Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of Amateur Educational Video Viewing On Language Acquisition Of Preschool Children, Jennifer L. Radcliffe

Masters Theses

Child language-learning is a complex process that varies for each individual child. Researchers have found that children learn from viewing professional television programs specifically designed for children, such as Sesame Street. Professional television programming principles can be adopted to produce amateur educational videos. Video may also be a viable option to provide repetitive models to improve vocabulary acquisition within speech-language pathology. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of direct stimulation with amateur educational videos on a child's general and specific vocabulary acquisition.

A six-week experiment included an initial two-week control period, a two-week experimental period …

Birth Order And The Separation-Individuation Of Late Adolescents, Amy Loren Maddrey

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Practice Of 7th And 8th Grade Retention In Illinois Public Schools, Steve Bianchetta

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to investigate the practice of grade retention in Illinois public schools with a combined 7th and 8th grade enrollment of at least 100 students and a district student population of less than 1700 students. A sample population of schools was obtained by dividing Illinois into three geographic areas and randomly selecting 30 schools from each area. The northern area consisted of schools north of Interstate 80. The central area consisted of schools between Interstate 80 and Interstate 70. The southern area consisted of schools south of Interstate 70.

Principals in each of the sample schools were …

Integrating Student Expectations Into Writing Center Theory And Practice, Mary J. Bonevelle

Masters Theses

When students go to a writing center to be tutored, they expect a certain type of instruction based on their prior experiences. Many students are perplexed to find that the parameters of writing center instruction are quite different than they anticipated. The resulting conflict between student expectations and actual center methods often induces tensions which can impede the effectiveness tutorial instruction. This thesis explores the basis of student expectations, strategies for addressing student expectations in practice, and the importance of acknowledging these expectations in writing center theory.

Chapter 1 discusses the incongruous relationship between writing center theory and practice and …

Perceptions Of Family Functioning And Suicide Attitudes, Stephanie Lynch

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the general functioning of a family is related to attitudes regarding suicide. Past research has examined the impact of family functioning on suicide attitudes and found that the relationship between families and children are different in families of suicidal children than in families who have nonsuicidal children. This study combined three variables of suicide acceptance, suicide normality, and perceptions of family functioning in the hopes of gaining more information to assess risk of harm to self in adolescents. The participants were 94 students from Introductory Psychology classes at Eastern Illinois University. …

Father's Parenting Style And Childhood Mealtime Experiences: Predictors Of Bulimia, Marci C. Smith

Masters Theses

Although many factors may contribute to the etiology of bulimia (Killian, 1994; Root et al., 1986; Striegel-Moore et al., 1986; Weiss et al., 1994), only a few factors differentiate between individuals who will or will not develop bulimia nervosa. There is a need to further explore and narrow the determinants of bulimia nervosa in order to develop a universal model to understand and treat the disorder. This study investigates the extent that childhood mealtime experiences and father's parenting style contribute to the manifestation of bulimic symptoms. The Bulimia Test-Revised (Thelen & Farmer, 1991) is used to classify 146 college-age females …

The Interaction Between Religiosity And Depression Among Students At Two Universities, Nils Anders Haldorsen

Masters Theses

The association between religion and mental health has been a long standing topic of the debate. Some have felt that religion leads to emotional and mental disturbances and thus is detrimental to mental health (Freud, 1907/1924, 1927/1961; Ellis, 1980, 1988); while others believe religion is helpful to mental health (Jung, 1932, 1933; Bergin 1980, 1983) . This study used 180 male and female (79%) college students from a Midwestern state university (62%) and a Christian liberal arts college. It was found that for women, private religiosity was negatively related to depression, as measured by the BDI. Students from the state …

Bosnian Civilian Survivors Of War In Exile And In Bosnia: A Comparative Study, Ines Lajla Matijas

Masters Theses

This study describes the psychological consequences of war for 111 female Bosnian civilians, 59 of whom are survivors in exile and 52 of whom are living in Bosnia. These participants, ages 18-23, completed anonymous self-report questionnaires which provided information about the prevalence of traumatic stress symptoms and the relationship between traumatic events experienced during the war and current symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Contrary to expectations, no significant differences were found in PTSD diagnosis and PTSD severity between survivors in exile and survivors in Bosnia. No significant differences were found between groups in the frequency of reexperiencing, avoidance and …

Growing Old And Growing Wise? Parenting And Maturation In Henry James' Selected Tales And Novels, Judit Magyar

Masters Theses

My thesis examines young people portrayed in Henry James' selected novels and tales, exploring the theme of the maturing process, with special emphasis on the influence of the adult world on the psychological development of the young. To this end, I focus on the following works: Daisy Miller, The Portrait of a Lady, “A London Life,” “The Pupil,” What Maisie Knew, “The Tum of the Screw” and The Awkward Age. James, through the experience of his young characters, explores not only the depths of moral corruption in society, but also the necessary steps to be taken …

Co-Opertition: Competitive Communication Behavior During A Cooperative Task, Daniel M. Hlavac

Masters Theses

A combined effort of two classes at separate universities was examined. Each class boasted six groups which were paired with another group at the other university. These teams used computer mediated communication to engage in a cooperative task. The communications between groups were analyzed using conversational analytic techniques to reveal a competitive communication pattern. The results show that a lack of communication can produce competitive behaviors even in situations intended to nurture cooperation. Future concerns should focus on teaching groups to use computer mediated communication (CMC) to its fullest potential by recognizing and accounting for the critical differences between CMC …

"Time Is One": The Temporal Aspect Of The Hopi Language And Its Experimental Application In Postmodernist Novels, Peter Buru

Masters Theses

My thesis examines the relationship between the temporal aspects of the language of the Hopi Indians, based on Benjamin Lee Whorf’s linguistic analyses, and postmodernist narrative theory. Within postmodernism itself, the study focuses on the narratives' handling of time and space, as illustrated by the following novels: Sexing the Cherry by Jeanette Winterson; Time's Arrow by Martin Amis; Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.; and Almanac of the Dead by Leslie Marmon Silko.

The study investigates how these postmodernist novels experiment with the application of a timeless temporal scheme. This scheme originates from what I refer to as Benjamin Lee Whorf’s …

A Comparison Of The Knowledge, Misconceptions, And Attitudes Toward The Elderly Of First Versus Final Year Students In Accredited Physical Therapy Programs, Christina J. Fleming, Mark A. Kandes, Jennifer E. Shultz

Masters Theses

Physical therapy is one of the many professions that must respond to the increase of health care utilization by the rapidly growing elderly population. The purposes of this cross-sectional study were to compare first and final year physical therapy students’ knowledge, misconceptions, and attitudes toward the elderly and to determine if knowledge correlates with attitudes. Students in their first year (N=168) and final year (N=149) of accredited Master’s level physical therapy programs were surveyed. Questionnaires consisted of: a short demographic sheet, Palmore’s Facts on Aging Quiz 1 with a “don’t know” response added, and a modified Aging Semantic Differential by …

Normative Database Of Adult Unilateral Trans-Tibial Amputee Gait, Kevin Carley, Kristin Dart, Margery Vos

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compile a database of gait characteristics for adult, unilateral trans-tibial amputees specific to the protocol for the Center of Human Kinetic Studies. Subjects were community ambulators with established gait patterns and had used their current prosthesis for greater than three months. Kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic data of the lower extremities were collected and analyzed using a motion analysis system, force plates, and surface electrodes. Data were normalized to percent gait cycle and presented as an average of trials taken. Results of this study were similar to previously published literature. This database of amputee …

Efficacy Of Neurodevelopmental Treatment With Primary Focus On Dynamic Postural Control In A Chronic Stroke Individual, Renee E. Baer, Mary Kathryn Koeninger, Neha S. Shah

Masters Theses

This study examined the efficacy of Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) with primary focus on seated dynamic postural control (DPC) in a chronic stroke individual. Secondarily, the relationship between postural control and upper extremity function was examined. An 11 week ABAB single subject design was utilized. DPC was measured using the Modified Functional Reach Test (MFRT) and DPC Checklists (DPCCs). The MFRT had high interrater reliability (> 0.97) for the four reach directions and therefore could be clinically useful. Data was graphically analyzed using the two standard deviation band width method. During treatment phase 1, significant upward trends were noted in anterior …

The Effect Of Post-Prostatectomy Urinary Incontinence On Quality Of Life, Martha Ellen Rheault

Masters Theses

The purpose o f this study was to evaluate the effect of post-operative urinary incontinence on the quality of life of men after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). A convenience sample consisted of 128 males, aged 40 to 75 years, who underwent RRP between May, 1994 and June, 1996 at a 529 bed acute care hospital in a Midwest city.

Subjects were asked to complete 3 data collection tools: The Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index Cancer Version (Q.L.I.-C.V.); The Urinary Function Questionnaire for Men After Radical Prostatectomy (Herr, 1994); and a Demographic/Related Information Questionnaire, developed by the researcher.

A …

Chlamydia: Universal Vs Selective Screening, Verneal Y. Glispie

Masters Theses

Women, age 20 to 39, attending three family planning clinics within a Michigan health department, were screened for Chlamydia trachomatis. A nucleic acid hybridization test (Gen-Probe) was used to collect cervical specimens for seven consecutive months. A chlamydia risk assessment form, using Michigan Department of Community Health's selective screening criteria, was used to determine the client's risk group. A chi-square test with Yates correction was used for data analysis. The prevalence rates of high and low risk groups were compared with no significant difference (p = .18). The prevalence rates were 12.% in Site A; 1.7% in Site B; …

Pain Management Practice In The Acute Adult Trauma Patient, Sally B. Ossewaarde

Masters Theses

The purpose o f this study was to compare the pain management o f acute adult trauma patients during the first hour of resuscitation at a Level I Trauma Center versus non Level 1 Trauma Center Emergency Departments.

A descriptive two group comparison design was used for this study. The sample consisted o f 74 patients at the Level I Center and 65 patients at the non Level I Centers. Data was obtained through a retrospective chart review. Type, route, dose of analgesic, time from admission to first dose, and number o f consecutive doses were determined and analyzed by …

Women's Perceptions Of Postpartum Appointment Keeping Barriers, Carol L. Czuk

Masters Theses

An exploratory, descriptive design was used to examine women's perceptions of barriers that inhibited them from keeping their postpartum appointments. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was used as a theoretical framework, with special attention to the barriers dimension. A three-part survey consisting of basic demographic questions, a five point response scale for assessment of perceived barriers, and open-ended questions were used for data collection. A convenience sample of 15 women in a rural southwestern Michigan community who had not kept their postpartum appointment by the sixth week after delivery were included in the study. Data were collected by a structured …

Comparison Of Pulmonary Artery, Tympanic, Oral, And Axillary Temperatures, Linda Oravec Walter

Masters Theses

Hypothermia depresses the myocardium and shifts the oxygen dissociation curve to the left. Accurate tem perature monitoring Is essential. Studies conflict regarding the accuracy of sites other than the pulmonary artery (the gold standard) In temperature measurement of intubated patients. Using Roy’s Adaptation Model as a conceptual framework, repeated measures analysis of variance found a significant difference between the pulmonary artery, tympanic, oral, and axillary temperatures when taken within 15 minutes of arriving to the cardiothoracic unit and then hourly for four hours after open heart surgery. Post hoc t-test showed significant differences during rapid temperature changes. When temperatures were …

Stress, Coping, Adaptation, And Family Hardiness In Families With An Adult Child Who Is Developmentally Disabled And Living In The Parental Home, Joan M. Vansolkema

Masters Theses

Families who successfully cope and adapt to having a child with a developmental disability are of interest to health professionals. The Typology Model of Adjustment and Adaptation and family hardiness provided the conceptual framework to explore and describe the relationships between family hardiness and family coping and adaptation. Sixty-three families returned a mailed survey that included the Family Hardiness Index, Coping Health Inventory for Parents, and Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales II. Higher levels of family hardiness were associated with better family coping and adaptation. Results of ANOVAs and multiple regression indicate the level of mental retardation of the …

The Relationship Between Self-Care Agency, Self-Efficacy, And Medication Management Behaviors In Chronically Ill Elderly Home-Bound Individuals, Elaine J. Lince

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the exercise of self-care agency, long-term medication self-efficacy and medication management in elderly, chronically ill home-bound individuals. The study seeks to answer the following hypotheses: (1) There is a positive relationship between level of self-care agency and level of medication management in elderly, chronically ill home-bound individuals; (2) Level of long-term medication behavior self-efficacy is a predictor of level of medication management in chronically 01, elderly, home-bound individuals. The study sought to answer the following question: What is the degree of variability in level of medication management that is …

Gender Differences In Reported Quality Of Life In Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients, Susan M. Flynn

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in the way men and women experience their cardiac problems, rehabilitation programs, and the resulting quality of life. A descriptive two group research design was utilized. A convenience sample produced 35 participants, 20 men and 15 women. At the participant’s first or second cardiac rehabilitation session, a pretest on quality of life was given. Posttesting was done at 5-8 weeks later. It was hypothesized that the women would have lower quality of life scores than the men. This was not supported in a data analysis using an analysis of covariance. …

An Investigation Of Psychological Distress And Self-Destructive Behavior In Adult Victims Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Susan Christine Wood

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the differences in psychological distress exhibited between adult victims and non-victims of childhood sexual abuse, both of which are acting out in a self-destructive manner.

This study investigates the damaging effects that childhood sexual abuse has on its adult victims. The Brief Symptom Inventory (ESI) was used to measure current psychological symptom status and is designed to detect internal distress, often not visible externally. Childhood sexual abuse produces an hyperarousal state which overwhelms the limbic system, leading to developmental dysfunction and restricted cognition. Due to the dysfunctional development produced by childhood sexual …

The Perceptions Students Have About Transitioning From A Small Rural K-8 School District (Tamaroa) To A Larger Community High School (Pinckneyville) In Southern Illinois, Robert J. Hamerski

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field study was to ascertain the perceptions of former Tamaroa, Illinois, Grade School students regarding their transition to Pinckneyville High School. The research questions were:

1. How successful were former Tamaroa Grade School eighth graders at Pinckneyville High School as evidenced by perceived high school academic standing?

2. What are the perceptions of former Tamaroa Grade School students regarding issues related to the importance of completing high school?

3. What are the perceptions of former Tamaroa Grade School students attending Pinckneyville High School regarding adjustments needed to perform well academically in high school and graduating?

4. …

Differential Perceptions Of A Midwestern University Counseling Center, Michele A. Melvin

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine how the role of a Midwestern university Counseling Center is perceived by select university populations. The null hypothesis stated that no significant differences would exist among groups in their perceptions of the appropriateness of various student concerns for discussion at the Counseling Center. Responses were gathered through a written survey, which was a version of the Counseling Appropriateness Checklist (CACL). The instrument consisted of 60 items related to student issues and one item regarding familiarity with Counseling Center services. It was revised by this writer and three university professors of a graduate …

Perceptions Of Parents Of Elementary Students In Paris Union School District #95, Paris, Illinois, Regarding Curriculum Trends, Instructional Techniques, And Support Services, Lorraine A. Bailey

Masters Theses

The purpose of the field study was to ascertain the perceptions of parents of elementary students in grades K-5 in Paris Union School District #95, Paris, Illinois, regarding curriculum areas, instructional techniques, and support services. Addressing these areas was believed to be one important component in the process of determining the extent of the need for new or remodeled facilities at the elementary level in the district.

The researcher believed facilities of the future may be significantly different from their predecessors depending upon the nature and extent of curriculum changes. Before new facilities were proposed for Paris Union School District …

"Childhood And Other Disabilities", Sandra Beauchamp

Masters Theses

This creative thesis, a collection of personal poetry and critical analysis, explores the experiences of women and children who have grown up in mentally and physically abusive environments, and examines the ramifications such abuse has on their subsequent adulthood. Each poem focuses on one particular individual's struggle to cope with violent or abusive circumstances in her past or present existence. Since the poems are arranged sequentially, mapping a woman's transition from childhood to adulthood, the works deal with various stages in the lives of women. While some of the poetry finds its genesis in my own personal experiences, like the …

Acculturation And College Attendance In Hispanic Students, Alma D. Najera

Masters Theses

This study investigated the relationship between acculturation and college attendance of Hispanic high school students. Acculturation is mainly associated with the degree to which one experiences cultural change toward the majority culture. It was theorized that acculturation would have a postive association with college attendance. Acculturation level, socioeconomic status and college attendance were the varibles utilized. The students filled out a questionnaire that was composed of 12 questions and five-self report questions. The Twelve qestions were taken from the Short Acculturation Scale, two questions regarding socioeconomic status were taken from the Hollingshead Scocioecomic Scale, with the remaining questions inquiring about …

The Ruins Of Childhood: Jim Thompson, Erskine Caldwell, And William Faulkner Expose Guilt And Consequence, Robert Thomas Newell

Masters Theses

In this thesis, I examine the novels of Jim Thompson, Erskine Caldwell, and William Faulkner and, in turn, depict their exploration of poisoned childhood. This theme is prevalent in many of these authors' works, and I not only illustrate what horrors children are put through in their novels, but I also show that uncaring and unthinking adults are the root cause. The ruining of a child's life is a rippling problem; often times, adulthood is ruined because of a person's childhood.

I explore the devastation that irresponsible adults can have on their impressionable children. Through either neglect or selfish values, …

An Analysis Of Parental Involvement At Iep Conferences For Students With Hearing Impairments, Kristina S. Kroeker Parker

Masters Theses

Legislation of the 1970's and 80's mandated parental involvement in the development of special education plans for children with disabilities. The literature has indicated that parents are often passive recipients of information (Goldstein, Strickland, Turnbull, & Curry, 1980) even though parent involvement in a child's education has been associated with academic success (Epstein, 1990). An observational analysis of eighteen IEP conferences for children with hearing impairments receiving services through the Eastern Illinois Area Special Education Cooperative was completed. Observers recorded the frequency of verbal participation by the parents, and parents and teachers completed questionnaires addressing satisfaction and perceptions of involvement …