Digital Commons Network^™

A Study Of Convergent Validity Between The Adjustment Scales For Children And Adolescents (Asca) And The Behavior Assessment System For Children-Teacher Rating Scale (Basc-Trs), Joseph M. Keusch

Masters Theses

The Adjustment Scales for Children and Adolescents (ASCA) and the Behavior Assessment System for Children-Teacher Rating Scale (BASC-TRS) are two relatively new behavior assessment devices designed to measure youth problem behavior. Both scales are designed to be completed by the child's classroom teacher and evaluated by qualified professionals. Both scales are unique in their construction and are considered to be technically adequate. Many of their syndromes/subscales and global scales/composites are similar in their name, nature, and descriptions according to their respective manuals. However, no research has been conducted establishing convergent evidence of construct validity between the two instruments. The present …

Sex Differences In The Relations Between Sex Guilt And Sexual Experience, Melanie M. Brown

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine whether sex differences exist in the relations between sex guilt and sexual behavior. Past research has examined variables that affect sex guilt and found that sex guilt and sexual behavior are inversely related. This study specifically examined sex differences and how they affect this relation. The participants were 163 male and female undergraduate students at Eastern Illinois University. Mosher's revised Sex guilt Inventory and Paulson and Sputa's Sexual Behavior Frequency survey were administered along with a biographical data sheet.

Bivariate correlation analyses revealed that sex guilt and sexual behavior were inversely related. …

Validity Of The Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale With A Rural Sample, Julie A. Lindstrom

Masters Theses

The problem that was investigated in the current study was that the norms of the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS) (Reynolds, 1987) may have had limited generalizability to students attending Paris High School and Mayo Middle School in rural Paris, Illinois because it was normed on "normal" subjects in only one urban/suburban school district in Wisconsin. The purposes of the current study were to establish Paris norms for the RADS and to fulfill Paris' need for an instrument to efficiently and inexpensively assess students suspected of having depression. This investigator hypothesized that the norms on the RADS would differ between …

Examiner Errors In Scoring The Wisc-Iii Vocabulary, Comprehension, And Similarities Subtests, Ryan L. Neitzel

Masters Theses

Examiner errors when scoring the WISC-III Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Similarities subtests were examined. Twenty-one graduate students enrolled in school psychology training programs and twenty-three certified school psychologist practitioners participated in scoring a constructed record form containing both standard responses (items clearly accounted for in the WISC-III Manual) and ambiguous responses (items not specifically accounted for in the WISC-III Manual). Descriptive Statistics demonstrated that graduate students and practitioners made errors on all subtests and item types. However, the Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Similarities ambiguous responses contained the most errors. Furthermore, Analysis of Variance demonstrated that for each subtest, ambiguous responses …

The Female Sport Experience: History, Development, And Psychological Implications, Dawn A. Whittington

Masters Theses

This paper reviews the literature related to women in athletics with a focus on the psychological perspective. The paper is divided into three major parts.

Chapter I traces the historical antecedents with specific emphasis on the development of sports psychology and women's gradual integration into amateur and professional athletics. Chapter II reviews literature devoted to the psychosocial issues related to the female athlete. These issues include personality traits and patterns, psychosocial problems associated with women entering and maintaining status in athletics, stereotypes, homophobia, socialization issues and the incidence and etiology of eating disorders among female athletes. Chapter III addresses the …

Heartworm And Lungworms In Illinois' Canids And Their Possible Effect On Coyote Condition And Reproduction, David G. Gregory

Masters Theses

This study focuses on the prevalence of heartworm and lungworms in Illinois' canid species, and the effect that they may have on condition (body weight, kidney fat, marrow fat) and reproduction (placental scars) on coyote populations. A total of 1,150 coyotes (Canis latrans), 2,269 domestic dogs, 47 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and 2 gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) were examined. Prevalence of heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) averaged 17.8% in coyotes, 3.0% in domestic dogs, 2.0% in red foxes, and 0% in gray foxes. Domestic dogs not receiving any type of prophylactic treatment had a higher prevalence (12.5%) of heartworms than dogs on …

Assessing The Learning Needs Of Adults With Acquired Physical Disability In Vocational Rehabilitation, Kathleen E. Mennen

Masters Theses

It is difficult to ascertain the learning needs of adults with acquired physical disability in vocational rehabilitation. The onset of the disability reactivates and/or creates various psychological, social, and educational problems in the learner’s life, which makes assessing his learning needs more complex. This study discusses the particular challenges of assessing the learning needs of this population. It also describes the development and use of a screening tool with which to make objective decisions in selecting assessments for this population.

The Inter-Relatedness Of Nutrition, Menstrual Status, Lean Body Mass, And Injury Among High School Female Varsity Basketball Players, Megan Jean Pavlak, Robyn Kristina Smith, Kristie Ann Wood

Masters Theses

Basketball is one of the highest risk sports for injury, especially for the female population. Studies have been performed looking at intrinsic and extrinsic factors that may contribute to an increased injury rate among female athletes. This study focused on nutrition, menstrual status, lean body weight and injury in female high school varsity basketball athletes (n=138). Nutritional and menstrual surveys were administered to these athletes. The athletes’ body fat percentages were measured and calculated into lean body weight. Injuries were documented for one season. No clinically significant relationships were found among the variables. Descriptive data concerning nutrition, injury, menstrual status, …

The Influence Of Footwear On Functional Balance In A Population Of Institutionalized Elderly Women, Kristen Brooks, Stacey Jonkman, Matt Schmitz

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of footwear on functional balance in a sample of 19 institutionalized elderly women. The Tinetti Balance and Mobility Assessment, a fall risk indicator, was used to evaluate functional balance in three footwear conditions: shoes, slippers, and barefoot. An ANOVA test (alpha < 0.05) was used to determine if there was a significant difference between the three footwear conditions. A significant difference was found between each footwear condition for the balance (p=.008) and summary scores (p=.004), but not for the gait score (p=.155). Post-hoc analysis revealed that the shoe condition provided significantly superior scores than the slipper (p=.005) and barefoot conditions (p=.043). Recommendations from this study include support for the standardization of the Tinetti Balance and Mobility Assessment for footwear, and recommendations that institutionalized elderly should wear shoes and avoid the use of slippers or barefoot to reduce fall risk.

A Preliminary Study Of Gait In Elderly Women With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Roberta M. Fischer, Sheri L. Bjornseth

Masters Theses

Somatosensory impairment due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy results in decreased environmental input during ambulation, which may compromise feedback mechanisms used for balance control Individuals with distal symmetrical diabetic peripheral neuropathy provide a model of somatosensory loss in which balance impairments can be studied. Somatosensory input is an important component of standing balance in the elderly. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been associated with postural instability and an increased history of falls. This study investigated differences in gait between elderly diabetic subjects with distal symmetrical sensory polyneuropathy and elderly diabetics without neuropathy. To conduct this study the 3-dimensional gait analysis protocol developed …

Post-Pregnancy Functional Ability, Kari J. Dulaney, Dawn M. Hallwood, Kristen Z. Keeter

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine perceived changes in functional ability among three groups of women: women who have never been pregnant, women six to seven weeks postpartum, and women six to eight months postpartum. Secondary to the paucity of literature pertaining to physical therapy and pregnancy, the authors chose a qualitative design for this study. Thirteen Caucasian women participated in open-ended audiotaped interviews. Audiotapes were transcribed, then data was thoroughly analyzed. Responses were organized into categories and themes discovered between different categories were outlined. The major themes impacting functional ability were psychosocial and physical in nature. Although …

Locus Of Control, Activity Level, And Living Situation Among The Elderly, Jennifer L. Birchenough

Masters Theses

The focus of this study was to investigate the relationships among locus of control, activity level, and living situation in the elderly. The participants in this study consisted of 62 elderly individuals who resided in one of three living situations: (1) independent living, (2) assisted living, and (3) comprehensive care centers. All participants were screened for cognitive status using the Mini-Mental State Assessment (Folstein, M., Folstein, S., & McHugh, 1975). Individuals who scored in the normal range then completed a Locus of Control Scale (Rotter, 1966) and the Index of Occupational Behavior (Gregory, 1983) to address the meaningfulness of, and …

Cultural Considerations In Clinical Reasoning: An Occupational Therapy Case Study, Sandra M. Winter

Masters Theses

This study looked at an occupational therapist's work with clients from varied cultural backgrounds. Qualitative research strategies and a phenomenological approach were used to gather data through interviews with a single respondent and observation of treatment. This methodology was used to examine the process utilized to acquire cultural knowledge and integrate that knowledge into treatment planning. Research focused on: (a) how the cultural background of a client influenced an occupational therapist as she planned and implemented treatment, (b) how the treatment process was influenced by cultural differences between the therapist and the client, and (c) how training or education helped …

The Effects Of Animal Assisted Therapy When Used As An Adjunct To Occupational Therapy In The Rehabilitation Of Persons Who Have Had Cerebral Vascular Accidents, Alice Arlene Briggs

Masters Theses

Occupational therapists can use animals to assist their clients in achieving goals in treatment. Most often dogs are used as they are more easily trained. The dog may fetch a ball thrown by the client or stand still and allow the client to brush it. These activities with the animal increase the client's range of motion, endurance and strength. Dogs as well as other animals are used in various ways to elicit the desired response from the client. No studies were found in the literature that examined the use of animals as adjuncts to, or as modalities in occupational therapy …

The Repulping Of Wet-Strength Paperboard, Angelo N. Melchiorre

Masters Theses

Beverage carrier paperboard containing the polyamide wet-strength resin is one type of fiber that is presently landfilled. In this study, it was repulped at a 15% consistency and a pH of 10 at 150° F. in a z-bar mixer. Hydrogen peroxide (HP), ammonium perswulfate (AP), sodium persulfate (SP) and dimethyldioxirane (DMD) were used during repulping. The HP was added at 1.0%, 2.5% and 5.0%, based on O.D. weight of the fiber. The remaining chemicals were added at the same oxidation equivalent. During repulping, the pulp was screened using a Britt Jar to determine percent yield over time. Samples were taken …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Harm That Russian And Chinese Organized Crime Groups Can Inflict On American Society, Bryce L. Hoekenga

Masters Theses

Determining which of the two main ethnic organized crime groups emerging in America poses a greater threat to society was the focus of this study. One group is from or is closely linked to Russia and the other group is from or is closely linked to China.

The aspects of each group that were discussed include their origins, their spread to America, how they structured, their membership sizes, the types of crimes they commit, and how law enforcement has responded to each group. The aspects that were compared between the two groups include their levels of sophistication, the seriousness and …

Drug Use Among Female High School Senior Students In Michigan: An Application Of Social Bond Theory, Halime Unal

Masters Theses

Drug use is a serious problem affecting the American adolescents today. The focus of this study was the relationship between the elements of social bond and drug use among female high school senior students. The elements of social bond were peer pressure, commitment to school, and the importance of religious belief. Drugs investigated in this study were cigarette, alcohol and marijuana. This study included the total population of female senior students during the 1994-95 academic year in Michigan who participated in the Michigan Alcohol and'Other Drugs School Survey (MAOD).

In order to test the relationship between the elements of social …

Analysis Of The Skeletal Remains From The Knobloch Site, 20ae633, Allegan County, Michigan, Alexandra D. Bybee

Masters Theses

The skeletal remains of at least thirty individuals were recovered from the Knobloch site, 20AE633, Allegan County, Michigan. The site is from the Late Woodland period, a time which saw a variety of strategies for food procurement, including hunting, gathering, fishing, and agriculture. It is not known to what extent these strategies were practiced. The results of trace element analysis of skeletal samples from the Knobloch site assemblage indicate a diet reliant on hunting and gathering.

Pan, Ppn And Mpan Measurements And The Systematic Relationship Between Mpan And Macr At A Semi-Rural Site In Tennessee, George Nouaime

Masters Theses

Simultaneous measurements of peroxymethacryloyl nitrate (MPAN) and its primary and secondary precursors, methacarolein (MACR) and isoprene, were carried out for the first time in July 1995 at a semi-rural site southeast of Nashville. In addition to these compounds, peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), peroxypropionyl nitrate (PPN), other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and supporting measurements were also collected in collaboration with other research groups. The mean concentrations of PAN, PPN, MPAN and MACR were found to be 485 pptv, 50 pptv, 30 pptv and 0.290 ppbv respectively. MP AN levels, which closely tracked those of MACR during the day, peaked and dropped earlier …

Latvians In Southwest Michigan: A Transnational Perspective, Andrew K. Dove

Masters Theses

The focus of this study was to look at the Latvian population in Southwest Michigan utilizing the transnational theoretical framework. Transnationalism examines the three-way relationship between the migrant, home community (Latvia), and host community (United States). First and second generation Latvian-Americans were interviewed to assess the nature of their transnational activities with regard to economics, politics, family ties, communication, and organizational membership.

The data were collected through the use of in-depth interviewing. Both an interview protocol and demographic survey were utilized. A total of 16 adult Latvian-Americans (N = 16) were interviewed. Eight were first generation Latvian-Americans (N = 8), …

Perceived Differences Between Male And Female Occupational Therapists’ Treatment And Other Related Gender Issues, Dennis Robert Jones

Masters Theses

This study explored how occupational therapy clients perceive the treatment they receive from male and female occupational therapists. The study was conducted in a qualitative manner. Occupational therapy supervisors who have supervised both female and male occupational therapists were interviewed to gain an initial understanding of the relevant issues. More structured interviews were then conducted with clients who have been treated by both a female and a male occupational therapist. Therapists and clients were also observed during four treatment sessions.

Analysis of the data collected through interviews revealed that supervisors and clients do notice some behavioral differences in male and …

Civil Society In Palestine: A Palestine Profile, Shadia Kanaan

Masters Theses

One definition of civil society dominated all theoretical and historical perspectives when it comes to the special case of civil society in Palestine. "Civil society is concerned with a society's total self re-producing ability through its inner strength in a manner that is distinct from the state" (Bishara 1995, 143). The hypothesis of this work is that civil society in Palestine existed and flourished in spite the absence of a national state and had played a fundamental role in the social and economic development of Palestinian society throughout its history. Civil society in Palestine poses an exception to the theory …

Laboratory Comparison Of Trench Design Options For Recovering Spilled Oil, Renuka Fernando

Masters Theses

The research goal was to improve the performance of drainage trenches used to recover spilled oil in the subsurface. Different trench designs were compared in two laboratory experiments. The first laboratory experiment clearly demonstrates that the performance of a oil recovering drainage trench could be improved by replacing the standard gravel pack sand used around the drain pipe with mixtures of teflon and sand. The effectiveness of a downgradient impermeable 'backstop' also was studied in the first experiment.

In experiment two, four trench designs were compared: perforated drain pipe; wire-wrapped horizontal well screen; perforated sheet pile; and gravel fill with …

Isolation And Characterization Of Cadmium Hypertolerant Mutants Of Arabidopsis Thaliana, Santiago Xavier Navarro

Masters Theses

Cadmium is an environmental pollutant which accumulates by deposition from anthropogenic activities. Plants readily take-up cadmium from soil and is concentrated in shoot tissues. Plant and animal systems are affected detrimentally by the exposure to cadmium and are known to produce metal binding peptides as part of detoxification mechanisms. In an attempt to find alternative methods of soil cleanup, efforts are being undertaken to isolate heavy metal accumulating plants. Alternatively, to reduce the accumulation of cadmium in food, plants that exclude heavy metals are also being sought. The objective of this project was to isolate mutants which can be used …

A Comparison Study Of Water Well Grouting Materials, Sherry L. Callaway

Masters Theses

To prevent contamination from occurring in water wells, and thereby groundwater, the annulus between the well casing and borehole wall must be sealed with a grout that is capable of maintaining a proper seal. Several factors and properties determine the integrity of the grout and the seal formed by that grout.

A field study discovered limitations in all of the tested grout types. Most grouts were found to vary greatly in thickness surrounding the well casing. Bentonite slurry grouts settled excessively. Cement and bentoni tecement grouts did not adhere to PVC well casing. Bentonite-cement grout fractured. The granulated bentonite was …

Parental Involvement In Education, Linda Louise Fletke

Masters Theses

Research has shown that parental involvement is essential to a child’s educational success. This thesis document addresses the important role that parents play in their child’s educational experience.

This paper includes a thorough review of the existing literature regarding parental involvement in education as well as original research conducted by the author. Three questionnaires - one for parents, one for teachers, and one for students - were created and then an average of 100 parents, teachers, and students responded to each respective survey. All of the data were then analyzed and recommendations were made.

There are numerous strategies for teachers …

Inclusion: An Overview Of Working Models, Robertta Ruth Devries

Masters Theses

Increasingly, students with disabilities are being placed in general education classroom; defined as inclusion, to be educated with students without disabilities. Proponents such as parents, professionals, economists, researchers, and the general public are recommending a change in the continuum of services and a move toward a more integrated setting. Supporters proclaim: (a) special education is discriminating because it segregates students, (b) combining special education with general education will decrease the ever expanding budget, and (c) the American educational system is lacking and a “higher quality” education is essential. But, current research is not proving inclusion is a positive move forward …

The Old English Prose Homily On The Phoenix, Patricia Relf Hanavan

Masters Theses

The Old English prose homily on the phoenix, which is found in two manuscripts, Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 198 (eleventh century), and London, British Library, MS Cotton Vespasian D. xiv (twelfth century), is the subject of this thesis. The study addresses the homily's imagery, sources, and context.

Comparison of the homily with two of its closest analogues, the Old English verse Phoenix and its source, the Latin De ave phoenice attributed to Lactantius, reveals that, in spite of similarities, the homily was based upon neither; its source likely was an overtly Christian Latin text unknown to us today. In …

The Role Of Alcohol And Stress On Measures Of Depression And Anxiety Among College Students, Jeffrey F. Porter

Masters Theses

In clinical literature regarding the effects of regular alcohol use, psychological benefits of moderate consumption have been suggested (Neff & Husaini, 1982; Neff, 1984; Neff & Husaini, 1985; Neff, 1985; Neff, 1986; Neff, 1993, Lipton, 1994). Despite the diverse groups with which this theory has been examined, no published studies have lookeq specifically at the high-risk group of college undergraduates. Subjects were surveyed to assess their typical drinking behavior, the number of stressful events they had experienced within the past 12 months, their perceived social support, and depressive and anxiety symptoms they experienced within the seven days leading up to …

Geophysical Characterization Of A Jp-4 (Lnapl) Contaminated Site At The Wurtsmith, Air Force Base, Oscoda, Michigan, Kristina C. Sprietzer

Masters Theses

The detection of hydrocarbon contamination in the subsurface using geophysical techniques has been based on the known physical properties of high electrical resistivities (ρa) (low conductivities). However, geophysical field investigations at uncontrolled spill sites yield measurements of low resistivity (high conductivity). The purpose of this study is to test that in the natural environment some hydrocarbon spills (in the case of LNAPLs), can exhibit changes with time due to biodegradation, from electrically resistive to conductive. Since time is an important factor, this hypothesis was tested at a site where the time when a hydrocarbon release occurred is known and where …