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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Digital Research Cycles: How Attitudes Toward Content, Culture And Technology Affect Web Development., Edward Scott Jan 2009

Digital Research Cycles: How Attitudes Toward Content, Culture And Technology Affect Web Development., Edward Scott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

It has been estimated that one third of the world's population does not have access to "adequate" health care. Some 1.6 billion people live in countries experiencing "concentrated" acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemics. Many countries in Africa--and other low-income countries--are in dire need of help providing adequate health care services to their citizens. They require more hands-on care from Western health workers--and training so more African health workers can eventually care for their own citizens. But these countries also need assistance acquiring and implementing both texts--the body of medical information potentially available to them--and technology--the means by which that …

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The Effects Of Psychoeducation On Thought-Action Fusion, Thought Suppression, Magical Thinking, And Responsibility, Teresa Carper Jan 2009

The Effects Of Psychoeducation On Thought-Action Fusion, Thought Suppression, Magical Thinking, And Responsibility, Teresa Carper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Thought-action fusion (TAF) is the phenomenon whereby one has difficulty separating cognitions, particularly those that are intrusive and disturbing, from their corresponding behaviors. Recent work has suggested that TAF is malleable and amenable to change. The current study examined the effects of three different psychoeducational interventions on thought-action fusion, anxiety, thought suppression, magical thinking, and responsibility cognitions. Assessments were conducted both immediately following the interventions and after a two-week period. Results indicated that individuals who received a cognitive-based intervention that targeted irrational thoughts had significantly lower TAF scores than individuals who received an intervention that discussed thoughts from a non-evaluative …

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Predictors Of Parental Discipline In Families Raising Youth With Hearing And Communication Disorders, Jenny Klein Jan 2009

Predictors Of Parental Discipline In Families Raising Youth With Hearing And Communication Disorders, Jenny Klein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children with disabilities are at high risk for several forms of maltreatment, including abuse and neglect (Ammerman, Hersen, Van Hasselt, Lubetsky, & Sieck, 1994; Sullivan & Knutson, 1998b), and children with hearing and communication disorders comprise a substantial portion of children at risk (e.g., Sullivan & Knutson, 2000). For example, some literature investigating the parenting practices of parents raising children and adolescents with hearing and communication disorders suggests that these parents have a tendency to use physically harsh discipline practices (Knutson, Johnson, & Sullivan, 2004; Sullivan & Knutson, 1998b). Further, high prevalence rates of emotional and behavioral problems are documented …

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The Effects Of Multimodal Feedback And Age On A Mouse Pointing Task, Brian Oakley Jan 2009

The Effects Of Multimodal Feedback And Age On A Mouse Pointing Task, Brian Oakley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the beneficial aspects of computers become more apparent to the elderly population and the baby boom generation moves into later adulthood there is opportunity to increase performance for older computer users. Performance decrements that occur naturally to the motor skills of older adults have shown to have a negative effect on interactions with indirect-manipulation devices, such as computer mice (Murata & Iwase, 2005). Although, a mouse will always have the traits of an indirect-manipulation interaction, the inclusion of additional sensory feedback likely increases the saliency of the task to the real world resulting in increases in performance (Biocca et …

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The Driving Force: A Comparative Analysis Of Gang-Motivated, Firearm-Related Homicides, Christa Polczynski Jan 2009

The Driving Force: A Comparative Analysis Of Gang-Motivated, Firearm-Related Homicides, Christa Polczynski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The knowledge of gang homicides is constantly increasing, but one aspect of gangs rarely studied is drive-by shootings (Dedel 2007; Hutson, Anglin, and Pratts 1994; Hutson, Anglin, and Eckstein 1996; Polczynski 2007; Sanders 1994; Sugarmann and Newth 2007). In this paper are comparative analyses of gang-motivated, firearm-related homicides perpetrated through a drive-by shooting to those which are not perpetrated through a drive-by shooting, by spatial and regression analyses. The data used for the analyses are a combination of incident variables, such as victim, offender, and incident characteristics, as well as social and economic characteristics of the communities in which the …

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Pregnancy-Associated Intimate Partner Violence:An Examination Of Multiple Dimensions Of Intimate Partner Abuse Victimization Usi, Shauna Taylor Jan 2009

Pregnancy-Associated Intimate Partner Violence:An Examination Of Multiple Dimensions Of Intimate Partner Abuse Victimization Usi, Shauna Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Using three separate and unique sources of data, this study was designed to address: a) the associations between pregnancy-related violence and femicide with sociodemographic characteristics of victims and offenders and with family dynamics, b) how pregnancy affects the risk for threats of violence, power and control tactics, physical violence, stalking, sexual violence, and femicide, and c) how pregnancy contributes to increased severity of abuse. The overall results reveal a significant statistical correlation between pregnancy and the increased risk of intimate partner abuse on many dimensions, including physical abuse, stalking and harassment, sexual abuse, threats of serious harm and death, lethality …

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Noninvasive Physiological Measures And Workload Transitions:An Investigation Of Thresholds Using Multiple Synchronized Sensors, Lee Sciarini Jan 2009

Noninvasive Physiological Measures And Workload Transitions:An Investigation Of Thresholds Using Multiple Synchronized Sensors, Lee Sciarini

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine under what conditions multiple minimally intrusive physiological sensors can be used together and validly applied for use in areas which rely on adaptive systems including adaptive automation and augmented cognition. Specifically, this dissertation investigated the physiological transitions of operator state caused by changes in the level of taskload. Three questions were evaluated including (1) Do differences exist between physiological indicators when examined between levels of difficulty? (2) Are differences of physiological indicators (which may exist) between difficulty levels affected by spatial ability? (3) Which physiological indicators (if any) account for variation in …

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The Maya Origin Of A Mexican God: The Iconographic Primacy Of Tezcatlipoca At Chichen Itza, Yucatan Over Tula, Hidalgo; And Its Possible Derivation From God K-K'Awil, Mark Sullivan Jan 2009

The Maya Origin Of A Mexican God: The Iconographic Primacy Of Tezcatlipoca At Chichen Itza, Yucatan Over Tula, Hidalgo; And Its Possible Derivation From God K-K'Awil, Mark Sullivan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Two long-held views in Mesoamerican research, the Mexican origin of the god Tezcatlipoca and the insinuation of Toltec iconography into the artistic format of Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico, emanating from Tula, Hidalgo, Mexico conditioned this research. Considering Tezcatlipoca to be a Mexican god imparts both a foreign origin for and the preexistence of that god in Central Mexico prior to its manifestation in the sculptural repertoire of Chichen Itza, a Maya city. However, this thesis demonstrates that no conclusive evidence of a Mexican origin for Tezcatlipoca exists. This work rejects the near dogmatic assumption of that godas Mexican pedigree, and …

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An Uncertain Place In Uncertain Times: The South Caucasus, Nathan Burns Jan 2009

An Uncertain Place In Uncertain Times: The South Caucasus, Nathan Burns

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to address how geopolitical factors influence the foreign policies of states in the South Caucasus. Due to the recent Russia-Georgia War, this region is central to contemporary foreign policy, fueling discussions of a New Cold War between the US and Russia. With the explicit goal to provide policy relevant research on this critical region, the South Caucasus states (Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia) are examined in three separate case studies. Utilizing qualitative analysis of historical event data, each case examines the role of five different variables: energy resources, routes, demography, proximity, and state leadership. That …

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Achievement Gaps Throughout The Education Pipeline: Tracking The Trends Before And After The Florida Education Governance Reorganization Act Of 2000, Rachel Emas Jan 2009

Achievement Gaps Throughout The Education Pipeline: Tracking The Trends Before And After The Florida Education Governance Reorganization Act Of 2000, Rachel Emas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To assess the effectiveness of the Florida Education Governance Reorganization Act of 2000, I analyze the achievement gaps across different levels of the education pipeline: elementary, secondary, and postsecondary. This paper evaluates three objectives of Florida's new system: strengthening of foundation skills, improvement of college and career readiness, and the expansion of opportunities for postsecondary degrees, by asking: Has the introduction of a PreK-20 seamless system in Florida reduced the educational achievement gaps between students, compared to Texas, which has not instituted a seamless system? At the elementary level, the analysis looks at 4th and 8th grade National Assessment of …

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Privacy, Surveillance And The State: A Comparison Of U.S. And British Privacy Rights, Angelina Lander Jan 2009

Privacy, Surveillance And The State: A Comparison Of U.S. And British Privacy Rights, Angelina Lander

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the effects of institutional structure on the privacy rights regimes in the United States and the United Kingdom, from 2000-2006. The goal of this research is to analyze how variation in the institutional arrangements across these two countries allowed for more or less protection of privacy rights for citizens. Domestic terrorist attacks during the time period represent a catalyst for changes in police and government surveillance activities. Veto points literature provides the framework for institutional comparison. The first part of the research provides a discussion of the historical evolution of privacy rights in both states, focusing on …

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The Clash Of Thoughts Within The Arab Discourse, Chadia Louai Jan 2009

The Clash Of Thoughts Within The Arab Discourse, Chadia Louai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Clash of Civilization thesis by Samuel Huntington and the claims of other scholars such as Bernard Lewis reinforced the impression in the West that the Arab world is a homogeneous and rigid entity ready to clash with other civilizations. In fact, some in the West argue that world civilizations have religious characteristics, for that reason the fundamental source of conflict in this new world will be primarily cultural and religious. However, other scholars argue that there is no single Islamic culture but rather multiple types of political Islam and different perception of it. Therefore, the monolithic aspect of Islam …

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The Bay Of Pigs Invasion: A Case Study In Foreign Policy Decision-Making, Amaury Murgado Jan 2009

The Bay Of Pigs Invasion: A Case Study In Foreign Policy Decision-Making, Amaury Murgado

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Policy makers have long recognized the importance of considering past experience, history, and the use of Analogical reasoning when making policy decisions. When elite political actors face foreign policy crises, they often use their past experience, refer to history, and use Analogical reasoning to help them frame their decisions. In the case of the ill-fated invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs, the use of Analogical reasoning revolving around past covert successes may have created an environment for faulty foreign policy decision-making. Former members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) filled the ranks of the Central Intelligence Agency …

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The Effects Of Suicide Terrorism In Afghanistan And Iraq On Us Policy And Military Strategy, Michelle Whalen Jan 2009

The Effects Of Suicide Terrorism In Afghanistan And Iraq On Us Policy And Military Strategy, Michelle Whalen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The international political landscape of the 21st century is strewn with terrorist groups that choose to act violently in order for their political messages to be heard. Around the world groups have been formed to defend their ideologies and fulfill their political agendas through acts of terrorism. The Baader-Meinhof Gang [also known as the Red Army Faction], the Weather Underground, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Hezbollah, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, HAMAS, and the Irish Republican Army have existed for many decades. They represent only a small handful of terrorist groups that have kidnapped, targeted public institutions with …

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Mediating Effects Of Parents' Attributions In The Relationship Between Children's Temperament And Parenting Stress, Melissa Middleton Jan 2009

Mediating Effects Of Parents' Attributions In The Relationship Between Children's Temperament And Parenting Stress, Melissa Middleton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To examine the relationships among children's temperament, parents' attributions, parenting stress, and children's behavior problems, the current study investigates the responses of parents who are raising children between the ages of 3- and 6-years. Each parent completed the Dimensions of Temperament Scale-Revised for Children (Windle & Learner, 1986), the Parenting Locus of Control Scale-Short Form (Rayfield, Eyberg, Boggs, & Roberts, 1995a), the Parent Attribution Test (Bugental, 1998), the Child Trait Rating Scale (Sacco, Johnson, & Tenzer, 1993), the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (Abidin, 1995), and the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2000, 2001). Using correlational and regression analyses, results …

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Neuropsychological Functioning In Social Phobia, Scott Sutterby Jan 2009

Neuropsychological Functioning In Social Phobia, Scott Sutterby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was to clarify the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying social phobia. Previous research has identified some specific group differences in neurocognitive functioning between individuals diagnosed with social phobia and nonpsychiatric controls, but has failed to administer a comprehensive neuropsychological battery to a social phobia patient group, resulting in a piecemeal understanding of the neurocognitive functioning of this population and an incomplete picture of the neuropsychological profile inherent to this group. The present research utilized a broader collection of neuropsychological tests to assess nine cognitive domains: Verbal Learning, Verbal Delayed Memory, Visual Immediate Memory, Visual Delayed Memory, …

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Perceived Parental Characteristics And Neighborhood Support: How Do They Relate To Adolescents' Externalizing Behavior Problem, Rachel White Jan 2009

Perceived Parental Characteristics And Neighborhood Support: How Do They Relate To Adolescents' Externalizing Behavior Problem, Rachel White

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Externalizing behavior problems are related to many problematic outcomes for children and adolescents in their home, school, and community settings. Given the ramifications of difficulties related to externalizing behavior problems, the present study examines the relationships among adolescents' externalizing behavior problems, characteristics of adolescents' families, and their perceived neighborhood support in a sample of adolescents who are in the Sixth through Eighth Grades. As part of this study, adolescents were assessed one time in their school setting with a set of brief questionnaires. In particular, adolescents completed measures assessing their levels of externalizing behavior problems, characteristics of their families, their …

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Homeless Women In The Orlando Shelter System: A Comparison Of Single Women, Families, And Women Separated From The Children, Hilary Dotson Jan 2009

Homeless Women In The Orlando Shelter System: A Comparison Of Single Women, Families, And Women Separated From The Children, Hilary Dotson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Homeless women and families are among the most disenfranchised groups in society. Further, because of their homelessness and associated problems, many homeless women become separated from their children. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects on predictors of entering a shelter with or without children (shelter status) and whether or not one is separated from one or more children (child separation status) on various special need predictors. A second objective was to determine the relationship between shelter status and child separation and to understand the unique experiences of homeless women who are separated from their children. These …

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The Effects Of Teacher Self-Disclosure Of Political Views And Opinions, Regina Weiler Jan 2009

The Effects Of Teacher Self-Disclosure Of Political Views And Opinions, Regina Weiler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the relationship between classroom disclosure of political views and opinions by professors and student perceptions. A sample of students (N = 158) chose to participate in a survey asking questions about their perceptions of the amount, depth, and inappropriateness of teacher political disclosure, as well as whether or not they agreed with their professor's disclosed political ideology. The questionnaire also measured student perceptions of the teacher's subsequent competence, goodwill, trustworthiness, student state motivation, and student affective learning (content and teacher). The data revealed negative relationships between perceived inappropriateness of political disclosure and perceived competence and goodwill of …

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Connecting Self Enhancement And Self Verification Messages In Friendships, Ann Bloch Jan 2009

Connecting Self Enhancement And Self Verification Messages In Friendships, Ann Bloch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the connection between self-enhancement and self-verification and confirmation and emotional support. The hypotheses predicted that there is a positive relationship between confirmation and self-enhancement and self-verification; people feel good about themselves when confirmed by friends, people feel that friends know them well when they are confirmed. The hypotheses also predicted that there would be a positive relationship between emotional support and self-enhancement and self-verification; people feel good when friends provide emotional support, and people feel that friends know them well when provided emotional support. A research question was also posed: Does family functioning have an effect on …

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Listening To The Applause And Boos: Television, Online Message Boards, And A Call To Action, Shanna Dinobile Jan 2009

Listening To The Applause And Boos: Television, Online Message Boards, And A Call To Action, Shanna Dinobile

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between television shows and their corresponding websites featuring interactive message boards looking at the motivations and gratifications that users cited as reasons for being connected to a program. Information found provides knowledge on why viewers are drawn to TV, and what rewards they gain from the actions they perform beyond viewing the show. Specifically, this study examines if viewing a television show and discussing it on an online message board created the gratification of a greater sense of emotional attachment with the show, and if this sense of heightened emotional connection encouraged the board user …

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Cyberterrorists: Their Communicative Messages And The Effect On Targets, Elizabeth Minei Jan 2009

Cyberterrorists: Their Communicative Messages And The Effect On Targets, Elizabeth Minei

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study provides a semiotic perspective on cyberterrorism and its opportunity to cause maximal damage while using terrorist propaganda. The very definition of cyberterrorism refers to Internet use, technology, and computer-based networks against critical infrastructures. The application of Stamper's Semiotic Ladder - morphological, empirical, syntactical, semantic, pragmatic and social world - to the various methods of propaganda utilized by cyberterrorists will uncover aspects on the transition from traditional to modern methods of attack, cyberterrorist communication, and the recruitment of new members to their cause. Additionally, this research focused on the role of the media in the equation of planning …

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Effects Of Institutional Factors On The Retention Of Graduate Students Of Color In Schools Of Library And Information Science, Sandra M. Snyder-Mondragon Jan 2009

Effects Of Institutional Factors On The Retention Of Graduate Students Of Color In Schools Of Library And Information Science, Sandra M. Snyder-Mondragon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The intent of the study was to understand the changes that have occurred over the last 25 years in library programs as far as enrollment and diversity of students, number and ethnicity of the faculty, program income and expenses, cost of attendance, and scholarship and fellowship aid, in an effort to better understand library programs granting the MLIS degree. The study also endeavored to identify institutional factors associated with the retention and productivity rates of White students and students of color in schools of library and information science. During the period studied, the proportional representation of White students decreased. For …

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What Do We Know About Interpersonal Skills? A Meta-Analytic Examination Of Antecedents, Outcomes, And The Efficacy Of Training, Cameron Klein Jan 2009

What Do We Know About Interpersonal Skills? A Meta-Analytic Examination Of Antecedents, Outcomes, And The Efficacy Of Training, Cameron Klein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite extensive statements about the importance of possessing good interpersonal skills, little quantitative evidence has been brought forth to investigate these claims. At the same time, training in soft, or interpersonal, skills continues for organizational managers, customer service representatives, and members of formal work teams. Based on these considerations, the current research was guided by five broad questions. First, are gender and the Big Five personality variables important predictors in the use and effectiveness of interpersonal skills? Second, what is the relationship between various interpersonal skills and important personal and workplace outcomes? Third, given that training in interpersonal skills is …

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Predictors Of Firearm Use And Effects Of Weaponry On Victim Injury In Violent Crime: A Criminal Events Approach, Nicholas Libby Jan 2009

Predictors Of Firearm Use And Effects Of Weaponry On Victim Injury In Violent Crime: A Criminal Events Approach, Nicholas Libby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study, framed in the criminal events perspective, investigates situational and contextual factors of violent interpersonal encounters that impact the likelihood of offender weapon usage and, when a weapon is used, the likelihood that it will be a firearm. Furthermore, this study examines the effects that weapons have on levels of victim injury along with other factors that may impact injury independent of weapon use. Three specific topics of interest are addressed: whether or not black offenders were more likely to make use of a firearm, what factors impact firearm use amongst female offenders, and if the findings of Kleck …

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The End Of U.S. Military Detainee Operations At Abu Ghraib, Iraq, Michael Allgood Jan 2009

The End Of U.S. Military Detainee Operations At Abu Ghraib, Iraq, Michael Allgood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Operation Iraqi Freedom launched with the backing of U.S. Coalition Forces (CF) on March 20, 2003 to remove Saddam Hussein from power. The United States occupied Iraq by bombing and cleansing Iraq of weapons (Dahabour 105-130). During the first year of occupation U.S. soldiers at the detention facility Abu Ghraib tortured detainees in their charge. This torture becomes known to the public through worldwide media coverage in May 2004. My thesis will cover my service as a Military Police officer (MP) at Abu Ghraib from December 2005-August 2006. During my tour of duty at Abu Ghraib I was required to …

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Testing Bias In The Occupational Interview: A Pilot Study On Racial Discrimination, Brandon Presley Jan 2009

Testing Bias In The Occupational Interview: A Pilot Study On Racial Discrimination, Brandon Presley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine the possibility of the occupational interview utilizing tests that prove to be bias towards one particular race or another. This study is a pilot study and represents the first step in developing a more extensive research design to examine testing bias within the occupational employment interview setting. Ten black students and ten white students are asked to complete two types of occupational interview samples. Those samples are then reviewed by two black hiring managers and two white hiring managers. The results are examined to determine if one test had a greater impact …

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Race And Health Behaviors: A Study Of Diabetes Among African American Adults., Tangela Towns Jan 2009

Race And Health Behaviors: A Study Of Diabetes Among African American Adults., Tangela Towns

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project assesses the effects certain variables have on African American adults that suffer from diabetes. These include behaviors of African Americans that contribute to diabetes such as; diet behavior and physical activity. Thus, the focus of this study is to examine the effects of these health behaviors on the likelihood of having diabetes among African Americans. This assessment will be used to provide insights as they pertain to African Americans and diabetes.

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Social Norms And College Dating Violence Among Gay Bisexual Transgender And Queer (Gbtq) Students, Lashawn Rivera Jan 2009

Social Norms And College Dating Violence Among Gay Bisexual Transgender And Queer (Gbtq) Students, Lashawn Rivera

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is minimal research on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (GBTQ) dating violence on college campuses. This qualitative study was facilitated using focus groups that included students that identified as being GBTQ at the University of Central Florida (UCF). The focus group questions were open ended in a discussion format. Participants were recruited from student organizations like the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Student Union (GLBSU) and Knight Allies on campus. There were a total of 10 students that participated in 2 different focus group sessions. Student's attitudes, thoughts and opinions about dating violence on college campuses in GBTQ relationships were …

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Predicting Children's Emotional And Behavioral Functioning: An Examination Of Coparenting And Parental Satisfaction, Samantha Scott Jan 2009

Predicting Children's Emotional And Behavioral Functioning: An Examination Of Coparenting And Parental Satisfaction, Samantha Scott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To examine the interplay among shared parenting, coparent support, parental satisfaction, and child behavior problems, the current study examines the responses of mothers and fathers who have children between the ages of 3- and 6-years. As part of this study, 107 parents (i.e., 80 mothers and 27 fathers) completed a questionnaire packet including measures of coparenting, parental satisfaction, and child behavior problems. Results are examined using correlational and hierarchical regression analyses. Correlational analyses suggest that coparent support and parental satisfaction are related positively and that coparent support and parental satisfaction are related negatively with children's behavior problems. Unique relationships are …

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