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The College Student Worry Questionnaire: Development And Preliminary Psychometric Properties, Gretchen M. Domek

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

To date, there has not been a well-developed measure designed specifically to evaluate the content of worry. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a worry questionnaire designed to measure the worry content of college students, the College Student Worry Questionnaire (CSWQ). A total of 315 participants were recruited from several undergraduate psychology courses at a large mid-western university. Participants completed a questionnaire packet which consisted of a written informed consent form, a background questionnaire, the CSWQ, the Satisfaction With Life Scale, the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the Beck …

Personality Characteristics Associated With People Who Frequently Experience Flow, Mark A. Ackerman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Flow is a state of mind that has been found to occur when people become immersed in a challenging activity that matches or slightly exceeds their skill level. It has been suggested that some people may be more likely to enter this state of mind than others. The purpose of this study was to attempt to identify personality traits common to people who frequently experience flow.

Amount of flow generally experienced in 115 college undergraduates was measured with two modified flow measures, the modified Flow State Scale (FSS) and the modified Flow Descriptions Questionnaire (FDQ). Eight personality characteristics were hypothesized …

Facciones​: Fictional Identity And The Face In Borges’S “La Forma De La Espada.’, David Laraway

Faculty Publications

A SCAR, AS HOMER KNEW LONG AGO, is more than a distinguishing mark that permits one to be identified: it is the promise of a story to be told. Upon Odysseus's return to Ithaca, his old nurse Eurykleia, without yet recognizing her master, prepares to bathe his feet. Richmond Lattimore's translation renders the ensuing scene in these words: "Now Odysseus I was sitting close to the fire, but suddenly turned to the dark side; I for presently he thought in his heart that, as she handled him, / she might be aware of his scar, and all his story might …

Impact Of Peer Teaching On The Acquisition Of Social Skills By Adolescents With Learning Disabilities, Mary Anne Prater, Loretta A. Serna, Kayleen K. Nakamura

Faculty Publications

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of peer teaching on social skills acquisition of adolescents with learning disabilities. A special education teacher taught 12 students with learning disabilities three social skills, giving positive feedback, contributing to discussion, and accepting negative feedback. A random sample of five students previously taught by the teacher then instructed five other students with learning disabilities. Results indicated that both groups, the students taught by their teachers and those taught by their peers, improved in all three social skills. Both groups made less improvement in accepting negative feedback. The authors' conclude that …

An Outreach Support Group For International Students, Timothy B. Smith, Li-Chen Chin, Arpana Inman, Jennifer Hudson

Faculty Publications

International students often face challenges in adjusting to their new environment without the use of available local supports, such as counseling. Suggestions are provided for forming an outreach support group that enhances international student participation by minimizing stigma associated with mental health services and by addressing both practical and emotional issues.

Identities And Racial Attitudes Of South African And American Adolescents: A Cross-Cultural Examination, Timothy B. Smith, Christopher R. Stones

Faculty Publications

Issues of group identity and prejudice have played a large role in the history of South Africa. This study examined differences among Xhosa-speaking Black, so-called Coloured, English-speaking White, and Afrikaans-speaking White adolescents within a context of social change. Data was collected from 818 high school students using a questionnaire that assessed aspects of these groups' perceptions of themselves (their identities), attitudes toward other racial groups (their prejudices), and beliefs about changes in the socio-political environment. Several statistically significant differences between the groups were found. Comparative analyses on identity and attitude variables performed with 263 White American adolescents were also statistically …

Evaluating Therapy Outcome At A University Counseling Center Wit The College Adjustment Scales, Timothy B. Smith, Mark A. Nafziger, Gwenna C. Couillard

Faculty Publications

To assess the effectiveness of time-limited therapy in a university counseling center, 333 clients' pre-counseling and post-sixth session College Adjustment Scales (CAS) scores were compared. Statistical significant decreases in reported symptomatology were found on all CAS scales. Analyses of CAS data for students who were notably distressed prior to receiving counseling also yielded statistically significant differences, with effect sizes revealing moderate to large decreases in symptomatology. Further replicative work is recommended to document the impact and effectiveness of counseling center services.

Health And Educational Outcomes Of Children Who Experienced Severe Neonatal Medical Complications, Timothy B. Smith, Glenna C. Boyce, Glendon Castro

Faculty Publications

To determine the long-term developmental and educational outcomes of a sample of low birthweight infants with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), developmental assessments and interviews were conducted eight years after the initiation of an early intervention project. At the time of the follow-up, 62% of children were experiencing some developmental or behavior problems, with visual impairments, cerebral palsy, and attention deficits occurring most frequently. Grade of IVH and the number of days spent in the neonatal intensive care unit were the best predictors of later developmental delays. The sample also scored below average on school achievement; approximately 30% of those in school …

Depression And Moral Health: A Response To The Commentary, Mike W. Martin

Philosophy Faculty Articles and Research

S. Nassir Ghaemi tells us that whereas "neurologists are sometimes accused of admiring disease rather than treating it," psychiatrists seek to cure disease even when they do not understand it. At the same time, he notes that Freud had both theoretical and practical interests that occasionally point in different directions, and psychiatrists have learned that theoretical understanding of the sources of suffering does not always translate directly into useful clinical practice. For their part, philosophers are often criticized for indulging in armchair speculation that yields neither empirical understanding nor practical efficacy. Writing as a philosopher in "Depression: Illness, Insight, and …

John Dewey, Art And Public Life, Mark Mattern

Political Science Faculty Articles and Research

This article explores, criticizes, and extends John Dewey's arguments about art in relation to public life in a democracy. Dewey believed that art is a potent form of communication through which community is developed and political action undertaken. Although correct, Dewey erased conflict, negotiation and contestation From art, and failed to address the crucial role of power in the world of art. Three distinct kinds of political action through art are developed: pragmatic, deliberative, and confrontational.

The Role Inhibition Plays In Information Processing In Depressed And Anxious Nonclinical Subjects, Tondi Whetham

Undergraduate Theses and Senior Projects

No abstract provided.

Interest Of Department Of Correctional Education Personnel In Attending Old Dominion University Via The Teletechnet Distance Education System, Dennis D. Traverse

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

This study will determine: 1. If Department of Correctional Education full-time academic teachers are interested in taking the courses required to complete the Master of Science in Education degree with a concentration in correctional education programs via the Old Dominion University TELETECHNET Distance Education Program; 2. What content should be included in the concentration courses for correctional education personnel.

A Study To Categorize Adult Education Literature Through Donlevy And Donlevy's Template Of Perspectives, Linda A. Mason

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following objectives were established to address this problem: 1. How effectively can adult education literature be categorized by using the Donlevy and Donlevy Template of Perspectives? 2. What recommendations can be made from these perspectives for the teaching of adult education principles?

The Effect Of Informal Training On Performance Support System Utilization, Floyd Graham

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The problem of this study was to determine if a Performance Support System is as effective as a Performance Support System in conjunction with informal training in increasing the use of the number of features found in Microsoft Outlook '97, an e-mail and knowledge management application.

A Study To Determine The Level Of Job Satisfaction Among Virginia Technology Education Association Members Teaching Middle School Technology Courses, M. Reid Rawls

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The goals of this study were to answer the following questions: 1. What factors affect job satisfaction levels among middle school technology teachers? 2. What steps should be taken to enhance job satisfaction for middle school technology teachers?

A Community-Based Parenting Program With Low-Income Mothers Of Young Children, Bonnie Nicholson, Viktor Brenner, Robert A. Fox

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

Research has established a significant relationship between certain parental characteristics. such as income or parenting practices, and the development of child behavior problems. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a parenting program for low-income parents of children one to five years old which was offered through community-based family resource centers. Seventy-one mothers completed the program and showed significant decreases in their use of verbal and corporal punishment and significant increases in nurturing behaviors: their children’s behavior also improved significantly. Forty-five percent of parents also met Jacobson and Truax’s (1991) criteria for clinically significant change. Implications for practitioners working With this …

The Odd Couple: A Developmental Perspective In Pastoral Relationship Dynamics, Paul Donald Scuse

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis looks at the complex nature of the relationship between the pastor of a congregation and the members of the parish. The relationship is first viewed from a number of different perspectives: self psychology, systems theory and object relations. Each perspective adds new insight to the nature of this many-sided relationship. These perspectives, however, look primarily at a static view of the relationship. A qualitative research study was conducted to investigate the following research question: D0 pastors and congregational members experience the pastor-parish relationship as developing over time? Fourteen pastors and nine parishioners were asked to comment on their …

Policies And Programs To Prevent Child Maltreatment And Promote Family Wellness In Ghana, Bright Isaac Asante

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study examined policies and programs to prevent child maltreatment and promote family wellness in Ghana. In the thesis, I discussed values that guide child-care in Ghana, the daily realities of children and families, and policies and programs to promote family wellness and prevent child maltreatment. Lastly, I looked at the climate for prevention and early intervention. I presented recommendations under each of these sections. In the first part of the literature review, I examined some definitions of child maltreatment, the prevalence rate, etiology, and consequences of maltreatment. In the second part, I reviewed some policies and programs to prevent …

Critical Psychology In Action: Recommendations For The Practice Of Critical Psychology, Stephanie Austin

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Critical psychology is a movement that is gaining momentum in psychology. Although people define it in various ways, for the purpose of my current research I define critical psychology as a movement that challenges psychology to work towards emancipation and social justice and that opposes the use of psychology to perpetuate oppression and injustice. This thesis project engaged critical psychologists from several different countries in a formative evaluation of the field of critical psychology. The research I have undertaken has conceptual/theoretical and practical components, consistent with a commitment to what Paulo Freire called critical praxis. Critical psychology as a scholarly …

Parenting Experience And Gender Role Socialization In Toy Play Situations, Sara Elizabeth Gugula

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study investigated the role of parenting experience on the gender socialization of children. Each of the children (N=48) played with three adults; one of their parents, one parent of another child, and one non-parent. The amount of time children and adults played with gender-specific toys, adults’ categorization of toys into gender categories and adults’ desirability ratings of gender-specific toys were examined. Results indicated that boys spent most of their time playing with masculine toys, while girls spent an equal amount of time playing with feminine and neutral toys and the least amount of time playing with masculine toys. The …

Board Transition In A Student Government Organization: Developing Effective Organizational Change, Rolando Eduardo Inzunza

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

I focused the research project on creating effective transition in a graduate student government organization of which I was the president in 1998-1997. I conducted the evaluation as an insider, using a participatory-action research model. My search of the literature focused on principles of community psychology and how the literature on learning organizations could apply these principles as organizational goals. I then used organizational development as a model for putting these principles and subsequent goals into practice. I guided the evaluation and improvement of board transition with measures of board effectiveness. I collected the data from in-depth qualitative interviews with …

Programs For The Promotion Of Family Wellness And The Prevention Of Child Maltreatment: A Meta-Analytic Review, Jennifer R. Macleod

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis is a meta-analytic review of interventions that focus on the promotion of family wellness and the prevention of child maltreatment. Fifty-six evaluations which met the inclusion criteria were coded and effect sizes were calculated for each of the studies. I identified five key elements or “moderator variables,” through a review of the literature, which I believed might have an impact on the effectiveness of interventions. These moderator variables were: an ecological framework, an empowerment/strengths-based focus, the duration/intensity of the intervention, and the availability of social support and concrete support. A three step model testing process was used to …

Feminism Meets Self-Care In Social Change Work, Wendy L. Telford

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The trauma literature reveals that anti-violence work can negatively affect anti-violence workers. These effects are different from those of doing general counselling, therapy, and research. The effects include disrupted beliefs about the goodness of people, difficulty trusting others, emotional numbness, psychic drain, spiritual disconnectedness, and loss of meaning and purpose in life. I experienced a negative transformation while participating in feminist social change work, specifically feminist anti-violence work. I decided to investigate this transformation and share my insights. I collected the data from within myself through an intuitive, reflective writing process, then compared and contrasted my experience to relevant literature. …

Applied Ethics In Mental Health In Cuba: Concepts, Values, Dilemmas And Resources, Laura Sanchez Valdes

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In this thesis I studied the concepts of applied ethics of mental health professionals in Cuba. In the thesis, I discuss the values that guide Cuban professionals in their work, the dilemmas they encounter, the resources that facilitate solving ethical dilemmas and the barriers they encounter in addressing them. In addition, I present recommendations for the prevention of harm in professional practice. In the first part of the literature review, I critique traditional concepts of applied ethics prevalent in North America. These concepts are criticized for their lack of applicability to the working life of the professional. An alternative model …

Implementing School Supports For The Wellness Of Newcomer Children, Jeannette L. Amio

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The present thesis chronicles a participatory study of the implementation of school-based supports geared to the newcomer children of Highfield Junior School. A dual focus on research and action was integral to the objectives of the investigation, namely to: a) illuminate the present network of school supports, b) compose an ideal configuration of a school attentive to the needs of newcomers, and c) prescribe implementation steps that can transform the school closer to the ideal. To ground the study, I review the adaptation difficulties of newcomer children, the preventive measures that schools can take to reduce these vulnerabilities. and how …

Ondansetron Interferes With The Establishment And Expression Of Lithium-Induced Conditioned Rejection Reactions, Cheryl Lynn Limebeer

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Conditioned rejection reactions displayed in the taste reactivity test may reflect conditioned nausea in rats because they are exclusively produced by emetic agents. The present experiments demonstrated that pretreatment with the anti-nausea agent, ondansetron, interfered with the establishment of conditioned rejection reactions (Experiment 1) and interfered with the expression of previously established conditioned rejection reactions (Experiment 2). Ondansetron selectively interfered with conditioned nausea as reflected by conditioned rejection reactions because it did not modify the unconditioned rejection reactions elicited by unpalatable quinine solution (Experiment 2). Although ondansetron blocked the expression of the selective taste reactivity reaction of conditioned rejection, it …

Planning And Developing School-Based Community Supports For Refugee Children, Peggy (Margaret) Nickels

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Despite the growing numbers of refugee families settling in Canada, there is little or no documentation on how to support the healing process of refugee children. The purpose of this study was to learn about planning and developing school-based community supports for these children by examining and documenting several school-based community initiatives in Kitchener-Waterloo. Data collected included three focus group interviews, seven key informant interviews, a document review, and a research process journal. Findings were organized around motivation, guiding values and principles, resources, processes, actions, partnerships, dynamics, and sustainability. Shared values and principles emerged as the passion and the glue …

Community Gardeners: Planting The Seeds Of A Sustainable Future, Janet Ann O'Reilly

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

My personal and academic journey with community gardening began in the spring of 1997, when I joined my first community garden and became involved in a local community group called the Community Gardening Network of Waterloo Region. It was during a graduate course that I first heard about community gardens and other community food projects. I had not been aware of the significant participation of citizens, like me, in such projects. In the classroom, we had discussed community food projects, like community gardens, as alternative settings in the context of broader social change considerations. Due in part to this exposure …

Transitions '98: Evaluation Of A Support Group Program For First-Year University Students, Alexandra J. Ostaniewicz

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The transition from high-school to university can be a difficult time in the lives of students. The present study examined the effectiveness of an intensive, small-group, long-term orientation to university PTOBTBIR One hundred and eleven first-year students were assigned to either an intervention-discussion group, or a questionnaire-only control group. ln August, before coming to university, all participants completed measures including social support, self-esteem, perceived stress, depression and questions assessing demographic information. Those in the discussion group were assigned to one of six groups, which met regularly for 9 weeks for 90-minute sessions. During the meetings, topics focused on creating and …

An Examination Of The Creation And Impact Of A Supported Housing Program For Psychiatric Consumer/Survivors, Shannon Parkinson

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Supported housing has existed for approximately a decade, but knowledge on the implementation of the approach and the impacts on consumer/survivors is scarce. The current qualitative study described a supported housing program in Winnipeg, Manitoba and determined a fit with the definition of supported housing developed by Parkinson, Nelson, and Horgan (1999). Information was presented regarding the implementation process of this program, including review of the program operations, implementation of the shift, remedying difficulties, and maintaining practice within the values of the community integration/empowerment paradigm As well, three individuals shared personal stories of their involvement in the program and the …