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open access

Access to Health Care and Rates of Mortality and Utilization for the Elderly in Rural America

Description: The aging experience of men and women in rural America is different than that of their urban counterparts. In this study, I identified key disparities in access to health care, mortality, and utilization of health care that result from geographic location. Foundational theories are discussed to illustrate that disparities can originate from historical societal behaviors. Secondary data and literary reviews create a combined qualitative and quantitative approach to explore the rural/urban divide… more
Date: May 2018
Creator: Johnson, Barbara Ann
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Implementation of Person-Centered Care (PCC): A Descriptive Case Study

Description: To meet the growing demand for community-based adult services (CBAS) adult day health care (ADHC) programs, it is important these programs make the necessary modifications in their systems of care to embrace a person-centered care (PCC) model. This study was designed to create an assessment to determine a community-based CBAS/ADHC program's readiness to meet the new federal standards as determined by the program's current operational evidence and by center participants', their families' as well… more
Date: May 2019
Creator: Cole, Min
Partner: UNT Libraries

Perception of Falls and Confidence in Self-Management of Falls among Older Adults

Description: Mobility safety, especially fall prevention, plays a significant role in successful aging for older adults. Fall preventive programs aim to reduce risks for mortality from fall-related injuries among older adults. However, the covariation between personal perceptions of falls and factors and confidence of self-management in falls (CSMoF) is still under-studied despite its importance to fall prevention. Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model, th… more
Date: May 2020
Creator: Li, Qiwei
Partner: UNT Libraries

Multifactorial Determinants of Change in Mental Disorder and Happiness among Older Americans

Description: Mental health is an intrinsic capability that constitute an essential component of healthy aging. Mental health is constituted by positive constructs such as happiness and negative constructs (mental disorders) such as depression. As people grow older, they become more prone to developing mental disorders which are linked to poorer quality of life, increased disability, increased utilization and cost of health services, and higher rates of suicide. This dissertation involved three studies that … more
Date: August 2020
Creator: Adaralegbe, Adeleye Ayinde
Partner: UNT Libraries

Health Reform Implementation Analysis: A Guide to Policy Development for Geriatric Care Planning, Integration and Evaluation

Description: In the context of health care delivery for senior citizens, this research utilizes three studies that examine the development and implementation of health policy and the factors that can directly or indirectly impact the effective delivery of health services to senior citizens. It utilizes three essays employing mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) methods including semi structured interviews, multiple regression and partial least squares structural equation modelling to examine the ext… more
Date: August 2020
Creator: Abah, Theresa
Partner: UNT Libraries

The Relationship between Social Isolation and Wellbeing in Older Adults

Description: This dissertation contributes to research on social isolation in older adults aged 65 years and above through three essays that expand our understanding of the social determinants of health and identify the social and interpersonal factors that contribute to elderly wellbeing. This dissertation examines the significant factors contributing to the problem of social isolation, and how the availability of interest-based, low-cost engagement resources in the community can alleviate social isolation… more
Date: August 2020
Creator: Sen, Keya
Partner: UNT Libraries

Examining Alcohol Related Consequences in Undergraduate Sorority Women

Description: Members of Greek Life organizations consume more alcohol and participate in risky drinking behaviors at higher rate than their non-Greek counterparts due to deep rooted social norms within this population. Undergraduate sorority women at college and universities are often overlooked in research regarding trends in alcohol use in Greek Life organizations. However, women between the ages of 18 and 24 are more vulnerable to the consequences of heavy alcohol use compared to men, including liver dis… more
Date: December 2020
Creator: Cortez, Veronica L.
Partner: UNT Libraries

Speech-in-Noise Processing in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Description: Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder often experience difficulty during speech-in-noise (SIN) processing tasks. However, it remains unclear how behavioral and cortical mechanisms of auditory processing explain variability in SIN performance in adults with ASD and their neurotypical counterparts. The proposed research explored variability in SIN as it relates to behavioral, perceptual, and objective measures of auditory processing. Results showed significant differences between gr… more
Date: August 2021
Creator: Anderson, Chelsea D
Partner: UNT Libraries

A Study of Health-Related Screening Behaviors among Individuals in Texas with Adverse Childhood Experiences

Description: Data from this dissertation was obtained from the Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The Texas BRFSS questionnaire used a cross-sectional retrospective research design while asking questions about individuals' exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and included 11 questions. The sample included 9096 individuals over the age of 18 who had exposure to at least one ACE. An ACE score was calculated for all participants and were divided into two groups (less than 4 A… more
Date: August 2021
Creator: Baniya, Ganesh
Partner: UNT Libraries

Exploring the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Resilience, School Engagement and Success in Adolescents with Co-Occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Description: There remains a dearth of literature that explains with no ambiguity, the complex relationships that exist between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and resilience, as well as school engagement and school in individuals with a co-occurring diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). This study seeks to fill this missing gap in the literature. These research questions were answered using a retrospective cross-sectional study design of nationa… more
Date: August 2021
Creator: Adaralegbe, Ngozi Jane Frances
Partner: UNT Libraries

Behavioral and Neural Correlates of Speech Perception Outcomes in Adults with Cochlear Implants

Description: Postlingually deafened cochlear implant (CI) adults have large variability in speech perception abilities. While CIs are one of the most successful neural prosthetic devices, they are not able to adequately provide fine structure cues which results in a degraded signal for the listener to interpret. While behavioral measures remain the gold standard for determining speech perception abilities, an objective measure is needed for patients who are unable to provide reliable behavioral responses. B… more
Date: December 2021
Creator: Manning, Jacy
Partner: UNT Libraries

Successful Retirement Transition Planning: Influences of Decision Support Factors and Socio-Demographics

Description: Some people experience cumulative advantages or disadvantages at birth and during their lifespan that determine future life course outcomes. Health disparities and systemic inequity can define a negative trajectory for some minority and underserved communities. Without intervention, such inequity can spiral and eventually affect more and more areas of an older person's life, much like cumulative disadvantages. This research proposes that older adults can improve their situation through targeted… more
This item is restricted from view until June 1, 2027.
Date: May 2022
Creator: Tinofirei, Charity
Partner: UNT Libraries

Information Communication Technology Efficacy in Reducing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Community Living Older Adults

Description: This study will extend the current body of knowledge about how accessible and affordable information communication technologies (ICT; smartphones, tablets, and computers) can foster social interaction and reduce social isolation and loneliness in older adults aged 55 plus. The first study is a systematic literature review of existing studies on ICT and the willingness of older adults to use technology. The second study is quantitative research that investigates the trust and reasoning of older … more
This item is restricted from view until June 1, 2027.
Date: May 2022
Creator: Harllee, Heath D
Partner: UNT Libraries

Older Adult Loss, Bereavement, and Grief Experiences: Influences on Adjustment and Resilience after Loss

Description: Loss is an inevitable part of life. The actual process of grieving is unique and can be hard to quantify. Grief interventions can address the relationship quality and attachment status between the griever and the deceased and how memories are interpreted and carried into the present and future. This three-essay dissertation explores variations of loss and the factors that contribute to a resilient recovery.
This item is restricted from view until June 1, 2027.
Date: May 2022
Creator: Noah, Amanda M
Partner: UNT Libraries

On the Utility of Surface Electromyography-Based Biofeedback on Rehabilitation from Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Clinical Trial

Description: Knee osteoarthritis affects approximately 25 million adults. In severe cases, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the most common solution. TKA is effective at addressing pain and reducing continued degeneration of articular cartilage. However, effective physical therapy (PT) following TKA is vital for a full functional recovery. Despite the importance of PT, half of patients never achieve a full functional recovery. Decreases in proprioceptive feedback, severe atrophy, and pain inhibition all lik… more
This item is restricted from view until September 1, 2027.
Date: August 2022
Creator: Armshaw, Brennan
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Electrophysiological Auditory Measures to Identify Potential Cortical Markers of Tinnitus

Description: Tinnitus, or the perception of sound in the absence of external acoustic stimuli, is a common condition that impacts approximately 10-15% of the United States population, with similar prevalence rates reported in other countries. Current diagnosis of tinnitus relies on case history and audiometric testing, which depend on responses provided by the patient. To date, there is no objective test that can be used for tinnitus diagnosis, despite the high prevalence and significant financial impacts o… more
Date: December 2022
Creator: Caldwell, Joshua
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Resident Satisfaction Indicators in Long-Term Care Settings

Description: Due to an increasingly aging population and long-term care available, the number of older adults seeking long-term care facilities is growing. Resident satisfaction indicators have become essential measurements of service quality. However, few studies have investigated the evidence on prevalent resident satisfaction indicators and associated factors. In order to understand what are the types of resident satisfaction measurements utilized in long-term care facilities in the United States and how… more
Date: May 2023
Creator: Li, Xiaoli
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Subjective Cognitive Decline in Activities of Daily Living among Older Adults with Depressive Symptoms

Description: This study aimed to understand subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and functional difficulties in older age cohorts with depressive symptoms, using one scoping review and two empirical studies. We implemented the six steps of Arksey and O'Malley's procedure for the scoping review. We used the population, concept, and context (PCC) inclusion and exclusion criteria in the literature search across MEDLINE via Ebscohost, PubMed, and PsycINFO for articles published on ADL/IADL indicators of SCD in ol… more
Date: May 2023
Creator: Komalasari, Renata
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Older Adults' Age Cohorts Time-Use Behavior and Preferences for Leisure Activities: Moderation by Sex and Mediation by Employment Status

Description: The objectives of the present dissertation were: (1) determine the relationships between time use in physical vs social leisure activities (PLA - SLA), and cognitive vs emotional leisure activities (CLA - ELA) by older adults age cohort (60-69, 70-79 and 80-plus yrs.); (2) ascertain the role of sex in moderating the relationship between time use in PLA-SLA and CLA-ELA by older adults age cohort; and (3) assess how employment status mediates the relationship between time use in PLA-SLA and CLA-E… more
Date: May 2023
Creator: Rivera-Torres, Solymar
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Sustainable Healthcare Provider OUD Assessment and Management in Rural Native American Communities (RNACs): Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Approaches

Description: In the US, rural Native American communities (RNACs) experience excess morbidity in mental health disorders and mortality from opioid use disorder (OUD). This study used mixed methods to evaluate and analyze the primary data from 76 healthcare providers (HPs) from 24 states across the US (physicians = 7%), to identify HP knowledge and training regarding available prevention, treatment, and recovery (PTR) programs in treating OUD, assessment and management skills, and networking and collaboratio… more
Date: July 2023
Creator: Mincer, Wendy Faye
Partner: UNT Libraries

Use of Videoconference Technology in the Social Engagement of Older Adults by Aging-in-Place Organizations

Description: This dissertation investigates videoconference technology adoption by aging-in-place organizations to facilitate the social engagement of older adults. It comprises three studies that examine the initiation and coordination of technology adoption by aging-in-place organizations and addresses the factors associated with successful adoption of relational videoconference technology by older adults. The first study is a systematic literature review exploring the role of aging-in-place organizations… more
This item is restricted from view until January 1, 2026.
Date: December 2023
Creator: Alagood, John
Partner: UNT Libraries
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