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The Shared Experiences Of High Functioning Autistic Adults Receiving Mental Health Care In The Texas Metroplex: A Phenomenological Study, Katherine Ivey Marie Vaughan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the study is to describe the lived experiences of high functioning autistic adults who have engaged in mental health services in mental health services in Texas. Individuals with autism often face unique challenges, such as heightened sensory intake and cognitive inflexibility, which may complicate traditional therapeutic interventions. The theories that guided the study were the biopsychosocial model, social cognitive theory, the neurodiversity paradigm, and cognitive-behavioral theory, all exploring how cognitive processes influence emotions and behaviors in neurodiverse populations. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, semi-structured interviews were done with adults with high functioning autistic adults. Analysis of the …

Exploring The Duality Of Intelligence Quotient And Emotional Intelligence In Leadership, Michael J. Shepherd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leadership effectiveness is a critical factor in organizational success, yet there is no clear consensus on what specific qualities and behaviors constitute effective leadership. Despite the litany of research studies on intelligence quotient and emotional intelligence, there has been limited, if any, research specifically focused on understanding the processes used by organizations to determine how these two characteristics work in conjunction with one another to create effective leadership. The following research study and literature review included exploring the fundamentals of the issue, and the methods and procedures used by organizations to determine leadership effectiveness or select new leaders. Understanding the …

The Psychometric Use Of Word Embeddings, Thomas Benjamin Lyle Wasden

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the feasibility of categorizing individuals by English-language competency using word embeddings derived from language samples obtained from these individuals and by viewing word embeddings as a psycholinguistic construct. Word embeddings have been shown to be a versatile tool for performing a large number of important natural language processing (NLP) tasks, as well as a plausible model for some processes in the human mind, including processes within the domain of psycholinguistics. This research seeks to build upon previous research by showing that word embeddings may shed light on the underlying neural representation of semantic entities being acquired …

Predicting Income Satisfaction From Artists’ Annual Income And Collegiate Embedded Entrepreneurial Knowledge And Skills, Joy Albert Quarmout

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational study was to determine how accurately income satisfaction could be predicted from a linear combination of annual income and inclusion of entrepreneurial knowledge and skills curricula in liberal arts education programs among public college graduates within the past ten years. A purposive sample of 87 graduates was drawn from universities with established art programs who graduated one to ten years ago. The planned behavior theory formed the logic model that guided the thought process, attitude, and reasoning behind this study. The research instrument, The Strategic National Arts Alumni Project: Survey Questionnaire, served as …

A Phenomenological Study Of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In Combat Deployed Women Combat Veterans, Caren Valencia Chen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to delineate factors that impact women combat veterans with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) after deployment and completion of military service. The theory guiding this was Strauss and Corbin’s grounded theory. The conceptual framework guiding the study was Crenshaw's intersectionality theory. C-PTSD is often diagnosed with service members throughout their time in the military, and after their time in the military is complete. The central research question, “What are the lived experiences of women combat veterans diagnosed with C-PTSD?” was addressed through interviews with focus groups. The sub-questions to analyze direct correlation issues …

Evaluating Strategies For Reducing Rates Of Adult Obesity In The United States Through Childhood Education And Exercise, Ameer M. Abdelkrim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Obesity is a growing national public health crisis, impacting millions of adults and children in the U.S. Untreated obesity causes or aggravates diseases across multiple body systems. The societal impacts of obesity include an avoidable strain on the national healthcare system, with obesity and its comorbid conditions raising healthcare costs. Proactive policy and practices, with strict oversight, are essential for achieving a reduction in obesity rates. One proactive strategy that may be effective is early-age intervention, including enhanced physical activity and nutrition education for U.S. children. This study evaluates adolescent-intervention strategies for reducing rates of adult obesity. The employed methods …

The Perspectives Of Mental Health Providers Concerning Public Personnel Management And Staffing Shortages In The Navy: A Qualitative Multiple-Case Study, Shauna L. Turner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The federal government's public personnel management policies, established over a century ago, may now be ineffective in addressing twenty-first-century problems. The Navy faces an unprecedented global staffing shortage in the mental health career field. To address the problem, the Navy implemented human resource strategies to improve personnel quality of life and invested in improving service members' mental health. The problem is that the Navy’s existing personnel management policies may be ineffective at retaining clinical counselors at Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSCs), contributing to persistent staffing shortages that undermine service delivery and warrant an evaluation of alternative retention strategies. This …

Not All Ei Dimensions Are Created Equal: Differential Effects Of Perceived Leader Emotional Intelligence On Lmx Quality And Employee Engagement, Michael Frommack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the pathways through which employees’ perceptions of their leaders’ emotional intelligence influenced employee engagement, with leader-member exchange (LMX) quality as a mediating mechanism. Using structural equation modeling with data from 368 full-time employees, the study investigated whether the four dimensions of leader emotional intelligence differentially predicted the three dimensions of employee engagement. Results demonstrated that leader EQ strongly predicted LMX quality (β = .80, p < .001, R² = .64), and that leader emotional intelligence and LMX quality significantly predicted employee engagement in bivariate analyses (β = .43, p < .001, R² = .19; β = .47, p < .001, R² = .22, respectively). However, LMX quality completely mediated this relationship. The indirect effect was significant (β = .26, p = .002), while the direct effect was nonsignificant after accounting for LMX (β = .17, p = .108), indicating full mediation. No dimension-specific pathways emerged after controlling for relationship quality. Supplementary analyses revealed that others’ emotion appraisal (OEA) demonstrated almost twice the predictive strength of the other emotional intelligence dimensions for predicting LMX quality (β = .45, p < .001). These findings provide empirical support for Social Exchange Theory and demonstrate that leader emotional intelligence is statistically accounted for by relationship quality mechanisms. Practical implications suggest that organizations should prioritize relationship building competencies in leadership development and selection. Theoretical implications challenge assumptions about dimensional equivalence in emotional intelligence frameworks and establish LMX quality as the complete mediator for leadership influence on employee engagement.

Counseling Satisfaction In Lgbtq Clients: The Roles Of Perceived Counselor Religiosity And Perceived Discrimination, Karen Cain Culbertson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

LGBTQ individuals experience mental health issues more frequently than the heterosexual population (Benz et al., 2019; Hinton et al., 2024; Nakamura & Logie, 2020). It appears that they often face unique challenges when seeking mental health care (Makadon et al., 2015). These may become complex when working with Christian counselors when there are conflicting beliefs between their religious views and their counseling standards (Lane, 2021). Although previous research has identified barriers to care for the LGBTQ community and the psychological impact of non-affirming religious settings, there is little research on how these dynamics unfold specifically within a Christian counseling relationship …

A Phenomenology Of Sexual Assaults On College Campuses, Karon R. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The rate of sexual assaults for women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals on college campuses is reported at a higher rate compared to males and is continuing to rise at a staggering rate, causing this to become a national issue. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the subjective experience, campus culture, psychological disorders, and changes in students' religious beliefs after a sexual assault. Victims’ perceptions and campus norms reporting sexual violence and assault incidents help to explain institutional support systems, the afterlife, and long-term outcomes of victims, prevention programs, and services. The frameworks for this …

Cultural Influences On Mental Health Help-Seeking: A Comparative Study Of Haiti And The United States, Luther-King Jean-Baptiste

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mental health stigma and help-seeking behaviors vary across cultural contexts and are shaped by shared beliefs, values, and social expectations. This qualitative study examined how cultural meaning systems influenced mental health help-seeking behaviors in Haiti and the United States. Using surveys and semi-structured interviews, data were collected from 30 participants (15 from each country) who reported a history of psychological distress or mental health challenges. Findings indicated that help-seeking behaviors were not determined solely by symptom severity but were embedded within cultural, relational, spiritual, and structural frameworks. In Haiti, help-seeking was largely collective and shaped by family validation, community norms, …

Teachers' Lived Experiences Addressing The Benefits And Challenges Of Screen Based Technology Use In The Classroom: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Amanda M. Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher explored Title I elementary school teachers’ lived experiences in addressing the challenges and benefits of screen based technology (SBT) use in classroom spaces. Guided by Vygotsky’s (1978) sociocultural learning theory, a transcendental phenomenological approach was utilized by the researcher to explore the unique nuances of different learning spaces, buildings, and educational contexts. As SBT has become indispensable to modern education practitioners, teachers must balance the benefits to student learning with screen fatigue, reduced interpersonal interaction, and access disparities. The central research question states: How do Title I elementary school teachers describe their lived experiences in addressing SBT use …

The Intervention Effects Of Self-Leadership And Motivation On The Second Language Motivation Mechanism In Tanzanian Form 5 Students: A Static-Group Study Using Structural Equation Modeling, Euna Kim Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, static-group study was to determine the effect of the intervention among high school newcomers in the English-medium instruction (EMI) context in Tanzania. Tanzanian adolescents have difficulty adapting to the transition to secondary school, as the language of instruction is not their native language. Four high schools in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania participated in the study, with 381 participants in the intervention group and 373 in the control group. The intervention group attended self-leadership training and second-language (L2) motivation workshops, while the control group did not. After the intervention, the two groups completed surveys using …

Navigating Recovery From Toxic Leadership In The Pentecostal Church: A Qualitative Study, Traci Sumner Daniels

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research examined the ways in which Pentecostal Church members experience toxic leadership and their process of healing from such experiences. The research included interviews with thirteen people who experienced spiritual abuse or manipulation. The analysis of data produced four main themes, which included spiritual betrayal and disillusionment, emotional and psychological trauma, rebuilding trust in God and community, and rediscovering authentic servant leadership. The research defines toxic leadership as a form of leadership characterized by maladjusted, malcontent, and malevolent behavior that inflicts severe and enduring harm on individuals, groups, organizations, and communities through destructive behavior and dysfunctional characteristics (Semedo et …

A Descriptive Phenomenological Study Of South Texas Non-Denominational Hispanic Ministry Leaders' Spiritual Formation Through Total Worship, Wendy Méndez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Spiritual formation transforms a believer’s relationship with Christ. For ministry leaders, especially volunteers, this process may be enhanced through worship practices. Understanding worship as a holistic lifestyle—beyond just musical or liturgical expression—had a profound influence on participants’ personal and spiritual development in this study. Despite the abundance of literature on worship and spiritual formation, a gap existed in understanding how total worship influenced the spiritual lives of volunteer leaders, particularly in culturally diverse communities. This study addressed the lack of research on the role of total worship in the spiritual formation of volunteer leaders in predominantly Hispanic, English-speaking, non-denominational, charismatic …

Muslim Leaders’ Perception Of Neighborhood Policing In New York City, Jamiel Altaheri

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative descriptive study explored Muslim community leaders’ perceptions of the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) neighborhood policing strategy in communities disproportionately affected by post-9/11 Islamophobia and surveillance. Guided by Tajfel’s (1978) social identity theory, the study examined how leaders’ understandings of group identity, trust, and belonging shaped their views of police, neighborhood policing, and the perceived risks of radicalization or violent extremism. The focus on Muslim leaders addressed a gap in predominantly law-enforcement–centered scholarship on Muslim–police relations in the United States. A qualitative methodology was chosen to generate a rich, practice-relevant account of how leaders described neighborhood policing …

Expanding The Role Of Law Enforcement Chaplains: Fostering Holistic Wellbeing Through Comprehensive Pastoral Care, Jacqueline Turner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aimed to understand the interplay between the mental well-being of law enforcement personnel and the potential for pastoral care provided by law enforcement chaplains. Mental well-being is defined as one’s ability to cope with the stresses of life, recognize one’s abilities, learn effectively, work efficiently, and contribute to one’s community (World Health Organization, 2022). The study was guided by Grossoehme et al.’s “Listening Presence” theory, which involves chaplains actively listening to an officer’s story of trauma and fostering a sense of emotional well-being in the officer, thereby shedding light on the interplay between law enforcement officers’ mental …

Eyes On Every Corner: Pole Cameras And The Living History Of The Fourth Amendment, Benjamin D. Semark

Helms School of Government Undergraduate Law Review

The right to security in personal effects has been well-established since the foundation of the United States of America. This right finds its roots in the English common law right against trespass. Although ancient, it has proved timeless, adapting and growing with new technology and societal expectations. Courts have expanded the interpretation of this right, adapting its reach to maintain the spirit of the Fourth Amendment with rulings such as Katz, Jones, and Carpenter. However, this Amendment is on the cusp of a Katz-like rework to accommodate technological advancements. The Supreme Court has not yet fully …

Mahmoud V. Taylor: A Significant Victory For The Religious Rights Of Parents With Children In Public Schools, Rena M. Lindevaldsen

Liberty University Law Review

The Supreme Court’s June 2025 decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor unmistakably accomplished two things: it strengthened the Free Exercise Clause protections of the First Amendment, and it weakened the ability of schools to press an ideological agenda on matters of human sexuality and gender identity when the materials substantially interfere with the religious development of children. After Montgomery County refused to exercise its discretion to give parents notice and the right to opt their elementary-aged children out of objectional material concerning gender identity and sexual orientation, several parents and a non-profit organization sued, alleging free exercise and parental rights claims. …

More Than Mere Semantics: Why Virginia Cannot Force Preferred- Pronoun Mandates On Public School Teachers Under Virginia’S Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Isaac Rizkallah

Liberty University Law Review

Right now, school administrators and jurists across the nation are wondering how to address the legal implications of the transgender movement in public schools. In response, many public schools have adopted policies requiring teachers to identify transgender students by their preferred pronouns. These preferred-pronoun mandates have created face-offs between the personal preferences of transgender students and the religious tenets of teachers. As a result, school officials and courts around the United States find themselves wedged between this clash.

Unfortunately, the tension is often resolved at the teachers’ expense. But what are the consequences? Homogenization of thought and belief among public …

Perspectives On Healthy Romantic Relationships In The Black Youth Community, Jharman M. Lightner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The perceptions of what constitutes a healthy romantic relationship impact relationship choice that, when unhealthy, has long term effects on mental and emotional wellbeing. This qualitative study explored how African American/Black adolescents ages 18–19 define, perceive, and experience healthy romantic relationships. Using focus group methodology, the study addressed four research questions concerning (1) definitions and perceptions of healthy romantic relationships, (2) influences on relationship beliefs, (3) essential components for maintaining relationship health, and (4) lived experiences with healthy romantic relationships. We conducted two focus groups in which data saturation was reached when no new codes, conceptual insights, or themes emerged …

Volunteer Leaders Of Young Adult Ministries In Protestant Churches In The Midwest, Usa, Miriam S. Midzi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Developing and retaining young adult ministry volunteers helps engage young adults and foster church growth. An article in Lifeway Research states that “Two-thirds (66%) of those who attended church regularly in high school dropped out for at least a year as a young adult” (Earls, 2019). Understanding the views and experiences of church ministry volunteers of this age group is essential as these young men and women are integral to reaching, discipling, and retaining them in the church. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of volunteer leaders of young adult ministries in Midwest Protestant …

Childhood Emotional Abuse And Effects On Adult Behavioral Health, Motivation, And Resilience, Jonathan Pawson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Childhood emotional abuse (CEA) is a frequently overlooked form of maltreatment that disrupts attachment formation and increases vulnerability to depression, anxiety, and other internalizing symptoms in adulthood. Because the harm is relational and often invisible, its long-term effects can persist without recognition. This study examined how CEA related to adult internalizing behaviors, resilience, and motivation, and whether resilience and motivation moderated these relationships. Attachment theory guided the framework for understanding how early emotional deprivation shapes later functioning.

A quantitative correlational design was used with 249 adults who completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–Short Form (CTQ-SF), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Generalized Anxiety …

A Causal-Comparison Study Of The Effect Of Core Otolaryngology Curriculum And The Impact Of Technology On Graduate Medical Education, Jason G. May

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Graduate medical education now places a greater emphasis on learning efficiency and effectiveness. The increased use of advanced technology for modern learners and resident work hour restrictions have played a central role. An otolaryngology core curriculum has recently been introduced for use by otolaryngology training programs. The sample population is composed for otolaryngology residents from four otolaryngology residency programs. Data will be collected for each participant via anonymous review from each program. This paper examines the impact of the otolaryngology core curriculum and its use of advanced technology on resident learning as measured by learner satisfaction scores (Educational Practices Questionnaire …

The Missed Education Of Mtss: A Phenomenological Study Of Cross-Cultural Counseling With African American Students, Whitney L. Towns

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how secondary school counselors experience and implement cross-cultural counseling practices with African American students during the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process. African American students disproportionately face systemic barriers that influence their academic, behavioral, and social-emotional outcomes, and counselors are often underprepared to provide culturally responsive and trauma-informed care within the constraints of MTSS. Guided by Ecological Systems Theory, Intersectionality Theory, and the Trauma-Informed Practice Framework, this transcendental phenomenological study examined how counselors understood and carried out their roles across MTSS tiers while navigating issues of trust, culture, trauma, and equity. …

The Role Of Forgiveness: Spirituality, Loneliness, And Depression In A Christian University, Elda Botello-Ramirez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

For university students, loneliness has harmful effects, like depression, but choosing to forgive and embracing spirituality can lead to better mental health. Yet, limited studies have examined these constructs among students enrolled in long-distance learning (LDL) courses. This is important because an increase in loneliness continues, and more students are taking LDL classes. Still, there is a paucity of work on mental health among students in Christian universities. Thus, this quantitative research study examined context-specific or transgression-specific forgiveness (state forgiveness) while considering the role of personality traits (i.e., trait forgiveness) related to forgiveness to investigate its impact on loneliness and …

The Integration Of Multicultural Music And Defining Successful Integration Of Multicultural Music In Three Predominantly White Churches In Baltimore, Maryland: A Case Study, Homeretta Ayala

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is important to acknowledge the words in Scripture honoring people of all ethnic groups as cities and therefore churches become more diverse. Baltimore, Maryland is a diverse city, with numerous ethnic communities including those of Italian, Greek, African American, African, Hispanic, and Jewish descent; many churches, however, remain predominantly White. Music is an essential element in worship, and some churches are limited to the ethnic hymns of their congregational hymnals, thus ignoring the wide body of multicultural music that is available. There are numerous challenges when integrating multicultural music, especially if the congregation is not ethnically diverse. At first …

Investigating The Impact Of Childhood Trauma On Marital Satisfaction: A Moderated Multiple Regression Analysis, Clarence Duff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Childhood trauma and its negative impact on adult life is well documented as a growing global concern and has been a focus of research for many years. A growing body of literature has demonstrated its impact on psychological and physical health, as well as emotional and social well-being. However, research on how it affects marital satisfaction and variables that moderate this relationship is unexplored. Using the Adverse Childhood Experience questionnaire (ACE) and Pearson correlation, the study examined the relationship between childhood trauma and marital satisfaction. Furthermore, a linear multiple linear regression was used to examine whether Experience in Close Relationship …

Measuring Depression, Anxiety, Stress And Burnout In Paramedics, Dispatchers, And Call Takers Of Western Canada, Nahum Chi Heng Ip

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following dissertation examines depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout in dispatchers and paramedics of Western Canada. This study is meant to bridge a research gap in mental health among emergency health workers in British Columbia, Canada. The samples were collected through two self-reporting surveys, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Maslach Burnout Index (MBI), both of which are strongly validated and widely used in similar research. Of the 948 dispatchers and paramedics who participated, 771 (81.3%) responses qualified to be included. The data was entered into the Intellectus software where a variety of tools were utilized to …

The De-Westernization Of Music Education Through World Music, Alec Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study reviews the variety of qualitative research studies that examine the effects of world music in the classroom across different classroom settings. Other studies explore the reactions of the students when presented with music from various cultures and diverse musical identities from around the world. These research studies reveal the importance of exposing students to different cultures, spark a new interest in cultural music, and provide information on the overall effects of artistic exposure. The results of the studies have shown positive influences on students exposed to a World Music class. The importance of cultural inclusion lies in its …