Digital Commons Network^™

Examining The Effects Of Stress, Ego Identity, And Life Satisfaction On The Resilience Of Single-Parent Subgroups, Tara Marie Whitfield

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Single-parent homes have been identified as a family structure that is disadvantageous to the well-being of children. Being a single parent can also be extremely stressful, thereby putting the mental health of parents at risk. This study examined how the varied life paths of civilians and military veterans can alter an individual’s identity, stress levels, life satisfaction, and resilience when faced with the same adversities. The self-concept of the two populations was examined through the use of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Ego Identity Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The study was guided by three research …

A Phenomenological Exploration Of Hispanic Student Persistence In The Online College Environment, Lee Richard Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to find the essence of the experiences of Hispanic students who persist to complete online degrees at accredited universities. This information is essential to grasp the factors that motivated these students to complete their degrees. The central question is, “What are the experiences of Hispanic students who persisted to complete online undergraduate degree programs?” Purposeful sampling was used, and journal entries, interviews, and letters of advice were utilized through email and telephone communications. The Student Integration Model (Tinto, 1993) is a guide this study. This data is useful in studying how Hispanic …

Equipping Ministry Leaders For Service At Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Vodricka L. Epps

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis project will examine the congregational need for ministry leaders to develop leadership skills. Mount Calvary Baptist Church, located in Hopewell, Virginia, serves as the framework of this investigation. The problem addressed by this research is derived from ten ministry leaders currently serving at Mount Calvary who have servants’ hearts but lack leadership skills to develop their ministries. With adequate training and continuing education, leaders are more equipped to lead ministries. Without leaders who are adequately equipped to lead ministries, it is difficult for the church to carry out its mission and remain active. The findings of this research …

A Phenomenology Examining The Lived Experiences Of Student Mothers At Community College, Christine Renee Simon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of student mothers in the community college learning environment. Nationally, there are almost five million college students who are parenting a child under age 18, and in Texas, the number is one in four (Galasso, Harris & Sasser-Bray, 2018; Institute for Women’s Policy Research [IWPR], 2017; Noll, Reichlin, & Gault, 2017). Self-determination theory (SDT) by Deci and Ryan (2000, 2008) guided this inquiry by providing the lens to examine the lived experiences of student mothers. The central research question was: What is the lived experience of student …

The Dual Enrollment Challenges Of First-Generation Appalachian College Students: A Holistic Single-Case Study, Cecil Todd Bennett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this holistic single-case study was to describe the dual enrollment experiences of first-generation Appalachian college students in Southwest Virginia. The theory guiding this study was Tinto’s theory of college student retention as it related to first-generation Appalachian college students who have taken dual enrollment courses. To further understand the challenges faced by these students the following research question was posed: What are student, teacher, and administrator descriptions of the challenges faced by first-generation college students taking dual enrollment courses in Southwest Virginia? Subquestions served to investigate the role of dual enrollment courses on the college involvement, college …

A Correlational Study Of Hispanic High School English Language Learners' English Proficiency And Mathematical Resilience, Jettie Ann Dush

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study investigates the relationship between Hispanic high school English language learners’ English language proficiency and mathematical resilience using a Pearson’s r and Spearman’s r correlation tests. The sample population consists of 9th-12th grade students enrolled in a large public high school in the northeast whose native language is Spanish. English proficiency is measured using the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test. Mathematic resilience is measured using the Mathematical Resilience Scale. The results of this study establish a positive relationship between Hispanic high school students’ level of English language proficiency and mathematical resilience, particularly amongst …

Comparisons And Contrasts Of Topical And Expository Preaching At The First Free Will Baptist Church Of Tampa From 2005 - 2015, Will Beauchamp

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study compares and contrasts two styles of preaching (Topical and Expository) at the First Free Will Baptist Church from 2005 – 2015. The objective of this study was to find if one method of preaching is more effective, biblical, and preferred for a congregation. The strategy for this mixed research is to deploy multi-choice questions to capture quantitative data on the impact of the sermons on the listeners, and an open-ended question on the application aspect for qualitative data on the listeners’ responses. Based on the results of the listener response questionnaire, recommendations were given based on the sermon …

Mentoring Relationships Among Women Leaders, Gayle Fauber Elliott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative research collective case study explored the mentoring relationships among veteran women leaders and novice women leaders in the nuclear vendor industry in Central Virginia. The general problem addressed in this study was the potential lack of mentoring relationships among women leaders despite the many advantages of mentoring. The purpose of this qualitative collective case study was to add to the body of knowledge of the lack of mentoring relationships among women leaders in a technical industry by exploring the mentoring experiences, or lack thereof, and the perception of women on mentoring who are or have been in leadership …

Does The Interactive Push-Presentation System Nearpod Effect Student Engagement In High School Anatomy?, Jan Anderson Hirtz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The ability of the United States to succeed and compete successfully in the 21st Century will be directly related to the effectiveness of America’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. In 2012 the U.S. President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology set a goal to add one million STEM college graduates over a 10-year period. Motivation in STEM secondary classrooms is a critical contributor to students entering college in declaring and persisting in a STEM related major. The purpose of this study is to add research findings to the literature regarding means of using technology to increase K12 …

Pornography And Purpose In Life: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Cynthia Marie Evans

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Extensive research has examined the relationship between pornography use, religiosity, and perceived addiction to pornography. Other research has explored the connections between religiosity and meaning or purpose in life. No research has examined the potential relationship combining all four constructs in one research study. To rectify this gap, the present study examined the mediating effect of perceived addiction to pornography, as well as the moderating effect of religiosity on the direct relationship between frequency of pornography use and meaning in life. Two hundred and eighty-nine participants, aged 18–30, who admitted using pornography in the past six months completed assessments addressing …

A Causal-Comparative Study On The Efficacy Of Intelligent Tutoring Systems On Middle-Grade Math Achievement, Kevin Lamar Rholetter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study is a quantitative examination of intelligent tutoring systems in two similar suburban middle schools (grades 6-8) in the Southeastern United States. More specifically, it is a causal-comparative study purposed with examining the efficacy of intelligent tutoring systems as they relate to math achievement for students at two similar middle schools in the Midlands of South Carolina. The independent variable, use of an intelligent tutoring system in math instruction, is defined as the supplementary use of two intelligent tutoring systems, Pearson’s Math Digits and IXL, for math instruction. The dependent variable is math achievement as determined by the Measures …

Job-Related Stress And Burnout In Charter School Leaders: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jamie Douglas Mckay

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the impact of stress and burnout on charter school leaders in the western United States. The research questions were designed to understand how the role of charter school leadership impacts stress and burnout for charter school leaders. The theories guiding this study included the managerial stress cycle theory, and the multidimensional theory of burnout. While existing research has documented the stressors of traditional public-school administrators, little research has explored the distinctive challenges faced by charter school administrators. Data collection included individual interviews, a focus group interview, and observations. The identification …

A Study On The Awareness And Practice Of The Elderly Welfare In The Church: Focused On The General Assembly Of Presbyterian Church Of Korea In Gumi City 교회 노인복지에 대한 인식 및 실천방안 연구: 예장합동 구미노회 소속 교회를 중심으로, Young Moon Jang (장 영 문)

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Facing the aging society, the Korean church has made various initiatives and efforts to realize quality social welfare for the elderly and has contributed greatly to society by expanding welfare facilities and operating and implementing various programs. Nevertheless, it is true that there are no specific measures to evaluate specific details and that the role of the church has been relatively undervalued. What the researcher noticed while studying the social welfare field professionally as a pastor was that the Korean church is not aware of its role and importance despite its considerable benefits and influence to the nation and society …

Skin Lightening Treatments: A Review On The Effect Of Intravenous Glutathione In The Disease States Of Women, Buhle Mthombeni

Senior Honors Theses

The skin bleaching industry is a global business with a vast array of anti-melanogenic choices including glutathione. Glutathione is synthesized in vivo but has been used as a bodily supplement by medical personnel to aid in preventative medicine. Known for its antioxidant properties, glutathione has been used for its anti-melanogenic effects. Intravenous glutathione requires more investigation to determine its safety for usage. It continues to be distributed to the cosmetic industry despite antagonism from the Philippine FDA. This study will research the potential effects of intravenous glutathione on women and it will propose the biochemical mechanisms of glutathione in induced …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experience Of Online Instructors Of Theological Reflection At Christian Institutions Accredited By The Association Of Theological Schools, Judy Arline Jowers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experience of teaching theological reflection in the online environment for instructors at Christian institutions accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. The central theories guiding this study were reflective practice and transformative learning theory as they explore the relationship between experience and reflection. Since relatively few inquiries have been published on the ways in which seminary professors assist future religious leaders in the use of reflective practice, the central research question for this study was: How do instructors at Christian institutions accredited by the Association of Theological Schools …

The Impact Of Externalization On The Sexual Satisfaction Of Pornography Users: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Kristin Liesl Hauswirth

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In committed relationships, pornography use has been associated with a contradictory influence on relationship and sexual satisfaction, particularly for women. Previous research indicates that sexual shame and moral disapproval may be related to pornography use, especially for religiously-affiliated individuals. Research also suggests that individuals may use defense mechanisms such as externalization to avoid negative emotions. This study explored the correlations between women’s mutual pornography use and sexual satisfaction and used ordinary least squares regression to examine the moderating influence of externalization on the effect of moral disapproval on the relationships between mutual pornography use and sexual shame and mutual pornography …

The Impacts Of Large Carnivores On Human Livelihood: The Illusion Of Carnivore Conflict, Costs Of Coexistence, And Strategies For Mitigation, Elisabeth Russell

Senior Honors Theses

Incidents of what is commonly referred to as human-carnivore conflict (HCC) are increasing. Examples include livestock depredation and carnivores attacking humans. Since HCC occurs most frequently where humans and carnivores commonly inter-mix – near the periphery of human habitations – habitat loss and fragmentation may contribute to the rise of HCC, amongst other factors. Although HCC cannot be eliminated, it can be reduced by well-planned and implemented strategies. These strategies must approach the conflict holistically and address both the animal and the human sides of the problem. Since humans rely on the healthy functioning of the ecosystem for survival, implementing …

Mathematics For Visually Impaired Students: Increasing Accessibility Of Mathematics Resources With Latex And Nemeth Mathspeak, Laura Sauer

Senior Honors Theses

The ability to accurately read and subsequently comprehend a mathematical expression is vital to the understanding of mathematics. The Braille illiteracy rate has steadily risen among individuals with visual impairments, increasing the need for effective resources in mathematics education for such individuals. A literature review was conducted, compiling information from various resources which demonstrate the gaps in this area. Audio System for Technical Readings (AsTeR) is an existing software which can read aloud technical documents created in LaTeX, the most used typesetting application for the creation of mathematic documents. A collaboration between Abraham Nemeth’s MathSpeak guidelines for vocalizing mathematical text …

Growing A God-Centered Academy In The Church: Developing A Spiritually-Grounded Teaching Paradigm, Virgil Melvin Walton Jr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Sunday schools of some churches of the Mount Olive Baptist District Association, MOBDA, are not well attended. Could effective discipleship teaching and a change in the spiritual formative mind-set of an instructor aid in disciple-making? This thesis will focus on the church’s didactic ministries and the presence of God, the Holy Spirit, in those ministries. An examination of the quality of instruction and teaching materials for authentic and God-centered instruction will be studied.

It is necessary that all of the MOBDA church’s teachers have a evidential relationship with the Holy Spirit. An instructor who is consistently spiritually grounded as …

Enhancing Pastoral Care And Support By Providing Opportunities For Spiritual Growth And Transformation To Crisis And Trauma Sufferers, Angela Roberts Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Trauma experiences are becoming more prevalent in today’s society. For example, each day, the media reports the widespread impact of war, gun violence, domestic and international terrorism, violent crimes, sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, mass shootings, and natural disasters in the general population. The church has long been considered a place of refuge, hope, and healing for people who suffer from crises and trauma. It is often the first place Christians and the surrounding community turn in times of distress. Because pastors and churches are often the first responders when people experience crises and traumatic events, there …

A Correlational And Causal Comparative Study Of The First-Year Retention Of Special Admissions Students, Kelly Sue Wright-Laurents

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

College retention has been widely studied since it is an important indicator of institutional effectiveness; however, though higher education institutions have focused on factors that increase retention and graduation rates, many students who enter college do not persist to graduation. To increase the retention of all students, both regular admissions and special admissions, many institutions have implemented programs, like first-year seminars, to help students successfully academically and socially transition to college, which are important factors in first-year retention. The purpose of this correlational and causal comparative study was to determine the most significant predictor of first-year retention for special admissions …

Examining The Role Of On-Campus Experiences: A Phenomenological Study Of Persistence For Limited-Residency Doctoral Graduates, Kaitlin Elizabeth Yourous

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the residential experiences of individuals who completed a terminal degree in education within a limited-residency program from various institutions of higher education. Tinto’s theory of integration provided the theoretical framework for the study to answer the central and research subquestions: (a) How do individuals who completed a terminal degree in education in a limited-residency program describe their residential experiences? (b) How do limited-residency doctoral graduates describe the role, if any, of their residential experiences in relation to their ability to conduct independent research? (c) How do limited-residency doctoral graduates describe …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Inquiry Of First-Generation Community College Students’ Experiences, Jean Marky Leandre

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the United States, 36% of community college enrollments are comprised of first-generation students (FGCS); however, little is known about FGCS as a cohort. Various initiatives have been formulated to encourage success among students with constraints related to social capital, bandwidth recovery, and the education system. The purpose of this phenomenological study aimed to understand the experiences of FGCS in community colleges in the Northeast region of the United States. FGCS are defined as students whose parents did not graduate from college with at least a bachelor’s degree. This study addressed student experiences—including social interactions—that impacted academic achievement positively or …

Effect Of Religious Coping On Faith Maturity As Moderated By Hope, Clark Daniel Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As a consideration based in the psychology of religion and hope theory, correlations between religious coping and faith maturity are explored with particular focus on identifying hope as a moderating factor. With hypotheses that religious coping predicts faith maturity as moderated by hope, Snyder’s trait hope and state hope scales along with the Pargament’s Brief RCOPE and Piedmont and Nelson’s Faith Maturity Scale-Short Form, developed from Benson, Donahue, and Erickson’s larger Faith Maturity Scale, are employed via survey of an adult Christian convenience sample. The study is informed largely by Pargament’s work with use of religion, unique in comparison to …

Predicting Academic Achievement Based On Sense Of Community Among Online Public High School Students, Randy Boydie Maraj

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Limited research has investigated the relationship between sense of community and academic achievement, as determined by students’ self-reported Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) scores. The purpose of this correlational study was to determine the extent by which sense of community can predict academic achievement among online public high school students. The predictor variables were social community and learning community. The criterion variable was academic achievement using student’s PSAT/NMSQT scores. The school form of the Classroom and School Community Inventory was given to 98 online high school students to complete. They represented a major suburban public …

A Collective Case Study Understanding The Barriers To College Access Facing Low-Income African American Male High School Graduates, Emmanuel Schuller Cherilien

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this collective case study was to understand the barriers to college access facing low-income African American males in the northeastern region of the United States. This study employed a qualitative methodology approach involving 10 low-income African American high school graduates from two states. The theoretical framework that guided this study was critical race theory. The central research question was: What are the barriers to college enrollment for low-income African American male high school graduates? The data collection methods consisted of semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and a focus group. The data analysis process involved open coding, axial coding, …

A Phenomenological Study That Examined The Experiences Of High School Teachers Who Build Supportive Classroom Environments That Encourage African-American Students To Graduate, Tressa D. Matthews

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions and lived experiences of high school teachers who have created supportive classroom environments that encourage African-American students to graduate. The theory guiding this study was the self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2008) as it explains the psychological needs of students to encourage persistence toward high school graduation. The central question guided the research in describing the experiences of high school teachers who have created a supportive classroom environment at high schools with high graduation rates for African-American students in Southeastern Michigan. The study sought to determine the experiences …

Poverty And Education: An Educator's Perspective, Elizabeth Leigh Rogers Ghent

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study was developed to increase awareness on educators’ perspectives at a Title I middle school in Lancaster, SC. The purpose was to determine which educational barriers, according to the teachers’ perspectives, have the highest impact on students. Using the survey results, it was determined which school initiatives play the largest role in mitigating the educational barriers. Data was collected through an anonymous online survey distributed in February of 2020. The results indicated which poverty related educational barriers were noteworthy. Having an effective meal program was determined to be the most effective way to combat poverty. Clubs, sports, and parental …

Military Spouse Educators: A Phenomenological Study On Tied-Migrant Military Spouses, Marlynn Crystal Goodrich

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of educators who are tied-migrant spouses of active duty members in the United States armed forces. The theoretical framework guiding this study was McClusky’s margin theory which was used to describe the relationship of an individual’s power to the load that they carried in living, resulting in the margin that was available to them. The central research question that guided this study was: What are the experiences of educators who are tied-migrant military spouses? The sub-research questions guiding this study were: What do the tied-migrant spouses describe as …

Boarding School Syndrome: A Phenomenological Study Giving Single-Gender Military Boarding School Alumni A Voice To Tell Their Stories Of Life After Graduation, Bruce Alan Patterson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand boarding school syndrome for single-gender boarding school alumni. The theory guiding this study was Erikson’s (1968) socioemotional development theory as it describes human development. Development during Erikson’s adolescent period is fragile. This fragile adolescent period is interrupted when students are separated from their families and placed in the boarding school environment under the care of strangers. Research indicates boarding school syndrome correlates with relationship difficulties, college struggles and employment problems of military boarding school graduates (Marsh, 2011; Schaverien, 2011). Schaverien (2011) created the term boarding school syndrome after treating a significant …