The Grand Challenge of Preparing OD Scholar Practitioners for Grand Challenges

This doctoral dissertation investigates a set of problems in the field of organization development (OD) that I believe have become barriers to innovation in the field and to OD professionals doing more inspired work. These include the problem of exclusion, the problem of marginalization, the problem of integration and the problem of relevance. Using Weick’s (1989) concept of theorizing as disciplined imagination, I apply the methodologies of radical theorizing to imagine OD differently, to make novel interpretations of the work of Kurt Lewin, and to conceive of new approaches to OD practice. A conceptual framework that encompasses the diverse and fragmented elements of the study and practice of OD is presented as (a) an OD scholar practitioner mindset, (b) a different way of thinking, (c) a new vocabulary, and (d) a new belief system. A model for the OD scholar practitioner that based upon the alignment of integrated thinking, practice-based theory and philosophical pragmaticism is proposed

Risk Factors of Suicidal Phenomenon: Prevention and Intervention

Around the world suicide has caused more deaths per year than homicide or war (World Health Organization, 2002). Suicidal attempts (the person survives) and suicidal ideation (thinking seriously about suicide) are others dimensions of the suicide phenomenon. A number of risk factors have been considered as factors contributing to the increased likelihood of suicidal ideation, attempts, and completions. Sociological (external) factors and psychological (internal) factors have been considered in increasing suicidal risk. Beyond the individual factors research has also explained the family, social, and community aspects of the suicidal phenomenon. Helping professionals planning suicide intervention and prevention strategies need to be aware of both the myths and misperceptions of the suicide phenomenon, as well as research based risk factors

The Role of Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Emotion Regulation as Protective Factors Against Disordered Eating in a Sample of University Students

Although eating disorders and related interventions have been heavily researched, less is known about potentially protective variables, including self-compassion, mindfulness, and emotion regulation. It is important to understand these constructs and their relationship to eating disorder symptoms because such factors may prevent these disorders in at-risk individuals and aid in more successful psychotherapeutic outcomes. Independent theories related to these variables and their relationship to disordered eating have been postulated, but not yet combined into a single model. In this study, 100 university students completed self-report surveys that were analyzed using a Path Analysis (PA) method. This method tested an integrated model of the influence of mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotion regulation on eating disorder symptoms. The results indicate that higher levels of self-compassion are related to higher levels of mindfulness, both of which are predictive of lower levels of emotion regulation difficulties and lower levels of disordered eating. Emotion regulation partially mediated the relationships between self-compassion and eating disorder symptoms and between mindfulness and eating disorder symptoms through self-compassion. Self-compassion was also directly related to eating disorder symptoms. Clinical implications and recommendations for future research are provided in the context of the study\u27s limitations

Play therapy techniques and their effectiveness with angry children in a school setting

The purpose of this study was to determine which play therapy techniques were most effective when applied to working with children who have angercontrol problems

Estimating Watershed Residence Times in Artificially-Drained Landscapes and Relation to Nutrient Concentrations

Nutrient runoff from agricultural lands feeds harmful algae blooms that create a variety of problems in freshwater ecosystems. In order to reduce the effects of this nutrient runoff, Best Management Practices (BMPs) are being put in place in agricultural lands. Most of these BMPs focus on slowing down the flow of water through the watershed to give nutrient concentrations time to deplete before the water flows to the stream or river. However, the effectiveness of these BMPs are highly unknown and the process of monitoring nutrient runoff is often complex and costly. The data in this study consists of 7 years of existing water stable isotope data and 9 years of nutrient concentrations collected by volunteers of the nonprofit Wabash River Enhancement Corporation (WREC). Samples are taken twice a year (spring and fall) across a fairly large area draining into the Wabash river. We use stable isotopes, deuterium and oxygen-18 as a proxy for residence times and correlate these residence times with land use and nutrient concentrations

Nonworksite Interventions to Reduce Sedentary Behavior among Adults: A Systematic Review

Sedentary behavior has been identified as a major health risk. Although interventions to reduce time spent sedentary have become increasingly prevalent, the vast majority of this work in adults has been focused on workplace sedentary behavior and often pairs sedentary reduction interventions with increasing physical activity. As research designed to specifically decrease sedentary time that is not limited to the workplace becomes available, identifying strategies and approaches, along with feasibility and efficacy of these interventions, is warranted. Electronic databases were searched for sedentary interventions with eligibility criteria, including (a) interventions designed to explicitly reduce sedentary behavior that were not limited to the workplace, (b) outcomes specific to sedentary behavior, (c) adults at least 18 yr of age, and (d) written in English. A total of 767 full-text manuscripts were identified, with 13 studies meeting all eligibility criteria. Although intervention characteristics and methodological quality varied greatly among studies, 10 of the 13 studies observed a significant reduction in objectively measured sitting time postintervention. In those studies that collected participant feasibility/acceptability data, all reported that the intervention was viewed as “favorable to very favorable,” would use again, and that participant burden was quite low, suggesting that these interventions were feasible. Sedentary behavior interventions not limited to the workplace appear to be largely efficacious. Although results varied with respect to the magnitude of the decrease in time spent sedentary, they are encouraging. However, because of the small body of evidence and the variability of study designs, our ability to make overarching statements regarding “best practices” at this time is limited. Well-controlled trials of longer duration with larger samples, using theoretically based interventions with consistent prescriptions for limiting sedentary time, are needed