Digital Commons Network^™

Examining The Relationships Among Value Placed On Autonomy, Use Of Compensatory Control Strategies, And Suicidal Ideation In Older Adults, Catherine Huang Ju

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rates of suicide in older adults are higher than those found in the general United States population. A variety of risk factors unique to older adulthood contribute to these numbers. Greater value placed on one’s own autonomy is related to suicidal ideation in older adults, but no research has yet been done to examine the mechanisms underlying this relationship. As individuals age and functional impairment increases, older adults generally engage in compensatory primary control strategies (e.g., seeking help) but those who prioritize independence and self-directedness – i.e., place a high value on autonomy – engage in fewer compensatory primary control …

East And West Meet: Developing Critical Thinking Skills In Piano Students Based On Chinese And Western Pedagogy, Xiaozhen Tong

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research demonstrates the importance of critical thinking in piano education. Grounded in the philosophical framework of Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, it explains how “dialogue” can be used to establish a collaborative teacher-student relationship. Through “praxis,” which is the integration of reflection and action, students and teachers can break free from “limit situations,” the structural constraints of reality, leading to evolution and creation.

By conducting interviews with piano teachers and students from diverse backgrounds, this research examines the differences between Western and Chinese piano education and some universal phenomena within piano pedagogy. Based on the interview findings, …

Overhead And Nonprofit Impact; Empirical Evidence From The United Way, Joshua Vanlaecken

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research examines the relationship between nonprofit overhead ratios and performance, specifically focusing on United Way affiliates. The study analyzes Form 990 data from 2010 to 2022, employing fixed effect regression models to examine the potential circular relationship between overhead spending and total revenue. The findings suggest that while current overhead rates are positively correlated with revenue, they may yield diminishing returns. Furthermore, population subgroups are examined by assets, overhead rate, and revenues spectrums to provide more nuanced insight. Interestingly, while not statistically significant within the overall population, increases in overhead rates may positively or negatively impact subsequent year revenue …

Assessing The Feasibility Of The Virtual Reality Training Protocol For Sport, Jarad A. Lewellen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Research has supported the use of virtual reality (VR) in sport to train skills such as decision-making and anticipation, as well as aid in injury rehabilitation. Despite this, VR is not commonly used as a training tool in sport. Barriers to its adoption include a lack of understanding, low awareness, and risk of cybersickness. As such, there is a critical need to address these barriers and promote acceptance of VR in sport. The purpose of this single-arm, non-randomized, mixed-methods feasibility trial was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the Virtual Reality Training Protocol for Sport (VRTPS), which was designed …

Enhancing Vocational Services Through Support Of Direct Care Staff For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Katelyn D. Cardwell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This mixed-method cohort study focused on supporting direct support professionals through burnout education modules. Burnout is a psychological phenomenon characterized by mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion in response to chronic stress in the workplace. Direct support professionals (DSP) provide services that include independent living and vocational skill education to adults with intellectual disabilities. Burnout has negative impacts on work quality, efficiency, and can led to high turnover rates. This project aimed to provide DSP’s with resources to mitigate the risk of burnout. The study utilized semi-structured interviews to help guide the development of education modules for staff. Based on findings …

Adminstrative And Programmatic Supports To Enhance Veteran-Service Dog Programming, Madison Davisson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Service dogs have long served as a valuable resource to assist veterans in overcoming challenges such as transitioning to post-military life, re-engaging in life roles, and navigating the community. There is substantial research on the benefits and impacts that service dogs have on the lives of veterans. Because of this, the number of service dog-veteran partnerships is on the rise, and each service dog program has its individualized programmatic method to enhance its offerings. However, there is limited information on administrative and programmatic support for service dog training programs intended for veterans and staff members. The veteran perspective is …

Facilitating Independence: Developing A Hands-On Life Skills Program For Youth In Residential Treatment, Shayna Rexrode

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Life skills competency in adolescence can be an important predictor of success in adulthood. Educational and training programs focused on life skills can help youth develop the skills that they need to live independently. Though occupational therapy literature surrounding these types of programs is limited, occupational therapy practitioners are qualified to provide intervention in life skills based on the profession’s scope of practice.

This capstone project focused on the development and evaluation of a new life skills program, the Life Skills Practice Program, at a residential treatment facility for youth with substance use and behavioral diagnoses. Stakeholders at the facility …

Do Demographics And Social Determinants Of Health Relate To Current And Anticipated Caregiving Roles?, Sarah Alison Bolling

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In 2021-22, approximately 37.1 million Americans provided care to family or friends who had an illness or disability (U.S. Bureau of Labor, 2024). These informal caregivers experience poorer mental health (Dahlrup et al., 2015) and physical health (Pinquart & Sorensen, 2003) influencing their overall well-being. Experiences in caregiving may differ across age, gender, race (Young et al., 2019). Given the effects of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), such as financial stability, health care, and food resources (Duran & Perez-Stable, 2019), some adults may experience additional threats to health and quality of life before entering into the caregiver role. Little is …

The Personal, The Political, And The Hope For A Better Future: Disrupting The Traditional Rape Narrative In Young Adult Fiction, Melissa Roberson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation critically examines the current state of young adult rape fiction to explore the ways in which contemporary young adult rape novels engage with different aspects of rape culture and the systems in place that sustain it. Prioritizing issues related to disclosure, hope, healing, and justice, my investigation into these novels demonstrates the importance of attending to both the framing of rape and the challenges associated with narrativizing sexual violence in the context of adolescent literature. Ultimately, I argue that in order to challenge and disrupt the further entrenchment of societal attitudes and (mis)perceptions of rape that perpetuate the …

Exploring Teacher Perception And Implementation Of Sae Programming In West Virginia, Joseph Laflamme

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to describe the phenomenon of SAE implementation in West Virginia. This study utilized qualitative research methodology to describe teacher perceptions of how student, guardian, school and community factors affect SAE program implementation. Additionally, teacher backgrounds, including formative experiences, training and education, guiding philosophies, skills, and motivation were explored. This study describes contextual aspects of population, economics, state guidelines and local agriculture industries. This is done through a document review of student reported records as well as surveys and teacher interviews.

Intersectional Embodiment: An Exploration Of Women's Bodily Experiences In Contemporary American Literature, Olivia Marie Wertz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

My dissertation, “Intersectional Embodiment: An Exploration of Women’s Bodily Experiences in Contemporary American Literature,” examines contemporary American novels written by women of color in order to illuminate how women of color protagonists realize, protect, and embrace their bodies as a source of power in a deeply oppressive society. Specifically, I analyze Kindred (1979) and the Parable novels (1993, 1998) by Octavia Butler, Displacement (2019), a graphic novel by Kiku Hughes, and Severance (2018) by Ling Ma. In these novels, women protagonists must account for their bodies to understand their identity, combat oppressive bodily control, and, above all, survive. Both neo-historical …

Not Everyone Believes Sports Are A Safe Space: Development Of A Toxic Sports Fandom Scale, Thomas Dean Bobbitt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Dysfunctional Fan Behavior is a concept developed by Wakefield & Wann (2006), that describes fan conduct, consisting of complaining and confrontation, that ruins the experience of sporting events for others. However, there is some evidence that although the items featured in the Dysfunctional Fan Behavior Scale are perceived as negative, they are also viewed as relatively normal and appropriate of sports fans. Bobbitt et al.’s (in press) qualitative analysis suggests that these behaviors are not always considered destructive or toxic in the context of sport, but the line between benignly rude and genuinely antisocial behavior is somewhat difficult to define. …

Back To The Future Self: Parsing Age Effects In Future Self-Continuity Through Goal Orientation And Life Satisfaction, Laken A. Mooney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Future self-continuity, the psychological feeling of connectedness between the current and the future self, is a relatively novel concept that is associated with and has been used to predict a variety of outcomes. Though work investigating individual differences is comparatively rare, a robust demographic difference found in previous literature is the presence of an age effect, where older adults are more likely to feel a greater connection to their future self than younger adults. This finding has been replicated a number of times, but potential mechanisms behind this observed age-related increase have yet to be fully uncovered. Limited previous work …

The Abuse Liability Of Oral Nicotine Pouches In Electronic Cigarette Users, Jakob D. Bohland

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Oral nicotine pouches (ONPs) are products containing synthetic or tobacco derived nicotine in a cellulose pouch. While relatively novel in their current state, ONPs are increasing in popularity, with little known about their national level prevalence. Extant work has suggested that electronic cigarette (e-cig) users may be interested in ONPs; however, no abuse liability studies have been conducted comparing ONPs directly to e-cigs. In the few abuse liability studies that have been conducted, ONPs have been evaluated in comparison to combustible cigarettes or smokeless tobacco (SLT). These studies suggest ONPs may be less reinforcing than combustible cigarettes or SLT. Therefore, …

Extending Effects Of The Good Behavior Game With Mixed Schedules, Amina Boukhris

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Student disruptive behavior in the classroom can adversely affect both students and teachers. The Good Behavior Game (GBG) is a well-established classroom management strategy used to reduce disruption. However, its use remains limited due to implementation barriers reported by teachers, such as effort associated with delivering feedback, and the limited generalization of the GBG effects to times when the game is not in place. The current study had two main objectives: (a) to evaluate whether a modified version of the GBG implemented on a mixed-schedule-like arrangement (MIX GBG) could reduce student disruption as effectively as the standard version (MULT GBG), …

Adolescent Attachment And Anxiety: Examining Implicit Emotion Beliefs And Emotion Regulation As Mediators, Jeanette Pool

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Anxiety is a growing issue in adolescents, with teens reporting worse and more severe symptoms in recent years (Kajastus et al., 2023; Solmi et al., 2022). There are several risk factors for developing anxiety symptoms, including cognitive, behavioral, and social factors. Effective emotion regulation (ER) has been shown to be helpful in decreasing anxiety symptom levels (Arbulu et al., 2023; Cho et al., 2019). A better understanding of precursors of ER could aid in prevention of anxiety. ER may stem from our personal beliefs about emotions (Ford et al., 2018; Schroder et al., 2015; Tamir et al., 2007) and to …

Effects Of Physical Activity And Purpose In Life In Cognitive Aging, Farima Sadeghi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cognitive decline has become a growing public health concern with the increase in aging populations throughout the world. As Physical Activity has shown to be one of the key factors in maintaining and enhancing cognitive health in older adults, this study explores the psychological mechanisms that might underlie this relationship. Using data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, the analyses examine whether Purpose in Life mediates the relationship between Physical Activity and both cognitive abilities—Episodic Memory and Executive Functioning, whether age strengthens this effect, and whether Physical Activity itself could act as a mediator. The results showed …

Role Of Interpretation Bias Related To Pain In A Dental Setting, Jeongwi An

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Studies of interpretation bias related to pain have consistently shown that patients with pain are more likely to interpret ambiguous stimuli as related to pain than healthy control participants. This phenomenon is associated with pain and related outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and avoidance behaviors, suggesting a potential target in pain management. This study aimed to examine whether the association between interpretation bias, pain, and emotional status can be replicated in a dental care population. The relation of interpretation bias to pain experience was tested in a naturalistic anxiety and pain-provoking setting (i.e., root canal treatment, RCT). A total of 82 …

Resilience In Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes: The Relation Between Grit, Benefit-Finding, Diabetes Distress, Hba1c And Health-Related Quality Of Life, Hannah Hardiman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a common pediatric chronic illness that requires complicated management by both the child and their caregiver. Research and clinical guidelines have highlighted adherence (as measured by HbA1c) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) as important outcomes particularly in adolescents with T1D. Notably, diabetes distress has been identified as a risk factor contributing to poor adherence and HRQOL outcomes in this population. Given these considerations, understanding what resilience factors contribute to optimal outcomes is vitally important to inform future interventions. Grit and benefit-finding are two novel resilience factors that have yet to be fully evaluated …

Effects Of High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation On Impulse Control Disorders In Patients With Parkinson’S Disease On Dopamine Replacement Therapy, Katherine Muksuris

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that causes motor deficits, cognitive impairment, and depression. The mainstay treatment for motor symptoms is dopamine replacement therapy (DRT). DRT takes the form of levodopa or dopamine receptor agonists (DAs) and can be associated with impulse control disorders (ICDs). Currently, the approach to mitigating these side effects is to decrease or stop DRT, which may cause motor symptoms to return, making the management of the disorder more difficult. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation treatment for multiple disorders, including its approved use for smoking cessation. It has also shown …

Reassessing Hourly Neurological Assessments: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Haley Lynne Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Reassessing Hourly Neurological Assessments: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Haley Lynne Johnson, BSN, RN

Background: Stroke and brain injuries remain among the leading causes of mortality in the United States, accounting for 162,890 deaths in 2021 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). Although frequent neurological assessments are essential for monitoring patient status, limited evidence supports the prolonged use of hourly neuro-checks (LaBuzetta et al., 2022). Excessive neuro-check frequency has been linked to sleep deprivation, an increased risk of delirium, and inefficient resource utilization (Kishore et al., 2021).

Purpose: This project aimed to assess the impact of …

No Man’S A Stone: A Qualitative Approach To Characterizing Masculinity In Older Adulthood, Montgomery T. Owsiany

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Suicide rates are exceedingly high in U.S. older men (aged 65 years and older). In 2020, older men were about 6.5 times more likely to die by suicide than older women and 1.14 times more likely than men aged 18 to 64 years. Masculine norms (e.g., emotional suppression, self-reliance, anger, physical toughness risk-taking behaviors, alcohol misuse) are believed to influence the presentation of mental disorders, such as depression, which has led to the conceptualization of masculine depression. Research on masculinity often focuses on the experiences of younger men, ignoring how gender identities may change as one progresses through adulthood. Meanwhile, …

Apostrophes And Archimedes, Evan J. Clough

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis explores how digital collage and printmaking can be used to develop images through acts of subjective response, intentional and unintentional acts of appropriation, and parodic re-use and comparison pushed to absurd extremes. It looks at the history of creating art for parodic re-use and examines “Pataphysics”, developed by and for art appropriation of pattern, form, and process. These concepts are explained and related to visual artwork that was made for the thesis exhibition Apostrophes and Archimedes Cast Shadow Puppets. The exhibition invites viewers to experience the phenomenon of observation, automatic transformation, and creation using multiple modalities of exaggerated …

Development Of High-Performance Coaches And Burnout, Amy Cashin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Coach education is imperative, especially as coaching moves towards professionalization (Lara-Bercial, 2022). The literature has shown that high-performance coaches are closest to fitting the criteria of a profession (Lara-Bercial et al., 2022) while also being at risk of experiencing burnout due to the high level of stress faced within their job (Bentzen et al., 2014; Olusoga & Kenttä, 2016). The purpose of this study was twofold. First to have a more comprehensive understanding of Australian Athletics high-performance coaches’ wants and needs regarding coaching education as it pertains to coach wellbeing and burnout; and second, to have an in-depth exploration of …

Soft Epilogue, Chloe C. Firth

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This written document is the accompanying thesis for my Master of Fine Arts Exhibition, Soft Epilogue. The work in the exhibition serves as a visual record of my eating disorder recovery process. Each piece in the exhibition addresses a selected writing prompt from the book 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder, published in 2011 and written by therapists and former eating disorder patients Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb. The book provides information and journal assignments regarding the development of eating disorders, how to maintain the motivation to recover, and how to navigate the complicated emotions …

The Economics Of Crime And Reform: Essays On Alcohol Taxation, Cannabis Legalization, And Felon Enfranchisement., Georgios Marios Bantis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation comprises three independent yet thematically connected essays that explore the effects of public policy on crime and municipal finance. The first chapter examines the relationship between alcohol taxation and crime, assessing how changes in excise tax policies influence criminal activity. The second chapter investigates the fiscal implications of felon enfranchisement, analyzing how the restoration of voting rights to individuals with felony convictions affects municipal public finance. The third chapter evaluates the impact of cannabis legalization on crime, focusing on whether and how legalization alters crime patterns. Each chapter is structured as a stand-alone research paper. A general introduction …

Social Support And Negative Affective Outcomes Among Older Adults: Does Valuing Autonomy Matter?, Erika Anne Fenstermacher

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

While not a normal part of aging, depression is a concerning psychiatric condition in late life. Depression is a significant predictor of suicide and the highest rates of suicide occur in middle aged and older adult men. One factor that may protect against depression and suicidal behavior among older adults is social support. Social support has been demonstrated as a significant factor in health and well-being. Perceived social support has consistently been linked to beneficial outcomes, however, received support has mixed results with some studies even finding received support to be harmful. For individuals who highly value autonomy, it may …

It Takes Two To Tango: The Overlooked Process Of Co-Creation In Services Marketing, Natalie A. Marquart

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation investigates the mechanisms of effective co-creation in patient-provider interactions within the U.S. healthcare system, a critical area given pervasive systemic frustrations and the dyadic nature of care. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and Service-Dominant Logic, the research proposes a conceptual model where patient self-efficacy fosters cooperation, mediated by the dimensions of symmetry, alignment, and agreement, ultimately influencing patient outcomes. Perceived response efficacy is hypothesized to moderate this relationship. A mixed-methods approach was employed, consisting of two complementary studies. Study 1 utilized qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 20 patients and 5 healthcare providers to deeply explore how self-efficacy, perceived response …

Leveraging Physiological Signal Activity And Self-Report Data To Assess Students’ Trust In “My Friendly Mind” App And Its Impact On Their Mental Health Knowledge: A Mixed-Method Phase 1 Clinical Trial Focusing On Depression And Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder From Human Factors Standpoint., Yeganeh Shahsavar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Mental health issues have become a significant global public health concern, especially among younger generations. The growing number of mental health challenges, combined with limited access to quality care, makes the problem even worse. Studies reveal that over 70% of individuals worldwide in need of mental health services do not receive appropriate care. Digital health technologies have the potential to enhance mental health services by making them more accessible and affordable. Despite the increasing popularity of mental health mobile applications (mHealth), there remains a lack of robust evidence of their effectiveness and the level of user trust, particularly in areas …

Media Framing Of The Local And National News Coverage Of The East Palestine Train Derailment, Lauren Delo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research examined digital news coverage of the East Palestine train derailment to determine the frames and dominant frames used in both local and national coverage of the disaster, and whether these frames differed over time. Specifically, this research used a content analysis of digital newspaper articles from five media outlets—three national level and two local level—and applied the frames identified from Colistra’s (2010) study of print news coverage of the 1972 Buffalo Creek mine disaster. Results revealed significant differences between the most frequently used frames between local and national coverage, shifts in frame usage over time within each media …