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An Analysis Of Burnout Among Mental Health Practitioners By Types Of Work, An Examination Of Differences By Religious Affiliation And Personal Time Off As Coping Strategies, Kenzi Turpin-Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Burnout influences turnover, job satisfaction, and quality of life of employees across various occupations. Mental health practitioners are considered a high-risk population for burnout because of demanding work conditions, but little research exists exploring the differences in this population by type of work, religious affiliation, and time-off. Most current research on burnout focuses on individual types of work and lacks a comprehensive approach to the population. This study examined whether there were differences in the level of burnout among mental health practitioners based on religious affiliation, time off, and type of work. This study distributed a voluntary survey, which included …

Domestic Violence Survivors And Resiliency: An Investigation Of Belief In God And Faith Factors Impacting Survivors’ Ability To Leave And Thrive Post-Violence, Sherry A. Palmer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose [KC1.1]of this phenomenological study is to describe the role of faith in the process of leaving an abusive relationship for IPV survivors who believe in God from MA. The theories guiding the study include the survival theory of DV created by Gondolf and Fisher (1988), which believes victims of DV as survivors who most times do desire and seek help and should not be viewed as passive victims. Further, resilience theory builds on survival theory, which will guide the inquiry regarding resiliency. Survival theory and resilience theory both view survivors of DV not as helpless victims but as …

Predicting Emotional Intelligence Based On Cultural Dimensions And Narcissism Among Military And Educational Leaders, Juan P. Remy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlational design study is to examine how well cross-cultural dimensions and narcissistic tendencies predict emotional intelligence among military and educational leaders. This study is important because it will identify how cross-cultural dimensions and narcissistic tendencies influence the emotional intelligence of military and educational leaders. The sample consisted of 90 of 122 military leaders who had attended any professional military education (PME), and 120 educational leaders were recruited from a population of 183 within a military school district in the central United States. The data were collected using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF), …

Phenomenological Qualitative Study Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Women With Terminal Degrees Related To The Gender Gap In Education Leadership Roles, Ashley Walker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the gender gap within education leadership for female teachers with terminal degrees within a Midwestern suburban school district and geographically similar educators recruited via Facebook. The theory that guided this study was Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy as it explains the relationship between self-efficacy and the choice to pursue professional leadership roles. Using purposeful and snowball sampling, 10 women were selected to participate in this study. Nine women who fit the selection criteria were recruited from the XYZ school district, and one participant was recruited via Facebook. Data were collected through …

The Impact Of Instagram Exposure On The Beauty Standards And Body Images Of Young Black American Women, Chiquila Tonelle Arrington

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the phenomenological study was to explore the impact of Instagram exposure on the beauty standards and body image of young Black American women. Drawing from literature highlighting the negative psychological effects of social media, such as comparison, body surveillance, and negative emotions, the research aimed to capture the experiences of Black women navigating beauty ideals in digital communication spaces. The study focused on Instagram because of the visual nature of the content and its alignment with the visual nature of the construct of beauty. The study explored behaviors, intentions, and habits associated with Instagram use.

The research …

Motivating And Retaining Alabama Band Directors: A Comparison Of Rural, Suburban, And Urban Band Directors, Brandon Jay Benson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite existing challenges in rural, suburban, and urban communities, band directors face a lack of motivation due to burnout and insufficient resources. This study examines the motivational factors of forty-two Alabama band directors who teach in rural, suburban, and urban communities. Guided by a correlational research design, this mixed-method research study identifies motivational factors that still need to be explored to highlight the motivational factors that drive band directors to continue teaching in their current Alabama communities. This study explores the motivational factors of forty-two Alabama band directors based on their responses to a Likert-type survey and emailed interview questionnaire. …

Improving Muscle Tonus Of “Weak” Muscles In Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Case Series Addressing The Role And Impact Of Proprioceptive Response And Isolated Isometric Exercises, Jeffrey S. Tardiff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Nonspecific chronic low back pain affects most people through-out the world at some point within their lives, negatively impacting 80%-90% of the overall population, their families, and their communities. Thus far, the outcome of most studies indicate that the best form of treatment for this specific problem is a form of resistance training exercises, core stability exercises, mobilization, manual therapy, and or proprioceptive training with no consensus on which provides the best outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore an individualized approach in treatment utilizing methods shown to improve muscle tonus or “stability” in muscles of the abdomen, …

Why Not Me: Increasing Black Male Participation In Church Leadership, Veronica Ojo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This ethnographic qualitative study aimed to understand how the volunteerism and service of young Black males between the ages of 18 and 25, who were raised in and currently attend African American Baptist churches in the State of Georgia, are influenced by Transformational Leadership behavior. During the research, volunteerism and service were defined as those who participated or were connected to church ministries within their home church. The theory guiding this study was Burns’s (1978) transformational leadership theory as it relates to the behavior behind senior pastors’, youth ministers’, and senior church leaders’ mentorship of young Black males for leadership, …

Church Hurt: A Phenomenology Of The Lived Experience Of African American Christians, Danny Streeter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of African American Christians in the Mississippi Delta who have experienced church hurt in the Black Church. The theory guiding this study was Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which consists of five levels of needs: physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization. This study addressed the following research questions: How do African American Christians in the Mississippi Delta describe their experience with church hurt in the Black Church? How do African American Christians in the Mississippi Delta describe their relationship with the church after their church-hurt experience? How do …

Examining The Role Of Metacognitive Strategies In Sight-Reading Instruction: Insights From Middle School Chorus Teachers, Krystin M. Kicklighter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Sight-reading in middle school chorus classes is emphasized more heavily due to the standards of learning. Teachers use various approaches to teach sight-reading. One strategy teachers can use is metacognition during the sight-reading process. However, there is limited research on teachers' perspectives on metacognition in middle school. Metacognition involves self-awareness, self-evaluation, and self-regulation. By engaging in these activities, learners can gain better control over their thought processes. This is especially important for music educators, since music learning and practice involve many metacognitive concepts. This qualitative-hermeneutic study explored middle school chorus teachers' perceptions of sight-reading practice and how they incorporate metacognition …

From Theology To Practice: A Faith-Based Financial Literacy Program For Church Leaders And Congregants, Jacklyn Morrison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Dissertation-in-Praxis addresses the pressing need for financial literacy within church communities by developing a faith-based financial education program tailored for Reignited Worship Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Despite the abundance of biblical teachings on stewardship, many churches and their members experience chronic financial instability, limiting ministry effectiveness and personal well-being. The praxis project identifies a gap between theological understanding and practical financial management among African American congregants, exacerbated by systemic economic challenges and limited educational resources. Guided by biblical principles and a holistic ministry approach, this study proposes a comprehensive program integrating scriptural stewardship with practical financial tools. The …

A Phenomenological Study Of Rural North Carolina Middle School Teachers’ Motivational Factors Influencing Achieve3000 Implementation, Catherine Anne Schwoebel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the perceived teacher motivation of rural middle school English Language Arts Teachers at Cape Fear County Schools. The theory that guided this study was Deci and Ryan’s theory on self-determination. The central research question was how rural middle school ELA teachers’ perceptions of the three basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness influence their motivation to implement Achieve3000 in the classroom. This transcendental phenomenological study employed individual interviews, analysis of journal prompt responses, and focus groups to explore the perceptions of motivational factors influencing Achieve3000 implementation among rural North …

Employee Commitment, Engagement, And Performance When Shifting To A Virtual Workplace, Ariyana C. Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the accelerated implementation of remote work, leading to a decline in employee attitudes toward organizational commitment and productivity following the shift to a virtual workplace. This shift has resulted in high turnover rates and difficulty achieving continued success. Previous research has focused on the impact of remote work on employee productivity but lacks data showing how to improve employee attitudes toward commitment in a remote work environment. This study used a fixed design with correlational methods to determine how employee attitudes toward commitment have been affected by the shift to a remote workplace, leading to …

Predicting The Attitudes Towards Mathematical Modeling Of Primary Math Teachers: The Role Of Self-Efficacy And Motivation, Brenden Rawls

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative predictive correlational study was to investigate the extent to which efficacy for pedagogy in mathematics, efficacy for teaching mathematics content, effectance motivation in mathematics, years of experience, and access to statistics, data science, or mathematical modeling courses predict attitudes toward constructivist practices in mathematical modeling of Virginia primary school mathematics teachers. The goal of the research was to understand what affective characteristics support effective adoption Virginia's mathematics curriculum change. Higher levels of mathematics teacher self-efficacy have been associated with constructivist instructional practices and higher levels of student achievement. The sample included kindergarten through fifth-grade …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Influence Of Leadership Styles On Teacher Retention In Rural Schools In South Carolina, Kayla Francena Carter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study explored the influence of principal leadership on teacher retention in rural schools in South Carolina. Grounded in the theoretical framework of self-efficacy, the study examined how specific leadership behaviors and practices shape teachers' decisions to remain in or leave their positions. The central research question guiding this study was: How does a principal's leadership style impact teacher retention in rural areas in South Carolina? A purposeful sample of 12 certified elementary, middle, and high school teachers with at least three years of experience working in rural schools participated in the study. Data was collected through open-ended …

Lift Every Voice: A Qualitative Descriptive Phenomenological Study, Janet Singleton Wooten

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many teacher preparation programs include coursework in special education; however, music educators often begin their careers without adequate training to effectively teach students with special needs, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Music can serve as a vital avenue for communication and belonging for students with ASD, underscoring the importance of inclusive choral education as a research focus. A review of existing literature revealed a gap in pedagogical preparation and a lack of attention to inclusive practices in secondary choral classrooms. Although specialized training could enhance educators’ understanding of how students with ASD learn and thrive, further research is …

The Impact Of Street Medicine Programs On Addressing Poor Health Outcomes In Unhoused Populations, Lori R. Kelley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the problem of poor health among unhoused populations based on the perspectives of outreach workers and shelter staff. This study was conducted in Monroe County, Indiana. The theory guiding this study was social ecological theory by Urie Bronfenbrenner. Social ecological theory was used to understand how social ecological layers impact poor health in unhoused populations. Hermeneutic phenomenology was used with purposive maximum variation sampling to gather seven study participants with lived experience of working with unhoused populations. Data collection included one-on-one interviews, observation, and documentation review. After data collection was completed, …

A Quantitative, Predictive Correlational Design Study Examining The Relationship Between School Principal’S Transformational, Transactional, And Laissez-Faire Leadership Style And School Culture In A Public High School, Michelle Andrews

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational design study is to examine how well the school principal's transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire leadership style predicts school culture among public high schools in eastern Maryland. This study is important because a principal’s leadership style can have a direct impact on school culture, and understanding that relationship could influence student achievement, teacher satisfaction, and overall school effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to add to the literature regarding the impact of a principal’s leadership. The study uses a convenience sample of 73 teachers from traditional public high schools in the eastern region …

Dance Movement For Wounded Warriors With Mental Health Diagnoses: A Phenomenology, Amelia Ann Forsmo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study will be to understand how dance movement can improve the psychological health of military veterans who are experiencing a mental health disorder such as posttraumatic stress disorder. The theories guiding this study are Carl Rogers’ humanistic perspective, Schlossberg’s transition theory, and the post-traumatic growth theory. A purposive sample of 12 to 15 veterans will be selected for participation in this study. Each veteran will have different military backgrounds, various battle wounds, and unique experiences with dance movement or dance movement therapy. For this reason, these perspectives allow each participant to be prioritized and heard. …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Research Study Of Empathy In Education And Its Defining Influences, Patricia Cuffe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of showing empathy to students for college professors at a private evangelical Christian university in the southeastern region of the United States. The theory guiding this study was Hoffman’s empathy theory, which describes the concepts and ideologies of empathy and explains the factors influencing professors' empathy towards their students. The Central Research Question was: What are the lived experiences of college professors showing empathy to their students? The study employed a transcendental-phenomenological research approach to describe participants' lived experiences. The participants in the study were ten professors …

Designing A Grief Intervention To Address The Religious Problem Of Evil, Charles Lee Burris Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christian fellowships should have grief ministries. The problem is the Greater Morning Star Baptist Church lacks a clear and practical intervention to support adult congregants coping with grief. The purpose of this DMIN action research project was to equip adult congregants of the Greater Morning Star Baptist Church through a biblically designed grief curriculum that provided training and encouragement to improve quality of life. This DMIN action research project applied qualitative and quantitative methods that included a pre-grief curriculum interview, a pre-grief curriculum survey, a post-grief curriculum focus group, and test assessments (pre-grief curriculum, mid-grief curriculum, and post-grief curriculum) for …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Middle School Educators And The Need For Healthy Coping Techniques: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Dionne E. Mitchell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In this transcendental phenomenological study, the researcher investigated how the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic impacted public middle school educators’ mental health and well-being (MHWB) and how they developed effective coping strategies in response. Using Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional stress and coping theory model and the social support theory as frameworks, the study explored the lived experiences of ten middle school instructors from the southeastern United States who taught during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews, a focus group, and reflective diary entries were implemented as data collection methods. Thematic analysis identified several significant findings. Teachers faced professional challenges as they adapted …

Effects Of Deployments On Military Families: A Phenomenological Study, Joseph E. Hensley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

An emerging area of focus in the military sub-culture is the phenomenon of secondary stress experienced by military spouses and children due to high-tempo operational rates of the military member. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain a greater understanding of what factors are at play and possibly influencing military members and their families in avoiding deployment resources that could assist them in preventing secondary stress. The central research questions were designed to assess whether connections between the secondary stress that military families experience (due to the deployment cycle) were instigated by a lack of awareness or a …

The Impact Of Classroom Technology Integration On Elementary Students’ Cognitive Development And Critical Thinking, Michelle Lynn Vandross

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examined the impact of technology use in the elementary classroom on students’ ability to employ critical thinking skills. The objective was to initiate change by promoting professional development for elementary school teachers, leading to a meaningful and appropriate thought process. The primary intention of the literature review is to provide a three-fold framework, grounded in Biblical, theoretical, and thematic perspectives, that offers new insights into social-emotional learning by serving students through collaborative learning. The literature review lays the foundation for demonstrating the connection between Biblical integration and the cycle of social-emotional learning that supports students’ cognitive processing in …

A Quantitative, Quasi-Experimental Study Of Students' Strengths Using Devereux Student Strengths Assessment Scores In A Maryland School District, Tamara L. Brandon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group study was to determine if there is a significant difference in the social emotional competencies of students after implementing positive feedback classroom intervention. The independent variable was positive feedback classroom intervention. The significance of this study was to encourage positive behaviors of students in a way that builds their positive character, enhances self-esteem, which will therefore ignite their intrinsic motivation to learn and ultimately diminish negative characteristics or behaviors that lead to the use of negative disciplinary methods. This study was conducted with a sample of 94 students in the third …

The Invisible Struggle: Exploring The Experiences Of African American Women Diagnosed With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos) And Their Interactions With Healthcare Providers, Trulissa L. Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of African American women diagnosed with PCOS, focusing on their interactions with medical providers, perception of healthcare, and overall well-being. The cultural competence framework guided this study, and the patient-centered care model is a theory that operated within the broader cultural competence framework. The cultural competence framework and patient-centered care model took into consideration the systemic and individual issues that affect African American women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. This study examined the difficulties African American women diagnosed with PCOS faced in healthcare, as well as their mental …

A Causal-Comparative Examination Of The Impact Of Male And Female Secondary Students' Social Anxiety Enrolled In Blended Courses, Tabitha C. Batts-Turner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine if a difference existed in male and female students’ social anxiety scores in the pedagogical approach of blended learning. This study was essential because social anxiety impacted students' quality of life, affecting them long after leaving high school. The ramifications of social issues impacted future earnings, relationships, and psychological well-being; therefore, this study added to the literature on social anxiety and blended learning pedagogy. The sample was comprised of 79 students in blended learning with flipped instructions and 79 enriched virtual. All students were from a rural high school in …

The Effects Of Grounding Techniques On Strength And Power In Division Ii Track And Field Athletes: A Pre/Post Cohort Study, Matthew Ronald Hall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Grounding is the practice of connecting the human body to the Earth’s electrical surface. It has been proposed as a natural intervention capable of reducing inflammation, enhancing recovery, and improving physiological balance. While previous research has identified benefits for general health and recovery, limited evidence exists regarding its effects on athletic performance. This study investigated the effects of grounding interventions on strength and power among Division II track and field athletes. A five-week, pre/post randomized prospective cohort design was employed with thirty participants, stratified for men and women, which included three groups: grounding sheets, grounding pads, control. Athletes were assessed …

The Mental Health Of Latino Immigrants, Brenda Gallardo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research study explores the daily challenges, coping strategies, and mental health outcomes of undocumented adult Latino immigrants currently residing in the United States of America. The purpose of the research was to address the critical gap in scientific literature regarding the mental health of Latino immigrants residing in the United States. The healthy immigrant effect theory guided the study, which posits that immigrants' health declines the longer they live in a foreign country. Data collection occurred through a qualitative case study design using the first-hand accounts from 18 Latino immigrants residing in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Each participant …

A Phenomenological Study Of Homeschooling From A Single Parent Perspective: Pipe Dream Or Possibility?, Sarah C. Ball

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of single parents who chose to homeschool their students in South Florida. The theory guiding this study was Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems. The central research question was focused on how single-parent home educators describe their experience. The methodology used was qualitative, utilizing the following data collection methods: personal interviews, journaling, and focus groups. The participants were single parents — widowed, divorced, or by choice — who chose to homeschool their students in South Florida. Once the data were collected, the analysis included identifying commonalities, recognizing emergent themes, and transcribing …