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Effects Of Self-Esteem, Threat Appraisal, And Coping Responses On The Somatic Components Of Illness: A Test Of A Proposed Causal Model With Professional Women, Linda Langley Moneyham

Dissertations

The study was designed to test a causal model of theoretical relationships among self-esteem, threat appraisal, coping responses, and the somatic components of illness with a population of professional women. The proposed causal model was derived from Lazarus's cognitively oriented theory of psychological stress and coping. Development of a valid model of interrelations among the variables of interest would assist in the formulation of nursing interventions aimed at decreasing vulnerability to stress and stress-related illness. A correlational field investigation was conducted to test the hypothesized causal model.

The Relationship Among Health Locus-Of-Control, Value Of Health, And Health Behavior In Adolescents, Phyllis K. More

Dissertations

This study explores selected personality factors which may explain part of the variance in health behavior in adolescents. Theoretical and empirical evidence suggested that internal health expectancy and high value of health should be related to adolescents' choices of health behavior. Health expectancy was measured by the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales (Wallston, Wallston & DeVellis, 1978), value of health by the Value Survey (Wallston, Maides & Wallston, 1976), and adolescent health behavior by the Student Lifestyle Survey (McKillip & Taylor, 1979). The Student Lifestyle Survey measures ten components of health behavior as follows: (1) alcohol use, (2) smoking, …

Ethical Dilemmas Of Nurse Executives: A Descriptive Study, Caroline Camunas

Dissertations

This research was designed to describe the ethical dilemmas and to identify the facilitating and inhibiting factors perceived by nurse executives when making decisions that have ethical implications. As there has been little research in this area the study was a descriptive study one.

Using Machine Learning Classification Methods To Detect The Presence Of Heart Disease, Nestor Pereira

Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death in Ireland, and probably, worldwide. According to the Health Service Executive (HSE) cardiovascular disease accounting for 36% of all deaths, and one important fact, 22% of premature deaths (under age 65) are from CVD.

Using data from the Heart Disease UCI Data Set (UCI Machine Learning), we use machine learning techniques to detect the presence or absence of heart disease in the patient according to 14 features provide for this dataset. The different results are compared based on accuracy performance, confusion matrix and area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) …

Assessment Of Validity And Reliability Of A Neurophysiologic Evoked Potential Instrument, Wanda O. Wilson

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of a step by step non-simultaneous method for measuring somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and to determine reliability of a neurophysiologic evoked potential instrument, Bio-logic Evoked Potential System, on healthy, adult volunteers in a controlled environment. The neurophysiologic monitoring during anesthesia and surgery is used to optimize surgical outcomes and minimize neurologic morbidity. During surgery, the anesthetic regimen and subject variables can affect the electrical signals of neurophysiologic monitoring. The neurophysiologic instrument has an important role in the successful monitoring of the central nervous system. The research questions were: (1) What …

Navigating Uncharted Territory: Experiences Of Families When A Child Has A Neurodegenerative Life Threatening Illness, Rose G. Steele

Dissertations

Children with neurodegenerative, life-threatening illnesses account for a significant proportion of children requiring palliative care. Most of their care is provided at home by their families. Yet, there is a paucity of research that examines families' experiences when a child is dying at home. This grounded theory study generated a contextually-grounded description of families' experiences of living with a child who has a neurodegenerative, life-threatening illness, and how those experiences changed over time; the impact on families; and families' perceptions of factors that influenced their ability to care for their children.

Strategies Exemplary Unified School District Superintendents Use To Work With The Political Styles Of School Board Members, Bradley Tooker

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this sequential explanatory mixed-methods study was to identify the political styles of superintendents and school board members as perceived by unified school district superintendents. In addition, it was the purpose to identify and explain the political strategies unified school district superintendents use to work with the different political styles of school board members.

Methodology: This sequential explanatory mixed-methods study analyzed quantitative surveys to identify the political styles of superintendents and school board members and qualitative interviews to identify political strategies using a political styles framework.

Findings: The major strategies exemplary unified district superintendents used to work …

The Perceptions Of Advocacy Behaviors In End-Of-Life Nursing Care Among Novice, Experienced And Expert Nurses, Karen W. Thacker

Dissertations

Nurses have difficulty describing the steps of advocacy to guide practice. In order to improve the status of end-of-life care, nurse educators need to be cognizant of the advocate role in nursing practice. The purpose of this comparative descriptive study was to describe nurses' perceptions of advocacy behaviors in end-of-life nursing practice. The novice to expert process and the seven domains of a caring practice as they relate to advocacy behaviors (Benner, 1984) provided a framework in which the nurse can move towards becoming an effective patient advocate.

Hopeful Adults With Advanced Stage Cancer: Nature, Influences, Focus, And Patterns Of Hope Over Time, Mary Anne Hales Reynolds

Dissertations

The diagnosis of terminal cancer begins one of the most complex and challenging individual experiences of human life that requires multiple coping responses, one of those being hope. There are limited knowledge and few studies that provide descriptions of hope over time for adults, ages 20-59, with advanced stage cancer. The purpose of this study was to describe hope as defined and experienced by adults with advanced stage cancer, evidencing high levels of hope. This descriptive, longitudinal research study used the technique of methodological triangulation (semistructured interview, Stoner Hope Scale, Ferrans & Powers Quality of Life Index, Visual Analogue Scales, …

Organizational Climate, Role Ambiguity, Role Conflict And Nurse Faculty Work Balance: Influence On Organizational Commitment And Turnover Intention, Denise K. Gormley

Dissertations

The mission for faculty in university and college settings is generally three-part and encompasses teaching, research, and service. Nurse faculty have struggled to balance work and understand the changing views of scholarship. A number of factors affect faculty commitment to the academic organization, and can influence behavior and attitude in the workplace. No research was found that explored the effect of organizational climate, role ambiguity, role conflict, and nurse faculty work role balance on faculty organizational commitment and turnover intention. The purpose of this study was to examine how organizational commitment and turnover intention are influenced by organizational climate, role …

The Relation Of Sick Leave Benefits, Employment Patterns, And Individual Characteristics To Radiation Therapy-Related Fatigue, Patricia Anne Poirier

Dissertations

Fatigue has consistently been found to be the most common and distressing side effect of radiation therapy. This study examined the relation of a specific life-style behavior with many policy and economic implications, participation in the workforce, on radiation therapy-related fatigue. The aims of this longitudinal study were to: describe sick leave benefits available to patients undergoing radiation therapy; examine the relation between sick leave benefits, individual characteristics, and employment patterns in patients undergoing radiation therapy; and examine the relation between employment patterns, individual characteristics, and fatigue in patients receiving radiation therapy. The Conceptual Model of Nursing and Health Policy …

Integrating Patient Safety In Nursing Education: An Analysis Of Pre-Registration Nursing Curricula In Kenya, Nickcy Nyaruai Mbuthia

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate the extent to which patient safety concepts were integrated in the Kenyan pre-registration Bachelor of Science in nursing curriculum, and to understand the issues that influence its delivery in the classroom and clinical settings, with the aim of developing strategies that will enhance the integration of patient safety concepts in the curriculum. In the first phase, a qualitative content analysis of the nursing curriculum documents was performed.

Happy Feet In A Rural Clinic: A Diabetic Foot Education Intervention, Carmencita S. Abood

Dissertations

Rural Healthy People 2010 report indicated that diabetes was more pervasive in non-metropolitan areas than in central cities and more commonplace in the Southeast and the Southwest regions of the United States due to complex set of factors such as low socioeconomic status among many rural residents, a high proportion of racial or ethnic minorities, and aging populations that were predominant in rural areas. The need for innovative, low literacy education material that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in a rural clinic is imperative. The purpose of the capstone project was to determine the effectiveness of a patient-centered diabetes …

Critical Care Performance In A Simulated Military Aircraft Cabin Environment, Margaret Mcneill

Dissertations

Since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, over 42,063 patients have been transported by the United States Air Force aeromedical evacuation system. Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATTs) provide care for 5-10% of the injured and ill warriors that are transported on military cargo aircraft to definitive treatment facilities. The purposes of this study were to determine the effect of two stressors of flight, altitude-induced hypoxia and aircraft noise, and to examine the contributions of fatigue and clinical experience on cognitive and physiological performance of CCATT providers. This repeated measures 2 x 2 x 4 factorial study included …

Factor Analysis Of Mixed Data (Famd) And Multiple Linear Regression In R, Nestor Pereira

Dissertations

In the previous projects, it has been worked to statistically analysis of the factors to impact the score of the subjects of Mathematics and Portuguese for several groups of the student from secondary school from Portugal.

In this project will be interested in finding a model, hypothetically multiple linear regression, to predict the final score, dependent variable G3, of the student according to some features divide into two groups. One group, analyses the features or predictors which impact in the final score more related to the performance of the students, means variables like study time or past failures. The second …

A Mixed-Method Investigation Comparing Perceptions Of First-Generation And Non- First- Generation College Sophomores, Joshua Steven Hanke

Dissertations

The researcher focused on two groups of students, the First-Generation College Student (FGCS) and the sophomore student. First-Generation College Students completed degrees within six years at a rate of 34%, compared to 66% of non-FGCS (Engle & Tinto, 2008, p. 2). Researchers concluded that reducing support services after the first year led to a feeling of disconnection from institution and dropouts (Sanchez- Leguelinel, 2008). Researchers concluded the sophomore FGCS as the most susceptible group for attrition during a student’s second year (Ishitani, 2006). The purpose of the mixed methods study was to compare perceptions of the sophomore students from both …

Exploring Student And Faculty Perceptions Regarding The Availability Of On-Campus Counseling Services, Stephen Wade Baker

Dissertations

This study sought to explore undergraduate and faculty perceptions about oncampus counseling services. On-campus counseling services for clarification purposes, could be understood as a behavioral health service used by undergraduate students to discuss and address identified personal issues during a semester-based academic school year. The data was collected via a written response survey and it was administered at a private Midwestern university throughout the spring, summer, and fall traditional undergraduate semesters of 2018. The study looked to understand students’ perceptions on the overall need and functionality of the current counseling services promoted at their university. Furthermore, faculty interviews were conducted …

Barriers To Prenatal Care In Low-Income Women, Lynne Porter Lewallen

Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to: investigate barriers to prenatal care, both structural and psychosocial; test the Pender Health Promotion Model and the Triandis Model of Social Behavior to determine their effectiveness in predicting utilization of prenatal care; and document behaviors women perform during pregnancy to stay healthy.

Culture Care Values, Beliefs And Practices Observed In Empowerment Of American Indian Community Health Representatives, Elizabeth A. Tyree

Dissertations

The World Health Organization (WHO) primary health care model emphasizes intervention at the home and family level, partnerships with the community, collaboration with lay community health workers, and prevention. Thus, the model has significance for nursing. Among the population groups in the United States, American Indians show the greatest disparity from the norm in access to health care and outcomes of care.* This study addresses the primary health care principle of community involvement in health using an empowerment model, with a participatory action research approach, informed by the ethnonursing method of Madeleine Leininger. The population of interest is American Indian …

Factors Associated With Behavioral Symptoms In Persons With Dementia Residing In Assisted Living, Julie L. Ellis

Dissertations

Factors associated with behavioral symptoms among persons with dementia residing in assisted living were investigated in this study using a descriptive, correlational design with a cross-sectional methodology. The purposes of the research were to (a) describe the extent of pain, depression, co-morbid conditions, function and behavioral symptoms in a sample of residents with dementia in assisted living and (b) identify the relationship between the of factors pain, depression, co-morbid conditions, and function to the extent of behavioral symptoms in the sample.

Therapeutic Strategies, Health Status And Quality Of Life Among Persons With Asthma: A Meta-Analysis, Catherine B. Bailey

Dissertations

Asthma is a major health problem that affects approximately 17 million people in the United States. Unique circumstances associated with a patient's health status have made evaluations of the management of asthma difficult. The purposes of the study were to assemble information on therapeutic strategies, health status factors and Quality of Life among persons with asthma and make empirical generalizations about the selected variables from a universe of studies. This meta-analytical investigation consisted of fifteen subject studies that used experimental strategies and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire on asthmatic subjects. Four research questions asked: (a) What are the substantive …

Reconnecting: A Grounded Theory Study Of Formerly Homeless Mothers, Pamela M. H. Cone

Dissertations

Homelessness is a condition that adversely affects the spirit, mind, and body of an individual. Homeless mothers are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population and are a vulnerable, at-risk group. Current strategies for care of the homeless focus primarily on providing food and shelter, strategies that keep them alive, but give only temporary help. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore the experience of homelessness from the perspective of formerly homeless mothers and to describe and discover the process whereby they navigated the pitfalls of homelessness and got off the streets into stable housing.

Cardiovascular Knowledge, Beliefs And Healthcare Practices Of The Amish In Northern Indiana, Deborah R. Gillum

Dissertations

The Amish are a conservative ethno-religious Christian subculture who are doubling in number every 14 years. There are now more than 249,000 located in 28 states and Ontario, Canada. To our knowledge, no previous study has examined cardiovascular disease (CVD) knowledge and preventive healthcare practices among this socially and technologically isolated population.

Cardiovascular knowledge, beliefs, and healthcare practices among northern Indiana Amish were explored using Leininger's Culture Care Diversity and Universality as a guiding theoretical framework. Sample. Data was obtained from an Amish settlement located in northern Indiana.

White (Non-Hispanic) Nurse Practitioner Student Perceptions Of Hispanic Patients, Rose Iris Gonzalez

Dissertations

As the United States continues to become increasingly more diverse, the health care industry must adjust and develop improved strategies for the effective provision of health care services to all. The Hispanic population is the fastest growing minority group in the United States. This population (ethnic group) faces many challenges to receiving adequate health care including: stereotyping by health professionals; language and cultural barriers; limited access to health care; and a lack of trust in the current health care system. Hispanic patients are frequently met by predominantly White (non-Hispanic) health care practitioners, who bring their own set of biases and …

The Impact Of A Competitive Healthcare Environment On Cost And Quality, Maureen E. Buckley

Dissertations

A descriptive longitudinal (1988-1993) case study design, with the Resource Dependence Theory as the conceptual framework, was used to investigate the effect of a competitive health care market on the cost and quality of hospital care. The secluded geographic area in which the three study hospitals were located served to minimize the influence of additional competitors. The Resource Dependence theory emphasizes the adaptation of an organization to changes in the environment or competitive market.

Implementing Screening To Assess Readiness To Change In Overweight And Obese Patients At A Patient-Centered Medical Home, Jarrod Edward Gant

Dissertations

Obesity is at epidemic levels within the United States (U.S.), but the Southern U.S. has some of the most obese states. Mississippi (MS) is the most obese state in the country (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2018). Factors such as diet, sedentary lifestyle, cultural influences, and socioeconomic status contribute to the state's citizens being overweight and obese. Contributing to the state's obesity is the fact that MS has more people living in poverty than any other state (Center for American Progress [CAP], 2018). Lacking the ability to afford healthy foods and the ability to afford quality healthcare adds to the state's …

Developing A Scale To Measure Responses Of Clients With Actual Or Potential Myocardial Infarctions, Karen Rae Robinson

Dissertations

An assumption in Modeling and Role-Modeling theory is that meeting instinctive needs promotes growth and development across the life span (Erickson, Tomlin, & Swain, 1988). The need for object attachments is one type of need. Loss of an attachment results in the grief process with denial and shock as the first stage. For the coronary client, an acute episode of chest pain may threaten the loss of an attachment object (one's heart function). Determining a coronary client's level of denial is important data and is needed before the nurse can develop individualized interventions to facilitate the client's adaptation. The purpose …

Using Lifestyle Educational Intervention To Decrease Blood Pressure Reading Amongst African American Adults, Catherine Madu

Dissertations

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a global epidemic and a major public health challenge in the United States. Hypertension increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and renal failure. The disease disproportionately affects African Americans (AAs) and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this ethnic group. Effective management of hypertension decreases complications from the disease. The purpose of the clinical scholarly project (CSP) was to decrease blood pressure readings amongst AA adults, ages 18 to 65 years old using educational intervention on lifestyle modifications. A convenience sampling of 20 AA (n = 20) adult participants was …

Exploring How Philippine American Nonprofit Leaders Build Trust With Their Staff And Volunteers, Dominic Fernando Laureano

Dissertations

Purpose: Although a considerable amount of literature exists regarding leadership and trust, little research focuses on Philippine American nonprofit organizations and their leadership. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how Philippine American nonprofit leaders build trust with staff and volunteers using the five domains of competency, consistency, concern, candor, and connection.

Methodology: This phenomenological qualitative study collected data via semi-structured interviews, participant observations, and review of artifacts. The study sample was comprised of 10 Philippine American nonprofit leaders from Southern California. Weisman’s Trust Model served at the theoretical framework of the study and guided data collection and …

Using Pbis Frameworks In Elementary Schools To Decrease Chronic Absenteeism, Joe Nelson

Dissertations

This basic qualitative study examined the beliefs and attitudes of selected faculty in three southern region schools that had been identified by several government agencies as having severe chronic attendance problems. Twelve educators who work closely with the daily Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) program were individually interviewed and re-interviewed until reaching a significant point where no new knowledge could be derived. The goal of the study was to explore the essence of the teachers’ experiences when using the PBIS practices in order to increase school attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism. The purpose of the study was to fully …