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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Impact Of Leadership Decisions On Police Officer Well-Being: A Covid-19 Response, Jason N. Spencer May 2024

Impact Of Leadership Decisions On Police Officer Well-Being: A Covid-19 Response, Jason N. Spencer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative dissertation research project is to determine the impact that law enforcement leaders, their leadership styles, and decision-making processes have on the well-being of police officers. This study sought to understand this impact by focusing on the perspectives of frontline police officers, detectives, and first-line supervisors from various law enforcement organizations in the Central Virginia Region and within the context of leadership decisions made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the constructivist grounded theory approach to research design, 12 participants responded to an initial qualitative questionnaire, followed by a semi-structured interview to gain the rich, …


Perceived Stress From Covid-19 On High School Students With Previous Trauma In A Rural County In The Southeastern United States, Kari Anne Russell May 2024

Perceived Stress From Covid-19 On High School Students With Previous Trauma In A Rural County In The Southeastern United States, Kari Anne Russell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic created historical trauma that will be felt for years to come. As the world begins sifting through the impacts, adolescents with previous trauma could be among the greatest sufferers. Rooted in trauma theory, this study aimed to examine the effects on high school students with previous trauma in a rural county in the southeastern United States. Variables such as previous mental health or counseling services, gender, socioeconomic status, race or ethnicity, and number of generations living in the home were all examined for those students having four or more ACEs. Through a quantitative design and with passive …


Tales From The Classroom: A Qualitative Study Of Teacher Experiences With Covid-19, Stephen B. Thompson Apr 2024

Tales From The Classroom: A Qualitative Study Of Teacher Experiences With Covid-19, Stephen B. Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study will be to discover insights into how the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown has caused residual effects on students’ academic, social, and emotional health two years removed from the pandemic. COVID-19 has impacted education from the lockdown that the leaders in the United States mandated. This lockdown removed students from school’s traditional routines, causing them to learn new ways to participate in their education. The method guiding this study is a qualitative phenomenology to focus on the lived experiences of teachers. Using a transcendental approach, the researcher will focus on the depiction of the …


A Phenomenological Study Of Implementing Social-Emotional Learning Skills Virtually And Its Influence On The Teacher-Student Relationship, Felicia S. Spratt Apr 2024

A Phenomenological Study Of Implementing Social-Emotional Learning Skills Virtually And Its Influence On The Teacher-Student Relationship, Felicia S. Spratt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological research design seeks to investigate the experience of teachers in Illinois urban school districts who have virtually implemented Social-Emotional Learning skill sets and describe any impact virtual implementation has had on the teacher-student relationship. This data was viewed through teachers who implemented the social and emotional learning skill sets in an urban middle school. Social-emotional learning is often implemented in a classroom while teaching students regular academic requirements. The theory used to guide this study was Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, with self-actualization being the ultimate achievement goal on the pyramid. The theory explained the connection between the …


A Phenomenological Study On The Contributors Of Compassion Fatigue With Substance Use Disorder Counselors During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jennifer A. Galvano Feb 2024

A Phenomenological Study On The Contributors Of Compassion Fatigue With Substance Use Disorder Counselors During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jennifer A. Galvano

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aimed to understand the experience of compassion fatigue in substance use counselors in Western New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many studies have reviewed burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma and have discussed the outcomes of their unmanaged effects on healthcare professionals. Few have focused directly on the impact that key contributors of compassion fatigue have on substance abuse disorder (SUD) counselors. This qualitative study is designed to support substance abuse counselors’ mental health and well-being. Counselors are exposed to clashing situations such as turnover, larger caseloads, client trauma, regulations, lack of training, lack of understanding of …


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. …


Intimate Partner Violence And Spirituality: A Healing Process, Sheila Diane Lundquist Dec 2023

Intimate Partner Violence And Spirituality: A Healing Process, Sheila Diane Lundquist

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to understand how intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors, from the Atlanta area, use spirituality to heal from the abuse. The theory guiding this study is Maslow’s (1954) Hierarchy of Needs as it shows how spirituality helped these women meet the needs on the hierarchy after having many of the needs ripped from them by the perpetrator(s). Intimate partner violence is a fundamental problem in the United States, especially during these times of COVID-19 and the stay-at home orders. Intimate partner violence takes a toll on the family unit, the community, and the …


The Aging Population And Masking Requirements: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Tiffany M. Mioduszewski Nov 2023

The Aging Population And Masking Requirements: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Tiffany M. Mioduszewski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study is to understand the lived-experiences of individuals over 60 years old. This study was done to specifically understand psychological effects of adhering to protective measure put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. A pandemic can be described as a global epidemic that has the ability to spread to other continents. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted thousands of people worldwide. There have been multiple preventative measures put in place for individuals to follow to reduce the spread of the virus. The mandates vary depending on the country and state in which an individual lives …


Lived Experiences Of Counselors: Navigating The Changing Role Using Emotional Intelligence, Marissa Joelle Stelzer Nov 2023

Lived Experiences Of Counselors: Navigating The Changing Role Using Emotional Intelligence, Marissa Joelle Stelzer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of counselors during the transition from traditional face-to-face counseling to a teletherapy format during the COVID-19 pandemic and how counselors were able to utilize emotional intelligence skills/abilities during this time. The theories that guided this study were the ability model of emotional intelligence and social constructivism. The following questions guided this study: How did counselors experience their changing role from primarily face-to-face counseling to teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic? How did counselors experience emotional intelligence during the transition from traditional face-to-face counseling to teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic? …


A Case Study On How Hbcus Use Social Media To Reduce Uncertainty Of Covid-19, Kelsey Anne-Gabrielle Armstrong Aug 2023

A Case Study On How Hbcus Use Social Media To Reduce Uncertainty Of Covid-19, Kelsey Anne-Gabrielle Armstrong

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This case study aims to understand how HBCUs use social media to deliver crisis communication messages to students about COVID-19 and how the HBCU culture impacts student perspectives. The theory guiding this study is uncertainty reduction theory (Berger & Calabrese, 1974), as it explains the communication strategies used to reduce uncertainty during a crisis. Data collection was conducted using semi-structured interviews and content analysis. Data analysis strategies included deductive and inductive coding and directed content analysis. The study results provide insight into how the HBCU culture impacts the perspective of an HBCUs response to COVID-19 and overall crisis communication messaging …


The Impact Of Covid-19 On Leadership Development And Burnout Among Korean Immigrant Church Leaders In The United States: A Phenomenological Study, Jinwon Seo Aug 2023

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Leadership Development And Burnout Among Korean Immigrant Church Leaders In The United States: A Phenomenological Study, Jinwon Seo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The global outbreak and pandemic of COVID-19 is an unprecedented event that causes many people to experience psychological, spiritual, and social health crises as well as physical crisis. There is limited empirical research existed on the influence of COVID-19 on church leaders, particularly within the Korean immigrant community. A phenomenological approach was adopted, utilizing semi-structured individual interviews with Korean immigrant church leaders to explore their lived experiences during the pandemic. The findings revealed three primary themes: change, support, and burnout. Korean immigrant church leaders demonstrated balanced leadership development in guiding, providing, and protecting roles, but also experienced exhaustion due to …


Pastoral Leadership As A Perceived Factor Of Changing Church Membership In South Carolina: A Phenomenological Study, Bobby L. Dukes Jul 2023

Pastoral Leadership As A Perceived Factor Of Changing Church Membership In South Carolina: A Phenomenological Study, Bobby L. Dukes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The role of a pastor comprises many duties and responsibilities within the church; some have led to chaos. Clinton et al. (2005), states many churches are mired in a significant leadership crisis (p. 10). Pastors are called to lead people in spiritual growth, with the end goal of parishioners living a mature spiritual life for the sake of Christ, not the contrary. The enormity of pastoral leadership has a lasting effect. Kristin Tabb (2017) claims that relatively minor church hurts leave people with a burned-out feeling during service, while the more serious wounds leave parishioners soul-scarred and physically sick at …


Self-Care For Counselors During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Penney Siddiqui Jul 2023

Self-Care For Counselors During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Penney Siddiqui

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

COVID-19 took the world by surprise early in 2020, and rapidly became a global threat. While not the first global pandemic declared by the World Health Organization, COVID-19 was different from past pandemics both in the speed of transmission and in the psychosocial impact. Not only did COVID-19 impact the physical health of those who contracted the virus, it also impacted the mental health of the general population. Mental health counselors held a dual role in this pandemic, facing the psychosocial impact themselves while simultaneously providing care for others. Recent studies explored the psychosocial impact on health care professionals and …


The Lived Experiences Of School Counselors Related To Natural Disaster Trauma, Jennifer Baxley Bellinger Apr 2023

The Lived Experiences Of School Counselors Related To Natural Disaster Trauma, Jennifer Baxley Bellinger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand and describe the lived experiences of school counselors in South Carolina regarding natural disaster trauma and their perceptions regarding their ability to work effectively with students during and after disasters. The experiences of school counselors regarding their perceptions of effectiveness when working with students both during and after natural disasters prior to this study were unknown. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Model provided the framework for this study as it outlines the necessary preparation for and execution of a school counselor’s work with students, while Herman’s trauma theory and …


Understanding An Urban Black Worldview: A Phenomenological Examination Of 2020, Gershwin Francis Grant Apr 2023

Understanding An Urban Black Worldview: A Phenomenological Examination Of 2020, Gershwin Francis Grant

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This action research project was designed to surface and codify a worldview that emerged among black people as a result of the traumatic phenomena of 2020. The program sought to help white pastors in New York’s Lower Hudson Valley recognize this new worldview, understand its implications, and desire to intentionally develop their level of Cultural Competence to more effectively counsel and disciple black congregants holding this worldview. The detrimental effects of the phenomena of 2020 exacerbated existing trauma caused by social and institutional racism and resulted in an altered worldview among urban blacks affecting relationships in communities and within church …


A Phenomenological Study Of Parents Accessing And Receiving Professional Care For Their Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) During The Covid-19 Outbreak In Washington State, Patrick Michael Barry Apr 2023

A Phenomenological Study Of Parents Accessing And Receiving Professional Care For Their Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) During The Covid-19 Outbreak In Washington State, Patrick Michael Barry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

COVID-19 changes and restrictions have necessitated a change in the way schools, mental health providers, medical providers, and other educational and therapy services provide for children with autism. This study explores, in-depth, the experience of parents of children with ASD as they have navigated the COVID-19 required changes to professional treatment and services for children with ASD and their families. Research suggests that raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be an overwhelming experience for parents and families, and greater family burden is positively associated with the number of unmet professional help service needs. As services were …


K-12 Florida Christian Schools In Crisis: A Correlational Study Of Educational Leadership During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Cesar O. Irizarry Apr 2023

K-12 Florida Christian Schools In Crisis: A Correlational Study Of Educational Leadership During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Cesar O. Irizarry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

K-12 Florida Christian schools were disrupted due to the advent of a global crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Flexibility was needed by educational leadership during this time of crisis. For that reason, this study will aim to understand the leadership principles necessary to provide leaders with the flexibility to adapt to extreme circumstances. The literature addresses the leader’s importance of being flexible during a crisis (Ruffner & Huizing, 2016). However, the literature continues to examine the effects of the pandemic on education but has not identified those contingencies that are necessary for leaders in the Christian educational system …


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

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

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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


The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Law Enforcement Protocols In Middle Appalachian States, Timothy W. Roberts Dec 2022

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Law Enforcement Protocols In Middle Appalachian States, Timothy W. Roberts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the operational procedures of law enforcement organizations across the United States. The COVID-19 virus has forced police administrators to rethink strategies and procedures dealing with law enforcement’s multiple functions and roles in society. The pandemic is causing unprecedented challenges for law enforcement administrators to balance the organization’s priorities and the safety of officers under their command. The police functions are adapting to include personal protection to prevent the spread of the virus among the law enforcement community. This multiple case qualitative study aimed to show the immediate operational changes in law enforcement since the start …


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

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

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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


Teacher Self-Efficacy, Job Satisfaction, And Burnout Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jaimee Ann Hager Nov 2022

Teacher Self-Efficacy, Job Satisfaction, And Burnout Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jaimee Ann Hager

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teachers are consistently faced with adversity, which can affect their ability to feel efficacious in their position, causing them to experience a decrease in their job satisfaction and putting them at risk for burnout. Recently, teachers have experienced significant changes in education, as the COVID-19 pandemic has increased illnesses and forced necessary safety adaptions in the educational setting. This study is a quantitative research design. Participants included 40 elementary teachers from Isle of Wight County Schools in Virginia. Participants were provided a link or QR code to access the survey. This study used a Pearson Correlation to measure relationships between …


Bereavement In Isolation During Covid-19 Pandemic, Shelia Renee Stroman Aug 2022

Bereavement In Isolation During Covid-19 Pandemic, Shelia Renee Stroman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic with the protocols of social distance, isolation, and quarantine changed the practices associated with traditional funerals and rituals. The purpose of this phenomenology study was to understand the lived experience of individuals that process bereavement in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is a new phenomenon; the research questions will guide this study to understand the lived experience of individuals that process bereavement in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research questions were (1) What are the experiences of those that processed death without rituals or traditions during COVID-19, and (2) How has COVID-19 transformed and …


The Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Anxiety, Stress, And Resilience In Economically Challenged Single Mothers, Gloria Jean Hill-Murray May 2022

The Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Anxiety, Stress, And Resilience In Economically Challenged Single Mothers, Gloria Jean Hill-Murray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of economically challenged single mothers during Covid 19. Mitigating the severe anxiety and stress risks linked with COVID-19 has been a goal of public health incentives. Less effort has been spent on studying the psychological issues connected to the worldwide epidemic, particularly among economically challenged communities. The aims of the study were to explore the impact of anxiety and stress of the COVID 19 pandemic on economically challenged single mothers, to determine the needs of this group, and to identify prevention and interventions that might support them in …


Vaccine Hesitancy And Biden's Rhetoric, Samuel J.M. Bell May 2022

Vaccine Hesitancy And Biden's Rhetoric, Samuel J.M. Bell

Masters Theses

Within the setting and context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study uses Ernest Bormann’s Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT) framework to analyze fantasy themes which emerged from the rhetoric of the American President, Joe Biden, regarding vaccinations. The main question of this study is why President Biden’s rhetorical vision either chained out and was accepted among the American public resulting in increased vaccination or failed to chain out resulting in Americans refusing to become vaccinated. To answer this question, a selection of artifacts consisting of examples of President Biden’s rhetoric are gathered, and using those artifacts, SCT fantasy themes are developed. …


Evangelical Mental Health During A Pandemic: A Three-Way Interaction Analysis, Michael Sean Williams Apr 2022

Evangelical Mental Health During A Pandemic: A Three-Way Interaction Analysis, Michael Sean Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

COVID-19 quickly became a global pandemic and a biological disaster. Mental health deteriorated due to fear, stress, isolation, and loneliness. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, and disturbed sleep have been associated with COVID-19. There is limited research on mental health and well-being among evangelical Christians. A primary concern is that church congregants and leaders are tired and struggle with mental health issues. Thus, care for the congregation and community is limited. The rate of distress and depression among the religious is on the rise. The purpose of this quantitative research is to evaluate the interaction of perceived stress and emotional …


The Relationship Between Leader-Member Exchange And Citizen Willingness To Comply With Governmental Public Health Mandates Concerning Covid-19 In Dougherty County, Georgia: A Mixed Methods Analysis, Travis H. Goodson Apr 2022

The Relationship Between Leader-Member Exchange And Citizen Willingness To Comply With Governmental Public Health Mandates Concerning Covid-19 In Dougherty County, Georgia: A Mixed Methods Analysis, Travis H. Goodson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As of February 8, 2022, more than 394,381,395 individuals across the globe have contracted COVID-19; and from this number, reportedly more than 5,735,179 have died due to the virus (World Health Organization, 2022). Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, local, state, and federal governments have fielded a host of public health mandates in an attempt to curtail the spread of the virus; however, little is known about the efficacy of such mandates and how willing compliance is obtained through perceived high-quality leader-member exchanges. Compliance is best defined as willing conformity to official requirements; here, compliance is examined through the lens of relational …


Work–Life Balance In Parent Teachers During Covid-19, Allyson Leigh Owens-Horton Apr 2022

Work–Life Balance In Parent Teachers During Covid-19, Allyson Leigh Owens-Horton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Working parents engage in multiple roles. Often, the responsibilities of one role conflicts with the expectations of another role, creating a sense of imbalance. Because of this, working parents often find value in achieving a degree of work-life balance that aligns with their needs and values. Parents employed as teachers may face unique challenges around balancing work and family roles, due to the nature of their jobs. This challenge was heightened by the worldwide change in education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to examine the work-life balance of parent teachers during COVID-19. The present study …


An Exploratory Analysis Of Mindfulness And Work-Life Balance During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Christine Bush Mar 2022

An Exploratory Analysis Of Mindfulness And Work-Life Balance During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Christine Bush

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have created a need for change in both personal and professional lives; however, due to the abrupt newness of the virus, there has been limited research. The purpose of this quantitative study is to examine mindfulness (via FFMQ), work-life balance (via WLB survey) and potential stressors among employees who have been affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic. An exploratory analysis of how mindfulness and work-life balance has played a role in employees’ adaptation to working during a pandemic will be conducted. An in-depth literature analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between mindfulness …


A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Client And Stylist Interaction As A Culturally Specific Form Of Coping With Stress For Black Women In The United States, Nicole Michelle Holden Jan 2022

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Client And Stylist Interaction As A Culturally Specific Form Of Coping With Stress For Black Women In The United States, Nicole Michelle Holden

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study is to describe the experience of Black women who visit the salon regularly in the United States. This study is constructed around the culturally intimate relationship of the stylist-client interaction in the Black community as a historical coping mechanism in which Black women utilize for stress and life challenges rather than seek professional mental health services. Although COVID-19 continues to mount a significant mortality rate and financial hardships, its disproportionate effects on communities of color will have lasting implications on their mental health. The need for mental health services has increased due to the mental …


Revisiting Strategy In A Time Of Crisis, Gregory A. Smith Nov 2021

Revisiting Strategy In A Time Of Crisis, Gregory A. Smith

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The season of upheaval brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic is a critical occasion for libraries to revisit their organizational strategies. Strategy includes two complementary dimensions: alignment with the environment and the pursuit of competitive advantage. Rapid changes in the environment call for practicing strategic thinking iteratively rather than engaging in a fixed rhythm of multi-year planning. An effective library strategy displays four key attributes: (1) It responds to the concerns of diverse stakeholders. (2) It is flexible enough to adapt to emerging conditions. (3) It enacts organizational mission but can also help to reshape it. (4) It integrates with …