Digital Commons Network^™

Spirituality And Perceived Insider Status: A Study Of Organizational Commitment Of African American Female Leaders In Fortune 1000 Companies, Toni Y. Stubbs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the relationships among spirituality, perceived insider status, and organizational commitment among African American female leaders within Fortune 1000 companies. Using a cross-sectional design, the research gathered data from 119 participants through online surveys that included the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS), the Perceived Insider Status Scale (PIS), and the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ). Analyses included Pearson correlations and mediation modeling to address the research questions. The results revealed a strong, statistically significant relationship between perceived insider status and organizational commitment. Although spirituality did not directly predict organizational commitment, it demonstrated a small but significant mediating effect between …

Sustaining The Score: A Narrative Inquiry Comparing California Teacher Induction And Adult Ensemble Participation For Music Educator Longevity And Growth, David Haley Green

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The relationship between music educators' participation in adult ensembles and any perceived benefits to their teaching careers remains underexplored. At a time when teacher recruitment and retention rates are unsustainable, this information can help provide ways to engage educators in a way that benefits both themselves and the academic success of their students. This qualitative study examines the perspectives of music educators across a wide variety of ages and grade levels. This study compares explicitly the formal, mandated support of California’s teacher induction program with the informal, voluntary support found in adult ensembles. Many music educators in California began their …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Teachers From The Northeast Region Of The United States And How They Cope With Workplace Stress And Burnout, Zakkiyyah W. Sally

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to better understand the lived experiences of Pre-K to 12th grade teachers from the Northeast Region of the United States as it relates to the development of burnout and stress. The central phenomenon of the study has been to discover ways teachers choose to cope and best manage stress, which can lead to burnout. This research study also served to investigate school related resources available to teachers to help support them with stress, burnout, and coping. Teachers have noted that they manage stress and burnout with various strategies, such as mindfulness, compassion, …

Investigating Black Students’ Perceived Motivations For Degree Attainment At A Community College: A Case Study, Kacie Rene Birdsong

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study is to discover the motivation that influences the retention for Black student graduates at a local community college in southern Mississippi. The practical implications of this research are significant, as college graduation rates directly reflect the financial health of a higher education institution. Understanding why Black students are particularly motivated to complete their degrees is not only academically intriguing but also has practical implications for the future of higher education. As enrollment rates are on the decline, graduation rates become even more critical. When it becomes an issue of many students dropping out of …

Where Words Fail Music Speaks: A Qualitative Exploration Of Uses And Gratification Theory And How Music Influences College Students In Their Daily Productivity, Relationships And Self-Perception, Abagayil E. Hatt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The dissertation project explores the music consumption of college students aged 18 - 24 and its influence on them. The study focus is how music impacts daily productivity-related decisions, relationships, and self-perception. Through ZOOM interviews and personal logs, this qualitative dissertation explored the influence music has on college students aged 18 – 24. This study contributes to the field of communication by revealing how music influences young adults’ communication, decisions, and identity. This study highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of how music shapes behavior and identity.

Lead Like Jesus For Healthcare - Improving The Culture Of Healing Through Biblical Leadership Training, James Michael Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Lead Like Jesus is a 501(c)(3) ministry founded in 1999 that aims to reshape leadership through the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. The organization promotes leadership development that integrates servant leadership principles into a transformational leadership model, applying these ideas in secular settings where success is often linked to authority, control, and power. The principles behind the Lead Like Jesus movement are rooted in the Scriptural accounts of Jesus' life and teachings, emphasizing a leadership style characterized by humility, empathy, and genuine care for others. A review of offerings from professional associations, consulting firms, and other sources of leadership …

Identifying Key Factors In Global Human Trafficking Using Factor Analysis, Nike Joy Alawode

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study aimed to examine key factors influencing human trafficking trends through quantitative analysis of historical archival data from trafficking cases. Using a comprehensive dataset, the factor analysis design assessed variables associated with human trafficking, including age, gender, methods of control, types of labor, types of sexual exploitation, and recruiter-victim relationships. Through descriptive and inferential analyses, this study identified demographic and situational patterns linked to trafficking, uncovering how age and gender intersect with exploitation types, and how different means of control were applied across contexts. Findings may illuminate recruiter-victim dynamics, particularly regarding how relationships impact victim targeting and recruitment methods. …

Changing Hearts And Minds: Educating Medical Students To Transform Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Organ Donation, Matilin G. Rigsby

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The national organ shortage is exacerbated by physicians who, contrary to federal mandates, do not refer patients with organ donation potential in a timely fashion. Whereas United States medical school curricula widely omit organ donation-related topics, literature demonstrates that educating future physicians significantly improves those students’ ability to understand and positively perceive donation, influencing their willingness to refer donor candidates. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine if an educational module among fourth-year medical students at Texas A&M University College of Medicine Dallas Campus affects those students’ perceived knowledge and attitudes toward organ donation. The researcher administered a …

The Competition Effect: Comparing Music Education Stakeholder Perceptions Of Success To Student Achievement, Jake M. House

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite numerous studies examining stakeholders’ opinions on the benefits of marching band competitions for students’ musical development, current research has not fully addressed how directors, parents, and administrators perceive musical success in relation to students' performance abilities. The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was to identify previously unexplored perspectives and determine the relationship between stakeholders’ perceived musical performance success at marching competitions and students’ actual musical performance abilities, specifically in terms of tone, intonation, technique, rhythm, balance, and musicianship, across schools of varying sizes. This study gathered data from directors, parents, students, and administrators using surveys and interviews. …

Teacher Perspectives Of Supporting High School Students Who Are Sex Trafficked In Northeast Ohio: A Qualitative Study, Melanie Timco

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the perspectives of supporting students who are actively sex trafficked for the teachers at high schools in Northeast Ohio. The theory guiding the study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory as it applies to the formation of teacher perspectives based on cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors. Teachers shared their perspective of supporting students who were actively sex trafficked in high school through hermeneutic phenomenology. I utilized criteria and snowball sampling of 12 high school teachers in Northeast Ohio. Open-ended surveys, interviews, and focus groups were conducted with teachers to render their …

The Perceived Understanding Of Emotional Well-Being And Needs Among Older Adults In Rural West Virginia: A Phenomenological Study, Amanda M. Phillips

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of older adults regarding emotional well-being in rural West Virginia. Havighurst’s activity theory on aging provided the lens for guiding the research and was supplemented with a framework of reablement. The in-depth literature review showed prevalent trends and limitations in current research on the rural aging population’s efforts to maintain and meet their emotional well-being needs. An essential aspect of the literature review was the limited resources available in rural communities in general. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 participants recruited from the public. As part of the data …

The Indications Of The Need For Training For Biblical Worship Principles In Evangelical Churches In Texas, Carlos Benson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite numerous Evangelical churches in Texas, most churchgoers hold limited ideas about what defines worship. There is a shortage of biblically principled teaching in the Evangelical Church, particularly in the areas of First and God-honoring worship and its practices, including the Great Commission. This research primarily defines and explores the current state of worship in the Evangelical Church. This research examines how the original Adam and Eve beings, created to worship, have transformed into present-day worshipers. Today's worshipers include Sunday-only attendees, schedule-driven individuals, and spiritually drained souls, with a particular focus on those in Texas. This study will also provide …

Catholic Action At War: Prayer, Study, And Action In The National Catholic Welfare Conference Bulletin, 1939-1945, William Vician

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study of the Roman Catholic Church in America during the twentieth century focuses on the Second Vatican Council’s (1962-1965) massive social changes and reactions, often minimizing the importance of the social and political forces of the preceding decades. The most significant of these forces was the Second World War (1939-1945), in which the nation’s twenty million Catholics participated in roles both on the battlefront and the home front. The Catholic Church that met the challenge of the war effort was increasingly led by the National Catholic Welfare Conference, the forebear of today’s United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study: Exploring Experiences Of Secondary Teachers With Content- Only Training Instructing English Language Learners, Anita Ellis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the initial experiences of secondary content teachers from diverse backgrounds during their first five years in high schools with a substantial number of English Language Learners (above 50%) in north Georgia. The theory guiding this study is Schlossberg's transition theory as it helps to understand the psychological and emotional adaptations teachers undergo while instructing ELLs, highlighting changes in their self- perceptions, circumstances, and support networks. The central research question is: What challenges and strategies do secondary education teachers without ESOL training describe in their experiences teaching various subjects to classrooms with …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Role Of Resilience In Trauma Recovery Of Those Living In Southeastern Rural America, Summer D. Loduca

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the ways in which adults who live in rural communities in the Southeastern United States convalesce from trauma within the framework of barriers and limited access to mental health services. Garmezy’s (1991) developmental psychology approach to resilience, which highlights internal and external protective factors, guides this study as personal resilience, and how it contributes to trauma recovery in underserved settings, is explored. Ten participants aged 32 to 49, engaged in semi-structured interviews as they shared their lived experiences of coping with, and healing from, trauma. Five principal themes were reach in analyzing the data through …

Leadership, Personality Traits, And Teacher Training Characteristics Of Secondary Band Directors In Small Alabama Schools, Robbin Nicol Holder

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, quasi-experimental study aimed to determine the disparities in the leadership, personality traits, and teacher training characteristics of successful public and private secondary band directors in small schools in Alabama. The study focused on identifying perspectives that have not been previously explored or documented. A survey was conducted among band directors at Alabama secondary schools with a daily average enrollment of 300 or fewer students in grades nine through eleven. This information was based on data provided by the Alabama Department of Education and reported by the Alabama High School Athletic Association. The research encompassed dependent variables in leadership, …

The Lived Experience Of Siblings Living In The Home With An Autistic Child, Betty Polion-Cheatum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A sibling in the household is beneficial for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to research studies, however, most of the attention is placed on managing the ASD child's behaviors. To provide insight into the non-autistic child’s perceptions, this qualitative phenomenological study investigated the lived experiences of siblings living in a home with an ASD sibling. A questionnaire survey method was used to analyze the non-autistic siblings' perceptions and lived experiences. This dissertation reviewed what sibling relationships look like for a typically developing sibling of a child with ASD. The gap in research showed there is not enough …

Exploring School-Based Early Intervention For Developmental Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study Of Parental Experiences, Brenda Nichol Webb

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Today it is estimated that one in six children in the United States has one or more developmental disabilities or other developmental delays. There is a large body of evidence pointing to the necessity of early intervention to improve both short and long-term life outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities from both the medical and social sciences. Despite this fact, the identification process during early childhood from a parental perspective remains under- researched. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of parents of children with developmental disabilities during the evaluation process and receipt of services …

Christian Schoolteachers’ Shared Experiences Of Learning And Teaching In The Face Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The East Coast Of The United States, Elizabeth Joy Geddes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study sought to better understand and describe the lived experiences of Christian schoolteachers who provided in-person instruction during COVID-19. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, 12 ACSI Christian schoolteachers from the East Coast of the United States were asked to share their stories of providing in-person instruction during the fall of 2020. While studies have explored the challenges and adaptations of public-school educators during COVID-19, there remains a significant gap in understanding the experiences of Christian schoolteachers who navigated in-person instruction amidst the pandemic. The gap highlights the need for focused research to capture the unique perspectives, challenges, and …

A Phenomenological Study On The Experiences Of Single Mothers With Depression In Christian Counseling, Julie Adeline Bliss

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The population of single mothers in the United States continues to grow, whether due to widowhood, divorce, or failed relationships. It is common for single mothers to face many obstacles due to balancing life and parenthood alone. Due to these obstacles, single mothers are at a heightened risk for depression. Themes identified in current research consist of single mothers experiencing poor physical and mental health, life stressors such as financial hardships/poverty, unstable housing, inconsistent employment, behavioral and cognitive problems in their children, religious/spiritual (R/S) interventions, along with the connection of mental health and religious or spiritual beliefs. Current studies have …

The Impact Of Trauma On The Presentation Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Nina Rose Eberly

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent mental health condition that has previously been linked to traumatic life experiences. Understanding the connection between trauma and OCD symptomatology is essential for developing clinical interventions. This study examined whether a history of abuse is related to an OCD diagnosis, whether a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis is correlated with heightened OCD symptoms, and whether experiencing multiple types of traumas increased OCD symptom severity. Statistical analyses, including correlation and regression analyses, were conducted along with thematic analysis of qualitative interview data. Participants with a comorbid diagnosis of OCD and PTSD exhibited elevated OCD symptoms. …

Understanding Educators’ Experiences With Chronic Student Absenteeism In Rural High Schools In Southwest Virginia: A Phenomenological Study, Tina Louise Dean

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand educators’ experiences and the influences chronic absenteeism has on low-income rural high school students in Southwest Virginia. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social cognition theory on learning, which develops through interaction and modeling. The central research question was, “How do teachers describe their experiences with chronic student absenteeism in rural high schools in Southwest Virginia?” A hermeneutic phenomenological design was used, and the researcher focused on 10 educators from rural high schools in southwest Virginia who had experienced student chronic absenteeism and/or truancy. Data for this study was collected …

Childhood Emotional Maltreatment: A Phenomenological Approach Of Its Influence On Adult Attachment And Romantic Relationships, Patricia A. Smetana

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological qualitative study examined the lasting effects, if any, of childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) on adult females' romantic relationships. The research explored participants’ perceptions of relationship fundamentals that influence adult attachment formation and the quality of romantic relationships, emphasizing the crucial role of adult attachment in relational quality and overall well-being. Online, two-part semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant, yielding a total of 22 interviews. These interviews investigated the participants’ perceptions of how CEM shaped their views of their own and others’ behaviors within adult romantic relationships. The study focused exclusively on adult female survivors of CEM, excluding …

Catholic Mass Music And Spiritual Growth, Stephenie Dinah Mokriakow

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Participation in music among Catholic grade school students is insufficient, despite research suggesting the importance of music at Catholic Mass. Student perspectives provide researchers with an understanding of music's connection to students' spiritual development. This qualitative experimental case study investigates fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade student perspectives of their spiritual development through worship music participation during the Mass. This experimental case study identifies perspectives not yet explored and documented concerning this group of students. This study focuses on students' social, emotional, and physical well-being throughout the study regarding the connection of music to spiritual development. Approximately thirty students participated in pre- …

The Title Of My Project: Screen Time And Children's Health, Elisabeth Hernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Excessive screen time is harmfully affecting families emotionally, physically, and mentally (Brindova et al., 2014). Eating habits, physical exercise, sufficient sleep each night, and communication with family and peers are increasingly declining as screen time is increasing (Siegle, 2017). With the rise in screen time, young people are spending more time alone (Gingold et al., 2014). Behrens et al. (2019) “explored the cause of anxiety and depression in children as it relates to the use of technology” (p. 474). Since the increase in technological advances, there has also been an increase in cyberbullying. “Setting limits on the amount of time …

A Quantitative Examination Of School Psychologists And The Relationships Between Work-Life Balance, Burnout, And Turnover Intentions, Brittany Leigh Storti

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research for the past twenty-five years has documented that there is a national shortage of school psychologists across the United States. It is vital to study the magnitude of school psychologists working in the educational field and the impact of work-life balance has on burnout and turnover intentions. The study surveyed 75 school psychologists who work in a brick-and-mortar, hybrid, and virtual setting across the United States to compare the relationships and to determine if there is a difference between turnover intentions based on work setting. A moderation analysis and an ANOVA determined that the research failed to reject the …

Lived Experiences Of Black Clergy Counseling White Female Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence In Predominantly White Churches Of Christ, Archie Ray Green

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This hermeneutical phenomenological study was conducted to explore the lived experiences of Black male pastors in predominantly White Churches of Christ who provide pastoral care to White female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). These Black male spiritual leaders often serve as the initial point of contact for individuals seeking help, yet they may face unique challenges shaped by cross-racial, gender, and theological dynamics. This study examined how spiritual beliefs, educational preparation, and ministerial experiences influenced the responses of the participants to IPV. The findings revealed that in the absence of formal IPV training and institutional protocols, pastors often relied …

The Experiences Of University Health Science Students Participating In A Short-Term Medical Mission Trip, Peggie L. Williamson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of university health science students who participated in a short-term medical mission trip (STMMT). Student participation in a STMMT was generally defined as active involvement in an 8-day healthcare initiative undertaken by supervised university health science students who provided medical care and education to underserved regions. Purposeful criterion and convenience sampling were used to select ten participants from a group of university health science students registered for a STMMT to Belize in 2025. The two theories guiding this study were Husserl’s Transcendental Theory, designed to provide a …

Stressors Causing Career And Technical Education Teachers To Experience Burnout: Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Christina C. Perez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the stressors and coping strategies for Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers in career and technical education in Texas’ public education system. The theory guiding this study was the transactional model of stress and coping proposed by Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman. The use of this theory will impact the lives of CTE teachers facing challenges in their current roles and taking on extra duties compared to non-CTE teachers. The central research question focused on how CTE teachers experience major sources of stress and burnout. In addition, the sub-questions will support …

Island Transformation: A Missional Approach To Cultivating A Jesus Culture On The Transitory Island Of South Padre., Matthew A. Wyatt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following DMin action research project explores the transformative potential of a missional approach to cultivating a Jesus culture within the transitory community of South Padre Island. The research addresses the challenge faced by OneTwo Church, where many members, entrenched in the local island culture, find themselves ill-equipped to evangelize effectively to a transient population. This paper contends that by implementing a unique missional model, the church can instigate cultural transformation from within through strategic engagement in missional evangelism. Equipping OTC with this distinctive model will shift the community’s paradigm from passive island participants to active missional agents. Central to …