Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Correlation Between The Eating Attitudes Test And Body Shape Questionnaire, Maren L. Kanekoa

Theses and Dissertations

This research examined the relationship between eating attitudes and body image dissatisfaction using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Three cohorts of almost 2,000 undergraduate females from Brigham Young University were given the EAT and BSQ twice a year for two to four years, depending upon their year of entrance to BYU. The data collected were analyzed using correlational statistics. Results indicated that a high positive correlation between the EAT and BSQ existed across semesters and cohorts.

Evaluation Of The Impact Of The New Jersey Access Initiative Mentorship Program On Drug Using Behavior In Clients With Opiate Dependence, Jennifer Ingegneri

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between mentoring services and reported illicit drug using behavior for opiate-dependent individuals. Data used in this study were part of a larger project by New Jersey Access Initiative (NJAI). Participants were 2,424 individuals were addicted to opiates. Results indicated that none of the participants reported receiving mentoring services. In addition, large amounts of incomplete and missing data in the dataset made statistical analyses impossible. Instead, descriptive results on drug usage, living conditions, education, employment, and social support are described. Implications regarding how mentoring services could have impacted participants' drug use are also …

Evaluation Of The New Jersey Access Initiative Mentor Program, Tasha R. Binet

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to (a) evaluate the effectiveness of the New Jersey Access Initiative Mentor Program and (b) determine if an increased number of sessions of ancillary, psychosocial services was related to improved treatment retention, periods of abstinence and decreased number of relapses with opiate-addicted participants. Correlational analyses were planned utilizing data collected and recorded in the NJAI database by program staff; however, analyses were unable to be performed due to a large amount of incomplete and missing data. For those participants with data, descriptive results are reported on alcohol and illegal substance usage in past 30 …

A Study Of Books Included In The State Of New Jersey's Holocaust And Genocide 5-8th Grade Curriculum, Christin M. Robey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the books suggested by the State of New Jersey Holocaust and Genocide Curriculum. "To Honor All Children for Grades 5-8" in order to create a diverse curriculum. Through the use of suggested materials by New Jersey, it is intended that students be exposed to a well rounded and balanced educational experience. In order for this for this curriculum to be diverse, it needs include many ethnic racial/ethnic groups and other topics relevant to holocaust and genocide study. The curriculum guide also needs to be updated to include books that have a …

An Evaluation Of How Elementary School Teachers Perceive Library Media Specialists' Responsibilities In Gloucester County, New Jersey, Kathleen M. Farrington

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not teachers expected a higher level of responsibility from the library media specialist in schools that employed at least one full-time library media specialist (n=47). Additionally, it investigated whether or not those teachers had a more in-depth understanding or acceptance of the roles of the library media specialist. Specifically it addressed the following research questions: 1.) What roles and responsibilities of the library media specialist did classroom teachers deem important? 2.) Was there a difference in teacher understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the library media specialist between schools …

Censorship And Self-Censorship In The Public High School Libraries Of Gloucester County, New Jersey, Melissa L. Owen

Theses and Dissertations

It is essential that young adults have access to books that are of interest to them, regardless of controversy that may surround such titles. The purpose of this study was to determine the existence of commonly banned young adult (YA) books in the library collections of traditional public high schools in Gloucester County. A significant lack of such books may be a sign that censorship or self-censorship has hindered the development of the collection, thereby robbing students of their freedom to read.

The researcher searched the OPACs of thirteen traditional public high schools for thirty-seven predetermined titles. The titles that …

How The Public Library Contributes To Community Building: A Case Study, Barbara J. Snyder

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate how one local New Jersey public library contributed to the revitalization efforts of its community by building social networks that benefitted all members of the community. Because the nature of the study dealt with conditions that were social, the qualitative method of research was chosen. A personal interview was used to collect information on how the library built social networks within the community it served by identifying and connecting the library's assets to the community's. The data were compared to a model developed from a previous study, The Engaged Library: Chicago Stories …

Life After Harry: Creating A Reader's Advisory Model Based On The Literary Archetypes Of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series, Patricia C. Hatton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a method of Reader's Advisory based on archetypal character analysis in place of genre, author, or mood advisory. The study used J. K. Rowling's popular Harry Potter fiction series as a base for developing this strategy. After identifying four character archetypes in the Harry Potter series, the researcher consulted Bowker's Fiction Connection database to find other award winning young adult fiction that contained at least two of the archetypes identified in the Harry Potter series. Upon identifying ten novels that fit the criteria, the researcher read and analyzed each of …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of School Library Web Sites, Sheryl Laws

Theses and Dissertations

In today's society, the use of technology is growing rapidly. School libraries have a responsibility to their patrons to keep up with this trend by providing information about the school library on the Internet. These Web sites must be well maintained and up to date. The purpose of this study was to evaluate elementary and middle school library Web sites to find if they were meeting the standard of a Web page.

With the use of a checklist, the researcher evaluated the school library Web sites based on appearance, ease of use, age appropriateness, and information that was included. After …

Services Provided By District School Library Media Supervisors, Ericka L. Hooker

Theses and Dissertations

District school library media supervisors have been shown to be an asset to school library programs. Research has shown that school libraries can be more productive and successful, when they are coordinated by a supervisor holding advanced qualifications. The services offered by a district school library media supervisor can directly affect the role of the school library media specialists he/she supervises. Two groups of school library media specialists were surveyed to determine what services their district supervisor provided and how the presence or absence of this position affected the availability and quality of library services offered. Group A were respondents …

Student Teachers Need A Shot In The Arm: A Study Of Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Through Teacher Preparation Programs, Daria C. Benford

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine pre-service teacher training and/or exposure to the potential collaborative role of the teacher-librarian. The study used a short written survey questioning pre-service teachers about any instances of collaboration with a school library media specialist, knowledge about and exposure to collaborative ideas or methods involving school library media specialists throughout their teacher preparation program, and attitudes towards the roles of the school library media specialist. The population for this survey was pre-service teachers that had been contacted through their field experience or education departments or through face to face contact. Pre-service teachers were …

The Development Of The Remarital Assessment Questionnaire For Divorced Persons (Raq-D), Derrel Jay Higgins

Theses and Dissertations

The development of the Remarital Assessment Questionnaire for Divorced Persons (RAQ-D) is presented. Steps of development of the questionnaire are outlined: a review of remarital literature, interviews with remarried couples, the creation of a pool of items, review of the items by clinicians, and the development of a preliminary questionnaire. Data were collected through the internet. An Exploratory Factor Analysis of the data yielded scales relating to adjustment areas that are specific to remarital couples. The resulting scales exhibited acceptable level of internal consistency. Psychometric properties of the resulting scales are reported. Implications and recommendations of further development of the …

Recreational Reading Program For Sixth Grade Students, Angela M. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to determine how much time was dedicated to recreational reading by sixth grade students and what were the topics and genres that interested them. Questionnaires were administered to 201 out of 257 regular education sixth grade students regardless of gender and reading level. According to the results, there was a direct correlation between the types of books that the students enjoyed reading, their opinions on student choice of recreational reading books versus teacher choice of assigned books, and the types of books that they would like to have more of as required reading for …

Examining The Effect Of Random Student Drug-Testing In A High School Setting, Jacqueline Amonette

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory investigation was to ascertain the effectiveness of decreasing drug use in a high school setting by implementing a random student drug-testing program. High school students who were involved in any athletic or extracurricular activities or who were applying for a parking permit in one local school were required to obtain parental permission to participate in a random student drug-testing program. Approximately once a month, an outside agency performed confidential and private urinalysis screening at the high school on 10-14 students whose names were chosen randomly using a computer program. If a urine test was positive …

Status Of Security Awareness In Business Organizations And Colleges Of Business: An Analyses Of Training And Education, Policies, And Social Engineering Testing, Glenda M. Rotvold

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is twofold. The first purpose of this study is to investigate the status of security awareness training, IT-related policies, and the use of social engineering testing in business organizations. A second purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which colleges and universities are offering security awareness topics as part of a student's coursework or daily activities, specifically in colleges of business, to help determine the level of students' security awareness exposure and preparedness for the work world.

The colleges of business study examined demographics, what topics were being covered, how often, to …

Language And Literacy Acquisition And Maintenance Of Sudanese Refugee Learners, Laverne Kingsbury

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to more fully understand the language and literacy goals and values of a linguistically diverse Southern Sudanese refugee population residing in the Upper Midwest portion of the United States. The linguistic and cultural demographics of the area's major school district changed consistently and dramatically over a twenty-year time span. Five participants who were parents of young children were interviewed for this study from a metropolitan community with a population of approximately 200,000. Fourteen percent of the English Language Learners (ELL) in the public schools were Sudanese.

Qualitative research methods included an ethnographic approach in …

A Lakota/Nakota/Dakota Model Of Oratory, Cheryl A. Long Feather

Theses and Dissertations

Lakota/Nakota/Dakota people, as well as other Native American tribal groups, did not traditionally use the established, conventional forms of oration to which most in contemporary mainstream society relate. Rather, Native-specific epistemology, ontology and axiology played a central role in forming and supporting the function of communication as well as the speaking conventions that continue to be used today. These culturally-based patterns and structures present both challenges and opportunities that have been only marginally explored in various disciplines such as education, social and behavioral science, and psychology. This body of work exists for the purpose of exploring a traditionally Native understanding …

Effectiveness Of A Treatment Approach For Comorbid Major Depressive Disorder And Borderline Personality Disorder: A Case Study, Jo Anne Esfahani

Theses and Dissertations

This case study evaluates the effectiveness of psychopharmacology and psychotherapy with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the treatment of an adult female diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Comorbid Borderline Personality Disorder in a community based mental health agency. The client's psychosocial assessment is presented and the empirical treatment literature related to the client's diagnosis is reviewed. A variety of outcome measures were used. Results indicated the treatment was effective: the client experienced significant reduction in the severity of her symptoms. However, further treatment is needed to improve parenting skills, maintain healthy interpersonal relationships and to reduce residual …

Economic Hardship And Children's Social Withdrawal In Romanian Families, Jennifer Denise Pearson

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of perceived economic hardship on family processes and children's socially withdrawn (reticent) behaviors in Romania. The sample consisted of 121 Romanian mothers and fathers of 4-5 year old children, as well as children's kindergarten teachers. Drawing on Conger and colleagues' family stress model of economic hardship, the associations among mothers' and fathers' ratings of economic hardship, depression, marital conflict, psychologically controlling parenting, and teacher ratings of child social withdrawal were analyzed. Structural equation modeling using AMOS 7.0 was used to test the model. Findings generally support earlier studies with European American families, as well as …

Religion And The Everyday Ritual Of Home Life: A Comparison Of Higher And Lower Family Functioning Groups, Rachel Wadsworth Loser

Theses and Dissertations

As scholarly interest in family religiosity has grown, scholars have called for a closer look at proximal measures of religiosity that are more connected to the individual and familial daily experience (Mahoney et al., 1999). The purpose of this paper is to explore in detail how religion and family religious rituals relate to, interface with, and affect the day-to-day activity of family life. It includes qualitative analysis of interviews with highly religious parents and children in 67 families that belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Grounded theory was employed to analyze the data and a conceptual …

Triangulating Social Capital Measurement For Turnover Research: Applications To The U.S. Military, Frederic W. Lunas

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, and around the world, social capital is becoming an intriguing new focus for slowing the declining sense of community and community trust. This strengthening focus on social capital in empirical study has great potential for an important role in U.S. public policy, as policy changes focused on increasing social capital may decrease turnover.
Yet, according to researchers, not enough sufficiently tested empirical measures of social capital exist. Combining several existing measures should provide a theoretically informed measurement of social capital for turnover research with application to the U.S. Military. Within this context, this thesis incorporated survey …

Culturally Adapted Mental Health Treatments: A Meta-Analysis, Derek Griner

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years psychologists have increased awareness and concern regarding the quality of mental health services provided to people of color. For several reasons clients of color often find traditional mental health services foreign or unhelpful. To help diminish obstacles faced by clients of color, several authors have advocated traditional mental health treatments be modified to better match clients' cultural contexts. Researchers have also begun investigating outcomes associated with culturally modified mental health treatments, often contrasting them with traditional mental health services. Recently numerous studies containing empirical data have been published. To date there has been no attempt to review …

Stability Of A Normal Heterosexual Female Response To Affinity 2.0, Kara L. Harmon

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the temporal stability of a normal heterosexual female response to the Affinity 2.0, a newly standardized viewing time (VT) instrument that purports to measure sexual interest. Participants were 120 female undergraduate and graduate students from a private university (mean age = 21.67 years) who met inclusion criteria of non-pedophilic interest/history, identified as “Exclusively Heterosexual" on the Kinsey Scale, and who took the Affinity 2.0 both at test and at retest (approximately two weeks later). Participants also filled out a questionnaire following the retest composed of demographic questions, a shortened version of …

Legislation, Litigation, Regulation, And Implementation Of Paraprofessional Supervision In School Settings, Sungti Hsu

Theses and Dissertations

Since the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2002 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004, there is a strong emphasis on the supervision of paraprofessionals who provide instructional assistance to classroom teachers. Scholars have stressed and litigation has highlighted the importance of paraprofessional supervision. However, there is limited information regarding the definition of supervision, who should and how that supervision should happen. The NCLB and IDEIA legislation leaves room for states to establish state regulation and litigation to interpret supervision. This study explored the current litigation and scholarly works concerning how …

An Analysis Of The Balance Of Management Technical And Leadership Progression Through The Three Usaf Officer Tiers, Matthew J. Heath Van Horn

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to identify the balance of management, technical and leadership responsibilities learned at each of the three USAF officer tiers. Specifically, this thesis sought to answer research questions addressing the essential learning elements for developing leadership, technical and management knowledge and skills as well as the proportional emphasis of the three areas in each of the three officer tiers. The questions were answered through a comprehensive literature review and a review of current professional military education (PME) syllabi and educational profiles of USAF officers. The research identified that management training does not grow with the …

Networks And Cultural Bridges: A Case Study With The Tarahumara Of Northern Mexico, Jennifer Marie Nations

Theses and Dissertations

Network and cultural bridge theories predict the source and durability of cultural boundaries, including how cultural boundaries are overcome in order for differing groups to have meaningful exchanges. Ethnographic interview data with three research subjects in Northern Mexico reveals the strengths and weaknesses of each theory. Minita Bustillos, Juan Daniel Villalobos, and Horacio Echeverrí­a contribute to bridging ties between the closed indigenous community of the Tarahumara and outside Mexican and American groups. Their positions elucidate the veracity of theoretical propositions found in network and cultural bridge theories. Findings suggest that though useful in understanding several aspects of network structure and …

Forecasting Demand For Civilian Pilots: A Cost Savings Approach To Managing Air Force Pilot Resources, Justin W. Collup

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to create a model that could potentially predict demand for military trained pilots in the airline industry. Specifically, this thesis sought to answer the research question addressing whether or not military trained pilots are currently more in demand or less in demand. The research questions were answered through a comprehensive literature review, collection of data relevant to airline industry growth, and regression analysis. The Aviation Continuation Pay Bonus, offered to all eligible Air Force aviators, has risen from $12,000/year to its current value of $25,000/year. With shrinking budgets, and ever increasing costs of war, …

An Analysis Of The Impact Of Defense Acquisition Reforms And External Factors On Schedule Growth Of Defense Weapon Systems, Michael P. Giacomazzi Iii

Theses and Dissertations

The growth in the acquisition cycle time of large defense systems from what was planned (i.e., schedule growth) creates several issues for defense acquisition managers and policy makers. These issues include increased likelihoods of cancellations, changes in requirements, and delays in the fielding of improved combat capabilities and replacements for legacy systems, which have resulted in further cost and schedule growth. As a result, Congress, the DoD, and the individual military services implemented several major reforms to address the cost and schedule growth of weapon systems. This research presents an empirical model of schedule growth to evaluate the impact of …

A Comparative Assessment Of The Knowledge Management Leadership Approaches Within The Department Of Defense, Tommy V.S. Marshall Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Knowledge has superseded traditional corporate assets and has become the strategic resource for competitive advantage. To reap the benefits of knowledge, organizations must harvest and leverage the collective knowledge of the entire workforce. This is achieved through effective knowledge management. KM involves processes to create, to store, and transfer knowledge to accomplish business objectives and to achieve a competitive advantage. The Department of Defense has also recognized the importance of KM and has since mandated the acquiring, refining, and sharing of knowledge. The Departments of the Army, Air Force, and Navy have each undertaken individual KM efforts. This research, guided …

A Layered Social And Operational Network Analysis, Jennifer L. Geffre

Theses and Dissertations

To provide maximal disruption to a clandestine/terrorist network's ability to conduct missions, we must develop a means to determine the individuals' importance to the network and operations. In a network centric world, this importance is represented as an additive value of their criticality across the convergence of multiple layers of network connections. The connections layers of the network are comprised of social layers (Acquaintance, Friendship, Nuclear Family, Relatives, Student-Teacher, and Religious Mentors, Reverent Power and others), as well as layers representing interactions involving Resources, Knowledge/Skills and Temporal Local. The social criticality of an individual is measured by centrality. Event Trees …