Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Nursing Faculty Approachability On Student Engagement In The Clinical Setting, Kristin Lambert

Dissertations

Despite the emphasis on practice readiness in nursing education, new graduate nurses are still experiencing an education-practice gap with a lack of soft skills such as critical thinking, communication, time management, and collaboration within a team when they enter practice (Mirza et al., 2019). Nursing clinical faculty are in a prime position to decrease this gap and should strive to be approachable to foster a safe learning environment where students feel comfortable engaging in the practice of soft skills. While nursing faculty approachability and student engagement are both desirable in nursing education, no studies had previously been done connecting the …

Secondary Traumatic Stress And Post-Traumatic Growth: The Moderating Effects Of Cognitive Flexibility And Compassion Satisfaction On School Personnel, Breanna King

Dissertations

Many students enrolled in the K-12 school system in the United States have experienced at least one traumatic event. School personnel working with students who have experienced trauma are at risk of developing secondary traumatic stress (STS), with symptoms mirroring those of post-traumatic stress disorder. Among educators, STS has been correlated with negative mental health outcomes and intent to leave the profession, further exacerbating educator turnover and shortages across the country. However, some individuals experience positive life changes following indirect trauma exposure, known as post-traumatic growth (PTG). The nature of the relationship between STS and PTG is inconsistent in the …

Learning The Musical Elements From An Early Age Through The Use Of Traditional Folk And Popular Tunes In The Mother Tongue And A Compendium Of Music Resources In Spanish For General Music Classes, Román Orlando Carranza Zapata

Dissertations

This document intends to fulfill three primary purposes. One is to explore the principal characteristics of early music education methods regarding teaching and learning music from an early age through the mother tongue, also known as their native language. These methods may suggest other strategies such as: playing and singing children's games, singing traditional folk tunes, improvisation, dancing, or playing instruments for the general music classroom. The second purpose is to provide music educators with a compilation of various music resources written in Spanish, such as pedagogical books, workbooks, and online interactive musical platforms that can be used in the …

El Salvador’S Cultural Memory And María De Baratta’S Piano Music: Kushkatan, Nahualismo, And The Representation Of Indigeneity, Alejandro Jose Arroyo Alberto

Dissertations

Following independence from the Viceroyalty of New Spain between 1821 and 1823, the United Provinces of Central America entered a period of cultural redefinition, as emerging national frameworks sought to integrate diverse ethnic and historical legacies. After a century, in early twentieth-century El Salvador, a revival of Kushkatan—a pre-Hispanic Indigenous territory within present-day El Salvador—gained symbolic traction among intellectual elites during a politically volatile era marked by social upheaval and cultural realignment. Within this historical context, Cuzcatlán Típico (1951) by María de Baratta, published by the Ministry of Culture, stands as the first ethnomusicological study dedicated to Indigenous music in …

Virtual Reality And Nursing Education: A Randomized Control Trial Of The Effectiveness Of Virtual Reality As A Simulation Modality, David R. Haigh

Dissertations

Virtual Reality (VR) is an emerging technology being utilized in educational and professional training in fields such as engineering, heavy industry, and the military. VR also has the potential to be utilized in pre-licensing nursing education; however, nursing programs have been slow to adopt VR as a simulation modality to train pre-licensed nurses in clinical skills. As such, there is a lack of research on the effectiveness of VR training in critical skills that nurses will utilize in clinical settings. This research is vital because utilizing VR as a training tool can reduce the time and cost of preparing nurses …

Utilization Of Imidazolium Ionic Liquids For Enhanced Oil Recovery In Harsh Emirati Tight Carbonate Oil Reservoirs, Noran Hussein Mousa

Dissertations

In response to the increasing global demand for energy and the limitations of traditional chemical oil recovery methods, this study explores the potential of imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) as enhanced oil recovery (EOR) agents for Emirati tight oil reservoirs. Four ILs—C10mimCl, C12mimCl, C12mimBF4, and C16mimBr—were evaluated for their effects on the interfacial tension (IFT), wettability, emulsification, and rheological properties under reservoir conditions. Experiments conducted at varying salinities, temperatures (up to 110°C), and IL concentrations (500–3000 ppm) demonstrated that longer alkyl chain ILs, particularly C16mimBr, effectively reduced IFT by >99% and improved wettability by lowering contact angles down to 15.37°. Statistical …

E-Learning In Developing Countries: Unveiling Faculty Digital Realities, Dauran Mcneil

Dissertations

Faculty in developing regions like the Caribbean play a crucial role in shaping education systems and the broader academic landscape. In this era of technology and e-learning, faculty encounter unique experiences, perceptions, and challenges that influence their roles, effectiveness, and the learning environment. This qualitative phenomenological study examined the perceptions, experiences, and challenges of e-learning among higher education faculty in developing countries, particularly in the English-speaking Caribbean region. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of 11 faculty members from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Jamacia, St. Lucia, and the Bahamas. These …

Structural And Functional Characterization Of The Sos Pathway Genes (Sos1, Sos2, And Sos3) In Avicennia Marina: Insights Into Salinity Stress Tolerance, Mariam Obaid Alzaabi

Dissertations

Abiotic stress is a major challenge for agricultural productivity. Salinity stress is a vital environmental constraint that significantly limits plant growth and reduces crop yield worldwide. Halophytes, such as Avicennia marina, offer unique opportunities to dissect adaptive mechanisms underlying salt tolerance. This study focuses on the structural and functional characterization of the Salt Overly Sensitive (SOS) pathway genes (SOS1, SOS2, and SOS3) from A. marina. Full-length cDNAs of AmSOS1, AmSOS2, and AmSOS3 were cloned and characterized. The sequence analysis of these genes compared to the respective orthologs revealed high similarities and conservation of all …

Useful Measures Of Adult Attachment And Object Relations In Psychotherapy, Matilde A. Torallas Huerta

Dissertations

This is a literature review of objective and projective measures of attachment and object relations in adults, with the objective of reviewing outstanding research to identify the key factors for adult attachment assessment considered within attachment and object relations theories, what measures of adult attachment styles and dysfunction work best, and to provide key themes of assistance in the measurement of attachment and object relations in adult clients in psychotherapy. Theoretical foundations of attachment and object relations theory are reviewed as well as objective and projective instruments grouped by format. The 10 themes found to be useful in the assessment …

The Surge Of The Populist Radical Right: How Transnationalism And Party Systems Influence Populist Radical Right Success And Decline, Liucija Balciunaite

Dissertations

My dissertation examines the causes behind the slows and surges of the populist radical right (PRR) success. I attempt to answer the following question in the context of the growing global legitimacy of the populist radical right (PRR). What process contributes to the slows and surges of populist radical right (PRR) legitimacy? Previous explanations have narrowed the possible conditions influencing populist radical right success in two ways. First, the available literature often analyzes separately the structural and strategic conditions behind populist radical right success. This has created a gap in the literature, especially regarding the possible interaction between the structural …

The Problem Of The Whiteness Of Wealth, Elizabeth Tharakan

Dissertations

In 2021, households with a White householder made up 65.3% of all U.S. households and held 80.0% of all wealth. Those with a Black householder made up 13.6% of all U.S. households but held only 4.7% of all wealth. And their median wealth ($24,520) was about one-tenth the median wealth of households with a White householder ($250,400). This disparity in Black wealth and White wealth is almost an order of magnitude. I seek to understand why the racial wealth gap exists and what people of any race can learn from a nuanced understanding of the interplay among culture, education, and …

The Lived Experiences Of High School Students Serving As Peer Mentors, Heather S. Mitchell

Dissertations

Youth mentoring is an intervention that has demonstrated a tremendous amount of potential in mitigating a variety of struggles experienced by youth (DuBois & Rhodes, 2006; Grossman & Tierney, 1998; Herrera et al., 2008; “Impact Evaluation”, 2009; Karcher, 2009; Karcher, 2010; Kraus & Cleveland, 2016; Lerner et al., 2006; McQuillin et al., 2020). The exploration of the possible benefits to adolescents serving as mentors, especially nontraditional student mentors, has received little attention (Besnoy & McDaniel, 2016; Deane et al., 2018; James et al., 2014; Karcher, 2009; Karcher et al., 2010; Larson et al., 2020; Opara et al., 2023; Quimby et …

No Cheers, No Fears: Unpacking Non-Drinkers' Survival Tactics At Work-Related Drinking Events, Amanda Good

Dissertations

In certain workplace contexts, the organization may encourage alcohol consumption at work-sponsored events, such as happy hours and dinners. In these situations, being a non-drinker becomes a stigmatized but potentially concealable identity. This research explores antecedents, consequences, and moderators of the various identity management strategies used by non-drinkers in alcohol-centric, organizationally-sponsored events. Using hierarchical linear modeling, I examined how situational factors, including event type, supervisor presence, and psychological safety, influence nondrinkers' decisions to conceal or reveal their nondrinking identity. Findings indicate that felt social pressure significantly increases concealment behaviors and decreases disclosure behaviors. Additionally, psychological safety and supervisor presence emerged …

Electronic-Based Determinants Of Health Screening On An Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, Anyaku O. Okpara

Dissertations

Problem: Approximately 14.1 million Americans are diagnosed with a Serious Mental Illness (SMI). These individuals experience death 10-20 years earlier compared to the general population, primarily due to chronic medical comorbidities and unmet health-related social needs (HRSNs). Mortality rates, increased healthcare utilization, and frequent readmissions in patients with multiple, unmet HRSNs are likely to remain high unless developments such as the incorporation of standardized, multi-domain, social determinants of health (SDOH) screenings into electronic health records (EHRs). The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project, guided by the Institute for Healthcare (IHI) model for change utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, was …

What Factors Impact Teachers’ Beliefs About The Likelihood To Which Their Students With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities Can Live On Campus, Jonathan Lidgus

Dissertations

After the Higher Education Opportunity Act was passed in 2008, inclusive postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disability (ID) have grown on campuses across the United States. These programs were designed to eliminate barriers that prevent students with intellectual disability from attending college in order to achieve positive employment outcomes and skills to increase independent living. While programs may be designed for those with intellectual disability, individuals may have multiple diagnoses, including intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The relationship between a student and their secondary teachers can positively impact their future or present a barrier. Using the data from the …

Unleashing Excellence: Strengthening It Leaders Through Executive Coaching, Tonya S. Rivers

Dissertations

This paper explores the impact of executive coaching on Information Technology (IT) leaders. Many organizations across different industries lack strong leadership, as exposed by COVID-19. Companies aim to keep exceptional leaders and establish upbeat workplaces to achieve success. Although previous research has examined leadership effectiveness, it is still unclear how best to manage employees' perceptions of effective leadership. The goal of this research is to provide new insights into what can improve perceptions of leadership effectiveness. I explored the role executive leadership coaching has on managers working in the Information Technology (IT) field. Current literature often mentions the need for …

Longitudinal Assessment Of Blast-Related Traumatic Brain Injury (Tbi): Impact On Structural Neuroimaging Correlates, Working Memory, And Processing Speed, Carmen Velez

Dissertations

The conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq led to a significant surge in blast-related traumatic brain injuries (bTBIs). However, our understanding of their lasting neurological impacts remains incomplete. To our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study of its size to explore whether increasing levels of blast exposure predict neural atrophy or cognitive decline over time. We analyzed 149 baseline and follow-up data sets from service members categorized by blast exposure: blast naïve (n = 57), single blast (n = 70), and multiple blasts (n = 22). Participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological assessment.

All data were drawn …

Getting The Unbanked, Banked: An Adult Education Intervention Program To Increase The Usage Of The Banking System By Low-Income Families, Orlando A. Smith

Dissertations

Financial literacy describes the skills, knowledge and tools consumers use to make informed financial decisions to meet their goals. The purpose of this study was to determine how many consumers utilize the resources offered by banks and credit unions and for those who do not, after participating in an intervention, will begin to do so. The Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change served as the theoretical framework. It has been shown to be a useful model to examine adults’ change in financial behaviors. The sample consisted of 65 adults who lived within specific zip codes in a large metropolitan area in …

Reimagining Discipline: Elementary School Counselors’ Experiences Implementing And Advocating For Restorative Practices As An Alternative To Exclusionary Discipline, Kim Kelly

Dissertations

School counselors are positioned as leaders and advocates within their school communities, playing a critical role in promoting equitable practices and systemic change. Despite decades of research indicating the harmful effects of exclusionary discipline, this approach continues to be implemented in schools across the United States. Emerging literature has indicated restorative practices as an alternative discipline approach that promotes equity, reduces disproportionality in school discipline, and fosters a positive school climate. This research focused on the experience of elementary school counselors advocating for and implementing restorative practices as an alternative to exclusionary discipline. Through a hermeneutic phenomenological and social constructivist …

Warriors And Guardians: Police Recruit Role Orientation And Heterogeneity, Robert Boxerman

Dissertations

American police have experienced an expansion of duties over the last century, and their function has become increasingly diverse. As a result, researchers have developed role orientation typologies to understand how officers view themselves, their attitudes toward their work, and their responsibilities. One such typology is the warrior/guardian framework, where warrior-oriented officers see themselves as crime-fighting soldiers in conflict with criminals, while guardian-oriented officers view themselves as protectors of the community and providers of broader public services. Despite its popularity, there is limited empirical evidence supporting this framework. Further, little research examines how police recruits differentially view their role as …

Exploring The Impact Of Leadership Styles On Teacher Self-Efficacy: A Comparative Case Study Of Rural And Suburban High Schools, Stephanie Hill

Dissertations

This qualitative study examines how high school teachers in rural and suburban settings perceive their school leaders’ leadership styles, and how they influence teachers’ self-efficacy. Grounded in established leadership theories and research on teacher efficacy, this investigation aims to provide a nuanced, context-sensitive understanding of leadership dynamics within diverse educational environments. The study employs a comparative case study design, sampling from two high schools—Suburban Academy and Rural Tech High School. Data collection methods include semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire, offering multiple perspectives on leadership practices and their effects on teachers’ confidence and instructional decision-making. Ultimately, the results will contribute to …

Trauma-Informed Gatekeeping In Counselor Education And Supervision: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Leslie E. Davis

Dissertations

Gatekeeping is a challenging ethical and legal obligation for counselor educators and supervisors. Many counseling students demonstrate some sort of problem of professional competence in their counseling programs, and it is critical that counselor educators utilize gatekeeping practices to prevent gateslipping (Brown-Rice & Furr, 2016a; Gaubatz & Vera, 2002; Kimball et al, 2019). According to The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2023), there is an increasing need to address trauma as a critical element of providing effective mental health services. Trauma-informed care and trauma-informed principles began to appear in the mental health literature in 2001, and the …

Emotional Intelligence And Effective Leadership In Times Of Global Crisis: A Mixed-Methods Study Of Managers At Multilateral Development Institutions During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Bukola Ogunyemi

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to identify and describe the perceptions of managers at multilateral development institutions regarding the impact of emotional intelligence methods in their approaches to leading during the COVID-19 pandemic. A secondary purpose was to examine how the experiences of leading during the COVID-19 crisis influenced managers' understanding, development, and application of emotional intelligence skills as part of their leadership practices.

Methodology: This study employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to examine the role of emotional intelligence in crisis leadership at multilateral development institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Goleman's emotional intelligence framework as …

Emission Behavior At The Single Emitter Scale From A Porous Media Ionic Liquid Ion Source, Thomas Victor Kerber

Dissertations

Ionic liquid ion sources (ILIS) are being developed as one solution to fill a technology gap in low power, high efficiency, high specific impulse space propulsion systems. With a sufficiently intense electric field applied between an emitter electrode and an extractor electrode, charged particles are extracted from the fluid surface and accelerated out of the thruster. In this work, three experimental campaigns examine emission behavior of a single emitter ILIS made of porous material that allows passive propellant feed via capillary action of the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMI-BF₄).

Repeated measurements of the emitter and extractor current as …

Together We Can! High School Algebra Plc Members’ Experiences On Implementing New Curriculum And Its Impact On Their Self-Efficacy, Chasity L. Hughes

Dissertations

When state or federal legislation adopts new standards, the workload falls on the teachers. Unfortunately, research has shown a decline in teachers’ preparedness due to the many changes in the standards for mathematics in Georgia in the last twenty years. Studies show that teachers have felt overwhelmed and stressed when implementing previous curriculum changes which have decreased the teachers’ self-efficacy levels. This calls for professional learning communities (PLCs) to provide improvement and sustainment in teachers’ self-efficacy in implementing the new curriculum. Little research has been done to describe the teachers’ experience with the recent change in Georgia's mathematics curriculum. There …

Preservice Teachers’ Experiences With Critical Self-Reflection As A Means For Identifying Resistances To Becoming Culturally Competent: A Phenomenological Study, Susan Elaine Huff

Dissertations

Preservice teacher programs have been charged with finding ways to make programming more multiculturally inclusive due to the student population in K-12 public schools across the United States becoming increasing racially, culturally, or ethnically more diverse each year. The majority of current educational research surrounding multicultural education, explores the limited diversity in teacher education programs, understanding the cultural competency of the current teachers, and investigating discrepancies within current classroom application. There is little research that considers how preservice teachers use critical self-reflection as a tool for working with diverse student populations during clinical work in their program. Therefore, the purpose …

Identifying Universal And Language-Specific Features In Play-Based Writing Of Young Children, Shaya Helbig

Dissertations

Young children’s marks when writing consist of universal features such as scribbling and drawing, and language-specific features such as letters or letter-like forms and spaces (Clay, 1979; Puranik & Lonigan, 2011; Rowe & Wilson, 2015; Teale & Sulzby, 1985). It is widely agreed that exposure to words and written language play a pivotal role in children’s writing development (Clay, 1979; Teale & Sulzby, 1986). However, it remains unclear whether children form more complex writing skills through specific developmental stages, and if age plays any part in this progression (Clay, 1979; Justice & Vukelich, 2008; Teale & Sulzby, 1986). The lack …

Gender Differences In Perceived Organizational Support Among Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Elizabeth Gomez

Dissertations

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a well-studied issue within the U.S. military, with data showing military personnel face a higher risk of trauma than the civilian population. Many veterans and service members suffer from PTSD related to their military experiences (Renshaw, 2011). As research has largely focused on protective factors such as social and familial support, little attention has been given to organizational support (Meredith et al., 2011). Perceived organizational support (POS) refers to how individuals perceive the support they receive from their employers, with the military as the primary employer for veterans. This study was designed to explore whether …

Breaking Barriers: An Educator's Pursuit To Provide Equity In Student Achievement, Christina L. Korsun

Dissertations

There is a sense of urgency to address the widening achievement gaps among minority students, students with disabilities, and English-language learners. This makes immediate school action necessary to create a more equitable learning environment. Without strategic interventions, including improved teacher retention efforts, stronger student support systems, and effective leadership, these challenges will continue to hinder student success and overall school performance. The purpose of this project is to find solutions for schools to institute to narrow the achievement gap by ensuring all students receive the support needed to succeed. Schools can respond to the learning gap by promoting equitable learning …

The Role Of Affordable Housing In Enhancing Tenants' Economic Stability In Connecticut: A Focus On Income, Employment, And Housing Stability, Osaid Zubi

Dissertations

This study examined the role of affordable housing in promoting economic stability among low- and moderate-income households in Connecticut. Focusing on income security, employment opportunities, and housing retention, this research highlighted the significance of affordable housing as a means to alleviate financial strain, support job retention, and foster community resilience. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, the study gathered insights from tenants, policymakers, and developers through conducting interviews and a focus group. Connecticut was chosen as the study site due to its high cost of living and affordable housing shortage, exacerbated by its proximity to New York City. Findings underscore the economic …