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Exploring Black Business Owners' Experience In Public Procurement Contracts, Khamillia Harris May 2024

Exploring Black Business Owners' Experience In Public Procurement Contracts, Khamillia Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Black businesses are on the rise in the United States, and most are formed with the goal of achieving greater economic stability and positive impact on their communities. However, Black business owners often lack sufficient opportunities and access to essential resources (i.e., capital), which negatively affects their business stability efforts (Bento & Hwang, 2022). Black business owners can access procurement contracts as a unique way to access capital to grow and sustain their businesses (Chepkoit, 2018; Shelton & Minniti, 2018), yet they received 1.67% of public funds compared to 15.64% awarded to other non-minority small businesses (Choi et al., 2022; …


The Impact Of Social Dance Skills On The Development Of Employee Soft Skills, Danielle May Patridge May 2024

The Impact Of Social Dance Skills On The Development Of Employee Soft Skills, Danielle May Patridge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Employee soft skills are necessary in nearly every occupation for both employee and organizational success. There is a considerable body of knowledge related to the development of employee soft skills, and soft skills training is now seen in some educational curricula and organizational training programs. Yet, employers continue to report that employees and candidates are either lacking in or have underdeveloped soft skills, hampering both worker and organizational success. Soft skills cross domains and are not confined to use in the workplace; hence, they can also be developed in non-work domains. In this qualitative study, accomplished social dancers described their …


Collaborative Care Management: The Influence Of Location Of Care On Mental Health Self-Stigma, Melicia Ivette Tanner May 2024

Collaborative Care Management: The Influence Of Location Of Care On Mental Health Self-Stigma, Melicia Ivette Tanner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study was designed to contribute to the literature on self-stigma as it relates to mental health. Specifically, it was designed to explore whether those who received a certain type of care in the primary care setting (i.e., Collaborative Care [CoCM]) experienced self-stigma differently than those who received mental health care in more traditional settings or no care at all. It was hypothesized that those who received CoCM would experience lower rates of self-stigma. Participants for the study were drawn from a purposive sample of adult primary care patients with depression from a large health system located in upstate South …


Active Shooter Drills In Schools Across The United States, Barbara Slater May 2024

Active Shooter Drills In Schools Across The United States, Barbara Slater

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study sought to understand the types of drills and safety measures implemented at various schools across the United States and the effects of these drills and safety measures on the participants. The physical and psychological impacts these drills and safety measures have on participants has not been thoroughly researched. Researcher utilized a self-designed online survey with questions that corresponded with the research questions and answered by 297 participants to provide the data and answer the research questions. Schools across the United States conduct active shooter drills to prepare students and school personnel for an active shooter crisis in their …


Mental Toughness In The Workplace, Maiah E. Taylor May 2024

Mental Toughness In The Workplace, Maiah E. Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Within the realm of the modern work organization, the employers role on employees’ mental health has emerged as a critical factor concerning job attrition. Frequently, work organizations prioritize their productivity and output, rather than recognizing the importance of individual contributions as a reflection of their well-being. Research on workplace satisfaction and adversity management has failed to address the challenges that non-military or law enforcement populations face in retaining talent. Current research on mental toughness, resilience, and grit has overlooked the importance of civilian population training interventions, leaving a gap in the literature. This mixed-method study used an explanatory sequential design, …


The Lived Experiences Of Secondary Christian School Administrators As They Work To Foster An Environment Conducive To Student Biblical Worldview Development: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Margaret E. Pope May 2024

The Lived Experiences Of Secondary Christian School Administrators As They Work To Foster An Environment Conducive To Student Biblical Worldview Development: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Margaret E. Pope

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of Christian school secondary administrators as they foster an environment conducive to student biblical worldview development. The theory guiding this study is Leithwood’s iteration of transformational leadership, as it recognizes the influential role school leaders play in the motivation and growth of teachers. Additional consideration of Erdvig’s model of biblical worldview development in evangelical Christian emerging adults was used as the conceptual framework recognizing that the faith elements of worldview formation are unique and relevant to the topic of the study. The central research question was: What …


The Experiences Of Christian Males' Attachment Style And Attachment Figure To God, Irene G. Insunza May 2024

The Experiences Of Christian Males' Attachment Style And Attachment Figure To God, Irene G. Insunza

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the present study was to describe the lived experience of attachment to God in Christian men, how men obtained a secure attachment, and what it means to their life. Attachment Theory explains the importance of attachment bonds formed in infancy between the parent and child. Surrogate attachment figures have gained support in studies, indicating mental representation in attachment to God can assist in developing secure attachment style. The participants consisted of 12 Christian males, ages 21 to 57, active in their faith, and experienced an attachment to God. Using a qualitative, phenomenological design, in-depth semi-structured interviews were …


A Parent-Child Intervention For Conveying Unconditional Love: A Transcendental Phenomenological Pilot Study, Saundra H. Robinson May 2024

A Parent-Child Intervention For Conveying Unconditional Love: A Transcendental Phenomenological Pilot Study, Saundra H. Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Every child wants to know whether their parents love them. The answer to this question is absolutely the most important thing in any child’s life. Most parents love their children, but not all know how to convey love in a way that their child feels loved. The purpose of this study was to examine how parents can put their feelings of love into action by applying a parent-child intervention of eye contact, focused attention, and physical touch. This transcendental phenomenological pilot study explored the lived experience of four individual parents applying the intervention over a 30-day period, contributing to positive …


A Phenomenological Investigation Of North Carolina's General Pre-Kindergarten Teachers' Attitudes And Perceived Self-Efficacy Toward Inclusion, Susanne Williamson Carter May 2024

A Phenomenological Investigation Of North Carolina's General Pre-Kindergarten Teachers' Attitudes And Perceived Self-Efficacy Toward Inclusion, Susanne Williamson Carter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate and describe North Carolina’s general Pre-Kindergarten teachers’ lived experiences concerning their attitudes and perceived self-efficacy towards inclusion. The theories guiding this research study were Bandura’s social learning theory and Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior. The social learning theory laid the foundation for the importance of positive attitudes and a high sense of self-efficacy toward inclusion. The theory of planned behavior grounded the idea that teachers’ attitudes influence their behaviors and actions. Therefore, negative attitudes can cause teachers to be negative towards including special needs children. Ten general NC Pre-K teachers …


God Of The Whole Earth Ministry Church Project: Equipping Church Members To Engage Their Community, Christopher Stevens May 2024

God Of The Whole Earth Ministry Church Project: Equipping Church Members To Engage Their Community, Christopher Stevens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The God of the Whole Earth Ministry (GWEM) Church study investigated how church members can gain confidence to share their faith when properly equipped. Sharing the gospel with others can be a problem for some people. Generally, the lack of skills and knowledge is the biggest problem for some people to share their faith. GWEM Church members were not equipped to share their faith. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to equip participants to share their faith. Skills were taught to help participants develop and use those skills to start meaningful and practical conversations to open up a dialogue …


Biblical Literacy: A Theological Exploration Of What God Says About Women Called To Pastor, Shannel K. Williams May 2024

Biblical Literacy: A Theological Exploration Of What God Says About Women Called To Pastor, Shannel K. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Doctoral Research Project aims to answer the question, Is there biblical awareness among the congregation about God’s acceptance and call of female pastors? The problem presented identifies a gap in biblical knowledge about women in church leadership due to the lingering effects of patriarchal influence. There may be resistance to church growth due to the uncertainty of the Scriptures, which sanction women to the call of God. This research project proposed to improve the Bible literacy of ten Christian men and women to cultivate spiritual growth and strengthen their theology. Historically, the conservative church taught that the Bible forbids …


The Role Of Gender Stereotypes And Societal Pressures In Creating Impostor Syndrome In Black Female Entrepreneurs, Marlene Bernadine Phillip May 2024

The Role Of Gender Stereotypes And Societal Pressures In Creating Impostor Syndrome In Black Female Entrepreneurs, Marlene Bernadine Phillip

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the role of gender stereotypes and societal expectations in creating impostor syndrome among Black female entrepreneurs. The study used Bandura’s self-efficacy theory as a foundational framework. Gender role theory was employed to examine the psychological and behavioral traits associated with different genders based on societal norms. Social role theory contributed to shaping the theoretical framework of this study. The research answered three key questions: (a) How do the lived experiences of Black female entrepreneurs affected by impostor syndrome impact their business decision-making and overall business performance? (b) To what extent do …


Infidelity, Post-Infidelity Stress Disorder, And Post-Infidelity Stress Marital Outcomes, Faith Christie Leigh Roby May 2024

Infidelity, Post-Infidelity Stress Disorder, And Post-Infidelity Stress Marital Outcomes, Faith Christie Leigh Roby

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Marital infidelity discovery has been noted in the literature for traumatic emotional, behavioral, and psychological reactions in the injured spouse, but not extensively in terms of post-infidelity stress disorder. To that end, this cross-sectional quantitative anonymous online survey study explored marital infidelity, post-infidelity stress disorder and post-infidelity marital outcomes in 202 participants using certain frameworks, such as Glass’s traumatic aftershock and Ortman’s post-infidelity stress disorder. This researcher sought to investigate whether there is a relationship between post-infidelity stress disorder that is moderated by religious/core beliefs and marital repair efforts and marital outcomes of healing, forgiveness, benevolence, revenge, avoidance, divorce/desire to …


The Impact Of School-Based Mentoring On At-Risk Students Of An Urban School District, Brandon B. Richardson May 2024

The Impact Of School-Based Mentoring On At-Risk Students Of An Urban School District, Brandon B. Richardson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is necessary to consider and implement a strategy to close the academic performance gap, particularly for at-risk adolescents in urban school districts. Mentoring programs have been around for a long time and continue to be successful. This research study's goal was to investigate the influence at-risk adolescents in an urban school district get from a school-based mentorship program. The study had a total of 40 participants (10 mentors, 8 parents, 10 teachers, 10 students, and 2 administrators). The study employed a mixed methods research strategy. Using a quantitative method approach, the researcher investigated whether a mentorship program had significant …


Neurodiversity Persistence In Stem Programs: A Phenomenological Study Of Self-Efficacy Among Autistic Students In Higher Education, Cecil Anthony Banning May 2024

Neurodiversity Persistence In Stem Programs: A Phenomenological Study Of Self-Efficacy Among Autistic Students In Higher Education, Cecil Anthony Banning

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to examine the perceptions of self-efficacy among neurodiverse students in STEM programs at four-year universities. Albert Bandara’s social cognitive theory (SCT) guided this study as it relates to the influence of environment, social interaction, and communication on learning development and academic mastery. Improving academic self-efficacy among neurodiverse students in STEM programs in higher education begins with understanding how these students encounter the academic world. SCT provided the framework for this study to answer the central research question and sub-questions: (1) What are the self-efficacy experiences of neurodiverse students currently enrolled in a …


Executive Function And Stressed College Students: A Phenomenological Study To Inform Instructional Design, Donna-Maria Trewhella May 2024

Executive Function And Stressed College Students: A Phenomenological Study To Inform Instructional Design, Donna-Maria Trewhella

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe college student stress experiences that impact executive function (EF) and cognition at one community college in California. The conceptual framework guiding this study was cognition and executive function concepts that are impacted by the stressed learning experience. The central research question asked: What was the lived experience of EF deficits for stressed college students when learning content from instructional design (ID)? The methodology employed a qualitative phenomenological study that sampled 13 college students who self-identified as experiencing stress during the learning cycle. The research was conducted via the Internet and Confer …


Weathering The Storm: A Phenomenological Study Of K-12 Special Educator Resilience And Retention, Kimberly M. Wisinski May 2024

Weathering The Storm: A Phenomenological Study Of K-12 Special Educator Resilience And Retention, Kimberly M. Wisinski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to interpret the lived experiences of K-12 special education teachers (N = 16) from large, suburban districts in Illinois who have persisted in their positions beyond four years. Understanding factors that contribute to the longevity of special education teachers is not only vital for enhancing the educational landscape for students with disabilities but also for informing district-level strategies aimed at fostering teacher retention. This study was guided by Bronfenbrenner's Process-Person-Context-Time (PPCT) bioecological systems theory, which provided a framework for exploring the various systems that influence special education teacher retention. To achieve triangulation …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experience Of Parents Whose Child Has A Disability And Attends An Online School, M.K. Shires May 2024

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experience Of Parents Whose Child Has A Disability And Attends An Online School, M.K. Shires

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to describe the lived experience of parents whose child has a disability and attends an online K-12 school. The theory that guided this study is Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory. This theory posits three universal psychological needs that promote or erode individual growth and well-being. The satisfaction or frustration of parents’ psychological needs and their impact on their parenting have guided this study’s research questions, interview questions, and data analysis. In-depth interviews, journal prompts, and focus groups were conducted with 12 parents whose child has a disability and attends a full-time online …


A Phenomenology Of Working With Youth Sex-Trafficked Survivors In Florida, Paula Marie Robinson May 2024

A Phenomenology Of Working With Youth Sex-Trafficked Survivors In Florida, Paula Marie Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of health care professionals (HCPs) and other service providers (SPs) who work or worked with children and adolescent survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) and the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in Florida. The Conceptual Model for Factors Affecting Well-Being and Resilience devised by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) and the Five Ways to Well-Being Model developed by Catherine Gilliver were used to guide this study. These models helped the researcher gain a better understanding of how participants experienced working with survivors and victims of …


A Dream Deferred: Black Girls And Student Discipline: Administrators' Perspective: A Case Study, Jacqueline E. Holland May 2024

A Dream Deferred: Black Girls And Student Discipline: Administrators' Perspective: A Case Study, Jacqueline E. Holland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple-embedded case study was to explore school administrators’ perspective on the school-to-prison pipeline and the repercussions on Black females at high schools in the Eastern region of the United States. The theory guiding this study was the social justice theory, as it explains the relationship between the social justice principles and exclusionary discipline norms and practices, racial injustice, and gender stereotypes that marginalize Black girls and increase their criminal justice involvement. The central research question of this study was: How do school administrators address the overrepresentation of Black girls that are suspended and expelled from school? …


Changing The Narrative: Developing Evidence-Based, Communication Strategies To Address Health Disparities Of Black Women In The United States, Emmerline Francesca Nelson-Rogers May 2024

Changing The Narrative: Developing Evidence-Based, Communication Strategies To Address Health Disparities Of Black Women In The United States, Emmerline Francesca Nelson-Rogers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Black women experience health issues at disparate rates when compared to their racial counterparts. Although these health disparities can be linked to health behaviors, they are deeply rooted in historic, racial systems that govern our lives today. More often than not, changes in health behaviors are at the forefront of addressing these health disparities rather than historical health trends of Black women in the U.S. This study aims to discuss why the change needed is a change in the narrative for why these health disparities exist and persist as well as a change in narrative about the role Black women …


A Phenomenological Study Of Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, And Secondary Traumatic Among Welfare Workers, Educators, And Nurses On Grand Bahama Island After Hurricane Dorian And During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Gladys V. Sawyer May 2024

A Phenomenological Study Of Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, And Secondary Traumatic Among Welfare Workers, Educators, And Nurses On Grand Bahama Island After Hurricane Dorian And During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Gladys V. Sawyer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hurricanes have become a normative event in the Bahamian diaspora. Over the past twenty years at least five major storms have hit The Bahamas destroying vital infrastructure such as schools, health care facilities, airports, utilities, and homes, leaving portions of several islands uninhabitable. Frontline workers, also referred to as essential workers who do the work of interacting directly to service the needs of the people most affected are often overlooked. Working extended hours, witnessing, experiencing, and hearing the stories of sufferers, coupled with one’s own loss causes psychological distress and diminished capacity to function effectively. This qualitative phenomenological study was …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Perinatal Experiences Shaping A Woman’S Identity In Academia, Elizabeth Catherine Debolt May 2024

A Phenomenological Study Of The Perinatal Experiences Shaping A Woman’S Identity In Academia, Elizabeth Catherine Debolt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the meaning women faculty in academia in the United States ascribe to their perinatal experiences and how these experiences affect the integration of their academic and maternal identities and outlook on continuing in the academy. The theories guiding this study were Mercer's theory on becoming a mother and Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model. The study was comprised of 10 women who became a mother with their first child within the last seven years of the study's initiation while holding a faculty position in academia that included teaching, scholarship, and service responsibilities …


Christian Graduates' Lived Experiences With Professional Moral Courage: A Transcendental Phenomenology, Jeffrey W. Moreira May 2024

Christian Graduates' Lived Experiences With Professional Moral Courage: A Transcendental Phenomenology, Jeffrey W. Moreira

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of demonstrating moral courage in the workplace when confronted with an ethical dilemma for post-graduate students of Christian-based educational institutions on the East Coast. The moral foundations theory by Haidt and Craig guided this study to find the innate responses that frame these graduates' lived experiences to understand better external influences, intrapersonal conflict, and rationale for the willingness to demonstrate moral courage when confronted with a moral dilemma. A sample of 10 graduates from Christian-based institutions completed the Moral Foundations Questionnaire, participated in one-to-one interviews, and attended …


A Phenomenological Study: Experiences Of Men Residing In A Substance Abuse Recovery Program With A Domestic Violence Perpetration Intervention Cohort, Tauchanna Gilmore Bullock May 2024

A Phenomenological Study: Experiences Of Men Residing In A Substance Abuse Recovery Program With A Domestic Violence Perpetration Intervention Cohort, Tauchanna Gilmore Bullock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of men in a substance use disorder (SUD) residential program simultaneously receiving domestic violence (DV) perpetration intervention and services that address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This study examined men’s ACEs, substance use, and DV perpetration. Urie Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological model and Rudolf Moos’ modification of socioecological model provided the foundational context and theoretical framework for the study. Although there are various reasons individuals use substances, one of the underlying causes is often unattended ACEs. Individuals with SUDs are also often the perpetrators of DV within their intimate relationships. …


A Qualitative Study Of Family Communication Patterns Theory Of Digital Supplementation On University Students, Heather S. Vaughan May 2024

A Qualitative Study Of Family Communication Patterns Theory Of Digital Supplementation On University Students, Heather S. Vaughan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Currently there is data that exists to support the benefits of traditional parental supplementation. However, the same cannot be said for digital parental supplementation. At present, it is unknown if remote interaction is necessary and whether it generates the same results in human beings, emotionally, mentally, and physically. As society continues exploring the complexities of the digital revolution and technological tools, it is imperative to explore the limitations as well as allowances in computerized communication. Even more importantly, there are several opportunities associated with digital parental supplementation that people must consider. First, digital media can provide proper parental supplementation if …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Perceptions Of Behavioral Supports For Students With Low Functioning Autism In Virtual Learning Programs, Alicia L. Chamberlin May 2024

A Phenomenological Study Of The Perceptions Of Behavioral Supports For Students With Low Functioning Autism In Virtual Learning Programs, Alicia L. Chamberlin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the perceptions of Special Education Teachers regarding positive behavioral supports for students with Low Functioning Autism (LFA) and behavioral challenges who participate in virtual learning environments. The theory guiding this study is Thorndike’s associative learning theory as it provides a framework for understanding the challenges associated with the application of behavioral supports within the virtual learning environment. The Central Research Question in this study is: What are the shared experiences of Special Education Teachers who implement positive behavioral supports (PBS) for students with LFA and behavioral challenges who participate in …


The Relationship Between Administrators' Use Of Shared Leadership Practices And Teacher Efficacy During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Cheryl Turner Cavanaugh May 2024

The Relationship Between Administrators' Use Of Shared Leadership Practices And Teacher Efficacy During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Cheryl Turner Cavanaugh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Shared leadership is a valuable phenomenon in education that has been studied for the past 100 years. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between Christian school administrators’ shared leadership practices and teacher efficacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researcher had a unique opportunity to study shared leadership in Christian schools during a world-wide crisis. The participants were chosen from a convenience sample of high school teachers and administrators employed at Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) member schools in the southeast region of the United States (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia) …


A Quantitative Study On Operational And Organizational Stress On Game Wardens, Lori A. Perez May 2024

A Quantitative Study On Operational And Organizational Stress On Game Wardens, Lori A. Perez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There has been a notable gap in research concerning stress among game wardens within the law enforcement field. Game wardens encounter operational and organizational stressors similar to those faced by traditional law enforcement officers. Previous research on stress in game wardens has predominantly focused on operational stress, the transition of their duties towards more traditional law enforcement roles, and various stress-inducing factors. This quantitative study utilized the Police Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) survey to analyze both operational and organizational stress in Maine Game Wardens. The research aimed to address two primary research questions: firstly, examining organizational and occupational stress utilizing the …


A Glance Into The Suzuki Triangle Approach Of Teaching Violin As An Intervention For The Military Child: A Case Study Of Parental Engagement Promoting Positive Self-Esteem, Self-Expression, And Coping Skills, Heather R. Howard-Hannock May 2024

A Glance Into The Suzuki Triangle Approach Of Teaching Violin As An Intervention For The Military Child: A Case Study Of Parental Engagement Promoting Positive Self-Esteem, Self-Expression, And Coping Skills, Heather R. Howard-Hannock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative descriptive case study followed four volunteer families over four weeks of private Suzuki violin lessons, highlighting the Suzuki Triangle as an intervention for the military child. Participants enrolled in private weekly music lessons and learned to play the violin through the relational triangle of teacher-parent-student working together for the child's well-being. The study particularly emphasized the active role of the service member parents, who attended weekly lessons with their children and worked with them daily at home during practice sessions. The researcher photographed lessons and interviewed and observed participants who completed a preliminary, practice, and exit survey. This …