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Effect Of Activities, Social Environment, And Psychotropic Medication Use On Behavioral Symptoms Of Persons With Dementia In Nursing Homes, Ben R. Inventor

Dissertations

A secondary data analysis was conducted using existing clinical and observational data of a 3-year longitudinal study to describe associations of time-varying background factors (cognitive function, physical function, psychotropic medication use), and proximal factors (activities, social environment) with positive and negative behaviors of persons with dementia at 24 months. Participants included residents with Alzheimer's disease living in two nursing homes in Chicago. A Total 25,560 observation sessions, collected for all participants at baseline, 12-months and 24-months were used in analyses. Results showing that: 1) higher cognitive and physical functions, and being located in own bedroom and shower/tub/bathroom had the most …

The Lived Experiences Of Nurses Caring For Dying Pediatric Patients, Danna L. Curcio

Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to explore the lived experiences of nurses caring for dying pediatric patients. Nurses and health care professionals may at times have difficulty adjusting and processing when life ends and this may have the potential to interfere with patient care. Reflection on past events and actions enable critical discovery of strategies to benefit both nurses and patients. The method for conducting this research study was from a qualitative phenomenological perspective exploring the lived experiences of nurses caring for dying pediatric patients. The philosophical underpinning of Merleau-Ponty (2008), in combination with the research method of …

The Relationship Between The Perception Of Nurse Caring, And The Phase Ii Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients' Depression, Anxiety, And Adherence, Jo Ann Kim

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between perception of nurse caring and Phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participant's depression, anxiety, and adherence. Duffy and Hoskins (2003) Quality-caring model © was used as a theoretical framework to guide the descriptive correlational study. A convenience sample of 109 outpatients lived in the mid-Atlantic portion of the United States. The four data collection instruments included the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory- Y-1 (STAI-Y-1), Caring Assessment Tool-IV (CAT-IV), and a Phase II CR Patient's Program Data Sheet. Pearson's product-moment correlational analysis was used …

The Lived Experience Of The English As A Second Language Rn-Bsn Degree Completion Student Integrating To An Online Learning Environment, Sonique Sailsman

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of RN-BSN ESL nursing students who are engaged in learning online and understanding their process of cultural integration.

Genital Hair Removal And Sexually Transmitted Infections: A History And A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Alison O. Marshall

Dissertations

Background: Genital hair removal is a popular practice in Westernized cultures and has been associated with the belief that removal is necessary for hygiene. A body of literature exists that has found that genital hair removal is associated with adverse health outcomes, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This dissertation aims to detail the history of the practice, why the hygiene belief exists, and to systematically review the existing literature that assesses genital hair removal and STIs.

Methods: Historical, socio-cultural analysis from the feminist perspective was performed on the literature to outline why genital hair removal was adopted at a population …

The Impact Of Disaster Tabletop Exercise On The Nursing Knowledge Of Emergency Preparedness And The Influence On Professional Quality Of Life, Vivian Fuentes

Dissertations

It is widely reported that nurses are underprepared to respond to a disaster event, despite the available resources for emergency preparedness education. The purpose of this project was to measure the impact of disaster tabletop exercises on emergency preparedness knowledge of the emergency department (ED) nurses and its influence on the professional quality of life. Twentynine nurses from a south Florida hospital participated in the evaluation of this evidence-based project. The Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) and adapted Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire (EPIQ) were implemented before and after disaster tabletop exercises. The EPIQ findings included an overall 20% increase in …

Emergency Preparedness Curriculum: Essential Skills For Nurses Responding In Disasters, Sallie J. Shipman

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the lived experiences of nurses first time responding to a civilian disaster response in shelters or temporary community medical clinics in an attempt to identify the essential knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to disaster victims. The theoretical framework for this study was the theory of novice to expert, experiential learning, clinical reasoning, and using real life situations to develop the student's sense of salience by Benner et al. (1996, 2009; 2010).

A Qualitative Exploration Of Associate Degree Nurse Educators' Teaching Experiences Regarding Health Literacy, Connie Marshall

Dissertations

Worldwide health literacy levels are low. Nurses should be able to lead the improvement of the health literacy of the populations they serve. During a comprehensive review of the literature, it became apparent that previous research regarding the provision of health literacy education within Associate Degree Nursing programs was not available. The Associate Degree is the initial degree that allows the graduate to take the NCLEX-RN board exam, so it was interesting to determine how learners are prepared to discern the health literacy levels of the patient population. The research question, "How do nurse educators describe their experiences with health …

Hors-Piste Universal Anxiety Prevention Program In American High Schools: A One Group Pre-Test/Post-Test Quantitative Study, Lucia Poole

Dissertations

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common types of psychiatric disorders and have been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety disorders disrupt the daily lives of young people and are associated with a risk of anxiety and depression in adulthood. Anxiety disorders in adolescents interfere with the daily lives of students and often result in a decline in academic performance. There is a pressing need to implement universal anxiety prevention programs in students' main environment, the school. Along with academics, student mental health should be a top priority for school leaders. School leaders are tasked with implementing …

Generational Differences And Teacher Burnout In The Post-Pandemic Era, Michelin Springer

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the intricate relationship between generational cohorts and the efficacy of technology integration in the context of teacher burnout, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As educators transitioned from virtual online instruction back to blended or traditional face-to-face learning environments, this study explored teachers’ sense of technological efficacy in adopting and integrating various technological strategies and its relationship with their experiences of burnout during these shifts. Additionally, this study examined how different generational groups may experience teacher burnout and report their efficacy in technology integration in the post-pandemic context. Surveys which …

Impact Of Brief Group Sessions On Anxiety And Coping In Primary Caregivers Of Those With Rare Disorders, Andrea I. Bowling

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of virtual support sessions for caregivers of those with rare diseases on anxiety and coping. Caregivers of loved ones with rare diseases experience many challenges that may increase anxiety. These may include managing the long-term effects of the disorder, early mortality, or concerns about leaving their adult loved one without a caregiver. Stressors associated with providing care to chronically ill family members may impact psychological and physical well-being.

The Future Of Physical Education And How Instructional Technology Is Pivotal In Curriculum Design And Learner-Centered Instruction, Josh Mcmillian

Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered K-12 education, compelling physical education (PE) instructors to adapt swiftly to remote teaching. This dissertation explores the integration of instructional technology among Missouri PE teachers, analyzing practices before, during, and after the pandemic. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, the study surveyed 106 educators and conducted 12 in-depth interviews, revealing widespread use of technologies such as heart rate monitors, fitness apps, and platforms like Google Classroom.

Findings highlight that school climate, access to resources, and teacher training are pivotal in technology adoption. Veteran teachers demonstrated greater proficiency with advanced tools, while novices showed adaptability but required foundational …

Aligning Perspectives: A Comparative Analysis Of Teachers’ And School Leaders’ Perceptions Of Professional Development Efficacy, Nina Hollis

Dissertations

Professional development has become a staple in the educational landscape, with gaining importance in further education and enhancing one's career as an educator. Professional development is all about updating teachers with the latest knowledge and techniques, found by research, to effectively increase teaching skills. This study investigates the professional development experience of educators and school leaders in relation to their perceptions about professional development. These themes were created in the data analysis to include educators' roles in the classroom, school level, level of degree held, years of experience, subjects taught, and years of professional tenure to get full insight into …

Undergraduate Nursing Students' Test Anxiety And Performance Based On Testing Time Limits, Miranda E. Knapp

Dissertations

Test anxiety is a debilitating problem for many prelicensure nursing students. Effects of test anxiety can result in poor academic performance, inability to complete programs or pass license exams, and ultimately contributes to nursing shortages. Faculty-based methods to decrease nursing students’ test anxiety levels have not been thoroughly explored. Testing time limit suggestions vary significantly from one minute per question to more than two minutes per question. The effects of different testing time limits on test anxiety levels, testing duration, and testing performance has not been studied.

How Teachers And Students Create And Experience Social Presence Through Community Building And Self-Disclosure In Middle School Synchronous Online Learning Environments: A Qualitative Case Study, Jennifer Trail

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate middle school teachers’ and students’ attitudes toward online learning, and more specifically how they created and experienced social presence. To date, there has been promising research conducted on the achievability and the effects of social presence in postsecondary online learning. However, there is a practical knowledge gap in the literature regarding how middle school students and teachers experience social presence. This is problematic due to the increasing number of K-12 students enrolling in online learning and because strong student-teacher relationships are necessary to meet the emotional needs of middle schoolers …

Conceptions Of Latinos And Latinas About The Grieving Process And Associate Concepts Of Dying, Death, Bereavement, And Loss: A Covid-19-Post-Pandemic Case Study, Rosario Garcia Ortiz

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to recognize the grieving process and the related concepts of Latinos who lost a loved one to the COVID-19 pandemic. Death and dying have been studied in the United States, with limited studies focusing on the Latino culture. The COVID-19 pandemic was a devastating experience for the world and continues to be studied for understanding and lessons in the aftermath. This research included four participants from the Latino culture who lost a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic. An inductive approach and data analysis were used to form theoretical constructs. Three main categories were …

The Effect Of Work-Life Responsibilities On The Well-Being Of Female Employees: A Uae Case Study, Mouza Mohamed Alqubaisi

Dissertations

This study examines the possible conflict between work commitments and family obligations and its implications for working women's well-being. In this respect, in-depth interviews were held with a sample of twenty female employees working in different departments of the Abu Dhabi Government. The collected qualitative data have been analyzed through frameworks drawn from the concepts of the Work-Life Balance (WLB) and the Work-Family Conflict (WFC), specifically considering the Job Demands- Resources (JD-R) and the Conservation of Resources (COR) theories. The findings probably indicate that working women encounter substantial challenges in their daily work, such as long working hours, lack of …

The United Arab Emirates Birth Cohort Study: A Pilot Examination Of Maternal And Infant Health Outcomes, Sharon Mutare

Dissertations

The first 1,000 days of life represent a critical window for influencing optimal fetal growth and establishing lifelong health foundations. Recent evidence underscores the significant association between maternal health and nutrition during this period and the subsequent risk of non-communicable diseases, which are responsible for 74% of global deaths. Despite the rapid globalization and urbanization experienced in the United Arab Emirates in recent years, there remains a paucity of research on how maternal health and nutrition impact perinatal outcomes among Emirati women.
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Factors Influencing Innovative Behavior Of Higher Education Students In The United Arab Emirates: An Exploratory Study, Saleha Omer Alseiari

Dissertations

Innovation in the higher education sector is globally recognized as a driving power behind a country's socioeconomic and technological development. This quantitative study explores the primary influences on the innovation of college students in the UAE. Four research goals were proposed: (I) exploring potential input from innovative faculties; (ii) assessing the impact of curriculum excellence; (iii) examining the consequences of students' social abilities; and (iv) researching the moderating impact of supportive leadership. The research also seeks to create a theoretical model connecting various key elements that promote an environment of innovation in the higher education sector of the UAE based …

Human Resource Practices And Employee Outcomes: An Examination Of Performance, Satisfaction And Diversity Climate In The Hospitality Sector Of Saudi Arabia, Tareq Abdullah Al-Jammaz

Dissertations

Tourism and related industries have become essential economic activities that play a significant role in the development, prosperity, and well-being of a country. The tourism and hotel sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is currently undergoing significant development to diversify the national economy in line with the KSA Economic Vision 2030 Initiative. To align this sector with international standards in terms of job satisfaction and performance, human resource management practices (HRMPs) play a key role in determining the job satisfaction of employees in their various work environments. HRMPs include various job-related activities, training and development (T+D) programs, rewards, …

Trauma-Informed Teaching In Uae Schools: Investigating Teachers’ Experiences And The Effect Of A Cognitive Behavioral Intervention For Students Affected By Trauma, Hadeel Mohsen Saleh

Dissertations

This study explores UAE teachers’ experiences and knowledge regarding trauma-informed teaching and assesses the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for two elementary school students with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a general classroom setting. It also examines parents’ perceptions before and after the intervention. The study addresses two primary concerns: 1) the preparedness of UAE teachers to support trauma-affected students in schools, and 2) the efficacy of a targeted cognitive-behavioral intervention aimed at improving students' emotional regulation and behavioral outcomes. Using an exploratory sequential design, qualitative data from seven semi-structured interviews with UAE teachers revealed a significant gap in training …

Navigating The Beliefs, Practices, And Challenges Of High School Principals And Teachers Within Culturally Diverse Contexts: A Mixed-Method Study, Mouza Alketbi

Dissertations

The main objective of this study is to understand the practices, beliefs, and challenges related to cultural diversity among high school principals. It also examines the cultural diversity practices of high school principals from the perspective of teachers, as well as the challenges they encounter when interacting with principals and teaching staff. The study used an exploratory sequential mixed method design, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methods to gain a better understanding of how high school principals handle their culturally diverse teachers. The first phase involved qualitative research, where (n=5) principals and (n=7) teachers were purposively selected. Semistructured interviews were …

How Do Lgbt Employees Assess Their Firm’S Organizational Culture Regarding Lgbt Leadership?, Philippe Honore

Dissertations

This study explored Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans (LGBT) employees’ perceptions and assessments of their firms’ organizational cultures and, in particular, the opportunities within the culture that can lead to upper management positions for those who identify as LGBT. The research sought to understand the extent to which inclusivity efforts are reflected in real career progression opportunities for openly LGBT employees working in San Diego County. Employing a convergent parallel mixed-methods research design, the study incorporated quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to achieve a comprehensive understanding of participant’s perspectives and experiences. The decision to use both methods allowed the research …

The Meaning-Making Of African American Leaders In Technology Organizations, James Hooks

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to identify and describe behaviors that reflect the character, inspiration, relationships, vision, and wisdom that African American technology leaders use to create personal and organizational meaning for themselves and their followers. It was also the purpose to rate how followers perceive their leader’s behaviors related to character, inspiration, relationships, vision, and wisdom in creating personal and organizational meaning.

Methodology: The qualitative portion of this mixed-method study involved face-to-face interviews with African American technology leaders, while the quantitative segment consisted of electronic surveys completed by their followers. The quantitative survey assessed followers’ perceptions …

Fear, Distress, And Dissociation: Correlates Of Physiological Hyporeactivity After Interpersonal Victimization, Natalia Kecala

Dissertations

Background and Objective: Despite consistent findings of high reactivity to trauma cues in PTSD, there exists a consistent subset of physiological nonresponders who exhibit more complex and severe posttraumatic symptomatology. Research has identified different patterns of defensive reactivity representing Fear (core) and Distress (complex) PTSD symptoms. However, no studies have directly compared responders and nonresponders on physiological and clinical symptoms posttrauma.

Method: 66 adult women who had experienced first-degree sexual or physical assault within the last month were categorized using heart rate reactivity (HRR) to two personalized trauma scripts. Participants exhibiting negative HRR to both scripts were classified as nonresponders …

Hearing Their Stories: Tailoring Human Resources Strategies For Onboarding, Job Satisfaction, And Retention Of Veterans With Disabilities In The Civilian Workforce, Brian Newsom

Dissertations

Tailored HR strategies play an important role for veterans with disabilities (VWD) as they transition from the military to civilian employment by enhancing their job satisfaction and improving their retention. The literature review helped identify the challenges VWD face during their transition, such as health or mental health problems, cultural adjustment difficulties, and onboarding that is not inclusive. The primary research objective of the study was to determine effective HR strategies to improve the onboarding process for VWD, increase their job satisfaction, and grow their retention rates. Qualitative methods enabled the capturing of data from in-depth interviews with 31 former …

Reducing Restraint Use And Workplace Violence With The Broset Violence Checklist, Alexandria Anderson

Dissertations

Problem: Psychiatric mental health nurses have an increased rate of workplace violence due to the acuity of patients they care for. When aggressive behavior cannot be resolved verbally, physical methods such as restraints may be utilized. Restraint use can result in unwanted consequences for both the patient and the nurse. Predicting risk of violence can be useful at reducing violence and restraint use through early risk identification.

Methods: The Broset Violence Checklist (BVC) was implemented as a way to predict aggression risk in an in-patient psychiatric unit within a mid-western hospital. This study utilized a pre- and post-intervention approach to …

Under The Surface Of Perfectionism: A Qualitative Examination Of Perfectionism In Women Leaders, Rachelle Martin

Dissertations

This qualitative study explores the manifestations and management of perfectionism among women leaders, framed through the lens of conservation of resources (COR) theory. By examining the experiences of women across various industries, the research highlights how perfectionism can act both as a strength and a challenge, depending on resource availability and self-awareness. The findings emphasize the compounded pressures faced by women, particularly women of color, and the significant role of self-awareness, coping mechanisms and mitigation techniques. Participants revealed how resource depletion may contribute to heightened perfectionistic tendencies, which subsequently may impact career outcomes. Self-awareness emerged as a moderating factor that, …

Acculturation And Attitudinal Disposition Of People From India Living In The United States Toward Mental Health Services, Santhosh Jose Adhikarathil

Dissertations

Acculturation experience and attitudes toward seeking mental health services among Asian Indian Americans, an ethnic minority group, are predominantly underrepresented in current literature despite their increasing number in the United States. The purpose of this study was to assess the acculturation experience of Asian Indian Americans and their attitude toward seeking mental health services, and to explore the relationship between acculturation levels and attitudes toward seeking mental health services. I used a quantitative research design to conduct this study. I employed an online survey through Qualtrics. The participants (n = 568) constituted a probability sample recruited from Indian-based Christian churches …

The Effect Of A Self-Guided Simulation Tool On Anxiety Related To Clincal Practice Among Baccalaureate Nursing Students During Their First Clinical Rotation, Karen M. Vargas

Dissertations

Research has demonstrated that anxiety can have a detrimental effect on learning and performance. Of great concern is the impact of anxiety on nursing students. By extension, additional research has shown that nursing students experience extremely high levels of anxiety, higher than many students in other programs. Specifically, nursing students have moderate to severe levels of anxiety due to many aspects of the educational program, but particularly when beginning clinical practice. Anxiety when beginning clinical practice among nursing students can cause negative outcomes in learning and performance. That is, when nursing students experience severe anxiety, they may experience the inability …