Browsing by Author "Dr. Pamela Martin, Committee Member"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Assessing the Effects of Experience on attitudes about Employability of people with Mental Illness: A Comparative Study of the U.S. and South Korea
    (2008-07-24) Ryu, Seungah; Dr. Roger E. Mitchell, Committee Member; Dr. Rupert W. Nacose, Committee Member; Dr. Pamela Martin, Committee Member; Dr. Frank J. Smith, Committee Chair
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Evaluation of a Child Maltreatment Prevention Self-help Program: The Role of Social Support and Parental Empowerment in Producing Positive Outcomes
    (2010-05-04) Hart, Kendrea C.; Dr. Katherine Klein, Committee Member; Dr. Pamela Martin, Committee Member; Dr. Roger Mitchell, Committee Member; Dr. Mary Haskett, Committee Chair
    The purpose of this dissertation study was to evaluate a child abuse prevention program for families considered at-risk for abuse. Specifically, this study sought to gain a better understanding of how program participation was associated with parenting behavior and child maltreatment risk, and if this relation was partially mediated by social support and parental empowerment. The sample consisted of 187 parents and grandparents who attended Circle of Parents groups throughout a southeastern state. It was hypothesized that (a) higher program participation would predict improvements in parenting behavior, lower levels of maltreatment risk, higher levels of social support within and outside the group, and higher feelings of parental empowerment; (b) higher levels of social support within and outside the group, as well as higher levels of parental empowerment, would predict improvements in parenting behavior and lower child maltreatment risk; (c) the relation between program participation and parenting behavior, as well as child maltreatment risk would be mediated by social support and parental empowerment. Results revealed that program participation significantly predicted improvements in parent behavior and social support within the group. In addition, social support within the group significantly predicted improvements in parent behavior. Social support outside the group also significantly predicted levels of lower child maltreatment risk. There was no support for mediation effects. Considerations for interpreting results, limitations, directions for future research, and implications for practice are discussed.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Invisible Warriors: In Search of Better Counseling Services for Women Who Serve in the Military
    (2008-07-16) Bailey, Diane Lisa; Dr. Rhonda Sutton, Committee Member; Dr. Pamela Martin, Committee Member; Dr. Sylvia Nassar-McMillan, Committee Member; Dr. Stanley Baker, Committee Chair
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Youth Gangs: Lived Experiences in an Emergent Area
    (2008-11-11) Robertson, Heather Jean; Dr. Pamela Martin, Committee Member; Dr. Sylvia Nassar-McMillan, Committee Member; Dr. Stanley Baker, Committee Member; Dr. Edwin Gerler, Committee Chair
    ROBERTSON, HEATHER JEAN. Youth Gangs: Lived Experiences in an Emergent Area. (Under the direction of Edwin R. Gerler). This qualitative research study sought to gain an understanding of youth gang members who live in area where gangs are beginning to emerge. Four gang involved youth males, ages 18-23, two black and two Latino, were interviewed, made a neighborhood map, and were part of a photovoice project. The four main goals this study hoped to discover were who the most influential people were in the youth’s life and if they had anything to do with the youth becoming gang involved; if where the youth lived had anything to do with them becoming gang involved; how these youth were different than other gang involved youth who do not seek intervention programs; and finally what part of the intervention program they are involved in is helping them the most and what do they think would help other gang involved youth most in the future. This research study utilized a phenomenological approach to accomplish its research goals. This study utilized the coding and thematic analysis method presented in Creswell (2007). Data analysis using the triangulation process combined the interview, map and photography data to discover the following themes: education; high risk lifestyle; language and language issues; life goals and dreams; living environment; monetary influences; negative issues, emotional repercussions, and coping mechanisms; positive human influences; pride and socially acceptable behaviors; role of women; and role of structured program intervention.