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Public Mass Shootings In Texas And California: Routine Activity Theory Comparisons, Mason R. Feinartz Aug 2024

Public Mass Shootings In Texas And California: Routine Activity Theory Comparisons, Mason R. Feinartz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Public mass shootings are a distinct and unique phenomenon that receives vast media and public attention due to the location, weapons used, and amount of people killed or injured. These mass shootings occur in places where people frequent daily in their routine activities and are unexpected, seemingly random, or symbolic events. This study used a casual-comparative quantitative research design using routine activity theory as the foundation to investigate public mass shootings in Texas and California from 1966 to 2023. This study used public open-source data collection and analysis to identify and substantiate all mass shootings that satisfy the research inclusion/exclusion …


Perspective-Taking, Self-Talk, And Social Connection: A Phenomenological Study Of How Individual Practices Reduce Loneliness During The Menopausal Years, Sarah Joy Groff Aug 2024

Perspective-Taking, Self-Talk, And Social Connection: A Phenomenological Study Of How Individual Practices Reduce Loneliness During The Menopausal Years, Sarah Joy Groff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Menopause is a stage of the life cycle known for physical, mental, and emotional changes. Many women report feeling isolated and lonely during this time due to changes in hormones and physical appearance, lack of sleep, uncertainty about their role after raising children, and cultural pressures to remain thin and beautiful. Due to the lack of education and normalization of this life change, women often withdraw and become increasingly depressed or anxious, as a result. Loneliness is associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, suicidality, premature death, and a variety of other physical ailments. However, previous research suggests that the …


The Impact Of Social Media On Young People And Christian Chaplains, Darrien Defederico Aug 2024

The Impact Of Social Media On Young People And Christian Chaplains, Darrien Defederico

Masters Theses

Social media is a ubiquitous form of technology in the modern world. It encompasses not only cell phone applications such as Facebook, but also gaming platforms and even the Internet itself. Social media has negative effects on not only psychological development but also on spiritual development. It has far-reaching influence, can be extremely addicting, and can dull spirituality. However, with the right training, social media can be used for beneficial psychological and spiritual development. There is research that social media largely amplifies the mindset users are already in. This can result in spiritual growth if that is the user’s intent. …


The Qualitative Ethnographic Research Of The Relationship Related To Parental Involvement, Community Support, And School Administrative Substructure Amid To Inner-City Title-I High School Band Programs In Memphis, Tennessee, Thomas Akil Perry Aug 2024

The Qualitative Ethnographic Research Of The Relationship Related To Parental Involvement, Community Support, And School Administrative Substructure Amid To Inner-City Title-I High School Band Programs In Memphis, Tennessee, Thomas Akil Perry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative ethnographic research investigated the fundamental unsubstantiated relationship related to parental involvement, community support, and school administrative substructure amid two inner-city Title-I high school band programs. This qualitative research embraced an ethnographic process managed by anthropology and sociology approached framework geared to study cultural responses over some time based on similar analytical cultural statistics. This study depicts the socioeconomic domain of a high school band community, highlighting key factors that add to the success and decline of the inner-city and Title-I high school band programs. It was conducted within Memphis, TN, within the North Memphis region, outlining the Raleigh, …


A Case Study Of Using Social Media Influencers For Sponsored Posts, Meagen Rockenbach Aug 2024

A Case Study Of Using Social Media Influencers For Sponsored Posts, Meagen Rockenbach

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The use of social media changed consumer behavior and how company leaders conduct business, including the way that they promote products and services. Instagram is a social media platform that many companies use to promote products and services. In the beauty and lifestyle industry, company officials hire social media influencers for influencer marketing campaigns. In the Unites States, the Federal Trade Commission has rules for these sponsored posts that influencers must disclose that they are working with a brand within the sponsored post. This study was to establish a connection between Instagram influencers and their use of disclosed sponsorship in …


Exploring The Connection Between Student Self-Efficacy And Student Success In A Prelicensure Nursing Programs: A Predictive Correlational Study, Leanne I. Moreira Aug 2024

Exploring The Connection Between Student Self-Efficacy And Student Success In A Prelicensure Nursing Programs: A Predictive Correlational Study, Leanne I. Moreira

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental, correlational study was to determine if a passing score on the standardized Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) exit examination for prelicensure nursing students can be predicted from the number of working hours and self-efficacy scores for those same students. This study is important because of high attrition and low retention rates among prelicensure nursing students, preventing more nurses from providing care to society at a time when the demand for nurses is high. The study included 79 prelicensure nursing students in rural Maine and Ohio. Two measurement instruments were included in this study: the …


A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of First-Year Christian Student Success In Theological Studies During The Pandemic, Philip Lamar Nash Aug 2024

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of First-Year Christian Student Success In Theological Studies During The Pandemic, Philip Lamar Nash

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the journeys of first-year undergraduate theological students during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to figure out what, if anything, aided the students in completing their coursework with passing grades. COVID-19 has impacted organizations and individuals around the world, prompting changes to ensure that things kept moving forward safely. The research was conducted to discover what, if anything, brought about achievement for students in a COVID-19 collegiate environment. The research was guided through a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative approach by conducting interviews with students about their first year in a residential secondary educational setting that moved to being online because …


What Did They Forget? Learning Loss Of Rural Secondary Students Post-Covid: A Phenomenological Study, Tracey A. Wade Aug 2024

What Did They Forget? Learning Loss Of Rural Secondary Students Post-Covid: A Phenomenological Study, Tracey A. Wade

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study describes the lived experiences of rural, secondary teachers in a southwestern Virginia school district. The central research question was “What are the lived experiences of rural, secondary teachers with student learning loss post-COVID?” Therefore, the focus of this study was to understand the experiences of teachers with student learning loss post-COVID and what innovative strategies they used to mitigate that loss. The guiding theory was Piaget's constructivist theory of learning as teachers utilize best practices through educational technology, and other innovative instruction techniques, to support students with learning loss post-COVID. Through qualitative methodology and phenomenological research design, …


The Experiences And Perspectives Of Male Elementary School Counselors: A Phenomenological Study, Angel Marie Chavis Aug 2024

The Experiences And Perspectives Of Male Elementary School Counselors: A Phenomenological Study, Angel Marie Chavis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand and describe the experiences and perspectives of male school counselors at the elementary level. School counseling in elementary schools can help provide students with valuable resources and support. At this level, children undergo many physical and emotional developmental changes. Support systems at the elementary level can encourage and promote students' social and emotional well- being. The lack of male school counselors who can support students without a male presence in their life is an important issue. Male elementary school counselors make up a very small percentage of the total counselor …


A Quantitative Survey Exploring The Types Of Internet Accessible Mental Health Resources Recognized By U.S. Long-Haul Truck Drivers, Cristal Angela Reyna Aug 2024

A Quantitative Survey Exploring The Types Of Internet Accessible Mental Health Resources Recognized By U.S. Long-Haul Truck Drivers, Cristal Angela Reyna

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Long-haul truck drivers (LHTDs) are an important part of the supply chain in the United States. Their work schedules include holidays, weekends, night shifts, and can last anywhere from 60–70 hours for a single 6- to 8-day run to meet the demands of society. Poor work–life balance, high job demands, and poor sleep quality that can be experienced on the job as an LHTD can negatively affect not only their physical health but also their mental health. Depression, anxiety, and stress are three psychological effects that can develop from an unhealthy lifestyle and inability to maintain any healthcare appointments, despite …


A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Factors That Contribute To First-Generation Minority College Students' Motivation In Bachelor's Degree Attainment, Garry Anthony Mebane Aug 2024

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Factors That Contribute To First-Generation Minority College Students' Motivation In Bachelor's Degree Attainment, Garry Anthony Mebane

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences that motivated and contributed to first-generation minority college student success (FGMCSS) at a university in the southeastern United States. This study involved 12 first-generation minority college students (FGMCS) enrolled in an undergraduate degree program. Bandura's social cognitive theory guided this research, which explains that the human learning process develops through social context. Research questions emerged from understanding the problem and purpose statements. The question guiding this research was: What are the experiences that motivate and contribute to FGMCS success at a university in the southeastern United States? …


The Relationship Between Overtime And Burnout Among Alabama Secondary Music Ensemble Directors, Ashley Deleen Gresko Aug 2024

The Relationship Between Overtime And Burnout Among Alabama Secondary Music Ensemble Directors, Ashley Deleen Gresko

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although there is an existing body of literature discussing stress and burnout among music educators, there has yet to be a significant study regarding the relationship between working hours and the burnout of secondary music ensemble directors. This study covers the perspectives of secondary school instrumental and choral music ensemble directors in Alabama. This quantitative research study identifies influences of overtime that require additional exploration regarding the burnout of Alabama secondary school music ensemble directors. This study surveyed secondary music ensemble directors in Alabama to illustrate the correlation between overtime and burnout. This study is vital to music ensemble directors …


The Lived Experiences Of Educators Leveraging Educational Technology And Connectivism For Fostering Academic Achievement In Higher Education: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Cynthia T. Plueger Aug 2024

The Lived Experiences Of Educators Leveraging Educational Technology And Connectivism For Fostering Academic Achievement In Higher Education: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Cynthia T. Plueger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of educators at public universities in the southern region of the United States who leverage educational technology to enhance student engagement and improve academic achievement through the application of connectivism principles in learning environments. This study was guided by the connectivism theory, which highlights the significance of interconnected networks, contemporary knowledge, and the interrelatedness of information in digital higher education learning environments. The central research question was: How do educators at public universities in the southern region of the United States describe their lived experiences with leveraging …


Moral Panic In The Modern Era: The Effects Of Moral Panic On Policy Implemented Through The Field Of Law Enforcement, Charles J. Oakley Aug 2024

Moral Panic In The Modern Era: The Effects Of Moral Panic On Policy Implemented Through The Field Of Law Enforcement, Charles J. Oakley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study employed a grounded qualitative approach to explore the intricate relationship between moral panic and public administration policy in the subfield of law enforcement administration. Using a nationwide survey derived from the U.S. Major Cities Chief Association census, postsurvey interviews and employing document analysis and crime statistics, the research investigated the impact of moral panic-induced policy decisions on law enforcement agencies from 2018 to 2022. Social media emerged as a significant catalyst, fueling public outrage and facilitating political rent-seeking. The punctuated equilibrium theory highlights abrupt budgetary and policy shifts notably found in a surge of legislative initiatives in 2021. …


Shaping Worldviews: Helping High School Seniors Manage The Influence Of Social Media, Geoffrey Michael Janes Aug 2024

Shaping Worldviews: Helping High School Seniors Manage The Influence Of Social Media, Geoffrey Michael Janes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The rapid development of technology in recent decades has brought with it many unforeseen challenges. This project focuses on the challenge of learning to manage the influence social media has on worldviews. Young people are consuming information on social media with little or no instruction on how to discern what is real or true. Worldviews are being shaped by influencers who proclaim ideological messages that are often in conflict with a biblical Christian worldview. As with any tool, social media in the hands of a trained user can be used powerfully for good. Without a proper understanding and awareness of …


The Impact Of Social Media Use On Maternal Vaccination Decisions, Natalie Raquel Flynn Aug 2024

The Impact Of Social Media Use On Maternal Vaccination Decisions, Natalie Raquel Flynn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study aimed to explore the impact of social networking sites (SNS) on maternal vaccination decisions. Utilizing purposive sampling, the study ensured a representative sample of mothers or expectant mothers over 18 years old, with at least one child under 18, residing in the United States. Participants completed a composite survey consisting of three individual surveys assessing social media usage, vaccination decisions, and information-seeking behaviors. Descriptive statistics were employed for comprehensive analysis, investigating the influence of accessing social media platforms on maternal COVID-19 vaccination decisions. The Shapiro-Wilk test assessed the normality of age, while frequencies, percentages, median, and interquartile …


Determining Factors For College Music Major Success In Small Liberal Arts Colleges And Universities: Perspectives From Students And Faculty, Spencer James Nance Aug 2024

Determining Factors For College Music Major Success In Small Liberal Arts Colleges And Universities: Perspectives From Students And Faculty, Spencer James Nance

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Deciding to major in music can be daunting for any college student. Students often go through a lengthy audition process, which sometimes includes multiple schools, to receive scholarship offers to major in music. When students arrive on campus, they may experience many challenges that impact their future success in the music major program. These challenges far too often overwhelmed the students and caused them to lose their scholarships, discontinue their studies in music, or switch to another major. There have been studies involving student success within the first year of college. Yet very few studies still measure the success of …


The Influence Of Internet Media On Young Adult Development, Michael A. Ouellette Aug 2024

The Influence Of Internet Media On Young Adult Development, Michael A. Ouellette

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study examines from a Christian worldview how free will, regarded as God's greatest gift, is now being shaped by human influence. New treatment methods become essential to adapt to the media-changing world and help with developmental delays. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory lite study was to explore Internet media’s influence on young adults in Quebec, Canada. Data on Internet media demographics, social behavior, identity, influence, emotional self-regulation, and moral decision-making were collected by conducting twelve semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews with young adults in Quebec. The responses were coded into six primary themes, with an intercoder conducting a cross-verification …


Caregiver Interactions And Burnout In Speech-Language Pathology, Wyndi L. Capeci Aug 2024

Caregiver Interactions And Burnout In Speech-Language Pathology, Wyndi L. Capeci

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Speech-language pathology is a needed service for many children and adults. However, service provision is decreasing due to a critical shortage and an increased number of clients due to an aging population. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) face near-insurmountable barriers to work satisfaction that manifest as burnout symptoms. This study aimed to examine the existing factor of caregiver contact, which is already prevalent in the therapy environment, and its relationship with symptoms of burnout. This quantitative study encompassed a quasi-experimental correlational design using a survey method to determine demographics, caregiver contact hours, and self-reported symptoms of burnout to address these issues. In …


Experiences Of Asian American Students In Non-Stem Fields: A Phenomenological Study, Diem Nguyen Aug 2024

Experiences Of Asian American Students In Non-Stem Fields: A Phenomenological Study, Diem Nguyen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to discover the lived experiences of choosing a non-STEM college major for Asian American students in the United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory, as it provided a foundation for understanding how cultural and environmental factors interact with internal motivations and interests to shape college and career choices. The study addressed the central research question: What are the lived experiences of Asian American students who have chosen non-STEM college majors? This phenomenological study used purposeful criterion sampling to select 12 Asian American participants who are pursuing a …


Print Culture In New York: The Essence Of The Benevolent Empire From 1816 To 1837, Merritt Morgan Aug 2024

Print Culture In New York: The Essence Of The Benevolent Empire From 1816 To 1837, Merritt Morgan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Print Culture in New York: The Essence of the Benevolent Empire from 1816 to 1837 is a story that places technological and organizational business innovations at the center of the American evangelical print culture of the "Benevolent Empire" during the Early Republic. After about 1815, during the "market revolution" (western expansion, eastern urbanization, and boom in trade and manufacturing), the business of benevolence boomed in religious publishing that inspired American merchants and prominent businessmen to consolidate hundreds of missionary, Bible, and tract societies. The consolidation process resulted in the creation of national benevolent societies that produced the first wave of …


Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Survivors: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Post-Traumatic Growth, Quality Of Life, And Unmet Mental Health Needs, Carla Horton Gray Aug 2024

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Survivors: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Post-Traumatic Growth, Quality Of Life, And Unmet Mental Health Needs, Carla Horton Gray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this mixed-method study was to investigate levels of PTSD, PTG, QOL, their relationships, and unmet mental health needs of triple-negative breast cancer survivors diagnosed between stages 2b-4 and 2-5 years post-treatment. Participants were recruited through two cancer organizations, breast health navigators, TNBC support groups, and online breast cancer support groups. Sixty-one participants completed the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C), Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B). Thirty participants completed the optional short answer questions about unmet mental health needs. Participants’ mean score of 48 (SD=12.22) on the PCL-C was higher than 44, PTSD scores …


Exploring Hobbies As A Critical Component Of Work-Life Balance: Perceptions Of Their Influence On Job Satisfaction And Job Performance, Maigon Campbell-Nowlin Aug 2024

Exploring Hobbies As A Critical Component Of Work-Life Balance: Perceptions Of Their Influence On Job Satisfaction And Job Performance, Maigon Campbell-Nowlin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Work-life balance is an ongoing challenge for many individuals, as they seek to harmonize their personal and professional lives. In this study, I explored hobbies as a critical component of work-life balance and their influence on job satisfaction and job performance. I strived to fill a gap in the existing literature by shedding light on the influence of hobbies on work-life balance, job performance, and job satisfaction. Using qualitative methodology, I investigated how individuals perceive and explain the interconnection of their hobbies with their work responsibilities, examining the possible impact of hobbies on job performance and job satisfaction. Through 15 …


Pastoral Perceptions Of Formal Mental Health Training In The Black Church, Monique Bethea-Covington Aug 2024

Pastoral Perceptions Of Formal Mental Health Training In The Black Church, Monique Bethea-Covington

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This purpose of this phenomenological study is to broadly explore the role of the Black Church in providing mental health support by facilitating linkages to professional mental health services by exploring pastoral perceptions of mental health through examination of their experiences with church members. Ten African American pastors of Black Churches in North and South Carolina completed semi-structured, qualitative interviews describing their backgrounds, attitudes, and their mental health experiences within the church. Many of the respondents reported having members of their congregation disclose challenges or difficulties with their mental health. Most of the pastors reported that they understood the need …


Exploring Hangar Flying As A Communication Practice For Vicarious Learning: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of General Aviation Storytelling On Youtube, Timothy Aaron Frizzell Aug 2024

Exploring Hangar Flying As A Communication Practice For Vicarious Learning: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of General Aviation Storytelling On Youtube, Timothy Aaron Frizzell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

More than 50% of general aviation accidents are caused by pilot error, often due to inadequate formal training or inexperience in real-life situations (Pilot Institute, 2023). Some scholars suggest that learning from other pilots’ experiences could supplement formal training and increase general aviation safety (Cohn, 1994; Harnagel, 2021; Krog, 2022). With this in mind, this study explored the communication phenomenon known as hangar flying, an aviation storytelling practice in which pilots share flying experiences. The goal was to investigate how hangar flying may enable vicarious learning, influence personal flying culture, and, as a result, increase flight safety. Employing a qualitative …


Secondary Teacher Burnout: Student Smartphone And Social Media Use In The Classroom: A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study, Joseph Ryan Koelle Aug 2024

Secondary Teacher Burnout: Student Smartphone And Social Media Use In The Classroom: A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study, Joseph Ryan Koelle

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological research was to uncover the experiences of secondary school teachers regarding student smartphone and social media use in the classroom and teacher burnout. Due to the focus on teacher burnout, the guiding theory for this research is Maslach’s burnout theory. Maslach’s theory was chosen due to the nature of what professional educators encounter in the classroom setting regarding student smartphone and social media use during instructional time and the potential effects on secondary teachers of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. How can student smartphone and social media use in the classroom influence secondary teacher …


An Exploration Of The Big Five Traits And Effective Private Music Teachers, Christopher James Ozorio Aug 2024

An Exploration Of The Big Five Traits And Effective Private Music Teachers, Christopher James Ozorio

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite research studies on the dispositions of successful music educators, few studies have been published on the relationship between Big Five traits and successful private music instructors in a for-profit setting. By documenting these findings, educators will gain insights into effective traits, enabling them to refine their approach to music lessons in a private business setting. The author identifies this specific area of music education as needing to be explored and documented through qualitative research. Surveyed instructors from Arizona (N=12) indicate a significant correlation between high scores on certain traits of the Big Five and success in the private teaching …


A Causal-Comparative Study Of The Writing Motivational Constructs Of Students With And Without Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder In Online College Composition Courses, Michelle Bianco Aug 2024

A Causal-Comparative Study Of The Writing Motivational Constructs Of Students With And Without Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder In Online College Composition Courses, Michelle Bianco

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, causal-comparative study is to determine if there is a difference in the writing motivation of students with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and students without ADHD in online college composition I courses. The study of writing motivation in relation to ADHD in online college composition courses is significant as writing motivation is a crucial predictor of academic success and persistence. Data was collected from a population of approximately 1685 students enrolled in online college composition I at an accredited online university within a larger midwestern land-grant public university system. Using the Writing Motivation Questionnaire and …


Effects Of Cafestol And Enterolactone On Glucose Uptake In 3t3-L1 Differentiated Adipocytes, Sierra Hall Aug 2024

Effects Of Cafestol And Enterolactone On Glucose Uptake In 3t3-L1 Differentiated Adipocytes, Sierra Hall

Senior Honors Theses

A review of current literature has revealed that moderate habitual coffee consumption is inversely associated with the risk of T2D development. Cafestol (CF) and enterolactone (ENL), two bioactive compounds found naturally in coffee, have been shown to promote glucose disposal in skeletal muscle and basal glucose uptake in L6 myotubes, respectively. However, the anti-diabetic effects of these compounds on adipose tissue and the mechanisms they utilize have not yet been characterized. Thus, in this study, the effects of CF and ENL on adipose tissue were determined by differentiating 3T3-L1 fibroblasts into adipocytes and treating them with either compound in a …


Impact Of Body Dissatisfaction And Selfies And The Effect Of Self-Compassion: A Mixed Methods Study, Amelia Jing Zhen Cheah Jul 2024

Impact Of Body Dissatisfaction And Selfies And The Effect Of Self-Compassion: A Mixed Methods Study, Amelia Jing Zhen Cheah

Masters Theses

Social media has become one of the most widely consumed platforms worldwide—specifically, the act of taking pictures of oneself otherwise known as selfies. Previous research has demonstrated links to body dissatisfaction and eating disorders about social media usage. There is a lack of research on the selfie-editing process, from taking to selecting and editing the pictures before uploading them. In turn, social media may become a risk factor for young individuals engaging in selfies and experiencing body dissatisfaction. Given how rapidly the use of social media has evolved within society, there is a constant need to address and overcome body …