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Professional Inter-Rater & Client Self Report Reliability Of The Environmental Section Of The Functional Assessment Of The Elderly, Stacie J. Bronkema, Amy M. Haan, Julie L. Johnston

Masters Theses

Health care needs of the growing elderly population place a great demand on the health care system. Information regarding a client's function is essential in geriatric care. Therefore, continuing research to develop reliable functional evaluation tools is imperative. One functional evaluation tool available to health care professionals is Functional Assessment of the Elderly (FAE). The purpose of this study is to examine the professional inter-rater and client self report reliability of the environmental section of FAE.; A random sample of 18 subjects was obtained. Subjects were required to be age 60 and older, and clients of the West Michigan area …

School Sexism And Its Educational Implications, Michelle Ann Frantz

Masters Theses

Despite American education's claim that it is an equalizing force, a body of research documents that females do not receive equitable experiences in school when compared to the same experiences of boys. This study investigates many of the forces that have contributed to the persistence of gender inequity.; This study then examines feminist theory, the history of female education, and current research on school sexism. Next, the results of surveys given to a group of secondary educators and another given to a random sampling of high school students do show that gender inequities still occur even though claims to the …

Diploma Nursing Students' Attitudes Toward Poverty, Elizabeth Louise Phillips

Masters Theses

According to King, stereotyped perceptions may interfere with nurse-client transactions. Therefore, nurses' should possess attitudes which enable them to care for individuals who live in poverty. A descriptive correlational design was used to examine first year and second year diploma nursing students' attitudes toward individuals living in poverty. It was hypothesized that second year diploma nursing students would demonstrate a more positive attitude toward those living in poverty than first year diploma nursing students.; A convenience sample of diploma nursing students (N = 102) completed the "Attitudes about Poverty and Poor Peoples" scale utilized to assess students' attitudes (Atherton et …

Clients' Perceptions Of Preparedness For Discharge Home Following Total Hip Or Knee Replacement Surgery, Cindy H. Nicholson

Masters Theses

This study used a descriptive design to evaluate discharge planning by examining the clients' perception of preparedness for discharge home following total hip or knee replacement surgery. The conceptual framework was based upon the Betty Neuman Systems Model.; This study used Lawton's (1991) "Discharge Preparation Questionairre" to ascertain the clients' perceptions of preparedness in 10 discharge categories. Perceived preparation was measured using a 5 point summated rating scale. The study site was a 42-bed orthopedic unit in a 119 bed acute care hospital in Southeast Michigan. The convenience sample, of 46 adult clients, were interviewed by phone 3 days following …

What Is The Relationship Between Personality Hardiness And Burnout In Army Reserve Nurses?, Nancy M. Marchido

Masters Theses

Kobasa's conceptualization of personality hardiness provided the theoretical framework examined. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality hardiness (control, commitment, and challenge) and burnout in Army Reserve nurses. Data was obtained through a survey of forty Army Reserve nurses in the midwest area using Kobasa's Hardiness Scale and Jones' Staff Burnout Scale for Health Professionals. The subjects were primarily female (75%) and Caucasian (90%), with a bachelor of science degree or higher. A moderately strong inverse correlation was found (r = {dollar}-{dollar}.52, df = 35, p {dollar}<{dollar}.001). The validity and reliability were supported, however, the dimension of challenge was not related to burnout. Control and commitment correlated with burnout (r = {dollar}-{dollar}.61, r = {dollar}-{dollar}.57 respectively). Findings suggest that personality hardiness provides a resistance source in the perception of adverse job stressors, thus preventing or reducing burnout in nurses.

Nurses' Performance Of Breast Self-Examination, Anne M. Bauer

Masters Theses

A descriptive, correlational design was used to examine the relationship between the Health Belief Model (HBM) variables and breast self-examination (BSE) in a registered nurse population. Champion's HBM Scale (1987) was mailed to a random sample of RN's in one midwestern county (N = 107). Construct validity for the instrument was established by Champion and alpha reliability rating for subscales ranged from.73-.96 in this study. The primarily Caucasian, ADN and diploma educated sample varied in age from 20 to over 60 years (median age = 41-50).; Less than half (48%) of the subjects reported monthly BSE. A stepwise multiple regression …

The Effect Of Teaching On Knowledge And Osteoporosis Health Beliefs Of Elderly Females, Yvonne M. Van Hoven

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an educational intervention on knowledge, self-efficacy, and health beliefs (susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers, health motivation) related to osteoporosis.; The study was conducted using a pre-test-post-test quasi-experimental design. The sample included forty elderly females of two senior centers in a midwestern metropolitan area. The experimental group was composed of twenty subjects from a senior center. The remaining twenty subjects from a second senior center were included in the control group. Osteoporosis knowledge, self-efficacy, and health beliefs were measured before and after factual information about osteoporosis was given to the experimental …

Retention Of Registered Nurse Employees In Rural Community Hospitals Less Than 100 Beds, Joanne Urbanski

Masters Theses

Maintaining a stable nursing staff is critical to the effective operation of hospitals, therefore chief nurse executives must not lose sight of the importance of retention efforts. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that maintain or increase job satisfaction among registered nurses working in small, rural hospitals, thereby, motivating them to remain in a rural hospital practice setting. Four hundred and twenty-seven job satisfaction surveys were mailed to 13 rural community hospitals that had less than 100 beds. Two hundred and twenty completed surveys were returned (52%).; Sociodemographic characteristics of short-term (less than one year) and long-term …

Mothers' Information Needs And Perceptions Of Preparedness For Self-Care And Infant Care After A Short-Term Hospital Stay, Donna M. Paulsen

Masters Theses

Based on Orem's Theory of Self-Care, this descriptive study compared the information needs and perceived preparation of self and infant care for 22 primiparous and 36 multiparous women. A convenience sample of women experiencing a short-term (24 Hour) hospital stay responded to a structured questionnaire. Preparation was measured using Degenhart-Leskosky's (1989) modification of Howard and Sater's (1985) tool. Content validity was established in the original study. The majority of the women perceived themselves to be well or very well prepared for self-care (87%) and infant care (78%). Multiparas perceived themselves to be significantly better prepared for self-care (U = 256.5, …

The Health Belief Model And Drinking And Driving, Teresa Ellen Tucker

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify differences in health beliefs of individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) with a history of an alcohol-related MVC and individuals convicted of DUI with no such MVC history. The Health Belief Model variables include seriousness, susceptibility, benefits, barriers and health motivation. It was hypothesized that health beliefs of individuals convicted of DUI and with a history of an alcohol-related MVC would be different from individuals convicted of DUI but with no such MVC history. A demographic assessment tool and Health Belief questionnaire designed for this study were used …

Nurses' Knowledge And Attitude Related To Organ Donation, Maureen E. Bishop

Masters Theses

Nurses today are caring for a wide array of patients that may include potential organ donors or organ transplant recipients. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to explore the knowledge nurses possess and the attitude they hold regarding organ donation, using Jean Watson's theory of human caring as the conceptual framework.; A convenience sample of approximately 200 registered nurses in a 300-bed medical center, that does not have an organ transplant program was surveyed. The knowledge level had a mean score of 6.69 with a possible high of 11. This suggests that the knowledge level of the registered …

Perceived Stressors Between Partnered And Unpartnered Women, Sandra Kay Newman

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in stress perceived by healthy partnered and unpartnered women in the second trimester of pregnancy. Neuman's Theory of Stress was used as the conceptual framework to explain the potential for greater perceived stress in unpartnered women during pregnancy. A descriptive correlation study was conducted using Norbeck's (1989) Life Events Questionnaire and Underwood's (1993) Perceived Life Stress Scale II, for a convenience sample of N = 40.; T-tests were used to test the hypothesis that unpartnered women would perceive more stress than partnered women. Mann Whitney U tests were used to …

Informational And Attitude Changes Toward P.M.S. As A Function Of Viewing An Educational Video And Presenter Gender, Paula J. Kirk

Masters Theses

Subjects were 61 volunteer college women and men randomly assigned to one of three conditions: condition A= viewed video presenting factual information about Premenstrual Syndrome presented by female; condition B= viewed video with identical dialogue, except presented by a male; condition C= control group. Pre and post measures were taken at a ten day interval and a presenter evaluation form was completed by subjects in conditions A and B after viewing the video.

Results indicate the following: First, participants who viewed an instructional video on PMS gained more educational information than those participants who did not. Second, Sex of presenter …

The Delivery Of Intermediate Educational Services In Illinois, Gary W. Tucker

Masters Theses

This study contained information concerning the four primary deliverers of intermediate educational services in Illinois - Education Service Regions, Education Service Centers, special education cooperatives and vocational education cooperatives. Administrators in Iroquois, Kankakee and Vermilion Counties were surveyed as to their knowledge, use of and satisfaction with the services provided by the above entities, and whether or not those deliverers of intermediate educational services should be consolidated and administered by one elected or appointed chief administrator.

The findings and conclusions indicated that Education Service Regions and the Education Service Center serving the above counties were providing effective services to constituent …

The Feminine Other: A Study Of The Women In Shakespeare's Major Tragedies, Kurt E. Wilamowski

Masters Theses

The central examination of this thesis concentrates on the essential contributions of the female characters in Shakespeare's major tragedies--Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. Without the women's conflict with the patriarchal order, the males would be unable to recognize and combat the corrupt elements in their society. The awareness of the female characters allows them to perceive the tainted patriarchal atmosphere they dwell in and operate within it as best as they can.

In short, each woman's individual field of awareness allows her to act as the executor of the dénoucement in the tragedy. Even …

Generalization Of The Four Roles Found In Adult Children Of Alcoholics To A College Population, Todd E. Pienkos

Masters Theses

The Children's Roles Inventory was developed to assess the four theoretical children's roles found not only in alcoholic families but in all families regardless of parental alcoholism: the Hero, Mascot, Lost Child, and Scapegoat. A sample of 266 college students, with 19% indicating parental alcoholism, completed the CRI and measures of self-actualization and self-esteem to verify any differences between the identified groups of adult children of alcoholics, adults from nonalcoholic families and the four roles within. Demographic information was also obtained including: gender, age, and whether the individual was a member of a fraternity or sorority.

Significant differences were found …

A Study Of The Adaptive Functioning And The Behavioral And Emotional Problems Of Child Victims And Witnesses Of Family Violence, Christine E. Rinkel

Masters Theses

Behavior problems and adaptive behavior were evaluated in a sample of 30 children, mean age 9.5 years, whose mothers had been temporarily residing in a shelter or had been receiving shelter services during the 6 1/2 months of data collection. Using a sequential sampling design, the mother of every child exposed to family violence, was selected. Fifteen mothers were interviewed regarding the nature of the violence that their children had witnessed and/or experienced (including type, frequency, duration, and recency of the violence) as well as the nature of their children's adaptive behavior (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales). Mothers also rated their …

Visualization And Imagined Interaction As Cognitive Interventions For Lowering Levels Of Communication Apprehension, Kathleen A. Snyder

Masters Theses

Communication apprehension is something with which many students and people in general are faced when forced into an involuntary communication situation. Various treatments have been tested for coping with it. Imagined interaction and visualization, two cognitive processes associated with intrapersonal communication, were investigated in this study as interventions for lowering communication apprehension levels in introductory public speaking courses. One-hundred and fifty college students enrolled in introductory speech courses at Eastern Illinois University served as subjects and were assigned to one of four groups: a control group, a script visualization group, a performance visualization group, and an imagined interaction group.

The …

Moral Education, Thomas D. Van Heest

Masters Theses

Traditionally, public education in America strived to develop students intellectually and morally. During the last three decades, however, the content and the approach of moral education has undergone radical experimentation and transformation. The alarming moral decay in our nation today--particularly, in cases involving youth--requires that public education reexamine its philosophy and methodology for moral education.; This study examines the research on traditional character education, values clarification, and moral development. Character education is recommended as the most practical and ethical approach to moral education.; Finally, a character education model is presented for the middle school. Points of emphasis are the teaching …

Physical Therapy Students' Views Of Preparation To Practice Under Direct Access, Kristina Scheuneman, Lana Tubman

Masters Theses

Education must keep pace with the trend toward nationwide direct access to physical therapy. This study surveyed students in their final year of an entry-level master's degree program to determine if they feel prepared to practice under direct access upon graduation. Only 34-38% of the students felt prepared to practice under direct access.; The main factor that influenced their low perceptions of preparation was the amount of clinical affiliation experience remaining. Other factors, such as direct access status of the state in which the students were educated and most skills and knowledge related to direct access, did not correspond with …

Perceptions Of Nurse Behaviors By Persons With Copd During Acute Shortness Of Breath, Joyce A. Kowatch

Masters Theses

This study employed a qualitative approach to explore the perceptions of clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease recalling nursing behaviors as a part of a process of helping during dyspnea. Grounded theory was used to look at how a client's world was constructed in this particular situation. Examination of data led to the generation of a hypothesis to explain the process of helping. Subjects were asked what it was like when they were extremely short of breath and what nursing behaviors helped or didn't help them.; Identified changes were categorized as suffocation, pain, energy depletion, panic, and cognitive haze. Helpful …

Spouse Adaptation After The Partner's Open Heart Surgery, Marietta J. Gardner

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe the adaptation of male and female spouses after their partners' open heart surgery using the theory of person as an adaptive system. A descriptive correlational design was used to examine adaptation of male and female spouses to their partners' open heart surgery (criterion variable); and partners' health prior to surgery, length of time partner diagnosed with heart disease, number of years married, and general state of marital relationship prior to surgery as perceived by the spouse were predictor variables. The sample consisted of 20 male and 25 female spouses, 31 to 88 …

Trauma Patients: Social Support Desired And Perceived Satisfaction According To Category Of Provider, Marsha D. Stevens

Masters Theses

This study examined differences in social support received by trauma patients and their perceived satisfaction with the social support provided by various categories of providers including: family members, friends, RNs and other health professionals. Thirty hospitalized trauma patients were asked to rate the satisfaction they felt regarding seven forms of support. Types of support that most patients indicated their families and friends provided were spending time with them and making them feel important. Respectful treatment, providing information, encouragement and listening support from RNs and other health professionals was mentioned by a large percentage of the subjects. Qualitatively it was found …

Symptoms And Self-Concept Alterations With And Without Cognitive Rehabilitation 2 - 5 Years After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Rebecca H. Veltman

Masters Theses

This study examined adaptation in physical symptoms, role functioning, and self concept 2-5 years after mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). The effects of outpatient cognitive rehabilitation were also analyzed. Roy's Adaptation Model provided a framework for this study. Subjects (n = 164) were surveyed about role function, physical post-concussion symptoms, and self concept. Sixty-six subjects returned the completed survey. Subjects reported problems with memory (33%), tiredness (29%), depression (27%), and concentration (26%). The number of new symptoms and the social score were inversely related (r = {dollar}-{dollar}.5854, p =.001). Self Concept as measured on the Tennessee Self Concept Scale (TSCS) …

Physical Therapists' Views Of Certified Athletic Trainers In The Clinical Setting, Leah Parizon, Andrew Snyder

Masters Theses

Since certified athletic trainers began working in the clinical setting alongside physical therapists, there has been controversy between the two professions concerning the utilization of the ATCs. Although views of ATCs from the PTs' perspective have been speculated, there has been no conclusive research on this topic. The purpose of this study was to find out how physical therapists in the state of Michigan view ATCs in the clinical setting. The Health Team Stereotype Scale, which was developed by Dr. Harry Parker, was used to determine the PTs' attitudes toward the ATCs. There was a return rate of 47.4% (N …

Differences In Job Satisfaction Between Contract And Directly Employed Physical Therapists, Valerie Stonehouse, Nicole Vanderberg

Masters Theses

This research study explores the possible differences in general job satisfaction between contracted physical therapists and directly employed physical therapists. The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire was sent to contract and directly employed therapists who fulfilled the following criteria: working in an acute care setting, working at that particular job for at least six months but no more than two years, and working in the profession for at least six months. A total of 200 surveys were mailed to therapists in the state of Michigan with 17 surveys being returned by contracted therapists and 34 from directly employed therapists, for a 25.5% …

Efficacy Of Implementing An Ergonomics Program In An Industrial Setting Regarding Cumulative Trauma Disorders To The Upper Extremity, Christa Abraham, Lisa Evans, Patrick Hoban

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if implementation of an industrial ergonomics program would decrease the number of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders, lost days of work, and insurance costs. Data was collected from company records and OSHA logs including type of injury, lost days of work, restricted days of work, and insurance costs. This data was then analyzed using regression analysis and descriptive statistics.; The results of this study supported the concept that ergonomic programs may decrease the number of lost days of work. In this study, a number of limitations and weak correlations were found between …

The Effect Of Computer-Assisted Instruction On The Development Of Diagnostic Reasoning Skills Among Occupational Therapy Students, Judith Lynn Freeman

Masters Theses

Diagnostic reasoning is an essential feature of the occupational therapy treatment process. Acquisition of diagnostic reasoning skills is difficult for students, however, because of paradoxical developmental limitations faced during transition from classroom to clinical learning environments. Educators in pre-professional occupational therapy curriculums are searching for educational methods to prepare students for diagnostic reasoning tasks inherent in practice.

This experimental study compared a computer-simulated diagnostic reasoning activity with a more traditional case study reviewing activity in terms of effect on accuracy of problem identification among occupational therapy students. Results found no significant difference between the effect of computer-assisted instruction and case …

Assassination In Modern America: Political Participation Through A Gun Barrel?, Richard Grossenbacher

Masters Theses

Assassination has been a constant companion of the world's societies from the beginning of recorded history. Only relatively recently have social scientists begun empirical study of these acts in an effort to reveal any commonalties and possible predictive traits. Investigation of the assassination phenomenon assumed a special urgency in America as violence seemed to escalate in the 1960s, which resulted in some notable research.

The present research collected data of presidential and non-presidential assassinations and attempts that occurred from 1969 through 1992 and compared the findings with the results of earlier studies.

The data indicate that presidential assaults increased in …

The Effects Of Public Commitment And Group Feedback Of Curbside Recycling, Iser Guillermo Deleón

Masters Theses

Several methods for increasing recycling have been presented in the psychology literature. However, many rely on incentive systems that require individual response monitoring for differential delivery of consequences, thus rendering them prohibitively expensive on a community-wide scale. This study examined the effects of three community interventions which may circumvent this limitation: public commitment, group feedback, and a combination of both. The Commitment Only intervention produced no substantial increase in recycling when superimposed upon a curbside recycling baseline. The Feedback Only intervention and the Combined Intervention produced increases of 25.47% and 40.00%, respectively. A no-intervention Control Group decreased in amount recycled …