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A Comparison Between Afro-American And White College Student's Attitudes Toward Suicide, Christina M. Mentes

Masters Theses

The rate of suicide in the United States has increased considerably in recent years making research of suicidal behaviors an important avenue of study. Yet the rate of increase has been inconsistent across demographic variables such as gender, age, and ethnicity, making it difficult to determine risk factors and predictors of suicidal behavior. Previous studies have conflicting results as to whether or not it is possible to determine risk factors by measuring attitudes towards suicide, and whether or not certain demographic variables correlate with attitudes toward suicidal behavior. This study investigates attitudes toward suicidal behavior and demographic variables in order …

The Relationship Between Social Skills, Social Phobia And Behavior Disorders In Adolescents, Kristin A. Lavery

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Among Family Environment Attributes, Personological Factors, Low Self-Esteem And Late Adolescent Problem Drinking, Kenneth L. Dalla Costa

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Ready Or Not? A Qualitative Study Of The Perceived Effects Of Training On A Residence Hall Director's Job Satisfaction, Confidence Level, And Social Connectedness, Linda R. Kenyon

Masters Theses

The purpose of this qualitative study was to demonstrate the need for quality training in the Residence Life setting at Eastern Illinois University. The study was also intended to assess the effects of training on a new Residence Hall Director's (RHD) job satisfaction, social connectedness, and confidence level. Personal interviews were conducted with two different groups of new staff members who participated in the Residence Hall Director training program at Eastern Illinois University.

The 1995 cohort of interviewees (n=5) participated in the Fall, 1995 RHD training program. Interviews were designed to elicit feedback from trainees about their perception of the …

Retention Of Quality Teachers In Small School Districts, Donald E. Smith

Masters Theses

The retention of quality teachers in small school districts is a challenge for superintendents. The continual loss of quality teachers can be damaging to the overall success of the small district. In order to avert the loss, superintendents need to be made aware of strategies that will assist in retaining quality teachers. The purposes of this study were to determine the frequency of quality teachers leaving small school districts and then to identify strategies that superintendents felt were useful in averting the loss.

The study was conducted during the summer of 1997. Superintendents of unit school districts with 1000 students …

The Inexorable Work Life Of Manoel De Oliveira: Addressing The Trends And Movements Of The 20th Century As A Form Of Understanding The European Film Industry, Beatriz Saiani

Masters Theses

Manoel de Oliveira is perhaps the most prestigious Portuguese filmmaker of the latter half of the 20th century. His work has influenced Portuguese society as well as the European cultural context. Oliveira's importance is the result of his work, which enhances more "quality" than entertainment, and his years of experience in making films. Three major themes are analyzed in this study, literature, German Expressionism and Existentialism, and the experiences of memory and "saudade." This is a thematic analysis, which aims to identify the themes that emerged through Manoel de Oliveira's own life experiences while being part of trends and movements …

Referral Biases In The Schools, Camela P. Hayes

Masters Theses

Biases influencing teachers' referral decisions for special education services were examined. Specific biases identified and addressed pertained to students' type of problem behavior, gender and socio-economic status (SES). Subjects included 120 regular elementary school teachers from the western Chicagoland area. A total of 8 vignettes describing a child with varying behavior difficulties, gender and SES, along with 2 questionnaires were utilized. An Analysis of Variance revealed that teachers are less tolerant of students who are disruptive and are more apt to refer them than students with emotional difficulties less overt in their manifestation. The effects of SES on referral decisions …

Barring The Nursery Window: Narrator Intrusion And Separation Anxiety In Children’S Literature, Mary Alice Dwiggins

Masters Theses

This thesis examines the effects of the various degrees of narrative intrusion within the genre of children's fantasy literature addressing the theme of separation. The primary texts include the Grimm Brother's folk tale, "Hansel and Gretel," Maurice Sendak's picture books Where the Wild Things Are, Outside Over There and Dear Mili, and finally ends with J. M. Barrie's novel Peter Pan. In examining these texts there emerge three distinct levels or types of narrative. The first type of narrative is zero degree where little narrator intrusion enters the text. The author does not exist as a persona; thus readers may …

An Exploratory Study Of High School And College Students Attitudes Toward Suicide, Kathy Jo Carroccio

Masters Theses

The present study examined whether demographics such as education level, age, gender, religious background, and experience with suicide affected individuals attitudes toward suicide with 93 college students. The Suicide Opinion Questionnaire (SOQ) was used to assess attitudes including: acceptability-normality; mental & moral illness; suicide as semi-serious; religion; risk; and normality. The Suicide Attitude Vignette Experience (SAVE) was used to measure attitudes toward a number of different problem areas. Church attendance was the best predictor of an individual's attitude toward suicide. Females scored higher, but not significantly so, on the sympathy, empathy, and agree scales of the SAVE. College students viewed …

The Effects Of Sex Guilt And Communication On Condom Use, Renée M. Souva

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether sex guilt and communication were related to condom use. Past research has examined variables that affect condom use and has found that individuals who communicate more about sexual matters, and individuals who have low sex guilt, have been found to use condoms/contraceptives more consistently. This study examined sex guilt and communication and how they predict condom use. The participants were 80 female undergraduates recruited from psychology classes at Eastern Illinois University. Mosher's revised Sex Guilt Inventory and Catania's Health Protective Communication Scale were administered along with a question that assessed condom …

Florence Mcafee: Her Life And Professional Contributions To Physical Education At Eastern Illinois University, Julie Irene Smith

Masters Theses

This study reflects on the life and professional contributions of Florence Geikler McAfee. The study explores the impact Miss McAfee had on the development of the Physical Education curriculum and the department at Eastern Illinois University. Finally, this study comments on the effect Florence McAfee had on the Physical Education students and staff. Miss Florence McAfee came to Eastern, then known as Eastern Illinois Teachers College, in 1924 and was a member of its faculty until her retirement in 1962. She was the Head of the Women's Physical Education Department for twenty-seven years. Miss McAfee served as the only women's …

The Effects Of Timing And Type Of Judge's Instructions And Jurors' Beliefs On Verdicts And Sentence In A Child Sexual Assault Trial, Dawn R. (Campbell) Goldstein

Masters Theses

In order to investigate the effect of judge's instructions and juror beliefs, eighty-three undergraduate males enrolled in psychology classes at Eastern Illinois University participated in a simulated sexual abuse trial. Participants either heard standard instructions in which the judge instructed jurors to decide guilt or innocence based on evidence alone or standard instructions plus information regarding children's limitations as witnesses. Instructions occurred either after testimony or before and after testimony. Certainty of guilt was unrelated to either the timing or type of instructions. However with regard to sentence, there was a significant interaction between timing of instructions and type of …

The Comparison Of The Academic And Behavioral Characteristics Of Children With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury And Children With Learning Disabilities, Leah R. Pace

Masters Theses

This study investigated the differences of academic and behavioral characteristics of children with a suggested history of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) and children with learning disabilities (LD). Parents were given a survey which asked about their child's history of any blow or hit to the head. Teachers were also given a survey which included a rating scale for specific academic and behavioral characteristics. Results indicated that the MTBI group was not different from the LD group. However, there was a significant difference between those children who had a blow or hit to the head that resulted in a loss …

Relations Of Burnout To Elementary School Teachers, Special Education Beliefs, And Referral Expectations, Nichole A. Ledermann

Masters Theses

The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI; Maslach, Jackson, & Schwab, 1996), a teacher survey of expectations and preferences concerning case study evaluation referral, and demographic questions were completed by regular education elementary school teachers (n=88) in a midwestern city suburb. Results suggested that symptoms of burnout were not evident among this sample of professionals according to Maslach et al. (1996) criteria. Spearman Rho correlations between the MBI subscales and expectations or preferences to have students referred, tested and placed into special education services were not significant. Significant correlations were replicated among the subscales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results suggested that …

Young Children's Talk At Play: Orientation To Self And Orientation To The Joint Exigencies Of Conversation, Paige K. Parker

Masters Theses

This study employed a conversation analytic approach to determine how children in naturally constructed play episodes use language as an object of play and how children in their naturally occurring talk display orientation to their own individual activities and others' social actions. The participants were thirty-nine kindergarten and first grade students at South Elementary School in Marshall, Illinois. The study is based upon fifteen hours of conversation collected during recess periods. Relevant segments from the corpus were transcribed according to an adapted version of Jefferson's Transcript Notation System (1984). The findings suggested that (1) the groups of children used language …

A Resource Document For The Development Of An Alternative Education Program For Disruptive Youth, Deborah Claunch

Masters Theses

This qualitative study developed a model for an alternative education program for disruptive students in grades 6 through 8 in Franklin and Williamson Counties in Southern Illinois. It was facilitated by the issuance of grant funds to the Regional Offices of Education by the Illinois State Board of Education under the Safe Schools Act of 1995.

The desire of the researcher was to develop a program that would lead to changes in behaviors, promote academic achievement, and return students to the regular school environment with fewer incidents of misbehavior. The outcomes of this qualitative study resulted in a comprehensive resource …

The Performance Of Children With Down Syndrome On The Bruininks Oseretsky Test Of Motor Proficiency, Erin Docter, Kristine Tyler, Victoria Van Horn

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to begin collection of nonnative data on how children with Down syndrome, that are educable and trainable mentally impaired, perform on the Bruininks Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency - Short Form (BOTMPSF). The researchers collected data on children with Down syndrome between the ages of 4.11 and 13.7. Twenty subjects including 15 males and 5 females volunteered for the study. All participants were from schools and support groups throughout Holland, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon, Michigan. Each child was tested using the BOTMP-SF. Results indicated that children with Down syndrome perform significantly lower than children …

The Interdisciplinary Treatment Of Temporomandibular Disorder, Wendy Conlon, Amy Jones, Brenda Mitus

Masters Theses

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a chronic complex disorder that is treated by many health care professionals including dentists and physical therapists. The purpose of the study was to investigate the extent an interdisciplinary relationship exists between the dental and physical therapy professions in the treatment of TMD. This was accomplished by sending a survey questionnaire to 300 dentists in three midwestem metropolitan areas. The questionnaire identified treatment strategies and referral patterns used by dentists treating TMD. It is believed that the results of this study will bring attention to the advantages of using an interdisciplinary approach in the treatment of …

The Effect Of Cancer Diagnosis Information On The Anxiety Of Patients With An Initial Diagnosis Of First Cancer, Kim S. Allen

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of differing educational programs on state anxiety of patients with an initial diagnosis of first cancer. The Neuman Systems Model was used as the conceptual framework. The convenience sample included 40 patients in an outpatient chemotherapy clinic. The control group (n=21) received the standard cancer education, the experimental group (n=19) received additional cancer diagnosis information. The dependent variable, state anxiety, was measured using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Two-way ANCOVA demonstrated that, after controlling for pre-test trait and state anxiety, the experimental group who received additional cancer diagnosis information had …

Concurrent Validity Of Functional Reach In Community-Dwelling Elderly Women, Aimee Hosek, Kimberly Sackett

Masters Theses

The purpose o f this correlational study was to establish concurrent validity of functional reach, the maximal distance one can reach forward beyond arm's length without taking a step, as a measure of physical decline, by determining the relationship between functional reach and other physical performance measures. Subjects included 46 community-dwelling women over 65 years of age who performed the functional reach test, the timed Up and Go, and the 10-foot walk. Data analysis employed Pearson correlation coefficients. The association between FR and timed Up and Go and 10-foot walk was r = -.51 and r = -.53 respectively. After …

Reanalysis Of Tendon Data: Availability Of Dilated Eye Exams By Optometrists, Patrice Conrad

Masters Theses

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness among adults. Dilated funduscopic eye exams are necessary to screen for this complication of diabetes. It is often asymptomatic in the earliest stages when it is the most treatable. Nurses often need to refer people with diabetes for these screens.

Data were collected by TENDON through a survey of optometrists and were reexamined. The TENDON region includes ten counties in Western and Central Michigan. The original survey was sent to optometrists in the ten counties to gather information to print a survey used by nurses and others making referrals for screening. …

Perspective Discrepancy Analysis Of Health Care Provider And Well-Elderly Regarding Environmental Fall Risk Factors, Deborah A. Bliler, Catherine I. Schenten, Kay A. Smaltz

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to discover the discrepancies in perspectives regarding environmental hazards in the home between the well-elderly and health care professionals.

Interviews, discussion groups, and review of a videotape were used to gather information. The interviews and videotapes were used to gain the health care professional’s perspectives and the discussion groups were used to gather the elderly’s perspectives.

This qualitative study found both similarities and discrepancies between the well-elderly and physicians. The major discrepancies were: 1) that the elderly and health care professionals are not entirely aware of environmental factors contributed to falls, 2) the physicians …

Strength And Neuromuscular Characteristics Of Female And Male High School Basketball Players, Diane M. Beach, Barbara J. Hoogenboom, Lisa M. Rose

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify possible differences in strength ratios and neuromuscular performance between high school female and male basketball players, as tested by concentric isokinetic testing using the Blodex® isokinetic system . We recruited high school basketball players, females (N=26) and males (N=27). All participants underwent isokinetic concentric testing of bilateral hamstrings and quadriceps at five speeds (60, 180, 240, 300, 450 degrees per second). Female subjects demonstrated lower hamstrlng/quadriceps ratios than males at 60 and 240 degrees per second. Compared with male subjects, the female subjects took significantly longer to generate maximum hamstring muscle torque …

A Comparison Of Postpartum Clients' And Nurses' Perceptions Of Priority Information Needs For Early Discharge, Karen E. Lincoln

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to compare the perceptions of postpartum clients and nurses as to priority information needs for early discharge. King's Theory of Goal Attainment provided the conceptual model. A convenience sample of 33 nurses and 62 clients was used for the study. A 50-item instrument by Degenhart-Leskosky (1989) was used to compare perceived maternal and infant needs.

Though the analysis of data suggested there were no significant differences between the clients' and nurses' perceptions, there were discrepancies in 14 of 50 topics, and in some mean rankings. Infant feeding appeared as top priority for both …

Perceived Sources And Level Of Stress Experienced By Student Nurses In Associate And Baccalaureate Degree Programs, Lori J. Kane

Masters Theses

This study examined possible differences in levels of stress and perceived sources of stress in student nurses attending associate degree programs and baccalaureate degree programs. A combination of Lazarus' theory of cognitive appraisal with Roy's Adaptation Model provided the conceptual framework. One hundred and sixteen students from a public university, two private Christian colleges and two community colleges participated in the study. The Student Stress and Coping Inventory (SSCI) questionnaire was used to measure stressful situations and/or experiences from students beginning the second semester of their first year in the nursing program. Reliability of the questionnaire was established at 0.91. …

Cancer Health Beliefs And Knowledge In Relationship To Korean American Cigarette Smoking Status, Melissa Sue George

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe health beliefs and knowledge in relationship to Korean American cigarette smoking status. The data for this study came from the Asian American Cancer Control Study conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Asian American Cancer Control Survey examined the cigarette smoking status, demographic variables, cancer knowledge and beliefs, and alcohol use of 263 Korean Americans. The health belief model was the conceptual framework for the study. Chi square analysis indicated a statistically significant relationship between cigarette smoking status and gender, education, spoken English proficiency, years of residency in the United …

Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Intradermal Injection Of Lidocaine, Iontophoretic Delivery Of Lidocaine, And Topical Emla Cream As Local Anesthetics For Venipuncture, Carol Straight

Masters Theses

The study was undertaken to establish whether the administration of a local anesthetic, lidocaine, significantly reduces the pain of venipuncture in adults, to establish the degree of tolerability and effectiveness of each of three delivery methods for lidocaine, and to identify recipient's preferences among the three pain-relieving measures. In this study, lidocaine was administered using three different delivery techniques: (1) intradermal injection of lidocaine, (2) iontophoresis of lidocaine, and (3) topical application of lidocaine/prilocaine cream, prior to undergoing venipuncture. Participants were asked to measure the level of pain experienced with each method of local anesthesia as well as the level …

A Description Of The Health Beliefs And Skin Cancer Prevention Practices Of Michigan Farmers, Denise Ann Coats

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the skin cancer knowledge, health beliefs, prevention practices and cues to action o f a sample of Michigan farmers. A sample o f 106 randomly selected male farmers responded to a mailed questionnaire comprised of 40 items measuring variables of the Health Belief Model and demographic information.

The farmers spent an average of 4.05 hours in the sun each day between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and an average o f 45.13 years living and/or working on a farm. They were quite knowledgeable about skin cancer (M = 77% correct), but most …

Importance And Fulfillment Of Family Needs In The Icu, Linda L. Baker

Masters Theses

The family is a major source of support for the intensive care patient. To provide optimal support to the patient the family’s needs must be met. A convenience sample of thirty family members of intensive care patients were interviewed. The continuing importance of primary needs established in previous studies was demonstrated. None of the needs were universally perceived as being fulfilled. The nurse was most often cited as the best person to meet needs. Many respondents couldn’t choose a single best person emphasizing the need for a multi disciplinary approach to meeting needs. Seven additional needs were identified (a) to …

Humor And Its Relationship To Cohesion Of Work Group Members In The Acute Care Setting, Marla J. Niedzwiecki

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the relationship between the use of humor and cohesion of work groups. It was hypothesized that individuals with a high value and use of humor to cope would have a tendency to use humor with others. Additionally, groups with more members who value and use humor to cope would exhibit more group cohesion than groups consisting of members with minimal or no humor use. A descriptive correlational design was used. A convenience sample of hospital based staff nurses was studied. The participants completed three surveys measuring individuals’ use of humor to …