Faith-based initiatives have the potential to alter church-state relationships as they remove barriers to the public funding of human services in organizations that promote the role of values, beliefs, and other characteristics of faith. In seeking to "level the playing field" for these faith-based organizations, faith-based initiatives suggest moving away from past practices, where "religious" organizations utilized public funding for the delivery of "secular" human services, and toward the public funding support of organizations whose human service activities are based on faith in a more thoroughgoing manner.This research inquires into meanings assigned to opportunities and risks related to the public funding of faith-based organizations, as articulated by a variety of stakeholders, from government officials to the leaders of faith-based organizations. The guiding research question, What are the meanings of church-state relationships for faith-based organizations?, asks the leaders of faith-based organizations in one Virginia locality, as well as other local, state, and national stakeholders, about their understandings of various aspects of the church-state relationships that develop when faith-based organizations utilize public funds for the provision of human services.The findings of this inquiry, presented in a narrative case study report, and the implications of this case study provide a richer understanding of the multiple meanings that faith-based organizations assign to relationships with government programs, government agencies, and the use of public funds. The multiple meanings of church-state relationships that are offered by diverse research participants provide valuable insights into the complex phenomenon of faith-basis organizations providing human services with government monies. The interpretations offered in this dissertation provide greater knowledge of the role of faith as a basis for publicly funded human services, and furthermore, this knowledge may find value in its recognition of the implications of faith-based, publicly funded human services.

In the literature of information technology acceptance, much empirical evidence exists that is inconsistent with Technology Acceptance (TA) Models. The purpose of this study is to find out why the extant TA models fail to predict in reality as they purport to in theory. This research argues that the extant literature has not been able to explain how individuals actually form their perceptions about using an information technology. Since past research attempting to do this has been unsuccessful or empirically refuted, this research uses an interpretive case study to investigate the experiences of professionals’ adoption and use of an information technology. In particular, this study focuses on the adoption of an Electronic Medical Records System in a healthcare setting. The results of this interpretive investigation show that the interpretive understanding by the traditional TA models researchers is based on the faulty presumption that the people in the organizations are “monolithic users” or “rational decision makers”. This research provides a new interpretive understanding on the adoption and use of an information technology. The adoption and use of an information technology is an emergent phenomenon resulting from the interaction between the technology and the social actors’ different roles. Based on the interpretive understanding, a new positivist understanding is suggested.

Authenticity is a positive psychological construct often described as being true to oneself, and being authentic means displaying behaviour and expressing oneself in a manner that is consistent with the true self. The aim of this research was to explore managerial experiences of authenticity in the workplace. Purposive sampling was used to select five managers to participate in the study. Data was gathered using semi-structured interviews and data analysis revealed four main themes and related sub-themes. Key findings include that managers construct authenticity as being true to oneself, and that their authenticity is facilitated by contextually appropriate behaviour, the manifestation of multiple selves and open, structured work environments. Barriers to authenticity include interpersonal judgement, limitations on self-expression, leader power and authority, organisational culture and irregular work practices. Being authentic was found to have a positive impact on intrapersonal and interpersonal relations, whilst inauthentic behaviour had negative consequences at both levels. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Master of Science / Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources / Ted T. Cable / Dillon Nature Center has a wide variety of exhibits that teach the public about the natural resources of Kansas. The purpose of my study was to conduct an exploratory study about the effectiveness of two key exhibits in the nature center (Underground Theater and Tornado), as well as evaluate the use of Quick Response Code or QR codes along one of the trails. A visitor survey was used to collect these data over 30 3- hour sampling periods. One hundred and ninety-five visitors were surveyed during the extent of my study. Fifty-four of those who were surveyed went into the Underground Theater exhibit and 47 went into the Tornado exhibit. I concluded that the Underground Theater exhibit was successful in providing useful information to the visitor, whereas the Tornado exhibit provided little useful information to the visitor. Visitors slightly preferred the use of QR codes along the trail even though the actual use was low. This study indicated that the type of exhibit greatly impacts what the visitor takes away from the exhibit. I also showed that it is likely people prefer newer technology to be available at the nature center. These findings provided the management and staff of Dillon Nature Center with information to guide their interpretive-planning efforts.

The purpose of this study was to examine cognitive biases in clinically anxious children compared to normal children and to determine if cognitive biases could discriminate anxious youth from non-anxious youth. Two specific cognitive biases were the focus of the present study—interpretive biases (i.e., the tendency to interpret neutral stimuli in a negative way) and judgment biases (i.e., a lowered estimate of one's ability to cope with a threatening situation). Twenty-four youth comprised the anxiety disordered sample and were each matched to two normal youth on four demographic variables (gender, age, ethnicity, and family income level), thus the matched comparison sample consisted of 48 youth (ages 7 to 17). Interpretive biases were assessed with the Children's Negative Cognitive Error Questionnaire (CNCEQ) and judgment biases were assessed with the Anxiety Control Questionnaire—child form (ACQ-C). In addition, self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression and parent-reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms were measured. Results indicated that (1) children in the clinic sample exhibited significantly more interpretive biases and judgment biases relative to the control sample, and scored significantly higher on measures of anxiety, depression, and parent-reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms relative to the control sample, (2) the ACQ-C demonstrated incremental validity over the CNCEQ in predicting diagnostic status, (3) the ACQ-C predicted diagnostic status while controlling for Generalized Anxiety Disorder symptoms and parent-reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms, but not while controlling for RCMAS (anxiety) and CDI (depression) scores, and (4) the relationship between the CNCEQ and diagnostic status was moderated by age and gender. This study adds to the research literature by demonstrating elevated CNCEQ scores among youth with anxiety disorders compared to non-anxious youth and extends findings with the ACQ-C by showing its incremental validity beyond the CNCEQ. The results also add to the understanding of the assessment of negative cognitive vi errors by highlighting developmental and sex differences in their association with anxiety disorder status in youth. Implications of the positive findings for theory and practice are noted and theoretical and methodological reasons for the negative results are discussed to highlight suggestions for future work in this area.

Ancré dans le champ du marketing interne, ce travail s’intéresse au phénomène de participation des salariés à la prise de décision. Inscrit dans le paradigme interprétativiste, il adopte une approche qualitative compréhensive et s’appuie sur une méthode d’étude de cas. Il est illustré par le cas de la démarche « Vision 2020 », mise en place auprès des salariés de la RATP en vue de la création du plan d’entreprise 2013-2020. Abordés dans une perspective systémique et interactionnelle, propre à l’approche communicationnelle de l’école de Palo Alto, les résultats émanent d’un raisonnement abductif et sont construits à l’aide d’un processus itératif d’allers retours entre la théorie, le recueil et l’analyse des données empiriques. Ainsi, l’analyse et l’interprétation des données recueillies par triangulation ont permis d’aborder la notion de participation selon trois angles, en se plaçant du point du vue des salariés : la conceptualisation du phénomène de participation, les objectifs et les effets de ce type d’initiative et les éléments pouvant exercer une influence sur l’attitude des employés envers celle-ci. Ce travail a par ailleurs souligné des enjeux majeurs inhérents à la participation des salariés, tels que le suivi de l’action participative, l’importance des supports, l’évolution de l’attitude des salariés lors de la mise en place de ce type d’action, ou encore le rôle particulier du manager dans ce type de démarche. Il constitue une théorisation de pratiques managériales existantes. / Anchored in the field of internal marketing, this work investigates the phenomenon of employee participation in decision-making. Inside an interpretivist paradigm, it adopts a qualitative and comprehensive approach, based on a case study method. We choose the case of the initiative "Vision 2020", set up with RATP employees in order to create the 2013 to 2020 business plan. Addressed in a systemic and interactional perspective, specific to the communication approach of Palo Alto, the findings result from an abductive reasoning and are built using an iterative process that goes back and forth between theory, collection and analysis of empirical data. The analysis and interpretation of data collected by triangulation thus allow us to address the notion of participation from three angles, adopting the point of view of employees: the conceptualization of the phenomenon of participation, the objectives and effects of this type of initiative and the elements influencing the attitude of employees towards it. This work highlights major challenges inherent in employee participation, such as the monitoring of participatory action, the importance of media, changing the attitude of employees during the implementation of this type action, or the special role of the manager in this type of initiative. It proposes a theorization of existing management practices.

The study investigated the experiences of formal caregivers within a community setting, and the emotional experiences of the individual caregiver. There is insufficient research into the subjective experiences and perceived role of the formal caregiver, as previous studies have concentrated on quantifying the role of the family or informal caregiver. Eleven interviews were conducted with participants from a community-based palliative care institution. The interviews explored areas of interest that surround caregiving, considering both the positive and negative factors that caregivers consider influential within the emotional experience, as well as the role of a formal caregiver. The study investigated the emotional challenges, motivations, support mechanisms and the perceived effectiveness of the coping strategies employed. The data was analysed through thematic content analysis, allowing for the selection of the most salient themes and subthemes, which converged around notions of caregiving and the positive and the negative elements within the caregiving experience of formal caregivers. The data was considered in relation to an interpretative phenomenological perspective, which allowed for the contextualisation and interpretation of the knowledge obtained through the study, and the augmentation of this knowledge with the knowledge already existing in the field of caregiving. The themes were able to provide an understanding of how caregivers construct their role as a formal caregiver, in comparison to the informal caregiver, and their perception of the importance of formal knowledge within caregiving. The themes also provided an understanding of the coping mechanisms and the contextual factors that interrelate with a caregiver’s ability to manage the difficulties within caregiving and their emotional reactions. These findings illustrated that community-based caregiving, although subject to significantly more stressors, also has significant positive aspects that could be fostered to operate as protective mechanisms.

Thesis advisor: Rosanna F. DeMarco / The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experience and meanings of percutaneous injury (PI) and its aftermath among US registered nurses. An interpretive phenomenological approach was utilized to carry out the study which included nine percutaneous injury experiences. Van Manen's existential framework was used as a reflective guide. Findings from this study emerged as three essential themes which were common to all participants: being shocked: the potential of a serious or life-threatening infection; needing to know it's going to be okay; and sensing vulnerability. The first theme, <italic>being shocked</italic>, was identified as the primary mode of living with the sudden occurrence of PI. In the moment of injury, participants' language reflected shock and an immediate consciousness of the potential threat of a serious or life-threatening infection. Nurses' responses were visceral and emotional. All acted on their need to reduce foreign blood contamination and the urgency they felt for immediate care. <italic>Needing to know it's going to be okay</italic> represented the initial meaning of living in the aftermath of PI as nurses assessed their risk and sought post exposure intervention and caring responses from others. <italic>Sensing vulnerability</italic> was identified as the secondary mode of living in the aftermath of PI as participants reflected on the fragile nature of health into the future, distinguished between supportive vs. non-supportive relationships in their overall PI experience, and identified the need to be vigilant in the future with respect to their health, life and PI prevention. Together, these three essential themes and their dimensions represent the essence and meanings of percutaneous injury and its aftermath for at least one group of US registered nurses. Findings in this study support the conclusion that the lived experience of PIs and its aftermath imposed a significant psychological burden on nurses. These findings offer a better understanding of the essence and meanings of PI and its aftermath and contribute knowledge to inform nursing education, nursing practice, health policy and future research. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2010. / Submitted to: Boston College. Connell School of Nursing. / Discipline: Nursing.

Background: Despite national guidance and empirical support for its clinical and cost-effectiveness, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is underused. Only 44% of patients go to CR, with angioplasty (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; PCI) patients being least likely to attend (31% of 87,000). Aim: To investigate the relationship between ‘continuity of care’ and patients’ motivation towards CR, through the lens of self-determination theory, and develop a model to inform service design to increase CR uptake and adherence. Methods: A mixed methods approach was used. In Study 1, a theoretical model of continuity of care and motivational antecedents was tested with a cross-sectional sample of 107 PCI patients. To further explore interactions between continuity of care and motivation towards cardiac rehabilitation, a Critical Interpretive Synthesis of the extant literature was used in Study 2, and focus groups were carried out with patients and service providers in Study 3. Results: In Study 1, continuity of care positively predicted patients’ autonomous motivation towards CR, and this was partially mediated by autonomy support. Autonomy support was associated with CR attendance. In Studies 2 and 3, aspects of continuity of care with positive effects on attendance were identified. These included timely, appropriate information provision, relationships bridging CR phases and settings, and continuing management strategies incorporating trusting, warm staff-patient relationships, and positive encouragement and feedback about progress. The SDT constructs of autonomy support, need satisfaction, internalisation and quality of motivation helped to explain positive and negative influences of continuity on attendance. Conclusion: Continuity of care has a positive effect on patients’ motivation towards CR. The most enduring motivation comes from delivering continuity of care in an autonomy-supportive and competence-supportive way. Longitudinal research is needed to compare how need-supportive and need-thwarting aspects of continuity of care affect CR attendance and adherence, and whether these relationships are influenced by need satisfaction and need frustration.

This thesis examines the evolving gender relationships exposed by and contested through the Senegalese art of seduction, mokk pooj. The Wolof expression encompasses a set of feminine attitudes and actions (culinary prowess, docility, eroticism) that reflect values such as teraanga (hospitality), sutura (discretion), and muñ (patience, endurance). These beliefs and the discursive practices that perpetuate them are central to the reproduction of a gendered, normative, patriarchal, polygamous Senegalese sexual imaginary, but are framed within the playful and pleasurable realm of seduction and sexuality. Indeed, mokk pooj implies a satisfying sexual life based on a religiously-­‐informed sexual ethics: in a country where 95% of people identify as Muslim, marriage and procreation are divine recommendations, and sexual pleasure is said to make a married couple feel closer to Allah. In consequence, objects and strategies that enhance sexual satisfaction are an integral part of the Senegalese seduction toolkit. Each chapter pays attention to a specific element of the material culture of seduction and explores how it exposes larger gender dynamics. By taking potions and amulets, money, aphrodisiacs, food, and lingerie as the starting point of each chapter, I explore how these objects relate to concepts of social conformity and normativity, love, anxiety, complementarity and agency. In doing so, I analyse the gendered labour – the art/work of seduction – that goes into mokk pooj. David Graeber (2012) suggests that within hierarchical relationships, individuals in an inferior position (women) have to constantly imagine, understand, manage and care about the egos, perspectives and points of view of those on the top (men) while the latter rarely reciprocate. While Graeber contends that this ‘interpretive labor’ or ‘imaginative identification’ reproduces an internalised structural violence, I analyse mokk pooj as an affective economy in which women’s emotional, interpretive labour, becomes an agentive, albeit conservative, tool of negotiation and power (Mahmood 2005). In imagining and interpreting men’s needs and desires, Senegalese women uphold the Senegalese sexual imaginary that portray them as docile and submissive. However, it is through the apparent conformity and subdued demeanour that mokk pooj requires of them that Senegalese women manage to portray themselves as good women and consequently enhance their agentive power of negotiation.