Digital Commons Network^™

A Qualitative Study Of Registered Nurses’ Perceptions Of The Impact Communication Modalities Have On Patient Care Outcomes In Primary Care, Eleanor M. Chapital

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Communication plays a vital role in the provision of patient care and directly impacts patient care outcomes across the care continuum. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and determine registered nurses’ perceptions of the communication modalities that facilitate optimum patient care outcomes in the primary care setting. Registered nurses play a critical role in the provision and coordination of patient care. Therefore, it is imperative to study their experiences and perceptions to facilitate communication within primary care teams. The central research question for this study was the following: How do registered nurses describe their use of communication …

Mindful Parenting And Parental Stress Relation In Parents Of Children With Autism, Nika Badiei-Emran

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The current study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of mindfulness and mindful parenting in reducing the stress and anxiety levels of parents with children who have autism. This study utilized pre- and post-surveys to assess parents' stress and anxiety levels before and after participating in the mindfulness component of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy course. These levels were compared to those of parents involved in an Applied Behavior Analysis program, where a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) conducted parent training at least once a month.

Participants were recruited by posting research flyers on social media platforms, including the Autism Facebook group. Participation …

Transforming The Challenges Of Improvisation For Sacramento Elementary Music Teachers, Monta Monique Saïd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the widespread consensus among music teachers that improvisation is a crucial skill for children to learn, there have been multiple challenges integrating improvisation into daily teaching practice in general elementary music classrooms. This research, conducted across multiple public schools in the Greater Sacramento Area Unified School District, aimed to identify these challenges and provide actionable solutions based on teacher feedback to improve the situation. Using phenomenological research design as explained by Creswell, this study analyzed, synthesized, and identified patterns of experience among general elementary music teachers through observations, interviews, and collected artifacts. The study found that lack of time, …

African–American Faculty Retention At Community Colleges: A Phenomenological Study, Wontae Javar Neal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the retention rates of African-American faculty in community colleges in the Northeast Region of the United States, highlighting their unique experiences and the factors influencing their professional lives. The theoretical framework for this study was the critical race theory (CRT), which is a post-Civil Rights social philosophy, legal theory, and technique for dealing with racism and our rapidly changing society. The central research question was: What are the professional and academic experiences of African-American community college faculty? The three research sub questions were: (1) How do the professional and academic experiences of African-American community college …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Sub-Sahara African Catholic Priests On Their Transition Through The Covid-19 Global Pandemic In The United States: A Phenomenological Study, Cornelius Kelechi Anyanwu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) has disrupted significant aspects of societal life worldwide, forcing individuals, communities, health organizations, educational institutions, consumer industries, and governments all over the world into unprecedented challenges. Likewise, religious organizations like the Catholic Church were not spared. African Catholic priests in the United States provide pastoral ministries in US dioceses and parishes, fulfilling the roles of shepherding their congregations and offering spiritual, moral, social, and emotional support in times of great adversity, such as the COVID-19 global pandemic. This transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was conducted to explore how sub-Saharan African Catholic priests …

Comparative Efficacy Of Combined Versus Singular Auditory Alpha-Theta Brainwave Entrainment And Hypnotherapy Modalities In Chronic Pain Management, Jennifer Nicole Leavitt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This experimental quantitative research, a randomized controlled trial, evaluated combined efficacy of auditory alpha-theta brainwave entrainment (BWE) and hypnotherapy in chronic pain management versus each modality alone. Chronic pain is a serious clinical challenge that may benefit from novel, nonpharmacological interventions. Previous studies have demonstrated benefits of both BWE and hypnotherapy for pain; but research on combined effects was not identified. This study hypothesized that a synergistic approach would offer superior pain relief compared to singular modalities. The study utilized a randomized controlled trial design with a sample size of 38 participants, initially, aged 25 to 65 years old, recruited …

Societal Gender Norms' Influence On Music Education, Lindsey N. Folsom

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study uses a phenomenological design to answer the question: How do students and educators perceive the influence of gender on instrument choice, ensemble participation, and student socialization opportunities inherent to ensemble participation? The theoretical framework for this study is Lev Vygotsky’s social development theory. Data was collected using interviews and surveys from K-12 teachers and college instructors. The data is analyzed using qualitative methods such as coding and triangulation. The results of this study and its potential to significantly inform and shape music education practices will provide research on teacher and student perspectives on the influence of societal …

“To Speak With A Representative, Please Press 3”: A Quantitative Analysis Of The Effects Of Artificial Intelligence On Patient Satisfaction In A Modern Healthcare Contact Center, Dennis Alexander Wulfeck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With the advancement of telecommunication and digital technologies over the past few decades, there has been a concomitant fundamental shift in the contact center industry and the role it plays. What was once an internally focused center with a goal of cost-reduction in providing a necessary service has now evolved to become a proactive frontline for anticipating customer needs, promoting quality customer service, as well as playing a larger role in corporate decision-making (Gans et al., 2002). In order to fulfill these complex customer interactions, modern day contact centers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence and large language models to …

Impact Of Gamified Elearning On Learning Outcomes For Municipal Employees Aged 50 And Over In Ontario, Canada: An Experimental Study, Cristin Ann Keller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, experimental, causal-comparative, posttest-only, control-group study is to determine if there is a difference in system enjoyment, effort expectancy, and performance expectancy for male and female employees aged 50 years or older at a corporate municipality in Ontario, Canada who participated in eLearning programs with and without game elements. The sample consisted of 38 male and 64 female employees aged 50 years or older who participated in eLearning and then completed an Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology questionnaire. Data from the questionnaires was analyzed using a two-way multivariate analysis of variance. The …

The Fidelity Of Iep Implementation In The Secondary Choral Classroom, Kristen Ellison Passmore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite efforts to support teachers in successfully implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) in the secondary music classroom, music educators still face challenges in differentiating instruction for each student with an IEP during secondary choral rehearsals. Legally, teachers must follow all accommodations outlined in a student’s IEP, and every student served by an IEP deserves equity in the classroom. This study examines the opinions of secondary choral educators in the State of Georgia regarding IEP implementation. This qualitative phenomenological transcendental study investigates the difficulties associated with implementing IEP goals and explores secondary choral educators’ perceptions of their implementation. Themes such as …

Undergraduate Nursing Students' Perceptions Of Faculty Mentorship For Student Success In Persevering Toward Program Completion: A Qualitative Study, Shirley C. Callihan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory single case study is to explore the undergraduate nursing students' perceptions of faculty mentorship for student success in persevering toward program completion. The theory guiding this study is the Roy Adaptation Model (RAM) by Callista Roy, as it relates to nursing students' adaptation to the challenges in their environment through faculty mentorship. The central question is: What are undergraduate nursing students' perceptions concerning faculty mentorship for student academic success in persevering toward program completion? Convenience sampling was used to recruit ten participants who were undergraduate nursing students from a Registered Nursing program in the …

Exploring The Challenges And Resilience Of Licensed Black Female Counselors In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic And George Floyd Era: A Phenomenological Study, Krissandra C. Haynes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the licensed Black female counselors (LBFCs) that provided mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd era. This study was guided by Schlossberg’s transition theory to examine how LBFCs navigated professional and personal transitions during a time marked by collective trauma, public health disparities, and heightened racial tension. Participants described this time of counseling clients through parallel experiences of grief and social unrest while also tending to their wellness. Core themes included the duality of the healer role, significance of spiritual and faith-based coping, influence of social activism, …

California Community College Chief Executive Officer Turnover: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Ryan Bent

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the turnover causes of chief executive officers (CEOs) within the California community college system. The central research question was, “What are the lived experiences California community college CEOs experience that led to CEO departure?” The theory guiding this study is Ryan and Deci’s (2017) self-determination theory, which helps to explain the relationships between intrinsic and extrinsic factors of basic psychological needs. The research design was a transcendental phenomenology study, which is a form of qualitative design. Three methods of data collection were used. This study focused on participants who are …

Teacher Perspective And De-Escalation Of Aggressive And Disruptive Behaviors In Early Elementary Students Who Come To School At Risk Of Academic Failure: A Phenomenological Study, Rebecca L. Thurman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological research study was to understand the experiences of early elementary educators with the rising negative behaviors, such as aggression and classroom disruptions, in their current classrooms within a progressive and growing school district in northwest Georgia. The theory that guided this study was Bandura’s social learning theory. This study addressed the question: How do educators perceive, understand possible causes, and utilize research-based programs and strategies to de-escalate and improve students’ aggressive and disruptive behaviors in the elementary classroom? This study focused on individual and focus group interviews, as well as a teacher behavior …

The Impact Of Historical Intergenerational Transmission Of Trauma On Black American Women Who Endured Adverse Childhood Experiences, Gigi Andrews Ritchey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and describe the experiences of Black American women in the Southeastern United States who endured adverse childhood experiences and whether historical intergenerational transmission of trauma (HITT) influenced the behavior of their primary caregivers. The problem was that the connection between Post traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS) and HITT had not been explored as it related to Black American women. To conduct the study, Black American women were screened for HITT via the Black American Woman (BAW) Danieli Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma questionnaire. Qualitative data was accrued via semi-structured individual interviews. The findings …

Social Media, Religion, And Anxiety: Comparison Of Age Groups, Kaye Eileen Redeker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social media has become an integral part of daily life for all age groups. The current research is mixed, showing both positive and negative effects from social media on mental health. This study aimed to examine how the duration of social media use compared with anxiety levels, and if religiosity had any effect on social media use and anxiety. It also wanted to determine if there was a correlation between religiosity and social media use, and how social media use and religiosity predicted anxiety. This study filled a gap in research by extending previous studies beyond adolescents and by including …

The War Powers Resolution: A Failed Check On Executive Power And A Contributor To U.S. Military Expansion, Melissa A. Cavaliere

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Governmental policies, such as the War Powers Resolution (WPR) of 1973, are comprehensive legislative measures designed to address recurring issues through thorough analysis rather than hasty responses. The WPR emerged from a need to balance power between the executive and legislative branches, particularly in the wake of the Vietnam War. Passed over President Nixon's veto, the WPR mandates that the president consults Congress before deploying U.S. armed forces into situations involving imminent hostilities, requiring this consultation within 48 hours of military action. If troops are deployed, their involvement can last 60 days, extendable to 90 days, unless Congress either approves …

Perceived Effective Strategies For Teaching English Language Learners In Secondary Choral Settings, Corrina Guadalupe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As the population of English Learners (ELs) continues to grow in U.S. public schools, secondary music educators must be equipped to provide inclusive and equitable instruction. This study investigates secondary choral directors’ challenges, instructional strategies, and beliefs in supporting EL students. Survey responses from 17 choral educators and follow-up interviews with two participants revealed that language barriers, time constraints, and insufficient training were the most frequently cited obstacles. Educators reported using strategies such as repetition, simplified language, and peer support systems; however, tools like bilingual materials and translation technology were underutilized despite being perceived as effective. Interview data emphasized fostering …

Military Children's Lived Experiene: A Continuous Parental Military Deployment, Detria L. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military deployments disrupt the stability of parent-child relationships, especially for adolescents navigating attachment during extended parental separations. This qualitative dissertation study explored the lived experiences of twelve Military Children (MC), ages 14-17, across the three key phases of a continuous six-month to one-year parental deployment: pre-deployment, deployment, and reintegration. This study employed a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to capture MC perspectives on relational dynamics, emotional challenges, and attachment disruptions with both the deployed and non-deployed parents. Participants were recruited via social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), publicly distributed recruitment flyers, and participated in semi-structured interviews conducted through audio-video recorded interviews. …

Intergenerational Toxic Stress In Preschool Children, Cynthia R. Rovnaghi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Worldwide there is an outcry for understanding, integrating, preventing, coordinating, and collaboratively treating the neuropsychosocial components of intergenerational transmission of trauma-induced toxic stress (ITTS). The purpose of this quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, secondary analysis of the Hair Biomarkers Study Phase I (HBS-I) was to obtain empirical evidence supporting the introduction of the Theory of Neurogenesis Abruption (ToNA) and to standardize the use of hair biomarkers and child developmental scales for early detection of central nervous system (CNS) dysregulation. Birth and developmental outcomes of children born to parents with a diagnosed serious mental health condition (DSMHC) and/or substance (ab)use (SA/SU) disorder (children, n …

The Relationship Between Health Status, Physical Activity, And Employment On Life Satisfaction In Adults, Lau Hung Yin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Life satisfaction is influenced by various factors such as health, physical activity, and employment status, emphasizing the multidimensional nature of well-being. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study is to examine the relationship between health status, physical activity level, and employment status on life satisfaction among adults in the U.S. The importance of this study focused on understanding how these factors influence life satisfaction. The research question focused on assessing the interconnectedness of these variables. The participants of the study are non-institutionalized civilian adults residing in the fifty states and the District of Columbia. The study involved a total sample …

Common Ground: A Phenomenological Ethnographic Inquiry In Intercultural Communication, Telling Stories With The Oglala Lakota People On The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Sd, Laura C. Fong

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

An interdisciplinary and collaborative movement in cross-cultural research is emerging and challenging Western academic practices in the United States. As a non-indigenous Communications scholar working on the Pine Ridge Reservation, I was unable to find a model, or scholarship that included the practical application of theory and methods for scholarship with Indigenous Americans. Over a ten-year period, I documented stories and worked with Lakota elder Unci Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance and her son Nathan Blindman to develop a mutually beneficial working relationship.

Successful cross-cultural scholarship using Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodologies, Intercultural Communication Theory …

The Mediating And Moderating Effects Of Job Satisfaction, Burnout, And Compassion Fatigue, Through The Lens Of The Cfrm, Jasmine N. Radcliff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explored the relationship between job satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and burnout. The theoretical framework of the compassion fatigue resilience model was also used to analyze the variables of self-care, social support, compassion satisfaction, and detachment. This quantitative study used a self-reporting survey design to examine the rate at which job satisfaction mediates the relationship between compassion fatigue and burnout; as well as; the rate at which the following variables of self-care, social support, compassion satisfaction, and detachment, moderate the relationship between compassion fatigue and burnout. The anonymous survey results were analyzed using moderation and mediation analyses. The findings for …

Military Spouses’ Lived Experiences In Remote Assignments Overseas: A Heuristic Study, Veronica Carbajal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The heuristic study explored the lived experiences of military spouses accompanying service members on remote assignments overseas. Relatively little was understood about geographically remote assignments from U.S. military installations overseas. Numerous studies have investigated military spouses’ experience transitioning from military to civilian life, geographically remote location challenges within the United States, and culture shock related to overseas military installations, independently. To date, research on military spouses transitioning to nonmilitary communities in remote assignments overseas with their active duty service members is lacking. The qualitative heuristic phenomenological design implemented semi-structured open-ended interviews, a focus group, and reflective questionnaires for data collection. …

Voices Of Change: Narratives Of African Americans And Their Recommendations For Reforming Law Enforcement Practices, Tanisha N. Hines-Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The focus of this study was to explore real-life experiences African Americans have with law enforcement to suggest changes that can be put into action to improve interactions, fairness, and accountability. This study, which makes use of a case study technique, examined perceptions of police interactions and engagement from the viewpoints of community members. The study specifically responded to the following two research questions: 1) What is the narrative of individuals in the African American community regarding law enforcement? 2) What changes do participants suggest are needed to improve interactions and establish a better relationship between the African American community …

A Comprehensive Examination Of Church Security Emergencies Protocol In North Carolina: Securing Tar Landing Baptist Church Jacksonville, North Carolina, Jack Thorne Metcalf Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The dissertation-in-praxis project was to implement a security operations manual. Defending houses of worship has become an ever-increasing need for churches. The rise of threats against faith-based organizations is growing, and the unique nature of sanctuaries makes them an ever-increasing soft target. This researcher’s helped to implement a robust security and emergency plan in the church to ensure the security team will perform in a correct and professional manner. The church security manual identifies the following areas such as natural disaster, active shooters, and emergencies protocol.

Illuminating The Communication Analysis Of Investigative Interviews And Interrogations: An Interdisciplinary Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis, Erica N. Heller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explores communication in investigative interviews and interrogations through a qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis (QIMS) across the three disciplines of communication, psychology, and criminal justice. This investigation was guided by two research questions: identifying communication themes in investigative contexts and examining the variations in how the disciplines approach investigative interviews and interrogations. Through the utilization of the QIMS method, this study investigated and analyzed interdisciplinary artifacts from academic and professional (gray) literature. This resulted in the discovery of two key themes, confession-focused goals and inconsistent terminology, and three sub-themes: interviewee focus, siloed mindset, and individualized methodological focus. The findings of …

Faith, Hope For The Culture, And Love: Exploring The Influence Of Faith And Culture On Marital Resiliency Amongst African American Christians, Alena M. Crawley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe African American Christian couples’ experiences with the influence of their faith and culture on their marital relationship. The theory guiding this study is the strengths-based perspective which was developed in the mid-1980s by Professor Charles Rapp and students from the University of Kansas as it provides context for the examination of strengths unique to a specific population and how these strengths can be utilized as a tool for improved success. Relative to this study, the researcher sought to explore the contributions of faith and culture in strengthening the marital experience for …

Perceptions Of Congregational Engagement In Evangelical Church Worship Programs, Tim Allums

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite existing research on worship leader training and choosing music for congregational worship, a study on the perceptions of congregational worship engagement from the perspectives of worship leaders and congregants has yet to be examined. Congregational worship is formational and helps believers continue to grow in their faith by singing their praise to God with one voice and declaring the tenets of their shared faith. This study sought to reveal perceptions of worship engagement by surveying nineteen worship leaders and one hundred fifteen congregants from thirty-nine evangelical churches around the United States to identify the musical aspects that either enhance …

Book Review: A Modern Take On Mere Christianity, Shawn M. Bielicki

Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

No abstract provided.