<p> Collaboration between groups is a critical component in community resilience. Yet, memorable disaster mismanagements illustrate the difficulty of collaboration. Historically, it was thought that poor interoperability between communications equipment was to blame, but as technology differences were resolved, collaboration efforts continued to suffer. Recently, experts and practitioners are turning to group culture to explain collaboration failures. However, the literature is disjointed and dispersed with many gaps. The purpose of this research was to better understand the essential culture aspects important to good collaboration. A survey was utilized to examine the culture of a long-standing, successful collaboration: The Washington State and Local Tsunami Workgroup. The Workgroup endeavors to balance both Home Agency and Workgroup identities, utilize a flat hierarchy to its full advantage, and value openness and diversity as a means to reach the goal of mitigation of tsunami damage. Resulting themes centered on identity, commonality, structure, and attitudes.</p>

<p> Since 2005, Senegal has scaled up malaria control interventions nationwide, mainly by an approach that allowed reaching people of highest needs. Activities have included vector control interventions such as Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), prevention of malaria in pregnant women, and diagnosis and treatment with an effective anti-malarial.</p><p> This study aims to evaluate the impact of malaria interventions on all cause mortality among children under five years following the approach of targeting people of highest needs while scaling up of malaria control in Senegal. A &ldquo;pre/post&rdquo; study design following the recommendations of the RBM Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Group (MERG) was used. This assessment of the impact of the scaling-up of malaria control interventions is based on a plausibility argument. Given that it is difficult to measure mortality resulting from malaria, the objective of the plausibility argument is to demonstrate the association between the scaling-up of malaria interventions and the reduction of all-cause mortality in children under 5 years of age in Senegal.</p><p> Efforts in vector control led to an increase in the availability of resources, and substantial improvement in intervention coverage. Use of ITN by children under 5 increased from 7 per cent to 35 percent (p&lt;0.001). The greatest increases were observed among populations most at risk of malaria, namely the poorest two quintiles, southern and central regions. Parasite prevalence decreased significantly from 6 per cent in 2008 to 3 per cent in 2010 (p&lt; 0.001). The greatest reductions in anemia and parasitaemia were observed in populations from rural areas, the poorest populations, and populations from the central and southern epidemiological zones, who also displayed the highest increase in ownership and use of ITNs. All-cause under 5 mortality decreased by 40 per cent. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed better child survival over the period 2005&ndash;2010 compared to 2000&ndash;2005. Except for the region of Dakar, child survival estimates were higher in areas with the lowest prevalence of malaria. In addition, All-cause mortality in children under 5 years was significantly lower during the period after the scaling-up of malaria control interventions (OR: 0 63; 95% CI: 0.46&ndash;0.86).</p><p> Other factors that might affect malaria transmission and child mortality were controlled for in the analysis. Despite increased rainfall malaria morbidity decreased, most strikingly among populations in which access to and use of ITNs increased most. While mortality declined in general during the study period, the greatest decreases in both parasitemia and child mortality were observed among the same populations that had the greatest increase in coverage of malaria control interventions. Similarly, the biggest declines in mortality occurred among the age group most likely to die of malaria, suggesting that malaria control interventions contributed substantially to the decrease in malaria morbidity, and consequently, to all-cause under 5 mortality. Based on the LiST model, the scaling-up of ITNs and IPTp from 2004&ndash;2010 averted 5,774 deaths in children under 5. The advent of home-based management to deliver malaria care at home, even in difficult to access rural areas, where the largest number of deaths usually occurs, has greatly contributed to expanding malaria case management across Senegal.</p><p> All-cause mortality in children under 5 was significantly lower in the period after the scale up of malaria control interventions by targeting people of highest needs. The declines in mortality were greater in the populations and regions where coverage of malaria interventions was highest. The associations held even after taking into account other contextual factors. We drawn the conclusion that malaria control activities reduced malaria related morbidity and mortality, thus contributing to significant declines in all-cause child mortality between 2005-2010 in Senegal.</p>

<p> This case study researched the learning of financial literacy in a five-generation family business. Stones&rsquo;s (2005) strong structuration methodological framework was used to explore the external structures of context and the internal structures of disposition or habitus and knowledge in the social learning of financial literacy defined as a combination of awareness, knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors. Case study data were collected from two-part life history interviews, historical records, documents, websites, video, and observations. The research participants included 10 members from two generations of the family.</p><p> Through the theoretical lens of Stones&rsquo;s (2005) strong structuration theory, the study identified meso-level structural features and patterns of interactions across three generations that shaped the five dimensions of financial literacy of agents at the micro level. Bandura&rsquo;s (1986) social cognitive theory supplemented strong structuration to consider the interactions, generative conceptions, anticipatory capabilities, and self-efficacy of agents-<i> in-situ</i>.</p><p> The study concluded that regional or locally implicit norms became family financial norms through patterns of social structuring. Strongly reinforced family norms were salient in financial attitudes and behaviors throughout the life course. Structuring patterns of interaction, including traditional family roles for men and women, were found to influence agents&rsquo; general dispositions and generative conceptions of their capabilities. Case evidence suggested that differences in enactive experiences influenced the financial self-efficacy of agents.</p><p> Power in position-practice relations was found to reinforce information asymmetries among agents, which can affect financial attitudes and financial decision behaviors. Altruism and agents&rsquo; risk dispositions can lead to firm-level inertia and lead to risk exposure for individuals.</p><p> The sociological approach of this study demonstrated that to gain an understanding of the applied nature of financial literacy as active agency at the micro level, inquiry focused solely on financial outcomes is insufficient. The research showed that the five dimensions of financial literacy arise in dynamic combinations in the shaping of external and internal structures through social interactions.</p>

<p> The purpose of writing <i>Adverse Childhood Experiences and Transformational Leadership at The Bowery Mission</i> was to develop an understanding of the relationship of between childhood trauma and leadership styles at that institution. </p><p> Chapter 1 begins by describing the Bowery Mission and its environs. It develops the association between the transformational leadership and the community then asks the question &lsquo;what exactly is the tangible relationship?&rsquo; Then there is the introduction of the MLQ and CTQ. </p><p> Chapter 2 provides literature and foundation for researching childhood maltreatment and leadership. It develops how childhood maltreatment causes numerous physical, psychological and spiritual effects later in life. Subsequently there is documentation on the literature relating adverse childhood experiences to transformational leadership as well as a section on transformational leadership at non-profits like The Bowery Mission.</p><p> Chapter 3 sets forth the qualitative and quantitative research methodology utilized in approaching the question of statistical relationships between childhood adverse experiences and transformational leadership amongst the leaders at the Bowery Mission. It discusses how and where the interviews were performed and demographics that help round out each individual&rsquo;s background. </p><p> Chapter 4 presents an analysis of data. Leaders are first analyzed individually and then as a group. Statistical data is presented depicting correlations between maltreatment and leadership style. There were no statistical correlations found between transformational behaviors and childhood maltreatments. A number of participants indicated that their poor experiences made them particularly suited to lead similarly hurting individuals.</p><p> Chapter 5 assesses the data. It concludes that transformation takes place despite the lack of statistical correlation. Further research might include a retest in six months with a larger participant group.</p>

Master of Arts / Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work / Robert Schaeffer / The purpose of this research started with a Cold War perspective of looking at the Pro-Choice and Pro-Life movement in the state of Kansas. They are in opposition of one another, so how do they communicate and see one another? Interviews were done in four cities in Kansas and with one organization located in Kansas City, Missouri that is responsible for their national organization’s mission in Kansas. Eighteen individuals were interviewed, which was split evenly with nine Pro-Choice and nine Pro-Life advocates in leadership or communication positions. Race, sex, religion, and age are all considered in the research. Most of the Pro-Choice organizations were found to be focused on multiple issues besides abortion, while all but one of the Pro-Life organizations were focused on the issue of abortion almost exclusively. There was a regional disconnect that showed a major difference of the thinking between the Kansas City metro area based organizations and the Wichita area based organizations, as the Wichita area advocates spoke more in detail about the events of the Summer of Mercy in 1991 and the death of Dr. Tiller in 2009. The research found that the Cold War analogy of the two sides works to only an extent, as the messages sent out are not directly sent to one another, even though both sides read what their opposition is saying. There might be subconscious messaging going on with some knowing the opposition is reading what they have to say. The learning factor for opposition organizations is that they are learning news tactics and how they should counter the actions and messages of the other side. Almost all direct communication between the two sides has been cutoff, thus that is where the Cold War analogy falls short as a comparison because both sides feel there is no agreeable middle ground or purpose for negotiations.

<p> Workplace bullying is a topic that impacts many people in many different disciplines. Research has shown that workplace bullying affects upwards of half of all workers during their work histories, and once it becomes an entrenched pattern, targets, witnesses, and human resource managers, alike, face difficulties in effectively addressing or abating the issue. This quantitative study used a non-experimental design to explore whether there was any relationship between the following variables: minority status, acculturation, workplace satisfaction, perceived bullying, and perceived acculturation. Learned helplessness theory and minority stress theory were the theoretical foundations utilized to investigate workplace bullying and the role of culture. The General and Racial/Ethnic Bullying Scale, The Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R), and the Stephenson Multigroup Acculturation Scale (SMAS) were used to measure participant&rsquo;s experiences. The results revealed that workplace bullying had been experienced by both minority and non-minority individuals; however, the assumption that minorities are at a greater risk for workplace bullying than non-minorities could not be substantiated by the data.</p>

<p> The role of the professional nurse has evolved in numerous and unexpected ways since the founding of Nightingale&rsquo;s first school of nursing in 1860. One contemporary sphere in which nurses work is the biopharmaceutical and medical device industry, but little research exists regarding how the nurse engages with and experiences this role. </p><p> This qualitative, phenomenological study was undertaken to address the research question: What is the nature and process of the transition experience from a direct patient care role to a clinical research specialist role for the professional nurse? Two subquestions were also explored: What barriers and supports are encountered during the transition process? What facilitates successful work role transition from direct patient care to clinical research? </p><p> Ten professional nurses who had transitioned to industry based careers at least two years prior to this study were identified and selected via referral sources. Each nurse participated in a series of three in-depth recorded interviews. Through an iterative process of transcript review, coding, and thematic analysis, and utilization of Ashforth&rsquo;s (2001) ABCs of Role Identification and Nicholson&rsquo;s (1984, 2013) Work Role Transition Theory as lenses for interpretation, seven key themes emerged. These themes include: 1) I am alone: transition can be an isolating experience, 2) I am unprepared: transition requires mastery of unfamiliar skills and knowledge, 3) I am scared and sometimes overwhelmed: transition is associated with a lack of security, structure and balance, 4) I can do it: self-reliance and resourcefulness facilitate successful work-role transition, 5) I need to build new bridges: transition requires networking and support from others, 6) I am becoming: the transition experience can be empowering and offers opportunity for growth, and 7) I am still a nurse: nursing identity and values endure through transition. </p><p> This study offers several recommendations for further research to more deeply explore identified themes and ways to facilitate success in this work-role transition. In addition, using feedback from study participants, recommendations and suggestions are offered for nurse educators, professional nursing credentialing organizations, and to other nurses considering a career in the clinical research arena.</p>

<p> This dissertation examines the role of the mass news media as an influencer of opinions on immigration through an examination of information sources used by host, Highland community members. There is an extensive range of research exploring the experiences of immigrants and policy responses in the UK, but little is known about how host communities process and respond to increasing cultural diversity. Addressing the latter is essential to overcome the assimilation tendencies in discourses about the integration of immigrants. Critical discourse analysis was used to analyze newspapers and interviews in this mixed methods study conducted in the year prior to the Scottish Independence Referendum. Findings of this study revealed the negative and homogenizing portrayal of immigrants in the mass news media, the importance of first and second hand experiences as sources of information on immigration in Scottish Highland communities, and the influence of sociocultural factors on how people establish authority of information sources. Findings suggest the need for stronger institutional infrastructures to address increasing diversity in the UK. Of particular interest is the context of this research, during a time of crisis, which reveals that the act of decision-making is based on the often unconscious, ontological construction of information behaviors through the worldview of participants.</p><p>

<p> This ethnographic study of ZEGG explores the challenges a radical intentional community faces when it rejects mainstream economic and social norms, creating a new culture governed by new norms. ZEGG, an intentional community in Germany, began as an experiment in community living in the 1970s and 1980s, under the leadership of Dieter Duhm, a German psychoanalyst. The community operated in various locations across Germany before finally buying a farm and settling more permanently in Flaming in 1992. The study is based on several months of participatory observation, carried out over the course of four years, and 42 interviews with community members and visitors. As required by the participatory research methodology, designated community members were involved in every stage of the study and their feedback was incorporated into the final version submitted for publication. To survive and thrive, ZEGG had to organize, find ways to finance its operations, and adjust its mission. The loss of its charismatic leader threatened its existence at the very beginning, but, in the long term, it allowed for more flexibility and helped the community adapt and survive for over 25 years. Presently ZEGG is a dynamic, financially stable community with over a hundred members and several thousand yearly visitors. </p><p>

<p> Youth-serving organizations, such as 4-H, place a large emphasis on positive youth development and experiential learning in order to assist youth in acquiring specific life skills. The literature suggests that residential summer camps are one of the best ways to provide positive youth development, experiential learning, and targeted life skills. This study was a mixed methods design which utilized four residential summer programs throughout the state of Mississippi in order to compare the differences between the residential 4-H summer programs that took place on a university campus to those that took place within the naturalistic environment. The results of this study indicate that on-campus residential summer programs achieved the essential elements of positive youth development more so than those that took place within the naturalistic environment. The on-campus program participants also acquired targeted life skills more so than those that participated in programs that took place within the naturalistic environment.</p>