Digital Commons Network^™

Systematic Review Regarding The Use Of Mindfulness-Based Mobile Applications To Reduce Psychological Symptoms And Enhance Well-Being Among General And Clinical Population Adults: Benefits, Limitations And Future Directions, Brian Clawson

Theses and Dissertations

Mindfulness is now utilized throughout Western Society and is part of the growing behavioral health, self-help, and wellness movements. Mobile applications have become increasingly popular for a wide variety of uses related to physical health, mental health, and self-improvement. Therefore, mindfulness-based mobile applications have promise both as stand-alone tools for end-users seeking self-help resources and as clinician-recommended adjunctive tools to enhance the process and outcomes of professional therapy. This systematic review identified, reviewed, and synthesized the findings from studies (n = 29) concerning the impact of mindfulness-based mobile applications on specific aspects of psychological functioning in both the general population …

Preparing For Professional Programs: Strategies And Practices For Pre-Medical Education, April Elayne Curry

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the preparation process for students in professional programs and highlights strategies and practices for pre-medical education. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted elements of the healthcare system that explore how critical physicians are that can lead with both a global perspective and with compassionate patient care. In order to understand the competencies required for this leadership process, it is critical to consider the medical school lifecycle from the undergraduate education to residency. Working from the admissions process, we consider what competencies are required for medical school success and physician preparedness and we use that to shape a solid …

A Diagnosis Of Well-Being: A Phenomenological Study Exploring Women Resident Physicians’ Perceptions Of Their Personal Experiences With Occupational Burnout And Attending Physicians’ Leadership Styles, Tabia Graham Richardson

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological research study explored the shared lived experience of occupational burnout and wellness in female Resident Physicians. The phenomenon was explored to identify if the Residents believed their Attending Physicians’ leadership styles ameliorated or exacerbated their feelings of occupational burnout. The theoretical frameworks of Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory (Gardner, 1977) and Positive Psychology (Seligman, 2019) were used to examine the Residents’ ability to navigate their workplaces. Virtual, semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain a perspective of the female physicians’ residency experience and to learn how each felt their Attendings’ leadership styles impacted them. The hermeneutic phenomenological approach identified …

Addressing The Equity Gap In California Community Colleges’ Transfer Pathways: A Transfer Center Guide For Supporting Underrepresented Student Success, Nune Mikayelyan

Theses and Dissertations

California Community Colleges (CCC) are integral in ensuring student enrollment, persistence, and subsequent higher education degree attainment. As one of the most affordable institutions of learning, community colleges symbolize access to various degree and certificate completion options, transfer opportunities, vocation and remedial education, as well as workforce training. However, a high percentage of students, especially from underrepresented backgrounds, systematically falls short of the set institutional guidelines and do not complete a degree or transfer within the expected timeframes. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the effective strategies utilized by CCC transfer center directors (TCDs) for supporting underrepresented …

Social Media Use, Disordered Eating, And Body Image In Adolescent Females: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Alara Ozpolat

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescent females are especially at risk of developing eating disorders due to expectations surrounding body image, social pressures, and influence from peers. With the significant role of social media in daily life, the average adolescent currently spends several hours a day engaging with content on social media. The overall aim of this review was to better understand the impact of social media consumption on disordered eating and body image among female adolescents. The primary research questions explored within this systematic review were as follows: Is there a relationship between social media use, body image concerns, and/or eating disorder symptoms in …

The Anti-Hero Struggle: Mental Health And Addiction Overwhelming The Postmodern Protagonist, Nicholas Michael Durdan

Theses and Dissertations

Essay: The Anti-Hero Struggle: Mental Health and Addiction Overwhelming the Postmodern Protagonist -- Script 1: Shades of Death -- Script 2: Borderline -- Script 3: iSassins -- Script 4: Fake News.

A Conceptual Framework For How Trust And Humility Inform The Perception Of Leadership Among Rwandan Cooperative Members, Jennifer M. Jukanovich

Theses and Dissertations

In an era in which people must work together across borders to address complex issues, there is an unfortunate and unprecedented decline in trust across the globe. Humility is known to be a predictor of greater trust between followers and leaders, but there are few studies connecting the two constructs and very limited studies from Sub-Saharan Africa. This qualitative ethnographic case study conducted interviews among Rwandan cooperative members to ask how trust and humility inform their perception of leadership. Rwanda has one of the fastest growing GDPs in Africa but is still deeply affected by a breakdown in trust in …

Board-Level Sustainability Paradoxes, Robert S. Bikel

Theses and Dissertations

Managing sustainability in for-profit organizations can give rise to multiple tensions, including those between financial and social objectives or meeting competing stakeholder demands on the firm. Recent research into these tensions suggests that framing them paradoxically, as competing objectives that are interconnected and persist through time, can help to manage those tensions and may even promote innovative solutions. This research project, consisting of two complimentary papers, examined how a paradox approach might help directors on the boards of for-profit companies more productively manage sustainability. Specifically, it examined how a paradox mindset, a willingness to embrace multiple tensions among competing objectives, …

The Identity Experiences Of Maya Q'Anjob'al American Youth And Mayan Language Loss: A Post-Colonial Perspective On Language, Culture And Identity, Juanatano Cano

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of Maya American youth of the Q’anjob’al ethnic group in the United States. It examined whether American-born Maya children affirmed their indigenous Maya Q’anjob’al background and if they performed better in school and had a better adjustment to life if they had a secure sense of identity. The study includes a discussion of major findings related to the literature on the Post-colonial theory and the theoretical approach of William G. Demmert’s Culturally Based Education (CBE) practices, which refers to education that recognizes the importance of indigenous languages, culture, …

The Impact Of Injury On Depression In Athletes: A Systematic Review, Nergis Akkaya

Theses and Dissertations

There are nearly 500,00 collegiate and professional athletes in the United States, and studies have shown how physical and mental demands of practice and competition (e.g., overtraining, exhaustion, injury) in addition to other external elements (e.g., trauma, retirement) adversely impact mental health. Injuries create a variety of emotional responses some of which can negatively affect athlete well-being. The focus of this systematic review was to build connections between mental health and sport and address two primary research questions:1. In what ways do injuries impact athlete depression? 2. How is depression experienced among athletes as a result of an injury? A …

Attrition, Mobility, And Retention Patterns Of Public-School Teachers, Matthew Hise

Theses and Dissertations

Attracting and retaining teachers may be a problem in many rural school districts. According to previous research, teacher attrition is greater in rural regions due to various demographic and other factors. Retention was also cited as a key issue in these rural school districts. The number of teachers quitting their professions before they can retire has risen drastically. In addition, teachers in rural schools and in some suburban and urban places confront obstacles such as lack of resources, little support, poor pay, inconsistent professional development opportunities, and inadequate preparation that cause them to lose their enthusiasm for teaching. Therefore, this …

The Axis Of Access: A Quantitative Ethnography Of Presidential Discourse On The Construct Of College Access In The United States, Pamela M. Donnelly

Theses and Dissertations

Federal discourse pertaining to college access requires clarified definition. Use of the college access construct has become commonplace, yet no unified refinement of meaning exists. This study, which covered U.S. presidential communications from January 2009 to October 2021, addressed the abstraction of language as leaders presented ideas, policies, and opinions. Observable trends impacting social mobility for students from underserved populations were of central interest. The research methodology, Quantitative Ethnography (QE), used the tool of Epistemic Network Analysis (ENA). Eight codes were identified through grounded analysis: Affordability, Pathway Program, Underserved Populations, Class Systems, Upward Mobility, Career Readiness, Trajectory, and Career Technical …

Treating Gut Feelings: A Systematic Review Of Psychological Treatments For Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Venus Mirbod

Theses and Dissertations

Psychological comorbidities and psychosocial challenges are prevalent among children and adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). However, a comprehensive review of the availability and effectiveness of psychological treatments for pediatric IBD patients is lacking. This systematic review aimed to determine the availability and efficacy of psychological interventions for children and adolescents with IBD. The systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and performed using two electronic databases, PsycINFO and PubMed, from inception until March 2022. Databases were searched for English-language, controlled trials of psychological interventions for children and adolescents with IBD. Outcomes of interest included: depression, anxiety, health-related …

No Beef, No Filler, Just Baloney: My Approach To Truth In Screenwriting, Bryant Alexander Loney

Theses and Dissertations

Essay: No Beef, No Filler, Just BALoney: My Approach to Truth in Screenwriting -- Script 1: Peach Beachy, Thanks for Asking! -- Script 2: Scooby-Doo: “The Wane of Whitney Woods” -- Script 3: Bob’s Burgers: “Bob’s Books, Beach Mice, and Body Scrubs” -- Script 4: LEGO Friends: “When Bricks Are for Boys” -- Script 5: Sea Breeze Academy.

Beyond The Binary Male: A Systematic Review Of Gender-Responsive Modifications To Risk Assessment Tools, Devin Randle

Theses and Dissertations

The American Psychological Association’s (APA) ethical guidelines identify that psychological tests should only be utilized on populations for which reliability and validity have been established. Likewise, the APA specifies gender to be nonbinary, encouraging clinicians to utilize inclusive and accurate measures. Following such guidelines when conducting violence risk assessments with women and individuals who identify as non-binary is currently challenging because a majority of violence risk assessment tools utilize a male normative sample. Applying such tools to populations beyond a cisgender male can result in misclassifications of individual risk. When risk is misclassified, improper interventions are utilized, which leads to …

Overcoming Stress And Anxiety: Examining The Impact Of Fixed Vs Growth Mindsets Amongst African American High Achievers, Julie Sumner

Theses and Dissertations

A rapidly increasing number of Americans suffer from stress and anxiety (Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 2018; American Psychiatric Association, 2020). It is even more prominent among stress afflicted adults now that we are experiencing civil unrest and a pandemic. Without tools to implement and maintain a growth mindset, those who suffer will struggle with negative thoughts, behaviors, and results (Bergland, 2017). The purpose of this research is to disrupt the cycle of negative energy that leads to social ills and fixed mindsets by developing a structured method to practice positive thinking and goal achievement. This qualitative transcendental phenomenological …

Beyond The Green Iron Cage: Exploring The Macro And Micro-Level Influences On Executive Decisions About Sustainability Investments In Small And Medium Size Firms, Igor Estraykh

Theses and Dissertations

Although research on corporate environmental sustainability has shed light on different aspects of organizational and individual level factors that influence corporate decisions, it does not fully account for how individual executives within firms react to these forces and make decisions, specifically within small to medium size enterprises (SMEs). This study used a grounded theory approach to interview 19 SME executives from 13 different industries to explore how organizational and individual level factors influence their ability to evaluate and make decisions related to sustainability initiatives. The study found that SME executives faced isomorphic pressures for sustainability, individual agency pressures, significant resource …

Music Interventions In The Treatment Of Adolescent Trauma: A Systematic Review, Diana C. Hereld

Theses and Dissertations

As multidisciplinary research continues to uncover the promise of non-invasive interventions such as music in mental health treatment, clinicians, researchers, and music scholars alike have increasingly come together through the field of music psychology. As such, it is unsurprising that some of the most significant findings have come from cross-disciplinary studies in music and medicine. The juxtaposition of music and mental health creates a unique and substantial need for integration of literature across multiple disparate settings, including clinical psychology, education, neuroscience, music therapy, behavioral medicine, and psychiatry. Through methodological application of a textual narrative evidence synthesis, this review examines multiple …

Health Disparities And Psychosocial And Behavioral Interventions For Type 2 Diabetes Within Latinx Communities: A Systematic Review, Elisa Hernandez-Guerrero Smith

Theses and Dissertations

As Hispanic adults are 70% more likely than non-Hispanic White adults to be diagnosed with diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022), there is an urgent need to provide culturally appropriate care to the people with diabetes of Latinx heritage. The purpose of this systematic review is to better understand the availability and effectiveness of psychosocial and behavioral interventions for T2DM within the Latinx population. Additional focus was given to the impact of health disparities and complexities within the Latinx population that have been diagnosed with, or are at risk of, T2DM. With a greater understanding of health disparities …

Consistencies And Inconsistencies In The Application And Mechanisms Of Corporate Social Responsibility: A Case Study Approach To Seeking Clarification, Melissa Cook

Theses and Dissertations

While the idea of corporate responsibility emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, awareness of the ideas that comprise Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has increased over the last few years. Although there are numerous CSR reviews published, and despite increasing public awareness regarding CSR, a unified definition and framework remain elusive. The problem is that many leaders do not understand CSR and are simply not integrating it into their strategic management process. The purpose of this qualitative research case study was to explore and examine consistencies and inconsistencies in the application and mechanisms of CSR by examining the extent that CSR …

The Chemistry Laboratory Experience Of El Camino Students While In Emergency Remote Teaching Due To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Shaun A. Cook

Theses and Dissertations

Future college environments, including those in chemistry, will entail flexible formats. The pandemic spurred appreciation of the need, and though it has largely passed, adaptability to multiple formats in the future has been a critical part of planning for a rapidly changing future. Experiences during the pandemic will guide pedagogical changes and practices in the future. At El Camino College in Southern California, the chemistry department provided varied laboratory instruction to students during Emergency Remote Teaching. Understanding the experience students had during this extraordinary time is essential. Students who took courses that had an online laboratory course completed a mixed-methods …

Change Readiness And The Mediating Role Of General-Dispositional Internal Structures, Genevieve Joy Clark

Theses and Dissertations

This case study offers insight toward the impact of the general-dispositional, internal structures on a planned organizational change in the field of education. The process used and the findings of this may be applicable to a variety of fields. Stones’ strong structuration (2005) served as the theoretical framework guiding this study, though Chater and Loewenstein’s (2016) model of sensemaking offers supplementary consideration.

The context for study was the shift to virtual learning because of the COVID-19 global pandemic and subsequent closure of schools beginning in March 2020. This empirical study examined agents-in-situ’s response to the change, including the structuring interactions …

The Impact Of A Mindfulness Practice On The Effects Of Emotional Labor, Lauren Dainko

Theses and Dissertations

Mindfulness meditation has become a staple practice for those looking to improve the self and become connected to the present moment. With the growing number of tools available, mindfulness base practices have stretched beyond the areas of self-improvement and have entered into the workplace. Companies are leveraging the benefits that come from a mindfulness- based practice, having their leadership teams take part to help improve the lives of their employees and their businesses.

This study takes an in-depth look at how a daily mindfulness practice influences customer service professionals. Specifically narrowing in on the ways a mindfulness practice impacts the …

Corporate Activism Best Practices In The Age Of Social Media, Fransisco Flores

Theses and Dissertations

Corporate activism, or the act of corporations speaking out on sociopolitical issues, has become more common with technological advances and social media access. Corporations’ role in society has evolved to include non-economic functions that aim to improve societal conditions. Despite corporations fulfilling additional societal roles, they face increased scrutiny from shareholders and stakeholders alike. Speaking out on social issues or staying silent causes ripple effects amongst their internal and external networks. Speaking out on social media while working for a private or publicly traded corporation can be challenging as it entails weighing a wide array of conditions, stakeholder desires, and …

A Qualitative Analysis Of The Organizational Culture On An Inner-City Revitalization Of One Government Entity In California, Erin Franco

Theses and Dissertations

Inner-city revitalization is one primary goal of municipal leaders, yet it remains controversial in that it requires the entire municipality to become an organized system operating as an organization. All parties involved in the process of inner-city revitalization must be engaged and willing to undergo the proposed changes. These changes include creating multiple streams of revenue for the city, creating jobs for community members, and encouraging community engagement to develop healthy and happy communities. As leaders engage in this pursuit, they must have a thorough understanding of leadership's critical task to develop an organizational culture that aligns with the mission …

Creating Attractive Organizations For First-Generation Americans, Joshua C. Carson

Theses and Dissertations

First-generation Americans (FGAs) entering the work force can help American organizations improve their performance in the marketplace and achieve their business objectives. However, the demographic faces unique challenges that make it necessary for employers to develop specific strategies that can attract them. This research study examines how American employers can attract and empower FGAs into their organizations. The study uses a qualitative research design to examine the study issue. The experiences, opinions, and views of FGAs entering the work force will be collected to determine how American employers can meet their needs and expectations and attract them to their organizations. …

Black Independent Schools: An Alternative Educational Experience For African American Students In K-12 Public Schools In The United States, Donnisha Sanford

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the influence and repercussions of the educational laws and policies in the United States public school system for African American students in K-12 and analyzed the alternative of Black independent schools to impact the effects of racism, segregation, and prejudice for educational equality for African American students. Despite the increased segregation in public school education in the United States, there has been little to no change or alternatives to this phenomenon. The collection of research for alternative education or all Black educational institutions for African American students in the K-12 setting is minimal in their effects …

E Kūlia I Ka NuʻU: Striving For Excellence: Successful Strategies Of Leaders In Hawaii, Tatiana Santiago

Theses and Dissertations

Hawai’i leaders are engaging in leadership practices to preserve and pass on their culture and knowledge to future generations. However, due to colonization, capitalism, and hegemonic forces present in Hawai’i this has resulted in challenges faced by leaders such as resistance, competition, and bureaucracy. Hawai’i leaders have been involved in legal controversies to protect the sacred places, people, and resources that connect them to ancestors, culture, and identity. Indigenous and Native Hawaiian epistemology have been missing within academia. The purpose of this study is to expand the growing body of knowledge within Hawai’i leadership. This qualitative research study will explore …

Hustlenomics: Success Through The Hustleconomy, Folashade Onadeko

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to develop a guide to success for hustlers engaged in hustlenomics. This guide is based on the trials and impediments as well as the tactics and best practices effective hustlers deem as essential in leading them towards success within the hustleconomy. To accomplish this goal, a review of literature along with a qualitative phenomenological study was conducted.

The qualitative phenomenology research focused on the population of influencer hustlers as the investigation's subject. Interviews was used as the approach to collect data. Hence, 12 influencer hustlers that met the criteria of inclusion were interviewed utilizing …

Latine Family Math Engagement: A Phenomenological Study Of Co-Design Approaches, Susana Beltran-Grimm

Theses and Dissertations

Mathematics achievement at school entry is the strongest predictor for eighth-grade performance, regardless of race, gender, or family socioeconomic status. Yet, California Latine children continue to lack in math proficiency, struggling with concepts such as knowledge of numbers, counting, and spatial and pattern skills development. Existing literature has demonstrated that Family Engagement support children’s development. However, Latine parents often feel less comfortable doing math themselves and in participating in their children's math learning. This interpretive phenomenology research study was designed to uncover participants’ cultural repertoires and learning experiences to explore how Latine families perceived and engaged in co-design workshops to …