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2011

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Student-Led Conferences: Perceptions Held By Parents Of Children Attending A Christian Elementary School, Angele’ Foster-King Jan 2011

Student-Led Conferences: Perceptions Held By Parents Of Children Attending A Christian Elementary School, Angele’ Foster-King

Theses and Dissertations

This concurrent multiple methods study was to inform the work at Ontario Christian School (OCS) related to student-led conferences in grades K-3rd during the 2009-2010 school year. OCS elementary parent perceptions were explored regarding the benefits, if any, of student-led conferences in addition to how, if at all, student-led conferences have influenced parent awareness of K-3rd student academic performance, communication between parents and students in regards to school, parental expectations and parenting style, as well as their influence on student motivation and accountability. Participating parents completed a quantitative survey and a qualitative questionnaire. Five main findings resulted. First, the parents …

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Evaluation Of The Youth Development Project: A School And Community Based Intervention Program For At-Risk Youth, Mike Sherman Jan 2011

Evaluation Of The Youth Development Project: A School And Community Based Intervention Program For At-Risk Youth, Mike Sherman

Theses and Dissertations

Attempts to meet the mental health needs of at-risk youth have led to the development of numerous prevention, intervention, and diversion programs. This study is the first to utilize statistical analyses to assess the treatment efficacy of the Saint John's Child and Family Development Center's Youth Development Project (CFDC-YDP), a school- and community-based treatment program for at-risk youth. The study involved analysis of data that were collected from 87 culturally diverse at-risk youth, ranging in age from 11-19 years old, who were treated by the Youth Development Project program within John Adams Middle School, Lincoln Middle School, Olympic Continuation High …

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Assessing In-Kind Middle School Teachers' Concern About & Use Of Soars: School Online Assessment Reporting System, John M. Marion Jan 2011

Assessing In-Kind Middle School Teachers' Concern About & Use Of Soars: School Online Assessment Reporting System, John M. Marion

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years technology has been integrated into every sector of education. Using Student Online Assessment Reporting System (SOARS) to assess score results and design instructional strategies for improved learning is a challenge and will cause concern to teachers. This is a descriptive comparative study designed to measure select Middle School teachers' Stages of Concern and Levels of Use regarding the SOARS assessment tool. SOARS was adopted by Jeffco Public Schools (CO) to chart student progress by presenting Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) score data. This study determined if there was a significant difference between the Stages of Concern and …

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Giving Voice To Strengths: Migration Stories Of Armenian Immigrants And Refugees, Ani A. Pezeshkian Jan 2011

Giving Voice To Strengths: Migration Stories Of Armenian Immigrants And Refugees, Ani A. Pezeshkian

Theses and Dissertations

In recent decades, the primary theoretical approach in immigrant and refugee mental health research has been a trauma-centered, medical model (Ryan, Dooley, & Benson, 2008). Additionally, the limited research that has been conducted has largely examined the experiences of South and Central American and Asian immigrants; a paucity of literature exists on the mental health of Armenian immigrants. In line with the recent movement in the field towards examining the optimal conditions and characteristics that promote well-being in people and communities, the purpose of this study was to give voice to the strengths and virtues that Armenian immigrants and refugees …

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Exploring The Timing And Depth Of Discussions Of Traumatic Material And The Stages Of Change In Psychotherapy: A Case Study, Lauren A. Desjardins Jan 2011

Exploring The Timing And Depth Of Discussions Of Traumatic Material And The Stages Of Change In Psychotherapy: A Case Study, Lauren A. Desjardins

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, there is a lack of understanding of how the stages of change (SOC) relate to discussion of interpersonal trauma in therapy. This study aimed to explore the timing and depth of trauma discussion (TD) across the course of therapy in relation to SOC. The client in this single-case study was a 28-year-old African American female who recently moved to California and reported difficulties in relationships and work problems. The course of therapy lasted 21 sessions; of the 15 videotaped sessions, 6 contained discussions of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and workplace psychological harassment (WPH). Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC; …

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Challenges Of Neuropsychological Testing With Asian American Adults: A Critical Review Of The Literature, Heejin Kim Jan 2011

Challenges Of Neuropsychological Testing With Asian American Adults: A Critical Review Of The Literature, Heejin Kim

Theses and Dissertations

The present study is a critical analysis of literature surrounding the challenges faced during neuropsychological testing with Asian American adults. This dissertation will provide a comprehensive overview and critically analyze what is known with regards to neuropsychological assessment of Asian individuals, challenges that psychologists face in conducting culturally competent neuropsychological assessment of this population, and recommendations for conducting such assessments. Current literature reveals how confounds such as culture, acculturation, language, and the inappropriate use of tests and normative data can impact scores and subsequent treatment recommendations. Given these confounds, recommendations will be made regarding the neuropsychological test selection, test administration, …

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Dying And Cultural Meaning: Recommendations For Psychological Support Of Korean Americans, Jung Yi Jan 2011

Dying And Cultural Meaning: Recommendations For Psychological Support Of Korean Americans, Jung Yi

Theses and Dissertations

Death is a natural part of the life cycle that all humankind faces at some point. The American Psychological Association (2001) states that psychologists can make an important clinical contribution to patients who are dying and offer support to their families as they navigate this life event. What is absent from the current discussion is the relevance of culture to issues related to death, dying, and grief, which from the perspective of the researcher is a critical oversight, given the diverse cultures represented in the U.S. and the uniqueness of how many of these cultures conceptualize and memorialize death. This …

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A Phenomenological Study On The Perceptions Of University Professors Regarding The Philosophical Orientations Underlying The Assessment-Driven Model Of Education, Stephen Pietrolungo Jan 2011

A Phenomenological Study On The Perceptions Of University Professors Regarding The Philosophical Orientations Underlying The Assessment-Driven Model Of Education, Stephen Pietrolungo

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study of the current education reform model concerns this central research question: What are the perceptions of five California university professors working within a school of education in terms of learning theory, curriculum perspectives, and philosophical orientations? Throughout the history and development of American education, concurrent political ideologies influenced reform. Interviewees were university professors preparing students to serve as teachers and administrators within the public school system. Findings revealed that the current reforms are at odds with the development skills like problem solving, global awareness, critical and creative thinking, independent learning, collaborative learning, communication, and reflection. Schools need …

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Acceptance Promoting And Hindering Interactions In Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy, Laura D. Wiedeman Jan 2011

Acceptance Promoting And Hindering Interactions In Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy, Laura D. Wiedeman

Theses and Dissertations

Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT; Jacobson & Christensen, 1998) is an evidence-based couple therapy that facilitates the development of emotional acceptance to improve relational satisfaction. IBCT's efficacy has been demonstrated up to five years post-therapy (Christensen, Atkins, Baucom, & Yi, 2010), yet less is known about what couples actually do in therapy that alleviates distress. The current study expands upon previous investigations of the relationship between individual change processes and treatment outcome in IBCT in two main ways: first, through utilizing a dyadic lens (rather than an individual emphasis), and second, through a qualitative, discovery-oriented methodology that focuses on the …

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Intimate Partner Violence And Group Therapy: The Voices Of Latino Men, Rogelio Serrano Jan 2011

Intimate Partner Violence And Group Therapy: The Voices Of Latino Men, Rogelio Serrano

Theses and Dissertations

Efficacy of group treatment for intimate partner violence (IPV) has been the subject of ongoing debate and has limited research depth with respect to specific populations of Latino men. The increasing Latino population of the United States provides a challenge for mental health practitioners who wish to deliver culturally informed clinical interventions. This study attempts to understand the experiences of Spanish speaking Latino men of Mexican origin, who are participating in mandated group treatment for IPV to provide insight for clinicians working with this population. A qualitative phenomenological approach was utilized to gather data from 10 men who identified as …

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An Untold Story: African American Women Founders Of Private And Charter High Schools, Sharon Wilson Jan 2011

An Untold Story: African American Women Founders Of Private And Charter High Schools, Sharon Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study is to provide a leadership profile of selected African American (AA) women founders of private and charter high schools. To determine this profile, the research was designed to provide a defined exploration of the founders' leadership style, background, career, religious and ethical influences, entrepreneurship, community involvement, and their experiences with mentoring and helping traditions. This study also provides a demographic description of the schools they founded. This study details the untold story of a group of AA women who have affected the lives of many children. A literature review and adaptation of Yael Hellman's study …

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The Role Of Digitally Native, Nonprofit News Media In The Future Of American Journalism: An Exploratory Study, Rebecca Coates Nee Jan 2011

The Role Of Digitally Native, Nonprofit News Media In The Future Of American Journalism: An Exploratory Study, Rebecca Coates Nee

Theses and Dissertations

Unprecedented changes in journalism practices have been occurring since the 21st century ushered in the digital age. News gathering methods, means of information delivery, and consumer habits have altered dramatically because of technological advances, causing a disruption in the traditional business model. Newspapers, historically the key instrument for investigative and public affairs reporting in the United States, have been the media sector facing the biggest decline in revenue and circulation. While the audience is migrating to traditional news outlets online, the advertisers are not. Free services such as eBay and Craig's List have contributed to a nearly 50% drop in …

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The Board And Ceo: An Analysis Of Roles, Relationships, And Performance Expectations In Christian School Governance, Lorynn K. Selby Jan 2011

The Board And Ceo: An Analysis Of Roles, Relationships, And Performance Expectations In Christian School Governance, Lorynn K. Selby

Theses and Dissertations

Literature addressing the function of non-profit boards provides a beginning focus for this study. However, literature regarding Christian school governance issues is still fairly limited. As a result, most Christian school boards face challenges regarding expectations for their role and the role of the head of school (CEO). This quantitative study examined the differences between how Christian school board members and their CEO's believe they perform their roles and responsibilities as compared to how they believe they should perform those same roles and responsibilities. Analysis was conducted to identify the extent of the gap between the two views of "does …

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Examining The Occurrence Of Verbal And Non-Verbal Positive Emotional Expression During Discussion Of Interpersonal Trauma In Psychotherapy: A Case Study, Whitney A. Dicterow Jan 2011

Examining The Occurrence Of Verbal And Non-Verbal Positive Emotional Expression During Discussion Of Interpersonal Trauma In Psychotherapy: A Case Study, Whitney A. Dicterow

Theses and Dissertations

Recent theories of positive emotion, including the broaden and build theory, propose that positive emotion can broaden one's range of thoughts and actions and build long-lasting personal resources (Folkman & Moskowitz, 2000; Fredrickson & Levenson, 1998). However, little research exists on how positive emotion is expressed in the context of discussing interpersonal trauma in psychotherapy. The current study explored the expression of positive emotion during discussions of interpersonal trauma over the course of an individual case of psychotherapy as related to the broaden and build theory. The client-participant in this single-case study was a 28-year-old African American female who presented …

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Significant Traits, Characteristics, And Qualities Of High Effective United Methodist Church Clergy, Grant John Hagiya Jan 2011

Significant Traits, Characteristics, And Qualities Of High Effective United Methodist Church Clergy, Grant John Hagiya

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation attempts to identify the key traits, characteristics, and qualities of high effective United Methodist Church clergy. The experimental study employed a mixed methods design, with a quantitative component that compared high effective and low effective clergy on the dimensions of their Emotional Intelligence using the BarOn Assessment, leadership qualities using the Leadership Practices Inventory, church size and vitality, and finally, self identification as to leadership abilities and ministry effectiveness. It also included a qualitative component in the form of in-depth interviews with high effective United Methodist Church clergy on their leadership traits, characteristics, and qualities. The dissertation's quantitative …

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The Perception Of New Principal Support As Described By Experienced Principals Of The Baldwin Park Unified School District, Michael R. Garcia Jan 2011

The Perception Of New Principal Support As Described By Experienced Principals Of The Baldwin Park Unified School District, Michael R. Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

The role of the principal has progressed from manager and authoritarian to educational leader. Principals are expected to assume principal duties and function at an exceptional level, creating change and elevating student achievement, regardless of their experience. The review of the literature reveals that a principal needs to be skilled in organizational leadership and to produce high-performing students while facing numerous obstacles such as funding cuts and shortages of qualified staff. They are expected to communicate effectively and maintain trust and confidence of faculty, staff, parents, students, and district administrators. The purpose of this study was to describe new elementary …

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The Journal Project: Written Expression Of Trauma As Intervention For High School Students In Ayacucho, Peru, Shannon J. Curry Jan 2011

The Journal Project: Written Expression Of Trauma As Intervention For High School Students In Ayacucho, Peru, Shannon J. Curry

Theses and Dissertations

This between groups quasi experimental study examined the efficacy of Pennebaker's Written Expression Paradigm (WEP; Pennebaker & Beall, 1986) as a multiculturally responsive therapeutic intervention among Peruvian high school students who grew up in Ayacucho during the Sendero Luminoso's guerilla insurgency. Journaling about prior traumatic experiences eludes many of the cultural and contextual limitations of the traditional Euro therapeutic model; enabling a person to disclose their deepest thoughts and emotions privately, without expense, and at the time and location they choose. It was hypothesized that written expression would be perceived by local participants as less value threatening than traditional psychotherapy, …

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Systems Change: A Study Of Response To Intervention Model Implementation At Two Elementary School In Southern California, Nancy Teola Barker Jan 2011

Systems Change: A Study Of Response To Intervention Model Implementation At Two Elementary School In Southern California, Nancy Teola Barker

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative comparative study examined three core components of RtI² implementation at two purposefully selected elementary schools in one county in Southern California. The researcher interviewed principals, teachers, and support staff regarding leadership attributes, skills and behaviors perceived as critical, professional development opportunities needed for, and the new roles for teachers and support staff in the implementation of the RtI² model at their particular site. The interviews revealed that the most critical behavior was a leader's knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Five additional leadership behaviors were identified to a lesser degree. Four of these behaviors were identified as "second-order" …

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A Study To Determine Differences In The Level Of Perceived Preparedness In Teaching Algebra To Eighth Graders Between Teachers In The United States And Teachers In Lebanon, Seta Khajarian Jan 2011

A Study To Determine Differences In The Level Of Perceived Preparedness In Teaching Algebra To Eighth Graders Between Teachers In The United States And Teachers In Lebanon, Seta Khajarian

Theses and Dissertations

Algebra is a branch in mathematics and taking Algebra in middle school is often a gateway to advanced courses in high school. The problem is that the United States and Lebanon had low scores in Algebra in the 2007 Trends in Mathematics and Sciences Study (TIMSS), an international assessment administered to 4th and 8th graders every 4 years. On the 2007 TIMSS, Lebanon's average score in Algebra was 465, a lower score than the United States' average of 501. This paper attempted to determine if there were differences in the level of perceived preparedness between teachers in Lebanon and teachers …

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The Role Of International Education In California Community Colleges: Perspectives Of College Leaders, Claudia M. Acosta Jan 2011

The Role Of International Education In California Community Colleges: Perspectives Of College Leaders, Claudia M. Acosta

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years government and businesses have stressed the need of increasing the number of workers in the U.S. who can effectively interact with interests on an international level. As a result, various actions have been taken toward advancing international education in higher education in California. As stated by the California Education Code, established in 1999 ("California Community Colleges," n.d.), one of the primary missions of community colleges is to advance California's economic growth and global competitiveness through education. International education contributes to the state's economy and to a diverse college environment, and enhances both academic and curricular programs. However, …

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An Exploration Of The Implementation Of A Multi-Tiered Framework For Educational Reform In A Major Urban School District, David Baca Jan 2011

An Exploration Of The Implementation Of A Multi-Tiered Framework For Educational Reform In A Major Urban School District, David Baca

Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on a major urban district in Southern California that has recently begun one of the largest K-12 implementations of a multi-tiered framework for educational reform, known as Response to Intervention (RTI), in the entire nation. The purpose of this qualitative and phenomenological study was twofold: (a) to explore the RTI implementation experience of school-based leadership teams in 22 elementary, middle, and high schools in a major urban school district in southern California; and (b) to investigate experiences surrounding levels and fidelity of implementation in regards to 3 core components of RTI (multi-tiered system of service delivery, problem-solving …

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Women And Work-Life Balance: A Phenomenological Qualitative Analysis Of Identity, Relational Style, Adaptive Style, And Drive And Motivation, And The Role Of Faith From The Narrative Life-Story Framework, Elizabeth Krymis Jan 2011

Women And Work-Life Balance: A Phenomenological Qualitative Analysis Of Identity, Relational Style, Adaptive Style, And Drive And Motivation, And The Role Of Faith From The Narrative Life-Story Framework, Elizabeth Krymis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to review the literature regarding the plurality of roles of women, including work-life balance issues. The purpose of this study is also to share insights regarding the role of faith in women's identity, relational style, drive and motivation, and adaptive style. This phenomenological study used the narrative life-course framework to gain understanding of eleven women's lives as they seek balance in work and life. Four themes were selected based on a previous study by Giele, and include identity, relational style, drive and motivation, and adaptive style. The findings indicate that for those who value …

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Positive Emotions: An Informational Workshop, Rebecca M. Kessler Jan 2011

Positive Emotions: An Informational Workshop, Rebecca M. Kessler

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to design and evaluate an educational intervention focusing on the role of positive emotions in the workplace. An informational workshop was delivered to the full staff of 18 teachers and 2 directors at Circle of Children Preschool in Santa Monica, California, and emphasized positive emotions and their implications in the workplace in an effort to enhance awareness of emotions and inspire increased levels of positive emotions. A sample set of the staff evaluated the workshop and its effectiveness. The sample was surveyed and interviewed for levels of positive emotions prior to the workshop and, …

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The Perceptions Of Middle And High School Students Participating In A School-Based Mentoring Program, Annette Marie Marshall Jan 2011

The Perceptions Of Middle And High School Students Participating In A School-Based Mentoring Program, Annette Marie Marshall

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative descriptive study included a pool of 22 middle and high school students who participated in the Stand By Me Mentoring Program during the 2010-2011 school year, exploring their perceptions related to the positive and negative aspects of their mentoring relationship, the positive and negative aspects of the impact of their mentoring relationship, and the positive and negative aspects of the mentoring program. Focus group interviews were used to collect data from the participants. Questions asked during the focus group interviews were modified with permission from What's Working? Tools For Evaluating Your Mentor Program, by Saito (2001) for The …

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Transformational Leadership Styles Of Organizational Social Network Leaders As Observed By Fully Employed Pepperdine Business And Leadership Students, Eric Hilary Furlong Jan 2011

Transformational Leadership Styles Of Organizational Social Network Leaders As Observed By Fully Employed Pepperdine Business And Leadership Students, Eric Hilary Furlong

Theses and Dissertations

Of the mechanisms that organizations embrace to find a competitive advantage in post-bureaucratic environments, one of the more common is to allow the emergence of informal networks in which individuals work together regardless of the formal scope of their responsibilities. As these networks emerge, so do leaders within them. To date, there has been almost no research on the leadership behaviors of emergent network leaders. However, that has not stopped many thinkers on the topics of leadership and organizational theory from assigning behaviors to them. Avolio, Bass, and others have assigned transformational leadership to these leaders; and such assignments seem …

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A Phenomenological Study Of Competing Priorities And African American Women Striving To Achieve Work-Life Balance, Gayle Colston Barge Jan 2011

A Phenomenological Study Of Competing Priorities And African American Women Striving To Achieve Work-Life Balance, Gayle Colston Barge

Theses and Dissertations

Organizations must address a myriad of issues from diversity initiatives to ensuring that work-life programs are responsive to the needs of its fastest growing segment--women of color of which African American women are the largest minority group. Despite the significance of their presence, research to date on the topic of work-life balance and family issues is based primarily on the experiences of middle-class white women. All women struggle with issues related to work-life conflict. Missing from this dialogue are the voices of African American women. Despite evidence that work is a significant domain in their lives, researchers have limited information …

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Storytelling Strategies For Leading Change In University Prestige, Matthew T. Paden Jan 2011

Storytelling Strategies For Leading Change In University Prestige, Matthew T. Paden

Theses and Dissertations

Universities across the United States desire to enhance their level of institutional prestige in order to recruit top students, hire outstanding faculty members, and increase financial support. The purpose of this study is to discover storytelling strategies for leading change in university prestige. This qualitative study utilized the Dynamic Narrative Approach in conducting interviews to collect data from university leaders whose titles included president, provost-vice president, and academic dean. The interview instrument consisted of semistructured questions, was reviewed for validity by a panel of experts, and was administered through the use of technology. A review and synthesis of the literature …

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A Study Of Early Childhood Education Teachers' Level Of Education, Compensation, Work Environment And Retention, M. Elida Garcia Jan 2011

A Study Of Early Childhood Education Teachers' Level Of Education, Compensation, Work Environment And Retention, M. Elida Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher job retention in the context of educational level, compensation, and work environment ratings. The study surveyed ECE teachers online in the Southern California, especially in Los Angeles County. Statistical analysis was conducted on survey responses from 76 ECE teachers and 55 ECE administrators. The majority of the ECE teachers (51%) possessed bachelor's degrees. Data findings revealed statistically non-significant relationships between anticipated job retention and teachers' level of education as well as for compensation earned. Study participants reported a mean monthly salary of $3,268. The data for ECE administrators, however, did reveal a …

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A Study Of The Innovation, Creativity, And Leadership Skills Associated With The College-Level Millennial Generation, Melinda Lester Jan 2011

A Study Of The Innovation, Creativity, And Leadership Skills Associated With The College-Level Millennial Generation, Melinda Lester

Theses and Dissertations

As the economy has become increasingly global, organizations whose employees are more creative and innovative compete at a higher level than those who do not. And, organizations that incorporate multi-generations into their workforce will realize more creativity and innovation within their organizations. Now, and in the future, leaders will encounter a new generation of employees that will challenge their leadership ability. The challenges addressed in this study gravitate to these areas: Creativity and innovative abilities that will compete in the global economy; the Millennial Generation and their unrealized creative skills due to the influence of the No Child Left Behind …

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Schizophrenia, Acculturation, And Chinese American Families : A Review And Clinical Recommendations For Treatment, Lorena Ho Jan 2011

Schizophrenia, Acculturation, And Chinese American Families : A Review And Clinical Recommendations For Treatment, Lorena Ho

Theses and Dissertations

Schizophrenia is a disorder that appears across cultures, typically creating a tremendous amount of suffering and loss for both the individual diagnosed, and his or her family. While psychosocial family treatment (along with medication) has proved thus far to be the most promising treatment for schizophrenia in Western cultures, it has yet to be proven effective with ethnocultural minority groups. Furthermore, literature shows that Western treatments for schizophrenia cannot be uniformly applied to ethnocultural minority groups with the expectation of similar results. In the United States, Asian Americans, and specifically Chinese Americans, continue to underutilize mental health services for schizophrenia, …

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