Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2006, Leadership Studies

This study addresses post-implementation usage behavior of Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) system among physicians in an organization by applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Implementation of CPOE is considered a major organizational activity by chief information officers (Kini & Savage, 2004), and physician acceptance of CPOE ultimately decides the success of CPOE implementation (Davis, 1989). Hence, this study assumes much importance. A CPOE-TAM instrument was developed for this study and assessed with principal component analysis. Six hypotheses were developed and tested using hierarchical multiple regressions. Study results suggest that the ‘total causal effects' of perceived usefulness of CPOE (PU) and perceived ease of use of CPOE (PEOU) on behavioral intention to use CPOE (BI) and CPOE adoption are striking, and PU is more important than PEOU in their relative influence on BI and CPOE adoption. Implications of the findings suggest that training sessions need to emphasize ‘usefulness' of CPOE and any increase in ease of use features of CPOE would directly influence usefulness of CPOE, which in turn influence BI and CPOE adoption. Studying the adoption of CPOE within an organizational context among physicians by applying TAM contributes richly to research literature in these major domains. This CPOE-TAM study was well-validated, and a parsimonious CPOE-TAM instrument is now available to information system and human-computer interaction researchers and practitioners. This CPOE-TAM instrument could be split further into two instruments: one for prediction of future acceptance of CPOE, and the other for explanation of CPOE adoption.

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2023, Civil Engineering (Engineering and Technology)

In recent decades, turbo roundabouts have gained popularity in Netherlands and various European countries. However, in the U.S., this form of roundabout is only recently starting to be considered as a viable option for managing traffic control at intersections. More importantly because multilane roundabouts – which are currently deemed safe and efficient – when compared to other intersection control types, are exhibiting safety concerns associated with driver navigational properties. Based on the experiences in Europe, turbo roundabouts demonstrate the potential to reduce (or eliminate) the safety concerns associated with multilane roundabouts. Though, in order to implement turbo roundabouts in the U.S., there is need to start by assessing their feasibility based not only on traffic conditions (micro/macro-simulation approaches) but also on the drivers' ability to navigate them safely – the U.S. driver population is only just getting accustomed to navigating through single and/or multi-roundabouts with a large number still exhibiting unfamiliar navigational behaviors. The overall goal of the research in this thesis is to investigate the feasibility of turbo roundabouts as an intersection treatment – more so, to collect and analyze human factors data and gain an understanding from the U.S. driver's perspective. This research aims to gain insight on driver behaviors, including their preferences and factors that are likely to influence navigation through turbo roundabouts in the U.S. Hence this thesis presents a driving simulator-based study to collect data on driver behavior when driving through different roundabouts and concludes with the main findings and their implications for the implementation of the turbo roundabout. Qualified participants were recruited to complete survey questionnaires prior to – and post-driving in a high-fidelity driving simulator. Data collected from both driving simulation and survey responses were analyzed to obtain a wide variety of insi (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2023, Educational Studies

As mobile learning (m-learning) becomes increasingly prevalent in education, it is recognized for its potential to enhance the overall quality of teaching and learning. Despite the many benefits, m-learning apps often experience low retention rates, which directly impede learners' benefit from using them and cause a waste of resources in app design, development, and maintenance. To investigate the critical factors influencing learners' acceptance of m-learning outside the classroom, this study introduced a novel model, the Mobile Learning Acceptance Determination (mLAD) Model, based on the Technology Acceptance Model and the updated DeLone and McLean Information System Success Model. Through the mLAD model, the study identified the critical app quality factors that influence learners' acceptance of m-learning. The moderating effects of the type of m-learning apps on learners' acceptance of m-learning were also revealed. An online questionnaire named the m-Learning Acceptance Questionnaire (mLAQ) was developed and disseminated through Amazon Mechanical Turk. A total of seven hundred forty-seven adult learners in the U.S. participated in the study. The descriptive statistical results of the examined factors revealed that m-learning apps available in the market demonstrate high mobility and content quality. Still, their interactivity and service quality could be improved. Furthermore, the results of the structural equation modeling analysis indicated that learners' two beliefs, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use, are the two essential determinants of learners' intention to use m-learning apps outside the classroom. Quality factors, such as content quality, interface design, mobility, and service quality, are the antecedents of learners' m-learning acceptance, given that they significantly and directly influence perceived usefulness and ease of use and indirectly impact learners' intention to use m-learning apps through learners' two beliefs. Through (open full item for complete abstract)

DNP, Kent State University, 2022, College of Nursing

Biosimilars are pharmaceutical agents approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an option to treat multiple medical conditions. In rheumatology, they are used as an option to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA). The term spondyloarthritis is used to describe a group of disorders, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), forms of arthritis associated with psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), among others. The structure and therapeutic effects of biosimilars are similar to previously developed and approved patented biologic pharmaceutical agents. However, they cannot be considered identical, as they are not a product of controlled chemical synthesis but are produced by living cells. The main reason for possible differences is related to patent expiration dates, which typically occur for an active ingredient several years prior to the expiration of patent protection for a manufacturing process. Consequently, competitors may produce the active ingredient, but utilizing a different process, which can often result in variations in impurities and efficacy. With biologic production further complicated by the use of live organisms as production “reactors”, FDA's decision to classify off-patent biologic pharmaceutical agents as “biosimilar” rather than “generic”, as is done for small molecule synthetic pharmaceuticals, underscores the similar rather than identical efficacy of a reference biologic vs. its biosimilar. However, as with small molecule generic pharmaceuticals, biosimilars can be made available at a lower cost making them an economically preferred alternative. Available research data suggests that biosimilars and their reference products have comparable pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy. In January of 2019 majority of patients diagnosed with rheumatic diseases managed by the department of rheuma (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.), Franklin University, 2021, Business Administration

Industries worldwide have adopted Artificial Intelligence's (AI) Machine Learning (ML) cognitive business functions to gain performance, productivity, competitive advantage, and economic prosperity. World Economic Forum (2020) reported that ML is on top of technology adoption. In the light of ML redefining management functions, not much is known about the management students' ML technology adoption rates. Hence, this study was aimed to investigate the management students' technology readiness and ML technology adoption in their future managerial jobs using the Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model (TRAM). Using a non-experimental, quantitative approach, data were collected from the university management students using the Technology Readiness Index (TRI 2.0) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) instruments. Correlational statistical analysis performed on the online survey data revealed that management students' ML technology adoption in their future managerial jobs is positively influenced by technology readiness (TR), perceived ease of use (PEOU), and perceived usefulness (PU). The model has shown the adoption path as TRI → PEOU → PU → TA, with PU as the single strongest predictor (β=0.797). When it comes to TR and TA, students are generally categorized as laggards; therefore, by using the right mix of TRAM variables, there is a potential to increase the ML adoption propensity amongst future managers, especially in the wake of ML cognitive applications redrawing managerial functions. Ultimately, the study will contribute to the TRAM body of knowledge and propel ML technology adoption.

Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2020, Doctor of Ministry Program

The project purpose was to discover the knowledge, attitudes and actions of parishioners about ministering to the mentally ill in the Cleveland District of the AME church. A survey questionnaire, with 3 sections of 16 questions each plus an evaluation section; was distributed to AME members and clergy in the District; with 33 Black AME church members responding. The results of the project revealed that respondents know mental wellness is a vital part of overall health, mental health services are available; plus church members are willing to engage in ministries that provide mental health resources and work in support ministries.

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, 2018, Psychology

The present study examined the predictive role of body-related components (i.e., Body Compassion and BMI) and components of the ACT model (i.e., Mindfulness and Experiential Avoidance), in two dimensions of pain (i.e., pain severity [PS] and pain interference [PI]) and quality of life (QOL) in endometrial cancer (EC) survivors. Data were utilized from 82 participants who are members of a national online support group for EC and had completed treatment. Results indicated that the ACT components and body-related components, as a set, predicted PI and QOL but not PS. Experiential avoidance was determined to be an independent predictor of QOL. Negative affect, used as a covariate, independently predicted unique variance in PS, PI, and QOL while age as a covariate was an independent predictor of PI and QOL. Post hoc analyses found statistical differences between obese and non-obese groups within the sample, such that obese EC survivors endorsed higher experiential avoidance, lower mindfulness, and lower body compassion compared to non-obese EC survivors. Results suggest that body-related and ACT components, taken together, may be predictive of PI and QOL while experiential avoidance may contribute uniquely to QOL, rendering it a key target of future intervention for EC survivors post-treatment.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 0, Psychology/Clinical

Test anxiety is a major concern among today's college students. Test anxious students demonstrate consistently diminished performance compared to their less anxious peers. Although the adverse impact of test anxiety on academic performance is well documented, there is active debate about the way that anxiety affects performance. Cognitive interference theory (CIT) may help explain this relationship. CIT suggests that test anxiety leads to increased levels of off-task thoughts, which are processed by the working memory, which leaves fewer resources to manage the task at hand. Traditional test anxiety interventions such as cognitive therapy focus on reducing anxiety by increasing positive or neutral self-talk which may place additional demands on cognitive resources. This may explain the modest improvements in cognitive performance and at times adverse effects associated with these traditional test anxiety interventions. Alternatively, acceptance based interventions, which promote nonjudgmental acceptance of anxious thoughts and feelings, may allow students to conserve cognitive resources that can be used to focus on the task at hand and maximize performance. To explore these possibilities, a sample of 88 university students were randomly assigned to receive one 2-hour acceptance based behavior therapy intervention (ABBT), cognitive therapy intervention (CT), or healthy living intervention (HL). Following the intervention, participants received anxiety inducing instructions and were administered three computerized working memory tasks. Finally, participants completed self report questionnaires. The results of this study demonstrated that participants in the ABBT group had significantly better performance on the digit span forward and Stroop tasks compared to participants in the CT or HL groups. Furthermore, the ABBT group demonstrated the lowest levels of cognitive interference, while demonstrating the highest levels of psychological flexibility and mindfulness comp (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, 2015, Psychology

Social acceptance and exclusion are integral aspects of using Social Network Sites (SNS). The current study investigated two main questions: 1) do prior findings concerning affective and behavioral responses to acceptance/exclusion obtained in real-world contexts generalize to the virtual world? and 2) what influence does trait narcissism have on the response to acceptance or exclusion within a virtual context? Using a psychology department participant pool, 209 participants (87 men; mean age = 20.19) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: acceptance, exclusion, and control. Treatment condition was one independent variable (IV). The second IV was high vs low trait narcissism (based on NPI score median split). Dependent variables (DV) were negative affect and displaced aggression. A single 3 x 2 MANOVA was conducted to determine the main and interaction effects of the two IV's and two DV's. Main effects for condition emerged for negative affect and displaced aggression, F(2, 203) = 8.09, p < .001; F(2, 203) = 5.12, p = .01, respectively. Participants led to believe they had been socially excluded showed significantly more negative affect compared to participants in the accepted condition, p = .001, and were significantly less likely to display displaced aggression compared to participants in the accepted condition, p = .006. Trait narcissism was not related to outcome, Wilks's lambda = .98, F(4, 404) = 1.03, p = .39, partial eta-squared = .01. The findings are inconsistent with past real-world research linking social exclusion with a neutral or numbed affective response and an aggressive behavioral response. Future research should investigate if the interpersonal distance provided by SNS can account for the differential affective outcomes, as well as if exposure to social media attenuates aggressive responding, while facilitating a more affiliative response.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2014, Psychology/Clinical

Research and theory have demonstrated that spiritual struggles are robustly tied to distress and ill health. Growth and positive outcomes are also possible. However, there is little research illuminating the factors that contribute to growth or decline in the wake of spiritual struggles. Mindfulness and Acceptance, as conceptualized in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, have been tied to positive and negative adjustment, respectively. The present study was designed to examine the relationships between experiential avoidance, mindfulness, and adjustment in a sample of 307 adults experiencing spiritual struggles. The predictions were that experiential avoidance would be associated with poorer adjustment and that mindfulness would be associated with better adjustment. It was also predicted that the relationships between spiritual struggles and poorer adjustment would be stronger among people with higher than lower levels of experiential avoidance. Finally, it was predicted that the relationships between spiritual struggles and less problematic adjustment would be stronger among people with higher than lower levels of mindfulness. The findings generally supported the hypotheses that experiential avoidance is problematic for people experiencing spiritual struggles. With a few notable exceptions, mindfulness, as measured in the present study, was not significantly related to indices of adjustment. Some support was found for the hypothesis that the detrimental effects of spiritual struggles on adjustment would be greater among people with higher than lower levels of experiential avoidance. These findings were particularly robust for the measure of situation-specific experiential avoidance. These findings are discussed along with implications and future directions.

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2005, Graduate School

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 1972, Graduate School

Master of Social Work, The Ohio State University, 1966, Graduate School

Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Youngstown State University, 2024, Department of Criminal Justice and Consumer Sciences

This study investigates the relationship between rape myth acceptance and demographic factors such as age, race, and gender among university students. A survey including the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance –Subtle Version Scale (IRMA-S) was administered to 144 students. Independent samples T-tests revealed some significant demographic differences. The findings highlight how rape myth acceptance varies across demographic groups based on gender, race, and age. These findings underscore the need for addressing the prevalence and predictors of rape myth acceptance among university students, which can contribute to the development of more effective interventions and support services for sexual assault victims on college campuses.

Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Education, Cleveland State University, 2024, Levin College of Public Affairs and Education

This study examined the applicability of the minority strengths model (Perrin et al., 2020) with the addition of the variable of family acceptance. It was hypothesized that the direct and indirect relationships established in the minority strengths model would also be found in the current study. The established relationships included that community consciousness and social support were correlated with one another and directly and indirectly predictive of positive mental and physical health through identity pride, self-esteem, and resilience (Perrin et al., 2020). Additionally, it was hypothesized that family acceptance would be correlated with community consciousness and social support. It was also hypothesized that family acceptance would be directly and indirectly predictive of positive mental and physical health through identity pride, self-esteem, and resilience. Data was collected in Qualtrics from 603 sexual minority individuals via Facebook and Instagram. I encountered problems with data analysis because the Cronbach's alphas were inadequate for five out of the eight measured variables. I was able to examine the variables of social support, family acceptance, and mental health outcomes. Results indicated that social support and family acceptance were predictive of better mental health outcomes. Results also indicated that older participants reported better mental health outcomes. Future research should examine the applicability of the minority strengths model (Perrin et al., 2020) to sexual minority populations of various age groups and other identities.

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2024, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: School Psychology

With youth currently experiencing elevated rates of mental and behavioral health concerns, the need for flexible and cost-effective interventions in schools is at an all-time high. This need is even more pronounced in alternative education settings, where students may be at higher risk for adverse outcomes if not adequately supported. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is one increasingly popular intervention in these settings, yet relatively little is known about its capacity to impact directly observable classroom behaviors, especially when administered in a group format. At present, existing studies on ACT in educational settings have focused primarily on internalizing problems, relied on indirect measures of behavior, or utilized individual therapy, which may be time- or cost-prohibitive. Considering these gaps in the literature and the growing need for school-based providers to understand the uses and limitations of the tools available to them, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of weekly ACT groups on directly observed classroom behaviors in an alternative education setting. Results of the study indicated that although the intervention was viewed favorably by group participants, a functional relation between the intervention and the level of classroom behavior was not observed. Limitations, implications for practice, and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Animal Sciences

An estimated 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives. Equine-assisted interactions (EAI) have been reported to contribute to positive outcomes for a variety of populations. However, little is known of the how previous trauma may influence these outcomes. EAI is a comprehensive term used to refer to a variety of services that utilize horses and other equine to benefit people. Although positive outcomes have been observed among EAI participants, research reports mixed results with few studies utilizing a multifaceted approach to assess responses. Additionally, few studies have sought to investigate the impact of EAI on the equine participant. Limited evidence suggests there is little to no effect of EAI on the equine involved but these studies lack a multifaceted approach which prevents a more comprehensive understanding of the equine experience. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to 1) assess the influence of equine assisted interactions (EAI) on human biopsychosocial responses, 2) assess the influence of previous trauma type on biopsychosocial responses to EAI, and 3) to assess the influence of EAI on equine participants using a biobehavioral approach. Participants (n = 36) interacted with the same equine (n = 10) in four consecutive, weekly 30-min EAI sessions. Human biological measures included heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and salivary analytes oxytocin (OT), TNF- α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. Human psychological responses included participants' perceived quality of life, PTSD symptoms, momentary anxiety, and psychological distress. Human behavioral responses including standing, locomotion, sitting, and touch were assessed via scan sampling every 30 sec from video recorded every session. EAI sessions were video recorded to assess behavioral responses via scan sampling. Previous trauma was classified as TBI, PTSD, BOTH (PTSD/TBI), or NONE. Equine biological responses included heart rate (HR), heart (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, 2024, Biology

Animals constantly find themselves in a situation where they need to make a choice. For example, to run or fight, hunt or sleep, mate or reject. The ability to make proper decisions ensures the survival and fitness of the organism. Despite its importance in everyday life, the exact molecular and neural mechanisms that generate decisions remain unclear. To uncover the components of the neural circuit that generates decisions, we used Drosophila female mating acceptance behavior as our model. In Drosophila, the male actively pursues the female, and the female makes the decision to either accept or reject males. In this thesis, we identified four novel genes involved in female acceptance behavior and uncovered their interactions in the olfactory lobe. The genes Bruno 3 (Bru3), nAChRα6, nAChRα7, and CG1677 (renamed here as dati switch, ditch) were found in a computational screening as targets of Datilografo (dati), a transcription factor required in cholinergic neurons for Drosophila females to accept males (Schinaman et al., 2014). Using behavioral tests in females expressing RNAi against these genes in female cholinergic neurons, we validated the requirement of these genes for female acceptance of courtship. Bru3 encodes a translational repressor and generated the strongest courtship rejection response in knockdown females compared to the other genes. We hypothesized that the knockdown of Bru3 would disrupt the expression nAChRα6, nAChRα7, and ditch. Our results show that Bru3 regulates the expression levels of ditch and the distribution of nAChRα6 density clusters in the antennal lobe. Our study advances our knowledge on Drosophila female decision-making by identifying novel molecular components and their interaction mechanisms required for the proper functioning of the neural circuit responsible for this behavior.

PHD, Kent State University, 2025, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences

Introduction: Over 80% of patients with Chiari Malformation (CM: a chronic health condition characterized by brain and spinal malformations and displacements) struggle with moderate to severe disability due to neck pain and headaches. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been shown to be efficacious in addressing chronic pain when administered as a self-guided online intervention. However, it is unclear if adjunctive weekly phone coaching is necessary for retention, satisfaction, engagement, and treatment efficacy. Method: This study randomized 112 participants with CM to ACT+ Coaching, ACT-Only, or a waitlist control group. Participants completed a baseline survey, nine weekly assessments, eight weeks of online intervention modules, and a one- and three-month follow-up survey. Primary outcomes were psychological flexibility (PF) and chronic pain acceptance; secondary outcomes included pain intensity, pain interference, depression, and anxiety. Treatment groups were also compared on treatment retention, satisfaction, and engagement with the online intervention. Results: Participants were mostly female (92%), averaged 43 years old, and primarily had CM type 1 (91%). There were no differences between the ACT+ Coaching and ACT-Only groups on PF, chronic pain acceptance, pain interference, or anxiety. There were very small differences between the treatment groups on depression and ratings of pain intensity. Compared to the waitlist control, both the ACT+ Coaching and ACT-Only groups had significant improvement in activity engagement subscale and anxiety scores. Compared to the control group, the ACT+ Coaching group had significant improvement in PF and chronic pain acceptance while the difference between controls and the ACT-Only group was approaching significance. While participants in the coaching group reported that coaching sessions were helpful and important to the intervention, there were no significant differences in intervention satisfaction between (open full item for complete abstract)

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2023, Arts and Sciences: Psychology

Multiple studies have shown mindfulness to be an effective tool in reducing mind-wandering. Some studies define mindfulness purely as maintaining awareness of the present moment, while others also include nonjudgement, or acceptance, in their definition of mindfulness. Because of this variability among studies in terms of how mindfulness is operationally defined, there have been mixed results among studies regarding the role of acceptance in mindfulness training for mind-wandering. However, work by Teper (2013) suggests that acceptance—in addition to mindful awareness—contributes to the efficacy of mindfulness through its effect on executive functioning (e.g., inhibition). We hypothesized that receiving acceptance-enhanced mindfulness training would reduce mind-wandering and increase inhibitory control compared to mindfulness training without acceptance and compared to an active control group. Our final sample included n = 92 individuals who were divided into three groups: acceptance-enhanced mindfulness training, mindfulness training without acceptance, and a control condition. Due to disruptions from COVID-19, the study was conducted through an online study platform (Inquisit, 2021). Four mixed-methods 3 x 2 ANOVAs were run examining the effect of training type on each of the mind-wandering and inhibition variables at two timepoints. There was no effect of training type on any of the main dependent variables, though there was an effect of time for some variables. Limitations of the online study format are discussed in regard to their potential contributions to null results. Topics for future research and the implications for study design are considered.