Digital Commons Network^™

Stretching Beyond The Semester: Undergraduate Research, Ethnography Of The University, And Proposals For Local Change, Beth Godbee, Jessica Bazan, Megan Glise, Ariel Gonzalez, Katelyn Quigley, Brittany White

English Faculty Research and Publications

This article focuses on undergraduate research and mentoring through the lens of an “Ethnography of the University” course that engages students in writing and researching for local change. At our institution (Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin), “Ethnography of the University” is a writing-intensive English course in which students conduct semester-long, original, mixed-method research projects about some aspect of their undergraduate experience. Students move from asking questions of interest and importance to the campus community through stages of data collection and analysis and toward final reporting through multiple means: (1) article-length papers, (2) in-class presentations, and (3) research posters. Students present …

Vision, Summer 2015

Vision

A newsletter published for Deaf Catholics in USA

VisionFinding Aid

Early Pathways Therapy For Young Children In Poverty: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Sara E. Harris, Robert A. Fox, Joanna R. Love

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

Early Pathways is a home-based, parent and child therapy program for the treatment of disruptive behaviors among young children living in poverty. In this study, 199 clinically referred children were randomly assigned to an immediate treatment (IT) or wait-list control (WL) conditions. Results indicated that parents in the IT condition reported significant improvements in their child’s disruptive and prosocial behaviors and increased nurturing and decreased use of corporal and verbal punishment by their parents compared to the WL families. Gains were maintained for children in both the IT and WL conditions at 3-month follow-up.

Tongues Untied Truth Revealed: Body Image, Social Media, Identity Development, And Meaning-Making In Overweight And Obese Black Gay Msm, Amari Ja-Lynn Enam

Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the meanings attributed to internalized messages about body image within the context of identity development from the perspectives of overweight/obese men of African descent (OMAD) among a group of 6 men who have sex with men (MSM). I was interested in those messages that have been incorporated, adopted, or integrated into OMAD-MSM’s sense of self. Informants shared body image-related experiences from interactions with family, friends, dating/sex partners, and the media/social media.

Academic literature has explained identity development processes among African Americans through various lenses but research has not adequately explored the convergence of multiply oppressed social …

User Engagement And Outreach In Scholarly Communication Issues In The Stem, Education And Behavioral Sciences, Lutishoor Salisbury, Julie Speer, Mel Desart, Brian Quinn

University Libraries Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Patterns In Impact, Publication And Themes In International Blended Learning, Kristian Joy Spring

Theses and Dissertations

This research has found that the field of international blended learning (BL) is prepared for stronger communication and collaboration. Collaboration is currently limited, and regions vary greatly in terms of citations. However, BL is growing worldwide and each region has much to offer to the community. Greater collaboration among researchers and practitioners can be profitable regardless of location. In the first article the authors compared the top cited BL articles to understand which articles from each region are the most cited, how the regions compare in terms of citations and which journals publish these highly cited articles. The authors used …

Churning In The Human Services: Nefarious Practice Or Policy Of 'Creative Destruction'?, Christopher G. Hudson

New England Journal of Public Policy

This article examines churning as it manifests in organizational systems within the human services. Churning is conceptualized as a four-part iterative process consisting of (1) an intentional or unintentional initiative or shock to a system that (2) results in enhanced turbulence as adaptive capacities of the system fail to match demands of the initiative. This mismatch leads to successive bifurcations and termination of relationships between agents within the system and, finally, (3) the selection of “winners” and the extrusion of “losers” from the system and (4) the subsequent reorganization of winners and losers. Variables governing outcomes, both benign and malignant, …

Kids Count The State Of The Child In Tennessee 2014, Tennessee. Commission On Children & Youth.

The State of the Child in Tennessee

No abstract provided.

The Validation Of An Instrument For Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Professional Development Program On Teaching Online, Jui-Long Hung, Dazhi Yang

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Attending professional development (PD) on teaching online is becoming popular for teachers in today’s K-12 online education. Due to the unique characteristics of the online instructional environments, surveys become the most feasible approach to evaluate the effectiveness of PD programs. However, there is no validated, open-access instrument available to satisfy the needs. Purpose of this study is to conduct construct validity, content validity, concurrent validity, and reliability tests on an open-access instrument for K–12 PD for online teaching. With the exception of a few items that have minor issues on content and construct validity, results show …

Psychological Services For Pediatric Victims Of Non Accidental Trauma, Robyn Finckbone

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Child abuse is a significant problem within our society. In 2010, there were approximately 1,560 fatalities as a result of child abuse; 17.6% of those deaths were the direct result of physical abuse and 80% occurred in children under the age of 4. There is a dearth of research examining severe physical abuse among children and, as a result, the demographics of this population are unclear as are the psychological referrals and services provided to these children. The aims of the current study are to identify the demographic characteristics of child victims of non-accidental trauma (NAT, i.e. physical abuse) as …

Relationship Among Psychotherapy Measurements: Predictors Of Ors And Oq-45 Scores, Evan Lima

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Psychological services have become increasingly important and accepted. The increase in the utilization of services has led to third party payers (e.g., insurance companies) paying more in reimbursement to providers of psychological services and therefore tightening parameters regarding how many sessions will be reimbursed. With the pressure from third party payers, a standardized means of monitoring client’s progress in treatment has become necessary. The goal of the current study was to determine whether (1) the trajectories of Outcome Questionnaire 45 (OQ-45) and Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) scores are the same over time, and if the Session Rating Scale (SRS) predicts …

Use Of Multi-Informants In Predicting Adolescent Treatment Dropout, David A. Mitchell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

High rates of dropout are common among adolescents in therapy making efforts to reduce adolescent psychopathology and behavioral problems challenging. The present study examined archival data from multiple informants who enrolled in a 16-week intensive outpatient treatment program for self-harming youth. The purpose of this study was to assess potential predictors of treatment dropout. Preliminary analysis indicated that adolescents who dropped out of treatment did not make clinically significant improvements when compared with adolescents who completed the program. This supports the need to retain adolescents in treatment for a complete course of treatment. The study also found that for the …

Parental Stress And Child Behavior Problems In Families Of Children With Autism, Allyson Davis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Studies have shown that parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) exhibit higher levels of stress than parents of typically developing children or children with other types of developmental disabilities. This relationship appears to be mediated by elevated levels of behavior problems observed in children with ASD. However, little is known about what specific child behavior problems are most common in this population, how these behavior problems relate to parental stress, and/or how these behavior problems may impact the efficacy of a stress-reduction intervention. We examined the relationship between parenting stress and child behavior problems in parents of …

Young Children's Ability To Use Two-Dimensional And Three-Dimensional Symbols To Show Placements Of Body Touches And Hidden Objects, Nicole Lytle, Kamala London, Maggie Bruck

Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

In two experiments, we investigated 3- to 5-year-old children's ability to use dolls and human figure drawings as symbols to map body touches. In Experiment 1, stickers were placed on different locations of children's bodies, and the children were asked to indicate the locations of the stickers using three different symbols: a doll, a human figure drawing, and the adult researcher. Performance on the tasks increased with age, but many 5-year-olds did not attain perfect performance. Surprisingly, younger children made more errors on the two-dimensional (2D) human figure drawing task compared with the three-dimensional (3D) doll and adult tasks. In …

You’Ve Got Mail: Student Preferences Of Instructor Communication In Online Courses In An Age Of Advancing Technologies, Ching-Wen Chang, Beth Hurst, Annice Mclean

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The purpose of this study was to determine students' current preferred ways to receive course communication from their online instructors. In a time when technology is changing daily, and a time when young people are often the most up-to-date with that new technology, students’ preferences for how they receive online course communication is apt to change often too. In order to determine students’ current preferences, a survey was administered two semesters to both graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in an at least online course at a university in the Midwest. Survey results indicated that 97% of the students …

Week Of June 1, 2015, New York Medical College

InTouch

• NYMC Bids Farewell to the Class of 2015
• AOA Iota Chapter Hosts Annual Lecture and Induction Ceremony
• School of Medicine Class of 2018 Hosts 27th Annual Convocation of Thanks
• SHSP Hosts Third Annual Research and Scholarship Day
• Department of Family and Community Medicine Presents Third Annual Research Day
• Department of Pediatrics Hosts Fifth Annual Paul K. Woolf, M.D., Pediatric Trainee Research Day
• NYMC Inducts Inaugural Members of Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health
• LEND Graduates 19 From Interdisciplinary Leadership Program
• NYMC Hosts AHA Research Reception
• Students Host Annual Health Fair
• NYMC Shows Support for the National Alliance on Mental …

Program Development From Start-To-Finish: A Case Study Of The Healthy Relationship And Marriage Education Training Project, Ted G. Futris, David G. Schramm

Journal of Extension

What goes into designing and implementing a successful program? How do both research and practice inform program development? In this article, the process through which a federally funded training curriculum was developed and piloted tested is described. Using a logic model framework, important lessons learned are shared in defining the situation, identifying and maximizing inputs, clarifying and tracking outputs, and documenting and reporting outcomes.

Reducing Stress And Increasing Hope Among Typhoon Yolanda Survivors, Maria Victoria Del Fierro, Mary Elizabeth Huxster

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Hundreds of thousands of people are affected by natural disasters every year. Many of these people face mental and emotional consequences from the traumatic experience. Research indicates that the aftereffects of such experiences can result in social, familial, and educational impairments in children. The current study tested the efficacy of a brief cognitive behavioral intervention on elementary school aged children intended to alleviate the mental and emotional consequences following a natural disaster. The study applied quantitative methods through pre and post intervention assessments measuring stress and hope. The participants assessed included 18 Filipino children between the ages of 10-12 years, …

Best Practice Interventions For Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: A Survivor's Perspective, Kurt L. Manio

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore methods of intervention for domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST). Due to the secretive nature of the DMST industry, victims are not only difficult to identify, but are also difficult to gain access to in order to provide effective intervention. This study seeks to overcome these barriers by gaining the perspectives of DMST survivors. This study has a qualitative design, in which 8 survivors of DMST, who are now adults, were interviewed to determine appropriate methods of intervention for child welfare social workers. In doing so, intervention was broken down into three categories; …

Alcohol Use And The Older Adult: Addressing Older Adults’ Perceptions, Megan R. Grisso

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In order to create more efficient, useful alcohol treatment and intervention methods tailored specifically for the older population, it is important to understand the reasons that older adults perceive that they consume alcohol. For this reason, this study explored older adults’ perceptions regarding why they use alcohol. Older adults, age 60 and older, were surveyed through questionnaires completed at senior community centers within San Bernardino County. This was a mixed method design that used qualitative and quantitative analysis for the purpose of exploring the most frequently reported reasons for why older adults use alcohol. The main finding of the study …

Mother And Child Residential Treatment From An Adult Child Perspective: "The Forgotten Voices", April Eden Wilson

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

These days most everyone can say that they know someone who has been impacted by substance abuse and today’s society is very familiar with the fact that it can wreak havoc on families. There has been a significant amount of research devoted to finding not only the best practices to treat families who are impacted by the disease of addiction but there has also been a great deal of attention focused on the adult perspective on these services once they have been received. Where the research is definitely lacking is how the children involved with the services perceive their own …

Social Workers' Attitudes Towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgender Adoptions, Christina Nicole Kemper, Natalie Jazmin Reynaga

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explores the attitudes of social workers in relation to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) adoptions. Race, gender, generation, position and prior LGBT training are factors that can positively or negatively impact social workers’ biases towards LGBT adoptions. Researchers contacted adoption agencies whom agreed to partake in the 26-question survey, including eight demographic questions and an 18 item scale. The current study used an adapted version of the Attitude Toward Gay Men and Lesbians as Adoptive Parent Scale (APS) (α = .95). There were 28 survey respondents, however two surveys were discontinued due to incomplete informed consents. A …

Behavioral Health Professional’S Perceptions Of Early Co-Occurring Disorder Recovery And Smoking Cessation Appropriateness, Paul Terrazas

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Early stages of the co-occurring, mental health and substance use disorder (MH-SUD) recovery process present various social and physical challenges to the recovering person, including habitual cigarette smoking. Presenting smoking cessation to a person with a co-occurring disorder could also depend on behavioral health professional’s perceptions of implementing supplemental services in early recovery. Behavioral health professionals also face the challenge of assessing people’s motivation to quit smoking. Data was collected through an online survey that shaped this quantitative, cross-sectional study focused on understanding perceptions of smoking cessation in early MH-SUD recovery. The study’s data highlighted that the participants (N = …

Community Attitudes Toward Early-Release Offenders Under Ab 109, Mari Lily Herrera, Matthew Erik Mcgiffen

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine community attitudes towards ex-offenders released in San Bernardino under AB 109 on subjects that would likely impact the ex-offender reintegration process. Past research has shown that a community’s willingness to employ and offer social support to ex-offenders has a substantial impact on their probability of re-offense. This study focused on individuals whose roles in the community give them greater influence over ex-offenders. A total of 11 community members participated in this qualitative study. Of the 11 respondents, 4 were employers, 4 were social service workers, and 3 were community center workers. Respondents …

Knowledge And Use Of Family Planning Services By Extended Foster Care Clients, Ashley M. Diaz, Melodie Anne Chronister

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

There has been extensive, mostly negative research on the outcomes of foster care youth. Due to the abundance of this research, Extended Foster Care (EFC) was created to help to provide additional resources and support to young adults in foster care until age 21. This is a fairly new program, therefore little research has been completed. One of the negative outcomes of foster youth is the high pregnancy and parenting rates. The purpose of this study is to be able to understand the knowledge and use of family planning services among the young adults participating in EFC. Understanding this information …

Substance Abuse Among The Elderly: What Works In Treatment, Sophia Morelli

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Social workers are trained during the course of their education to work with the elderly and to understand the various dynamics of aging. These professionals also receive education on substance abuse and how to assess clients as well as link them to appropriate supportive services. How can social workers be more inclined to effectively treat the elderly substance abuser? What are, if any, special considerations a social worker should be aware of when working with the geriatric population? What treatment modalities seem to be more effective with the elderly client? This study utilized a qualitative analysis consisting of interviews with …

Caregivers’ Emotional Experiences Regarding Their Adolescent’S Substance Abuse Problem, Cindy Reyes, Brenda Jane Duchene

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The primary aim of this investigation was to explore caregivers’ emotional experiences regarding their adolescent with substance abuse problems. These researchers systematically examined the literature on caregiver stress and found a large body of studies on caregivers of persons with mental illness, severe medical problems including cancer, HIV/AIDS, and developmental disabilities. Yet, an absence of research was found on caregivers including parents of adolescents with drug and/or alcohol problems. Based on the findings on investigations with other types of caregivers, these researchers expected caregivers of adolescent substance abusers to report high levels of emotional and psychological distress. Like caregivers of …

Evaluation Of Interventions Used In The Treatment Of Veterans With Co-Occurring Disorders, Kelly F. Simon, Meghan M. Frawley

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study was a qualitative assessment of the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions used in the treatment of co-occurring disorders, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse. The qualitative assessment was an interview with a number of open ended questions and scales for the respondents to report preference. Interviews were conducted through the Wounded Warriors Project. Participants were males between the ages of 18 and 40, and were of multiple ethnicities. The interview questions primarily addressed whether or not the respondents received services and which services they felt were most beneficial. The interviews were anonymous and confidential, in the interest of …

Social Service Professionals Perspectives On Assessing Abuse Among The Developmentally Disabled, Shelita D. Majied

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

There are substantial amounts of research on risk factors that contribute to abuse among adults with developmental disabilities. There are also studies that explore preventative measures and safety factors to help reduce abuse among the population. These relevant studies and research has examined the relationship between developmental disabilities, types of abuse, risk factors, effectiveness of risk assessments, and prevention. The main purpose of this study is to explore the problem of high abuse rates amongst this population and discuss social service professional’s perspective on the current preventative measures used to protect adults with developmental disabilities from abuse. For this quantitative …

Hispanics' Under-Utilization Of Hospice Care Services, Ian M. Montoya

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to learn about Hispanics’ utilization of hospice care and to increase knowledge about under-utilization of hospice services by the Hispanic community. Research in hospice services indicates that the Hispanic community underutilizes end-of-life resources when compared to their majority counterparts, European Americans. Research that has controlled for variables such as socio-demographic characteristics, medical history, prognosis, and access to health care demonstrate Hispanics significantly under-utilizing hospice services. This project was conducted within Southern California in the cities of Riverside and Anaheim which are predominantly Hispanic communities. A quantitative design was used to explore the perspectives of …