As part of a major funded research project, Measurement of EMT Performance, methodologies were developed to describe and assess Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) performance. Preliminary findings based on a sample of 1470 emergency episodes in a large Southeastern city indicated the possibility of serious deficiencies in the performance of EMTs. The principal aims of the present study were to extend this previous research by examining the nature of EMT performance, generating hypotheses about the determinants of EMT performance based on the emergency medicine and skilled performance literatures, and testing these hypotheses using the data collected on the sample of 1470 emergency episodes. Independent variables pertaining to EMT skill, EMT effort, and situational constraints on EMT performance were hypothesized to be important predictors of two dimensions of EMT performance: appropriate treatment selection and treatment performance proficiency. Through a variety of linear regression procedures, the effectiveness of the independent variables in predicting the two performance dimensions were examined. For appropriate treatment selection, results suggested that the performance of suggested treatments (deemed helpful though not required) were more predictable than mandated treatments (deemed required for minimal prudent care). Consistent findings in the prediction of appropriate treatment selection were: complexity of the case was negatively associated with suggested treatment performance, and general practice and positive attitudes toward emergency care work and the people served were positively associated with suggested treatment performance. For the prediction of treatment performance proficiency, consistent findings were: severity and complexity of the case were negatively associated with proficient performance, and general practice was positively / associated with proficient performance. Limitations of the study including the failure to assess adequately some potentially important predictor variables and weaknesses in the measurement of the performance and predictor variables were also discussed. Finally, some promising policy leads tentatively suggested by the present results were discussed. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 43-07, Section: B, page: 2318. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1982.

Object relations theory of mate selection uses several concepts to describe the dynamics of selecting a spouse: collusion, ambivalence and idealization. From these three concepts hypotheses were developed and tested using the Leary Interpersonal Checklist. / Each respondent answered the adjective checklist from five perspectives: self, ideal self, mother, father, and fiance. The hypotheses generated were operationalized around the interaction of self perspectives, parent who one is most and least like, and the fiance's views. With the couple as the unit of analysis, and the interaction of 10 scores on each hypothesis, a test of intraindividual dynamics was conducted. / Thirty-two never previously married, engaged couples randomly selected from a pool of 105 volunteer couples completed the questionnaire. A test of the predictability of the three concepts was not supported. The statistical evidence is rather strongly opposite of the direction predicted in the hypotheses. / This research provides a challenge to object relations theory of mate selection for more concrete conceptualization of the abstract clinical ideas. It further suggests the theory may not be as applicable to non-clinical populations in explaining mate selection phenomena. / Since the sample is older with a mean age of 22 and the majority not in college, the study avoids two typical biases of previous engagement research. The theoretical and therapeutic implications of the descriptive and empirical findings are discussed. Limitations of the sample and the findings are presented as a caution in generalizing on the data. / Suggestions for future research include the need for more parsimonious and measurable definitions from object relations theory. Further, possibilities of combining the concept of introjected models with standardized projective tests and the emerging use of family genograms are presented. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 44-06, Section: B, page: 1944. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1983.

A co-relational pilot study was performed, using registered nurses, to investigate the effects of stress coping on physical health, mental health, and job performance. Coping was measured both by the personality construct of psychological hardiness and by numbers of coping resources. Stress was measured to include both recent life events as well as accumulated stressors or "daily hassles". / An analysis of variance was performed to determine if differences on the dependent measures was due to changes in the independent measures. A stepwise regression procedure was performed to ascertain the relative impact of the various individual coping resources on both health and job performance. Finally correlations were obtained to provide descriptions of the relationship among various factors. / The results of this pilot study indicate that, for registered nurses, neither numbers of coping resources nor psychological hardiness had any effect on job performance. Having more coping resources was significantly associated with better physical and mental health. However, psychological hardiness was not linked with better mental or physical health. Physical fitness was found to be the most significant as well as important resource in coping with life stress. The results are presented as tentative due to a return rate of only 36.8 percent. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-01, Section: B, page: 0357. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1985.

Based on a review of the relevant literature on systematic desensitization (S.D.), the parameters for an interactive generic computer program for the S.D. of classically conditioned phobias were specified. / The program uses computer-aided instruction (CAI) to present a learning theory perspective on the etiology of phobias and to teach the basic theory of S.D. and relaxation theory. A self-paced audio tape guides clients through the relaxation training. The computer teaches clients to construct their own personalized phobic hierarchy which is placed in the proper data file by the counselor. In the S.D. mode clients are presented with an item from their phobic hierarchy with instructions to press the space bar when they have a clear image of the scene in their mind. If they experience any anxiety, they are to press it again. These actions control various timing loops in the computer program. When clients signal the computer that they are experiencing anxiety, the computer 'beeps' and flashes the message: "Stop Thinking About That!". A relaxing scene is then presented for a minute. When relaxed the client signals the computer. Clients are progressively given homework as they work their way through the phobic hierarchy. The counselor introduces the client to the computer and is available to answer any questions or to assist if needed. / A pilot trial and a small N, multiple-baseline across subjects study was conducted. The Fear Questionnaire by Marks was used to measure subjective ratings of phobic avoidance and the overall state of phobic symptoms. Goal Attainment Scaling was used to specify pre-intervention behavioral status and to establish behavioral goals. / All clients achieved their goals for treatment as specified by Goal Attainment Scaling. Using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test a significant decrease was found between the first and last rating of phobic avoidance on the Fear Questionnaire (p < .025 directional). / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 46-11, Section: B, page: 3999. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1985.

The present study examined the relationship among intelligence, selected metacognitions, and career decision making. Intelligence was measured by the Test of Cognitive Skills (TCS)(1983). Selected metacognitions were measured by the Problem Solving Inventory (Heppner, 1982) and the Questionnaire to Assess Beliefs about Career Decision Making (Mitchell, 1981). Career decision making was measured by the Vocational Exploratory Behavior Inventory (Jones & Krumboltz, 1970) and by the Career Decision Making test of the Career Skills Assessment Program (CEEB, 1978). / The present study proposed to establish the relationship between career decision making skills and metacognitive skills. In this study eighty-three eleventh graders at Developmental Research School (DRS) were given the above measures. It was hypothesized that the degree to which individuals possessed career decision making skills would vary directly with the degree to which they possessed self management skills and mental abilities, while it would vary inversely with the degree to which they possessed irrational beliefs. Data was analyzed using bivariate correlation and canonical correlation analysis techniques. / Results indicated that problem solving appraisal was not related to career decision making or vocational exploration. Career beliefs were not related to career decision making or vocational exploration. There was no relationship between general vocational exploration and general intelligence. A significant positive relationship between general intelligence and career decision making skills was found. / Failure to demonstrate a relationship between metacognitive skills and career decision making skills may be due to the instruments used to assess metacognitive skills. Both instruments were self report measures and subject to the weaknesses of that type of instrument. Common methods variance may be a factor. On the other hand, the relationship between general intelligence and career decision making can be used by career counselors to enhance the skills of their clients, to identify populations that will require counselor intervention, and to plan the content of the counseling intervention. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.) / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-02, Section: B, page: 0556. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1986.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 31-10, Section: B, page: 6248. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1970.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 30-02, Section: B, page: 0831. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1968.

The problem investigated in this study was whether a structured family enrichment program, specifically Understanding Us, would affect family cohesion, expressiveness, conflict, independence, organization, and control, as measured by the Family Environment Scale, and marital cohesion and consensus, as measured by the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Understanding Us is based upon the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Functioning. / A pretest-posttest design was used with 24 intact families in the experimental group and 26 intact families in the control group (Total N = 188). Since the family enrichment program was designed to ideally accommodate 12 to 16 families per group, the experimental and control groups were each divided in half with the resulting four subgroups attending on either Monday evenings or Saturday mornings. / Each volunteer family participated in a separate screening/orientation interview. Only those families scoring in the functional range of the Family Environment Scale were allowed to participate. In general, participating families were Caucasian, middle class, religious, and high educated. / Analysis of covariance, using the 10 Family Environment Scale and four Dyadic Adjustment Scale subscale scores as covariates, and employing both individual and total family analyses, revealed no statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups, or among any of the four subgroups, except for the athletic-recreational subscale. / There was a trend in the Pearson Correlation Coefficients, calculated between the various subscales, to support the view that at posttest the experimental group families possessed greater balancing of togetherness and separateness, greater comfortableness with relational conflict, increased expressiveness, more independent behavior, and reduced emphasis upon organization and control in familial and marital relationships. / The program received uniformly high subjective ratings in achieving its goals of (1) being enjoyable, (2) facilitating understanding of marital and family systemic functioning, (3) creating a sense of family identity, and (4) instilling a heightened sense of agency or ability to resolve problems. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 42-06, Section: B, page: 2501. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1981.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-01, Section: B, page: 0333. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1979.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-07, Section: B, page: 2738. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1980.