Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, 2010. / Title from screen (viewed on March 3, 2010). School of Social Work, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Advisor(s): Margaret E. Adamek, Carol Hostetter, Gail M. Folaron, Angela B. McBride. Includes vitae. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-160).

Questionnaires which assessed attitudes toward wilderness policies and behavioral norms were distributed to individuals at the Irish Wilderness, in the surrounding communities, and to conservation groups. Questions were designed to describe general wilderness policies and also those policies specific to the Irish Wilderness. The Irish Wilderness, located in southeastern Missouri, was designated as a national wilderness area in 1984. Prior to this 1986 study, no previous studies had been conducted in the area to describe visitor characteristics and attitudes toward wilderness management policies. A comparison was also made between the attitudes of the Irish Wilderness visitor and of Pacific Northwest wilderness visitors (Hendee et al., 1968). Three hypotheses were tested: (1) differences exist between experienced and nonexperienced individuals in their perception of what constitutes wilderness norms as defined by the 1964 Wilderness Act, (2) differences do not exist between western and midwestern wilderness visitors and their attitudes toward proper wilderness behavior and norms, and (3) individuals with prior Irish Wilderness visits will exhibit a more purist attitude toward administrative goals set for the Irish Wilderness than those individuals with less wilderness experience. The findings of this study show that visitors with the most wilderness experience respond more favorably to statements which reflect the ideals and goals of the 1964 Wilderness Act. This corresponds with information provided in Young's (1982) study which stated that the experienced visitor would exhibit a more purist attitude in regards to wilderness behavior. Also, respondents from the Irish Wilderness study differed from the respondents in the Pacific Northwest study in their attitudes toward acceptable wilderness norms and behaviors. In most cases, Irish Wilderness respondents were more favorable to statements which reflected the goals of the 1964 Wilderness Act, although the amount of time which had elapsed between the two studies (15 years) should be taken into consideration. Previous experience in the Irish Wilderness appeared to play a role in the individual's concurrence and compliance with the administrative policies of the area. This may also coincide with the fact that particular needs of the individual are being met within the wilderness area. Successful management of wilderness areas may be enhanced by recognizing the needs of the individual and seeing that those needs mesh with the area's entire realm of wilderness attributes, of which recreational activities are a small part.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Child abuse remains a serious health problem in the U.S. Yet, there are preventative programs that can significantly improve the parenting experienced by very young children and result in lower incidence of maltreatment. Home visitation is the most prevalent and successful form of primary prevention. These programs are staffed by home visitors who empower parents and are the lynchpin of home visitation programs. What makes some home visitors excel at this work is the focus of this research. A small, non-random, purposive sample of excellent home visitors and their administrators was used to learn about the personal characteristics of outstanding home visitors. The mixed methods design of this research included qualitative interviews, home visiting situational vignettes, and quantitative tests of personality attributes. The results indicated that this group of outstanding home visitors possessed important similarities. First, the home visitors were effective at forming and maintaining empathic relationships. The variables that facilitate the formation of the therapeutic relationships between home visitor and client include: (a) “good enough empathy” (need not be extraordinarily empathic but at least averagely so), (b) positive regard (showing respect to the families and recognizing that the parent is the expert on their child), and (c) congruence. Secondly, the home visitors possessed self-awareness allowing for reflective practice and forming and maintaining better client relationships. Thirdly, the excellent home visitors possessed an attitude of lifelong learning. Fourthly, the home visitors strongly believed in the ability of their clients to change. This was accomplished by focusing on client strengths. Finally, in order for the home visitors to assist parents in therapeutic change, they had a belief in and understanding of systems theory and the impact that the environment can or has had on those clients. Without an ecological approach, home visitors are likely to blame the families with which they work for their unfortunate situations such as poverty. Each of the five characteristics can be taught and improved, but entrenched beliefs are less easily manipulated. The five characteristics are ordered with the first (effective at forming relationships) the most amenable to change and the last (an ecological approach) the least.