Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Qualitative Analysis Of Healthy `Couples’ Perceptions, Brian C. Doane

Dissertations

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a problem affecting millions of individuals, with a prevalence rate of 28% to 30% for women (Cobia, Sobansky, & Ingram, 2004) and 14% for men (Breire & Elliott, 2003). Because of the psychological trauma associated with CSA and the potential impact on the survivor’s sexuality, a couple’s relationship satisfaction may be reduced and survivors may experience difficulty in maintaining healthy intimate relationships. How CSA impacts an individual has been studied extensively, but its effect on committed couple relationships has received much less attention in the literature. Additionally, very few studies have incorporated the non-abused partner’s …

Pedagogical Approaches To Multicultural Education Within Teacher Preparation Programs, Mark Steven Barajas

Dissertations

Despite national standards established in 1979, U.S. teacher preparation programs have struggled to incorporate comprehensive, multicultural teacher education into existing curriculum (Sleeter, 2008). The weakness of multicultural training in most teacher preparation programs is theorized as a major contributor to the persistent achievement gap between students of color and White students (Ferguson, 2003). Furthermore, literature indicates White teachers frequently hold lower expectations for racial and ethnic minority students compared to White students and these lowered expectations often manifest as lower academic achievement (McKown & Weinstein, 2007).

This study provides empirical data regarding multicultural education within teacher preparation programs. Individual course …

Novel Stretchable Printed Wearable Sensor For Monitoring Body Movement, Temperature And Electrocardiogram, Along With The Readout Circuit, Ali Eshkeiti

Dissertations

Conformal and stretchable wearable sensors provide vital real time information about individual’s health conditions. In this work, Traditional printing methods are used for fabrication of stretchable and wearable sensors which can be mounted on the human skin for the purpose of health tracking. In addition, screen printing technology was utilized to develop printed and flexible electronic circuit board which can be used as a readout circuit along with fabricated wearable sensors. The dissertation is organized and pursued in three projects.

In the first project, screen printing was used to fabricate multi-layer PCBs using printed deposited materials on three distinct substrates. …

Investigations Of Filarial Nematode Motility, Response To Drug Treatment, And Pathology, Charles Nutting

Dissertations

More than a billion people live at risk of chronic diseases caused by parasitic filarial nematodes. These diseases: lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, and loaisis cause significant morbidity, degrading the health, quality of life, and economic productivity of those who suffer from them. Though treatable, there is no cure to rid those infected of adult parasites. The parasites can modulate the immune system and live for 10-15 years. Testing of compounds against filarial nematodes is complicated due to a lack of an objective platform on which to analyze in vitro treatments. There is no published, immunocompetent laboratory model for lymphatic filariasis. This …

Co-Construction Of Personal Narratives In Supporting Identity And Communication In Adults With Aphasia: The ‘My Story’ Project, Katie A. Strong

Dissertations

Stroke and subsequent aphasia can impact a person’s identity negatively, interfering with quality of life. Co-constructing personal narratives about stroke and other aspects of a person’s life is a promising intervention for addressing identity issues. This series of three dissertation studies explored key aspects related to identity, personal narratives, and the perceived impact of telling one’s story.

Study 1 involved a survey examining whether speech-language pathologists view themselves as having a role in supporting the reconstruction of self-identity in adults with aphasia through the use of personal narratives. Results revealed that, whereas the majority of respondents viewed themselves as having …

Impact Of Athletic Identity And Emotional Competence On Athletes’ Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help, Garett V. Weatherhead

Dissertations

Athletes have been found to have more negative attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help than non-athletes (Watson, 2005) despite experiencing comparable amounts of mental illness (Markser, 2011). The purpose of the present study was to examine factors that are associated with athletes’ help-seeking attitudes, including athletic identity and emotional competence. A sample of 144 college student-athletes from a small, private Midwestern college in the United States participated in the study. The athletes competed at the NCAA Division III level. Participants were asked to complete the following measures: Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (Brewer, Van Raalte, & Linder, 1993), Attitudes Toward Seeking …

Behavior Analysis Program To Improve Habits Of Physical Activity, Eating, And Sleeping, Ivan Noe Martinez Salazar

Dissertations

An Internet-based five-week duration program to improve “health habits” using behavior analysis principles and eHealth technology was developed and evaluated. The “health habits” include recurring behaviors that impact health status such as eating, sleeping, and physical activity.

Ten adult participants were recruited online from Mexico. A multiple baseline design was used and participants were randomly assigned into two different groups (i.e., ABBAA and AABBA groups). Participants received online training using videos describing the characteristics of the program and its components. Each participant recorded selected health behaviors using a Microsoft Excel® tool designed specifically for this program’s goal achievements. Participants reported …

At-Risk High School Graduates: Succeeding Despite The Odds, Suzette Michele Luster

Dissertations

The high school dropout rate and the low skill set of high school graduates are of significant concern to stakeholders across the country. Based on a report released by the Education Research Center (2011), approximately 7,000 students drop out of school every day and of those students, a large percentage of them have only the basic skill sets that prevent them from accessing competitive vocational opportunities or successful entry into post-secondary education. Understanding the educational journey of students identified at risk could provide stakeholders with critical information with regard to educational reforms based on an early warning system and dropout …

A Phenomenological Investigation Of Teachers' Beliefs, Expectations, And Perceptions Of Classroom Practices, Brian Matthew Nutter

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Lived Experiences Of Belonging To Multiple Nationalities, Annette Susanne Peters

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, And Transgender College Student Identity Development: Development Through The Early 21st Century’S Increased Politicization Of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, And Transgender Civil Rights, Tony Ray Smith

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Analyzing Students’ Personal Characteristics To Determine Study Outcomes, Jennifer L. Maloney

Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to identify the personal characteristics that predicted the study outcome of students in higher education. Study outcome was defined as a student’s grade point average and re-enrolling for the following semester. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate whether a student’s former education, personality characteristics, orientation on learning, and study approach influenced study outcome. Of these 11 explanatory variables analyzed against study outcome, many were found to have a direct impact on study outcome. The results of this study provided insight into the predictive ability of personal characteristics and former education on study …

A Mixed-Methods Exploration Of Employee Attitudes, Awareness, And Satisfaction With Regard To The University Employee Wellness Program, Linda Ann Walters

Dissertations

While there was an abundant amount of research supporting the need for and benefits of a workplace health program (WHP), little empirical research existed regarding WHPs in a university setting (Watts, 1992). Compared to other WHP settings, the university setting is unique in that the employee population consists of both faculty and staff, with various work schedules, job responsibilities, and demographics. Universities also provide a unique setting for WHPs due to their access to various internal resources, such as employees with expert knowledge, campus food services, on-site facilities, and students studying health and wellness disciplines (RAND Corporation, 2013). As reported …

Adaptations Aligned To Academic Standards For Students With Significant Disabilities In General Education Contexts, Megan Stella Finnerty

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Revenue Structure, Revenue Diversification, And Severe Economic Downturns: Using Ordered Response Models To Predict Public Research University Credit Ratings, Joshua Michael Cohen

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between The Condition Of Colorado Elementary School Facilities And Student Achievement, Edward Bernard Brooks

Dissertations

Research has shown conflicting results in the study of the relationship between student achievement and school facility condition. Much of the research has focused on specific aspects of the school facility or included the completion of surveys by school personnel. This study included a focus on the overall condition of school facilities according to the Facilities Conditions Index (FCI) as indicated in the Colorado Statewide Financial Assistance Priority Assessment conducted under the direction of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) in fiscal year 2009-2010. The FCI was used as the independent variable while student achievement on the Colorado Student Assessment …

The Effect Of Expert Role Modeling On Anxiety/Self-Confidence And Clinical Judgment In Novice Nursing Students, Cathy Lorraine Coram

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Time In, Time Out: Resilience Narratives Of Formerly Incarcerated Emerging Adults, Jennifer Jo Buser

Dissertations

The aim of this study was to examine the perspectives of formerly incarcerated emerging adults in an effort to learn more about their socio-ecological resilience, negotiating identity in emerging adulthood, and aspects of coping. In this study, six emerging adults who had been incarcerated for at least 6 months during adolescence, living in the community for at least 6 months since being released, and not on probation or parole were interviewed using a narrative inquiry approach. Their stories were analyzed using a staged-process, and themes emerged across the domains of recapturing identity, outlining character, and internalized coping. These findings clarify …

A Collective Pedagogical Narrative Of African American Male Counselor Educators, Reginald A. Moore

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Heroes And Horses: Veteran And Equine Experiences With Equine Facilitated Learning And Therapy, Karen Elizabeth Krob

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Ethnographic Inquiry Of The Cultural Context: Academic Nurse Educators, Karen D. Cotter

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Forecasting An Inclusive Future: Accessible School Counseling Strategies To Deconstruct Educational Heteronormativity, Molly M. Strear

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Stereochemistry Concept Inventory, Alexey Leontyev

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Forgiveness As A Mediating Variable Between Attachment Style And Adult Love Relationships, Dayna Northart

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Life Balance In Nurse Educators: A Mixed Methods Study, Joan Marie Owens

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Exploring The “Missing Piece” Within The Social Justice Agenda: Exploring Experiences Of Classism And Attitudes Toward Mental Health Services In Undergraduate Students, Meag-Gan Walters

Dissertations

Help seeking behaviors among college students is characterized by pervasive underutilization. The most common reason why students avoid treatment for mental illness is the fear of being stigmatized. The field of psychology has recognized and examined the stigma associated with gender and ethnicity, but has not fully explored the stigma related to other identities. Social class is one of the most meaningful cultural dimensions in people’s lives. Despite this recognition, examination of class, class inequality and classism are generally missing from psychological discourse even when multiculturalism is a central focus. This paper documents original research examining the influence of student …

Counter-Narratives Of Adults Who Are Homeless: Attachment And Resiliency In Context, Jeffrey David Roche

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Exploring A Culture Of Learning With Technology: An Ethnographic Content Analysis Of The Activity Of Learning With Educational Ipad Apps, Akio Yamanaka

Dissertations

This study explored the culture of learning with educational iPad apps using

activity theory as a guiding framework. First, the top nine educational apps were tracked

in the Top Charts section of Apple’s App Store for a duration of four months. The nine

sampled apps, selected based on their frequency of appearance, included Toca Hair Salon

2, Stack the States, Endless Alphabet, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Wildlife Count Along,

Wild Kratts Creature Power World Adventure, Wallykazam! Letter and Word Magic,

Starfall Learn to Read, Dr. Panda’s Restaurant 2, and Bug Art. The descriptions, version

updates, app content, and customer reviews for …

Elementary Physical Educators’ Perspectives Of Curriculum And Instruction In The United States And Thailand, Udon Nampai

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the beliefs, perspectives, and opinions of physical education (PE) teachers regarding PE curriculum (the content and teaching styles, the purpose of PE, and the potential improvements related to PE curriculum) at the elementary level by: (a) examining current curricular and instructional practices and perspectives of exemplary Thai PE teachers; and (b) examining curriculum development and instructional practices of current exemplary PE teachers in the United States (U.S.). The participants were eight exemplary PE teachers. A semi-structured interview design was utilized in order to gather information of participants’ perspectives. Each interview lasted approximately …

Counseling Competencies For Child Maltreatment Risk Assessment And Management, Janessa Marie Parra

Dissertations

Child maltreatment is a widespread epidemic that has relevance to the work of counselors. The counseling profession has not yet established a set of standards that provide comprehensive guidance on how to prepare counselors to work with clients impacted by child maltreatment. The purpose of this dissertation study was to discover the domains and competencies necessary to prepare master’s-level counselors to assess and manage the risk of child maltreatment with clients. Twenty counseling and five non-counseling experts participated in this multi-round Delphi study. These expert expert- participants provided their opinions through a series of three structured surveys. Expert- participants created …