Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Influence Of Police Officers Lived Experiences On Implementing Community Oriented Policing Of Marginalized Populations, Herman "Tracy" Williams Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The oppositional relationship between the police and communities characterized as marginalized populations aptly describes an adversarial dynamic that hinders the effective implementation of guardian-focused, community-oriented policing. Fears of crime, claims of police bias, dehumanization, and perceptions of social disorder frequently breed socioeconomic decline in these communities. These conditions often contribute to citizens of marginalized communities viewing police officers as traditional policing warriors versus the roles of police as guardians who assist and protect the public. The problem is that the lack of cooperation and mutual distrust in interactions between the police and communities leads to external friction and internal organizational …

Exploring Joint Manifestations In Rasopathies: A Prospective Survey, Lavinia Dobrea

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

RASopathies, a group of genetic diseases, affects approximately 1 in 1000 people worldwide. Despite advances documented in medical journals, there is limited understanding about the impact of various joint problems on activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) among those afflicted. This study was conducted, utilizing a qualitative phenomenological methodology, to better understand the lived experiences of people with RASopathies impacted by joint problems. Participants were selected from RASopathy communities by employing purposeful sampling to ensure population representation. Data was obtained through online surveys and virtual interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes, and data …

William Bradford: An Unexpected Father Of Early Colonial American Politics, Megan E. Romero

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation is a project dedicated to explaining and defining not only who William Bradford was a person, but also as a leader to the people of Plymouth Colony and the Puritan faith. He was an individual who was dedicated to establishing a society that was fairer and more equal for all people, who could have the chance to grow economically, practice their faith freely, and live a more politically stable life. Through research conducted on Bradford’s life, it became easier to understand that due to his determination and hard work he quickly rose up in the ranks and perspectives …

Religiosity And Dating Relationships: How Individual And Dyadic Religiosity Influence The Dating Relationship Quality Among Indonesian Dating Couples, Hans Ega Saputra

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study is a replication of the previous study conducted by Aragoni et al. (2021) to follow up on the future direction of the study by replicating the study within a new population of Indonesia. Research on how religiosity influences marital quality has been widely addressed, but little research has been conducted on the population of dating couples. Collectivism and religiosity are strongly embedded within the culture of Indonesia, which influence how Indonesian people view interpersonal relationships. Thus, the present study is critical because it addresses how much religiosity influences dating relationship quality among Indonesian dating couples. Religiosity as an …

What Hath Jerusalem To Do With Chile: Towards An Evangelical Understanding Of The Enneagram And Its Usage For Spiritual Development, Wesley E. Scholtz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Currently, it is estimated that the personality testing market is worth approximately $2 billion. The Church has expressed interest in understanding personality types through various testing methods. The Enneagram offers a possibly ancient method to help people understand who they are in a spiritual capacity, which can be an aid in connecting more closely with God. This dissertation addressed the research gap that exists within the current literature which is the lack of data concerning whether adults who are professional, ordained ministers are aware of, use, and may be skeptical of the Enneagram. The research method in this dissertation was …

Caring For Ukrainian Healthcare Professionals In Wartime: Moral Injury And Psycho-Spiritual Intervention, Rodger L. Stenger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods study examined the prevalence of Moral Injury (MI) among Ukrainian healthcare professionals (UHCPs) and their willingness to engage in evidence-based, psycho-spiritual interventions targeting MI that has resulted from the Russian invasion and the COVID-19 pandemic. MI is a psychological construct resulting from actions that violate an individual’s moral code and can overlap with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. While MI has been extensively researched in the military, it has gained attention in healthcare settings. Utilizing the Moral Injury Symptom Scale-Healthcare Professional (MISS-HP), this study quantitatively identified a moderate prevalence of MI among doctors and nurses in Ukraine. …

A Phenomenological Study Examining How Ages Of Attention-Deficit Diagnoses Affect Adult Perceptions Of Achievement, Janeen Kingma

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenology was to discover how adults diagnosed with attention-deficit (ADD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), at different ages, view their experiences, and how the ages of diagnoses affected their view of educational achievement and occupational success. A qualitative research design was used to collect data about the experiences of adults who were diagnosed at different ages. Guiding this study were two educational theories: Bandura’s social-cognitive theory, which promotes self-efficacy, and self-determination theory (SDT) (Ryan & Deci, 2020), which proposes that all individuals innately pursue self-optimization. A hermeneutic approach was chosen to interpret the analysis of data. …

Rethinking Total Body Wellness: Physical, Financial, Spiritual, Mental, Social, And Nutritional Health In Adults For Graceful Aging, Pierre Devoseur Elzie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aims to describe the lived experiences of participants’ graceful aging journey in West Tennessee, USA. This study is grounded in wellness theories such as Wellness and Lifespan Development, drawing on insights from theorists like Halbert Dunn, Bill Hettler, Alfred Adler, and Erik Erickson (globalwellnessinstitute.org, 2022; Kornadt et al., 2020; Meyers & Sweeney, 2007). Notably, their work is instrumental in understanding how health encompasses more than nutrition and exercise alone and involves a connection within the community (Clark, 2015; Meyers & Sweeney, 2007). The data for this research will be gathered from fifteen questions during the semi-structured interviews …

Harmonizing Faith Across Generations: The Spiritual Resonance Of Modernizing Traditional Worship Lyrics, Hyoeun Eunice Jeon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The quest to create an inclusive worship environment that honors diversity without sacrificing the sacred essence of traditional hymns is challenging. This study is anchored in the understanding that music, as a profound expression of faith, has the power to transform individuals and communities, and therefore modernizing traditional hymn lyrics could be vital in bridging the generational divide. This would then enhance the sense of togetherness in communal worship. By employing a qualitative research approach, this study analyzes the impact of lyrical modernization on intergenerational engagement within worship settings. Data was collected through interviews and participatory observation, tapping into the …

A Phenomenological Study On The Mental Health Stigmatization And Faith Of Christian African American Genx Men, Kenneth Jerlette Mickie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The primary goal of this study was to examine the Mental health stigmatization and the faith of Christian African American GenX men. Mental Health within the African American community is a topic that is often considered taboo and seldom discussed. African faith plays a prominent role, many still experience contradictory feelings about receiving mental health treatment due to the worry of being judged and stigmatized. Therefore, it is critical to understand African Americans' perceptions of depression and views of depression treatment, including cultural stigmas and religious, spiritual, and socioeconomic barriers that may deter individuals from seeking or accepting treatment in …

The Role Of Camaraderie In The Moods Of African American U.S. Military Veterans With Ptsd: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Virginia K. Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the essence of the collective lived experiences of United States military veterans of African American ethnicity who were diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the role that camaraderie plays in their moods. Veterans are a marginalized group who often feel they are rejected by society, but as Christians, we should be interested in human beings, promoting their well-being, and practicing psychology as an act of love. Guided by social identity theory and social justice theory, this study was aimed to gain understanding of how group memberships and social categorization …

A Phenomenological Study Examining The Methods Of Elementary Special Education And General Education Co-Teachers Who Foster The Use Of Behavioral Management Strategies For Students With Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Tanekal White

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the methods and strategies that special education and general education co-teachers use to foster behavioral management for students with emotional behavior disorders (EBD) in the interrelated resource, inclusive co-taught, and EBD self-contained settings. The theories guiding this study are Bandura’s self-efficacy theory (SET) and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory (SCT). Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy helped explore teachers’ effectiveness in instilling behavioral and instructional strategies, that induce success for students with EBD. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory was used to examine the importance of students with EBD being educated alternative ways that ensures compensation for unwanted …

The Emotional, Physical, And Mental Effects Of Physiological Entrainment And Heart Coherence In The Choral Ensemble, Nicole M. Mattfeld

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite endless studies on the benefits of music related to stress reduction and decreased anxiety, there is more in-depth research in the holistic health realm, which has yet to be applied, especially to music educators. Scientists have made groundbreaking discoveries in the last decade, proving that music can heal the nervous system; and guide one’s body into a state of physical and emotional coherence. This study gathered existing research and applied it through the lens of the choral music educator. Guided by the founders of the HeartMath Institute and additional scientific pioneers, this mixed-method study identified methods of holistic health …

The Perceived Effectiveness Of The Utilization Of Peer Support Specialists In The Veterans Health Administration: A Case Study, Kevin R. Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the perceptions of peer support specialists (PSS) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) regarding their effectiveness. The study focused on understanding how potential barriers affect the daily experiences shaping the role of PSS in providing services to veterans specifically relating to mental health, substance use disorder, housing, and primary care. Extant data have highlighted the need to bridge the gap in understanding the unique contributions and the clinical benefits of the effectiveness of the use of PSS in the VHA. One central research question guided this exploratory inquiry: How do …

Exploring Nutrition Teachers' Perspectives Of Enacted Nutrition Policies To Address Childhood Obesity In The Bahamas, Shondell M. De Velde

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain a comprehensive understanding of nutrition teachers' perspectives on enacted nutrition policies aimed at combating childhood obesity in The Bahamas. The central phenomenon of the study is teachers' perspectives of enacted nutrition policies to address childhood obesity in The Bahamas. The Health Belief Model (HBM) developed by Irwin M. Rosenstock in the 1950s was used to provide a theoretical framework, that can be used to understand nutrition teachers' perceptions and actions related to enacted nutrition policies. The HBM delves into an individual’s motivation to accept healthy behavior and is thus constructed to …

Addressing A Lack Of Counseling Programs To Diminish The Psychological, Emotional, And Mental Impacts Of Church Closure Grief, Marcel Berrios

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Besides spiritual activities, the social activities that happen in church buildings are vital to the functioning of most communities; therefore, churches play a central role in the social fabric and social infrastructure of communities in ways not necessarily thought about until they are no longer around. The looming absence of this role or function of the church becomes the overarching focus to address when an announcement is made that a church is permanently closing. Lost in navigating the business and community aspects of a church closure is the congregation's metamorphic spiritual, emotional, and psychological journey. Subsequently, many church members are …

Progress & Reconciliation: The Legacy Of The Southern Military Tradition At The Carlisle School (1892 - 1930), Jesse Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the evolution of southern progressivism and national reconciliation from 1892 to 1930 through the lens of the Carlisle Military School in Bamberg, South Carolina. By analyzing archival documents related to the school's history and local newspapers from Bamberg County, this research reveals how southern progressivism influenced changes in the school's mission and the actions of its leadership leading up to World War I. The study highlights how South Carolina and Bamberg County played pivotal roles in advancing national reconciliation through programs and evolving missions at the Carlisle Military School. The years surrounding World War I acted as …

Accessing Cancer Care Through A Community Diagnostic Clinic, Joy Lynn Bartholomew

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Access to diagnostic centers, innovative cancer research and best clinical practices is limited outside metropolitan areas and academic institutions. Cancer patients in rural communities are a marginalized population faced with unique barriers to high quality care from early detection through screening, streamlined diagnostics, and participation in clinical trials. One-stop clinics (OSC) in the community setting may lessen the diagnostic interval (DI), reduce the economic burden of unnecessary imagining or procedures, minimize sociodemographic discrepancies, and positively affect time to treatment and clinical trial participation. The first step is to better understand the community cancer population and their diagnostic journey. Next, an …

The Impact Of Policing On Female Police Officer’S Parenting Styles, Debbie Michelle Chambers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of female police officers with children in rural Georgia. For years, women have been proving themselves in this profession only to face gender inequality, discrimination, harassment including physical, emotional, and sexual, and skepticism from the community. Despite these barriers, females have achieved high-ranking positions in local and state agencies and federal law enforcement. This achievement has come with a price that could impact how the female officer parents her children. Several studies have been conducted on a variety of factors impacting the female police officer, such as rank, position, …

Student Success And Retention In Online Post-Secondary Education: A Phenomenological Study, Alison Weslake

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences that participants from Northeastern College have in post-secondary online learning environments and recognize the overall factors that lead to student success and retention. The theory that guided this study was Bruner’s constructivist theory as it indicates the influence of experience on cognitive development and encourages the consideration of all factors that may impact the overall learning process. A hermeneutical phenomenological study was conducted with participants from Northeastern College in Ontario, Canada in order to accurately reflect personal experiences with the phenomenon of online post-secondary education. The central research question …

The Coalition Development Of Allied Close Air Support Doctrine During World War Ii, David S. Stieghan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research aims to discover how the American and British air forces worked collaboratively to provide ground support to their armies in Europe during World War II. While the official histories and scholars of the two countries concentrate on their unique national efforts, they analyze little of their cooperative efforts. By examining primary and secondary research sources to discover the experiments, doctrine development, and combat experience of both air forces, an understanding emerges that both nations combined their efforts in World War II in separate directions until beginning to work together on planning for the D-Day invasion.

By discovering the …

Does Work Arrangement Affect Turnover Intention? Investigating The Mediating Role Of Organizational Trust, Perceived Organizational Support, And Work Locus Of Control, Valerie A. Boyd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Countless U.S. employees were shifted to and from different work arrangements both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Though previous research has shown links between workplace factors and organizational outcomes, there is a gap in understanding how different post-pandemic work arrangements and individual differences influence employee work attitudes. This study assessed 315 U.S. employees to investigate the relationship between different work arrangements (WA) and turnover intentions (TI), and the mediating effect of organizational trust (OT), perceived organizational support (POS), and work locus of control (WLC). Eligible participants included full-time U.S. employees over the age of 18 that worked in their …

Post-Secondary Education Experiences Of Military-Connected Students: A Phenomenological Study, Craig J. Alia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the influence that lifelong stressors had on the lived experiences of adult military-connected students in U.S. post-secondary educational institutions. Military-connected students were defined as the adult children or step-children of military members who attended a minimum of four years in primary school while their parent was on active duty and attended both high school and post-secondary school while their parent(s) were either active duty or retired. The theory guiding this was Pearlin’s stress process, which explains the interaction among and between military-connected students’ (MCS’) stressors, stress mediators, and the resultant …

Exploring The Lived Experience Of Women Seeking Treatment For Genito-Pelvic Pain And Penetration Disorder: A Phenomenological Study, Emily M. Lacy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explored the lived experiences of women seeking treatment for genito-pelvic pain, aiming to identify how each person experiences barriers and facilitators toward obtaining treatment as well as their outlook on the future regarding treatment. The research sought to provide an understanding of their experiences, with implications for minimizing current barriers and building accessibility and awareness. A qualitative phenomenological design was utilized to obtain the data from participants through semi-structured individual interviews. Nine individual interviews were completed with women between the ages of 27 and 44-years-old who have experienced symptoms of genito-pelvic pain for at least 1 year and …

A Phenomenological Study Of Middle School Teachers Implementing Social-Emotional Learning, Post Covid-19 At A Predominantly Hispanic School, Kutana Nichol Parrish

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the lived experiences of the ten middle school teachers implementing social and emotional learning, post COVID in a predominately Hispanic suburban school in Gwinnett County School District in Georgia. The theory guided by this study is emotional intelligence by psychologist Daniel Goldman but was first used by Peter Salovey and John Mayer in 1990. Daniel Goldman defines emotional intelligence as having the ability to identify nonverbal cues, using emotion to guide one’s thinking, understanding information that is communicated, and actions of emotions, and the capability to self-regulate emotions. Collaborative for …

Military Members Mental Health And Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Mediating Role Of Mental Toughness, Maureen Kenyon James

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military members’ mental health has been in the spotlight for many years. Although Australia and the United States have strong, robust forces, exposure to this high-stress environments can take its toll. This study is important to keep our armed forces in top mental and physical health and look after them post-service. We need to know what can protect mental health and how to minimize the risks to health and well-being. The purpose of this study is to ask the question, “To what extent are Adverse childhood experiences related to military members' mental health status, and is this relationship mediated by …

Succession Planning And Situational Leadership: The Perceptions And Experiences Of Pastors At Charismatic Bahamian Churches, Kedeisha Aleicia Cooper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental-hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore and understand the succession planning experiences for pastors at charismatic churches in New Providence, Bahamas. The central phenomenon of succession planning is a complex, intentional, continuous, and systemic organizational process that seeks to identify, develop, appoint, and transfer authority to potential leaders (Barbu, 2024; Lacey, 2003; Rothwell, 2016). The guiding theory was Hersey and Blanchard Situational Leadership II (Sbeih & Jones, 2021). The theory’s primary styles were directing, coaching, supporting, and delegating, and they were integrated with succession planning to consider the charismatic nondenominational Bahamian pastoral experiences. The method of …

Perceived Parental Narcissism: The Adult Child's Search Of Romantic Attachment Through Self-Compassion, Deanna A. Bishop

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Narcissistic personality disorder is defined by a strong desire for admiration and apathetic responses to others’ emotional needs making bonding in any relationship difficult (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Healthy bonding within a family environment can be hindered by the lack of empathetic response and agentic behaviors that are characteristic of this personality type (Shaw, 2014). By virtue of innocence and dependency, children are the most vulnerable. The literature illustrates that emotional abuse and neglect, like parental narcissistic abuse, disrupts secure attachment between the parent and the child and can also prevent the child from learning healthy coping mechanisms, such as …

A Quantitative Approach To Determining The Reduction Rate Of Cassette Labeling Errors Within A Surgical Pathology Diagnostic Laboratory, Kiaya Symonné Pruitt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Cassette labeling errors within a surgical pathology laboratory can affect patient safety variously, including invalid patient results. In order to diminish these errors, automated systems have been placed in surgical pathology laboratories. However, there is no current research on reducing cassette labeling errors within a surgical pathology laboratory that possesses a partial automated system without a LIS connection. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine if there is a statistically significant reduction in pathology cassette labeling errors during different phases of the barcode system (an automated system) implementation for cassette creation. A nonexperimental correlational design was used for the current …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of Secondary Student Social Interaction, Matthew D. Burch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand why students and families were disengaged from school activities and did not feel connected to the overall school culture. The theory guiding this study was Vygotsky’s theory on sociocultural cognitive development, as it identified links between culture and learning. As the data was collected, Moustakas’ design helped to comprehend the feelings, emotions, and meanings of the people involved. A phenomenological research design was used to help understand and define new and emerging issues as they pertained to why students and families withdrew from school. With a fluid approach, the design …