Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Variations In Social Support And Mental Health Among Black Women By Socioeconomic Status, Lesa A. Johnson

Department of Sociology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A considerable body of research focuses on the mental health of black women with low socioeconomic status. Social scientists have noted that women in low socioeconomic status groups often utilize social networks to provide protection and survival in dense and depressed communities. Still, some social scientists also suggest that the bounded solidarity of kinship networks decreases chances for women to pursue opportunities for economic mobility by creating stressful and time consuming obligations for reciprocity. Though many qualitative and community quantitative studies have been conducted regarding social support and survival among low income women, few quantitative studies have addressed variation in …

Gender And Race Differences In Job Satisfaction And Commitment Among Stem Faculty: The Influence Of Network Integration And Work–Family Balance, Megumi Watanabe

Department of Sociology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Using data on 137 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) faculty working at a research intensive Midwestern University, this study explores whether gender and race variation in network (connections to other faculty within one’s primary department) and work-life (family-friendly work climate and satisfaction with work-life balance) integration can explain gender and race variation in job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Results indicate that job satisfaction did not significantly vary by gender or race. Women, however, were less likely to say they intend to remain at their current institution. Compared to men, women had lower levels of integration in the departmental friendship …

Multiple Determinants Of Sexualized Behavior In Middle Childhood: A Developmental Psychopathology Perspective, Natasha Elkovitch

Department of Psychology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In order to adequately and appropriately intervene with children exhibiting problematic sexual behaviors, a comprehensive understanding of etiology is imperative. Although sexually abused children are observed engaging in more problematic sexual behaviors than their normative or psychiatric counterparts, it is clear that such behaviors may be the result of factors other than, or in addition to, sexual abuse. The goal of the present study was utilize a developmental psychopathology perspective in broadening our understanding of mechanisms associated with the development of problematic sexual behaviors in childhood. Participants for the study include 1, 149 children (51.8% female) drawn from the Longitudinal …

Social Cognition And Interaction Training (Scit) For Individuals With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders In Outpatient Treatment Settings, Petra Kleinlein

Department of Psychology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The role of social cognition in severe mental illness (SMI) has gained much attention, especially over the last decade. The impact of deficits in socio-cognitive functioning has been found to have detrimental effects on key areas of day-to-day functioning in individuals with SMI, such as gaining and maintaining employment and overall experienced quality of life. Treatment of individuals with SMI is challenging, as the presentation of individual signs and symptoms is rather heterogeneous. There are several treatment approaches addressing deficits ranging from broader social and interpersonal functioning to neurocognitive and more intrapersonal functioning. As research in the domain of social …

The Experience And Expression Of Emotion Within Stepsibling Relationships: Politeness Of Expression And Stepfamily Functioning, Emily Lamb Normand

Department of Communication Studies: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

While scholars agree there are emotional challenges associated with the divorce and remarriage process, little is known about how stepsiblings interact and manage the experience and expression of emotion within their stepfamily. The current investigation examined the frequency of experience, intensity, and expression of positive, strong negative, and weak negative emotion within stepsibling relationships over time. Using Politeness Theory as a framework, the study also investigated if an association existed between stepsiblings’ use of politeness strategies during the expression of emotion and stepsiblings’ perception of the quality of their relationship and their perception of the entire stepfamily. Participants were 187 …

Relationship Between Circulating Progenitor Cells, Vascular Function And Oxidative Stress With Long-Term Training And Short-Term Detraining In Older Men, Sarah Witkowski, Michael M. Lockard, Nathan T. Jenkins, Thomas O. Obisesan, Espen E. Spangenburg, James M. Hagberg

Exercise and Sport Studies: Faculty Publications

Exercise may contribute to the maintenance of vascular function via enhanced liberation and action of bone-marrow-derived progenitor cells. Activity related changes in oxidative stress may also influence the number and function of these cells. In the present study, we sought to determine (i) whether adaptations in reactive hyperaemic FBF (forearm blood flow) response associated with long-term endurance exercise and short-term detraining were related to resting putative progenitor cell number and function, and (ii) whether oxidative stress affected these factors. Participants included men with a history of more than 30 years of moderate-to-high-intensity exercise (HI group) and healthy low-active age- and …

Analyzing The Assets For Independence Ida Program, Natalie Denney

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

United Way of the Bluegrass is applying for the Federal Assets for Independence (AFI) grant. The AFI program was established under the Assets for Independence Act (Public Law 105-285, enacted on October 27, 1998) to provide federal funding for state and local Individual Development Account (IDA) projects nationwide. An IDA is a savings account designed to help the low income citizens establish a pattern of savings and, ultimately, obtain assets. United Way of the Bluegrass (UWBG) has decided that they want to target three specific populations—ex-offenders, recovering substance abusers, and the homeless/formerly homeless. This study is to provide more insight …

Assessment Of The Neighborhood, Housing, Family, And Personal Characteristics That Affect Whether Students Drop Out Of High School, Montara Renée November

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

This paper seeks to present research that will allow education officials to identify and target individuals who are likely to drop out of high school. By simultaneously using neighborhood, housing, family, and personal factors to identify at-risk students, education officials can link students to the social programs they need to meet their individual needs. Parent’s educational level had statistically significant effect on whether students dropped out of high school. The lower the education level the more likely a student will drop out of school. Parents who are high school dropouts are more likely to earn less and their children are …

Impact Of Levalbuterol Versus Albuterol In Kentucky Medicaid Patients, Velma Henry

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Problem:

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary disease that occurs in approximately 10 percent of the population worldwide and is associated with a significant increase in direct medical expenditures. Levalbuterol and racemic albuterol are two short-acting β2-agonists (SABA) prescribed for the treatment of asthma. Racemic albuterol has been used for more than 40 years but is associated with several side effects including tremor. When levalbuterol was approved in 2005 its manufacturer and several studies suggested that using levalbuterol results in better respiratory parameters, fewer hospitalizations, less adverse effects and therefore, lower overall treatment costs and hence less need for β-adrenergic agonist …

A Study Of The Effect Of Economic Policies On The Domestic Film Market, Gyeoreh Lee

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

These days, the U.S. films’ market share in the world is almost 70 percent and many countries have devised various means, including import quota, screen quota, subsidy, and tax concessions to protect the domestic film industry by preserving local film’s market share against U.S. film domination. Retaining these policies has important symbolic reasons because market share of the domestic film is related to preserving each country’s cultural sovereignty. However, the effectiveness of the economic policies is murky. If the policies do not bring any advantageous effect to the domestic film industry, there is no rational justification for sticking with them. …

Should Kentucky Tax Professional Services As A Way To Raise Revenue? An Economic Analysis Of Possible Revenue Options, Meghan Mando

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Currently Kentucky is facing a budget deficit of $108 million dollars for the fiscal year 2010. As some lawmakers search for revenue options, one possibility is to consider a sales tax on professional services.

Professional services are considered any kind of service that requires skill, knowledge, reputation, ethics, and creativity. For the purpose of this study, medical services are not included in this category. Many of the services are infrequent, such as the services of an attorney or an accountant. A professional services tax could be used for both businesses and individuals, or could make businesses tax exempt. As of …

Providing Department Of Defense Support Domestically: A Study Of Cost Effectiveness, Meredith Howes

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The Department of Defense is one of the highest costs to the United States government at any given time. However, as two foreign wars have been going on for nearly 10 years, the amount of resources needed is significantly higher than usual. This increase in required funds is necessary for military personnel salaries, military equipment, government personnel supporting the Department of Defense, along with support services provided by private military contractors. There have been several recent studies reviewing the effectiveness of contractors on the battlefield, but most overlook those supporting the warfighter at home. While there are many different factors …

A Study Of The Effects Of Budget-Balancing Practices And Fiscal Policies On State Fiscal Health, Candice Schultheis

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

During times of economic recessions, many states throughout the U.S. may experience budget pressures that impact their overall fiscal health. Kentucky, in particular, has been faced with structural budget imbalances, declining revenue receipts, and spending reductions. Although economic conditions greatly affect states’ abilities to maintain balanced budgets, other factors may contribute to the variation among states’ financial conditions. This study assesses the effect that budget-balancing strategies, processes, and policies have on states’ fiscal health, as measured by state fiscal peril scores reported by the Pew Center on the States and year-end budget balances as a percentage of expenditures estimated by …

Disability Preparedness: Availability Of Ada Compliant Emergency Shelters Across Pennsylvania, Lisa J. Peterson

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Since the events of September 11th and Hurricane Katrina, the field and research associated with emergency preparedness have grown substantially. Despite the positive contributions of research, problems relating to the use of emergency shelters during the disasters have surfaced. Through anecdotal evidence and subsequent research, it was soon discovered that the needs of those with disabilities were not adequately addressed at many sites. Many potential residents were turned away at shelters due to their disability, or if allowed in, were forced to live in sites with barriers that could hinder activities of daily living.

To address concerns, emergency management officials …

Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling: An Analysis Of The Households Participating In The National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program In Louisville, Travis Weber

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Problem Statement

Since 2006 the number of housing foreclosures has increased significantly. This increase is taking a toll on many communities across the nation, including Louisville, Kentucky. The percentage of delinquent mortgage loans in the Commonwealth of Kentucky has risen sharply, jumping nearly 3.5% since 2006, while the percentage of delinquent loans entering foreclosure has risen just as sharply according to the Kentucky Office of the Courts. The number of foreclosed properties proceeding to Master Commissioner sale has more than tripled between 2002 and 2008, to over 3000 foreclosures scheduled to take place. The number of foreclosures is negatively impacting …

The Makeup And Utilization Of University Student Unions: A Comparative Analysis, Ashley N. Wineki

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The University of Kentucky’s Top 20 Business Plan established a list of goals the university must meet in order to become a top 20 research institution by the year 2020. The University of Kentucky Student Center houses student programming and facilities that impact student involvement and retention, both of which are mandated to increase in order to reach the Top 20 goal.

I conducted this research in order to determine how the University of Kentucky Student Center is utilized by the campus and how, if at all, it could improve to better serve the student body and campus. Survey data …

Turning To Community In Times Of Crisis: Globally Derived Insights On Local Community Formation, Glen Kuecker, Martin Mulligan, Yaso Nadarajah

History Faculty publications

No abstract provided.

Deposit Insurance Coverage, Ownership, And Banks' Risk-Taking In Emerging Markets, Apanard P. Angkinand, Clas Wihlborg

Business Faculty Articles and Research

We ask how deposit insurance systems and ownership of banks affect the degree of market discipline on banks' risk-taking. Market discipline is determined by the extent of explicit deposit insurance, as well as by the credibility of non-insurance of groups of depositors and other creditors. Furthermore, market discipline depends on the ownership structure of banks and the responsiveness of bank managers to market incentives. An expected U-shaped relationship between explicit deposit insurance coverage and banks' risk-taking is influenced by country specific institutional factors, including bank ownership. We analyze specifically how government ownership, foreign ownership and shareholder rights affect the disciplinary …

Snapshot 2010: Maine Workers With Disabilities, Maine’S Commission On Disability And Employment, Choices Ceo Project

Disability & Aging

No abstract provided.

Evidence-Based Programs That Address Social Emotional Learning In An Early Childhood Setting, Jihan Ali

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project is to compare and contrast evidence-based curriculums that address social-emotional learning for children 3 to 5 years old in a rural early childhood setting. Factors that will be considered include the effectiveness of the program with diverse populations, implementation in rural areas, includes a parenting component, cost of training as well as other appropriate factors. By providing effective early childhood education to children and parents, Fernbrook will be able to give the parents skills to more effectively parent at the home and children skills to develop healthy social emotional skills.

Research Question: What evidence-based social …

Family Group Decision Making Utilization, Susan Carpenter

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

In 2002, Greater Minnesota Family Services (GMFS) began providing Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) services funded by a grant and Three Counties for Kids and is still provided today in five counties. These counties are Blue Earth, Brown, Nicollet, Sibley, and Watonwan all located in Southern Minnesota. A survey was conducted to determine why the FGDM program is or is not utilized by county employees in the service area. Of county employee’s surveyed (N=25), 92% have used FGDM and 82% of those who identified their level of satisfaction (N=22) were satisfied to very satisfied with the services.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction And Chronic Illness, Kelly Dulohery

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The Minnesota Department of Health (n.d.) defines a chronic health condition as having an extended course, does not resolve suddenly, and complete cure is a rarity. The literature suggests that stress can exacerbate the symptoms of chronic health condition (Roth and Robins, 2004). Addressing the biopsychosocial needs of individuals with chronic health conditions pushes the limits of conventional medicine (Grossman, Niemann, Schmidt, & Walach, 2004). A chronic health condition, if left untreated can lead to additional physical and psychological conditions (e.g. contributing to the development of anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and helplessness) (Ledesma & Kumano, 2009); (Reibel, …

A Meta-Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Sex Offender Residential Restrictions To Recidivism, Cheryl Kack

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to review the empirical research studies pertaining to the enactment of sex offender residency restrictions and its impact on recidivism. The intended purpose for residency restrictions is to limit the distance an offender can reside in proximity to schools, parks, playgrounds and daycare facilities. These residency restrictions were implemented as a safe guard to prevent sex offenders from residing in close proximity to where children typically gather (Chajewski & Mercado, 2009; During, 2006; Melroy, Miller & Curtis, 2008; Mercado, Alvarez & Levenson, 2008; Zgoba, Levenson & McKee, 2009). There has been a limited number …

Program Recommendations To Fulfill Restrictive Procedures Training Requirements For School Districts, Annette M. Kleinschrodt

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Minnesota Statute 125A.0942, Standards for Restrictive Procedures goes into effect on August 1, 2011. This law includes stringent training requirements for licensed school staff to complete if they will be using any type of restrictive procedures in their district. The policy encourages proactive methods to address behavior, emphasizes restrictive measures to be used only in cases of emergency, and implementing the least intrusive intervention. The training component is a large part of accomplishing this goal. The purpose of this project is to examine existing programs that train school personnel in administering restrictive procedures. Training programs are reviewed for their evidence-base …

Filling The Gap In Crisis Intervention: Horizon Homes, Inc. Proposal For Sccbi Crisis Services, Ricki Pribyl

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

In late April 2010, the South Central Crisis Center operated in Mankato, MN under state operated services (SOS) closed its doors. The closing of the crisis center left a gap in mental health services, particularly for the ten counties it specifically served. Legislators in the Mankato area, specifically Kathy Sheran worked hard to put together a block grant through the Health and Human Services Act, which would allow additional funding for the reopening of the crisis center. Given that the grant went though, the operation of the new crisis center would be overseen by the South Central Community Based Initiative …

Behavioral Health Self-Efficacy Of Nurses In A Rural Emergency Department, Alyssa Schlager

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This project aims to provide a resource manual for the Waseca area which will be utilized by the emergency department‟s nursing staff. As described above, the need for nursing staff to know how to work with, handle, and appropriately refer behavioral health patients is an essential piece of emergency department nursing. After receiving an orientation on the composition of the new resource manual, emergency department nursing staff will have a better understanding of what to do when the social worker is not present as well as feel more comfortable with their knowledge related to behavioral health patients.

This project has …

Investigating Compassion Fatigue And Burnout Rates Among Mental Health Professionals At Sioux Trails Mental Health Center, Lora Schoewe

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research is to explore the existence of compassion fatigue and burnout among mental health professionals at Sioux Trails Mental Health Center, which is a community based mental health center in located in various rural communities in Southern Minnesota. The research also sought to identify what the professional and agency can do to reduce burnout rates.

Research Questions: Does compassion fatigue and burnout exist among the mental health professionals at Sioux Trails Mental Health Center? What professional and personal resources do the mental health professionals use to reduce the risk of compassion fatigue an burnout?

Anger Management For Adults: Developing An Evidence-Based Anger Management Program, Kari Velzke

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project is to identify and organize key components necessary in an evidence-based anger management program to be implemented by Lutheran Social Service (LSS) in a rural setting. Current research was examined along with existing anger management program models. Results indicated evidence-based program components that best addressed anger regulation and control for the adult population age 18 and older in a group setting.

Evidence-Based Strategies And Techniques For Children With Asd, Tanya Walerius

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

To identify and research evidence-based Autism Spectrum Disorder strategies and techniques for working with children, particularly children aged 6 –10 years old, who receive In-Home Skills Services. Most therapeutic services are received through the school systems (Shapiro & Accardo, 2008), but Counseling Services of Southern Minnesota (CSSM) provides In-Home Skills Services that requires the Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) staff to be knowledgeable and competent in the services they provide to clients.

The purpose of this project was to provide CSSM with specific strategies and techniques through a manual to be used by the CTSS workers. The information will …

Defining Exemplary Children's Mental Health Services In Minnesota's Rural Communities, Melanie Wurtzberger

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Research shows that children’s mental health services in rural areas are not likely to meet all the qualities to be determined ‘exemplary’ with regards to diverse groups and at-risk populations due to: limited community resources, decreased funding and reimbursement rates, geographic distance from consumers, lack of collaborations from primary care physicians, and sparse number of adequately trained mental health (Fenell & Hovestadt, 2005; Gamm, Stone & Pittman, 2003; Moore et al., 2005; Powell & Dunlap, 2005) The purpose of the research was to define exemplary services as it applies to rural county children’s mental health services so as to assist …