abstract: none / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S.Tech Technology 2013

<p> The purpose of this inquiry was to develop a depth psychological understanding of immigration as a liminal experience. The Free Association Narrative Interview (FANI) method derived meaning from the lived experiences of five recent immigrants from both Western and Eastern cultures. Emergent themes referenced the expanded understanding of immigration as a process of homecoming, perceived psychoanalytically as a transitional phenomenon; in Jungian terms, a transcendent one. Homecoming represented both a process of transformation and an area of experiencing as the individual came to terms with the liminal experience of immigration by integrating self-experience and bridging differences and similarities. Results offered a new view of a depth psychological approach to the phenomenon of immigration, suggesting an association between trauma and the loss of a sense of home, and the function of symbolization in the process of bridging differences and similarities, enabling psychic growth. Clinical implications included understanding the nature of the sense of loss of home, developing coping strategies for immigrants who see themselves as being in between worlds or homeless, and integrating immigrant clients into the new culture. Future research emphasized methodological considerations.</p><p>

<p> Despite the growing body of research on the health of transgender individuals, there is still a paucity of literature on the gynecological health care needs of transmasculine individuals. Specifically, no studies have examined whether the Minority Stress Model can help explain cervical cancer screening behaviors among this population. Thirty-two qualitative interviews were conducted with transmasculine individuals (age range = 21-56; 78% White) as part of a larger study examining barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening among transmen. Using thematic analysis, results demonstrate that participants experienced various distal stressors, including gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination within health care settings relevant to cervical cancer screening and in general. Participants used several coping and social support resources, including calming and relaxation techniques, individual avoidance of cervical cancer screening, and group-level coping mechanisms and support. Participants also discussed proximal stressors, including experiences of rejection and concealment, as well as health issues that affected their cervical cancer screening behaviors such as anxiety and physical abuse. Transmasculine people of color described their concerns related to provider competence around the intersection of transgender and racial/ethnic minority health issues, whereas several White transmasculine individuals discussed their perceptions of privilege when seeking gender-affirming health care. Higher socioeconomic status also often provided privileges when seeking health care. Analyses demonstrated the need for additional training for health care providers to address competency concerns around cervical cancer screening for transmasculine individuals, as well as changes in policies related to insurance coverage for gynecological services for this population.</p><p>

<p> A formative evaluation of behavior change elements of an ongoing Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) offered by the Energy Resource Center (E.R.C.) in Denver, CO was conducted. The WAP as administered by the E.R.C. in Colorado saves residents an average 15% of energy consumption (E.R.C., 2015). However, research suggests that adding behavioral components to WAPs could increase energy savings to 21&ndash;26% (Gregory, 1992; APPRAISE, 2002). The goal of this evaluation is to provide recommendations to E.R.C. for program changes using Community Based Social Marketing (CBSM) and Theory of Planned Behavior. The CBSM Step 1- Step 3 is the focus of this formative evaluation. This program evaluation has four components: 1) review of written materials, 2) interviews with staff, 3) surveys mailed to E.R.C. clients and 4) in-home observations conducted with E.R.C. clients. Results of this formative evaluation has 3 sections of behaviors recommended for future intervention high priority, mid priority, and low priority recommendations based on CBSM penetration, probability, and impact factors. Behaviors that are listed as high priority for E.R.C. Behavioral intervention are cold water washing, hang drying, setting back thermostats, and window coverings. Overall increase in staff engagement is also recommended to be pursued. Each staff level is also given recommendations on how to engage in behavior change interventions.</p><p>

<p> Many women experience intimate partner violence (IPV), and research shows this violence significantly impacts their mental health, physical health, and substance abuse. The experience of IPV may also impact other areas of life. This study aims to explore the relationship between the experiences of IPV, perception of safety, and perception of faith, among female college students attending Christian universities. Archival data from the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) was used to explore this relationship among female students who experienced physical, sexual, or psychological IPV in the past twelve months. Results indicate students who experienced IPV endorsed lower perceptions of safety than their counterparts who did not experience IPV. In addition, results failed to find that faith moderated the perception of safety among students who have experienced IPV.</p><p>

<p> In criminological research, scholars present learning and social control theories as competing explanations for criminal behavior. While this has extended to specific offenses and analogous behaviors, it has less frequently been related to ideologically-motivated extremist behavior. This study considers the explanatory power of these two schools of criminological thought as they predict individual participation in violent ideologically motivated extremist behaviors using a recently collected individual-level dataset. A combination of Multivariate Imputation through Chained Equations (MICE), Exploratory Factor Analysis, and logistic regression is used to examine the relationship between theoretical measures and the probability of violent extremist behavior. Ultimately, this thesis finds: (1) having stronger social bonds is associated with a lower probability of violent ideologically motivated behavior, (2) the social learning of violence is associated with a higher probability of violent ideologically motivated behavior, and (3) these relationships depend somewhat upon the ideological milieu of the individual.</p><p>

<p> Little is known about the experiences of students on college outdoor orientation trips who experience lower levels of belonging within their group. During this study students who experienced lower belonging on one program were interviewed to identify common characteristics of these experiences. Due to a small number of research participants, the study was expanded through a national survey to include outdoor orientation participants at 23 schools. Although the expansion of the study increased the likelihood of reaching more participants, it did not result in additional interviews. The difficulty in reaching students who experience lower levels of belonging on outdoor orientation trips became a significant element of the research. Aspects of the responses from these individuals may align with experiences of shame. Elements of shame are discussed as a potential explanation for the low response rate, as well as recommendations for future researchers.</p><p>

<p> Developing a sense of self as an independent and unique person, or identity, is an important developmental milestone for adolescents and young adults. Thus, understanding the factors that influence an individual&rsquo;s identity is useful. This thesis examines two factors that influence interpersonal identity: internal working models of attachment and perceived parenting. Internal working models are an individual&rsquo;s cognitive roadmaps of self-worthiness and other-trustworthiness. Perceived parenting consists of perceptions of parental support and parental over-control during childhood and adolescence. A sample of 397 college students (107 males, 287 females, 2 others) receiving course credit at a Southern university were surveyed using online Likert-type questionnaires to determine whether or not internal working models of attachment mediate the relation between perceived parenting and interpersonal identity. Results indicated that there was evidence that internal working models do mediate the relation between perceived parenting and interpersonal identity. However, this research will need to be approached longitudinally and use objective assessments of parental behaviors, rather than subjective assessments. However, there is enough evidence in this study to continue the endeavor.</p><p>

<p> Occupational stress has become one of the most pressing challenges for organizational managers today. Because it has a significantly negative influence on job satisfaction and employee performance, this phenomenon calls for the design and implementation of special techniques to minimize risks and mitigate consequences. In most cases, heavy workloads, hazardous working environments, and strenuous workplace atmospheres lead to work-related stress. Although the risks of occupational stress are similar across different sectors of the economy, they are significantly higher in the ship-repair industry owing to a lack of knowledge regarding work-related stress and its effects. It is imperative to fill this existing knowledge gap by investigating the maritime industry with a special focus on factors contributing to occupational stress and techniques used to reduce it. This study attempted to determine some effective techniques for overcoming the challenge of work-related stress in the ship-repair industry, bearing in mind the peculiarities of this sector of the economy. This research was a qualitative exploratory case study. Conclusions were drawn based on the in-depth understanding of professional stress obtained by analyzing the sensations, beliefs, reflections, and personal experiences of people employed by a company operating in the ship-repair industry. To fully address the research question and pay specific attention to each respondent, the sample was small, consisting of 8 project and production managers working with a ship-repair company located in New Jersey. Participants were interviewed using open-ended questions with an emphasis on their lived experiences and their opinions on occupational stress and ways to address this challenge. An employee&rsquo;s number of years worked and position within the company were the major criteria for selecting participants because of the assumption that only those who had a long history of cooperation with an organization are competent and experienced enough to share adequate and accurate facts required to draw comprehensive conclusions and generalizations for the company. Several themes were derived from the observations of the participants including (a) employee stress, performance, and productivity, (b) employee stress and absenteeism, (c) communication, (d) role clarity, and (e) incentives. From the findings, 10 recommendations are made to improve practice in the field while three recommendations are made to further research into the effects of stress and the creation of strategies to mitigate it in the workplace. Managers need to be aware of their industries and work environments and tailor those environments to minimize stress on their workers. Managers need to take into consideration the needs of their employees in devising strategies to minimize stress. Finally, managers need to consider implementing the recommendations for practice proposed in this dissertation in the efforts to maximize worker efficiency and performance while mitigating the effects of stress on those workers.</p><p>

<p> Previous research has demonstrated that collective rumination&mdash;dwelling on a provocation with another person&mdash;augments aggression relative to individual rumination. The goal of the current study was to (a) extend these findings to <i>displaced aggression</i>, or &ldquo;taking it out&rdquo; on an innocent target and (b) examine type of target as a moderator. Participants were provoked, randomly assigned to ruminate either collectively or individually, and subsequently given the opportunity to displace their aggression against in-group, out-group, and no-group control targets. Results indicate that when individually ruminating about a provocation from an out-group member, participants displayed less aggression toward in-group (vs. out-group) targets. In contrast, participants who engaged in collective rumination did not differentiate among targets thus eliminating favorable behavior towards in-group members. Mediation analysis indicated that collective rumination increased negative affect which in turn augmented displaced aggression towards in-group targets. Implications for aggression will be discussed.</p><p>