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Witches Every Month? The Social Construction Of Premenstrual Syndrome, Suzanne Latham

Masters Theses

Premenstrual syndrome was first reported in 1931, but it was not until the early 1980s that it received widespread attention in the medical literature and the popular press. This thesis is a sociological analysis of how physicians and others were able to define premenstrual problems as an illness. The thesis uses a phenomenological approach, referred to as social constructionism, to explore how medical researchers, physicians, pharmaceutical companies, feminists, various entrepreneurs, and others have attempted to define premenstrual problems to promote their own interests. The analytic method is documentary analysis. The thesis argues that physicians were able to make powerful claims, …

Three Women Saints In The Thirteenth Century: Mentalities And Roles, Ulrike Strasser

Masters Theses

This case study analyzes the lives of three thirteenth-century female saints, Lutgard of Aywiferes, Margaret of Ypres, and Christina Mirabilis, and places them against the broader theoretical frame of quantitative studies on the subject sainthood. The focus of the study is the pursuit of holiness as well as the perception of holiness. Both, pursuit and perception, serve as the point of departure for a discussion of the mentalities and the social realities which the women’s sainthood reflects.

The findings from this study indicate that female saints display numerous commonalities which can be traced back to the saints’ gender and its …

The Effects Of Performance Feedback On The Implementation Of A Statistically-Based Quality Control Program, Gordon O. Henry

Masters Theses

Although various types of performance feedback have been shown to be effective in maintaining work-related behaviors in numerous settings, most of these behaviors have consisted of fairly simple tasks. More specifically, it has not been conclusively shown that such feedback procedures can be used to maintain the worker behaviors required in the implementation o f a statistically-based quality control program. The present study attempted to show that such complex behaviors could be maintained using effective feedback procedures.

The results showed that the subjects (machine operators) performed at a high level in completing required tasks associated with a statistically-based quality control …

Ethnography Of A Lesbian Community In Michigan, Carol W. Burton

Masters Theses

The purpose of this master's thesis is to describe the structure and workings of a community of women in a major western Michigan metropolitan area, who identify themselves as lesbians, and to describe how this subcommunity relates to the dominant American culture in the area. This study examines the ways in which these lesbians define themselves and their subculture.

To facilitate this research, the researcher participated in the group's meetings, both formal and informal, and spoke with individual members about the history of the group, organizational principles, problems and concerns, formal and Informal rules of conduct, values, and any other …

Self-Control In Children: The Impact Of Reinforced Commitment, Michael G. Winter

Masters Theses

The present study attempted to determine whether offering a reward to subjects for "commiting" to a large, delayed-reward task affected their degree of self-control as assessed by the "switch point." Two boys and two girls between the ages of three and five participated.

The results of this study indicate that providing a reward for making a commitment to a future behavior involving a large, delayed-reward task does have an effect on a child's degree of self-control as measured by the "switch point." In addition, the "switch point" has been shown to be a useful tool for assessing a child's degree …

Impact Of Group Process Techniques On Group Cohesiveness, Jeri Lee Meola

Masters Theses

Thirty-three students at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo participated in the study and were divided into seven groups. The results of the Gross Cohesiveness Scale (Gross, 1957) showed two of the seven groups scored within the accepted range of cohesiveness. No significant differences in cohesiveness were found between the groups. Data were also collected on a 3 Factor Cohesiveness Questionnaire. The factors of compatibility and leadership related to group cohesiveness for groups exposed to group process techniques, but no factors related to group cohesiveness for groups who were not exposed to group process techniques. It is suggested that component analysis research …

Blessed Be The Ties That Bind: A Critical Analysis Of The Changing Language In The Organizational Mission Statement As A Form Of Downward Communication, Jacqueline A. De Haan

Masters Theses

In this study, the differences in language between an historical and new organizational mission statement were examined. The critical interpretive perspective was utilized; grounded theory was the method used to analyze changes in values and organizational identity.

The findings from this study indicated that the changed mission statement was different from the historical mission statement in three ways: in values and identity, in structure, and in use of voice. The findings were discussed and implications for organizational members considered.

The Effect Of A Multi-Component Treatment Package On Seat Belt Usage Among Hispanics, Senez Rodriguez-Charbonier

Masters Theses

This study analyzed the impact of a combination of approaches on the frequency of seat belt usage in a large Hispanic community in western Michigan. Subjects in either a treatment or a no-treatment control condition were observed weekly for seat belt usage while arriving at church over several months. They were observed for four weeks prior, during and after an intervention program. Subjects in treatment condition attended weekly group meetings where they viewed seat belt use promotion videos, publicly signed behavioral contracts agreeing to use their seat belts, and received permanent prompts which were installed on the dashboard of their …

Self Actualization Scores As Predictors Of Physical Health, Gloria A. Leitschuh

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Zen Of Stevens, Rebecca Dickens

Masters Theses

Using comparative studies as background, I develop a Zen model for reading Stevens, arguing that his poetry works in the manner of Zen anecdotes and that it can be understood better by understanding Zen. Three critical studies of Wallace Stevens and Zen assert the Zen-like qualities of Stevens' poetry. Stevens has affinities with Zen writers in three areas: use of language, explorations into the nature of thought, and the structure of anecdotes and poems.

I develop a terminology in order to construct my model, giving attention to the definitions and interrelations of terms such as logical thought, figurative thought, paradox, …

David Copperfield And Great Expectations: A Comparison Of Dickens' Bildungsromane, Donald R. Price

Masters Theses

Charles Dickens wrote two autobiographical novels which are developed in the Bildungsroman genre. Although the self-formation of the two young heroes, David in David Copperfield and Pip in Great Expectations, are very similar, reflecting the struggles in Dickens' own development, there is an important and interesting difference in the forces that influence each young hero. This difference evolves from Dickens' responses to forces affecting his life at the time he wrote David Copperfield in 1849-50 and Great Expectations in 1860.

This thesis addresses the internal forces influencing David's development, contrasting them with the external forces to which Pip must …

Affirmative Action Policy And Procedures For Illinois Schools, Charles T. Kent Jr.

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the policy implementation process, and its implication for planned organizational change. A review of the literature reveals that school districts must utilize intensive recruitment campaigns to increase the hiring of minorities. The Superintendent Questionnaire was sent to the thirty-five Large Unit District Association (LUDA) throughout Illinois. Descriptive statistics, in the form of frequencies and percentages, were used to analyze responses to the questionnaire. The results and conclusions of this study gave rise to recommendations to superintendents, school boards and those with authority to hire should make a good faith effort in hiring …

Mbti Personality Types And Preferred Relationship Disengagement Strategies In Intimate Situations, Jeffery Joe Davis

Masters Theses

This thesis poses two research questions that focus on MBTI personality types and specific strategies used to disengage romantic intimate heterosexual relationships. 1) Would one specific MBTI personality type prefer to use one dominate strategy to disengage a relationship? 2) Would any relationship situation yield one dominate strategy to disengage a relationship? A total of 116 college students were surveyed at a small Midwestern university. Age ranged from 18 years to 55 years with a mean age of 23.6 years. The experimental method consisted of administering Form G of the MBTI and an additional questionnaire measuring relationship strategies. The t-test …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Improvement In Physical Status And Self-Esteem In Geriatric Patients, Kate A. Hayner

Masters Theses

The improvement in physical abilities in the geriatric population after occupational therapy was investigated to determine whether self-esteem would also improve. Fifteen subjects from three different nursing homes were measured. All of the subjects were referred to occupational therapy by their physician.

Treatment was implemented by trained rehabilitation aides after an occupational therapist assessed each subject and determined the need for therapy. Measurable goals were set for each subject to improve dysfunctional areas and reviewed with each resident and rehabilitation aide responsible for implementing the treatment program.

Types of treatment consisted of active and passive range of motion, strengthening, retrograde …

The Effect Of Horseback Riding Activity On The Tibialis Anterior, Vastus Lateralis, And Rectus Abdominis Of A Paraplegic, Laurie A. Price

Masters Theses

Horses are now being used in various programs under various conditions. The use of horses for therapy and recreation for the physically and mentally disabled first began in Germany and Switzerland. The United States now has many schools and different riding programs as well.

Riding seems to be especially beneficial to those with neurological impairments. Treatment of paraplegia is very limited but recreational activities are advancing. The use of the horse is beneficial for paraplegics emotionally as well as physically. Measurements and evaluations of these benefits are lacking. This project analyzes and measures the physical benefits of horseback riding on …

The Attitudes Of Siblings With Brothers Or Sisters Who Are Handicapped, Alicia Marie Westjohn

Masters Theses

This study was designed to determine whether or not siblings are affected by a brother or sister with a handicap. This study also attempted to determine if there were any significant differences in attitudes among siblings based on four independent variables (sex of the sibling, birth order of the sibling, type of handicap afflicting the brother or sister, and degree of the handicap). These independent variables were compared on the following categories: personal feelings, positive attitudes, negative attitudes, and future concerns. A pilot survey containing questions about sibling attitudes was distributed to eight siblings who were enrolled in four-year public …

Locus Of Control And Coping Strategies Of Clients Following An Acute Myocardial Infarction, Kathryn J. Niemeyer

Masters Theses

Fifty-eight clients admitted to two critical and intermediate units with the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) completed a Heart Disease Locus of Control (LOC) Scale and the Jalowiec Coping Scale. A descriptive correlational design was used to examine the relationship between persons' beliefs about control and the types of coping strategies used after the onset of an acute MI. It was hypothesized that clients with an internal LOC would use problem-oriented more extensively than affective-oriented coping behaviors and that clients with an external LOC would use affective-oriented more extensively than problem-oriented coping behaviors. Imogene King's conceptual framework for nursing provided …

Relationships Between Gender And Activity Involvement And The Incidence Of Behavioral Disorders In Children Of Alcoholics, Michelle Williams

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify relationships between behavioral disorders and gender of the child and gender of the alcoholic parent(s) and to investigate if positive involvement in activities outside the home decreases the number of behavioral disorders in children of alcoholics. This descriptive retrospective study used data collected from eighty-three questionnaires filled out by the parents. The data was analyzed with a two-way analysis of variance. No significant relationships were found regarding gender of the child and gender of the alcoholic parent(s). Children who were involved in outside activities had significantly fewer behavior disorders than those who …

Identification Of Family Member's Self-Care Knowledge: A Qualitative Study, Bradley S. Corbin

Masters Theses

A Family Adaptive Potential Assessment Tool (FAPAT) based on Modeling and Role-Modeling theory has been developed to assist nurses in their holistic approach to nursing. The purpose of this research was to begin to test one of the propositions on which the FAPAT was based: Families are able to identify what will be helpful for them during a time when they are trying to cope with a significant life event.; Families were generally able to identify what would be helpful. A modified grounded theory approach assisted to identify four themes that emerged under external support and three themes under internal …

The Relationship Between Spirituality And Depression In Family Caregivers Of The Elderly, Cynthia L. Boland

Masters Theses

The main purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between spirituality and depression in family caregivers of the elderly. Data for this secondary study came from a caregiver research project conducted by Given and Given (1989). Although the primary study was longitudinal, this study used a cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design. A convenience sample of 191 family caregivers participated. Data on spirituality and depression were obtained by self-administered questionnaires. Spirituality was measured with the Spiritual/Philosophical subscale from the Coping Resources Inventory (Hammer & Marting, 1988). The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977) was slightly modified and used …

Effect Of An Outpatient Educational Program On The Rehabilitation Of Myocardial Infarction Patients, Janice L. Hodges

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to answer the following question: Do myocardial infarction patients who attend an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation educational program have a higher level of knowledge and less anxiety than individuals who do not attend such a program? A quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent comparison group was utilized. The nonprobability convenience sample included individuals hospitalized with a myocardial infarction. Sample size was twenty subjects in each of the two groups. A cognitive knowledge test and Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory were administered within 48 hours of discharge. The experimental group attended an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation educational program which …

The Effect Of Preoperative Exposure On Spouse Anxiety In The I.C.U., Carol J. Gates

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to answer the question: What is the effect of preoperative exposure of the intensive care unit (I.C.U.) on anxiety levels of spouses of open heart patients? A pretest-posttest experimental design was used to analyze data collected on 50 spouses of open heart patients. The subjects were randomly assigned to either experimental or control groups. State and trait anxiety levels were measured using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (1983). The experimental group received preoperative I.C.U. exposure in the format of a videotape the evening of surgery and the control group received routine preoperative preparation. T-test, chi-square, …

The Relationship Between Acculturation Level Of Mexican-American Parents And Coping With Their Chronically Ill Children, Nancy Ellen Tena

Masters Theses

This investigation focused on 19 Mexican-American families with neurologically impaired children to determine to what extent they selected particular coping patterns in relationship to their level of acculturation to the Anglo-American culture. Using the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican-Americans (ARSMA), the families were categorized according to acculturation level (low, bicultural, and high). The families identified coping patterns (Family Support, Social Support, and Medical Support) which were helpful to them by completing the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP). Only one statistically significant relationship between acculturation level of these families and extent of their use of coping patterns was found: high …

Replication Study Of Nursing Diagnosis In The Hospitalized Chronic Pulmonary Disease Patient: A Pilot Study, Pearl Anne Kloac

Masters Theses

This study replicated a pilot study, conducted by Lynn Dapice in 1985, to clinically validate nursing diagnoses developed by the American Thoracic Society Group and Nursing Diagnosis Classification Group. The purpose of this current study was to broaden the body of knowledge regarding nursing diagnoses associated with the medical diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).; A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using Dapice's tool adapted to suit this study. Data from 25 charts of hospitalized COPD clients were analyzed using percentages and t-test; the results showed no significant difference between the two studies, with the exception of the age …

Attributions Of Blame To The Victim And Rapist Of Stranger And Acquaintance Rape Situations Under Attempted And Completed Circumstances, Lisa G. Carlisle

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Discriminant Analysis Of Characteristics Of Sexually Aggressive College Men, Betsy J. Masters

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Woman Administrator: To Be Or Not To Be, Carole S. Coartney

Masters Theses

Every individual who is choosing a career or is contemplating a career change should research the field before making a final decision. This is especially consequential when considering an atypical occupation. A female educational administrator falls into this category. Since the majority of educational leaders are male, a woman administrator can expect to face many challenges associated with her gender.

The major purpose of this field experience was to gather information pertinent to a woman considering a career in educational administration. The specific objectives were five-fold: 1. To obtain a profile of the women administrators in downstate Illinois (south of …

Survey Of Microcomputer Access By Students With Mild Handicaps In East Central Illinois, William O. Searby

Masters Theses

This descriptive research was conducted to collect data concerning the accessibility of school microcomputers to students who have been labeled as having a mild (high prevalence) handicapping condition. One hundred thirty nine randomly selected school administrators in East Central Illinois were surveyed to determine the number of microcomputers in their schools and the types of programs that were offered to students with special needs. The schools were divided into seven categories depending on the type and size. Total school enrollment figures were divided by the total number of microcomputers available at the school to determine a student to microcomputer ratio …

The Relationship Between Mother-Infant Interaction Training And Language Acquisition, Julie Patricia Mannion

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between training mothers to systematically stimulate their infants using form, semantic, and pragmatic behaviors during interactions with their infants and the rate and quality of language acquisition. A review of the literature indicated that mother-child interactions have a significant effect on later linguistic development. Researchers had investigated the effects of systematically manipulating the frequency or variety of mother-child syntactic or semantic or pragmatic behaviors to determine if it influences language acquisition. These studies were limited because they examined the manipulation of only one language variable. The purpose of this study was to …

Characteristics Of The Pre-College Students At Parkland College, Leslie E. Marsh

Masters Theses

Parkland College is a community college of approximately 8,000 students located in Champaign, Illinois. The faculty and administrative staff is concerned with student retention, particularly the retention of those students in the pre-college or underprepared category who take courses that are below the college level. This retention study identified characteristics of underprepared students, interventions that had been successful at model community colleges, and recommended program implications for the future.

The study provided base-line data regarding characteristics of the 1346 underprepared students at Parkland College who were taking remedial coursework in the fall of 1988. Data was also gathered for the …