Digital Commons Network^™

Mandates Of Maternity At A Science Museum, From Should To Must, David H. Lee

Publications and Research

A pregnancy exhibit at a science museum is an opportunity to research how medical advice is communicated and interpreted. This paper is about the Beginning of Life area of an exhibition called The Amazing You at the Tampa Museum of Science and Industry, where exhibits are prescriptive as well as descriptive. Expectant women are urged to deliver full-term, normal birthweight babies, by behaving according to prescribed medical norms. This study provides ethnographic descriptions of the exhibits, as well as insights from museum visitors who were interviewed. The exhibits, which emphasize fetal rights and maternal duties, are interpreted and critiqued by …

Testing An Integrative Model Of Depressive Symptoms With A Sample Of Latina/O Youth, Diana Slivensky

Theses and Dissertations

Latina/o youth represent a significant portion of the United States population and experience depressive symptoms at greater rates than other racial and ethnic groups. Prior research has found relationships between the cultural adaptation process and negative

mental health outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to test a model of depressive symptoms with a sample of Latina/o youth that aimed to explore the relations among acculturation, enculturation, bicultural stress, adherence to cultural values (i.e., familismo and respeto), family cohesion, and perceived peer support. Additionally, the present study examined gender differences among all the aforesaid variables. Participants included 156 Latina/o …

Inner Strength In Mothers Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Oral Histories, Jennifer Weathersbee Steinberg

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this oral history study was to describe the lived experiences of mothers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and to further inform the Theory of Inner Strength in Women (TIS) (Dingley & Roux, 2014). Postmodern feminist oral history methods were used to answer the research questions which included: 1) What are the lived experiences of mothers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? and 2) How do these experiences further inform TIS?

Interviews were manually coded directly onto the digital audio files using NVivo11Plus qualitative data management software. Three chronologic phases were identified among …

Testing Theoretical Models Of Binge Eating: An Examination Of Escape Theory And Affect Regulation Model, Terra Lee Towne

Theses and Dissertations

The present study tested two theoretical models of binge eating (i.e., escape theory and the affect regulation model of binge eating) by combining an experimental design with ecological momentary assessment. After undergoing a negative affect induction, 139 participants, all of whom were current binge eaters, were instructed to eat a pint of ice cream (binge eating condition) or to eat as much as they would during a typical snack (control condition). Participants assigned to the binge eating condition ate either with (binge eating + self-awareness condition) or without (binge eating condition) a visible video camera pointed in their direction. Participants …

The Impact Of Gender, Victim Weight, And Victim Responsibility On Attributions Of Blame And Responsibility In A Case Of Nonconsensual Pornography, Carolyn Ann Uhl

Theses and Dissertations

The sharing of sexually explicit messages or photographs, known as sexting, is on the rise. As a result, nonconsensual pornography, commonly referred to as revenge porn, is also increasing. Victims of nonconsensual pornography suffer a variety of negative consequences following the distribution of their photographs. Various case and victim characteristics of nonconsensual pornography cases may alter observer perceptions of these situations. This study utilized a mock police report describing a case in which a former romantic partner distributed nude photographs of the victim online without the victim’s consent. The police reports were identical, apart from manipulations of victim gender, victim …

Inner Strength In Men-A Descriptive Phenomenology, Charles S. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive phenomenologic study was to explicate the eidetic structure and essence of inner strength in men. Based in the philosophy of Husserl (2012) and developed from the methodology of Giorgi (2009), inner strength in men emerged as a unique phenomenon comprised of five structural themes: 1) mentally managing; 2) purposefully moving; 3) intentional normalizing; 4) intentional connecting; and, 5) mobilizing self to get through. The essence of inner strength in men was “purposefully moving ‘through a glass darkly’ to get to the other side.”

Twelve men aged 50 years or older (m = 60.25 years) shared …

The Impact Of Social Norms On Young Women's Health-Related Risk Perceptions, Intentions, And Behaviors, Karen Elizabeth Vanderzanden

Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown that social norms may influence individuals’ engagement in potentially dangerous behaviors. The current study examined the influence of descriptive norms and injunctive norms on risk perceptions, intentions, and behavioral outcomes for tanning and binge drinking. Participants were 359 Caucasian women between the ages of 21 and 25 years old residing in the United States who completed online surveys via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk). The study employed a 3 (Descriptive norm information: high risk estimate vs. low risk estimate vs. none) x 3 (Injunctive norm information: approval vs. disapproval vs. none) x 2 (Target risk behavior: tanning vs. …

Parents Of Adolescent Children With Mental Illness: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Lived Experience, Lindsay Yates

Theses and Dissertations

The current exploratory study aimed to understand the experience of parents whose children have severe and persistent mental illness. It was hypothesized that themes developed from parents’ responses to interview questions would indicate the presence of a) grief, b) trauma, c) subjective burden, and d) objective burden. Participants were 13 parents, comprised of conveniently sampled biological parents and legal guardians. Each parent was independently interviewed using a semi-structured protocol. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed by the principal investigator. Transcripts were analyzed using consensual qualitative analysis. An in-depth analysis of each transcript and cross analysis of transcripts yielded seven domains: …

Reading And Play Frequency In The Early Head Start Program On Parent And Child Outcomes, Zachary Flaten

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the channels that Early Head Start (EHS) influences cognitive development in toddlers and successful parenting skills. I use a fixed effects model, incorporating individual fixed effects and time fixed effects, with longitudinal panel data from the EHS Research and Evaluation Project. By employing these methods and running separate regressions on a pooled, control and treated group, I find that when parents nightly read to their child, Bayley Mental Development Index (MDI) and Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (HOME) scores increase. When parents engage in play interactions with their child, I uncover a positive influence on child …

Presentation Effects On Matrix Reasoning Scores, Katharine Elizabeth Lindberg

Theses and Dissertations

Matrix reasoning tasks are popular measures of fluid and inductive reasoning ability. The impact of rule type, number of rules, grouping, overlapping elements, and unfamiliar shapes on matrix reasoning performance has been shown to make matrix tasks more difficult to solve. Alternatively, the relationship of features (the physical and visual dimensions of individual elements within a matrix) to matrix reasoning performance in an adult population has not been established. The current study aimed to test the impact of features (i.e., height, shape, width) on matrix reasoning performance in an undergraduate sample (N = 196) by systematically varying rules and features …

Demographic Differences In The Causal Effects Of Obesity Status On Child Academic Achievement, Yoshie Hayasaka Kim

Theses and Dissertations

Many studies have found a negative correlation between obesity and academic achievement; however, determining and reaching a consensus about the nature of causality between these two variables have posed a challenge for scholars and researchers. If obesity does indeed have a negative causal effect on academic achievement, it has significant policy implications as it affects human capital investment. In this paper, I use the National Longitudinal Study of Youth-1979, Child and Young Adult data and estimate OLS, FE, traditional IV, and Lewbel IV models for children ages 5-12, stratified by race and gender. Under an individual fixed-effects model, I find …

Moving Towards Raising Consciousness: An Inquiry Into How Preservice Teachers Envision Classroom Management, Courtney Caye Lalonde

Theses and Dissertations

Effective classroom management is critical in the creation of learning environments that foster academic success for all students. Preservice teachers must develop an awareness and understanding of all aspects of classroom management and their relation to the two main classroom management approaches: the discipline based approach and the relationship based approach. Furthermore, preservice teachers must have opportunities for authentic practice through structured field experience. This study examines a course restructuring process that was intended to improve classroom management course content. The conceptual framework for this study is based on Martin and Baldwin’s (1994) construct of three broad dimensions of classroom …

Athletic Trainers Describe Their Use Of Imagery: What, Where, When, And Why, Rachel Phelps

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Conduct an in-depth exploration of imagery use by ATs by investigating if ATs use imagery and what, where, when, and why they image.

Design: Qualitative design.

Setting: Online questionnaire.

Participants: 219 ATs (94 females, 124 males, 1 unknown) representing 6 different position titles.

Main Outcome Measure: Modified Imagery Use by Athletic Trainers Questionnaire.

Results: ATs believed instructors should be the ones to teach them how to use imagery. Results showed that 81% of the sample used imagery but 19% did not use imagery for a variety of reasons (i.e., time, lack of education). Images used by ATs fell into …

The Problem-Solving Approach Of Health And Education Professionals Who Have Experience In The Arts As An Artist And Personal Experience In Trauma, Chanel Myers

Theses and Dissertations

Clients face many different obstacles within healthcare and education settings. Professionals in health and education fields are in a position to be a problem-solving resource to clients, students, and patients. The subset of professionals being examined are problem-solving professionals, who work with clients/students/patients, within the health and education fields, who self-identify as an artist, and also have experienced trauma with chronic struggling. How do problem-solving professionals in health and education fields who self-identify as an artist and have experienced trauma with chronic struggling approach problem-solving in their profession? This study used qualitative methods and interviewed ten participants. This study found …

Distributed Team Communication Preferences: A Case Study Of Community-Based Medical Schools, Jessica Sobolik

Theses and Dissertations

It’s surprising that in the 50 years since computer networks were created, geographically distributed teams still face communication challenges. Businesses manage geographically distributed teams across the globe seemingly well, but in higher education, communication between geographically distributed teams on different campuses is a challenge. Faculty-administrators, staff and students are focused on their day-to-day tasks, and send e-mails and voicemails without giving much thought to how those messages are received on the other end. Often, the recipient of that communication reacts negatively, causing conflict.

This mixed-methods exploratory-sequential study qualitatively explored communication challenges, solutions, preferences, and feelings of connectedness and conflict among …

Cameroonian Immigrants Switching From Non-Stem To Stem-And-Related Fields In The United States, Delphine Ngum Tamukong

Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies on STEM education in the United States (U.S.) have largely focused on such issues as the ever increasing need for more STEM workers, STEM attrition/retention, the gender gap in STEM, encouraging more STEM enrollment both at college and post-graduate levels, and the use of modern technology to facilitate STEM education. Other studies have considered the impact of immigrants on STEM education in the U.S. and on the U.S. economy in terms of either creating or filling STEM jobs. Many of those studies underscore the importance of immigrants in boosting the high skilled, much needed, STEM labor force and …

The Analysis And Costume Design Of Jennifer Haley's The Nether, Emily Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

In designing the costumes for a play there are many pieces that have to come together, both personal and collaborative. An analysis of the text and the characters help broaden the ideas that a designer must use. As the costume designer for a production of Jennifer Haley’s The Nether it was important to bring in the analysis as well as everything that the rest of the design team brings in. The final product came out in a fully realized production of the play in February 2017 at UND.

Healthcare Providers’ Perceptions Of Barriers And Facilitators To Making A Recommendation To Screen For Colorectal Cancer, Jesse Tran

Theses and Dissertations

Background. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in North Dakota. It also ranks second in late-stage diagnosis among all cancers. High quality screening tests such as colonoscopy have shown to reduce CRC incidence significantly, but screening rates in North Dakota remain low. The literature is consistent in that a recommendation by a healthcare provider is the most influential factor in a patient’s decision to screen.

Purpose. The purpose of this dissertation was to understand how healthcare providers perceive the barriers and facilitators that affect their decision to make CRC screening recommendations to patients. Identifying …

The Prediction Of Nonmedical Prescription Stimulant Use In College Students, Danielle Lynn Beyer

Theses and Dissertations

The use of prescription stimulant medications, such as Ritalin and Adderall, has increased dramatically over the past two decades (Zuvekas & Vitiello, 2014). Particularly concerning to public health officials has been the escalation of college students who report nonmedical prescription stimulant use (NPS). Studies have identified cognitive enhancement (i.e., increased concentration, etc.) as the primary motive for college students to engage in NPS (DeSantis et al, 2011; Smith & Farah, 2011). Additional findings suggest individuals involved with Greek organizations and/or individuals who maintain lower cumulative grade point averages (GPA) report significantly higher rates of NPS than Non-Greek and/or higher GPA …

Health And Wellness Coaching Utilization And Perspectives Of Health Practitioners Working In American Indian Communities, Jill Breyen

Theses and Dissertations

Despite increased interest in client-directed counseling methods to manage chronic disease, limited data exists about utilization of counseling skills and attitudes towards these methods among health care providers, specifically those providing care to at risk populations. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the beliefs and practices of a multidisciplinary group of health practitioners who were trained in health and wellness coaching (HWC) that included motivational interviewing (MI) techniques. The training was sponsored by the Bemidji Area Indian Health Service Health Promotion Disease Prevention (BAO IHS HPDP) program. Forty-seven trained coaches from the BAO IHS HPDP working with …

Intergenerational Effects Of Embryonic Cocaine Exposure In Zebrafish, Cody Adam Boyle

Theses and Dissertations

Cocaine addiction has both genetic and environmentally driven components. Relatively recently several groups have suggested that epigenetic regulation of gene expression might be the mechanism linking environmental influence and inheritance in drug addiction. We have shown previously that embryonic cocaine exposure increases physiological and behavioral sensitivity to the drug in longitudinal adults. In this study, we provide evidence that the effects of embryonic pre-exposure to cocaine are intergenerational in zebrafish. In addition, we show how gene expression in the zebrafish telencephalon, which includes the teleost equivalent of the nucleus accumbens, changes during acute cocaine treatment during behavioral testing. These experiments …

Relationships Between The Second To Fourth Digit Ratio (2d:4d) And Game-Related Statistics In Semi-Professional Female Basketball Players, Makailah Janae Dyer

Theses and Dissertations

Digit ratio (2D:4D) is a negative correlate of sports performance, although this relationship may be weak in open-skill sports. This study aimed to quantify relationships between 2D:4D and game-related statistics in female basketball players, and to quantify differences in mean 2D:4Ds between starters and reserves. Sixty-four female basketball players were measured for height, mass, and 2D:4D, with game-related statistics collected end-season. Partial correlations (adjusted for age and BMI) quantified relationships between 2D:4Ds and game- related statistics. Unpaired t-tests quantified differences in mean 2D:4Ds between starters and reserves. This study found that 2D:4D was a substantial negative correlate of blocks, rebounds, …

A Comparison Study Of American Indian And Caucasian Sex Offenders On Trauma And Selected Trauma Effects, Regina Sioux Ertz

Theses and Dissertations

American Indian/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) have a long history of documented trauma experiences. In addition, AI/AN individuals are likely to have fewer economic resources and are faced with increased traumatic experiences in comparison to the general population. Further, the American Indian population is also affected by overrepresentation with incarceration rates in federal and state government detention centers. These data support the need to address non-sexual recidivism issues in the American Indian population. Little research has examined trauma experiences, selected trauma effects, and unique differences for American Indian sex offenders. Treatment employed for American Indian sex offenders is conducted based on data …

Design And Construction Of A Robotic Vehicle To Assist During Planetary Surface Operations, Christopher Anthony Follette

Theses and Dissertations

In the near future, astronauts will explore new planetary surfaces in the Solar System. To enable peak performance, these astronauts will need to utilize all of the tools at their disposal. It is proposed that one such tool is a planetary surface rover designed specifically to assist the astronauts during their Extra-Vehicular-Activities (EVA’s).

This rover is designed and built to operate in concert with existing analog planetary surface infrastructure at the University of North Dakota (UND). This rover will be remotely controlled by an astronaut located on the planetary surface, enabling real-time operation and obstacle avoidance. The rover will act …

Toward A General Race Salience Effect: Alternative Manipulations And Group-Level Decision Making, Bradlee Wayne Gamblin

Theses and Dissertations

The race salience effect of juror decision making states that White jurors will display bias favoring White defendants over Black defendants only when race is not a prominent aspect of the crime or trial. Although past research has established this effect under certain conditions, a broader investigation of the effect is currently lacking in the literature. Furthermore, the literature has largely ignored the role that jury deliberation may have in attenuating or exacerbating the race salience effect. In total, 357 White mock jurors participated in a simulated court case about an interracial bar fight in which race was made salient …

An Investigation Of The Latent Structure Of Eating Disorder Behaviors And Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (Nssi), Erica Goodman Goodman

Theses and Dissertations

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI; deliberate harm to the self) and eating disorders frequently co-occur, and both place an individual at increased risk for suicide. Individuals who report NSSI are similar to those that report eating disorder behaviors on emotion regulation, impulsivity, and pain tolerance. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate how the relationship between NSSI and eating disorder behaviors is best understood, based on the intent of the behavior (e.g., “to hurt myself”) or the function (e.g., “I became less angry”). Participants were 493 undergraduate students (80% female; 90% white) who completed an online survey regarding lifetime NSSI and eating …

Development And Validation Of The Internalized Classism Scale For Poor And Working Class In The United States, Aleska Randa Hagan

Theses and Dissertations

The poor and working class are largely overlooked or ignored across many aspects of U.S society including public policy, societal structure, representation in media, and even in the realm of psychological research (Lott, 2002; Smith, 2005). Furthermore, of the scanty representations and descriptions of the poor and working class that are available, most are derived from oppressive classist views and negative stereotypes (Smith, 2010). Classism pervades the social structure of the United States. Classist beliefs and experiences of classism are internalized by all members of society to some degree. Working class and poor people who experience internalized classism are likely …

The Relationship Of Fidelity On Simulation Performance, Gail Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The literature is limited and conflicting regarding the effect of simulation fidelity on nurse performance during simulation. Limited publications were found that addressed all aspects of simulation in health care: mannequin, environment, equipment, scenario, and psychological.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between fidelity and nurse experience on performance in simulation. The NLN/Jeffries Simulation Framework provided the theoretical foundation for this study

Design and Sample: For this descriptive study, 35 registered nurses were randomly assigned to participate in a high fidelity or low fidelity simulation scenario. A 12-minute scenario was administered and identical for …

A Longitudinal Study Of The Negative Impact Of Falls On Health, Well-Being, And Survival Among Older Adults: An Examination Of Protective Psychosocial Mediators, Harpa Lind Jonsdottir

Theses and Dissertations

Falls can have detrimental effects on older adults’ physical and psychological health, and survival rates. However, there appears to be a protective psychosocial mediator that may lessen the negative impact of experiencing a fall on health and well-being. The psychosocial factors examined as mediators of the falls - health and well-being relationship in this study were dispositional optimism and perceived control. Participants were 232 community-dwelling older adults, age 68 or older. This study was linked to a longitudinal study including data collected in 2008 and 2010 (Grand Cities Healthy Aging Study (GCHAS). Measurements of dispositional optimism, perceived control, self-rated physical …

Social And Emotional Learning In The Ell Classroom: A Case Study, Satoko Takeda Kao

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of social-emotional learning (SEL) is to create a safe environment for students to learn in and improve peer relationships, decrease conduct problems and emotional distress, and promote academic achievement. SEL program implementation has grown over the last decade in U.S. schools; however, these programs are designed for general education, not English Language Learner (ELL) students. Furthermore, research on teaching SEL to ELL students is limited.

This study explored what SEL looked like and how bullying prevention and character education programs were adapted in an elementary ELL classroom. The theoretical framework for this study was based on CASEL’s “Five …