The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between community traumatic events (CTEs) such as the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the temporal distribution of suicide in a metropolitan Louisiana parish (county) in the Southern United States over the period of January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2004. The researcher used data on suicides (homicides and accidental deaths were used for comparison) in the selected parish to describe the distribution of suicides over the 11 year period. A procedure was developed for identifying and categorizing CTEs sustained by the selected parish (county). A spectral analysis of the distributions was planned to identify patterns and assess whether these were related to the sustained CTEs. However, the spectral analysis was not completed due to violation of the necessary assumption of stationarity. As an alternate means of assessing relationships between CTEs and the distribution of suicides, Pearsons Correlation Coefficient was employed. Two key conclusions are that no relationship was identified between the occurrences of CTEs and the distribution of suicide and, although the literature identifies patterns due to different aspects of seasonality (e.g. month of the year), the Werther Effect, and contagion or clustering of suicides, this study does not support these patterns. In research dating back to Durkheims landmark piece, Le Suicide [Suicide: A Study in Sociology] (1897/1951/1979), identified patterns have been studied and explained as functions of a variety of phenomena including inclement weather, cultural differences, social isolation, inactivity, and media coverage. However, in current research and supported in this study, patterns are almost imperceptible. This may be explained by two plausible theories: (1) statistical tests previously employed were not appropriate for detecting patterns and (2) advances in communication and adapting to inclement weather has diminished the impact of these elements. The primary implication of these findings is that suicide prevention programming should be ongoing and aimed at entire communities. A key recommendation is that this study be repeated on a national level, complementing the current research design with phenomenological psychological autopsies of a random sampling of those who died by suicide.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the impact of participation in the master gardener program on: a. Self-perceived knowledge in selected horticultural areas; b. Knowledge in selected areas of horticulture as measured by a researcher designed test; and c. Use of best management practices (BMPs) in horticultural practice. Gardening is a favorite pastime in the United States that has therapeutic and rewarding benefits. Currently, there is a great demand for accurate gardening (horticultural) information from green industry users such as gardeners from all backgrounds and areas. There is a need for research-based horticultural information to be provided to the home gardener by reputable sources. In 1972, the "Master Gardener" concept was initiated in Washington State due to the high demand to answer consumer horticultural questions. The main objective of this program is to increase horticultural knowledge of program participants so they, in turn can transfer this research-based information to consumer horticultural clientele. The program quickly spread throughout the United States. It reached Louisiana in 1994 and was expanded throughout most metropolitan areas by 1997. No formal evaluation has ever been conducted to determine the horticultural knowledge impacts of this program. All 257 2004 Louisiana Master Gardener program participants were surveyed both before and after participation in this program to determine programmatic impacts. The survey used was a researcher-developed instrument designed to measure self-perceived knowledge, tested knowledge, and Best Management Practices (BMPs) used. Data were collected by currently employed master gardener coordinators and submitted to the researcher after each phase of data collection (pre and post). Results of the study revealed that the LMG participants were highly educated, mostly Caucasian, and mostly female. Significant improvements were identified in all of the knowledge and practice measurements included in the study. These included self-perceived knowledge, tested knowledge, and use of BMPs. It was concluded that the 2004 Louisiana Master Gardener program was effective in increasing the self-perceived horticultural knowledge and tested horticultural knowledge of program participants. In addition, the study concluded that the 2004 Louisiana Master Gardener program improved the use of BMPs among the participants.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine if a model existed that significantly increased the researcher's ability to accurately explain the enrollment status of high-achieving freshmen based on the influence of selected demographic and academic characteristics. Since World War II, the need for students to obtain an outstanding postsecondary education in order to compete for the best positions in today's job market has become increasingly important. Thus, the need exists for higher education institutions to offer competitive academic programs that will attract top students and faculty. Since the number of graduating high school students is predicted to decline during the next decade, competition for students is fierce among institutions as enrollment managers strive to enroll outstanding students. This study's population was defined as all high-achieving freshmen (ACT ≥ 28 and academic GPA ≥ 3.0) who were admitted to one selected research-extensive university for the fall 2005 semester. There were 13 independent variables that were collected from the admissions and student aid databases and then transferred to a computerized, recording form, which served as the research instrument. Using stepwise multiple discriminant analysis, the researcher identified a substantively and statistically significant model that increased the researcher's ability to accurately explain the enrollment status of high-achieving freshman. The model correctly classified 65.0% of the cases, which was a 30.1% improvement over chance that was obtained on these subjects using this model. The variable that had the greatest impact on enrollment was whether or not the student's parent graduated from the institution. Other variables that contributed significantly were: student's residency status, college entrance examination score (ACT), gender, offer of admission to the Honors College, academic high school GPA, whether or not the student's race was Hispanic, and whether the student graduated from a public or private high school. The researcher recommended additional studies that would increase the percentage of correctly classified students by integrating these variables with others that could further explain future freshman classes. Variables suggested were: the institution's image, student's academic major, high school counselor influence, student's relationship with enrollment management offices, communication with students, and the campus visit program.

The purpose of this study is two-fold: 1) to determine whether a relationship exists between the self-reported tobacco use by secondary students in Louisiana and the tobacco sale rate to persons under the age of 18 in those parishes; and 2) to investigate the relationship between merchant education in a parish and the parish tobacco sale rate to persons under the age of 18 in those parishes. Multiple data sources were utilized to include tobacco use among secondary students, education provided to merchants, and tobacco sales to minors compliance checks. Aggregated parish data for each of the data sources were examined. The prevalence of tobacco use among secondary students was obtained from summary data from the 2002 Louisiana Communities that Care® Youth Survey and the 2004 Louisiana Caring Communities Youth Survey. Merchant education activities were obtained from summary reports provided by community contractors that provide merchants with educational materials related to the sale of tobacco products to minors. Finally, tobacco compliance check data were obtained from summary reports provided by the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control with the number of compliance checks conducted and the number of compliance checks resulting in a violation. Findings from the study indicated that: a) The self-reported level of tobacco use among secondary students has decreased; b) There is no relationship between parish youth tobacco use and the parish rate of merchant education; c) There was no relationship between the change in parish youth tobacco use and the parish rate of tobacco sales to minors; and d) A greater number of tobacco merchants in a parish tended to be associated with lower levels of tobacco use among secondary students. It is recommended that continued examination of youth tobacco use, merchant education, and youth access to tobacco be continued over time.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine factors which influence client satisfaction with the services of community development corporations (CDCs) in metropolitan regions of Louisiana. The CDCs were evaluated based on five specific criteria: housing, social services, workforce development, educational enrichment, and community outreach. The objectives addressed were: description of clients, levels of client satisfaction, and relationships between satisfaction and selected demographic characteristics. The instrument used in this study was a researcher-designed survey questionnaire used to collect client information. It was comprised of two sections demographics and client satisfaction. The target population for this study was adult clients of at least 18 years of age who participated in housing programs operated by CDCs in the state of Louisiana. This study focused on selected CDCs which provided housing in the cities of Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana. The entire population of 458 Louisiana CDC clients in Baton Rouge and New Orleans was surveyed. Data were collected by mailed questionnaire. After two mailings, a telephone contact, and on-site follow-up, the researcher received a 45.2% usable response rate. The population studied included clients serviced by CDCs from the year 1994 through the present, who currently reside in a housing development of the CDC. Variables examined included: age, race, gender, marital status, household income, education level, number of children, household members over the age of 18, length of participation in CDC, and client region. Findings of the study revealed that household income and education could be determining factors in promoting client satisfaction with the services of CDCs. A model was identified using multiple regression analysis which explained 18.1% of the variance in the extent to which clients overall satisfaction can be explained by the data. Five variables, household income, education, number of children under 18, gender, and race were identified in the model.

The purpose of this study is to see why students, who attended receptions in Texas, decided to enroll at Louisiana State University and to decide if the receptions are an effective method to recruit students in Texas. These receptions are considered special programming. While normal programming is effective, LSU has looked for ways to go above and beyond these methods. Special programming is another way to, bring LSU to the student. These informational receptions for Junior and Senior high school students and their parents have proven to yield students. This reception format needed to be evaluated from the students perspective. It was necessary to evaluate all parts of the program to see what needs to be changed and to see if expansion of the program would be beneficial to the University. A questionnaire was emailed to 116 reception attendees from both Dallas and Houston, TX. These attendees are now current students at LSU. The response rate was 26%. The study found that 60% of the sample stated that the reception did influence their decision to attend LSU. They also gave insight into the receptions and entire recruitment process.

Previous researchers have reported that societal definitions of masculinity may act as a barrier to men entering the nursing profession, and that men who do enter nursing may hold a different view of masculinity. The purpose of this study was to describe the meaning of masculinity for recent male baccalaureate nursing program graduates. In addition, the study explored how the participants perceived meaning of masculinity shaped or influenced their nursing education experiences, and in turn how their nursing education experiences may have shaped or influenced their perceived meaning of masculinity. A phenomenological research design was used to study eight male baccalaureate nursing program graduates. Data analysis revealed five distinct themes: career trajectory, educational experiences, masculine image, masculine attitudes and masculine caring. It was concluded that the men in this study had an overall complicit meaning of masculinity, personally rejecting the oppressive and dominating normative standards of masculinity, but recognizing and benefiting from patriarchal practices. The men perceived that their meaning of masculinity had influenced their nursing education experiences and in turn their nursing education experiences had influenced their meaning of masculinity by helping them develop affective caring and integrating this type of caring into their meaning of masculinity.

The purpose of this study was to determine if youth voice affects the ownership and engagement experienced by youth in a county 4-H program. For the treatment group, a youth-led approach was used where "having a voice" included youth sharing decision-making power with the adults in the program. The comparison group consisted of 4-H members in three other clubs in the county. These youth experienced an adult-led approach where the decisions about the club programming were made strictly by the adults. The Youth Voice Survey instrument was developed to assess youths' perceptions of ownership, engagement, and relationship with adults at both a pre- and post-measurement. Interviews were conducted with six youth in the treatment group to determine if their lived experiences confirmed the factors that emerged from the Youth Voice Survey. Exploratory factor analysis was used to investigate the underlying latent constructs in the instrument. Analysis of covariance was utilized to determine if differences existed between youth participating in the treatment and comparison groups and if differences existed between youth based on race. Findings indicated statistically significant differences between the treatment and comparison groups on all three constructs of ownership, engagement, and relationship with adults. Findings also indicated statistically significant differences between white and non-white youth on all three constructs of ownership, engagement, and relationship with adults. It was concluded that, in programs incorporating voice, youth experience more ownership and engagement and have a more positive relationship with adults. An implication of this study is that adults who work with youth should receive training on the incorporation of youth voice and the support of youth as decision-makers.

Whether they are naturally occurring, caused by environmental forces, or generated by humans, disasters have placed extraordinary stresses on society. Following September 11, 2001, the Department of Homeland Security was created to protect the nation and coordinate responses to future emergencies at the federal, state, and local levels. However, Governmental agencies cant handle all aspects of mass casualty events. Healthcare professionals, such as nurses, who are knowledgeable and trained in mass casualty incidents (MCIs) are needed to provide competent care to the victims. Although others expect a knowledgeable nursing response, the majority of nurse educators have not received mass casualty preparation and they hesitate to incorporate disaster preparedness into nursing curricula. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence the importance of including educational competencies regarding MCIs into the existing curricula as perceived by faculty of baccalaureate degree nursing programs in Louisiana. A second purpose of this study was to describe the participants on selected personal and demographic characteristics. A census of 285 Louisiana baccalaureate nurse educators was selected to participate in the study. The data collection process culminated in a total of 166 returned questionnaires (58% response rate). The researcher-designed instrument collected information measuring the training and experience of nurse educators regarding preparation for MCIs, information regarding the self-perceived knowledge and perceived importance of core competencies regarding MCIs, and information on personal and professional characteristics of the participants. Findings revealed that Louisiana baccalaureate nursing educators are an older workforce with minimal training and/or life experiences regarding MCIs. Additional findings are that Louisiana baccalaureate nursing educators perceive themselves to have limited knowledge of MCI core competencies, but perceive these same competencies as highly important for inclusion into current nursing curricula. Another finding of this study is that a positive relationship exists between knowledge and importance of MCI preparation. Results from this study support the need for Louisiana baccalaureate nursing educators to receive immediate knowledge and training of MCI core competencies in order to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach this information to students prior to graduation.

This study identified the stakeholders of Louisiana plant commodity farmers and rated them in terms of importance. Findings of this study show that farmers/ranchers, LSU AgCenter Experiment Station Research personnel, family, consumers, farm labor and agriculture chemical, fertilizer and seed dealers are the most important stakeholders. The second aspect of this study was to discover the stakeholder perceptions of agricultural practices and their relationship to the environment. An environmental perceptions survey was conducted with two of the most important stakeholder groups identified Experiment Station Research Faculty associated with plant commodities and Louisiana consumers. LSU AgCenter Experiment Station Research Faculty have more positive perceptions of agriculture and the environmental practices of farmers than Louisiana consumers. However, both the research faculty and Louisiana consumers have positive perceptions of agriculture and the environmental practices of farmers. There were six separate scales in the agriculture environmental perceptions survey food safety, biotechnology, chemical use, chemical safety, conservation and water usage. With respect to food safety, both research faculty and Louisiana consumers perceived that all aspects of food production are safe. Similarly, both research faculty and Louisiana consumers perceived that the use of genetically modified plants in agriculture is beneficial and safe. With respect to chemical usage, both research faculty and Louisiana consumers perceived that the use of chemicals in agriculture is beneficial and necessary. In addition, both research faculty and Louisiana consumers perceived that farmers are safely using pesticides and fertilizers. With respect to conservation, both research faculty and Louisiana consumers perceived that farmers are incorporating conservation practices on their land. Finally, both research faculty and Louisiana consumers do not perceived that farmers are using too much water to irrigate their crops.