2021 Theses

Permanent link for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/2022/27713

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Misconceptions Associated with Type 1 Diabetes in Healthcare Workers
(2021) Kearschner, Kimberly
Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a complex idiopathic disease which is often misunderstood (Easler, 201). Misconceptions related to T1D cause increased stigma concerning the disease. This stigma leads to increased negative psychosocial effects, which have been proven to have a negative effect on diabetes management and glycemic control. My thesis will analyze misconceptions health care professionals have regarding T1D, which to my knowledge has yet been studied, to provide awareness and the need for additional training of health care professionals. I hypothesize that even with their medical training, healthcare professionals have some of the same misconceptions that can be observed in the general public. Results of the survey verified that medical professionals have significantly more knowledge of diabetes, but not significantly fewer misconceptions or less stigma than the general public. The correction of misconceptions of healthcare professional regarding T1D could lead to improved disease management, better glycemic control and provide a better quality of life for the T1D patient.
What Is Wanted: The Creative Power of Thought
(2021) Jeffries, James
This writing seeks to synthesize the ways in which humans know things. It will examine the true nature of belief, fact, and fiction. In addition, it will extensively deal with the necessary conflict between Idealism and Realism. This writing will demonstrate that humanity’s most universal truths come from beliefs. Ultimately, this writing will analyze the concept of law of attraction or “The Secret” using the arts, sciences, and social science and demonstrate that they are talking about this same universal law.
In Her Own Voice: A Focused Exploration of Women Working in Traditionally Male-Dominated Fields
(2021) Duvall, Jill Ann
A glaring gender disparity in the workplace exists in traditionally male-dominated industries, yet there is little conversation about these experiences among the women affected by the disparity. This focused exploration of Southern Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky delves into the ways women in leadership in male-dominated industries are dealing with the barriers they face. This interdisciplinary qualitative study consisted of interviews of twelve women working in a leadership role in a traditionally male-dominated field. The interpretation of the interview data was guided by feminist theory, organizational theory, and communication theory of identity. Iterative coding revealed three salient themes across the interview data: Antagonism versus cooperation that women encounter from other women at work, issues surrounding the female body, and finding a sense of belonging amidst patriarchal networks. Communication identity theory was used to frame and evaluate the interview data to identify ways in which the women’s self-image and perspectives changed based on her lived experience and the narratives in her life. The women in this region struggle with the same barriers to success that women across the country experience, however the culture in the area creates an atmosphere where women do not discuss the barriers they must navigate. This study explored the voices of previously unheard participants in the conversation about gender disparity and sexism.
Patient noncompliance: Can theories of motivation and principles of social influence be the solution?
(2021) Fellmeth, Jennifer
The problem of patient noncompliance has been a long-standing impediment and negatively impacting individual’s engagement in positive health behaviors. On a large scale, as a collective problem, this results in overall poor health outcomes in the United States. Research has shown that certain theories and concepts of motivation and persuasion, specifically the areas of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and principles of social influence, can have a positive impact on influencing individual behavior. This piece of work will discuss research and draw attention to various studies that demonstrate positive outcomes of these conceptions and have resulted in success when applied within various environments. Suggestions and recommendations that reflect central features of these concepts and theories will be presented as potential solutions for the problem of patient noncompliance in the healthcare environment; with the possibility of testing their effectiveness in future research efforts.
The Influence of the National Black Political Convention of 1972 on Indiana Politics: Views from and of a High School Gym in Gary, Indiana—Then and Now
(2021) Clere, Amy
In the early 1970s, Black leaders across the United States began to talk about the need for political activism and holding a meeting where people could gather to discuss ideas of change, moving from voicing anger and frustration during the 1960s and turning toward a new direction—encouraging more Black Americans to run for public office. Organizers chose a high school gym in Gary, Indiana, as the location for the event, and March 10 to 12, 1972, for the dates, which would draw more than 10,000 people from nearly all 50 states to the first National Black Political Convention. This thesis challenges the idea that momentum from the convention was temporary, and it documents the success of the call to public service for Black people of Indiana through contemporary accounts from the time and interviews of those who attended, all of whom have since devoted their lives to public service. People, who helped prepare for the event, as well as mentees and children of attendees, also give testimony. While scholarship on the impact of the convention is minimal, the proof of effective change in public policy becomes clear with my interviews, which document the growing numbers of Black people in elected office and in other forms of public service as a result of the convention. In addition to books dealing with the convention and contemporary documents and news articles, 54 interviews guided the research that leaves no doubt that the convention in Gary energized the attendees and future generations to become part of the conversation in the corridors of power in cities, counties and the statehouse of Indiana.

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