Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Music Therapy On Anxiety And Sedation Requirements For Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients Undergoing Regional Anesthesia: An Evidence-Based Practice Pilot Initiative, Kyra Marie Savrese

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Excessive noise in the operating room negatively impacts patient comfort and outcomes, particularly in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia who have the potential for awareness.

Background: Research demonstrates that music therapy is a low-cost, low-risk intervention that reduces perioperative anxiety and sedative requirements. Literature supports the use of music as an adjunct to anesthesia care, especially in orthopedic populations.

Purpose: At J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, orthopedic procedures with regional anesthesia expose patients to high noise levels, often leading to increased anxiety, sedation use, and longer recovery times. Addressing this problem aligns with institution goals for safe, patient-centered care.

Methods: Using …

Behavioral Adaptation To Systematically Changing Local Conditions Of Reinforcement, Kento Yasukawa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Adaptation is the continual process of behavioral change in response to changes in environmental contingencies. One example of adaptation is to track the temporal distribution of reinforcers. The present dissertation investigated how responding tracked cyclically changing reinforcement schedules (i.e., cyclic interval [CI]) and how such tracking was influenced by concurrently available alternative reinforcement schedules. Across two experiments, four pigeons responded under a CI 60-s schedule in which the interreinforcer intervals (IRIs) changed systematically according to a sinusoidal function. The primary dependent variable was postreinforcement pauses (PRPs), with local response rates (response rates per IRI) examined as a secondary measure of …

Resilience And Reactivity: The Relation Between John Henryism And Cardiovascular Responses To Laboratory Stressors In An Appalachian Sample, Emma Raycher Thompson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

John Henryism active coping (JHAC), named for folk hero John Henry, is defined as the perception that one can overcome stressors through hard work (James et al., 1983). This construct has been tied to numerous health outcomes, showing a negative influence on cardiovascular health (Bennett et al., 2004). Many researchers have examined the relation between JHAC and cardiovascular reactivity to stress, though findings are mixed. Further, despite the legend of John Henry occurring in Appalachia, and traits associated with John Henryism, such as resilience, being prominent within this region, no study has examined the relation between JHAC and reactivity in …

Exploring Chinese Students’ Lived Experiences And Perceived Development In A Structured Cross-Cultural International Collaborative Degree Program: A Qualitative Case Study In The Context Of The Wvu–Tufe 3+1 Collaborative Program, Zhongmin Zhao

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to examine the lived experiences and perceived development of Chinese students within the structured 3+1 cross-cultural international collaborative program. Grounded in Schlossberg’s Transition Theory and Chickering’s Seven Vectors of Identity Development Framework and guided by the four theoretical propositions, this study explores how the Chinese students experience the challenging transition from their home institution to the host institution, how the students participating in the program perceive their developmental growth across multiple developmental dimensions, and how the students perceive the program structures and institutional practices as supporting or hindering their development.

Data were …

Do Transdiagnostic Factors Predict Emotion Recognition?, Grace L. Wheeler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

While emotion recognition deficits have been found in several anxiety and related disorders (e.g., social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive), consistent results have not been established. To clarify the relationship between emotion recognition abilities and anxiety, the current study tested if transdiagnostic factors related to anxiety are predictors of emotion recognition abilities. Data was analyzed from participants (N = 188) recruited via CloudResearch; they completed measures of three transdiagnostic factors related to anxiety (e.g., anxiety sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty, and rumination), followed by an emotion recognition task. Multiple regression analyses revealed higher levels of anxiety sensitivity predicted worse recognition for anger, disgust, …

Feasibility Of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy-Toddler In Community Clinics In The United States And Japan, Sharon T. Phillips

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The toddler age (12-36 months) is characterized by a toddler’s increasing desire for autonomy, which can result in caregiver-child conflict and toddler externalizing problems (Kohlhoff & Morgan, 2014). Clinical levels of disruptive behavior in toddlerhood can be predictive of a host of negative outcomes, including problems with academic achievement and delinquency (Copeland et al., 2007; Milledge et al., 2019). High levels of toddler behavior problems also are associated with poor caregiver-child relationships and poor toddler emotion regulation skills (Beijers et al., 2013; Umemura et al., 2022). Thus, interventions targeting toddler behavior problems need to focus on strengthening the caregiver-child relationship …

Video-Based Heart Failure Education: A Feasibility Study, Avery Pivont

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Video-Based Heart Failure Education: A Feasibility Study

Avery Pivont

Background:  Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalization in the U.S., contributing to high readmission rates and significant healthcare costs. Many of these readmissions are preventable and often stem from inadequate patient education. Effective patient education is a critical component of HF management; however, many healthcare facilities lack specialized HF nurse educators, resulting in inconsistent patient education.

Problem Statement: A quality improvement team at a large academic hospital identified increased heart failure (HF) readmission rates across an entire health system, largely attributed to inconsistent discharge education and limited availability …

Improving Sedative Administration In Patients Receiving Paralytics During Intubation: A Quality Improvement Initiative Within A Large Academic Medical Center In West Virginia, David Bryon Underwood

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Awake paralysis (AWP) occurs when long-acting neuromuscular blockers outlast short-acting sedatives during intubation, leaving patients chemically paralyzed but conscious. This highlights the critical need for timely post-intubation sedation.

Background: A 2024 review in the Neurological Critical Care Unit (NCCU) revealed that 72% of patients who received rocuronium were not given a post-intubation sedative. The difference in duration of action of paralyzing agents versus sedatives can result in patients being conscious while paralyzed, potentially resulting in hemodynamic instability and psychological harm.

Purpose: The quality improvement initiative aimed to reduce the number of patients receiving neuromuscular blocking agents without post-intubation sedation. …

Embodiment Among Collegiate Women Athletes: The Perceived Impact On Sport Performance, Commitment, And Enjoyment, Hannah Lynne Silva-Breen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Collegiate women athletes report high rates of body dissatisfaction and wanting more support for improving their body image within their athletic departments. Guided by the Developmental Theory of Embodiment (DTE; Piran, 2017), the purpose of this study was to examine collegiate women athletes’ perceptions of the relationship between their embodiment and aspects of their sport experience. Participants were 311 women currently competing in 24 different sports within NCAA and NAIA athletics. Participants completed the Experience of Embodiment Scale, Subjective Performance Questionnaire, Sport Commitment Questionnaire-2, and open-ended response questions about the perceived relationship between these variables. A convergent parallel mixed methods …

Do Cohort Restatements Generate Contagion? A Re-Examination, Melissa F. Lewis-Western, Timothy Seidel, Michael S. Wilkins

Faculty Publications

Gleason, Jenkins, and Johnson (2008) provide evidence that restatements lead to stock price declines among non-restating industry peer firms, suggesting that investors perceive contemporaneous manipulation within the industry. In contrast, Kedia, Koh, and Rajgopal (2015) find that restatements—especially less severe ones—encourage peer firms to initiate earnings manipulation. These divergent findings, together with the rising prevalence of less severe restatements and advances in monitoring technologies, motivate a re-examination of manipulation contagion. Although we are able to replicate the results of both seminal studies, we find that the results in Kedia, Koh, and Rajgopal (2015) are sensitive to design choices that affect …

A Mixed Methods Study Of The Transition To Adult Health Care For Sexual Minority Young Adults With Chronic Pain: Understanding The Impact Of Stigma, Cecily Newel Conour

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sexual minorities with chronic pain are likely to experience stigma stemming from their sexual identity and chronic pain. Pain stigma and sexual minority stigma are associated with increased health disparities and differences in health care utilization, particularly for adults. The transition to the adult health care system appears to be a critical point to understand the impact of stigma on health care utilization to then improve outcomes. With a sample of 48 sexual minority young adults with chronic pain, the current study investigated transition experiences using an explanatory, sequential mixed-methods design that was both observational and cross-sectional. Participants completed quantitative …

Provider Satisfaction Between General Dentists And Endodontists, Vaidehi Kumar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Purpose: Burnout and low professional fulfillment are major issues for dental providers, impacting their well-being, patient care, and workforce stability. While burnout has been widely studied in dentistry, less is known about professional fulfillment and how it varies by specialty and work environment. This cross-sectional study compared professional fulfillment and burnout between general dentists and endodontists, and examined how practice setting, demographics, and job factors affect occupational well-being. Methods: Licensed dentists (n=147; 72 general dentists and 75 endodontists) participated in an anonymous online survey. The Professional Fulfillment Index (PFI) was used to measure three sub-domains: Professional Fulfillment, Interpersonal Disengagement, and …

I Think, Therefore I Can: Self-Efficacy, Self-Regulation, And Sense Of Belonging In Introductory Physics, Danielle Christine Maldonado

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cognitive and affective beliefs in physics classrooms are important indicators of student success beyond traditional measurements of academic performance. This body of work explores major beliefs and processes, including self-efficacy, self-regulation, and sense of belonging, as they relate to academic achievement among introductory undergraduate physics students. First, this dissertation explores the development of physics self-efficacy and physics sense of belonging, two highly correlated variables. This work identifies unique sources of physics self-efficacy and sense of belonging development from current and prior academic experiences, personality factors, and demographic variables. Then, relationships between early- semester self-efficacy and sense of belonging, mid-semester …

Personal Narratives Of Young Adults With Epilepsy: Exploring The Transition To Adulthood Amidst Stigma And Disclosure Fears, Kirby-Estar Gilene Laguerre

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Navigating the transition to adulthood presents unique challenges for young adults with epilepsy, particularly concerning stigma and the fear of disease disclosure. While significant social difficulties, such as increased unemployment rates and decreased relationship satisfaction, are prevalent among individuals with epilepsy, current transition programs often fail to address these psychological and social aspects that are vital for an independent adult life. Instead, the majority of the attention for young adults transitioning into adulthood is focused on the shift to adult-oriented healthcare systems. Consequently, there is a critical need for research that goes beyond a healthcare focus and explores the social …

Cultural Perceptions And Willingness Or Reluctance To Use Ai Chatbots For Emotional Support By International African Students In Higher Educational Institutions In The United States, Zakariah Issah

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for emotional support underscores the need to understand how cultural perceptions shape their adoption among international African students in higher education institutions in the United States. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Social Stigma Theory, this qualitative study explored the perceptions, motivations, and barriers influencing the use of AI chatbots for emotional support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 undergraduate and graduate students from 10 African countries. The findings reveal that participants viewed AI chatbots as conditional and situational sources of emotional support rather than replacements for human relationships. Convenience, …

Influences Of Response Rate And Distribution On Accuracy Estimates: The Value Of Replications Based On Analytic Approach, Olivia Brianne Harvey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Accurate observational data are essential for drawing correct conclusions about behavioral phenomena and ensuring the replicability of research findings. Accuracy is the extent to which an observer’s recorded responses correspond with true values (i.e., the actual occurrence of behavioral events). Correspondence is quantified using one of several percentage-based algorithms. However, these accuracy estimates may be influenced by characteristics of the data, such as response rate and response distribution, as well as the algorithm used to calculate them. The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate how response rate, response distribution, and the algorithm used to evaluate accuracy influences estimates. Across …

Romantic Narrative In Three Early Piano Cycles By Robert Schumann: Papillons, Op. 2; Fantasiestücke, Op. 12; And Kinderszenen, Op. 15, Lingqing Huang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research project compares Romantic instrumental narrative in Robert Schumann’s Papillons, Op. 2; Fantasiestücke, Op. 12; and Kinderszenen, Op. 15, with particular attention to how pianists communicate cyclic continuity in performance. In this study, narrative continuity refers to relationships formed across ordered short pieces through contrast, interruption, return, literary association, fantasy, memory, tonal and motivic recall, and the shaping of sound and time. Comparative score analysis shows that Schumann creates a distinct form of continuity in each cycle. In Papillons, he creates a public, ballroom-based form through masquerade, waltz-like dance, abrupt entrances, interruption, and the gradual dissolution of the social …

"If I Knew Then What I Know Now": Analyzing Online Narratives Of Regretful Parents, Marina Binti Mohd Hamdan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This exploratory study seeks to understand the extent to which parenthood affects individual self-actualization by identifying the trade-offs, compromises, and sacrifices that parents make within the context of family life. Using a thematic analysis of 221 archived posts from the Reddit community r/regretfulparents, this study examines how social pressures surrounding parenthood may be related to experiences of parental regret. Specifically, it identifies two domains: pressures to be parents, including social norms, familial coercion, and interpersonal conflict, and pressures of parenting, including issues of labor, number of children, and challenging children. Across these domains, this study explores how tensions between personal …

Psychological Distance And Auditor Assessment Of The Severity Of An Internal Control Deficiency, Scott C. Jackson, John D. Keyser, Douglas F. Prawitt

Faculty Publications

Auditors often underestimate the severity of internal control deficiencies, particularly when associated misstatements are immaterial. We find that auditors are more likely to correctly classify a material weakness when no misstatement information is provided than when misstatement information is available, and that this finding may unconsciously arise from auditors’ construal level in judging control deficiency severity. Through a series of experiments, we manipulate misstatement information related to an internal control deficiency designed to represent a material weakness. We hold the size of potential misstatement constant and find that auditors and graduate auditing students are less likely to correctly assess the …

Women In Music: Experiences Of Women Oboists In Us Symphony Orchestras, Brianna Corgel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The evolution of women in American music has been a gradual and ongoing process. Historically, women were largely excluded from public musical life and did not achieve widespread acceptance as professional musicians until the 20^th century, largely due to prevailing cultural and societal expectations. In the 19^th century, women typically performed in domestic settings for small gatherings of family and friends. Female instrumentalists were generally limited to the piano and a few string instruments, while wind instruments—such as the oboe—were discouraged because they were considered unladylike or visually unappealing when played. The 20^th century saw the emergence …

Effect Of Delay On Reinforcer Preference And Efficacy, Ciara Jasmine Rodriguez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Behavior intervention plans are used to increase desired behavior and decrease problem behavior, and these plans require the use of effective reinforcers. High-quality reinforcers that are delivered immediately tend to be the most effective, but optimal reinforcement parameters are not always feasible or appropriate in applied settings. Some reinforcers may be disruptive, teachers’ competing responsibilities may introduce delays to reinforcer delivery, and reinforcers may not be immediately accessible. Stimuli may lose their reinforcing value with delay to their receipt, and this is referred to as delay discounting. Thus, there is likely a point where a less preferred but immediately delivered …

Dispositional Mindfulness And Autonomic Reactivity, Thomas Dylan Boyer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

To explain how different facets of mindfulness were associated with task performance in distinctive ways, Lindsay and Creswell (2017) proposed the Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT). According to this model, the mindfulness facet of monitoring present state awareness was thought to influence task performance differently than the nonjudgmental acceptance facet of mindfulness, but no studies to date have examined this model with respect to an individual's physiological response to stressful tasks. Because dispositional mindfulness has been associated with both increased and decreased physiological and affective reactions to stress in previous studies, the present study tested whether the Monitoring facet of …

Greed, Guilt, And Generative Ai: Emotional Dynamics In Digital Consumer Interactions, Danielle Lynn Hass

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

GREED, GUILT, AND GENERATIVE AI: EMOTIONAL DYNAMICS IN DIGITAL CONSUMER INTERACTIONS

Danielle Hass

Digital consumer interactions are increasingly shaped by complex emotional dynamics. As digital platforms and Generative AI (GenAI) technologies proliferate in our everyday lives, it is critical to understand the emotional undercurrents and how they impact consumer behavior. This dissertation investigates these dynamics through three essays that explore how emotions impact consumer experiences in digital spaces, with an overall goal to offer theoretical and practical insights into the interaction of human psychology and technological advancement in the consumer behavior field.

Essay One examines the paradox of pleasure …

The Impacts Of Experiential Learning On Moral Development, Jacob Tyler Greenfield

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Burnout remains a widely studied phenomenon in the healthcare literature, with much of the focus placed on reactive mitigation strategies that lack meaningful engagement with moral development. Healthcare education programs rarely incorporate formal learning experiences that promote moral development as a means of addressing burnout symptoms. This qualitative single case study examined how health professions students describe the impact of experiential learning on their moral development. Participants engaged in adapted photovoice methods, focus groups, and interviews to reflect on how serving as a Project MUSHROOM student leader influenced their morality. Four themes emerged: 1) recognizing bias and the need to …

Self-Leadership And Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence: A Single-Case Study, Patrik Garren

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this single-case qualitative project is to uncover how self-leadership’s behavioral and cognitive strategies influence perceptions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI adoption. While existing literature acknowledges that there is an association between self-leadership, technology’s perceived usefulness and ease of use, as well as comfort with AI preparedness and its professional impact, there is limited research on how self-leadership shapes perceptions of AI and AI adoption in real-life contexts. To fill this gap in contemporary literature, this project analyzes qualitative semi-structured interviews with 25 healthcare professionals involved in the implementation of ‘AI Model 1’ at their mid-sized United …

The Effects Of Gesture And Age On Jurors’ Perceptions Of Child Witnesses, Jihan Hani Rashed

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Jurors’ perceptions of child witnesses can have significant influence in judicial outcomes, particularly in cases where children’s testimony is central (Goodman et al., 1997; Goodman et al., 1998; Castelli et al., 2005). The role of gesture in shaping jurors’ perceptions is underexplored. Studies highlight that gesture enhances memory recall and reduces cognitive load, making it an important component of effective communication (Goldin-Meadow et al., 2001; Hudson & Sheffield, 1998; Cook & Fenn, 2017). The present research consisted of two studies examining whether child witnesses’ use of gesture during recall of an alleged crime affected jurors’ perceptions of witness credibility and …

Psychometric Assessment Of The Ambivalent Ageism Scale: Investigating Measurement Invariance And Stability Across Groups And Time, Carly Pullen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The goal of the current study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Ambivalent Ageism Scale (Cary et al., 2017) and to provide an understanding of how ageist attitudes might change or remain the same in response to a cultural and societal event. Measurement invariance is the assessment of the psychometric equivalence of a construct (e.g., ageism) across groups or waves of measurement (Putnick & Bornstein, 2016). The first step in measurement invariance analyses is configural measurement invariance, which is the evaluation of the factor structure, with the goal of producing the same number of factors and the same …

Manipulating Unit Price During Alternative Reinforcement Schedule Thinning In A Concurrent- Schedules Arrangement, Katherine A. Cucinotta

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Reinforcement schedule thinning, a critical component when addressing target behavior using differential reinforcement of alternative behavior schedules, aims to decrease alternative reinforcement rates while maintaining suppression of a target response (Davis et al., 2023; Hagopian et al., 2011). When multiple response options are available, manipulating the relative unit price across options alters the relative efficiency with which reinforcement is obtained and can shift responding toward an alternative behavior. Thus, altering the relative unit price can be a beneficial tactic when reinforcement for a target behavior cannot be withheld. Using concurrent-schedule arrangements, two experiments evaluated the conditions under which target response …

Trust, Literacy, And Choice: Exploring How Taxpayers Decide Between Self-Preparation And Professional Assistance, Bethany Jo Elam

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Each year, taxpayers must decide whether to self-prepare their tax return or hire a tax professional. While the decline in paper filing has made electronic filing the standard, the ease of access to both DIY tax software and tax professionals allows taxpayers to switch between these options each year if they wish. While previous research has focused on tangible predictors such as cost and accuracy, psychological factors, such as trust, remain largely unexplored in the modern tax-filing environment. This study investigates the relationship among perceived tax literacy among taxpayers, various dimensions of trust, and the intention to use tax software. …

The Bleeding Edge Of Misogyny: How Gender-Based Harassment And Infrastructural Neglect Shape Menstrual Distress, Mackenzie J. Miller

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Despite growing attention to menstrual health, organizational research has largely overlooked how workplace conditions shape menstrual experiences. Dominant perspectives frame menstruation as an individual issue that negatively affects work, neglecting how features of the work environment – such as gender-based harassment and access to menstrual-related infrastructure – contribute to menstrual distress. Addressing this gap, this dissertation adopts a bidirectional perspective, examining how social and material workplace conditions shape menstrual distress, defined as the extent to which menstrual symptoms interfere with daily functioning. Drawing on the transactional model of stress and objectification theory, I hypothesized that gender-based harassment would predict menstrual …