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A Quantitative Analysis Of Cardiovascular Adaptations To Exercise And Endurance Performance Among Male And Female Collegiate Athletes, Ronnie Wayne Eggleston Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Cardiovascular adaptations to exercise are prominent among endurance athletes. While heart rate is used to determine exercise prescription and to measure overall health, little research has explored the influence of sex-based differences on changes in heart rate and performance outcomes. The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare cardiovascular adaptations to exercise in male and female endurance athletes, with a focus on heart rate and performance times. A quasi-experimental longitudinal design was used with a sample of 19 (nine males, ten females) collegiate triathletes on a university club sports team. Data was collected at the beginning and end …

The S.A.V.E. Model Of Biblically-Based Existential Therapy For Residents Of The Assisted Living Facility Casa Di Riposo Sardara In Sardinia, Italy, Gregory K. Cherven

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christian gerontological counseling, a traditionally non-progressive field, is a crucial area of ministry, particularly for older adults in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. At Casa di Riposo Sardara in Sardinia, Italy, many residents aged 70 and older lacked a solid biblical understanding of existence and eternal life, contributing to widespread existential anxiety among this population. To address this issue, the researcher developed the S.A.V.E. (solitude, autonomy, value, eternity) model of biblically based existential therapy. This model targets the four main pillars of existential therapy: meaninglessness, isolation, freedom, and death, offering biblical solutions for each. The approach incorporates positive imagery …

Harmonizing Faith: An Investigation Of The Efficacy Of A Small Group Study On The Theology Of Music For Spiritual Growth, Timothy Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem this study addresses is that Trinity Anglican Church in Connersville, Indiana, had not cultivated a theology of music among its congregants to enrich encounters with God through music. The purpose of this DMIN action research project was to implement a small group study on the theology of music to enrich encounters with God through God-honoring, captivating music. The researcher employed a novel approach: Luke 10:27 served as a paradigmatic framework for exploring how music relates to the dimensions of heart (i.e., emotion), soul (i.e., spiritual encounter), strength (i.e., embodied experience), mind (i.e., intellect), and neighbor (i.e., communal and …

Navigating Trauma: The Lived Experiences Of Black Women Veterans In The Mental Health System, Malika K. Whitley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research investigated how Black women veterans managed their traumatic experiences while interacting with mental health services. Black women veterans developed trauma from different origins, which include combat experiences, systemic racism, interpersonal violence, and service reintegration difficulties. Black women veterans faced multiple barriers to healthcare access because they experienced both cultural stigma, limited representation, and healthcare institution inequities, despite their high rates of trauma-related conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder( PTSD), depression, and anxiety. The existing barriers prevented these individuals from using available services, which resulted in incorrect diagnoses and diminished trust in available treatment options. This research employed a qualitative …

Church Attendance, Post-Pandemic Stress, And Resilience Factors, Pavel Bugriyev

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Stress levels among adults increased, and a sense of community loss occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent events. Despite previous studies establishing an association between religious practice and psychological well-being, much remains unknown about the differences in religious practice format (i.e., in person, virtually, and not at all) with post-pandemic stress and resilience-related traits. This quantitative cross-sectional study examined whether the format of church attendance (in-person, virtual, or no church attendance at all) was related to post-pandemic stress and resilience-related traits. Also, whether hope, making meaning out of hardship, and perceived social support statistically mediated the difference in …

Imago Dei Leadership Model, Jessica Lei Kritner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Dissertation-in-Praxis sought to observe the intentional application of leadership styles at Birmingham Master Commission (BMC), a traditional discipleship program for college aged adults (ages 18–25). While biblically centered and focused on spiritual formation, BMC lacked healthy leadership precedent and defaulted to peer-leadership only. This practice created a sporadic leadership culture that restricted student growth, autonomy, and investment in the program. This Dissertation-in-Praxis served as a process-based intervention on the psychological and spiritual impacts leadership styles have on young adult leaders. Transformational, servant, and participative leadership practices were modeled in existing ministry systems: one-on-one mentoring, leadership labs, and small group …

The End Is Proof Of The Beginning: Heloise And Abelard The Unseen Architects Of Intention In Medieval Philosophy, Abby Brook Edwards

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The scandal surrounding the eleventh century love story of Peter Abelard and Heloise has eclipsed the depth of their individual intellects which has resulted in many scholars devoting their writings to the couple’s overly eroticized narrative. Following the castration, public humiliation, and academic ignominy of Abelard and after Heloise, a “fallen woman,” commissioned herself into a convent, the connection between tutor and tutee continued through written correspondence. Through an examination of their personal writings, this dissertation aims to expand upon the notion that Abelard was an eclipsed philosopher who should be standing alongside “giants in the field” of philosophy, but …

A High School Choral Student's Perspective On Bullying, Allen C. Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative non-experimental research study was to examine the prevalence, type, and impact of bullying within secondary choral ensembles from the student perspective. Using a slightly modified version of the Swearer Bully Survey, data were collected from a convenience sample of 100 high school students. Initially, responses were to come from several high schools throughout the State of Maine. Due to challenges in survey administration, the researcher received permission to collect responses via social media and expanded recruitment to a national audience. The study employed a cross-sectional design and utilized Google Forms and Tally for data …

Improving Governance In Decentralized Systems, Cynthia L. Cooper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has invested heavily in non-pharmacological pain management through the Whole Health transformation, the Opioid Safety Initiative, and national CIH expansion efforts. Despite these systemwide priorities, implementation remains uneven across decentralized facilities, revealing barriers that extend beyond logistics or compliance. This study investigated how governance structures, professional norms, and cultural–cognitive logics shape the translation of federal mandates into local clinical practice. Guided by Policy Implementation Theory (PIT) and Institutional Theory (IT), and applying the Integrated Policy Adaptation Model (IPAM), this qualitative inquiry triangulated semi-structured interviews, surveys, and policy document analysis. IPAM’s mechanisms—Leadership Mediation (LM), Frontline Adaptation …

Perceptions Of Recent Special Education Graduates Of The Transition Programming Taxonomy: Transcendental Phenomenological Research, Karen Sue Rozmus

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological research study was to develop an understanding of recent special education graduates' perceptions of transition programming taxonomy at a southern coastal community. Maslow’s theory of the hierarchy of needs was used. This theory directly relates to the study showing how important understanding the perceptions of support the recent special education graduates during their lived experiences as they transition into adulthood. The Central Research Question was: What are recent special education graduates’ perceptions of transition programming taxonomy? This transcendental phenomenological research study of 10 participants was designed to use data collected from independent interviews, focus …

The Influence Of Theological Beliefs On Corporate Worship Practices In Southern Baptist Churches Of New Mexico, Stephen Jeffery Martone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite Southern Baptist Churches of New Mexico cooperating in mission, education, purpose, and aligning with “The 2000 Baptist Faith and Message,” the way in which each local autonomous church incorporates theological truths in corporate worship and practice remains largely unstudied. This qualitative research project examines the diverse methods employed in theological education and their implications, considering variations in liturgical and worship styles, be they traditional, blended, or contemporary. In response, and guided by survey replies of pastors and worship leaders in the Southern Baptist Churches of New Mexico, the results reveal the challenges, process, application, and importance of choosing songs …

Spirituality As A Moderator Of The Correlation Between Gratitude And Resilience Among Dementia Caregivers, Amanda Frappolli

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Dementia caregiving is associated with high levels of stress, burden, and emotional strain, yet limited research has examined the protective factors that help caregivers adapt and maintain well-being. This quantitative, correlational study investigated the relationship between gratitude, spirituality, and resilience among unpaid dementia caregivers. Guided by positive psychology and the transactional theory of stress and coping, the study focused on whether spirituality moderates the relationship between gratitude and resilience. Unpaid dementia caregivers aged 18 and older were recruited through dementia support groups, and data were collected using three validated instruments: the Gratitude Questionnaire-6, the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, and the …

Entrepreneurship After Incarceration: The Barriers And Success Factors For Startups Led By Individuals With A Conviction Record, Charlotte E. Garnes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods study examined the barriers and facilitators influencing the success of businesses established by formerly incarcerated individuals through an online survey. It explored the roles of support and resilience in overcoming societal stigma and institutional constraints through survey questions (N = 119) and semi-structured interviews (N = 7). Quantitative analyses included binary logistic regression to evaluate relationships between region, industry, time in business, years since incarceration, and scale scores for support, motivation, and barriers with three outcomes: annual revenue, net profit or loss, and customer ratings. I also conducted a thematic analysis to understand the challenges, supports, and successes …

Pediatric Cancer Patients' Experience With Pediatric Medical Trauma And Caregiver Attachment: A Phenomenological Study, Rebekah L. Holland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of individuals impacted by pediatric medical trauma and their attachment to their caregiver. The theories guiding this study include John Bowlby’s attachment theory as a framework for understanding relational experiences. Attachment theory provides the structural framework for understanding the meaning of attachment, impact on medical trauma, and how disability impact social experience. The study is designed using a qualitative phenomenological approach. Participants will include 10-15 adults who meet criteria, which include those who have experienced medical trauma as a child within the United States. They will be recruited …

Bridging The Gap: Teacher's Perspectives On Trauma-Informed Care And It's Implementation In Schools, Alyssa Erika Jimenez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Childhood trauma exposure is a profound public health concern with significant impacts on overall development and long-term physical and mental health. However, a critical gap remains in understanding how these experiences manifest in school settings. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of teacher perspectives on trauma and trauma-informed care approaches in school settings and level of competence and support by administration when encountering potential trauma-induced behaviors in the classroom. Data were collected utilizing semi-structured audio-recorded interviews and open-ended questionnaires from four educators who had some form of experience with trauma-informed care practices. Thematic analysis …

Living In The Shadows: Men Who Suffer Domestic Violence: A Phenomenological Study, Sharon R. Blackmon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Domestic violence (DV) among male victims is increasingly prevalent today, and it has a tremendous effect on both male and female victims. DV has had a lasting negative impact on the overall well-being of the male victims, and it has caused them to experience physical, emotional, and psychological distress. DV does not discriminate against race, gender, cultural background, economic or educational status. While there are a vast number of studies on DV, male victims are considered perpetrators instead of victims. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe male domestic violence victims' experiences with domestic violence in rural West …

Servant Leadership In Sound: The Administrative Burden Of Music Educators In Under-Resourced Schools, Ronfled Eriko D Espinoza

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Higher educational institutions design curricula to prepare future music educators for the diverse pedagogical challenges they face. Despite formal training, new music educators often feel unprepared for administrative responsibilities . In many Title I schools and other small school band programs, band directors are often expected to personify the dual role of music educator and administrator. Burnout, inefficiency, and reduced effectiveness are potential challenges when simultaneously managing both roles. This study will support current and future educators in their dual roles as educators and administrators by providing valuable insights into time management, leadership development, and policy advocacy strategies. Through the …

Psychological Impact Of Career Roles On African American Women: A Qualitative Study On The Long-Term Effects On Behavioral Health Providers' Field, Yolanda Seals-Stewart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is an untold narrative regarding the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. This leaves a gap in researchers understanding systemic, cultural, and social factors that shape mental health outcomes in a unique way. There is also a deeper need for exploration of resiliency and coping skills strategies utilized by African American women in the behavioral health field, as well as how behaviors such as discrimination, workplace dynamics, and microaggression impact the overall psyche. By addressing these gaps, a more thorough understanding of the long-term psychological effect can be addressed, and these women can receive support mechanisms and interventions that …

Anchored In The Shifting Tides: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study Of Paramedic Resilience And Worldviews, David Eric Wolff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of paramedics in Western society, who self-report sustaining positive psychological well-being despite their emotionally and psychologically demanding work, examining the interplay of their narrative identity, spirituality, worldviews, and social connections. The stories paramedics construct about their realities can reveal the underlying meanings and how their role has molded who they are, best viewed through a threefold constructivist theoretical framework: narrative identity theory to understand how paramedics make sense of their experiences, transformational learning theory to identify how paramedics adjust their worldviews to while coping, and posttraumatic growth theory …

Rest And Recovery: A Randomized Pilot Study Of Spiritual Rest Practices And Recovery From Work Stress And Burnout, Ashley Martin Cauley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Individuals who work in the helping professions, identified as those careers within the fields of health care, medicine, education, psychology, and social work, report higher levels of stress and burnout than the average worker for these constructs. Research to address these higher levels within the helping professions has focused on both individual and organizational interventions. While rest and recovery have been explored as a means of reducing work stress, there is a lack of literature on the specific use of spiritual rest practices. This randomized controlled pilot study gathered information on the impact of spiritual rest practices on stress and …

Supporting Parents Of Pre-Adolescents: Equipping Parents Through Focused Instruction On Biblical Parenting Practices, Lillian Michelle Mitchell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This action research project addresses the problem that parents and grandparents of pre-adolescent children at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church do not receive sufficient intentional spiritual support, biblical guidance, and instruction to teach them how to raise their children using parenting skills grounded in a biblical worldview. The purpose of this research was to equip parents and grandparents of pre-adolescent children with biblically based parenting skills using an eight-week group study. The project examined the results of the Bible study group, which focused on Genesis 1:26, Deuteronomy 6:5-9, Proverbs 22:6, Luke 2:46, Ephesians 6:1-4, and Titus 2:1-8. The study implemented …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of The Nazarene Course Of Study For Developing Lay Leaders In Virginia District Hispanic Ministries: A Competency-Based Assessment, Jeffrey A. Hernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hispanic ministries within the Virginia District of the Church of the Nazarene continue to experience sustained membership growth; however, leadership development has not expanded proportionally, creating emerging capacity gaps. Many Hispanic pastors serve bi-vocationally, limiting capacity to meet increasing congregational demands, and lay leaders are leveraged to meet those needs. Using an assessment tool designed to measure lay leadership competencies, this research project evaluates the effectiveness of a Nazarene Course of Study to function as a leadership development framework for laity within Hispanic church contexts. The study examines the implementation of a pastoral-level ministerial education program among Hispanic laypersons and …

Understanding Intergenerational Relationships Of Asian Immigrants And Their Adult Children: A Phenomenology, Christine Yiu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many studies have examined the challenges U.S. immigrants face during acculturation, but few have examined Asian immigrants’ intergenerational relationships with their adult children. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of Asian American adults in intergenerational relationships with their first-generation immigrant parents. The theoretical frameworks were Berry’s Acculturation Theory, Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, and the Christian Worldview. The central research question was: How do Asian American adults describe and make meaning of their intergenerational relationships with first-generation immigrant parents? Participants were nine Asian Americans, aged 23 to 35, with at least one first-generation Asian immigrant …

Examining Stereotype Internalization In Female Veterans, Lakeysha Rule

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Stereotypes reflect a specific cognitive bias shaped by the perceptions individuals hold about others or groups. Moreover, Black Americans are often overwhelmingly targeted by racial prejudice and biases. Similarly, Black women frequently face unique challenges stemming from culturally specific stereotypes, which subsequently shape how they view themselves and their role as Black women. Experiences of stereotype internalization are often correlated with numerous adverse mental/physical health outcomes, including deteriorating physical health and declining mental health. In a military culture, stereotypes signify more than mere words or ideas due to their significant occupational implications in this historically male-dominated environment. Prior research has …

Walking With The Wounded: Chaplains As Agents Of Christ’S Healing Ministry, Fred Okechukwu Anucha

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Doctor of Ministry action research project evaluated the effectiveness of an eight-week Christ-centered training intervention designed to strengthen hospital chaplains’ confidence and clarify sacramental boundaries in end-of-life care at AdventHealth Celebration. Hospital chaplains frequently encounter situations in which patients and families request sacramental or spiritually significant practices during moments of crisis, yet chaplains often lack structured training that addresses how to respond with both pastoral sensitivity and theological clarity within a multifaith healthcare environment.

The project implemented an eight-week training program that integrated theological reflection, case-based discussion, and practical ministry applications intended to strengthen chaplains’ confidence in providing spiritual …

“Looking For Group”: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis Of The Uses And Gratifications Behind World Of Warcraft Player Communication, Joshua Michael Hutt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the uses and gratifications of in-game communication in World of Warcraft (WoW). The problem is that scholars do not precisely know how uses and gratifications motivate players to use certain channels of communication within WoW. The rationale for the research was to determine whether certain motivations are being fulfilled during in-game communication, influencing players to select certain channels over others. The data collection method for this research used semi-structured interviews conducted online via Microsoft Teams. A screening application was sent to Reddit pages and Discord groups associated with World of Warcraft …

The Influence Of Love During Childhood On Young Adult Relationships And Psychological Wellbeing In Rural Appalachia, Kerry Ann Saul Wheeler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational study examined the relationships among childhood love, relationship love attitudes, and psychological wellbeing among young adults with childhood experiences in rural Appalachia. Childhood love was operationalized through adult attachment styles, specifically avoidant and anxious attachment, using the Experiences in Close Relationships–Short Form (ECR-S). Love attitudes were measured using the Love Attitudes Scale–Short Form (LAS-S), and psychological wellbeing was assessed using Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being–18 (PWB). The sample consisted of 88 participants between the ages of 21 and 35. Pearson’s correlation analyses revealed significant negative relationships between attachment insecurity and psychological wellbeing, indicating that higher levels of …

Perceptions Of The Effects Of Launch Control Center Environmental Exposures And Alert Schedules Among Missile Operations Officers: A Mixed Methods Phenomenological Study, Dawnie Rae Ramie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed methods hermeneutic phenomenological study focused on an investigation of the perceptions of missile operations alert duty and the effects on health and sleep hygiene among Air Force missile operations officers. Questionnaires, interviews, and surveys were all used to gather data on subjects’ experiences and perspectives, including methods to mitigate the effects of poor sleep. Driving questions of research included how missile alert schedules affect sleep habits, as well as how missileers perceived alert duties may impact their health. Data was collected through a web-based Qualtrics Likert questionnaire (N=139), open-ended interviews with purposively selected subjects (N=17), and web-based Qualtrics …

Leadership Development Training In Governmental Organizations: A Qualitative Examination Of Managerial Perceptions And Employee Engagement, George Marcus Barber

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study is designed to examine how leadership development training influences management competency in the public sector. Most organizations are intentionally interested in the subject of leadership development, investing considerable time, resources, and effort. Although existing literature on leadership development training programs is extensive, the current research is distinguished by focusing directly on managers and more specifically aimed at exploring how such a program influences decision-making processes, employee engagement levels, and overall job satisfaction in public sector organizations. Based on the theory of public sector leadership (Van Wart, 2003), this study aims to uncover some core competencies that contribute …

From Rituals To Resilience: Individuals’ Lived Experience Of Self-Reflective Relationship Therapy (Srrt), Ehsan Adib Shabahang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative Husserlian descriptive phenomenological study addressed a gap in first-person accounts of brief self-guided preventive relationship interventions. One such intervention, Self-Reflective Relationship Therapy (SRRT), is a 6-week self-guided workbook combining structured reflection with brief connection practices. The purpose of the study was to describe individuals' first-person lived experiences 6 to 18 months after completing SRRT. Six participants completed asynchronous written reflections, and the data were analyzed using Husserlian descriptive phenomenology with Colaizzi's seven-step method. Participants described SRRT as a workable path toward reconnection after periods of emotional distance or strain. Carryover centered less on continued adherence to the workbook …