Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Stress Reduction: A Neighborhood Introduction, Barbara D. Johnson

Master's Projects

Responding to reported health concerns a stress reduction program was developed for residents of an urban Latino neighborhood struggling with poverty, crime, and limited access to healthcare. The revised Health Promotion Model (HPM) was used as a framework (Pender, 1996). A qualitative study testing a 5-week Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention was imbedded into the program 18 months after its implementation. Utilizing a pre/post test design participants were predicted to demonstrate significant reductions in post-intervention mean scores for 3 self-report measures, the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, General Sleep Disturbance Scale, and a modified Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. A 91% drop …

The Cost Of Negative Perceptions Of The Work Environment Among Intermediate Intensive Care Unit Nurses, Joselyn Peralta

Master's Projects

This descriptive study assessed the perceptions of the work environment and the retention plans among registered nurses (RNs) who worked in the Intermediate Intensive Care Unit at a tertiary university hospital. Results from the Moos Work Environment Scale found that nurses perceived high levels of work pressure and low levels of clarity, coworker cohesion, and supervisor support. Results indicated that the intent to leave the unit was dependent on the nurses having other options in nursing, desiring further education, an undesirable scheduling process and unsafe patient care. The direct and indirect costs to hospitals could be offset by developing strategies …

Variability In Selecting Lateral Cephalometric Landmarks In Two Cbct Image Modes, Dana Nguyen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the variability of lateral cephalometric landmark selection in two cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) lateral cephalometric simulations: 1) a mean projection image (MPI) and 2) a serial sagittal slice image (SSSI).

Methods: A MPI is a two-dimensional (2D) image obtained from the NewTom 3G^TM CBCT that resembles the conventional lateral cephalogram. A SSSI is a 2D image also obtained from CBCT data, but is created by superimposing a series of selected thin sagittal slices containing the required cephalometric landmarks. This study compared the Ricketts and Steiner analysis of the MPI …

An Art Therapy Intervention To Help Military Children Cope With Parental Deployment, Eleanor Kai Lampell

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Research regarding military children and their ability to cope with parental deployment is extensive. However, research dealing with art therapy and military children is limited. The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits of participating in group art therapy interventions for military children with a parent currently on deployment. Five group art therapy sessions were conducted with two military children with a parent currently in stage two of parental deployment. It was hypothesized that through participating in group art therapy, military children with a parent who is currently deployed would have a reduction of problematic behaviors in a …

Recognition Of Depression In Primary Care Settings: The Influence Of Patient Age And Gender On Patient Care, Kelly Marie Monette

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Depression is a common condition that is often poorly detected in primary care medical settings. The elderly often fail to receive appropriate attention to their mental health needs, possibly due to physician's interpretation of physical and emotional changes as part of the normal aging process. The purpose of this study was to explore physicians' identification of depression and to determine whether age-related factors and gender impact recommendations for patient care. The respondents were full-time primary care physicians (N = 46; 63% male) who were randomly selected from a national listing of family medicine practitioners and primary care physicians (family medicine, …

Functional Ankle Instability Does Not Effect The Average Center Of Pressure Position In The Coronal Plane, Jessica A. Presnell

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Context: It is not known if functionally unstable ankles have a different medial to lateral center of pressure placement compared to the contralateral uninjured limb. Objective: To compare the average medial/lateral position of the center of pressure, from the midline of the foot, in functionally unstable ankles to the contralateral uninjured ankle. Design: A 1 X 2 within subject design guided this study. The independent variable was ankle health (functional ankle instability or uninjured). Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-six, physically-active, volunteers who suffer from unilateral functional ankle instability (F AI) [M: 10 F: 16 age: 21±2.1 y ht: …

The Effects Of Existential Attribution And Religiousness/Spirituality On Well-Being In Hiv Patients, Amy N. Huggins-Rieke

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

HIV is a serious illness that has received considerable attention in research literature addressing the implications of religiousness/spirituality on coping with this illness. Past research indicates that an individual's level of guilt over having contracted HIV is associated with feelings of stigmatization and suffering, which can influence his 111 or her wellbeing in coping with the illness. The current study seeks to investigate the relationship between feelings of responsibility for illness (attributions) and engagement with religiousness/spiritual meaning as a coping resource. It is hypothesized that the use of existential attribution will moderate the relationship between an individual's religiousness/spirituality and his …

Depression, Anxiety, Hazardous Drinking, Subjective Burden, And Rewards In Family Caregivers Of Patients With Chronic Liver Disease, Lois Vennesta Bolden

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

This descriptive correlation study had three purposes. The study first described depressive and anxiety symptom levels, prevalence of hazardous drinking, rewards, and subjective burden reported by family caregivers of patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Second, the investigator compared depressive and anxiety symptom levels, prevalence of hazardous drinking, rewards, and subjective burden reported by African Americans family caregivers with those reported by Caucasian family caregivers of patients with CLD. The third purpose was to determine the predictors of subjective burden and mental health status of family caregivers of persons with CLD.

A convenience sample of 73 caregivers of patients receiving …

Patterns Of Relationship Satisfaction And Sexual Behavior As A Function Of Pornography Use Among College Men, Joel David Deloy

Theses and Dissertations

Recent research on sexually explicit materials (SEM), or pornography, has expanded from a focus on sexual violence, and aggression, towards the examination of the influence of SEM on other relationship factors. Available information on how males involved in a romantic relationship use SEM has been limited, and the effect of SEM use on relationship satisfaction and sexual behavior is not well understood. This study examined 245 college men who completed self-report measures of relationship satisfaction, core relationship variables (autonomy, affection, conflict resolution, intimacy, and equality) and SEM use patterns. All participants were in significant romantic relationships of at least three …

Youth Soccer Intervention For Childhood Overweight In Mississippi, Robert A. Leach D.C.

MSN Research Projects

The scourge of childhood obesity in Mississippi threatens to undermine progress made in other national health goals espoused by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Community-based youth sport activities, and specifically soccer, may lower Body Mass Index (BMI) and have the potential to provide the vigorous physical activity preventive and intervention indicated by studies to date, especially given the explosive growth o f the sport in the US recently among females. After gaining approval from the Starkville School Board, access to FitnessGram data of all 4^^ grade students at a public school was obtained and data revealed 57 female students …

Beholding The Beauty Of Self: The Psychological Integration Of The Afrocentric-Self Among African-American Females Socialized In A Eurocentric Aesthetic, Donna Lynn Cook Phd

Dissertations

Self-esteem and body image disturbances prominently figure into many physical and psychological health disorders such as depression, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and chemical dependency. In Euro-American culture, media images of femininity and physical attractiveness reinforce generally held perceptions of the idealized female beauty as tall, white, slender, and often blond and blue eyed. The physical morphology of African-American women does not genetically "fit" this westernized standard of beauty with implications for their mental health. The socialization of African-American women in a culture that embraces a different ethnic standard of beauty influences their perceptions of how physically attractive they see themselves. …

What Are They Saying: Voices From The Inner City? Lived Experience Of Inner City African American Adolescents With Asthma, Othello Childress Phd

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the lived experience of African-American adolescents with asthma who reside in an inner city community. The research in this area of interest is sparse, yet the morbidity and mortality rates related to asthma within the African-American population are greater than the general population. This study offers the experience of living with asthma from the perspective of the young African-American adolescent. Using phenomenological methodology, the nurse researcher selected 13 African-American adolescents; aged 12 to 15, who reside and attend middle school in the inner city. All of the participants had a confirmed medical …

Parental Involvement In Youth Sports, Kristin Leigh Greene

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this paper is to understanding the motivating factors pertaining to the involvement of youth in sport and how parents can assist in providing their children optimal sport experiences. The paper will begin by providing a background of youth sport involvement, and include the benefits and drawbacks of youth sport participation. To ensure that young athletes are positively motivated toward sport participation, it is important to understand their reasons for participation, as well as how others, such as parents, impact their motivation toward sport. This paper will address a number of motivational theories. Deci and Ryan's cognitive evaluation …

Defining Health And Health-Related Behaviors Following A Near-Death Experience, Suzanne C. Robertson Phd

Dissertations

While broad categories of health and influences on definitions of health have been identified, the process through which adults define and re-define health has not been researched. The purpose of this study was to investigate the process of defining health and appropriate health-related behaviors following a near-death experience (NDE) as an adult and to articulate a grounded theory of decision-making. Five men and 15 women from the United States and United Kingdom were interviewed and the data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. The basic social process was I Still Had to Go Through the Process of Understanding. Understanding …

In Vitro Evaluation Of The Reciprocating Disposable Prophylaxis Angle Versus The Rotating Disposable Prophylaxis Angle In Extrinsic Stain Removal Effectiveness, Inma Lacross

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the extrinsic tooth stain removing effectiveness of a 90° counter-rotating disposable prophylaxis angle (DPA) with rubber cup as compared to the traditional 360° unirotational DPA with rubber cup. Four randomly assigned groups of cleaned, sterilized, extracted human teeth, artificially stained with coffee, tea, tobacco, and red wine were polished on the buccal and lingual surfaces using one of the two rubber cup DP As under study. Each dependent variable (four different stain types) was tested four times with each prophylaxis angle, using each of the four prophylaxis paste conditions, and three different …

Characterization Of Β-Lactam Resistant Pandemic Serotypes Of Vibrio Cholerae Isolated From Ships' Ballast Tanks And Coastal Waters, Amanda Lynn Goodrich

OES Theses and Dissertations

Vibrio cholerae serotypes 01 and 0139 are responsible for world-wide epidemics of cholera. These pandemic causing strains must possess genes that encode for the cholera toxin (CTX) and toxin co-regulated pili (TCP) in order to infect their hosts. In this study, 284 isolates of Vibrio cholerae from ballast and coastal waters were serotyped, with 11 % testing positive for serotype 01 and 21 % testing positive for serotype 0139. PCR assays were used to detect the presence of ctxA and tcpA genes in all positive isolates, none of which contained ctxA while 2% of the isolates contained tcpA. The 01 …

Vital Tooth Whitening: Effects On Tooth Color Satisfaction, Beliefs About Dentofacial Appearance, And Self-Esteem In Older Adults, Kelly Marie Seeber

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of vital tooth whitening on tooth color satisfaction, beliefs about dentofacial appearance, and self-esteem in a population 50 years of age and older. A two-group, randomized, pre-test, post-test, single-blind design was utilized following !RB-approval. Sixty-two participants were enrolled. Fifty-three participants (N=53) completed the study with no adverse events reported. Both the control and experimental groups received instructions for a threeweek oral self-care regimen, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. The experimental group also received a tooth whitening product (independent variable) to be used during the same three-week period. Dependent variable measures …

Investigation Of The Effects Of A Rapid Response Team On Nurse Satisfaction, Collaboration, And Communication, Jacob William Ainsworth

Masters Theses

The positive effects of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) on clinical outcomes are well known; however little is known about the effects of the RRT on the registered nurses (RNs) who utilize it. The purpose of this study was to a) examine the overall perceptions of nurses on satisfaction, collaboration, and communication and b) explore the differences in perceptions of satisfaction, collaboration, and communication between RNs who have utilized the RRT versus those who have not using a descriptive design. Data were collected by questionnaires from a sample of 340 RNs who worked at a midwestem institution. The results indicated a …

The Effects Of Ultrashort Pulsed Electric Fields On The Fluorescent Molecule Bodipy Fl C5 Ceramide, Rachael Sara Shevin

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Nanosecond pulsed electric fields are able to manipulate internal cell organelles by taking advantage of the small but finite time required for charge to establish across a capacitive barrier. Pulsed electric fields also affect macromolecular structures such as enzymes and proteins. Application of a single nanosecond pulsed electric field decreases the fluorescence of a commercially available biological dye Bodipy FL C₅ Ceramide, used to observe the Golgi apparatus of living cells. The effect is seen when the fluorophore is exposed to an electric field both in vitro and when incorporated into the Golgi of a living Jurkat cell. Observation …

Adolescent Craniofacial Morphology Associated With Degenerative Joint Disease, Byron Diehl

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this retrospective research was to evaluate the association of degenerative joint disease (DJD) on the skeletal and dental patterns of affected adolescent individuals. The T1 lateral cephalometric radiographs of 48 subjects were reviewed, consisting of 18 subjects with DJD and 25 subjects without DJD. The age of subjects ranged between 10 - 17 years with a mean age of 13 years. Linear and angular cephalometric measurements were taken to evaluate the skeletal, denture base and dental characteristics of the two groups. Overall, there were 24 variables chosen to represent the cranial base, maxillary jaw position, mandibular jaw …

Religious Belief, Coping, And Mental Health In Seventh-Day Adventists, Luther E. Davis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The present study examines religious belief, coping style, and social support influences on psychological adjustment in 401 Seventh-day Adventists. Based on cross cultural psychology guidelines, Adventist Sabbath and eschatology belief measures were created and integrated into a religious coping framework. Sabbath and eschatology belief measures, the brief RCOPE, two social support scales, and the Medical Outcomes Study Mental Health Index II were administered. After controlling for demographics, religious coping, social support, and Adventist beliefs were significantly associated with psychological adjustment. Negative religious coping was the most powerful predictor of adjustment. Eschatology beliefs predicted adjustment after accounting for religious coping and …

Effects Of War Stressors And Life Events On Gulf War Veterans With Cfs Symptoms, Kieran K. Dhillon

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The present study examines the association of life stressors and the period when they occur, with the development of CFS symptoms in Gulf War veterans. From data collected from Gulf War Health Registry veterans, 113 met CFS criteria and 441 were controls. After hierarchical linear analysis, negative life stressors: wounded, traumatic war experience, frequent battle experiences, demotion, and unable to work within 2 years of returning from the Gulf predicted CFS symptoms; and positive life stressors of buying a house more than 2 years of returning was protective against CFS symptoms (all significant at p < .05). The findings are consistent with psycho social etiological hypotheses for CFS and are useful in developing programs for veterans returning from war.

Evaluation Of Program Outcomes: Assessment In Children, Cheryl M. Romano

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In an age of increased concern for accountability and the review of services, administrators of health programs should be able to present their clinics effectiveness, and demonstrate their excellent service to the community, along with providing evidence for the continued need of such clinics. Outcome evaluation plays an integral part in providing this information, and is intended to provide information concerning the effectiveness of a particular program, thus allowing for modification, and even better outcomes.

This project addressed pre and post functioning in children referred for academic and/or behavioral difficulties, in a university of health sciences-based clinic. The aim was …

Gene Expression In The Mouse Placenta: Developmental And Stress Responses, Ciprian P. Gheorghe

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Successful placental development is crucial for optimal growth, maturation, and survival of the embryo/fetus. Placental failure and placental pathology contributes to both morbidity and mortality of the fetus. We sought to understand normal placental development and also placental responses to stress using oligonucleotide microarray technology. To examine genetic aspects of normal placental development, we investigated gene expression patterns in the murine placenta at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5), E12.5, E15.5, and E17.5. Hypoxia has been identified as a major stressor in placental and fetal development. In order to comprehend more completely hypoxic stress responses we sought to measure gene expression changes …

Implant Success In Distracted Bone Versus Autogenous Bone-Grafted Sites, Jeffrey Allan Elo

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Endosseous implants are the treatment of choice for restoring function and reconstructing edentulous areas of the maxilla and mandible. Alveolar defects can be reconstructed by either distraction osteogenesis or autogenous bone grafting. After alveolar reconstruction, endosseous implants are used to support and retain the prosthesis for restoration of form and function. We retrospectively analyzed the success rates of endosseous implant placement in distracted versus autogenous bone graft reconstruction sites in our patient population at Loma Linda University Medical Center, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 82 consecutive patients requiring alveolar augmentation prior to implant placement were evaluated. All patients were …

The Relationship Between Coping, Anxiety, And Quality Of Life For Taiwanese Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Patients, Heng-Hsin Tung Phd

Dissertations

Coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) is a stressful event and requires coping strategies to achieve adaptation. In Taiwan, despite the fact that the incidence of CABG is increasing in both men and women, research on post-CABG adaptation is very limited and no research focuses on outcomes for women. This can lead to problems for health care providers who lack effective interventions to help these patients. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between coping, anxiety, and quality of life in Taiwanese post-CABG patients. A cross-sectional correlational design was used; the sample consisted of 50 female and …

Influence Of Common Orthodontic Appliances On Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Joseph Matthew Elison

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an essential diagnostic tool in modern medicine. Conditions such as cerebral vascular accidents, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, autism, cancer, migraine and cluster headaches benefit from its use. It has been discovered that 4-10% of all children and adolescents will experience a seizure at some point (Hauser, 1994) and MRI is one of the most common imaging modalities for seizure and epilepsy diagnosis. Unfortunately, some orthodontic materials cause distortion on MR images. Radiologists would probably require the removal of any distortion-causing orthodontic appliance prior to MR imaging. It is questionable whether radiologists would be comfortable …

In Vitro Antimicrobial Efficacy Of Calcium Hydroxides In Root Dentin, Josef W. Lubisich

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Enterococcus faecalis is the most commonly isolated bacteria in failed root canal treatment. Endodontic intracanal medicaments are commonly tested using standardized bovine cylinders infected with bacteria. The literature is not clear on whether calcium hydroxides are able to remove E. faecalis from the dentinal tubules. One reason for this is that there are several varying forms of calcium hydroxide commonly used. The purpose of the present experiment was to determine whether four commonly used calcium hydroxide products were able to reduce E. faecalis from four incremental samples of dentin and to determine if there was a statistically significant difference between …

An Ergonomic Job Analysis Of A Work Process Within A Glovebox, Tamara Mcnair

Theses

Gloveboxes have been used in various industries to protect the user and environment from hazardous materials and/or isolate the materials from environmental contamination. As the use of gloveboxes continues to grow in an effort to reduce contamination and the dependency of personal protective equipment as well as increase the level of safety through containment, technical design specifications have been studied and investigated to great lengths. Unfortunately, ergonomic design criteria for this enclosed and restricting workstation have not been extensively investigated or documented.

This research evaluated ergonomic risk factors associated with the use of a glovebox in a pharmaceutical production facility. …

Effect Of Glove Port Height On Upper Body Stress For Performing Laboratory Work, Jason Mark Williams

Theses

Glove boxes are used in many industries to constrain environmental contamination and protect the worker from harmful or hazardous exposures. This research specifically evaluates the effect of height of the glove box arm ports on the efficiency of task performance and physiological costs of work for the glove box users.

Seven male and two female participants performed liquid mixing and vial filling tasks within a portable glove box. The tasks were designed to simulate common glove box tasks performed in pharmaceutical and laboratory settings. Each participant repeated the designed tasks while the glove port height was set at two different …