Digital Commons Network^™

Spirituality As A Moderator Of The Correlation Between Gratitude And Resilience Among Dementia Caregivers, Amanda Frappolli

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Dementia caregiving is associated with high levels of stress, burden, and emotional strain, yet limited research has examined the protective factors that help caregivers adapt and maintain well-being. This quantitative, correlational study investigated the relationship between gratitude, spirituality, and resilience among unpaid dementia caregivers. Guided by positive psychology and the transactional theory of stress and coping, the study focused on whether spirituality moderates the relationship between gratitude and resilience. Unpaid dementia caregivers aged 18 and older were recruited through dementia support groups, and data were collected using three validated instruments: the Gratitude Questionnaire-6, the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, and the …

Organizational Outcomes In Crisis: A Multi-Case Exploration Of Leadership Practices In High-Stakes Crises, Robert Thomas Calderwood

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore how organizational leaders navigate high-stakes crises, with a focus on cognitive, emotional, and crisis response leadership processes, as well as decision-making, and organizational factors that influence outcomes. Grounded in a pragmatic research paradigm, this study explored the experiences of leaders across multiple industries that frequently encounter high-stakes crisis events. Research data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns and key themes. The findings revealed that crisis leadership is a dynamic and iterative process characterized by cognitive processing, emotional regulation, crisis response behaviors, and …

Bridging The Gap: Teacher's Perspectives On Trauma-Informed Care And It's Implementation In Schools, Alyssa Erika Jimenez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Childhood trauma exposure is a profound public health concern with significant impacts on overall development and long-term physical and mental health. However, a critical gap remains in understanding how these experiences manifest in school settings. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of teacher perspectives on trauma and trauma-informed care approaches in school settings and level of competence and support by administration when encountering potential trauma-induced behaviors in the classroom. Data were collected utilizing semi-structured audio-recorded interviews and open-ended questionnaires from four educators who had some form of experience with trauma-informed care practices. Thematic analysis …

The Influence Of Love During Childhood On Young Adult Relationships And Psychological Wellbeing In Rural Appalachia, Kerry Ann Saul Wheeler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational study examined the relationships among childhood love, relationship love attitudes, and psychological wellbeing among young adults with childhood experiences in rural Appalachia. Childhood love was operationalized through adult attachment styles, specifically avoidant and anxious attachment, using the Experiences in Close Relationships–Short Form (ECR-S). Love attitudes were measured using the Love Attitudes Scale–Short Form (LAS-S), and psychological wellbeing was assessed using Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being–18 (PWB). The sample consisted of 88 participants between the ages of 21 and 35. Pearson’s correlation analyses revealed significant negative relationships between attachment insecurity and psychological wellbeing, indicating that higher levels of …

Host Communities' Perceptions Of Multinational Oil Companies' Corporate Social Responsibility (Csr) Communication In The Niger Delta, Nigeria, James E. Onosu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the lived experiences and perceptions of oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria regarding the corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication and messages of multinational oil companies (MOCs) operating in the region. This became imperative in the face of unabated conflicts between the giant oil companies and their host community counterparts, despite the companies' claims of numerous CSR projects, and to fill a gap in the literature on the dearth of CSR communication in the region. The central research question that the study sought to answer was: What is the perception of host communities regarding the …

From Rituals To Resilience: Individuals’ Lived Experience Of Self-Reflective Relationship Therapy (Srrt), Ehsan Adib Shabahang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative Husserlian descriptive phenomenological study addressed a gap in first-person accounts of brief self-guided preventive relationship interventions. One such intervention, Self-Reflective Relationship Therapy (SRRT), is a 6-week self-guided workbook combining structured reflection with brief connection practices. The purpose of the study was to describe individuals' first-person lived experiences 6 to 18 months after completing SRRT. Six participants completed asynchronous written reflections, and the data were analyzed using Husserlian descriptive phenomenology with Colaizzi's seven-step method. Participants described SRRT as a workable path toward reconnection after periods of emotional distance or strain. Carryover centered less on continued adherence to the workbook …

Barn To Brain: Relationship Between Farm Animal Interaction And Well-Being In Rural Adults, Tiffany N. Hendershot

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the relationship between naturally occurring farm animal interactions and overall well-being among rural adults living in the central Appalachian region, specifically western Maryland, south-central Pennsylvania, and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. A cross-sectional, correlational design was used to compare adults with at least five hours of naturally occurring farm animal contact per week to those with less than one hour of contact per week. Overall well-being was measured with the PERMA-Profiler, and heart rate variability (HRV) was measured using wearable devices as a physiological indicator of autonomic health. Grounded in polyvagal theory, the biophilia hypothesis, and …

The Perceived Effects Of Safety Coaching On Safety Knowledge And Training Transfer: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Dariusz Krajewski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Workplace safety remains a concern in municipal environments, where time and resource constraints limit training. This phenomenological study involved an examination of municipal employees’ experiences with safety coaching and how these experiences influenced the transfer of safety knowledge into daily work practice. Transfer of training theory, social cognitive theory, and transformational leadership theory were the theoretical foundations for this study.

The researcher conducted semi-structured virtual interviews with 15 participants. Data analysis followed Moustakas’ (1984) phenomenological approach. The methodological process involved bracketing, horizontalization, clustering into themes, textural and structural descriptions and essence description. The researcher clustered the thematic findings into seven …

Bridging The Gap Beyond Foster Care For Aged-Out Youths In Transition, Kemi Ngozi Bunmi Adelakun

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Perceptions Of Stigma Of Emotional Distress Among Black Clergy, Sharon S. Mccollough

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Human Service Professionals’ Perspectives Of Family Reunification Programs, Tasha Tolbert

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Insights On The Origins And Repercussions Of Corruption In Haiti, Yves Louissaint

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Men Who Murder Their Families: Crime Script Analysis Of Surviving Familicide Perpetrators’ Characteristics And Behaviors, Margaret Potthoff

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Instrumentality Of Developmental Coaches’ Self In Building The Coaching Relationship With Clients Seeking Leadership Development, Leslie Ann Rodríguez Díaz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Examining The Relationship Between Dark Triad Personality Traits And Career Paths, Mary Robinson Gibson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Growing opportunities in information technology, digital accounting, and remote leadership have increased interest in the personality traits associated with these emerging work environments. The researcher examined the relationship between psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism, collectively referred to as Dark Triad personality traits, and career preferences. Specifically, the researcher tested whether higher levels of these traits predicted interest in careers characterized by prestige, power, autonomy, and opportunities for manipulation. Working professionals and college students completed the Short Dark Triad (SD3) and a career preference questionnaire. The researcher used binary logistic regression to assess whether Dark Triad traits predicted career cluster selection. Model …

Exploring The Impact Of Athlete-Coach Relationship On Self-Worth: A Phenomenal Study Of Perceptions And Dynamics, Jada D. Harris-Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research investigates how the coach-athlete relationship affects athletes' self-worth, emotional dependency, and resilience, using the single-parent or two-parent family dynamic as a moderating factor. Using self-determination theory, attachment theory, and social identity theory as frameworks, the current study explores how coaching styles influence the psychological well-being of athletes. This research utilizes interviews, questionnaires, and observations to analyze perceived coach support, emotional dependency, and resilience themes. The study's findings indicate that autonomy-supportive coaching helps athletes develop self-esteem, coping skills, and mental resilience. On the other hand, controlling coaching styles is associated with increased pressure and lower levels of resilience. Also, …

Unveiling The Journey: A Phenomenological Study On The Lived Experiences Of Caregivers Raising An Adolescent With Diabetes, Lakeisha L. Doman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe caregivers’ experiences raising a middle to late adolescent (ages 14 – 19) with diabetes in Virginia. The study focused on how caregivers perceive stress and develop coping skills while navigating the transition to independence. Guided by Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, this study examined how caregivers appraised stress, evaluated available resources, and sustained engagement in their role. Ten primary caregivers in Virginia were recruited using purposeful sampling. Semi-structured interviews guided data collection. Data was analyzed using Moustakas’ phenomenological approach. Findings indicated that caregiving during adolescence is a …

Publishing With Purpose: Exploring Publication Trends Among Counselor Education In Cacrep-Accredited Programs, Janita Whitney Daggy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Scholarly publication is a cornerstone of faculty evaluation, professional identity, and knowledge development in counselor education. Despite calls for empirical investigation into publication trends, limited research has examined the scope, distribution, and impact of counselor educator scholarship across Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This quantitative, cross-sectional bibliometric study examined publication trends, thematic alignment, and citation patterns among 222 counselor educators across 25 CACREP-accredited doctoral programs from 2000 to 2026. Using GS profiles as the primary data source, bibliographic records from 4,876 peer-reviewed publications across 2,132 journals were extracted and analyzed using the Bibliometrix package, igraph, …

Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Chosen Career And Job Fitness, Grace Corinne Jennings

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational study examined how experiences of abuse and neglect influenced career choice and whether individuals perceived their chosen careers as a good fit. Data were collected through an electronically distributed survey shared via social media, resulting in a sample of 542 participants. Analyses explored relationships between ACE scores, career field, job fit, and demographic variables including age and sex. Findings indicated that there was no statistically significant relationship between ACE scores and perceived job fit. Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences between men and women in reported levels of job fit, nor between sex and highest level …

The Moderating Influence Of Intrinsic Religiosity For Technostress And Tech Addiction In Adults Working In A Digital Environment, Elaine M. Hensley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examined factors influencing levels of technostress and tech addiction in adults working in digital environments, where technology is rapidly advancing. The main research questions asked: If and to what extent intrinsic religiosity and resilience, independently and through their interaction, predict levels of technostress and tech addiction among adults in a digital workplace environment. The research design used two multiple linear regression analyses and two moderation analyses to ascertain whether the null hypotheses would be retained. The procedure involved recruiting 222 participants through Prolific who activated a survey link from Qualtrics. The link contained demographic data and four surveys …

Resilience In The Age Of Covid-19: A Phenomenological Study Of Survivors 65 And Older, Kwajulyn Onothia Rucker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Few studies have examined resilience among those aged 65+ during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research fills that gap, offering data to guide policies and treatments for future pandemics. The pandemic revealed factors influencing psychological resilience, with stressors linked to health issues becoming chronic worldwide. Older adults faced heightened stress, and 95.5% of COVID-19 deaths occurred in those 50 and older. Lockdowns increased isolation and depression, yet many showed resilience by drawing on strengths, social networks, and circumstances. Key themes from this study included faith, engagement, adaptability, and adversity. Most (80%) adapted well, feeling 'fine' or 'okay' and finding hope through …

Discipleship-Led, Servant Leadership: A Process For Equipping And Training Simultaneously In The Local, Revitalizing Church, Joseph Raymond Noel Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Church revitalization has been a topic of conversation in church circles for the better part of the last two decades. While numerous books and trainings have been produced to facilitate the many necessary components of church growth required for revitalization, still more than 3400 churches close their doors annually (Rainer, 2020). Additionally, 39% of professing Christians are not currently engaged in any form of discipleship (Barna, 2022) while 45% of churches are utilizing volunteers to accomplish the work of the ministry (The Unstuck Group, 2017). These numbers indicate a substantial need within the church for a program which can simultaneously …

Perceived Mattering As A Cognitive-Affective Factor In Academic Behavior: Exploring Its Role In Achievement Motivation, Self-Handicapping, And Academic Performance In The Post-Secondary Context, Audrene Kerr-Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study examined the role of perceived mattering in the academic experiences of post-secondary students, focusing on its association with academic motivation, self-handicapping behavior, and academic performance. Grounded in Rosenberg and McCullough’s mattering theory, and informed by the social cognitive theory, self-determination theory, attribution theory, the looking-glass self, and protective motivation theory, a quantitative research design was employed utilizing regression and two-way ANOVA analyses. The study hypothesized that higher perceived mattering would be positively associated with intrinsic motivation and negatively associated with extrinsic motivation, that higher perceived mattering would reduce self-handicapping, and that academic performance differences would exist across gender …

Organizational Change Model Modified For A Biblical Worldview, Mark Alan Van Dyke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The goal of this proposal was to implement the first six steps of Kotter’s eight-step organizational change model at Emmanuel Lutheran Church to help the leadership improve unity and cohesion within the congregation. A key part of this process was training a guiding coalition of important leaders in essential communication skills, team leadership, and intergenerational ministry concepts. Successfully completing this process and training positioned the congregation to serve its community as a family-oriented culture where disconnected and disillusioned people can find belonging. Using a well-known organizational change theory in a church setting presents its own challenges for pastoral leaders, who …

Delegating Authority: How Student Leadership Influences The Workload And Well-Being Of Secondary Orchestra Directors, Lori M. Buonamici

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although it is standard practice for secondary orchestra directors to engage students in leadership roles to assist with instruction and ensemble management, music education research provides teachers with little guidance on creating and maintaining student leadership organizations. The current literature provides abundant evidence of the benefits of offering leadership opportunities to support student development. Still, little research examines the additional work this creates for the orchestra director. Drawing on Vygotsky’s constructivist worldview and the theory of the zone of proximal development, this study examines how guided support facilitates the development of student leadership skills. Granting student leaders authority may either …

A Quantitative Study Examining The Impact Of Gender On Covenantal Empowerment And Mental Health Quality Of Life Among 911 Dispatchers, Michael Ryan Udriét

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational study examined factors affecting the mental health quality of life (MHQoL) of 911 dispatchers in Greater Richmond, Virginia. Dispatchers frequently experience psychological strain due to exposure to traumatic calls, demanding workloads, and inconsistent organizational support. Leadership is a crucial factor in shaping well-being, yet the influence of covenantal empowerment (CE)—a model emphasizing mutual support, shared accountability, and relational trust—on dispatcher mental health remains underexplored. This study examined the relationship between CE and MHQoL, explored gender as a moderator, and considered additional demographic and work-related factors including age, years of experience, work shift, length of shift, marital status, …

Navigating Trauma: The Lived Experiences Of Black Women Veterans In The Mental Health System, Malika K. Whitley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research investigated how Black women veterans managed their traumatic experiences while interacting with mental health services. Black women veterans developed trauma from different origins, which include combat experiences, systemic racism, interpersonal violence, and service reintegration difficulties. Black women veterans faced multiple barriers to healthcare access because they experienced both cultural stigma, limited representation, and healthcare institution inequities, despite their high rates of trauma-related conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder( PTSD), depression, and anxiety. The existing barriers prevented these individuals from using available services, which resulted in incorrect diagnoses and diminished trust in available treatment options. This research employed a qualitative …

Non-Denominational Female Ministry Leaders' Disciple-Making Experience Using Digital Platforms: A Phenomenological Study, Vorlea C. Chaney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A global pandemic in the winter of 2020 forced the faith community to close its doors in the interest of public safety. Due to the closings, the faith community resorted to digital platforms to continue to make disciples, according to Matthew 28:19-20 (King James Version, 1991). Jun (2020) asserts the current digital age is poised to be the next industrial revolution used by the church to make disciples. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate female ministry leader’s digital disciple-making experience. According to Leedy and Ormrod (2019), “the term phenomenology refers to a person’s perception of the …

Using Environmental Scans To Help Direct And Sustain Local Best Practices, Emily Lapworth, Carol Kussmann

Joseph P. Healey Library Publications

The digital landscape is in a state of constant change, and there is no one-size-fits-all formula for managing your digital assets, so understanding your local context is crucial to planning an effective digital stewardship strategy. Whether you are just starting out or have been at the same institution for 10 years, conducting an environmental scan can help. What are the internal and external changes you need to manage? What kind of stuff are you dealing with, and who are the stakeholders? Where is it located, and what systems are you using? What tools are available, and how have best practices …

Exploring Adaptability In Military Leadership: Challenges And Responses During Crisis, Adam M. Gray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

United States military leaders frequently operate in environments where predefined strategies and standard operating procedures may be insufficient for responding to crises. The study addressed a leadership problem: a decline in adaptability among military leaders over the last 10 years. The specific problem addressed in the study focused on how military leaders adapt non-predefined strategies in crisis situations when predefined strategies are insufficient. A qualitative single-case study design was used. Using purposeful sampling and an IRB-approved semi-structured interview protocol, 19 military leaders with crisis leadership experience at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels participated in the study. The study sought …