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Being Intentionally Intergenerational At Empowerment Unlimited Church, Barbara Lynne Muse
Being Intentionally Intergenerational At Empowerment Unlimited Church, Barbara Lynne Muse
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Intergenerational interaction is foundational to the ongoing vitality and long-term sustainability of the church community. Theological perspectives underscore the importance of families and individuals from diverse age groups engaging in mutual sharing, learning, and caring. Such intentional interactions foster intergenerational relationships that not only strengthen the sense of community but also address the spiritual needs of all members, regardless of age. This action research project seeks to help the EUC church become more intergenerational, creating opportunities for members to experience meaningful spiritual growth while forming lasting bonds across generations. Instead of centering church life around a single generation, churches must …
The Effects Of Music Participation On Sense Of Belonging Among Elementary Students With Traumatic Experiences, Jamie Lynn Mckoy Hill
The Effects Of Music Participation On Sense Of Belonging Among Elementary Students With Traumatic Experiences, Jamie Lynn Mckoy Hill
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The unexpressed perspectives of children have long been dismissed in elementary music education. Daily agendas, curriculum, and administrative expectations direct the day-to-day functions of the classroom and negate the instructor’s assessment of students’ needs. As a result, students who have experienced trauma (various forms) will feel disconnected from the classroom and have a low level of engagement. Music educators must adapt their planning and execution and infuse empathy and flexibility in their teaching to allow all children room to grieve previous traumatic experiences. This historical research investigates the student perspectives on what music participation means effects on elementary students’ sense …
Rural Policing In Northern Wisconsin: Will Small-Town Police Officers Stay At Their Current Agency Until Retirement Based On Age And Community Size, Thomas J. Thompson
Rural Policing In Northern Wisconsin: Will Small-Town Police Officers Stay At Their Current Agency Until Retirement Based On Age And Community Size, Thomas J. Thompson
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This study examined the plans of small-town northern Wisconsin police officers to remain at their current agency until retirement, based on age and community size. The hypothesis was that older officers who had been with an agency for a longer period would stay until retirement, while younger officers would be more likely to leave. Younger officers tend to have less buy-in to the community and possibly fewer ties to a specific community. Officers who are older or have been with an agency for a long time have a greater investment in the agency and the community. The study results showed …
Academic Opportunities: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Principals That Foster Academic Achievement Of Students That Attend Secondary Title I Schools, Loretta O'Nita Speller
Academic Opportunities: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Principals That Foster Academic Achievement Of Students That Attend Secondary Title I Schools, Loretta O'Nita Speller
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of principals fostering the academic achievement of students in grades six through twelve who attend public secondary, Title I schools. The theory guiding this study was Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. Maslow’s theory posits that if a person’s lower-level deficiency needs are not met, ascension to higher levels cannot happen. The central research question is: “What are the lived experiences of principals that lead secondary Title I schools and how do they foster academic achievement of their students?” Purposeful sampling was used in this study, and participants in …
Do Games Play A Role In Personal Socialization?, Jasmine Reyna Landry
Do Games Play A Role In Personal Socialization?, Jasmine Reyna Landry
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to explore how online gamers aged 20 to 40 experience the impact of socialization on self-verification and personal purpose. Semi-structured interviews with eleven participants were conducted, and data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method to capture the essence of participants lived experiences and the sample population consisted of 12 participants. Findings revealed two overarching themes and in the themes several subthemes that include: Emotional Regulation, Social Presence, Stress Relief, Gaming as Social Connection and Maintenance and lifestyle balance. Participants described gaming as central to sustaining meaningful relationships, regulating stress, exploring identity, and receiving …
Job-Related Factors Affecting Special Education Teachers In The Pk-12 Classrooms Technology Proficiency: A Predictive Correlational Study, Kreshonya Porter
Job-Related Factors Affecting Special Education Teachers In The Pk-12 Classrooms Technology Proficiency: A Predictive Correlational Study, Kreshonya Porter
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this predictive correlational study was to determine if a linear combination of job-related factors could predict special education teachers’ technology proficiency. The study is critical because teachers’ technology proficiency in a special education setting directly impacts students’ inclusivity, engagement, productivity, and achievements in the classroom. This study adds to the literature regarding special education teachers’ technology proficiency by examining specific job-related factors (experience, educational level, amount of technology-related professional development training, frequency of technology use, specialty, and job placement). The participants for this study were drawn from the population of special education teachers employed in pre-K through …
Mirrors & Windows: A Phenomenological Study On Narrative Group Therapy With Adults Survivors Of Childhood Interpersonal Trauma, Bethany Walker
Mirrors & Windows: A Phenomenological Study On Narrative Group Therapy With Adults Survivors Of Childhood Interpersonal Trauma, Bethany Walker
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe adult survivors of childhood interpersonal trauma's lived experiences with group narrative therapy in Texas. Three theories serve as the base for this study: Terr's childhood trauma theory, Vygotsky's social constructivism, and Fisher's narrative theory. Social constructivism informs the study by suggesting that group therapy fosters meaning making through shared narratives. Narrative theory informs this study with the concept participants of narrative group therapy can not only create, examine, and reauthor their stories but find connection with others and empowerment in sharing their stories. Participants in this study completed an interview and …
A Pilot Study Of Life Model Informed Therapy And Its Efficacy For Reducing Anxiety And Increasing Joy In Adults, William R. Mouer
A Pilot Study Of Life Model Informed Therapy And Its Efficacy For Reducing Anxiety And Increasing Joy In Adults, William R. Mouer
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This pilot study researched Life Model Informed Therapy (LMIT), a modality developed into a six-week treatment targeted to decrease anxiety and increase joy in adults that self-reported as having anxiety. Fourteen participants were recruited by Facebook ads in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Outcome data were collected using the State Joy Scale (SJS) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Participants received the same LMIT treatment for six consecutive, weekly, one-hour sessions. Participants self-reported on their joy and anxiety levels at three periods of time, including a pre-treatment, post-treatment and one month after-treatment test. Two one-way RM-ANOVA tests were conducted. Results of …
The Impact Of Education And Awareness In Influencing Lifestyle Behaviors That Prevent And Treat Sarcopenia In Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Cross-Sectional Research Study, Alan Lynn Jones
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This mixed-methods, cross-sectional study assessed the current level of knowledge and awareness among people aged 50 and older about sarcopenia, as well as their willingness to adopt lifestyle changes that could prevent or reverse the condition as they age. The study aimed to determine whether a lack of awareness and knowledge is linked to current lifestyle behaviors that contribute to or protect against the development of the disease. The population included men and women 50 and older, living independently in the community with no prior diagnosis of sarcopenia. The study used a custom-designed questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. A total of …
Left Of The Boom: Addressing Burnout Before It Occurs, William S.D. Vernon
Left Of The Boom: Addressing Burnout Before It Occurs, William S.D. Vernon
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This study examined healthcare burnout, focusing on both organizational and individual factors that contribute to it, as well as mitigation strategies. Healthcare burnout increases the risk of harm to healthcare workers as well as their patients. Participants of the study included healthcare workers with direct experience in burnout. The aim was to understand their personal experiences, the actions, both individual and organizational, that contribute to burnout, and the methods that have been used with varying success to address it. The study also explored the connection between self-determination theory and the areas-of-work-life model, along with participants’ insights into contributing actions and …
Optimizing Fleet Management: Evaluating The Feasibility Of Electric Vehicles And Leasing Strategies At The Utrgv Police Department, Van Edward Slusser
Optimizing Fleet Management: Evaluating The Feasibility Of Electric Vehicles And Leasing Strategies At The Utrgv Police Department, Van Edward Slusser
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this applied dissertation was to improve readiness and cost discipline in a campus public-safety fleet and to assess the feasibility of electrification and leasing. A qualitative case-study design triangulated semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, administrative records (maintenance, fuel, costs), and telematics from eight vehicles to characterize duty cycles and constraints. Key findings were: stakeholders endorsed a phased, evidence-gated approach that relies on vehicle- and role-level analytics and coaching-based idle management; cost analysis supported availability-weighted replacement paired with warranty-anchored leasing to stabilize maintenance exposure and smooth appropriations; and telematics revealed role-differentiated patterns—administrative vehicles converted engine-on time to distance efficiently …
Compliance With Corporate Governance Guidelines In The Nigerian Banking System: Implications For Commercial Banks’ Performance And Profitability, William Ikenna Anianwu
Compliance With Corporate Governance Guidelines In The Nigerian Banking System: Implications For Commercial Banks’ Performance And Profitability, William Ikenna Anianwu
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The effectiveness of laws, rules, and guidelines depends on the ability of the subjects to adhere to the tenets of such regulatory guidelines. The concept of corporate governance embodies the rules and guidelines that define the effectiveness of corporate operations. So, when corporate governance rules and guidelines are fully complied with by corporate entities, it enhances corporate performance and profitability. This is derived from the fact that the corporate governance structure defines the activities, rights, responsibilities, and decision processes within a corporate organization, of which commercial banks are part. Nigeria has never lacked corporate governance rules and guidelines; however, the …
Mental Health Among Minorities In Law Enforcement Positions, Sydnee Monet Brown
Mental Health Among Minorities In Law Enforcement Positions, Sydnee Monet Brown
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Law enforcement officers often deal with complex work environments, including negative public opinions, challenging legal systems, and resource constraints. These factors can compound to make officers' work more psychologically stressful. This is especially true for minority officers who also have to deal with daily incidents of prejudice, discrimination, and cultural misunderstandings within the police force. The current qualitative phenomenological study employed semi-structured interviews to investigate the experiences of minority police officers, in an effort to gain more insight into their mental health experiences. The results of this study show that discrimination, systemic issues, and stigma associated with accessing psychological help …
Bridging The Gap: Improving Medication Communication Through The Teach-Back Method At Discharge, Sangeeta Biju Varghese
Bridging The Gap: Improving Medication Communication Through The Teach-Back Method At Discharge, Sangeeta Biju Varghese
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Patient experience and hospital readmission rates are both key performance indicators in value-based reimbursement, as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Both these indicators have a negative impact not only on patients but also on hospital profitability, and they are closely tied to discharge education. Lack of proper discharge instructions, especially about medication regimen, can result in adverse effects in patients post-discharge, which could have been prevented had they gotten adequate discharge instructions. Research has shown that almost 20% of patients leaving the hospital have an adverse drug event after discharge. Nurses have a key role in …
The Pressure To Endure: How Black Women Over 50 Navigate The Dichotomy Of Human Resilience And Supernatural Strength, Debra Ann Garner
The Pressure To Endure: How Black Women Over 50 Navigate The Dichotomy Of Human Resilience And Supernatural Strength, Debra Ann Garner
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to discover how Black women over 50 interpret their life experiences in the face of pressure to be strong and faith filled. It explored the intersection of race, gender, age, and faith, specifically concerning older Black women and their interpretations of the impact of cultural and societal expectations. With data from ten interviews, this study examined how the women view the dichotomy of life as Strong Black faith-filled women who are inwardly self-silencing, suppressing, and who use other coping mechanisms through decades of lingering emotional trauma. From prior studies, the Strong Black …
Enhancing Spiritual Care In Medical Missions Through A Contextual Apologetic Workshop, Jacob G. Caraotta
Enhancing Spiritual Care In Medical Missions Through A Contextual Apologetic Workshop, Jacob G. Caraotta
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
There is a lack of resources and a gap in the literature for training prayer teams for medical mission endeavors. The Contextual Apologetic Workshop, an intervention project, was designed to fill the gap in the literature by training participants in prayer, evangelism, and apologetics. It utilized the Contextual Apologetic System, a framework built around the Contextual Triad, which includes the cultural context, setting, and endemic religions that inform outreach dynamics and preparation. The cultural context identifies if the population is high- or low-context, and includes the subcultures. The setting refers to outreach types, such as medical missions or construction projects. …
Male Post-Secondary Students’ Experiences With Social Isolation Enrolled In Online Classes: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Patrick Ide
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of male post-secondary students enrolled in a large university in the western part of the United States who have felt socially isolated while participating in an online learning environment. At this stage of the research, social isolation was defined as the state of being distant or disconnected from others with limited or no in-person connections. The central research question is: What are the lived experiences of male post-secondary students enrolled in online academic programs who have experienced social isolation? Sub-questions addressed the level of connectedness and how …
The Shared Experiences Of Florida Outpatient Psychiatric Providers Working With Patients Post-Involuntary Hospitalization And Aftercare Compliance: A Phenomenological Study, Amy L. Watson
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of outpatient providers who treat psychiatric patients following involuntary hospitalization. The central phenomenon under investigation is how psychiatric providers experience their professional responsibilities when treating patients who have been involuntarily hospitalized. The study focused on the impact of involuntary hospitalizations on outpatient providers including how outpatient providers experience challenges in the outpatient milieu; how providers experience the legal and ethical portions of their jobs; and how outpatient providers experience the need for self-care. Guided by social learning theories, this study explored how and why participants learned from their …
Divine Intervention Emphasized In Ptsd Treatment Strategies, Zachary R. Kuster
Divine Intervention Emphasized In Ptsd Treatment Strategies, Zachary R. Kuster
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This study examined how theological concepts might enhance PTSD treatment outcomes by challenging existing paradigms within evidence-based interventions. While some therapeutic models acknowledge the value of integrating theological concepts within treatment, little empirical evidence explains how emphasizing the theological concepts that may already exist within evidence-based strategies may enhance the overall efficacy of treatment. In this study, an experimental group received strategies emphasizing grace, hope, and forgiveness, while a control group received strategies without these emphases. The PCL-5 psychometric assessment tool was used to measure changes across two 4-week PTSD programs that incorporated 48 strategies from the same four therapeutic …
The Influence Of Leadership Development On Organizational Citizenship Behavior: Moderated By Leader-Member Exchange, Christopher Houston
The Influence Of Leadership Development On Organizational Citizenship Behavior: Moderated By Leader-Member Exchange, Christopher Houston
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This research study addressed the problem of lacking leadership development in the higher education industry and the reduction of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Increasing demands on higher education resulted in a need for improved leadership acumen across the industry, but inefficient and lacking development persists. This study evaluated a regional higher education institution of higher education in the Southwest to better understand how specific leadership development opportunities relate to organizational behavior. The research utilized the 24-item OCB survey and the LMX-7 survey to capture participant responses in combination with different leadership development participation responses. The findings indicated that while leadership …
A Comparative Analysis Of K–12 Public School Music Teacher Burnout From 1986 To 2025, Veronica A. Rovatti
A Comparative Analysis Of K–12 Public School Music Teacher Burnout From 1986 To 2025, Veronica A. Rovatti
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This historical comparative analysis assessed five different sources to understand the effect stress and burnout have had on public school music educators over the last fifty years. In the United States, music educators are facing stress and burnout in their teaching careers, which can result in attrition from their profession. In this research study, four studies pertaining to music educator burnout are analyzed through a narrative compilation of research already established. Also analyzed is a supplementary recent article providing contemporary relevance. The criteria for source selection included studies or articles that primarily researched stress and burnout among K-12 public school …
Ministerial Perspectives On Approaches To Caring For A Traumatized Congregant To Enhance Spiritual Development, Tonya B. Perry
Ministerial Perspectives On Approaches To Caring For A Traumatized Congregant To Enhance Spiritual Development, Tonya B. Perry
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe experienced Christian Ministers’ experiences caring for a traumatized congregant from various countries worldwide. The criterion for participation was an experienced minister with 15 years of experience, at least 40 years old, and who ministered to three types of traumas. The two main theories guiding this study were Bowlby’s (1969, 1982) attachment theory and Fowler’s (1981) development of faith with references to Erickson’s (1958/1962) psychosocial development, Maslow’s (1954) Hierarchy, and cognitive behavior theory (Beck, 1952; Ellis, 1962). The three main research questions were: How does an experienced Christian minister describe their experiences …
Untethered Spiritual Care: Fortifying Warfighter Fitness In The Era Of Great Power Competition, Charles R. Bruner
Untethered Spiritual Care: Fortifying Warfighter Fitness In The Era Of Great Power Competition, Charles R. Bruner
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
As the operational paradigm shifts from the large counter-insurgency missions of the Global War on Terror to agile combat employment characterized by untethered operations in potential locations such as the Pacific Theater, robust spiritual fitness will become increasingly more vital. Those most at risk for spiritual wounding and moral injury due to their experiences will be Airmen assigned to small, forward-deployed Mission Ready Airman (MRA) teams who must generate combat aircraft in austere locations with minimal supplies and far from support, including religious and spiritual support. This research project examines the problem of providing effective, robust point-of-care spiritual support without …
Grief Disrupted: A Phenomenological Study Of How African Americans Experienced Grief Without Traditional Rituals During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jacqueline Williamson-Webb
Grief Disrupted: A Phenomenological Study Of How African Americans Experienced Grief Without Traditional Rituals During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jacqueline Williamson-Webb
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
In recent times, the dominant psychological understanding of grief is as an emotion (Gravesen & Birkelund, 2021; Meiselman, 2021). However, grief is also socially constructed, meaning that the emotions and behaviors labeled as grief have their beginning in the social space. Grief, then, is a performative act shaped by cultural traditions and public rituals (Murrell et al., 2023). Consequently, the purpose of this interpretative phenomenological study is to understand the lived grief experiences of African Americans (AAs) living in New Jersey who experienced a personal loss through the death of another person during the COVID-19 pandemic. Erving Goffman’s dramaturgy guides …
Exploring The Fusion Of Technological Innovation And Education Among Higher Education Faculty Leaders In Distance Learning Programs: A Phenomenological Study, Jimmy Alexander Gomez
Exploring The Fusion Of Technological Innovation And Education Among Higher Education Faculty Leaders In Distance Learning Programs: A Phenomenological Study, Jimmy Alexander Gomez
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the influence of using emerging technologies on student learning outcomes for emergent faculty leaders at the College of Excellence in the Southwestern United States. The technological pedagogical content knowledge theory guided this study. The Central Research Question guiding this study was: What are the lived experiences of higher education faculty leaders influencing the use of emerging technologies to support student learning in distance learning programs? The integration of emerging technologies on student learning outcomes was generally defined as how new technologies can change student outcomes. The study included 10 emergent …
Acculturative Stress Among Immigrant High School Graduates In North Carolina: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Caren P. Morgan
Acculturative Stress Among Immigrant High School Graduates In North Carolina: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Caren P. Morgan
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Global migration will continue to escalate in the future. In this transition process, the United States is a popular destination. Migrants are motivated by a variety of factors, including education, employment, and research. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study aimed to better understand lived experiences of acculturative stress among immigrant high school graduates in North Carolina. This qualitative design sought to get answers to the central research question: What are the lived experiences of immigrant high school graduates who encountered acculturative stress? The theoretical framework includes two theories that are essential to this study: acculturation theory, and resilience theory. …
Exploring The Perceptions Of Community College Leaders: Active Learning Strategies For Enhancing Student Engagement And Learning Outcomes, Bradley Robbins
Exploring The Perceptions Of Community College Leaders: Active Learning Strategies For Enhancing Student Engagement And Learning Outcomes, Bradley Robbins
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this case study is to understand the perceptions of community college leaders about active learning strategies and their role in implementing these strategies on the campus of a rural community college in the east-central region of a southern state in the United States. The theory guiding this study is the self determination theory by Deci and Ryan as it frames the exploration within the fundamental psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The central research question of this study is: What do community college leaders perceive about active learning strategies and their impact on student learning outcomes? …
A Predictive Correlational Design Study To Explore Secondary Student Self-Efficacy And School Refusal, Danielle L. Holmes
A Predictive Correlational Design Study To Explore Secondary Student Self-Efficacy And School Refusal, Danielle L. Holmes
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlational design study was to examine the predictive ability of self-reported self-efficacy beliefs and school refusal behavioral functions on secondary students’ attendance percentages. This study was critical because there needs to be a better understanding of the causes of school refusal and successful interventions for school refusal, since students with disabilities who engage in their education as adolescents become more successful adults. The sample was comprised of 110 secondary students with disabilities, aged 12–17, attending secondary schools within the ABC School District in a western state of the United States. Data were collected using …
Exploring The Relationship Between Becoming A Parent, Goal Orientation, And Productivity, Among Self-Employed Entrepreneurs, Andrew Dean East
Exploring The Relationship Between Becoming A Parent, Goal Orientation, And Productivity, Among Self-Employed Entrepreneurs, Andrew Dean East
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This quantitative study explored the relationship between parenting status and goal orientation and productivity among self-employed entrepreneurs. Using a sample of 471 participants, the study compared entrepreneurs with and without children under five years of age living at home to examine group differences, relational patterns, and potential moderation effects. No statistically significant differences were found in goal orientation or productivity between parents and non-parents, indicating that early-stage parenting does not inherently hinder these traits. However, a small but statistically significant positive correlation was observed between goal orientation and productivity, suggesting that individuals with higher internal motivation reported slightly greater productivity, …
Understanding Firefighter Culture And Mental Health, Alyssa G. Chirillo
Understanding Firefighter Culture And Mental Health, Alyssa G. Chirillo
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This qualitative study, using a grounded theory approach, explores the lived experiences of firefighters, the cultural dynamics within the firefighting profession, and the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among this group. Drawing on previous research, the study examines how exposure to vicarious trauma, the roles and responsibilities of firefighters, and the inherent risks of the profession shape attitudes toward mental health treatment. The research investigates explicitly whether firefighter culture and lived experiences influence the pursuit of mental health support. Participants from the Summerville Fire Department in Summerville, South Carolina, were recruited voluntarily. Data were collected through …