Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Cultural Implications Of Starbucks Consumption In China: Why Do Chinese Have A Latte On Their Mind?, Garrett Hersh

Honors Theses

The aim of this thesis was gain a more comprehensive understanding concerning the Chinese consumers understanding of coffee and Starbucks in China as a luxury good. Considering China's recent history, as well as the introduction of a capitalist, consumer economy, examining the Chinese consumers' consumption pattern of this foreign, arguably luxury, good, is reflective of Chinese consumer ideals. A literature review analyzing the relationship between Chinese consumer ideals and the introduction of global consumerism, in addition to a set of interviews and surveys were conducted in attempts to understand the current Chinese consumption patterns of Starbucks coffee. After conducting the …

The Impact Of Values Clarification And Expression Of Beliefs On Dysfunctional Leadership Among Church Lay Leaders, John F. Cosgrove

Dissertations

Problem

Leaders face challenges from within themselves and from others. Dysfunctions within the leader and with their group can lessen leadership effectiveness. It appears some leaders manage these dysfunctions better than others. More needs to be understood about how these dysfunctions are best mediated and some have suggested clarification of values and beliefs can do that.

Method

This study followed a quantitative correlational research design. Data were obtained using surveys that 84 participants completed on line. Participants were selected from current lay leaders and former lay leaders of not more than three years past from Christ United Methodist Church of …

Capacity Building For International Development Practitioners Through An Off-Campus Graduate Education Program, Ralph Charles Wood

Dissertations

Problem

Andrews University offers a graduate off-campus program in international development, the Master of International Development Administration (MIDA). The stimulus for this study came from the fact that there had never been an extensive investigation of the capacity building impact on the graduates of the off-campus Master of International Development Administration of Andrews University. Coupled with this, there was a very limited body of research on the importance and effect of education in international development when it comes to building the capacity of the practitioners of international development. This study determined the alumni’s perceptions of experiencing individual capacity building and …

Exploring The Transition Experience For The First Time Local Conference Presidents In The North American Division Of Seventh-Day Adventists: Narratives From Conference Presidents' Career Transitions, David E. Weigley

Dissertations

The position of the president of a conference in the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (a senior leadership role) has currently no policy stipulating leadership training prerequisites. Leaders transitioning into the president’s position typically are selected from a pool of successful pastors, departmental directors, and executive secretaries by a constituency meeting of delegates from local churches and conference institutions.

This qualitative study probed the transition of 12 first-time local conference presidents. The information was gathered by recording in-depth interviews. Eight themes surfaced from the exploration. Leaders experienced the transition as overwhelming, challenging their spirituality, involving new constellations of relationships, …

The Effects Of Learning About Black History On Racial Identity, Self-Efficacy, Self-Esteem, And Depression Among Low-Income African American Male Youth, Quentin L. Stubbins

Dissertations

Problem

The literature is clear that African American youth receive a shallow account from parents and schools about Black history. More importantly, African American male youth from low-income families rarely receive information about Black history. Youth today watch television for entertainment and through watching television learn about new facts and information. African American youth watch more television than any other ethnic group. The media has a long history of portraying African Americans in a negative light. The negative media portrayals of African Americans have impacted their racial identity, self-esteem, self-efficacy and their mental health. No research has been done on …

The Influence Of Perceived Relationship Quality With The Deceased, And Guilt, On Suicide Survivors' Grief Reactions, Nicole Carden Dishman

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The objective of this study was to examine whether or not (1) the quality (emotional attachment, level of psychological closeness) of the pre-mortem relationship between a suicide survivor and the deceased, and (2) the amount of guilt experienced has influenced grief reactions in suicide survivors. Specifically, complicated grief, perceived stigma, and overall quality of life were examined. Data were collected from 1130 adult participants between the ages 18 and 80, who identified as having lost someone to suicide, in a time period more than six months prior to survey completion. This dissertation's findings suggest that guilt has a detrimental impact …

The Effects Of Therapist Self-Disclosure Of A Mental Health Condition On Client Perceptions Of The Therapist, Samantha E. Kaufman

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Therapist self-disclosure is a controversial intervention that is defined in numerous ways and includes a variety of content. Little is known about how therapist self-disclosure of a mental health condition affects clients’ and non clients’ perceptions of the therapist. The first goal of this study was to investigate the effects of therapist self-disclosure of a mental health condition on client perceptions of the therapist on three social influence factors (Attractiveness, Expertness, Trustworthiness) and two facilitative conditions (Empathy and Level of Regard). The second goal was to investigate if client perceptions of the therapist’s social influence factors and facilitative conditions varied …

The Examination Of Peer Support On Psychological And Academic Functioning In A Sample Of Inner-City Latino Students, Carly Bosacker Ma, Ms

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Research has shown that peer relationships influence both psychological and academic functioning (Woolley, Kol, & Bowen, 2008; Zimmer-Gembeck & Pronk, 2012). Peer relationships have also been found to be important components of a child’s emotional and behavioral functioning across cultures (Ladd, 1999; Jensen-Campbell & Malcolm, 2007; Parker et al., 2005; Parker & Asher, 1993; La Greca & Harrison, 2006)). However, there is a lack of research on peer relationships in minority youth, specifically Latino youth (Way & Chen, 2000). This study examined the relationship between peer support and psychological and academic functioning in a sample of Latino middle-school students. Self-report …

Community Reentry, Mental-Health And Substance Abuse Treatment, And Stigmatization: A Qualitative Study Of Ex-Offenders, Deborah Luckey

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This qualitative study was conducted with ex-offenders who are currently in reentry programs and professionals who have contact with them in order to explore experiences of stigmatization, as well as access and adherence to mental-health and substance abuse treatment. A better understanding of what works and does not work, from the viewpoint of individuals actively engaged in the process of reentry, is needed in order to assist them with successful reentry. A total of 11 participants were in the study; six were in the ex-offender group and five were in the professionals group. All individuals were interviewed using a semistructured …

Therapeutic Effectiveness, Stress, And Burnout In Mental Health Professionals, Christina Pimble

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Therapists face a great deal of stress in their day-to-day work, which arises from issues regarding psychotherapy effectiveness, therapist gender, client population, and job dissatisfaction. These stressors make therapists susceptible to personal mental health issues, which can lead to burnout. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between therapist perception of therapeutic effectiveness, perceived stress, and burnout experienced by the therapist as influenced by, but not limited to, therapist gender, client population, the type of setting in which the therapist works, and length of time in the field. Findings from this study may provide insight into stressors …

Correlates Of The Perception Of Recovery-Oriented Treatment In An Inpatient Setting, Beau Brendley

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

In 2003, the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health articulated a call for mental-health-care service systems to transform their service systems to a recovery-oriented model. Current research regarding the integration of recovery-based services has predominantly been conducted in outpatient and community provider settings (Crane-Ross, Lutz & Roth, 2006; Deegan et al., 2008; Matthias et al., 2012; Salyers & Tsemeris, 2007; Solomon & Stanhope, 2004). The following study examines whether adult inpatients with serious mental illnesses perceive their treatment to meet recovery-related standards at a private psychiatric hospital that uses a recovery-oriented treatment system. The study will further identify if there …

Fathers Of Children With Long Qt Syndrome: Their Concerns And Ways Of Coping, Jodi Yarnell

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a genetic disorder of the heart that may result in syncope, seizures, and sometimes sudden cardiac death. The wide-ranging clinical presentation of LQTS can lead to fear and uncertainty in families of children diagnosed with LQTS, while treatment and lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce the level of risk. Despite the far-reaching implications of this syndrome on the lives of children and families, very little is known about the psychosocial aspects of having a child with this syndrome. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experiences of fathers of children with LQTS …

Exploring Perfectionism As A Cognitive Vulnerability To Psychological Distress: The Mediating Role Of Cognitive Distortions, Jennifer Caso Tolliver

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

In this study, perfectionism was examined as a potential disposition for psychological distress, and cognitive distortions were evaluated as a mediator. Three hundred fifty-two graduate students from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine were recruited to participate in the study during the 2015 summer and fall terms, of which a total of 147 completed the surveys on both occasions. Using a two-wave longitudinal design, we assessed perfectionism, cognitive distortions, stressors, and symptoms of psychological distress using the following self-report measures: the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire, the Cognitive Distortions Scale, the Life Experiences Survey, and the Brief Symptom Inventory-18. Findings revealed that …

Perceptions And Attitudes Of A Sample Of Primary Care Patients Receiving Psychological Care From Their Pcp, Nadine Henzes Gowarty

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

With millions of Americans suffering from a mental health disorder and slightly more than half receiving treatment, the demand for psychological services far outweighs the number of practitioners available to provide direct care. Therefore, the majority of all primary-care visits are based on psychosocial factors; one third of a PCP’s caseloads consist of patients with mental-health problems. Given the fact that PCPs provide comprehensive psychosocial care, it is important to determine the beliefs and perceptions of their patients. Results from this study identified numerous factors that influence the relationship between patients receiving mental health care from their PCP. Specifically, if …

The Relationship Between “Feeling Fat” And Weight-Gain Feedback In A Non-Eating-Disordered Female Sample: Clinical Perfectionism As A Related Variable, Jenna Dilossi

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between feeling fat and weight-gain feedback in a sample of 111 non-eating-disordered women between the ages of 18 to 45 years. Specifically, this study examined feeling fat with regard to feedback type (i.e., weight reading or clothing size) and social context (i.e., alone or with peers present). Additionally, perfectionism was examined as a related variable within this relationship. Hypotheses related to social context and perfectionism were supported, whereas hypotheses related to feedback type were not supported. Results indicated a significant main effect for social context on feeling fat scores and an insignificant interaction effect for …

Teacher Knowledge And Implementation Of Evidence Based Interventions Prior To Referral For Special Education, Kathryn L. Hottenstein

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The purpose of this study is not only to understand teachers’ knowledge of evidence based intervention strategies but also how they implement these in the classroom. This information will provide insight into current teacher behaviors regarding the intervention process. The study also explores how long teachers utilize such techniques before referring a student for a psychoeducational evaluation, as well as how often students are referred for a comprehensive evaluation. The study was designed to address four research questions related to teacher knowledge of evidence based interventions and their utilization of the prereferral process. A total of 117 classroom teacher in …

The Impact Of Internet Social Networking On Young Women’S Mood And Body Image Satisfaction: An Experimental Design, Tara Scirrotto Drames

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

In the present study, the impact of viewing various types of female images online was examined to approximate the potential impact of online photo viewing on social-networking sites. Two-hundred forty-one young women between the ages of 18 and 30 years were recruited on social-networking sites to participate. In this randomized-controlled, Internet-based study, participants were randomly assigned to one of the following groups of roughly 50 participants each: (a) very attractive-thin, (b) very attractive-not thin, (c) average-attractive-thin, (d) average attractive-not thin, and (c) control (landscapes). All participants viewed the corresponding images online via a “mock” social networking page created by the …

School Psychologists’ Integrity Of Treatment Integrity, Samantha Skolnik

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

In this dissertation, the author conducted a survey study of practicing school psychologists on their knowledge of, familiarity with, and use of treatment integrity in school-based interventions. A total of 195 self-identified practicing school psychologists provided information on their measurement and evaluation of treatment integrity on school-based intervention via a one-on-one consultation with teacher and/or parents and within a school-based problem-solving team. Furthermore, data were collected on the barriers school psychologists encounter when trying to implement treatment integrity protocols and what would make them more successful in measuring and evaluating treatment integrity within their practices. The most significant finding from …

Effect Of A Brain Based Learning Program On Students' Use And Recognition Of Self-Advocacy Skills, Megan Maynard

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Students' abilities to employ self-advocacy skills have a wide research base; however, the research behind the use of students' self-advocacy skills used in conjunction with brain-based learning theory has not been widely explored. This is also true when one considers the population of children who have been studied; it is particularly true about those who have been diagnosed with language-based learning disabilities. This study, conducted using archival data at an independent school in the Philadelphia suburbs, used a variety of statistical methods to determine whether or not a brain-based learning self-advocacy program would increase students identified with a language based …

Examining The Impact Of A Coteaching Professional Development Training On Teachers And Their Students’ Achievement, Marielle Martino

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Educational legislation mandates that special-needs students should have access to the general education curriculum and be educated within the least restrictive environment. Coteaching (CT) has emerged as a way of educating students with disabilities in least restrictive environments. CT is defined as the “sharing of instruction by a general education teacher and a special education teacher or another specialist in a general education class that includes students with disabilities” (Friend, Cook, Hurley- Chamberlain, & Shamberger, 2010, p. 9). The purpose of this study was to determine if professional development training in a middle school not only changes teachers’ understanding of …

Cognitive Distortions: Predictors Of Medical Adherence And Health Behaviors Among Women At Risk For Breast Cancer, Amanda Viner

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between cognitive distortions and health behaviors among women at risk for breast cancer. Sixty-eight participants completed an online survey consisting of demographic information, the Inventory of Cognitive Distortions (ICD), and the Health Adherence Behavior Inventory (HABIT). Results of the study indicate that health behaviors decrease as thinking becomes more distorted. The data also suggest that various cognitive distortions predict worse adherence, including fortune telling, minimization, and magnification. These findings have implications for the role of clinical psychologists in healthcare settings, and for the utility and implementation of cognitive behavioral interventions to increase early detection and …

The Entrepreneurship Center At The Mississippi Development Authority: An Assessment Of The State's Small Business Engine, Ryan Snow

Honors Theses

The importance of a strong entrepreneurial environment for overall economic development is well established. Mississippi, this Mississippi Development Authority's Entrepreneur Center is the state's leading authority on small business development. However, there has been little to no analysis of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Entrepreneur Center. Two surveys were conducted. The Mississippi Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Survey (MEES) was administered by the University of Mississippi's McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement last fall to a population of 4214 business and community leaders with a responsive sample of n= 573. This survey is used to contextualize the business ecosystem of …

Tortoise And The Hare: A Case Study Of Quota Laws And Women's Representation In Congress In Argentina And The United States, Hannah Arrington

Honors Theses

Given recent political tension between political parties in both the United States and Argentina, there has been an increased demand for improved and more accurate congressional representation, specifically women's substantive representation in Congress. As the first nation to institute a legislative candidate gender quota law, Argentina has been the leading Latin American nation to confront anti-feminist politics. Under the cupo de ley femenino, the quota mandate of 1991, all major political parties and certain governments cabinets in Argentina are required to fill a set thirty percent of positions on party candidate lists with women (Ley No 24.012). Whereas in the …

Millennials' Civics Inclinations: A Study Of Civics Education's Impact On Millennials' Political Knowledge And Political Participation, Hannah Haley

Honors Theses

This thesis researches the impact civics education has on Millennials' political participation and political knowledge levels. The focus is on civics education's impact on Millennials' political participation and political knowledge because civics education to the American governing system. Two political socialization agents, parents and teachers, represented the actors teaching civics education. Thus, this thesis provides insight into the role of civics education, as taught by parents and schools, on the newest generation of American voters. In order to understand civics education's impact on this new generation, prior background research on Millennials, importance of civics education, parents, and schools is included. …

Oneworld Stories: Intercultural Competence Through Literature, Jessica M. Bunch

Honors Theses

For this study, I focused on the effective ways and benefits of teaching intercultural competence in schools. Without intercultural competence, children in the United States are unable to make a connection with the different cultures that surround them in the world. Basing my methods from Darla K. Deardorff Process Model of Intercultural Competence (256) and cultural reflection of folktales, I researched whether a child can connect to the world around them by comprehending a different culture more through interactive writing or informative reading. In order to answer this question, I conducted a two-part project to collect data. The first part …

The Supply Of Volunteer Labor: Focusing On Board Members, John Larkin

Honors Theses

Understanding the types of people who volunteer is an important part of understanding why people volunteer and the indications of what could make others volunteer. First, understanding the types of volunteers, specifically board members, provides the needed background and overall understanding of volunteering. This information could lead to a stronger idea of how to recruit volunteers. I will also update R. B. Freeman's results which used 1989 CPS data compared to 2014 CPS data. I find that the 2014 CPS provides similar results compared to Freeman's. We both found individuals are more likely to volunteer if their characteristics are associated …

Portrayals Of Pinochet: Historical Narratives In Chilean Schools, Katie J. Wright

Honors Theses

How is the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship represented historically in contemporary Chilean society? To answer this question, this thesis examines the education system, with a focus on high schools and universities in Valparaíso, Chile. I argue that there are two competing discourses about the Pinochet administration - a majority, anti-dictatorship perspective and a minority, pro-regime position - which selectively emphasize differing aspects of the regime. The anti position focuses on human rights violations while the pro perspective puts greater weight on economic achievements. This maps onto Chilean high school institutions, with a majority of upper and upper-middle class students attending private …

Brains In Motion: How To Utilize The Connection Between Movement And Learning In The Classroom, Keely Kennedy

Honors Theses

Recent research reveals that the state of Mississippi ranks among other states as the highest in obesity and ADHD and among the lowest in education. These rankings negatively affect the state as a whole by associating Mississippi with an image of being unhealthy and unintelligent. Studies show that physical activity is related to the brain and its processes, so there is obviously a connection between Mississippi's high obesity and ADHD rates and inferior education. However, teachers are unaware of the relevance of the connection between movement, high levels of obesity, low education rates, and high levels of ADHD; thus, they …

Opportunities And Challenges For Socially Responsible Business In China, Liana Tai

Honors Theses

This thesis aims to demonstrate the unique circumstances that China poses for the development of socially responsible business in China. Socially responsible business is a concept that has emerged in Western nations in recent years, due to the growing environmental and social consciousness of consumers and their increasing demands for companies to meet higher standards in this regard. Socially responsible business refers to those corporate entities that use the market to stimulate change in peoples' awareness of and attitudes toward a certain social issue and, ultimately, consumer behavior and habits. China's irresponsible corporate environment has resulted in harmful and threatening …

The Impact Of Survival Processing And Collaborative Inhibition On Memory Performance, Lindsey Hardin

Honors Theses

This study examines the effects of survival processing and collaborative inhibition on memory performance. The purpose of this research is to determine whether survival processing produced more accurate memory recall than pleasantness processing, as well as determine the impact of collaborative inhibition when compared to nominal groups. In this experiment, participants were given the instructions to rate a given list of words based on survival or pleasantness depending on which scenario they were assigned to. Then, the participants recalled the list of words in either collaborative groups or nominal groups. The results indicated that the survival condition did produce better …