This study looked at father teaching interactions and singing in toddlerhood as predictors of child cognitive and language outcomes at prekindergarten in a low-income, ethnically diverse sample. Results found that, overall, father teaching interactions in toddlerhood predicted child cognitive and language outcomes at prekindergarten and father singing in toddlerhood predicted language outcomes. Fathers provided slightly more teaching interactions at child age 24 months than at 36 months, and sang more frequently at 36 months. Within ethnic groups, father teaching interactions were statistically significant in predicting cognitive and language development outcomes for children of African American (approached significance for language outcomes) and European American fathers, but not for children of Latino American fathers. Father singing in toddlerhood approached significance for language outcomes at prekindergarten for children of European American and Latino American fathers, but not for children of African American fathers. Overall, father behaviors were found to positively predict child outcomes, suggesting that fathers provide an independent additive contribution to children’s developmental skills that reflect school readiness. Independently of what mothers do, fathers play a unique role in child development and provide positive parent-child interactions that support children’s early development.

Characteristics of consumers who used unit pricing were compared to consumers who did not use unit pricing. A numerical rating was developed to aid the researcher in classifying consumers into two extreme groups, "usually" and "seldom." The sample consisted of 50 shoppers who usually and 50 shoppers who seldom used unit pricing. Data was collected at a local supermarket where unit pricing is provided. Of the variables tested, annual family income was not significant (.861)r number of individuals shopped for was relatively significant (.283)r and age of consumer (.028), occupation of consumer (.067), employment pattern of consumer (.031), education of consumer (.00014), occupation of spouse (.00001), and shopping frequency (.026) were significant.

Young widowhood is a unique experience that has received little in-depth attention in research and clinical settings. Their experiences may differ from other types of losses, particularly from losses that are typically expected to happen later in life. The present study treated the lived experiences of young men and women who have experiences the loss of a spouse. Eleven men and women between the ages of 18 and 49 were interviewed about their experiences post-loss using phenomenological methods. After coding for similarities and differences between the experiences, five themes emerged in all eleven interviews: (1) relationship, (2) first reactions, (3) resources, (4) concerns, and (5) age and gender. The results explored these themes in depth and provided insight into the grief process of young widows and widowers. Implications included the need for more accessible resources for young widowed individuals, such as therapeutic services, finances, and childcare. Implications are also provided for clinicians, individuals, couples, and families.

This dissertation includes two studies of rural age-related services in the state of Utah. The first study combines geospatial, demographic data (number of people over 55) and age-related services (hospitals, hospice providers, nursing homes, senior centers, and Areas Agencies on Aging) at the county level and census-tract level to determine localized differences in proportional access to age-related services. Higher and lower proportions are then predicted by contextual factors including rural/urban gradient, economic industry, and broadband access. Results demonstrate that broadband access was significantly associated with higher access to age-related services, but being a retirement destination (increase in people over 65 in county from 2000-2010) was associated with lower spatial access to age-related services. The second study involved in-depth interviews with stakeholders from communities across Utah, and qualitative analysis to identify specific barriers to age-related service access in their communities. This approach generated knowledge about challenges to accessing services and stakeholder-supported starting points and solutions for overcoming some of the identified barriers to age-related services in these communities. Taken together, the spatial data and responses from persons living and serving older adults in rural communities complement an understanding of facilitators and barriers to service access, paired with solutions.

All persons are born into some form of family unit. The traditional family is a unit of people who live together over periods of time and have ties of marriage and kinship. Even if that unit is separated, as in death or adoption, qualities of one’s personhood are closely connected with forebears and parents. Whether for good or bad, the family profoundly affects the individual. The family is an important unit. Many stresses impinge upon it. The church and extended family are less influential on the family today. The school is less influential. Where does the family turn for support? Social agencies have become the source for low cost aid for the family. The following study explores the extent to which social agencies provide this support for families in this community.

The concept of role exit presented by Zena Smith Blau in her book, Old Age in a Changing Society, refers to the ongoing process of relinquishing previously enacted social roles; a process which is part of everyday life for men and women of all ages. However, Blau argues that role exits in later life are different from those in earlier stages of the life cycle because they tend to be terminal and involuntary. These factors, according to Blau, cause role exits in old age to negatively influence the individual's overall satisfaction with life. This thesis examines the concept of role exit from three perspective: first, from a theoretical perspective as it emerges out of social role theory; second, in a substantive context as it relates to the problem of old age; and finally, from an empirical perspective as an indicator of reported life satisfaction among a sample of older adults.

This study investigated the validity of the family incongruence score, a statistic which quantifies the discrepancies between family members' perceptions of their family system using answers given on the Family Environment Scale. Based on findings concerning incongruence in other environments, it was hypothesized that high family incongruence scores would be associated with more problems in the family system.

The purpose of this thesis is to define what is meant by the "career decision", examine what life factors influence that decision, how it is affected by one's self-concept and value system, and its connection with one's needs, goals and life style.

Theoretically every society has some institutional means which seeks to prevent and alleviate personal misfortune and illness "Institutions are standardized solutions to collective problems." The increasing population rate of older persons, many of whom suffer from chronic diseases and disabilities, does pose a collective problem for society. Formerly, the "institutional" approach developed to address the needs of chronic aging patients and society. Today the "community" approach, by which community service agencies whose goal is to help older adults remain independent of total institutional care by supplying supportive services, is achieving recognition . This thesis is an exploratory study to assess similarities and/or dissimilarities between two distinct groups of elderly persons -- those receiving services in a total institution and those living in the community but receiving supportive services via a community-based delivery system. This delivery system is concerned with supplying human services to those people assumed to be "at risk" of institutional care. It is assumed that the clients of such a system are similar to those persons within an institution. The major purpose of this study is to validate this assumption. If this assumption is proved true , it is thought that it could have important consequences on future policies concerning health-care systems for the aged.

These stories all take place in the city of Riverside, California. In each story, the narrator or characters struggle with the complicated push/pull that they feel towards their home--be that a home defined by place, memory, another person, or something found within themselves.