Digital Commons Network^™

Rehabilitation Service Utilization Among African American Women Living With Hiv/Aids: Using The Behavioral Model For Vulnerable Populations, Aisha Shamburger-Rousseau

Theses and Dissertations

African American women represent one of the largest groups disproportionately living with and affected by HIV/AIDS yet African American women have largely been unrepresented in the federal-state rehabilitation system. As pharmaceutical treatment options improve and individuals with HIV/AIDS are living longer and healthier lives, research exploring the appropriateness of rehabilitation services has increased. Accordingly, it has become more necessary to address the needs of this population. As the largest service provider for people with disabilities, the state-federal rehabilitation system has the potential to be a vital resource for African American women living with HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this study is …

Development And Validation Of A Predictive Model Of Return-To-Work Outcomes Of Injured Employees In Minnesota, A. Bentley Hankins

Theses and Dissertations

In Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system, injured employees at risk for sustaining permanent disability may be eligible for receipt of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services if they are determined to be capable of benefitting from such services. VR services can be a valuable resource to injured employees who need assistance minimizing their work disability and maximizing their residual wage-earning capacity. However, for VR services to be effective at a system level, it is necessary to precisely and accurately identify an injured employee’s rehabilitation potential. Failure to do so is likely to result in the misallocation of a scarce and costly resource. Given …

Exploring The Role Of Culture And Race In Stroke Rehabilitation Disparities, Jennifaye Verdina Greene

Theses and Dissertations

A study found that racial differences exist in stroke rehabilitation care and outcomes between African Americans (AAs) and Caucasian Americans (CAs). In addition to health status, the rehabilitation care of AAs with stroke (AAwS) may be influenced by cultural and or racial similarities or differences that exist between themselves and their physical therapists (PTs). Distorted perceptions of culture and race in the patient-PT relationship may contribute to disparities in stroke rehabilitation care and outcomes for AAwS. Current stroke rehabilitation literature lacks qualitative research that examines racialized differences in treatment. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory research study was to investigate …

Workplace Discrimination And The Perception Of Disability, William Draper

Theses and Dissertations

Decisions by the EEOC in favor of claimants perceived to have disabilities disproportionately exceeded those in favor of claimants with documented disabilities. This finding lends support to the assertion that unconscious/implicit bias is persistent in the workplace.

Assessing The Effects Of Stress Resilience Training On Visual Discrimination Skills: Implications For Perceptual Resilience In U.S. Warfighters, Andrea Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

Current military operational environments are highly improvised and constantly evolving, threatening the lives of U.S. warfighters. For instance, since 2001, 60% of all hostile casualties and 65% of hostile injuries in the Middle East theater have been attributed to improvised explosive devices (IEDs). IEDs are powerful physical weapons, and the stressful atmosphere they, and other operational challenges create, can also result in a range of psychological dysfunctions, including anxiety, depression, alcohol abuse, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Not only are these issues concerning for mental health reasons, they are also problematic in terms of combat performance. Extreme arousal (i.e., stress) …

Let's Get Physical: The Role Of Physical Activity In The Training Of Graduate Mental Health Students, Cassandra Pasquariello

Theses and Dissertations

There is growing awareness of the role of physical activity (PA) in the prevention and treatment of health disorders. Mental health practitioners are well positioned to provide PA counseling and may have ethical obligations to address PA. Researchers have cited insufficient training as a barrier to PA counseling, yet little is known about training in mental health. This exploratory study examines the need for training students in PA counseling. A national sample of 361 current graduate students in psychology, social work, rehabilitation counseling, and psychiatric nursing completed a Web-based survey on their training, knowledge, attitude towards PA, personal PA, and …

An Analysis Of Ada Title I Allegations Of Workplace Discrimination As Filed With The Eeoc By Persons With Mental Illness, Jessica E. Hurley

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT AN ANALYSIS OF ADA TITLE I ALLEGATIONS OF WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION AS FILED WITH THE EEOC BY PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS Jessica Erin Hurley A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Health Related Sciences—Rehabilitation Leadership Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011 Dissertation Chair: Brian T. McMahon, Ph.D., CRC This study explores employment discrimination as experienced by persons with mental illness who filed allegations under Title I (the employment provisions) of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The entire universe of employment discrimination allegations filed under Title I of the ADA …

Examining The Self-Reported Health Behaviors And The Importance Of Role Modeling Among Resident Directors Affiliated With The Association Of College And University Housing Officers-International (Acuho-I) Institutions, Maylen Lizeth Aldana

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine self-reported health behaviors (health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations and stress management) of Resident Directors who self-reported being affiliated with ACUHO-I. The second purpose of the study was to examine which areas of health behaviors, do Resident Directors believe, their participation influences the health behaviors of their students. This was completed by inviting Resident Directors to complete the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII). A total of (n=308) Resident Directors completed the HPLPII. The results of this study are ground breaking because it is the first study examining the …

Experiences Of Post-Processing In Group Psychotherapy, Karen Muehl

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study utilized a phenomenological research approach (Moustakas, 1994) to examine the question How do group psychotherapy clients experience post-processing? The conceptual framework for the study was Yalom’s interpersonal process approach to group psychotherapy (Yalom & Leszcz, 2005). Participants were 12 university counseling center clients who were members of an interpersonal process-oriented psychotherapy group at a large urban university. Data collection consisted of in-depth interviews. Data analysis procedures followed recommendations by Smith and Osborn (2003) and Creswell (2007). In order to increase the trustworthiness and rigor of the study, the researcher engaged in reflexive journaling, member checking, and the …

Workplace Discrimination And Learning Disability: The National Eeoc Ada Research Project, Joseph Conway

Theses and Dissertations

Using the Integrated Mission System of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the employment discrimination experience of Americans with Learning Disabilities (SLD) is documented for Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The study examines demographic characteristics of the charging parties and the industry of the responding employer against whom complaints are filed. It establishes the nature of the discriminatory act, specifically, pin-points the issue(s) that predicated the allegation, and shows the final outcome or resolution of these complaints. Key dimensions of workplace discrimination as experienced by individuals with LD are detected using two Tests of Proportion. The first …

Exploring Cybersex And Alcohol Addiction In College Students, Amy Marie Dendy

Theses and Dissertations

Addiction and its staggering impact on today’s society is well established in literature. The existence of co-occuring addictions has been well documented by various researchers. Researchers found that the presence of co-occurring addictions in alcoholics predicted relapse and readmission to treatment for alcohol dependence, reinforcing the need to study the problems created by co-occuring addictions. In college students, there appears to be a clear tendency for addictions to occur together, with alcohol and high risk sexual behavior appearing to co-exist in this population. Today’s college students are deemed as technology savvy students; therefore, the Internet serves as a primary medium …

Expanding Roles: Paraeducators Providing Health Care To Students In Elementary Schools, Sharon Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Approximately ten to thirty percent of school aged children have a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional condition that requires specialized health care and related services. Providing the needed health care is critical in maintaining students' participation and success in school. The enactment of PL 94-142, in 1975, mandated that public schools give children with disabilities the right to a "free and appropriate public education" in the least restrictive environment possible. School nurses are the logical choice to provide the necessary health care in schools. They have the knowledge, expertise, judgement and critical thinking skills inherent in nursing education and …

Educational Presentations On Diagnosis And Treatment Of Primary Immune Deficiency Disorders, Joann Almen

Theses and Dissertations

P1imary Immune Deficiency Disorders (PIDD) are rare disorders not commonly encountered in primary care. Therefore healthcare providers have limited knowledge of diagnosis, treatment, and optimal care for individuals with a PIDD. Current research indicates there is a greater prevalence then initially thought and that if the diagnosis is not made promptly detiimental outcomes can occur. Many of the disorders are treated with infusions of immune globulins. This project included preparing a Nurses Self-Study Packet on infusing Intravenous Immunoglobulin and a didactic educational power point presentation on Diagnosis and Treatment of PIDDs in primary care. These presentations offer a low cost, …

Examining The Progression Of Disability Benefits Among Employees In The United States, Carolyn E. Danczyk-Hawley

Theses and Dissertations

The following project is a compilation of three separate articles all utilizing a database extracted from the UNUM/Provident Life Insurance Company, including all consecutive short-term disability (STD) claims filed with UNUM from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1996 from claimants who were also insured for long-term disability (LTD) by UNUM. The resulting sample includes 77,297 claims.The results of these studies are part of a larger investigation that documented the Progression of Disability Benefits (PODB) phenomenon. PODB refers to the migration of workers with work-limiting disabilities through a system of economic benefits resulting in their placement onto Social Security Disability …

Stature And Criminal Behavior, Rebecca J. Fish

Theses and Dissertations

Minorities are significantly overrepresented in America's prison population, and many studies have been conducted to determine possible causes for such a disparity. Few of these studies, however, have examined small stature as a potential contributor to criminal behavior. This study examines the relationship between criminal behavior and stature among American males. The heights, weights, stature scores (a function of the product of height and weight) and the body mass indices of criminals are examined as a whole, as well as by subgroup based on race, locality, and nature of the crime committed. The average weight of the male criminal population …

Occupational Therapy Educator's Involvement With College Students With Disabilities, Tina A. Mankey

Theses and Dissertations

Occupational therapy educators can play an important role in serving students with disabilities in higher education by collaborating with other campus resources and the student to assist the student in achieving their educational goals. This study examined the extent of occupational therapy educators' involvement and their beliefs in regard to participating in activities with college students; the existence of institutional and professional rewards/incentives and barriers for participating in activities with college students with disabilities; and the difference in involvement and beliefs of occupational therapy educators with students with disabilities in relation to specific institutional and individual factors. A Web-based questionnaire …

Academic Dishonesty: A Study In The Magnitude Of And Justifications For Academic Dishonesty Among College Undergraduate And Graduate Students, Bryan Hendricks

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the degree to which college undergraduate and graduate students cheat as well as to examine if the justifications for cheating differed amongst these groups. Cheating behavior scores and justifications for engaging in academically dishonest behavior scores were obtained from 138 college undergraduate and graduate students through the use of a survey. One-way analysis of variance revealed a significant difference between the underclassmen, upperclassmen, and graduate students group reporting cheating behaviors. Post hoc tests revealed that underclassmen reported significantly higher levels of cheating than upperclassmen and graduate students. Graduate students were found to …

Recovery From Substance Abuse: The Role Of Unsupportive Social Interactions, Michelle Marie Schmitt

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACTRECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE: THE ROLE OF UNSUPPORTIVE SOCIAL INTERATIONSBy Michelle M. Schmitt, M.A., M.S. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University.Virginia Commonwealth University, 2003Major Director: Kathleen M. Ingram, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology It has been estimated that over 20 million individuals struggle with substance abuse and/or dependence each year. Theories of addiction and recovery have long incorporated the notion of social support and helping relationships to facilitate adjustment. However, the literature investigating the role of social support is fraught with contradictions. In addition, in …

The Relationship Between The Congruence Of Vocational Interests And College Major And Self-Concept, Amina C. Husain

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not there is a relationship between the congruence (agreement) of an individual's vocational interests and academic major and the level of self-concept. This study reports on the level of self-concept and the degree of congruence between the selection of an academic major and their personality type or profile using the Self Directed Search (Holland, 1994). The level of self-concept was determined by using the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (Fitts, 1965). The congruence score was obtained by utilizing was the Zener-Schnuelle Congruence Index (Robbins, Harvey, & Kandefer 1978). Sixty college freshmen and …

Educators' Knowledge And Attitude Regarding Nj's Core Curriculum Content Standards, Amy H. Crossley

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the knowledge of teachers regarding NJ's Core Curriculum Content Standards and their attitudes towards those standards. A survey was distributed and collected from 35 participants. Items on the survey were factored into three categories. These categories described how well-informed educators were regarding NJ's CCCS, their feelings towards the standards and how well-prepared they as educators felt they were. Results reveal that educators have "some" knowledge regarding NJ's CCCS, however, that knowledge-base must be broadened. Results also showed that the majority of educators have either a "positive" attitude or an "indifferent" attitude towards implementing NJ's CCCS and that …

Parent Satisfaction With And Participation In Their Children's Special Education Programs, Marcia C. Gums

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Professionals On Interdisciplinary Pediatric Rehabilitation Teams In North Dakota, Tracey L. Craig

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Does Secondary Educational Programming As Reflected In The Iep Differ For Students Classified Emotionally Disturbed And Those Classified Perceptually Impaired?, Diane Saaybe

Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive study of three K-12 school districts was designed and conducted in order to determine how educational programming, as reflected in the IEPs (Individual Education Plan) of secondary students, differed for students classified as Emotionally Disturbed and Perceptually Impaired (Learning Disabled). In each of these three districts, six files of students classified ED and six files of students classified PI were pulled at random and examined as to content in particular areas.

Specifically, the congruency of the IEP, or how the annual goals were related to assessment data and vice versa, was examined, as were related services recommended, and …

A National Survey Of Occupational Therapists In The Public Schools: An Assessment Of Current Practice, Attitudes, And Training Needs Regarding The Transition Process For Students With Severe Disabilities, Katherine Josephine Inge

Theses and Dissertations

Because occupational therapy involvement in transition planning is a relatively new area. little was known about the characteristics of school-based therapists who serve students in this age group. The purpose of this study was to determine their current level of participation in the transition process, the roles that therapists identified for themselves in this process, their attitudes towards best practices for serving students ages 14 - 22, and occupational therapists’ future training needs if they are to participate fully in the national transition initiative. A survey was mailed to 1,000 therapists on the American Occupational Therapy Associations Direct Mail List …

The Study Of Adult Learners With Learning Difficulties, Judith I. Green

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Factors Influencing The Burnout Syndrome As Perceived By North Dakota Public School Classroom Teachers, Thosapol Arreenich

Theses and Dissertations

Teacher burnout is a term used to describe teachers' feelings and attitudes about themselves in relationship to their work. It has been considered a problem and a contagion. This study was the initial basic research on teacher burnout conducted in North Dakota.

Purpose of the Study. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which the burnout syndrome exists among North Dakota public school classroom teachers, the significant factors which affect it, and the determination of whether significant relationships exist between and/or among ten demographic variables.

Design of the Study.The Maslach Burnout Inventory and the demographic data …

Length Of Time For College Graduates To Obtain Employment And Selected Job Related Variables., Jole Ann Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a significant relationship between the length of time it takes Trinity University graduates to become employed and the identified job related variables and combinations of variables. The job related sets of variables are: (1)background variables, (2)variables related to academic major and grade point average, (3)variables related to employment seeking behaviors influencing job attainment, (4)variables related to ethnic background and socio-economic status, and (5)variables related to geographic and organization size preference.The group surveyed in this study was the Trinity University graduates who had received bachelor's degrees in December 1978, May …

Public Law 94-142 And Teacher Stress In Bismarck Public Schools, Ann Hauer

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Test Of An Evaluation Design For Social Service Board Service Units, Scott Engmann

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Independent Study To Propose An Alternate Staffing Pattern For The Regional Offices Of The North Dakota Department Of Vocational Rehabilitation, Kenneth Van Beek

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.