Digital Commons Network^™

The Relationship Between Intrinsic/Extrinsic Religiosity And Meaning In Life, Diane Woyciechowski

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the following study was to determine whether there is a significant relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity and the presence of and search for meaning in one's life. Since religion has previously been found to play a role in one's physical and mental health, the present study offers additional evidence to religion's role in the mental health field. Three measures were used to collect the data for this study, including a demographic form, the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) and the Intrinsic/ Extrinsic Religiosity Revised Scale (I/E-R). Sixty-eight students were recruited for this study, 31 males and …

Improving Life Satisfaction Of Elders Through Oral History: The Narrator's Perspective, Mary B. Ligon

Theses and Dissertations

Oral history is a method of preserving historical information through in-depth interviews. Because the process requires narrators to use remote recall while sharing their life experiences, it can also be considered a reminiscence-related activity. Before this study, the positive effects on narrators of providing an oral history were noted in the research literature but had not been evaluated through quantitative methods. Based on theoretical constructs of Erikson and Butler, it was hypothesized that participation in oral history interviews would improve the life satisfaction of narrators. Life satisfaction was operationalized and measured using the Life Satisfaction Index Version A (LSIA). The …

Time Of Day, Attention, Sleep Quality, And Driving Experience: Possible Moderators Of Age-Related Differences In Driving Performance, Carol L. Bennett

Theses and Dissertations

Auto crashes are more likely in the afternoon, and older adults are involved in more crashes later in the day as compared to earlier in the day. Factors that may influence older adult’s driving included visual spatial attention and sleep quality. In addition, circadian preference may also influence driving. The purpose of this study was to evaluate these factors in older adults. This study included younger adults (N= 41, M= 21.6 years) and older adults (N= 40, M= 65.5 years) who were tested between 8 and 10 a.m. or between 3 and 5 p.m. Participants were tested on a computerized …

Smart Housing: Technology To Aid Aging In Place - New Opportunities And Challenges, Lalatendu Satpathy

Theses and Dissertations

We are at the threshold of a great change in architectural design. With cheaper and more ubiquitous computing, ?smart? spaces and responsive environments are increasingly becoming plausible and affordable. Are we as architects prepared? Can the profession of architecture respond to current computing technologies? Most critics agree that one of the first (most important) problems that ?smart? homes will help to address is that of spiraling costs of elderly healthcare and care giving. But what is the problem with healthcare? Even if there is a problem, the rural home is different from an urban home. Will the technologies that are …

Present And Future Senior Services At South County Regional Library In Camden County, Edward J. Cuneo Iii

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to survey the South County Regional Library's present senior services and plans for future senior services. The library's manager was interviewed for the study as was an administrator from an assisted-living facility and a director from a health and rehabilitation center. The interview questions asked dealt with present services for seniors and future considerations as the number of senior citizens is expected to increase. The public library had a number of services already available. The assisted living facility and health and rehabilitation center had some services. Neither scheduled regular trips to the public library. …

Age Group And Gender Differences In Fears Of Aging, Vicky C. Tomlin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate differences in fears of aging in two age groups (M=20 years and M=30 years) and gender differences in fears of aging. Two hundred twenty-two undergraduate (n=156) and graduate students (n=66) responded to three questionnaires, the Anxiety about Aging Scale (AAS), the Brief Life Satisfaction Scales (BLSS), and an open-ended questionnaire allowing participants to write in their five greatest personal fears of aging. The older age group had significantly higher Anxiety about Aging Psychological Concerns subscale scores. Males scored significantly higher than females in AAS total …

Public Library Services To Senior Patrons, Paul J. Brunner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to determine the attitudes of senior patrons, those age 55 and older, about computer technology at the Cape May County Public Library. It was hoped that this information would provide insight into older adults' usage of OPACs, computers, and the Internet, suggesting areas for further research and leading to improved services to these patrons. Additionally, the following research questions were addressed: What computer resources do senior patrons use most frequently? For those senior patrons who do use the OPACs, computer, or the Internet, what is their level of competence or confidence with such …

The Effect Of Aging On Selected Aspects Of Speech Production In Women, Julie Dawes Halverson

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Influences On Health Related Quality Of Life In Community Dwelling Adults Aged 60 Years And Over, Hilary Beth Greenberger

Theses and Dissertations

Interest in patient-reported health care outcomes such as health related quality of life (HRQL) has increased dramatically over the past two decades. Typically, HRQL has been conceptualized as having at least three domains: physical, psychological, and social functioning. Although research has attempted to identify factors that influence HRQL,few studies have simultaneously examined how various factors impact HRQL in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a causal model to identify factors influencing HRQL. The constructs and observed variables hypothesized to influence HRQL included medical burden, housing satisfaction, socioeconomic status,religion/spirituality, age, gender, and marital status.Three hundred …

Association Between Smoking, Chemical Exposure And Hearing Loss In An Occupational Setting, Darlene W. Olive

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Twenty-two million Americans or roughly 8% of the population are hearing impaired. This affects more than just the ability for one to hear. In the last three decades, younger Americans have shown a sharp increase in hearing impairment. Hearing loss affects social and emotional well being and thus has the ability to decrease one's quality of life. This study was designed to examine the association between smoking, workplace chemical exposure, and hearing loss.Methods: This cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in an occupational health clinic setting in Virginia. The study population consisted of employees from local businesses who visited the …

Identification And Characterization Of The Expression Profile Of Oligodendrocyte-Derived And Associated Proteins Via Unilateral X-Irradation Of The Rat Optic Nerve, Nicholas Greco

Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies examining cell-cell interactions during CNS development and following disease or trauma have highlighted our limited understanding of the in vivo functions of the myelinating cell of the CNS, the oligodendrocyte. With this in mind, our laboratory has developed techniques by which a profile of proteins derived from or regulated by oligodendrocytes can be elucidated. Specifically, we have demonstrated that oligodendrocytes can be selectively eliminated from one optic nerve of a rat by treating the animal with a unilateral exposure of X-irradiation at the time of birth. Consequently, this approach allowed us to experimentally create, within the same animal, …

Parental Memory Predictors Of Children's Daily Diabetes Management And Metabolic Control, Sheryl J. Kent

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined, for the first time, specific links between parents' memory and children's diabetes behaviors and metabolic control. Data revealed that parental memory and responsibility predicted children's percentage of calories from fat and carbohydrates, and metabolic control, accounting for 7.3% of the variance in calories from fat and 18.5% of the variance in metabolic control for the total sample. These effects were stronger when limited to dietary behaviors of younger youth; parental memory accounted for 30.3% and 33.6% of the variance in percentage of calories from fat and carbohydrates, respectively, for younger children. Level of parent responsibility, with memory, …

Women's Response To Spousal Unemployment: Economic, Labor Force, And Family Constraints, Elizabeth Miklya Legerski

Theses and Dissertations

Using data collected from 29 interviews with the wives of steelworkers who were forced into unemployment, I explore the conditions and factors that shape women's choices in response to their husbands' job loss. Access to a unique and under-studied sample of women married to unemployed working-class men necessitates the use of grounded theory research techniques that allow me to "give voice" to working-class women.

I'Ve Done My Job : Elderly North Dakotans Talk About Right Living, John J. Weber

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Writing About The Most Meaningful Life Experience: Implications For Subjective Well-Being, Napoleon Andriopulos

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigation examined the influence of writing about the most meaningful life experience (MMLE) on the participants’ subjective weli-being (SWB) using a variation of Pennebaker’s expressive writing paradigm. Participants were 5:T undergraduate students enrolled at the University of North Dakota who were randomly assigned to one of two conditions (a) MMLE gu up: write about the MMLE, or (b) control topic: write about your plans for the day. Participants completed a consent form, demographic questionnaire, Nelson-Denny Reading Test (NDRT), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale (PmNAS). Participants then wrote about an assigned topic for …

Predictors Of General Medical Use Among Individuals Seeking Therapy For Marital And Family Problems, Jacob D. Christenson

Theses and Dissertations

A number of studies have examined variables associated with medical use. However, most of the studies deal with samples that are not easily generalizable to other populations. In particular, no study is known to have looked at general medical use among people seeking services for marital and family problems. In this study, medical use of participants from the marriage and family therapy services at Brigham Young University Comprehensive Clinic was investigated to determine the best predictors of general medical use. Best subsets multiple linear regression showed that the best overall predictors of general medical use were anxiety and hostility.

The Reversibility Of Differential Rearing In Rats, Leann M. Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

Two groups of rats were raised in two different environments for 75 days beginning at 25 days of age. One group was raised in an enriched condition (EC), and one group in an impoverished condition (IC). At 91 days of age, all rats were tested on a spatial reversal learning task to determine if their early environments had affected their learning ability (Test 1). After Test 1 was completed, the rats were then placed in the opposite environment for another 75 days, with a second testing (Test 2) beginning at 165 days of age to determine if the new environment …

The Effects Of Cigarette Smoking On The Phonatory Function Of Older Female Adults, Lygia R. Melanchuk

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Oral Discourse Skills Of Young And Old Women, Allison A. Sorensen

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Policies And Procedures For Building Administrators In Academically Advanced And Below Basic Schools In Arkansas, Cindy Viala

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the written policies and procedures of 10 advanced and 10 below basic school districts in Arkansas with a student population of 1,500 or more, and the opinions of building administrators within those districts concerning the evaluation of building administrators. Building administrators have the responsibility to meet public school accountability mandates from the 'No Child Left Behind' law. Data used includes written policies and procedures from each of the school districts and surveys collected from participating building administrators. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square statistic were used. Conclusions show that some school districts have written policies, but are not …

Nursing Home Staffing Adequacy, Rehabilitation Orientation And Quality, Diana Gilroy Venskus

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The primary objective of this research is to examine how changing levels of nursing home staffing adequacy and variations in rehabilitation orientation have affected facility deficiencies and the quality of patient care as facilities responded to the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
Data Sources: Analyses were performed using data from the On-Line Survey Certification and Reporting System (OSCAR) data from years 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 and were merged with Area Resource File (ARF) data released in February 2001.
Study Design: Contingency strategic adaptation provides the theoretical framework for developing the effects of environmental characteristics, organizational characteristics and …

The Effects Of Breakfast On The School-Aged Child, Alicea J. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between eating a nutritious breakfast and academic performance. The sample consisted of 20 Second Grade Students, 12 males and 8 females, attending an elementary school in an urban school district. The subjects ranged in age from 7 to 9. Five males and two females were of Hispanic descent. Seven males and six females were of African American descent. The participants were given the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement to determine if the children were on grade level. A daily log was kept of what each child ate for breakfast and …

Distance Education And Dementia Caregivers: A Comparison Of Three Methods, Mary Colleen Corrigan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the research is to examine the family experience of dementia caregiving and design an educational intervention to assist family members in the caregiving role. Stress results when a caregiver confronts environmental demands (dementia behaviors) that threaten personal well-being. The perception of threat is the process of primary stress appraisal. Caregivers evaluate coping options, a process of secondary stress appraisal. Positive secondary appraisal (view the situation as amenable to change) has the potential to trigger re-appraisal of the primary threat, and to reduce overall stress.

Education is one way to affect secondary appraisal. Adult learners benefit from progressive …

The Effect Of Participatory Instruction On The Motivation Of Third Grade Students, Jessica L. Deck

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect differing instructional techniques has on students' motivation in terms of their attitude towards school. Students were pretested using the Inventory to Measure Attitude Towards School and reading (IMATSR). After the pretest, the reading class was conducted in a lecture format with the entire class reading the same novel. Students read a portion of the book and then answered comprehensive questions on a worksheet, prior to discussion. When the book was completed, a comprehensive exam and IMATSR posttest were given. Next, the teacher introduced five books to the class. Each student …

Development Of The Williams Work Estimator (W2e): A Tool For Determining The Most Effective Match Between Worker Capabilities And Job Task Requirements, Sabrina Natasha Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Demographics indicate that the United States and many other industrialized nations are currently experiencing what is called the ¡°graying¡± of the workforce (Hayslip & Panek, 1993). Today the majority of the workers in many companies are in the age groups of 40-44 and 45-49 years. However, by the year 2010, the largest proportion of workers will probably be in the age groups of 55-59 and 60-64 years (Ilmarinen, 1995). Thus, a growing concern of employers in the near future will be the assignment of older workers to specific job tasks and responsibilities (Williams & Crumpton, 1996) as well as other …

A Correlational Study Of The Relationship Between Academic Performance And Parental Age, Jamie Melamed

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to examine the relationship between academic performance and parental age. Parental age has previously been shown to be a strong predictor of academic performance. This study consisted of a survey of 45 undergraduate students at Rowan University to determine the degree to which their parents' ages, both mothers' and fathers', correlated with academic performance as measured by high school class rank, SAT score, and GPA at Rowan. All participants were children of intact families, and the sample consisted of 25 females and 20 males. Both mother's age and father's age were found to correlate strongly with the …

Sense Of Belonging In Geriatric Long Term Care, Rosann Gottbreht

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Academic Advisement For Education Majors In The College Of Education And Human Development At The University Of North Dakota : A Student Needs To Study, Philip David Parnell

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Relationship Between Social Physique Anxiety And Body Composition In College Male Athletes And Non-Athletes, Rhianna M. Koch Little

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Treatment Outcome In Tension Headache: Disregulation As A Potential Mechanism., Paul Allen Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Although considerable research has demonstrated that progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is an effective treatment for tension-type headache, the mechanism responsible for its effectiveness has not been determined. Recent findings regarding physiological disregulation and its impact on headache indicate a possible mechanism for the effectiveness of PMR. Physiological disregulation occurs when physiological responses are not appropriately monitored, or when they are monitored correctly but adjustments are not made in an appropriate manner. It is suggested that this disregulation can disrupt homeostasis which then leads to tension-type headache. Because PMR enhances a person's ability to monitor his/her physiology and make necessary adjustments, …