Browsing by Subject "Other Mental and Social Health"
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Item Application of the Theory of Reasoned Action to Female Adolescent Sexual Behavior(2000-05-01) Gilbert-Cronen, Vanessa S.; Rene, Antonio; Goldfarb, Ronald H.; Urrutia-Rojas, XimenaGilbert-Cronen, Vanessa S., Application of the Theory of Reasoned Action to Female Adolescent Sexual Behavior. Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences), May, 2000, 143pp., 25 tables, 8 illustrations, references, 170 titles. Objectives. This study evaluated the Theory of Reasoned Actions for its effectiveness in the prediction of the sexual intercourse intentions of a group of female high school adolescents. An expanded model which included a self-esteem measure was also assessed for its contribution to the model. Additionally, six-month follow up data was used to determine whether sexual intercourse intention predicted reported sexual behavior at follow-up. Methods. Data from the National Urban Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program (NUAPPP), a longitudinal study conducted in 1997 and 1998 was used for this study. Tenth grade adolescent high school females (n=235) from two sites in Texas were selected to conduct a partial test of the Theory of Reasoned Action. The TRA model constructs attitudes and subjective norm were operationalized so that beliefs about sexual intercourse, attitudes towards pregnancy, perceived sexual beliefs about friends and parental communication beliefs were evaluated for their individual and combined effectiveness in the prediction of sexual intercourse intention. Results. Logistic analysis of individual model components showed significant associations between sexual beliefs (OR=5.75; 95% CI = 2.75, 11.98), pregnancy attitudes (OR=3.14; 95% CI=1.53, 6.44) perceived friend’s beliefs (OR=3.97; 95% CI = 1.57, 10.04) and sexual intercourse intention. When combined as a model, only sexual beliefs remained a significant predictor of intention (OR=4.02; 95% CI=1.79, 9.04). Evaluation of external variables showed past behavior to be a significant predictor of sexual intercourse intention (OR=32.59; 95% CI=12.56, 84.53). Conclusions. This study found the Theory of Reasoned Action to be inadequate in the prediction of adolescent female sexual intercourse intentions. The facts that individual constructs were significant predictors indicates a need for further research to understand the relationships between attitudes, beliefs, intention and behavior.Item Behavioral Disturbances, Chronic Pain, and Cognitive Impairment in Long-Term Care Centers(2004-07-01) Ambavaram, Sukanya; Cipher, Daisha J.; Bayona, Manuel; Coggin, ClaudiaAmbavaram, Sukanya. Behavioral Disturbances, Chronic Pain, and Cognitive Impairment in Long-Term Care. Master of Public Health, July 2004, 45 pp., 8 tables, references. Background- There is increasing interest in finding the relationship between pain, depression, behavioral disturbances and cognitive impairment in patients living in long-term care centers and predicting behavioral disturbances using chronic pain, depression and cognitive impairment as predictors. To date this is the first study identifying the relationship between pain and behavioral problems. Methods- The study population consisted of 412 residents living in 16 long-term care centers in Dallas, TX. Pearson product-moment Correlation was done to find the association between behavioral disturbances and pain, depression and cognitive factors. Multiple regression analysis was performed to obtain best predictors of behavioral disturbances and forward selection procedure to find out best fit model. Conclusion- Statistically significant correlation was achieved between behavioral excess and overall pain. The correlation was statistically significant between behavioral deficit and overall pain, activity interference and depression. Overall pain, activity interference and depression are significantly inter-correlated with each other. Over all pain and activity interference were found to be statistically significant predictors of behavioral excess. Overall pain was found to be statistically significant predictor of behavioral deficit.Item Body Image, Depressed Mood, Weight Concerns, and Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Female Adolescents(2006-05-01) Marshall, Khiya J.Marshall, Khiya J., Body Image, Depressed Mood, Weight Concerns, and Risky Sexual Behaviors among Female Adolescents. Doctor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences), May 2006, 75 pp., 17 tables, bibliography, 90 titles. Adolescence is a time of self-discovery and growth, both emotionally and physically, particularly for adolescent females. The literature lacks specific research pertaining to female adolescent females. The literature lacks specific research pertaining to female adolescent’s body image and other concerns and their association with risky sexual behaviors. Using secondary data from the 2003 Dallas Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS; 9th-12th grade), this study explored the relationship between body image, having a depressed mood, and weight control behaviors and how these may translate into risky sexual behaviors among Dallas Independent School District (DISD) adolescent females. Most respondents were African American and Hispanic. The main hypotheses were: a) African American and Hispanic adolescent females will be more likely to have a depressed mood, an unrealistic body image, or weight control behaviors compared to Caucasian adolescent females; and b) Adolescents with unrealistic body image, depressed mood, and weight control behaviors will be more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, regardless of race or ethnicity. As hypothesized, more African American and Hispanic adolescents had a depressed mood, and more Hispanics had an unrealistic body image compared to Caucasians. The hypothesis that depressed mood and unrealistic body image would be significant predictors of engaging in risky sexual behaviors was corroborated only for depressed mood. Engaging in weight control, although hypothesized as not a significant predictor, was a significant predictor for using alcohol/drugs before his last sexual intercourse. School-based sexual education programs that target adolescent females in DISD should focus on abstinence or consistent condom use if sexually active, weight control behaviors, and depressed mood and its implications.Item Differences in Risk of Injury Between Stimulant-Treated and Untreated ADHD Patients(2006-08-01) Segars, Larry W.; Raghbir Sandhu; Krisine LykensSegars, Larry W., Differences in Risk of Injury between Stimulant-Treated and Untreated ADHD Patients. Doctor of Public Health (Epidemiology), August 2006, 63 pp, 7 tables, 0 illustrations, references, 78 titles. ADHD is a common psychiatric disorder of childhood and adolescence that also occurs in adults and spans the life of the patient. ADHD is characterized by lack of focus, distractibility, and poor concentration. Limited data have been generated focusing on ADHD patients and the association with an increased risk of injury. Unfortunately, no study has been published evaluating the effect of stimulant treatment for ADHD on the risk of injury requiring ambulatory medical care. This research utilized four concatenated years, specifically 1998-2001, of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS). This dissertation is comprised of five chapters beginning with a description of ADHD, its characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment. This overview chapter is followed by a complete review of the literature describing the publication’s which assessed the association between ADHD and the risk of injury. The next chapter is a thorough review of the NAMCS and its methodology. The concatenated dataset captured 889 office visits associated with a diagnosis of ADHD, 666 of which were also related to the prescription of a stimulant for the management of ADHD. Using NAMCS’s weight variable these values produced a national estimate of 21,223,391 office visits associated with the ADHD diagnosis and 15,604,329 office visits associated with the prescription of a stimulant for ADHD. This research determined that there was a borderline statistically significant increased association with the prescription of a stimulant for the treatment of ADHD and the risk of injury requiring treatment in an ambulatory medical care setting. Interestingly, compared to patient’s who recorded their race as Caucasian, patients who recorded their race as “Other”; representing the races of Asian, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaska Native, and individuals indicating more than one race, had a statistically significant increased risk of injury necessitating treatment in an ambulatory medical care setting. Potential theories for this unique finding, along with the limitations of this research, are provided in the final discussion chapter.Item Discriminative and Negative Reinforcing Properties of the Periaqueductal Gray and the Medial Hypothalamus(1994-12-01) Jung, Marianna E.; Emmett-Oglesby, Michael W.; Yorio, ThomasMarianna Eunsun, Jung, Discriminative and Negative Reinforcing Properties of Electrical brain stimulation of the Periaqueductal Gray and the Medial Hypothalamus. Master of Science [Biomedical Sciences, (Pharmacology)], December, 1994, 123 pp., 24 figures, references, 137 titles. Electrical brain stimulation (EBS) of the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and the medial hypothalamus (MH) is known to serve as a discriminative and a negative reinforcing stimulus (NRS). Using a two-lever food reinforced discrimination paradigm and a switch-off paradigm, the present study investigated the effects of anxiolytic drugs and an anxiogenic drug on these stimulus effects. A prototypic anxiogenic, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) potentiated both discriminative stimulus and NRS effects, whereas the full benzodiazepine (BZD) agonist diazepam (DZP), the partial BZD agonist abecarnil (ABC) and 5-HT1A agonist buspirone (BUS, chronic regimen) attenuated a NRS effect. A BZD antagonist, flumazenil (FLU) blocked the effects of DZP and ABC on the NRS effects. DZP failed to attenuate the discriminative stimulus effect. Thus, present study extended the use of a switch-off paradigm to detect novel anxiolytic ABC (putative) and BUX as well as an anxiogenic PTZ. In addition, under the condition used in this study, the use of NRS in a switch-off paradigm more reliably detected both anxiolytic drugs and an anxiogenic drug than the use of discriminative stimulus in a two-lever food reinforced paradigm.Item Eating Disorders: Best Age for Education and Prevention(2004-05-01) Chasmawala, Jayshri R.; Susan Franks; Susan Eve; Muriel MarshallChasmawala, Jayshri R., Eating Disorders: Best Age for Prevention and Education. Master of Public Health (Dual Degree D.O./M.P.H.), May 2004, 22 pp., 11 tables, 6 illustrations, references, 16 titles. Objective: This study attempts to determine the best age to design a prevention program to prevent the development of eating disorders based on adolescents’ behavior and attitudes towards eating disorders. Methods: Forty students aged 11-17 answered a self-reported questionnaire regarding dieting and weight, identification of emotional states, and general awareness of eating disorders. Age group divided the sample: 13 years of age and younger; and 14 years of age and older. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine existence of any differences between the populations. Results: An overall difference in the age groups exists with statistic significance. The difference in mean values of interoceptive awareness is statistically significant between the age groups. Conclusion: Interoceptive Awareness, not awareness level of eating disorders, is more indicative of the best age for prevention. Younger age children may benefit more from prevention due to lack of emotional maturity which leads to higher risk of development of eating disorders.Item Establishing the Effects of Exercise Schema and Self-Schema on Emotional Distress(2003-08-01) Rodriguez, Leslie R.; Claudia Coggin; Joseph Doster; Daisha CipherRodriguez, Leslie R., BSN, RN, Establishing the Effects of Exercise Schema and Self-Schema on Emotional Distress. Masters of Public Health (Health Behavior), August 2003, 78 pp., 4 tables, references, 81 titles. Chronic diseases’ resulting from anger and depression represents a significant problem. Vast amounts of resources and dollars are expended and utilized. Their link to the development of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes is recognized. Physical activity produces improvements in self-esteem, increased alertness, and decreased anxiety. The purpose of this study was determining the effect exercise and exercise schema has on mood states. College age students (N=198) of a large North Texas University were recruited. Data collection included States of change, the Exerciser self-schema questionnaire, Clinical Analysis Questionnaire, and the State Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Significance in some mood states of those who were exercising and exercise schematic were found.Item Hooper Visual Organization Test (VOT) as a Predictor of Driving Status of Individuals with Dementia(2004-04-01) Budd, Margaret Anne; Doug A. Main; Susan FranksHooper Visual Organization Test (VOT) (Hooper, 1983) items were correlated with driving status of geriatric individuals with dementia to help screen for high-risk drivers. A retrospective review of 87 medical chart on patients, 60-91 years, who underwent a neurocognitive evaluation at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas, with a complete VOT, driving status, dementia diagnosis, and demographic descriptors (age, gender, marital status) were selected for analysis. Of the 55.2% participants who reported a current driving status, VOT scores ranged: 20.8% normal, 43.8% mildly impaired, 31.3% moderately impaired, and 4.2% severely impaired. An item analysis was followed by direct logistic regression analysis which correctly predicted 85% of the drivers and 74% of the nondrivers with an overall success rate of 80.5% (p=.001). The Wald criterion selected 4 VOT items as reliably predicting driving status: items 6 (hammer), 19 (teapot/pitcher), 22 (mouse), and 25 (block). Models run with gender and/or marital status was not reliably different. These 4 items may add to a brief screening test to identify drivers with dementia potentially at risk. In addition, the large number of current drivers scoring in the impaired range suggests that individuals, their families and others are not intervening with driving behavior, possibly placing the individuals and public at risk.Item Investigating the Role of Stress in a Murine Model of Asthma(2008-07-01) Deshmukh, Aniket; Harlan Jones; P. Mathew; Jerry SimeckaThe mechanisms by which stress can exacerbate asthma are still unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the immunological links between stress controllability and asthma pathogenesis. Our studies reveal specificity of stress control and immune activation resulting in hyper-inflammatory reactions in response to allergic airway challenge. We anticipate that these studies can serve as a translational piece to facilitate clinical studies of stress and asthma prevalence. The purpose of this project was to establish a murine model of stress controllability and demonstrate the impact of stress on the development of immune allergic airway hypersensitivity as a major feature of asthma. I hypothesized that given the ability to control the degree of stress would translate into less severe allergic airway hypersensitivity. We also hypothesized that distinct changes in immune responses generated in response to uncontrolled stress would reflect the extent of airway hypersensitivity. Mice were exposed to daily regimen of uncontrollable stress, controllable stress or no stress concurrently with allergen exposure. Behavioral disposition to stress was monitored in conjunction with evaluation of severity of asthma and immune status. Our results demonstrate that exerting control over stress conditions leads to distinct changes in immunological status corresponding with positive behavioral responses and less disease severity. We anticipate that our studies will facilitate application of stress management in control of immune status as a biomarker for asthma progression.Item Lectures on Conditioned Reflexes Twenty-five Years of Objective Study of the Higher Nervous Activity (Behaviour) of Animals(International Publishers, 1928-01-01) Gantt, W.; Volborth, G.; Cannon, Walter; Pavlov, IvanTranslator's Preface 9 I. P. Pavlov: A Biographical Sketch, By Dr. W. Horsley Gantt . 11 Introduction To The English Translation, By Prof. Walter B. Cannon 33 Author's Preface To The English Translation 35 Preface To The First Russian Edition • 37 Chapter. I. Experimental Psychology And Psycho-Pathology In Animals – 47 II. . The Psychical Secretion Of The Salivary Glands (Complex Nervous Phenomena In The Work Of The Salivary Glands) 61 III. The First Sure Steps Along The Path Of A New Investigation 76 IV. Scientific Study Of The So-Called Psychical Processes In The Higher Animals 81 V. Conditioned Reflexes In Dogs After Destruction Of Different Parts Of The Cerebral Hemispheres 97 VI. The Cortical Taste Centre Of Dr. Gorshkov 99 VII. Mechanism Of The Highest Parts Of The Central Nervous System As Shown From The Study Of The Conditioned Reflexes 100 VIII. Further Advances Of The Objective Analysis Of Complex Nervous Phenomena, And Its Comparison With The IX. Subjective Conception Of These Phenomena • 103 X. Some General Facts About The Cerebral Centres , 115 XI. Natural Science And The Brain 120 XII. The Task And The Arrangement Of A Laboratory For The Study Of The Normal Activity Of The Highest Parts Of The Central Nervous System In The Higher Animals • 131 XIII. A Laboratory For The Study Of The Activity Of The Central Nervous System In The Higher Animals 144 XIV. The Food Centre • 147 XV. Some Fundamental Laws Of The Work Of The Cerebral Hemispheres 156 XVI. Destruction Of The Skin Analyser 165 XVII. The Process Of Differentiation Of Stimulations In The Hemispheres Of The Brain 170 XVIII. Some Principles Of The Activity Of The Central Nervous System As Shown From The Study Of Conditioned Reflexes ; Interaction Of Centres 182 XIX. Summary Of Results Of Removal Of Different Parts Of The Cerebral Hemispheres 193 XX. Internal Inhibition As A Function Of The Cerebral Hemispheres 205 XXI. The Objective Study Of The Highest Nervous Activity Of Animals . 213 XXII. The Study Of The Highest Nervous Activity • 223 XXIII. The Instability (Lability) Of Internal Inhibition In Conditioned Reflexes . 238 XXIV. The Pure Physiology Of The Brain 241 XXV. Some Facts About The Physiology Of Sleep 250 XXVI. An Analysis Of Some Complex Reflexes In The Dog; And The Relative Strength And Tension Of Several Centres 255 XXVII. Physiology And Psychology In The Study Of The Higher Nervous Activity Of Animals 261 XXVIII. The Reflex Of Purpose 275 XXIX. The Reflex Of Freedom 282 XXX. How Psychiatry May Help Us To Understand The Physiology Of The Cerebral Hemispheres 287 XXXI. Hypnotism In Animals 294 XXXII. The Normal Activity And General Constitution Of The Cerebral Hemispheres . 296 XXXIII. Internal Inhibition And Sleep-One And The Same Process 305 XXXIV. Changes In The Excitability Of Various Points Of The Cerebral Cortex As One Of Its Functional Characteristics 319 XXXV. Another Problem In Cerebral Physiology 326 XXXVI. The Latest Successes Of The Objective Study Of The Highest Nervous Activity 329 XXXVII. Relation Between Excitation And Inhibition And Their Delimitations; Experimental Neuroses In Dogs 339 XXXVIII. Effect Of Interrupting The Experimentation In Dogs With Conditioned Reflexes 350 XXXIX. Normal And Pathological States Of The Hemispheres 353 XL. The Inhibitory Type Of Nervous Systems In The Dog 363 XLI. A Physiological Study Of The Types Of Nervous Systems, I.E., Of Temperaments • 370 XLII. Certain Problems In The Physiology Of The Cerebral Hemispheres 379 Bibliography • 395 Index To Names 409 Index To .Subjects 410Item Maternal Depression as Predictor of Repeat Child Unintentional Injury(2004-12-01) Webster Krause, Lisa Ruth; Lurie, Sue; Gonzalez, AdelaWebster Krause, Lisa Ruth, Maternal Depression as Predictor of Repeat Child Unintentional Injury. Master of Public Health (Community Health), December 2004, 39 pp., 4 tables, references 28 titles. Current literature supports maternal depression as a predictor of child unintentional injury. There have been conflicting results concerning mediating and other risk factors. This study aims to reexamine the link between maternal depression and the occurrence of repeat child unintentional injury in the home. Using the NHIS 2002 data maternal depression was found to predict child repeat unintentional injury in this national sample. It was found that the most predictive model of repeat unintentional injury in this national sample. It was found that the most predictive model of repeat child unintentional injury consisted of maternal depression and low-income. Since maternal depression and low-income have been identified as underlying determinants of child unintentional injury, they should be a priority in prevention efforts so as to more effectively reduce the occurrence of repeat unintentional injury among children in the home.Item Nutrition, Dementia and Depression in an Ambulatory Geriatric Care Center(2005-05-01) Birmingham, John F.; Daisha Cipher; Douglas A. Mains; Thomas J. FairchildBirmingham, John F., Nutritional Risk, Dementia Factors and Depression in an Ambulatory Geriatric Care Center. Master’s of Public Health (Clinical Research), May 2005, 60pp., 7 tables, 2 figures, reference list, 56 titles. Dementia is a major public health problem in the aging population. Depression, nutritional risk and declining self-efficacy are broadly listed risk factors for dementia. Cross-sectional patient data was obtained by chart review of ambulatory community-dwelling elderly patients screened for depression, dementia factors, levels of independence in activities associated with daily living and nutritional risk. The statistical coefficients of the correlational relationships between nutritional risks, dementia factors, depression levels and levels of functional capacity were examined using path analysis. Two models depicted the composite of instrumental activities of daily living items (IADLs), as they related to the dependent variables models, nutritional risk, dementia factors, and depression levels. The model which regressed the IADLs composite variable against depression and dementia factors indicated a good fit (X2=0.00, p=0.01). Attempts to match screening data with diagnostic follow-up data were unsuccessful. Only 12 matches occurred between the GAP and CARE databases (N=256, N=1470).Item Stress and Social Support as Risk Factors for the Occurrence of Neural Tube Defect-Affected Pregnancies in Women Living Along the Texas-Mexico Border(1999-06-01) Herron, Kathryn M.; Antonio Rene; John Licciardone; Gilbert RamirezHerron, Kathryn M., Stress and Social Support as Risk Factors for the Occurrence of Neural Tube Defect-Affected Pregnancies in Women Living Along the Texas-Mexico Border. Master of Public Health, June, 1999, 59 pp., 8 tables, 1 figure, references, 78 titles. Data were derived from the case-control study of the Texas Department of Health’s Neural Tube Defect Project, involving women living along the Texas-Mexico border, June 1995 to October 1998. Social support and stress information was obtained from a questionnaire, and a residual stress scale was created to determine an aggregate measure for each subject. Interviews were conducted with 261 women, with 1.2 controls to each case. Having high residual stress was found to be a significant risk factor for NTDs. Other significant risk factors included periconceptional injury, residential mobility, having no relatives to talk about private matters, and discontent with relationships.Item The Effects of Media Exposure on Alcohol Consumption Patters within the African American Population(2005-05-01) Miller, Vanessa G.; Lykens, Kristine; Quinn, James; Cipher, DaishaMiller, Vanessa G., The Effects of Media Exposure on Alcohol Consumption Patterns within the African American Population. Doctor of Public Health (Health Management and Policy), May 2005, 206 pp., 62 tables, 8 illustrations, references, 77 titles. Objectives- The study examined the role of media exposure on alcohol consumption patterns in the African American population. In studying the role of media exposure, the study also examined the role of ethnicity, mood/affect, socio-demographic factors and religion on alcohol consumption patterns in this population. Methods- Secondary analysis of the General Social Survey (GSS), 1972-2002 cumulative data file was used to provide quantitative estimates of the relationship between media exposure, ethnicity, mood/affect, socio-demographic factors, and religiosity as predictors of alcohol consumption. Path analysis was used to determine the direct and indirect effects of these concepts on alcohol consumption patterns. Results- Watching television and reading the newspaper were significant predictors of alcohol use. Watching television had a positive effect on alcohol use; but only in the absence of religiosity. When religiosity was present, as indicated by religious affiliation and attendance at religious services, watching television had a significant negative effect on alcohol use. Reading the newspaper had a negative effect on alcohol use; but this effect was not very significant. Watching TV also had a significant positive effect on alcohol abuse. Reading the newspaper had an effect on alcohol abuse but this effect was not significant. IN the presence of religiosity, neither watching TV nor reading the newspaper had a significant effect on alcohol abuse. The effects of religiosity could also be seen on the relationships between alcohol consumption and socializing patterns, age, sex, ethnicity, and income. The year of the GSS survey had a significant positive effect of television viewing and a significant negative effect on reading the newspaper. Race did not have a significant effect on alcohol use or abuse. Conclusion- This research has significant policy implications, as it indicates that exposure to media, thus exposure to advertising, had an effect on alcohol consumption. Religiosity appeared to act as a protective mechanism against the adverse effects of media exposure, as they relate to alcohol consumption. This research provides support for the implementation of more faith-based initiatives to combat substance abuse (especially alcohol abuse). It also sets the foundation for additional research on the effects of advertising on alcohol consumption, looking at the media revolution of the 21st century.Item The Impact of Graduation and Work on Health and Behavior(2006-08-01) Minzenmayer, Tracey; Watson, Warren; Townsend, Alicia; Franks, SusanMinzenmayer, Tracey. The Impact of Graduation and Work on Health and Behavior. Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences), August, 2006, 131 pp., 1 table, references, 125 titles. The transition of young adults from the educational system to the workplace is affected by individual, cultural, economic, and institutional factors within the specific context of the time of transition. Since World War II, there have been a number of changes in both the order and timing of reaching the traditional markers of adulthood such as financial independence, work, marriage, and children. The lack of guidance in navigating the new path to adulthood has resulted in anecdotal evidence of increased stress in young adults. Little health research has been conducted on new graduates to evaluate the sources and effects of this stress. The current study surveyed psychological distress, health behaviors, and occupational variables in young adults between one and four years after they had received their undergraduate degrees. The majority of the sample believed they could potentially perform their job duties without the benefit of their degree, and over a third regretted their choice of major. A fourth of the sample had jobs that were unrelated to their undergraduate degrees. Underemployment, or not making use of their college education, was strongly associated with depression and worry in the respondents. Having adequate social support had positive relationships with job satisfaction and organizational commitment and was associated with low levels of stress, depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, and worry. High levels of stress, anxiety, and depression were associated with less sleep. Unfortunately, this study was limited by a small number of respondents, but it is still clear that many graduates are not experiencing all of the benefits of having a college degree. There appears to be a discrepancy between their education and the demands of the workplace. It is recommended that institutions of higher education and employers find ways to address this discrepancy and to better guide graduates through the transition.Item The Prevalence of Behaviors Used to Make & Maintain Weight Among Male Horse Jockeys(2001-05-01) Dodson, Martha A.; Gonzalez, AdelaObjective: Determine the prevalence of weight loss behaviors used by male jockeys to make and maintain weight. Design: An original survey instrument was developed. The pilot study was distributed in a random, anonymous manner. Setting: Lone Star Park, Grand Prairie, Texas and Sunland Park, Sunland Park, New Mexico in December 2000 and January 2001 meetings respectively. Subjects: Twenty-nine male jockeys with a mean age of 34 years and mean racing career of 14 years. Mean weight was 116 pounds, mean height was 66 inches and mean body mass index was 19.6 kg/m2. Twelve jockeys were from Lone Star Park and 17 were from Sunland Park. No female jockeys participated. Results: SPSS Version 10.0 was used for data analysis. The prevalence of current usage of methods to make and maintain weight among the jockeys was 62%. The hot box was used by 85%, diuretics and semi-starvation were each used by 60%, excessive exercise 45% and flipping by 15%. The average number of methods used was 3. The hot box was the primary method used. Two of 20 jockeys felt they had an eating disorder. Conclusion: The prevalence of disordered eating behaviors among male horse jockeys is greater than that for the general male population. Their low mean body mass index may reflect a malnourished state. Pathological eating behaviors can result in a myriad of clinical abnormalities that can be deleterious to a jockey’s health and athletic performance. A national study of jockeys’ methods to make and maintain weight is recommended. Key Words: Eating disorder – disordered eating – weight-loss – athlete – jockeyItem Women & Stress: Investigating the Female Stress Syndrome(2006-05-01) Oden, Melissa Standord; Sue LurieOden, Melissa Stanford, Women & Stress: Investigating the Female Stress Syndrome. Master of Public Health (Community Health), May 2006, 47 pp., bibliography. Research indicates that women experience long-term effects of stress that appear to be not only different from, but possibly more harmful than the long-term effects of stress in men. This situation creates the possibility of more chronic illness for women as well as the possibility for higher mortality rates. The purpose of this project is to investigate the effects of stress on professional women in Tarrant County based on meanings and interpretations women give to the stress they experience. It will also provide additional information about the effects of Female Stress Syndrome to contribute to the research literature on this topic.