Education and Human Ecology
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Item A qualitative study of selected demographic characteristics, generation of birth, and birth order on the stated purpose and goals for money usage among college students and their parents(1998-08) Dilworth, Jennie; Martin, Jennifer; Engelbrecht, JoAnn; Fannin, Ronald; ChenowethThe purpose of this study was to explore the influences on the formation of money purposes and goals using a qualitative method. Little published research pertaining to the formation of money purposes and goals is available. Goal-setting and perceived purposes for allocating money may influence an individual's relationship with money and money-related behaviors. A purposive sample of 75 college students and 75 of their parents was obtained. Three research questions guided the study: (a) How do selected demographic variables influence money purpose and goals? (b) how does generation of birth influence money purpose and goals? (c) how does birth order influence money purpose and goals? Data were collected by means of written responses to open- and closed-ended questions in a survey format. The findings of the study revealed that respondents held specific goals for the use of their money, and they perceived various purposes for money. Respondents indicated preferences for money purposes/goals relating to the necessities of life and providing security for self and family. Savings and luxuries also were common purposes/goals and four money philosophies were identified. Debt was a less common theme, and charity was listed by few respondents. Trends in theme preferences were explored for respondents grouped by selected demographic variables (ethnic identity, current and birth family gross income, gender, marital status), generation of birth, and birth order. Few notable differences emerged for theme preferences among groups. Parents indicated greater interest in retirement savings whereas students more often listed general savings in their responses. White respondents preferred educational themes, yet the sub-theme of student loans was more common among African Americans. Males indicated greater interest in providing security for self and family and retirement savings. No male respondents proposed a charity purpose/goal for money. Similar theme preferences were observed for respondents classified in the birth order positions of oldest male and female, youngest female, and only male and female listed similar themes/sub-themes.Item Adaptation in American Indian families: Perceptions of older women(1999-05) Watson, Julie Reed; Hildreth, Gladys; Armstrong, Joyce; Fannin, RonThe purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how older American Indian women perceive adaptation to a dominant society and its influences on American Indian family life. The subjects were 10 American Indian women from 50 to 78 years of age, from Ardmore, Oklahoma and the Dallas-Fort Worth areas. The study investigated perceptions held by women about dominant society influences on American Indian family life, traditions, and values. The nine themes that resulted from semi-structured interviews were: (a) importance of education; (b) value of job and employment opportunities; (c) teaching, speaking, and listening to Indian language; (d) attending tribal functions to maintain cultural identity; (e) sharing stories, ceremonies, and traditions with children; (f) adjusting to dominant society; (g) need for dominant society to be more knowledgeable about American Indians; (h) responsibility to the family; (i) less commitment to traditional American Indian family lifestyle. Two additional findings were: (a) influence and changes of American Indian youth and (b) losing American Indian identity.Item Characteristics possessed by students holding places of Leadership in the Texas State College for Women(1933-06) Turner, Gladys; Moore, L.H.No abstract availableItem Chinese-Americans' perception of therapy: A qualitative study(1995-05) Ng, Kit Seng; Anderson, William; Jennings, Glen; Fannin, RonThe purpose of this study was to generate data that would help describe the experience and perception of therapy by the Chinese-American clients. The research questions addressed issues related to the length of treatment, the experience of therapy, and the client's expectation of treatment outcomes. The research sample consisted of 18 adult volunteer subjects who were either permanent residents or citizens of the United States, who were of Chinese descent. Subjects had to be in therapy for no less than 5 visits. Participants were from all over the United States. Following a pilot study to test the feasibility of such a research study, the applicability of the demographic questionnaire and the interview questions, a qualitative in-depth interview was conducted to generate sufficient data on the perception of the process in therapy. All interviews were audio-taped for coding purposes and assessment reliability. Content analyses were made from the interview for recurring themes and commonalities in the areas on the length of treatment, experience in therapy, and expectation of treatment outcomes. This study revealed that Chinese clients do seek therapy when they have problems and that the length of treatment was not a primary concern for them. Second, individual and family therapy seemed to have more appeal than group therapy. Third, they experienced therapy as helpful and pleasant. Most would like to come back to therapy or would recommend therapy to peers. Fourth, there is a definite need for therapists to understand the Chinese culture and communicate in Chinese language. This study recommends that those who plan to work with this ethnic group need to understand their cultural backgrounds and current concerns in this country. Future study is needed to look at the intervention methods that are most effective for this population.Item Denton County business community perceptions of virtual education for workforce development(1999-08) Larson, Patricia Sager; Chenoweth, Lillian Cochran; Martin, Jennifer; Armstrong, JoyceBusinesses in Denton County, Texas, are unable to secure the educated workforce necessary to meet present and future employment demands. The focus of this exploratory, qualitative study was to identify perceptions of virtual education as it relates to workforce development. A customized, self-administered, open-ended questionnaire was sent to a non-randomized sample of volunteers. Respondents' answers were compiled, analyzed, and reported. The following 5 themes were identified: (1) diversity of training and education for workforce development, (2) positive perceptions and attitudes toward virtual-based education, (3) necessity of job-specific training, (4) willingness of collaboration between entities, and (5) a need for customized education and training. Overall, each respondent perceived the requirements for development of training and education programs in their specific company to be unique. From the analysis of data, strong support is offered for collaboration between entities in Denton County in developing curricula using virtual technology.Business and industry provide the means for employment and thus the the mechanisms for financial survival of individuals and families. All stakeholders in a community are dependent on one another and together create a synergistic environment. The key to the sustenance of the employment opportunities it creates. These factors, combined with the urgency expressed by businesses for a workforce trained to meet the requirements of the 21st century indicates a potential market for virtual education in Denton County.Item Early intervention: Reading Recovery, a study of the factors of success in one Texas school district(1998-05) Price, CarolynItem Emotional indicators disclosed during the debriefing process in the figure drawings of child-witnesses of domestic violence(1998-12) Pascoe, DianeThe purpose of this study was to identify emotional indicators (Koppitz, 1968) found in the figure drawings of a sample of child-witnesses of domestic violence between the ages of 6 to 12 years. The study conformed to a qualitative design to facilitate the collection of rich, in-depth data from the children. The study was a phenomenological examination of the symbolic meanings embedded in children's figure drawings. It was anticipated that the use of drawings would afford the children the opportunity to “show,” rather than “tell,” about distressing experiences during the debriefing process, and this proved to be accurate. Children were requested to complete a series of seven therapist-directed illustrations. Verbal commentary offered by the children was recorded by the researcher who administered the instruments. A pilot study was conducted on 3 child-witnesses of domestic violence to determine the practicality of subject compliance to the researcher's directives, and to test the ability across cohort groups to follow through on the task. Results of the pilot had a positive outcome; therefore, the study was implemented according to design. For the main research, data were collected from 24 children at each of three pre-selected sample domestic violence treatment sites. Next, content analysis was performed on each of the drawings in the series to identify the emergence of Emotional Indicators (Koppitz, 1968) in the children's work, and to note major themes previously mentioned in the literature review. As a group, the sample disclosed more than the average number of “expected” emotional indicators, implying that the experience of witnessing domestic violence by a child induces a degree of emotional reaction. In some children, this reaction is classified as a trauma response. In general, the study revealed that the greatest proof of the internalization of the experience of witnessing domestic violence was demonstrated in the youngest and minority children. Content analysis of the gender groups did not confirm a large gender gap suggestive of males' particular difficulty with experiencing domestic abuse, as has been largely referenced in previous literature.Item Employers' current perceptions of job skill levels of vocational adjustment class employees(1998-08) Schmittou, DianaThe intent of this study was to examine employers' and vocational adjustment class instructors' perceptions of the academic, self-help, and job skills of special education students in vocational placements. The study intended to compare the perceptions of the employers with the perceptions of the vocational adjustment class instructors. This study did not produce the intended results because of the poor rate of return of completed questionnaires. In light of the recent focus and additional requirements for transition planning and the additional requirements for high school graduation, perceptions from employers concerning the job skills of special education students in job placements is vital to insure appropriate vocational planning and training for each special education student. Thus, additional research to gather information from employers should be conducted. In addition, research to study the certification requirements, educational training, and need for continued training for vocational adjustment class instructors also should be conducted.Item Feminine interests and influences in early English periodicals(1936-08) Hefley, Gladys; Elllison, L.M.No abstract availableItem The influence of social support on coping with Peyronie's Disease(1995-12) Stone, Ronald C.; Jennings, Glen; Fannin, Ronald; Marshall, David, Ph. D.The influence of social support on coping with Peyronie's Disease was examined in 68 men by means of a questionnaire. Disease duration ranged from 3 months to ten years. Patient age ranged from 30 to 78 years with a mean of 57.5 years. Nearly 100% of the subjects reported to be caucasian. The majority (58) were married. Most of the sample (56) reported involvement in an active sexual relationship. A preponderance of the sample reported 4 or more years of education beyond high school. Questions addressed discussion levels with significant others and professionals; perception of disease pattern; obsession with condition; psychological effects on self-esteem, marital satisfaction, libido, life satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction; physical effects including pain, bend, and ability for intercourse. An additional questionnaire, Snell & Papini's Sexuality Scales, was also sent to the patients. The Sexuality Scales have been tested for validity and reliability and measures attitudes similar to what this researcher was endeavoring to measure. The Sexuality Scales measure sexual-esteem, sexual-depression, and sexual-preoccupation. No statistically significant associations were found between discussion and obsession with the disorder using the X² test for independence. However, statistically significant associations were revealed when selected variables were submitted to stepwise multiple correlations, canonical correlations, and one-way ANOVAS. Six factors (or clusters) of interest also emerged when selected variables were submitted to a Factor Analysis. Declining ability for intercourse and increased penile bend and pain were consistently reliable predictors of subjects psychological well being. Reported levels of discussion were surprisingly low. A full third of the subjects indicated they do not share with a spouse or any one else for that matter. Even more surprising were reported levels of obsession for their disorder. Nearly 85% reported thinking about their condition once a day or less. Several obstacles may preclude such sharing. To begin with, men seem disinclined to share their emotions and medical problems. Second, the personal nature of this affliction exacerbates the first problem. If seeking help is emasculating, then seeking help about a condition that is in and of itself emasculating is even less likely to occur. To compound the problem, medical doctors may be missing the opportunity to encourage Peyronie's patients to discuss and share their problems with therapists or significant others.Item Investigation into the current practices in the identification of the eligibility and assessment of 3-year-old early childhood intervention programs in the public schools(1998-05) McCormick, Lois; Kinnison, Lloyd; Shertz, Linda; Marshall, DavidEarly Childhood Intervention has gained momentum since the inception of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Under House Bill 105-17, a child referred for services must be tested and placed by his third birthday. This created concern for public schools as to transition and programs. Statewide surveys were sent to directors of special education to obtain their perceptions of current trends and issues related to early childhood special education. The majority of respondents were females ages 46 to 59 who have been Special Education Directors for less than 5 years. Most districts have half-day 3-year-old programs with staff trained in special education. In line with literature review, children have been assessed by a person trained in testing young children with speech delays. Emerging issues were communication between interagencies and district personnel, concern for new curriculum, eligibility for public school 3-year-old programs, increasing severity of developmental delays, and demand for related service.Item An investigation of clients' perception of humor and its use in therapy(1996-05) Bennett, Carl Edward; Goldsmith, Elaine; Engelbrecht, JoAnn; Jennings, GlenThe purpose of this study was to describe clients' perception of their experiences with humor in therapy. Previous research on the issue focused on therapists' views. Literature indicates humor can be beneficial in coping with stress but its use in therapy continues to be controversial. This researcher investigated clients' perception of humor in therapy through ethnographic interviews with 30 adult clients currently attending therapy. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and analyzed through a phenomenological process, seeking meanings clients gave to their experiences. The results provided clients' definitions of humor, awareness of humor, and evaluations of experiencing humor in therapy. The 11 therapists of participating clients reported using some humor in therapy, even though none had any training in its use. Most therapists expressed caution in using humor in therapy but evaluated it as helpful to change clients' moods or perceptions, to relieve stress and tension, or to improve the therapeutic relationship. Clients' comments were extremely positive concerning their experiences of humor in therapy. They defined humor as a shared experience between therapist and client that may be spontaneous or a planned activity that results in laughter and smiles. It provides relief from tension and may sometimes be used as a defense mechanism or weapon. Clients conclusively reported an awareness of humor experienced, even though some had difficulty recalling examples. Those who recalled a lack of humor in therapy evaluated that experience negatively. Analysis of clients' evaluation of experiencing humor in therapy provided nine themes: (1) Humor Helped Clients Change Behavior in a Positive Manner; (2) Humor Improved the Relationship Between Client and Therapist; (3) Humor Helped Clients Continue Therapy; (4) Humor Reduced Tension or Stress; (5) Humor Changed Clients' Perceptions; (6) Humor Reduced the use of Defense Mechanisms or Opened Clients to New Ideas; (7) Humor Was Evaluated Positively; (8) Humor Was Evaluated Negatively; and (9) Humor Was Not Experienced in Therapy. Clients' positive evaluation of humor in therapy supports previous literature encouraging its use and indicates therapists may assist clients in reaching their goals for therapy through the inclusion of humor as a therapy technique.Item Maintaining the cultural capital: A study of 22 Hispanic families(1995-05) Scantlebury-McDonald, Placida; Lazarus, Peggy; Stone, Howard; Lundsteen, SaraThe purpose of the study was to identify and describe values and characteristics of the families of Hispanic children who had been labeled "at risk." Research questions considered demographics, values and norms of behavior, and education. The most significant questions were what kinds of cultural, educational, professional, and social activities do parents perform? What are the values that parents would like to preserve and how is this preservation encouraged? What are the parents' expectations of education and what strategies are in place to help the children learn? The subjects were parents, family members, and the children who were in the researcher's classroom in kindergarten during the school years 1991-1992 through 1993-1994. Researcher and participants shared similar cultural background. The study used qualitative and quantitative design and triangulation of the results, based on the literature review, observations, and interviews. The findings showed only one family headed by a single parent, only one unemployed parent, and high expectations about children's education; and the preservation of values and norms of behavior through established home activities. The implications were that there is a great cultural capital and diverse funds of knowledge awaiting teacher's discovery, that teachers could uncover this knowledge and gather it into the classrooms and use it to complement traditional instruction. The writer feels that these children would not be "at risk" if teachers learn about and include in their instructional practices the use of the cultural capital and the families' funds of knowledge.Item Marital interaction and coping when middle-aged, white-collar husbands are downsized: An ethnographic study of wives' experiences(1997-12) Carraway, Vivian Lorraine Graham; Hildreth, Gladys; Jennings, Glen; Thomas, FrankThe purpose of this research was to describe the experiences of wives whose white-collar husbands had been downsized in middle-age. The study employed ethnographic techniques, interviews with wives, to learn about their perceptions of change in the marriage subsequent to downsizing. It also sought to describe any practical and/or psychological techniques by which wives coped during the unemployment period. Wives responded to open-ended questions read from an ethnographic interview form. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed for common themes, using qualitative methodology. A pilot study of 2 wives was conducted to determine the efficacy of the research approach and the response-depth of the questions. After results from the pilot study were deemed successful, the researcher conducted an additional 8 interviews. In total, 9 interviews are included in this study. Data from the interviews were systematically analyzed and categorized. Major themes that emerged from wives' descriptions included financial issues, husbands' increased presence at home, and wives' changed perceptions of security, stability, and locus of control. There were 4 additional major themes including communications impasses, stable marital quality, sources of support, and wives' self-care and growth.Item Measurement of giftedness of elementary school children and identification of Black or Hispanic educationally disadvantaged gifted children(1991-05) Jordan, CathyThis descriptive study evaluated the utilization of alternative matrices for identifying gifted and talented students, kindergarten through grade five in one school. This study compared the identified gifted students to those potentially gifted educationally disadvantaged minority students who had been excluded from the gifted program in the sample school because of their COGAT scores on the district matrix. The sample of 38 first through fifth grade students included 23 students in the gifted program and the 15 Black or Hispanic students who had been recommended and tested for the gifted program but did not qualify. The children were evaluated and assessed on two different identification matrices. Matrix A included the IOWA Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS, Reading Comprehension and Math Total Scores), the cognitive Abilities Test (COGAT), a Student Writing Product or Parent Nomination, a Teacher Nomination, and a Student Interview. Matrix B included the same instruments and tools except for the substitution of the Ravens Standard Association of Colleges and Schools. The elementary and middle schools are located throughout the district to provide neighborhood schools. Students are selected randomly for the two high schools in October of their eighth-grade year. The two schools are located on the same block in the central part of the district. In addition to a quality education for kindergarten through 12th grade, the district offers a prekindergarten for low income and limited English-speaking four-year-olds, which is housed on three campuses. The district Community Evening School offers adult classes, including a GED program, each semester and during the summer. Houston Community College uses one high school as a campus in the evening. St. Thomas University teaches ESL certification courses in district facilities. Serving a population of approximately 200,000 residents, the district provides opportunities and involvement for the entire community. The current student enrollment in the district is 29,894. Table 12 indicates the ethnic distributions for both the district and total elementary enrollment. Of this total enrollment, the ethnic distribution is (a) White 38%, (b) Hispanic 19%, (c) Black 24%, and (d) Asian: 19%. The total minority percentage is 62%. Table 13 indicates the NSLP enrollment for the district, total elementary, and the sample school population. As indicated, the sample school percentage of disadvantaged students is higher than both the elementary and district percentages.Item Middle adolescents' recollections of early child-care experiences(1999-12) Wallace, Angela; Engelbrecht, Jo Ann; Chenoweth, Lillian Cochran; Fannin, RonThis qualitative research study examined middle adolescents' recollections and perceptions of their early child-care experiences. The participants were 25 middle adolescents between the ages of 14 to 17, inclusive, who attended Texas Woman's University's Child Development Center for at least 2 years during 1985–1990. Data were collected during semi-structured interview sessions. All of the adolescents had recollections of their early child-care experiences. When recalling a first memory of the Child Development Center, they remembered playing or an emotion. They recalled relationships with caregivers and peers, the physical environment, activities, special events, and different emotions. Overall, their perceptions of the Child Development Center were positive and they gained valuable experiences. The adolescents did not remember many stories retold to them about their experiences of child care. The adolescents' memories emphasized a caring, learning, and fun environment at the Child Development Center. Parents and child-care-center professionals can benefit from the adolescents' responses.Item Parental perceptions of developmentally appropriate practice in an early childhood program(1998-08) Douglas, MaryThis research examined parental perception of developmentally appropriate practice in a program accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The 79 parents surveyed had children enrolled in an accredited corporate child-care center in the North Texas area. Five key areas or dimensions of developmentally appropriate practice were examined through a revised Developmentally Appropriate Practice Survey created by Wise (1993). The revised edition (1997) of Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs provided five interrelated guidelines or key areas that "inform the practices of early childhood educators" (p. 16). The revised survey grouped the 24 statements into the following five areas: Establishing reciprocal relationships with families; Creating a caring community of learners; Teaching to enhance learning and development; Constructing appropriate curriculum; Assessing children's learning and development. The purpose of the survey was to determine the parents' levels of understanding. The Likert Scale scoring resulted in a mean score between 1.0 and 4.0 for each survey statement. Scores also were averaged for each of the five key areas. Results indicated the highest level of understanding in the area related to establishing reciprocal relationships with families. The area with the lowest level of understanding related to assessment of children's learning and development. The highest mean score for an individual statement was 3.88 related to "hands-on learning." The lowest individual score of 2.02 was related to the use of workbooks and worksheets as a learning tool. The findings will be used to plan and develop parent programs to increase understanding in these areas.Item Parenting values, skills, practices, and education preferences of black parents and extended family members(1995-12) Armstrong, JoyceItem Perceptions of adolescents toward teachers with physical challenges(1995-05) Beattie, MarieItem Persistence in honoring self as expressed in the lives of ordained Southern Baptist women(1995-05) Morrison, Karen Lyn; Engelbrecht, Jo Ann; Jennings, Glen; Fannin, Ronald; Williams, JoyceThe purpose of this study was to examine the lives of selected women in search of clues as to what enabled some of them to persist in pursuit of their self-defined life purposes despite opposition and resistance to that pursuit. The research process combined information from previously-gathered oral histories with data from newly-conducted in-depth interviews of 20 women whose "call," seminary training, and ordination equipped them for pastoral ministry within the Southern Baptist denomination. The research questions focused on these women's perceptions of their calls, their expectations regarding opportunities to fulfill those calls, and their experiences in attempting to do so. Emergent themes from the analysis related to common developmental experiences and influences as well as similar individual characteristics. A life course perspective was utilized to assess the interaction of individual characteristics with family, community, and societal influences during a particular historical period. The women's perceptions and experiences of family, church, seminary, and career were traced from childhood to the present. The accounts revealed the discrepancy between these women's anticipated response to call (opportunities to serve in Southern Baptist pastoral ministry) and their actual experiences (opposition to their seeking certain pastoral roles or positions). The overarching theme was one of struggle to reconcile the women's understanding of their purpose with the realities of their circumstances. The major contextual themes which emerged included multiple family connections and loyalties; contradictory messages of affirmation and discrimination; struggles between conservative patriarchal tradition and evolving feminist understanding; and a struggle between response to either an internal or an external locus of control. In an effort to analyze which individual characteristics or experiences contribute to persistence, the findings are interpreted through the following developmental perspectives: ecological, focusing on mesosystemic linkages; moral, focusing on the ethic of care, self-in-relation, and contextual interpretations; and Erikson's issues of trust, generativity, and integrity. Issues of ego strength, hardiness and resilience are also discussed.