9667 research outputs found
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Strength in motion: Exploring family support and resilience among Black ballerinas
No full textThis qualitative study used an interpretive phenomenology approach to understand the lived experiences of Black ballet dancers as they navigated the world of ballet. This research was motivated by the scarcity of studies on resilience in African Americans and the absence of literature focusing on resilience in Black ballet dancers. This study aimed to explore Black ballet dancers ' lived experiences as they navigated the world of ballet and examine how family support impacted their resilience. Participants consisted of four retired ballet dancers and three family members. Data was obtained through demographic surveys, individual interviews with the ballet dancer, and joint interviews with both the ballet dancer and their chosen family member. The data analysis process involved conducting thematic analysis by transcribing interviews from both audio and video recordings, coding the data, and identifying and defining key themes. Ultimately, five distinct themes were obtained from the data: family members supported the ballerina through challenges; support was critical to ballerina’s success – positives and negatives; support requires a level of vulnerability, disclosure, and a certain level of understanding of the ballerina’s experience, being the only Black girl and recognizing the importance of representation, and navigating expectations regarding skin color, body type, and hair. The results contribute to an understanding of how family support impacts the resilience of Black ballet dancers
Exploring the experiences of nursing faculty teaching LGBTQIA+ curriculum
No full textThe LGBTQIA+ community is gaining more acceptance and recognition, but social inequities still exist, creating obstacles to medical treatment and negatively affecting their overall health (Hafeez et al., 2017). Many studies have shown that nursing students and faculty often lack the confidence and knowledge required to address LGBTQIA+ health concerns effectively. Several researchers have conducted studies on this topic, including Carabez et al. (2015), Cornelius et al. (2017), Echezona-Johnson (2017), Hodges et al. (2020), Lim et al. (2015), Sirota (2013), and Qureshi et al. (2020). There is also a lack of understanding among nursing faculty regarding teaching these necessary topics. The study examined faculty perspectives on teaching LGBTQIA+ health, including motivations, methods, and challenges in integrating this material into the nursing curriculum. Qualitative interviews with twelve faculty members provided insight into their experiences teaching LGBTQIA+ content. The research uncovered faculty motivations for integrating LGBTQIA+ content into nursing education, the diverse teaching strategies used, and the impact of LGBTQIA+ content on nursing education. The lack of exposure to relevant LGBTQIA+ information hinders effective addressing of LGBTQIA+ health issues. It is imperative to elevate the importance of LGBTQIA+ health in nursing education, equipping students and faculty with knowledge and skills to address the unique health issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community
The characterization of pristine and functionalized carbon nanotubes and their dispersion in solvents
No full textCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) are unique nanotubes with a vast array of applications due to their unique thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties. The structure and size of these CNTs can vary, affecting their properties and thus applications. The characterization of this material is needed to better understand how different variables affect their properties as measured through instrumental analysis. In this study we examine how diameter, outer wall layering, functionalization, and dispersion in solvents affect the spectral analysis of CNTs. We then attribute these spectral changes to the CNT unique properties. We found that a combination of increased sonication time and prolonged saturation of CNTs in solvents result in significant shift of their Raman spectra. Additionally, we found that the electrical properties of CNTs play a significant role in the spectra peaks. This research has implications in using these mechanical properties for sensors and conductors in medical devices
The social experiences and identity development of autistic adults
No full textPathologizing perspectives of autism have led to the stigmatization of autistic people, which impact pressures to conform to neuronormative standards, their sense of social belonging, and autistic identity development. This researcher aimed to determine the relationship between an autistic individual’s neuroconformity and autistic identity development with the moderating factor of a sense of belonging, which may be used to aid empirical knowledge of how the effort to conform impacts well-being and feelings of connectedness in autistic individuals. The study had 115 participants who were asked to take a survey on their social experiences and identity development as autistic adults. Findings indicated that neuroconformity was not a significant predictor of identity development, sense of belonging was not a significant predictor of neuroconformity, and sense of belonging was not found to be a moderating variable between neuroconformity and autistic identity development. Sense of belonging was a strong predictor of autistic identity development
Improving Health in Adults with Down Syndrome: Development and Implementation of a Program to Increase Rates of Activity Through Dance
No full textThe purpose of this program is to examine the impact of physical activity by the implementation of a dance program for adults with Down syndrome at Gigi’s Playhouse in Houston and to identify the effect of physical activity by dancing on the improvement of physical health and wellness in individuals with Down syndrome.Gigi's Playhous
The mother of all dissatisfaction: Consequences of mother-daughter relationships on body dissatisfaction
No full textThe following investigation further extrapolated how the mother-daughter dyad informs the internalization or deconstruction of sociocultural beliefs and attitudes crucial for body dissatisfaction maintenance. This mixed methods study utilized two separate samples of women during respective quantitative and qualitative phases. During the quantitative phase, college aged women participants completed measures related to body image, body dissatisfaction, and mother-daughter closeness. Moderation analyses revealed only sociocultural beliefs were predictive of body esteem, indicating that the mother-daughter relationship may lose its critical influence on body image in emerging adulthood. Qualitative phase participants included college aged women and their mothers; dyads discussed the contents of two vignettes highlighting relevant topics concerning body dissatisfaction. Themes discovered using Reflexive Thematic Analysis included Health as the Only Thing That Matters, Coping is Necessary, Normative Discontent is a Normal Thing, and the Relationship between Body esteem and Satisfaction. Implications for theory and real-world applications are discussed
Empowerment Through Play: Exploring the Impact of Adaptive Soccer for Youth with Disabilities
No full textThis capstone project had a focus area of program development and evaluation, with an aim to develop and implement an adaptive soccer program for youth with disabilities, as well as to evaluate the benefits of the program. Additionally, the project utilized an occupational therapy lens to promote participation in a meaningful play/leisure activity and to improve accessibility to adaptive sports programs. The program took place throughout Greater Fort Worth Area for 6 weeks, and consisted of two, 60-minute practices, and one, 60-90 minute game each week. Outcome measures were selected to evaluate the impact of the program on in the areas of health-related quality of life, social participation skills, and feelings of belonging.Special Olympics Texa
Black jazz-informed dance: The performance of rhetoric and resistance in Los Angeles-based Jazzantiqua Dance and Music Ensemble
No full textThis dissertation project deeply investigates the cultural practices and meaning making that are performed by the predominantly Black, Los Angeles-based, concert jazz dance company, JazzAntiqua Dance and Music Ensemble. In conversation with the fields of dance studies, rhetorical arts, and Black radical thought, this research pursues the question of how rhetoric is embodied through movement vocabularies that emerge from marginalized populations. Specifically, this project examines how artistic director Pat Taylor, through enacting a jazz philosophy and a jazz-centric approach to her artistry, develops a set of jazz-informed, signature steps and creates choreographic works that embody rhetorical resistance. Utilizing critical performance ethnographic methodologies and employing methods that incorporate the philosophical tenets of jazz this study collected data through qualitative interviews, participant observation, and choreographic analysis. The research argues that through an embodied practice and performance of resistance in community, rehearsals, and onstage, JazzAntiqua Dance and Music Ensemble engages in a world making practice that denounces hegemonic norms and white supremacy and promotes a more fully realized present and future where freedom is situated at the fore
"I felt wholly seen by her": A relational-cultural exploration of lesbian women's experiences of homonormativity
No full textSocietal and communal endorsement of heteronormativity and homonormativity contributes to negative mental health and relational outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals. The researcher sought to illuminate how lesbian women experience and navigate homonormative expectations within their romantic relationships and broader society. The researcher conducted virtual semi-structured interviews with six participants recruited from listservs and social media platforms. The researcher utilized a phenomenological approach and a relational-cultural theoretical framework as a guiding lens for conducting this study and analyzing her findings. The researcher uncovered six themes: (1) relational constraints from hetero- and homonormative controlling images, (2) intersectional oppression and relational disconnection, (3) geographical location as a factor in authenticity, (4) intergenerational shifts of relational images (5) mutuality and role negotiation in authentic connection, and (6) growth- fostering relationships and affirming connection. The researcher provided implications of these findings for practicioners and non-practitioners and identified directions for future research
Empowering Latino Parents: A Guide to Enhancing Children’s Development and Educational Success
No full textThe purpose of this capstone project was to develop culturally relevant resources to increase Latino parents’ understanding of motor and sensory skill development in children and how these skills support their children’s success in school. The goal is to empower parents with the knowledge to support their child’s development at home through simple activities and tips. This project involved the development of a bilingual parent manual and activity booklet, along with an educational session designed to support parents in understanding motor and sensory development. The project promotes equitable access to resources by increasing Latino parents' knowledge and engagement.The Concili