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An Analysis Of Therapeutic Alliance And Group Cohesion In A Group Positive Psychology Intervention Serving Middle School Students Reporting Low Life Satisfaction, Alexis Taylor

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

While previous research has focused on how positive psychology treatments relate to outcomes, it is also essential to evaluate the therapeutic process of these treatments. The therapeutic process consists of elements like the therapeutic alliance and the efforts the clinicians and the client put into the process (Bordin, 1979). Positive psychology intervention therapeutic processes differ from traditional treatments, as they have a skills-building perspective rather than a problem-focused perspective (Cunha et al., 2019; Datu & Bernardo, 2020; Kwok et al., 2016). Thus, the therapeutic relationship may take on a different form. Furthermore, as therapy approaches differ, so do the modalities …

The Effect Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Environmental Perceptions Of College Students, Sydney H. Kaylor

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this study, the environmental perception changes in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated. During the almost worldwide lockdown between March and December 2020, many students experienced dramatic changes in their socioeconomic life that have affected their well-being, ability to learn, and environmental perceptions. Students were sent home from college campuses, many businesses were shut down, and changes were seen in the environment throughout the world. The many industries and businesses that were shut down decreased the pollution that was in the atmosphere, in our water, and on the land. In many places, lockdown policies lead to improved …

Mentorship In A Virtual World: How Remote Work Relates To Mentoring Relationships And Outcomes, Alyssa M. Lezcano

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the context of an increasingly virtual workplace, it is critical to understand how remote and hybrid work arrangements relate to key developmental, interpersonal relationships at work, such as mentoring relationships. Guided by the existing mentoring literature as well as leader distance theory, the present study aimed to examine the mentorship experiences of early-career protégés who worked remote and hybrid hours. Three waves of data were collected to investigate the influence of remote work and mentor distance on protégés’ perceptions of mentoring support received. Specifically, the study examined protégés’ degree of remote work, perceptions of social and spatial distance between …

Fraud Brainstorming In An Era Of Remote Work: The Effects Of Alternative Video Conferencing Configurations And Audit Team Hierarchy, Ahmed Shuaib

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic prompted governments to respond by implementing social distancing regulations and travel bans. Although these actions helped mitigate the spread of the virus, they also created unique challenges for businesses and their employees. Firms transitioned quickly from face-to-face work settings to remote work arrangements using video conferencing technologies (VCT). These technologies enable video calls with or without instant messaging (chat) to facilitate information exchange. For audit firms, group tasks that were previously performed in face-to-face settings had to be performed using VCT. A commonly performed group task in auditing is fraud brainstorming, which auditing standards require …

Factors Impacting Genetic Test Result Recall And Adherence To Cancer Risk Management Recommendations Among Patients With Germline Pathogenic Variants, Karishma Prakash Bharwani

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Only 20-60% of information from medical appointments is estimated to be retained of which about half is recalled accurately; however there remains limited information about recall following disclosure of inherited cancer genetic test results (GTR). We sought to evaluate recall of GTRs and the association of recall with adherence to recommended cancer risk management (CRM). Study participants were consented individuals with a confirmed germline pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant (GPV) in an inherited cancer predisposing genes for which there are CRM guidelines per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Through information collected through self-reported surveys, adherence to CRM was defined …

From The Patient’S Perspective: Understanding The Colorectal Cancer Patient Experience Portrayed In Edutainment Television, Allison M. Fisher

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study qualitatively examined how edutainment television portrayed the colorectal cancer (CRC) patient experience, and whether it reflects the real-life CRC patient experience. This was done by first facilitating a textual analysis of edutainment television episodes from popular medical dramas and the docuseries Country Ever After. Interviews with real-life CRC patients were then facilitated to gather perspectives on whether edutainment television’s depictions were reflective of their experiences. This study utilized cultivation theory to identify whether edutainment television reinforces stigmas about the CRC patient experience. Additionally, uses and gratifications theory was implemented to investigate how CRC patients interact with media platforms …

Temporospatial Deep Learning Strategies For Prediction Of Disease Progression In Radiology, John D. Mayfield

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

While the fields of machine learning and medicine are deeply rooted in axiomatic scientific principles, there is an element of art that makes the practice imperfect, yet innately human. As the two fields have seen the greatest overlap in their collective history, there remains a chasm between them in terms of practical translation for the patients who desire and deserve personalized medicine. As presented in this dissertation, I and my collaborators have contributed to the groundwork for future exploration of predicting disease progression by identifying signals within sequential medical imaging to provide a temporospatial relationship upon which we can make …

Genre Analysis Of Promotional Texts: Rhetorical Patterns And Metadiscursive Features Of Teaching Philosophy Statements, Khalid Alghamdi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A growing body of academic writing literature has been devoted to studying the rhetorical patterns and language use in diverse academic texts. One of the central goals of these studies is to demystify these texts to acquaint writers, particularly less experienced ones, with the genre conventions. However, Teaching Philosophy Statements (TPS) as a critical academic genre have received insubstantial attention in the literature. TPSs are major gatekeeping practices in academia that play a significant role in controlling access to academic positions and opportunities, where an insufficient grasp of their conventions might affect an individual's academic future.

This study is pedagogically …

Differentiating Magic: A Call For A Differential Approach, Weston L. Wright

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This paper seeks to propose an alternative approach for studying magic. It is often the case inacademia, when studying magic, scholars use an understanding of modernity which favors a scientific perspective. When doing so, some scholars have concluded magic has become extinct in our modern society; despite recent research suggesting magical practice is thriving. Likewise, this scholarship promotes an idea of magic grounded in fear, ignorance, superstition, and fraudulence. The goal of this paper is two-fold. First, I seek to advocate for an approach to magic that allows for a plurality of perspectives to be acknowledged, not just a scientific …

Exploring The Swimming Behavior Of A Hydromechanical Copepod In The Context Of Positive Density Dependence, Eva J. Muir

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the swimming behavior and population dynamics of the marine copepod, Acartia tonsa. This copepod is of interest as it utilizes hydromechanical signals within the environment to navigate its surroundings, resulting in a distinctive hop/sink swimming pattern. This adaptive trait serves several purposes including searching for mates, obtaining food, and detecting predators, however the evolution of this unique swimming style has not been explored. To address this knowledge gap, the first chapter of this dissertation explores the swimming characteristics and escape responses of captive-reared and wild-caught A. tonsa. When reared in aquaculture, A. tonsa populations experience higher populations …

Comparing The Effects Of The Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines Training Workshop: Online Vs. In-Person, Caroline Mierzwa

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine participant outcomes related to the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) professional development training workshop when delivered in-person and online. Participant outcomes in knowledge of threat assessment, ability to classify a threat case appropriately, and overall evaluations of the training workshop were examined to evaluate threat assessment team aspirations to use the threat assessment procedures and effectiveness of the CSTAG training. Kirckpatrick's Model of Evaluation was utilized to investigate participants' reactions to the training and learning outcomes. Furthermore, participant results were assessed based on their respective position within schools, encompassing roles such …

Traditional Or Trendy: News Presentations In Short Form Video And Its Audiences, Sophie Rose Theiss

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The landscape of short-form video news is evolving, propelled by the popularity of platforms like TikTok. This paper employs content analysis to examine the traits and production elements of six news publishers utilizing short-form video to engage with audiences through traditional and trendy, non-traditional presentations. It investigates audience interactions with this content and explores how specific traits may influence audience sentiment. Findings reveal shifts in traditional news norms as they adapt to social media platforms, positive audience responses to trendy, non-traditional videos, and audience sentiment and engagement across short-form video platforms. Additionally, distinctions emerge between publishers rooted in social media …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of A Dance Fundamental Movement Skill Intervention For Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety In Children, Juanita Patterson-Price

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent mental health conditions in children. Rates of both disorders are rising, surpassing the capacity of available treatment services (albertapatients, 2022; Edwardson, 2022; Statistics Canada, 2020). Lack of treatment can often result in worsening of symptoms towards serious long-term effects (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Additional treatment supports must be made available. The goal of this doctoral research is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of genre-inclusive dance as a psychosocial intervention for anxiety and depression in children. The first manuscript of this doctoral work shares lessons learned in a program evaluation using …

Employing The Use Of Molecular Dynamics To Explore Protein Stability And Optimize Free Energy Protocols, Taylor A. Rodman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Molecular dynamics (MD) is a powerful technique that can be used to provide informationabout a system over time. MD simulations can be used to explore behaviors of many systems such as protein-ligand interactions protein-protein interactions. Additionally, these simulations can be used to generate trajectories of a system to further be used for free energy simulations. The work discussed in Chapter 2 involves the use MD simulations to identify potential drug candidates capable of binding to and stabilizing the nuclear binding domain of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator protein. Using ProBiS, we were able to find a potential binding site …

Assessing The Relationship Between True Crime Documentary And Podcast Consumption, Fear Of Crime, And Protective Behaviors, Lauren A. Tremblay

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how the consumption of true crime documentaries and podcasts is linked to the fear of crime and the adoption of protective behaviors. Building upon prior research that explores these relationships, this study aims to evaluate the impact of true crime content consumption and fear of crime on individuals’ engagement in protective behaviors. Using a cultivation theory framework with an analytic sample of 665 American adults, three Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions and one structural equation model are used to evaluate the relationship between true crime documentary and podcast consumption, fear of crime, and protective behaviors. Results suggest …

Evaluating Self-Monitoring Of Performance With A Peer Component On Disruptive Behavior And Task Completion Of Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorder, Isabella Gural

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Students with emotional and behavioral disorder (EBD) often face a lot of struggles in the classroom (Didion et al., 2018). This can lead to these individuals not finishing school, not getting jobs, etc (Cumblad et al., 1995). Not only is it an issue for the students themselves, but they often engage in disruptive behaviors that disturb their peers and RBTs (Adera & Bullock, 2010; Gottfried & Harven, 2014). Many interventions have been used to increase academic engagement and decrease disruptive behaviors in the classroom for students with EBD, including self-monitoring strategies and peer-mediated interventions. However, regarding studies evaluating self-monitoring interventions …

Evaluating The Prevent-Teach-Reinforce Secondary Model For Individuals With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Christine Colón

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The intensity and range of behaviors displayed by youths with an emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), along with the limited competence of teachers and parents in responding to these behavioral events, present significant challenges in effectively addressing behavioral difficulties and promoting prosocial skills. The current study evaluated the use of the Prevent–Teach–Reinforce (PTR) model, a manualized function-based intervention model, for three youths with EBD in the home setting. The caregivers of the youths were involved in the 4-step PTR process, contributing to the design and implementation of the PTR intervention within family routines. The impact of the intervention on youth …

Online Instructional Clarity: A Phenomenological Study Of Students’ Experiences, Erin Cathleen Bryan Sutliff

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study was a phenomenological exploration of five undergraduate students’ experiences with clear and unclear instructors in online courses at a large southeastern research university. The specific aim was to privilege the voices of undergraduate students about their experiences communicating with their online instructors, particularly with regard to their instructors’ clarity (or lack thereof), and analyze the essence of their experiences using an interpretivist, and specifically, phenomenological perspective. The research was envisioned to address gaps in the instructional clarity literature as well as to respond to calls within both the online learning and the instructional communication literature to explore instructor …

Student Perceptions Of The Nonmedical Use Of Prescription Stimulants And Preferences For Health Education, Ana Gutierrez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NMUPS) for the purpose of improving academic performance is a growing concern among the college population. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in 2020, rates of NMUPS were highest among 18–25-year-olds attending college. There are several adverse health outcomes associated with NMUPS, including cardiovascular damage, seizures, psychosis, and dependence. Given the rising rates of NMUPS in this group, and the negative health outcomes associated with NMUPS, it is vital to employ health education that allows students to make informed decisions about behaviors that impact their health. The purpose of this study …

All Quiet On The Digital Front: The Unseen Psychological Impacts On Cybersecurity First Responders, Tammie R. Hollis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Driven by the increasing frequency of cyberattacks and the existing talent gap between industry needs and skilled professionals, this research study focused on the crucial human element in the domain of cybersecurity incident response. The objective of this dissertation was to offer a meaningful exploration of the lived experiences encountered by cybersecurity incident responders and an assessment of the subsequent impacts on their well-being. Additionally, this study sought to draw comparisons between the experiences of cybersecurity incident responders and their counterparts in traditional emergency response roles. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a cohort of 22 individuals with first-hand experience working …

The Discussion – Conclusion Section Of Quantitative Versus Qualitative Research Articles In Second Language Writing: Rhetorical Structure And Interactional Metadiscourse, Oksana Bomba

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed and compared the rhetorical structure of the Discussion – Conclusion sections from quantitative versus qualitative research articles (RAs) in the interdisciplinary field of Second Language Writing (SLW). Although Discussion and Conclusion sections are critical components in the RA genre that present a challenge to novice writers, little is known about the rhetorical organization of RA Discussion – Conclusion sections and how quantitative and qualitative research paradigms may shape the ways RA writers present and discuss their findings.

This corpus-based study analyzed the rhetorical structure of the SLW RA Discussion – Conclusion sections from quantitative and qualitative research …

Syntheses, Photophysics, & Application Of Porphyrinic Metal-Organic Frameworks, Zachary L. Magnuson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Porphyrins are a group of heterocyclic macrocycles that play crucial roles in various biological processes such as electron transfer, catalysis, and sensing. Hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood of mammals, and chlorophyll, which drives photosynthesis in plants and algae, are both porphyrins. The ability of porphyrins to bind metal ions and their unique electronic and photophysical properties make them an excellent platform for designing functional materials for various applications, often drawing inspiration from their function in nature. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials that have been extensively studied in recent years due to their high surface …

Saudi Mothers’ Perspectives And Experiences About Family-School Partnership In Early Childhood: A Qualitative Study, Mona Mohsen Alzahrani

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this study, I explored Saudi mothers’ perspectives on family-school partnerships, besides understanding the challenges they had faced. I used the ecological theoretical framework, to understand the complexity of the relationships between family and school and the impact of the environment on children's development. The ecological theory allowed me to simplify these relationships and recognize the effect on the children's development by examining Saudi mothers' perspectives. I selected qualitative research to gain a better thoughtful of the complex phenomena. I conducted semi-structured interviews to gain a deeper understanding of mothers’ perspectives. I applied a thematic analysis by Clark and Braun …

Machine Learning For Electronic Design Automation: Specification Mining And High-Level Synthesis, Md Rubel Ahmed

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The rapid growth of complex system-on-chip (SoC) designs has presented unprecedented opportunities and challenges in electronic design automation (EDA). This dissertation explores two facets of electronic design automation: message flow specification mining using data mining and natural language processing (NLP) and high-level synthesis (HLS) acceleration using different machine learning (ML) methods. It also discusses an ML model co-optimization method for energy-efficient hardware implementation.

Effective SoC design validation relies heavily on message flow specifications. This dissertation presents an efficient technique for synthesizing finite state automaton (FSA) models from SoC execution traces. The synthesized models can provide valuable insights into the on-chip …

Why Teachers Stay: An Exploration Of Why Mid-Career Teachers Remain In Teaching, Jennifer K. Mccorvey

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Much of the current literature on teacher retention centers around early-career teachers, with far less addressing mid-career teacher attrition. This research study explores the positive and negative experiences of five mid-career teachers, Toni, Sean, Susan, Debbie, and Jacqueline, explicitly focusing on the experiences that influenced their decisions to remain teaching. The participants were Teacher Leadership Academy alumni, a professional learning community in two separate Professional Development School programs. I used a qualitative case-study approach to examine the teachers’ experiences and Identity Theory as a lens through which to view the findings. Semi-structured interviews and participant-constructed timelines were the primary sources …

Borderlands: (Un)Covering The Narratives Of Teacher Candidates Of Color In A Pds Context, Jennifer I. Perez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research aims to uncover the narratives of teacher candidates of color and their experiences with race and racism while learning to teach in a PDS context, develop an understanding of how state and local policies manifest within these experiences, and explore the roles of pláticas as a context for critical conversations. This research study captured the stories of three teacher candidates of color, Ms. L, Susan, and Amerie, learning to teach in a PDS context. I used the transformative framework of Critical Race Methodologies in conjunction with case study methods to uncover the experiences of the study contributors and …

Learning After Retirement: The Stories Of Three Chinese Senior Citizens, Yanan Li

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

China, with its vast population, has qualified as an aging society. As a response to this, education and learning have become an important means of improving the quality of life for older people in China. The primary objective of this study is to uncover what stimulates three older Chinese individuals to engage in learning activities by exploring their personal stories. The two research questions guiding the study are: (a) How do three senior Chinese citizens describe their life and learning experiences? and, (b) What factors motivate and influence these three senior Chinese citizens to participate in learning activities? In this …

The Influence Of Psychosocial Factors On Opioid Decision-Making For Cancer-Related Pain Among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Mixed Method Study, Melody Nichole Chavez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most frequently reported malignancy among women in the United States. Cancer-related pain is highly prevalent occurrence and is often the most fearful side effect following curative intent treatment. Opioid pain management is considered a standard of care and can be of great benefit to treat moderate to severe pain. However, undertreatment of pain remains a significant issue affecting the patient’s physical function, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life. Barriers to adequate pain management are multifactorial and often attributed to patients’ beliefs and attitudes revolving around opioid pain management. In addition, the opioid epidemic has …

Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes Simulations Of Nearshore Langmuir Circulation And The Formation Of Oil-Particle Aggregates, Juan J. Penaloza Gutierrez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Langmuir turbulence in the inner shelf coastal ocean is characterized by Langmuir circulation (LC) or cells that can span the full depth of unstratified water columns. A Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulation strategy resolving full-depth LC coupled with an oil-particle aggregate (OPA) formation model is introduced. The RANS methodology is employed in two different cases. The first case corresponds to a shallow shelf zone of uniform depth, focusing on vertical mixing and transport of OPAs. The second case pertains to a surf-shelf transition zone with variable depth, comprising vertical and horizontal mixing of OPAs. In the latter case, a wave model …

Great Power Cyberpolitics: Re-Interpreting Offensive Realism And Power Transition Theory For Cyber Deterrence, Yavuz Akdaǧ

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation assesses the empirical relevancy of realist International Relations (IR) theory in cyberspace and shows how a richer IR-based theory of cyber conflict can enhance the understanding of interstate cyber deterrence, especially in the context of US-Sino hegemonic cyber conflict or cyberwar. As states increasingly engage in cyber conflict by exploiting security vulnerabilities due to global interconnectivity (i.e., the Internet), cyber threat has become relevant for national security. Scholars constructed cyber deterrence to counter the threat using the fundamentals of the Cold War nuclear deterrence. Yet this approach is highly contested; cyberspace defies traditional deterrence concepts. Further theoretical analysis …