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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Impact Of Moral Injury On Character Identity For Divorced Catholics: A Character Domain Perspective, Mary Susan Mcauliff Dec 2023

The Impact Of Moral Injury On Character Identity For Divorced Catholics: A Character Domain Perspective, Mary Susan Mcauliff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Catholics who are faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church on the indissolubility of marriage and who experience a civil divorce are at high risk for moral injury. This study was anchored on a character domain theoretical framework, and it investigated the impact of moral injury on character identity (measured by self-discrepancy) through the mediation of the perception of suffering. Religiosity was explored as a moderator for the relationships of moral injury to perception of suffering, perception of suffering to character identity, and moral injury to character identity. Participants (N = 251) were recruited from social media groups, various …


A Mixed-Methods Inquiry Into Pastors' Knowledge And Responses To Human Trafficking In Their Congregations In The Baptist Convention Of Maryland/Delaware, Denise A. Beck Dec 2023

A Mixed-Methods Inquiry Into Pastors' Knowledge And Responses To Human Trafficking In Their Congregations In The Baptist Convention Of Maryland/Delaware, Denise A. Beck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to discover the knowledge of human trafficking of the pastors in the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware churches and their responses to this crime. The guiding theory was the words of Jesus in Exodus: Chapter 3 concerning slavery and the tribulations of Israelites. A questionnaire provided enlightenment regarding the levels of knowledge in the church communities, how pastors viewed it, the methods by which they received the information, and how they responded to it. This study reflected a gap in the knowledge of pastors in their congregations. The data were collected through emails and …


The Need For A Spiritual Reboot In The Youth Of Great Commission Church, Jean Max B St Louis Dec 2023

The Need For A Spiritual Reboot In The Youth Of Great Commission Church, Jean Max B St Louis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The decline of the youth attendance is evident in many Protestant churches. This research paper examined forty-three young believers from three Haitian Baptist churches, respectively, located in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. These data results help develop a suitable spiritual program that includes the six key influencing factors for spiritual growth: discipleship, mentoring, parental influence, church attendance, personal devotion, and ministerial involvement. This spiritual program was tested on a small group of young people from Great Commission Church in Queens. This research uses a mixed-method methodology, which is a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the data. The …


The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic For High School Counselors: A Phenomenological Investigation, Melissa Ann Jensen Dec 2023

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic For High School Counselors: A Phenomenological Investigation, Melissa Ann Jensen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the comprehensive effect that the COVID-19 pandemic had and may still be having on high school counselors in the Houston metropolitan area. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory guides this study as it notes an individual’s ability to advance toward self-actualization in one’s personal and professional life. The COVID-19 pandemic altered one’s ability to accomplish those steps. Interviews with high school counselors assisted in gathering personal experiences as to how much the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their ability to become their best selves, both personally and professionally. Two focus groups were conducted to …


A New Mother’S Cry: Analyzing Traditional Social Support Versus Online Social Support In Relation To The Postpartum Crisis, Emily Hughes Dec 2023

A New Mother’S Cry: Analyzing Traditional Social Support Versus Online Social Support In Relation To The Postpartum Crisis, Emily Hughes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The present study examines the gap that remains involving the transition from traditional to online social support that many mothers have participated in and how this change in communication methods during postpartum recovery may contribute to mental health disorders. This qualitative study aims to examine the differences in lived experiences among mothers regarding in-person and online forms of social support and how these experiences may impact a new mother’s mental well-being. Based on previous research, the present study hypothesizes that a more significant amount of online social support compared to in-person support will result in a detriment to a new …


The Intersection Of The Sibling Relationship, Parental Divorce, And Mental Health Symptoms, Taylor A. Bufton Dec 2023

The Intersection Of The Sibling Relationship, Parental Divorce, And Mental Health Symptoms, Taylor A. Bufton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although sibling relationships and parental divorce are two popular areas of study, few research studies have focused on their relationship. In this quantitative study, the researcher explored the relationship between sibling relationship quality and parental divorce conflict, as well as the relationship between perceived sibling relationship quality during parental divorce and mental health in adulthood. The participant sample included 64 adults who experienced parental divorce in childhood with at least one sibling. Participants were required to complete a demographics questionnaire, the Post-Divorce Parental Conflict Scale (PPCS), the Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale (LSRS), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A Pearson’s …


Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Graduate School Students On Developing Human Capital Through Family Life Education And Leadership Development, Francis Ngulefac Dec 2023

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Graduate School Students On Developing Human Capital Through Family Life Education And Leadership Development, Francis Ngulefac

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of graduate school students on developing human capital through family life education and leadership development in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. The theory that informed this study is the human capital theory, which postulates that human beings can improve upon their productive capacity by pursuing further education and acquiring more work-related skills and experience. Thus, this study explored the lived experiences of graduate school students in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area concerning this theory. I recruited 12 graduate school students living in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area in …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Effects Of Unresolved Sexual Trauma On Intimacy In African American Women Relationships, Gianna Latrice Jackson Dec 2023

A Phenomenological Study Of The Effects Of Unresolved Sexual Trauma On Intimacy In African American Women Relationships, Gianna Latrice Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has multifaceted effects on survivors. The psychological distress stemming from CSA often leads to the development of abnormal cognitions and behaviors that persist throughout a survivor's lifetime. While substantial research has focused on the long-term consequences for women who have experienced childhood sexual assault, there is still a need to explore the experiences of African American (AA) women who have encountered CSA and how it shapes their ability to engage in intimate sexual relationships. This phenomenological study aims to investigate the lived experiences of AA women who have endured CSA, with a particular focus on the …


A Phenomenological Qualitative Study Of The Seventh Day Adventist Leadership Role In Spiritual Formation For Ny, Nj, And Pa, Chesnel Gabriel Dec 2023

A Phenomenological Qualitative Study Of The Seventh Day Adventist Leadership Role In Spiritual Formation For Ny, Nj, And Pa, Chesnel Gabriel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the qualitative phenomenological research study is to assess and understand the impacts of the church leadership role in the spiritual formation of the Seventh-day Adventist churches in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. At this stage in the study, the local church leadership role in spiritual formation is generally described as a spiritual transformation to encourage spiritual formation in the Seventh-day Adventists (Creswell, 2018). The concepts guiding this study are Spiritual Formation: Benefits of Spiritual Formation Training, Disadvantages of the Existing Training Processes, and Perceived Outcome of Leadership Development (Bush et al., 2020). It sought to show …


Worker Engagement In Faith-Based Nonprofit Organizations: The Roles Of Spirituality, Resilience, And Perceived Organizational Support For Engaging The Workforce, Beverly Webb Dec 2023

Worker Engagement In Faith-Based Nonprofit Organizations: The Roles Of Spirituality, Resilience, And Perceived Organizational Support For Engaging The Workforce, Beverly Webb

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Nonprofit organizations rely heavily upon volunteerism and skilled employees willing to accept lower salaries to accomplish an organization's mission. Limited funding and surging needs in the nonprofit sector require a greater understanding of engaged workers to fully engage the workforce, where losses for nonengaged workers were estimated in the trillions globally. Research has supported the influence of spirituality, resilience, or perceived organizational support on worker engagement in for-profit and nonprofit organizations in varied settings. This study examined the relationships between spirituality, resilience, perceived organizational support, and worker engagement in Christian faith-based nonprofit organizations. Data was collected from two Christian faith-based …


A Phenomenological Study Exploring An Infertile Christian Woman's Experience From Clergy Counseling In A Local Church, Laura Lasek Dec 2023

A Phenomenological Study Exploring An Infertile Christian Woman's Experience From Clergy Counseling In A Local Church, Laura Lasek

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the perceptions of infertile women’s perceived experiences with receiving counseling from their local church pastor. The theories guiding this study were identity theory and narrative identity theory, as an infertile woman often feels a loss in their identity due to not being able to become a mother. This study explored how an infertile woman had hope to identify as a mother perceived counseling from her local church. The central research question for this transcendental phenomenological study was: How does a Christian woman who is coping with infertility describe the impact of …


Sisters In Harm: A Phenomenological Study Examining Active-Duty Military Women’S Lived Experiences Of Military Sexual Assault And Trauma, Brandy R. Preston Dec 2023

Sisters In Harm: A Phenomenological Study Examining Active-Duty Military Women’S Lived Experiences Of Military Sexual Assault And Trauma, Brandy R. Preston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There has been a plethora of research studies conducted on the staggering statistics surrounding military sexual trauma (MST) and how the armed forces have systematically failed to provide appropriate protections for women who experience military sexual assault (MSA). However, firsthand experiences from active-duty women who experienced MSA and the possible secondary trauma they experienced have very little documentation besides that from a quantitative research point of view. Studies surrounding survivors’ personal experiences are even more limited. Within this body of research, a phenomenological approach is used to describe the contextual and perceptual experiences surrounding active-duty women who are survivors of …


The Cost Of Creating Therapeutic Relationships: A Phenomenological Study, Robert D. January Dec 2023

The Cost Of Creating Therapeutic Relationships: A Phenomenological Study, Robert D. January

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe how licensed counselors address vicarious trauma and burnout when working with individuals exposed to trauma. This study involved ten licensed professionals from diverse settings including clinics, private practices, and non-profit organizations. Constructive Self-Development Theory guided this study, which defines how traumatic experiences influence a person’s sense of identity. This theory is particularly relevant to this qualitative study because it explains the challenges faced by professional counselors who interact with trauma survivors and acts as a guide toward solutions for preventing counselors from experiencing vicarious trauma and burnout. Snowball sampling was used …


A Qualitative Study Of Media Dependency Theory On Tiktok Citizen Journalists, Jaron David Paschke Dec 2023

A Qualitative Study Of Media Dependency Theory On Tiktok Citizen Journalists, Jaron David Paschke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the problem with depending on citizen journalism for news updates on TikTok during Hurricane Ian. To accomplish that, three types of qualitative content analysis were deployed to answer three separate but related research questions. First, a conventional content analysis was used to determine if the communicative roles of citizen journalists differed from their mainstream media counterparts during a crisis. Second, a summative content analysis was used to determine how effective crisis communications from citizen journalists were when compared to those produced by the mainstream media. Lastly, a directed content analysis was used …


A Quantitative Study On The Impact Of Covid-19 On Drug Treatment Courts, Derek J. Kingsbury Dec 2023

A Quantitative Study On The Impact Of Covid-19 On Drug Treatment Courts, Derek J. Kingsbury

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this research study was to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted drug treatment courts (DTCs) in Pennsylvania. DTCs were created as an alternative to the traditional court system by allowing those convicted of a drug offense to receive treatment. Just as these DTCs were dealing with the opioid crisis, a new obstacle occurred in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing DTCs to adapt to the quickly evolving and changing mandates and policies implemented by the federal and local governments. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these essential DTCs was examined using a therapeutic jurisprudence perspective. …


Sustainable Solution For Plastic Waste Management And Education Campaigns To Mitigate Plastic Consumption And Foster Behavior Change, Mayowa Akande Dec 2023

Sustainable Solution For Plastic Waste Management And Education Campaigns To Mitigate Plastic Consumption And Foster Behavior Change, Mayowa Akande

Masters Theses

The issue of plastic waste has become a significant environmental concern in contemporary times. Given the escalating rates of plastic production and consumption worldwide, an urgent need is to implement effective strategies to manage plastic waste. This article aims to investigate sustainable strategies for managing plastic waste through an analysis of existing research and exemplary approaches in the domain. This research assesses diverse methodologies, such as recycling, waste minimization, biodegradable substitutes, and policy interventions, and appraises their efficacy, obstacles, and prospects for enduring sustainability. The results of this research emphasize the significance of inclusive and cohesive approaches that engage various …


Microeconomic Social And Resource Barriers To Music Education Expansion In Impoverished South Carolina Areas, Anna Susanne Holley Dec 2023

Microeconomic Social And Resource Barriers To Music Education Expansion In Impoverished South Carolina Areas, Anna Susanne Holley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite much information in outreach in impoverished areas, research has yet to fully show the barriers to music education expansion in poverty-level South Carolina. This qualitative study is conducted using previous data for correlation through research analysis of social attitudes and resource-based barriers to participation rates and expansion of music education throughout South Carolina. Research discovered that impoverished students are much less likely to participate in music education and less than 25% of United States seniors, whether public or privately educated, are actively participating in music education programs. Lastly, statistics shows less than half of students with access to music …


A Quantitative Analysis Of Servant-Leadership Characteristics Among Those Called To Serve And Protect, Louden S.B. Suggs Dec 2023

A Quantitative Analysis Of Servant-Leadership Characteristics Among Those Called To Serve And Protect, Louden S.B. Suggs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to determine if servant-leader characteristics were common among recruits enrolled in basic law enforcement training programs in North Carolina Community Colleges and the relationship between recruit commitment to preserving public safety and public order and the call or natural feeling to serve others. This study explored whether law enforcement recruits inherently possessed servant-leader characteristics defined by Greenleaf and Spears (1998, 2002) and described in Matthew and Mark. One hundred eleven law enforcement recruits, both men and women, from various demographic backgrounds actively enrolled in 22 North Carolina Community College System’s Basic Law …


Wounding Words: A Phenomenological Study Of How Individuals Experience Receiving Spiritual Bypass, Peridot Reed-Gilbert Dec 2023

Wounding Words: A Phenomenological Study Of How Individuals Experience Receiving Spiritual Bypass, Peridot Reed-Gilbert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Currently spiritual bypass refers to a person's attempt to evade or sidestep significant events in his or her life by focusing solely on the spiritual dimension “bypassing” important psychological tasks necessary for healing (Cashwell & Young, 2004; Clarke et al., 2013). Several studies have been conducted proving that spiritual bypass is a phenomenon that individuals implement on themselves. However, the purpose of this study was to address the gap in the existing research literature by examining the lived experiences of those who have experienced receiving spiritual bypass from another person. Through semi-structured interviews, fourteen participants who self-identified as having experienced …


Mindfulness For The Reduction Of Anxiety, Stress, And Depression In The Preservice Teacher Community, Shelley R. Crampton Dec 2023

Mindfulness For The Reduction Of Anxiety, Stress, And Depression In The Preservice Teacher Community, Shelley R. Crampton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teachers and students alike suffer from anxiety, stress, and depression. Mindfulness-based strategies have been indicated to help teachers and students deal with stress, anxiety, and depression. Teachers often report not wishing to add more learning strategies to their packed schedules and workload. Education in mindfulness is not easily accessible due to the time constraints of this overworked population. The criteria for participation in the study required the college students in preservice education classes to be over 18 years old, enrolled in the teacher education program, and not have participated in any mindfulness in the last six months. The study is …


A Correlational Study: Second-Chair Leaders' Level 5 Leadership Score And Church Growth Among Southern Baptist Megachurches, Martin Benjamin Lovvorn Dec 2023

A Correlational Study: Second-Chair Leaders' Level 5 Leadership Score And Church Growth Among Southern Baptist Megachurches, Martin Benjamin Lovvorn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As the church strives to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges and navigate tumultuous times to fulfill its Great Commission, church leaders must strive to understand the type of leadership required to best accomplish their kingdom work. In researching the type of pastoral leadership that will most effectively build the church of Jesus Christ and advance his kingdom, much work has been dedicated to examining the leadership styles and influence of senior or lead pastors. However, few studies have explored the influence of second-chair pastoral leaders (SCPLs). This study is the first to quantitatively examine whether SCPLs who demonstrate the personal humility …


A Phenomenological Study In Understanding African American Spiritual Leaders And The Black Church On Elder Abuse, Cassandra R. Downey Dec 2023

A Phenomenological Study In Understanding African American Spiritual Leaders And The Black Church On Elder Abuse, Cassandra R. Downey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study described how the Black Church and African American Spiritual Leaders in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, understood the issue of elder abuse and the Black Church's role in navigating education and resources to those who are victims or at risk. African-American Spiritual Leaders' role and leadership are integral in combating elder abuse among their older members of the church and society. African Americans have always placed a significant portion of their support in the church and frequently turn to them before considering other options. Acknowledging the church's and spiritual leaders' involvement in comprehending the awareness of elder maltreatment is essential …


Relationships Between Shame, Cognitive Distortions And Positive Relationships With Others Among Young Adults, And Changes In Shame Resulting From An Intervention Focusing On Cognitive Distortions, John E. Shanks Dec 2023

Relationships Between Shame, Cognitive Distortions And Positive Relationships With Others Among Young Adults, And Changes In Shame Resulting From An Intervention Focusing On Cognitive Distortions, John E. Shanks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Experiences of shame are strongly correlated with diminished social relations in individuals of all ages. Difficult and traumatic early childhood situations and experiences such as partner abuse, sexual violence in situations with differences in status commonly lead to shame. Difficult family situations and traumatic situations also frequently result in cognitive distortions, flawed thinking which often continues through adulthood. This study evaluated the experiences of shame, satisfaction of social relations, and cognitive distortions of young adults ages 18-25 years of age. Participants included 88 young adults recruited from social media sites and email contacts. Self-report measures were used to evaluate the …


Understanding Lived Experiences Of Correctional Officers' Reintegration Back Into The Work Environment Post-Assault, Claudette Duggins Dec 2023

Understanding Lived Experiences Of Correctional Officers' Reintegration Back Into The Work Environment Post-Assault, Claudette Duggins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher explored the experiences of correctional officers assaulted by inmates, focusing on the impact of such assaults on their reintegration into the work environment. The researcher sought to understand how these experiences affect officers' attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making, which could impact the safety and security of the institution and the public. A qualitative approach using a phenomenological research design was employed to understand the lived experiences of assaulted correctional officers. Data emerged through participant interactions, capturing their personal experiences and perspectives. The qualitative method was chosen over a quantitative approach as it allowed for an in-depth understanding of the …


A Phenomenological Approach: How Hopelessness Affects Achievement In The Areas Of Socio-Economic, Criminality, And Educational Success Within The African American Community, Shawn A. Parker Dec 2023

A Phenomenological Approach: How Hopelessness Affects Achievement In The Areas Of Socio-Economic, Criminality, And Educational Success Within The African American Community, Shawn A. Parker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study was designed to examine how the concept of hope or lack thereof has an impact on the negative discrepancies in the areas of education, criminal behavior, and socio-economic status among African Americans as it compares to Whites. There may be other ethnicities who have significant inconsistencies as well, but for the sack of this study, the comparisons were primarily among African Americans and Whites. The theory guiding this study is the psychodynamic approach. This approach was guided by Sigmond Freud’s desire to understand human behavior; provided a path to studying the events of the past and present …


Beyond Acculturation And Resilience: International Students Navigating Shame And Self-Concept, Shauna Thompson Dec 2023

Beyond Acculturation And Resilience: International Students Navigating Shame And Self-Concept, Shauna Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study highlights the unique experiences of international students while they pursue higher education, manage adjustment issues, and navigate internal struggles. To explore whether English proficiency and family expectations correlate with self-concept and acculturation resilience, this study focused on the acculturation process, incorporating aspects of shame and self-concept that contribute to a student’s motivation and resilience. International students commonly face academic and personal challenges while adjusting to an environment that requires fluency in English. Additionally, many experience the pressure of high expectations from their families in their countries of origin. This study used a sociocultural approach to explore how international …


The Salvation Testimony Of African-American Converts In The Protestant Faith: A Phenomenological Study, Tenielle Jones Cook Dec 2023

The Salvation Testimony Of African-American Converts In The Protestant Faith: A Phenomenological Study, Tenielle Jones Cook

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Humanity's frailty and mortal existence create the space for a spiritual conversion experience that resolves matters of life and death. However, spirituality is an abstract concept with an ambiguous definition, and activities surrounding the application of its concepts are interpreted differently from one religious group or community to the next. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the salvation testimony of African-American males and females in the Protestant faith. A semi-structured interview and Conversation analysis are used for data collection and analysis to identify emerging themes for the descriptive essence of the salvation testimony. At this stage in …


Mass Incarceration In America: Where's The Church?, Michael J. Wing Dec 2023

Mass Incarceration In America: Where's The Church?, Michael J. Wing

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Due to mass incarceration, correctional facilities in America are dealing with unprecedented levels of overcrowding, staff shortages, violence, suicide, and widespread mental illness among inmates. Budget cuts and the corresponding loss of vocational, educational, and treatment programs have exacerbated such problems. Mass incarceration and its deleterious consequences are challenging the very soul of America, and the church has largely stood by and watched this tragic situation unfold over the last fifty years. This research project has explored some of the barriers that have precluded churches from taking a more intentional, active, and impactful role in doing something about the national …


Examining Moderating Effects Of The Strong Black Woman (Sbw) Schema And Religiosity On Mental Health, Stressful Life Events, And Attitudes Toward Seeking Help For Professional Psychological Services, Carlisa Anderson Stallings Dec 2023

Examining Moderating Effects Of The Strong Black Woman (Sbw) Schema And Religiosity On Mental Health, Stressful Life Events, And Attitudes Toward Seeking Help For Professional Psychological Services, Carlisa Anderson Stallings

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Since the origins of slavery, Black women have consistently exhibited extraordinary strength and resilience in the face of diversity and stressful life experiences. Research has shown that stress often leads to adverse mental health outcomes, which often go untreated due to the reluctance of Black women to seek help to preserve the cultural ideal of the SBW schema. Due to complex and cumulative stress experiences encountered by Black women and concerns of untreated mental health disease, this quantitative research study utilized intersectionality and theory of planned behavior frameworks to explore the relationship between stressful life events and attitudes toward seeking …


Forgiveness In Education: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Forgiveness Experience For Educators, Corinne D. Denhartog Dec 2023

Forgiveness In Education: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Forgiveness Experience For Educators, Corinne D. Denhartog

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Forgiveness is as powerful as it is complex. Evaluating how teachers understand and practice forgiveness has potential applications within broader forgiveness theory as well as more practically in discussions of both teacher health related to practicing forgiveness and student learning of forgiveness. The present study sought to gather qualitative insights related to teacher understanding of forgiveness, teacher practice of forgiveness within their jobs, and teacher opinions on forgiveness education. A total of six semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with groups of two to four public school teachers. Results indicated that there is variety in understanding amongst teachers of what …