Digital Commons Network^™

Using Spatial Visualization Software To Influence Cancer Control Policy: A Case Study Of Prostate Cancer In South Carolina., Shannon Amelia Shropshire

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prostate cancer in the United States shows great disparities among race and socioeconomic status. Disparities in cancer rates in South Carolina are severe. Cancer control policies are lacking in ways to identify reasons for high risk populations and cost-effective ways to do so. An innovative spatial visualization program called the GeoViz Toolkit was used to determine areas of high Prostate Cancer incidence and mortality in South Carolina (rates obtained from the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry) compared with socioeconomic variables (education, income, lack of health insurance, and living in rural areas) and race. From there, recommendations were made using the …

The Experience Of Older Men Living Alone: A Phenomenological Perspective, Leslie Susan Yetter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to uncover older men's experience of living alone. This study was pursued because much of the literature reports that older men who live alone face the highest risk of death, mental illness, physical disability, and social isolation in our country. Based upon this literature, nurses appeared to be ignoring the needs of this vulnerable population. Using Giorgi's phenomenological method, 14 men 60 years and older who lived alone were interviewed and asked about their experience living alone. In the data analysis, the themes of self-growth, self-determination, structure, balance and sense of purpose emerged. Essentially, …

From Teacher To Teller: How Applied Storytelling Informs Autobiographical Instruction., Peggy Rosann Kent

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis uses autobiographical inquiry to "re-member" how I came to understand that applied storytelling was a valid teaching tool in facilitating autobiographical expression in mature learners. It is an examination of how story sharing and story listening can transform a continuing education classroom into a learning community. Applied storytelling can help elders reframe their negative mental models about the value of their stories, memory, and mythology and create opportunities for positive story sharing experiences. I selected highlights of my journey that best represented my experience and use of applied storytelling techniques. Each chapter includes an exercise and reflection as …

Comeback Of Appalachian Female Stroke Survivors: The Interrelationships Of Cognition, Function, Self-Concept, Interpersonal, And Social Relationships., Patricia Mckenzie Vanhook

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to examine the comeback phase of the Trajectory of Chronic Illness Management for Appalachian women stroke survivors. This study predicted comeback as a relationship between physical healing, biographical reengagement, and psychological coming to terms that was mediated by rehabilitation.

The concepts were evaluated through investigation of function and cognitive abilities, self-assessment of recovery, health rating, ability to control life, relationship changes, physical and mental health, and limitations of activities due to poor physical or mental health. Data were collected using, the Stroke Impact Scale (3.0) (Duncan, Bode, Lia, & Perera, 2003), the …

Lived Experiences: An Examination Of Older Adults' Late-Stage, Life-Span Ecological Transition From A Home Residence To An Assisted Living Facility, Christin Jungers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The population of older adults in the United States is growing rapidly, and in response to demographic changes, a new housing market for elders known as assisted living is emerging as the fastest growing segment of the senior housing arena. While the impact of the transition to institutional facilities has been examined thoroughly in settings such as nursing homes, little is known about the influences of a late-life transition to assisted living (AL) on American elders. Using a phenomenologically oriented approach, this qualitative investigation examined the lived experiences of assisted living residents as a means of adding to the literature …

"Doing The Right Thing": A Study Of Cross-Generational Eldercare Decision-Making In Community And Disease Context, Jeannie Baron-Yenerall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Utilizing the sociology of knowledge perspective, as well as elements of structural-functional theory this study examined the decision-making process as it relates to eldercare. Specifically, how does the knowledge of available resources, community context, and caregiving beliefs affect the caregiving alternative one chooses? Furthermore, what role does family social milieus play in the decision-making process? This research used a 20-item interview schedule developed specifically for this study; and the unit of analysis was the individual responsible for making decisions about the care received by an elder. The survey used both closed and open-ended questions, designed to capture data related to …

Kantian Meadows: A Just Nursing Home Grounded In The Categorical Imperative, Faith Bjalobok

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the structures of contemporary nursing homes and argues that the structure is conducive to the objectification (treatment of a human being as a non-person) of nursing home residents. In order to eliminate the potential for objectification, this project employs the Kantian categorical imperative as its theoretical framework. Based on that framework Kantian Meadows is created as an example of a just nursing home.

School Administrators' Perceptions Of The Cacrep School Counseling Standards, Sandra M. Frey-Mckeown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School administrators have broad influence on the selection and role of school counselors. However, administrators' training programs give them little, if any, understanding of the standards (CACREP) to which school counselors are trained and, perhaps more importantly, no information about the school counselors' role as defined by the counseling profession (Ballard and Murgatroyd, 1999; Borders and Drury, 1992; Fitch et al., 2001; Louis et al., 2001; Ponec and Brock, 2000) The purpose of this study was to describe how school administrators view the importance and use of the CACREP School Counseling Standards when hiring school counselors. Questionnaires were mailed to …

"Doing The Right Thing": A Study Of Cross-Generational Eldercare Decision-Making In Community And Disease Context, Jeannie Baron-Yenerall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Utilizing the sociology of knowledge perspective, as well as elements of structural-functional theory this study examined the decision-making process as it relates to eldercare. Specifically, how does the knowledge of available resources, community context, and caregiving beliefs affect the caregiving alternative one chooses? Furthermore, what role does family social milieus play in the decision-making process? This research used a 20-item interview schedule developed specifically for this study; and the unit of analysis was the individual responsible for making decisions about the care received by an elder. The survey used both closed and open-ended questions, designed to capture data related to …

Growing Old On The Farm: An Ethnonursing Examination Of Aging And Health Within The Agrarian Rural Subculture, Diane Witt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this Ethnonursing study was to discover and explore the elder agrarian rural subculture in regard to well-being, health beliefs, values and practices. In depth interviews utilizing a semi-structured interview guide were carried out with eleven key and 23 general informants in a rural county in south-central Minnesota. A snowball method was utilized to recruit informants. Concurrent analysis was carried out utilizing Leininger's phases of Ethnonursing analysis for qualitative data.

Data management and analysis was facilitated through the use of QSR NVivo software for qualitative data analysis version 6. Sixteen categories, ten patterns and three themes emerged from …

The Role Of Memory, Place And Identity In Four Franco-Maghrebi Films, Lydia Hailman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Experiential Art And Crafts Preferences Of Senior Adults: A Preparatory Assessment For The Implementation Of The Project Senior Art Model., Charlynn Watson Campbell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Project Senior Art was conceived in answer to the growing need for worthwhile directed activities in our community senior centers and to provide valuable community-based learning experiences for university art students. This intergenerational program recognizes the unique intellectual abilities of older adults and meets the educational needs of senior participants and college art students, providing both creative opportunities for personal growth. Fundamental to the successful development and implementation of the program, and the focus of this study, is ascertaining the experiential art and crafts preferences of the targeted senior adult population. Personal interviews, focus group discussions, and a survey instrument …

Variants Of Volunteerism Among Mature Adults Within Communities Of Northeast Tennessee., Martha Wilcox Edwards

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A purposive study conducted among mature adults aged 55 and older in Northeast Tennessee examined variants of volunteerism as well as volunteer needs of agencies and organizations and what percent of volunteers in those agencies fall within the specified age group. Mature volunteers in the region match profiles of other studies -- predominantly white, married, homeowners, who are protestant, females with educational levels beyond high school, and who have income levels above the regional average. Findings show that most volunteers attend religious services at least once each week but found no association between gender and informal volunteerism, between health and …

Enhancing Weight Gain In Long-Term Care Residents At Risk For Weight Loss Through Protein And Calorie Fortification., Shannon Marie Tolbert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose of this study was to compare two methods of supplementing diets in order to provide additional protein and calories to increase body weight. The study consisted of two groups from the James H. Quillen Veterans Affair Medical Center Nursing Home Care Unit. Experimental group received foods fortified with increased calories and protein at mealtimes. Control group received nutrition supplements between meals. Fifteen subjects began the study. Analysis of weight change revealed that those in the experimental group had no weight change over the four months. Subjects in the control group gained an average of 4.8 lbs of body weight …

A Study Of Why Older People 65+ Do Or Do Not Exercise, Nancy Mccoin Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study uses interviews to examine factors explaining why 20 elderly individuals from a variety of occupations and still living in the community independently did or did not exercise. Within the limits of this qualitative study, the reasons elderly participants gave for avoiding exercise included fear of injury, joint pain, poor health, complications from various degenerative diseases, and a lack of enjoyment of exercise. The reasons for exercising included necessity due to post-heart attack motivation, work-site exercise program or equipment availability, opportunity to habituate work-related tasks, spouse support, history of exercise experience, ability to exercise without injury, enjoyment of …

Population Churn: The Migration Flow Of Florida, Marguerite Cashen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent research has focused attention on the concerns of migration in and out of Florida and within the counties themselves. In 1949, Cape Canaveral was established and the boom was on. The character of the state dramatically transformed after 1965, when plans were announced to convert twenty-seven thousand acres of swampland into Walt Disney World. Since then, Orlando's evolution is divided into two eras: before and after Walt Disney World. Orlando has changed from a quiet town whose function was to service the surrounding citrus growing regions in a sparsely populated Orange County to a booming metropolis. Has the growth …

A Comparative Analysis Of Mentoring As A Socializing Strategy Among Law Faculty., Ray Kennard Haynes 1963-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation used a comparative analysis approach to determine mentoring's ability to socialize law faculty. Specifically, it sought to examine the efficacy of formal and informal mentoring in socializing law faculty to their respective institutions. A Mentoring Questionnaire was developed to determine the occurrence of mentoring, the distinctions between the various forms of mentoring, and law faculty perceptions of the effectiveness of the various forms of mentoring received. The Organizational Socialization Questionnaire measured socialization along six dimensions of People, Performance Proficiency, Politics, Language, History and Organizational Goals and Values and was used to determine socialization differences among mentored and non-mentored …

Survey Of Health Effects Among Residents Adjacent To A National Priority List Site In Ssouthwest Virginia., Danette Haywood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Saltville Waste Disposal Site is a National Priority List site used during the 77- year operation (1895–1972) of an electrolytic chlorine and caustic soda plant. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine disease prevalence among Saltville Medical Center (SMC) patients. Diseases associated with chronic exposures to mercury, arsenic, and lead were reviewed in patient records and these data were analyzed. Ratios of illness observed at the SMC were compared to health studies of similar environmental exposures and disease prevalence among residents of neighboring communities. Prevalence ratios were calculated for residents and non-residents of Saltville who were SMC patients. Saltville …

A Model For Explaining Differences In Incontinence Care Seeking (Medics) Project., Michael Heit 1962-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The broad long-term objectives of this research project are to increase the percentage of women who seek care for urinary incontinence. The specific aims of this research project are: (1) Use Lauver's Theory of Care Seeking Behavior to identify predictors of incontinence care seeking for African American and Caucasian women. (2) Determine if previously studied predictors explain incontinence care seeking for African-American and Caucasian women, after controlling for predictors in Lauver's Theory of Care Seeking Behavior. (3) Develop and compare theoretical models for explaining differences in incontinence care seeking for African American and Caucasian women. The health relatedness of the …

Gender Differences Of The Older Adult In Relationship To Ego Integrity And The Need For Control., Ginger Helm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present study examined gender differences in relationship to ego integrity resolution of Erikson's stage theory and the need for control in the older adult ranging from 55-90 years of age. Erikson's ego integrity versus despair was measured with a subscale found in Measures of Psychological Development by Hawley (1988). The need for control was measured with a scale developed by Burger and Cooper (1979).

Because of social roles, it was first predicted that males would score higher on resolution of ego integrity and lower on the need for control. The mean resolution of integrity score for males (N=31) was …

Personal Disposition And The Work Environment As Correlates Of Burnout In Nursing Home Facilites / By Danisha Lexine Robbins, Danisha Lexine Robbins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Consumer Self-Medication Behavior : The Influence Of Different Factors On Consumers' Purchase Decisions In The Selection Of Otc Analgesics, Ram Mohan Chukkapalli

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Fanatic Heart : Fascism, Violence, And Leadership In The Later Poetry Of W. B. Yeats, Dan Sotirios Kostopulos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Learning Activities Of Selected Caregivers Of Alzheimer's Patients In East Tennessee, Jeannette G. Mclaughlin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem of this study was to identify and describe the individual learning activities of caregivers of people with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and to develop an analytical description of the patterns of learning of these adults. An instrument was not available for use; therefore, a focused interview guide was developed. The interview guide was developed through consultation with several spouses or adult children caring for Alzheimer's patients, professionals in the health care field, and a review of the literature. The major analysis procedure for the study was the constant comparative method, an inductive method that has been used …

The Comparison Between An Aquatic Running Program Versus A Hardsurface Running Program On Aerobic Capacity And Body Composition, Heather Hartman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Health Status Of Rural Elderly, Colleen Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Questionnaires were designed and administered to a nonrandom sample of 18 rural elderly residents in a midwestern state. The questionnaires obtained information which attempted to describe perceptions of current health status and self-care capability, to determine the relationship between perceptions of health status and type of residence or senior citizen center attendance. The dependent variables were definitions of perceived health status as derived from the Health Perceptions Questionnaire. Health status included factors of current health, prior health, health outlook, resistance to illness, health worry/concern and sickness orientation. The independent variables were selected personal factors, self-care capability, desire for self-care and …

The Effect Of Nocturnal Noise Levels In Upper Midwestern Longterm Care Facilities On Sleep Interference In Selected Residents' Well-Being, Jane C. Walgenbach

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this study were:
1. To determine noise levels in selected upper Midwestern longterm care facilities at night during August and September.
2. To determine to what extent noise levels interfered with residents' nocturnal sleep.
3. To determine to what extent sleep interference affected residents' well-being.
4. To determine to what extent noise levels interfered with residents' well-being.

Hopelessness In The Institutionalized Elderly, Joanne Hansen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The losses and stresses of the elderly make them susceptible to powerlessness which ultimately may lead to hopelessness and death. The use of client initiated interventions designed to increase the individual's control of the environment may interrupt the powerlessness, hopelessness and death cycle. The research question for this study addressed the influence of client-initiated interventions on the hopelessness score among the institutionalized elderly.
The specific research questions were:
I. To what extent do the use of client-initiated interventions affect the level of hopelessness in the institutionalized client on a short- and long-term basis?
2. Which of the client-initiated interventions have …

The Application Of A Falls Risk Index, Marcelline R. Harris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the prospective use of a falls risk index. The research question was: To what extent do the intrinsic factors identified in the Tinetti et al. falls risk index predict which patients are likely to experience a fall. Hogue's ecological model of falls in late life provided a conceptual framework for the study.
Direct observation was used to collect baseline data from a convenience/purposive sample of 26 male patients in a midwest nursing home care unit with a rehabilitation focus. Patients were then assigned to one of three risk groups: yes-fall, 30% chance of fall, no-fall. Reports of …

Utilization Of Selected Characteristics In The Labeling Of Elderly Nursing Home Patients As Confused, Patriciann F. Brady

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The term confusion is often used as a nursing diagnosis. Yet, there is no consistent definition that indicates a systematic process is used in the labeling of elderly patients as confused. The research question for this descriptive association study was: "To what extent are selected characteristics utilized among nursing home staff in the labeling of elderly as confused?"
The objectives of this study were as follows:
1) Identify the frequency of use of each of the selected characteristics in the clinical determination of confusion in the elderly by nursing home staff.
2) Determine the relationship between nursing home staffs' identification …