This quantitative correlational study investigates caregivers' attitudes toward sexual behavior and sex education for children with Down syndrome, drawing upon the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior. Data was collected from a convenience sample of 112 caregivers. The analysis revealed significant positive associations between…

The purpose of this quantitative study was to compare male and female leadership styles and characteristics in higher education: measuring the effects of those leadership styles on student perceptions. The participants were full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in a higher education institution. A closed…

Autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed more in males than females, this difference is even more prevalent if the female is of at least average intelligence. The problem addressed by this qualitative exploratory case study was the under-identification of females with autism due to their masking behavior. This problem directly impacts females who…

Youth with disabilities are overrepresented in the bullying dynamic and experience poor mental health and school engagement outcomes associated with this involvement. However, limited existing research has looked at differences in bullying involvement based on disability category, and how youth with disabilities make decisions about bullying…

Positive relationships can facilitate the adjustment to college. However, it is uncertain what specific characteristics of college students' personal networks of fellow college students lead to increased social connectedness and college wellbeing. Thus, the role of emerging personal networks in new students' transition to and adjustment to college…

Diversity and inclusivity are increasingly recognized as vital for academic excellence and workforce preparation in higher education. However, discrimination remains a significant challenge, particularly affecting underrepresented minority students, hindering their career aspirations and success, even after achieving higher education levels. This…

This study examined the relationship between the leadership styles of elementary school principals and their students' achievement in Alberta, Canada's curriculum-driven provincial education system. The study also explored the relationship between principal leadership styles and the demographic characteristics of the participant group. A total of…

The dental hygiene profession began in 1917 when the first dental hygienist, Irene Newman, was introduced to the workforce. Since that time there have been very few men who have entered the profession, currently only representing 6.1% of the dental hygienist workforce (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021). Very few studies have explored reasons why…

In the 2017-18 school year, 18% of New York students opted out of a mandated state assessment test. On Long Island, that number was closer to 50% of students opting out of one or more tests. The implications of this phenomenon are far-reaching, but unknown. This study seeks to better understand both who opts out and the potential impact of opt out…

Chapter 1 studies how the interaction of student information with constraints dictated by market design determines higher education choices and outcomes. I study strategic application incentives in imperfect implementations of centralized assignment mechanisms in higher education. I ask whether, in markets with both a central match for public…

The underrepresentation of Black males in Information Technology (IT) is a problem in academia and our society. Information Technology (IT) fields have traditionally been dominated by White and Asian males. Significant research has been conducted to begin to understand the causes that deter women from entering IT. This dissertation employs theory…

This dissertation consists of both quantitative and qualitative studies. The quantitative study utilized the 2017 public use data set from the Survey of Doctorate Recipients (n = 16,383). The purpose of this study was to describe female first-generation doctoral students who have successfully completed PhDs in STEM fields through analysis of…

This mixed methods study was conducted in an urban school district with 172 schools. In schools, students who require mental health support are treated by school psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors. This study examines these clinicians' differing training, knowledge of, and clinical practice related to trauma, to determine…

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between preservice teachers' attitudes, attributions, and level of social comfort with poverty. Undergraduate students enrolled in teacher education programs, at a regional institution, were assessed through paper surveys including: a researcher developed demographics questionnaire, Attitudes…

Quantitative literacy or numeracy skills are increasingly important at every level in a knowledge-based society. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between numeracy achievement, environmental and intrapersonal characteristics. Although the sample for this study included 5,862 U.S. adults (aged 16-65) from the Program…