SCA Graduate Student Conference Papers
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item A qualitative study of selected juvenile offenders living in Sedgwick County Kansas(Wichita State University. Graduate School, 2014-04-25) Browne, George Ebo; Birzer, Michael L., 1960-This study details the life stories of three former juvenile delinquents by the use of a qualitative methodology in the form of a collective case study. A corollary purpose of the study was to determine if findings could be couched in Robert Agnew's (1992) General Strain Theory. Data analysis subsequently revealed six common themes among participants. Those themes were: (1) lack of parental control, (2) living in a high crime community, (3) experiencing school failure, (4) displaying early signs of delinquency through aggression, (5) substance abuse, (6) and having a desire to obtain money. Moreover, the results demonstrated several sources of strain in participants' lives at the time of their offending that can be explained by the General Strain Theory.Item Risk assessment disparities for females in the criminal justice system(Wichita State University. Graduate School, 2010-04-23) White, M.D.; Craig-Moreland, Delores E.; Beeson, Jodie G.Female adult and juvenile offenders are a forgotten group within the Criminal Justice System. This is one of the primary causes in the lack of research of how females may possibly be assisted to reduce recidivism and avoid future incarcerations. Due to the lack of emphasis on assistance for this particular group of offenders, they have become an expanding group within correctional facilities. Many testing methods used in the criminal justice field do not take into account the difference in gender and therefore analysis should be done into how the questions in these tests can be designed to predict recidivism in females offenders as well as they do in male offenders. Realistic options for female offenders will be defined through qualitative analysis in how females can be helped to adapt after being released from incarceration as well as how to avoid becoming another statistic of future offenders in the female generations.Item Benefits of the Wii Fit as an exercise program for older adults(Wichita State University. Graduate School, 2010-04-23) Hermes, D.; Hitch, S.; Honea, A.; Stephenson, J.; Bauer, J.; Wilson, Camilla; Rogers, Nicole L.To determine if Wii Fit is an effective older adult exercise program compared to a traditional exercise program (TRAD) with respect to functional fitness (FF) and balance. Wii Fit women (n=4) were matched on multiple variables to TRAD subjects (Ss)(n=4) and a control group (CON)(n=4). Interventions were 8 weeks and consisted of flexibility, strength, and balance training. Wii group followed the Wii program and TRAD participated in traditional classes. Pre and post measures included FF and balance. Results were evaluated using qualitative comparison. No baseline difference existed. With respect to FF, TRAD exhibited largest changes. With respect to balance, Wii exhibited similar large changes. Using Wii Fit appears to be as effective as TRAD for balance.Item First Step to Active Health - Online Plus: Pilot Study(Wichita State University. Graduate School, 2009-05-01) Amini, Sahar B.; Slimmer, Mindy Lynn; Park, Eun Young; Rogers, Nicole L.The aim of this project is to implement, and demonstrate the efficacy of, a blended delivery multi-component physical activity program. The experimental group (FSAH-O) consisted of 24 male and females (age = 68.7 ± 5.5 yrs). The control group (N = 15; 74.7 ± 6.2 yrs) was drawn from a similar project. The program consisted of flexibility, strength, and balance training, and cardio-respiratory activity. Participants met 1day/week for 8 weeks for 50 minutes of exercise at a senior center while supplementing class with home exercise 2 days/week. Participants were given access to a program web site (an interactive, secure, online method to motivate, educate, and track activity). Program effectiveness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) (chair stand, arm curl, sit and reach, up & go, scratch test, and 12-min walk); balance (movement velocity (MVL), endpoint excursion (EPE), maximum EPE (MXE), and directional control (DCL) for forward (F), right (R), left (L) and back (B) movements). No baseline difference existed between groups. Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed interactions (p<.05) on most measures. SFT improvements were noted in the FSAH-O group: Chair Stand 10% , Arm Curl 22%; Up-&-Go 8%; 12-min Walk 18%. With respect to LOS, EPE and MXE improved in two directions (R 21%, R 8%; L 7%, L 7%). The control group did not change on any variable. Participating in an 8-week blended FSAH-O program improves FF, and 2 of 4 balance measures. A longer intervention may result in greater improvements.Item Impact of the first step to active aging on older adult's functional fitness, balance and daily activity(Wichita State University. Graduate School, 2009-05-01) Slimmer, Mindy Lynn; Park, Eun Young; Rogers, Nicole L.To determine how the First Step to Active Aging (FSAH) program impacts functional fitness (FF), balance, and daily physical activity (DPA) in older adults. The FSAH group consisted of 18 women. FSAH group met at a senior center for 11 wk, 2d•wk for a 50 min. training program (flexibility, strength, balance, aerobic). The control group consisted of 15 women. Program effectiveness was assessed using measures of FF (chair stand, arm curl, sit & reach, up & go, scratch test, and 12-min walk), balance (movement velocity (MVL), endpoint excursion (EPE), maximum EPE (MXE), and directional control (DCL) for forward (F), right (R), left (L) and back (B) movements), pedometer measured DPA, and weight. No baseline difference existed between groups. Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed group x time interactions (p < .05) on all measures except flexibility. After 11 weeks, FF improvements were noted in the FSAH group: Chair Stand 46 %, Arm Curl 25 %; Up-&-Go 8 %; 12-min Walk 13%. With respect to LOS, MXE improved in all directions (F 18%, R 14%, B 23%,L 10%) and DCL improved in the F direction 9%. DPA also increased from 3,108 to 5,077 steps (38%). The control group did not change in any variable. Participating in a FSAH program improves FF.