Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On The Eating Behaviors Of Black American Women, Teshia Stovall Dula

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explores the impact of behaviorism on understanding adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their effects on eating behaviors, particularly emotional overeating, and satiety responsiveness, in Black women. It highlights the importance of addressing ACEs to promote holistic well-being, especially given racial health disparities. The study investigates various factors shaping the behavior of Black women, including individual traits, environments, and behavioral patterns, focusing on an under-researched area. It calls for standardized definitions in this context and advocates for more extensive and diverse sample sizes for future research. Ultimately, the research aims to empower Black women by translating insights into effective …

The Phenomenological Study Of Women Mentoring Younger Women: A Titus 2 Action Research Project, Shannon Bludworth

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Though church attendance is down, women still comprise the largest percentage of churchgoers. With the decline in church attendance, a decline in programs for women has ensued. Nevertheless, the continued need for mentoring women remains the same. This DMIN action research aims to address this need and develop a mentorship program where mature women mentor younger women in their continued personal spiritual growth. This research project includes a training seminar for the mentors, a six-week Bible study for the mentees, and six weeks of one-on-one mentoring, during which the mature women mentor the younger women in their faith. Triangulation of …

Sustaining Hope: Building A Community Chaplaincy Model As A Framework For Spiritual And Emotional Support For Cancer Survivors And Those Affected By Cancer In The Local Church And Community, Johnnie Maddox Quiller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This doctoral research explores the development of a community chaplaincy model that provides spiritual and emotional support for cancer survivors, caregivers, and those affected by cancer within local churches and communities. By centering on Restoration Worship Center, the study underscores the pivotal role faith communities play in addressing the multidimensional needs: spiritual, emotional, and practical, of those facing cancer. The study outlines a framework for creating a sustainable cancer care ministry through an integrated approach of spiritual guidance, mentorship, leadership training, and practical support. This model offers a blueprint for other churches and faith-based organizations, such as Lotus of Love …

The Role Of Customers In Strategic Information Technology (It) Initiatives, Siddharth Aggarwal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study focused on a small organization in the United States of America. The organization has IT departments that cater to the IT needs of its internal and external customers through IT products and services. Such organizations run full life cycles of product management and product development and often face off with situations to prioritize the use of their limited resources. Ideally, organizations focus on strategic IT initiatives that might be in the company's and its customers' best interest. However, instances occur when IT-driven initiatives lose that focus and might end up diverting resources toward the latest shiny technology and …

A Legacy Of Trauma: A Phenomenological Study Of African American Pastors' Perspectives On Mental Health In Delaware Churches, Donell M. Winder

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions and practices of african american evangelical pastors in delaware regarding mental health care within their congregations. the study sought to understand how pastors integrate their spiritual beliefs with mental health practices and how cultural factors influence their roles as mental health advocates. anchored in social constructivism, the research examined the cultural and contextual factors that shape pastors' approaches to mental health issues. eight senior pastors from evangelical churches across delaware were selected through purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews served as the primary data collection method. thematic analysis identified several key …

The Effectiveness Of Education Utilizing A Digital Patient Education Platform For Nursing Staff Working In A Military Medical Treatment Facility, Meki Bocage

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Currently, the use of digital health technology has been found to improve patients’ experiences, health outcomes, and quality of care. Furthermore, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is focused on leveraging cutting-edge technologies to optimize healthcare delivery and improve patient experiences. The purpose of this evidence-based practice process improvement project supports providing educational intervention to nursing staff through videoconferencing or lecture learning opportunities. The project focused on successfully educating nursing staff from at least three MTFs on the use of a patient education platform by the conclusion of the 30-day intervention through individual web-based pre and post questionnaires. Ultimately, 15 registered …

The Impact Of Intergenerational Racial Trauma On High-Achieving African American Women, Andrea L. Tanner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The historical trauma of chattel slavery in the United States created a system of race-based discrimination, exploitation, and oppression still experienced today. Extensive research is required to comprehensively understand and address the intergenerational effects of trauma. The intergenerational transmission of trauma affects future generations, as traumatic memories affect those who have personally experienced conflict and violence. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe how high-achieving African American women who are descendants of enslaved Africans experience intergenerational trauma. Conceptually, it is framed by Critical Race Theory, which this study utilized a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology. Qualitative interviews were conducted …

Senior Nursing Students' Perceptions Of Their Effectiveness In The Utilization Of De-Escalation Techniques: A Phenomenological Study, Chinelo N. Anadu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored senior nursing students’ perceptions of their effectiveness in utilizing de-escalation techniques. The theories that guided this study were Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and Kolb’s experiential learning theory. Self-efficacy is one’s ability to organize, conduct, and successfully perform a task. Bandura’s self-efficacy theory focuses on individuals’ perception of their ability to perform a task, not the action’s result. Kolb’s theory emphasizes that learning is a process, and modifying experiences creates knowledge. The participants for this study were senior nursing students from two medium-sized universities in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. A sample of 11 senior …

An Action Research Study Of The Spiritual Growth Among Veterans Within The Civilian Context, Long Tuan Nguyen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military-civilian transition (MCT) for Veterans has been commonly associated with negative mental health experiences as they had to go through the intercultural changes between the military and civilian life. The purpose for this DMIN action research project was to design, coordinate, and assess a chaplain model of care called Spiritual Growth Lectio (SGL) for recently discharged Veterans. Thirteen Veterans participated in this research project through purposive sampling. The SGL model comprised a pre-test survey, six-week intervention, posttest survey, and focus group interview guided by four research questions. Quantitative data was collected from participants’ pre-test and post-test surveys. Subsequently, qualitative data …

Nature Of Child Welfare Social Work, Sarah Vail Anders

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social workers in the field of child welfare ensure the safety and well-being of children. While this career field is rewarding, it results in high levels of stress, burnout, and fatigue for workers. To support the challenging needs of child welfare social workers and to enable them to successfully protect children and support their families, an examination of the nature of child welfare social work was conducted. The purpose of this study was to understand the nature of child welfare social work in North Carolina, which was gained through a qualitative transcendental phenomenological study. Twenty-one child welfare social workers were …

A Crisis In Confidence: A Collective Case Study Approach To School Security Through Teacher Experiences, Ryan J. Stevenson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this collective case study was to understand and discover the set of hard and soft deterrents and how they work to increase the confidence for teachers at middle schools of various socioeconomic levels. The main theory was the risk theory by Sabine Roeser as it refers to how humans operate when faced with risk and uncertainty in their everyday lives. The study was a collective case study with teachers of various experience levels across three sites. The sites were three different middle schools across a northern Virginia suburban county; schools were one of low socioeconomic status, middle …

Developing A Program Of Ongoing Adult Spiritual Formation For St. Raphael Church In San Rafael, California, Mark Andrew Kroncke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This portfolio seeks to determine a plan of action for implementing an ongoing spiritual formation program for adults.

Detransitioners: Dealing With The False Promises Of Gender Transition, Diane M. Roselli

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Until recently, sex change surgery was rarely performed and on adults only; however, the discovery of cross-sex hormones, advances in plastic surgery, and the Dutch protocol contributed to the use of a treatment regimen for children consisting of puberty blockers (GnRHa), cross-sex hormones, and sex reassignment surgery, known as gender-affirmative treatment (GAT). A growing number of individuals, who opted to undergo the transition process, are detransitioning by ceasing hormone therapy or requesting corrective/reconstructive surgery. Their lived experiences are relatively unknown because most detransitioners drop out of treatment, are silenced by trans activists, and are not acknowledged by medical organizations. This …

Navigating The In-Between: Transformational Practices In The Church's Liminal Spaces, Matthew James Engel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation-in-praxis explored the concepts of transformational and adaptive leadership within the Christian Church during periods of liminality, emphasizing the continuous presence and certainty of challenges rather than focusing on specific challenges such as digital technologies, attractional methods, or COVID-19. The study draws upon Bass's transformational leadership theory (1985) and Heifetz’s (1994) adaptive leadership theory to establish a framework emphasizing the importance of thorough leadership training in times of uncertainty and transition. Integrating biblical narratives, the study highlights the need for adaptive and visionary leadership in religious contexts. Employing a mixed-methods approach involving quantitative surveys and qualitative measurement of responses …

Compassion Fatigue: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Public School Special Education Teachers, Linnea Tilley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of public school special education teachers who have experienced or are experiencing compassion fatigue. The theory guiding this study was the self-determination theory, as it explains how individuals are motivated by competence, relatedness, and autonomy and aligns with the topic of compassion fatigue. The central research question of the study was, what are the lived experiences of public school special education teachers who have experienced or are experiencing compassion fatigue? The study used a transcendental phenomenological study design. Individual interviews, focus groups, and artifacts were used to …

Exploring Family Mealtime Environment, Screens, And Mental Health Among School-Aged Children In Japan, Ami Nishimori Alnouri

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of family mealtimes during breakfast and the mental health of school-aged children (6-18 years) in Japan, comparing those who used and did not use screens during breakfast. This study involved two research questions: How did parents of Japanese school-aged (6 to 18 years) children who used screens (electronic devices) at mealtime experience family mealtime during breakfast? How did parents of Japanese school-aged (6 to 18 years) children who did not use screens (electronic devices) at mealtime experience family mealtime during breakfast? In this study, a qualitative phenomenological approach employed semi-structured interviews with …

Disproportionate Rate Of Mental Health Care For African American Service Members, Amy Tesla Kingjones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This case study understands and describes the disproportionate rate of mental health care for African American Service Members in the US military. With minorities making up less than 20% of the US armed forces, fitting into predominantly white spaces is necessary for continued success and can cause stress, depression, and anxiety. The theory guiding this study is critical race theory, as it uncovers and challenges how laws, policies, and societal norms perpetuate racial hierarchies and disadvantage marginalized communities. It emphasizes the social construction of race, highlighting that it is not an inherent biological category but a product of historical, political, …

Rooted In Identity: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study Describing The Pre-Freshman Self-Esteem Experiences Of African American Female Students Entering Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Wanda Minor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to describe the pre-freshman self-esteem experiences of African American (AA) female students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The study explored the experiences of AA women and the factors that contribute to the development of their self-esteem before their enrollment as students in HBCUs. Literature suggests that numerous issues, including racial discrimination and prejudice, cultural stereotypes, socioeconomic concerns, historical and intergenerational trauma, beauty standards, and institutional and systemic hurdles, have affected their self-esteem (Woods-Giscombe, 2010). However, there was a void in addressing the issues AA women face in college, particularly students at HBCUs. This …

Wildlife Factors And Zoonotic Spillover In Sub-Saharan Africa, Bernard Mgba

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Zoonotic spillover, the transmission of infectious pathogens from animals to humans, is a critical public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study examines the role of wildlife factors in zoonotic spillover within this region, highlighting the complex interplay between human-wildlife interactions, environmental changes, and emerging zoonotic diseases. The research underscores that Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable due to its rich biodiversity, cultural practices involving wildlife, and socioeconomic challenges. Factors such as habitat encroachment, wildlife consumption, and inadequate health infrastructure contribute to the heightened risk of zoonotic spillover. The study employs an online survey followed with a contextual analysis, and socioeconomic …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Experiences Of University Faculty Navigating The Diverse Environments Of Remote, Office-Based, Or Hybrid Work, Justen Gross

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In this phenomenological qualitative analysis, the experiences of university faculty in diverse environments of remote, office-based, or hybrid work were explored. COVID-19 significantly impacted businesses and organizations' ability to function in the traditional office-based environment based on government restrictions and directives. Office-based work and remote work have been in place for some time. Hybrid work was a relatively new phenomenon that required additional exploration as little was known about hybrid working models. This study explored how diverse work environments, personal factors, social factors, and organizational factors influenced job stress and job satisfaction post-COVID-19 with staff and faculty at a large …

Experiences Of Resilient Military Veterans Transitioned To Education: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Troy Denward Busby

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences leading to high resilience in military veteran teachers employed in education roles in an international setting. The central research question of this study is: What are the resilience-building experiences of military veteran teachers? Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory guided the study of veteran resilience, exploring the roles of competence, choice, and connection related to authentic learning, performance, and resilience. This study makes use of rich data collected from in-depth and multiple individual and focus-group interviews as well as a letter-writing prompt to generate themes, develop textural and …

Examining Educational Experiences Of Healthcare Providers Who Transitioned Into A Different Healthcare Role: A Phenomenological Study, Dustin P. Carnell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the educational experiences of healthcare practitioners seeking to transition into a different healthcare role. The theory guiding this study is adult learning theory, as this closely aligns with the learning experienced by advanced healthcare practitioners. This study answers the central research question, what are the experiences of healthcare professionals who seek additional education to transition into a different healthcare role? This study consists of an individual interview, focus group, and journal prompts to achieve triangulation and was distributed to healthcare workers across the United States who have transitioned roles in …

Challenged And Chosen: Discipling Christians With Chronic Conditions Towards Kingdom Identity And Purpose, Allison J. Hampton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose for this DMIN action research project was to create an eight-week discipleship program and accompanying workbook to help Christians diagnosed with chronic medical conditions to rediscover their identity in God. Because of the limitations and physical changes that often accompany chronic diagnoses, members of Living Chronic Faith (a faith-first nonprofit organization that serves believers with chronic diagnoses) felt incapable of serving on the same level as their physiotypical counterparts. Marginalized by their faith community and hesitant to engage in their ministry contexts, eleven LCF members participated in this online focus group. This project’s surveys, interviews, journal entries, and …

The Shared Experiences Of Silenced Struggles Of A Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Community In North Carolina Seeking Mental Health Services, Lindsey J. Laws

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the challenges members of a Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HOH) community in North Carolina have experienced when seeking mental health services. A major challenge is the lack of trained professionals to accommodate the needs of hard-of-hearing and Deaf clients. Barriers include a limited number of providers who know American Sign Language or offer hearing assisted devices to effectively communicate with clients. The theory guiding this study is the social learning theory initially presented by Albert Bandura in 1971. Specific emphasis is placed on learning by direct experience and motivational function of …

The Lived Experiences Of Male Nurses In Nursing Education: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, James Robert Nolin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to discover the lived experiences of male nurses currently in nursing academia to determine what attributes draw them and keep them in academic roles. The phenomenon was viewed through the lens of interpersonal relations theory, social learning theory, and hermeneutic phenomenology, looking for similarities and differences to discover the population’s views, beliefs, and experiences. The sample included 21 male nurses currently teaching in nursing programs. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and observations collected through field notes allowed for an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of male nursing faculty. The data were analyzed …

The Development Of A Men’S Ministry At Remnant Church To Foster The Spiritual Leadership Development Of Men To Provide Leadership For Family, Church, And Community, Anthony L. Herron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem this student seeks to address is that the Remnant Church in Midwest City, Oklahoma, does not have a men's ministry to develop men as spiritual leaders. The Remnant Church is a non-denominational church focused on growing and developing people to become more like Jesus Christ. The men of the Remnant Church do not meet regularly for discipleship or fellowship.

The men of Remnant Church are not organized to provide a network of support for men. Men need a support network within the church to develop spiritually. Men need a forum for discussing men's issues, such as leading in …

Exploring The Utility Of The Septicyte In Clinical Decision-Making In The Emergency Department, Sylvia Lowery-Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Know thy enemy. A significant obstacle in treating and managing sepsis is the absence of a test or method to diagnose the disease rapidly. Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection (Sinha & Ray, 2018). Despite improvements to sepsis-related care and sepsis outcomes, it remains a worldwide concern and a leading cause of mortality. Early recognition and management of sepsis is critical to provide rapid treatment and to prevent deaths associated with sepsis and septic shock. Since most patients with sepsis receive their initial care in the emergency department, it is …

Mentorship Among Early Career Senior Pastors: Examining Whether Mentored Leaders Are Better Equipped To Lead, Shayla Lenai Hilton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Early career senior pastors are often expected to confidently step into senior leadership positions with minimal support, direction, guidance and/or training. The support of an experienced mentor could potentially lessen the challenges for early career leaders. The purpose of this mixed-methods phenomenological study was to explore the effectiveness of mentorships for early career senior pastors who hold senior leadership positions in Christian churches in the United States. For the purposes of this study, a early career senior pastor is defined as an individual with 0-10 years of experience in a senior leadership position. The phenomenological study explored three questions: (1) …

Injury Prevalence Among Females Playing American Football, Anthea Warren-Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

While extensive research has examined injuries in men's football, there is a significant lack of studies systematically investigating the types, patterns, and long-term effects of injuries among female football players. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating the types and frequencies of injuries sustained by female American football players. A recruitment letter was sent via email, and following approval, an anonymous online survey was distributed to collect data from participants about their injuries during the 2023 season. The study included 13 teams from the WFA Pro division, with a total of 647 players, recruiting 245 participants aged 19 …

Divorce: A Phenomenological Study On Estrangement In Fathers In Older Adulthood, Janet H. Shaffer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This proposed study will be to look at the phenomenon of estrangement framed in the family system theory through a Biblical lens. The qualitative interpretive approach will look at a minimum of ten individuals who have been or are currently experiencing the outcomes of familial estrangement that occurred between fathers and their adult children. This destructive phenomenon has been found to increase the risk of negative mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, chronic stress, feelings of grief, and loss for those within the family unit. The growing number of parent-adult-child estrangements highlights the need to study the lived experiences …