Digital Commons Network^™

Program Efficacy To Reduce Stressors For Direct Care Workers In A Retirement Community, Kwaku Frimpong-Boateng

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

"The research study was carried out to identify factors that contribute to staff stress & burnout, different experiences that direct care workers (DCWs) encounter in residential living or senior living facilities, mechanisms to reduce workplace stress and burnout and occupation-based activities as intervention strategies to manage stress and burnout symptoms. This was a purposive and convenience sampling study which included a semi-structured interview, pre and post surveys. Participants were 3 DCWs that work full-time on 2 shifts in a senior living community. The study took place over 5 days with an occupation-focused activity (walking meditation,) that occurred once a day …

Assessing Lanes For Change: The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Water Safety And Swimming Programs, Avery Adams Fornaciari

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

"Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 years, and the second leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 5 to 14 years old in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Globally, drowning remains a public health crisis, as it is the third most common cause of intentional death (World Health Organization, 2021). On the topic of water-related injuries and fatalities, the literature has displayed the influence of socioeconomic disadvantage and geographic location as being associated with an increased drowning risk (Willcox-Pidgeon et al., 2021). In addition, a cyclic …

Effects Of Reducing Pain And Muscle Tension And Improving Daily Functional Performance Through Myofascial Decompression On The Muscles Within The Upper Limb, Michaela Gallagher

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

"Many adults in the United States who attend college, experience chronic pain impacting their quality of life (QOL) and ability to fully engage in meaningful daily occupations. The objective of this clinical research trial was to assess the effectiveness of myofascial decompression (cupping therapy) on reducing pain, improving QOL, and improving occupational performance within college students. This study targeted graduate students at Western New England University (WNE) who experienced pain within their upper limb, impacting their ability to fully engage in daily occupations. Eight total participants produced consistent data, including six Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students, and two Law …

Implementation Of The Risk Of Relapse Screening Tool Within Substance Use Populations, Jacob Dugard

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

"Occupational therapy aims to promote healthy lifestyles and informed decision-making across a diverse range of individuals. Originally titled the Risk of Opioid Overdose Screening Tool, the Risk of Relapse Screening Tool (RORST) was developed to be more inclusive and relevant to various substance users beyond opioids. The RORST questionnaire was constructed based on the Transtheoretical Model of Change, allowing for personalized interventions corresponding to an individual's readiness to modify behavior. The present situation highlights an unmet need for successful community transition for individuals with substance use disorders due to a lack of education and communal resources. The RORST was administered …

Enhancing Congregate Care Staff Knowledge And Self-Efficacy To Address Youth Substance Use Prevention Through An Educational Program, Victoria Giaccone

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

"Group or residential care homes are specialized facilities that offer support and care for youth facing significant emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges, as well as complex trauma. It is essential to acknowledge that youth with a history of trauma are particularly vulnerable to engaging in substance use, and there is a growing prevalence of substance use among younger individuals. To effectively address and prevent youth substance use, it is imperative to have well-trained staff members who possess the necessary knowledge and skills to provide appropriate support and interventions within these care settings. The study involved residential care staff members …

Implementation Of Driving Services Into A Student-Run Pro-Bono Occupational Therapy Center, Amanda C. Hill

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

"This doctoral experiential capstone project focuses on the implementation of driving services into the BEAR PAW Center to offer a free driving program to members of Springfield, Massachusetts (MA) and the surrounding community. In conjunction with implementation into the BEAR PAW Center, the Western New England University (WNE) Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) curriculum will be reevaluated to incorporate the driving component into the existing requirement. This will allow current and future students to learn more about occupational therapy’s role in driving and serve as an additional experiential learning opportunity. The overall goal of the project is to increase access …

Increasing Occupational Engagement For Individuals With Partial Hand Loss Through Telehealth, Amelia T. Lee

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

"Individuals with partial hand loss have diverse needs and experiences. Skoff & Skoff (2022) found that individuals with partial hand loss experience symptoms of anxiety, anger, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder for at least three months following amputation. For this Doctoral Experiential Capstone, the student researcher sought to expand the existing Unlimbited Wellness© telehealth program created by Dr. Debra Latour, OT, PP-OTD, M.Ed., OTR, to include individuals with partial hand loss in the population and add additional educational modules regarding returning to work. The program was a mixed-methods research design with a pre and post-program survey and Quick DASH. The …

Effects Of Reducing Pain And Muscle Tension And Improving Daily Functional Performance Through Myofascial Decompression On The Muscles Within The Thoracic Spine Region, Morgan T. Lukasik

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

"The aim of this doctoral capstone project was to investigate the effectiveness of myofascial decompression to reduce pain and muscular tension to improve daily functional performance on the muscles within the thoracic spine region (upper back). The research method of this study includes myofascial decompression through the application of dry cupping therapy. The study investigated the effectiveness of this instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique when applied twice per week for four weeks to a sample of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Western New England University. This study utilized objective measures including the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale, …

Effects Of Myofascial Decompression On Reducing Pain And Muscle Tension In The Lumbar Region Of The Spine And Improving Daily Functional Performance, Justin Murata

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

"This study investigates the impact of myofascial decompression (MD) on pain, muscle tension in the lumbar region, and daily occupational performance. Utilizing negative pressure to enhance blood circulation and tissue healing, MD was administered to nine Western New England students with low back pain (LBP) twice a week for four weeks. The Wong-Baker Pain Scale and World Health Organization's Quality of Life (QOL) Scale were utilized for data collection and analysis. Findings reveal that MD yields immediate pain reduction, suggesting its potential as a preparatory method for occupational therapy interventions like therapeutic exercises or activities. Further research should explore the …

Perceptions Of Individuals Participating In Bear Paw Center Life Skills Program: Persons With Social Skills Goals, Olivia Nappi

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

"Across the United States, there are a limited number of pro-bono life skills programs available for adults with disabilities. Oftentimes, free of cost life skills special education services are provided through the public education system but then terminates upon high school graduation. This leaves young adults with disabilities at a disadvantage when attempting to develop independent living skills during a transitional phase of life. This study explored the lived experiences of young adults participating in pro-bono, occupational therapy student-run life skills group program through the Bear Paw Center at Western New England University. The purpose was to gather the perceptions …

Effects Of Reducing Pain And Muscle Tension And Improving Daily Functional Performance Through Myofascial Decompression On The Muscles Within The Cervical Spine Region, Kaeli Serafino

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

"The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of myofascial decompression to reduce pain and muscular tension in the neck to enhance participation in daily activities and overall quality of life. The study looks at the effectiveness of this modality when applied twice per week for four weeks, with a two-week intermission between the first and last two weeks, to a sample of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Western New England University. This study utilizes self-report measures including the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (QOL-BREV), Wong Baker Pain Scale, and pain logs to assess the …

Citing Chatgpt And Other Generative Ai Tools In Student Research, Alicia Carlson, Globe U.S. Coordination Office

Resources

No abstract provided.

Mental Health Care Access For Nh Youth: A Comparison Of Two Models, Katherine Lipp, Rowan Gelting, Delitha Watts, Erica-Lyn Plante, Jeanne Ryer, Felicia Brackett

All Materials

No abstract provided.

Sugar And Spice: Sex, Money, And Social Media, Rachel Elizabeth Davis

Theses and Dissertations--Sociology

Interest in transactional sex, or the provision of a sexual relationship in exchange for gifts and/or money, has increased in recent years among researchers, nongovernmental organizations, and law enforcement officials as increasing numbers of women self-identify as hypergamous, indicating their interest in forming heterosexual partnerships with men of higher status. Hypergamous women may identify as sugar babies, spoiled girlfriends, or high-value women. A sugar baby is a woman providing romantic companionship to an older man, known as a sugar daddy, in exchange for money and/or gifts. A spoiled girlfriend is a woman whose partner provides her with money and/or gifts …

Parenthood, Mental Health, And Intergenerational Adversity: Exploring Gender Role Ideologies, Household Composition And Work-Family Conflict, Ashley Vowels

Theses and Dissertations--Sociology

To date, research at the intersections of parenting, stress, gender, and mental health has yielded complicated and inconsistent results. The objective of this dissertation was to deepen our understanding of how parenting stress contributes to the mental health of both parents and their children, especially within the context of balancing work and family responsibilities. A three-study approach was used to assess differences by sex, gender role ideology, and household composition. Additionally, it explored the impact of parents’ characteristics on their children’s well-being in adulthood.

This project utilized secondary data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID). Multivariate regression analyses …

A Confluence Of Identity, Skepticism, And Acculturation: A Grounded Theory Study On Voter Engagement Among Registered Latin American Immigrant Voters, Oscar De Tuya

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

One of the most important characteristics of a democracy is the ability of its citizens to directly elect many of their government representatives. Unfortunately, since only citizens are traditionally eligible to vote in the United States, the group of voters that ultimately influences government is smaller than the overall population. That excludes immigrants from full participation in government and contributes to conflict, which can be analyzed through various theoretical lenses, such as structural violence, basic human needs theory, and social cohesion. These realities underscore the importance of elections and of ensuring that an engaged and informed electorate is active in …

Hypoglycemia Screening In Term Normal Birth Weight Newborns: A Retrospective Electronic Health Record Review, Michelle G. Palmer

Open Access Dissertations

A gap in the evidence exists regarding screening of term normal birth weight newborns without identified risk factors for the presence of hypoglycemia. The purpose of this retrospective electronic health record review was to examine factors leading to and results associated with blood glucose screening of term normal birth weight newborns without previously identified risk factors for hypoglycemia.

The specific aims of this study were to: (a) determine if there were statistically significant differences between screened and unscreened full term, normal birth weight newborns without pre-existing identified risk factors for hypoglycemia by: gender, race, delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin initiation and …

Acculturative Stress, Mental Health Concerns, And Service Utilization Among Latino Immigrants, Elaine Ruiz

Open Access Dissertations

To better serve the needs of Latino immigrants, we must investigate risk factors for mental health concerns, such as acculturative stress, unauthorized immigration status, and barriers to mental health services (MHS). The purpose of the present study was to: (1) explore the relationship between risk factors and mental health outcomes in a sample of Latino immigrants, (2) examine differences across legal immigration status in mental health outcomes and acculturative stress, (3) assess the mediating effect of anxiety sensitivity, psychological inflexibility, and avoidant coping strategies on the relationship between acculturative stress and anxiety, and (4) examine barriers for MHS utilization among …

Therapeutic Inertia In The Pharmacologic Treatment Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Investigation Of Causes And Recommendations For Change, Kelly Walton

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a pervasive chronic condition and a serious global health issue. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) comprises approximately 90-95% of all DM cases (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). The prevalence of T2DM has risen rapidly over time; in fact, the number of adults diagnosed with T2DM over the past 20 years has more than doubled (CDC, 2022). T2DM currently affects an estimated 462 million people globally (equal to 6.28% of the world’s population), including more than one out of every 10 Americans (American Diabetes Association [ADA], 2018; CDC, 2022; Khan et al., 2020). In …

Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: A Qualitative Study Exploring Factors In Vaccine Decision-Making In Parents Of School-Aged Children, David Misslbeck

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: As of May 3, 2023, within Washington state, of those aged 5-11 years old only 36.8% having received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and only 32.3% are fully vaccinated. Since October 2021, the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer-BioNTech has been approved for everyone ages 5 years and older. Current recommendations encourage parents to vaccinate their children in this age group, but it is possible Washington parents have some reservations or other difficulties with choosing to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore what factors influence parents of Washington state when …

Examining Bidirectional Relations Between Interpersonal Trauma And Substance Use Among Army Soldiers, Shannon Forkus

Open Access Dissertations

Introduction. Interpersonal trauma (IPT) and substance use are particularly prevalent and problematic concerns among military personnel. Theoretical and empirical findings suggest that IPT and substance use are highly interconnected. Elucidating the developmental trajectory between IPT and substance use is necessary for identifying prominent pathways for intervention. Purpose. The current study examined IPT and substance use longitudinally, from pre- to post-deployment, among a large military sample. Method. This study utilized a sample of 4,645 military service members who were administered self-report questionnaires at four separate timepoints (one pre-deployment and three post-deployment). Results. Cross-lagged panel models were estimated …

Underrepresentation Of Black Participants In Drug Court: Reasons Reported For Non-Admission In Six Jurisdictions, Kathryn J. Genthon

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the beneficial impacts of drug court participation, access to these programs may not be equitable across racial groups. The reasons behind racial disparities in access to these programs are not well-documented in the current literature. This study investigates disparities in access to drug court and the possible reasons they occur. Chi-square tests are used to assess for disparities in admissions between Black and White individuals referred to drug court. Additional statistical analyses addressed the association of sex and age with admission to provide a broader picture of the impact of a variety of demographic characteristics on admission to drug …

Sense Of Belonging As Behaviorist Construct: “Doing Belonging” And Its Application For College Students With Disabilities, Chris Parthemos Phd

Theses and Dissertations

Sense of Belonging has been widely linked to academic performance, retention and persistence for college students. Students with disabilities are less likely to enroll than peers, and are more likely to drop out. Similar to other historically-marginalized groups, these students report lower sense of belonging than peers. Research with this population suggests that they may be seeking ways of building community and belonging at their universities which are self-driven. This notion of “doing belonging”, as it is described in the sociological literature, appears at first glance to be compatible with behaviorist approaches to student support. Although not without controversy, behavior …

Incorporating A Developmental Perspective Into Gene Identification Models For Alcohol Use Behaviors, Nathaniel S. Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

Frequent alcohol use can lead to alcohol use disorder, which accounts for three million deaths and over 133 million life years lost to disability and death worldwide per year. Alcohol use behaviors unfold across development, beginning with initiation of drinking and progressing through various escalating stages of use. Alcohol use behaviors are also under genetic influence. Genome-wide association represents the state-of-the-science statistical methodology for identifying genes associated with alcohol use outcomes. However, contemporary genome-wide association study (GWAS) methods typically do not account for variability in genetic effects throughout development. In this project, I applied novel multivariate genomic methods to combine …

Exploring The Effect Of Early Motor Delay And Physical Therapy Interventions On The Parent-Child Relationship, Rebecca Molinini

Theses and Dissertations

Emotional availability (EA) or the ability of the parent-child dyad to engage emotionally and partake in congruent and mutually enjoyable interactions, is essential for familial health and well-being. EA is considered the “connective tissue” of healthy parent-child relationships and is associated with secure attachment, maternal mental health, and children’s adaptive development. Most evidence supporting the integral role of EA on healthy outcomes is supported by typically developing populations in which adults present with a social or biological risk factor such as experiencing past traumas of adversities with mental health. In line with the transactional model of development, children are equal …

Examining Psychosocial Factors Of Chronic Disease Control To Improve Outcomes For Patients With Multiple Chronic Conditions, Kristen O'Loughlin

Theses and Dissertations

Psychosocial needs are associated with worse health outcomes for patients with multiple chronic conditions (MCC). The Biopsychosocial Model provides a framework for conceptualizing the influence that psychosocial factors have on the management of disease. To date, research has primarily focused on examining the relation between psychosocial factors and chronic disease onset. Therefore, the temporal relation between psychosocial factors and disease management remains poorly understood. The current study aimed to 1) describe patients’ psychosocial needs and their prioritization, 2) examine reciprocal relations between anxious symptoms, depressive symptoms, social needs, and MCC management, and 3) qualitatively explore patient definitions of health in …

Stuffed Animals For Coping And Communication In The Hospital: A Child Life Perspective, Becca Scobee

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

No abstract provided.

Piney Point Cascading Disaster And Environmental Conflict: An Explanatory Case Study, Ketti Davison

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this explanatory case study is to understand the sense that community members made of how and why environmental conflict manifested in the wake of the Piney Point cascading disaster. It found that intentional avoidance of local news caused community members to be unaware of the risks beforehand, of the responses in the aftermath, and of the threats that remain. The study leverages a unique opportunity to fill a gap in the research by examining a contemporary cascading disaster as it generated environmental conflict. This dissertation centers on the perceptions of directly affected community members in the Tampa …

The Challenges And Transformative Experiences Of Promoting Nonkilling With Anti-Nuclear Weapon Activists And Realists, Roland Joseph

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

Decades ago, Glenn D. Paige questioned killing and violence in politics, presenting nonkilling political science as an alternative. Activists and researchers from other disciplines have joined the movement by considering this new paradigm in their disciplines. Since then, some scholars analyzed the experience of activists promoting notions related to nonkilling, including peace and nonviolence. However, no previous research focuses specifically on the experience of scholars promoting nonkilling to anti-nuclear weapon activists and realists. To fill this gap and give voice to nonkilling and nuclear weapon risks, a qualitative phenomenological study using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was conducted to answer the …

The Digital Footprint Effect: A Grounded Theory On The Influence Of Social Media On Human Resource Managers’ Hiring Decisions, Tanya Pawlowski

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

For over a decade, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has reported the increasing practice of hiring managers accessing social media profiles to screen job applicants (Bates, 2008). This qualitative research study investigated the role of social media in organizational hiring practices and what factors may influence human resource hiring managers’ decisions. A grounded theory methodology was applied to interview 21 human resource hiring managers with open-ended structured questions. Based on the researcher’s data collection and grounded theory data analysis, the findings showed that social media profiles play a crucial role in organizational hiring decisions when a human resource …