Digital Commons Network^™

Suicide Prevention Through Spiritual Care: A Guide For United States Military Veterans, Reggie D. Richardson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The focus of this study is to highlight the growing concern with the suicide rate among United States military veterans. This study seeks to demonstrate how spiritual care can help many veterans that are suffering from thoughts of suicide, by providing various theories of integration between psychotherapy and theology. The methods chosen for integration are the integrationist perspective, cognitive behavioral therapy, and Christian cognitive therapy. The focus of the integration is to help prevent veterans who are at risk of suicide, by focusing on a treatment plan that helps the totality of a person. The theoretical orientation provided offers insight …

The Experiences Of Christian Paideia Among Graduates Of Classical Christian Texas High Schools: A Phenomenological Study, Jared L. Squires

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to describe the essence of the shared lived experiences in a Christian paideia for classical Christian high school graduates at five different Texas schools. Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) Ecological Systems Theory (EST) was the primary theory guiding this study. EST is significant for classical Christian educators because this theory suggests that the behavior and practices of individuals, embodied within a Christian paideia, will profoundly shape the development of students. The central question for this study was how do classical Christian high school graduates describe their lived experiences of Christian paideia? Participants described their lived experiences of …

Comparing The Causal Implications Of Clinical Unit Placements On Senior Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Students' Cognitive Decision-Making Processes, Shelley Layne Blackwood

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Evidence suggests that new nursing graduates entering the workforce struggle with decision making. Poor clinical decisions often lead to undesirable patient outcomes. Utilizing quantitative, causal-comparative, pretest-posttest design, this research explored the effect of four categories of clinical unit placements (specialty units, acute care, critical care, and emergency departments) on senior bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) students’ cognitive decision-making processes to explore which type of unit, if any, significantly changes nursing student cognitive processes while making decisions. A convenience sample of 30 senior BSN students from a private, faith-based university completed both a demographic survey and the Nurse Decision Making …

The Experience Of Meaning And Purpose In Life Among Adult Iraqi Refugees In Jordan: A Qualitative Study, Reem Issa Abbasi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this research was to present a study that promotes understanding and exploration about how adult Iraqi refugees living in Jordan can still experience meaning making and hope in the face of suffering. The significance of this research lies in its unique findings that contribute to the body of literature concerning trauma recovery. A qualitative phenomenological in-depth interview methodology was used to explore the phenomenon of meaning in suffering among adult Iraqi refugees. The following research questions were used in this study to explore the phenomenon of meaning in suffering: Can life still be experienced as meaningful in …

The Effect Of Expressive Writing On The Math Anxiety Scores Of Middle School Students Enrolled In A Public School In East Texas, Angela D. Ruark

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Math anxiety is a serious concern for educators and students. Students who may otherwise be successful can find themselves incapacitated to think and perform to their abilities due to this issue. Math anxiety negatively affects academic performance and deters students from pursuing math-based careers. This is particularly true for female students. Effective interventions are needed to address these issues. Expressive writing is one such intervention that has shown promise in reducing math anxiety with older students. This study investigated the impact of expressive writing on the math anxiety levels of middle school students according to group and gender. An experimental, …

A Multiple Case Study Investigating Utah School District Approaches To Beginning Teacher Retention, Katie Melinda Kimber

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple case study was to discover educator perceptions of Utah school district approaches to retaining beginning teachers. Throughout the study, the term “educator” collectively describes the study participants: district leaders, principals, mentors, and beginning teachers. The overarching concept that guided this study was Sher’s (1983) Three Cs of Education framework which categorizes the factors that impact teacher retention into the following three groups: Characteristics, Conditions, and Compensation. The central research question for this study was: How do educators describe Utah school districts’ approaches to retaining beginning teachers? The sub-questions for this study were: What are educator …

Mythology, Morality, And The Messiah: How Natural Moral Law And Hero Myth Entail That Jesus Christ Is The Best Possible Hero, Matthew J. Coombe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Essentially this dissertation is an abductive argument for Jesus Christ being the best possible hero. The abductive argument is concerned with the synthesis of several different disciplines: natural theology, general revelation, ethics, natural law (meta-ethics), literary criticism, Biblical criticism, and mythology. When synthesized the most reasonable conclusion for the data is that Jesus Christ is the best possible hero. All of the disciplines work together: Natural theology establishes the axiological basis for moral realism and moral knowledge. General revelation acts as a universal imprinter, which not only imbeds man with moral knowledge, but also with inherent notions of heroism—heroism and …

School Counselor Experiences Or Perspectives In An Age Of Increasing Pornography Use And Sexual Behaviors Of Students, Natalie Atwell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explored school counselor interactions or perspectives concerning the impact of pornography use and sexual behaviors among students in K-12 education. Participants, comprised of 51 school counselors in a suburban district in North Carolina, were given a qualitative survey in this case study for the purpose of exploring interactions such as challenging incidents and training needs. Results suggested that school counselors are involved with students impacted by pornography use and sexual behaviors through indirect and direct services, however, school counselors do not report feeling adequately trained to effectively help students in these areas. This study provides implications for further …

Mindfulness Meditation And Self-Regulation On Smartphone Application By Educators: A Qualitative Case Study, Jason Boyle

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the instrumental case study was to explore how educators use a mindfulness meditation application called Calm on their smartphones. The self-regulation theory, as viewed from the perspective of Roy Baumeister, guides this study in exploring educators’ self-regulation using a smartphone application. The study answers the central question and four research questions: CQ) How do educators use a mindfulness meditation application called Calm on their smartphone? RQ1) How do individuals seeking to modify their behavior use the mindfulness meditation smartphone application? RQ2) How does an individual’s motivation to attain a goal shape one’s use of the mindful meditation …

Effectiveness Of Religious Cognitive Behavior Therapy For The Treatment Of Clinical Depression In Religious People: A Single-Case Research Design Analysis, Richard Mark Cozart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study used a single-case research design analysis to investigate the efficacy and effectiveness of the Duke University Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health (Duke Center)’s religious cognitive behavior therapy (RCBT) with four deeply religious Christians reporting moderate to severe depression. Literature suggests that religious individuals prefer interventions that reflect their religiosity and experience at least equal recovery rates compared to the use of conventional cognitive behavior therapy (CBT); however, they may not have access to effective religious treatments in customary religious venues, and there is a lack of understanding of why such individuals respond to religious treatments. The four …

The Divergence Of Binary Sex And The Transgender, Kelsey Marie Pittman

Liberty University Law Review

No abstract provided.

Make Law, Not War: Solving The Faith/Equality Crisis, Anton Sorkin

Liberty University Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Superfluity Of Purgatory, Israel-David J.J. Healy

Quaerens Deum: The Liberty Undergraduate Journal for Philosophy of Religion

This article is a refutation of Jerry Walls's model of Purgatory, based on God's respect of our free will and the necessity of morally significant choices. Additionally, it will show how Walls's positing of a temporal Purgatory as a means of sanctification through cooperation with God is unnecessary for the Christian in light of our earthly life and God's perfect justice and omnipotence. Finally, it will speculate as to the effects of an instantaneous purification and how it fits more clearly with traditional doctrine.

History's Most Amazing "Baby Talk", Harold Willmington

Dr. Willmington's Personal Observations of the Bible

No abstract provided.

Kali Psychi, Judith A. Reisman Phd, Aaron Nazif J.D., Mary Mcalister Esq.

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Passing The Baton: A Comparative Analysis Of The Ceo Succession Of Walmart And Exxon Mobil, Anna K. Seale

Senior Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the CEO succession of Walmart and Exxon Mobile with the commonly accepted best practices within the CEO’s distinguishable attributes and roles. The succession of executive leadership within any organization is inevitable. Research speaks to the importance of both strong executive leadership and CEO succession plans to allow for sustainable success within an organization. The researcher examined the literature on commonly accepted best practices of CEO succession as well as the importance of them. The executive successions of Walmart and Exxon Mobil were examined in light of the history of executive succession planning. …

Influencer Marketing: Consumer Responses To Instagram Influencers, Gloriann Schaefer

Senior Honors Theses

Influencer marketing is the promotion of services and products through individuals with a large social media following. The research contained within this thesis will discuss the topic of influencer marketing and the responses of the consumers targeted. This study observed the different types of responses and comments that followers of Instagram influencers left on their posted content.

The themes and characteristics of responses of Instagram influencer followers will be found through a qualitative content analysis. The study is supported by self-presentation theory, which suggests that individuals, in this case social media influencers, present themselves in a way that results in …

Missional Apologetics: An Examination Of Essential Elements In The Apologetic Approaches Of Early Christian Era Apologists In Light Of The Mission Of Christ To A Pluralistic World, George B. Bannister Sr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The cultural ethos known as postmodernism has impacted the epistemological and functional structures of contemporary society in dramatic ways. Changes in the attitudes, standards, and belief systems from which people operate in their day-to-day lives have seen radical alterations in the last fifty years. The impact of the postmodern milieu has been evident in various ways in local church ministry, as well as the extension of local church ministry on the mission field.As a result of the waning effectiveness of traditional evangelism methods and indications that there is a relationship between that waning efficacy and the postmodern milieu, scholars have …

The Correlation Between Employee Job Satisfaction And Leadership Style By Leadership Personnel In Massage Businesses, Veronica Henry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Job satisfaction plays a significant role in employee retention outcomes. Therefore, examining factors that contribute to employee job satisfaction is vital to formulating and implementing effective organizational protocols that increase job satisfaction, employee retention, and overall business performance. This study was designed to examine the relationship between leadership style and job satisfaction in massage-based businesses. The research question was as follows: Is there a relationship between job satisfaction and leadership style in massage businesses in Columbia, SC? This study utilized three primary leadership styles: transformational, transactional, and passive/ avoidant. The research question was answered through a quantitative correlational analysis of …

The Links Between Motivational Techniques, Successful Physical Therapists, And Successful Rehab Clinics, Abigail Alyse Richmond

Senior Honors Theses

There is a strong positive correlation between a successful physical therapist (PT), their clinic, and the motivational techniques used during therapy. The PT should be prepared to sit down with each patient and set short- and long-term goals to help them accomplish what they desire through therapy. Effective communication skills, practical skills and technique, individualized care, and organizational and environmental factors are the four major aspects that define patient-therapist relationships. Patient adherence to their home exercise program (HEP) is vital to a successful rehabilitation, and therefore the PT’s goal should be to help the patient understand the importance of the …

Study Of The Correlation Between Emotional Intelligence (Ei) And Project Success In Nonprofits, Celene M. Kalivoda

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Project managers use both hard and soft skills to manage projects and people. When a project manager lacks the necessary competencies, there is a risk of project failure. The purpose of projects in nonprofit organizations is to increase the efficiencies of the organization or gain additional funding through fundraising, friendraising, and image enhancement efforts. The soft skill of emotional intelligence is linked to enhanced leadership in project management. This quantitative correlation study examined the relationship between the project managers’ emotional intelligence and their nonprofit project success. The analysis determined there is not a significant correlation between project managers’ emotional intelligence …

Redemptive Penology Vs. Exclusive Retributive Justice, Samuel Chuks Japhets

Masters Theses

Grounded on long-standing penal notions of exclusive retributivism inherited from classical theorists, Ancient Near East lex talionis, and theonomist penology, the United States federal sentencing and corrections system aims to administer just desert sentences on offenders, to curtail crimes. This exclusively retributive model of criminal sanction is, presumably transformative and innately capable of dispensing holistic justice to society, victims, and criminals. However, the preponderance of high rates of recidivism raises the question of whether this exclusively retributive doctrinal framework that drives the federal penology empirically results in a redemptive administration of penal justice, especially to the offender. Given the traditional …

The Ancient-Future Of Worship Education: The Evangelical-Sacramental Movement's Effect On Modern Worship Education, Jordan Miles Covarelli

Masters Theses

This thesis looks at developments in evangelical/Pentecostal contemporary Christian worship music (CWM) in response to its theological critiques and analyzes the effects they are having on what training worship leaders will need. CWM has grown into a global phenomenon that largely either disregards or is ignorant of its theological critics. The rapid rate of churches adopting CWM practices in their services has led to numerous universities creating post-secondary degrees in Worship Leadership focused specifically on modern expressions of worship. This thesis uses a convergent parallel mixed methods research model to analyze how worship practices are changing in key evangelical-turned-sacramental churches …

The Impact Of Online Homework, Time On Homework, Gender, And Metacognition In Improving Student Achievement In Undergraduate Biology Courses, Donald Bishop Cook Jr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study sought to address a gap in the literature to determine whether a relationship exists between use of online homework and student achievement in undergraduate biology courses. Previous studies have examined other STEM courses, but few have considered biology. The purpose of the study was to determine whether homework grades in online homework systems can predict student achievement in introductory undergraduate biology courses. This study utilized a correlational analysis by multiple regression using archival data to determine whether final course grades in undergraduate biology courses can be predicted by grades on online homework, time spent on online homework, gender, …

Does Family Matter? A Phenomenological Inquiry Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Women Persisting In Distance Education, Professional Doctoral Programs, Lisa S. Sosin, Amanda J. Rockinson-Szapkiw, Lucinda S, Spaulding

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The qualitative study aims to examine the lived experiences of women persisting in the distance; professional doctoral degrees as they seek to integrate and balance their family of origin and current family system with their development as scholars.

This qualitative study employed Moustakas’ (1994) transcendental phenomeno-logical approach through a purposive sampling of eleven women who are en-rolled in distance education, professional doctoral programs at two universities in the southern United States.

This study furthers the existing research by demonstrating that family is inti-mately tied to the scholarly identity development and persistence of women enrolled in distance education, professional doctorate programs. …

Reclaiming A Biblical Sexual Ethic: How A Renewed Understanding Of The Doctrine Of The Image Of God Is An Important Response To The Ideas Of The Sexual Revolution And The Self-Esteem Movement, Sarah Stewart

Masters Theses

Sexual ethics have become a large source of debate in modern America and will continue as American sexual mores become more progressive. The church in America also faces the issue of how to respond to issues caused by changes in American sexual ethics. These changes, however, have not been greatly beneficial to society. While debates about sexual ethics are not new, the debate has reemerged in modern society, primarily as the result of two movements, the Sexual Revolution and the Self-esteem Movement. Both of these movements shifted belief in human value away from inherent value, as a result of humans …

The Relationship Between Social Desirability And Teacher Efficacy Among Public Schools Secondary Teachers In The United States, Douglas Scott Renfro

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this correlational study was to investigate factors that impact the implementation and successful adoption of blended learning instructional practices in secondary classrooms in public schools in the United States. This study examined the relationship between social desirability for the implementation and successful adoption of blended learning instruction and teacher efficacy in secondary teachers. The theories guiding the research were Projection Theory from Holmes as the theory relates to social desirability and Social Cognitive Theory from Bandura as the theory relates to teacher efficacy. Both theoretical frameworks relate to potential change in behavior. The data utilized in the …

A Phenomenological Study Of School Counselors' Experiences Following Student Suicide, Suzanne Lea Nichols

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, hermeneutic, phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of school counselors who have been impacted by the death of a student by suicide in the United States. The central question of the study was: How do school counselors describe their experiences following the death of a student by suicide? The three subquestions were: (a) How do school counselors describe their reactions when a student dies by suicide? (b) How do school counselors perceive their professional involvements in postvention activities following a student suicide? (c) How do school counselors cope after the death of a …

School Suspension And Academic Achievement For Tenth And Eleventh Grade Male Students: A Correlational Study, Dante' L. Ferguson Sr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between absenteeism due to suspensions and math and reading scores from the 2016 – 2017 Georgia Milestones Test for tenth and eleventh grade regular education, male students. The focus of this study was on determining if math and reading scores on standardized tests could be predicted by the number of days missed from school due to suspensions using a bivariate regression. A total of 93 male high school students in grades ten and eleven who have received one or more out of school suspensions during the previous school term …

Breaking The Silence: A Phenomenological Study Of Introverted Undergraduate Students' Experiences In The Active Learning English Classroom, Richard Lee Green

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of introverted undergraduate students in the active learning English classroom in a community college setting in Florida. Eysenck’s Personality Theory, which provides knowledge about introverts’ preferred method of learning; and Experiential Learning Theory, which presents pertinent information concerning how individuals learn by experience, guided this study. The research questions were as follows: How do introverted undergraduate students describe their experience in an English course structured as an active learning classroom environment (ALC)? How do participants describe the academic atmosphere of the ALC? How do participants describe the effect …