This study examined the coping patterns of the spouses and adult children of Coronary Bypass Graft clients during the six to twelve months following the surgical event, to determine the patterns of adaptation used during this time frame. Data were collected in a phase II cardiac rehabilitation program from a sample size of 16 spouses and 28 adult children of 16 clients who had their first coronary bypass graft surgery. Using the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale (F-COPES) by McCubbin, Larsen, and Olson (1991) subjects were asked to identify from a list of coping patterns those patterns they used to cope with the stressors associated with the surgery.

The findings of the study revealed that the spouses and adult children used a variety of coping patterns to deal with the stressors. Both groups utilized the Internal Coping Patterns and External Coping Patterns as identified on the F-COPES scale similarly or with near or equal frequency when dealing with the stressors during the recovery process. Both groups identified the use of internal resources such as having confidence in their problem-solving abilities and the ability to positively redefine the situation. External coping behaviors utilized included relying on friends, seeking information from doctors, relying on resources offered by community agencies, and turning to their religious faith to assist them in coping with the stressors of the surgery. Implications for nursing practice included the need to assess the coping patterns utilized by spouses and children during the six to twelve months following the coronary bypass graft surgery to better understand and support family coping.

This study examines the correlation between stress and academic performance using the life events model to measure stress. Full-time nursing students enrolled in an associate degree program at a rural community college were participants in this study. This study concludes that there is a weak negative correlation between stress and grade point average; r=.2553 with a significance of .024. Further study is recommended to examine the effect of coping strategies, age, socioeconomic status on stress and its relationship to academic performance among community college students.

Cardiac catheterizations are known to be anxiety provoking for patients. Originally an inpatient procedure, many are now outpatient procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect that education, provided prior to the cardiac catheterization, had pre-cardiac catheterization anxiety in outpatients. This correlational study used a convenience sampling method. Fourteen males between the ages of 30 and 65 were given the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory prior to receiving, and at the conclusion of, their pre-cardiac catheterization education. The results were analyzed using the students' t-test. The State Anxiety scores decreased from pretest to post test. The Trait Anxiety scores increased from pretest to post test. These results were not statistically significant. Only the decrease in State Anxiety scores was supported by the literature, indicating education had an effect on anxiety. This study should be repeated with a larger sample size and with women.

A retrospective study of 100 patient medical records was done to determine whether preoperative standardized screening tests could be reduced in healthy ambulatory surgical patients age 40 or older without compromising patient surgical outcome. A two way chi-square test of association was utilized to determine if there was any association between the outcome of patients’ elective ambulatory surgical procedures and the preoperative assessments which included the health history and physical examination, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, and laboratory tests. This study found no statistically significant association between the preoperative assessments and patient surgical outcome. The results of this study indicate that preoperative tests are of little significance in predicting surgical outcome in healthy ambulatory patients. The study further indicated that the health history and physical examination should be done first and used as a tool in determining what preoperative standardized screening tests need to be performed.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections account for 35-45 % of all nosocomial infections, making the urinary tract the most frequent site of hospital acquired infections. A non-experimental study was conducted to collect data identifying the risks of developing a catheter associated nosocomial urinary tract infection at a community hospital in Northwest Pennsylvania. The sample size for this study consisted of 48 patients, 25 in the surgery group and 23 in the nonsurgery group.

This study compared a resident pet program and or visitation pet program and their effect on the loneliness experienced by nursing home residents. The sample was comprised of 52 subjects from two nursing homes in Northwestern Pennsylvania. The evaluation tool was the UCLA Loneliness Scale (version 3) by Russell. Subjects completed a 20-question questionnaire. The statistical tests were the t-test and the pearson correlation coefficient. Review of the data analysis suggested there was no significant difference in the loneliness scores and the type of pet program. An inversely related correlation was found between the loneliness scores and the number of years in the nursing home.

Throughout all media, elements of culture are broadcast and absorbed for entire societies to create their own perceptions regarding race. Within certain television genres, there are many instances of stereotyping that are being portrayed that will inevitably influence how society perceives and treats certain groups of people. By analyzing two television series from two separate genres, the impact of particular representations can be predicted using several communication theories. After the analysis, it was determined that society might benefit from a balance of oppressed fictional representations, even if there is no way to depict a completely accurate representation of an entire minority group. Even with this balance, it is unclear if it is possible to fully eliminate the oppression in our society that is partly influenced by the media we consume.

Capitalizing on gender stereotypes in television advertising is a highly used practice. The purpose of this research is to explore how boys and girls are represented in Crayola commercials to uncover whether or not gender stereotypes are still used to sell what many would consider a gender-neutral product. This research is important because as society progresses towards an accepting stance regarding children stepping outside of gender norms, television advertisements should be reflecting this progress. Through the use of qualitative content analysis, Crayola commercials over a 10-year period are examined to identify reoccurring gender stereotype themes, trends, or patterns. The findings were consistent with previous research in that television advertisements are still very gender biased, even when advertising what is considered a gender-neutral children’s product. Even though the stereotypes may not be super obvious or excessive, they are still present and constructing messages to its viewers in various degrees.

This thesis explores video game narration to advocate for the legitimacy of video game narratives in an ever-expanding mediated world. The study utilized narrative criticism to break down the narrative of the video game The Last of Us to understand why this specific game is significant to the video game industry. The results of this study showed this video game narrative to be strong based on the blending of reality and the game’s reality. This strength was shown to affect the player greatly by allowing them to reflect their experiences to the experiences from the game. Through this research, video game narratives were found to be profoundly powerful in helping players to develop a deeper understanding of themselves. The significance of this research stretches beyond the scope of video games and narrative capabilities. This research is dedicated to advocating for those without a voice to be heard and listened to.

Despite the number of active social media users, there is a disconnect for how these virtual platforms can be incorporated into communication classrooms. Moving into the new generation of digital natives, it will become a necessity to teach basic professional skills involving social media. This study divulges into current means of incorporating Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube in higher education, uncovering what practical methods are being used. A review of current literature summarizes, social media is becoming a primary means of communication. It has been challenging for higher education professionals to find ways to incorporate these platforms in ways that progress the quality of education. Communication majors are in need of updated curriculum and pedagogy that reflects our virtual means of communication. Using social media platforms fosters an interactive and hands on learning environment that teaches students practical information.