Digital Commons Network^™

The Colors Of Good And Evil: A Quantitative Study On The Effect Of Disney Animated Feature Films On Audience Color Association, Grace Mallory Hayes

Masters Theses

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to determine what impact Disney animated feature films have on audience color association. The problem is that Disney assigns colors to certain movie roles that are in contrast to what color theory posits or would assume. This study sought to determine if audiences that are highly saturated in Disney animated feature films receive a different message from colors than someone who does not regularly consume Disney films. This research examines the impact of Disney habitually assigning colors to characters in contrast to their traditional meaning on the emotional association of viewers through …

The Not-So Wonderful World Of Disney: How Disney Films Usurp What Is In The Bible, Jacquelyn Irene Cortez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Disney films are often chosen as entertainment for families and their main target audience is children. While many adults still choose to watch these films, there is a darker side to these films. A majority of these films depict magic and/or witchcraft in them. The ideologies of feminism and toxic masculinity are on display in many of their films. And finally, a lot of these films mock God and what is in the Bible. When looking at popular films such as The Little Mermaid and Frozen, these films are teaching children about magic and making deals with the devil. Disney’s …

Exploring Age And Employee Experience Among Healthcare Workers Post-Covid-19 Pandemic, Sheila-Celestine Bonner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study focused on the well-being of healthcare employees and their experience following COVID-19. The pandemic has negatively affected adults over the age of 50 in the United States and limited their ability to return to work. Older adults who have returned to work have faced challenges with discrimination, lack of work, stress, and other factors. A survey of 59 adult healthcare workers, 21 years and older, was conducted to determine whether there is a relation between age and perceptions of organizational support during the pandemic including work factors such as stress, job satisfaction, and age discrimination. A non-experimental research …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenology Study Interpreting The Lived Experience Of K-12 Teachers: The Role Of Technology Integration In Shaping Academic Performance, Kathy S. Vaughan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenology study was to interpret the lived experience of K-12 teachers and the role of technology integration in shaping academic performance. The theory guiding this study was Bronfenbrenner's theory, which described how important the environments surrounding the individual were in affecting development. The central research question guiding this study was, "How do K-12 teachers interpret their lived experiences with technology integration and its role in shaping academic performance?" Participants in the study included K-12 teachers from the southeastern United States with at least three years of experience integrating technology. The participants were selected using purposive …

Therapists’ Inclusion Of Forgiveness During Cognitive Processing Therapy For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Marybeth Goodman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated whether the inclusion of an evidence-based forgiveness therapy during a course of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) improved the efficacy of the treatment. This quasi-experimental, quantitative study examined 201 completed episodes of care from CPT-trained and rostered clinicians. Participants were divided into two groups. Group one contained clinicians who used no less than 46 minutes of an evidence-based forgiveness therapy intervention (n = 102), and group two (n = 99) contained clinicians who did not utilize an evidence-based forgiveness intervention. Pre- and post-treatment PTSD symptom severity was measured using the PTSD Checklist for …

The Black Side Of The Jesus Movement: Contemporary Gospel Music, Edward Daryl Duff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigates the impact of James Cleveland, Andraé Crouch, Edwin Hawkins, and Walter Hawkins on contemporary gospel music following the Jesus Movement revival. Their music emerged concurrently with the birth of contemporary Christian music; however, their significant musical innovations have not been widely recognized as part of the Jesus Movement revival. Figuratively speaking, contemporary gospel music and contemporary Christian music are like “fraternal twins,” yet there has been insufficient research linking them together. The rationale for this study is to uncover the potential social and cultural barriers that contributed to their exclusion and disconnect. This research identifies these barriers …

Youth Discipleship Reimagined Through Digital Media, Julian L.V. Joyner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the development and implementation of MeXHim.com, a youth discipleship website designed to address the pressing need for accessible, relatable, and culturally relevant tools to engage middle and high school students in their spiritual journeys in Christ. The platform focuses on three core areas: Salvation, Prayer, and Church connection opportunities, providing a digital space where youth can explore faith-based areas and take actionable steps in their relationship with Christ. The project emerges in response to the growing disconnect between traditional church outreach methods and the digital-first lifestyles of younger generations, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to discipleship …

A Case Study For Faithful Biblical Expository Preaching And Teaching: The Transformation Of Members In The Anointed Church Of Jesus Christ, Elijah Narplah Wreh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This DMIN action research evaluates the effectiveness of biblical expository preaching in demonstrating the inerrancy of Scripture and determining the impact of the twelve-week sermon series with the congregation at the Anointed Church of Jesus Christ in Elyria, Ohio. The process is designed to benefit the church’s congregation, help them faithfully obey God’s Word, and be drawn to God’s reality and the answers it provides through biblical preaching. The research methodology covers the application of biblical expository preaching. The congregation was instructed on various phraseological expressions, including expositional preaching, bibliocentric, Christocentric, inspired Scripture, applications, and illustrations, which helped enhance and …

Identifying Effective Counseling Strategies For Working With Women Who Endorse A Strong Black Woman Schema: Exploring The Perspectives Of African American Clinicians, Jacqueline Javonne Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

African American women underutilize mental health services despite experiencing high rates of psychological distress. Existing literature has not fully explored how the Strong Black Woman (SBW) schema influences this behavior. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how the lived experiences of African American women positively influenced or impeded their help-seeking behaviors to address mental health problems through the lens of African American women mental health clinicians via Zoom Video Communications. This study addressed the gap in research on how cultural norms, systemic barriers, and therapeutic strategies shape access to care for this population.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted …

Emdr Future Template Study, Helen Jimenez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapeutic modality designed to reduce the emotional impact of distressing experiences using bilateral stimulation (Shapiro, 1999). Social anxiety remains a widespread mental health concern with social and personal consequences (Asakura et al., 2023). This study examined whether three EMDR Future Template sessions could reduce mild to moderate social anxiety. Seventeen adults, ages 18 to 65, who either self-reported or were clinically diagnosed with social anxiety completed three weekly telehealth sessions lasting 20 to 30 minutes each. In each session, the seventeen participants focused on anticipated future social scenarios and visualized adaptive responses …

The Lived Experiences Of Young Adult Children Of Veterans Attachment In Responses To Unique Lifestyle Challenges, Amanda M. Fife

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe young adult children of veterans’ experiences with frequent relocations. Military-connected youth experience unique stressors that their civilian peers do not encounter and may experience frequent disruptions in attachment relationships. The theories guiding this study are John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth’s attachment theory, Norman Garmezy’s resiliency theory, and Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional theory of stress and coping. These theories provide the structural framework for understanding the meaning of attachment, factors that promote resiliency, and structures for coping with stress. Individual interviews were conducted with each of the 10 selected participants that meet …

Journalists' Perspectives On Social Media In The Fourth Estate And Its Impact On Public Trust In Politics, Ronnie Louis Collins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social/New media outlets like Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube have fundamentally altered the landscape of news delivery in the United States (U.S.), and across the globe. This qualitative study explored the impact of social media on public trust in politics, as told by experienced Fourth Estate practitioners. Thirty-one journalists from 24 different states, with ages ranging from 24 to 70 were interviewed for this study. Over a quarter of the journalists who participated in this research had more than 15 years of journalism experience. Five common themes were developed during this study: (1) Fake news and misinformation have varying negative …

Crossing The Line: How Larry Doby, Jack Johnson, And The Syracuse Eight Broke The Color Barriers And Demanded Equality In Sports, Joey O'Ryan Adams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines how Jack Johnson, Larry Doby, and the Syracuse Eight broke racial barriers in sports. In this dissertation, the lives of several people who broke racial barriers in sports will be examined. First, there is the life and times of Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight boxing champion, known for his larger-than-life attitude and his willingness to live his life on his own terms. Then, Larry Doby will be explored. He was the second African American to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball and the first to do so in the American League. Lastly, the …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Exploring Transition Planning For High School Seniors With An Individualized Education Program. Are We Doing Enough?, Chrystal A P Morgan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to discover the views of high school seniors with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and their experiences with transition planning. This study identified that there is more work to do in inclusive education in understanding how to implement transition planning goals and utilizing collaborative efforts from all educators, the students, and their parents. Most of the available research discussed building awareness towards implementing transition planning, which aimed at building self-awareness in the educator. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s social cognitive theory. Bandura’s social cognitive theory is based on the belief …

Exploring The Differences Of Gender On Physician Burnout And Perceptions Of Work Environment, Holly C. Adams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Physician burnout is a growing public health crisis, threatening care quality, patient safety, and workforce sustainability. Research suggests gender may influence burnout levels and perceptions of the work environment. This quantitative, cross-sectional study examined gender differences in physician burnout and workplace perceptions among U.S. physicians that impact burnout. A total of 170 licensed physicians completed an online survey using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS (MP)) and the Areas of Worklife Survey (AWS). MANOVA results indicated a significant multivariate effect of gender on burnout. Follow-up ANOVA testing revealed that gender was significantly related to emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment. …

Diversity Matters In Public Education: A Phenomenological Study, Monique A. Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental, phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of diverse public-school educators who are overlooked for promotion and educational advancement opportunities within public school systems in the State of Texas. The theories guiding this study were Marilyn Brewer's optimal distinctiveness theory, which advocates how every individual needs to belong and feel uniquely accepted, and James House's social support theory, which purports the importance of groupthink--a concept that leans toward togetherness. The central research question, What are the lived experiences of diverse, public-school educators who are overlooked for promotion and educational advancement opportunities within public school …

Building Resilience In Ministry With Effective Supports Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study Of Long-Tenured Pastors In The Southeastern United States, Tina Marie Powell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study, which involved long-tenured pastors in a southeastern state in the United States, explored how these pastors framed resiliency in ministry during COVID-19 and what tools or practices helped them to be resilient. The study also explored the effects of social distancing on the demands of ministry, on pastors, and their congregations, and if earlier resiliency practices continued to suffice. Pastors were often the first professionals people went to when guidance was needed in every aspect of life. Pastors aided with not only spiritual guidance, but also, they were sought after for guidance in mental health and emotional …

The Use Of Geographical Information Systems In The Eastern United States Emergency Management Organizations, From A Public Administration Perspective, Daron Jay Keesee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) technology in federal, state, and local government emergency management organizations. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the research focused on understanding local governments' perceptions of GIS access. The study theorizes that GIS is underutilized by local government emergency management due to cost, perceived limited benefits, data security concerns, and lack of experience. The central question is: How do public administration professionals perceive the value and benefits of GIS in emergency management? The study involved interviews, focus groups, and writing prompts with emergency management officials from the eastern U.S. The …

Ebony Heroes: The United States Colored Troops From Kentucky During The War Between The States, Robert B. Mccormack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Sergeant Major Thomas Boswell, a soldier assigned to the 116th US Colored Infantry Regiment (USCI) asserted, “We are Kentucky boys, and there is no regiment in the field that ever fought better. We can boast of being the heroes of eight hard-fought battles, and this we deem a sufficient recommendation for our discharge…” 1 The fog of history has stilled the voices of the intrepid men, the colored Kentuckians, who populated the ranks of the federal army who served during the 1861-1865 War Between the States as the United States Colored Troops. The federal government, rather than the Kentucky Commonwealth, …

A Quantitative Study Of Ai-Voice Based Assistant Users That Anthropomorphize Technology As Social Actors, Brandon Alton Bassett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem was that there were limited studies that acknowledged how voice-based assistant users perceive the intelligence of voice-based assistants and the different variation levels of trust towards it. The purpose of this quantitative research was to investigate how demographic variables such as generation, ethnicity, gender and education level influence perceptions of trust and perceive intelligence towards AI-voice based assistants. The rationale for this research was that voice-based assistants have garnered 46% of the human-technology interaction. It is pivotal that voice-assistant applications listen to the need of its users’ as it pertains to the user experience. Voice-based assistants users’ perception …

Learning Management Systems Special Needs Support In K-12 Schools: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Eric Ryan Levels

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the use of learning management systems to improve student learning outcomes for K-12 special education teachers at Aldridge Independent School District in the United States. This study followed Moustakas's (1994) transcendental phenomenological research methodology to describe the lived experiences of special education teachers using learning management systems. Moustakas explores the techniques and principles involved in describing human experiences to uncover their underlying essence and meaning. The central research question aims to explore the lived experiences of special education teachers using learning management systems in K-12 schools within the Aldridge Independent School …

A Phenomenological Exploration Of The Church In The Healing Process For African American Women In The Washington, D.C., Area Suffering From Self-Diagnosed Depression In Recovery From Intimate Partner Violence, Kimberly D. Brooks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study is to describe the lived experiences of African American women who have utilized the church after intimate partner violence (IPV) suffering self-diagnosed depression in the Washington, D.C. area. The approach guiding the methodology of this study is Clark Moustakas’ (1994) phenomenological approach. There is a need to explore what type of support the church offers as a source of healing for those who need assistance and will not seek professional counseling for various reasons. While there has been much research on depression resulting from IPV, there is a gap in the literature regarding …

The Call (And Aftermath) Of The Void: Understanding Suicide Loss And Bereavement Processes Amongst Student Populaces, Saraha K. Brawner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Each year, over 800,000 people die via lethal self-harm, leaving behind millions of survivors to navigate qualitatively unique manifestations of grief. Despite the profound psychosocial and psychopathological effects associated with suicide loss, research addressing these experiences remains extremely limited. This quantitative survey study examined the relationship between suicide loss and grief-related distress among students, focusing on sociodemographic, psychosocial, and psychopathological factors influencing bereavement over time. It also explored how the individual learned about the suicide and expanded upon 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-degree relationships. Forty-one participants recruited from universities and mental health organizations across the United States completed a loss summary/death …

Impacts Of Early Childhood Trauma On Later Emotional, Behavioral, Educational, And Social Abilities, Stacey Merrill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Early childhood trauma has a long-lasting impact on individuals’ social interactions, mental health, academic skills, behaviors, and parenting skills for the future generations. Understanding how early interpersonal developmental trauma impacts an individual during adolescence can help providers and caregivers know how to help them become successful students and later adults. Helping individuals early in their development can prevent the cycle of abuse from continuing. Trauma informed care can help bridge the gap between those with and without known traumas. This study consisted of an interpretive phenomenological qualitative design using semi-structured interviews to understand the impact of early trauma on adolescence …

Children In Foster Care: Outcomes And Nursing Implications, Rachel A. Joseph, Emily Etterman

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

Background: Approximately 407,000 children remained in the foster care system by the end of 2020, with 217,000 entering and 224,000 exiting the system. The foster care system is meant to be a temporary living arrangement for children born into or raised in non-flourishing homes. However, the uniqueness of the system and the interactions of foster parents lead to undesirable foster home situations while the child is left in the system for longer times. The child in foster care faces several adverse life events that make it difficult for the child to develop into a successful adult. Purpose: This paper examines …

Volume 2, Issue 2 - Complete Issue

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

No abstract provided.

Issue 1 - Arete Newsletter - 2025, Liberty University

Arete Newsletter

Summer 2025

The Necessity Of Better Rape-Related Protections For Victims Of Rape-Related Pregnancy, Joanna Harrison

Liberty University Law Review

A pregnancy that results from a rape is referred to as a rape-related pregnancy (RRP). One of the primary issues surrounding RRP is that, unless terminated by a state family court, the rapist maintains the same parental rights over the child conceived through the rape as any parent would have over their child. Allowing a rapist to keep any level of parental rights is extremely problematic. It forces the rape victim to interact regularly with the rapist, exposes the conceived child to the dangers of a rapist parent, and creates an opportunity for the rapist to weaponize those rights in …

A Futurist Exegesis Of Matthew 24:1-42, Kenneth Garcia

Masters Theses

This thesis explores a Futurist exegesis of Matthew 24:1-42, emphasizing its prophetic fulfillment in future events rather than historical or allegorical interpretations. It critiques Preterist and Historicist views, arguing that key elements—including the abomination of desolation, the great tribulation, and the second coming of Christ—remain unfulfilled. By analyzing the text in its historical, grammatical, and theological context, and correlating it with Daniel’s visions and Revelation, this study defends the position that Jesus’ discourse predicts end-times events such as the rise of the Antichrist, the rebuilding of the third temple, and global tribulation. This work affirms the hope of Christ’s imminent …

Surviving Olympus, Kendra Alexandria Grant

Masters Theses

Pandora has lived with her mother and grandfather always watching the world from a distance for her safety, as her mother told her. Their safety comes to end when Zeus takes them from their home and intends to put them to death, but the kindness of a stranger saves them with the plot of a fake marriage. Follow as Pandora learns to navigate her new world of Olympus in this dystopian society of clones and an impending war.