Digital Commons Network^™

The Effectiveness Of The Implementation Of Social And Emotional Learning Programs Program Evaluation, Cynthia Treadwell

Dissertations

Students today are faced with more challenges due to the nature of the society in which they are growing up. Children are experiencing more depression, anxiety, fear, and hopelessness—which impacts their ability to be successful academically. Social and emotional learning programs have proven to positively provide students with the necessary social and emotional skills. This study found that implementation of programming can have a direct impact on students’ social and emotional skills, as well as their academic success, when it is effectively implemented and adults have a strong awareness of their own social and emotional competency level. This must be …

Support Through Strengthening Relational Ties : An Examination On The Impact Of Community-Based Partnerships In Closing Opportunity Gaps For Students, Sondra D. Davis

Dissertations

Oftentimes I have witnessed a disconnect between addressing student need and the services a community partnership provides. I conducted a qualitative study to examine the impact a faith-based community partnership had on its participating students. I interviewed directors, staff, and parents, as well as completed numerous onsite observations to gather evidence. I discovered that the level of effectiveness is contingent upon the commitment that takes place between the school and partnered organization. Partnerships are essential to efforts to expand when, where, how, and what students learn (Little, 2011). If expectations are jointly created with all parties engaged in ongoing communication …

Bridging The Gap: Understanding Non-Offending Parental Responses To Their Children's Sexual Abuse., Jennifer Latreill, Psy.D.

Dissertations

The parental response to children's disclosure of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is the most critical and important factor regarding the child's post trauma trajectory and overall trauma resolution. Understanding parental responses and the factors that prompt acceptance versus disbelief among the non-offending parent (NOP) is vital to children's success following disclosure given the weight of the NOPs response and its impact on long-term consequences of CSA. This literature review provides a comprehensive summary of what may deter the NOP from recognizing intrafamilial sexual abuse, factors that may contribute to the NOPs disbelief following disclosure, and possible clinical implications of such …

Father's Perception Of Roles And Personal Growth: A Mixed-Methods Study Assessing Positive Fatherhood Development In Chicago, Sandra Crittle

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a father involvement intervention on fathers in the Chicago area and what encourages fathers to be involved with their children. This study explored what factors are most predictive of involvement in their child's life. Overall, the study uses secondary data from a sample of existing survey and focus groups with men of mostly lower income status that may or may not be incarcerated. Study 1 included 41 men over the age of 18, who participated in programs provided by the Salvation Army in the Chicago area. Study 1 found …

Creating Comprehensive Wrap-Around Services For The Homeless Community: Exploring Network Activity Among Shelters And Service Organizations Within The South-Side Of Chicago, Gloria West

Dissertations

We may not all agree that the homeless community is increasing and that their essential needs to survive such as food, healthcare and housing are quality of life rights for everyone. We must adopt the compassion of the medical industry and understand the importance of how community programs and services impact their survival. The sense of urgency to address the issues of homelessness does not appear to be moving as fast as other government agendas hindering families and individual’s ability to achieve self-sufficiency. It is expected that the priorities within this population are addressed immediately, it should be understood that …

International, Remote Behavioral-Skills Training Of Discrete-Trial Procedures For Teachers In Saudi Arabia, Bayan Alsubaie

Dissertations

The current study sought to internationally expand the use of applied behavior analysis services by applying discrete trial training (DTT) to preschool students with autism, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). At a university setting in the United States, the trainer provided the training to three teachers at the KSA Qodrah Center, a center for special education, by using a remote communication technique. I, as the trainer, used the behavioral-skills training (BST) model to train the teachers; this involved instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. The training was three hours a day, three days per week. The teachers learned to …

Teaching Children With Autism To Make Independent Requests Using An Echoic-To-Mand Procedure, Michael L. Tomak

Dissertations

Mands are a vital skill for the development of a child’s communicative repertoire and are typically a major focus of early intensive behavior interventions (EIBI). Naturalistic teaching is more efficient than Discrete-Trial Training (DTT) for teaching mands (Jennet, Harris, & Delmolino, 2008); and therefore, the present study used crucial components from naturalistic teaching to teach mands in a discrete-trial format, using an echoic-to-mand procedure. This intervention increased the children’s independent vocal requests. Initially, they learned to mand for items in sight and eventually for those out of sight.

Teaching Receptive Identification To Children Who Were Unsuccessful With A Standard Training Program, Kaylee R. Tomak

Dissertations

This research strongly suggests that essentially all children with the skill of generalized matching can learn receptive identification, even if they have failed to do so, using the standard least-to-most prompting procedure. The effective alternative procedures were antecedent picture prompting (Stone & Malott, 2010), consequence picture prompting (Carp et al., 2012), and receptive-exclusion training (McIlvane et al., 1984). In addition, these procedures generally produced high levels of maintenance, and they also typically produced a high level of generalization to novel stimulus sets. However, no single alternative procedure was more effective or more efficient across all of the children. In this …

The Effects Of Low Dose Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Administration In A Rodent Model Of Delay Discounting, Robert J. Kohler

Dissertations

The resurgence of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) as a therapeutic tool requires a revival in research, both basic and clinical, to bridge gaps in knowledge left from a previous generation of work. Currently, no study has been published with the intent of establishing optimal microdose concentrations of LSD in an animal model. In the present study, rats were administered a range of LSD doses to quantify potential augmentations in choice behavior in a rodent model of delay discounting. In the first experiment, rats were administered LSD (20 or 40 μg/kg, i.p.) or saline at the start of terminal baseline training …

Reflective Teacher Change Processes In The Presence Of A Mathematics Professional Development Intervention, Jason P. Gauthier

Dissertations

One of the most common methods employed to help teachers improve the teaching and learning of mathematics is professional development (PD). Research into professional development is a relatively new field, but still we know much about the features of effective PD with respect to such improvements. While the broad features of PD that are effective at creating change are relatively well-defined in the research, our understanding of the process of teacher change remains limited.

To begin to better understand this change process, this study examined the processes of teacher change associated with a specific PD intervention. The PD intervention in …

Adjustment Issues As Students Transition From High School To The Dominican Republic's First Community College, Alexandra Julia Garcia Munoz

Dissertations

The vision statement of the first community college in the Dominican Republic (DR) notes that it is “an institution of higher technical level aimed at offering opportunities for development, forming competent, ethical and innovative professionals through a relevant curriculum assuming a solidarity integration with business and social sectors" (Instituto Tecnico Superior Comunitario [ITSC], 2012, para. 1). Each day, the institution tries to help individuals achieve their lifelong dreams by providing a quality education so that graduates may benefit economically, socially, and personally, and reach a better quality of life that expands those benefits to their community, country and the whole …

How And Why Higher Education Information Technology Professionals Keep Their Skill Sets Current, Vicky L. Deur

Dissertations

The rapid change in technology creates a challenge for universities to understand the importance of why and how IT professionals keep current in their skill sets, as opposed to leaving the profession or becoming obsolete in their position. This study captured information from IT professionals in higher education regarding the learning activities they find useful in maintaining or updating their skills, an estimate of time spent in those learning activities both at work and outside work, and information on what factors contributed to this maintenance.

Previous research on social cognitive theory and locus of control theory supported the conceptual frame …

The Biological, Psychological, Cognitive, And Social Perspectives On Aging: The Design Of A Healthy Aging Program For Older Adults, Melissa Santiago

Dissertations

Aging is an inevitable process, accompanied by changes in physiological, cognitive, psychological, and social facets. Researchers have investigated the physiological, cognitive, psychological, and social risk factors associated with aging and have encouraged the use of physical activity, cognitive training, and dietary interventions to alleviate risk factors. However, holistic programs dedicated to promoting successful aging among older adults are uncommon. This review sought to promote successful aging by identifying physiological, cognitive, psychological, and social risk factors that affect older adults and develop a comprehensive program to holistically mitigate these risk factors. Risk factors associated with unsuccessful aging include the development of …

Community College Student Success: Connections To Student Perceptions Of Faculty Behaviors, And Classroom Motivators, Victor A. Henry Ubiera

Dissertations

This study explored how community college students perceive certain faculty behaviors, its relationship with students’ classroom motivators and how the perception of those behaviors and motivators predicts students’ persistence and academic success. The statistics about the low rates of completion in higher education institutions is an issue that researchers and educational organizations are concerned about (Apolinar, 2013; Kolodner, 2015). Addressing this issue, a body of inquiring is focusing on the student-faculty relationship (Kezar & Maxey, 2014) revealing that faculty behaviors and student motivation are related to several students’ outcomes (Lancaster & Lundberg, 2019; Wilson & Ryan, 2013). However, less is …

An Empirical Study Of Design Parameters For Planning Two-Level And Three-Level Cluster Randomized Trials To Detect Moderator Effects, Qi Zhang

Dissertations

In the last two decades, we have seen an increasing number of impact studies in education that are designed to detect a meaningful average treatment effect, which answers the what works question. Recently, researchers have started to consider how to expand the design of impact studies to answer questions regarding the treatment effect heterogeneity across different contexts, such as for whom and under what conditions programs work. Answering these questions is imperative in the quest to make evidence-based and context-relevant decisions to improve educational outcomes for all students.

Many of the impact studies utilize a cluster randomized trial (CRT). CRTs …

The Impact Of School Climate On Adolescents’ Sense Of Belonging In Al Ain Schools: A Mixed Method Study, Wafaa Mohammed El Zaatari

Dissertations

To compete internationally, Al Ain educational system, and the UAE education system at large, is directed by the UAE 2021 National Agenda and seems to be driven by results. The purpose of this study aims to explore the school climate factors that may impact on adolescents’ sense of belonging. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological System Theory is used as the framework in this study. The study employed a sequential exploratory research design, that started by using interviews to collect qualitative data from eight male and eight female students in grade 11, and eight of their teachers in schools in Al Ain. The NVivo …

Anticonvulsant And Procognitive Effect Of Nonimidazole Histamine H3r Receptor Antagonists /Inverse Agonists In Experimental Animal Models, Alaa Imad Alachkar

Dissertations

Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder accompanied by cognitive impairment. Available antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have not been reported to have ameliorative effects on epilepsy-associated memory impairment. The potential of histamine H3 receptors (H3R) in several neuropsychiatric diseases, including epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease, is well recognized. In this study, a series of H3R antagonists (1-16) were screened for their in vivo anticonvulsant effect in several acute-induced seizures in rats. Moreover, the procognitive effect of the most promising H3R antagonist was investigated in dizocilpine (DIZ)-induced amnesic effect applying several behavioral memory tests. Furthermore, the most promising H3R antagonist was assessed for …

The Importance Of Leadership Activities In Addressing The Shortage Of African American Men Completing Doctoral Degrees, Lerita Watkins

Dissertations

Abstract

The focus in this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of African American men who obtained a doctoral degree and the role of leadership in their success. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 African American men from across the United States. The research develops an understanding of patterns of leadership within institutions of higher education from an African American male perspective. Elements of the critical race theory served as the basis for the conceptual framework. The significant statements made by the 10 African American men reflected their distinct perceptions of the role leadership plays in African …

Exploration Of Physician Attitudes About Self-Care And Personal Mental Health: Possible Barriers To Physician Well Being, Candich Farrar

Dissertations

The present study was designed to examine physicians’ mental health, attitudes, and behaviors toward self-care and the utilization of mental health services. As the medical field can be very demanding and exhausting, it is believed that many physicians suffer from mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. However, it was theorized that many physicians do not engage in adequate self-care regimes or seek support and suppress their symptoms, which may further exacerbate their illnesses. A thorough literature review was performed to explore the following: possible barriers to physicians seeking mental health services to address high rates of mental illnesses, physicians …

Is Critical Thinking Really Critical? A Research Study Of The Intentional Planning For The Teaching Of Critical Thinking In The Middle Grades, Michelle Smith

Dissertations

Critical thinking is an integral part of human life. However, it is not intentionally planned for and implemented in most public educational institutions. Due to this lack of planning, not everyone thinks critically. Critical thinking is a skill that must be fostered and developed over a period for it to be applied consistently. Individuals who exhibit critical thinking are increasingly likely to be successful in life.

This study focused on the teaching of critical thinking and was conducted at Wildcat Middle School, located in a suburb of Chicago, IL. The research examined the extent to which teachers intentionally planned for …

Racial Socialization: Its Influence On Outcomes Among Black American Children Exposed To Physical Discipline, Veronica L. Love

Dissertations

The use of spanking as a form of discipline for children is a controversial issue. Even so, it is a practice that the majority of American parents have used to correct behavioral concerns within their children (Straus, 2010). Further, Black parents have been noted to use spanking more frequently than other ethnic groups (Berlin et al., 2009). Most research focuses on the negative implications of spanking on children’s development and outcomes, but some research suggests that outcomes differ for children from different ethnic groups with Black children showing more favorable outcomes. Many variables, such as parental warmth exhibited in the …

Gaps In The Mental Health System,Justice System And The Transition To Adulthood: An Analysis Of Unmet Needs, Maria Gremli Sanders

Dissertations

ABSTRACT More than two million adolescents and young adults are interconnected with the justice system every year. An alarming number of transitional age young adults (ages 17-25 years) in the United States justice system suffer with serious emotional problems that have at least one diagnosable mental health illness. The multiple needs for rehabilitation among these young adults have often gone unmet, and thus, they have become an extremely vulnerable subgroup in the justice system. The purpose of this study was to explore issues of disparity within mental health services, the justice system, and the unmet needs of transitional age young …

Black Girls Matter: The Impact Of Historical Representation On Contemporary Education, Carolyn Strong

Dissertations

A long history of misogynoir and negative stereotypes about Black
girls and women can be found throughout the literature and popular
culture of the United States. These stereotypes inform the lived
experience of Black girls and women, and in particular interfere with
African American girls’ ability to thrive in a school environment. An
autoethnographic research approach shows that various strategies, in
particular, Black girl-centric spaces, have proven to be helpful in
supporting Black girls who have to negotiate varying degrees of
hostility in general environments. These could be applied more broadly
to improve Black girls’ mental, psychological, physical, and
educational …

The Study Of Black American Male School Principals’ Life Experiences And How They Affect Black American Male Students In Their Schools To Close The Academic Achievement Gap, Linda Palija

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study was conducted to inform the present educational system concerning what is known about Black American male former principals and district leaders and how they affected Black American male students in closing the academic achievement gap. The context of this inquiry was an examination of three Black American male former principals/district leaders in one region of the United States, and the study focused on how they used their life and professional experiences to help Black American male students in their schools to close the academic achievement gap. Three themes were acknowledged in this investigation: the impact of …

Identification Of Neurobiological Mechanisms Associated With Attention Deficits In Adults Post Traumatic Brain Injury, Ziyan Wu

Dissertations

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the major public health concerns with approximately 70 million new cases occurring worldwide per year. It is often caused by a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head, resulting in brain tissue damage and normal brain functions disruption. All grades of TBI, ranging from mild to severe, can cause wide-ranging and long-term effects on affected individuals, resulting in physical impairments, and neurocognitive consequences that permanently affect their abilities to perform daily activities. Attention deficits are the most common persisting neurocognitive consequences following TBI, which significantly contribute to poor academic and social functioning, …

Building The Petro-Polis: Oil Capitalism, Imperialism, And The Making Of Abadan, 1908-1933, Reza Mortaheb

Dissertations

Abadan is the most prominent of all the oil company towns the British Petroleum Company built in Southwest Iran. Located at the border of Iran and present-day Iraq, by the mid twentieth century Abadan not only accommodated the world’s largest refinery, it had also become Iran’s most populous industrial city. This dissertation focuses on the process of urban development on Abadan Island between 1908 and 1933. Drawing on primary archival documents and secondary sources, this dissertation discusses how Abadan’s establishment and its changing urban form and spatial organization were the product of broader historical processes. Imperial intelligence and practical requirements …

Neurobiological Markers For Remission And Persistence Of Childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Yuyang Luo

Dissertations

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Symptoms of childhood ADHD persist into adulthood in around 65% of patients, which elevates the risk for a number of adverse outcomes, resulting in substantial individual and societal burden. A neurodevelopmental double dissociation model is proposed based on existing studies in which the early onset of childhood ADHD is suggested to associate with dysfunctional subcortical structures that remain static throughout the lifetime; while diminution of symptoms over development could link to optimal development of prefrontal cortex. Current existing studies only assess basic measures including regional brain activation …

Correlates Of Fatigue In Lymphoma Patients Undergoing Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation, Majeda M. El-Banna

Dissertations

Fatigue is the most prevalent and disturbing symptom in cancer patients; however, little research explains the correlates and predictors of fatigue. The purposes of this study were to describe the fatigue patterns in lymphoma patients undergoing autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) and to examine the relationships among these fatigue patterns and the changes in the patterns of melatonin, depression, pain, nausea, hemoglobin level, total sleep time within 24 hours, and number of awakenings at night that contribute to the changes in fatigue during the baseline, chemotherapy and recovery periods. The conceptual framework of this prospective, descriptive, correlational, and …

The Effects Of Art Therapy On Hypertension In Black American Women, Ellen Layton Mullarkey

Dissertations

70 million Americans have hypertension affecting one out of three Americans. Heart disease was the leading cause of death in America in 2015. The American Heart Association published an algorithm for implementing alternative approaches to treating hypertension. Creative art therapy was not included. Art therapy blends the therapeutic process of psychotherapy with the art of painting, drawing and sculpture to help express emotions and beliefs that are too difficult to convey in verbal and written communication. The health belief model is a framework that examines why people do not follow the recommendations of health care providers due to real and …

The Relation Between Patient Education And Picc Line Occlusion And Infection, Patricia L. Cameron

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of using an electronic tablet to supplement patient and caregiver education about PICC line maintenance and to compare the percentage of PICC line complications in the intervention group with national percentage rates for patients and caregivers.