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A Theory Base And Mission-Sending Model For The South American Division Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Silvano Barbosa

Dissertations

Problem

Effective missionary work depends on a combination of three preconditions, equally indispensable: (1) a body of committed and adaptable personnel who are prepared to transmit to another cultural group the relevance of the Christian message; (2) an organization that is equipped to recruit, train, fund, send, and care for such a missionary force; and (3) sustained access to international unreached areas. Throughout its history, the missionary movement has been based on these three factors and the absence of one or more of them has resulted in less than optimum achievement and has sometimes led to failure. In 2014 the …

The Value Of Reflective Thinking Among Public Elementary Teachers In Ontario, Canada, Margeaux Natalie-Ann Levy

Dissertations

This research study investigated the perceived value of reflection among in-service teachers in Ontario, Canada. The surveys were randomly distributed to 140 teachers within the Toronto District School Board (TDSB; the largest school board in Canada). The teachers all had Ontario teaching certification, were surveyed at their current school, and had taught from one to 35 years. I investigated to what extent in-service teachers engage in reflective thinking, specific aspects of the teaching process that teachers reflect about, and sought to determine whether engagement in reflective thinking is related to years of teaching experience, elementary teaching levels (primary, junior, intermediate), …

Getting On The Same Page: A Grounded Theory Study Of Nurse And Physician Collaborative Practice Development, Julie Cerese

Dissertations

The movement toward an integrated approach to healthcare professionals' education, interprofessional education (IPE), has been advancing over the past 60 years in the United Kingdom, Canada, and more recently in the United States. Support for IPE as a mechanism to positively impact collaborative practice and patient outcomes comes from international and national healthcare and educational leadership agencies as well as professional medicine and nursing thought leaders. Theories have evolved to explain the linkages among IPE, collaborative practice, and positive patient outcomes. Researchers have found support for the short term positive impact of IPE on attitudes, perceptions, clarity about roles and …

School Standpoint': Understanding Effects Of Personal Experiences Within School-Based Social Work Practice, Emily Shayman

Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological study used Standpoint Theory combined with Positionality theories as a lens to understand the data and an analytical tool to determine how school-based social workers consider their general 'sense of self' within their professional decisions and practice approaches. Findings included three main themes that emerged from the data regarding participants' overall 'sense of self' within school-based social work practices: social structure, personal identity, and professional role. Participants described these influences in fluid, flexible, and dynamic ways, and as having both positive and negative impact on their professional practices. These three components of school-based social work practice came …

Wellness Interventions For Social Justice Fatigue Among Student Affairs Professionals, Sara Furr

Dissertations

This project explored the construct of social justice fatigue (SJF) among student affairs professionals. Utilizing racial battle fatigue (RBF) and compassion fatigue to construct the definition of SFJ, a thirty day wellness intervention plan was created and tested amongst participants. Social justice fatigue is the physical, mental, and/or emotional toll incurred through advocating for social change while serving as an agent of an institution of higher education. Using participatory action research design we learned this definition resonates with student affairs professionals; particularly those who are engaged in equity and social justice oriented work and share the marginalized identity of the …

Psychological And Economic Self-Sufficiency Among Low-Income Citizens Receiving Governmental Assistance, Vorricia Fechon Harvey

Dissertations

This dissertation study examines dynamics of psychological self-sufficiency (PSS) using a frame of reference that comes from perspectives of low-income citizens who receive some form of governmental assistance (i.e., public aid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and/or housing subsidies). It explores the validity of integrating PSS as a psychological capital into the holistic theory of change in workforce development. Because in the past, great emphasis has been placed on human capital development and fast track movement into the labor market, little has emerged on the influence of psychological capital properties. Subsequently, policy has guided the evolution of employment program …

Between A Rock And A Hard Place: The Black Middle Class And Mass Incarceration, Bill Byrnes

Dissertations

The United States is the world leader in incarceration. Mass incarceration does not affect all racial groups equally; research literature shows that people of color, but especially Black people in the working and lower classes, face the brunt of policing and incarceration in this country. In Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Black Middle Class and Mass Incarceration, I examine how mass incarceration affects those who are not poor by comparing and contrasting the experiences of middle-class White and Black respondents using data collected from focus groups and one-on-one interviews. Although Black and White respondents sometimes shared similar …

An Examination Of School Psychologists’ Exposure To And Preparedness To Support Transgender Students In Schools, Natalie Meier Meier

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine school psychologists’ professional practice in relation to transgender youth. The frequency with which school psychologists engage in the professional guidelines outlined by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) in their position statement: "Safe Schools for Transgender and Gender Diverse Students" was explored as well as school psychologists’ feelings of preparedness to complete these duties. Results indicate rural practitioners and school psychologists in elementary and middle schools feel the least prepared to implement the NASP best practices for serving transgender students. School psychologists working in non-rural and high school settings with more …

Homicide And The World Religions, Allen Shamow

Dissertations

Cross-national studies seeking to explain the variation in rates of homicide have examined a multitude of factors including religion, but fewer studies have examined how religion may influence homicide through a society’s institutional structure. Social institutions include entities such as the economy, the family, the political structure, and educational system; and these institutions serve as guides for human action and behavior. Through its emphasis on values, religion may influence the interests and legitimize the functioning within societal institutions. In the present study, I examine how the major world religions of Protestantism, Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism may …

An Examination Of Behavior Analysts' Treatment Selection Behavior For Escape-Maintained Problem Behavior, Rebecca Eldridge

Dissertations

The advent of functional analysis procedures has helped identify reinforcers for problem behavior; however, the behavior analyst is then faced with the task of selecting an appropriate treatment for problem behavior. When selecting treatments, in addition to behavioral function, behavior analysts also need to consider contextual variables, such as current client repertoires, setting conditions, time and resources of current caregivers, as well as client and caregiver goals (Benazzi, Horner, & Good, 2006). Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) must consider these factors when developing treatment according to their ethical code (Behavior Analyst Certification Board [BACB]’s Professional and Ethical Compliance Code [PECC], …

Psychometric Evaluation Of The Counselor Supervisor Self-Efficacy Scale, Brittany Murphy

Dissertations

Counselor supervision is an integral component in the development of counselors. While counseling and supervision share some similarities, they are distinct competencies that develop separately and therefore must be measured separately. The belief that one can perform the tasks associated with a particular role is conceptualized as self-efficacy, so supervisor self-efficacy requires its own scale to be measured appropriately. A descriptive correlational survey research design was used to examine the six factor structure of the Counselor Supervisor Self-Efficacy Scale (CSSES). Two hundred and five counselor supervisors completed the CSSES, an impression management scale, and a demographic survey. Confirmatory factor analysis …

Gender Identity Work: Oppression And Agency As Described In Lifespan Narratives Of Transgender And Other Gender Non-Conforming Identified People In The U. S., Kathryn O'Brien

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to critically examine the gender identity work of white transgender and other gender non-conforming identified (TgNCi) people through their stories and the meanings they attach to important artifacts across the lifespan. A single question directed the investigation: How do TgNCi individuals describe gender identity work through lifespan narratives? Thirteen volunteers participated in two interviews: the first, a narration of their life stories and in the second, descriptions of the significance of personal artifacts selected by the participants and photographed by the investigator. Participants’ ages ranged from 22 to 66, according to four pre-determined age …

Providing Equitable Access To Education For African American Students: The Journey Of One Administrative Team, John P. Raimondo

Dissertations

This study explored the journey of one administrative team in a Midwestern suburban high school in their efforts to provide equitable access to education for African American students. It examined the high school administrative processes, and the perceived impacts of these processes in identifying, addressing and removing the institutional barriers to academic success for African American students. I focused on an initiative developed by members of this administrative team that is an intervention designed specifically for African American students and articulated as such. As both an insider to this school’s administrative team and a veteran administrator, and as an outsider …

Supervisors’ Experience Of Resistance During Online Group Supervision: A Phenomenological Case Study, James R. Morton Jr.

Dissertations

Leaders in higher education institutions throughout the United States regard distance learning as an important part of their long-term strategic planning (Allen & Seaman, 2015). Counselor education and supervision training programs are following this trend as demonstrated by the increase of online programs being offered to train professional counselors (Renfro‐Michel, O'Halloran, & Delaney, 2010). Some studies have investigated how online supervision compares to in-person or face-to-face counselor training (e.g., Lenz, Oliver, & Nelson, 2011). However, little is known about counselor educators’ experiences of online group supervision. A phenomenological case study explored the counselor educators’ lived experiences of resistance during online …

The Experience Of Parents And Adolescents With The Medical Care For The Condition Of Cleft Lip And Palate: A Phenomenological Study., Sarah Breseke

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of adolescents born with cleft lip and/or palate and parents of adolescents with the condition. Individuals born with this condition experience extensive medical treatment from birth to late adolescence with impacts on both individuals and families. This study utilized a phenomenological design to explore and describe participants’ experiences of the impact of this condition, its medical treatment, as well as coping mechanisms utilized in adjusting to the condition. Criterion sampling was utilized to recruit adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 and parents of this age group, all …

Experiences Of Students Utilizing A Campus Food Pantry, Jamie Daugherty

Dissertations

Food insecurity is a phenomenon with far-reaching impacts on the social, economic, health, and well-being of college students’ lives impacting how they procure food, food choices, and food experiences. A qualitative narrative inquiry explored experiences of three students facing food insecurity and using a campus food pantry. Data collection methods included in-depth semi-structured interviews, journaling, and photo elicitation. Data analysis illustrated five themes: a) financial challenge identification; b) strategizing budget priorities; c) prioritizing health; d) food pantry uses and strategies; and e) having enough. Students’ experiences were impacted by social and physical implications due to their financial challenges. The food …

Implementation Of The National Asthma Guidelines In A Residential Pediatric Clinic, Patricia A. Foster-Staples

Dissertations

Abstract

Purpose: Foster care children admitted to residential facilities are a unique and vulnerable group, many presenting with undiagnosed or poorly managed asthma. The alarming rate of residents admitted to a particular residential primary care clinic with a diagnosis of asthma led to the project question: “Based on record reviews, does staff education about the importance of utilizing the national guidelines for asthma education influence the implementation of such guidelines in a residential pediatric clinic?” The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement a systematic process to influence practice change. The project was conducted over a period …

Working On What Works (Woww) : Classroom-Level Impact On Teacher And Student Outcomes, Laura B. Wallace

Dissertations

The Working on What Works (WOWW) school-based intervention applies solution-focused theory and techniques to improve learning at the classroom level. This study evaluated WOWW's impact on student and teacher outcomes. Thirty classrooms were randomly assigned to treatment and control conditions, then compared on teacher-completed measures. Students who received WOWW experienced lower levels of internalizing and externalizing behaviors, including lower anxiety (p=0.000), sense of irrelevance (p=0.002), inattention (p=0.049), hyperactivity (p=0.044), impulsivity (p=0.044), and need for behavior correction (p=0.000). Overall externalizing behavior was also lower in students who had received WOWW (p=0.018). However, students in the treatment condition also scored lower on …

A Video Intervention For Professionals Working With Transgender And Gender Nonconforming Older Adults, Allison R. Warren

Dissertations

Abstract

There is consensus that providers who work with transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) older adults should use the language preferred by the older adult; however, self-efficacy in this particular context is unexplored. The current study compared the efficacy of three online interventions for aging-focused professionals designed to increase knowledge of TGNC-related terminology, decrease self-reported negative attitudes towards TGNC individuals, and increase self-efficacy for affirmative interactions. Employees and volunteers of area agencies on aging across the United States (N = 155) were randomly assigned to one of three interventions: written educational information, a video demonstration, or both the written educational …

Development Of A Toolkit For Implementation And Evaluation Of The "Hug Your Baby" Program In A Non-Profit Community Setting, Kati Elizabeth Hughes

Dissertations

The use of an implementation Toolkit to reliably translate evidenced based programs into community health provides stability and reliability to the organizations that utilize them. This is important in the realm of implementation science, as reliability improves the chance of continued program sustainability. The HUG Workshop Toolkit provides community outreach organization with the needed materials to implement the HUG Your Baby program in the community. The toolkit developed increased organization volunteer's confidence to teach the HUG Your Baby programin the community and increased parental attendance in an evidenced based parenting program. The use of an implementation Toolkit to reliably …

Medicaid Expansion, Medicaid Reimbursement Methodologies, And Counselor Employment At Federally Qualified Health Centers, Alison Phillips Sheesley

Dissertations

Advocacy for the counseling profession necessitates a thorough understanding of the factors influencing the hiring and reimbursement of licensed professional counselors. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) enacted several health care reforms that may influence the utilization of mental health services and the employment of mental health professionals. These reforms included the option for states to expand their Medicaid population (effective January 1, 2014), mental health parity requirements for most insurance plans including Medicaid plans, and increased funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs or health centers). FQHCs, created by Congress in 1989, provide primary care services, including …

Improving New Graduate Critical Care Nurse Practitioner Knowledge And Retention Using A Dedicated Orientation And Mentoring Program, Katherine Huffer

Dissertations

Abstract

Background: There has been a significant amount of research into the many challenges that nurse practitioners (NPs) face as they transition from school to practice, however, there is limited research on how to improve this transition. Regardless of the setting in which the NPs are working, novices NPs alike report feelings of being unprepared and experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety, fear, and frustration. New research suggests that a comprehensive NP orientation and residency programs may provide a way to integrate the new NPs into their practice environment successfully.

Method: Kern’s Six Step Approach to Curriculum Development for Medical …

Supervised Release Sentences Of Child Pornography Offenders In U.S. District Courts: An Examination Of Disparity, Niquita Marie Loftis

Dissertations

The statutory supervised release sentencing range for child pornography offenders convicted in U.S. District Courts is five years to life. However, the guideline policy statement contained in the Federal Sentencing Guidelines recommends lifetime supervision for all child pornography offenders. U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC) data for fiscal year 2012 indicate that only approximately 33% of child pornography offenders were sentenced to lifetime supervision. This variation suggests the possibility of unwarranted supervised release sentencing disparities. The dissertation explores this possibility by examining the effects of individual-level legal and extralegal factors and district-level contextual factors on supervised release sentences for child pornography offenders. …

Repercussive Discrimination: Racial Discrimination As An Explanation Of Prevalent Homophobia Among Racial Minorities, Timothy E. Lewis

Dissertations

Generally, attitudes in the United States towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons have become more favorable in recent years. Obviously, examining the politics of LGBTI persons and attitudes towards them is important considering that this demographic may account for 10% of the U.S. population; but a more inconspicuous reason it that examinations provide insight into the political landscape of how political minorities address various issues and interests. However, in studying public opinion towards gays and lesbians it is discovered that racial minorities, particularly African-Americans, generally possess negative attitudes to LGBTI persons and possess higher percentages of homophobic …

Job Retention And Job Satisfaction At The Behavior Therapist Level Working In Aba Companies In The Home Setting, Melissa M. Dauster

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this relational study was to identify and compare the factors related to job satisfaction and job retention as perceived by behavior therapists working with children diagnosed with autism. A second purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between the level of burnout related to job retention, and the intrinsic and extrinsic level of motivation related to job satisfaction as perceived by Behavior Therapists working with students with autism. A further purpose of the study is to describe the improvements in the work place that behavior therapists working with students with autism identified as necessary …

The Hidden Morbidity Of Cancer: An Exploratory Study Of Burden In Caregivers Of Cancer Patients With Brain Metastases, Marlon Garzo Saria

Dissertations

The aim of this dissertation was to explore the antecedents and outcomes of caregiver burden within the context of brain metastases using the Comprehensive Health Seeking and Coping Paradigm as a framework to describe the highly interactive iii relationship among the variables. The first paper derived from this dissertation is a literature review that describes the challenges of caring for a patient with brain metastases and highlights the implications for healthcare professionals. The second paper presents the analysis of the relationships between caregiver burden and the affective disorders anxiety and depression. It describes the higher risk of screening positive for …

Coordination Of Care: Strategies, Lessons, & Implications, Danette Y. Wall

Dissertations

Care Coordination was identified as a fundamental process that can decrease care fragmentation. IOM and ANA identified Registered Nurses as capable of spearheading care coordination initiatives that will close the gap. It is well established that professional nurse environments positively affects nurse and patient outcomes, or conversely is a barrier when not present. A professional practice environment serves to facilitate care coordination (Duva, 2010).

Expanding this work, using Donebedian's SPO Framework, this quality improvement project examined the relationship between the care coordinators work environment and the work processes of care coordination.

Elementary Principals' Perceptions Of School Psychological Services, Tiffany Marie Voight

Dissertations

There is a growing need for school psychologists to reform and restructure their roles in order to meet the mental health needs of student populations (Adelman & Taylor, 2003). Many school psychologists, district (school psychologists serving multiple schools) and building (school psychologists serving one school) are in favor of changing roles and responsibilities, but are faced with resistance from administrators when advocating for change (Adelman & Taylor, 2003). The purpose of this research study was to investigate elementary principals' perceptions about school psychological services. Survey research was utilized to measure elementary principals' perceptions of school psychological services provided by district …

Practice And Practitioner Correlates Of Psychotherapists’ Self-Perceived Clinical Wisdom, Shveta Kumaria

Dissertations

Wisdom is seen as quality that makes the navigation of the complex issues of human existence easier. A role that wise individuals often perform is that of problem-solver, advisor, and mentor. Therapist factors have been found to account for a greater role in treatment effectiveness than the choice of treatment modality; therefore, this study attempts to find parallels between the fields of psychotherapy research (therapist factors) and self-perceived wisdom by examining the practice and practitioner correlates of therapists who feel wise with their clients.

This study analyzed data collected over the past two decades by members of the Society for …

A Movement Against And Beyond Boundaries: Exploring The Impact Of Transgressive Teaching On The Student Affairs Practices Of White, Heterosexual Men, Conor Mclaughlin

Dissertations

Transgressive teaching can have a substantive and transformative impact on the experiences of students in primary, secondary, and higher education classrooms. Transgressive teaching is exemplified by the engaged pedagogy outlined by bell hooks in the seminal work Teaching to Transgress, in which teachers seek to engage spaces of learning in deeper and more holistic ways. Scholars have theorized transgressive teaching, when implemented by student affairs professionals, can have similar effects on the experiences of students, especially those from identity groups which have historically been marginalized in higher education. However, there is a limited understanding of the experiences of student affairs …