Digital Commons Network^™

Individual Differences In Numerical And Verbal Abstraction And The Ability To Draw Inferences From Text, Anna Christine Johnson

Dissertations

Abstraction may be defined as the process of isolating commonalities from a series of examples. Numerical estimates (e.g., Brown & Siegler, 2001), prototypes (e.g., Posner & Keele, 1968), and scripts (e.g., Schank & Abelson, 1977) are forms of abstract representations. Abstraction may differ across individuals, with some relying more on memorizing individual examples than on forming abstract representations, or vice versa. McDaniel et al. (2014) elucidated this abstractor vs. memorizer distinction and developed a function learning task to categorize individuals. Subsequent research has explored this distinction as it applies to transfer, the application of previously learned knowledge to new situations …

Student Desire To Stay In A Program: The Influence Of Faculty Caring And Cultural Identification With Faculty, Elizabeth Ann Cunniff

Dissertations

The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 report (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021) stated nurses should reflect the characteristics of the people they serve to ensure individuals receive culturally competent and equitable health care. Over the next decade and beyond, the U.S. population will become more racially and ethnically diverse, but the nursing workforce has not kept pace with the changing demographics (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2023). To increase diversity among nurses, nursing schools need more diverse graduates from prelicensure nursing programs, but attrition is greater among students with diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds (Barbé et …

Investigating The Critical Literacy Practices Of Adult Learners: A Case Study Of Four Leveled Reading Courses At A Community College, Anna Fontaine

Dissertations

This study investigates the critical literacy practices of adult learners at a community college. Student participants were selected from four different leveled reading courses. In this study, four guiding questions were adopted from Klenner and Sandretto (2011): (1) How do students make personal connections to text?; (2) In what ways do students identify multiple points of view in the text?; (3) In what ways do students identify where people in the text and included or excluded from social situations?; (4) In what ways do students discuss the influences the text has had on their views of society? These four questions …

The Effects Of Mindfulness And Exercise On Symptoms Of Parkinson’S Disease: A Systematic Review, Collin Tyler Garner

Dissertations

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease affecting which affects motor control, emotional regulation, cognition, and sleep through degradation of dopaminergic neurons. As of 2019, PD affects approximately 8.5 million individuals worldwide, with prevalence estimated to increase to between 8.7 and 9.3 million by 2030. The primary therapeutic approach to PD management is pharmaceutical, relying on dopamine replacement therapy. However, recent research has identified promising complementary therapies such as exercise and mindfulness training.

This review was conducted to compile and present evidence related to the efficacy of exercise, mindfulness, and combined exercise and mindfulness protocols as complementary …

A Mixed-Methods Approach To Investigating Core Self-Evaluations, Ethnicity, And Perceived Discrimination Among Undergraduate Students, Rosa I. Law

Dissertations

This research, guided by Yosso’s (2005) social capital theory, delved deep into the lived experiences of individuals navigating spaces where they encountered perceived discrimination and how their core self-evaluations played a pivotal role in shaping their responses to such experiences. Through a meticulous process involving qualitative data analysis strategies such as coding and thematic analysis, the study unveiled larger themes and narratives that moved away from a deficit perspective, focusing instead on assets the individuals brought to the table including their aspirations, goals, and familial and social capital. In the discussion section, focus group settings facilitated rich dialogues where participants …

A Study Of Policies And Responses To Chronically Absent Students In Illinois High Schools In The Four Southern Most Regions Of The Illinois Associaiton Of School Administrators, Charles Shain Crank

Dissertations

No abstract

Cross-Cultural Adaptation And Validation Of The Emirati Version Instrument That Assesses Cognition Problems Among The Uae Population: The Subjective Scale To Investigate Cognition - Emirates (Sstic-E), A Cross-Sectional Study, Fadwa Elgid Babikir

Dissertations

This dissertation focused on exploring the subjective complaints of cognition problems among the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population using a validated and adapted Arabic Emirati language version of a subjective scale that assesses cognition problems, -The Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition - Emirates (SSTIC-E). Cognitive complaints and lack of cognitive insights are not specific to schizophrenia. It could be related to depression, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or Alzheimer's. Hence, scales in this field can be very useful to assess and collect data for populations at risk of developing cognitive decline. The study aims to translate, adapt, and validate the SSTICS …

New Teacher Induction Programs: Effective Support Through Mentoring Programs And Coaching Practices, Katrina Morris

Dissertations

With the current teacher shortage and the numerous reported accounts of new teachers feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and ill prepared, the United States is in a dangerous situation that could result in even more of a teacher shortage if leaders do not find a way to better support new teachers and decrease the teacher attrition rate in the nation’s schools. This study involved an analysis of first-year teachers’ experiences with the new teacher induction program in District A (a pseudonym). Participants of this study were new teachers to District A, both novice and experienced teachers new to the district; building administrators; …

The Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Students In The School Setting: The Adaptations Needed For Tiered Supports, Eleni M. Gajewski

Dissertations

This study aims to evaluate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on students in the school setting and identify necessary adaptations needed, particularly through a tiered system of support. The research aims for two primary objectives by employing a constructivist framework utilizing mixed methods for data collection. Firstly, it aims to provide districts with a foundation for understanding the social-emotional and academic consequences of the pandemic on students. Secondly, its purpose is to empower districts to leverage this comprehensive evaluation as a proactive approach to cater to the diverse needs of all students. This includes responding to the challenges posed …

Self Portraits: How The Arts May Be The Key To Equitable And Authentic Engagement For Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Student Populations, Betsy Sostak

Dissertations

As the linguistic and cultural diversity across America’s classrooms steadily increases, educators are searching for ways to meet the needs of their students. The linguistic and cultural resources our students bring are a tremendous asset, yet our country has not been able to fully realize the potential of a diverse population. While multilingual students are often perceived to lack background knowledge, connections to school, and linguistic resources, the arts have the capacity to increase engagement, connect to diverse cultural backgrounds, and transcend language barriers. In this study, I explore the ways in which educational equity may be achieved to a …

The Impact Of Covid-19 Remote Schooling On Home And School Partnerships, Katharine Ellison

Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic created significant disruptions to the conventional educational system, necessitating a widespread transition to emergency remote learning modalities by most educators and students. The primary objective of this inquiry was to gain valuable insight into the effects of the rapid innovation that occurred at home and at school throughout this period, with the aim of enhancing and guiding future home–school partnerships. The research questions were designed to explore the perceptions held by both elementary parents and elementary educators on how pandemic remote schooling affected home–school connection and family’s understanding of learning content and process. The study also involved …

Stressors, Academic Performance, And Learned Resourcefulness In Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Anne-Marie Goff

Dissertations

Despite extensive research establishing that stress affects problem-solving ability and coping, and leads to decreased learning, academic performance, and retention in nursing students, a paucity of research explores specific factors that could enhance these learning processes and outcomes. This explanatory correlational study examines the mediating effect of learned resourcefulness, the ability to regulate emotions and cognitions, on the relationships of stressors—both personal and academic—to academic performance in baccalaureate nursing students. Gadzella's Student-life Stress Inventory (SSI) and Rosenbaum's Self-Control Scale (SCS), a measure of learned resourcefulness, were administered to 53 junior level baccalaureate nursing students (92.5% female; 84.9% Caucasian; 9.4% African-American …

Factors Affecting Technology Integration For Teachers At K-12, Adult Education, And Higher Education Institutions Since Virtual Learning Due To Covid-19, Christina Thompson, Stephanie Collins, Lisa Hollins

Dissertations

This quantitative study investigates instructors' perceptions of the factors influencing technology integration in their instruction, spanning the years 2019-2023, encompassing the transition from virtual to in-person learning after COVID-19. It examines technology integration barriers and supports experienced by instructors in the Midwestern United States, namely Missouri, during this period. Additionally, it explores how the virtual learning experience during the pandemic has influenced instructors' self-perceptions of their digital competence. The study encompasses three education sectors: K-12, adult education, and higher education, providing a unique multi-sector perspective. By delving into the post-COVID-19 educational environment, this research aims to offer valuable insights. The …

The Impact Of A Mindfulness Meditation Intervention On Cognitive Test Anxiety And The Academic Performance Of Prelicensure Nursing Students Enrolled In An Associate Degree In Nursing Program, Kathleen Tenrreiro

Dissertations

Fifty to 100% of nursing students have experienced test anxiety. The cognitive form of test anxiety (CTA) leads to significant academic implications for nursing students. The ongoing nursing shortage requires nurse educators to implement evidence-based strategies, such as mindfulness meditation training, to help prelicensure nursing students manage their CTA levels and enhance academic performance.

The purpose of this quantitative study was two-fold: (a) to determine if there was a difference in cognitive test anxiety scores for prelicensure nursing students enrolled in an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program who receive the mindfulness meditation intervention and (b) to determine if there …

Expanding Community Capacity: Empowering Non-Clinical Gatekeepers To Respond To Persons In Suicide Crisis, Michael J. Polacek

Dissertations

Suicide is a leading cause of death and rates continue to rise despite focused efforts by policymakers. A family member, friend, or peer often plays a key role in initially identifying, rescuing, and then supporting ongoing recovery efforts of someone at risk for suicide. Preparation is provided through suicide prevention gatekeeper training such as QPR, yet this partner of direct professional service providers often lacks adequate support to effectively perform gatekeeper behaviors leading to the research question, "Does virtual café support effective gatekeeper behaviors?" The project uses a mixed-method approach to determine if a focused discussion group using The World …

Investigating Relationships Between Muslim High School Students’ School Belonging And Career Decision-Making, Nour Alhiyari

Dissertations

Muslim Americans have been subjected to systemic oppression and unjust experiences, such as discrimination, racism, hate crimes, and stereotypes, for generations in the United States. Although ample research has investigated relationships between systemic oppression in society and its impacts on marginalized students in public school environments, little research has directly investigated Muslim students' school experiences. Additionally, studies and scholarship have explored the long-term impacts of systemic oppression on marginalized groups to develop a comprehensive understanding of minority groups’ experiences in the United States. This study investigated Muslim students’ experiences in public high schools regarding their sense of belonging and other …

Targeting Loneliness In Older Adults With Weekly Socialization, Tanja Johnson

Dissertations

Problem: Loneliness related to social isolation among the older adult population has become an increasing health concern with few interventions available for the general population. Loneliness has been directly associated with depression, poorer physical health outcomes, and overall quality of life.

Methods: The purpose of this study is to evaluate loneliness in the older adult population residing in a senior living community in an urban area in Missouri. Weekly one-on-one socialization, ranging from 45-60 minutes, will be implemented over 6 weeks, with pre and post-intervention screening for loneliness with the 28-item Visit-A-Bit (VAB) screening tool. Approval was received by both …

Design Thinking’S Effect On Empathy Development In Middle School English- Language Arts, Kim Starkey

Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the impact of Design Thinking on students' empathy development in middle school English Language Arts (ELA) classrooms. The study involved two middle school instructors with eight classes, implementing Design Thinking, Reader's Workshop, and traditional ELA curriculum in different combinations (n =102) and two control classes (n =27).

The Adolescent Empathy Measure (AMES) and rubrics for analyzing student writing samples were used to assess changes in empathy. The AMES was given before and after the interventions, and the writing samples were analyzed before and after the interventions as well. The findings indicate …

Lost In Interpretation: The Lived Experience Of Nurse Interpreters In The Clinical Setting, Byron Batz

Dissertations

The use of language interpreters in the health care setting constitutes a vital part of provider-patient communication but remains a relatively unexplored phenomenon. Registered nurses (RNs) are often called upon to serve as interpreters when linguistically diverse patients constitute a large segment of the patient population. That RNs serve simultaneously in an interpreter role – in addition to clinical and advocacy roles – is a complex facet of contemporary nursing practice in a diverse U.S. culture. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to examine the lived experience of RNs serving as interpreters in health care institutions in Southern …

Cultural Microaggressions In Multinational Organizations: Organizational Inclusivity And Employee Coping Strategies, Regina Mcwilliams

Dissertations

Cultural microaggressions are especially problematic in multinational organizations because of the sheer and vast diversity of employees, customers, and partners across numerous countries and continents. These subtly discriminatory remarks or actions often lead to negative consequences that can cost companies immeasurable revenue and profit losses, customer and employee attrition, and brand reputational damage. This study aims to understand the impact of cultural microaggressions on job outcomes and the moderating effects of inclusivity practices and employee coping strategies. We draw upon the minority stress model and use quantitative methods to determine the relationship between cultural microaggressions and various job outcomes. Findings …

Assessing Preschool Children In Uae: Development Of The Preschool Autism Checklist (Pac) For Teachers, Omniah Gharib Alqahtani

Dissertations

This study aims to develop a new assessment tool for teachers to recognize and evaluate early signs of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in preschool children in the UAE. The study also discussed the cultural characteristics of the Gulf region and their impact on ASD. The available ASD instruments may be unclear in language and difficult to understand for regular teachers. However, a Preschool Autism Checklist (PAC) has been developed that is specifically tailored to the sociocultural norms of the Arab Gulf Countries. The ASD symptoms were taken from the DSM-5 (APA, 2013) as a reference source, while ASD scales incorporated …

Mixed-Method Study Of Relationship Satisfaction Among African American Males With Or Without History Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Sandra Webster Brown

Dissertations

Relationship satisfaction among African American males is an important and feasible topic and underrepresented among scholarly literature. The purpose of this study was to explore relationship satisfaction and experiences among African American males who may be impacted by history of childhood sexual abuse. The study was guided by the theoretical frameworks of family systems theory. Using a concurrent mixed-methods triangulation design, the researcher collected data quantitatively and qualitatively from an online survey. Data were collected from 43 African American males recruited from Black organizations in the United States. The qualitative data collected by written narratives from the men were used …

Assessing Small And Medium Enterprises’ Innovation Capabilities Within A Rapid Economic Transformation: An Empirical Study In Saudi Arabia, Mohanad Jabreel Aboudayah

Dissertations

The theory of dynamic capability posits that environmental uncertainty and organizational flexibility drive the growth of innovation capability at the firm level. Environmental uncertainty is the inability of the firm to quickly and accurately forecast changes in economic conditions. Building innovation capability can mitigate environmental uncertainty and enable the firm to gain a competitive advantage by innovating continually in response to evolving circumstances. Organizational flexibility, a key element of the firm’s managerial capabilities, is necessary but not sufficient to attenuate environmental uncertainty. Organizational flexibility enables the firm to identify and assess emerging opportunities, but pursuing those opportunities requires innovation capability. …

Restricted Powers, Special-Purpose Districts, And Path Dependence: Economic Graveyards In Downstate Illinois, Bethany Behrhorst

Dissertations

Property taxation in the United States is a critical issue warranting examination because it involves the directed distribution of government costs and benefits for citizens. The central question exists: Why are Illinois’ property taxes so high? Path dependence was explored as a theory to explain Illinois’ property tax reliance issues, asserting that as local governmental units in the State face budget limitations, they find alternative revenue streams. For example, restricted powers could lead to the development of quasi-governments, which are known as special-purpose districts. In such cases, once general-purpose municipalities charter a course by creating special-purpose districts, it is difficult …

The Influence Of Attachment Styles And Mental Health Symptoms On Marital Satisfaction Among Deployed Us Army Soldiers, Leo Mora

Dissertations

Since 2002, changes in the frequency, duration, and nature of military campaigns overseas have piqued efforts to understand the effects of deployment on the mental health of DoD service members, especially married Army soldiers. However, few studies have examined the influence of attachment styles on the emotional health of combat veterans and the wartime impact they have also imparted to their spouses. Thus, in the context of military deployments, this study examines how secure/insecure attachment styles, posttraumatic stress (PTS), and depressive symptoms significantly influence married soldiers and their perceptions of marital satisfaction. In addition, this study also examines pre-existent, internalized, …

A Narrative Analysis Of Spiritual Coping In Individuals With Terminal Heart Failure, Clayton C. Clark

Dissertations

Approximately 6 million Americans have heart failure with treatment costs estimated at $30.7 billion annually. Those in late stages of the disease experience profound physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. Spiritual wellbeing has been linked to quality of life as well as mental and physical health in patients with heart failure. While holistic nursing care promotes spiritual coping, barriers exist. Currently, nursing lacks theory to explain spiritual coping processes in patients with heart failure, which leaves nurses ill-equipped to promote spiritual wellbeing in providing care to patients. In this study, I employed open-ended interviewing and narrative analysis techniques to gain a …

Beyond Prognosis Communication: Exploring The Existential Dimensions Of Palliative Care Conversations With Adults With Advanced Cancer, Elise C. Tarbi

Dissertations

Communication about prognosis is integral to effective palliative care. However, prognosis communication often entails considering mortality, which can trigger existential questions. We understand very little about how existential experience is communicated in palliative care conversations. To fill this gap, this dissertation addresses the following aims: (1) Clarify the concept of the existential experience within the context of adults with advanced cancer (Chapter 2); (2) Describe how patients, families, and clinicians communicate about existential experience in palliative care conversations (Chapter 3); and (3) Explore the intersection between prognosis communication and existential dimensions of conversation (Chapter 4).

The Lived Experience Of Afghan Women Refugees In Three Metropolitan Areas Of The Southeastern Us: A Phenomenological Study, Brenda Brown

Dissertations

The global refugee crisis has reached epic proportions. Statistics from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR, 2016) reported that in 2015 a record 65.3 million people worldwide, or 39,976 people per day, were displaced, either within their native countries or as asylees and refugees. Afghanistan, from 1980-2014, was the country with the largest number of outgoing refugees and it now ranks third in the world. At the opposite end of the continuum the United States remains the primary host country for refugees, asylees, and resettled refugees from all countries, including Afghanistan. The refugee experience is fraught with challenges …

Understanding The Unique Needs, Experiences And Strategies Used By Icu Nurses To Be Resilient During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Teenu Xavier

Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic presented numerous challenges for nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs), leading to a significant impact on their mental and psychological well-being. Despite these challenges, resilience is recognized as a protective factor for ICU nurses that can enhance the well-being of healthcare professionals and enable them to cope effectively with stressors and challenges. But there is a gap in the literature about the experiences, unique needs, and resilience strategies used by ICU nurses in the United States (U.S.).

The purpose of this dissertation research was to complete three interrelated projects in order to gain a better understanding …

The Caregiver Of The Child With Cerebral Palsy: The Unnoticed Victim, Taylor Tusinski

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to better understand the overall quality of life (QoL) in the primary caregiver who provides care to the child or adolescent, aged 0-17 with mild, moderate, or severe Cerebral Palsy (CP). This study aligned with a nonexperimental or observational design and examined the severity level of CP and the QoL in the mother and/or father.

For research question 1, regression results indicated that the overall model did not significantly predict the mother’s and father’s QoL [R² = .000, R² _adj = -.012, F(1,80) = .003, p = .957]. Regression results indicated that …