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Phenomenological Study On Use Of Sports And Exercise For Veterans With Ptsd, Hope Angelina Torres Dec 2022

Phenomenological Study On Use Of Sports And Exercise For Veterans With Ptsd, Hope Angelina Torres

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological research was intended to explore the effectiveness of sports and exercise to decrease or manage D-PTSD symptoms in veterans. The study was framed around four research questions: How do veterans describe the impact sports and exercise have on their D- PTSD?, When there are PTSD symptoms being experienced prior to engaging in a sport or exercise, how does the veteran feel after the sport or exercise is completed?, What do veterans describe as the primary catalyst that draws them to engage in combative sports?, What is the holistic connectedness with sports and exercise for veterans with D- PTSD …


The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Mental Health Well-Being Among Staff Of A Domestic Violence Shelter, Tonisia Lynette Brown-Cotten Dec 2022

The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Mental Health Well-Being Among Staff Of A Domestic Violence Shelter, Tonisia Lynette Brown-Cotten

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitatively study via the Case Study approach was to recognize the impact that coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) had on the mental health of randomly selected female domestic violence shelters’ board members, staff, volunteers, and counselors and therapists. To guide this study, the theory of integrating existing knowledge of a topic generated an in-depth, multi-faceted understanding of a complex issue. The case study aimed to answer how COVID-19 impacted higher levels of stress, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms in the female gender. The study focused on the experiences of vicarious trauma (VT), secondary traumatic stress (STT), compassion …


The Role Of Evangelical Beliefs In The Attainment Of Posttraumatic Growth Among Adult Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse, Sandra Jean Mcmillan Dec 2022

The Role Of Evangelical Beliefs In The Attainment Of Posttraumatic Growth Among Adult Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse, Sandra Jean Mcmillan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a post-trauma outcome that is extraordinarily complex due to the many subjective aspects and various emerging models regarding the mechanisms leading to it. Studies have led to traditional models of PTG; however, some special populations have limited data regarding factors leading to PTG. Adult survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) are a distinct population due to the unique sequela emerging from CSA. Religious or spiritual growth is a recognized domain that has been shown to predict PTG; however, no study to date has examined Evangelical Protestant beliefs in relation to PTG among adults with a history …


A Phenomenological Study On The Experiences Of Christian Mothers Navigating Through Societal Worldviews And Social Movements, Holly Amber Neavitt Dec 2022

A Phenomenological Study On The Experiences Of Christian Mothers Navigating Through Societal Worldviews And Social Movements, Holly Amber Neavitt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study will investigate the lived experiences of Christian mothers as they navigate through various societal worldviews and influences. By examining the available studies on the misuse of Christian doctrine that facilitate the patriarchal worldview and the feminist movement to abolish faith-based gender assignment, the need to investigate the experiences of Christian mothers will be identified. Moreover, the burden of social conformity will be examined. Motherhood can feel like unfamiliar territory as mothers take on their role of motherhood. Investigating these influences and identifying the common experiences mothers face will help to better support Christian mothers. Investigating these lived experiences …


The Lived Experiences Of Intercultural Couples' Attachment To Their Respective Culture And Its Influence On The Success Or Dissolution Of Their Marriages, Emmanuella Etienne Denis Dec 2022

The Lived Experiences Of Intercultural Couples' Attachment To Their Respective Culture And Its Influence On The Success Or Dissolution Of Their Marriages, Emmanuella Etienne Denis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experience of intercultural couples’ devotion to their cultures and how it influenced the success or dissolution of their marriages. The theories guiding this study included cultural attachment and intersubjectivity. The cultural attachment theory helps couples explore their childhood experiences because not all attachment is solid and dependable. Intersubjectivity theory suggests that every person is influenced by their friends, family members, and surrounding culture. Worldwide, when couples enter a relationship straying away from their culture instead of staying connected to their native culture, intercultural couples face a dilemma. However, when …


Who Cares? Suicide And Christian Pastoral Intervention, Debra Kay Averitt Dec 2022

Who Cares? Suicide And Christian Pastoral Intervention, Debra Kay Averitt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The fallen world we live in presents challenges that often seem too much to bear. How we view those challenges depends not only on our worldview but also on our interpretation of it. These same beliefs help determine if, when, and to whom we go for help. Beliefs and worldviews also drive those who provide help, making the decision of who to see that much more important. This study addresses the dispute between pastoral and secular counseling—Who is better prepared to treat individuals presenting with severe distress? In essence, this quantitative survey is a letter to the churches asking pastors …


African American Male Pastors’ Perceptions Of Managing Racism As Black Men And Spiritual Leaders, Priscilla Lenora Miles Dec 2022

African American Male Pastors’ Perceptions Of Managing Racism As Black Men And Spiritual Leaders, Priscilla Lenora Miles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this psychological phenomenological study was to give African American pastors a platform to express their perceptions of racism as Black men and spiritual leaders. The appropriate relationships can endure unforeseen trauma with Erickson's (2013) recognition of the dependability and reliability of the scriptures, as well as Bowlby's (1969/1982) concept of pastors' attachments fostering trust. The research questions were as follows: How would African American pastors describe the challenges they face when addressing the issue of racism with their congregations? What strategies would African American pastors encourage to congregates when addressing racism? How would African American pastors describe …


A Phenomenological Study On Trauma And Binge Eating Disorder Among African American Women In The State Of Virginia, Vester Appiah Dec 2022

A Phenomenological Study On Trauma And Binge Eating Disorder Among African American Women In The State Of Virginia, Vester Appiah

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The primary goal of this research was to investigate trauma and binge eating disorders among African American women. This study is related to numerous research assessments on disordered eating even though they have majorly focused on binge eating among European American women, thus ignoring the African Americans. However, the investigation aimed to build on the previous research studies by conducting a more in-depth exploration of the adverse impact experienced by the minority groups and how traumatic events contribute to the situation. Besides, culturally specific models of binge eating among African American women were conducted in trauma survivors and possible mechanisms …


Improving Lay Helper Effectiveness: Teaching Living Prayer As A Gateway To A Focused Kingdom Lifestyle, Mark R. Painter Dec 2022

Improving Lay Helper Effectiveness: Teaching Living Prayer As A Gateway To A Focused Kingdom Lifestyle, Mark R. Painter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is common for those entering counseling at the Lake Church Counseling Center to lack intimacy with God. When one lacks intimacy with God, they are in imminent danger of becoming influenced exclusively by the world's thinking in one or more areas of life. It is the effort of the LCCC to provide services to those suffering from emotional, spiritual, relational, and personal development struggles. Initially, the counseling center treats such conditions using Living Prayer to help clients strengthen their connection with God and transition to behaviors influenced only by the kingdom of God. This project aims to help Lake …


Mental Health Implications Of Isolation During Hospitalization For Covid-19: Self-Perceived Variations In Emotion, Rebekah Ruth Jones Dec 2022

Mental Health Implications Of Isolation During Hospitalization For Covid-19: Self-Perceived Variations In Emotion, Rebekah Ruth Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Forced isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in numerous mental health consequences. Individuals who have required hospitalization due to contracting the illness are at an increased risk of developing potentially harmful mental health concerns resulting from the emotional distress of forced isolation. Families separated from one another experience anxiety and fear due to helplessness fostered by the separation. Furthermore, medical caretakers are placed in the position to make life-altering decisions for their patients, increasing their stress and anxiety levels. Therefore, it is imperative that hospitals provide adequate mental health support for patients and their family members. Furthermore, communities …


Prayer: The Effect It Has On Decreasing Marital Conflict With Heterosexual Couples, Michelle Corbett Brown Dec 2022

Prayer: The Effect It Has On Decreasing Marital Conflict With Heterosexual Couples, Michelle Corbett Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem is not much research that shows whether prayer has a positive or negative effect on marital conflict; and which type of prayer is better at combatting marital conflict. The purpose of this quantitative study is to unveil the independent variables (IVs): religious strategies and prayer types that interact positively with the dependent variable (DV), marital conflict, in decreasing the marital conflict with heterosexual couples. The researcher created one survey to include questions from the Behavioral Religiosity Scale, Kansas Marital Conflict Scale, Poloma and Pendleton’s Prayer Types, and Prayer for Partner Measure for participants to answer. A sample size …


Leadership Culture: An Effective Leadership Strategy For Church Growth And Spiritual Maturity, Sikiru A. Asifatu Dec 2022

Leadership Culture: An Effective Leadership Strategy For Church Growth And Spiritual Maturity, Sikiru A. Asifatu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In every organization, leadership culture patterns require a constant assessment to ensure members adhere to corporate practices. In church settings, leadership culture not only creates change but also transforms ministry strategy. Often, church leaders do not perceive culture as the driving force behind effective ministry operations. At Gateway Church, the researcher encountered church growth issues that other ministries struggle with as well, from organizational structure to leadership style. These problems will continue to be a challenge unless the church reinvents an effective leadership strategy focusing on ministry development. This research aims to address the leadership development issue at Gateway Church …


Deployment Separation Impact On Military Spouse Well-Being, Cinthia Joas Dec 2022

Deployment Separation Impact On Military Spouse Well-Being, Cinthia Joas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military spouses are confronted with multiple responsibilities daily. These demands intensify when their spouses deploy. By extension, military families respond differently and adapt to these stressors differently than civilian families. This necessitates coping with dynamic changes described as adequate or maladaptive. The deployment of one's spouse is also affiliated with mixed feelings such as anger, fear, joy, loneliness, anticipation, and relief. While the active-duty spouse is deployed, communication with the family allows a more significant emotional balance for the military member, the spouse, and the children to obtain a more favorable performance in their functions. Without proper and consistent communication, …


Addressing The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences Of Adults Through The Pastoral Counseling Ministry Of Victory Church, Joseph Randall Tapp Dec 2022

Addressing The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences Of Adults Through The Pastoral Counseling Ministry Of Victory Church, Joseph Randall Tapp

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Dr. Vincent Filetti's landmark 1998 study exposed the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on children and adults. His analysis determined that childhood traumatic experiences could strongly correlate to serious health issues in adults. Exposure to childhood adversity has been shown to correlate not only with mental health issues such as depression, suicide, and substance abuse but also with chronic, life-threatening health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and immune system issues. This DMin study aims to address the impact of ACEs on adult clients of the pastoral counseling ministry of Victory Church, a large non-denominational Christian church located …


Exploring The Impact Of Generational Trauma On Mother-Daughter Relationships With An Emphasis On The African American Community, Bernadette Denise Ward Dec 2022

Exploring The Impact Of Generational Trauma On Mother-Daughter Relationships With An Emphasis On The African American Community, Bernadette Denise Ward

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In many communities the mother-daughter relationship is not only vital in the younger years but also in the teen and young adult years. Several studies have explored a mother’s influence on her daughter’s views of the self, others, and the world in general. The mother-daughter relationship does not only impact personal morals and values but also the types of relationships the daughters gravitate to. In the African American community, many of the mother-daughter relationships are known to be similar in nature and/or dynamics throughout generations. Relationships that are tainted or known as toxic also seem to cycle throughout several generations. …


The Integration Of Neuroscience And Counseling Using Neuroeducation In Trauma Treatment: A Quantitative Study, Daniel Ross Wood Dec 2022

The Integration Of Neuroscience And Counseling Using Neuroeducation In Trauma Treatment: A Quantitative Study, Daniel Ross Wood

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Researchers in numerous professional fields, including psychology, have applied neuroscience integration in their studies. Yet research has also demonstrated a hesitancy among counselors to utilize neuro-informed principles in case conceptualization and treatment. No researchers in the studies found among the mental health counseling fields considered this issue. If left unaddressed, counselors and clinicians may avoid the use of an effective and complimentary integrative approach or unintentionally misapply neuro-informed principles and violate ethical standards in practice. This quantitative research used a survey and case study design to consider mental health professional characteristic variables of self-competency, theoretical attitude, and strength of religious …


Understanding Foster Care Elopement And Impact On Well-Being: A Phenomenological Study, Dana Monette Hart-Raynor Dec 2022

Understanding Foster Care Elopement And Impact On Well-Being: A Phenomenological Study, Dana Monette Hart-Raynor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how elopement behaviors impacted short- and long-term well-being and daily functioning of older youth participating in North Carolina’s Foster Care 18 to 21 Program and foster care alumni in North Carolina. The theories guiding this research study were Bowlby’s attachment theory, Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Fragmented relationships with foster caregivers were intensified with frequent elopement behaviors and problematic interpersonal relationships continued to manifest after foster care exiting. Fostered youth, their caregivers, child welfare professionals, and the community-at-large were impacted by the youth’s decision to elope. The …


A Hermeneutic Exploration Of The Meaning Of School Counseling For Undocumented Students Attempting To Receive Equitable College Access, Victoria Lauren Landi Nov 2022

A Hermeneutic Exploration Of The Meaning Of School Counseling For Undocumented Students Attempting To Receive Equitable College Access, Victoria Lauren Landi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study examines what school counseling means to undocumented students attempting equitable college access. Critical Race Theory is the theoretical basis guiding this study. Much literature on undocumented youth and educational attainment suggests undocumented youth are not receiving an equitable public education and continue falling further into society's margins. However, research has not yet captured how undocumented youth experience college access from their school counselors. The gap in the research elucidates the research questions that drove this study regarding how undocumented students explain the meaning of equitable college access from their interactions with school counselors and how undocumented youth …


Vicarious Healing: Integration Of Faith And Practice, Yolanda R. Montgomery Nov 2022

Vicarious Healing: Integration Of Faith And Practice, Yolanda R. Montgomery

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Several studies have evaluated the emotional burden added to therapists who are treating traumatized individuals. However, little research has been done to determine how to mitigate the secondary trauma in clinicians within the therapeutic environment during counseling sessions. An exploration of change theory can be applied to understand why secular therapists experience resilience and growth at different times or not at all. However, this intersection lacks a spiritual component that is present for Christian therapists to heal from this trauma during in-person sessions. The present study aims to explore this intersection of change theory with posttraumatic growth and vicarious resilience. …


Heart, Soul, Mind, And Strength: Understanding Spirituality's Transformative Impact As Assisted By Intradisciplinary Integration, Christopher Taylor Stokes Oct 2022

Heart, Soul, Mind, And Strength: Understanding Spirituality's Transformative Impact As Assisted By Intradisciplinary Integration, Christopher Taylor Stokes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Spirituality is an essential and deeply embedded part of Black Americans’ psyche. The counseling field has largely overlooked the roles of spirituality and religious beliefs in the development of the consciousness of this demographic. In the treatment of Black Americans, particularly Black churchgoers, this can be a serious oversight. The purpose of this DMin action research thesis is to provide sufficient intradisciplinary integrative spiritual teaching to effect holistic coping strategies for Lake Providence’s Mid-Week Bible Study Service members. The goal is to bring healing through an intradisciplinary integrative teaching approach utilizing psychology, theology, and spirituality. If the members of Lake …


The Shared Experiences Of Privilege And Oppression Among Black Females In Counselor Education And Supervision Programs: A Thematic Analysis, Kimberly Spellman Oct 2022

The Shared Experiences Of Privilege And Oppression Among Black Females In Counselor Education And Supervision Programs: A Thematic Analysis, Kimberly Spellman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Because the United States has one of the most complex cultural identities in the Western world, it is essential that counselors and counselor educators develop the multicultural and social justice competencies needed to work within this diverse society. To this end, counselor educators must have awareness of their own knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors related to privilege, oppressions, social group status, etc., as well as to be aware of the intersectionality of privilege and oppression across one’s various identities. This is particularly important given that research suggests that the intersectional privilege and oppression dynamics often experienced by Black females facing …


Resiliency And Buffering Contrasts Between Military And Civilian Families As Factors In Suicidality, Kenneth Earl Dempsey Oct 2022

Resiliency And Buffering Contrasts Between Military And Civilian Families As Factors In Suicidality, Kenneth Earl Dempsey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Much has been discussed and researched regarding suicide in the general population as well as among military members and veterans, but far less attention has been given to the subject of suicide among military family members. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and describe the phenomena experienced by families who have lost someone to death by suicide, with the most salient point and objective being offering insights that may lead to preventing further suicide deaths. The scope of this study encompassed survivors of suicide loss, some selected for their affiliation with the U.S. uniformed services and others …


Growing Up In A Time Of War: Exploring The Psychological Flexibility Of Adults Raised In The Military Community, Margaret Catherine Benjamin Oct 2022

Growing Up In A Time Of War: Exploring The Psychological Flexibility Of Adults Raised In The Military Community, Margaret Catherine Benjamin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Significant research and focus are aimed toward service members and their families. Children in military families are exposed to an atypical lifestyle. As children grow into adulthood, there are decreased resources, and this cohort of individuals is missing from the research. The literature review will discuss the available research about children raised in military families and the reported effects of being raised in a military family during formative years. The psychological flexibility and trauma-related symptoms of service members will be addressed and reviewed. Furthermore, there will be a discussion about behavioral and familial concerns during the first and subsequent deployments …


Exploring The Attitudes And Perceptions Of Hispanics As Caregivers For Children In Foster Care: A Phenomenological Study, Erica M. Ortiz-Pellicer Sep 2022

Exploring The Attitudes And Perceptions Of Hispanics As Caregivers For Children In Foster Care: A Phenomenological Study, Erica M. Ortiz-Pellicer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the attitudes and perceptions of Hispanics living in Tampa Bay, Florida regarding foster parent roles. The theory guiding this study is the researcher’s axiological philosophical assumption. The philosophical assumption is applied within the social constructivist interpretive framework. The researcher seeks to understand the study participants' world and develop meaning to their lived experiences, as discussed during the interviews. The participants’ views are the primary source of reliance for the research (Creswell & Poth, 2018). The researcher’s position in this study is relative to their social position, personal, political, and professional beliefs …


The Effects Of Religious Commitment On The Loneliness And Authenticity Of Single Millennial Women Churchgoers, Zowee Jamison-Shanks Sep 2022

The Effects Of Religious Commitment On The Loneliness And Authenticity Of Single Millennial Women Churchgoers, Zowee Jamison-Shanks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There has been a plethora of studies that have been conducted regarding the large number of millennials who are leaving the religious institution. Despite the studies that have been conducted there are a limited number of studies that examine the reasoning behind millennials leaving religious institutions. This study adds to current knowledge about single millennial women and their religious commitment. This study provides knowledge that can benefit leaders of religious institutions in reconnecting with single millennial women and engaging in conversation that could help to decrease the internal and external factors that cause disaffiliation. The purpose of this quantitative study …


Pornography Use And Its Effect On Marital Quality, Karolyn A. Webster Sep 2022

Pornography Use And Its Effect On Marital Quality, Karolyn A. Webster

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Statistics have shown that married couples who start watching pornography double their chances of divorcing within two years following the pornography use. Statistics also report that every year for the past decade there have been roughly one million divorces in the United States, and the current divorce rate is 2.9 per population of 1000, with 45 reporting states, including Washington, DC. However, these statistics do not provide a breakdown of how many of these divorces were due to pornography use. Research suggests that the negative relationship between pornography use and marital well-being has grown stronger over time, during a period …


Evaluating The Effects Of A Pennsylvania-Based Medicaid-Funded Mental Health Peer Support Program, Jessica A. Peacock Sep 2022

Evaluating The Effects Of A Pennsylvania-Based Medicaid-Funded Mental Health Peer Support Program, Jessica A. Peacock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Certified peer specialists, or mental health peer support services, have grown as a non-traditional service to provide mental health and recovery support to individuals struggling with a mental health diagnosis. The use of mental health peer support services is an attempt to provide non-clinical mental health recovery support through the lived experience of individuals in recovery. This non-experimental study aimed to evaluate the effects of Medicaid-funded mental health peer support services on mental health recovery outcomes of individuals with serious mental illness or severe emotional disturbances. This study used quantitative analysis of archival data. Four mental health recovery outcome variables …


Sky High Anxiolytics For Rocket City Women: A Holistic Health Approach Offered, Sandra L. Bruno Aug 2022

Sky High Anxiolytics For Rocket City Women: A Holistic Health Approach Offered, Sandra L. Bruno

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The action research project aimed to implement a counseling model to equip clients experiencing anxiety with a holistic health approach. Anxiety is often treated by prescribed anxiolytics, although many women seeking counseling at Madison Counseling have not been formally diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. The study's goal was to provide participants with physical, mental/emotional, spiritual, and relational tools that can aid the participants in the reduction or alleviation of anxiety. The proposed model incorporated empirically proven techniques that balance the women's self to reduce symptomology by providing a healthy alternative to dealing with daily anxiety and stressors, thus reducing the …


Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Working Mothers Persisting In Cacrep-Accredited Ces Doctoral Programs Transitioning Through The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study, Shannon Mercer Pugh Aug 2022

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Working Mothers Persisting In Cacrep-Accredited Ces Doctoral Programs Transitioning Through The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study, Shannon Mercer Pugh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing gender inequities in work and academia and further strained working doctoral student mothers struggling to balance multiple roles. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenology was to describe how working mothers of children under the age of 12 persisting in the final year of a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program-accredited counselor education and supervision doctoral program described their lived experiences moving through the COVID-19 pandemic. The central research question explored how participants described what the COVID-19 pandemic has been like for them as they moved in, moved through, and moved out of …


Causal Comparative Study Of The Compassion Satisfaction Of School Counselors Working With Students Engaging In Self-Harm, Raymond Edward Storms Aug 2022

Causal Comparative Study Of The Compassion Satisfaction Of School Counselors Working With Students Engaging In Self-Harm, Raymond Edward Storms

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

School counselors have several responsibilities above ensuring students are in their correct classes. One of those responsibilities is assisting in a school crisis. The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to examine the compassion satisfaction of school counselors when working with students engaging in acts of self-harm. To identify the school counselors’ compassion satisfaction, the study researched the following two questions. RQ1: Is there a difference between the compassion satisfaction scores of high-experience counselors and low-experience counselors working with students engaging in self-harm? RQ2: Is there a difference between the compassion satisfaction scores of elementary-middle school counselors and high school …