Digital Commons Network^™

Identity Restored: High School Students Overcoming Social Media’S Influence To Embrace Their Identity As Sons And Servants Of God, Daniel M. Christiaans

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research question for this action research project relates to the impact of social media on the identity formation of believers through their high school years. As a youth pastor of 20 years and father of four teenagers, I’ve noticed that high school students maintain many of the social media habits and addictions seen in the secular world. This regular interaction with social media is detrimental to their identity formation; they are not adopting the identity provided for them in Christ as communicated by the Word of God. This project will discuss the roles and responsibilities of the believer's identity …

The Use Of Intellectual Humility As A Framework For Elementary School Teachers In The Development Of Positive Parent-Teacher Relationships, Ralinda Aspey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although the educational and psychological communities have identified the importance of the parent-teacher relationship to the academic success and social benefit of students, difficulties continue to persist in identifying specific strategies for building positive relationships between parents and teachers. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of seven elementary school teachers in public schools to examine whether intellectual humility manifested in their reported ability to develop positive relationships with parents. A semi-structured interview with participants revealed seven overarching themes evident in their experiences with parents which align with the construct of intellectual humility. These themes include Proactive Communication, Openness to …

Technological Attitudes, Social Media Usage, And Work Ethics Among Educators, Roshani Kundaria

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines the relationship between social media use, technological attitudes, and work ethics among K-12 educators in the United States. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many educators to transition to remote work and online teaching, individuals have more online presence and social interactions. Understanding how these interactions influence the values associated with work is essential. The decision to utilize a particular social media platform for personal use depends on educators’ individual needs, preferences, and circumstances. Positive and negative attitudes toward technology usage and dependence on technology were examined. The researcher found a negative correlation between technological attitudes and social …

Citizenship Christian Values Education Empowerment In Papua New Guinea Through Integration Of Curriculum, Funding, And Professional Training, Timothy Hawes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Since 2018, the Papua New Guinea Education Department has opened the door for Christian Citizenship Value Education, but previously, no organization has successfully addressed this opportunity. The problem is that the CCVE program in PNG does not integrate curriculum, funding, and professional training. The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to develop and deploy the CCVE Empowerment plan. Through a survey given to CCVE teachers and multiple focus groups with six different CCVE leaders, the CCVE Empowerment plan was developed. The plan included a new organizational structure, the prayer model, the self-teaching student journals, sufficient funding, and applied …

Developing Divine Love Into Christoform Obedience: Understanding And Applying The Theological Framework Of Divine Love In A Measurable Growth Praxis, Jayson Pengra Derowitsch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to analyze the growth outcomes of participants from a curriculum intervention on divine love with the goal of Christoform obedience. The point of the curriculum was to define divine love properly by using synthesized vantage points derived from precedent literature. These vantage points were developed into a four-step praxis of transformation in divine love. This praxis was the capstone of the curriculum. Three methods of data retrieval were used throughout the intervention process to target intellectual concept improvement, self-assessment improvement, and praxis improvement. As a result of the data, it was determined that fifty …

Exploring Holistic Interventions: An Approach To Addressing Problematic Substance Use Among Adverse Childhood Experience And Early Life Stress Survivors Through The Lens Of Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Model, Barbara De Oliveira

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE), and early life stress (ELS) impact neurodevelopment and heighten susceptibility to mental health disorders, including substance use disorder (SUD). This study explored how religiosity and/or spirituality (R/S), framed through Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Model, supports holistic recovery options for ACE and ELS survivors. Neurobiological changes, such as hippocampal atrophy, can be common among trauma survivors and have been found to contribute to maladaptive behaviors. Emotional maltreatment, beyond physical or sexual trauma, has been found to have a strong link to addiction. Despite existing literature, standard treatments have been known to overlook the unique needs of trauma-impacted individuals, …

Women Leaders In Healthcare: Emotional Intelligence, Job Satisfaction, And Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Kuan-Yin T. Timothee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this nonexperimental quantitative correlational study was to explore the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI), organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and job satisfaction among women in nonclinical leadership roles within the U.S. healthcare sector. As healthcare organizations adapt to technological, social, and economic transformations, they must increase their focus on cultivating EI and promoting OCB, especially in leadership roles (Bowling & Sessa, 2021; Herr et al., 2022; Marstand et al., 2021). Additionally, research has shown that EI facilitates business development and diminishes obstacles to organizational sustenance. Although prior research has established a link between EI and OCB, there is …

Understanding Employee Performance In Technology-Mediated Environments, William Patrick Malloy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative flexible design single case study was to expand the understanding of the dynamics behind performance management in technology-mediated environments and the effect it has on organizational outcomes. Managers in technology-mediated environments struggle to exercise control due to the inadequacy of existing performance management tools designed for traditional settings, which are not adequate in remote and hybrid work contexts. The study was conducted using a constructivist paradigm and a single-case study research design, employing semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and archival data analysis. Data from all sources were coded using NVivo, applying first- and second-cycle coding processes …

Health Impacts Of Remote Work On Women Aged 30-40: A Study Of Physical And Mental Well-Being, Dakota J. Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the effects of remote work on employees' physical, psychological, and social well-being. As remote work becomes more common, understanding its impact on health and productivity is essential. This study asks: How does remote work affect employees’ well-being across these dimensions?

Guided by the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model (Bakker & Demerouti, 2007), this study examines how remote work influences well-being through the balance of job demands (e.g., workload, isolation) and resources (e.g., autonomy, flexibility).

Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 22 remote workers via surveys, semi-structured interviews, and observations. Survey …

The Ties That Bind: Co-Twin Influences On Psychopathology In A Sample Of Twins, Anjoli E. R. Cero

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research has begun to better describe twinship and twin identity development, the potential advantages and disadvantages of twinship, and factors related to twins’ shared psychological symptomatology. Research also supports the concept of emotional contagion, in which one person’s emotional state can be transmitted to another person. This phenomenon may be more common among twins due to factors such as closeness, dependence, and general similarity. The current study proposed a series of regression models to investigate how predictive pathways toward anxiety among a sample of twins could be impacted by the psychological traits and functioning of their co-twins. The current sample …

A Descriptive Study Exploring The Role Church Leaders Have In Maintaining Liberty Within A Free Republic, Rashad R. Gibson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study explored the assumptions, perceptions, and understood responsibility of church leaders in New England to maintain liberty and virtue in a free republic. The theory that guided this study is transformational leadership, as it emphasizes morality in both the leader and the follower (Burns, 1978; Northouse, 2015). Within the last six decades, the United States Supreme Court has made rulings to remove from public schools, prayer, general Bible reading, and the Ten Commandments (Abington School District V. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203 (1963); Facts and Case Summary - Engel V. Vitale, 1962; Stone V. Graham, …

A Phenomenological Study On Teachers' Lived Experiences With Digital Learning And Students With Disabilities During And Post-Covid-19 Pandemic, Angie R. Tyson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of educators with digital learning and students with disabilities during and post-pandemic in various areas in the Satellite Central Regional Area of eastern Georgia. The central research question of the study, "How do teachers describe their experiences with digital learning and students with disabilities during and post-pandemic?" was addressed by considering Bandura's perspectives on the theoretical framework of self-efficacy. Participants were 11 educators with lived experiences of self-efficacy working with students with disabilities and achievement gaps during and post-pandemic. The participants described their experiences in detail through focus …

Using Technology Responsibly To Align Church Ministry With God's Plan, Sandra Rolon-Rodriguez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The proliferation of digital technologies, including live-streaming services, online community platforms, and virtual events, is revolutionizing the operational dynamics of church ministries. Churches of all sizes are embracing these changes to expand their influence, engage with members in new ways, and enhance the impact of digital technology on their ministry. Implementing digital transformation has led to innovative approaches in worship services, outreach programs, and community engagement, enabling churches to meet the evolving needs of their congregation and the broader community.

This dissertation-in-praxis explores the broader biblical and theological significance to gain a deeper understanding and demonstrate the practical application of …

An Investigation Of Mental Well-Being Of Black Men: Perceived Discrimination, Depression, Social Support, And Marital Satisfaction, D'Anthony Teon Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Black Americans have long endured significant psychological distress due to racism and discrimination. Yet, limited research has examined how these stressors impact the mental health of Black males in the context of marital relationships. This study investigated the effect of perceived discrimination on depression in married African American men, examining whether marital satisfaction mediated this relationship and whether social support moderated it. Rooted in the historical legacy of systemic racism and modern forms of aversive discrimination, the study aimed to fill a gap in the literature concerning the intersection of race, gender, and mental well-being. Utilizing a diverse and well-educated …

Aiming High: A Narrative Inquiry Of Christian Music Educators’ Higher Purpose, William E. Rhoden Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Educators in the United States may question music education’s higher purpose, considering high-stakes testing and an emphasis on non-musical subjects. This qualitative narrative study examines three American protestant Christian music educators’ perceptions of music education’s higher purpose and compares them to Martin Luther’s (1483-1546) writings. The researcher conducted interviews with three participants to record the story of how they developed their higher purpose for music education. The data was tabulated and coded for thematic analysis. This study supports a Christian defense of continued music education in America’s schools, distinguishes modern Christian perspectives, and offers a fresh understanding of the historical …

A Holistic Case Study On Leaders In The Division Of Enrollment Services’ Experiences Implementing Interdepartmental Partnerships In Higher Education, Christopher A. Almond

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this holistic case study was to understand the experiences of higher education leaders in the division of enrollment services at a public research university who experienced departmental realignments or mergers because of performance-based funding initiatives. The study addresses the gap in the literature on the effect of change on interpersonal relationships in higher education. The theory guiding the study is Tierney’s theory on organizational behavior among college employees. The research methodology consisted of three phases. I conducted focus groups, individual interviews, and document analyses. The setting was a large research university in an urban city. There were …

Emerging Black Male Adults' Lived Experiences With Racial Microaggressions And Social Media, Ian L. Griffin Sr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Racial microaggressions on social media take a serious psychological toll on emerging Black male adults (EBMAs), leading to heightened stress, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Despite increasing awareness of these issues, research has yet to fully examine how religious involvement buffers the mental health effects of digital racial adversity. This study examined how EBMAs experience social media racial microaggressions, the impact of these encounters on their mental health, and whether engagement in religious activities helps reduce psychological distress. This research adopted a qualitative phenomenological design, integrating interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and thematic analysis to understand these experiences through microaggression theory …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Experiences Of General Education And Special Education Teachers Within The Inclusion Classroom: Exploring The Factors And Barriers Of Success, Allison Parks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the inclusion experiences related to self-efficacy and barriers to inclusion for secondary general education teachers and special education teachers at a metro-area high school in Georgia. This study aimed to understand how do general education and special education describe their self-efficacy when teaching in an inclusive classroom? The theory guiding this study was Albert Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy as it explains the confidence levels associated with teachers’ experiences. This qualitative study utilized convenience sampling in a large rural high school setting. Data was collected using one-on-one interviews, participant journaling, …

A Descriptive, Comparative Study Of Preexisting Leadership Qualities And Leadership Effectiveness Of Theologically Conservative United States Army Battalion-Level Chaplains, Aaron Jonathan Fabian

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This immediate demand for spiritual and professional leadership can be overwhelming for a new battalion-level chaplain (Blackaby 2001; Howell 2003). They perform or provide religious service for Soldiers who have volunteered to serve their country. By going through the same military training in conjunction with their religious education and experience, chaplains are able to integrate with Soldiers where traditional clergy cannot. There is additional pressure to perform because chaplains, as commissioned officers, are evaluated immediately through an annual Officer Evaluation Report (OER hereafter, DA Form 67-9). With no time to acquire new skills, battalion-level chaplains are forced to rely on …

Engaging Church Teams To Support Youths Aging Out Of Care, John Alan Honeycutt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Emerging Adults (EAs) in out-of-home care (OHC) face significant challenges when aging out of the foster care system, including histories of traumatic experiences. Approximately 30,000 exit Child Protective Services (CPS) annually, with 4,000 becoming instantly homeless. This study used a facilitated grounded theory approach, engaging 14 participants representing two churches. The aim was to identify the topmost factors for gaining interest, commitment, and action from a Volunteer Church Team Volunteer Team to assist one EA in their transition to independent living (IL). Primarily, non-Hispanic White and Native American Indian participants aged 35–65 contributed insights during three hours of brainstorming and …

The Lived Experiences Of Black Christian Women With Having Absent Fathers: A Phenomenological Study Of Identity, Self-Esteem, And The Christian Faith, Catherine L. Newsome

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of 10 Black Christian women with absent fathers during childhood and adolescence. Using convenience sampling, these women were recruited through Facebook, TikTok, and email recruitment at Liberty University. The study’s criteria for participation were: (1) Black Christian women 18 years of age or older, (2) raised in a fatherless home during childhood and adolescence, and (3) raised with no stepfather in the home during childhood and adolescence. The study's findings revealed that the participants experienced a void due to the absence of a father figure, the lack of a father’s provision, and …

Pastoral Unity Community Engagement Of Shiprock Area Ministry Association In Shiprock, New Mexico, Rosalind Ann Russell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This praxis project examines the Shiprock Area Ministry Association (SAMA), a pastoral group which represents different religious denominations of faith in the community. SAMA is located on the Navajo Indian reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico and has struggled to return as a group amid the post COVID-19 pandemic. Since its founding as an organization, the group has gathered for support in unity, prayer, and engaged in activities in Shiprock. The return of SAMA members and new membership is to include pastor spouses, church workers, and ministers within a 15-mile radius. The Hershey and Blanchard (2001) Situational Leadership Self-Assessment will be …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Exploration Of The Experience Menopausal African American Women Have With Their Health Care Providers And Accessing Treatment For Menopausal Symptoms, Michelle Way-Houser

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological qualitative case study delved into the underexplored area of menopausal research as it pertains to African American women. This study aimed to identify the existing gap in literature, through examining the factors contributing to the disparity, and proposed potential solutions. By conducting a thorough review of the available evidence, this study sheds light on the unique challenges faced by African American women during menopause and advocates for more inclusive and diverse research approaches in this field. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants and thematic analysis was used to identify key themes related to symptom management, healthcare access, …

The Role Of Spirituality In Resilience Among Male And Female Education Staff And Role Differences, Cindi R. Bowling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Working in the field of education can be challenging, even more so seems the challenge following a worldwide pandemic. Resilience is needed in any career, but education is one in which it is needed on a continuous basis. Spirituality may increase resilience in life. The idea that Jesus died and rose from the grave for a fallen world and through the Holy Spirit there is power to overcome is one that can help people press through hard times in life. This correlational study examined the relationship between spirituality and resilience in educational staff post-pandemic. To do this, The Daily Spiritual …

Understanding Change Following Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: A Phenomenological Study, Melina K. Bricker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The field of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is growing and broadening, with significant implications for treatment-resistant behavioral health disorders for which traditional therapies have limited impact. Determining the efficacy of such treatments with populations seeking relief from trauma-related chronic behaviors must include an understanding of trauma’s complex impact on regulatory functioning, the perceptual and functional changes experienced as a result of PAT, and implications for future research in addressing trauma-related treatment resistance. To understand the phenomenon of change, questions of motivation, experience, and outcomes in this treatment type must be understood. In this qualitative phenomenological study, 10 patients at a ketamine-assisted …

The Implementation Process Of The Norway Model In U.S. Prisons: A Qualitative Study, Kaitlin M. Armstrong

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this grounding theory method will be to develop the best correctional practices for implementing the Norway Model of prison reform in U.S. prisons. The data gathered from participating facilities in the U.S. that have already attempted this method of reform will help identify the best strategic planning methods for future facilities to use. The theory guiding this study is based on the grounding theory method, developed by sociologists Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss, and will allow for the conceptualization of the data collected to be used in predicting the best future methods of implementation, specifically for correctional …

A Weapon In One Hand And A Bible In The Other: Places Of Worship Are Under Attack, Edmond J. Bergeron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative descriptive study aims to ascertain the degree of preparedness for reducing and preventing extreme violence and the countermeasures that are in place (or lack thereof) at houses of worship. All places of worship in this study are considered soft targets and not “holy ground” as traditionally referenced. The terms “places of worship” and “church” will be used interchangeably in this study. A place of refuge for both the physical and spiritual is now considered vulnerable as the congregants are focused on worship rather than protection from an attack. Violence against places of worship will be described at this …

Relationship Between Mental Health Education And Nurse Preparedness, Deborah C. O'Dell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study was to see if there was a relationship between the type of Mental Health education undergraduate nurses received or the number of Mental Health clinical days they experienced and how prepared they were to care for Mental Health Consumers (MHCs) when they first were employed. This information had never before been studied, so had the potential to change nursing curriculum and provide better care for MHCs. An anonymous survey using the Behavioral Health Care Competency’s questions was used and an invitation to participate was placed on various nursing discussion forums and social media sites. Participants (n = …

Dunning-Kruger And The Reforming Mind: A Causal-Comparative Study Determining The Role That Confidence When Learning Mathematics Plays In Sixth-Grade Students' Mathematics Performance, Rita Renata Davison-Yragui

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative non-experimental causal-comparative study was to determine the relationship between sixth-grade students’ confidence level (high, middle, or low) when learning mathematics and their mathematical performance. This study adds to the current body of knowledge on student learning and contributes to a better understanding of the impact of confidence on student performance in mathematics. The sample comprised 132 sixth-grade public school math students in western Washington who completed the i-Ready diagnostic to determine their mathematical performance. The confidence when learning mathematics portion of the Attitudes to Technology in Mathematics Learning Questionnaire was used to measure student confidence …

Navigating Two Worlds: Lakota Intellectuals Adaptation To Americanization And Beyond, Allison Leigh Legaspi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Lakota people, part of the larger Sioux Nation, are indigenous to the Great Plains of North America. Their history is marked by centuries of cultural heritage, resilience, and profound challenges brought about by European contact and American expansion. The process of Americanization, which began with European colonization and continued through various stages of United States history, profoundly impacted the Lakota way of life. This dissertation explores and explains the complex journey of Lakota adaptation to Americanization, examining key historical intellectual figures, events, cultural transformations, social dynamics, and the ongoing efforts to preserve Lakota identity and traditions. How did these …