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The Effects of Family Type Upon Self-Esteem in Adolescent Males
Get PDF47 leaves. Advisor: Jane Rankin.The problem. This study examined the effects of family type upon self-esteem in adolescent males. In addition, the study examined male adolescents' activities, time spent with friends, parental punishment and how long these adolescents have been living in a stepfamily or mother-only family.
Procedure. The sample consisted of 121 ma1e adolescents from intact families, 37 male adolescents from stepfather families and 59 male
adolescents in mother-only families. Two instruments were used: (a) the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Test; {b) a general questionnaire consisting of 45 questions concerninq activities, time spent at home, kinds of punishment and who they were presently living with.
Findings. An analysis of variance on the data obtained from the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Test indicated that there were no siqnificant
differences in self-esteem of early adolescent males as a function of family type. There was a developmental difference on three of the subscales
of the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale. Results of the activity questionnaire revealed younger males spending more time at home with mother, and older adolescents reported spending more time with friends.
The 13- and 14-year olds reported mother punishing more frequently than the 11- and 12-year olds. Significant family type differences were found between the father-absent (mother-only) family and other family types in that adolescents in father-absent families reported more involvement in school extra-curricular activities and youth clubs, The other family type difference was adolescents of stepfather families reporting less frequently that best friends had met their mothers.
Conclusion. The results of this study provide us with a somewhat more positive picture than previous studies on the problems in adolescent
males due to family type.
Recommendations. Stepfamilies, father-absent families and intact families should be extensively studied to detect differences in family types. Also, specific aae groups of family types should he investigated to find if differences are found in the aqe qroup or family
The Immune Status of Two Bloom's Syndrome Siblings
Get PDF32 leaves. Advisor: Dean HogansonThe problem. Two sibling brothers have been previously diagnosed as Bloom's Syndrome (BS). Due to lack of demonstrable increased sister chromatid exchange (SCE) in their blood cells and fibroblasts, diagnosis of BS is in question.
Procedure. This study examined the immune reactions of these siblings with such tests of immune function as: T- and B-cells, T-cell subsets, chemotaxis, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), mitogen stimulation and mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC).
Findings. Results are compared with those of other
known BS subjects. Analysis of our patients' immune systems seems to agree with findings of previous studies.
Conclusion. While there is a correlation of
immunological and clinical data, genetically there are none of the expected abnormalities. This study has not ruled out the possibility of a misdiagnosis of BS
Variables Which Influence Professional Socialization in the Nursing Student
No full textv, 108 leaves. Advisor: George LairThe problem, The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between professional socialization, critical thinking ability and type of educational preparation {baccalaureate or associate degree), and the effect selected
demographic variables may have on the socialization process in the nursing student.
Procedure. The settings for this study were a four-year, church-related college and two community colleges. Eighty-nine students completed the questionnaires including forty-seven baccalaureate and forty-two associate degree students. The three instruments used were: (1) Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal, Form A, (2) Nurses' Professional Orientation Scale, and (3) Demographic Questionnaire. The data was analyzed using means, standard deviations, t-tests, coefficients and multiple regression analysis.
Findinqs. The findings of this study are consistent with data found in the literature. The baccalaureate students' socialization scores more closely approximated those of the faculty than the associate degree students. The baccalaureate students also had higher critical thinking
scores than did the associate degree students,
Conclusion. Based on the analysis of data, the
following conclusions were drawn: (1) There was a small but definite correlation between the critical thinking appraisal scores and professional socialization scores of the two
student groups. (2) There was a highly significant
difference between the critical thinking appraisal scores of the two student groups. (3) There was a significant difference between the professional socialization scores of the two student groups. (4) The educational achievement and marital status of the students were found to be significant
demographic variables in the socialization process. (5) Critical thinking ability and type of nursing program explained 7 percent of the variability in professional socialization significant at the .0458 level.
Recommendations. Further research could be conducted in (1)longitudinal studies of the socialization changes during the educational process, (2) the effect of work as a registered nurse and the socialization process, and (3) the
relationship between critical thirking ability and clinical problem-solving ability
Cell Growth Paramenters and Sister Chromatid Exchange Level in Fibroblasts from a Patient Diagnosed with Bloom Syndrome
Get PDFv, 77 leaves. Advisor: Michael E. MyszewskiThe problem. A patient, KB, diagnosed with the
autosomal recessive genetic disorder Bloom Syndrome on the basis of clinical features, had failed to display the characteristic cytogenetic features of the syndrome. This research compared the growth response to bovine pituitary
fibroblast growth factor, the mitotic index, and the sister chromatid exchange level of the KB fibroblasts with normal and known Bloom Syndrome control fibroblasts.
Procedure. The growth responses of the KB, normal, and Bloom Syndrome cell lines to fibroblast qrowth factor were determined by culturing the fibroblasts over a seven-day period in the presence of three concentrations of fibroblast
growth factor in medium supplemented with two levels of fetal bovine serum. Cell concentrations were measured at regular intervals over the culture period using a Coulter counter. Sister chromatid exchange levels were determined by culturing the fibroblasts for 72 hours in medium
supplemented with the thymidine analog 5-bromo-2'-
deoxyuridine. Following culture, cells were harvested and stained for differentiation of the sister chromatids using a fluorescence plus Giemsa technique, A mitotic index for each cell line was determined by counting the number of cells in division per 1000 cells on the slides prepared for
sister chromatid exchange analysis.
Findings. Like the normal cells, the KB fibroblasts utilized fibroblast growth factor for growth based on measurements of the population doubling time in the first 48 hours of culture. Unlike either of the control cell lines, however, the KB fibroblasts exhibited no response to
fibroblast growth factor as measured by maximum cell concentration attained. The mitocic index for the KB cell line was considerably lower than that determined for either control line. The sister chromatid exchange level seen in the KB fibroblasts corresponded with that seen in the normal control fibrobLasts and was unlike the elevated level seen in the Bloom Syndrome cells.
Conclusion. The diagnosis of Bloom Syndrome in the
patient, KB, is not supported an the basis of the growth responses of the patient's fibroblasts to fibroblast growth factor, the mitotic index, and the sister chromatid exchange rate
A Comparison of the Perceptions of Superintendants and Elementary Principals Concerning Collective Bargaining in Iowa
Get PDFvi, 60 leaves. Advisor: James Halvorsen.The problem. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of Iowa superintendents and elementary principals concerning the effect of ten years of collective bargaining on the educational process and human interaction within the educational setting.
Procedure. A questionnaire for collecting demographic information and attitudinal responses was collected from responding administrators throughout Iowa. The information was analyzed for a significant difference of perceptions of the two groups of administrators with respect to the impact of collective bargaining on the educational process. The statistical t-test was used to test each of the five hypotheses.
Findings, An analysis of the data gathered indicated that participation in the collective bargaining process affects, directly or indirectly, the entire administrative team. The results indicated that there was no significant
difference in the perceptions of superintendents and elementary principals regarding the effects of collective bargaining on the educational process and human interaction.
Conclusions. Human interaction is an area of concern that is being addressed to improve communication skills among professionals in education. Collective bargaining is viewed as a tool by which administrators are involved in
shared decision making. Negotiation is an expression of one strategy to achieve professional goals.
Recommendations. Further research is strongly recommended. More research is warranted to find out as much as possible about the perceptions of administrators concerning the implementation of the negotiated agreement
A Profile of the Nontraditional College Student and Implications for Institutional Policies
No full text117 leavesThe problem. This study examined the growing number of college students outside the traditional eighteen to twenty-three
year old age group often referred to as nontraditional students. For this study, nontraditional student was defined as any undergraduate student age twenty-five or
older. The purpose of the study was to identify who these students were, why they were entering or returning to college, how the college experience affected their lives,
and what can be done by colleges and universities to facilitate their college experience.
Procedure. The data were gathered from the registrar's office and through the use of a questionnaire sent to 680 nontraditional students and returned by 404. This 59
percent return rate assured a 95 percent confidence level.
Findings. Most of the nontraditional students were found to be in the twenty-five to thirty-four year old age group, married, parents and employed. The average course
load was nine hours. Most were in college for career-related reasons although personal growth also ranked high. The nontraditional students indicated that they interrelated well with traditional students and their instructors and
generally felt very positive about the effects of college attendance. They felt that their age and experiences caused them to have more to contribute in class than the younger
students. College attendance did not seem to adversely affect their relationships with family and friends except that free time was very limited. However, the college
experience of nontraditional students was found to be very different from that of their traditional age counterparts. Nontraditional students attend almost no campus events and
lead very busy lives dividing their time among their jobs, families and classes. They do not enjoy the camaraderie of traditional students.
Recommendations. To facilitate the college experience for these nontraditional students, institutions can simplify registration procedures, provide office hours in the
evenings, schedule more evening classes, provide support groups and newsletters and increase the level of sensitivity to the unique situations of nontraditional students
An Exploratory Study of a Female Halfway House/Work Release Center
Get PDFvii, 119 leaves. Advisor: Lawrence FanningThe problem. The intent of this exploratory study was to understand and document the feelings, attitudes and perceptions of the residents at the Fort Des Moines Women's Residential Correctional Facility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gathered data and identify the
variables which influence halfway house/work release effectiveness and success.
Procedure. The data were collected by using
Naturalistic Research techniques of participant
observation. Additional data were obtained by administering an adapted version of the Battelle questionnaire and the Correctional Institutions Environmental Scale (CIES), as well as using the residents' official records to form a
demographic description of the residents. Nineteen adult female residents of the facility agreed to be participants. Eight staff members agreed to answer the CIES. The results were integrated throughout the paper to form a descriptive consensus of the facility.
Findings. The results indicated that most of the
residents expressed valid and open feelings about the program; the residents and staff perceived the program as being System Maintenance in orientation; there was a congruency between the two groups and their scores.
Conclusions. The women residents of this program were consistent and congruent in their feelings, attitudes and treatment they were receiving. The
research also indicated the facility was consistent with the literature's prescribed criteria and recommendations for a successful treatment program. There is no indication that
there should be separate criteria for a women's facility in the measurement of effectiveness and success. The ideals of treatment cut across the boundaries of gender.
Recommendations. Similar research should be conducted at a facility with a larger population and over a longer period of time. Such studies would create a data base in which further research may derive. A comparison study should be conducted in the Fort Des Moines facility to determine the impact of the computer-assisted program
(Fairbreak) on the perceptions of the residents
Immunogenicity of Staphylococcus Aureus Antigens Against Experimentally Induced Mastitis in the Mouse and Optimization of Antigen Production in Fermenter Culture
No full text69 leaves. Advisor: Dean HogansonCapsular antigens of "Staphylococcus aureus" Smith and 2-8 strains were evaluated for immunogenicity in mice. Cultural conditions necessary for maximum expression of the antigens were also defined. Actively growing "S. aureus" Smith strain culture was used to challenge lactating GF-1 strain mice which had been vaccinated with various capsule
antigen preparations. Capsule antigen production was evaluated using shaker flask and fermenter cultures. Immunogenicity evaluations using single vaccinations showed that semi-purified capsule preparations elicited a protective response against challenge. Mice vaccinated twice showed that oil and aluminum hydroxide adjuvanted capsule
antigens protected against challenge, but DDA (dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide) adjuvanted capsule antigens resulted in more mastitis than non-vaccinated controls. Cultural evaluations showed that media high in nitrogen and
carbohydrate content and grown at pH 5.5 resulted in the greatest amount of capsule antigen production. Capsular antigens may be more useful in preventing "S. aureus" mastitis than whole cell preparations. Media containing high concentrations of nitrogen source and carbohydrate are necessary to obtain large amount of capsular antigen. A
culture pH of 5.5 promotes the production of additional antigens not found when grown at higher or lower pH levels
Operant Assessment of Visual Acuity in the Profoundly Retarded
Get PDF72 leaves. Advisor: Dr. Kenneth E. LloydThe problem. Traditional subjective visual acuity
tests are not effective in testing nonverbal, profoundly retarded individuals. The present paper investigated the use of operant conditioning procedures in determining threshold crossings and compared the effectiveness of the staircase and descending series stimulus presentation methods, using a two-response paradigm.
Procedure. Three profoundly retarded and two mildly retarded individuals were trained to discriminate between a right-facing E and an upward-facing E, using stimulus fading and reinforcement procedures. The participants indicated the presence of a given stimulus by responding on one of two levers or drawing the E as displayed. Correct responses resulted in praise and an edible reinforcer. Incorrect responses were followed by a 10 second time-out and the reinforcer was withheld.
Findings. Correct responses reached the established criterion during the right-facing E versus blank card condition only after the implementation of instructions and time-out procedures. The upward-facing E was faded onto the
blank card and the distance from the participants was increased to ten feet without significant difficulties. The threshold crossings obtained with three participants were reliable within and across the type of stimulus presentation method used. The threshold crossings produced with the
staircase method were similar to or lower than those produced with the descending-series method. The threshold estimations obtained with the present procedures were similar to or lower than those obtained by an ophthalmologist using the Snellen chart.
Conclusions. The instructions and time-out procedures appeared to be significant variables in obtaining stimulus control over responding. The present procedures must be further refined before application to applied settings due to the extended time spent in training.
Recommendations. Procedures for testing visual acuity in the profoundly retarded must include a means to promote attention to the stimuli. Future research should investigate the significance of simple instructions and time-out procedures and testing between sessions (Test B) in visual acuity assessments
An Investigation of Three Behavioral Approaches Used in the Treatment of Chronic Muscle Contraction Headaches
No full text68 leaves. Advisor: George LairThe purpose. The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of three behavioral methods (Relaxation Training, Biofeedback, and Systematic Desensitization) of treating muscle
contraction headache pain in individual chronic headache patients.
Procedure. Nine chronic muscle contraction headache patients were treated with behavioral methods as an adjunct to regular medical
treatment at the Mercy Hospital Pain Center. Three subjects received relaxation training, three received biofeedback in addition to
relaxation, and three received systematic desensitization in addition to
relaxation and biofeedback. Headache intensity of all the subjects was monitored for a week prior to treatment, during treatment and for four
weeks following treatment. Follow-up data was compared with baseline data to produce a percentage improvement score for each subject.
Findings. Three of these subjects treated with desensitization in addition to other behavioral methods in contrast to one of three
subjects receiving relaxation alone or with biofeedback were successfully improved to a sixty percent criterion level.
Conclusions. While it can not be concluded with scientific precision, desensitization appears to be a powerful adjunct to regular medical and behavioral treatments of muscle contraction headaches at the Mercy Hospital Pain Center.
Recommendations. The use of systematic desensitization as an adjunct to medical and other behavioral treatments should be evaluated
as a treatment option. Additional research is recommended to determine the generality of its effectiveness and cost efficiency, both as an
adjunct to and in lieu of medical treatments