Publications
Health Science ScholarsHealth Care Needs and Barriers for Union Gospel Mission Clients
Carol Bearheart, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 3 ~ 1997-1998
Marcia L. Nason, M.S.W., LICSW
Department of Social Work and Sociology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
The daily news is saturated with stories of poverty, lack of opportunity, and health care related issues. It is not uncommon to find homelessness and racism as common denominators on the rise with health problems among the underserved. At the Union Gospel Mission located in a northern city of Minnesota, clients experience multiple health problems and have unmet health care needs. This qualitative study attempts to identify client perceptions of personal major health care barriers. Through barrier identification, the agency can better assist clients in accessing necessary medical care services.
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Birth Order and Jungian Personality Types of College Students
Molly C. Benoit, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 1 ~ 1995-1996
David X. Swenson, Ph.D.
Management Department
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This pilot study examines a possible relationship between birth order and Jungian personality types. It was hypothesized that oldest-born tend toward introversion and judging; youngest-born tend toward extraversion and perceiving. The participants were 73 midwest liberal arts college students. They completed a birth order survey and a short-form adaptation of the Myers-Briggs personality inventory. These data were grouped and analyzed with an ANOVA and multiple comparisons test. No significant differences were found between oldest and youngest born and Jungian types. Discussion of the implications of this finding are presented regarding possible cohort effects and the influence of age-family context of birth order.
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A Comprehensive Database of Western Lake Superior Marinas:
A Tool for Analyzing Small-Craft Marina Use and Expansion
Sherry Berhow, Transportation and Logistics
University of Wisconsin - Superior
Cohort 10 ~ 2004-2005
Richard Stewart, Ph.D.
Department of Business and Economics
Transportation and Logistics Research Center
University of Wisconsin - Superior
ABSTRACT
With the rise in the popularity of recreational boating, communities along navigable waters are more and more often faced with weighing the economic benefits of building new or expanding existing small-craft marina facilities against the potential environmental impacts of such building or expansion. The goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive database of marinas located on western Lake Superior in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The information gathered concerning the utilization of these existing marinas will be examined. This information will allow stakeholders accessing the database to compare the existing marina facilities and analyze critical metrics and data such as: location and situation, contact information, repair facilities, ramp and slip size, draft, fueling capabilities, as well as lift size and capabilities. This research will further enable public and private decision makers the ability to better assess the economic and market forces which drive expansion or new construction. The database will be robust and expandable, with linkage to a Geographic Information System (GIS) application. This database can also serve as a model for other marine facility decision makers in other locations.
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Neuropsychological Measures of Adaptive Problem-Solving
and Everyday Functioning in Older Adults
Emily A. Bois, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 1 ~ 1995-1996
Darryl Dietrich, Ph.D.
Psychology Department
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Neuropsychology is the study of brain-behavior relationships. Neuropsychologists diagnose and describe brain-related dysfunction as well as provide prescriptive statements about everyday functioning. Providing prescriptive statements about everyday functioning has become of central concern in recent years, particularly in the assessment of older adults. Numerous studies have shown that older adults show a significant decline in adaptive problem-solving abilities. A relationship between these adaptive abilities and everyday functioning has not been fully established, however. One purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a correlation between neuropsychological measures of adaptive problem-solving and measures of everyday functioning. A second purpose is to compare scores for the measures in the study with previous established norms. Participants consisted of 23 community-dwelling older adults. They were given the Booklet Category Test (BCT) and the Trail-Making Test (TMT), both measures of adaptive problem-solving ability. Bradburn's Affect Balance Scale, Sunderland's Everyday Memory Questionnaire, and PGC Instrumental Activities of Daily Living questions were administered to tap into a wide range of functioning aspects. Scores for the BCT and the TMT were similar to previously established norms for older adults. Several correlations were found between the BCT and the TMT and the measures of functioning. A multiple regression analysis also was done and the TMT Part A was found to have predictive power for the IADL questionnaire. These findings support the validity of the BCT and the TMT as measures of everyday functioning and have important implications for the assessment of everyday functioning in older adults.
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Juvenile Delinquency Rates in Selected Neighborhoods Within Duluth, MN
Mapped Between August 1999-May 2000
Amy M. Broehm, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 5 ~ 1999-2000
Jayne Fechtelkotter, M.S.
McNair Scholars Program
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Juvenile delinquency is a concern of American society. Delinquent offenses may include crimes against person or property, and/or status offenses. Court records of all juveniles who appeared in southern St. Louis County, Minnesota, Juvenile Court between August 1999 and May 2000 were examined for this research. This research provides a statistical analysis of delinquent offenses committed within southern St. Louis County correlated with neighborhood income level. A summary of the research findings was shared with Judge Gerald Martin and is a basis for securing grant funding for the Duluth community. The hypothesis is that the income level of neighborhoods correlates with rates of juvenile delinquency. Preliminary findings indicate that there is a positive correlation between income level and rates of juvenile delinquency.
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Evolution of the National Response Framework:
Meeting the Needs of Non-English Speaking Citizens and Citizens with Limited-English Proficiency
Taushia L. Brooks, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Thomas J. Mason, Ph.D., Mentor
College of Public Health
University of South Florida
ABSTRACT
This study documented whether states that are susceptible to hurricanes and other natural disasters are communicating in languages other than English to meet the needs of their non-English speaking citizens and citizens with limited-English proficiencies (LEP). Data on citizens ages 5-17 were collected from the 2000 United States Census from Florida, North Carolina, Texas and Oklahoma. The findings show that of the four states reviewed, Florida has made the most progress in addressing the needs of non-English speaking citizens, with communications in three of the state's top five languages. North Carolina and Texas have addressed the need for their first most dominant non-English languages. Based on available information, it appears Oklahoma has not addressed the need for disaster communications in languages other than English. Future directions for this study include comparing results from the 2010 decennial census with information from the 2000 census to document changes in each states; top five languages, and to document whether the states are continuing to address the need for non-English disaster communications.
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The Impact of Fatigue on Sexual Satisfaction in Patients with
Multiple Sclerosis Undergoing Treatment for Depression
Candice Buss, Psychology and Women's Studies
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 10 ~ 2004-2005
David C. Mohr, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology
University of California, San Francisco
Andrine Lemieux, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Fatigue affects up to ninety-five percent of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and can adversely affect sexuality. Insufficient research has been conducted analyzing the effect of fatigue on sexual satisfaction for this population. It was hypothesized that fatigue, especially physical fatigue, would be related to decreased sexual satisfaction after controlling for depression. A secondary analysis was conducted from a randomized clinical trial comparing two psychotherapies to treat depression in MS. Measures include the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-2), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and the Sexual Satisfaction Survey (SSS). Results indicated that there was a significant reduction in fatigue over the course of treatment (p< .001), fatigue was not correlated with sexual satisfaction pre-treatment (all ps >.05), but was correlated with SSS post-treatment (MFIS Physical r = .31, p < .01; MFIS Psychosocial r = .26, p < .05). Utilization of mediation modeling shows that the correlations between physical fatigue and SSS, and psychosocial fatigue and SSS are still significant after controlling for depression. In sum, fatigue is independently associated with sexual satisfaction and treatment for depression appears to reduce patient reports of fatigue and sexual dissatisfaction.
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Interpersonal relationships' impact on individual success:
Observations of one Upward Bound program
Serena L. Carr, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 15 ~ 2009-2010
Carrie R. Taylor Kemp, MA, Mentor
School of Arts & Letters ~ Department of English
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of interpersonal relationships on individual success. The participants are 58 Upward Bound students enrolled in a five-week summer program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The students range in age from 14-18 years. This researcher conducted the study by collecting data using both a Likert scale survey and daily online reflection questions. After the responses were collected, this researcher completed a statistical analysis using Excel to determine if the data showed a positive correlation between participants' developing interpersonal relationships and having a successful summer experience.
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Nurses and the Responsibility to Provide Information and Education Regarding Abortion
Firestar Charette, Nursing
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 7 ~ 2001-2002
Kathleen Cargill, M.A.
School of Arts and Letters
Department of History, Politics and Culture
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Abortion is perhaps the most controversial legal issue since Prohibition. It has been long argued in the political and personal arenas. The best of friends can have the most opposing viewpoints to this rather simple medical procedure. The debate to decide whether the issue is ethical, legal or personal has been growing and gaining more and more attention. Nurses as educators are often on the forefront of this issue. With constantly changing laws and the ability to "opt-out" of caring for women who are considering, undergoing, or have undergone an abortion, the debate has moved from one of medical care to personal judgment or moral and religious beliefs. This paper explores the debate on whether nurses have to put aside personal feelings in caring for their patients, and whether the issue of abortion should be protected when it comes to medical care received from nurses.
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The Influence of Openness to Experience, Right-Wing Authoritarianism,
and Quest Orientation on Attitudes towards Atheists and Christian Fundamentalists
Michael D. Cheney, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 15 ~ 2009-2010
Darryl Dietrich, PhD, Mentor
School of Sciences - Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
In a study of 87 participants, measures of Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA), Openness to Experience (OE), and Quest (Q) were strongly associated with measures of religious intolerance. The participants consisted of 2 groups: Christian church members and members of a secular organization. Church members' attitudes toward atheists were gauged as well as secularists' attitudes toward Christian fundamentalists. Analyses suggested that RWA, OE, and Q were predictors of negative attitudes toward atheists in the church member group but not in negative attitudes toward Christian fundamentalists in the secular group. A "list experiment" suggested that secular members were less likely to vote a Christian fundamentalist into office than church members were to elect an atheist into office. The correlations of RWA, OE, and Q with attitudes toward atheism in this study show that the measures can add to the understanding of religiosity and religious intolerance.
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The Relationship Between Equity in Communication and Marital Satisfaction
Heather A. Courtney, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 2 ~ 1996-1997
Debra Schroeder, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the current study was to test the claim that equity in verbal interactions plays an integral role in marital satisfaction. Forty-two participants from three religious organizations and a small liberal arts college in the Upper Midwest completed a marriage survey. The marriage survey consisted of demographic data, a marital satisfaction scale, and an interaction scale covering common discussion topics in a marital relationship (e.g., finances, children, religion). The hypothesis was that those participants who perceived equitable verbal interactions with their spouses would report higher levels of marital satisfaction than would those who did not perceive equitable verbal interactions. The hypothesis was partially supported. Using one equity formula, there was a positive correlation between equity in communication regarding hobbies and marital satisfaction. Using a second equity formula, there was a positive correlation between marital satisfaction and equity in communication regarding children and occupation.
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Social Interactions between Immigrant Female and Resident
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) at Gombe
Kelly A. Crea, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 2 ~ 1996-1997
Darryl M. Dietrich, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Anne Pusey, Ph.D.
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
University of Minnesota - St. Paul
ABSTRACT
Social interactions of adolescent female chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) that transferred into the Kasakela community within the confines of Gombe National Park, Tanzania were studied. The number of minutes each focal immigrant engaged in grooming and association with a Kasakela resident was calculated into a ratio of association. Immigrant females chose specific high-ranking males or "hired-guns" to associate with, and relationships with these males seemed to facilitate the immigrants' integration into the new community. In some cases, a female chose to associate with a high-ranking or "specific senior female," although this was not found as prevalent in common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) as it was in bonobos or pygmy chimpanzees (Pan paniscus) (Idani, 1991).
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A Belief in the Power of Work at Goodwill Industries
Jessica R. Croatt, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 3 ~ 1997-1998
M. Casey Bowman, M.S.W., LICSW
Department of Social Work and Sociology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
The power of work is an important concept at Goodwill Industries. It is one of the largest non-profit providers of employment and training services for people with disabilities. Work builds self-confidence, friendship, trust, and independence. A satisfying work experience can enhance lifestyles and help people meet basic needs. Goodwill Industries, Duluth employs 240 workers with physical, emotional, and/or cognitive disabilities. Forty-five randomly selected employees completed interviews about their work setting, supervision, and communication. This study was designed to assess Goodwill Industries' employees' level of work satisfaction. A summary of the information collected was shared with Goodwill Industries' administration and staff.
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Is There a Relationship between Veteran status, Homelessness, and Incarceration?
Michael D. Dickinson, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 11 ~ 2005-2006
Lee Gustafson, Ph.D.
School of Health Sciences
Department of Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Many military veterans who have served their country and protected the people of the United States are being incarcerated for the "crime" of being homeless. These homeless men and women served their country either by fighting during wartime or by maintaining military readiness during peacetime. Some of these veterans voluntarily enlisted into one of the various branches of the military while others had no choice as they fell under the draft during wartime. Many do not have the skills and resources to successfully reenter civilian life and survive in society after they are discharged from the military. They need help in multiple ways: medical, financial, educational, emotional, spiritual, etc. However we as United States citizens do not always support and honor our veterans; rather, we allow many of them to bear the devastating consequences of homelessness.
Per capita, the ranks of the homeless include significantly more veterans than non-veterans. Why are these veterans initially becoming homeless? It may be a combination of reentry into civilian society where their military experience does not necessarily equate to employability, of substance abuse directly related to an inability to re-integrate into society, of various mental illnesses such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and many other variables.
Why are these veterans remaining homeless? Homelessness, as well as the methods that the homeless use to survive, often lead to incarceration in our society. It is significantly more difficult for a person to find housing once they have been incarcerated because normally they no longer have the finances needed and/or they have lost any previous support network. To complicate this matter, it is extremely difficult to find rewarding work that would enable a person to be fully self-supporting once that person has a prison record. Sadly, homelessness and eventual incarceration seem to be an endless cycle with no hope in sight.
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Outcome Evaluation of a Community Service Program for Adolescents
Christopher Dolan, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 5 ~ 1999-2000
Chandra Mehrotra, Ph.D.
Dean of Special Projects
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Empower 2000 is a two-phase community service program that I designed for adolescents. Program goals include (a) increasing participants' identity development and internal locus of control, (b) enhancing their understanding of social issues in the community, and (c) strengthening their skills of project development and teamwork. Program participants ranged in age from 16 to 19 years and most of them lived in a medium sized Midwest City. The evaluation included both quantitative and qualitative measures to determine whether the program outcomes were achieved. The quantitative measures included measurement of identity development and locus of control. The qualitative measures included program traces, individual and group discussions, and an independent evaluation by the research advisor. The program seemed to meet its goals of enhancing participants' understanding of social issues in the community, and increasing their skills of project development and teamwork. There is no evidence to support that the program met the goal of increasing participants' internal locus of control. Although the quantitative data is inconclusive, qualitative data seems to suggest that there was an increase in their identity development. Possible drawbacks of the evaluation related to the application of the quantitative measures are discussed here, as is a further analysis of participant characteristics. Recommendations for program improvement are also outlined.
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The effects of the mother-daughter relationship on the self-image
of first year college women
Anna M. Dontje, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 15 ~ 2009-2010
Angela Hauger, PhD, LP, Mentor
School of Sciences ~ Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This research explored the relationship between incoming first-year college women and their mothers. Orbach (2008) observed that today's adolescent females have expansive life plans and personal strengths that previous generations of women lacked. But some have insecurities of self stemming from their relationships with their mothers that may prevent them from achieving their dreams. The purpose of the present study was to look at the strengths and insecurities of young women and how these may be related to their relationships with their mothers. Forty-four females between 18 and 20 years old, starting college in 2010, completed an online survey. Findings indicated participants' self-esteem ranged from low to high. Participants who scored as more androgynous had higher self-esteem scores. Low self-esteem was related to mothers' possessive, jealous, and separation anxiety behaviors toward daughters. Daughters most satisfied with relationships with their mothers perceived higher levels of cohesive, close-caregiving behaviors and lower levels of intrusive behaviors from their mothers.
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How Race Contributes to the Use of
Children's Mental Health Services
and Child Protection Services in St. Louis County, MN
Stacia Donovan, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 12 ~ 2006-2007
Michelle Robertson, M.S.W., LGSW
School of Health Sciences
Department of Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This study examined how the topics of race, ethnicity and duration of stay contributed to the use of Children's Mental Health (CMH) and Child Protection Services (CPS). Throughout the country children of color tend to be overrepresented in CPS and there is a question of whether children of color are underrepresented in mental health services. This study looked at the number of children within St. Louis County, MN, that accessed these two county-based services in a one-year period. The researcher analyzed data collected by St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services to determine statistically if this northern Minnesota county follows the trends documented throughout the country. The data was collected from the statewide Social Services Information System (SSIS) on each client in each work group throughout 2006. The researcher questioned whether St. Louis County would follow the trend and children of color would be underrepresented in the voluntary CMH services while overrepresented in CPS, but the data showed that children of color were overrepresented in comparison to the overall population in both programs.
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Economic Growth in Eritrea:
The Contribution of Information Communication Technologies
Robiel Embaye, Information System & Technology
University of Minnesota - Duluth
Cohort 8 ~ 2002-2003
Anthony Barrett, Ph.D.
Economics
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This paper presents research to analyze the effects of information communication technology (ICT) on economic growth of an underdeveloped country. The research is then applied to Eritrea in an effort to find how ICT diffusion can be accelerated and successful for the Eritrean economy and people. The relationship between economic growth and ICT is evaluated, and the necessary precursors for ICT diffusion are presented. These include basic infrastructures, such as electricity and transportation routes, as well as telecommunications, hardware and software, knowledge and human capital infrastructures. The role of government policy is also evaluated. The research proposes necessary conditions must be met before ICT can have beneficial effects for the economy. By presenting specific data regarding infrastructure development and government policy in Eritrea, coupled with researched methods for ICT diffusion, the researcher discerns how ICT can best be utilized in Eritrea and how economic growth can be achieved.
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Factors Influencing Placement of Individuals
With Alzheimer's Disease in Long Term Care Centers
Barbara A. Graham, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 1 ~ 1995-1996
Angela Rosenberg, Ph. D.
Psychology Department
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
A majority of persons with Alzheimer's Disease are cared for at home by a family member. Caregivers tend to reserve the decision to place their loved one in a long-term care center until some situation forces the action. Few studies have been done on factors leading up to placement decisions. This research attempted to identify common factors which influenced caregivers' decisions to place their loved ones in long-term care centers. Thirty-three former caregivers, twenty-three females and ten males ranging in age from twenty-seven to eighty-seven years old, participated in the research by completing two surveys.
Three hypotheses were examined. The first hypothesis stated that the majority of placements would be in response to a crisis situation. Although a majority of caregivers placed their loved one in response to a crisis, the number who placed because of crisis was not statistically significant from those who placed for reasons other than a crisis situation. The second hypothesis predicted that there would be a moderate positive correlation between the caregiver's attitude toward the provision of long-term care and the length of time they provided care. The results in this study however, did not support this hypothesis. The third hypothesis stated that precipitating factors of placement would be a combination of issues involving both the caregiver and care recipient. It was predicted that care recipient factors such as incontinence and behavior problems would be the most decisive issues. The most decisive placement factors in this study included the loved one's behavior problems, the caregiver's inability to meet their loved one's care needs, the loved one could no longer complete ADL's, the caregiver's own needs went unmet, and their loved one became depressed. Further results of this study indicated that the two most difficult caregiving tasks were providing reassurance/emotional support and monitoring their love ones whereabouts. This study contributes to the limited number of studies which have attempted to examine the elusive nature of long-term care decisions.
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jThe Effects of Gender Role Trait Information and Sexual
Orientation Outcome Information on Judgments of Homosexuality
Jeff Grebinoski, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 1 ~ 1995-1996
Debra Schroeder, Ph.D.
Psychology Department
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Gender role stereotypes and outcome information were manipulated to assess peoples' judgments of sexual orientation and use of the hindsight bias. Fifty college students read brief descriptions of two males, one with male-valued traits and one with female-valued traits, and learned in one group that the males were heterosexual and in another group that the males were homosexual. A third group received no sexual orientation information. Participants rated whether they could have predicted that the males were homosexual and were also given the short-form Homosexism Scale (Hansen, 1982). The male with female-valued traits was more likely to be seen as gay. Also, the type of sexual orientation outcome information did influence participants' ratings, although the differences were not as predicted using hindsight bias research. However, no interaction effect between gender role and outcome information was found. Reasons for the findings are discussed along with suggestions for future research.
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Women in Corrections:
How Work Stress Affects the Personal Lives of Female Correctional Officers
Working in Adult Male Prisons: A Proposal
Jacqueline L. Halberg, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 13 ~ 2007-2008
Lee Gustafson, Ph.D.
School of Health Science
Department of Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This research will explore how work stress affects the personal lives of female correctional officers who work in adult male correctional facilities in Minnesota. This qualitative study will utilize a constructivist approach in gathering and analyzing data from interviews with two female officers from each of seven adult male, state-run correctional facilities. An interview schedule will be utilized that differentiates between work and non-work stress, and coping mechanisms. Each interview will be concluded with the officers telling their personal stories of what it is like to be a female officer working in an adult male facility, in a male-dominated profession. Data will be analyzed using a matrix, identifying common themes from each interview that reflected how work stress affects the officers' marriages, parenting, friendships, and socializing.
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Women in Corrections:
Impact of Job Stress on Personal Lives
Jacqueline Halberg, Social Work
Cohort 13 ~ 2007-2008
The College of St. Scholastica
Dorothy Graff, Ph.D.
School of Health Sciences
Department of Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This qualitative research explores how work stress affects the personal lives of 11 female correctional officers who work in 2 Minnesota county jails. Interviews lasting 1-2 hours were guided by an interview schedule to obtain demographic information and personal stories identifying: sources of work stress, coping mechanisms, support systems, and issues of social function due to work stress. Data was collected and analyzed using Grounded Theory with results indicating a significant impact of work stress on the personal lives of participants in these areas: family life, personal relationships, socializing, health and general well-being. Results of this study indicate the need for further qualitative research on women who work in corrections and in other male-dominated professions.
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Child Emotional Abuse and Neglect: A Qualitative Study
Darla Hall, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 6 ~ 2000-2001
Teresa Aldach, M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W.
Department of Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This research explored the effects of child emotional abuse and neglect. The purpose was to gain new insight from the experience of child welfare professionals in order to make recommendations for improved strategies. Interviews were conducted with ten child welfare professionals including: Initial Intervention Social Worker, Mental Health Social Worker, Day Care Center Social Worker, Pediatrician, Pediatric Psychiatrist, Pediatric Psychologist, Police Sergeant, Public Health Nurse, Non-Profit Community Advocate and a Parent Educator. Insights gained include: knowledge of the working definition of child emotional abuse and neglect utilized by child welfare professionals; information regarding the symptoms, diagnosis, behaviors and long term effects exhibited by victims of child abuse and neglect; and increased understanding of the current nature of professional intervention. The research revealed that the professionals were fairly consistent in their reports about the impact emotional abuse and neglect had on children. Themes were identified within the definitions of emotional abuse and neglect. Sufficient information was found to make recommendations for the following areas of child welfare intervention strategies: community involvement, services for parents, community education and needed continuing education for child welfare professionals regarding governing laws and regulations
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International Technology Transfer to Developing Nations:
Problems and Considerations
Colleen Howell, International Business
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 1 ~ 1995-1996
Lee Webster, Ph.D.
Languages and Literature Department
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Now more than ever, corporations are expanding globally, transferring technology to markets abroad. Technology has been argued to increase the competitiveness of nations and achieve socio-economic growth. This article discusses the considerations necessary for a successful technology transfer from an industrial country to a developing one. Further, it examines the problems and possible solutions involved in international technology transfer and incorporates the needs of the corporation as well as the needs of the developing country.
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HIV/AIDS Education in High School
and Its Effects on Sexual Behavior in Young Adults
Holly Johnson, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 1 ~ 1995-1996
Joanne C. Neher, Ph.D., LISW
Department of Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
By June, 1995, the number of Americans who died of AIDS was greater than 6 times the number of American soldiers who died in combat in Vietnam. AIDS is the largest, deadliest new infection to occur in the world this century, and there is no cure, only prevention. The fastest growing segment of the population of the United States to be infected with HIV is females aged 13-19.
This pilot project was conducted to determine if there was a relationship between HIV/AIDS education in high school and the sexual behavior of young adults. Surveys were distributed at three midwestern college and university campuses to undergraduate students aged 18-26. Of the 86 respondents, 50% were 21-23 years old, 31% were male and 65% were female. Eighty-four percent of the respondents reported being sexually active with 60% reporting beginning their sexual activity in high school. These statistics support the argument that HIV/AIDS prevention education at the high school level is needed. A total of 75% of the respondents received HIV/AIDS prevention education in high school. Of those, 50% believed their high school did not provide enough information on HIV/AIDS prevention.
The behavior practices affecting transmission of HIV/AIDS were also addressed in the survey. Thirty-one percent of the respondents who are active sexually reported "always" using protection, while 23% reported using protection "sometimes." A future study, examining the high school education and sexual behavior of young adults on college and university campuses in other cities would be useful to see if the results are similar to those in this pilot project.
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Parent Education for High-Risk Parents: A Qualitative Study
Nicole Johnson, Psychology and Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 5 ~ 1999-2000
Darryl Dietrich, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This research project explores high-risk parents' perceptions of parenting and parent education. The purpose is to gain new insight into this population in order to make a recommendation on the most effective parent education program with which to provide them. Interviews were conducted with ten mothers who are currently participating in Lutheran Social Services' Young Parent Program. Sufficient information was found to make recommendations for the following areas of parent education programs: motivations, incentives, content, method of delivery, and follow-up.
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An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Two USAID Agricultural Projects:
Rural Zambia (1995 and 2009)
Dylan Thomas Kesti, Communication & Global Politics
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 14 ~ 2008-2009
Heather Heckel, Ph.D., Mentor
Department of International Environment and Development
American University
ABSTRACT
In order to address the complex global challenges that face the international aid arena, all actors must analyze their projects and design modalities of aid that crystallize sustainable development. Research indicates that poverty and underdevelopment are complex, multifaceted, and interconnected global challenges. Furthermore, with the effects of global climate change on hydrological variability and food security, the international environment and development arena face unsurpassed challenges and critical impasses in catalyzing sustainable development. The central question of this study is: what has been the impact of attempts by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to raise the output incomes of rural Zambian farmers while decreasing hunger, poverty and malnutrition? The goal of this study is to analyze two USAID agricultural projects in 1995 and 2009 as case studies to evaluate the effectiveness of aid under two juxtaposed modalities. This study is analyzing the effectiveness of USAID aid in achieving its said aims and goals when the modality and delivery includes local community leadership, long-term sufficient funding, and capacity building supporting community engagement. The evidence supports the hypothesis that aid projects without community leadership, sufficient funding, and capacity building, are less likely to meet their aims and goals. It is time for the international aid arena to analyze its effectiveness, and redesign approaches that support and pursue sustainable development. This study is one step in trying to assess the larger pattern of foreign aid and its impact.
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Globalization and Women Workers
Benjamin Krause, Economics
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 10 ~ 2004-2005
The College of St. Scholastica
Robert Hoffman, Ph.D.
Department of Management
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Globalization is a force that has brought about economic and cultural changes that reach further than any individual state mandate or policy. This paper analyses the effects of international trade on discrimination in an attempt to provide answers to questions on globalization's effect on the well-being of women. This paper argues that, while international trade does create greater inequality, it also empowers women economically beyond what policy makers alone could hope to achieve. Individuals with low levels of skills are at a greater disadvantage, because they are unable to quickly adapt to changes in the labor market. As a matter of fact, a disproportionate number of women occupy low skill, and thus, lower wage jobs world wide. It would appear, then, that globalization should be a force that women should oppose. In truth, this is not the case, as the benefits derived are far greater than the costs. In every society, one of the major road blocks against women has been gender discrimination, more specifically, gender wage discrimination. A product of international trade has been the decrease of market power for companies that once enjoyed the benefits of limited competition. This limited competition allowed for an environment that supported biases in hiring and pay practices that led to a widened female/male wage ratio. As international trade has increased, the ability to discriminate has decreased, eventually resulting in a reduction in the overall wage gap. In the US, this phenomenon can be illustrated with the deregulation of the banking industry. Before deregulation, banks held much market power because of the difficulty in entering this industry. After deregulation, individual banks' market power dwindled. The female/male wage ratio and the female/male hiring ratio followed suit, also decreasing. This effect illustrates the dynamic implications of neo classical economic theory, that trade shocks to concentrated sectors of industry resulting in increased competition and diminished market share will result in a firm's loss of ability to discriminate. Sudden increases in international trade have similar effects on international businesses that enjoy large shares of market power. When trade shocks diminish the market power of a firm, they also diminish the firm's ability to discriminate. This research found that increased international trade benefits women. This fact, when combined with the survey of other research compiled in this paper, provides justification for the conclusion that globalization does increase the well being of women.
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What is the Perceived Impact of Divorce after Long-Term Marriage
on Women Aged Fifty and Over in St. Louis and Carlton Counties in Minnesota?
Karie K. Kroon, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 13 ~ 2007-2008
Dorothy Graff, Ph.D., LICSW
School of Health Sciences
Department of Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Women aged fifty plus grew up when women were not expected to pursue higher education but to become homemakers. Six women aged fifty plus, divorced from a long-term marriage, were interviewed in a qualitative study of financial/housing, health, legal, psychological, social, and religious/spiritual issues impacting them after divorce. Data revealed these six women experienced struggles and losses in all of these areas with most only reporting an improvement in their religious/spiritual life.
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Mother-Daughter Relationships as Daughters Begin College
Lindsay F. Kujawa, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 14 ~ 2008-2009
Angela M. Rosenberg-Hauger, Ph.D., Mentor
School of Sciences - Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
There is a lack of research about the young adult daughter-mother relationship. This research studied young adult daughters' and their mothers' perceptions of their relationships. The participants were 68 new female admissions to colleges in fall 2009. They were 18 and 19 years old (M = 18.04, SD = .207) and unmarried. Ninety-one percent of daughters were Caucasian, 4.4% Native American, 2.9% Asian American, 2.9% Hispanic American, and 1.5% African American. Sixteen mothers whose daughters are 18 and 19 years old, and are new admissions to college in fall 2009, also participated. These mothers were between the ages of 37 and 53 years old (M = 45.27, SD = 4.891). All mothers were married and Caucasian. The sample included 10 mother-daughter pairs. Participant daughters completed an on-line survey, and some solicited their mothers to complete an on-line survey designed for mothers. Results focus on the relationship between perceived equity, attachment to the mother, and relationship satisfaction. The greater the equity and attachment perceived by the daughter, the greater her satisfaction with her relationship with her mother. Important life events and situations that influenced participants' mother-daughter relationships were also identified. The daughter leaving home to live on her own was a major influence reported by 66.2% of daughters and 87.4% of mothers. However, analyses of 10 mother-daughter pairs suggest there is little agreement between mothers and daughters about major influences in the development of their relationships. Finally, participants described their relationships and made predications about how their relationships would change and remain the same. Most daughters (63.5%) and mothers (81.6%) described their relationships as positive. Factors that facilitate (e.g. good open communication) and hinder (e.g. not "getting along") successful relationships were identified.
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Amber M. Lindeman, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 3 ~ 1997-1998
Gary Gordon, Ph.D.
Department of Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
DNA is the building block of all human life. The history of its discovery was a race among scientists to discover the structure of the DNA molecule. Now scientists know there is an extremely beneficial microscopic molecule to assist in solving criminal and non-criminal cases. It can be extracted from many sites in the human body. Contamination of these samples is a factor that needs to be considered both on the crime scene and in the lab. After the sample is collected and examined a court admissibility hearing occurs to determine whether or not it is ethical to have a collection of samples in a database that could be accessed for future reference. DNA has greatly influenced the scientific community and the system of justice and has provided many benefits to society.
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Welfare History and Reform: Through Social Engineering
Mari Love, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 2 ~ 1996-1997
Darryl Dietrich, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
In this research paper I explore the history of welfare in the United States. I address the concept of "social engineering" and how this view has affected the process of social change. I also compare and contrast Cuba, with its self described "special times" which the country has been involved in since the withdrawal of the former Soviet Union from its shores, and the United States, which like Cuba is involved in reconstructing major components of social policy. Education as provided for under the Minnesota Family Investment Program will be discussed, and the consequences social engineering has had on the availability of education to recipients of welfare.
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Student Perceptions of Student Development Services
Davin E. Maijala, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 2 ~ 1996-1997
David X. Swenson, Ph.D.
Department of Management
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
With the changing demographics and needs of college students, it is important for college counseling centers to assess the needs of the student population and to consider making adjustments in programming. A pilot survey of student counseling and services needs was conducted at a small, liberal arts, private institution in the Upper Midwest. The purpose was to design and test a survey format for regular assessment of student support needs. Responses to the Student Development Center Survey were received from 64 students. Response trends are noted and discussed. Suggestions for future needs assessments are also discussed.
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How Do Douglas County, Wisconsin Senior Citizens
Deal with High Prescriptions Drug Costs?
Mary L. Mattson, Social Work
University of Wisconsin - Superior
Cohort 7 ~ 2001-2002
Elizabeth T. Blue, M.S.W.
Department of Social Work
University of Wisconsin - Superior
ABSTRACT
Through the Aging Resource Center for Douglas County (ARCDC), seventy-seven senior citizens participated in research to determine how Douglas County, Wisconsin seniors deal with high drug costs. The study finds one-third of the participants have gone without prescriptions due to high costs, and many alter their lives and budgets to afford prescriptions. SeniorCare Wisconsin, a prescription drug assistance program, promises to aid low-income seniors who struggle with affording their prescription drugs on a monthly basis.
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Knowledge of Aging and Attitudes Toward
Gerontology Education Among College Faculty
Rajean P. Moone, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 3 ~ 1997-1998
Angela M. Rosenberg, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Educators play a key role in incorporating gerontology into college curricula. While it is obvious that students training for health and human service provision are likely to work with older adults and need a background in gerontology, it does not appear to be a shared perception that most future college graduates would benefit from similar training. Demographics suggest otherwise. As our population ages, workers in a variety of fields will be addressing aging in some regard. Will college graduates be prepared? This study surveyed college faculty from a variety of disciplines as to their knowledge about and training in aging and their attitudes about gerontology education for students in their disciplines as well as college students in general. Data from 536 college professors were included in the analysis. Results indicated that it is those who work in the health and human service related fields, those who have training in gerontology, and those who have more knowledge about aging see the importance of providing students with training in aging. The next step is to determine how to inspire faculty in non-human service and non-health related fields to teach students about aging.
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Basic Human Needs of Immigrants and Refugees Currently Attending
the Duluth Adult Learning Center English as a Second Language Program
Natalie Muehlbauer, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 11 ~ 2005-2006
The College of St. Scholastica
Marcia Runnberg, M.S.W., LICSW
School of Health Sciences
Department of Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
The immigrant population of the Duluth/Superior Twin Ports region in northern Minnesota is one that often gets overlooked. In collaboration with the Duluth Adult Learning Center, the researcher developed a comprehensive needs assessment survey tool. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 23 students attending the English as a Second Language Program. The results indicate some basic needs of immigrants and refugees are going unmet in the Twin Ports Community.
The researcher hypothesized that there will be a correlation between time spent in the Twin Ports and the stated needs and concerns. The researcher also hypothesized a correlation between the stated needs and concerns and if the subject has extended family members living in the Duluth community. The results did not prove this, but instead concluded that a multitude of factors including, but not limited to history, strength, environmental factors, and opportunities available all affect the needs and concerns of the immigrant or refugee.
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The Effects of Menarche on Adolescent Girls' Eating Attitudes and Body Perception
Jennifer L. Mueller, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 2 ~ 1996-1997
Darryl Dietrich, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
As young girls go through puberty, they experience many biological and physical transformations. One of the biggest changes occurs when girls begin to menstruate. This study examined the effects of menarche on girls' eating attitudes and body satisfaction. Thirty-nine girls in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade participated by completing the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), a body perception scale, and a cognitive functioning exercise. The fundamental assumption for this study was that girls who have experienced menarche will have a greater dissatisfaction with their body and more unhealthy eating attitudes. The data did not support the hypothesis that postmenarchal girls have higher EAT-26 scores and greater body dissatisfaction than premenarchal girls. Neither did the data show the predicted correlation between cognitive developmental level and body image perception difference. There were interesting, unpredicted negative correlations, between the average EAT-26 scores and body image difference scores. Although the hypotheses were unsupported, past research suggests that there is an effect of menarche on adolescent girls' perceptions and habits (Gralen, Levine, Smolak, & Murnen, 1990). Future research should focus on how girls deal with their beliefs and society's messages. It is also important to develop effective prevention techniques and programs in order to reduce the number of adolescents with eating problems and disorders.
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Empirical Evaluation of A Congressional Internship Program
Michael Novak, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 5 ~ 1999-2000
Debra S. Schroeder, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This project involves an evaluation of an internship program with a Congressional Committee. The participants include the 50 staff members of a majority (Republican) staff of an authorizing committee in Congress. This group includes a variety of ages, positions and backgrounds. Also participating are five interns, again with a variety of positions and backgrounds. It is hypothesized that this internship provides a beneficial experience for students and assists professionals in their work. Specifically, it is hypothesized that students participating in the internship program develop the professional skills and the attitudes necessary to be productive and capable workers. Examples of these skills and attitudes would be computer proficiency, punctuality, ability to organize, and interpersonal skills. Also, I suggest that the paid staff of the organization in this study has positive feelings toward interns and positive experiences with them; e.g. the interns' contribution of new ideas and the reduction of the workload of the staff. Two surveys, one for interns and one for staff, were constructed to measure the research questions. It was found that there are benefits of this internship to both students and organization staff. Benefits include reduced workload for staff members and increased professional skills for students.
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Recruiting and Retention Methods for
African-American Students in Higher Education
In Memory of
Maurice Southern
1982-2004
Charlee Nyumah, B.A.
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 9 ~ 2003-2004
David Anstett, M.B.A.
Department of Management
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Graduation rates for African-American students in higher education are low! Recruiting and retention methods are a concern in predominantly white colleges (PWC) for African-American students. Further investigation shows retention plans are unsuccessful for retaining African-Americans in PWCs. This current research examines whether a small liberal arts college in the Midwest is representative of other PWCs recruiting and retention methods for African-American students are effective. A questionnaire was circulated to recruiting and retention counselors at representative PWC. The results of the survey and the enrollment data show there is no plan to recruit and retain African-American students. These results verify the hypothesis that recruiting and retention methods at the representative PWC are not effective at attracting African-American students.
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Correlates of Sexual Orientation
Anthony Bliss O'Malley, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 7 ~ 2001-2002
Debra S. Schroeder, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This research examined differences between 18 males who identified themselves as homosexual and 15 males who identified themselves as heterosexual on several variables past research, theory, and popular beliefs shown to be related to sexual orientation. The examined variables of this study were the family variables of gay relatives and birth order, childhood sexual abuse, and the psychological/social variables of gender-role conforming/nonconforming behaviors and gender role identification. The data of this study were collected from a convenience sample of 33 participants from two cities of the Midwest using a structured questionnaire, mostly researcher-designed. Significant findings were the following: heterosexual participants participated in fewer theatre/band/choir activities than homosexual participants, heterosexual men were more likely than homosexual men to self identify as "mostly masculine" during adolescence, and homosexual men were more likely to believe they were perceived as "mostly feminine" by peers during adolescence than were heterosexual participants. Results are discussed in the context of past research and theory on correlates of sexual orientation.
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Female Sexual Arousal: A Pilot Study
Correlation Between Sexual-Esteem, Physiological Arousal and Subjective Arousal
Adenike Olisa, Psychology
University of Minnesota - Duluth
Cohort 5 ~ 1999-2000
Paula Randall, Ph.D. Department of Psychology
University of Minnesota - Duluth
ABSTRACT
This is a correlation study between physiological, subjective arousal and sexual self-esteem. This study evaluates females' sexual arousal in response to visual stimuli. Volunteers watched film clips in a closed, internally locked room, while their sexual response was measured via a plethysmograph. Although some of the video clips used to evaluate these subjects contained sexually explicit images, they did not contain violence, physical or sexual abuse.
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My Tanzania Experience: A Reflection
Porsche D. Peak, Psychology
David Schuettler, Ph.D., Mentor
School of Arts & Letters
Department of Languages and International Studies
The College of St. Scholastica
Introduction
My summer 2009 service-learning trip in rural Tanzania was not just another volunteer project; I wanted - and received - a personal connection to the continent that my ancestors once called home. My journey included opportunities to learn about various traditional African traditional practices and Swahili. This paper is an illustration of what I observed during my period of service work, what I gained from the experience, and what I plan to do with my new knowledge. For Instance: While working in Tanzanian schools and clinics, I learned to be assertive put patient, especially in unfamiliar cultures. That knowledge will help me be a thoughtful, credible professional
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Relationships Between High School Sex Education Satisfaction
and College Students' Sexual Attitudes, Behavior, and Knowledge
Nancy A. Pexa, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 4 ~ 1998-1999
Debra S. Schroeder, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine relationships between high school sex education satisfaction and sexual attitudes, behavior, and knowledge. To examine these relationships, 115 undergraduate students enrolled at a private or public institution completed a survey. It was found that those who were more satisfied with their high school sex education had less tolerant sexual attitudes and that those who were more satisfied with their sex education program's addressing of understanding of self had fewer sexual partners. It also was found that those with more tolerant sexual attitudes had more sexual partners. Those of higher class status tended to have more tolerant sexual attitudes, but less satisfaction with their high school sex education. Catholics/Protestants and No Religion/Other differed on various sexual attitudes, and on satisfaction with high school sex education. Implications for future research are discussed.
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Assessing Needs of Adolescents and Families in a Rural Community
Alison Pollard, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 1 ~ 1995-1996
Angela Rosenberg, Ph.D.
Psychology Department
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
There is increasing public concern with the manner in which social changes affect the character of family life and the family's role in society. A common perception is that many of today's children have suffered from the deterioration of the family. There is a concern that too many children are being left home alone while parents are working, that families are not spending enough time together, and that parents are not providing enough discipline nor communicating sound values to their children.
The purpose of this study is to derive information and perceptions about communication in families, time spent together, concerns, values, behaviors, and childrearing practices from both adolescents and parents. Such information can serve as a guide to decisions about the development of potential school programs in the rural town in the upper Midwest where I conducted the study. To ascertain the needs of adolescents and families in this rural area, I developed a survey based on similar examples found in professional literature. The questions included multiple choice attitude questions and open ended questions which address the areas of: satisfaction with family, perception of rules, communication, shared time and activities, and other issues/concerns. A sample of 131 students were surveyed in their classes in the junior and senior high schools for phase I of the study. For phase II, I surveyed the parents/guardians of the adolescents from phase I to better understand how parents/guardians view themselves, their families, and their lives. Twenty-eight parent/guardian surveys were returned. I summarized the responses to the surveys, then compared the perceptions of the adolescents to those of the parent/guardian groups. A summary of the information will be shared with the school personnel in the study town so that it might have an impact on program and policy planning within the school.
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Bones, Stones, and Hormones: The Physiological Effect of Gregorian Chant
on the Sella Turcica and Human Endocrine System
Sandra Reed, Management
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 2 ~ 1996-1997
Patricia Hagen, Ph.D.
Department of Languages and Literature
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This paper proposes that a relationship exists between the physiology of the arched roof of the mouth and the architecture of the transverse arch of the Gothic cathedral. Facilitated by Gregorian chant, a sense of connection is established between these inner and outer worlds by a series of physiological events triggered by the auditory and visual properties of medieval sacred space. The Pythagorean principles of number, pattern, and proportion used to construct the Gothic cathedrals of Europe created a harmonic space with outstanding acoustics. Enhanced by the acoustic properties of the Gothic arch, overtones of Gregorian chant establish sympathetic resonance and entrainment between choir and audience. These overtones also vibrate the bone structure of the sella turcica, which houses the pituitary gland, and stimulate hormone secretion. The skull acts as a resonating chamber to vibrate and stimulate the pineal gland. Mood altering hormones are released into the bloodstream, pass through the blood brain barrier, and create a mood-altering event for the participant. By replicating the physiological pattern of the mouth into the architecture of sacred space, the vibratory effect of Gregorian chant is magnified and its affect is a sense of connection between inner and outer worlds.
Although this relationship has not been previously established, an overview of the relevant principles of architecture, acoustics, math, and music indicates sufficient support to warrant further scientific evaluation of the hypothesis.
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The Relationship of Self-Esteem/Ego Strength
and Transition Success for Transgendered individuals
Nicole Rudie, Psychology
University of Minnesota - Duluth
Cohort 7 ~ 2001-2002
Stacy Clement, M.A., Department of Psychology
University of Minnesota - Duluth
ABSTRACT
This research examined the relationship between self-esteem in childhood and transition success for transgendered individuals. Biographies from the world wide web were accessed, reviewed and analyzed. The nine subjects selected were rated on self-esteem and success of their transition. This study found 3 (1/3 of the participants) whose self-esteem was high in childhood; their transition success was also high. More research is needed to confirm this hypothesis. Other participants experienced lower levels of self-esteem and an arguably resultant diminished degree of transition success or a delay in transition timing.
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"Through the Eyes of the Client: the Minnesota Displaced Homemaker Program"
Gayle E. Samich, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 5 ~ 1999-2000
Kathleen Cargill, M.A.
Department of Sociology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
The Minnesota Displaced Homemaker Program (DHP) is perceived by some State officials to duplicate services to clients that are provided by other State agencies. Further, the DHP is perceived as an underutilized program and a program for which there is a waning need. This research surveyed 343 DHP clients in the seven Arrowhead Counties of northeastern Minnesota to obtain their perceptions and evaluations of the need for services provided to them by the DHP. The survey results indicated that the DHP is a unique program delivering services to a special population that cannot receive the same services elsewhere. The next challenge is to use the results of this research in the political arena.
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Relationships Between the Big Five Personality Factors,
Resiliency Attitudes, and Life Satisfaction in Divorced Parents
Melissa Scanlon, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 6 ~ 2000-2001
Debra Schroeder, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the connections between the Big Five Personality Factors, resiliency attitudes, and life satisfaction in divorced single parents. It was predicted that resiliency and life satisfaction would correlate positively with the personality characteristic of extraversion and negatively with the personality characteristic of neuroticism. Thirty-seven participants from two divorce support groups, a college in a midwestern state, and a group of interested divorced individuals were administered the following instruments: the Resiliency Attitude Scale (RAS) which produces seven subscale scores, the NEO-FFI which measures personality and produces five subscale scores, and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Pearson correlations were calculated between the subscale scores of the NEO-FFI, RAS, and SWLS. No significant relationships were found between the NEO-FFI and the RAS subscale scores or the total RAS score, nor between the NEO-FFI and the SWLS. However, there were two correlations between the NEO-FFI and items from the subscales of the RAS. Specifically, more neurotic individuals tended to find new ways of looking at things; less extraverted individuals tended to avoid repeating unhealthy relationships. A discussion will follow regarding reasons for the lack of relationships, directions for future research, and the limitations of this study.
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Health Care Policy Participation Study
Kristin Scheel, Social Work
University of Wisconsin -Superior
Cohort 10 ~ 2004-2005
Elizabeth Blue, M.S.W.
Department of Human Behavior and Diversity
University of Wisconsin - Superior
ABSTRACT
Health care costs make it more difficult for underinsured individuals to receive adequate services at a price they can afford. A questionnaire was created with help from the staff of the Minnesota Citizen's Federation (MCF) and distributed to members of the Duluth, MN community who were underinsured. This study looked at what motivating factors might allow those affected to become involved in making health care more affordable through lobbying and/or other means. These citizens' current knowledge about health care policy action and debates was also examined.
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Scottish Nationalism: A Past and Present Analysis
Joseph Stensland, Political Science
University of Wisconsin - Superior
Cohort 10 ~ 2004-2005
Gloria Toivola, Ph.D., Mentor, Politics, Law and Justice
University of Wisconsin - Superior
ABSTRACT
Through an analysis of historical and political documents from 1707 to the modern day,
this study initiates a brief look at the degree to which Scottish nationalism exists in present-day Scottish politics and culture. Scottish nationalism, born in part from historical oppression, continues to be a significant aspect of Scottish identity. The brief review explores Scottish history, economics, culture, and government and its proximity and relationship to the United Kingdom.
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Depression and Locus of Control in Native Americans Living On and Off a Reservation
Barbara Smith, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastic
Cohort 1 ~ 1995-1996
Debra Schroeder, Ph.D.
Psychology Department
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This study examined the relationship between depression and locus of control in Native Americans living on and off a reservation. A demographic questionnaire, the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory were distributed to 81 Native Americans 18 years of age or older at two clinics for Native Americans located on and off a reservation in Minnesota. Three main questions were examined: (1) Are depression and locus of control related in the Native American population? ( 2) Are depression and locus of control differentially related for those living on versus off the reservation? and (3) Do Native Americans living on or off the reservation have a higher rate of depression and a more external locus of control? Statistical tests also were done to determine if demographic variables were related to depression and locus of control. Depression and locus of control were found to be related (Question One) in the Native American population, but not differentially related depending on if they lived on or off the reservation (Question Two). Those living on and off the reservation were not found to differ in rates of depression and locus of control orientation (Question Three). Significant statistical results were obtained for only one of the secondary questions: age was found to be associated with locus of control; the younger a person was the more the external locus of cohort they had.
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aThe Public Choice Theory and Subsidies:
A Case Study of the Duluth Technology Village
Aaron Snyder, Applied Economics
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 7 ~ 2001-2002
Robert Hoffman, Ph.D.
Department of Management
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Political actions are taken for many different reasons; self-interest is the driving force behind those reasons. Politicians are able to use many different tools to achieve their goals; the Public Choice Theory describes these tools and their uses. Business subsidies are one of the tools used by politicians to achieve their goals. The subsidies are a detriment to the economy of the U.S. and are hindering economic growth. The Technology Village, which was created in Duluth, MN is a project which is currently considered inefficient. An analysis of the Technology Village, based on the Public Choice Theory and the effects of subsidies, exhibits the costs of the program as well as why and how politicians are able to do what they do.
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Sexuality Among Women: The Relationship Between Attitudes and Education
Angela J. Stevens, Family and Consumer Science
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 1 ~ 1995-1996
Darryl Dietrich, Ph.D.
Psychology Department
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Pregnancy among adolescents is occurring at an alarming rate. Many programs are being developed to reduce the number of pregnancies. One major aspect missing from many programs is the importance of the individual's sexuality, self-esteem, and the opportunity to discuss topics which may be of concern. The definition of sexuality must be broadened to include the whole person, thoughts, feelings, and actions, not simply genitalia and behavior. In order to measure the importance of sexuality and self-esteem, and to allow for an opportunity to discuss sensitive topics, I selected ten women, (ages 18 to 24), administered a pretest, provided five hours of education, followed by a post test. Although the results show that a correlation exists between sexuality and self-esteem, and "facts" increased from pre to post test, other hypothesized correlations and pre to post changes were not found. Nevertheless, I conclude that it is important to have an open educational forum where young women can discuss their sexuality and attain accurate knowledge of facts surrounding sex if self-esteem is to be increased, and if adolescent pregnancy is to be reduced.
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Young Adults and the Workplace: Perspectives of Five Young Adults on How Health Risks
and Workplace Motivators Influence Their Employment Choices
Samantha Szczech, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 12 ~ 2006-2007
Lynn Goerdt, M.S.W., LGSW
School of Health Sciences
Department of Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Interviews were conducted in June and July 2007 with young adult workers discussing motivators, health as related to exposure to secondhand smoke, and workplace policies. The interviews were completed with five 18-30 year-old adults who work in Duluth, Minnesota, or Superior, Wisconsin. This research was conducted to address a lack of data about the perspective of young adult workers on risks to their health, particularly because of changes in current policy at the local and state level. The results demonstrated that young adult workers are motivated primarily by monetary benefits while potentially compromising their own health. Young adult workers are more likely to support non-smoking policies. In the future, policies should recognize that young adult workers are motivated by money and that risk factors are present in some work environments from which young adults should be protected.
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Attitudes of the General Public and Prisoners Regarding Rehabilitation and
Punishment in the Minnesota State Prison System
Bethany Thompson, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 7 ~ 2001-2002
Debra Schroeder, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
A questionnaire covering attitudes toward various rehabilitation and punishment issues was completed by 113 prison inmates and 64 members of the general public. Specific topics examined included the following areas: education, rehabilitation, psychological services, job training, early release, and the death penalty. It was predicted that the general public would show more support for punishment items than would inmates, and inmates would show more support for rehabilitation items than would the general public. Consistent with predictions, the prison inmate sample more strongly supported rehabilitation, such as receiving educational and rehabilitative classes, than did the general public. Also consistent with predictions, the general public more strongly supported punishment issues, such as the death penalty, than did the prison inmate sample. Implications of these beliefs for prison reform are discussed.
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What Maintains Bullying Behavior in Children
Anntionette D. Thorstad, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 7 ~ 2001-2002
Darryl M. Dietrich, Ph.D., Psychology Department
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
It is imperative professionals understand all the dynamics when dealing with a child who has been victimized by bullying behavior. Both the victim and bully must be dealt with in a comprehensive manner. The purpose of this research was to get a clearer picture of the professional's knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes about the causes, characteristics, and prevention of bullying behavior. A questionnaire was developed and given to professionals from a school district and a mental health agency. It was predicted the professionals would not have a clear understanding of bullying behavior. The data showed, however, that the professionals in both agencies did have an understanding of bullying behavior; although, on a few questions there were significant differences between the two groups of professionals in their average agree-disagree ratings. Given that the two groups appeared to have similar understanding of the child bully, the question arises of why better methods of prevention have not been developed. Thus, the next step is research to examine how bullying violence is dealt with in terms of prevention and intervention.
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Making Connections Between New Americans
and Resources in the Duluth Community
Andrea J. Toland, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 10 ~ 2004-2005
Kathleen Cargill, M.A.
School of Arts and Letters
Department of History, Politics & Culture
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
The social needs of the immigrant population within the Duluth community of northern Minnesota are often overlooked. A needs assessment was conducted on New Americans residing in Duluth in the summer of 2006. The research revealed this population is not receiving all of the services for which they are eligible. The current research focuses on discovering the obstacles that occur from the service providers' point of view. A survey was created and sent to 20 local service agencies: 13 different agencies (65%) and 57 people (55%) responded. The researcher hypothesized the biggest obstacles for the service providers would be twofold: language barriers and New Americans not being aware of the services that the agencies have to offer to them.
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Psychological Barrier Adults Face in Smoking Cessation
Linda Tougas, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 6 ~ 2000-2001
Monica Roth Day, M.S.W.
Department of Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Individuals who wish to end their smoking habit face significant barriers. Psychological factors play a key role. This qualitative study utilizes the systems perspective in investigating psychological factors that lead to successful cessation. Using non-probability sampling methods, eight participants who have successfully abstained from smoking for one year or longer were interviewed with the use of a structured questionnaire. The findings indicate that once smokers commit to ending their smoking habit, they can quit successfully on their own and overcome psychological barriers. The most widely used method for the participants for achieving success was the use of prayer and meditation, as well as mental diversions of thought. Family and friends do not play a significant role.
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Black/African-American Women and their Pursuit of Higher Education
Idalene J. Watson-Souther, Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 7 ~ 2001-2002
Monica Roth Day, M.S.W.
Department of Social Work
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
The research addresses the issues and barriers associated with obtaining a college degree through the eyes of Black women. The research methodology that was chosen is a phenomenological study. The women interviewed in this study all have a bachelor of arts / bachelor of sciences degree or higher. The age range of the participants when they started college ranged between 17 - 20 years old during the years of 1971 - 2001.
The results of the research produced three themes for discussion. The first theme is the desire to attend school. The second theme encompasses the importance of having a support network that inspires individual accomplishments personally or professionally. The last theme addresses the challenges Black students find on college campuses that are primarily White. There is hope that this research will help bring a cognizance to the barriers and disparity that Black women feel in their pursuit of higher education. This paper shows a need for future research in regards to changing the perception on college campuses that are primarily White institutions.
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Use of Skills, Personal Religious Experience, and Social Support
as They Relate to Physical Well-being, Psychological Well-being,
and Life Satisfaction among Older Americans
Karen Weiss, Psychology
University of Wisconsin - SuperioR
Cohort 4 ~ 1998-1999
Debra S. Schroeder, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This study predicted that skill use, religiosity, and social support of older adults would be significantly related to the following well-being variables: psychological distress, physical symptoms related to stress, and life satisfaction. It was also predicted that skill use would be more significant in the well-being of males, whereas religiosity and social support would be more significant in the well-being of females. Subjects consisted of 80 females and 34 males over the age of 50, all of whom either resided in a building for senior citizens or frequented senior citizens' centers. Results indicated that there were significant correlations between skill use and social support and psychological distress (negative correlations) and life satisfaction (positive correlations), but not between skill use and social support and physical symptoms related to stress. Religiosity positively correlated with life satisfaction, but did not correlate with psychological distress or physical symptoms related to stress. Hypotheses about gender differences were not supported.
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Employee Satisfaction of Needs through Employer Benefit Programs
Related to Life Balance and Organizational Commitment
Shelley I. Wycoff, B.A., Management
Matthew J. Wycoff, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 8 ~ 2002-2003
David X. Swenson, Ph.D., Mentor
Department of Management
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Lack of work-life balance is a common problem in the United States. Some employer benefits have the potential to help employees achieve a better work-life balance. It is hypothesized that employers can gain increased organizational commitment by offering these benefits; employees can gain increased life balance by using these benefits to meet their needs. However, often there is a difference between what employers perceive as employees' needs and what they actually are. Therefore, the benefits may not meet the needs of the employees and would have little to no benefit to either party. This study involved surveying 133 faculty and staff from a small private liberal arts college (32% response rate). The satisfaction of employees' needs with cafeteria plan benefits was compared with organizational commitment and life balance. On a Likert scale ranging from 1-7 (1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree), employees were found to be "somewhat satisfied" with their benefits (M = 5.468, SD = .456). Significant correlations were found between specific benefits and work-life balance as well as organizational commitment. Overall, satisfaction of benefits compared to organizational commitment had a significant correlation (r (111) = .258, p < .01). However, satisfaction of benefits and life balance had a weak correlation that was not significant (r (111) = .167, p = > .05).
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Warriors Within: A Study of Native Americans' Recidivism Rates
and How They Compare to Trauma, Alcohol/Drug Abuse,
Cultural Conflict and Problem Solving Skills
Julie Yaekel, Psychology
University of Wisconsin - Superior
Cohort 4 ~ 1998-1999
Chip Beal, M.Ed.
Multicultural Affairs Coordinator
University of Wisconsin - Superior
ABSTRACT
Citizens assume that the experience of incarceration reduces recidivism. However, in some states recidivism is as high as 50%. The truth behind these statistics is they do not represent the general population, but are an over-representation of minorities. Recidivism rates for Native Americans in Minnesota are 52%-70%, depending on short or long-term placements. In contrast, the recidivism rates for Caucasians is 33%. This study addresses the manner in which these rates may be influenced by Post Traumatic Cultural Disorder (PTCD): a reexperiencing of a previous or present value or cultural conflict leading to stress and conflict that culminates into a probable codependent dysfunctional state, with a major emphasis upon loss of identity and boundary/control and relational difficulties. The study specifically examines correlations between re-offending and substance abuse, trauma, cultural conflict and the ability to problem solve among Native American men. The study shows a significant correlation between incarceration and alcohol/drug treatment as well as incarceration and out of home placements in early childhood. Traditional cultural identity brought the Native American men into greater conflict with the dominant society and contributed to an increased recidivism rate. Further research includes the need to look at out of home placement verses any family and social influences.
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Ethnic Identity as a Predictor of Self-Esteem, Happiness and Life Satisfaction
Among Young Hmong-Americans
Fue Yang, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 12 ~ 2006-2007
Sister Edith Bogue, Ph.D., Mentor,
School of Sciences
Department of Psychology and Sociology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This study explores the relationship of Hmong ethnic identity with self-esteem and general happiness, using an adapted East Asian Ethnic Identity Scale (Hmong-EAEIS and its three subscales), The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and two measures of general happiness. Survey responses of 110 young Hmong-Americans ranging from 18-40 years of age, were collected at a Hmong cultural event. Hmong-Ethnic Pride (Hmong-EAEIS) is positively correlated with Self-Esteem, while Hmong-Family Values (Hmong-EAEIS) and Hmong-Interpersonal Distance (Hmong-EAEIS) are negatively correlated. Hmong-Ethnic Pride was associated with higher levels of Happiness; no aspect of ethnic identity was related to Life Satisfaction.
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Predictors of Dating Satisfaction
Holly Zemek, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 5 ~ 1999-2000
Debra S. Schroeder, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Determining what makes a relationship work is a mountain that is waiting to be conquered. This study takes us one step closer to the peak by examining how control, conflict, values system, and social support relate to dating satisfaction, and particularly how changes in values relate to satisfaction changes. Two surveys were administered two months apart, to 47 college students who were dating someone steadily and asked them about the aforementioned variables. Data from the first survey indicated that two variables - social support and intrinsic values - were positively associated with satisfaction. Changes in intrinsic and extrinsic values from the first to the second test were associated with changes in satisfaction.
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Factors to be Considered When Selecting Individuals to Form a Team:
Personality Being the Most Important Factor for Better Productivity
Tendai-Nicole Zawaira, Psychology
University of Minnesota-Duluth
Cohort 9 ~ 2003-2004
Margaret Preus, M.A.
Department of Education
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
This research examines factors to be considered when composing teams in the workplace. Particular emphasis is placed on personality. The research discusses a variety of measurements for identifying personality types, including the Myers-Briggs Test Inventory (MBTI), the Enneagram, Big Five Personalities and team player styles. These measurements are discussed in brief and some advantages and disadvantages of the MBTI and the Enneagram are outlined.
Although it can be demonstrated that using personality as a primary factor in team composition does not always produce effective teams, much of the research shows that the single most important factor in team productivity is personality. This paper will aid in explaining that a mixture of individual personalities will perform more effectively, thus yielding a productive performance.
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The Role of Cortisol and Interleukin-6 In Mediating
Stress-Related Cognitive Fatigue
Brady Zubke, Psychology
The College of St. Scholastica
Cohort 12 ~ 2006-2007
Andrine Lemieux, Ph.D., LP
School of Sciences
Department of Psychology and Sociology
The College of St. Scholastica
ABSTRACT
Stress-related cognitive fatigue is the source of significant occupational and sometimes public, safety liabilities. Understanding individual differences within this state is critical. In this quasi-experimental pre/post study using an ecologically valid stress paradigm, the relationship between increases in stress hormones, immune proteins, subjective and objective measures of stress, and cognitive fatigue will be examined. One hundred students from a small Midwestern private college have been examined using the Iowa Gambling Task, other tests of cognitive function, and objective and subjective measures of allostatic stress load once during a relatively low stress period (weeks one or two of a typical semester) and once again during a high stress period (final exam week). The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) shows good reliability and validity in distinguishing populations with compromised functioning of the brain's frontal lobes. Each subject also provided a small blood sample at both time points. Changes in stress reactivity via both cortisol and immune protein measures of pro-inflammatory immune proteins such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) will be used as predictors of changes in IGT scores. Cortisol rises under chronic stress and is known to increase IL-6. This cytokine has receptors throughout the brain, including the frontal lobes, and has been implicated in alterations in learning, attention and memory. Given the similarities between compromised frontal lobe function and chronic stress-related behavioral changes, such as impulsivity, poor problem solving and inattentiveness, it is hypothesized that the IGT will be sensitive to the increased cortisol output, cognitive load, behavioral changes across the stress periods, and immune protein production will mediate this stress-related change. Initial data analysis confirms that individual differences in cortisol responses can be predicted by objective, but not subjective, stress indicators. Further results on the IGT and potential behavioral, endocrine, and/or immune mediators will be discussed.
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