Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Personality, Motivation, And Internet Gaming Disorder: Understanding The Addiction, Kristy L. Carlisle

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examined the relationships among personality traits, motivation for play, and Internet gaming disorder in a diverse sample of Internet gamers, using a group correlational design and path analysis. The researcher sampled participants who self-identify as Internet gamers by posting invitations to participate in the study on Internet forums, as well as by accessing the gaming population at Pokémon Go hotspots. The study used valid and reliable instruments: The Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGD-10), the abbreviated form of the Big Five Inventory (BFI-10), and the Motivation to Play Online Games Questionnaire (MPOGQ). Data analysis included descriptive statistics related …

Dental Hygienists' Perspectives On Four Periodontal Instrument Handle Designs, Susan L. Tolle, Jessica Suedbeck, Gayle M. Mccombs, Martha L. Walker

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Problem: Developing new instrument designs to address the ergonomics of instrumentation and to decrease repetitive strain injuries in the dental hygienist is an ongoing area of development. Changing the weight and diameter of instrument handles has been suggested to reduce risk for trauma in the practitioner but minimal research has been conducted to determine design preferences of practicing dental hygienists. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess dental hygienists opinions on the weight, diameter, balance and maneuverability of four different instrument handles. Methodology: After IRB approval, a convenience sample of 27 practicing dental hygienists from Virginia participated in …

An Exploratory Factor Analysis Examining Experiences And Perceptions Of Campus Safety For International Students, Sonia H. Ramrakhiani

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Although international students make up a significant percentage of the college population and contribute to higher education institutions in multiple ways, a lack of attention is paid to their safety needs. This dissertation examined the experiences and perceptions of campus safety among international college/university students in the United States. The researcher sampled participants from different institutions around the country, who self-identified as international students. A researcher-developed 53-item Likert scale questionnaire, International Students’ Safety Questionnaire (ISSQ), was administered to the sample. Findings from the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) provided evidence for the four-factor solution for the 26-item ISSQ accounting for 48.65% …

Exploring The Relationship Between Depression And Resilience In Survivors Of Childhood Trauma, Marquis A. Norton

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Although experiences of trauma are common, reactions vary due to a host of biopsychosocial and cultural factors that influence the individual reaction to the trauma (Nakai et al., 2015). One such factor is resiliency, the capability to adapt in adverse environmental circumstances (Basim & Cetin, 2011). This study used hierarchical multiple regression to examine the relationships between childhood trauma, recent experiences of depression, and resilience in adult university students. This study also examined the possible moderating effects on depression by resilience. Participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience scale, and PROMIS Depression survey. Small significant relationships were found for …

Sleep Disorders And Kidney Transplant Outcomes: Findings From An 18-Year (1997-2015) Historical Cohort Study, Margaret M. Lubas

Health Services Research Dissertations

A historic cohort study of kidney transplant recipients with a failed graft was conducted to examine the associations between sleep disorders and kidney transplant outcomes. Adult kidney transplant recipients who were transplanted and failed or died with a functioning graft during the designated study time period (January 1, 1997 to September 1, 2015, inclusive) were included (n=299). The primary independent variables, any sleep disorder and any sleep-disordered breathing disorders, were defined through a diagnosis in a subject’s medical record. Transplant outcomes included: death with a functioning graft, graft survival time, and patient survival time after graft failure.

Chi-square statistics were …

Establishing The Psychometric Properties Of The Understanding Mental Health Scale: A Dissertation Study, Michael Thomas Kalkbrenner

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation study was to validate the Understanding Mental Health Scale (UMHS). The UMHS is a 50-item questionnaire that was designed to measure college students’ awareness of mental health issues. To test the psychometric properties of the UHMS, a principal axis factor (PAF) analysis with an oblique rotation was conducted using an existing data set of 350 college students. Results revealed a two-factor structure underlying college students’ understanding of mental health issues. The factors were named risk-factor awareness (familiarity with warning signs of mental health issues) and resource awareness (knowledge of resources for mental health issues). A …

The Relationship Between Trauma Exposure And College Student Adjustment: Factors Of Resilience As A Mediator, Amber Leih Jolley

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Adjustment to college is an important developmental task for students entering institutions of higher education. More than half of students who enter college report exposure to a potentially traumatic event (PTE), with many students reporting multiple event exposure (Banyard & Cantor, 2004). Many students adjust well to college despite experiencing PTEs, suggesting that certain factors may mitigate the effects of exposure. This study utilized archival data to explore the relationship between the type of PTE, accumulation of PTEs, underlying factors of resilience, and adjustment to college in a national sample of treatment-seeking college students. The data were analyzed using hierarchical …

The Role Of Self-Care And Hardiness In Moderating Burnout In Mental Health Counselors, Traci Danielle Richards

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

This study explored the relationship between self-care, hardiness, and burnout in a sample of mental health counselors using a hierarchical multiple regression. Additionally, the relationship between hardiness, identity characteristics, and job factors was explored using a Pearson’s correlation and MANOVA. The study used valid and reliable instruments: the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to assess burnout and the Dispositional Resilience Scale (DRS) to assess hardiness. Results of a hierarchical multiple regression indicated that hardiness accounts for more of the variance in predicting burnout than self-care. Significant predictors of burnout include age, job satisfaction, self-care frequency, and hardiness. Data collected for this …

Understanding The Experiences Of Women With Anorexia Nervosa Who Complete An Exposure Therapy Protocol In A Naturalistic Setting, Gina B. Polychronopoulos

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a serious mental health concern in the United States, with the highest mortality rate of all mental disorders. Females comprise the vast majority of people with AN, although the number of males with the condition is rising. Anorexia Nervosa has a high relapse rate and is often enduring, which makes it challenging to treat successfully; therefore, the mental health profession is in need of innovative therapeutic approaches. Exposure therapy has a growing evidence base for the treatment of eating disorders, including AN; however, there are very few studies that explore body image/mirror exposure specifically in patients …

Individual And Store Characteristics Associated With Brand Choices In Select Food Category Redemptions Among Wic Participants In Virginia, Qi Zhang, Chuanyi Tang, Patrick W. Mclaughlin, Leigh Diggs

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) often allows participants to redeem food benefits for various brands at different costs. To aid the program’s food cost containment efforts, it is important to understand the individual and store characteristics associated with brand choices. This study used the WIC Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) data for 239,062 Virginia WIC participants’ brand choices in infant fruits and vegetables (F&Vs) and whole grain bread in May 2014–February 2015, one of the first such data sets available in the U.S. for research purposes. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to analyze …

Electrotransfer Of Plasmid Dna Radiosensitizes B16f10 Tumors Through Activation Of Immune Response, Richard Heller

School of Medical Diagnostics & Translational Sciences Publications

Background
Tumor irradiation combined with adjuvant treatments, either vascular targeted or immunomodulatory, is under intense investigation. Gene electrotransfer of therapeutic genes is one of these approaches. The aim of this study was to determine, whether gene electrotransfer of plasmid encoding shRNA for silencing endoglin, with vascular targeted effectiveness, can radiosensitize melanoma B16F10 tumors.

Materials and methods
The murine melanoma B16F10 tumors, growing on the back of C57Bl/6 mice, were treated by triple gene electrotransfer and irradiation. The antitumor effect was evaluated by determination of tumor growth delay and proportion of tumor free mice. Furthermore, histological analysis of tumors (necrosis, apoptosis, …

Ticks Elicit Variable Fibrinogenolytic Activities Upon Feeding On Hosts With Different Immune Backgrounds, Ashish Vora, Vikas Taank, John F. Anderson, Durland Fish, Daniel E. Sonenshine, John D. Catravas, Hameeda Sultana, Girish Neelakanta

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Ticks secrete several anti-hemostatic factors in their saliva to suppress the host innate and acquired immune defenses against infestations. Using Ixodes scapularis ticks and age-matched mice purchased from two independent commercial vendors with two different immune backgrounds as a model, we show that ticks fed on immunodeficient animals demonstrate decreased fibrinogenolytic activity in comparison to ticks fed on immunocompetent animals. Reduced levels of D-dimer (fibrin degradation product) were evident in ticks fed on immunodeficient animals in comparison to ticks fed on immunocompetent animals. Increased engorgement weights were noted for ticks fed on immunodeficient animals in comparison to ticks fed on …

The Social Income Inequality, Social Integration And Health Status Of Internal Migrants In China, Yanwei Lin, Qi Zhang, Wen Chen, Li Ling

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background: To examine the interaction between social income inequality, social integration, and health status among internal migrants (IMs) who migrate between regions in China.

Methods: We used the data from the 2014 Internal Migrant Dynamic Monitoring Survey in China, which sampled 15,999 IMs in eight cities in China. The Gini coefficient at the city level was calculated to measure social income inequality and was categorized into low (0.2 < Gini <= 0.3), medium (0.3 < Gini <= 0.4), high (0.4 < x < = 0.5), and very high (Gini > 0.5). Health status was measured based upon self-reported health, subjective well-being, and perceptions of stress and mental health. Social integration was measured from four perspectives (acculturation and integration willingness, social insurance, economy, …

Assessment Of Current Occupational Safety And Health Regulations And Legislation In The Caribbean, Muge Akpinar-Elci, Myngoc Nguyen, Marvin Randall, Satesh Bidaisee, Omur Elci, Olaniyi Olayinka

Center for Global Health Publications

Neglecting occupational safety and health (OSH) can have adverse and even deadly consequences. While OSH is important in any nation, the issue is particularly concerning in developing countries, including ones in the Caribbean. The purpose of this study, which was carried out in 2012 and 2013, was to examine the reasons for an apparent fundamental lack of awareness of OSH in the Caribbean. We conducted a descriptive study, in which a questionnaire was administered, via telephone, to key policy-making representatives from six English-speaking Caribbean nations, in order to assess the current OSH environment in their countries. We also did a …

Life In Hampton Roads Survey Press Release #2: Police, Race Relations And Attitudes Regarding The Homeless And Mentally Ill In Hampton Roads, Social Science Research Center, Old Dominion University

Life in Hampton Roads Survey Report

[Introductory paragraph]

This report examines regional and sub-regional perceptions of crime and police from the 2017 Life In Hampton Roads survey (LIHR 2017) conducted by the Old Dominion University Social Science Research Center. Data from prior years is also provided when available to show comparisons in responses over time. Responses were weighted by city population, race, age, gender, and phone usage (cell versus land-line) to be representative of the Hampton Roads region.

Introduction: Nursing Research Project Posters, Jamela Martin, Janice Evans Hawkins

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Nursing 363, Principles of Practice: Research as Foundation for Practice, is a required course in the undergraduate nursing curriculum at Old Dominion University. This course, offered every spring, focuses on the theories and concepts utilized in the scientific investigation of nursing practice. Students are introduced to scientific inquiry in nursing which forms the basis for nursing practice and theory. To meet course requirements, student groups create professional scientific research posters of their research proposal projects. What follows is a compilation of their research posters which were presented at the College of Health Sciences Interprofessional Poster Presentation day in the spring …

Examining The Attitudes And Knowledge Of Pregnant Teens On The Topic Of Sids, Delani Beilsmith, Emily Garzon, Maurice Jones, Erika Jurist, Catherine Knapp, Nicole Page, Ashley Smith, Courtney Wagner

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Background: Norfolk has the second highest teen pregnancy rate and third highest infant mortality rate in Southeastern Virginia. SIDS is the third leading cause of infant death in Virginia. Providing a group education intervention modeled after centering pregnancy gives teen mothers the opportunity to learn and receive support in a safe space in hopes of making a positive impact on their attitudes and knowledge regarding SIDS.

Hypothesis: Do the attitudes and knowledge of pregnant teens and recent teen mothers change positively after a group education intervention on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Method: Quasi-experimental non-randomized group trial. …

The Effect Of Prenatal Breastfeeding Classes On The Initiation Rate And Duration Of Breastfeeding, Rebecca Rupnarine, Sarah Hall, Jasmine Harris, Sarah Mariano, Kelley Everhart, Christen Hansel, Arianne Kris Eichas

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Aim: To determine whether an educational prenatal breastfeeding class will increase the initiation rate and duration of breastfeeding among mothers.

Background: Breastfeeding rates continue to be low, particularly among teenage mothers and nonwhite mothers. Some of the factors that contribute to this are social support, education about breastfeeding, social stigmas, and time.

Significance: Breastfeeding can provide many positive benefits to mothers, babies, and communities. Having no breastfeeding education makes women less likely to initiate and maintain breastfeeding.

Methods: Correlational quasi-experimental design. Prenatal breastfeeding class lasting 8 weeks prior to childbirth. Phone interview at 1 week postpartum …

Exploring Community-Based Nutrition Education Programs On Children’S Knowledge Of Effective Budgeting And Nutritional Analysis, Danielle Beard, Katie Harris, Charlotte Harrison, Amanda Hawley, Kerri Healy, Ashley Tuttle

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Children from low-income areas, ages 5-18, are at high risk for obesity and other related nutritional issues, partially due to lack of knowledge about effective budgeting and nutritional content analysis. Little information is known about the education provided by current community programs in Hampton Roads for teaching children to 1) shop smart, 2) read nutrition labels, and 3) the importance of eating healthier. We propose a longitudinal (12-week) observational study to determine what community-based education is provided to children on how and why to shop smart and read nutritional content; and to determine whether or not the education is effective. …

Impact Of After-School Activities On Meeting Cdc Requirements In Virginian Adolescents, Dorcas Bentil, Leah Crouch, Vignette Kaltsas, Christina Luchau, Phoebe Wallen, Lily Zheng

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Aim: To assess the correlation between after-school program attendance and meeting the Center for Disease Control (CDC) requirement of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day.

Background: Less than 50% of all children meet the CDC required amount of MVPA.1

Methods: Survey provided to 350 students in grades 6-12 describing participation in after-school programs

Analysis: We will analyze how many students participate in the after-school programs and how long those programs dedicate to physical exercise. We will also analyze what type of exercise is performed.

Limitations: We are limited to the …

Effectiveness Of Interactive, Collaborative Vs. Traditional, Lecture-Based Educational Interventions For Adolescents In Low-Income Areas To Increase Knowledge Regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections, Nelan Tagra, Maia Jimenez, Christina Benedicto, Christopher Tucker, Gerrard Norman, Charmein Harris, Stephanie Green

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Aim: To assess whether teens who live in low-income areas who participate in interactive, collaborative sexually transmitted infections (STI) prevention education will have a significant increase in learning outcomes in comparison to students who participate in a traditional, lecture-based approach.

Background: More STIs are reported each year. Among those infected, young people are of the highest incidence at 50% of new STIs in the US annually. High STI incidence is an unintended health outcome as a result of engaging in risky sexual behaviors. This highlights the need to improve STI education among adolescents.

Methods: A quasi-experimental method …

Impact Of Social Activities On Healthy Aging In Community-Dwelling Adults, Karen Perry, Carl Rojas, Michelle Ross, Sutarto Soeng, Shana Williams, Rachel Jones, Jordan Kaoudis

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Humans are highly social beings which is evidenced by our desire to continually establish social relationships with each other. Healthy social relationships promote engagement in social activities and provide access to social support which greatly benefits overall health outcomes. In our research study, we provide an overview of the impact of social activities on the quality of life among nursing home residents (65+) and evaluate different aspects of social relationships on various health, physiological and psychological functioning. Evidence suggests that a level of social engagement increases life satisfaction and is also associated with a lower risk of physiological dysregulation while …

Research Proposal: The Effects Of Therapeutic Interventions On Illicit Drug Abuse Among Homeless Adolescents, Alice Baillio, Meghan Stanley, Sarah Kroupa, Rania Ajaj, Paige Rabidoux

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Aim: To compare case management versus community-based therapy on illicit drug abuse among homeless adolescents

Background: Homeless adolescents are at high risk for illicit drug abuse.

Methods:

• A quasi-experimental, multiple baseline time series design

• 52 sessions over a 12-month period

• Baseline assessment and survey on demographics

• Follow-up: closed-ended questionnaire (every four months)

Analysis: Repeated ANOVA test and dependent t-test

Limitations: Lack of recent evidence-based research, a small sample size, self-report data, and length of the study.

Efficacy Of Formal Training And Education On Foster Child Abuse In Newly Hired Nurses, Andrea Jefferson, Caroline Stascavage, Nico Foronda, Michael Andrews, Brillant Ngoune, Rudolfo Agustin

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Foster care child abuse cases are more prevalent in the United States. Evidence suggests a significant gap between self reports of abuse and reports by health professionals. 120 nurses will be selected to participate in formal training. A time series design will be used to test the participant’s knowledge before, immediately after, and six months after the formal training. The data collected will be analyzed using descriptive statistics for demographic variables and an one-way ANOVA test will determine significant differences among group scores. Limitations to the study include accessibility to sample size, turnover of participants, the self reporting nature of …

The Effect Of Community Health Education On Respiratory Illnesses In Children Living In Under-Heated Homes, Allora Vico, Daisy Estep, Raynee Hamilton, Ruby Melton, Zhanna Gelman

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of community health teaching focused on the importance of increasing home temperature in order to reduce respiratory symptoms and disease. Studies exists that prove that under-heated homes cause high-risk for children to develop respiratory illnesses. Our methods include a pretest-posttest which will be used to evaluate the learning of the parents. An adapted Health Belief Model survey using a standard Likert scale will also be used. Analysis will be conducted using demographic information and reported using descriptive data. Survey data will be reported using inferential data and analyzed with a matched t-test to …

Missed School Days: A Correlational Study Between Children With Asthma And Presence Of School Nurses, Shea Brodeur, Caitlyn O’Connor, Rebekah Synowietz, Carrie Carson, Olubukola Goboze, Cierra Patterson

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Currently, there is a lack of research on the relationship between full-time nurse presence in schools and absenteeism among school-aged children with asthma. The purpose of this paper is to determine the correlation between the amount of time school-aged children are absent and the amount of time a school nurse is absent. A nonexperimental quantitative descriptive correlational study will be conducted with 14 randomly selected participating schools in the Chesapeake public school district. Each school will receive a questionnaire inquiring about the number of asthmatic children enrolled in the school, number of absences of said children, weekly hours the school …

Nutritional Status Of Food Insecure Older Adults, Chelsie Walker, Lindsey Asbury, Javier Way, Brent Johnson, Alex Biddle, Courtney Wagner

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Approximately 9.8 million seniors across America were at risk of going hungry in 2015. The percentage of seniors who faced the threat of hunger was equivalent to the percentage of seniors compared with the whole population of the United States. The prevalence rate of hypertension, which contributes to heart attacks and strokes, is over 50%, and the prevalence rate of diabetes is over 25% in seniors. Both heart disease and diabetes are among the top 10 leading causes of death in America with heart disease being number one. Appropriate dieting is recommended as a way to prevent and treat both …

Impact Of After-School Activities On Meeting Cdc Requirements In Virginian Adolescents, Dorcas Bentil, Leah Crouch, Vignette Kaltsas, Christina Luchau, Phoebe Wallen, Lily Zheng

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Aim: To assess the correlation between after-school program attendance and meeting the Center for Disease Control (CDC) requirement of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day.

Background: Less than 50% of all children meet the CDC required amount of MVPA.1

Methods: Survey provided to 350 students in grades 6-12 describing participation in after-school programs

Analysis: We will analyze how many students participate in the after-school programs and how long those programs dedicate to physical exercise. We will also analyze what type of exercise is performed.

Limitations: We are limited to the …

Targeted Educational Interventions To Increase Knowledge And Influence Attitudes About Nutritional Concepts In School-Aged Children, Chelsea Weaks, Ashley Montoya, Angela Nelson, Shivanee Sathia, Rachael Evans, Jessica Siechman, Caroline Crilley

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Good nutritional habits have been linked to increased overall health and wellness, therefore working with children has the greatest impact on their overall lifestyle and lifelong habits. Nutritional interventions decrease the risk of future health complications that can result in premature death. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge base of school-aged children sampled from an existing after-school nutrition education program and measure the efficacy of an additional two-step intervention. Our two-step intervention includes a content knowledge educational intervention on day one and a play-based learning intervention on day two to allow for knowledge acquisition and subsequent application of knowledge …

The Effect Of A Drinking Water Education Program On The Threat Perception Of Nitrate Contaminated Water By Pregnant Women, Beatrice Asomani, Yedda Descalo, Meliss Dillard, Brandy Hudgins, Caitlin Niblick, Kristina Wall

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of a drinking water education program in a rural community on the perceived threat of nitrate-contaminated water by pregnant women. The proposed study aims to reach out to at least 120 pregnant women in their first trimester. Data will be collected using a Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) scale pretest and posttest that will gauge pregnant women’s perceived threat of nitrate-contaminated drinking water before and after the education program. The data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A paired sample t-test will be used to determine the effects of …