Digital Commons Network^™

Concerns/Problems Experienced After Discharge From An Acute Care Setting: The Patient's Perspective, Karen R. Peper

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the discharge planning process in terms of concerns that patients experience after discharge from an acute care setting. Betty Neuman's Health Care Systems Model was the conceptual framework. Aspects of secondary prevention were used to classify the concerns as either a lack of resources or a reaction to a stressor.; The sample (n = 146) consisted of medical and surgical patients, 18 years or older hospitalized at a community hospital for at least 24 hours.; Data were analyzed descriptively. Data revealed that patients do experience some concerns after discharge. The top four …

Faculty And Student Perceptions Of Effective Clinical Teachers: A Replication, Kathleen L. Miller

Masters Theses

Clinical teaching in nursing has been found to be as problematic as it is in other practice-oriented professions. The purpose of this study is to identify student's and faculty's perceptions of effective characteristics of clinical teachers. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to students and faculty at a university college of nursing in western Michigan to solicit their perceptions. The study data reveal both similarities and differences in their perceptions and raises awareness of how clinical teachers need to be atune with nursing student's learning needs and learning styles. Comparison of this study with the previous studies show a common direction …

The Effects Of Prenatal Breast-Feeding Class On Breast-Feeding Success And Maternal Perception Of The Infant: A Replication, Eileen Grunstra, Susan Rowe

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of prenatal breast-feeding education on a mother's perceived success at breast-feeding. This study also looked at the relationship of prenatal breast-feeding education on a mother's perception of her infant. The conceptual framework utilized was the Roy Adaptation Model. Motherhood and breast-feeding involve a change in role, which is why this theory served as a foundation for the study. The method for study was a quasi-experimental design. Subjects in the experimental group attended a prenatal breast-feeding class, those in the control group did not. In addition to a general survey questionnaire, …

A Comparison Of Critical Thinking Ability And Clinical Judgement Skills In Associate And Baccalaureate Senior Nursing Students, Debra L. Sietsema

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive, correlational study was to compare the critical thinking and clinical judgement skills of senior nursing students at two educational levels. A convenience sample of 34 students in the Midwest was obtained during the spring semester before graduation (n = 19 baccalaureate, n = 15 associate). The framework for the study was decision theory. Critical thinking ability was measured by the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal. Clinical judgement was determined by the ability to recognize cues, provide nursing diagnosis, interventions and corresponding rationale after viewing five video vignettes produced by Performance Management Services. Demographic data was …

Evaluation Of Coagulation Studies Drawn From Heparinized Arterial Lines, Lois J. Van Donselaar

Masters Theses

Drawing blood from indwelling heparinized arterial catheters is a common procedure in critical care units. The accuracy of coagulation studies drawn from heparinized arterial lines has been a source of controversy and divergent results of research studies. The discarding of blood to provide an uncontaminated specimen is a concern as a source of infection for health care workers. This study evaluates the accuracy of aPTT results drawn from the Lab-Site pressure tubing system which provides a closed system that eliminates blood discard. Blood was obtained from radial artery catheters connected to the Lab-Site system and compared to specimens obtained simultaneously, …

What Is The Relationship Between Perceived Job Stress, Job Satisfaction, And Psychological Symptoms Of Critical Care Nurses?, Barbara L. Hooper

Masters Theses

House's Stress Paradigm provided the theoretical framework for this study which examined the relationship between job satisfaction and job stress, and the correlation of job stress with the experience of psychological symptoms in a sample of 32 critical care nurses from an urban midwestern hospital. The Brief Symptom Inventory and Atwood and Hinshaw's Nursing Job Satisfaction and Job Stress Scales were used to measure the variables. A moderately strong correlation (r = {dollar}-{dollar}.63, p =.001) was found between job satisfaction and perceived job stress. No significant relationship was found between perceived job stress and psychological symptoms. These findings suggest that …

The Effect Of Anxiety On Student Nurses' Performance When Administering Intramuscular Or Subcutaneous Injections, Sandra L. Osborne

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine what the relationship was between levels of trait and state anxiety and performance when giving intramuscular or subcutaneous injections. It was a replication of a study by Megal, Wilken, and Volcek (1987).; In May, 1990, the STAI Form Y-2 was used to assess trait anxiety of 17 students at a community college in the Midwest. State anxiety was measured by using the STAI Form Y-1 immediately before: (1) laboratory performance examinations and (2) giving first injections to clients. Instructors completed Injection Skill Check Lists to measure performance.; Students reported high levels of …

Parental Coping With A Chronically Ill Child, Shari Jo Allore Bertolone

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine what coping mechanisms families of chronically ill children indicated they utilized to cope on a daily basis. This study utilized the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP) to collect data. The CHIP is designed to assess parents perceptions of behaviors they are currently using to manage family life. There are three main coping patterns focused on and it is hypothesized that a balance of these three patterns is essential for a positive outcome. This study found there are certain mothers and fathers who are at risk for not using a balance of …

Hardiness And Adaptation To Hypertension, Marcia L. Smit

Masters Theses

Hardiness, a personality characteristic that is purposed to mediate the stress response and reduce the likelihood of illness, was studied in the context of adaptation to chronic disease. A descriptive correlational design was used to determine whether a positive relationship exists between the presence of hardiness and psychosocial adaptation to hypertension. The sample consisted of 50 individuals 60 years old or older. Data was analyzed using the product moment correlation coefficient, Spearman's Rho, and multiple regression. A moderately weak correlation (r =.39, df = 48, p =.003) between hardiness and adaptation was found. Other significant relationships identified included those between …

Weaning The Long-Term Ventilator Patient: A Nursing Protocol, Karen J. Trudell

Masters Theses

This study evaluated the effects of implementing a standardized nursing protocol on decreasing the length of time it takes the patient to wean from long-term ventilation using an ex post facto comparison group design. The standard nursing protocol is a set of 10 nursing interventions used to standardize the weaning process. A retrospective chart review was performed on 24 patients who were in the intensive care unit of a community teaching medical center, and required long-term ventilation of six days or more. After nine months of implementation of a standard nursing protocol, allowing for the intensive care nurses to become …

A Statewide Survey Of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Kathryn S. Bach

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Dr. Professor Mommy: Working Mothers' Gender Role Self Images In The University Community, Dawn Renee Krywanio

Masters Theses

A common misperception exists that working mothers experience their professional lives differently than other working women. This is often the basis for differential treatment of mothers in the workplace. This thesis describes gender role self image among university women in administration, faculty, and staff positions who are also parents; it relates to professional relationship satisfaction in the workplace. Data were collected through the use of open ended surveys of 185 female employees at Eastern Illinois University, follow up interviews, and a Likert scale survey within the same population. Content analysis of the data and qualitative results are the descriptive basis …

How Actualities Affect The Credibility And Audience Evaluation Of Radio Newscasts, Michael G. Bradd

Masters Theses

This study tests the hypotheses that actualities increase the audience appeal and credibility of a radio newscast. Two treatment newscasts of identical content were produced using the same announcer. One of the treatments used actualities in four of the seven stories while the other treatment had no actualities. Analysis of variance was used to compare subjects' evaluations of the two treatments. The study found that contrary to common wisdom in the radio industry, actualities have no statistically significant impact on the audience appeal of a newscast. The data did not confirm the credibility hypothesis; it strongly suggested that actualities do …

Factors Affecting Psychosocial Adjustment Of Individuals Following Ostomy Surgery, Margot Knapp

Masters Theses

The literature has documented the traumatic effect of ostomy surgery. Individuals who need to integrate a new body image must go through a period of psychosocial adjustment. Several studies have been done to analyze components of adjustment and to ascertain variables which might affect adjustment. Psychosocial adjustment to ostomy surgery is a new field of study and previous research has been limited in scope.

The current study sought primarily to identify both demographic and categorical variables predictive of a broad range of adjustment factors, and by using a comprehensive sample. Independent variables included age, level of education, precipitating illness, type …

The Appropriateness Of Heart Rate And Rating Of Perceived Exertion As A Measure Of Intensity During Three Variations Of Aerobic Dance, Brendan Patrick Roach

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Field Experience: The Paris High School Climate, Steven R. Sabens

Masters Theses

A comprehensive survey of the perceptions of students, teachers, and parents regarding the climate at Paris High School was conducted. This assessment was accomplished by conducting a random sample survey of students and parents, and a total survey of faculty.

Analysis of the survey results identified five specific areas in the Paris High School climate needing improvement (a) school/community relations, (b) student support climate, (c) school image, (d) school problems, and (e) students identifying a purpose between what they are studying and their everyday lives. In addition, a thorough review of recent literature and research associated with effective schools and …

Consolidation Study For Illinois Community Unit School Districts No. 10 And No. 20, Judith J. Phipps

Masters Theses

The main purpose of this field study was to examine factors related to school consolidation in Lawrence County, Illinois. Two unit school districts-Community Unit School District No. 10 and No. 20-have been in operation since 1972 in southeastern Illinois. Both districts have full recognition by the Illinois State Board of Education and North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

In 1991-92, approximately 2,800 students attended kindergarten through twelfth grade in Lawrence County. However, financial considerations were the primary concerns of the schools/ operations. Due to revenue losses in farmland reassessment, property taxes and general state aid, Lawrence County administrators examined …

The Effects Of Knowledge Of Accrued Clinical Clock Hours On Supervisors' Evaluations Of Clinical Competence, Julie Ann Johnston-Palmer

Masters Theses

Supervision in speech-language pathology is one facet of the field in which all speech-language pathologists have had to engage. The more that is known about the process of supervision the better future speech-language pathologists can be prepared to interact in a professional setting. Many variables are present in supervision related to the field of speech-language pathology. One variable which has received only minimal attention relates to the effect knowledge about a student clinician's number of accrued clinical clock hours has on the evaluation of the clinician's skills. The assumption is often made that a student clinician with more clinical clock …

The Effect Of Genetic And Environmental Stress Factors On Alcohol Consumption In Rats, Sharon E. Pryor

Masters Theses

The etiology of alcoholism continues to be investigated. Heredity and environment have both been implicated as causes; however, the reason some people drink more than others has not been determined by science. Twin and adoption studies in humans yield evidence for genetic factors in alcoholism. Studies of possible markers in humans and studies of laboratory animal models have produced further evidence for the genetic transmission of alcohol preference. This animal study was done to further investigate the effects of heredity and environment on preference for alcohol in laboratory rats. Two genetic strains of rats, Wistar and Fischer-344, (n=39) were given …

Federalism, Intergovernmental Relations, And The Illinois State Division Of Safety Inspection And Education, William E. Darrell

Masters Theses

Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) saturates the academic study and practice of public administration. The two are combined into a structure of government (federalism) and the flow of information and instructions within that structure (IGR). Forming a single and complex theoretical approach to public administration, they offer definition and clarification to the nature of American government. However, the approach is inherently biased - as currently offered. Deliberate or not, it stresses the supremacy of each level of government over lesser units - a clear hierarchical structure. A pyramid is often described with individual citizens as the foundation and national government …

Acoustic And Perceptual Correlates Of Breathy Vocal Quality, Ronald Allen Cleveland

Masters Theses

Recordings were made of seven normal female and eight normal male talkers producing sustained vowels under normal, moderately breathy, and very breathy conditions. Twenty listeners judged the recorded vowel tokens for degree of breathiness using a direct magnitude estimation procedure. A Cronbach coefficient alpha revealed strong intrasubject agreement.

Several acoustic analyses were evaluated by measuring their correlations with the mean of the listeners' breathiness ratings. Measures of cepstral peak prominence in band limited signals were most strongly correlated with perceived breathiness. The height of the autocorrelation peak in highpass filtered signals and the relative amplitude of the first harmonic were …

Effects Of Music As A Conditioned Stimulus And Progressive Muscle Relaxation In Reducing Anxiety, Marie Elaine Clarkson

Masters Theses

The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether music could become a conditioned stimulus for lowered muscle tension and/or reduced anxiety.

There were three groups: (1) the PMR group receiving PMR alone, (2) the MUS group receiving music alone, and (3) the PMRM group receiving PMR followed by music. After four training sessions, a posttest was conducted in which all of the groups were given five minutes to relax. The PMR group had silence, the MUS group had music and the PMRM group had music which had previously been heard after relaxation training. Tension and anxiety reduction were …

An Analysis Of Health Related Fitness Practices In The Michigan Secondary School Physical Education Curriculum, D. Robert Salmon

Masters Theses

This study investigated the emphasis placed on health-related fitness in Michigan's secondary school physical education system. Information for this study was gathered from questionnaires. A total of 707 questionnaires was sent out, with 421 returned, representing a response rate of 59%. Analyzed variables included: (a) psychomotor, (b) cognitive, (c) socio-economic, (d) frequency, (e) geographical regions, (f) class size, (g) faculty, (h) public/private education, (i) facilities, and (j) evaluation tests. Statistical analyses included percentages, frequencies, and chi squares.

The findings from this study indicated that only two variables, (c) socioeconomic, and (j) evaluation, had a significant effect on fitness education. It …

Democracy And Capitalism: The Issue Joined From Within, Christopher E. Bischoff

Masters Theses

This study utilizes contemporary and classical literature to illuminate the complexities of Western democracy. Of specific focus is American democracy and the effects that capitalism has had upon democracy in America. The achievement of democracy on the scale of the modern nation-state appears problematic even without the adversarial burdens posed by a capitalist economic consort. It emerges that American democracy is particularly compromised by its roots in liberal tradition. Forced by nature to depend upon the allocative abilities of its economic consort, democracy must endure a relationship that dramatically undermines its ideological orientation. Although American democracy is not yet in …

The Effects Of Two Types Of Hypnotic Suggestions On Analgesic Responding In Moderately Hypnotizable Subjects, Gloria M. Haddad

Masters Theses

This study assessed the effects of two hypnotic suggestions on hypnotic performance in medium hypnotizable subjects. Subjects were exposed at separate intervals to either an hypnotic suggestion patter containing specific imagery or alternatively to a suggestion patter that provided only general problem-solving direction. Hypnotic performance was assessed using tolerance and threshold measures on a cold-pressor test.

The problem-solving suggestions were shown to increase both threshhold and tolerance of noxious stimulation. The imagery suggestions proved to be effective only for the threshhold measure.

These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the use of hypnosis with subjects who do …

Selected Studies On Certain Iron Sandwich Complexes, Mashitah M. Yusoff

Masters Theses

In these studies, the synthesis of [2.3](1,3)cyclopentadiendoparacyclophane was attempted. Like ferrocene and [2.2]paracyclophane, it is expected to exhibit transannular π-electronic interaction throughout its molecular structure and therefore, one dimensional semiconductivity.

The preparation of dialkylferrocenes had resulted in complex inseparable mixtures. Due to the fluxional nature of its intermediates, their conversion to stable Diels-Alder adducts would facilitate analysis. In this project, certain Diels-Alder adducts of bis-cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl intermediates were prepared for analysis.

Very few transition metal complexes of pyrrole are currently known. [2.2](2,5)Pyrroloparacyclophane was perceived to be stable especially as a part of an iron sandwich complex. The final phase …

Repeated Acquisition With Developmentally Disabled Adults: Some Methodological Improvements, Thomas M. Rueber

Masters Theses

This study obtained repeated-acquisition data from four developmentally disabled adults. The procedure was a refinement of one used earlier by Madsen (1988) and a comparison was made between the two. Verbal praise, edibles, and money were used to reinforce correct responding. In addition, an informal comparison was made between individual repeated-acquisition performance and IQ scores. The refinements of the Madsen procedure included: (1) using a 10-second timeout as the consequence of an error, (2) placing poker chips in die-cut holes, (3) using different colored construction paper backgrounds, (4) limiting each session to one sequence, (5) using percent correct responses as …

Reinforcement Effects On The I.Q. Scores Of Institutionalized Children And Adults With Developmental Disabilities, Jody Robin Lewis

Masters Theses

Eighteen institutionalized school-age and adult subjects with severe/profound developmental disabilities were evaluated for the effects of self-selected reinforcement for correct responding on their I.Q. scores when tested with the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (Terman & Merrill, 1960) or the Leiter International Performance Scale (Arthur, 1952). Subjects were tested under both standard and reinforcement conditions. The results indicated that overall, subjects when tested under reinforcement conditions showed a significant increase in mean I.Q. scores when compared with the same subjects tested one month previously under standard conditions. Several features of the data reveal intriguing results with regard to subjects and related preexisting …

The Effects Of Goal Setting And Supervisory Feedback On Staff Performance In A Human Service Setting, Michael D. Mack

Masters Theses

Goal setting and supervisory feedback were examined to determine their relative effects on the performance of direct care staff. The performance of five staff from a day treatment program for developmentally disabled adults was measured. The specific performance measure of interest was staff implementation rates of daily training programs with clients. The results demonstrated that adding performance feedback to goal setting had minimal impact on staff performance. Yet, goal setting alone as an initial technique was effective in improving the performance of staff. Unfortunately, the long-term effects of goal setting alone may be less desirable than these initial data indicate. …

The Effects Of Daily And Weekly Supervisor Feedback On The Performance Of University Clerical Staff, Christopher Benjamin Turla

Masters Theses

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a feedback system developed to increase the productivity and job satisfaction of clerical staff in a university unit that admitted and audited students. Weekly and daily feedback were compared. Employees self-recorded the quantity and type of tasks completed throughout the study. In feedback condition 1, the supervisor delivered feedback once a week to two employees and everyday to three employees. In feedback condition 2, feedback frequencies were switched such that employees who first received weekly feedback received daily feedback, and employees who first received daily feedback received weekly feedback. Job satisfaction was measured before …