Digital Commons Network^™

Nursing Faculty As Self-Care Influencers: Current Nursing Students’ Perspectives, Shane Yardley

Dissertations

The future of health care depends on nurses who can provide expert patient care and are equally prepared to care for themselves. This balance allows nurses to effectively model caring for themselves to their patients while also enabling them to withstand the inevitable rigors of the profession. As role models, nursing faculty exhibit behaviors that influence students or role aspirants' ability and motivation to successfully perform self-care. For nursing faculty to be intentional in their influence in this area, they must understand what students interpret as helpful and detrimental in facilitating their self-care. The purpose of this study was to …

A Constructivist Grounded Theory Exploration Of Intergenerational Trauma Among Lgbtq+ Bipoc Individuals, Satveer Kler

Dissertations

Many scholars have argued that existing conceptualizations of trauma such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Ed.; DSM-5) conceptualization are inapplicable for individuals of marginalized communities. Individuals of marginalized communities may experience historical trauma, racial trauma, identity-related trauma, or collective trauma. Moreover, the effects of these forms of trauma may persist throughout different generations via biological transmission (e.g., epigenetics) or via interpersonal transmission (e.g., emotion socialization, cultural socialization, attachment, communication styles, behavioral socialization). The generational effects of these forms of trauma are referred to as intergenerational trauma. There has been a paucity of empirical explorations of …

Factors Impacting Treatment Decisions In Caregivers Of Autistic Children, Tiffany Harris

Dissertations

Caregivers of autistic children are not only tasked with deciding upon various treatment options for their children’s symptoms but must also navigate the initial crisis that is experienced after receiving a diagnosis of ASD for their children (Blancher, 1984; Ellis, 1989). Leventhal’s Common Sense Model of Self-Regulation (the CSM; Leventhal et al., 1980) is a theoretical framework developed to understand the self-regulatory processes involved in adapting to and managing health threats and posits that cognitive and emotional illness perceptions influence illness outcomes through coping behaviors. This is the first study to examine all major components of the CSM (i.e., cognitive …

Elucidation Of Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Tumor Necrosis Factor (Tnf) Release From Mast Cells, Tolulope Eunice Ayo

Dissertations

Mast cells are one of the major producers of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), and mast cell-derived TNF (MC-TNF) is associated with pathological conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and allergic asthma. However, the molecular machinery underlying TNF release from mast cells has been unclear, despite the conserved nature of exocytosis. To delineate the exocytic machinery required for TNF release from mast cells, we systematically dissected the exocytic fusion machinery (e.g., Munc13, Munc18, and VAMP families) expressed in mast cells, using a combination of CRISPR-dependent knockout, RNA interference, confocal microscopy, lentiviral rescue experiments, and cell-based assays. Out of the …

'Crowned With The Wreath Of Immortality': Martyrdom, Death, And The Afterlife In North African Religious Discourse, Matthew William Egbert

Dissertations

This dissertation explores North Africa’s role in the development of its own religious discourse, specifically with regard to martyrdom, death, the afterlife, and other eschatological themes. Historians of early Christianity and Islam often depict the region as peripheral, but it was actually a crossroads where pre-existing traditions met new ideas to develop unique, localized versions of these religions. More often than not, these emphasized a pursuit of martyrdom and veneration of saints. This longue-durée study covers a vast timeline, spanning the pre-Christian period to the late Fatimid Caliphate. Its central focus, however, is the Donatist schism that divided North Africa …

Individual Differences In Perceptions Of Organizational Career Culture: A Fit Theory Perspective, Diogo Alberto Seixas

Dissertations

Attracting and retaining talent has been one of the most critical elements for business success. As organizations have different cultures within themselves, the organizational career culture communicates the organizational beliefs and practices valued for career success through organizational signals about career priorities. Using a scenario-based study, we explore individual preferences regarding four career cultures built on two dimensions of career signals: assimilation versus differentiation and intrinsic versus extrinsic rewards. We choose group beliefs, desirability of control, competitiveness, and protean career orientation as important traits because they clearly relate to the career signals and fit nicely in the organization’s career cultures. …

Respiratory Treatments In Post-Covid Patients To Improve Physical Activity, Pamela Tarver

Dissertations

A significant number of individuals affected by the coronavirus (COVID) developed severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), causing respiratory dysfunction which led to decreased functional capacity. This project aimed to evaluate the project site's archival data for post-COVID patients to determine whether respiratory treatments improved physical activity, as evidenced by the results of the pre and post 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels. The Donabedian quality model was utilized to evaluate the resources, the interventions, and the outcomes of post-COVID patients.

Medical Imaging Dataset Management Leveraging Deep Learning Frameworks In Breast Cancer Screening, Inchan Hwang

Dissertations

In the domain of Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CADx) for breast cancer diagnosis through mammography, prevailing models have traditionally been trained and validated using old film-based mammography. However, contemporary U.S. hospital practices involve the utilization of Full Field Digital Mammography (FFDM), offering more detailed images captured at various angles than old film-scanned mammography. Despite this shift, the existing body of research predominantly focuses on old-film based datasets, the implications of FFDM for CADx systems have not been understood. This dissertation addresses the issues emerged from FFDM such as data augmentation between old film-based set and new FFDM whether they are more effective …

Beyond The Classroom Walls: Examining Educational And Social Outcomes Of Cross-Curricular Peer Observation In Secondary Schools, Jacinda Miller

Dissertations

This qualitative case study involved a sample of middle school teachers participating in a cross-curricular peer observation of teaching (POT) program. The study aimed to explore the experiences of these teachers in the POT program, focusing on its impact on teaching pedagogy and partner relationships. Data collection methods included a demographic questionnaire, writing prompts, feedback forms, observation of feedback meetings, interviews, and a researcher journal. The findings demonstrated that cross-curricular peer observations are perceived as an effective form of professional development among this group of middle school teachers, benefiting both the observer and the observed. Participants acquired and implemented new …

A Comparison Of Instructor Audio-Video With Text-Based Feedback Versus Text-Based Feedback Alone On Students' Perceptions Of Community Of Inquiry Among Rn-To-Bsn Online Students, Marie K. Lindley

Dissertations

In order to meet the healthcare needs of the US population, Registered Nurses (RNs), with Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, are needed. This descriptive posttest study, with independent samples, examined the use of audio-video with text-based feedback versus text-based only feedback on student's perceptions of the community of inquiry (COI) among RN-BSN online students (n=125), enrolled in one course at one university. The COI survey performed reliably with Cronbach's alpha .94 on the pretest and .98 on the posttest. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups on the pretest for teaching presence (p=.31), …

The Development And Testing Of An Instrument To Measure Perceptions Of Body Art Among Nurse Educators And Nursing Students, Deana M. Nunes

Dissertations

Increasing diversity in the nursing workforce is a national priority to better care for a diverse patient population and minimize healthcare disparities. Nurse educators teach students to practice with compassion and respect, recognizing the dignity, worth, individual choice, and unique attributes of all patients. Perceptions of nursing professionalism are heavily influenced by appearance. Many nursing programs restrict visible body art in their dress code policies based on long-held notions and negative stereotypes of individuals with body art. Shouldn't nursing students who choose to have body art receive the same respect and lack of judgment? A better understanding of nurse educators' …

Power And Control In Medicine And Nursing - Could Intrinsic Gender Beliefs Impact Interprofessional Education In Pre-Professional Programs?, Catherine Christine Delant

Dissertations

Examination of the power dynamics at work in perpetuating health care hierarchy-related interprofessional collaboration barriers is needed to rationally develop strategies for teaching collaborative skills to health care providers. A mixed-methods study employing critical realist grounded theory examined the implicit beliefs, assumptions and power hierarchies related to gendered perceptions of the professions of nursing and medicine by students of those professions.

Organizational Control And Technological Capabilities: The Moderating Role Of Family Influence On The Firm, Sean Leahy

Dissertations

This dissertation examines the influence of organizational controls on technological capabilities in privately owned U.S. corporations, with a specific focus on family-owned businesses. The primary objective of the study was to investigate how formal controls (process and outcome) and clan controls (informal practices) impact technological innovation and competence. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 177 individuals and analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) path analysis. The findings indicate a significant relationship between formal controls and technological capabilities. However, the interaction of family influence on this dynamic was not supported. Results also revealed a robust association …

Special Education Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives, Attitudes, And Self-Efficacy Towards Inclusive Education, Mieke Kramer Tavares

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the perspectives of special education preschool teachers in California regarding the inclusion of children with disabilities in general education preschool classrooms. Furthermore, the study examined the self-evaluation of these teachers regarding their abilities to support children with disabilities in general education classrooms. Last, the study aimed to identify additional factors that impact the attitudes of teachers towards including children with disabilities in general education preschool classrooms.

Methodology: A mixed methods nonexperimental descriptive, sequential, convergent research design was employed. Data collection tools included surveys (quantitative) and interviews (qualitative). In Phase 1, dependent …

The Influence Of Misconceptions On Pedagogical Choices Of Secondary Science Teachers: An Embedded Case Study, Tracey Beyer

Dissertations

This case study, using phenomenography within science disciplines, examines how educators' experiences with misconceptions affect teaching methods in high school physics, chemistry, and biology. Based on constructivist and interpretive theories it highlights that personal experiences shape learning and involve continuously reconstructing knowledge. The shared misconceptions of 13 educators across science disciplines reveal how those experiences influenced both their content knowledge and instructional practices. The findings indicate that educators who openly acknowledge and learn from their past experiences with misconceptions are better equipped to recognize and address gaps in understanding, an asset to furthering student learning. This research highlights the importance …

Stepparenting And Schooling: Challenges, Reconstitutions, And Outsider Perceptions, Christopher Repa

Dissertations

This study examined the challenges stepparents face in schooling their high-school aged children. An analysis of how stepfamily formation can impact this process was also investigated. The sample included 13 families composed of one biological and one non-biological parent with at least one child between the ages of 14 and 18 who was currently attending high school. Stepparents were asked to share their experiences with other family members, the school, and the community as they related to the education of their stepchildren. The primary research focus was to identify difficulties and successes that stepparents encounter as they engage with schools …

Finding The Gut Microbiome Connection To The Risk Of Childhood Obesity Through An Examination Of Gut Microbiota Among Children In Los Angeles, California: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study, Cecille M. Basilio

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between gut microbiota composition and child obesity. The specific aims were to: 1) evaluate the impact of child obesity status on three related outcomes to be assessed by extracting DNA from children's stool samples using 16S rRNA gene sequencing: alpha diversity of gut microbiota composition, Firmicutes: Bacteroidetes ratio, and abundance of SCFA-generating gut microbes between obese and non-obese school children; 2) compare the dietary habits and intakes between obese and non-obese school children; and 3) evaluate the association of body mass index differences in gut microbiota composition between obese and …

Implementation Of A Standardized Nursing Handoff In A Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Tori Keeven

Dissertations

Handoff communication is critical in healthcare and is associated with patient safety outcomes. Various tools and interventions are available to improve handoff communication as inadequate communication contributes to medical errors, patient adverse events, and increased mortality. The implementation of a standardized handoff tool has been shown to be effective. Findings revealed a significant 60% reduction in reported patient harm events, despite the study's limited sample size and lack of statistical significance (p = .614). Challenges such as low utilization (18.62%) were attributed to concerns about tool organization, spatial constraints, and staff resistance to change. Recommendations include refining the tool to …

Implementation Of Quantitative Blood Loss In Cesarean Section Births, Madeline Skelton

Dissertations

Problems: Postpartum hemorrhage is a major complication following birth. Although some bleeding is normal after birth, excess bleeding can lead to maternal morbidities including, but not limited to, blood transfusions, admission to the ICU, emergency hysterectomy, and potential death. Postpartum hemorrhage is responsible for approximately 11% of maternal deaths in the United States and is a leading cause of death occurring on the same day as delivery (ACOG, 2019). Lastly, 54-93% of deaths occurring from postpartum hemorrhage are preventable (ACOG, 2019).

Methods: Quantitative blood loss was initiated in a large, midwestern, suburban hospital to increase identification of postpartum hemorrhage, decrease …

Influence Of Social Capital On Community-Based Health Care Programs In Rural Paupa New Guinea: An Ethnographic Study, Carol J. Bett

Dissertations

This descriptive, ethnographic study explored the influence of cultural health beliefs and social capital on the adoption of community-based health care interventions by rural villages in Papua New Guinea. The development of local level resources that lead to improved health indices requires an awareness of both the cultural context and the relational components of social capital that link people within the community. Social capital has been defined as resources that are an inherent part of a social group and the elements of social organization such as trust, networks, and norms of reciprocity that facilitate mutual cooperation (Billings, 2000; Carpiano, 2006). …

Characterization Of The Glyoxal Response In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Christopher James Corcoran

Dissertations

The toxic dialdehyde glyoxal is found in all domains of life and results as a by-product from a variety of metabolic activities such as DNA oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and autoxidation of sugars such as glucose. If allowed to accumulate, the reactive aldehyde groups of glyoxal have the ability to react with a plethora of molecules including, DNA, lipids, and protein side chains. Most notably, glyoxal can react with arginine, lysine, and cysteine residues, forming irreversible covalent modifications known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These glyoxal-derived AGEs can impair protein function, leading to cellular toxicity and eventual cell death. Due …

A Quantitative Content Analysis On Juvenile Crime Rates In Comparison To Student Outcome Data In A Saint Louis Metropolitan High School Setting, Arron Nakia Whitt Sr.

Dissertations

Mental health is one of the most polarizing topics of the 21st Century. Mental health affects those from all economic statuses, races, age ranges, and genders. Since mental health can affect the youth population, the researcher investigated two Saint Louis metropolitan school districts that were listed in provisional accreditation status with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MoDESE).

The purpose of this research was to identify relationships between the graduation rates, dropout rates, and enrollment rates of high school students and compare these data to the crime statistics obtained from the Saint Louis metropolitan juvenile courts. The researcher gathered …

An Exploration Of Literacy Instruction In Higher Education Programs In Missouri, Melinda Odom

Dissertations

Literacy supports all content areas and is crucial to the academic achievement of all students (Birdyshaw et al., 2017). The International Literacy Association (ILA, 2017) posits that teachers are the most crucial factor in content and pedagogical achievement. The ILA (2019) stresses that students have a right to a highly effective and knowledgeable educator who can provide evidence-based reading instruction. Research illustrates that students who do not learn to read by the third grade continue to struggle throughout school (Rickenbrode & Walsh, 2013). Rickenbrode and Walsh (2013) confirm that most of these students will remain poor readers and are more …

Shattering The Mask: Unveiling The Destructive Force Of Misogynoir, Ledominique Hubbard

Dissertations

As a Black woman, my professional journey has been consistently marred by encounters with racism and gender bias. In this research, I employed autoethnography to shed light on my experiences and meticulously examine the challenges of misogynoir I faced while holding pivotal positions, including that of a detested team leader, an ingenious instructional teacher, and an anti-racist assistant principal across three distinct school campuses in two states. My narrative unfolds in various contexts, notably as the sole Black female teacher and team leader within nine elementary schools in a predominantly white, female-staffed rural district. Furthermore, I underscore my role as …

National Identity Constructions In United States Foreign Policy Approaches To International Conflict, Frederick W. Tillman Ii

Dissertations

This study observes the role of national identity as a tool of the presidents of the United States in framing foreign policy approaches. Examining application for such phenomena reveals the puzzle of how strategic vs subjective decision-makers are when articulating policy addressing international conflicts. The interplay between the two aspects brings together the multiple traditions of national identity and the Wittkopf-Holsti-Rosenau approach model. Occurring over a longitudinal design, this study cuts across four administrations as they address events during the War in Afghanistan and the conflict regarding Taiwan. By coding and analyzing the statements from Presidents George W. Bush, Barack …

Factors Influencing Outcomes Of Undergraduate Nursing Student's Education, Patricia Jenkins Barnard

Dissertations

In 2021, approximately 509,000 undergraduate nursing students graduated from baccalaureate nursing educational programs. These new registered nurses (RNs) faced the same adversities as prior generations, including feeling unprepared to practice nursing, personal expectations did not match the reality of the situation, and working in an unwelcoming environment exacerbated by COVID-19 changes. During the time of COVID-19 changes in classroom delivery and settings brought these issues to the forefront (Dewart, 2020; IOM, 2010; NLN, 2015). There is a lack of information about nursing education modalities and their efficacy. Preliminary review documented that there was no clear evidence of which teaching modalities …

Perspectives Of College Students With Disabilities Regarding Their High School Transition Experience: Notes For High School Transition Planning, Lindsay Hartzler, Kitty Dong, Andrew Johnson Kliethermes, Kaitlyn Sandheinrich, Mark Wheatley

Dissertations

Students with disabilities face many challenges as they transition to postsecondary education. These students are often unprepared for the rigor of postsecondary academics; they often lack self-efficacy skills and have limited awareness of postsecondary supports or cannot successfully access them. This study aims to give voice to college students with disabilities to inform practices of high school personnel involved with transition and higher education professionals supporting them. Using Kohler’s Transition Taxonomy 2.0 (2016), researchers sought to study the perspectives of eleven college students on their high school transition experiences in the areas of academic preparedness, self-advocacy skills, and experiences with …

“If They Can Help, They Will”: A Community Cultural Wealth Approach On Parent Support And Its Influence On The College Success Of First-Generation Latinas, Fabiola Rosiles

Dissertations

This study explores the parental support first-generation Latinas have received, and recognizes the skills, knowledge, and various forms of support that Latinx parents can and have provided their daughters when they seek a college education. Through a community cultural wealth framework, this study adds to the current literature on Latina and first-generation college students and specifically challenges the deficit approach that is often used when studying these student and parent populations. Furthermore, this study aids in better understanding the experiences of first-generation Latinas who receive parental support in ways that are outside of the traditional in-school presence and support. Through …

Implementation Of Tai Chi Fall Prevention Program In A Community-Based Setting, Shabnampreet Kaur

Dissertations

The increasing rate of falls among older adults is a health concern that may lead to injuries and reduced quality of life. At the project site there was no systematic process to impact fall rates, so an evidence-based solution was sought. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine if the translation of Li et al.'s research regarding the Tai Chi fall prevention program would impact the rate of falls among adults 65 years and older. The project was piloted over 12 weeks in a community-based setting in urban New York. Imogene King's goal attainment theory and Kurt …

Liberating Bioethics Through Agape: A Feminist Perspective From The Periphery, Kimberly Vargas Barreto

Dissertations

Despite the vast number of cultures and peoples that reside in the West, ethical action in bioethics is determined through the perspective of la Totalidad, which does not include the Other or individuals from the periphery. In my dissertation, I argue that the universalization of U.S. clinical bioethics (la bioética estadounidense) and the coloniality of knowledge that extends from it are, at its core, imperialistic in nature and result in the exclusion of patients with intersectional identities. While clinical bioethics was first conceived as a critical tool for medicine, the acceptance of principlism as the central theory in the field …