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Item A Grounded Theory of Spiritual Formation in Christian Higher Education: Exploring the Spiritual Formation Experiences of Faculty as Undergraduate Students and Their Influence on Pedagogical Practices(2023-12) Osadchuk, MichaelChristian colleges and universities offer a unique teaching and learning experience grounded in spiritual formation. However, current scholarship addressing spiritual formation has been mostly isolated to rational epistemologies or narrow applications of practice. A holistic model of pedagogical practice that can be applied across disciplines and in non-traditional classroom settings is still largely not understood. This grounded theory study investigated Christian faculty to identify how spiritual formation experiences in their undergraduate education influenced their pedagogical approaches to spiritual formation in students. The central understanding of character education as a formative teaching practice was used to develop the research questions and instrument. Interviews were conducted with nine Christian faculty who received an undergraduate Christian education and currently teach in a Christian college or university to identify conditions for spiritual formation in teaching and learning. The findings of this study were presented in five themes: faculty modeling the Christian life, faculty being available to students, faculty revealing worldview connections, faculty providing a sense of belonging, and working with students in co-curricular spaces. Based on the analysis of the data, the Conditions for Spiritual Formation model (CSF) was constructed as a holistic pedagogical approach to spiritual formation. The CSF model adds to the current understanding of spiritual formation in Christian higher education and brings forth a pedagogical approach to spiritual formation that can be implemented across the disciplines and in non-traditional classroom settings and improve the alignment of institutional mission and practice. Implications for Christian faculty, university leaders, and recommendations for future scholarship were included in this study.Item A Multidisciplinary Approach to Improve Mobility in Acute Stroke Patients(2023-08) West, Cres-AnneStroke is a seriously debilitating condition that occurs suddenly and affects individuals' activities of daily living. Guidelines for stroke rehabilitation provide clear treatment recommendations for improving overall mobility and are often recommended as soon as 24 hours after a stroke event (Winstein et al., 2016). There is sufficient evidence to support mobility practices in an in-patient setting, and it is critical to screen acute stroke patients for early mobilization and provide daily mobility goals. At an academic hospital in Southern California, acute stroke patients are often observed to be sedentary or lying in a bed during a hospital stay. The project setting took place in a 32-bed neurology progressive care unit over a period of six months. The quality improvement project aimed to impact outcomes in acute stroke patients by using a multidisciplinary approach to care by providing daily mobility goals and increasing the mobilization provided by nursing staff. The Plan Do Study Act model was used to conduct the project, and, with permission from the Johns Hopkins Mobility Team, a mobility tool was used as an effective strategy to improve communication among interdisciplinary staff (Johns Hopkins Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2022). The project’s primary objective was to standardize mobility practices and decrease the silos to improve multi-disciplinary communication concerning mobility, and increase staff comfort and participation in safe patient mobility. The project objectives focused on staff education on the designated unit, improvement in mobility scores within the stroke population, and impact on the nursing culture in patient mobilization. The project demonstrated that in-patient mobility practices are feasible as a part of hospital workflow and showed statistically significant improvements in outcomes. Improvements in outcomes included using a standardized process for early mobility, providing daily mobility goals for stroke patients, and improving outcomes by limiting the variation in acute stroke rehabilitation.Item A Qualitative Study Exploring the Role of Professional Development and Job Satisfaction of Classified Staff(2023-12) Spight Huffman, Pilar N.This qualitative case study delved into professional development’s influence on job satisfaction among classified staff in California’s community colleges. The study examined a convenience sample of 20 full-time classified staff who had worked for at least 1 year at a community college in California and had participated in a professional development activity within the previous 12 months. Based on comprehensive iterative interviews and a focus group, this study contextualized how professional development influences the job satisfaction of classified staff. Using the frameworks of Herzberg’s two-factor theory and Knowles’s theory of andragogy, I sought to distinguish the significance of the relationship between professional development, job satisfaction, and leadership support among classified staff. Findings suggest that professional development positively impacts the job satisfaction of classified staff. Key results revealed emergent themes that underscore the significance of growth, inclusivity, and fostering a learning culture to advance student success.Item A Qualitative Study of Minority Higher Education Faculty's Experiences With Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Within Their Organizations(2023-08) Fierro, Amanda N.Recently throughout higher education institutions, there has been a consistent call to include diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI) at the forefront of their organizational practices. Faculty make up the most significant number of employees in higher education organizations, and their experiences with diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI) approaches in the classroom and the organization inform higher education organizations of their ability to integrate materials. The problem statement addressed in this study was to identify minority higher education faculty’s experiences in the discipline of English with EDI within their sense of organizational belonging; faculty’s engagement with EDI in curriculum development, academic instruction, and student interactions; and faculty’s levels of or access to professional development using a community of inquiry theoretical framework. The purpose of this study was to provide a phenomenological qualitative inquiry focused on understanding the nature of minority higher education faculty in the discipline of English and their experiences through one-on-one interviews regarding DEI methods, practices, and implementation in classrooms and organizations in Southern California. The data revealed that faculty experiences show institutional and self-awareness needed for DEI integration, including alternative teaching styles, discipline-specific application, personal actions, and a recognition of areas of needed institutional and self-improvement. The recommendations based on the findings from this study include changes for higher education organizations to consider fostering EDI in their organization.Item The Administration of Police Consent Decrees: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Reducing Pattern and Practice of Police Use of Force(2021-05) McGuire, TarrickAs a reform instrument, federal consent decrees have been used by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division to address issues associated with unconstitutional police misconduct. A problematic area of concern is police behavior involving the excessive use of force on minority citizens. The purpose of this comparative case study was to determine whether or not the implementation of consent decrees in the New Orleans and Seattle Police Departments resulted in a reduction of the use of force 3 years after implementation, in comparison to 3 years preconsent decree implementation. This study aims to contribute to closing the gap in understanding regarding what policy implementations may be useful in correcting patterns of behavior in police misconduct and in closing the gap between best practice conduct and actual patterns of behavior and unconstitutional practice. Integrated with this study, Lewin’s change model is used as a guiding philosophical framework for this study, positing that organizational and underlying behavioral change occurs in three phases: (a) unfreezing, (b) changing, and (c) refreezing. These three steps explain the process by which longstanding patterns of adverse police misconduct may be altered, how resistance may be addressed, and how new ideal behaviors may be normalized and habituated.Item AFROCENTRIC CAPACITY BUILDING: BUILDING AGENCY IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY(2022-08) Jackson, CoreyAfrican Americans face multiple inequalities in nearly every category tracked in society (Katz et al., 2005). Although many legal and formal barriers were dismantled by rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court and various acts of Congress, profound inequities continue to persist in the African American community due to systemic racism and racist social attitudes (DeGruy, 2017). In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, this researcher has sought intentional, explicit, and effective ways to address these historic inequities in the inland region of Southern California, also known as the Inland Empire. As a social worker, this researcher has utilized the community-based participatory research (CBPR) model as a foundational research design due to its promising uses throughout the nation when addressing the needs of the African American community. Although CBPR is often seen as a tool to address health disparities, it is also a social change model that empowers communities to build political power and the capacity to address community needs (D’Alonzo, 2010). Therefore, this research project sought to empower African American organization executives by building their program or organizational capacity to build agency in the community through Afrocentric practices.Item The Agency Psychology of Sustained and Prolonged Poverty Exposure on Public Administrators in Nevada(2020-05) Donahe, Cynthia A.Street-level public administrators, particularly welfare and social services professionals, working in direct contact with and delivering welfare benefits to the indigent public, expose themselves to chronic poverty daily and for some public service employees, throughout their careers. Over time, the public administrator’s sustained and prolonged exposure to clients’ poverty experience could have an impact on his or her behavioral, psychological, and physiological well-being, which, in turn, could affect a public agency’s ability to deliver services effectively and efficiently to the public. This study examines the impacts of working with impoverished clients on a public administrator’s level of effectiveness and the severity of burnout. The focus of this research was to determine whether there is any relationship or correlation between (a) a public administrator’s duration in working with an impoverished population and the level of effectiveness, and (b) a public administrator’s duration in working with an impoverished population and severity of burnout. This study reviewed existing public administration literature through the lens of poverty scarcity theory and the motivation theory burnout model and identified a gap in the body of public administration literature for the agency psychology of sustained and prolonged poverty exposure of public administrators to impoverished clientele. The researcher employed the quantitative research method and research design of the survey, specifically the Maslach Burnout Inventory—Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). The study was able to identify a statistically significant correlation and relationship between public administrators working for the study’s public organization and welfare agency with the MBI-HSS burnout subscale Emotional Exhaustion (EE), which was substituted as a synonymous measure of burnout. This research could provide insight to public leaders, public policy makers, and public organizations on the wicked problem and challenges of poverty that public service employees must face when serving an indigent clientele. The results of this study could help public leaders and human resource management (HRM) professionals understand the agency psychology of sustained and prolonged poverty exposure in order to manage HRM issues in organizational life and workplace environments by recognizing, monitoring, intervening, and/or addressing early onset of burnout in public service employees who serve impoverished populations.Item An Analysis of Policy Implementation: A Case of Children With Developmental Disabilities in Zambia(2021-12) Lifanu, Inonge N.Background. In Zambia, individuals with disabilities and their families rely heavily on governmental services, policies, and programs. Individuals with disabilities in Zambia have limited access to services that could help them reach their full potential. Consequently, several important policies with good intentions are adopted but not successfully implemented. The Zambian government formulated the National Policy on Disability to address disability issues and empower individuals with disabilities. Purpose. The reason for this study was to explore disability policy implementation by analyzing cases of children with developmental disabilities through the lens of service providers and policymakers. This qualitative study aimed to examine the Zambian disability policy implementation and evaluate its outcomes. Methods. Policy implementation processes were evaluated using the policy streams theoretical framework. Semistructured interviews were utilized to draw the perceptions of parents and guardians of children with developmental disabilities, policymakers, and service providers. Data were analyzed using NVivo, a qualitative data analysis computer program, to discover the emerging themes. Results. The national policy on disability has negatively affected the quality of services for children with developmental disabilities in Zambia. The findings reveal that although the policy was well formulated, it failed in its implementation because of gaps in service provision and access to services. Conclusion. The results of this study indicate areas of improvement for policy implementation, such as ensuring accessibility of services, community sensitization to promote awareness, political will, and capacity. Collaboration among the three policy groups also emerged as a key component of policy implementation success. When the three policy streams come together and a window of opportunity appears, there is a better chance that the policy would be successfully implemented.Item An Analysis of the Differences in Educational Attainment between TBI Severity Level, Gender, and Injury Cause(2021-08) Jordan, JustinTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI) has become increasingly prevalent in the last ten years and poses a major threat to public health. TBI continues to plague millions of individuals around the world on an annual basis (Galgano et al., 2017). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in the educational attainment of TBI survivors across injury severity, gender, and cause of injury. This study examined the differences in the educational attainment across severity levels classified as mild, moderate, and severe. Second, this study examined differences in educational attainment of TBI survivors between males and females. Lastly, this study evaluated the differences between the educational attainment of TBI survivors across injury cause categories. Secondary data was utilized from the 2019 Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems National Data and Statistical Center (TBINDSC). In this study, a One-Way ANOVA and Independent Samples t-test were used to evaluate the data and examine differences in educational attainment across gender and severity categories. It was found that there was a significant difference in educational attainment across severity levels, however, there was not a significant difference found between educational attainment and gender. Furthermore, this study found that there was a significant difference in educational attainment across injury cause categories. This shows a need for increased promotion of safety measures to avoid injuries due to risky behaviors.Item An Analysis of the Relationship Between Income, Gender, and Perception of Gun Violence in One’s Local Community(2019-04) Hinrichs, Courtney AlexandraGun violence has significant impacts on an individual’s health and well-being. In 2017, Pew Research Center conducted a national probability-based online survey titled the American Trends Panel (ATP) Wave 25. The survey targeted adults living in households in the United States (Pew Research Center, 2017). This cross-sectional research study utilized the Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel to examine differences in local communities’ perceived problem of gun violence between genders and income levels. In this study, a Pearson Chi-Square was calculated analyzing gender and income level as variables predicting an individual’s perception on the degree of the problem of gun violence in one’s local community. It was found that perception of local community gun violence did not differ between genders. However, perception of local gun violence did significantly differ among income levels.Item Analyzing Public Engagement Strategies for Drinking Water Policy of Water Conservation: A Phenomenological Approach(2021-04) Williams, Anthony C.Purpose. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate the perception of experts of water policy in South Florida. Water conservation has been, and continue to be, an issue for South Florida. Low water levels of the Biscayne Aquifer, because of excessive water pumping, increase the chances of saltwater intrusion; and combined with the increase of sea-level rise and population growth, water managers and officials look to make impactful changes. Governments across the region have implemented plans to create change by amending ordinances and creating water restrictions to reach residents in a way that will save the Biscayne Aquifer. And although the aquifer is recharged through the miles of canals, weather in South Florida is unpredictable: dry times during the rainy season and some wet times during the dry season. Theoretical Framework. This study was based on the theory of planned behavior theoretical framework. This theory proposes that attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control coincide, which together shape an individual’s behavioral intentions. Methodology. The methodology for this study focused on semistructured interviews that were conducted using elite interviewing. The researcher used surveys deployed to the experts of water policy to determine the top issues the region faces regarding water conservation. All data were transcribed and put through data analysis to determine consistency. Findings. Examination of qualitative data returned surprising results. Even though some of the experts felt that parts of their region were doing well, all agreed that there is no consistency to achieve the results for wide-scale improvement. Low-income residents saved water to save money, but higher income homes were habitual in bad practices. Furthermore, the participants felt that all residents were not being educated because of different factors, which scales down environmental benefit. Conclusions and Recommendations. This study adds to the body of knowledge by using qualitative data to establish the perception of water experts. It also recognizes the psychological impacts finances have on one’s ability to form better water conservatory practices needed for a long-term positive change and recognizes the importance of continually educating and reminding the public about water policy.Item Assessing Factors for Dental Decay using NHANES Survey in the United States(2022-08) Gallardo, LauraThe purpose of this research was to study the factors affecting oral health in the residents of the United States. This study examined if there were significant differences in the examination of dental decay concerning the last dental visit and age. The study analyzed secondary data National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2018. This study examined a sample of 9,254 residents aged 1 – 80 years old. The Chi-Square Test of Independence was used to test the association among the variables of the last visit to the dentist and age. The researcher of the study found significant difference in dental decay and age, but no significant difference was found between dental decay and last visit to the dentist. However, the researcher recommends that future studies review other factors affecting oral health in regard to oral health behaviors, high sugar intake, and full integration across all levels of the health system will likely lead to optimal benefit for population health and reduction in oral health inequities.Item Assessing Mental Health Symptoms to Reduce Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Among Perinatal Patients(2022-08) Sandoval-Simon, KerenPost-partum depression (PPD) is a problem that affects many women. Research has established that the proportion of new mothers who are affected by PPD will increase as long as this illness remains undetected (Cai et al., 2019). PPD, a severe form of mental illness caused by pregnancy and childbirth, has become more prevalent. The purpose of this project is to create a mental health assessment tool that will measure mental well-being throughout a women's pregnancy journey. It is designed as a preventative measure for post-partum depression and to measure symptoms related to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders within women who have suffered pregnancy loss or are at risk of post-partum depression. Early detection of PPD is essential to allow for enough time for further evaluation, treatment and support (Horowitz et al., 2012).Item Assessing Risks Factors of Hispanic Adults for Type II Diabetes in Riverside County(2021-08) Marquez, EmmanuelType II diabetes is a chronic disease that overwhelmingly affects minority populations. A unique blend of social-economic factors, self-management education, lifestyles, culture, stress, and environmental factors contribute to individuals’ risk of developing type II diabetes. Individuals are at higher risk for type II diabetes if they are over the age of 40, have excess weight, and engage in low levels of physical activity (CDC, 2021). A volunteer sample of 110 Hispanic adults participated in the study and were asked to complete a two-page International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) survey questionnaire to measure their levels of physical activity. This study aimed to examine two major risk factors for type II diabetes among Hispanic adults: BMI and physical activity. Findings from this study showed that 65.5% of males (n = 36) were overweight, and 32.2% (n = 19) of males had normal weight. Additionally, 71.6% (n = 58) of females were found to be overweight, and 25.9 % (n = 21) were normal weight. Based on the results, it is suggested that adults were not meeting the American Heart Association’s recommended 150 minutes of weekly physical activity. Public health interventions are needed to encourage individuals to increase their level of physical activity and lower their risk for type II diabetes.Item Assessment of Public Health Core Competencies to COVID-19 Contact Tracers(2021-08) Hombs, Danielle R.Public health agencies rapidly hired contact tracers to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 without time to properly recruit or prepare staff. This research investigated the skill levels of those contact tracers based on public health core competencies. This study utilized a retrospective pre- and post-survey to capture responses from COVID-19 contact tracers employed at a local health jurisdiction in Southern California. A paired samples t-test was completed on the public health core competency means to determine if the contact tracers’ understanding of public health core competencies changed after working in this role. Results determined a significant improvement in the understanding of public health core competencies from the pre- to post-survey. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was completed to determine if public health core competency scores were impacted by specific job tasks a contact tracer may have and revealed no significant core competency difference based on job task. Lastly, an independent samples t-test was performed to determine if contact tracers with formal public health academic training scored higher in public health core competency pretests than those without public health academic training. Results determined individuals with formal public health academic training scored significantly higher in half of the core competency groupings compared to individuals without public health academic training. These results may help stakeholders understand public health workforce recruitment and training practices and encourage other public health agencies to prioritize creating a robust workforce.Item The Association of Vaccination Status and Race/Ethnicity on Post-COVID Conditions in Riverside, California(2022-08) Buckner, Madison CandiceCOVID-19 is a significant illness and has affected society in many ways. Research has been conducted on COVID-19 on factors associated with and how to prevent and mitigate outbreaks. However, post-COVID conditions have prompted a new challenge concerning the virus. Scientific knowledge is limited in understanding what may influence the occurrence and the frequency of post-COVID conditions. The primary purpose of this study was to examine potential associations between case characteristics and the development of post-COVID conditions using local public health post-COVID surveillance system data. The study explored the relationship between race/ethnicity, vaccination status, and post-COVID conditions. A sample of 12,656 males and females from Riverside County, California, was used. Using a cross-sectional design, participants answered questions through a phone interview about demographics, symptoms, history of medical care, COVID-19 vaccination, history of hospitalization care, level of function, and comorbidities. The independent variable was race/ethnicity and vaccination status, and the dependent variable was post-COVID conditions. A Chi-square test of independence was used to answer the research questions. The results of the study indicated there is no significant relationship between race/ethnicity and post-COVID conditions. Also, there is a significant relationship between vaccination status and post-COVID conditions.Item ATOD Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Adolescents(2021-08) Kaupiko, Kiana R.The COVID-19 pandemic created several changes to the daily lives of adolescents, including, but not limited, to altering the risk factors associated with alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use. The purpose of this study was to examine any changes in the frequency of ATOD use and perceptions of ease of availability of ATOD. Additionally, this study investigated if there was a correlation between the stress of COVID-19 and ATOD use and if adolescents who saw ATOD use on social media or online were more likely to use themselves. Secondary data from a longitudinal study that was collected in the spring of 2020 and fall of 2020 was utilized for this study. A random sample of students in grades 7th through 12th were recruited from their public schools throughout Riverside County, California. In spring 2020, participants completed a paper and pencil survey, and in fall 2020, they completed an online survey. Results indicated that that there was no change in ATOD use or perceptions of ease of access to ATOD from spring 2020 (pre-COVID-19) to fall 2020 (in-COVID-19). No correlation was found between stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and adolescent ATOD use. This study did find that adolescents who reported seeing their friends use ATOD through social media or other online contexts were more likely to use ATOD. The results of this study suggested that future research should examine the role of social upheaval, social media use, and peer affiliation needs related to adolescent ATOD use.Item ATTACHMENT EXPERIENCES OF LATINO YOUTH EXITING THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM: A QUALITATIVE STUDY(2023-08) Bojorquez, DianaEvery year the number of Latino/Hispanic children and youth who enter and exit the foster care system continues to increase. Many studies focus on relational experiences, however, several overlook Latino/Hispanic populations, including cultural differences. Therefore, this study focuses on the attachment experiences of Latino/Hispanic adults who exited the foster care system and how cultural differences impacted their outcomes. The study seeks to understand the attachment experiences of former Latino/Hispanic foster youth through retrospective accounts. The study examined which relational experiences provided ongoing support, where these supportive relationships and resources were found, and what made them helpful. A convenience sample of 12 former Latino foster youth emancipated from the foster care system or juvenile detention centers were interviewed. The semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using grounded theory, NVivo software, and super-ordinate coding. The analysis produced seven qualitative themes: (a) Forgotten or Distorted Memories, (b) Lack of Support, (c) Lack of Meaningful Contact with Biological Families, (d) Repeated Abuse and Traumas, (e) Positive Impact From One Secure Relationship, (f) Adult Connections with Biological Families, and (g) Difficulty Creating and Maintaining Healthy Relationships. Overall, former foster youth who reported having at least one significant relationship during or after their foster care tenure described a more positive outcome. The themes presented similarities (e.g., attachment disruptions, lack of support, etc.) and differences (e.g., collectivist values, Latino values, etc.) between Latino foster youth and their Caucasian and African American counterparts. Future research directions consider preventive measures, culturally sensitive services, generational differences, adverse childhood experiences, and countertransference.Item Borderline Personality Disorder Within Erotomania(2017-05) Rizk, Christina MarieThe occurrence of borderline personality disorder (BPD) among those with erotomania is currently unknown. However, there are similarities between the symptoms of these two disorders that may increase comorbidity between them. These include harmful behavioral temperament, fear of abandonment and the necessity of another individual in their lives. This study was aimed at determining specific commonalities between the two disorders in order to better treat those with comorbid erotomania and BPD.