Digital Commons Network^™

Combining Online Education With International Service Learning To Increase Cultural Competence, Elaine Keane, Ingrid Provident

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

PURPOSE: Although international service learning has the capacity to promote a variety of important professional behaviors, merely visiting another country does not automatically result in these benefits. METHODS: This article describes an evidenced-based course which used pre-trip preparation in combination with a nine day service learning trip to Ecuador to develop cultural competence among 6 occupational and 6 physical therapy students. Pre-trip preparation included online and in-person components to increase self-awareness, awareness of other cultures, knowledge about Ecuadorian culture and skill-building. On-site activities included exploration of the physical and social context in addition to providing occupational and physical therapy treatment …

Modelling Quality Dynamics On Business Value And Firm Performance In Big Data Analytics Environment, Ren S Ji-Fan, Wamba S Fosso, S Akter, R Dubey, Sj Childe

Plymouth Business School

Big data analytics have become an increasingly important component for firms across advanced economies. This paper examines the quality dynamics in big data environment that are linked with enhancing business value and firm performance. The study identifies that system quality (i.e., system reliability, accessibility, adaptability, integration, response time and privacy) and information quality (i.e., completeness, accuracy, format and currency) are key to enhance business value and firm performance in a big data environment. The study also proposes that the relationship between quality and firm performance is mediated by business value of big data. Drawing on the resource based theory and …

Supporting The Retention Of Non-Traditional Students In Higher Education Using A Resilience Framework, Dre Cotton, T Nash, P Kneale

Plymouth Institute of Education

Student drop-out in higher education is an increasingly important issue across Europe, but there are substantial disparities between countries and institutions which suggest that variations in policies and practices may influence student retention and success. Numerous schemes have been devised to increase student retention, frequently focusing on non-traditional groups. Retention efforts include scholarships and bursaries, enhanced monitoring and support measures, and specialist teams of staff or peer mentors. Theoretical understanding of the withdrawal of non-traditional students typically draws on social and cultural capital concepts (Bourdieu, 1986), which may have led to a rather deterministic approach to student success. Research with …

Low-Fee Private Schools In West Africa: Case Studies From Burkina Faso And Ghana, Corinne Brion

Dissertations

Every year billions of dollars are spent on development aid and training around the world. However, only 10% of this training results in the transfer of knowledge, skills, or behaviors learned in the training to the work place. Ideally, learning transfer produces effective and continued application by learners of the knowledge and skills they gained through their learning activities. Some studies suggest that technology usage can serve as an effective post-learning intervention to enhance the transfer of learning.

Currently, there is a limited body of research examining the factors that hinder and promote learning transfer in professional development, particularly the …

Faith And Homelessness: Examining The Influence Of The Faith-Based Component Of A Transitional Housing Program On The Attitudes And Behaviors Of Homeless Men, Douglas Edward Luffborough Iii

Dissertations

Homelessness is a social and public policy concern. In the United States, homelessness is a problem with multiple and complex causes that include mental illness and the effects of physical, economic, and social conditions such as extreme poverty, exposure to the elements, mental and substance abuse disorders, malnutrition, and victimization. Transitional housing is a temporary option offered as a response to homelessness, recognizing that if individuals are provided with shelter, they may be supported in their attempt to achieve self-sufficiency.

There is some evidence that supports the benefits of federally funded transitional housing programs, but to date, few studies have …

Storytelling, Survival, And Child Figures In Contemporary American Life-Writing, Yvonne Michelle Swartz Hammond

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

My dissertation explores strategies for survival primarily related to acts of storytelling, and more specifically storytelling with the tacit agreement for measures of truth, what I refer to in my title as life-writing. The term "life-writing" refers broadly to literary and theatrical works that are connected to the lived-experience. The texts I examine, all written in the U.S. after 1990, consider the impact of traumatic and unjust pasts through sweeping, epic narratives. Each of these texts tells a separate story about injustice through stories that reveal children as victims of discursive and/or actual violence arising out of conflict between and …

Implementing Restorative Justice Under The Retributive Paradigm: A Pilot Program Case Study, Patrick Gerkin, John Walsh, Joseph Kuilema, Ian Borton

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

This article explores the implementation of a pilot program in restorative justice in a medium-sized Midwestern city. Through an examination of meeting minutes, interviews, and the personal reflections of the authors, this article examines the implementation of a victim–offender mediation program, referred to throughout the article as the Fast Track Accountability Program (FTAP). Presented as a case study, the authors describe the key stakeholders, the process, the obstacles, as well as lessons learned along the way. Particular attention is given to the essential role of strong leadership and to the challenges faced when implementing such a program within the bureaucracy …

Intimate Partner Violence-Related Hospitalizations In Appalachia And The Non- Appalachian United States, Danielle M. Davidov, Stephen M. Davis, Motao Zhu, Tracie O. Afifi, Melissa Kimber, Abby L. Goldstein, Nicole Pitre, Kelly K. Gurka, Carol Stocks

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The highly rural region of Appalachia faces considerable socioeconomic disadvantage and health disparities that are recognized risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV). The objective of this study was to estimate the rate of IPV-related hospitalizations in Appalachia and the non-Appalachian United States for 2007–2011 and compare hospitalizations in each region by clinical and sociodemographic factors. Data on IPV-related hospitalizations were extracted from the State Inpatient Databases, which are part of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Hospitalization day, year, in-hospital mortality, length of stay, average and total hospital charges, sex, age, payer, urban-rural location, income, diagnoses and procedures were …

Investigating Lgbtq Advocacy Efforts Among Heterosexual Parent Allies, Amanda Elizabeth Ramirez

Open Access Dissertations

Parent advocates play a key role in creating and promoting a supportive and accepting environment for their LGBTQ children (Bouris et al., 2010; Ryan, 2009). However, a limited number of research studies have investigated the development of parent advocates and allies within the LGBTQ community (Broad, 2011; Munin & Speight, 2010; Saltzberg, 2009; Vernaglia, 1999). Further, these studies have not specifically explored the ways in which individual, family, and community level experiences may influence the development and experiences of parent advocates. The present study utilized an ecological-transactional framework to investigate the advocacy experiences of parents of LGBTQ youth. 12 parent …

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: The Need For Better Employment Eligibility Regulations, Gregory S. Crespi

Faculty Journal Articles and Book Chapters

People will start seeking tax-exempt debt forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (“PSLF”) program in October of 2017 after satisfying the requirements of 10 years of post-October 1, 2007 employment in a “public service job.” I estimate that eventually 200,000 people a year or more will obtain debt forgiveness under this program, at a total cost to the Treasury of $12 billion/year or more. Estimates are that up to one-quarter of all employment will qualify as a public service job.

For such a large and costly program the precise eligibility criteria are crucial. The statutory definition of a public …

Chronic Illness And Physicians' Referrals To Psychologists: A Pilot Study, Nicole O'Barto-Trainer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Chronic Care Model (CCM) is an evidenced based healthcare management system that encompasses a multidimensional approach to healthcare for the treatment of patients with chronic conditions. A component of this model is collaborative care. The tenets of the biopsychosocial model are central to collaborative care and evidenced-based health care interventions. These interventions provide integrated, patient-centered healthcare delivered by a multidisciplinary healthcare team. Recent research has indicated that psychologists can play a vital role on such teams. The purpose of this exploratory pilot study was to subject the Biopsychosocial Endorsement Questionnaire (BEQ) to preliminary statistical analysis and to pilot its …

Exploring Staff Turnover In A Large-Scale Ebt Implementation Initiative, Laurel A. Brabson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Staff turnover in the behavioral health field is a substantial and chronic problem with implications for both agencies and clients (Ben-Dror, 1994). Increased focus on the implementation of evidence-based treatments (EBT) has further highlighted the problems associated with turnover, as EBT trainings are particularly costly and time-consuming for clinicians and their agencies (Cook, Biyanova, & Coyne, 2009). The current study examined rates and predictors of turnover within an EBT implementation initiative designed to assess the effectiveness of three different training models. Data was collected from 110 families, 100 clinicians, 50 supervisors, and 50 administrators involved in the state-wide implementation of …

An Examination Of The Consultation Component Of A Training Protocol For Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Carrie B. Jackson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There is a growing need to train clinicians in evidence-based treatments (EBTs) to increase the accessibility of research-informed treatments in community settings (Herschell, Kolko, Baumann, & Davis, 2010). Multi-component trainings, which commonly include ongoing support, are more effective than one-day workshops, reading treatment manuals, and other brief training methods. The present study examines the effectiveness of one form of ongoing support, consultation, as part of a multi-component training protocol. Thirty-two community-based clinicians were trained in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) as part of a statewide implementation effort, and data were collected on several training (e.g., knowledge) and implementation (e.g., acceptability) outcomes …

The Lived Experience Of Establishing A Home After A Period Of Homelessness, Monica Iaquinta

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the structure of meaning of the lived experience of establishing a home after a period of homelessness. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted using a unique line of inquiry based upon story theory and hermeneutic phenomenology. Questions were posed beginning with the present daily life in a home, followed by the previous experience of homelessness, and ending with establishing a home in the future. Stories were reconstructed, using the participant's own words, and confirmed during a second interview. The data analysis strategies were rooted in the theoretical framework including identifying essential statements, …

An Examination Of Mindfulness And Cognitive Interference In American Veterans Of The Global War On Terrorism, Andrew C. Rowley

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Utilizing an internet-based research protocol, PTSD symptoms, mindfulness skills, and cognitive interference were assessed. Participants completed self-report measures of PTSD symptoms and mindfulness skills, and then completed an emotional Stroop task that contained words selected to induce cognitive interference based on their combat-related nature. Consistent with past research, this study hypothesized that participants with combat-related PTSD would have longer response latencies on the task relative to participants with lower scores on a combat-related PTSD measure. This study also hypothesized that veterans in general would exhibit longer response latencies that non-veterans. This study was also hypothesized that mindfulness skills would moderate …

Sponsorship, Sobriety, And Spirituality: The Effects Of Sponsorship In Alcoholics Anonymous On Self-Efficacy Related To Abstinence And Other Outcomes, Eve N. Lasswell

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present study aimed to contribute to the research base of studies exploring components of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a mutual-aid program whose primary purpose is to help its members maintain sobriety from psychoactive substances. This study concerned itself with sponsorship, a relationship consisting of two alcoholics where one helps the other to work the Twelve Steps of AA and navigate sober life. It was hypothesized that after controlling for gender, income, and involvement in AA, there would be a main effect of sponsorship on psychological well-being (including specific domains of well-being), confidence in refusing drinks, number of daily spiritual experiences, …

An Exploration Of Creative Arts-Based Self-Care Practices Among Music Therapy Students, Marion Kaiser

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to develop a theory based on the experiences of music therapy students’ use of creative arts as a self-care practice. In addition, this study was intended to determine these students’ perception of self-care and the perceived differences between self-care practices among students and professionals. A grounded theory methodology (Strauss & Corbin, 1990) was utilized in order to analyze the data gained from semi-structured interviews. From this data, six themes emerged and a formal theory was developed. The main theory emphasizes the importance of incorporating access to and information regarding the utilization of …

Act-Enhanced Behavior Therapy In Group Format For Trichotillomania: An Effectiveness Study, Ashild Tellefsen Haaland, Shirin O. Eskeland, Erna M. Moen, Patrick A. Vogel, Svein Haseth, Kjetil Mellingen, Joseph A. Himle, Douglas W. Woods, Benjamin Hummelen

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Background

This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of group treatment for trichotillomania (TTM) in ordinary clinical settings. Treatment consisted of a combination of habit reversal training (HRT) and acceptance and commitment treatment (ACT). Both short- and long-term effects were explored, as well as individual change trajectories.

Methods

The sample consist of fifty-three patients with TTM. Treatment outcomes were evaluated at post-treatment and at one-year follow-up using self-report questionnaires (Massachusetts General Hospital Hair Pulling Scale, MGH-HS), structured clinical interviews (National Institute of Mental Health Trichotillomania Severity Scale, NIMH-TSS), and the Clinical Global Impression scale for TTM (CGI-TTM).

Results

Analyses by …

Concept Of Self: Approach To Behaviors In Mental Health, The Tapout Program, Tina Goodrow

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Violence in mental health care continues to be a problem. The incidence of violent episodes in healthcare settings with aggressive behavior of patients aimed at staff members or other patients is almost four times greater in healthcare than in other industries. Reducing violent episodes enhances the quality of care and improves safety for staff members and for patients. The project focused on development of a staff education program exploring the practice-focused question: Will this program effectively guide staff member approaches to mental health patients with challenging behaviors? The purpose of this project was to address the identified gap in practice …

Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking And Social Work Practice, Stephanie E. Chester

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) is a social problem affecting children between the ages of 12 and 17 years old. The issues related to DMST present challenges for social work practitioners because they often lack knowledge regarding how to identify and provide specialized services to this population. The purpose of the qualitative study was to collect and analyze data to develop an understanding of how social workers in the northeastern region of the United States identified challenges and thereby improved their practice skills when intervening with this vulnerable population. An epistemological paradigm, with a constructivist perspective employing Nguyen's systems theory, …

Child Neglect, Child Physical Abuse, And Relationships Among 12-Year-Old Girls, Corrine Dale

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child maltreatment, including physical abuse, neglect, emotional, and sexual abuse is a continuing social problem in the United States, resulting in a number of children who experience challenges with family and peer relationships in adolescence. Child neglect is one of the most common forms of abuse however, it is less likely to be investigated or substantiated than is physical abuse. Female child maltreatment in particular results in possible problems for victims with family and peer relationships in early adolescence. In 2015, state agencies reported an estimated 683,000 victims of child maltreatment, with two-thirds of this group representing child neglect victims. …

Faculty Roles In Student Retention At Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Dorothy Langley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Implications for student dropouts include fewer career options and lower earning potential. The purpose of this study was to investigate faculty perceptions of their roles in the student retention process at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the Southeast United States. Guiding the phenomenological study was Lewin's theory of change model. Data were collected using a questionnaire, interviews, and faculty-student intervention logs. The questionnaire was completed by 32 full-time faculty at the study site. Interviews with 5 participants were conducted after the completion of the questionnaire, and 5 participants provided information via a faculty-student intervention log about strategies …

Foster Parents' Attachment Style As A Moderator Of Children's Negative Behaviors And Placement Disruption, Alicia Araiza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a demonstrated association between children's negative behaviors, placement disruption, and foster parents' attachment style in early childhood; however, there is an absence of research examining this relation among foster children in middle childhood. Researchers have found that in early childhood, children respond more favorably to foster parents with a secure attachment style, while greater placement disruption is associated with foster parents having an insecure attachment style. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between foster children's negative behaviors, placement disruption in foster children during middle childhood, and foster parents' attachment style. Bowlby's and Ainsworth's attachment …

Exploring Social Support Networks Of African American Emancipated Foster Care Women, Donna Marie Barrett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many youth exit the United States foster care system each year and face challenges related to housing, employment, health care, and education. After emancipation, foster youth can experience family instability, educational disruption, incarceration, unemployment, unstable housing, and emotional problems at a much higher rate than youth in the general population. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine the experiences of African American foster women and the social support they received in finding housing upon exiting foster care system. Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory provided a conceptual framework of social interrelation for the study. Data were collected from a purposeful …

The Impact Of Education And Gender On The Facilitation Of The Duluth Model Anger Management Course, Charlise Gloria Hogue-Vincent

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence, specifically intimate partner violence (IPV), is a major social problem in the United States despite legislative efforts aimed at reducing it. The Duluth model, which is the preeminent domestic violence intervention model used in the United States, is a male-only group intervention based on feministic views that domestic violence stems from men's behaviors to assert power and control in relationships. While the model is widely emulated, its policies and practices are under scrutiny from researchers who question the program efficiency, pointing to high recidivism rates. Guided by feminist theory, the purpose of this generic qualitative study was to …

Perceptions Of Educational Accountability Among Single African American Mothers, Tierra Winston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The construct of educational accountability formally originated in 2001 as a means to improve education standards by holding teachers accountable for student academic progress; however, the definition of educational accountability for parents continues to be illusive. The purpose of this generic, qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of educational accountability among single, African American mothers of high school-aged children. The research question asked about how the beliefs of educational accountability among single African American mothers related to any involvement in their children's education. Azjen's theory of planned behavior, which outlines the relation of intention to action, was the framework …

Exploring The Employability Of African-American Male Ex-Offenders In Local Government, Chandra Latrelle Porter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The public sector is the largest employer that requires a background check. When African-American male ex-offenders return to their communities, they are often unable to find work in local government because of their criminal record. The central research question for this phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of African-American male ex-offenders regarding their employability in the local government sector. Guided by Sampson and Laub's life course perspective theory, a purposeful sample of 5 African-American male ex-offenders who applied for work or who currently work for local government entities in the state of Georgia was selected for this study. A three-interview …

Teacher Perceptions Of A Full-Service Community School Strategy For Language Arts Students, Jaclyn Marie Dorrman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students of all abilities at a Full-Service Community School (FSCS) in northern New Jersey are not meeting federal and state accountability requirements in language arts. Research studies indicated that the FSCS strategy can improve instructional practices, which will improve academic success. For this qualitative case study, the purpose was to document and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the FSCS academic component for language arts used by 8 teachers from kindergarten to 6th grade. The conceptual framework that guided this study was grounded in the central understanding of Vygotsky and the constructivist theory of Bruner. The perceptions of language arts …

African American Males' Lived Experiences Of Fathering Following Incarceration, Sherece Shavel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, African American fathers are incarcerated at a disproportionate rate and have a poor prognosis of success. Although researchers have considered how crime, paternal abuse, poverty, and social disparities have affected African Americans, they have not adequately studied how formerly incarcerated African American fathers experience parenting. The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to bridge this gap in knowledge by exploring the parenting experiences of formerly incarcerated African American fathers on parole. The research question focused on the parenting experiences of African American fathers obligated to mandatory supervision following an incarceration. A criterion-based sample of …

Understanding The Mental Health Needs Of Immigrant Women With A History Of Trauma, Shalunda D. Allen Sherrod

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A significant percentage of undocumented immigrants who come to the United States include women suffering from trauma and abuse. In Southwest Texas, many immigrant women begin their stay in the United States, as residents of an immigration Residential Detainment Center (RDC). Social workers in RDCs are challenged to understand their roles and responsibilities in treating the mental health need of these women. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of social workers, in RDCs, regarding their roles and responsibilities in meeting the mental health needs of immigrant women with a history of personal trauma. Using action research …