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Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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Relationship Between Mental Health Education And Nurse Preparedness, Deborah C. O'Dell May 2025

Relationship Between Mental Health Education And Nurse Preparedness, Deborah C. O'Dell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study was to see if there was a relationship between the type of Mental Health education undergraduate nurses received or the number of Mental Health clinical days they experienced and how prepared they were to care for Mental Health Consumers (MHCs) when they first were employed. This information had never before been studied, so had the potential to change nursing curriculum and provide better care for MHCs. An anonymous survey using the Behavioral Health Care Competency’s questions was used and an invitation to participate was placed on various nursing discussion forums and social media sites. Participants (n = …


Relationship Between Motives For Social Media Use And Depressive Symptoms Among Young Adults, Ashley N. Santiago-Fernandez May 2025

Relationship Between Motives For Social Media Use And Depressive Symptoms Among Young Adults, Ashley N. Santiago-Fernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In today's world, where technology is advancing at an exponential rate, social media has become an indispensable part of the lives of young people. Research on the relationship between social media use and mental health has yielded mixed results, with some studies emphasizing its benefits while others highlight its negative impacts. To delve deeper into this phenomenon, this quantitative correlational study aimed to conduct a comprehensive study of the relationship between social media use and mental health, specifically depressive symptoms, among young adults. To contribute to the theoretical framework, the study consisted of an online survey (N=182) that assessed motives …


Navigating Two Worlds: Lakota Intellectuals Adaptation To Americanization And Beyond, Allison Leigh Legaspi May 2025

Navigating Two Worlds: Lakota Intellectuals Adaptation To Americanization And Beyond, Allison Leigh Legaspi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Lakota people, part of the larger Sioux Nation, are indigenous to the Great Plains of North America. Their history is marked by centuries of cultural heritage, resilience, and profound challenges brought about by European contact and American expansion. The process of Americanization, which began with European colonization and continued through various stages of United States history, profoundly impacted the Lakota way of life. This dissertation explores and explains the complex journey of Lakota adaptation to Americanization, examining key historical intellectual figures, events, cultural transformations, social dynamics, and the ongoing efforts to preserve Lakota identity and traditions. How did these …


Lightning Bolt Of Liberty: The Legacy Of James Otis And His Role As A Pre-Revolutionist, Gerald D. Holland May 2025

Lightning Bolt Of Liberty: The Legacy Of James Otis And His Role As A Pre-Revolutionist, Gerald D. Holland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research conducted for this project has examined the life of James Otis and his role in the development of revolutionary thinking and as a revolutionary leader in Boston from 1761 to 1769. Due to Otis burning all his personal and professional papers on several different occasions, this project relies heavily on primary source material authored by Otis’s political supporters and political rivals, such as John Adams, Thomas Hutchinson, and Francis Bernard, and the multitude of essays found in the Boston Gazette and Boston-Evening Post. Through these primary sources and many others, the researcher and his audience can travel back …


A Phenomenological Look At Licensed Professionals' Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of Parental Alienation In The Family Court System, Jacqueline Ziebart May 2025

A Phenomenological Look At Licensed Professionals' Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of Parental Alienation In The Family Court System, Jacqueline Ziebart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Parental alienation (PA) frequently emerges in high-conflict child custody disputes and is commonly understood as one parent encouraging a child to unjustifiably reject the other parent. The behaviors associated with PA encompass a complex form of family violence, incorporating elements of both intimate partner violence and child psychological abuse. As a polarizing and multifaceted social issue, PA necessitates further dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration among professionals. This qualitative research study explored licensed professionals’ perceptions and lived experiences of PA in the family court system. The research aimed to investigate the meaning professionals attributed to PA across individual, family, and institutional levels. …


The Overrepresentation Of Juveniles Of Color In The Criminal Justice System, Shimila A. Stewart May 2025

The Overrepresentation Of Juveniles Of Color In The Criminal Justice System, Shimila A. Stewart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The criminal justice system foundation historically was based on discriminatory and racial undertones for people of color; hence, the significance of mass incarceration in the United States. The juvenile justice system often parallels and mimics the adult penal system. Thus, many of the same racial disparities continue to exist in the juvenile system, as do the adult system. The prevalence of racial disparities within the juvenile justice system has led to the overrepresentation of juveniles of color. Systemic racism has been significant to the overrepresentation of juveniles of color in the juvenile justice system. There are extenuating barriers and disadvantages …


A Phenomenological Study: African American Female Millennial Church Attendance And The Implications Of Spiritual Formation, Licia Williams-Hawthorne May 2025

A Phenomenological Study: African American Female Millennial Church Attendance And The Implications Of Spiritual Formation, Licia Williams-Hawthorne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a quiet exodus from the church amongst African American female millennials. In church, Christians gather for corporate worship, a renewal of faith through sermons and songs, and to strengthen spiritual formation. This study aimed to highlight the lived experiences to connect church leadership with raw data from a subpopulation that the church cannot leave behind. The theory guiding this study is the Phenomenological Theory as defined by Husserl (1859-1938) and supported by Peoples (2021) as it allows the researcher to uncover the experiences that shaped this population's decision to no longer regularly attend church. Three research questions defined …


The Role Of Mindset In The Academic Resilience Of Non-Residential Health Profession Students: A Phenomenological Study, Julie Lynn Branagan May 2025

The Role Of Mindset In The Academic Resilience Of Non-Residential Health Profession Students: A Phenomenological Study, Julie Lynn Branagan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of academic resilience of non-residential healthcare students in rural regions of the Northeast United States. The theoretical framework guiding this study was Carol Dweck's theory on growth mindset, as it exposed the relationship of personal perspective on academic resiliency. This study attempted to answer the central research question: What are the lived experiences of academic resilience among non-residential health profession students? An extensive review of the literature revealed the compounding aspects of resilience research with specific attention to health profession students. Data collection methods included a letter-writing …


A Study Of Special Districts: Research Of Financial Indicators As Predictors Of Fiscal Distress, Scott Keith Harrison May 2025

A Study Of Special Districts: Research Of Financial Indicators As Predictors Of Fiscal Distress, Scott Keith Harrison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Since 1946, Special Purpose Districts (SPDs) have become the most prevalent form of government in the United States. Unfortunately, they fail more often than General Purpose (GP) governments. This study researches the predictability of the Florida State Auditor’s financial condition indicators for SPD financial health and the influence of intergovernmental transfers (IGT) on government financial health. The significance of this research lies in confirming whether a national SPD fiscal distress predictive model can be generalized to a single state. Additionally, the study researched the influence of intergovernmental transfers (IGT) on financial health. The quantitative research design used the Cox regression …


The Use Of An Online Orientation At A For-Profit Higher Education Institution To Support And Retain Online Adult Learners: A Qualitative Case Study, Logan Robb May 2025

The Use Of An Online Orientation At A For-Profit Higher Education Institution To Support And Retain Online Adult Learners: A Qualitative Case Study, Logan Robb

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative holistic case study was to explore how support staff, faculty, and online adult learners at a FPHEI located in Pennsylvania perceive the use of an online orientation as a proactive institutional support strategy to increase the preparedness of online adult learners and potentially improve their retention rates. The theory guiding this study was Tinto’s theory of student departure. The central research question that was guiding this study was: How do support staff, faculty, and online adult learners at one FPHEI perceive the effectiveness of an online orientation as a proactive institutional support strategy to enhance …


Nursing Faculty Experiences Of Teaching Dementia Care: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jeannie Simpson May 2025

Nursing Faculty Experiences Of Teaching Dementia Care: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jeannie Simpson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of nursing faculty teaching dementia care to nursing students in Texas. The theory guiding this study was Kolb’s experiential learning theory as it offers a structured framework for examining how experiences lead to learning. This theory also introduced the concept of the Experiential Educator profile, specifically delineating the role of educators in facilitating knowledge acquisition (Kolb, 2014). This study bridged the gap in existing literature regarding the experiences of nursing faculty in teaching dementia care to nursing students and provided a comprehensive look at dementia education in nursing schools. …


Exploring Trauma And African American Male Victims Of Intimate Partner Violence, Paige Shaunta Denigi Simon May 2025

Exploring Trauma And African American Male Victims Of Intimate Partner Violence, Paige Shaunta Denigi Simon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to examine the experiences of heterosexual African American men from Georgia who are victims of IPV. This study aims to identify barriers that hinder survivors from reporting their trauma and seeking mental health services and resources. The theoretical framework utilized for this research study is Intersectional Theory. Using Intersectionality as a theoretical lens for this research study allows for a greater understanding of the multiple components and experiences that shape the identity of the African American man. This qualitative phenomenological study answered the following central research questions: “In what ways do African American male victims …


Biblical Metanarrative Discipleship For Women: A Paradigm For Women In The Church That Impacts Christlike Growth Through The Influence Of Biblical Literacy, Patricia Cihak May 2025

Biblical Metanarrative Discipleship For Women: A Paradigm For Women In The Church That Impacts Christlike Growth Through The Influence Of Biblical Literacy, Patricia Cihak

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This DMIN research project seeks to resolve the problem of the lack of a biblically literate small group discipleship strategy to assist adult women in their spiritual journey of Christlikeness at Eastlake Church in Moneta, Virginia. Discipleship for women is assumed through the event, and program-driven ministry opportunities for women; however, the void of an intentional disciple-making strategy generates recipients rather than replicators. The gap between the discipleship that Jesus demonstrated and how it is observed among women today underscores the need for contemporary discourse on this issue. Current research reveals that biblical illiteracy is rising, and church attendance is …


Researching Research Leaders: A Qualitative, Phenomenological, Transcendental Study Of University Institutional Official Relations With Stakeholders Using The Competing Values Framework, Sara Grano May 2025

Researching Research Leaders: A Qualitative, Phenomenological, Transcendental Study Of University Institutional Official Relations With Stakeholders Using The Competing Values Framework, Sara Grano

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological, transcendental exploratory study was to understand institutional officials’ (IO) lived relational leadership experiences with internal and external stakeholders with competing values in U.S. research universities. The competing values framework guided the study to investigate IOs’ lived experiences when relating to diverse stakeholders in research universities. The central research question asked was what are the experiences of IOs in research universities when practicing relational leadership with diverse stakeholders with competing values? Ten participants were recruited for this qualitative study using the purposeful sampling and then snowball method of recruiting. The elite participants had experience serving …


Does Institutional Response Matter? A Qualitative Study Of Child Sexual Abuse Within Southern Baptist Convention-Affiliated Churches, Bonnie Colleen Wetzel May 2025

Does Institutional Response Matter? A Qualitative Study Of Child Sexual Abuse Within Southern Baptist Convention-Affiliated Churches, Bonnie Colleen Wetzel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Child sexual abuse (CSA) affects approximately one in four girls and one in 20 boys in the US, with 91% of perpetrators being known to the child (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). This instrumental case study explored how adult female CSA survivors (N=9) perceive their experiences and institutional responses within Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)- affiliated churches. Data collection involved Zoom interviews, journal prompts, and focus groups. Two research questions guided the study: How do adult survivors perceive their experiences of abuse within SBC-affiliated churches? And how do they perceive the church's response following disclosure? Betrayal Trauma Theory (Freyd, …


The Effect Of Cardiac Rehabilitation On Diastolic Heart Failure, Lucas Clouse May 2025

The Effect Of Cardiac Rehabilitation On Diastolic Heart Failure, Lucas Clouse

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The newest diagnosis approved for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) was systolic heart failure with ejection fractions less than or equal to 35% in 2013. CMS did not approve diastolic heart failure as a diagnosis for CR as there has not been ample research done linking a possible benefit between the two. To date, limited research has been done regarding a CR’s resources (health education, exercise training, risk factor modification, meeting with dietitian) and its effects on diastolic heart failure. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if CR can improve quality …


The Lived Self-Care Experiences Of Parents Of Children With Severe Intellectual Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study, Karen Nadine May May 2025

The Lived Self-Care Experiences Of Parents Of Children With Severe Intellectual Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study, Karen Nadine May

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the lived self-care experiences of parents of children with severe intellectual disabilities (CWSID) who attend a special needs school accommodating children with various learning disabilities. Self-care is defined as a deliberate action to control problems that lead to an improved quality of life and good health. The theory guiding this study was the transactional model of stress and coping theory. The study's central research question was, “What are the lived self-care experiences of parents of children with severe intellectual disabilities (SID)?” The qualitative phenomenological design allowed the data to be …


Virtual Reality In Trauma Therapy: Clinicians Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd) With Technological Resources In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Thomas E. Covington May 2025

Virtual Reality In Trauma Therapy: Clinicians Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd) With Technological Resources In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Thomas E. Covington

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation aims to establish how virtual reality (VR) integrated with other technological devices in the management of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The technology will lay the foundation for how it can establish controlled and safe VR contexts that can help patients address traumatizing occurrences. I will also stress the use of virtual therapists through online tools and applications, giving access to those who cannot attend meetings in person. Also, I will examine the individualization of the treatment process through the application of digital technologies and their potential effects on the outcomes of the therapeutic process. The research also examines …


Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Post-Graduates Of A Spiritual Direction Training Program Rooted In Ignatian Spirituality: A Phenomenological Study, Traci Arends May 2025

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Post-Graduates Of A Spiritual Direction Training Program Rooted In Ignatian Spirituality: A Phenomenological Study, Traci Arends

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand and explain the lived experiences of the graduates of the Spiritual Direction Training Program at the Ignatian Ways Center for Spirituality (IWCS). The theory guiding this study was Mezirow’s theory on transformative learning as it informs the transformative journey for the graduates. With this in mind, the central research question was, “What are the transformative learning experiences of graduates of the Spiritual Direction Training Program at the IWCS?” This qualitative design was appropriate because it considered the nature of the problem. The study utilized purposeful sampling of the lived experience …


Technological Attitudes, Social Media Usage, And Work Ethics Among Educators, Roshani Kundaria May 2025

Technological Attitudes, Social Media Usage, And Work Ethics Among Educators, Roshani Kundaria

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines the relationship between social media use, technological attitudes, and work ethics among K-12 educators in the United States. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many educators to transition to remote work and online teaching, individuals have more online presence and social interactions. Understanding how these interactions influence the values associated with work is essential. The decision to utilize a particular social media platform for personal use depends on educators’ individual needs, preferences, and circumstances. Positive and negative attitudes toward technology usage and dependence on technology were examined. The researcher found a negative correlation between technological attitudes and social …


Exploring Educator Perceptions Regarding Parental Involvement In Inner-City Alternative Schools And Programs For Students With Behavior Challenges: A Qualitative Case Study, Marcia Nicole Waller May 2025

Exploring Educator Perceptions Regarding Parental Involvement In Inner-City Alternative Schools And Programs For Students With Behavior Challenges: A Qualitative Case Study, Marcia Nicole Waller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative case study explored educators' perceptions of parental involvement in an alternative school and state-run Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support (GNETS) behavior program for students with behavioral challenges in Central Georgia. The problem identified in this qualitative case study was that alternative school students have unique learning and behavioral needs that differ significantly from typically developing peers who attend regular schools requiring a more focused level of communication between parents, teachers, and administrators. The central research question was: What are the perceptions of alternative school or behavior program educators regarding parental involvement in their school setting alternative …


The ‘Monuments Men’ And Art In World War Ii, Sylvester M. Felder May 2025

The ‘Monuments Men’ And Art In World War Ii, Sylvester M. Felder

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research focuses on the 'Monuments Men,’ a group of civilian and military personnel from amongst the Allied Nations in World War II who dedicated themselves to protecting, preserving, and reclaiming Europe's artistic and architectural marvels. The thesis statement is art was highly valued by both sides during the war and fell into their operational and tactical planning and that the 'Monuments Men' were crucial to rescuing looted art and helping to establish some of the finest art institutions of the Western world, aiding in art provenance research and restitution. The dominant research question is why was art sought after …


Women Leaders In Healthcare: Emotional Intelligence, Job Satisfaction, And Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Kuan-Yin T. Timothee May 2025

Women Leaders In Healthcare: Emotional Intelligence, Job Satisfaction, And Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Kuan-Yin T. Timothee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this nonexperimental quantitative correlational study was to explore the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI), organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and job satisfaction among women in nonclinical leadership roles within the U.S. healthcare sector. As healthcare organizations adapt to technological, social, and economic transformations, they must increase their focus on cultivating EI and promoting OCB, especially in leadership roles (Bowling & Sessa, 2021; Herr et al., 2022; Marstand et al., 2021). Additionally, research has shown that EI facilitates business development and diminishes obstacles to organizational sustenance. Although prior research has established a link between EI and OCB, there is …


A Descriptive Study Exploring The Role Church Leaders Have In Maintaining Liberty Within A Free Republic, Rashad R. Gibson May 2025

A Descriptive Study Exploring The Role Church Leaders Have In Maintaining Liberty Within A Free Republic, Rashad R. Gibson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study explored the assumptions, perceptions, and understood responsibility of church leaders in New England to maintain liberty and virtue in a free republic. The theory that guided this study is transformational leadership, as it emphasizes morality in both the leader and the follower (Burns, 1978; Northouse, 2015). Within the last six decades, the United States Supreme Court has made rulings to remove from public schools, prayer, general Bible reading, and the Ten Commandments (Abington School District V. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203 (1963); Facts and Case Summary - Engel V. Vitale, 1962; Stone V. Graham, …


Shame, Identity And Reconciliation With Christ, Michele D. Corgiat May 2025

Shame, Identity And Reconciliation With Christ, Michele D. Corgiat

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the impact of reconciliation with Christ on shame narratives and identity. Although shame and identity has been extensively researched, the added theological construct of reconciliation with Christ makes this research unique. This phenomenological study explored the impact of reconciliation with Christ on shame narratives and identity. Sixteen participants, ages 20 to 75 years, who professed to have reconciled with Christ through faith and repentance, were selected and interviewed. Each participant was interviewed three times over a four-week period using a transcendental phenomenological method. Data were collected and analyzed using reflexive thematic …


A Holistic Case Study On Leaders In The Division Of Enrollment Services’ Experiences Implementing Interdepartmental Partnerships In Higher Education, Christopher A. Almond May 2025

A Holistic Case Study On Leaders In The Division Of Enrollment Services’ Experiences Implementing Interdepartmental Partnerships In Higher Education, Christopher A. Almond

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this holistic case study was to understand the experiences of higher education leaders in the division of enrollment services at a public research university who experienced departmental realignments or mergers because of performance-based funding initiatives. The study addresses the gap in the literature on the effect of change on interpersonal relationships in higher education. The theory guiding the study is Tierney’s theory on organizational behavior among college employees. The research methodology consisted of three phases. I conducted focus groups, individual interviews, and document analyses. The setting was a large research university in an urban city. There were …


A Qualitative Phenomenological Exploration Of The Experience Menopausal African American Women Have With Their Health Care Providers And Accessing Treatment For Menopausal Symptoms, Michelle Way-Houser May 2025

A Qualitative Phenomenological Exploration Of The Experience Menopausal African American Women Have With Their Health Care Providers And Accessing Treatment For Menopausal Symptoms, Michelle Way-Houser

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological qualitative case study delved into the underexplored area of menopausal research as it pertains to African American women. This study aimed to identify the existing gap in literature, through examining the factors contributing to the disparity, and proposed potential solutions. By conducting a thorough review of the available evidence, this study sheds light on the unique challenges faced by African American women during menopause and advocates for more inclusive and diverse research approaches in this field. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants and thematic analysis was used to identify key themes related to symptom management, healthcare access, …


Transitions Of Faith: Navigating Pastoral Changes In Small African American Churches, Joshua O. Dixon May 2025

Transitions Of Faith: Navigating Pastoral Changes In Small African American Churches, Joshua O. Dixon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of African American pastors aged 65 and older as they navigate leadership transitions within small churches in Florida. These churches, characterized by the absence of formal succession planning support from a parent organization, serve as critical pillars in their communities. Guided by Bridges' Transition Theory, this research investigated the emotional, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of pastoral transitions, focusing on the stages of 'Ending, Losing, and Letting Go,' 'Neutral Zone,' and 'New Beginning' (Bridges, 1980). Data collection methods included a pre-qualifying survey, individual interviews, and focus group discussions, analyzed through thematic analysis supported by …


Teachers' Experiences Implementing Reading Comprehension Strategies With Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Phenomenology Study, Melissa Katherine Mcdermott May 2025

Teachers' Experiences Implementing Reading Comprehension Strategies With Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Phenomenology Study, Melissa Katherine Mcdermott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This hermeneutic phenomenological study described educators' experiences implementing reading comprehension strategies with elementary school students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in northern Delaware. The theory guiding this study was theory of mind, which addresses higher-order cognitive skills and impairments, evoking challenges for students with ASD regarding their reading comprehension skills. This study sought to answer the following research question: “What are teachers' experiences implementing instructional strategies to develop reading comprehension skills for students with ASD?” A hermeneutic phenomenological research design was used to investigate and understand the lived experiences of 12 educators in elementary schools who provide reading comprehension instruction …


Investigating The Influence Of Modern And Traditional Instructional Practices On Creating Lifelong Habits Of Music Engagement In The Prospect Mountain Schools System, Thomas D. Stevens Jr. May 2025

Investigating The Influence Of Modern And Traditional Instructional Practices On Creating Lifelong Habits Of Music Engagement In The Prospect Mountain Schools System, Thomas D. Stevens Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of modern and traditional pedagogical approaches on student development of music engagement and learning in the Prospect Mountain Schools system during and after high school. Student retention is critical to maintaining music programs; therefore, educators must discover ways to motivate students to continue participating in general music and ensemble courses. Combining modern and traditional pedagogical approaches creates learning experiences that inspire students to continue playing music throughout their lives, both during and after high school. One of these pedagogical practices is incorporating popular music into the classroom, which can enhance …