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WKU Administration Documents

Special edition of the College Heights Herald featuring athletics.

• Robinson, Andrew. WKU Has More to Prove This Time Around – University of Kentucky, Football
• Greenwell, Zach. WKU Hoping to Seize Opportunity in Lexington – Football
• Lintner, Jonathan. Three Keys to WKU Winning at University of Kentucky – Football
• Patton, Emily. Sisters Stay Close as Unlikely Teammates, Starters at WKU – Volleyball, Kelly Potts, Ashley Potts
• Greenwell, Zach. Tops Ready to Tackle Kentucky Playmaker Randall Cobb – Football
• Lintner, Jonathan. WKU Spreading Red, Coping with Kentucky Blue – Football
• 2010-2011 Men’s Basketball Schedule
• Extra Questions with Phillip Hatchett – Golf
• Harrison, …

Geropsychiatric Nursing Staff: The Role Of Empowerment, Geriatric Caregiving Self-Efficacy, And Emotional Labor At Work, Ann Smolen-Hetzel

Theses and Dissertations

The current research examined the influence of the emotional labor strategies of faking emotion and suppression of emotion, empowerment, and geriatric caregiving self-efficacy on the relationship between work stress and emotional exhaustion—one dimension of burnout—for a sample of nursing staff members employed in a state-level geriatric psychiatric hospital. The total sample included 79 participants, which included registered nurses (n = 15), licensed practical nurses (n = 23) , and human service care workers (n = 41) who completed the Stress in General scale (Stanton, Balzer, Smith, Parra, & Ironson, 2001), Maslach Burnout Inventory (Human Services Survey; Maslach, Jackson & Leiter, …

"Ultra-High Risk" : Exploring The Prodrome To Psychosis Through Cognitive And Dialogic Theoretical Lenses : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Clare Bullock Boyd

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study is a theoretical exploration of the clinical phenomenon known as the prodrome to schizophrenia. The prodrome refers to a constellation of clinical symptoms that signal considerably high risk for the development of psychosis and/or schizophrenia. The prodrome is an area of high research interest, as the potential for early intervention with prodromal individuals to prevent or delay the onset of psychosis appears to be possible. The clinical phenomena of the prodrome were explored, including a comprehensive review of the relevant literature and research. Case material is also presented. The prodrome is then conceptualized with a cognitive theoretical framework, …

Is It Ever Appropriate To Encourage A Survivor Of Sexual Trauma To Forgive? : A Theoretical Analysis, Elizabeth Lind Crane

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The topic of forgiveness is pervasive in popular culture and is being written about in psychological literature. This theoretical study was undertaken to examine the theoretical basis of forgiveness interventions and how these theories intersect with trauma-informed treatment. This study specifically explores the theoretical basis of the therapeutic value of a survivor of sexual trauma choosing to forgive her perpetrator in an attempt to determine the potential risks and benefits of forgiveness interventions. Literature was reviewed on the treatment of sexual trauma, including current practices. Then, a review of the literature on the treatment of sexual trauma and how forgiveness …

Planting The Seed : The Lasting Impact Of An Explicit Anti-Racism Mission On White Graduate Students Of The Smith College School For Social Work : A Project Based Upon Independent Investigation, Charlotte Cromley Curtis

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken to investigate the ongoing impact of an explicit anti-racism mission on white graduates of the Smith College School for Social Work (SSW) and to determine which elements of the anti-racism experience are most salient. Specifically, which salient experiences influence white graduates in continuing to engage in anti-racism work in the field of social work. Data was gathered from 85 white participants who completed the MSW program between 1994 and 2009. An online survey instrument was used to gather quantitative and qualitative data on participants' attitudes and behaviors related to anti-racism and their recollections of the program …

Multidisciplinary Considerations For Clinical Work With The Multiracial Identity : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Kate Lee De Soto

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This project was conducted with the intentions of broadening the discussion that is occurring in clinical fields regarding the multiracial identity. Much of the discussion that occurs is treated as though racial dynamics are fixed (Leary, 2000). This theoretical paper aims to exemplify the nuance of the multiracial identity by combining clinical theory with a more culturally grounded analysis of racial discourse. Intersubjectivity theory is used in this paper to exemplify the value of using a clinical theory when conceptualizing racial issues, while cultural studies provides a deeper understanding of the system of race in the United States. The use …

A Social Worker's Dilemma : Does Experience Make A Difference? : How Biases And Judgements Affect Social Worker's Assessments Of Collectivist Culture Immigrant Families : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Theresa J. Cary

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This pilot study was undertaken to assess how social workers in western hospitals respond to a vignette about a collectivist child and the child's family. America has many immigrant populations that often have different values and ethics from mainstream America. Social workers encounter these individuals in their work and it is important that social workers are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to respond to the client's needs. Using a snowball sampling method, 19 participants responded to a mixed method online survey. The participants were predominately Caucasian, ranged in ages from 26- 60 years of age, had their MSW, …

The Effect Of Religion On Coming Out And The Sexual Identity Formation Of 18-30 Year Olds Who Self-Identify As Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Or Queer : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Marissa M. Puntigam

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Religion, particularly within Judeo-Christian traditions, is an often cited rationale for rejection of homosexuality and persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer. Given the socio-cultural influence of religion, catalyzed through the media, legislation, churches, and families, such frequent defamation could be believed to elicit a moral dilemma for an individual contemplating his/her own sexual identity. This effect might be detectable through the process and age of coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer. This study sought to investigate the direct impact of a religious upbringing on sexual identity formation and was executed through quantitative analysis with a …

Polyamory As "Ethical Nonmonogamy" : A Viable Alternative To Infidelity : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Sarah Kay Woodruff-Diaz

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This research examined the practice of polyamory as "ethical nonmonogamy" within the United States. Long-term dyadic monogamy (usually between a man and woman, and sanctioned through marriage) is the hegemonic index for how most Americans continue to experience and authenticate relationships. However, patterns of frequent infidelity and frequent divorce undermine the rectitude of monogamy's core institution. This study sought to determine whether polyamory could provide a viable alternative to traditional models of long-term dyadic monogamy. It also sought to determine the capacity of poly phenomenon to foster intrapsychic growth and development, and provide psychic repair in spite of (and because …

Stigmatizing Will And Grace : A Theoretical Exploration Of Gay Male Straight Female Fictive Kin Relationships : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Michelle Anne Beaulieu

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Alternatives to heterosexual or homosexual partnerships, such as non-sexual relationships between gay men and straight women, constitute an understudied yet important source of social support for the people in them. This study is an exploration of one specific manifestation of such a relationship, specifically between gay men and straight women, utilizing the concept of "fictive kin" as a way of understanding these relationships. Using interdependence theory and social construct theory to elucidate the ways GMSF relationships have been, and continue to be, stigmatized, this paper offers a lens for understanding the implications of this stigmatization.

Gender Based Differences In Behavioral Expression Among Sexually Reactive Children, Alexandra Celeste Ebken

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Literature is reviewed to help define and develop a clearer understanding of research on prepubescent children with sexually reactive behaviors. In this article the differences between sexually reactive children ages 2-12 are assessed by gender, focusing primarily on differences in externalizing and internalizing behaviors through the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC). Few differences were found on either instrument. Implications are offered.

Parents' And Caregivers' Experiences With Their Children's Residential Treatment Centers : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Elizabeth Cleveland Fenzel

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explored the experiences of parents and caregivers at their child's Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs). Family involvement has been widely accepted as a factor that benefits children in RTCs and family centered practice encourages parent participation in all aspects of a child's care, yet there is limited research on parents and caregivers' participation in two key areas at RTCs: the day-to-day care of their child and the treatment planning/implementation for their child. Thirty-four parents and caregivers of children in RTCs completed a mixed method survey which asked respondents to identify how they are or are not involved in the …

Synesthesia : A Sixth Sense Or A Sensation : A Research Project Based Upon Interviewing Persons With Color Synesthesia, Lynn Kaye Goode

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Synesthesia is a peculiar neurological phenomenon that occurs when two senses combine. For example, seeing the colors of words, letters, and music or feeling the shapes of tastes and smells are types of synesthesia. Persons who experience these sensations are called "synesthetes." I am one of a small percentage of the population who "see" language in color. Although writers, poets, and artists have historically intertwined color and language in a metaphoric way, letters and words literally appear in my mind in a color-coded sequence. While synesthesia is an involuntary, sometimes disruptive process for those who experience it, most synethetes cannot …

Foster Children In Schools : Understanding And Addressing Challenges Through Trauma Theory And Systems Theory : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Nicole C. Guertin

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Foster children face a range of difficulties in the school setting, yet the solutions that are most frequently proposed to remedy these issues place the responsibility for improvement in the hands of child welfare workers and the larger social service system. This thesis suggests a model for understanding, analyzing, and addressing the challenges experienced by foster children in schools through the frameworks of trauma theory and systems theory. Trauma theory is used to consider the trauma-related symptom formation that appears in the school setting with an emphasis on understanding the affect beneath the behavior. Systems theory is used to consider …

The Unique Challenges Faced By South Asian American Social Work Graduate Students : Campus Communities, Academics, And Field : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Sumati Shireen Holman

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was conducted to explore the types of challenges faced by South Asian American social work students in all components of their graduate program, perceived to be directly related to their ethnicity. Nine participants were recruited using a snowball method. Participants ranged in age from 31 to 76 years old and were currently attending, or had attended, an MSW or DSW program in the United States. A semi-structured open-ended interview was used to elicit participant response regarding challenges in the areas of social interaction with other students on campus, a sense of belonging, academics, and field experience with supervisors …

Meet Our New Librarian, Jessica Minihan, Georgia Southern University, Zach S. Henderson Library

Library Publications (1999-2023)

• Meet our new librarian, Jessica Minihan

Let's Do It : Individual Perspectives On First Sexual Experiences : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Sara Ann Christiano

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Although sex surrounds us in many ways learning about it in an honest, open and factual way seems more uncommon than common. This study was designed to examine how individuals gathered information about sex prior to their first sexual experience, how they made decisions to have sex for the first time and what sort of impact their decisions have had on their perspectives on sex. It was hypothesized that individuals who had access to and utilized a broad range of factual information including speaking to trusted, experienced individuals, such as parents and adults with whom they were close, were more …

The Effects Of Music On The Negative Symptoms Of Schizophrenia : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At Hartford Hospital's Institute Of Living, Hartford, Connecticut, Joan Elizabeth Corbin

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken in order to examine and present a rationale for the use of music in a Schizophrenia Rehabilitation Program (SRP) for outpatients. It was hypothesized that a positive affective shift can be created in clients participating in group music psychotherapy. Study participants were enrolled from the SRP at Hartford Hospital's Institute of Living. Sixteen outpatients volunteered to participate in this study. After data collection was complete, effectiveness was determined through direct observation and participants pre and post self-report. In this quasi-experimental design, a paired sample T-test was used to analyze the quantitative results of affective significance. Sessions …

The Impact Of Psychosocial Care On At-Risk Patients Following Heart Transplantation : A Single Center Experience : A Project Based On Data Collected At The University Of California, Los Angeles In Conjunction With The California Heart Center Foundation, Linda Loan Pham

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This quantitative retrospective study examines the correlation between post surgical psychosocial interventions and outcome in heart transplant patients who were identified as at-risk preoperatively and able to receive a heart transplant, where outcomes included survival and number of non-standardized hospitalization. Data was collected from the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center heart transplant database. Data was analyzed by using two-tailed t-tests and chi-square tests to assess the variation between groups. The Wilcoxon log-rank statistic was used to compare Kaplan- Meier survival curves. 46 patients were identified as at-risk during their pre-transplant psychosocial assessment. Results indicated that at-risk patients …

The Nature Of Relationships Within The Open Adoption Triad : A Project Based On Independent Investigation, Maureen Sweeney

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the nature of relationships within an open adoption triad. The adoption triad is defined as the birth parents, the adoptive parents, and the adoptee. The broadest definition of an open adoption arrangement is that it involves the intentional contact or communication between adoptive parents, adopted persons and birth parents before or after adoption. The study looked at children adopted as infants through private adoption agencies. For this study the major constructs of Object relations Theory and Attachment Theory were applied to each member of the adoption triad. This study found evidence that …

The Matthew Effect And Treatment Selection For Urban Poor Clients : Social Pain, Countertransference Or Competition? : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Launa Kay Bodde

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study is a theoretical look at the intersection of neurobiology and analytic theory as it impacts clinician's decisions about treatment selection. Historically, it has been proven that clients who are poor do not receive the same level of care, attention and service as clients from "upper classes." These poorer clients do not have the same ability to compete for resources, therefore the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. This phenomena has been coined the Matthew Effect. This study is an attempt to find new and different ways of explaining the Matthew Effect phenomenon. What exactly are the …

Attitudes Of Mental Health Professionals Toward Mental Illness : Comparisons And Predictors : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At Department Of Youth Services, Massachusetts, David Townsend Browne

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This quantitative descriptive study examines the differences in attitudes toward mental illness and the mentally ill between different groups of mental health workers by asking the following questions: Do mental health workers with higher levels of education show lower levels of mental health stigma? Do mental health workers with more experience in the field show lower levels of mental health stigma? This study uses a data set collected with the help of David Browne and analyzed by Marjorie Postal of Smith College. The sample consists of 64 DYS staff who attended a Staff Appreciation Day and filled out a survey …

An Examination Of Intergenerational Father Involvement : Does History Determine Destiny? : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Savann Donovan

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study used a pictorial assessment instrument, the Family Circles instrument, to determine (a) if there are generational differences in pictorial representations of father involvement, and (b) if participants tend to represent father involvement as similar between their family-of-origin and current family experiences. A subset of the California-based, longitudinal Supporting Father Involvement study, the sample consisted of 42 mothers and 50 fathers; 33 of the mothers and fathers were in a couple relationship with one another, sharing at least one child together. According to both mothers' and fathers' reports, fathers were depicted as more involved (i.e., more central in the …

Socioemotional Development And Nonverbal Learning Disabilities : A Theoretical Intersection Of Neurobiology And Self Psychology : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Joanna M. Lightburn

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this theoretical investigation is to explore how Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NLD) influences a child's social and emotional development by examining the potential interrelationship between the literature on neurobiology related to NLD and literature on normative psychosocial development. NLD, a lesser-known learning disability subtype, can impact an individual's capacity to process and remember visual-spatial information. Individuals with NLD have difficulty with social interactions, as they cannot recognize or accurately decode another's nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions, gestures, body language and tone of voice. Due to repeated rejection from others in response to their social perception deficits, individuals …

The Development Of Racial-Ethnic Identity Among International Adoptees : The Role Of Perceived Parental Cultural Competency : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Abigail Jin Forshay

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study examines the relationship between parental cultural competence and the development of ethnic/racial identity among a small group of South Korean adoptees raised by White American parents in the United States. There is a growing body of research supporting the hypothesis that parental attitudes and cultural socialization practices impact significantly outcomes related to the development of racial identity among trans-racially adopted children. The research seeks to identify and measure specific characteristics in the familial environments of these Asian trans-racial adoptees which may affect the outcome of the adoptees' racial and ethnic identity in adulthood. To accomplish study goals, information …

Practice Wisdom : An Exploration Of School Social Workers Experience With Social And Emotional Learning Curricula : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Gordon David Gross

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Of all of the professions that exist in a school setting, social workers are trained specifically in the three main theoretical tenets of social and emotional learning programs: systems theory, cognitive behavioral theory and psychoanalytic theory. Yet there is little in the literature about what the role of social work should be as a stakeholder in implementing a SEL curriculum. This qualitative research was designed to investigate what could be learned from the practice wisdom of school social workers in elementary schools that have adopted a SEL curriculum about their experiences and the roles they have adopted. This study employed …

Racial Micro-Aggressions In The Clinical Dyad : A Qualitative Study Of African American Clinical Social Workers : Anti-Oppression With Same Race Clients : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Illana Cathleen Jordan

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

In this qualitative study the experiences of African American clinicians working with African American clients regarding racial micro-aggressions that occur both in and outside the clinical dyad are explored. Twelve African American clinicians participated in structured interviews for the purposes of exploring their experiences talking about race and racism when working with same race clients. Participants worked in a variety of clinical settings but all provided individual therapy to African American clients. Participants reported that they allowed their clients to guide discussions pertaining to the issue of micro-aggressions. Clinicians felt that "race talk" bears critical importance on the therapeutic alliance …

An Exploration Of The Dual Liminal Space :The Cultural And Developmental Process Of South American Latino Adolescents Post Immigration : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Erika Hajati

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative, retrospective study aimed to explore the ways in which South American Latino Adolescents navigated through a dual liminal space (e.i developmental and cultural) post immigration. In other words, this study explored the intersection of the experience of being an adolescent and an immigrant in the United States. The research question for this exploratory study was: How do South American Latino adolescents move through the cultural and developmental liminal spaces post immigration? The sample for this study included 12 South American Latino immigrants who came to the United States during their adolescence, and have been in the country for …

Utilizing Family Therapy : The Perspectives Of Clinicians Who Work With Families In Which A Parent Is Affected By Mental Illness : A Qualitative Study : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Jessie Miller Weisstein

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was conducted in order to explore the perspectives of clinicians who work with families in which a parent is affected by mental illness. The relatively small amount of research that has been conducted in this area led the researcher to choose a qualitative exploratory design. Nine clinicians who identified as practitioners of family therapy participated in this study. The clinicians were geographically located in New York City and narratives were gathered during forty-five minute in-person interviews. The questions focused on the following topics: 1.) What are the theoretical frameworks or interventions that clinicians use when working with families …

Body Image And Adolescent Male Sexual Perpetrators : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Jennifer Elizabeth Brownlee

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Adolescent sexual offenders are responsible for at least 40% of reported forcible rapes and child molestation in the United States (Snyder and Sickmond, 1999). With such startling statistics, it is important to consider possible reasons for such behaviors, as well as treatment options to minimize recidivism rates. Currently, male adolescent perpetrator treatment necessitates full bio-psycho-social treatment. An example of such treatment would be a multifaceted treatment model that accounts not only for the behaviors themselves, but also the total environment: mental, physical, and familial, or a holistic approach (Ryan and Lane, 1997). Currently, body image is not fully considered within …