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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

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 Adverse Childhood Experience (Ace) On Victims' Self-Perception And Moral Character Development In Adulthood, Josephine Afua Owusu May 2024

The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experience (Ace) On Victims' Self-Perception And Moral Character Development In Adulthood, Josephine Afua Owusu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adversity experienced in childhood is known to have debilitating consequences that permeate subsequent life experiences and predict adulthood wellbeing. The intensity and nature of this impact vary, however. Empirical and practical knowledge also point to the significant role of self-perception in determining one’s view of others, character development, and life experiences. Research has suggested associations between childhood adversities and self-perception, although this knowledge is scanty and inconsistent, with similarly minimal evidence on their correlation with character development. This study set out to examine how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) influence victims’ self-perception and character development in adulthood. It employed a mixed …


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 …


Constructivism, Curiosity, And Metacognitive Bias In The Age Of Google, Matthew Moore May 2024

Constructivism, Curiosity, And Metacognitive Bias In The Age Of Google, Matthew Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this experimental, posttest-only control-group study was to determine if there are differences in levels of metacognitive bias between those who do and do not use Google on a practice activity prior to the administration of a general knowledge test, when controlling for epistemic curiosity. The study seeks to help fill the gap in the literature by examining differences in metacognitive bias across not only the experimental variable of Google access, but also by participant variables, providing a more thorough understanding of how differences in individuals may moderate the relationship between Google use and bias. A sample of …


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 Political Economy Of The Igbos Of Southeastern Nigeria: Analyzing The Igbo Entrepreneurship Model (Iem), Eze Simpson Osuagwu May 2024

The Political Economy Of The Igbos Of Southeastern Nigeria: Analyzing The Igbo Entrepreneurship Model (Iem), Eze Simpson Osuagwu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines the relationship between culture and economic development using the case of the Igbo ethnic group of Southeastern Nigeria. The Igbo traditional apprenticeship system has been widely described in contemporary political economy literature as a model for stakeholder capitalism and shared prosperity for sustainable entrepreneurial development. This study draws a sample of 2,000 entrepreneurs from five business clusters across Nigeria in Aba, Onitsha, Nnewi, Lagos and Abuja to ascertain if there is a significant difference between the entrepreneurs who passed through the traditional apprenticeship system and those who did not. The study employs a Propensity Score Matching technique …


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 …


Social Enterprises And Social Media: A Dialogic And Comparative Analysis, Kevin L. Rawls May 2024

Social Enterprises And Social Media: A Dialogic And Comparative Analysis, Kevin L. Rawls

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study is devoted to assessing the public relations activities of social enterprises on social media through a dialogic communication lens and comparing those activities with traditional businesses. Social enterprises are fundamentally devoted to leveraging market forces to help create sustainable social change, and as such are interested in not only financial returns but also specific social returns, and the public relations strategies of these organizations should be more aligned than traditional businesses with fully functioning society theory and dialogic communication principles. This study reveals areas of opportunity for both social enterprises and conventional companies to develop in the area …


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 …


Developing A Pathway For Ministry Leaders At Southside Church Of The Nazarene, Reginald David Phillips May 2024

Developing A Pathway For Ministry Leaders At Southside Church Of The Nazarene, Reginald David Phillips

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This action research project created a leadership development pathway to produce more ministry leaders at Southside Church of the Nazarene. A five-step leadership development pathway culminating in discipleship integration was designed and implemented. This pathway produced a statistically significant increase in the number of new leaders in one quarter of a calendar year compared to the quarterly average of new leaders in the previous three years. Data was collected through surveys, interviews, and roundtable discussions, and reviewed by multiple researchers to help remove bias.


The Perpetual Progression In The Schleswig-Holstein Duchy: History, Politics, And Religion, 1460-1864, Christian Anthony Ahlers May 2024

The Perpetual Progression In The Schleswig-Holstein Duchy: History, Politics, And Religion, 1460-1864, Christian Anthony Ahlers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

German nationalism in the Schleswig and Holstein duchies that predates the German Unification Wars of the Nineteenth Century continuously transformed in response to Danish encroachment, civic disputes regarding treaty legitimacy, and war. The Germans in the duchies fought to retain their ancestral homelands and, in doing so, embraced a pan-Germanic consciousness that is the foundation for early modern nationalism. This consciousness dates back hundreds of years. This case study examines the Germans of Schleswig and Holstein and their experiences with the consistent and pressing Danish encroachment. Despite the encroachment, the Germans remained connected with their culture, traditions, religion, and their …


Determining Who Gets Help And Why: A Phenomenological Study Into Help-Seeking Behavior In Law Enforcement Officers, Gerald A. Steckmeister May 2024

Determining Who Gets Help And Why: A Phenomenological Study Into Help-Seeking Behavior In Law Enforcement Officers, Gerald A. Steckmeister

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In a post-George Floyd world, police agencies are under unprecedented scrutiny. There is tremendous pressure to improve performance, reduce the use of force, and expand police-community relations. In addition, police agencies struggle to maintain officer wellness. Police officers have higher levels of physical and mental illness than the general population, which results in a significantly lower age expectancy and quality of life. There is a general trend to reduce police funding, spurred by dissatisfaction with police services and general fiscal constraints. In order to combat increasing problems with diminishing resources, police administrators need solutions that can work on several problems. …


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 …


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 …


Spiritual Disciplines And Mental Resiliency: The Effectiveness Of Spiritual Coping Mechanisms To Decrease Anxiety And Depression Symptoms, Alysa Lynn Vanderweerd May 2024

Spiritual Disciplines And Mental Resiliency: The Effectiveness Of Spiritual Coping Mechanisms To Decrease Anxiety And Depression Symptoms, Alysa Lynn Vanderweerd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The outcome of anxiety and depression’s symptomology is an ever-rising global economy cost of 1 trillion U.S. dollars, due to medical costs and loss of productivity, leading researchers and clinicians to search for effective cost saving solutions (Chodavadia et al., 2023). Religion/Spirituality (RS) based cognitive therapy treatments are recognized in alleviating maladaptive behaviors and cognitive distortions, offering comfort to the afflicted, hope and belief that God is available for the seeker (Ramos et al., 2018). Therefore, the researcher conducted an internet-based, self-paced intervention of a mixed methods study of a 40-Day Biblical Worldview Educational Treatment Program of a convenience sample …


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 …


Does Education Enhance A Recruit's Academic Performance During Academy Training, Mark A. Lahr May 2024

Does Education Enhance A Recruit's Academic Performance During Academy Training, Mark A. Lahr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study will examine cadet/recruit academic performance while attending the Illinois State Police Training Academy. The focus will be primarily on the academic testing portion of the academy training. This quantitative study will evaluate whether there is a correlation between the academic achievement of the recruit before entry into the academy and academic performance while attending the academy training. This research will explore questions such as: What is the relationship between educational levels and academic performance among recruits while in the police academy? Does having a college education impact the recruit’s ability to score higher on academic testing sections within …


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 …


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 …


Banyamulenge Immigrants' Perceptions Of Police In The United States: A Qualitative Study, Fidele Nkomezi Sebahizi May 2024

Banyamulenge Immigrants' Perceptions Of Police In The United States: A Qualitative Study, Fidele Nkomezi Sebahizi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Banyamulenge are Congolese from South Kivu province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While research on different minority groups worldwide is prominent, research on the Banyamulenge remains scarce. This study attempts to close this void in literature. The Banyamulenge's ill-treatment was evident during the colonial period, before the DRC’s independence. It stemmed from various ideologies, including the Banyamulenge's denial of being native Congolese. The DRC is a country inhabited by numerous tribes linked to neighboring countries, sharing languages and cultures. Like many other Congolese, the Banyamulenge were on the Congolese territory before the Western colonizers' arrival before 1885. …


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 …


Conscientiousness Personality Trait On Job Performance And Retention Of Public Service Employees, Arsenio Scott May 2024

Conscientiousness Personality Trait On Job Performance And Retention Of Public Service Employees, Arsenio Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Retention of federal employees is vital to the structure of our society in the United States. Keeping the workforce sufficiently staffed with high-performing individuals is necessary to maintain a key component of our strong nation. This research study delves into the conscientiousness personality trait to further understand the impact that this trait may have on the federal workforce. Current research focuses on the conscientiousness trait concerning the job performance of employees. However, the current literature lacks explicit depth on the federal workforce, and this study focuses on that demographic. This quantitative study seeks to fill gaps within the literature by …


Black Consonance And Dissonance Theory: As Explored Through The Social Media Use Of Black Women In Late-Adolescence, Iris Goode-Middleton May 2024

Black Consonance And Dissonance Theory: As Explored Through The Social Media Use Of Black Women In Late-Adolescence, Iris Goode-Middleton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Media messages play a crucial part in teaching people how to view themselves and others through the representations of things like gender roles, racial groups, and perceptions of what is deemed beautiful. There is an abundance of stereotypical images of Black women in the media. In addition, they are also inundated with unrealistic beauty standards reflective of Eurocentric ideals of attractiveness that do not include them. Social media allows for content containing stereotypes about Black women and beauty criteria that do not include them at unprecedented rates. This narrative qualitative study aimed to examine how social media content used by …


Effects Of Covid-19 On Mental Health Workers' Job Satisfaction, Employee Burnout, And Intent To Leave, Colton Jacobs May 2024

Effects Of Covid-19 On Mental Health Workers' Job Satisfaction, Employee Burnout, And Intent To Leave, Colton Jacobs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 disease emerged in December 2019 and created a worldwide pandemic. As the COVID-19 virus spread, healthcare workers faced increased workloads and burnout due to increased stress. With a current abundance of research to better understand how the pandemic affected healthcare workers, minimal research has been conducted to investigate the effects on mental health workers. It is imperative to better understand how the consequences of the pandemic affected mental health workers due to their importance in supporting the mental well-being of our communities. This study focused on how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced job satisfaction, burnout syndrome, and intent to …