Digital Commons Network^™

Families' Perceptions On Immunodeficiency Virus Hiv/Aids Phenomenon And Its Impact On Family Functioning Of Puerto Rican Families With Children: A Grounded Approach, Marta Rivero-Mendez

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to generate a detailed description of Puerto Rican families' perceptions of their experiences and processes of functioning when the HIV/AIDS phenomenon is present in the family unit. The sample consisted of six family units composed of 29 members who were followed for seven months. A grounded theory approach framed within the symbolic interactionism perspective was followed to answer the research questions and to generate a substantive theory of family functioning. Data were collected, coded, and analyzed concurrently using the method of comparative analysis.

Assessing Facilitating Factors And Barriers To Body Mass Index Screening Among School Nurses, Ann M. Stalter

Dissertations

Child obesity among school age children is epidemic in the United States (U.S.). A critical review of literature was completed that concluded that Body Mass Index (BMI) screening for early identification and growth surveillance is needed for successful school-based obesity prevention intervention programs. This study used total survey design methods to identify the BMI screening practices of school nurses (SNs) and to identify the facilitating factors and barriers to BMI screening in public elementary schools among school age populations.

Factors That Affect Nutritional Adequacy In Mechanically Ventilated Patients Receiving Enteral Nutrition Support, Colleen M. O'Leary-Kelley

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the adequacy of enteral nutritional intake and the factors affecting its delivery in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients. A prospective, descriptive design was used to study a convenience sample of 60 patients receiving enteral nutrition at goal rate.

The Relationship Between The Abnormal Electrophysiological Features And The Degeneration In Cognition, Behavior, Daily Functioning, And Global Presentation Manifested By Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease, Ezra C. Charles Holston

Dissertations

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an increasingly prevalent neurologic disorder characterized by progressive degeneration in cognition, behavior, and daily functioning. Identification of methods designed to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of early diagnosis would allow for proactive care including timely implementation of treatment modalities. Toward this goal, this secondary analysis was designed to examine the relationship between clinical symptoms (cognitive, behavioral, and daily functioning) and abnormal electrophysiological features in individuals with AD.

Factors That Influence Contraceptive Decision-Making In African American Women, An Intergenerational Perspective, Allyssa L. Harris

Dissertations

African American women represent a unique group of women in the United States and have a long history of lack of reproductive freedom. Slavery and forced procreation, sterilization abuses, the Eugenics movement, and federally mandated contraception have all impacted on African American women's independence in contraceptive decision-making. Given this population's history, it is important for healthcare providers to understand African American women's contraceptive decision-making, as women often seek their guidance. The purpose of this dissertation research was to discover the intergenerational influences on African American women's contraceptive decision-making. The specific aims of this study were to: (1) develop an understanding …

Testing A Model Of Communication, Uncertainty, And Emotional Well-Being In Older Breast Cancer Survivors, Margaret F. Clayton

Dissertations

The uncertainty and disruption caused by ongoing physical symptoms contributes to emotional distress and thoughts of recurrence for older breast cancer survivors. Uncertainty may be due to a lack of information about whether symptoms indicate recurrence, are related to comorbid conditions, or are part of the normal aging process. The purpose of this research was to assess the influence of physical symptoms, age, ethnicity, and patient-provider communication, on the uncertainty and emotional well-being of older breast cancer survivors. Guided by Uncertainty in Illness Theory, a conceptual model was developed and tested using structural equation modeling techniques.

A Comparison Of Mother-Child Interaction Between Adolescent And Adult Mothers Of Preschoolers, Ratchneewan Ross

Dissertations

Two main purposes of this study were: (a) to compare the mother-child interactions between adolescent and adult mothers; and (b) to examine the changes of adolescent mothers' mother-child interactions over time.

Parents' Impressions Of Their Child's Minor Surgical Procedure With Nitrous Oxide, Tina J. Shapiro

Dissertations

Invasive procedures are often painful and distressing for children and disturbing for their parents. The purpose of this study was to develop a substantive theory of parental perceptions of their school-aged child's responses to an outpatient minor surgical procedure with nitrous oxide.

A Study Of The Health-Promoting Behavioral Effects Of An Exercise Educational Intervention In Adult Diabetics, Charlotte A. Wisnewski

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate if using a health promotion approach when teaching adult diabetics the importance of exercise would have a positive effect on the healthy behaviors in which they engage and increase exercise participation, The framework of the study was guided by the Pender (1987) Health Promotion Model. The design was a quasi-experimental, pre-test post-test design.

The Lived Experience Of Pregnancy While Carrying A Child With A Known, Non-Lethal Congenital Abnormality, Jane L. Hedrick

Dissertations

In the United States, 164 babies per 100,000 live births are born with congenital abnormalities. Although it is not known how many of the abnormalities are diagnosed prenatally, it is estimated that approximately 50% of all pregnant women now undergo some form of prenatal screening. It is important to gain an understanding of how prenatal diagnosis can impact the process of prenatal attachment for women facing the possibility of carrying, delivering, and raising a child with a congenital abnormality. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experience of prenatal attachment in mothers who are carrying a …

Noise Reduction Of Eeg Signals Using Autoencoders Built Upon Gru Based Rnn Layers, Esra Aynali

Dissertations

Understanding the cognitive and functional behaviour of the brain by its electrical activity is an important area of research. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a method that measures and record electrical activities of the brain from the scalp. It has been used for pathology analysis, emotion recognition, clinical and cognitive research, diagnosing various neurological and psychiatric disorders and for other applications. Since the EEG signals are sensitive to activities other than the brain ones, such as eye blinking, eye movement, head movement, etc., it is not possible to record EEG signals without any noise. Thus, it is very important to use an …

The Impact Of Social Media On Improving English Learning Skills: A Case Study Of Uae, Sameer O. A Baniyassen

Dissertations

Social media are one of the current forms of media that have diverse qualities and characteristics. Today, the use of social media is growing day by day at a significant rate. It is in this domain that students can virtually meet with their classmates and their teachers. They can communicate issues that are of significance and are related to their learning process. This study aimed to explore how social media platforms could affect English learning skills and to find whether social media could improve English language skills. The current study used mixed methods involving quantitative and qualitative approaches, such as …

Electrical Characterization And Detection Of Blood Cells And Stones In Urine, Nida Nasir

Dissertations

Urine contains an immense amount of information related to its physical, chemical, and biological components; hence, it is a promising tool in detecting various diseases. Available methods for detecting hematuria (blood in the urine) are not accurate. Results are influenced by many factors, such as, health and vitals of the patients, settings of the equipment and laboratories, which leads to false positive or false negative outputs. This necessitates the development of new, accurate, and easy-access methods that save time and effort. This study demonstrates a label-free and accurate method for detecting the presence of red and white blood cells (RBCs …

Investigating Leadership Behavior Spawning Innovation Performance In Uae’S Telecommunication And Ict Industry, Ali Abdalla Saeed Khalfan Alnaqbi

Dissertations

The significance of leadership behaviours comes in creating a climate for innovation to support individual creativity within innovation performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between transformational and transactional leadership behaviours, climate for innovation, individual creativity and innovation performance. Additionally, this study explored the mediation role of climate for innovation perceptions to be supportive of individual creativity. Data were collected online from 139 staff and leaders who were working in various ICT and telecommunication industries in UAE, a developing country, and SLP- SEM were used to analyse the data. The results of this study revealed positive …

Do We All Agree? A Mixed-Methods Study Of The Impact Of Climate Strength On Psychological Safety, Team Learning, And Team Performance, Taylor Harrell

Dissertations

The majority of today’s organizations rely on teamwork to drive innovation and achieve success. Evidence suggests that two constructs—psychological safety and team learning behavior—demonstrate significant predictive power on performance. Existing research posits that the more psychologically safe a team feels, the more it can learn, which enhances its performance. While organizational literature has established links among psychological safety, team learning, and team performance, the conditions under which these relationships are enhanced or diminished are less clear.

Recent studies indicate that climate strength is a factor that significantly influences the relationship between climate variables and outcomes. Climate strength refers to the …

Treatments For Cancer Given Orally: Patients' Perceptions Of Distress Due To Financial Toxicity, Ellen Carr

Dissertations

Purpose/Aims: For adult participants who have received or are receiving treatment for hematologic and solid tumor malignancies given orally, this study describes the relationship between participants’ experience of financial toxicity (FT), the participants’ perception of distress associated with FT, and participants’ self-identified adherence to prescribed treatments in the context of FT.

Background: FT has emerged as an additional source of distress for cancer patients. The costs of treatments given orally can be prohibitively expensive for patients. Therefore, these patients may experience considerable distress and may not adhere to treatments as prescribed.

Method: Descriptive cross-sectional correlational design study of a sample …

A Delphi Study Of Effective Strategies And Supporting Activities For Reducing Chronic Absenteeism With Tk-5th Grade Students, Phillip Shelley

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this Delphi study was to identify strategies expert Student Services Administrators/Attendance Supervisors recommend as most effective for reducing chronic absenteeism with TK-5th Grade public school students. In addition, it was the purpose to rate the effectiveness of the identified strategies, and to identify activities that would support the implementation of the most effective strategies.

Methodology: This study used a Delphi method, consisting of three rounds, to collect data from expert Student Service Administrators/Attendance Supervisors. In Round 1, expert panel members were asked to identify strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism with TK-5th grade students. In Round 2, …

The Relationships Between Health Literacy, Self-Efficacy And Readiness For Change To Health Promotion Behaviors In Urban Black Women, Millie A. Hepburn

Dissertations

Black women have been shown to experience higher rates of morbidity and mortality as a result of stroke, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and overweight or obesity than women of other races/ethnicities. The ability to avert certain health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, stroke and overweight or obesity is known to be directly related to active engagement in health promotion behaviors, yet Black women are consistently less likely to engage in these behaviors than are white women. Improved understanding of the various factors that impact individual health promotion behaviors to reduce risk, such as health literacy, self-efficacy and readiness …

Using Information Technology To Reduce A Health Risk: Effect Of A Mercury Calculator On Consumer Fish Choices And Test Of A Model For Technology Acceptance By Fish Consumers, Sharon D. Wallace

Dissertations

Research indicates consumers lack adequate information about the mercury content of fish to make informed choices about eating fish. Information technology can be used to fulfill this unmet information need. To examine this matter, a two-part study was conducted using a convenience sample of fish eaters. Three-hundred forty-one participants responded to this on-line study. The Theory of Planned Behavior served as the framework for a one-group, pre-test-post-test design to investigate the effect of a web-based mercury calculator on perceived behavioral control and simulated fish choices.

The Development Of The Simulation Thinking Rubric, Jessica Louise Doolen

Dissertations

High fidelity simulation has become a widespread and costly learning strategy in nursing education because it can fill the gap left by a shortage of clinical sites. In addition, high fidelity simulation is an active learning strategy that is thought to increase higher order thinking such as clinical reasoning and judgment skills in nursing students. Nursing educators who utilize curriculum planned high fidelity simulation activities measure simulation learning outcomes with various instruments. However, few can quantify learning in nursing students due to high fidelity simulation and most are not supported by a theory of learning. This methodological study sought to …

Parents' Experience Raising A Child With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd), Charlotte D. Strahm

Dissertations

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobiological disorder affecting 3%-11% of children leading to 30%-50% of child referrals for mental health services. Symptoms include diminished attention span, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, behaviors that can negatively affect family relationships and functioning. The purpose of this study is to describe aspects of perceived family quality among those with and without a child diagnosed with ADHD. The convenience sample consisted of 11 families of 6-12 year old children with ADHD and 12 families of children with no known physical or emotional disabilities.

Dysmenorrhea And Related Factors In Taiwanese Adolescent Girls, I-Chen Lu

Dissertations

The purpose of this cross-sectional, correlational study was to validate the factors that are related to dysmenorrhea in Taiwanese adolescents. The specific aims were to describe the perceived dysmenorrhea pain symptom experience (SE), related self-care strategies (SCS), and perceived effectiveness of self-care strategies (PESS); to explore the relationships between SE, SCS, and PESS; and to explore the influence of contextual factors on SE, SCS, and PESS. A conceptual framework based on the revised Symptom Management Model was developed and guided this study.

Self Efficacy, Self Reliance, Adherence To Self Care, And Glycemic Control Among Cherokee With Type 2 Diabetes, Diana D. Mashburn

Dissertations

Type 2 diabetes is responsible for disability and shortened life span among Native Americans. Adherence to recommendations for diet, exercise and medication is essential to optimizing outcomes. Few studies of self care have included Native American participants.

Among Cherokee adults, aims are to (a) describe self efficacy, Cherokee self reliance, adherence to self care recommendations and glycemic control; (b) explore the relationship between self efficacy and Cherokee self reliance; and (c) predict glycemic control from self efficacy, Cherokee self reliance, adherence to self care recommendations, and personal characteristics.

The Influence Of Self-Esteem And Self-Silencing On Self-Efficacy For Negotiating Safer Sex Behaviors In Urban Bahamian Women, Shane L. Neely-Smith

Dissertations

The rapidly increasing rate of HIV/AIDS among Bahamian women is daunting for the future of Bahamian society. Despite many concerted efforts, scientists are unable to find a cure for HIV disease and are faced with the multiple challenges that treatment and management strategies bring for persons living with AIDS. As a result, there is a major focus on HIV prevention. The purpose of this study was to understand the characteristics that put urban Bahamian women at risk for HIV/AIDS so that gender appropriate and culturally sensitive prevention interventions could be developed and implemented. A cross-sectional, correlational survey design was used …

Evaluation Of The Psychometric Properties Of The Perceived Health Competence Scale In Elderly African American Populations, Mary J. Polchert

Dissertations

Previous research supports that the eight item Perceived Health Competence Scale (PHCS) is a reliable measurement tool to understand individual competency beliefs of health management ability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PHCS in elderly African Americans because the tool had not been used in this population. It is known that health status predicts health competence beliefs.

Tobacco Cessation In Older Adults, Lana M. Brown

Dissertations

This study explored (a) motivators, facilitators, and barriers to achieving successful tobacco cessation in older adults, and (b) motivators, facilitators, and barriers to maintaining prolonged tobacco cessation in older adults.

Predictors Of Quality Of Life Of Elderly End-Stage Renal Disease Patients: An Application Of Roy's Model, Celia G. Hay

Dissertations

There is increasing recognition that what matters most to chronically ill patients is how well they are able to function and how they evaluate the quality of day-to-life. Understanding the impact of chronic illness and associated treatment on functioning and well-being in the physical and psychosocial dimensions of older people's lives is essential. In 2004, over half of all new patients starting dialysis were 65 years of age or older (USRDS, 2004). The physical and psychosocial impact of end-stage renal disease may lead older hemodialysis patients to withdraw from treatment and die from uremia, rather than live with seriously diminished …

The Effects Of Resiliency On Adaptation Of African-American Caregivers Of Chronically Ill Elderly, Cheryl P. Franklin

Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive, correlational study was to determine relationships among family demands, established patterns of functioning, family resources, situational appraisal, family problem solving and coping skills and adaptation of African American caregivers of chronically ill elderly. Secondly, this study was designed to determine the validity of the Adaptation Phase of the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, Adaptation and the Relational Processes of Balance and Harmony (McCubbin & McCubbin, 1996) in African American caregivers who manage chronically ill elderly. A convenience sample of 104 subjects completed a demographic questionnaire. Caregiver resiliency was measured using The Family Index of …

The Effect Of Social, Family And Individual Conditioning Factors On Self-Care Agency And Self-Care Of Adult Mexican Women, Esther C. Gallegos

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to test the theoretical relationships between the self-care agency (SCA) and self-care (SC); and the influence of selected basic conditioning factors (BCFs) on women's self-care agency, and self-care actions. The Self-care Deficit Theory (SCDT) of Nursing (Orem, 1995) was the conceptual framework for this theory testing research. Both theoretical and practical relevance were achieved by testing the relationships among factors explaining adult women's preventive and health promotion behaviors. A cross-sectional, correlational design was used to test 12 hypotheses and four research questions, with a random sample of well adult Mexican women (18 to 85 …

An Investigation Of The Relationship Among Social Support, Motivation, Perceived Competence, And Pursuit Of A Baccalaureate Degree Among Associate Degree Nurse Graduates, Margaret Joyce Reilly

Dissertations

The Institute of Medicine Reports of the last ten years highlight the increased complexity of health care and the need for new ways for health providers to respond. While other professional programs have adapted to the growing complexity of the healthcare system and implemented increased educational requirements for entry to practice, notably pharmacy and physical therapy, nursing has not, and remains the least educated among health professionals. The growing trend towards a two year Associate Degree as the initial nursing education degree is increasing at the same time that patient needs are becoming more complicated and health care is becoming …