Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

An Examination Of The Big Five, Mental Illness Stigma, And Crisis Intervention Training, Trista Wolfgram

Theses and Graduate Projects

The number of individuals incarcerated with mental illness continues to grow, and correctional officers may play a critical role in rehabilitation. A correlation analysis was conducted between Big Five personality traits and mental illness stigma to determine whether there is a significant relationship in a sample of state correctional officers who participated in Crisis Intervention Training. A mixed model ANOVA was also conducted to assess whether personality traits impacted levels of mental illness stigma following completion of the training. A moderate negative correlation was found between agreeableness and mental illness stigma. All other findings were not clinically significant, potentially due …

Power And Control Wheel Tactics: Assessing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd) Epistemology Among Domestic Violence Survivors, Lisa Hady

Theses and Graduate Projects

Domestic violence affects more than 10 million adults in the United States annually (National Network to End Domestic Violence, 2020). The Power and Control Wheel (PCW) places power and control at the center of physical and sexual violence, with eight surrounding tactics representing the abusive behaviors perpetrators use to retain power and control over survivors. Although the PCW has been extended to understand various abusive relationships, and the PCW tactics have been examined in both Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Non-Intimate Partner Violence (NPV; Basile et al., 2004; Scott, 2018), limited research compares tactics used based on the perpetrator’s relationship …

Traumatic Brain Injury Severity In Older Adults: Impact On Anxiety And Depression Symptoms And Community Engagement, Ashley Tomford

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of physical and cognitive disability worldwide. TBI can negatively impact cognitive, physical, social, and psychological functioning.

Objective: This study investigated interactions between TBI severity, mental health symptom severity, and community engagement among older adults. Specific aims included investigating 1) the relationship between TBI severity at the time of injury and psychiatric symptom severity at one-year post-TBI; 2) the relationship between TBI severity and community engagement at one-year post-TBI; and 3) whether mental health symptom severity moderated the relationship between TBI and post-injury community engagement.

Methods: Archival data was analyzed …

Underlying Mechanisms Of Generalized Anxiety Disorder In An Experimental Fear-Conditioning Paradigm, Melissa Hartnell

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential underlying mechanisms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) including fear generalization, maladaptive avoidance, and intolerance of uncertainty (IU) in a sample of adults with GAD, as compared to healthy controls in the context of a lab-based fear conditioning paradigm. The current study utilized data from the University of Minnesota ANGST Laboratory’s Danger Zone – Research Domain Criteria (DZ-RDoC) neuroimaging study. Participants consisted of 40 individuals ranging from ages 18-60, with 19 meeting criteria for GAD (M age = 30.57, SD = 11.70) and 21 healthy controls (M age = …

The Combined Effects Of Discrimination And Holding Multiple Intersecting Marginalized Identities On Substance Use Among Adolescents, Ashley Thomas

Theses and Graduate Projects

Individuals with multiple intersecting marginalized identities may be at greater risk for negative outcomes and exposure to discrimination during development. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of discrimination and having multiple marginalized identities on substance use among Minnesota youth. Using data gathered from the 2019 administration of the Minnesota Student Survey, a large statewide survey of 80,456 9th and 11th grade students, this study aimed to identify how holding multiple intersecting identities related to experiences of discrimination and substance use in Minnesota youth. Findings revealed that participants with more marginalized identity statuses experienced higher rates of …

Sports, Family, And Leadership In Youth: Impacts Of Family Environments And Sport Participation On Youth Leadership Development, Michael Stout

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study investigated the effects of family relationships/environment and sport participation on youth leadership development using the 2016 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) questionnaire. Responses from 9^th and 11^th graders were used, resulting in 81,885 total participants between the ages of 13 and 19 for this archival, cross-sectional study. This study had two aims: One, to investigate the relationship between family relationships/environment and sport participation, and their impact on youth leadership skills and development; and two, to investigate whether participation in youth sports provides enough scaffolding to foster the development of youth leadership skills despite poor family relationships/environments. Scales …

The Effectiveness Of Laser Acupuncture In Pain Management: A Systematic Review, June Park

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Pain is a common symptom across many medical conditions that patients experience. Pain management is complex and may need a combination of several management techniques. Laser acupuncture(LA) has been previously used as an adjunct to conventional pain treatments.

Objective: This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of laser acupuncture in various fields of medical situations such as chronic pain, low back pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, postoperative pain and dental procedures.

Methods: A computer based literature search of databases through GoogleScholar and PubMed was used to identify randomized controlled trials(RCTs) published after 2018 that studied the effect of LA in …

The Efficacy Of Limbic System Retraining And Neuroplasticity In The Management Of Chronic Pain And Disease: A Systematic Review, Julia Carr

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Chronic pain and disease are prevalent, affecting 51.6 million people in 2023. Therefore, due to the high complexity of chronic disease, many providers try different interventions to alleviate pain and improve their patient's quality of life. The limbic system is a critical component of the brain involved in pain perception and emotional regulation. With an overactive limbic system, the perception of pain is enhanced and continues to cause discomfort for the patient. By retraining the limbic system to alter the fight or flight response, a significant reduction in pain can be achieved, which results in better emotion regulation. The …

Moderating Factors In The Relationship Between Bully Victimization And Psychosomatic Symptoms, Tonya Paulson

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between bully victimization and psychosomatic symptoms, and to examine the protective influence of perceived parent and peer support across developmental age groups. Bully victimization frequency, somatic symptom severity, perceived parent support, and perceived peer support were assessed using archival data from 7,304 youth who participated in the 2009-2010 Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) U.S. survey, excluding perpetrators of bullying. Bully victimization and somatic symptoms were significantly positively correlated. Older adolescents consistently reported more severe somatic symptoms, but age did not moderate the relationship between bullying and somatic symptoms. Higher …

Pediatric Seizures: Access And Utilization Of Specialty Care And Mental Health Care, Samantha Delos Santos

Theses and Graduate Projects

Epilepsy is the leading neurological disorder among children, and requires specialized health care (Zack & Kobau, 2015). However, many patients with seizures do not receive appropriate specialized care (Begley et al., 2009; Burneo et al., 2009). This study examined the impact of health insurance type on access to and use of specialty care and mental health care among pediatric patients, ages 3-17, whose parents reported that they had experienced at least one seizure in the last year. This study was a secondary analysis of data collected in the 2011 (n = 77) and 2016 (n = 87) National Health Survey …

The Impact Of Conventional And Expanded Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) On Juvenile Offending Outcomes, Jesma C. Revering

Theses and Graduate Projects

Previous research has established a correlation between conventional adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and juvenile offending. However, the possible moderating effect expanded ACEs has on this relationship remains unclear. Using the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS), the study included 278 youth from juvenile correctional facilities in Minnesota to examine the impact of conventional ACEs on juvenile offending, the impact of expanded ACEs on juvenile offending, and the impact of conventional ACEs on juvenile offending, moderated by expanded ACEs. Findings revealed a statistically significant positive effect of conventional ACEs on juvenile offending. Expanded ACEs had a significant negative relationship with juvenile offending. …

Vicarious Traumatization In Therapists Who Treat Sexual Offenders And Have A Personal History Of Sexual Abuse, Darci J. Wikelius

Theses and Graduate Projects

There is limited research on vicarious trauma among therapists who treat sexual offenders and who have a personal history of sexual abuse (Cunningham, 2003). The purpose of this study is to identify how a personal history of sexual abuse, and specific characteristics of the sexual abuse therapists have experienced, may influence the experience of vicarious trauma among therapists who work with sex offenders. The study surveyed clinicians who work with sex offenders in order to examine the relationship between their experiences of sexual abuse and vicarious trauma. The survey included a demographic questionnaire, the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS), and …

Finding The Fit: Job Crafting As A Leadership Tool, Paul R. Johnson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Too many people go their entire lives in jobs that aren't quite the right fit. In fact, currently 70% of the American workforce is disengaged, a symptom of people feeling like the position or career they are in is not right for them. Some people end up switching jobs or careers multiple times throughout their life, while others may remain in a job they dislike. The focus of my research was to look at a third possible solution for unhappy workers: job crafting. By giving workers the freedom to add new tasks or alter existing ones, expand or contract their …

Leadership With Professional Associations, Shari R. Estep

Theses and Graduate Projects

This research reviews the concepts of leadership through the lens of professional associations and indicates how this applies to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. It recognizes that leadership is not just individual characteristics and traits or personality. This study reveals the many dimensions of leadership through the scholarly studies that were used to support the findings. By narrowing the concept of leadership as an interactive process and nonlinear, it illuminates how leadership plays out within an orgamzation. In a group or organizational context, leadership becomes a process in which all members are active participants. Those who establish organizations …

Best Practices And Challenges To Composting In A Restaurant Setting, Christopher Jon Audette

Theses and Graduate Projects

Composting and organic waste reduction has been an important topic in recent years. The large volume of food waste that is generated and sent to landfills is of growing concern for municipalities as they struggle to handle ever increasing waste. Though recycling efforts of glass, paper and metal materials has become more common, the addition of composting organic waste on a large scale is still relatively not established. Composting in restaurants is a growing component to reducing the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills due to the high volume of waste that they generate. The creation of …

Developing More Effective Women’S Leadership Development Programs & Addressing The Organizational Barriers That Inhibit Them, Greta M. Hittner

Theses and Graduate Projects

After decades of work to close gender gaps at the highest levels of leadership, organizations are turning to women’s leadership development programs with greater frequency. These programs are often designed to address skill gaps common among women, but have produced limited results. This paper reviews the literature on the gender gap, women’s leadership development programs, and the requisite organizational transformations needed to address the gender gap. The implications are that change must come from both the bottom up by developing women’s leadership skills and from the top down with organizations confronting bias and structural barriers. Only then will organizations fully …

A Qualitative Exploration Into Larry Wilson's Transformational Leadership, Peter D. Engstrom

Theses and Graduate Projects

Larry Wilson was considered by many to be a transformational leader.

This paper explores the intersection of how people associated with Larry experienced him relative to the current research on transformational leadership through an interpretive method of gathering data from former employees, customers, and family. Data was gathered through a series of personal interviews, published text, and a questionnaire. The interviews and questionnaire yielded five main themes. The evidence suggests Larry’s style of leadership is consistent with the Full Range of Transformational Leadership, as posited by Bernard Bass and Bruce Avolio (1994).

A Leadership Analysis Of The Un Security Council, Omar Moallim

Theses and Graduate Projects

The United Nations (LN) is an organization established to "maintain international peace and security...develop friendly relations among nations [and] to achieve international cooperation ("UnitedNation",20l6). The Security Council is the UN's primary leadership body. It is led by five powerful countries - United States of America (USA), Russia, Great Britain, France and China -- that sit as "permanent members". The leadership of the Security Council is augmented by ten representatives from other countries who are elected by the General Assembly to serve two-year terms. The UN has guidelines for insuring and maintaining world peace. In spite of these positive intentions, international …

Preparing Millennials For Leadership: Understanding How Leadership Transitions Well Between Generations, Benjamin S. Stumph

Theses and Graduate Projects

There are measurable differences between those in the Generation X and Millenial generational cohorts. This study has been conducted to aid in identifying specific leadership tendencies that may cause challenging leadership transition in a large health cate organization. Research was completed to understand the differences in values and tendencies between members of these two cohorts. Following this research, two separate focus groups were conducted to discuss the differences and identify areas of opportunify in improving the leadership activities of both Generation X and Millennial leader at the organization. Finally, recommendations regarding ways to improve leadership transition were compiled and presented.

Overcoming Organizational Challenges During And After A Reductton-In-Force (Rif), Gerardo J. Gonzalez

Theses and Graduate Projects

Within the context of the modern environment of business, competitive forces are lncreasing exponentially. Turnover rates have risen as a result of the business environment, leading to substantial scholarship on the issue to explore the theoretical and practical implications of turnover. Turnover is directly linked to organizational performance, and thus must be effectively managed (Park & Shaw, 2013). Herein, the reduction-in-force (RIF) form of turnover will be explored extensively, considering the various planning processes that may be executed to achieve it, in addition to its implications. A RIF turnover is defined essentially as downsizing (McElroy et al., 2001 ). A …

Spiritual Leadership In Modern-Day Native American Culture And Approaches To Native American Religion And Christianity, Christine Diindiisi-Wallette Mccleave

Theses and Graduate Projects

This qualitative study focuses on the modern-day approaches to Native American religion and Christianity in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN metro area. The spiritual leaders interviewed were asked about the varieties of spirituality practices in the Native American community today, the potential conflicts or areas of compatibility among these various spiritual practices, and the role of spiritual practices in cultural revitalization and community activism. The results of thestudy present a spectrum of spiritual practices and approaches to Native American religion and Christianity including those who practice Christianity exclusively, those who blend Christianity with Native culture and practices, and those who practice …

Building A Successful Youth Soccer Academy: Key Leadership Tactics Of Expert Coaches, Evan Fuhs

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study examines the actions of successful soccer coaches in changing team culture. More specifically, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight coaches who met criteria for expertise and success. In order to discern the particular tactics these coaches used to build a successful team culture from the ground up, the interview guide was derived from a conceptual framework that was based on the theoretical tenets of transformational leadership and organizational culture change, as well as practical research of those subjects in the athletic arena. The findings are reported and provide support for the utility of transformational leadership tactics and change …

Impact Of Communication Mode On Effectiveness Of Business Communication, Sara J. Tyler

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate cofilmunication mode selection in a business environment and determine how the choice of medium impacts the effectiveness of the resulting communication episode. Communication modes evaluated include email, face-to-face meetings, instant messages, phone calls, and teleconferences. The findings of this quantitative study show that communication modes are selected primarily by convenience or the mode that initiated the episode, not because of expected effectiveness. Leaders can use this analysis to monitor the effectiveness of various communication modes used in their environments and develop cofilmunication guidelines to improve overall efficiency in a business environment.

The Role Of Volunteer Leaders In Deepening The Efforts Of A Communitywide Youth Asset-Building Initiative, Karen Mariska Atkinson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This paper examines, from a community-building perspective, the importance of engaging adults in a deliberate way to deepen asset-building efforts that will benefit the lives of young people. This was done through a leadership application project focused on volunteer adult leaders who connected, equipped and inspired small groups through discussions that deepen their understanding and actions in support of young people. Areas of study include the role of community, volunteer leader attributes, and small group structures. In addition, the project included the development of a guided discussion curriculum for use by volunteer leaders. The paper includes a methodology with a …

Media Selection And Management For Virtual Teams, Randall Ross

Theses and Graduate Projects

This paper examines the challenges associated with communications in virtual teams. Specifically, the study reviews challenges of selection and utilization of commuications media for use in a virtual setting. From their early inception in the 1990s, virtual teams have undergone and continue to experience significant changes. The major factors in those changes are techonolgy development in communication and the globalization of business. The advances on communication technology combined with reduced costs of those technologies have allowed more organizations to utlize virtual teams. Lacking face-to-face contact, virtual team leaders must rely on computer-mediated communication to train, develop, and motivate team members. …

Leadership Development In A Midsize Nonprofit Midwestern 0rganization, Casey Fuerst

Theses and Graduate Projects

This action research project addresses the leadership development challenges of a midsize nonprofit in the Midwestern region of the United States. By looking at the first two phases of the program offered, the state of information on other similar organizations leadership development efforts, the state of information on mentoring options, and the application of Kouzes and Posners [2012J leadership theory of Exemplary Leadership, the project lays out the plan for the third phase of development.

From Start-Up To The Next Level : How To Grow A Small Start-Up Business, Antonelli Lindsay

Theses and Graduate Projects

This paper investigates the strategies used to help small business become profitable. A primary research question following a series of secondary questions were formulated in order to achieve this goal. First, it was considered necessary to understand what consulting business and small business mean from the small business perspective. The second step was to get an insight in the reason why small businesses hire consultants, and the third part of the study focused on the application of the strategic leadership theory. Here the frame of direction was based on Richard L. Hughes and Katherine Colarelli Beatty strategic leadership theory (2005).

"Multimedia Leadership Training: Where Is The Investment For Developing Tomorrow's Leaders In Multimedia Broadcast Stations?", Diana Pierce

Theses and Graduate Projects

Where is the current investment in training for multimedia managers and staff that produce daily broadcast news reports on multimedia platforms? What leadership-training program could be introduced at a local Midwest multimedia station that might address the need for leadership training at this station? This Action Research project examines the literature of what multimedia companies are doing in leadership training and observes specifically one Midwest station in particular. What is clear from the research is that multimedia managers want to have better human resource skills. What isn't clear is why leadership training for about one third of the multimedia industry …

Maintaining Trust Through Patient-Centered Care And Collaboration: A Leadership Model For Hospitals, Mamisoa S. Knutson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study analyzes actions taken by hospital leaders throughout the United States to improve the services offered by their institutions. A review of studies by researchers on patient-centered care, doctor and nurse collaboration, and involvement of patients' families in the patients' experience revealed that increased focus on patient-centered care, doctor and nurse collaboration, and involvement of patients' families is necessary for trust to be attained by patients.

Knowledge Management In A Distributed Workforce: Implications For Leadership, Jennifer S. Milbradt

Theses and Graduate Projects

Over the past decade, the distribution of workers across the country and around the world who work together in various configurations has increased. Work relationships range from being co-located in the same office to working from a virtual office. This paper explores knowledge management in the virtual workforce and best practices for leadership in an increasingly distributed workforce. There is great potential for collaboration within a distributed workforce; however. people need to connect or be connected with each other in order for the collaborative process to flourish. In this project, knowledge management in a distributed workforce was explored among employees …