Digital Commons Network^™

Joy Under The Sun: Ecclesiastes And Existential Positive-Psychology, Alexander Lee, Clayton Hess

Liberty University Research Week

Christian counselors can benefit from theological research into effective counseling theory and practice. Biblical wisdom literature has been long overlooked as an effective tool in biblically-informed counseling. Biblical wisdom parallels recent trends in positive-psychology toward emphasizing holistic human flourishing (Hawkins, 2026). Further, interpretations of Ecclesiastes can parallel existentialism, with similar emphases on coherence and meaning-making (Keefer, 2019). In Lee’s (2012) discussion of Ecclesiastes, flourishing is pinpointed in qohelet’s treatment of joy. Lee develops a theology of enjoyment based on qohelet’s diagnosis of the human condition, his description of humanity’s position in relationship with God, and his meditation on injustice. In …

Vicarious Trauma And Compassion Fatigue Among Counselors Serving Law Enforcement Populations, Makayla Thompson

Liberty University Research Week

Approximately 98% of clinical therapists report treating clients who have experienced at least one traumatic event (Bride, 2007). Research has established associations between clinical work with trauma-affected populations and increased vulnerability to vicarious trauma (VT) and compassion fatigue (CF) among counselors (Armes et al., 2020; Rayne et al., 2020). VT refers to cumulative and enduring changes in a clinician’s cognitive schemas resulting from sustained empathic engagement with clients’ traumatic experiences (McCann & Pearlman, 1990). CF describes emotional and physical exhaustion that diminishes a clinician’s capacity for empathy and compassion, often understood as the cost of caring for those suffering (Figley, …

Barriers To Breastfeeding In Marginalized Communities In The U.S, Naa Komley Commey, Wuraola Awosan

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the optimal method of infant nutrition, offering numerous health benefits for both mothers and infants. Breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates in the U.S. vary significantly based on factors such as age, income, education, and race, because marginalized communities encounter various barriers that hinder breastfeeding success. Addressing these barriers is crucial for promoting breastfeeding as a public health imperative. This study aims to investigate the primary barriers to breastfeeding in marginalized populations in the U.S.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases were searched using predetermined search terms for literature published between 2020 and 2025. The …

Systematic Review On Tertiary Policies And Programs For Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence In The U.S. (2020-2024), Brittany Carman, Haley Gebhard, Krista Coipel, Raymond Suonyir

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men in the United States, yet tertiary interventions supporting survivors remain understudied compared to primary and secondary prevention efforts. This systematic review identifies and evaluates existing tertiary prevention programs and policies addressing IPV in the U.S., focusing on their effectiveness in reducing IPV-related fatalities and promoting survivor recovery, safety, independence, and long-term stability.

Methods: This study systematically reviewed literature published January 2020-December 2024 across five leading journals using the Scopus database. From 861 initial results, 24 articles met inclusion criteria following PRISMA guidelines.

Results: Interventions clustered …

Mapping The Barriers: A Socioecological Scoping Review Of Healthcare Access Among International Students In The United States, Oyebolu Aderinola Akinkugbe, Akuchinyere Titus-Okpanachi, Oluwatosin Marylyn Oduneye

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Perceived Coaching-Based Leadership As A Predictor Of Employee Communication Quality, Rachel Gaines

Liberty University Research Week

Effective workplace communication plays a critical role in employee engagement, collaboration, and overall organizational effectiveness. Leadership behaviors significantly influence communication climates; however, limited research has examined how coaching-based leadership specifically predicts the quality of employee communication. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study is to examine whether perceived coaching-based leadership predicts the quality of employee communication in organizational settings. Coaching-based leadership emphasizes behaviors such as reflective thinking, developmental feedback, and supportive guidance, which may foster communication environments characterized by clarity, openness, and constructive feedback. Data will be collected from approximately 100–150 working adults across sectors, including healthcare, education, and nonprofit …

Reframing Treatment For Binge Eating Disorder: Integrating Physical, Psychological, Behavioral And Spiritual Domains To Improve Treatment Outcomes, Lily Carone

Liberty University Research Week

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is the most prevalent eating disorder and is frequently treated using interventions designed for Bulimia Nervosa (BN and Anorexia Nervosa (AN). In fact, many programs treat clients with BED, BN, and AN in the same milieu with similar interventions. As a result, specific clinical issues are not addressed, so many clients with BED exit treatment prematurely with little to no improvement in symptoms. Traditionally, interventions for BED have been universally prescribed and include food exposure to decrease binges and cognitive behavioral therapy to improve negative self-image without addressing other important aspects of BED such as weight-related …

“Be Early, Be Loud, Wear Red”: An Ethnographic Study Of The Performance Of Liberty University Football Fan Identity And Boundaries, Cathryn Thomas

Liberty University Research Week

Social identity theory explains how college sports fandom can shape both social and personal identities, particularly through the formation of in-groups and out-groups based on identification with a team and opposition to rivals. Sports fans often communicate and behave in ways that signal their membership in the in-group while simultaneously distinguishing or excluding out-group members. This study examines how Liberty University football fans perform these in-group behaviors and how they mark boundaries with out-group members. Through observations made during a Liberty University Homecoming football game, the study deepens understanding of how sports fans construct belonging and unbelonging, and how these …

How Enneagram Types And Communication Styles Influence Political Party Affiliation, Hadley Hunt

Liberty University Research Week

The purpose of this research is to explore how political party affiliation is associated with personality differences, as shown through Enneagram types. This study will use a quantitative survey method. Data will be collected using a survey through Qualtrics. Participants will be asked to disclose their Enneagram type and political party affiliation. This research is needed to better understand how personality traits influence political identity. It is relevant because political conversations are becoming more polarized, and understanding communication differences could potentially reduce misunderstanding and conflict. This research helps communication scholars understand the connection of personality and ideology shape communication styles.

Ethical Discernment In Virtual Supervision: Implications For Supervisory Practice, Joshua Freeman

Liberty University Research Week

As counselor supervision increasingly occurs in virtual settings, supervisors must attend not only to ethical standards and professional judgment, but also to how technology reshapes communication, relational dynamics, and ethical interpretation. Virtual environments alter the conditions under which supervisory presence, power, and meaning-making are experienced, introducing new ethical complexities, especially when addressing values, spirituality, and religious worldviews in clinical work. This presentation advances a conceptual framework positioning ethical discernment as a primary mediating process in virtual supervision. Drawing from the Discrimination Model of supervision and professional ethical standards, the framework integrates supervision theory, ethical decision-making, spirituality, and worldview considerations within …

The Silent Trigger Theory: A Predictive Behavioral Safety Framework, Yazeed Almutairi

Liberty University Research Week

This theoretical study introduces The Silent Trigger Theory, a predictive behavioral safety framework designed to identify early, often overlooked human signals that precede safety incidents. Despite advances in established safety approaches such as Behavior-Based Safety (BBS), Human and Organizational Performance (HOP), and ISO 45001 management systems, incidents continue to occur in environments where procedures, audits, and controls are fully implemented. This gap suggests a limitation in current models’ ability to capture subtle behavioral warning signs, particularly silence, emotional withdrawal, and ambiguous communication.

The Silent Trigger Theory addresses this gap through the STARC framework (Shift, Traceable, Ambiguity, Risk Link, Corrective Loop) …

A Scoping Review: The Relationship Between Mindfulness, Resilience, And Wellness For First Responders With Work Related Trauma, Gary Oliver

Liberty University Research Week

This study reviewed research that explores the relationship between mindfulness, resilience, and wellness for First Responders with work related trauma. Mindfulness has a basis firmly rooted in Buddhist psychology, and shares similar conceptual tenets with Greek philosophy, existentialism, transcendentalism, and humanism which all center around the consciousness of attention and awareness. Resilience has a variety of interpretations within the literature and is understood as a dynamic process accounting for environmental and psychosocial factors that help people survive, grow, and thrive despite adversity. Wellness, though not concretely defined, is similar to overall health which is defined by the World Health Organization …

Ai-Augmented Music And Emotion Processing: Exploring Whole-Brain Integration In Counseling Sessions, Janita Daggy, Patricia Mcglothlin

Liberty University Research Week

This study explores how AI-adaptive music applications might support emotional awareness and self-regulation when used during counseling sessions. While creative arts interventions have long been recognized for engaging emotion-related brain processes, and AI technologies show promise in providing adaptive, real-time feedback, little research has examined how these approaches work together in actual counseling practice. The study introduces the Neuro–AI–Creative Integration Framework (NACIF) to guide this exploration. Thirty participants will attend five counseling sessions that incorporate AI music applications responsive to their emotional and physiological states, along with therapist-facilitated reflection on their emotional and bodily experiences. The study will measure changes …

Critical Decisions Regarding Retirement, Philip Zettlemoyer

Senior Honors Theses

Many retirees in America do not understand the variables and important decisions that go into a retirement plan. These variables, however, have a significant effect on any retiree’s financial wellbeing. This case study explains such variables and decisions, as well as the various rules and regulations from the United States Government around the decisions. It then applies this knowledge of variables and regulations in a practical manner by analyzing a specific case study of a middle-class couple nearing retirement. This analysis includes in-depth projections for the couple’s specific situation which would traditionally be created with the expertise of a financial …

Rhetorical Strategies In Writing-Based Suicide Prevention: A Qualitative Study For Navy Chaplains And Command Leadership In Region East, Herode Jean-Vilien Thomas

Masters Theses

Suicide prevention remains a critical challenge within military environments, particularly in operational settings where communication between leaders and service members often occurs under conditions of stress and urgency. While the United States Navy has implemented numerous prevention initiatives, limited attention has been given to the role of written communication as a relational and persuasive tool in crisis response. This study examines how rhetorical strategies influence writing-based suicide prevention communication within Navy Recruiting Command Region East. Drawing on classical rhetorical theory and contemporary communication research, the study explores how tone, clarity, message structure, and audience awareness shape the effectiveness of crisis …

Exploring The Possibility Of A Salary Floor In Major League Baseball (Mlb), Tyler Michael Jones

Masters Theses

This non-experimental quantitative study examined the relationship between team payroll disparities, fan engagement, and perceptions of fairness in Major League Baseball (MLB). Guided by Competitive Balance Theory, the study sought to determine if perceived fairness influenced fan support for the implementation of a salary floor, and whether those attitudes differed across demographic and team context. Data were collected from 200 adult MLB fans residing in the United States and Canada using an online survey distributed via social media platforms. The instrument included demographic items and Likert-scale measures assessing fairness perceptions, fan engagement, and policy support. Data were analyzed using hierarchical …

Destination: Love And Redemption In The Underworld, Alexis P. Johnson

Masters Theses

This essay serves as an artist’s statement for Alexis Johnson, outlining her journey as a storyteller and the development of her MFA thesis work, focusing on her feature film screenplay, Destination. Johnson details her lifelong connection to Arizona and the desire to propose storytelling on film that moves outside the stereotypical standard the state is known for. Through Destination, she aims to expand the Western genre by weaving in elements of magic and imagination, showcasing Arizona as a place rich in narrative potential. The screenplay explores themes of death, identity, and transformation. She reflects on how her life’s challenges have …

Biting Hurts: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Childcare Stakeholders’ Experience When Toddlers Bite In North Texas, Sarah Elizabeth Borszich

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of participating in decision-making responses following biting incidents for key childcare stakeholders at licensed childcare centers in Northeast Texas. At this stage in the research, lived experiences of participating in decision-making responses following biting incidents were generally defined as integrated processes, perceptions, or actions taken by childcare stakeholders when engaging in decision-making after a biting incident in a childcare setting. The theories guiding this study were social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986) and sociocultural theory (Vygotsky, 1978). The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of …

Answering The Call: Resiliency, Gender, And Growth Following Secondary Trauma In Emergency Dispatchers, Brandi D. Colding

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined secondary traumatic stress (STS), resiliency, posttraumatic growth (PTG), and gender among 911 emergency dispatchers, a population exposed to high levels of indirect trauma yet underrepresented in research. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether resiliency moderates the relationship between STS and PTG, and whether gender moderates the relationship between resiliency and STS. Data were collected from 99 U.S. emergency dispatchers using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, Brief Resilience Scale, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Results indicated that most participants reported elevated STS, and correlations revealed that resiliency was negatively related to STS, while STS was …

The Experience Of Coptic Orthodox Youth Concerning Morals Taught In Public Education, Peter S. Endrawis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of Coptic Orthodox youth concerning moral education taught in public schools. There were four research questions this study answered: 1) How do Coptic youth describe their experience of navigating moral teachings in public schools? 2) What meaning do Coptic youth ascribe to church tradition based on their experience in public schools? 3) How do Coptic youth describe their worldview concerning faith based on their experience in public schools? 4) How do Coptic youth describe their worldview concerning spirituality based on their experience in public schools? The theory guiding this …

Disability Laws: An Instrumental Case Study Exploring Staff Capacity To Support Incarcerated Juveniles With Disabilities In The Mid-Atlantic Region, Jennifer L. Howarth Mira

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this instrumental case study was to explore how juvenile detention staff are prepared to understand and comply with disability laws when working with incarcerated juveniles with disabilities. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social learning theory as it suggests a person’s environment can be directly influenced by themselves or by others. The central research question this study investigated was: How are juvenile detention staff prepared to understand and comply with disability laws when working with incarcerated juveniles with disabilities? This qualitative study included 11 staff members employed in mid-Atlantic juvenile detention centers with at least six …

The Lived Experiences Of Remote, Part-Time Faculty Members With Transformational Leadership: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study At A Private Christian College In Appalachia, Edward Christian L. Chicko

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of remote, part-time faculty at a private Christian college in Appalachia as they encountered transformational leadership in their professional roles. Faculty morale was defined as the emotional, psychological, and professional well-being of faculty as shaped by their perceptions of institutional leadership in a remote teaching environment. Guided by transformational leadership theory, idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, this study examined how leadership behaviors influenced faculty engagement and institutional connection. A transcendental phenomenological design was used to examine participants’ lived experiences. Purposeful sampling recruited 11 …

The Effectiveness Of Wellness Programs On Public Safety Personnel, Thomas T. Nguyen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Stressful situations have become a common theme that many first responders have encountered while on the job. As more studies have surfaced regarding the causes of stress, the ability to reduce stress while minimizing any adverse reactions that result from them have been minimal. Just as the catalysts for stress are not the same for everyone, the reactions to treatments that are offered will vary in effectiveness. Since not all agencies have programs in place to deal with the mental and physical traumas that affect first responders, the focus will be on one agency that has recently implemented multiple treatment …

High School Teachers' Perspectives On Using Assistive Technology To Support Students With Disabilities In The Southern United States: A Single Instrumental Case Study, James N. New

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative single instrumental case study was to examine the perspectives of high school teachers in the Southern United States on using assistive technology (AT) in the classroom to support students with disabilities. This study was led by the technology acceptance model (TAM), which emphasized how teachers perceived the usefulness and ease of use when adopting technology into their classrooms. The central research question was: How do high school teachers in the Southern United States describe their experiences with using assistive technology to support students with disabilities in their classrooms? This qualitative study used a single instrumental …

Dual Enrollment Pathways For High School Students: A Qualitative Case Study Exploring Perceptions Of Students And Teachers Participating In A Dual Enrollment Pathway In Mercer County, Wv, Danielle Nicole Farmer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand the student and teacher perceptions regarding a dual enrollment pathway program in southern West Virginia, known as the Level Up program, which originated from West Virginia Legislature House Bill 2005, and its impact on the postsecondary decisions of students who completed one of the pathways. The theory guiding this case study is Carl Rogers Child Development Theory, as it explains why students challenge themselves to take dual enrollment courses and put themselves in more rigorous academic situations. The central research question is how a county-wide dual enrollment program influences the …

The Lived Experiences Of South Carolina Public School Teachers On The Effects Of Servant Leadership On Teacher Retention: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Victor P. Rockhill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of secondary teachers in South Carolina with servant leader traits and their effects on teacher retention. The conceptual framework for this study was Robert Greenleaf’s servant leadership, as phrased by Van Dierendonck’s five traits of servant leadership, which have a positive effect on teachers’ retention. The central research question was: How do public school teachers in South Carolina describe the effects of servant leadership on teacher retention? This study used Moustakas’ Modified van Kaam method to arrive at the essence of the phenomenon by analyzing the data …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Resilient Special Education Teachers In Jamaica, Carlene Lawrence

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of resilient special education teachers in Jamaica. The theoretical framework for this study was based on Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman's cognitive appraisal theory, also known as the cognitive appraisal theory of stress and coping, as it is related to how special education teachers appraised and coped with stress. What did appraisal and coping look like in the lived experiences of resilient special education teachers from Jamaica? Given the nature of a transcendental phenomenological approach, which focuses on describing a phenomenon, this approach was suitable for this …

Recognition And Rewards In Healthcare: A Qualitative Exploration Of Employee Experiences Within A Single Health System, Karen B. Brodbeck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study, grounded in a constructivist research paradigm, explored how enhancing recognition and reward systems within a healthcare organization improved employee morale, retention, and overall organizational success. Guided by a flexible research design, the study sought to understand the lived experiences of healthcare professionals and how they perceived recognition within their organizational environments. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 25 to 30 participants, allowing for rich, contextualized insights into how recognition practices influenced motivation, engagement, and commitment. By examining participants’ subjective interpretations and shared meanings, the research illuminated how recognition and reward systems were experienced in practice and …

Educators Lived Experiences With Burnout: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Leiaje Sidberry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of burnout for high school teachers in an East Coast city. The theory guiding this study was Polidore’s resilience theory, as teacher retention depends on competence and longevity. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of burnout for high school teachers? Ten educators participated in interviews, focus groups, and reflective journaling. Data were thematically analyzed to identify shared meanings in their experiences. Four major themes emerged: causes of burnout, manifestations of burnout, needs related to burnout, and developing resilience. Participants described diverse causes of …

Using Somatic Experiencing To Mitigate Symptoms Of Secondary Traumatic Stress In Female Helping Professionals, Jillian Christie Guinta

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological and quantitative study explored the lived experiences of a dozen women within the veterinary, social work, and nursing communities and how secondary traumatic stress impacts their lives. Faced with unanticipated patient illnesses, facilitating compassionate end-of-life procedures, and rapidly moving from one emotional state to the next between patients, professionals are carrying tremendous unprocessed emotional burdens that can affect them physiologically and psychologically. Somatic Experiencing (SE) indicates tremendous promise in rehabilitating practitioners’ trauma-impacted nervous systems by offering techniques to release emotional stress and re-regulate the nervous system (Kuhfuß et al., 2023). This mixed-methods study explored the world of these …