Copyright (c) 2009 Pacific University All rights reserved. http://commons.pacificu.edu Recent documents in CommonKnowledge en-us Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:09:11 PST 3600 http://commons.pacificu.edu/cassoc/1 http://commons.pacificu.edu/cassoc/1 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:16:53 PST In a time of unprecedented environmental damage, two very distinct and opposing policy agendas have emerged in the EU and us. The fragmented and disconnected nature of international climate change policy stems from the myriad political, social, philosophical, and economic issues that exist and, at times, conflict, on a local, national, and international level. Using a rigorous policy model, this analysis seeks to illuminate the roadblocks that have severely undermined climate change policy efforts in the us, analyze the legislative successes and implementation failures in EU, and discuss the prospects for global climate change policy in the future. Anna McGeehan http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/93 http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/93 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:07:49 PST The importance of culture in psychology is increasingly being acknowledged. Despite this, cultural competence has been slow to develop in the field (Hall, 2006). Sue (2001) has posited that psychologists themselves represent a major barrier to cultural competence because many are unconsciously trapped within their own Eurocentric worldview, a phenomenon that Sue refers to as ethnocentric monoculturalism. An unfortunate result of ethnocentric monoculturalism in psychology has been an overly narrow focus regarding not only the types of interventions implemented with culturally diverse clients but also the roles that a psychologist should fill (Sue, 2001; Hall, 1997). My purpose in this thesis is to explore the underlying causes and functions of cultural encapsulation represented by ethnocentric monoculturalism through the theory of cultural anthropologist, Ernest Becker. Becker's existential-psychoanalytic theory of culture represents an untapped resource in multicultural clinical psychology for understanding the psychological functions and mechanisms of cultural encapsulation. According to Becker (1973), a fundamental motivating force in human behavior is the awareness of death. Becker believed that culture itself exists in part, as a means for coping with the fear of death. A major argument in this thesis is that one of the reasons that people cling so strongly to their personal belief systems and reject others is because people's belief systems are intimately tied to their own sense of mortality. John Snyder http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/92 http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/92 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:07:47 PST This literature review of research in the past 30 years on domestic violence against women focuses on the cycle of violence within abusive relationships, why women so frequently stay in abusive relationships, ' and what is the most helpful in allowing them to leave. Following the review of the literature is a discussion section in which I examine the usefulness of qualitative research approaches in studying this topic; as well as areas which need further research, such as women in rural and immigrant populations identifying resources and support in order to leave abusive relationships and determining which community resources are most useful to women who are coping with domestic violence situations. Amanda J. Grovert http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/91 http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/91 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:07:46 PST In order to better understand the extent to which peer influence affects children's decision making behaviors in risky situations, a review of the literature examining children's persuasive strategies and their responses to persuasion by peers in risk situations was conducted. This examination of the literature suggests that there may be initial evidence to indicate that children primarily use verbal persuasion techniques, boys' persuasions emphasize fun while girls' emphasize safety, and that children's responses to persuasion from peers is context specific. However, the majority of the studies reviewed suffer from significant methodological problems such as the lack of a control group and low numbers of participants. Further, many of the findings from the studies contradict each other regarding important variables such as the role that friendship quality may play in responses to peer persuasion. Before any firm conclusions can be made about children's responses to peer influence in risk situations, there needs to be a vast improvement in the methodologies of the studies that research this topic. Suggestions for further research are made based on the limitations identified in this literature review. D. Luke Dowling http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/90 http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/90 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:07:44 PST 'Sexual assault in the United States is a 'prevalent and complicated problem. Many different researchers have attempted to design prevention programs aimed at reducing the prevalence of sexual assault. However, little empirical research has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of these programs. Studies on sexual assault prevention program studies published between 1990 and 2005 were reviewed. Information is provided on the gender of program participants, prevention methods, assessment measures, and study designs. Conclusions and suggestions for future research are also;, included. Sean Dodge http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/89 http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/89 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:07:43 PST The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule -Generic (ADOS-G) is a semistructured, standardized, play-based assessment measure that is used to aid the diagnosis of Autistic Disorder and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The aim of the present study was to investigate how individuals with Asperger's Disorder score the coded behaviors within the ADOS-G when compared to individuals with Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and Mental Retardation. Significant differences were found to exist between individuals with Asperger's Disorder and individuals with Mental Retardation in the Communication domain. Significant differences were found to exist between individuals with Mental Retardation and PDD-NOS in the Social Interaction domain. No significant differences were found to exist between diagnostic groups in the Imagination domain or the Stereotyped Behaviors and Restricted Interests domain. Significant differences within individual items within each domain were also found to exist between all diagnostic groups. This dissertation is the first to focus on the clinical utility of the ADOS-G in the diagnosis of Asperger's Disorder. Findings from this study support the assumptions made by the authors of the ADOS-G regarding how individuals with Asperger's Disorder are likely to score. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of future research and their clinical application. Karen J. Grant http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/88 http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/88 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:07:42 PST In this literature review, research pertaining to the use of behavioral telehealth with institutionally and geographically isolated populations is critically evaluated. Behavioral telehealth has been hypothesized as a mechanism by which to bridge gaps that exist in mental health service delivery as a result of isolation; be it institutional (such as military or incarcerated populations) or geographical (in the case of rural populations). Behavioral telehealth has been proposed as having risen from and driven by necessity. However, proponents advocate that cost savings and improved quality of care also act as a driving force in the advancement of behavioral telehealth. Critics cite lack of empirical evidence to support such claims as a primary weakness in the current state of literature on behavioral telehealth, and advocate for research pertaining to comparison of clinical outcoines via face to face and behavioral telehealth mediums. Currently, a movement toward empirical outcome research is underway, as are attempts to establish sound methodology that are notably absent in early literature pertaining to behavioral telehealth. Margaret E. Loberg http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/87 http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/87 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:07:40 PST Although interest in sexual fantasy as a treatment target for sexual offenders has flourished in recent years, a paucity of empilicalliterature is available to guide its implementation (D. Howitt, 2004). The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationship between sex offenders' self-reported sexual fantasies and their modus operandi (i.e., offense strategies including gaining victim trust and obtaining time alone with the victim). Similarities and differences between adult and juvenile offenders on these dimensions were also examined in this national sample. Juvenile sex offenders were found to engage in all types of sexual fantasy (except Traditional/Romantic) more frequently than adult sex offenders. Juvenile sex offenders were also found to engage in specific types of modus operandi more frequently than adult sex offenders. Discriminant . function analysis resulted in one significant predictor of modus operandi from sexual fantasy for adult sex offenders. Adult sex offenders who engaged in coercive sexual fantasies preferred the use of drugs/alcohol to offend. There was no significant predictor for juvenile sex offenders. Megan R. Carter http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/86 http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/86 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:55:22 PST Self-efficacy is a construct that describes how confident people believe they are or how much control they believe they have in their ability to reach a goal or accomplish a task (Bandura, 1997). Self-concept describes what you know and understand about yourself in terms of your thoughts and feelings (Choi, 2005). Both constructs are influential in terms of task choice, performance, effort, and perseverance (Bandura, 1997; Reynolds, 1988). High levels of self-efficacy are reliable predictors of academic achievement (Bandura, Barbaranelli, Caprara & Pastorelli, 1996); self-concept is also thought to be a reliable predictor of the same. The study described in this thesis assesses the relationships between among self-efficacy, self-concept and academic performance as measured by grade point average. A model using three measures of these constructs was found to be a significant predictor of grade point average for college students. Implications and limitations are discussed. Joel N. Lampert http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/85 http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/85 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:55:21 PST This study investigated the comprehensibility of the Spanish version of the 16PF, 4th edition in a sample of Latina women seeking adult education. The sample consisted of 15 monolingual Spanish-speaking Mexican women living in and around Forest Grove, Oregon. The women provided definitions to a list of words and phrases taken from the Spanish version of the 16PF. Results indicated that not all of the women understood every word or phrase as indicated by the meanings provided by each participant. These finding may indicate that the Spanish version of the 16PF is not appropriate or understood by every Spanish-speaking person. Natalie Kollross http://commons.pacificu.edu/pt/202 http://commons.pacificu.edu/pt/202 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:49:48 PST CLINICAL QUESTION: In school-aged overweight or obese children, are physical therapy strategies effective in decreasing BMI, increasing health and fitness or increasing physical activity? Are these strategies more effective than other approaches that may include education, dietary or counseling approaches?OVERALL CLINICAL BOTTOM LINE: Based on the evidence from these five studies, the most effective intervention for reducing BMI includes personalized exercise instruction and nutritional counseling with significant amount of individual attention. The results did not point to any intervention that increased fitness level for the overweight or obese child. However, the four outcome measures used for measuring changes in fitness levels (VO2max, shuttle run, 6-minute walk test, resting heart rate) do not have good normative values and/or MCIDs in which to judge whether the observed changes were clinically significant. To improve body fat percentage, a school-based, lifestyle-focused, fitness-oriented with a small student:teacher would be indicated. For the school-based physical therapist, a significant amount of coordination of staff to achieve the small student:staff ratio would be required to implement these techniques. Cooperation from teachers and parents would be necessary in order to support the nutritional education and behavior modification. In a school-based treatment setting, the space required for motor skill instruction is easily available in a gymnasium or on the outdoor field. Support for activities could be gathered from parent-groups and/or physical education teachers. The ideal study that would most directly answer my clinical question would include four components. Subjects would be of low socio-economic status in order to be most like my current clinical population. Interventions would be implemented for at least one school year (9 months) to assess the sustainability of effects over time. Parent involvement would be incorporated into the intervention to maximize adherence to intervention. Finally, the intervention would directly compare exercise with diet modification in order to specifically determine if physical therapy intervention (e.g., exercise) was most effective in decreasing BMI, increasing health habits, or increasing physical activity. Larcy Amorelle http://commons.pacificu.edu/pudata/11 http://commons.pacificu.edu/pudata/11 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:31:43 PST The purpose of the study is to explore the effectiveness of the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) (Bennett, 1993) as a curricular framework to support increasing intercultural sensitivity of health care students. The Intercultural Developmental Inventory (IDI) was administered to 17 occupational therapy (OT) and 28 optometry (OPT) students upon matriculation into their respective programs of study and again upon completion of three years of study. OT students participated in a cultural curricular design based upon the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity beginning at a level compatible with IDI scores upon admission to the program, while OPT participated in cultural study not guided by the DMIS nor IDI results. Qualitative data to elaborate on students' phenomenological experience of cultural learning over 3 years of study was gathered via focus groups. Tiffany Boggis http://commons.pacificu.edu/pudata/10 http://commons.pacificu.edu/pudata/10 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:31:42 PST Introduction: Research on driving and dementia reports that drivers who have early Alzheimer disease (AD) may continue to drive for extended periods of time as long as their driving is evaluated or monitored. It is known that the earliest symptoms of AD include loss of recent memory and the inability to recognize familiar environments. AD patients may become disoriented in unfamiliar environments and later have difficulty finding their way in familiar environments. Functionally, this means that drivers start out driving and forget where they intended to go, may not recognize or attend to their own familiar neighborhood streets and landmarks, and consequently become lost. Demented drivers may ask for directions to return home. Yet, they may not remember information provided and continue to drive becoming more confused and disoriented. Getting lost may result in death or injury. Methods: The data for this study was found through an extensive Internet search for all incidents published in newspapers in which an older adult diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer disease became lost while driving. To find all relevant data three main strategies were used including exploring Internet search engines, missing person's databases, and publication databases. Multiple combinations of the following search terms were used: dementia, Alzheimer, missing, lost, found, driving, drive, drove, car and truck. Results: We examined 207 reports of lost demented drivers over ten years. Including passengers, 116 individuals were found alive; of those, 35 were injured; 32 were found dead; and 70 were not found. Miles driven and days missing were also reported in addition to cause of death such as drowning or exposure to weather. Conclusion: The deaths cited in the sample of newspaper articles told stories showing that the effects of dementia on driving navigation need more exploration. Furthermore, the cognitive load of being lost may contribute to accidents. Linda Hunt