308 research outputs found
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Understanding the Batterers' Perspective Through the Application of Affect Control Theory
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to determine if participants in batterers' intervention and prevention programs (BIPPs) experience a change in affect by applying the theoretical framework of affect control theory. The study also examined how participants who attending BIPPs self-identified, in particular if they self-chose a stigmatized identity as a batterer or abusive. Data were collected at two different time points using an instrument designed for this study. At Time 1 participants had attended between zero to nine weeks of BIPP group sessions and at Time 2, participants had attended 18 weeks or more of BIPP group sessions. A total of 43 male BIPP's participants attending the programs at three different locations in the southwest United States participated in the study at Time 1 and Time 2. The study used quantitative and qualitative research methods. The quantitative analysis used affect control theory's INTERACT software program. Participants completed the instrument about their perspectives on intimate partner violence. Participants did not experience a statistically significant change in affect while attending the BIPPs. However, the participants' open-ended responses appeared to illustrate a change in the participants' sentiments towards their partners from Time 1 to Time 2. Participants also appeared to maintain their self-chosen identities from Time 1 to Time 2. Affect control theory's software program, INTERACT, provided mixed results in predicting participants' emotions and behaviors from Time 1 to Time 2. INTERACT was able to predict emotions consistently at Time 1, however at Time 2, INTERACT did not accurately predict emotions. INTERACT also had some trouble in predicting behaviors at both Time 1 and Time 2. Despite the mixed findings using INTERACT, affect control theory did provide the means to measure an affective change among the participants, to measure if they identified with a stigmatized identity, and the means to numerically quantify the results of the qualitative analyses.Williams, James L.Marshall, LindaZottarelli, Lis
"You Make Me Feel Like My Life Is Over!": Tele/visions of Contemporary Postmaternal Women
Full text linkThe purpose of this thesis is to promote a more holistic understanding of motherhood that acknowledges the temporary and shifting nature of maternal roles and practices longitudinally by including greater analysis of the experiences and perceptions of mothers of adult children in scholarship. While feminist scholars who study motherhood generally only confront mainstream U.S. cultural ideologies of sexism that seek to cast all women into mothering roles, this thesis seeks to also confront how this ideology of essential motherhood carries certain ageist underpinnings that interfere with women's abilities to adjust their maternal practices as their children age into adulthood. This thesis illustrates this point through an analysis of how mothers of adult children are depicted in the television shows <italic>Brothers and Sisters</italic>, <italic>Gilmore Girls</italic>, <italic>Everybody Loves Raymond</italic>, and <italic>George Lopez</italic>. It argues that mothers of adult children in these television shows continue to be affected, if not constrained, by the ideology of essential motherhood, even after their children are grown.Beins, AgathaSahlin, Clair
Restrictive Emotionality, Father-son Affectionate Communication, and Suicidality in Adolescence: A Retrospective Investigation
Full text linkThis purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between restrictive emotionality, father-son affection, and the demographic variables sexual orientation and ethnicity as they relate to adolescent suicidality. Participants were 213 adult males recruited from three universities and from an online web service application. Participants completed instruments online that assessed for restrictive emotionality, affection between father and son, and demographic variables age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and suicidality. Pearson's r Correlation and linear regression were used to analyze major hypotheses and logistic regression was used to analyze the exploratory hypothesis. Results show that high affection from fathers was associated with lower restrictive emotionality and lower suicidality for adolescent sons. High restrictive emotionality scores were associated with higher suicidality. Suicidality was predicted by sexual orientation identification as gay, bisexual, or questioning, and by ethnicity being bi-racial/multiracial. The relationship between father-son affection and suicidality was mediated by restrictive emotionality. Results of this study are congruent with the previous studies in this area and further confirmed the need to identify culture specific risk and protective factors among and within various populations. Rates of suicide for adolescent males are significantly higher than for females, with numbers increasing with age. Suicide literature has highlighted the disproportionate numbers of sexual and ethnic minority males at increased suicide risk compared to white heterosexual males. This study highlights this relationship. A growing body of literature on male Gender Role Conflict (GRC) has pointed to pressure to conform to cultural standards of masculinity as a risk factor for increased mental health issues, with restrictive emotionality noted as the primary pattern related to adolescent suicide. The notion of GRC as developmental, beginning during adolescence, corresponds well with the transitional nature of this period, familial and emotional factors having primary influence. For boys, researchers have claimed the father-son relationship as one of the most critical contributors of psychological health. This study contributed to the current body of literature by integrating research from different areas identified as having strong ties to suicidaltiy and by bridging the gaps across psychological, demographic, and diversity variables noted by GRC researchers in previous studies.Stabb, SallyRubin, LindaMarshall, DavidScott, Shanno
The Transition to Parenthood: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experiences and Perceptions of Certified Bringing Baby Home Workshop Instructors
Full text linkThe purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of certified Bringing Baby Home Workshop instructors. Utilizing a phenomenological framework for this study allowed the participants to give a personal voice to their own experiences and the meaning of their experience came out through the dialogue and reflection about the workshop. A total of 6 certified workshop instructors were interviewed for this study. Instructors ranged in age from 35-64 and were all practitioners currently working in the mental health field. Interviews were digitally audio taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using NVivo 10 to discover common themes. After analyzing the interviews from the certified Bringing Baby Home Workshop instructors, three primary themes emerged. The first theme is The Bringing Baby Home Workshop is helpful for couples. The second theme is The Bringing Baby Home Workshop is difficult to execute. Finally, the third theme is The Bringing Baby Home Workshop has value for practitioners. Additionally, findings, implications for the field, and future research recommendations are discussed.Jennings, GlenBrock, LindaMcClintic, Sandr
Thermomyces Lanuginosus Xylanase Unfolds to a Structure with Large Random Coi Content Below 24 $#730;C AT pH 7.0
No full textThermomyces lanuginosus xylanase is a thermophilic enzyme with maximum activity at 55 °C. Previous work in our laboratory has determined that it undergoes a large conformational change at 24°C involving a volume change of approximately 190 L/mol upon going from the physiological-temperature conformer to the low-temperature conformer. This value was determined through previous research from our laboratory using the Clapeyron equation. Our current investigation is to determine whether this protein is fully unfolded or exists as a molten globule below the transition temperature. Our methods for detection are dynamic light scattering, differential scanning calorimetry and circular dichroism. We found that the structure is best characterized as random coil rather than molten globule below 24 °C.Britt, Billy MSheardy, RichardOmary, Mana
The Inhibitory Impact of Geranylgeraniol on the Differentiation of Murine 3T3-F442A Preadipocytes
No full textThe use of statins, competitive inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, is possibly associated with insulin resistance. This potential effect of statins is presumably due to the impaired differentiation and diminished glucose utilization of adipocytes. The role of HMG-CoA reductase inhibition and mevalonate deprivation is not clear in the statin-mediated inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. There is also a need to evaluate the effect of other HMG-CoA reductase suppressors, particularly phytochemicals, on adipocyte differentiation. Mevalonate depletion is hypothesized to mediate the effect of lovastatin on adipocyte differentiation. In addition, geranylgeraniol, a diterpene shown to accelerate the degradation of HMG-CoA reductase, mimics the impact of lovastatin in adipocytes by suppressing adipocyte differentiation and adipogenic gene expression. The impact of lovastatin and geranylgeraniol, on the differentiation of murine 3T3-F442A adipocytes, were evaluated. Adipo-Red assay and oil Red O staining showed that a 7 day incubation with 1.25 - 10 umol/L lovastatin and 2.5 - 20 umol/L geranylgeraniol reduced the intracellular triglyceride content of the cells in a dose-dependant manner. Concomitantly, lovastatin and geranylgeraniol each down-regulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (Ppar gamma), a key regulator of adipocyte differentiation; as analyzed by real-time qPCR. The expression of adipocyte marker genes including sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), adiponectin, leptin, and fatty acid binding protein 4 was suppressed by lovastatin. Mevalonate (500 umol/L) reversed the effect of lovastatin on intracellular triglyceride content and gene expression. The expression of SREBP1, adiponectin, leptin, fatty acid binding protein 4, fatty acid synthase, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and glucose transporter 4 was also suppressed by geranylgeraniol. Mevalonate-derived metabolites have essential roles in promoting adipocyte differentiation and adipogenic gene expression. Dietary mevalonate suppressors may have potential as anti-adipogenic compounds.Huanbiao, MODiMarco, NancyVijayagopal, ParakatMills, NathanielHynds, Diann
Successful Methods and Styles of Conflict Resolution as Identified by Heterosexuals, Gays, and Lesbians in Committed Relationships: A Mixed Methods Study
Full text linkThe focus of this study was to identify successful methods of conflict resolution in committed relationships. The purpose of this study was to further the research on heterosexual and same-sex relationships and to address the disparities in couple research by including heterosexuals, gays, and lesbians in the same study. Furthermore, the researcher hoped to broaden the field's understanding of how individuals in these three types of relationships describe successful conflict resolution and to provide an avenue to capture their unique experiences and strategies. This mixed methods online study investigated the experience of successful conflict resolution in a sample of nearly 700 individuals across three couple types: heterosexual (n = 625), gay (n = 16), and lesbian (n = 50). The quantitative data were collected using Kurdek's (1994a) Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory (CRSI) to identify participants' primary conflict resolution style and Schumm et al.'s (1986) Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS) was used to determine participants' satisfaction as a baseline. Quantitative results were interpreted using Pearson's correlations and partial correlations, Gamma, and chi-square. Qualitative data were collected via a qualitative questionnaire and the qualitative analysis included over 200 participants (N = 207) due to a smaller sampling of the heterosexual women. A group of randomly selected heterosexual women (n = 71) were chosen to compare with the original group of heterosexual men (n = 71), gays (n = 16), and lesbians (n = 49) and analyzed through thematic coding and the use of second and third coders to cross analyze and cross verify emerging themes. Major themes included four primary categories: Interaction, Attitudes, Process, and Negative Strategies. Within each primary category were several sub-themes. Interaction included Communication, Compromise, Problem Solve, Understand, Unity, and Give-in sub-themes. Attitudes included Approachable, Direct, and Values sub-themes. Process included Maintenance, Take Time, Immediate, and Drop It sub-themes. And finally, Negative Strategies included Aggression and Non Aggression, of which participants typically described avoiding these negative approaches. Both quantitative and qualitative results suggested all three groups were more alike than different and particular variables, such as gender, age, number of years together, education, satisfaction, or sexual orientation did not impact participants' reported conflict resolution styles on the CRSI or their described experiences in participants' qualitative responses, thus accepting the null hypotheses that there is no statistically significant relationship between the three groups' sexual orientation, their conflict resolution methods, and variables of gender, age, number of years together, education, and satisfaction.Ladd, LindaMarshall, DavidBrock, LindaGreen, Mary Su
How Does Creative Drama Instruction Increase the Reading Engagement of Eighth Grade Students with Learning Disabilities?
Full text linkStudents with learning disabilities may experience difficulty engaging in literacy activities, as they risk being hindered by negative attitudes and doubt of their intellectual abilities, reduced effort, lower self-efficacy, and failure (Klassen, 2007; Litcht & Kirstner, 1986; Oldfather, 2002; Roberts, Torgesen, Boardman, & Scammacca, 2008). Motivating these adolescents to read critically from an engaged stance is an indispensable requirement of literacy instruction because adolescent readers face increasingly complex material, may risk aliteracy (Brinda, 2007), need to develop a positive reader identity to facilitate life-long reading (Strommen & Mates, 2004), and live in a world with increased literacy demands (Allington, 2001). Hearing the adolescents voices concerning reading engagement is of value (Brinda, 2007: Mizzelle, 1997; Oldfather, 2002) when addressing the literacy needs of these students. Once teachers can understand how their students feel about reading, they can help students to engage in successful learning (Vlach & Burcie, 2010). This study explores if creative drama instruction increases reading engagement of eighth grade students with learning disabilities. Using narrative inquiry, I gathered, analyzed, and interpreted the stories told by the participants through observation, conversation, and interviews using descriptive questions to discover what the students say and do that reveal their experiences and observations of engaged readers, particularly when participating in creative drama activities. I also used student created artifacts, along with student reflections following each drama enactment. Researcher observations, the researcher s reflective journal, and audio and video recordings contributed to the data sources. Themes clustered into the following categories: engaged readers are focused, interact with others, demonstrate their thinking, take an aesthetic stance, do not give up, desire to select good books, and abandon boring books. Data was portrayed using the participants words, where possible, to capture the students voices, personal meanings, and stories.Albright, Lettie K.White, NoraVardell, Sylvi
Binegativity, Causal Attributions, and Adult Attachment
Full text linkThe purpose of the present study was to evaluate potential predictors of binegativity, specifically looking at binegativity's relationship with attributions of controllability of sexual orientation and adult attachment style. Previous research had demonstrated a significant relationship between attributions of causality and sexual orientation stigma. When sexual orientation of lesbian women and gay men was attributed to biological factors, levels of homophobia decreased and those people were more willing to offer help (Arnesto & Weisman, 2001; Hegarty & Pratto, 2001; Sakalli, 2002; Swank & Raiz, 2010; Wood & Bartowski, 2004). The relationship between attributions of bisexuality orientation and attitudes regarding bisexuality had not been measured before this current study. Research in the area of adult attachment has demonstrated that individuals who are securely attached are more open to new ideas, experiences, and people (Mikulincer, 1997; Mikulincer & Horesh, 1999; Mikulincer et al., 2001) and only three previous studies had evaluated the relationship between attribution and homophobia with mixed findings (Gormley & Lopez, 2010; Marsh & Brown, 2011; Schwartz & Lindley, 2005). The current study sought to evaluate the relationship between adult attachment styles and binegativity. Participants were recruited through the use of advertising on a popular social media site, Facebook. The sample included in the analysis consisted of 365 primarily Caucasian individuals (287 women, 76 men) with ages ranging from 18 to 82 (M = 34.30) who were significantly more educated than the average American. The sample was significantly skewed toward being securely attached (low anxiety, low avoidance) and were likely to have a close relationship with someone who is bisexual. These two statistical difficulties limited the results of this study and further research is warranted. Overall, there was a significant relationship between attributions of sexual orientation, adult attachment, and binegativity. As predicted, attribution of sexual orientation was the strongest predictor of binegativity. As further predicted, adult attachment was related to binegativity; however, only attachment-related avoidance was predictive of binegativity. Attachment-related anxiety was not a significant predictor of binegativity.Fitch, JenelleCruz, CarmenAsbury, TreyHarris, Jef
Preserving a Legacy, Preserving Ballet History: Restaging the Ballets of Antony Tudor
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to examine the work of the Répétiteurs of the Tudor Trust in restaging the ballets of Antony Tudor. I drew on my interviews with Sally Bliss, executor of the Tudor will and Trustee of the Tudor Trust; Donald Mahler, senior Répétiteur of the Tudor Trust and former Tudor dancer; Kirk Peterson former principle dancer with American Ballet Theatre and Répétiteur of the Tudor Trust; Amanda McKerrow former principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, Répétiteur of the Tudor Trust, and last ballerina to work with Mr. Tudor; and James Jordan, Répétiteur in-training with the Tudor Trust and Ballet Master with the Kansas City Ballet. Additionally, I drew on my experiences working with three of the participants during the restaging of Dark Elegies for the Performing Arts Department at Washington University in St. Louis along with my years of dancing with Mr. Tudor at American Ballet Theatre. The dissertation study traces the process taken by each of the Répétiteurs in restaging Mr. Tudor's ballets and explores their understanding of and appreciation for his unique aesthetic and choreographic intention. The Répétiteurs' processes are further shown to be enhanced by their experiences as dancers working with Mr. Tudor along with their continued in-depth research and analysis into the nature of Tudor's genius and its impact on his craft. All the collected data from the R's is further presented in context with the chorographical, historical, psychological, and literary influences felt to inform and further shape Tudor's choreography. The study was developed through qualitative research methods for data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The data collection involved not only interviews with the Répétiteurs, but also interviews with three college dancers who had recently learned and performed a Tudor ballet restaged by one of the participants, and observations of each Répétiteur during his or her restaging process. Also, Sally Bliss, given her position, allowed full access to the archival videos of past productions of the Tudor ballets held by the Tudor Trust. Three areas of interest emerged from this diverse data collection: 1) The sense of authenticity for each restaged ballet was grounded in and secured through the Répétiteurs' experiential relationships with Tudor and/or their continued research and critical analysis of documents, videos of past productions, and biographical materials. 2) The Répétiteurs' process of restaging encouraged a sense of exploration and discovery for the dancers in order to better understand and embody the essential elements of the Tudor ballets and 3) The role of the Répétiteurs as the tellers of stories or the importance of the recounting and retelling of stories within the restaging process which created the presence of Tudor, as a Transcendental Tudor. I hope that this research adds to the literature on the creative process, the choreographic process, the restaging process, archiving and documenting dances, and the where and when of making ballet history.Caldwell, Linda A.Youngblood, PamelaWilliford-Shade, Mar