Human Development & Family Science Masters Papers

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Impacts of Technology on Families: Development of a Series of Newsletters to Educate Parents and Children about the Significant Contributions and Negative Aspects of Technology
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Campion, Alyssa Marie
The purpose of this paper is to review research regarding technology's impact on families today. This paper reviews new and varied technologies, such as cell phones, the Internet, video games, and television, and their influence on youth in current generations. The benefits and the negative effects of technology on children and families are explored. Lastly, the paper outlines a newsletter series specifically designed to educate parents and children on the significant contributions of technology and offers recommendations to help reduce the negative aspects of technology. The nine-issue newsletter series focuses on topics of interest to parents and children and suggests ways to preserve the positive aspects of technology while also calling attention to the negative aspects of these technological devices. Many families today have a shortage of time; therefore, this newsletter series is a quick way for parents and children to gain knowledge and enhance communication on various topics. The newsletter series includes (Issue 1) Parenting in the Digital Age; (Issue 2) Cell Phones: Connecting to Family and Friends Safely; (Issue 3) Cyberspace: Suifing Safely Online; (Issue 4) Cyberbullying; (Issue 5) Media Influences; (Issue 6) Social Networking: Socialize Safely Online; (Issue 7) Obesity and Sedentary Lifestyles; (Issue 8) Media Violence; (Issue 9) Healthy Technology Habits.
Fathers Raising a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Development of a Father Training Course
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Stokesbary, Camie Johanna
The purpose of this paper was to review research on the issue of fathers raising a 111 child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and outline the development of a father training course for such families. The paper reviewed a framework for supporting a child with developmental needs, examined literature on parenting children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and highlighted the benefits of parental training courses and their potential value for parents who have children with developmental needs. The training course ,vas developed in a four-part series and ,vas designed to address paternal concerns, provide resources and answer questions that fathers have ,vhilc raising a child with ASD. The training course model is designed to be an hour and a half long for four weeks, and the course modules include: (I) The Definition of Autism and Getting Past the Diagnosis; (2) The Key to Family, Sibling, and Peer Relationships; (3) Finding a Good Educational Fit for Your Child; and ( 4) Additional Information for Fathers to Know About Raising a Child with ASD.
The Role of Three Factors in Community Mobility for Rural Older Adults
(North Dakota State University, 2012) Powell, Joanne Mary
This paper will identify mobility options leading to quality of life for older adults who live in rural communities. This paper will create an assessment plan to determine the current status and needs for transportation and mobility of older adults in a rural community related to walkability, drivability, and public transportation. A sampling data collection plan for conducting the assessment will be developed based on review of existing community assessments. This paper will develop a plan for how the data will be analyzed and presented. Results of this case study will be used for future improvements in community livability as it relates to older adults and their mobility options and preferences.
Development of a Newsletter Series on the Parenting Concerns of Asian Indians in the United States
(North Dakota State University, 2013) Komarneni, Sirisha
The purpose of this paper was to review research on the parenting concerns faced by Asian Indian parents in the United States. This paper reviews issues such as the impact of cultural differences on Asian Indian parenting practices, dating norms that challenge the Asian Indian traditional practice of arranged marriages, autonomy and independence that affects the career choices of growing children, and the cultural stigma that is attached to seeking counseling services or support by Asian Indians. In addition, the paper proposes the development of a series of educational newsletters specifically designed to educate Asian Indian parents in the United States on these significant parenting concerns and offer recommendations for building positive parent-child relationships and lowering intergenerational conflicts. These newsletters will be provided to Asian Indian parents through the Indo American Great Plains (IAGP) organization in Fargo, North Dakota.
Promoting Positive Youth Development: A Crash Course for Youth Ministers
(North Dakota State University, 2014) Rittenbach, Lynsey Ann
This paper explores the role religion can play in the Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach to youth development. The relevant literature suggests there is a missing link between youth workers in religious institutions and training in youth development. The majority of youth workers (paid, volunteer, part- and full-time) in various religious institutions are not trained in youth development, particularly in the PYD approach due to lack of resources and availability. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide “a crash course for youth ministers” to gain an understanding of PYD and the role their programing and congregations can play in assisting adolescents to thrive in the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Caregivers and Environments for People with Dementia
(North Dakota State University, 2014) Damme, Mary Jane
This paper is a report of a study to investigate the perceptions of caregivers regarding the effects of environments on the independence of a family member with dementia living in the home. The majority of persons with dementia are cared for by family members in the home. Caregiving can be stressful and rewarding to the caregiver. This study used a qualitative research design and a phenomenological approach to gather narrative information about caregiving and the home environment. Open-ended interview questions were used to gather information regarding the details of caregiver perceptions. The results of shared caregiving perceptions support previous research suggesting that resistance to change in the home is a barrier to home modifications to promote safety and enhance function. Caregivers need specific training by professionals in home modification in order to enhance functionality in the care recipient before environmental changes create confusion.
Confronting Prejudice: Identifying Factors of Nontarget Confrontation
(North Dakota State University, 2014) Boes, Lindsey Anne
The research question for this project sought to identify factors that encouraged people to stand up to people who were discriminating against others. Seventeen students who had previously stood up against other people participated in one of three semi-structured focus groups. The analysis produced four themes, each with multiple categories which highlight factors that encouraged the participants to confront prejudice and discrimination. Main findings include the importance of connection with the individual being discriminated against, being educated about systems of oppression, perceiving discrimination as potentially harmful, and emotions such as anger, guilt, and pride. Implications for clinical work and the development of bystander training programs are provided, as well as implications for previously existing models of bystander intervention are discussed.
Factors Associated With Turnover Rates of Certified Nursing Assistants in Long-Term Care Facilities: The Impact on Residents and the Implementation of Empowered Workforce Strategies
(North Dakota State University, 2015) Fritzler, Katharina James
This paper reviews factors associated with high turnover rates of certified nursing assistants employed in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Adults 85 and older are the main consumers of LTC services. It is projected that the LTC industry will experience an increase in demand as this oldest-old subgroup of the aging population grows. Therefore, it is necessary to have an ample and caring workforce to meet this emerging need. The direct target population for this paper is certified nursing assistants, while residents in long-term care facilities represent the indirect population. The objective of this paper is to explore factors that positively correlate with high turnover rates of certified nursing assistants in this specific setting, and to provide intervention strategies that will offset this trend. In turn, the intervention strategies should positively impact the quality of life and care amongst the evaluated residents.
Caregiver Stress : First Person Accounts of the Perception and Utilization of Support Services
(North Dakota State University, 2015) Shapiro, Debra Ann
The majority of care for older adults is provided in the home. Many studies show that the daily demands placed on informal care providers produce high degrees of strain and stress. In an effort to reduce the over-arching impact care provider burnout can have on the entire family system, a number of community organizations offer resources to informal caregivers in the form of support groups, respite care and skills-training. More research is needed regarding the extent to which informal caregivers utilize these services. The objective of this paper is to assimilate more information about how care providers learn about available resources, which ones are used, and how the care providers’ needs are being supported. Key themes from these data could provide service providers with insights regarding: the effectiveness of their marketing strategies; ways current services could better serve a larger, more diverse population; and potential new services.
Resource Directory for Mid-Life and Older Women in the Fargo – Moorhead – West Fargo – Dilworth Metro
(North Dakota State University, 2016) Feist, Susan Anne
The purpose of this project is to identify and compile information on public/private resources, services, and supports that will assist a vulnerable population of women, aged 50 years and older, living in the Fargo/Moorhead metropolitan area. The goal of the project is to compile information into a user-friendly resource directory, which supports these women by addressing the difficulties threatening their security and ability to live healthy and productive lives. Dissemination of the resource directory will begin with availability in the Institutional Repository, under collections on the North Dakota State University library home page. Eventually, a website/blog will be created so the resource directory is accessible to an older population as they gravitate towards the digital world. Links to the directory will be made available to the NDSU Extension Service, and women’s organizations that support this population.
Supporting Youth Living in Family Homeless Shelters
(North Dakota State University, 2019) Reynaga, Kelsy
Supporting youth living in family homeless shelters is important as these families face multiple barriers in their lives. Youth have many strengths that they build upon which can be useful as they bounce from home to home. Youth living in homeless shelters with their family may lack resources to guide them as they navigate life. This paper specifically focuses on the Catholic Charities Emergency Family Homeless Shelter in the city of Des Moines, IA. This is a thirty-day shelter that offers case management for parents but has a lack of programming for youth. This writer reviewed two different family programs to recommend to the Family Shelter. Staff of the Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter and current guests were interviewed by the writer to investigate if the two family programs would work for this particular shelter. An adapted program for youth and their families is recommended for the shelter.
Medical Cannabis Packaging and Labelling Concerns for Middle Aged and Older Manitobans
(North Dakota State University, 2021) Christiuk, Vanessa Tatyana
Middle-aged and older adults make up the largest growing proportion of medical cannabis users in Canada, as well as the largest proportion of the population to vote in the last federal election (Elections Canada, 2020; Statistics Canada, 2019). Middle-aged, and older adults may encounter problems with the way their medical cannabis is packaged and labelled. The present study investigated how a sample of Manitobans aged 45 and older experienced their medical cannabis packaging, including the manipulation of medical cannabis packaging and readability of the labelling. Most participants reported having difficulty opening child-safe lids and the inability to clearly read the information on the label. In addition, most participants favored the use of a standardized symbol indicating the type of medical cannabis in the container, as well as receiving a large-font printout of the packaging label. Implications for policy makers and future research potentials are discussed.
A Case Study on Assessing Quality of Life in a Resident of an Assisted Living Facility
(North Dakota State University, 2021) Peterson, A'shanti Mignona Kimera
Lorna (a pseudonym) is an 81-year-old African American female who resides in an assisted living facility in a small town in southern Kentucky, where she was born. She has some minor health issues, and her family alleges she has emotional issues going back to childhood. She is mentally competent, and until ten years ago resided independently in the home purchased by her deceased parents. Since leaving this home, Lorna has become increasingly withdrawn from family members and society; she has also lost weight and seems to have declined mentally. This case study used five different assessments to build a profile of Lorna’s current state and develop recommendations for her care. These tools could potentially form the basis of a standardized assessment protocol for other older adults who are not thriving in assisted-living facilities.
A Professional Development Plan for Educators Working with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Transitioning into Standard Childcare Settings
(North Dakota State University, 2022) Reiser, Jennifer Lee
Standard childcare centers are continuing to become more inclusive to individuals of all abilities. Transition plans from specialized services such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) often include discharge criteria and a discharge transition plan for the child, but often do not include any training or development plan for educators in a standard childcare setting. Due to the limited number of plans available, transition plans vary greatly in how comprehensive they are as every organization creates their own plan or transitions children into the childcare setting without an identified plan. This paper proposes a professional development plan for educators working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) transitioning into a standard childcare program. The program includes staff training and support, and collaboration partnerships.
Freedom High
(North Dakota State University, 2022) Werner, Codi
In this paper, I am proposing an alternative education high school for youth involved in the juvenile justice system, Freedom High. Freedom High combines counseling, family involvement, positive youth development, and education to promote desistance. The first section of the paper is a literature review that details how counseling, family involvement, positive youth development, and education combat juvenile recidivism. The second section details how Freedom High will incorporate each method into the school and lower reoffense rates.

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