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A Mission Simulation Retreat For Senior Youth Leaders To Train Adventist Young Professionals In The South Bahamas Conference, Jamal Doran Franklyn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The mission simulation retreat SDA action research project trains senior youth leaders of young adult professionals for urban ministry through their vocational orientation. To address the problem of only having a global youth day one-day mission drive, the Mission Simulation Retreat (MSR) equipped young leaders in local SDA churches to simulate mission projects matching their professional careers. By building on the Hebrew culture, the priesthood of all believers, and spiritual gifts, MSR customizes a spiritual gifts database that aligns with vocational careers to provide mission project options by vocational skills. Through focus group presentations, a questionnaire, and a survey, data …

Exploring Family Mealtime Environment, Screens, And Mental Health Among School-Aged Children In Japan, Ami Nishimori Alnouri

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of family mealtimes during breakfast and the mental health of school-aged children (6-18 years) in Japan, comparing those who used and did not use screens during breakfast. This study involved two research questions: How did parents of Japanese school-aged (6 to 18 years) children who used screens (electronic devices) at mealtime experience family mealtime during breakfast? How did parents of Japanese school-aged (6 to 18 years) children who did not use screens (electronic devices) at mealtime experience family mealtime during breakfast? In this study, a qualitative phenomenological approach employed semi-structured interviews with …

Rooted In Identity: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study Describing The Pre-Freshman Self-Esteem Experiences Of African American Female Students Entering Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Wanda Minor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to describe the pre-freshman self-esteem experiences of African American (AA) female students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The study explored the experiences of AA women and the factors that contribute to the development of their self-esteem before their enrollment as students in HBCUs. Literature suggests that numerous issues, including racial discrimination and prejudice, cultural stereotypes, socioeconomic concerns, historical and intergenerational trauma, beauty standards, and institutional and systemic hurdles, have affected their self-esteem (Woods-Giscombe, 2010). However, there was a void in addressing the issues AA women face in college, particularly students at HBCUs. This …

Exploring Job Demands That Increase Burnout Rates Among Secondary, Public, Interrelated Special Education Teachers: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Wendy M. Turner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenology is to understand the experiences of secondary, interrelated, public-school teachers in Georgia and their job demands and job resources that affect the development of burnout syndrome. There are two theories guiding this study: the burnout theory and the job demands-resources theory. These theories work together to frame understanding and guide the research questions for this phenomenological study. The burnout theory lays the foundation for identifying the characteristics of burnout syndrome while the job demands-resources theory allows us to identify specific characteristics of the job that can increase or decrease the likelihood of special education …

Challenged And Chosen: Discipling Christians With Chronic Conditions Towards Kingdom Identity And Purpose, Allison J. Hampton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose for this DMIN action research project was to create an eight-week discipleship program and accompanying workbook to help Christians diagnosed with chronic medical conditions to rediscover their identity in God. Because of the limitations and physical changes that often accompany chronic diagnoses, members of Living Chronic Faith (a faith-first nonprofit organization that serves believers with chronic diagnoses) felt incapable of serving on the same level as their physiotypical counterparts. Marginalized by their faith community and hesitant to engage in their ministry contexts, eleven LCF members participated in this online focus group. This project’s surveys, interviews, journal entries, and …

A Case Study Exploring Implementation Of Gamified Adaptive Learning Technology As A Response To Instruction And Intervention (Rti²) Strategy In Elementary Mathematics Education, Tina Marie Clowser

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single instrumental case study was to understand educators’ implementation of gamified adaptive learning programs in mathematics education as an intervention (RtI²) strategy for public elementary (K-5) teachers in a rural city school district in the Western United States. The study's central research question explored how educators implemented gamified adaptive learning technology as an intervention (RtI²) strategy in public elementary mathematics education. A single instrumental case study design was used for this study to illicit implementation strategies while uncovering successes, challenges, and barriers for in-service public elementary school educators. Data were collected from twelve participants through individual …

The Development Of A Men’S Ministry At Remnant Church To Foster The Spiritual Leadership Development Of Men To Provide Leadership For Family, Church, And Community, Anthony L. Herron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem this student seeks to address is that the Remnant Church in Midwest City, Oklahoma, does not have a men's ministry to develop men as spiritual leaders. The Remnant Church is a non-denominational church focused on growing and developing people to become more like Jesus Christ. The men of the Remnant Church do not meet regularly for discipleship or fellowship.

The men of Remnant Church are not organized to provide a network of support for men. Men need a support network within the church to develop spiritually. Men need a forum for discussing men's issues, such as leading in …

Injury Prevalence Among Females Playing American Football, Anthea Warren-Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

While extensive research has examined injuries in men's football, there is a significant lack of studies systematically investigating the types, patterns, and long-term effects of injuries among female football players. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating the types and frequencies of injuries sustained by female American football players. A recruitment letter was sent via email, and following approval, an anonymous online survey was distributed to collect data from participants about their injuries during the 2023 season. The study included 13 teams from the WFA Pro division, with a total of 647 players, recruiting 245 participants aged 19 …

Examining Parenting Styles And Dimensions As Predictors For Adolescents’ Perceived Life Satisfaction As Adults, Katelin Waddell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Literature supports the idea that parenting practices have a lasting impact on an individual's life and development. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine parental parenting styles, parental parenting dimensions, and independent adult child life satisfaction to determine what aspects of parental parenting styles are more likely to increase the chances of greater life satisfaction among males and female adults A sample of 94 adult participants were surveyed through Prolific to gather information on their perceived parental parenting styles, parental parenting dimensions experienced in childhood by their mother and their current level of perceived life satisfaction. Results indicated …

Attachment Security In Adult Offspring Of Parents With Narcissistic And Borderline Personality Disorder, Habiba Jessica Zaman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Available research in understanding the correlation of insecure attachment in the offspring of caregivers with traits of personality disorders and how the two presents in adulthood includes the experiences from childhood to adolescence, though thus far, no other studies have been done to understand these variables into adulthood. This mixed methods study of 172 participants for the quantitative portion and 12 participants for the qualitative portion explored the impact of having an early childhood caregiver with Narcissistic or Borderline Personality Disorder characteristics on attachment styles and interpersonal relationships in adulthood. Online self-reports utilizing The Personality Inventory (PCL-5 Brief Form) to …

Contact Refusal In Children And Adolescents Post-Parental Separation, Ashten N. Gallagher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and understand the underlying themes in contact refusal between a parent and a child through a developmentally sensitive lens. This study examines how trauma, relational dynamics, and developmental stages influence a child’s refusal to engage with a parent post-separation or divorce. The theories guiding this research include Erikson’s psychosocial development stages (Erikson, 1950, 1968), which highlight how children’s developmental needs and challenges impact their relational attachments. Additionally, the diagnostic framework for complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) as outlined by the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases 11 (Cloitre et al., …

A Transcendental Phenomenology Study On Teacher Experiences And Perspectives On The Efficacy Of Trauma-Informed Practices In Public Schools With Students With Behavior Intervention Plans, Elaina Marie Lawrence

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand public school teachers’ lived experiences and perceptions of the efficacy of trauma-informed practices for students with Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPS) within the Desert Coral Independent School District (DCISD). Due to the complexities that trauma has on personal, social, and cognitive development, Vygotsky’s theory on the zone of proximal development (ZPD) frames this study to combine the relationship between the stages of child development, trauma, and self-determination. ZPD provides a relational model of emergent interactive agency for students with BIPs. It highlights reactions to observation, modeling, and emulating behaviors, attitudes, and emotional …

Ensuring Careful Interpretation And Application Of The Bible Through The Lens Of The Covenants, James Kenneth Rainwater

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

For centuries, believers in Jesus Christ have turned to the Bible to discover His will for their life. For the most part, this discovery has resulted in joy and significance and has benefited the journeys of millions. However, there have been many examples where the misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the Bible has brought about devastating consequences. Wolves have crept in and used the Bible for their own nefarious purposes. This paper offers a bridge for believers to navigate many of the difficult passages of the Bible and their behavioral application. Specifically, this is achieved through a closer look at how …

Exploring The Lived Experiences: Social And Emotional Well-Being Of Virtual Instructors In The Federal Government, Jody Renee Sutton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the social, emotional, and professional factors that affected the well-being and effectiveness of federal instructors teaching virtually. The investigation filled a crucial gap in the current body of knowledge and provided empirical insights to inform the development of targeted strategies and interventions designed to enhance instructional confidence and self-efficacy. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, as it offered a foundational framework for understanding how individuals’ beliefs in their abilities influenced their motivation and performance, which was critical in exploring how virtual instructors perceived their teaching experiences. This …

Assessing A Reading Score's Ability To Predict Pta Program Student Success, Tiffany H. Bain

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Admission into a physical therapist assistant (PTA) program continues to be highly competitive, with consistently more applicants than available seats. Student success is essential for maintaining CAPTE accreditation. There is limited research on admission criteria and predictors of success in physical therapist assistant education. This study aimed to determine if the Accuplacer or ACT reading test scores can predict student success (program completion and first-time NPTE-PTA) in a physical therapist assistant program using Astin’s input-environment-output (IEO) model as the theoretical foundation. This non-experimental logistic regression study used retrospective secondary data from an associate degree-level physical therapist assistant program 2016 through …

Motivation In The Remote Workplace: Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Nina R. Simmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Due to their essential role in the promotion of employee and organizational effectiveness, internal processes regulating work motivation have been a topic of interest for decades. Influenced by a need-supportive environment, work motivation is at least partially controlled by the organization. However, employee needs and need satisfaction have been largely addressed in research in traditional work settings, leaving a vastly different work arrangement insufficiently explored: remote work. This holds especially true for involuntary remote work - a viable solution for organizations during a crisis. To address this gap in knowledge, a qualitative descriptive study was conducted to examine basic psychological …

A Crisis In Confidence: A Collective Case Study Approach To School Security Through Teacher Experiences, Ryan J. Stevenson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this collective case study was to understand and discover the set of hard and soft deterrents and how they work to increase the confidence for teachers at middle schools of various socioeconomic levels. The main theory was the risk theory by Sabine Roeser as it refers to how humans operate when faced with risk and uncertainty in their everyday lives. The study was a collective case study with teachers of various experience levels across three sites. The sites were three different middle schools across a northern Virginia suburban county; schools were one of low socioeconomic status, middle …

Detransitioners: Dealing With The False Promises Of Gender Transition, Diane M. Roselli

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Until recently, sex change surgery was rarely performed and on adults only; however, the discovery of cross-sex hormones, advances in plastic surgery, and the Dutch protocol contributed to the use of a treatment regimen for children consisting of puberty blockers (GnRHa), cross-sex hormones, and sex reassignment surgery, known as gender-affirmative treatment (GAT). A growing number of individuals, who opted to undergo the transition process, are detransitioning by ceasing hormone therapy or requesting corrective/reconstructive surgery. Their lived experiences are relatively unknown because most detransitioners drop out of treatment, are silenced by trans activists, and are not acknowledged by medical organizations. This …

Nature Of Child Welfare Social Work, Sarah Vail Anders

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social workers in the field of child welfare ensure the safety and well-being of children. While this career field is rewarding, it results in high levels of stress, burnout, and fatigue for workers. To support the challenging needs of child welfare social workers and to enable them to successfully protect children and support their families, an examination of the nature of child welfare social work was conducted. The purpose of this study was to understand the nature of child welfare social work in North Carolina, which was gained through a qualitative transcendental phenomenological study. Twenty-one child welfare social workers were …

Created To Be Slaves: Reexamining The Doctrine Of Original Sin, William Daniel Gamble

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

One of the earliest debates in the church was over the nature of Sin, its transmission to subsequent generations, and its effects upon man’s nature. Two terms, “sin nature” and “original sin,” have become the prevailing terminology, yet there remains debate concerning the meaning or appropriateness of these terms. This discussion will examine and assess the doctrine of Original Sin through the prism of the metaphor of slavery as found and utilized throughout the OT and NT. Ancient Slavery, in its various forms, serves as the background for understanding the idioms and metaphors employed concerning the power and role of …

Disproportionate Rate Of Mental Health Care For African American Service Members, Amy Tesla Kingjones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This case study understands and describes the disproportionate rate of mental health care for African American Service Members in the US military. With minorities making up less than 20% of the US armed forces, fitting into predominantly white spaces is necessary for continued success and can cause stress, depression, and anxiety. The theory guiding this study is critical race theory, as it uncovers and challenges how laws, policies, and societal norms perpetuate racial hierarchies and disadvantage marginalized communities. It emphasizes the social construction of race, highlighting that it is not an inherent biological category but a product of historical, political, …

Perceived Childhood Paternal Betrayal Trauma: The Impact To Attachment And Interpersonal Relationships As Adults, Jacquelyn S. Marcum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore adult female perspectives of being abandoned by a father during their grade school years (between ages 6 and 12). Current research has indicated that parental abandonment or rejection creates anxious, avoidant, and insecure attachments into adulthood. Wounded attachment can significantly impact the ability to form healthy attachments as adults. Limited research is available on children between the ages of 6 to 12 on how betrayal trauma impacts the developmental stages, the sense-of-self, and the ability to form and maintain healthy attachments within relationships throughout adolescence and adulthood. In the current …

Experiences Of Resilient Military Veterans Transitioned To Education: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Troy Denward Busby

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences leading to high resilience in military veteran teachers employed in education roles in an international setting. The central research question of this study is: What are the resilience-building experiences of military veteran teachers? Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory guided the study of veteran resilience, exploring the roles of competence, choice, and connection related to authentic learning, performance, and resilience. This study makes use of rich data collected from in-depth and multiple individual and focus-group interviews as well as a letter-writing prompt to generate themes, develop textural and …

Cognitive Learning Strategies And Candidates In Teacher Education Programs: A Phenomenology, Nicole Kircher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of graduates from teacher education programs in the Western United States and their exposure to cognitive learning strategy instruction. The theory that guided this research is cognitive learning theory, which focuses on the internal processes surrounding memory and information. The research questions explored the experiences of teacher education program graduates with cognitive learning strategy instruction, how these programs incorporated cognitive learning strategies into their curriculum, and how graduates applied their knowledge of these strategies to their own teaching post-graduation. The chosen design was hermeneutic phenomenology, which is …

The Relationship Between Perceived Leadership Communication And Feedback On Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment, And Professional Isolation Of Remote Workers, Simone I. Orlowski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown have significantly contributed to the fact that teleworking has established itself in all branches of industry. With remote working, communication mainly occurs via digital channels such as emails, chat platforms, or video conferencing, and leaders need to ensure that communication is clear, regular, and effective to avoid misunderstandings and promote collaboration. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between effective communication and feedback from leadership with job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and professional isolation of remote employees. In a quantitative correlational study, participants were recruited from different branches in …

Readiness For Interprofessional Teamwork Of Graduate Public Health Students At The Time Of Their Graduation, Liliana Morosanu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of lacking empirical evidence for the contribution of interprofessional education (IPE) towards readiness for teamwork interprofessional practice (T-IPP) of Master of Public Health (MPH) graduates, and to design an IPE evaluation model in response. Current knowledge about T-IPP of MPH graduates is insufficient yet critical for professional practice. It is unclear how academic IPE builds MPH students’ T-IPP skills, and whether other training sources exist. A cross-sectional multimethod design was implemented with a sample of 58 MPH graduates from accredited programs within 12 months from graduation, of whom 12 …

Gatekeeping The Choral Classroom: The Existence Of Caste System Levels In High School Choral Singing, Amber J. Klein

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The high school choral music sector has become increasingly competitive in education, leading to selectively allowing certain students into the choral classroom and fostering exclusionary practices within choral music instruction. The term "gatekeeping" may evoke a sense of unease and concern, although it refers to a long-standing system that has existed for centuries. Gatekeeping, which excludes pupils who do not meet the standards set by the competitive choral world, is a growing concern in music education. The all-ability choir movement has experienced gradual growth in urban areas following years of challenges that originated from implementing the No Child Left Behind …

The Correlation Between The Degree To Which Teachers Perceive Their Administrators As Exhibiting Collaborative Leadership Style Traits And Teacher Leader Job Satisfaction Levels, Megan M. Moffa

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational study was to determine the predictive relationship between administrators’ use of collaborative leadership factors as perceived by teacher leaders and teacher leaders’ job satisfaction levels. The study was framed by collaborative leadership theory and job satisfaction theory and adds to the empirical evidence by examining the connection between administrators’ use of collaborative leadership and teacher leader needs. The research question explored how accurately teacher leader job satisfaction levels can be predicted from perceived administrator use of collaborative leadership traits. The study consisted of 112 pre-kindergarten through 12th grade teacher leaders in rural, suburban, …

Predicting The Understanding And Implementation Of Differentiation In Literacy Instruction For Kindergarten And First-Grade Teachers: A Correlational Study, Anne Robertson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this non-experimental predictive correlation quantitative study was to determine whether a predictive relationship existed between kindergarten and first-grade teachers’ implementation and understanding of differentiation in literacy lessons and teachers’ years of teaching experience and level of education. The study included 197 participants who were licensed kindergarten and first-grade teachers teaching in public and private elementary schools in the southeastern seaboard region of Virginia during the 2023-2024 school year. The Teacher Survey on Differentiated Instruction as well as background demographics information, were collected through Qualtrics for this study. The questionnaire consisted of screening questions, background demographics, the Teacher …

Chiropractic Patient Safety Education Experiences: A Phenomenological Study, Michael P. Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe and interpret chiropractic educators’ experiences teaching patient safety competencies within the didactic portion of a Doctor of Chiropractic program in the Southern United States. The theory guiding the study is the information processing model. The study’s central research question is, what are the lived experiences of chiropractic educators teaching didactic patient safety courses? The study utilizes a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative methodology. Data was collected via individual interviews, a focus group, and a protocol writing prompt. The data was collected from 12 chiropractic educators teaching patient safety competencies within the didactic portion …