”: Examining The Experiences Of Confucian Asian College Students With Third Culture Kid Backgrounds, Yuima Mizutani

Dissertations

Third culture kids (TCKs) spend their childhood and adolescence outside of their home countries. Because of their unique backgrounds, TCKs and adult TCKs face challenges including identity development, low self-esteem, lack of connection with their home countries, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, adjustment disorder, and others. Although the number of TCKs is increasing due to globalization, this population has been understudied. Moreover, most existing research has focused on TCKs in Western countries. Few researchers have studied Confucian Asian adult TCKs; that is, adult TCKs from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and others. Confucian Asian countries have collectivistic cultures …

Racial Battle Fatigue And Black Male Higher Education Administrators, Joshua Walehwa

Dissertations

Racial Battle Fatigue was first coined by Dr. William A. Smith as a theory describing the burnout of African Americans in higher education institutions. While much of the current research focuses on the faculty and student experiences, in various formats, this provides an autoethnography capturing the various phases of a Black Male higher education administrators experience with experiencing and coping through Racial Battle Fatigue. The belief behind this approach focuses on the value of storytelling and autoethnography in particular in research, the interconnected nature of life experiences that impact professional life as well as the reverse, and a call to …

Nursing Students' Perceptions Regarding Faculty Feedback, Deborah Hartzog Chatham

Dissertations

Higher education researchers in a variety of disciplines have explored instructor and student perceptions of what constitutes feedback that is useful and timely. Researchers agree that students desire feedback but are often not sure of how to interpret or use faculty comments. Students vary in an understanding of what constitutes feedback. Nursing researchers have conducted fewer studies to determine student concerns regarding faculty feedback. Nursing faculty differ in perceptions of what constitutes effective feedback. Nursing faculty use various forms of feedback, such as written comments, audio recordings, and automatically generated feedback. These variations suggest nursing faculty do not always know …

Academic Success Factors Influencing Linguistically Diverse And Native English Speaking Associate Degree Nursing Students, Josie L. Veal

Dissertations

To address the healthcare needs of vulnerable populations, nursing educators should evaluate educational preparedness and identify which factors influence a successive academic trajectory in nursing school. A prospective design was used to determine the relationships and differences among the anatomy and physiology course grade, self-efficacy, linguistic diversity, language acculturation, and components of the National League for Nursing pre-admission exam for registered nurses and first semester nursing course grades of linguistically diverse and native English speaking associate degree nursing students. A relationship exists between the PAX-RN composite score, anatomy mean grade, language diversity, and general self-efficacy score, the Nursing Pharmacology and …

Purposeful Simulation Role Assignment, Erica Fay Alexander

Dissertations

In order to efficiently use simulation resources, nursing students are often assigned various simulation roles. A double-blind, randomized control trial was conducted to explore the impact of purposeful simulation role assignment, using preferred learning styles, on prelicensure nursing students' clinical reasoning. A convenience sample of pre-licensure nursing students from a mid-western college of nursing were assigned with either the experimental or control group. Participants in the experimental group were assigned simulation roles that were congruent with their preferred learning style. Participants in the control group were assigned simulation roles that were not congruent with their preferred learning styles. The participants' …

Study Of The Incorporation Of Sustainability Topics Into The Accounting Curriculum At Missouri Four-Year Colleges And Universities, Kimberly Ulrich

Dissertations

Businesses around the world voluntarily utilize corporate sustainability reporting to display non-financial information along with their financial results to satisfy the curiosity of their stakeholders. The United Nations played a key role in the evolution of sustainability over time and development of reporting standards. Eventually governments may require thorough coverage of financial and non-financial information in one comprehensive integrated report. To meet this demand, the accounting curriculum must include sustainability reporting topics for accounting students. Leading research and this dissertation demonstrated a holistic approach was best. The most successful higher education institutions incorporated sustainability practices throughout their institutions in addition …

Design Thinking As A Common Language Between Higher Education And Employers, Johnna Denning-Smith

Dissertations

This qualitative study explores student skill preparedness for the work force through semi-structured interviews and focus groups with current college students, faculty members, and employers. Responses from study participants were transcribed, coded, and thematically organized into the following four categories of skills that employers seek in recent college graduates: critical thinking skills, resiliency, workplace skills, and discipline specific skills. The findings include participant perceptions of the importance of these skills and whether higher education effectively prepares recent graduates for the workforce. As part of this discussion, design thinking is presented as a bridge between these groups and as a solution …