http://hdl.handle.net/10788/369 2017-07-08T16:25:33Z http://hdl.handle.net/10788/3247 Reading recovery : an intervention to accelerate literacy levels and attitudes towards reading and writing Hearty, Aibhin The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of “Reading Recovery” as an early intervention for literacy, and to measure the correlation between attitudes and literacy levels. A quasi-experimental analysis using a between group design, measured the effects of the intervention across a twelve week period. Four participants received the intervention, and six participants did not. Reading Recovery and standardised assessments measured reading comprehension, fluency, phonemic awareness, and writing accuracy. The experimental group improved significantly across three time points, and scored significantly higher than the control group in most assessments at time three. Attitudes towards reading and writing significantly improved with rising literacy scores for experimental participants. Reading Recovery was successful in improving literacy scores and attitudes, and should be considered for broader research across Irish schools. Author keywords: Education, literacy, intervention 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10788/3180 The relationship between stress, self-efficacy and procrastination in traditional and non-traditional students Murphy, Sorcha This study discusses the relationship between stress, self-efficacy and procrastination in traditional and non-traditional students (n=116). Participants completed the Aitken Procrastination Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale and the College Academic Self-Efficacy Scale and gave demographic information. Analyses of data were completed using independent samples t-test, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s product correlation and multiple regression. Significantly higher stress was reported by traditional students but non-significant differences in self-efficacy and procrastination were found. The variables were found to be significantly correlated and procrastination was found to significantly predict stress levels in students. The implications of this study are for third-level education administrators and college counselling services to direct their services to at-risk student cohorts and plan for the specific needs that arise. Author keywords: Stress, self-efficacy, procrastination, students, non-traditional students 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10788/3168 Generational differences in men’s drive for muscularity and reliance on body-image for self-worth Owen, Shane The current study explored generational differences in drive for muscularity (DM) and body apperception. Excessive DM is correlated with mental and physical health risks. Previous research indicated the need to identify vulnerable demographics in order to better direct supports. This study adds to that undertaking by examining age and reliance on body image in order to see if they impact on DM. A convenience sample of 149 men from two age groups, 18-30 (N=81) and 45-60 (N=68) years old were recruited. Participants completed a questionnaire on attitudinal and behavioural measures of DM, and a measure of reliance on body image as a source of self-worth (MBA). Results: Younger males exhibited higher muscularity-related attitudes and behaviours; however, both groups displayed similar MBA scores. Further analysis, controlling for aspects of body image which may impact DM, showed that age itself appears to be a factor in DM. Author keywords: Body image, muscularity, male body image, body apperception, drive for muscularity 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10788/3167 Sensorimotor interference in cognitive tasks for children with dyslexia Mulcahy, Sarah There are many theories of dyslexia though mainly falling within three: phonological, cerebellar and magnocellular; of which auditory and visual fit within (Ramus, 2003). Historically it has been difficult to illuminate the underlying cause despite agreement on heterogenetic evidence. This study focused on the sensorimotor interferences that aid and abet recall for a group of children 8 & 12 years of age both with (WD) and without dyslexia (WO). It was hypothesised that there would be a significant difference between both groups in the (AI) due to auditory deficits for (WD) group. Analysis revealed weak correlation in the olfactory condition; moderate correlations between group scores in the auditory; visual and gustatory scores and a strong correlation in the tactile condition between groups; a significant difference between groups in a no interference (NI) and an auditory interference (AI) task. Further analysis in the chronological age group showed a significant difference between both groups in the (AI) task only (t(28) = -3.443 p < .001). CI 95% -3.504 to -.860 indicating as within other studies that children with dyslexia are significantly impaired in an auditory domain (Rosen et al., 2003; White et al., 2006). It was also hypothesised that the addition of movement for the experimental group in the (TI) would show a significant improvement in memory recall in comparison to the (NI) for that group. This as not the case however a significant difference was found between (AVM) and recall across between groups (t(19) = -2.395, p < .001). CI 95% -10,03473 to -.69597. Auhor keywords: Dyslexia, auditory, interference, learning, sensorimotor 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10788/3166 The effects of sleep quality and coping strategies on the cognitive reappraisal ability amongst residential social care workers Brannick O Cillin, Roise The purpose of this study is to investigate the interactions and effects of sleep quality, cognitive coping strategies on cognitive reappraisal ability among Residential Social Care Workers in a statutory agency. It is an experimental correlational study in which Residential Social Care Workers (RSCW’s) were purposively sampled. The primary hypothesis that sleep quality and cognitive coping strategies were predictive of Cognitive Reappraial Ability (CRA) was not supported by the regression analysis but were retained based on supplementary findings. The supplementary findings indicated that the overall sample of RSCW’s scored significantly low in CRA. Further investigation identified that in particular RSCW’s in position for less than three years and male RSCW’s were predictive of significantly low CRA. Significant differences in sadness perceptions were found between two sample groups of RSCW’s resulting in overall high sadness scores. In addition post hoc tests indicated a significant negative relationship between negative coping strategies and sleep quality. Author keywords: Cognitive coping strategies, CRA, sleep quality 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z