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Building Teachers’ Capacity to Implement Equitable Family, School, and Community Partnerships Through School Psychologists’ Consultation: The Partnership Capacity Building Consultation Model and Case Study
Get PDFThe urgency to prioritize equity-driven policies is amplified by the disproportionate education and health outcomes that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eradicating inequity demands the prioritization of robust family, school, and community partnerships (FSCP). For decades, research has highlighted the benefits of FSCP, which may include improvements in student academic achievement, behavior, ratings of school climate, and attendance; furthermore, FSCP is associated with higher guardian involvement, mentor opportunities, career development, and a reduced need for more intensive services such as special education (Adelman & Taylor, 2015; Anderson- Butcher & Anderson, 2018; Constantino, 2016). To reap the benefits of such partnerships, educators must be capable of engaging all families in meaningful ways. School psychologists are uniquely situated to support these efforts. Although the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) outlines the responsibility of school psychologists in facilitating educators’ engagement in FSCP (NASP, 2019), there is a dearth of literature that focuses on the practical aspect of such a task. Conceivably, school psychologists can best facilitate educators’ involvement and capacity building by consulting with teachers on their engagements with families. Currently school psychologists’ consultation engagements are guided by several evidence-based models, including problem-solving consultation, consultee-centered consultation, and conjunct behavioral consultation. Although supportive to a great extent, existing consultation models do not prioritize building educators’ ability to partner with families. Thus emerges the need for a specific consultation model that integrates research-based consultation and capacity-building strategies to strengthen educators’ ability to implement equity-oriented FSCP practices.
Manuscript One of this dissertation focuses on the development of this consultation model, which I have coined “Partnership Capacity Building (PCB) consultation.” PCB consultation is defined as a skill-building and problem-solving model wherein teachers consult with school psychologists to increase teachers’ efficacy in implementing FSCP. The PCB model is a conscientious combination of approaches from problem-solving, multicultural consultee-centered, and ecological consultation. In addition, the four overarching universal domains of FSCP summarized by Miller et al. (2021) are the focus of the consultation goals: 1) creating strong relationships with families, (2) creating a welcoming environment for families, (3) fostering multidirectional or two-way communication with families, and (4) creating mutual understanding with families. Research-based equitable engagement strategies from the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) National Standards, Strengthening Families Approach (SFA), and FSCP Dual Capacity-Building Framework (Mapp & Kuttner, 2013) were utilized to address these four domains. Concrete steps for PCB consultation were provided. Moreover, interpersonal skills necessary for the successful implementation of PCB consultation were discussed.
To evaluate the utility of this model, Manuscript Two details a mixed-methods, multiple-case study with four middle and high school teachers receiving my consultation in southwest Denver, CO. The purpose of the study was to (1) evaluate the initial implementation of the PCB model from the perspectives of the teachers’ (consultees’) and I (consultant) and (2) examine if the PCB consultation influenced or improved teachers’ self-efficacy, interpersonal skills, knowledge, and use of high impact FSCP practices. Quantitative data were collected through the Working with Families Self- Efficacy Scales (Hollander, 2010) to assess for consultee’s self-efficacy. Pretest and posttest scores were compared using descriptive statistics to evaluate for change in consultee’s FSCP self-efficacy ratings. Overall, results revealed that PCB consultation delivered significant increases in teachers’ capacity for FCSP across the three domains on the WFSES and correspondingly across all areas within the four Cs from the Dual Capacity Framework (Mapp & Kuttner, 2013). Qualitative data were collected through interviews, memos, and observations to provide insight into my perspective as the consultant and the consultees\u27 perceptions, behaviors, self-efficacy, and experience participating in PCB consultation. Qualitative findings revealed that participants expressed favorable perspectives of PCB consultation and noted that it was individualized to their needs. Moreover, the participating consultees and I provided recommendations for future use of PCB consultation. This study serves as a starting point for the further refinement and validation of the process and procedures of PCB consultation. In summary, Manuscripts One and Two seek to promote the use of school psychologists as consultants for building educators’ capacity to implement equitable FSCP
Counselors’ Spirituality, Attitudes Toward Suicide, and Self-Efficacy in Conducting Suicide Risk Assessment
Get PDFThe present study aimed to explore the relationship between perceived spiritual support and counselor self-efficacy in conducting suicide risk assessment, and the moderating effects of attitudes about suicide on this relationship. Based on existing theory and empirical evidence, perceived spiritual support was hypothesized to have a positive predictive relationship with counselor self-efficacy in performing suicide risk assessment; further, four different constructs pertaining to attitudes toward suicide were also hypothesized to moderate the strength and direction of this relationship. A sample of Master’s level clinicians and advanced standing Master’s graduate students (N=132) completed on online survey containing instruments measuring perceived spiritual support (predictor), counselor self-efficacy in suicide risk assessment (dependent variable), and four constructs within attitudes toward suicide (moderators), including avoidance of communication, suicide as common, suicide as acceptable, and preventability of suicide. Multiple moderated regression analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0. Different than hypothesized, three of the four attitudes measured (common, acceptable, and preventable) did not significantly moderate the relationship between the predictor and outcome. However, as estimated, higher levels of perceived spiritual support predicted increased counselor self-efficacy scores. Further, avoidance of communication attitudes were found to weaken this predictive relationship. Limitations and implications for future research and practice are discussed
A Qualitative Inquiry of Research Administrator Perceptions of Job Satisfaction in a Central Research Administration Unit at the University of Denver
Get PDFThe Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) team provides critical research administration services for the research community at the University of Denver. As research funding continues to rise at the University of Denver, retention of research administrators is critically important. Job satisfaction is key to employee engagement and retention. Higher job satisfaction contributes to several positive outcomes for institutions, including lower turnover, higher productivity, lower costs, and employee loyalty. The need to retain experienced research administration professionals is highlighted by the fact that few formal educational routes exist that prepare employees for a career in research administration; rather, developing expertise takes a long period of on-the-job training. Consequently, strategies to increase employee retention are more important than ever for research administration leadership. Utilizing a qualitative inquiry methodology, this evaluation identified the nature of a research administrator’s work and explored how the elements of the work affect job satisfaction. Self-determination theory, a broad framework for the study of human motivation, links the concerns of organizational performance and employee satisfaction and wellness by suggesting that both are impacted by the type of motivation that employees have for their job activities. Evaluating the work environment of a research administration unit through the lens of self-determination theory provides the conceptual framework to guide the formation of processes and practices that positively impact both the organization and the employees. Several findings on the nature of the work and its effect on job satisfaction point to four recommendations as well as broader implications for practice. The four recommendations include increasing the frequency and clarity of communications with the SPA team; prioritizing employee retention across the institution; addressing the SPA team’s workload; and implementing more effective training programs
An Existential Punchline: How Humor Functions in a Young Adult Friendship Facing Advanced Cancer
Get PDFYoung adults (i.e., age 18-39) only comprise 4% of the total cancer population, yet cancers in this group are commonly found at more advanced stages due to situational factors influencing delayed diagnosis including access to healthcare, quality health insurance and competing life demands that may hinder prioritization of healthcare. Young adults with cancer also face unique challenges including higher rates of psychological distress, which may contribute to increased risk of social disconnection in response to cancer. Research suggests that humor may be a helpful coping approach and communication mechanism for mitigating distress and discussing difficult topics. Grounded within the frameworks of Relational Cultural Theory and Communicated Narrative Sense Making Theory, this dissertation qualitatively explored how humor functions within a young adult friendship impacted by advanced cancer. The study sample included 12 friendship dyads, comprised of one young adult diagnosed with advanced cancer (e.g., Stage III or IV, recurrent, metastatic, or severe blood cancer) between the ages of 18 and 39 and a close friend of their choosing with no personal history of cancer. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and engaged in a semi-structured dyadic interview exploring: 1) how humor promotes authenticity and mutuality in the friendship; 2) how humor may help prevent the relational paradox; 3) how humor functions in the meaning-making process about cancer and how humor may help young adults express this meaning to others; and 4) how humor use in this friendship context may differ from other supportive relationships. Results derived from Consensual Qualitative Research analysis revealed eight domains including Sociocultural Influence on Humor; Nature of the Bond; Maintaining Normalcy; Coping with Cancer-Related Distress; Navigating Conversations About Cancer; Resiliency Building; Evolution of the Relationship After Cancer; and Limits of Humor Use. Study findings contribute to the field of psycho-oncology by presenting an empirical description of how humor functions to help a young adult survivor cope with, navigate, and make meaning of an advanced cancer diagnosis within the context of a close friendship; dimensions which had not yet been adequately explored in the research literature
Novel Approach for Non-Invasive Prediction of Body Shape and Habitus
Get PDFWhile marker-based motion capture remains the gold standard in measuring human movement, accuracy is influenced by soft-tissue artifacts, particularly for subjects with high body mass index (BMI) where markers are not placed close to the underlying bone. Obesity influences joint loads and motion patterns, and BMI may not be sufficient to capture the distribution of a subject’s weight or to differentiate differences between subjects. Subjects in need of a joint replacement are more likely to have mobility issues or pain, which prevents exercise. Obesity also increases the likelihood of needing a total joint replacement. Accurate movement data for subjects with a higher BMI is of the utmost importance because it can be used to inform treatment options for people who have received joint replacements or are waiting to receive a replacement. Currently, movement data from this subgroup of people has error introduced due to soft tissue artifacts from markered motion capture, such as Vicon. By investigating ways of measuring movement with computer vision tools, the influence of soft tissue artifacts can be investigated further in movement data. The Azure Kinect DK is a depth camera that collects point cloud data of the surface of the person and automatically calculates joint centers. The objectives of this thesis were to 1) Design a fast and accurate procedure to generate a full-body point cloud with two Azure Kinect DK cameras; 2) Create subject-specific computational representations by fitting the Skinned Multi-Person Linear (SMPL) model to Kinect point cloud data. With IRB approval, 24 subjects consented to perform T-pose , lunge, sit to stand, and walking activities while being recorded by two Azure Kinect DK depth cameras. For all activities except walking, one camera was facing the subject head on and the other recorded the right sagittal view. During walking, the subjects walked toward both cameras. Of these 24, point cloud and joint data from 16 subjects were used. This study uses exclusively data from the T-pose trial.
Without post-processing, these two views of the T-pose do not produce complete data of the surface of a person. A technique was developed to recreate missing sections of the body and create a partial point cloud. Another method of collecting point cloud data was also explored using two cameras and a turn table. A synchronous capture is taken of the front and side, the person is rotated 180 degrees, and another capture is taken. An optimization pipeline was designed to fit the SMPL model to both types of data. The process created high-quality computational representations of each subject. During data collection, extensive anthropometric measures were recorded of each subject with a tailor’s tape and used to verify the accuracy of the model by comparing them to digitally recreated measures on each SMPL model. The validity of the model was quantified with a percent error calculation between subject manual and SMPL measurements. Subject manual and SMPL measurements are highly correlated with an R2 \u3e 0.9 and p-value \u3c\u3c 0.1. Across all measurements and subjects, there is an average absolute percent error of 4.71 ± 4.09% The average absolute percent error between any measurements never exceeds 10%. The largest absolute percent error is in the ankle with 9.80 ± 6.33% , and the smallest absolute percent error is in the floor to shoulder measurement with 1.17 ± 0.76%.
This tool to create a subject-specific whole-body computational representation has a broad variety of applications. This model fitting process is ready to be deployed on the point cloud collection processes described and will be useful in creating subject-specific finite element models. The Azure Kinect DK gives the ability to perform markerless motion capture and surface point cloud collection in a clinical setting, such as a doctor’s office. These body models could be generated from data like this and allow for patient classification. The SMPL model’s ability to describe realistic body shapes could be used to accurately calculate the moment of inertia for many body segments. A standardized tool to measure body shape and habitus can allow for the discovery of correlations between body dimensions and movement patterns
Putting It Gently: The Other Side of a Peace Corps Volunteer Experience
Get PDFThe Peace Corps is a transformative experience for many young Americans. The majority of volunteers have worthwhile services they remember fondly; however, these experiences are not always positive. The Peace Corps is a Cold War initiative that uses soft power techniques to further American exceptionalism, capitalism, and the modernization theory of development. The goal of this project was to understand what factors led to the negative experiences of Peace Corps Volunteers. I conducted an ethnography that focused on online communities, semi-structured interviews, Peace Corps memoirs, and news articles to understand Peace Corps Volunteers’ experiences and the organizational culture where they take place. Findings show that those with negative experiences were unable to live up to the expectations set by Peace Corps, were unsupported by Peace Corps staff, and found that the policies for reporting crimes against volunteers caused further harm. I concluded that volunteers with negative experiences found blame with the Peace Corps as an organization for their negative experiences and recommend a complete cultural shift in how volunteers with negative services are treated and a more inclusive and open conversation about what life as a volunteer is like. However, this cultural shift is only possible by utilizing an organizational culture framework aimed at preventing and addressing misconduct
Optimizing E-Payment Applications for Older Adults: User-Centered Solutions to Improve Security, Privacy, Usability, and Accessibility
No full textIn an increasingly digital world, older adults are rapidly becoming a vital demographic in the realm of electronic financial transactions. It is imperative to address their unique needs and challenges to ensure their financial well-being. Older adults can be more vulnerable to various online threats, making security and privacy paramount. As they adapt to the digital age, understanding their specific privacy concerns and preferences is crucial for creating trustworthy e-payment systems. Moreover, enhancing the usability of e-payment applications for older adults promotes financial independence and inclusion, contributing to their overall quality of life. By focusing on these critical dimensions, we can enable older adults to confidently and securely navigate the digital financial landscape, ultimately fostering financial security and independence in their later years.
Therefore, in this thesis, we conduct a thorough investigation into financial transactions, beginning with the analysis of thousands of global websites offering payment services, categorized by function and assessed for security. Our focus then narrows to examine the privacy and security of a selected group of e-commerce websites. Transitioning to mobile applications, we scrutinize e-commerce apps, distinguishing between U.S. and non-U.S. origins. Our research extends to e-payment applications, where we examine the top 50 in terms of security, privacy, accessibility, and user interaction. The study then shifts to a specialized exploration of e-payment applications designed for older adults, informed by an extensive literature review. Guided by feedback from a pilot study and an IRB-approved survey, the culmination of this work results in the development of an e-payment application tailored for older adults. Additionally, this thesis includes a comprehensive set of guidelines to inform the creation of future e-payment applications for this demographic
Molecular Dynamics Study of Characterization in Metal-Free Friction Materials
Get PDFMetallic friction materials currently used in industry may adversely impact the environment. Substitutions for metals in friction materials, on the other hand, can introduce operational safety issues and other unforeseeable issues such as thermal-mechanical instabilities and insufficient strength. In view of it, this dissertation focuses on developing different kinds of materials from simple structure to complex structure and evaluating the material properties with the assistance of molecular dynamics (MD) tools at the nano scale.
First, the concept of the contacted surfaces in friction at the atomic scale was introduced in order to get accurate understanding of the friction process compared to the macro scale. A MD model of 3C-SiC asperities was constructed for investigating the effect of the asperity-surface on the tribological properties. The surface contact with various number of scenarios were included to show the fundamental characterization of the interface in friction at the nano level. Generic simulation models for analyzing mechanical properties and thermal properties were developed as well to fully study the characteristics of 3C-SiC as a nonmetallic friction material. The predictions on the coefficient of friction (COF), wear rate, Young’s modulus, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and thermal conductivity under different conditions were made based on the MD simulation.
Second, with the acknowledgement that 3C-SiC has been proven to be an ideal matrix material in friction, a new graphene (Gr) reinforced 3C-SiC nanocomposite model with lamellar structure was designed in MD simulation. The covalent bonding between Gr and 3C-SiC was applied to obtain better performance than the weak bonding. The interfacial energy between Gr and 3C-SiC was studied to examine the stability of the structure. Similarly, the tribological properties, mechanical properties, and thermal properties of the nanocomposite were considered to help understand the effect of Gr as a potential reinforcement for metal-free friction materials.
Finally, a new 3C-SiC spherical nanoparticle reinforced epoxy crosslinked nanocomposite with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) as the epoxy monomer and 3,3-diaminodiphenyl sulfone as the curing agent was constructed and studied considering the advantages epoxy have, such as relative low cost, remarkable environmental compatibility, and less powder generation or carbon deposition. Under different degrees of crosslinking, the glass transition temperature, fractional free volume, forces and COF during friction, Young’s modulus, and thermal conductivity of the nanocomposite as well as the pure epoxy with the same configurations were evaluated to provide a reference in designing real 3C-SiC/epoxy friction composite and similar materials with better performances
Emotional Appraisal, Psychological Distance and Construal Level: Implications for Cognitive Reappraisal
No full textConstrual-level theory emphasizes that representing events at greater spatial, temporal, social, or hypothetical distance results in processing information at high construal levels (more conceptual, abstract). We posit that psychological distance and construal level are somewhat separable constructs, and can have different effects on emotion, and therefore, emotion regulation. We argue that psychological distance influences emotional appraisal, such that increasing distance results in lower emotion intensity, which can be leveraged to down-regulate emotions. However, we consider construal level a mindset, which can occur with either high or low psychological distance. Furthermore, we argue that compared with psychological distance, construal level has a more nuanced relationship with emotion, and changing construal level for the purpose of changing emotion also requires considering the construal level of one\u27s emotion-regulation goals
Speaking With Complete Candor: Shareholder Retification and the Elimination of the Duty of Loyalty
No full textFew corporate law doctrines matter more than the duty of loyalty. Designed to protect the shareholders from the consequences of improper self-dealing, the duty applies to transactions with the corporation that benefit officers, directors, or other fiduciaries.
Despite the central importance of fairness to the duty of loyalty, however, the trend has been to eliminate any analysis of fairness, replacing substantive review with procedural safeguards. This has been particularly true with respect to ratification by disinterested shareholders. If done properly, disinterested ratification results in the application of the business judgment rule. In those circumstances, courts will not examine the fairness of the transactions.
The wisdom of a policy allowing a majority of disinterested shareholders in a public company to consent to, and thereby immunize from challenge, self-dealing is questionable. Moreover, the procedural safeguards designed to ensure that shareholders are informed when they ratify the self interested transactions do not work. Informed shareholders must have all material information when consenting to the self-dealing. In practice, however, they often do not. Delaware courts repeatedly consider immaterial categories of information among the most important to shareholders in deciding how to vote.
This can be seen from a comparison between Delaware and federal cases interpreting the concept of materiality. Although both purport to use the same test (putting aside that Delaware still relies on the long rejected probability/magnitude test for the materiality of ongoing merger negotiations), it is clear that in application they do not. Delaware uses a far more restrictive concept of materiality, one that does not ensure that shareholders in fact have all material information needed to make informed decisions.
To the extent that substantive review gives way to procedural safeguards, the procedural safeguards must be meaningful. Meaningful safeguards require full disclosure. Yet at least in the area of disinterested shareholder approval, this has not occurred