Digital Commons Network^™

Importance Of Nonverbal Communication In The Employment Interview, Michelle E. Milano

Masters Theses

The employment interview includes elements that focus on nonverbal communication. Females and males view these nonverbal cues differently. A total of 22 male and 16 female employment interviewers completed quantitative and qualitative surveys concerning nonverbal cues. The data were analyzed using factor analysis, t-tests, and thematic analysis. Five factors, including self-presentation, coverbal cues, appearance, touch, and interviewee sex, emerged from the factor analysis. At 0.05, the t-tests show that females do perceive more nonverbal cues than do males. The qualitative results provide further insight into the quantitative results. These findings show the importance of nonverbal cues during an employment interview.

Effects Of Locus Of Control And Timing Of Retirement On Retirement Satisfaction, Denise A. Lathrop

Masters Theses

Previous research to determine which factors predict one's satisfaction with retirement documents varying results. 200 retired Eastern Illinois University professors were surveyed to determine the effects of two factors, locus of control and timing of retirement, considered important on retirement satisfaction. A comparison was made between internal and external locus of control subjects who were placed into three conditions: those who retire early (before age 61), those who retire within the normal or average range (ages 62-66), and those who retire late (later than age 67). The first hypothesis was that those who retire early will have the highest level …

Historical Romances: An Analysis Of Co-Constructed Narratives From Engaged Couples, Katie Himes

Masters Theses

By studying the manner in which romantic partners tell accounts of their relationship events, researchers can gain insight into the process of relational development. This study examines how five engaged couples socially construct their own shared reality. Using critical incidents, couples first individually described three critical incidents common to engaged couples, including: their first meeting, worst fight, and decision to become a mutually exclusive couple. Next, couples collaborated to produce a shared narrative of significant events in the relationship. Through content analysis, the use of conflict avoidance is examined as a means of creating the collective reality. This research provides …

Relations Between Parent-Child Interactions And Children's Self-Esteem, Lisa D. Parker

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore how time spent between parents and children in various activities may be related to self-esteem in children. The specific objectives were to explore whether there was a relationship between children's self-esteem and total time children reported spending with mothers and fathers; whether there were relations between time spent participating in activities and self-esteem for each of the four parent-child dyads (Mother-Daughter, Mother-Son, Father-Daughter, and Father-Son); whether there were relations between specific activities done with parents and children's self-esteem; and whether enjoyment levels reported by children participating in each activity were significantly correlated …

The Effects Of Abdominal Strength Exercises And Testing On Posture In School Children, Greta L. Mcdonald, Kristin L. Nederveld

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare an abdominal strength testing method used in school systems to tests used in the physical therapy profession. Results were associated with lumbar lordosis. The study included 58 female and 5 male subjects between 10-11 years old from two school districts. Kendall’s Upper Abdominal Test, Kendall’s Lower Abdominal Test and The Presidential Physical Fimess Test were performed in random order. Lumbar lordosis was measured before and afrer abdominal testing by recording the curvature of the low back using a flexible ruler. A Chi-square analysis was used to demonstrate the association of abdominal strength …

Characterization Of Petroleum Fog Oil And Vegetable Oil Smokes, Andrew Oliver Larouche

Masters Theses

"Deception and concealment to gain tactical advantage in the battlefield has been an integral part of warfare. Smoke has been a common tool used for signaling, concealment of troop movement and weapon deployment. U.S. Armed Forces have made use of smokes in an organized manner since the 1st world war. Since then various materials such as white phosphorus, zinc chloride, diesel fuel and petroleum oil aerosols have been used to obscure military targets. For the past thirty years fog oil (FO) a medium distillate has been extensively used by the U.S. Armed Forces for generation of obscurant smokes (OS). During …

Effects Of Education On Disease Management And Prevention Of Complications In Diabetic Patients, Debbie K. Provoast

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of two specific methods of providing diabetic education employed by two different health clinics in Northern Michigan; Clinic A, which provided an intense program of diabetic education offered through a preventive services program or Clinic B, which provided brief office-based education where patients received all education at the time of the visit.

An ex-post facto retrospective chart review was done on a total of 40 charts, 20 from each clinic for the purpose of obtaining laboratory values for glycohemoglobin, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen, at the beginning and end …

The Concept Of Death Education On Children's Understanding Of Death, Diana K. Clark Schramm

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if death education has an impact on children's understanding of death. This study was a non-randomized trial of a single educational session on death concepts of 38 second grade children (mean age 7.78 years). The Smilansky Death Concept Questionnaire, a validated and published interviewing tool, was administered pre and post intervention to all study subjects to evaluate their understanding of death. This intervention was a story on death and a peer group discussion.

Post-test scores were significantly higher than pretest scores for human death concept, and animal death concept, as well as …

Spirituality Of Caregiver Wives Of Dementia Patients, Martha Preston-Devries

Masters Theses

The spiritual perspectives o f 30 caregiver wives of dementia patients and 30 non-caregiver wives were compared using a convenience sample in the Midwest. Spiritual perspective includes behaviors such as praying privately, mentioning spiritual matters to others, and seeking spiritual guidance as well as beliefs such as forgiveness, the belief that spiritual views influence their life, and feeling close to God or a higher power during prayer or worship. The Spiritual Perspective Scale was used to measure spiritual perspective in participants. Scores on the Spiritual Perspective Scale were analyzed for the two groups using the t test for individual variables. …

Quality Nursing Care: The Nursing Home Residents' Perspective, Brenda L. Larsen

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to determine what nursing home residents consider quality nursing care. The information obtained can provide nurses with knowledge about quality care perceptions in this population. Care thus could be planned and provided that would promote resident centered quality.

For this qualitative study a phenomenological approach was used. The investigator collected data via audio-taped interviews and field note observations. A grounded theory approach was used to uncover residents' perceptions of quality nursing care. The meaning was then disclosed by the process of description and thematic interpretation.

The shared experience of living in a nursing home …

Emergency Nurse Self Perception Of The Benefit Of The Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course, Diana Lynn Ropele

Masters Theses

This study evaluated whether emergency nurses perceived an increase in knowledge and skill in caring for pediatric emergency patients after taking the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC). Also it evaluated whether non-certified nurses reported a greater increase in knowledge and skill after the ENPC than the certified nurse.

A cross-sectional, retrospective, correlational design was used with a random sample of 333 registered nurses living in Michigan who completed the ENPC in 1995 or 1996. Ninety-three nurses practicing in emergency care returned the demographic sheet and the ENPC perception questionnaire (EPQ).

Analysis compared knowledge and skill scores before and after taking …

A Description Of General Self-Efficacy And Specific Self-Efficacy For Health Promoting Practices In A Disabled Population, Elizabeth M. Carrington

Masters Theses

This study examined disabled persons' self-efficacy in relationship to performance of health promoting practices. A descriptive research design in which questionnaires were administered by interview was utilized. The sample consisted of forty-four disabled adult individuals attending a vocational rehabilitation school. The General Self-Efficacy Sub-Scale (Sherer, et al, 1982) and the Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices Scale (Becker, Stuifbergen, Oh & Hall, 1993) were administered.

Major findings related to the three research questions were: (a) this sample's Self-Rated Abilities Scores was higher than previously recorded for a comparable disabled population, (b) multiple disabilities had little impact on self-efficacy scores, (c) a …

Rural Women's Participation In Breast Self-Examination, Joni L. Erlewein

Masters Theses

A descriptive, correlation design was used to examine the relationship between the Health Belief Model (HBM) variables and breast self-examination (BSE) in a population of rural women. Champion's HBM Scale (1993) was given at a cancer screening clinic (n=127). The construct validity for this instrument was established by Champion and alpha reliability for subscales ranged from .74 to .91 in this study.

Logistical regression was performed using the HBM variables of perceived susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers, health motivation, and confidence. Barriers and confidence made a significant difference in BSE performance among the subjects in this study.

Women with friend or …

Perceived Benefits And Barriers And Mammography Screening Compliance In Women Age 40 And Older, Amy Hoke Vanzee

Masters Theses

The mammography screening guidelines have been vague and differ from recommending organization to organization. Thus it is up to women to make decisions about mammography screening based on their personal health beliefs. This study examined the relationship between perceived benefits and perceived barriers to mammography and compliance with mammography screening guidelines in women age 40 and older. A correlational design was used with a convenience sample of 84 women from two outpatient family practice offices in the suburbs of a mid-western city. The Breast Cancer Screening Behaviors questionnaire created by Victoria Champion in 1995 was used to measure perceived benefits …

A Secondary Analysis Of Self Assessed Assets Of Ninth And Twelfth Grade Students, Carolyn H. Young

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to identify the assets possessed by ninth and twelfth graders. This is a secondary analysis of data collected from a survey taken in rural northeastern lower Michigan. This study compared and discussed the similarities and differences in the community, family, and personal characteristics that can be interpreted as assets possessed by these students. Thirty - nine such assets were identified as being possessed by at least one of the student populations. These data can be used to help develop programs which can prevent adolescents from engaging in high - risk behaviors such as early …

Relationship Between Professional Development And Education, Christine A. Frederick

Masters Theses

Nursing is a profession. It is important for nurses to know what impacts professional development. Educational preparation plays a large role in professional development.

Data were originally collected in 1995 through a survey of nurses from one chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. The survey was sent to 544 members to determine their scores on professional development. The current study conducted a re-analysis of that data to determine if a relationship existed between professional development and education.

This thesis was based on Leddy and Pepper’s (1993) theory of professional development modified from Eric Erikson’s eight stages of the life cycle. …

The Effect Of Discharge Intervention Provided By An Advanced Practice Nurse On The Post-Discharge Self-Care Agency Of Clients Admitted With Congestive Heart Failure, Theresa Dawson

Masters Theses

This study used a quasi-experimental design using a two-group comparison to evaluate the effects of advanced practice nurse interventions on client compliance to self-care regimens (diet, meds, and established appointments). The conceptual framework was based upon Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Model.

This study used the premise of Ashby's (1988) "Self-Care Outcome Measurement" tool to ascertain the frequency of the clients'performance of self-care activities. The frequency was measured using a 4-point summated rating scale. The study site was a 400 bed acute care hospital in Southcentral Michigan. The convenience sample of 10 adult clients with congestive heart failure were interviewed by phone …

Behavioral And Emotional Indicators Of Sexual Abuse: A Comparison With Physically Abused And Non-Abused Children, Janine L. Post-Anderle

Masters Theses

The focus of this study was to identify behavioral and emotional symptoms among hospitalized children who were 1)sexually abused 2)physically abused 3)non-abused, and non-hospitalized non-abused children.

Information about children between the ages of 6 and 12 was obtained through a retrospective analysis of 120 closed records from two different child psychiatric hospitals. A convenience sample of 40 parents with non-hospitalized children was used to obtain data about non-hospitalized non-abused children.

The “Child Behavior/Emotion Checklist”, developed by the author, was used to collect data regarding symptoms exhibited by children. Results indicated no difference in symptoms among the hospitalized groups of children. …

Hiv/Aids Patients' Perceptions Of Nurse Caring Behaviors, Jennifer Lynn Jordahl

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine which nurse caring behaviors HIV/AIDS patient's perceived as most important. Subjects were recruited from an HIV/AIDS clinic in a large Midwestern city. Twenty-three subjects completed Cronin and Harrison (1988) Caring Behaviors Assessment (CBA) along with a patient demographic questionnaire and an open ended question asking, "Is there anything else a nurse could do to make you feel care for or about? If so what?".

Results of this study suggest that HIV/AIDS patients perceive expressive nurse caring behaviors, such as, listening to the patient, treating the patient with respect, and knowing when …

Patient Participation In Decision-Making Regarding Post-Operative Ambulation: How It Affects Patient Outcomes, Martha Ann Ruble

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of patient participation in decision-making regarding post-operative ambulation on ambulation behaviors, occurrence of post operative complications, and overall satisfaction for patients undergoing bowel surgery. A convenience sample consisted of 39 subjects, aged 20-80, who underwent bowel surgery at a 300-bed medical center in a midwest metropolitan area.

An active negotiated approach to encourage patient participation in decision-making regarding post-operative ambulation was utilized for subjects in the experimental group (n = 19). It was hypothesized that subjects in the experimental group would ambulate farther and more frequently, would experience fewer post-operative …

Is There A Link Between Hardiness And Burnout In Critical Care Nurses?, Cindy Bilisko

Masters Theses

Hardiness is a set of personality characteristics that function as a resource in coping with stress. Hardiness has been linked with less burnout among various groups. This study was done to determine if there was a relationship between hardiness and the incidence of burnout in critical care nurses. A descriptive correlational design was used to examine this relationship. Critical care nurses at three hospitals in the Grand Rapids area were surveyed using the Staff Burnout Scale for Health Professionals, the Cognitive Hardiness Scale, and a demographics questionnaire. Data were tested using Pearson’s correlation and simple regression. The hypothesis “hardiness in …

Adolescents' Perceived Reasons For Choosing Abstinence Or The Use Or Non-Use Of A Condom During Sexual Intercourse, Susan L. Vrobel

Masters Theses

Adolescents’ perceptions of reasons for abstinence, safer sex, and unsafe sex were investigated. The study used a descriptive design, with a questionnaire administered to 82 Midwestern ninth grade students enrolled in a school health class. From a written scenario describing a couple who are sexually attracted to each other, students were asked to identify reasons the couple might choose to abstain from, or use or not use a condom if they chose to have, sexual intercourse. This study supported earlier research by Keller et al. (1996) which identified four factors perceived by adolescents as contributing to sexual behavior; social norms, …

Evaluation Of The Community Living Adaptation Scale, Jane M. Morris

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the CLAS. Seventy-three subjects participated from mental health case management agencies. The reliability coefficient for internal consistency o f the CLAS was .82. CLAS was compared to the Global Assessment of Functioning scale using the Pearson’s correlation. Convergent validity was significant to the .36 level indicating a significant relationship at the .01 level. The Self Profile Scale (SPS) was developed by this researcher as a parallel scale to compare the client’s perceptions to the case manager perceptions regarding functional status level. Item to item comparison of the CLAS and SPS indicated similar …

The Relationship Of Selected Health Beliefs And Exercise Adherence 6-12 Weeks Post Cardiac Event, Kristi L. Bianconi

Masters Theses

The hypothesis tested in this study was: Perceived benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy of individuals who are adherent to a cardiac exercise program will differ from individuals who are non-adherent. The study was a descriptive, correlational design using the Health Belief Model. Data were collected from 25 subjects, recruited from a private cardiology practice who participated in a cardiac rehabilitation program 6 to 12 weeks post hospitalization for a coronary event, defined as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, coronary angioplasty or stenting, or coronary artery bypass grafting.

Measurement of subject’s responses to perceived benefits, barriers and self-efficacy were collected through mailed questionnaires. …

Psychiatric Nurses' Perceptions Of Their Social Support, Elizabeth V.L. Howell

Masters Theses

This study investigated psychiatric nurses’ perceptions of their social support while working in a public psychiatric hospital. A descriptive correlational research design using a mailed self-administered questionnaire was employed for this study. Data collection and measurement of the phenomenon of perceived social support was done using the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (Norbeck, Lindsey, & Carrieri, 1995). The sample consisted of 57 registered nurses who had been employed for at least six months.

Data analyses consisted of reporting means, standard deviations, percentages, and range of scores for perceived social support. Results indicated emotional support (affect and affirmation) rated the highest among …

A Comparison Between Emergency Nursing Stress And Completion Of The Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course, Sheryl L. Veurink-Balicki

Masters Theses

A descriptive, retrospective, correlational study design was used to determine emergency nurses’ perceptions of stress before and after completion of the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC). A sample of 93 randomly chosen emergency nurses completed the Modified Clinical Stress Questionnaire.

Using the paired t-test, differences were found between the before and after mean scores on stress, threat, and challenge (p < .01). Scores were lower after ENPC for stress and threat, but higher for challenge. The t-test was used to compare the mean scores of nurses with and without certification in emergency nursing. The only significant difference between the two groups was on the threat score after ENPC, with the certified group reporting lower perception of threat (t = -2.40, p = .02). Overall, lower perception of stress was reported in all groups following ENPC.

Medication Administration In Schools, Stephanie A. Painter

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe current practice of medication administration to children during school attendance in a district in Michigan. Information was collected by an audit of the policy and procedure manuals and medication records to assess a number of variables. It was found that 213 doses of medications were administered in 8 schools (enrollment 6,000) on the day of the study. Most of these were administered by nurses (40.8%) and secretaries (12.2%). While 25 different medications were administered, the medication most frequently administered was methylphenidate (60%). Medications were administered orally, per inhaler, nebulizer, topically or injected. …

Correlates Of Symptom Distress In Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, And Fluorouracil, Denise J. Bakker

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between symptom distress and health locus of control, perception of illness, perception of treatment efficacy, and social support in breast cancer patients receiving cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and flourouracil as adjuvant chemotherapy in the outpatient setting. A prospective descriptive correlational design was used. A convenience sample of women (N = 33) with breast cancer was assessed using five measurement tools: the Symptom Distress Scale (McCorkle & Young, 1978), the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale (Wallston, Wallston, & DeVellis, 1978), the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (Norbeck, Lindsey, & Carrieri, 1981), and two …

The Effect Prone Positioning Has Upon The Oxygen Ratio Of Ventilated Children, Mary Schira

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of prone positioning on oxygen ratios for ventilated children. A retrospective research design was implemented to study the effect that changing ventilated children from the supine position to the prone position had upon their oxygen ratio two hours after the intervention. Twenty-three ventilated children admitted to an eight bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Southwest Nfichigan between January 1998 and July 1998 and were proned, had their medical records reviewed. Data analysis using a T-test for paired samples was performed to compare oxygen ratios just prior to proning and …

Health Care Workers' Compliance With Glove Use And Variables That Influence Health Care Workers' Compliance With Glove Use, Angela C. Wallen-Counterman

Masters Theses

This study examined health care workers' compliance with glove use and variables that influence health care workers' compliance with glove use. A descriptive correlational design using a questionnaire given to health care workers in a long term care facility was employed for this study. The sample consisted of 28 health care workers who worked at the long term care facility. A modified Survey of Health Care Workers Use of Gloves (Henry, Maki, & Campbell,1992) was used to collect the data.

Data analysis consisted of reporting means, standard deviations, and range of scores for glove use compliance and variables that influence …