Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Social Media In Shaping Romantic Relationships, Chelsea A. Fiszbajn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study’s purpose was to examine the role social media has in adult romantic relationships. This study focused on the impact social media has on trust, communication, and the quality of the relationship. Social media platforms have become a very integral part of today’s relationships, which in turn has added room in the relationship for more jealousy, temptation, and validation from others. This study used a survey-based methodology to collect data on individuals' personal experiences and perceptions of how social media impacts their current romantic relationships. Using quantitative measures, the research evaluated how often a partner uses social media, …

The Emotional Aspects Of Disbelief: A Study Of Negative Emotions And Their Influence On Atheists When Reasoning About God’S Existence And Christianity, Esteban Canales

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The lack of sufficient evidence has been signaled by atheists as the main reason for their disbelief, identifying arguments such as God’s silence and the problem of evil as intellectual reasons against the existing of God and the plausibility of Christianity. While Christians found in arguments from Natural Theology, Scripture, morality, and the like, reliable sources in order to recognize God’s wonders and purpose for humanity, for atheists it seems that no argument seem sufficient neither rational. But what about if these so-called intellectual reasons are the product of an underlying emotional condition, affecting negatively the way atheists reason the …

Self-Compassion And Emotional Regulation: The Moderating Role Of Adhd Traits In Clinical Mental Health Counseling Field Experience Students, Alicia N. Stewart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, cross-sectional, survey study explores the potential influences of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits on clinical mental health counseling students’ capacity for self-compassion and emotional regulation. This study is grounded in Kristin Neff’s self-compassion theory (2003). Data were collected using self-reporting measures via an online survey platform through Qualtrics. Participants in this study included students in a Council for Accreditation and Counseling and Related Educational Program-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program currently enrolled in field experience courses including practicum, Internship I, and Internship II (N = 35) at a private southeastern university. This study used a Pearson’s r …

Native And Non-Native American Teacher Attitudes Towards Inclusive Special Education Based On Role: A Quantitative, Causal-Comparative Study, Angela Silver Caudle

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to examine whether teacher role (general vs. special education) and self-identified ethnicity (Native American vs. non–Native American) were associated with teachers’ attitudes toward inclusive special education in rural schools in a southern U.S. state. Understanding whether role and ethnicity correspond to differences in attitudes toward inclusion is important for informing staffing, collaboration, and professional learning in rural contexts. Participants included 91 teachers (63 general education, 28 special education). Attitudes were measured with the Multidimensional Attitudes Toward Inclusive Education Scale. Data were collected via an electronic Qualtrics survey. A two-way analysis of variance …

Exploring How Leadership And Religion Improve Work Motivation And Well-Being, Laura G. Strickland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leadership is a well-researched topic that shows that leaders have a significant impact on employees’ perspectives of work motivation and well-being factors. There are gaps in research on older generations and the impacts of leadership since there has been such a heavy focus on research learning about the incoming work force. Other studies have found that strong religious beliefs help build better leadership skills. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine how leadership behavior and religious beliefs impact employee work motivation and well-being in older adults. In this qualitative study, interviews were conducted to understand older adults’ experiences …

The Impact Of Gratitude Interventions On Job Satisfaction Among Healthcare Workers In A Hospital Setting, Miranda Rae Green

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative experimental study sought to examine job satisfaction among healthcare workers in a hospital setting and to determine if the use of daily gratitude journaling increases job satisfaction. Healthcare workers were recruited from healthcare organizations within the United States. The aim of this study was to use reciprocity of Social Exchange Theory (SET) to encourage participants to use daily journaling prompts to focus on positive interactions within their organization and with leadership or colleagues. Data was collected using the Job Satisfaction Survey and the Gratitude Questionnaire-6 and analyzed using a paired samples-t test to compare pre- and post- intervention …

Leadership Strategies And Registered Nurse Burnout, Chloee Wendorf

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Burnout among registered nurse leaders has intensified within academic medical centers, where increasing clinical demands, staffing challenges, and organizational complexities converge. This qualitative single-case study explored how 32 nurse leaders within the experienced and responded to burnout, and how leadership strategies shaped emotional resilience and team well-being. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources model and transformational leadership theory, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using memoing, coding cycles, and NVivo-assisted thematic analysis. Findings revealed that burnout was largely driven by workload intensity, emotional labor, and misalignment between demands and available resources. Transformational leadership strategies, including individualized support, relational transparency, …

Fostering Innovative Leadership: A Case Study Of Academic Leaders’ Role In Integrating Ai Technologies In Higher Education, Dorian Ryleigh Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand the role of higher education leadership in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for faculty and administrative decision-making at higher education institutions in the United States of America. The theory guiding this study was the transformational leadership theory as it provides a framework for examining how institutional leaders influence the adoption, implementation, and ethical considerations of AI in higher education. The central research question guiding this study was: How do higher education leaders navigate the integration of AI technologies within their institutions? This study employed a qualitative case study design, …

A Phenomenological Study On Korean Christian Immigrants’ Searching For Wholeness, Hyunjin Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Wholeness is a way of living that integrates life’s paradoxes into a cohesive whole, and biblically it is living in harmony with God, others, and oneself. While both scientific and biblical perspectives affirm spirituality and virtues as central to wholeness, existing empirical models often fall short of capturing its full scope within Christian and cultural contexts. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to gain deeper insights into the common essence of Christian wholeness by exploring the lived experiences of wholeness among Korean Christians living in the United States of America. Twelve participants engaged in in-depth interviews and focus groups, and data …

Understanding The Implications Of Transitional Shifts In Leadership On Higher Education Employees' Departures: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Leya Deickman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of employees who chose separation amidst the transition of a new president at small private higher education institutions in the United States. This study aimed to understand how collegiate and university presidential leadership transitions influence employees’ perception of their decision making process to voluntary leave their respective institutions. The theory guiding this study was Homans’ social exchange theory, as it explains social interactions as an exchange using a cost benefit analysis. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of employees who choose separation amidst the …

An Exploration Of The Lived Experiences Of High School Teachers Using Assistive Technology With Students With Physical Disabilities In Inclusive Education Settings: A Transcendental Phenomenology, Chamarah Melonie Joseph

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenology was to explore the lived experiences of high school general education teachers using assistive technology for students with physical disabilities in inclusive education settings in Lightner Public School District in Florida. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy theory. This theory centers on the connection between an individual’s belief in their ability to execute a given task and their level of attainment on that task. The central research question for this research is: “What are the lived experiences of high school teachers using assistive technology (AT) for students with physical disabilities …

Evaluating Inner-Tainment With A Ghetto Perspective For Positive Thought Adjustment In Ghetto Communities, Shontae L. Graham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Environmental challenges and disadvantages impact cognitive scripts and develop persistent frustration. Frustration is both mental and physical and can be negative or positive. It evokes emotion, which is prompted by memory and its associated level of importance. The integration of emotion, memory, and imagination can set the stage and create an act to transition negative frustration and align past experiences with new perspectives. This study used a qualitative Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis approach to investigate the use of self-scripted enactment as a self-help technique for positive thought adjustment. The technique is called Inner-tainment and was used to determine if there were …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Public High School Female Principals: A Phenomenological Study On Their Career Paths, Yuxin Carcamo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of public high school (PHS) female principals across 12 PHSs in southern California. The lived experiences were generally defined as educational leadership career paths. The theory guiding this study was social cognitive theory. This theory guided the study by providing a framework to explore how intrapersonal, workplace, and job factors influence PHS female principals’ career paths. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of PHS female principals on their leadership career paths? Data were collected through interviews, focus group interviews, and observations of 12 …

From Belongingness Deficits To Self-Harm: Examining Internalized Shame, Self-Esteem, And The Moderating Roles Of Resilience, Social Support, And Religious Coping, Yulissa Bochey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Belongingness is a fundamental human need, and its absence can contribute to profound emotional and behavioral consequences. When individuals experience prolonged social exclusion, they often internalize rejection, resulting in shame, diminished self-worth, and, in some cases, self-harming behaviors. Despite a growing body of research on social exclusion and emotional distress, there is little known regarding how internalized shame, self-harm, and religious coping relate with belongingness deficits. This study investigated the relationship between belongingness deficits and internalized shame, with particular attention to the moderating roles of resilience, perceived social support, and religious coping, as well as the mediating role of self-esteem. …

A Qualitative Exploration Of How Advocates Construct And Communicate The Journey Of Male Trafficking Survivors - From Recruitment To Freedom, Donnielle Wilson Kirkland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study examined how advocates communicate the experiences of male survivors of human trafficking. Grounded in narrative paradigm, this investigation explored how advocates frame and share survivor stories across the stages of recruitment, retention, and liberation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 advocates who work in the advocacy space, such as nonprofit organizations, survivor support services, advocacy groups, or general trafficking advocates. The results of the study provided insight into recruitment, retention, and liberation. Revealing trafficking with boys and men often begins with unmet needs and searching for a place of belonging. While retention is sustained due to shame, …

A Phenomenological Study: The Lived Experiences Of Uncertified Bilingual Teachers In Dual Language Elementary Schools At A Mid-Sized Urban Public-School District In Texas, Jeini Gordon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences teaching in a dual-language classroom for uncertified teachers at a mid-sized urban public-school district in Texas. A teacher’s lack of participation in an adequate teacher preparation program may alter students’ educational outcomes, even more so that of English language learners, influencing their academic achievement. The theory that guided this study was Walberg’s theory of educational productivity, which posits that student achievement is affected by student aptitude and motivation, instructional quality and quantity, and a student’s social and cultural learning environments. This phenomenological study focused on the shared …

The High Cost Of Care: A Georgia Qualitative Study Of High School Counselors' Responsibilities And Their Well-Being, Shadiqa Techell White Points

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Secondary school counselors play a vital role in supporting the students’ academic, social, emotional, and vocational development. However, the increasing scope of their duties - especially in response to increased demands on student mental health and the lasting consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic - has led to an increase in the emotional and psychological demands placed on them. While there is a large body of research examining student outcomes, qualitative studies that analyze the ways counselors understand the effect of their professional roles on their personal well-being are scarce. The current qualitative study assumed a hermeneutic phenomenological orientation to examine …

Phenomenological Study Of Counselors Working As Community Response Team (Crt) First Responders For Mental Health And How They Cope With Stress And Burnout, Modupe Adekunbi Olaniyan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of counselors working as Community Response Team (CRT) first responders for mental health crises and to describe how they cope with job stress and burnout. The study involved 12 participants who were interviewed via Zoom. Participants were selected using criterion sampling, and the research sites were located in the Metropolitan area of the east-central United States (Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia). The theoretical framework guiding this study was the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (TMSC) developed by Lazarus and Folkman (1984). Recent literature on job stress and burnout, …

Mental Health And Well-Being Of Hispanic Pastors In Central Florida: A Phenomenological Study, Darice M. Santos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The topic of pastors' psychological well-being and health has been studied in a variety of approaches. The forthcoming research concentrated on the effects that the responsibilities and pressures of working at Hispanic churches have on Hispanic pastors in Florida. Given the difficulties they face, such as prejudice, discrimination, and a low standard of living, this population required further study. This study explored the pastor's role and involvement level and how it connects to social support and burnout. This qualitative study provided insight on how Hispanic pastors in central Florida handled their mental health and perceived their job as pastors. A …

Capitalizing On Crisis: A Statistical Analysis Of Federal Funding And The Surge In White-Collar Criminal Activity During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Lee R. Gibson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a new era that has forever changed how people work, communicate, and socialize. The pandemic also brought one of the most significant influxes of financial assistance to individuals, businesses, educational institutions, and state and local governments that has ever been seen. This massive infusion of cash, which was orchestrated and managed by the federal government, was instituted in a manner that provided quick relief with little ability for oversight, resulting in every assistance program experiencing high rates of fraudulent activity. This project aims to understand if the levels of white-collar crime increase during a disaster, …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of Critical Thinking Skills In Community College And University Stem Students, Jason H. Tucker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to examine the relationship between STEM students’ classification (freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior) and their overall critical thinking scores among community colleges and universities in north central Ohio. This study is important because critical thinking has been shown to improve success in collegiate STEM programs and the future careers of their students. In addition, there has been growing interest in examining potential critical thinking differences between STEM students enrolled in two-year community colleges and four-year universities. The sample is composed of 231 community college and university students enrolled in STEM programs. Data …

No Place To Stand: Gender, Discipline, And The Contradictions Of Military Womanhood, 1945–1975, Angela Bouma

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

From 1945 to 1975, American servicewomen stood inside an institution that depended on their labor while restricting their place within it. The post World War II military relied on women to sustain administrative, technical, and medical operations across a widening Cold War landscape, yet guarded the authority and recognition attached to combat and command. Women kept global communications running, delivered medical care in field hospitals, and carried out intelligence work that shaped military decisions. However, legal and cultural boundaries limited the reach of such contributions.

The 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act formalized this tension. Regular status came with ceilings …

Associate Degree Program Administrator Perceptions Of Clinical Dishonesty, Cynthia Moore Swineford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of associate degree nursing program administrators regarding faculty reporting of dishonest clinical behaviors by pre-licensure nursing students. Aristotle’s theory of virtue ethics guided this examination of how administrators interpret ethical responsibility, leadership influence, and professional accountability related to clinical dishonesty. The central research question asked, “What are the perceptions of associate degree program administrators regarding faculty reporting of dishonest student behaviors in clinical settings?” The sample included 11 associate degree nursing program administrators from programmatically accredited nursing programs in three mid-Atlantic states. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, …

A Phenomenological Study Describing The Lived Experiences Of Fire Chaplains With Clinical Pastoral Education (Cpe) Training Within The Federation Of Fire Chaplains’ Organization, Chaplain Cooper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of fire chaplains with CPE training who used CPE competencies when caring for firefighters. The foundation of spiritual care was based on the ten identified competencies used in CPE. The gap addressed in this research was the lack of spiritual care training for fire chaplains. Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s model of companioning served as the theoretical foundation guiding this research. This model of care emphasized a human-centered, heart-based approach, including active listening, empathy, and the practice of presence, which were essential components for fire chaplains providing spiritual care. This …

Distraction Or Tool? Exploring The Relationship Between Social Media And Practice Habits Of Collegiate Music Students With Adhd, Marianne Nicole Mills

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the relationship between social media use and the practice habits of collegiate music students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While social media platforms inspire collaboration, creativity, and educational resources, they also introduce potential distractions and barriers to initiating practice sessions, especially for students with executive functioning challenges. Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework, five applied music students at a small, private college in Florida participated in semi-structured interviews and kept reflective practice journals for six weeks. Findings indicated that social media served as a dual-purpose influence, supporting learning and community while also increasing procrastination, …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of Music Teacher Efficacy In Elementary Grade-Level Music Inclusive Classrooms Based On Special Education Training, Stanley N. Harris Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative causal-comparative study aimed to determine whether there is a significant difference in overall teacher self-efficacy scores between rural and urban elementary schools and between music educators with and without formal special education training. This study is important because teacher efficacy directly impacts teachers’ engagement in learning with students with special needs. Therefore, this study contributes to the literature on teacher efficacy by examining differences between music teachers with formal special education training and those without such training who teach in inclusive classrooms. The sample included 146 music educators from rural and urban elementary schools who teach students with …

An Exploration Of The Prioritization And Application Of Self-Care For Mental Health Therapists Working Within Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Mental Health Organizations: A Phenomenological Study, Elizabeth Lynn Leyva

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the prioritization and application of self-care for mental health therapists working within Mississippi Gulf Coast community mental health organizations. The theory guiding this study was Milton Rokeach’s belief system theory, which examined the significant impact of beliefs, attitudes, and values on decision-making regarding clinician self-care in personal and professional realms. The central research question for this study asked how mental health therapists in community mental health organizations described their experiences of prioritizing and applying self-care during and outside of therapy practice. There were three subquestions to support the central research …

Impact Of The Menstrual Cycle On Female Endurance Athletes' Performance, Julia M. Monk

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Background: During different phases of the menstrual cycle, a female endurance athlete will experience some physiological and fatigue variables. This study aims to analyze whether the differences in variables, specifically an increase in heart rate and fatigue, impacts endurance performance. Method: 20 endurance-trained, runners performed a maximal treadmill test in each of the phases of the menstrual cycle: early follicular phase (days 2–3, ± 1 day), mid-follicular phase (days 10–12, ± 1 day), and luteal phase (days 21–22, ± 1 day). Heart rate was measured before, during, and immediately after the test as well as time to exhaustion and the …

The Influence Of Humility And Spirituality On The Relationship Between Work-Family Conflict And Mental Help-Seeking Attitudes In Skilled Trade Workers, Charles Dean Twellmann

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the relationships among work-family conflict (WFC), humility, spirituality, and mental help-seeking attitudes (MHSA) among skilled trade workers in the United States. Skilled trade occupations are characterized by demanding schedules, physical labor, safety risks, and cultural norms emphasizing independence and self-reliance, factors that may influence occupational strain and attitudes toward psychological support. Although WFC and help-seeking have been examined in other high-demand professions, limited research has explored how humility and spirituality relate to these constructs within skilled trade populations. Validated self-report measures of WFC, humility, spirituality, and MHSA were administered to 196 skilled trade workers who were …

Sacred Silence: The Unspoken Realities Of Satisfaction In Marital Intimacy Among Black Christian Women, Shonda Reneé Brooks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Sexual intimacy is a vital component of marital satisfaction, yet many married Black Christian women, taught to abstain from sex until marriage, enter matrimony without adequate marital guidance. This qualitative phenomenological study describes the lived experiences of married Black Christian women, ages 30–60, who were taught to abstain from sex until marriage but received little to no instruction on sexual intimacy after marriage. The central research question is: How do married Black Christian women, who were taught to abstain from sex until marriage, describe their experiences with marital intimacy? Framed by feminist theory, attachment theory, and intersectionality, the study examines …