Digital Commons Network^™

Illness Perceptions And Health-Promoting Behaviors: The Buffering Role Of Resilience In Adults With Congenital Heart Disease, Taylor Rose Eldridge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are one of the most prevalent genetic abnormalities, impacting the lives of millions of children, teens, and young adults. Conservative diagnoses estimate that 2.4 million children and adults are living with CHD in the United States (Gilboa et al., 2016). CHD requires consistent cardiac support with multiple surgeries and hospitalizations expected throughout the lifetime, which significantly impacts psychological health. Specifically, patients present with a host of extra-cardiac conditions that impact their quality of life. With advancements in medical technology, mortality rates continue to improve for this population; however, individuals face a number of consequences that impact …

Efficacy Of Suicide Prevention Trainings: An Analysis Of Gatekeeper And Bystander Intervention Modalities, Michael E. Arruda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many organizations and resources exist to help mitigate the factors leading to the completion of suicide. Yet, the proficient identification of risk factors and warning signs, alongside the impactful intervention by gatekeepers, has emerged as a formidable strategy in the battle against suicide. How best to train these gatekeepers to ensure their efficacy and confidence in intervention is an area of active research and was the primary purpose of the present study. The participants were a sample of 100 undergraduate students from Abilene Christian University and were separated into three training groups. Each was assigned a different suicide prevention training …

Standing Posterior Trunk Rotation With Adaptive Proprioceptive Toss, Jennifer Elvir

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a remarkably individualized disease. Nearly every person’s trajectory is unique. One person may experience tremor at an early stage of the disease, while another may experience tremor at a later stage or even not at all. For all PD patients, for certain can expect increasing difficulty as the disease progresses. Parkinson’s disease is responsible for the loss of dopamine which displays itself most notably through motor and cognitive symptom disruption. Although Parkinson’s is a chronic and progressive condition that is irremediable, significant strides have been facilitated to help control and manage the trajectory of the disease. …

Teacher Attrition: A Quantitative Analysis Of Driving Factors And Potential Solutions Among Highly Qualified K-12 U.S. Public School Teachers, Shari Donch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A comprehensive analysis is necessary to determine the cause of and solutions for the rate of K12 teacher attrition in the United States. Researchers have sought to understand the root causes of attrition or the institutional factors that influence teachers to voluntarily change professions. The most frequently identified factors include the personal characteristics of these teachers, freedom of curriculum development, teacher autonomy, and resources such as salaries. Evidence shows that this attrition among highly qualified teachers is detrimental to the quality of education, particularly in terms of student outcomes, and substantiates that effective initiatives surrounding remediation of these factors are …

College And Career Readiness Effects On Minority Male College Retention, Naquiyah Hodges

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The continuously low college retention and low degree attainment of African American and Hispanic men is a generational and decades-long hindrance to the elevation of these marginalized communities in the United States and the state of Texas. In Texas, the last 3 years’ worth of data has proven college-readiness rates of African American and Hispanic college students were significantly lower by large margins than White students in English language arts, math, and both subjects by large margins. Consistent low college retention rates of minority men produce a need to conduct further research of how this phenomenon affects minority men …

Disability Services As Related To Higher Education Leadership: An Exploratory Study, Tara Wade Franklin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the past three decades, the number of students with disabilities (SWD) attending postsecondary institutions has increased, yet their completion rates remain significantly lower than those of students without disabilities. This mixed methods exploratory study investigates the role of provost leadership in supporting disability services and understanding the needs of SWD in higher education. The study focuses on Texas higher education institutions, examining the relationships between provosts and directors of disability services. Data collected through the e-survey with open-ended questions primarily came from directors of disability services. Quantitative analysis of Likert scale items explored domains such as leadership, collaboration, consultation, …

Cardiovascular Risk As A Mediator Of Associations Between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor With Longitudinal Brain And Cognitive Trajectories In Older Adults, Jennifer Shearon

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Prior work has shown that higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are associated with better brain health and cognitive function. There is also evidence that BDNF is present in cardiovascular tissue and that it may be beneficial for cardiovascular function. This is evidenced by higher BDNF being associated with lower incidence of coronary heart disease and mortality, and with lower incidence of cardiovascular risk factors. The goal of the current study was to investigate the relationship between BDNF and cardiovascular function, and to assess whether there is a mediating or moderating role of cardiovascular health in the relationship between …

Student Self-Efficacy And Attitude In Organic Chemistry: A Comparison Of Two Pedagogical Approaches, Matthew Autry

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Adolescent Development Unconsidered - Facts Related To Youth In The Adult Criminl Legal System, Stephen Phillippi

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

After three administrations, including republican and democrat leadership, and over two-decades of bi-partisan justice reform, Louisiana has elected to likely return to a time when we were known as the incarceration capital of the world. There were numerous reasons for the reforms that happened, including federal lawsuits, supreme court rulings, new evidence of what works in juvenile justice, and a renewed focus on community programs to support youth and families (both victims and delinquent youth). These reforms focused on increasing public safety, improving outcomes, being more developmentally responsive, and responsibly lowering reliance on incarceration. The commentary that follows is solely …

Muslim International Students’ Perception Of Islamophobia In Their Immigration Journey To The U.S.: A Case Study, Sheri Beyer

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This study serves as an impetus for universities to address improving pre-arrival services and procedures for Muslim international students and a resource for practitioners and lawmakers to examine current policies specifically through the lens of Critical Race and Critical Muslim Theory. Policymakers can examine the effects of Islamophobia on international students and how it affects higher education, communities, and the economies.

Diversity Coordinator Training, Norma Victoria

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Restorative Justice Program in The Schools is an agency that helps students, facilities and family members resolve conflict in a restorative method and helps them understand the result of their actions. Historically, students of color continue to have a higher suspension rate than white students. Providing coordinators with answers to help students with their questions about race and ethnicity in the schools can help eliminate students' own misunderstandings that contribute to disputes that result in suspensions. The contributing factors are minimal parental engagement and implicit bias and discriminatory practices. The consequences include academic achievement gap and increased drop out …

County Compensation Proposal: Bridging Benefit Gaps For Employees, Danny Jaramillo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The National Guard and Reservists are members of the U.S. military who face wage loss due to their Inactive Training Duty (ITD). This issue stems from contributing factors such as an employer's lack of knowledge of service obligations, inadequate legal protections, and inadequate preparation for ITD. The lack of legal protections while service members attend mandatory training exacerbates their financial burden. These contributing factors lead to severe consequences, such as financial strain on service members. One of these financial strains is using vacation accrual hours to supplement income. Burnout, fatigue, and stress from a lack of paid leave can lead …

Community Benefits Awareness Presentations, Marlene Ramirez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Socioeconomic disadvantage significantly impacts educational outcomes, with 81% of Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) Alternative Education program students facing economic hardships. Serving youth in grades 9-12 and adults in Monterey County, including those within the county jail and juvenile facilities, the MCOE Alternative Education program strives to facilitate high school diploma attainment. This project sought to bridge the knowledge gap surrounding the Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKs benefit programs through presentations shared within the MCOE community and partner agencies. A partnership between MCOE and the Monterey County Department of Social Services (MCDSS) was established to further this goal. The anticipated …

Mentoring At-Risk Students, Ana Cecilia Muñoz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project entails a case management support intervention, providing one-to-one mentoring, academic assistance, and access to community resources for students at-risk of dropping out of High School. In Monterey County, there is a pressing issue: too many students are at risk of dropping out. Contributing factors encompassed socioeconomic disparities, inadequate resources and support services, as well as absenteeism and truancy. These factors pose significant risks for students' future prospects, potentially leading to unemployment and involvement in criminal activities. The project's expected outcome was to observe increased student attendance, improved grades, and consistency in completing activities on Edgenuity among students at-risk …

Allowing Latinx Students’ Voices To Be Heard, Sofie Jamieson

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

There are too many Latinx students falling behind academically, and coming to First Tee helped improve their academic performance. The First Tee of Monterey is a local non-profit organization that was established in 1997 and is based in Salinas, California primarily serving students who come from low-income backgrounds. The agency strives to support Latinx students who are fourth, fifth, and sixth grade who have a language barrier, not enough tutoring support, and not enough parent and teacher involvement. This increases the likelihood of dropout rates, mental health issues, and unemployment. Implementing an evaluation that the students can take part in …

Healthy Teen Dating Relationships, Thalia Hernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Teen dating violence has become a damaging issue in Salinas, California, which forces the community to find immediate solutions to prevent the devastating aftermath of this problem on adolescents. This paper provides ideas for solving this issue by designing the "That's Not Cool" social campaign that was created to maintain healthy relationships between teens. Coordinated with the STRYVE program of the County of Monterey Health Department, the plan was implemented in the Salinas City High School District, where the population is predominantly Hispanic or Latino. As a result of studies, poverty, cultural beliefs, and poor education have been identified as …

Pedestrian Safety: Crossing Language Barriers, Monica Corral

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The prevalence of accidental injuries among pedestrians in Monterey County has reached alarming levels, highlighting an urgent need for intervention to mitigate this issue. The contributing factors leading to this issue are the lack of infrastructure, lack of pedestrian education and language barriers. This significantly enhances the likelihood of a pedestrian being exposed to injuries, human suffering, and death. The County of Monterey Public Health Department has been granted funds by the California Office of Traffic Safety in an effort to implement initiatives aimed at reducing pedestrian-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities in Greenfield California. This project focused on developing a …

Benefits Of Alternative Assessment For College Students’ Academic Success And Mental Well-Being, Calista Gabriel

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Assessments play an imperative role in evaluating a student’s knowledge within the classroom. Traditionally, educators have relied on traditional assessments to measure students’ comprehension of course material. However, in contemporary education, there has been a shift towards alternative assessments for a variety of reasons. This senior capstone research project examines students’ and professors’ perspectives and how alternative assessments could affect them. Through the use of literature review, surveys with professors and students, and interviews, the findings underscore the importance of integrating alternative assessments in educational practices, not only for enhancing students’ academic success, but also for nurturing their mental well-being.

Fueling Performance: Tailored Nutrition Strategies For Female Athletes, Capri Pezzella

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project aims to explore the unique nutritional considerations for female athletes, with a focus on optimizing performance and addressing specific physiological needs. Through comprehensive research, the project will identify strategies for optimizing iron intake to prevent anemia, managing calcium and vitamin D for bone health, and addressing menstrual cycle-related changes in energy expenditure and nutrient needs. Practical recommendations will be made to help female athletes maximize their potential and support their overall health.

Voices From The Inside: Enhancing Co-Teaching Experiences Through Student Perspectives At 'Small University', Hope Brightman

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this capstone project, the researchers investigated how students in the credential program at ‘Small University’ on the coast of California viewed their co- teaching credential experience and what they think could be done to improve it. An evidence based argument is offered that co-teaching be improved to be more equitable for students. Considerations of the issue should include the perspectives of credential program students. Expected benefits included an opportunity for participants to reflect on the co-teaching credential program at “Small University” and provide concrete suggestions for improvement that may be translated into action. Three themes emerged from an analysis …

Effects Of Bullying On Elementary School Students, Deivid Joel Perez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In the United States there are many schools, no matter the grade level, who still to this day struggle with dealing with bullies in their schools. This is something that is very concerning especially at the elementary level due to the fact that they are experiencing very strong emotions at a young age. With this in mind, school members such as teachers and administrators need to come up with a solution to resolve or lower the chances students get bullied at their schools. Research has shown that bullying greatly affects students in many different ways that many wouldn't really think. …

Reimagining Inclusion: Shaping The Future Of Special Education Engagement, Sulema Fernandez-Castillo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this Capstone Project, the researchers investigated how special education teachers, general education teachers, and a behavioral technician at Landscape Elementary view student engagement and what they think could be done to improve it. This is important because students with special needs deserve quality education that revolves around equity. It is argued that special education teachers require increased support that empowers them to effectively engage students and promote their learning. The primary stakeholder perspectives chosen were three general education teachers, two special education teachers, and one behavioral technician, because they all have experience in working with students with special needs. …

Self-Care Techniques To Decrease Special Education Teacher Burnout, Carrie Frost

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focal topic of my capstone project is special education teacher burnout and how self-care techniques can reduce the likelihood of chronic stress and burnout. The challenges of being a special education teacher include but are not limited to, various disabilities and behaviors, lack of classroom and administration support, and overall management. Research conducted by Emery and Vandenberg (2010) stated that special education teachers often experience burnout, which commonly leads to employee attrition. Burnout and the personal stress that comes with it are the biggest contributors to the shortage of qualified special educators throughout the United States. Their challenges involve …

The Good, The Bad, And The In Between: The Effects Of Covid-19 And Remote Learning, Samantha Anastasio

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This Capstone Project delves into the perspectives of Bay High School teachers regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning on students' education. Through a thorough analysis of interviews and relevant research, the study aims to address and mitigate the learning setbacks experienced by students during this challenging period. With a focus on the two-year learning gap caused by remote learning and school closures, the researchers highlight the significance of understanding teachers' firsthand experiences and insights. They argue that the implementation of effective tutoring programs emerges as the most promising approach to bridge the education gap and support …

The Forgotten Subject: Pe And The Power Of People, Shea Franklin

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project focused on student engagement in PE at the middle school level. Student engagement is so meaningful because even though physical education is supposed to educate kids to be physically active while being active in practice, quite the opposite is happening. Middle school is the point at which students begin to lose interest in PE, viewing it as repetitive and pointless, which is why it is so essential to make this forgotten subject fun again. After survey and interviewing students and staff members participating in physical education at a local middle school in Marina, three themes emerged from the …

The Outdoor Classroom: Integrating The Outdoors Into The Classroom, Wendy Ramirez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This Capstone Project explores the potential benefits of outdoor learning in enhancing student engagement and hopefully reducing the negative effects of excessive screen time. The researcher obtained the perspectives of teachers, a principal, and a director of an outdoor education organization from “Golden Eagle Elementary” to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue. The study's findings, combined with an analysis of relevant research literature, underscore the significance of outdoor learning in preventing developmental delays and fostering a healthy learning environment. To advocate for change and raise awareness, the researcher utilized their findings to engage various stakeholders, emphasizing the positive outcomes …

Nuestro Futuro: Exploring Perspectives About Cultivating Bilingual & Bicultural Latinx Educators In California, Jaime Garcia Ramirez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In response to the nationwide effort to cultivate, recruit, and retain qualified bilingual and bicultural Latinx teachers and the growing demand for bilingual education in California, this qualitative study explores the perceptions of teacher educators at University X. The research considers the significant presence of emergent bilingual learners (EBLs), the increasing Latinx population, teacher shortages, and high attrition rates. The study aims to investigate how University X educators and teachers perceive initiatives designed to increase the number of bilingual and bicultural Latinx educators and their suggestions for improvement. Through a comprehensive analysis of collected data and an extensive review of …

Increasing Preschool Children’S Scientific Inquiry, Dianna Leon

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focused on increasing scientific inquiry in young children. The problem that exists is that there is not enough focus on scientific learning in preschool settings compared to school settings with older age groups. According to Dejarnette (2018), young children can learn about science and are naturally curious, making them natural scientists. Science curriculum has many benefits for children, such as the development of observation, documentation, investigation, communication, and literacy skills. Science curriculum can create curiosity and enjoyment in young children while they learn about the world around them, creating a lifelong interest in learning (Larimore, 2020). Exciting …

Bullying Prevention In A Preschool Setting, Audrey Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on anti-bullying and bullying prevention in early childhood education settings. Bullying is something that plagues schools across America. However, bullying in an early education setting can be difficult to distinguish because it can be misinterpreted as children discovering how to express negative emotions. According to Saracho (2016), preventing bullying in a preschool setting is important because it is a child’s first social environment outside the home. Educating children on bullying and how to prevent it in an early education setting is important because this is their first experience with peers and potential conflicts amongst these peers. …

Informing Adolescents About Potential Internet Risks And Tools For Safely Navigating Online Spaces, Rhiannon Jean Elliot

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on digital safety for adolescents who have already been or are accessing online spaces for the first time. Adolescents today have been growing up in the age of technology and are likely to have had access to digital devices, such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and gaming consoles, from a much younger age than previous generations. Today, 96% of teens in the U.S. say they use the internet daily, with about 95% of teens reporting having a smartphone (Faverio & Sidoti, 2024). With adolescents accessing the internet more often, they must understand the risks they may encounter …