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Browsing by Author "Gonzalez-Voller, Jessica, committee member"

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    Exploring the perceptions of first-generation college students with strengths-based development experiences
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Lerer, Steven I., author; Kuk, Linda, advisor; Gonzalez-Voller, Jessica, committee member; Gupta, Kalpana, committee member; Tungate, Susan, committee member
    The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore perceptions of first-generation college students with strengths-based development experiences. Strengths-based development experiences were defined as those that leveraged a student's results from the CliftonStrengths® assessment provided by the Gallup Organization. This study used a phenomenological approach designed to illuminate the shared experience the participants had when engaging in strengths-based development. Seven first-generation college students from three 4-year public colleges participated in this interview-based study. Results showed that each student embarked on a strengths-based development journey unique to them, but all experienced a similar phenomenon. These first-generation college students experienced personal self-discovery and validation of what makes them unique through strengths-based development. Participants' journeys were expanded and confirmed by individuals and communities also on their own personal strengths-based journeys. These experiences and relationships ultimately led participants to an active and conscious application of talent in all aspects of their collegiate life. Intersection with others involved in strengths-based development, whether students, staff, faculty, or community members, was a critical component in the phenomenon. Without such experiences, the phenomenon would have been unlikely to occur. Description of the phenomenon was supported by five superordinate themes with two subordinate themes for each. These superordinate themes were (a) It's Just Natural for Me containing the subordinate themes of Like a Bear Hug and Understanding Increases Over Time, (b) With Whom I Spend My Time containing the subordinate themes of This Is Who I Am and Finding the Right Partners, (c) Leveraging My Strengths containing the subordinate themes of Confidence to Step Up and Recommended to Apply, (d) Helped Me Along My Path containing the subordinate themes of Confirm or Adjust and Supported by Coaching, and (e) Finding Community Through Strengths containing the subordinate themes of Campus Communities and Beyond the Campus Boundaries. This research is the first study to explore strengths-based development experiences through the lens of first-generation college students. It extends existing research into a unique and important population of students on college campuses. This research provides meaningful suggestions for practice by higher education administrators when utilizing the CliftonStrengths® assessment with first-generation college students. This research provides suggestions for higher education administrators considering bringing CliftonStrengths to their campus. Topics for future research are also included to expand the scope of the use of CliftonStrengths on college campuses.
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    Stress, coping, and emotional distress of medically underserved lung and head-and-neck cancer patients
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Peterson, Grace E. B., author; Borrayo, Evelinn, advisor; Henry, Kimberly, committee member; Gonzalez-Voller, Jessica, committee member
    The intent of this study was to investigate how lung cancer (LC) and head and neck cancer (HNC) patients who are medically underserved (i.e. uninsured, underinsured, low income) experience emotional distress (symptoms of depression and anxiety) after being diagnosed with LC or HNC. Participants were recruited from four Colorado hospitals. They completed a baseline survey which included measures of perceived stress, coping self-efficacy, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (TMSC) was used as a theoretical guide for analyses about the relations of stress coping and emotional distress. When age, sex, and stage of cancer were controlled for, levels of perceived stress were observed to be positively associated with experience of emotional distress. Further, coping was shown to be an effective moderator of the relation of perceived stress to emotional distress. The TMSC is a functional theoretical model for organizing the understanding of stress, coping and emotional distress for medically underserved LC and HNC patients. Further research should be conducted to assess for changes in these variables overtime, particularly if psychological interventions can be used to influence each variable.
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    Stress, coping, and quality of life of medically underserved lung and head-and-neck cancer patients
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Peterson, Grace Elaine Barbara, author; Prince, Mark, advisor; Borrayo, Evelinn, committee member; Henry, Kimberly, committee member; Gonzalez-Voller, Jessica, committee member
    The intent of this study was to investigate how medically underserved (i.e. uninsured, underinsured, low income) cancer patients responded to a stepped-care cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention aimed at increasing their ability to cope. The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (TMSC) was utilized as a theoretical guide to assess outcomes of change in perceived stress, change in coping self-efficacy, and change in general quality of life. A parallel indirect effects model of change scores was tested to assess if this model was a good fit for the data, and results indicated that there was a significant specific direct effect from treatment to change in general quality of life, via change in coping self-efficacy. Further, 40 percent of the variance in change in general quality of life was accounted for by this model, which is a very large effect. Conclusions from this study include the utility of the TMSC to theoretically organize the relations of these outcome variables for lung, head and neck, and thyroid cancer patients who are medically underserved. In addition, this study indicated that the stepped-care CBT intervention increased quality of life for those in the intervention group. Future research should continue to assess for the mental health needs of this specific patient population. Continued resources should be put toward research on the development and implementation of stepped-care therapeutic interventions that increase patient coping skills and thereby increase patient quality of life.
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    The role of coping in depression and anxiety outcomes of US Latinx cancer patients
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Vigodnier, Eva Victoria, author; Chavez, Ernest, advisor; Borrayo, Evelinn, advisor; Prince, Mark, committee member; Gonzalez-Voller, Jessica, committee member
    Cancer diagnosis and treatment are related to adverse mental health outcomes, including increased depression and anxiety symptoms. Literature shows that lung cancer (LC) and head and neck cancer (HNC) patients report among the highest rates of depression and anxiety. These outcomes have been shown to be worse among medically underserved cancer patients, including the US Latinx population. However, no research exists that investigates rates of depression and anxiety among US Latinx LC and HNC patients nor potential protective factors. Further, research shows that the ways in which people cope with stressors has both positive and negative impact on mental health factors. The present study analyzed coping, depression, and anxiety outcomes among medically underserved US Latinx cancer patients. Results indicate that 29.51% of medically underserved US Latinx people newly diagnosed with LC or HNC report clinically relevant depression symptoms and 59.02% report clinically relevant anxiety symptoms. Self-efficacy in several forms of adaptive coping were also found to serve as protective factors toward depression and/or anxiety symptomatology and differences in coping self-efficacy were observed between individuals that met the clinical cut-offs for depression and/or anxiety across various coping strategies. Self-efficacy in coping strategies that were problem-focused and aimed at stopping unpleasant thoughts and emotions, were found to be most predictive of reduced depressive and anxious symptomatology. The present study is the first to explicate mental health outcomes among US Latinx people newly diagnosed with LC or HNC and to identify salient coping factors that buffer depression and anxiety symptoms. Implications for mental health intervention in oncological treatment settings are discussed.
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    Understanding first-generation, low-income, Latinx student networks: an exploration of student support at a modern land-grant university
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Mellott, Bailey, author; Cross, Jennifer, advisor; Luna, Jessie, committee member; Gonzalez-Voller, Jessica, committee member
    This thesis employs qualitative analysis of social network data and interview transcripts to explore the social networks and support systems of 18 first-generation, low-income, Latinx students at Colorado State University (CSU), an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution (eHSI) and land-grant university in Northern Colorado. Framed by intersectionality, critical race theory and social network theories, the study investigates how students establish connections on campus, the nature of these connections, and how students make sense of how their networks support them in pursuit of their educational goals. The findings highlight the centrality of peer relationships and the critical influence of mentors and campus programming in fostering student engagement and persistence. The thesis underscores the importance of culturally responsive institutional support and promoting an inclusive educational environment, and ends with brief recommendations for institutions including expanded and resourced programming to further support diverse student needs and aspirations.
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    We are not the same: the experiences of Black women multicultural directors at predominantly white institutions
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Love, Rashida N., author; Carlson, Laurie, advisor; Anderson, Sharon, committee member; Gonzalez-Voller, Jessica, committee member; Bimper, Albert, Jr., committee member
    Although Black Women make up the largest group of racially minoritized administrators in the field of higher education (West, 2020), and are overwhelmingly employed in diversity related mid-level positions (i.e., Multicultural Directors), we know very little about their personal experiences in these roles. Unlike other colleagues who may be able to separate their work lives from their personal lives, Black Women Multicultural Directors exist in the inescapable position of having an everyday experience of the professional being personal. This qualitative study used Black Feminist Thought and Sista Circle Methodology (SCM) to explore and illuminate the lived experiences of Black Women Multicultural Directors at Predominately White Institutions (PWIs). Research themes were surmised under three theoretical constructs: (1) The Intersection of Race, Gender, and Role, (2) To Be a Black Woman Multicultural Director, and (3), The Secrets Behind Black Girl Magic that underscored four major implications:(1) Black Women Multicultural Directors experience a nuanced form of isolation in their roles, (2) Black Women Multicultural Directors who work at PWIs are doing work above and beyond their job descriptions in climates that continue to be oppressive, (3) Black Women did not feel comfortable bringing their "authentic selves" to the workplace, and (4) Black Women were not afraid to leave their institutions when departure was necessitated. The implications of this study highlight the need for PWIs to set Black Women Multicultural Directors up for success at PWIs by: providing them adequate resources and institutional support, being clear in their definition and expectation of Multicultural Directors, and working to change the campus climate to one that acknowledges DEI as the work of the campus, not just the Multicultural Office. To quote one of my sista colleagues who participated in the study, "I hope that by sharing our stories some aspiring Black Woman Multicultural Director can feel comfortable in their own truth and powerful in the role from the very beginning".