Honors Projects for Family Resources

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10125/29572

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Expressive Writing and its Effects on Blood Pressure and Self-Reported Stress
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014) Ganir, Ronelyn; Yancura, Loriena; Department of Family Resources
College students experience high levels of psychological stress, which may be accompanied by physiological stress such as high blood pressure. Expressive Writing (EW), an intervention developed by Pennebaker (1996), has been shown to alleviate stress and blood pressure in white college students. The purpose of this study was to examine whether EW is effective in an ethnically diverse student population. Thirty-four undergraduate students (35% white, 44.1% Asian, 154.7% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 2% Hispanic/Latino) completed pre-post measures of stress and blood pressure. Of these, 15 completed an online EW intervention for 20 minutes, and 19 spent an equivalent amount of time surfing the internet and then writing a short paragraph about websites they visited. Stress was measured by self-report and blood pressure were measured with an automatic blood pressure monitor. No significant differences on stress or blood pressure were found between EW group and control group. However, both showed significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure (p < .02) after the intervention. Pre-post differences in reactions to stress approached significance (p < .06). These findings suggest that writing itself, not specifically EW, may be helpful in reducing college student populations.
The Department of Social Services and Housing - Adult Social Services and Elderly Clientel Served
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-09-26) Yonezaki, Susan; Schwitters, Sylvia; Family Resources
The elderly are becoming.an increasingly visible group in Hawaii. Within only a decade, the elderly population aged 65 and older in Hawaii has grown by 36% (Schwitters, 1981) and currently totals 71,000 individuals (Hawaii State Department of Health, 1979). Correspondingly, resources to serve this rapidly increasing group have also grown in numbers. The Hawaii State Executive Office on Aging in its 1979 report on aging programs lists close to 200 services which are already in existence and geared to meet specific needs of older people (Hawaii State Executive Office on Aging, 1980). A qualifying senior citizen in Hawaii today may take advantage of the numerous services and facilities offered by the State. Senior centers offering educational, cultural, and social opportunities have been erected for the State's multi-racial elderly population. Free bus passes enable senior citizens to utilize public transportational services at no expense. "Meals on wheels," Medicare and Medicaid assistance, and Senior Companion/Respite Services also serve the elderly by directing themselves to specific needs, such as nutrition, health support, and personal care.
Opposition to the Possible Airport at Bellows Air Force Station Viewed through the Human Development Perspective
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-09-26) Yamashita, Diane; Kiyuna, Kenneth; Family Resources
In this thesis, the aurthor shall attempt to view conflict and its resolution through a real situation (confrontation between the DOT and the Waimanalo residents on the subject of a possible GA airport at Bellows) employing the "Human Development" perspective. In particular, she shall define conflict and present different modes of conflict resolution for the confrontation described above.
Chinese Immigrants' Adjustment in Hawaii in the Mid-1990s
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-09-26) Wong, Wai-Kwan; Martini, Mary; Family Resources
Five years ago, I experienced the greatest turning point o f my life: immigrated from Hong Kong to Hawaii, a place I knew nothing about except for the famous palm trees and hula dancing. Similar to many other Hong Kong people who migrated during the 1990s, my family migrated to escape the ruling Communist Government. I personally migrated however to seek a better education. In Hawaii, I gained a different perspective on the Chinese culture. Although I was brought up and nurtured by traditional Chinese values, I never realized their impacts on me. After I moved to Hawaii, I learned for the first time, how China and Chinese people are viewed by people in other racial groups. Then, I found that I, and many other Chinese people in this era do not fit the frame of the so called "traditional Chinese." I wondered if the Chinese traditional values are diminishing today or whether Chinese immigrants were quickly adjusting to the host culture in Hawaii. Also, as a new immigrant, I encountered many adjustment difficulties, such as a language barrier and culture shock. I understand and have experienced the stress of migration. I hope I can use my knowledge and experience to help other new Chinese immigrants. One purpose of this study is to get a better understanding of the Chinese immigrants in Hawaii. To get a complete understanding of Chinese immigrants, this study examines three areas: the history of the coming of early Chinese immigrants, the history of the United States Immigration laws and their effects on Chinese immigration, and the current adjustments of Chinese immigrants in Hawaii.
A Critical Analysis of the Validity of Play for Pre-School Children
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-09-26) Wong, Susan; Allen, James; Family Resources
The emphasis of this paper will be on children's play and how it benefits children in their physical development. Observing that young children and constantly engaging in play during their first few years of life, parents, teachers, and adults in general question whether play is or is not beneficial to the motor development of children. When children learn to walk, they delight in walking everywhere and anywhere they are allowed. Then they learn that they can run and run they will as if they were in a constant state of excitement. Eventually they learn to climb, jump, skip, and balance themselves on boards and boxes. They delight in experimenting with new experiences and in repeated learned experiences. All this is play to young children and yet, it is more than play, it is furthering the development of their muscular coordinations. They are learning to control and use their body, hands, and feet to do what they desire. They are also strengthening their muscles which are very important to physical growth.
Resiliency and Emotional Literacy: Promoting the Development of Life Skills and Coping Skills in Students
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-09-26) Wong, Christine; Family Resources
Today's children and adolescents face greater hardships and challenges than ever before, and since the tragedy of the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001, the term "resiliency" has become a popular "buzz word" for child advocates throughout the nation. Another concept, which is gaining foothold in school children's educational lives, is that of emotional literacy. While still relatively new, emotional literacy has caught fire with educators for the improvement of the student as a whole, and to help students better face the life experiences and choices that they may encounter. First, this project illustrates the relationship between resiliency and emotional literacy, which are very much connected but have yet to be adequately documented as supporting one another. Second, this project explores two existing, effective emotional literacy curricula currently used in schools. Third, this project proposes the addition of a cultural aspect to emotional literacy curricula, especially adapted for Hawaii's multicultural environment. By learning more about resiliency and emotional literacy, how they fit together, and why students will benefit from them, parents, educators, and child advocates can better understand how to assist students with their emotional and social development in the classroom. Through paradigm shifts in students' mindsets, students will benefit from this support in their everyday life and future, as well as in the classroom.
Views of Infant Day Care from an Ecological Perspective
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-09-26) Takaichi, Marja; Davidson, Dana; Family Resources
"If we apply what we know today, we can make a significant impact on the future" (Green 1983). There is a large body of research on the direct effects of day care on children, which if analyzed in an ecological framework and tested for applicability to the variable resources and needs of Hawaii's communities, can serve as a base for decision making and policy planning. The purpose of this study is to look at infant care from an ecological perspective and synthesize models which can be applied in Hawaii. Using a systems approach with a critical review of the recent literature, a distinction between the theoretical and applied research on the effects of group care on infants will be proposed. The issues will be identified and outlined for integration with the theories.
Personality Correlates of Marxist and Nonviolent Political Activists
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-09-26) Spalding, Barbara; O'Reilly, Joseph; Family Resources
Four personality inventories were given to political activists separated into two groups, one pacifist and one Marxist, by their scores on a pacifism scale and by a self-reporting measure of political ideology. The inventories were tests of Complexity of Self-Concept, Locus of Control, and 2 factors of the 16 Personality Factor Test, ego & superego. All of these tests differentiated the two groups with the pacifists scoring more complex self-concepts, more internally oriented, more emotional stability and more superego control. Comparisons between these activists & student activists of the 60's showed them to have few demographic similarities. Possible biases could have occurred due to the small sample size and on questions pertaining to relationship with parents on the locus of control scale.
Patterns of Marital Happiness in a Sample from Hawaii
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-09-26) Harano, Jeanne; Family Resources
A considerable amount of unhappiness occurs in many marriages, although not all unhappiness ends in separation, desertion, or divorce (Bossard and Boll, 1955). Children born to a married couple were once thought to symbolize the permanence of marriage (Levy and Munroe, 1938). Nowadays the declining birthrate, increased use of contraceptives, and legalized abortion reflect the idea that children are not as welcome in a marriage as they once were. Other variables such as chared interests, recreation, and philosophy of life have been shown to be related to marital happiness. The purpose of this study is to obtain descriptive results concerning the degree of marital happiness and its relationship to various aspects of marriage by studying a sample from the local population who will be administered a marital happiness questionnaire.
Nisei, Sansei, Yonsei -- Women of Hawaii
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-09-26) Glaser, Gaye; O'Reilly, Joseph; Family Resources
"Nisei, Sansei, Yonsei--Women of Hawaii" -- is a study of three generations of five Japanese American families in Hawaii. This study was undertaken to explore the value orientations of women in the same family and to preserve undocumented information of the Japanese American in Hawaii.
Senesence: A Game of Skillful Living
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-09-26) Fujita, Adele; Meredith, Connie; Family Resources
Senesence is the by-product of one student's desire to create an informal thesis project. It is a method of participation which incorporates education and research. Senesence is primarily geared toward introducing various aspects and the numerous insults which are prevalent to a specific age category. My thesis is an educational tool for the student whose interests lie in the field of gerontology. In simple terms, Senesence is a game for people to become involved, The prime objectives are after participation, the individual gains some insight as to the aging process and old age, within the total framework of the life cycle.
Attitudinal Profile of the 1976 Hawaii State Legislature: Liberalism vs Conservatism
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-09-26) Dang, Margaret; Meredith, Connie; Family Resources
One of the most popularized ideas among behavioral political scientists is the concept of the "political man" (Basu, 1968). Depending on socio-economic status, formation of norms, and role allocation in interpersonal relations, man possesses a more or less organized set of beliefs and attitudes which provide the basis for his political decisions (Basu; Yellig & Wearing, 1974). Several studies however, have produced contradictory results with regards to this notion. Among them, McClosky (1958) argues that only a few of the polity are ideological in their thinking. Such people, he contends, are frequently found among the political elite, i.e., the well-informed and highly involved members of the political sphere. This paper will attempt to examine the political elite in Hawaii by focusing upon one aspect of political ideology, that of the liberalism- conservatism domain. The subjects for this study were the Senators and Representatives of the Hawaii State Legislature. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the political orientations of the legislators. Does the political elite in Hawaii tend toward the liberal end of the continuum, or toward the conservative end? Are there any differences between the Democrats and the Republicans? Between the Senate and the House? What are some of the major demographic characteristics which might influence an individual's political attitudes, if any?
Evangelicals and Social Concern
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-09-26) Ching, Susan; Davidson, Dana; Family Resources
Evangelical Christianity is recognized today as a large and growing movement in the United States. Current estimates of evangelical numerical strength vary widely from 30 to 65 million people, and in the state of Hawaii, the figure has been estimated at about 60,000 people. This particular type of Christianity has been noted for an emphasis on evangelism and the personal experience of conversion known popularly as the "born again" experience. A criticism often wade of this characteristic is that it leeds to a weak sense of social concern and is a faulty approach o social problems. Evangelicals are said to prefer to concentrate on individuals, attempting to reform society by reforming individuals one by one through personal evangelism. The recent exercise of evangelical strength which helped to elect conservative candidates while ousting prominent liberals is seen as consistent with this trait, reflecting a traditional commitment to support of the status quo and opposition to social action to promote positive social change.
Ethnic and Sex Differences in the Marital Role Attitudes of Working Men and Women
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-09-26) Ching, Donna; Meredith, Gerald; Family Resources
The Women's Liberation Movement has often been accused of mainly representing the views of middle-class women (McCracken, 1972). In the early 1960's, middle-class women began realizing that their lives were unfulfilled and their personhood was threatened (Berry, 1972). Women were losing touch with the world outside their homes because they lived vicariously through their children and especially their husbands. Betty Friedan's book, The Feminine Mystique (1963) drew much attention to the issue becuase it seemed to speak for the many unfulfilled, yet silent, women of that decade.
An Affirmative Look at the Stresses of Mid-Life
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-09-26) Bailey, Elizabeth; Lenzer, Anthony; Family Resources
Evidence of negative stereotypes of mid-life are all around us. The mid-life person has been characterized in terms of such traits as "stale", "depressed", "over-the-hill", etc. This study is designed to extend knowledge about , mid-life affirmatively. The first part surveys some of the burgeoning literature, with emphasis upon current, positive treatment of the subject. Next is an analysis of the responses to a questionnaire distributed by the author in November, 1979, to a group of 120 people attending a conference on mid-life changes. These answers corroborate the positive aspects we are discussing here. The third part examines a small group of mid- life adults in terms of changes, attitudes, and self-perceptions. Data were obtained from a small sample of three men and three women, ages 37 - 62, living in middle to upper-middle-class areas of Honolulu, Hawaii. These people were selected because of the author's perception of their living, or having lived, their middle years affirmatively. "Talk Tapes" of one-to-two-hour lengths were designed around the Levinsonian model of biographical interviewing in terms of life structure and its components: occupation, marriage, children, family, peer relationships, and turning points in the life course, among other subjects. These people exemplify successful coping, each in a different way; each has found and established a support system which meets their needs. These glimpses support the author's intention of dispelling a portion of the anticipation, or the consideration, of doom and gloom surrounding mid-life.
Advising beyond graduation: Incorporation of life planning conversations in academic advising
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-01-15) Kau, Cheri; Yancura, Loriena; Family Resources
When students develop partnerships with their advisors, they are able to move beyond scheduling and degree audits to engage in thinking about post-graduation and life planning. Advisors are typically available to provide support and guidance for students’ academic goals, but they can also assist students with personal and professional aspirations. Unfortunately, many students do not take advantage of this aspect of academic advising and treat advising as a once-a- semester task required for class registration. Thus they are graduating from college without plans for attaining their long-term goals. This study surveyed University of Hawai‘i at M!noa undergraduate students to see if UHM undergraduate students who engage in life planning discussions with an academic advisor will be more satisfied with the advising process than those who receive only academic advising for registration and career preparation. Results demonstrate students who engaged in life planning discussions with an academic advisor were more satisfied with their advising experiences than students who did not engage in life planning discussions. These results support developmental, holistic advising that focuses on assisting and supporting students in a multidimensional manner to reach beyond their graduation requirements.
Nature versus Nurture: The Continuing Debate Over Personality
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2012-05-11) Rawji, Almas; Caulfield, Rick
Humans struggle throughout their lives to find out “who they are”. One outcome of this debate is nature and nurture, which are two opposing causes of how human personalities come about. Nature is the idea that personalities are predetermined by genetics. Nurture believes that the environment they are surrounded by crafts personalities. The argument over the two has been ongoing for many years. This study hypothesized that nurture is more important than nature in regards to students’ perspectives on determining human personalities. The objective of this research study was to distinguish what University of Hawai?i at Ma?noa students feel play the most important role in humans personalities with the options: 1) nature, 2) nurture, or 3) both. The study also takes into account different variables including: gender, age, who students were raised by, and where students were raised. In order to understand the opinions of college students, this research survey examines the results of the survey given to 100 male and female freshmen students in the Family Resources 230 class at the University of Hawai?i at Ma?noa. The results showed that 69% of students felt that nature and nurture were equally important for human personalities. Implications of this research can help people find out how much control they truly have over certain aspects of who they are for instance if they are born who they are or if they have the power to change that by hard work and determination.

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