The perspective of the caregiver is vital to understanding the experiences of raising a child with autism, including the challenges faced in accessing services. The purpose of this qualitative, transcendental phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of primary caregivers raising a school-age child with autism and to bring about an understanding of the challenges faced in accessing services. Resiliency theory provided the conceptual framework for the study. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 participants raising a child with autism in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Data were analyzed using Moustakas's descriptive approach. Results yielded 5 themes: overall experience, challenges, relationships, access to services, and stressors. Findings revealed effective ways to support caregivers through programs and services and highlighted the importance of supportive relationships and family connections. Implications for social change include opening conversations regarding the unique perspectives and needs of primary caregivers of children with autism, supporting awareness of the stressors associated in daily caregiving, and engaging in broader discussions regarding the importance of establishing supportive relationships among physicians, mental health providers, specialists, social workers and care managers in order to support the advocacy efforts of caregivers.

Adverse birth outcomes and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are concerns in the United States, with potential to impact health indices now and in the future. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively examine the association between maternal exposure to ACE, low birth weight, and county of residence in the Appalachian population using the Life Course Approach as the theoretical framework. A cross-sectional study design and clustering strategy was used to randomly select potential respondents from a data set that was provided by Ohio Department of Health. Self-administered questionnaires were sent to potential respondents to collect information about ACE in the maternal population of Appalachia, Ohio with an overall response rate of 29.5% and 212 total participants. A chi-square analysis was completed and no significant association was found between county of residence and risk of low birth weight. However, statistically significant associations were found between the different types of ACE exposure and low birth weight delivery as well as Appalachian county of residence and exposure to ACE. As the sample of low birth weight deliveries was small, it is recommended that the relationship between ACE exposure and low birth weight be further studied to develop more purposeful health interventions to improve maternal health in Appalachia, Ohio specifically, as well as other rural communities. Reducing rates of adverse birth outcomes and chronic disease burden in Appalachia have potential to reduce health disparities between urban and Appalachian communities, allowing for positive social change for many socioeconomically disadvantaged communities and improving population health.

This study explored the perceptions and lived experiences of 10 transgender and gender nonconforming individuals who had interacted with the various sectors of the criminal justice system (i.e., law enforcement, the prison system, and the court system). The focus of this phenomenological qualitative study was providing insight into how sexual orientation and gender identity influenced transgender and gender nonconforming individuals' experiences and perceptions of the criminal justice system. Procedural justice theory guided this study by providing an understanding of how the behavior of the actors in the criminal justice system shaped the cooperation or resistance of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals. During semistructured telephonic interviews, participants were asked open-ended questions about their feelings, experiences, and perceptions regarding the various sectors of the criminal justice system (i.e., law enforcement, the prison system, and the court system). Using Moustakas's modified Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen approach, 3 themes were identified: (a) interactions with the criminal justice system, (b) thoughts about the criminal justice system, and (c) experiences with the criminal justice system. Findings indicated that the criminal justice system is not adequately prepared to accommodate or appropriately deal with transgender and gender nonconforming individuals and their unique needs. Implications for social change include the development of transgender-affirmative training programs and education for the criminal justice system and its personnel.

The purpose of this study was to examine national survey data from across the United States for respondents from two-year community colleges. Historically little empirical evidence exists in the literature about this population of students who identity as sexual minorities. The study begins with a historical overview of the LGBTQ rights movement. This provides a baseline for why studies including this invisible minority group are important and especially timely for two-year college campuses. Literature is barrowed from four-year college and university studies. Data were analyzed using the Rasch Partial Credit model. This analysis included testing for data-fit to the model, evaluation of items which did not fit the model, item mapping, differential functioning based on sexual identity, and standard descriptive statistics. The aim of this analysis was to determine if harassment, discrimination, and violence on campus towards sexual minority students occur and attempt to assess the prevalence of such activities. Results indicate that there doesn’t exist differences in responses between male and female participants. However, differences exist related to campus perceptions for sexual minority students and their non-minority (heterosexual) peers.

With a growing and more diverse population nationally, physical therapist programs have evolved to meet the demands for physical therapists in our healthcare system. Despite the substantial efforts to increase student populations to meet workforce shortage, 5-35% will depart in the early years of their program. Current evidence suggests the association of measurable factors with students’ academic success in physical therapist education. However, these measurable factors have accounted for a small variance in explaining the experiences of academic success. In order to sustain the current healthcare system, physical therapist programs need to ensure that students persist and graduate. The purposes of this qualitative study are to explore how recent graduates experience the first year of a physical therapist program and how these experiences contribute to academic success and persistence. Eleven recent physical therapist graduates were interviewed for the study. Program, student, and participant-generated documents were collected. Six themes emerged from the data: (a) establishing career goals, (b) evolving expectations from undergraduate to professional education, (c) encountering transitions in personal, social, and financial aspects, (d) balancing multiple identities (e) seeking supports inside and outside of classroom, and (f) modifying strategies to overcome academic challenges. The findings of this study indicate that the participants navigated a complex educational environment by integrating social and academic experiences to achieve their academic success. The findings can be used to inform physical therapist and undergraduate programs as well as potential and current first-year students.

The purpose of the following study was to explore and examine the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and coping methods among social work students at a Southern California university. The literature on ACE scores suggests that higher levels of ACE can impact well-being and functioning in adults, yet, provides limited information relating to social work. A quantitative survey instrument constructed by Felitti and colleagues (1998) and two additional questions relating to coping methods and strategies were constructed by the researchers were used to gather data for the purpose of this study. Data for the following study was collected through a self-administered, online questionnaire distributed by a Southern California university school of social work administration via Qualtrics online survey software. The data was analyzed with SPSS software, using descriptive statistics, frequencies, and independent sample t-tests. The study’s results suggest that social work students, in general, have higher ACE scores than are found in the general population. The majority of respondents reported having more than 2 instances of ACE. Yet, less than half of respondents reported using effective, healthy coping methods to cope with experiences of childhood hood trauma. These findings suggest that schools of social work, and the agencies that employee their graduates, should consider providing enhances, supports, and training for social work students and professionals coping with ACE events.

Aim: The aim was to examine cleaners' experiences of opportunities to recover during the workday. Method: The study was conducted by interviewing eleven cleaners within hospital cleaning service. The interviews were analyzed using manifest quality content analysis. Results: Cleaners experienced that opportunities to recover during the workday depended on several factors. Task assignments could vary and experiences of prerequisites regarding recovery shifted between the participants. Common stressors were workload, stress and heavy, painful tasks. The workload affected the possibilities of resting. Besides breaks, organizational efforts and routines promoting recovery were experienced as few and unclear. Recovery could be discussed during meetings, but this shifted between organizations. Experiences of opportunities to recover during work changed over time. Suggestions to increase opportunities to recover included more breaks, meeting colleagues, workout during work, positive feedback and management of regular stressors. Common strategies to recover were taking breaks and pauses, talking with colleagues, trying to calm down, planning work and recover outside work. Conclusions: Cleaners' experiences of opportunities to recover during work vary depending on tasks, individual experiences of prerequisites and regular stressors. Organizational efforts regarding recovery are often experienced as unclear and there is room for increasing opportunities to recover during work.

Bakgrund: Diabetes mellitus typ 2 är en sjukdom där antalet individer med sjukdomen ständigt ökar. Allt fler tonåringar drabbas av sjukdomen oftast till följd av övervikt med inslag av hereditet och etnicitet. Orsaker till diabetes typ 2 är förknippat med riskfaktorer i relation till ohälsosamma levnadsvanor.Syfte: Syftet med studien är att beskriva tonåringars upplevelser av diabetes typ 2.Metod: Metoden är en kvalitativ litteraturöversikt med 7 vetenskapliga artiklar.Resultat: I resultatet framgår det att tonåringar med diabetes typ 2 upplever svårigheter med anpassningen till nya vanor efter sjukdomsdebuten. Livsstilsförändringar genomförs i form av ändrade kost- och motionsvanor vilket påverkas av hinder eller möjligheter. Tonåringarna upplever oförståelse från vården och önskar bättre stöd från vårdpersonal. De upplever rädsla och oro över att berätta om sjukdomen för vännerna. Behovet av stöd från både vänner och familj är betydelsefullt. Konklusion: Tonåringar med diabetes typ 2 kämpar med att upprätthålla en god livsstil som krävs för att hålla sjukdomen under kontroll. Rädslan för att vara annorlunda speglar svårigheterna tonåringarna upplever. Tonåringarna behöver stöd och uppmuntran för att upprätthålla hälsosamma vanor samt ett gott välbefinnande. / Background: Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a disease where the number of individuals with the condition is constantly increasing. Adolescents are affected by the disease as a result of being overweight with featuring elements of heredity and ethnicity. Reasons for diabetes type 2 are associated with risk factors regarding unhealthy living habits.Aim: The purpose is to describe adolescents’ experiences of living with diabetes type 2.Method: The method is a qualitative literature review including 7 scientific articles.Results: Adolescents with diabetes type 2 find it difficult to adapt to new habits after the onset of illness. Lifestyle changes are implemented in the form of changed diet- and exercise habits, which are affected by various obstacles or opportunities. The adolescents experience a lack of understanding from health care professionals and wish for more support. Adolescents experience fear and concern about telling their friends about the illness. The need for support from both friends and family is significant.Conclusion: Adolescents with diabetes type 2 struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle that is required to keep the illness under control. The fear of being different reflects the difficulties the adolescents’ experience. Adolescents need support and encouragement to maintain healthy habits as well as their well-being.

Abstract THE ROLE OF LEARNING EXPERIENCES, SUPPORTS AND BARRIERS FOR THE DOCTORAL STUDENT By Madeline B. Goldman, DDS, MEd A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2018 Major Director: Robin Hurst, Ed.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning This study seeks to understand the role of career development classes offered by the graduate school at a large public research university as part of its Leadership and Entrepreneurs for Professional Development (LEAPD) program and the LEAPD program effects on doctoral students’ career development and choices. The study also aims to understand the contextual influences on doctoral students, specifically the perceived supports and barriers that influence their career choices. The study’s goal in understanding these issues is to discover how the LEAPD courses impact these students as well as identify perceived supports and barriers in career development for doctoral students. The Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) serves as a theoretical foundation for the study. This qualitative interview study involved students from different STEM programs at the doctoral level. Results of this study showed that the LEAPD program raised the career development confidence and inferred self-efficacy of these students. Furthermore, performance accomplishments were a significant factor in the persistence of these students to the doctoral level. Teachers and professors were most frequently reported as sources of support for these doctoral students, and the presence of supports seemed to minimize barrier perceptions. Keywords: doctoral students, career development, learning experiences, SCCT, supports, barriers, performance accomplishments, vicarious learning, teacher support, STEM

The goals of present study were: (a) to examine associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and telomere length during childhood using ACE composite scores both with and without “new” adversities (i.e., parental death and poverty), and (b) to determine if ACEs indirectly affect telomere length through children’s self-regulatory abilities (i.e., effortful control and self-control). The analytic sample consisted of national data from teachers, biological parents, and their children (N = 2,527; Mage = 9.35, SD = .36 years; 52% male; 45% Black). Results from linear regression analyses revealed a statistically significant main effect of updated (but not traditional) ACEs on child telomere length, controlling for hypothesized covariates, although the additional amount of variance explained by ACEs was negligible. Results from mediation analyses revealed an indirect effect of ACEs on child telomere length through self-control, assessed via a teacher-reported Social Skills Rating System, but not effortful control. While longitudinal studies are needed to strengthen claims of causation, the present study clarifies the association between ACEs and telomere length during middle childhood, and identifies a pathway from ACEs to changes in telomere length that should be explored further.