Digital Commons Network^™

Students’ Perceptions Of The Effects Of Internships On Confidence And Post-Graduation Outcomes In Higher Education, Jaime L. Grillo

Theses and Dissertations

Internships as a form of experiential learning have been consistently considered a “high impact educational experience” because of the value that it provides students during their college careers (O’Neill, 2010, p. 7). Administrators and faculty professionals in colleges and universities are in positions to encourage student engagement by creating experiential learning opportunities for students that will aid them in navigating their academic major and intended career trajectory. This study focused on how a stronger emphasis on internships could influence confidence among college students, as well as play a part in their decision-making process when considering post-graduation plans. The researcher explored …

Aspects Of The Supervisory Relationship In School Psychology Internships, Julie Cooperstone

Theses and Dissertations

Although extensive research has investigated the role of the supervisory relationship during internship within different fields of psychology, little is known about the nature of the supervisory relationship during the yearlong school psychology internship. The current study investigated the nature of the supervisory relationship in a group of 295 school psychologists, including ratings of working alliance, satisfaction with supervision, and quality of the supervisory relationship, and determined if these constructs could predict of the outcome of willingness to serve as a school psychology supervisor in the future. This study also developed two new measures of satisfaction with supervision that are …

Adjunct Instructors’ Preparedness To Support Students With Disabilities And The Diverse Learning Styles Of All Students, William Leonelli

Theses and Dissertations

As noted by the National Center for Education Statistics (2020), the enrollment of students with disabilities in the higher education environment continues to grow. As more students with disabilities transition into the postsecondary environment, their diverse learning needs and required supports must be addressed to ensure their postsecondary success. Although research has shown how all instructors need to be better aware of supporting the needs of students with disabilities within the postsecondary classroom (Cory, 2011), there is a particular need to explore the experiences of adjunct faculty supporting students with disabilities within these classrooms, as this area has been researched …

Assessing The Perception Of Two Generations In The Maintenance Of Honor Killing: A Cross-Cultural Perspective, Litika Sharma

Theses and Dissertations

Honor killing is a complex social phenomenon arising from system norms that govern family, social unit, and community relationships in countries where it occurs. It is particularly prevalent in communities or societies where it is ingrained in traditions and heritages. Although it is a global phenomenon (Warraich, 2005) found in many South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America, and several European countries (Ali, 2008), there has not been any concerted effort to study the phenomenon more systematically. This proposed study is the first attempt to explore more systematically some of the factors that maintain honor killing. To that end, …

The Role Of Training In Clinical Supervision On Clinician Supervisory Competency And Supervisory Self-Efficacy, Rachel A. Vaughn

Theses and Dissertations

To date, clinical supervision training in professional psychology has focused more on theoretical models for training the supervisee and has been lacking in science. This single-case study investigated the impact of participating in a clinical supervisor training program on supervisory competency and supervisory self-efficacy. Doctoral psychology graduate students participated in a three-month training program. During the training, the students participated in weekly meta-supervision sessions, received monthly opportunities for skill practice, and attended four didactic sessions. Data was collected at four time points. Rating of supervisory competency was measured by self-reports from participants using the Supervision Adherence and Guidance Evaluation (SAGE) …

Effects Of Pastoral Care On The Social Wellbeing And Academic Achievement Of Catholic High School Students: A Case Study, Fr. Jude C. Zimoha

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of pastoral care on the personal social wellbeing and academic achievement of high school students, as perceived by the staff and students in Catholic High schools. This study is a qualitative case study research design. Purposive sampling was used to select one Catholic private co-educational high school in a large metropolitan city in the northeastern United States. The population for this study comprises all students in the Catholic High Schools. The sample of this study was comprised of 21 participants who were purposely selected and included 12 students from 9th …

The Idea Of Unconscionability In Equitable Adjudication And Its Variegated Manifestations In The Louisiana Territory, Pre-1900, Edad Mercier

Theses and Dissertations

The history of American law in the nineteenth century reveals how antislavery activism, Westward expansionism, labor, and women’s rights activism tested the boundaries, strength, and authority of the federal government over states and individuals. At the turn of the nineteenth century, as people resisted against their social position during one of the most turbulent periods in American history prior to the Civil War, American law simultaneously evolved to recognize and delineate the private and public rights of individuals and communities. My dissertation explains how informal and formal socio-legal customs were used to resolve major ethical, social, and contractual disputes arising …

Exploring The Impact Of Covid-19 On Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In The United States, Sarah Lineberry

Theses and Dissertations

Like most disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted people from historically marginalized communities. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have faced higher rates of infection, hospitalization, and death compared to people without disabilities, as well as significant disruptions to the services that support them to participate in the community. A relative lack of research about the experiences of people with IDD may have contributed to this risk and continues to limit our understanding of the impacts of COVID-19. This three-paper dissertation is guided by the theory of epistemic injustice (Fricker, 2007) to understand the impacts of COVID-19 on …

Mental Health And Youth Sports: The Importance Of Adding A Smartphone App To Improve Awareness, Education, And Resources For Youth Athletes, Kelli Gast

Theses and Dissertations

There is an alarming rate of mental health concerns among today’s youth. Similar trends also show increased anxiety and stress in youth sports. This dissertation examined the impact of a youth sports mental health app called M3Moorhead, which targets mental health and sports psychology education tools and connections for mental health support. Additionally, this study aimed to understand why youth athletes were motivated to download the app, what parts of the app were most helpful, and what motivated the youth athletes to engage in the app. The data for this study was collected through an online survey with the parents …

Perinatal Mental Health For Indigenous Women And Birthing People, Amy Lynn Stiffarm

Theses and Dissertations

Before for the impacts of colonization, Indigenous women and birthing people were deeply cared for by their communities during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.There is a serious lack of literature on perinatal mental health (PMH) for Indigenous Peoples in the US. Based on what limited data does exist, high rates of PMH complications are consistently reported for Indigenous birthing people. Exploring the unique circumstances experienced by Indigenous birthing people is crucial to addressing the PMH disparity gap. A concept map illustrating the systematic, community, and individual levels of PMH complications for Indigenous Peoples was used to organize and guide …

Impact Of Social Media On The Mental Health Of College Student Athletes, Maria Blasco Maurici

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the influence of social media on the mental health of college student-athletes. With the adoption of social media platforms and the challenges faced by college student-athletes, understanding the implications of social media usage becomes a priority. This study examines the potential positive and negative effects of social media on the mental health of collegiate student-athletes and considers the role of social media in shaping their self-perception and identity. By comparing with existing research and conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis, this thesis aims to find answers on the relationship between social media and the mental health of college …

Occupational Therapy Student Perceptions Of Team-Based Learning And Flipped Classroom Learning Activities, Madeline Carriere Graff

Theses and Dissertations

Current literature has highlighted various teaching methodologies that have been utilized within higher education that may assist with promoting learning. This literature identifies team-based learning and the flipped classroom as common teaching strategies utilized within allied medical fields such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and medical school (Carson & Mennenga, 2019; Frame et al., 2015; Jdaitwaki, 2019; Merlin-Knoblich, Harris & Mason, 2019; Wallace, 2015). However, the current literature lacks research on the different teaching strategies utilized specific to occupational therapy. There is also an abundance of research surrounding the factors associated with student academic success in various medical …

Natural Fractals And Facial Emotion Recognition, Nathaniel Joseph Pagel

Theses and Dissertations

The psychological benefits that come from visually processing natural imagery have been widely studied. The components of natural imagery that provoke positive responses are not fully understood. This study uses a mixed design approach to identify if the acute exposure to statistical fractal imagery, of both a high-range or mid-range complexity, affects cognitive workload, physiological arousal, and gaze patterns in the recognition and identification of emotions through facial expressions. Participants were undergraduate students fulfilling a partial course requirement (N = 87). Eye-tracking metrics were used to compare exposure to fractal complexities. Participants were randomly assigned to either be exposed to …

How Abortion Status Predicts Stigmatizing Beliefs: Measuring Enacted Stigma Using The Stereotype Content Model, Jenna Nichole Laurin

Theses and Dissertations

Enacted stigma consists of active discrimination or negative treatment towards an individual who has received an abortion. Further, stereotypes of individuals typically fit within perceptions of competence and warmth, however these stereotypes have not been measured about women who have received an abortion despite the fact that they can indicate stigmatizing beliefs. Additionally, enacted stigma may present differently between men and women. The purpose of the current study was to measure perceptions of competence and warmth as a form of stigma about women with and without a history of abortion, as well as women who considered an abortion but did …

Trauma Education In Social Work Curricula: An Innovative Approach To The Teaching Of Trauma-Informed Care, Jennifer M. Schlinger

Theses and Dissertations

Many professionals, especially social workers, work with individuals who have a history of or are experiencing trauma. If students understand the trauma their clients have experienced, they are better suited to meet the individual where they are and help them work towards their goals. Social work professors must prepare their students by instructing them about different types of traumatic experiences, the impacts, assessment tools, and various intervention strategies. I used a qualitative research approach and document analysis to understand how social work programs incorporate education related to trauma and trauma-informed practice into their curricula. This method allowed me to gain …

Tele-Mental Health For Rural Children With Cancer And Their Families, Heather Adame

Theses and Dissertations

Youth and Families from rural areas face different circumstances and challenges when managing a pediatric cancer diagnosis. Challenges such as this include lower access to both physical and mental health care (Janicke & Davies, 2011; Wallings et al., 2019). There is a significant need to investigate how to implement best Telemental health for rural families with pediatric cancer (Ros-DeMarize et al., 2021; Timones, 2019). Due to the limited research on this topic, the purpose of this study was to explore expert opinions on best practices for Telemental health services in pediatric oncology settings and rural families living with pediatric cancer. …

Self-Efficacy Of Applied Doctoral Students Scale: Initial Development And Validation, Kylie Anne George

Theses and Dissertations

The present study explored the development and initial validation of a measure of doctoral student self-efficacy for students in Health Profession Training (HPT) programs. There is a gap in existing scales that measure the full spectrum of tasks that contribute to doctoral self-efficacy. The scales that do exist focus on broad self-efficacy (Chen et al., 2001) or program-specific self-efficacy in one area (Stump et al., 2012; Van Horn & Christman, 2017; Lent et al., 2003). Our purpose was to develop and provide initial norming and validity information for the Self-Efficacy of Applied Doctoral Students (SEADS) Scale. The SEADS was developed …

A Systematic Review Of Training Programs For Mental Health Professionals Who Are Treating Eating Disorders, Shir Zion

Theses and Dissertations

Eating disorders are among the most dangerous mental health disorders, and the prevalence rates for them are on the rise. However, the literature is lacking when it comes to quantitative training recommendations for mental health professionals who wish to learn how to screen for, prevent, and treat individuals with eating disorders. This systematic review identified, reviewed, and synthesized the findings from studies (n = 14) concerning the impact of various training modalities on professionals and students who specialize in eating disorder prevention, screening, and treatment, on their knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, and skills. The aim was to identify training recommendations, across various …

The Intersection Of Ethnic-Racial Identities And The Development Of Leadership Identity For Asian American Women Leaders And The Impact On Their Success, Nann Chan Chan Aye

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the intersectionality of ethnic-racial identity and leadership identity in Asian American Women Leaders (AAWLs) in the United States and its potential impact on leadership success. Findings reveal that community, inclusivity, and growth are the elements that intersect the three pillars: ethnic-racial identity, leadership identity, and organizational climate/environment for AAWLs to embrace the ownership of collective leadership identity. AAWLs strongly desire to foster positive organizational cultures that value service, collaboration, trust, autonomy, diversity, and growth. Another prominent finding is the enthusiasm of AAWLs to share and pass down learnings and experiences through open dialogues and mentorship to fellow …

Experiences And Perceptions Of Bilingual Spanish-English Latinx Clients And Bilingual Spanish-English Latinx Therapists In Psychotherapy: A Systematic Review, Irvin I. Navarrete

Theses and Dissertations

As the bilingual Spanish-English Latinx population in the United States increases, so will the need for culturally and linguistically competent mental health therapists. While past research has focused on providing culturally competent care, the role of language in the process of psychotherapy has received limited attention. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the existing literature on bilingual Spanish-English Latinx clients’ and bilingual Spanish-English Latinx therapists’ experiences and perceptions within a bilingual psychotherapy setting and identify recommendations to enhance language proficiency. A systematic review was conducted and identified nine studies for inclusion. Results highlight seven themes focusing on bilingual Spanish-English Latinx …

Childless African American Women Over 50 In The Usa: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Robbie Roshyl Mitchell

Theses and Dissertations

In modern society, some African American women are choosing a career before accepting the traditional role of birthing a child or children at an early age and marriage is not always part of the equation. Women’s freedoms (i.e., equality, personal choice, sexuality) have increased since their early struggles for their rights as citizens and as women. Some are viewed as agents against the norm by some conservative-minded people by not having a child or children well into their adulthood, especially if they are over the age of 50. Research suggests that women without children are perceived negatively by others and …

Schizophrenia, Expressed Emotion, And Relapse: A Systematic Review Across Cultures, Colin Meng

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this review was to systematically identify and evaluate quantitative research on familial expressed emotion (EE) in schizophrenia patients from different cultural backgrounds. This adds to the findings of previous reviews of EE by including data from cultural individualism vs. collectivism perspectives using Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory. Using specific search criteria, 10 research papers were identified and evaluated. Findings indicated that the lowest percentage of high EE relatives were found in samples from countries associated with moderate individualism scores. A similar pattern was also found in high-critical comment (CC) relatives. Results of hostility and Emotional Over-involvement (EOI) are …

Sleep And Health Behaviors In A Safety-Net Primary Care Setting, Sahar Sabet

Theses and Dissertations

Nearly half of all premature deaths in the United States are attributable to preventable and modifiable health risk behaviors. For decades, the leading behavioral health contributors to morbidity and mortality are tobacco use, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption. Medication adherence is a relatively less studied yet critical interrelated health behavior that is tied to health and treatment outcomes. Sleep, an important pillar of health, is a daily and modifiable behavior that shows promise as a health behavior facilitator. Better understanding the dynamics of these modifiable health behaviors is essential for the improvement of health promotion, particularly among underserved populations (e.g., …

Effectiveness Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Versus Therapeutic Play For Hospitalized Children Diagnosed With Cancer: An Integrative Systematic Review, Dianne Kong

Theses and Dissertations

Psychotherapy provides essential coping mechanisms and strategies for children who are diagnosed with cancer, as they experience the extraordinary burden of physical, emotional, and mental strains. While many medical advancements have been made within the past few decades, progress related to psychotherapy for pediatric cancer patients has not been commensurate, evidenced by the limited current literature. Given the sparsity of relevant research, it is presently difficult to compare and evaluate the various psychotherapeutic interventions available for pediatric oncology patients. Additionally, there are significant challenges in providing psychotherapeutic care for patients and their families, including lack of consistency, disruption of care, …

The Use Of Dance And Movement For The Embodied Healing Of Interpersonal Trauma In Women And Girls: A Systematic Review, Catherine Xinyu Liang

Theses and Dissertations

Interpersonal trauma is a serious and devastating problem for women and girls from all walks of life. Research has shown that there are physiological consequences for experiencing trauma, and as such, treatment for trauma may need to target the body. Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) has been emerging in the current literature as one body-oriented treatment approach that is effective in helping women and girls heal from interpersonal trauma. This review examines how practitioners are currently using DMT for this population, what treatment outcomes have been observed, and what the racial/ethnic identities and international contexts are for survivors who have benefited from …

Application Of Third-Wave Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions In The Treatment Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Emily Hanna

Theses and Dissertations

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has a high comorbidity rate, with substantial risks for anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is considered the first-line psychotherapy treatment for OCD. While highly efficacious, not all patients achieve full remission with ERP, and given the chronicity of OCD and its sensitivity to stress-related events, many patients struggle with ongoing symptoms. A growing area of research has been the use of third-wave behavioral and cognitive therapies that potentially enhance patients’ willingness to engage with exposure-based treatment and provide strategies to cope with residual symptoms. This integrative systematic review summarizes and synthesizes …

Trust In Integrated Medical Care Using A Population-Based Normative Approach, Heather Summers

Theses and Dissertations

The role of integrated care partnerships in addressing health care and social needs to achieve whole person care is important as health care costs rise and quality of care outcomes are incentivized. Medicaid reform and 1115 Medicaid waiver programs are implemented statewide as innovative programs aimed at achieving cost savings and improved clinical quality of care outcomes. Understanding how cross sector partnerships can meet the needs of individuals through integrated care cross sectoral coordination between government, social services and managed care is needed. This research study examined the role of normative care values, vision, trust, shared care, and leadership. The …

Acculturative Stress And Quality Of Life Among Older Korean Immigrants: Do Religiosity And Resilience Matter?, Sunghwan Cho

Theses and Dissertations

The impact of acculturative stress on the quality of life among older adults has been widely acknowledged in previous literature. However, few studies have explored the role of religiosity and resilience in this relationship among older Korean immigrants. This dissertation explores the relationships between acculturative stress, religiosity, resilience, and quality of life among 300 older adults aged 65 years and over who live in an ethnic Korean enclave of Queens, New York. The study employs path analysis and multiple regression analyses to test hypothesized relationships among these variables.

The key findings of the study are as follows: (1) higher acculturative …

The Environment Of Interprofessional Education In Graduate Education: Exploring Professional Programs Of Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, And Physical Therapy, Allison R. Kaczmarek

Theses and Dissertations

Interprofessional education (IPE) is an educational approach of increasing popularity in professional schools for the preparation of a collaborative ready healthcare workforce. The accrediting bodies of professional education programs in occupational therapy (OT), physician assistant (PA), and physical therapy (PT) have incorporated standards for outcomes addressing IPE. Although they have endorsed the Health Professions Accreditors Collaborative (HPAC) consensus document on quality IPE, we do not have a contemporary snapshot of the IPE environments in the curriculum of their accredited programs. This dissertation, a collection of three distinct inquiries, has two aims: first, to provide a description of IPE as it …

Demonstrated Sensitivity, Kate Crankshaw

Theses and Dissertations

Flameworking is a tedious process that demands all of your attention and focus. Making multiples of a shape in this process allows my body and mind to fall into a rhythm. During these times, it allows my anxious mind to be quieted and helps me dive into processing past memories, trauma, and grief. It is commonly suggested in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy practices to find an activity to do that is both physical and repetitive to work through grief. This stimulates the physical and mental parts of the body, both areas where the effects of grief and trauma are held. Relaxing …