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A Study Of The Relationship Between The Stress Responses From Rehearsal Preparations For Music Ensemble Performance Evaluations And Performing Arts Adolescents’ Working Memory, Gregory Thomas Minter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The organization of memory retrieval is vital to the association between stress responses and negative educational achievements. These stress responses offer an opportunity to study the harmful consequences of prolonged strain on the developing brain, which may impair emotional restraint, self-control, and cognitive development. However, little research considers the fundamental notions of how stress responses from rehearsals for music ensemble performance assessments impact adolescent working memory. This mixed-methods study explored how rehearsal-related stress in music ensemble settings may affect adolescents' working memory. Participants included high school students in grades nine through 12 who participated in performing arts band ensembles. The …

The Impact Of Psychological Well-Being, Gratitude, And Self-Efficacy On Resiliency In High School Students: A Predictive Correlational Study, Jennifer Nevard-Blanco

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlational study was to examine the impact of psychological well-being, gratitude, and self-efficacy on resiliency in high school students in a northeastern state. This study is important because the promotion of positive psychological factors such as gratitude, self-efficacy, and psychological well-being have been identified as predictors of increased resilience, buffering the negative effects of stressors and adverse circumstances. The sample was composed of 110 high school students from a public school in the northeastern part of the United States. Data was collected using four self-report instruments: Ryff's Psychological Well-being 18-item scale, the Gratitude Questionnaire …

Bridging The Gap: Does Individual Crossfit Open Performance & Event-Type Influence Crossfit Games Team Performance?, Anthony J. Mack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Individual CrossFit Open (CFO) and CrossFit Games (CFG) performance factors, including physiological metrics, sex, competitive experience, and workout pacing strategies, are well established; however, there is a gap in the literature comparing CFO and CFG team performance. The purpose of this study was to examine whether individual CFO scores and event category (i.e., monostructural, gymnastics-skill, weightlifting, or work capacity) influence a team's final score at the CFG. Teams (n = 196) from the 2018-2024 CFG seasons were included in data collection. Data from CFO workouts (n = 28) and CFG team events (n = 62) were extracted from games.crossfit.com. Scores …

Adverse Childhood Experiences: How They Shape Employees' Perceptions, Experiences, And Performance In The Workplace, Marcia A. Beasley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) has been well researched, and the lifelong consequences of medical conditions have been documented. Recently, research has linked mental health concerns to ACEs, including depression, anxiety, and health risk behaviors. ACEs occur during important stages of childhood development and can disrupt these stages, leading to children learn maladaptive coping skills. The resultant maladaptive behaviors that are developed as a response to maltreatment may also hinder social relationships in adulthood. Given this, research is lacking on the influence of ACEs on perceptions in the workplace, especially from the employee’s perspective. This qualitative phenomenological study …

The Relationships Between Grief, Depressive Symptoms, Family Resiliency, And Spiritual Struggles And The Moderating Effect Of Hope Among Bereaved Fathers Following Miscarriage, Taylor Marie Sparks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Miscarriages are primarily treated as tragedies that impact women; however, the existing literature highlights that men experience similar impacts as women following the loss of their baby to miscarriage. Despite this, men widely report feeling forgotten and alone during their time of bereavement, with a lack of understanding and support in place for men who have lost a baby to miscarriage. This current study sought to fill the gap in the existing literature by investigating the relationship between spiritual struggles, family resiliency, depression, and grief levels in bereaved fathers following their wife’s miscarriage, using the moderating influence of hope on …

Design And Validation Of The Telemedicine Comfort Tool, Stephanie Amador

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In recent years, telemedicine has become a valuable resource to improve communication between patients and health care providers. There are many benefits to telemedicine, but they are only realized if patients and healthcare providers can establish a comforting and trusting relationship between them. Although Telemedicine has positively impacted health care, it is only successful if patients and health care providers can communicate effectively in the virtual environment. This quantitative study developed and validated the Telemedicine Comfort Tool among members of Veterans on Deck. The Telemedicine Comfort Tool is a survey instrument with the goal of measuring the comfort level of …

The Perception Of Educational Leadership On Policies Impacting Equity And Access In Advanced Placement Programming For Diverse Student Learners: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Lindsey Greear

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the perception held by educational leaders on equitable access to advanced coursework for diverse student learners in the Highland County School District. The theory guiding this study was Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, as diverse students need an environment that emphasizes cultural inclusion to encourage academic growth. The central research question for this study was to investigate the perceptions of educational leaders regarding how existing policies affect the equity, access, and student experience in advanced courses. This study employed individual interviews, document analysis, and focus groups to collect data from 10 …

Stigma And Attitudes Of Hearing Parents Regarding Sign Language On The Perceived Resilience Of Their Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Emerging Adults: A Correlational Study, David Eric Barr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research studies investigating DHH emerging adults’ resilience are scarce. Current resilience investigations suggest that success in overcoming life challenges depends on the personal resourcing of learned social skills. For the DHH emerging adult, adversity (i.e., stigma and attitudes regarding sign language) fosters hindrance against resilience, which is imperative for one’s successful adaptation to challenging life experiences. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine stigma and the attitudes of hearing parents, the target population, regarding sign language and its perceived impact on the resilience of their Deaf and hard-of-hearing emerging adults. Data were collected using an online anonymous …

Egalitarianism: A Hermeneutical, Biblical-Theological And Logical Evaluation, Martin Nyanzu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There are several sensitive and polarized issues confronting the church in our day, one of them has turned egalitarians and complementarians into warring camps – men and women’s role in the home, church, and society. The last twenty years have seen an intensification in egalitarian publications. However, a critical examination of egalitarian theology in some major works presents a concerning deficit in adhering to the principles of biblical theology, hermeneutics, and logic. This literary research is a biblical canonical survey of egalitarian theology based on existing scholarly perspectives among North American evangelicals. It is apparent that egalitarian biblical theology lacks …

The Complete Leader: Relationships Between Leader Identity, Efficacy, And Psychological Well-Being And The Influence Of Gender And Leadership Level, Michelle I. Benami

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Contributing factors to a leader’s psychological well-being and their ability to be fully functional, mature, and self-actualized, are highly under-researched. This study examined the relationship of leader identity and leader efficacy on a leader’s psychological well-being. The study also explored whether a leader’s gender and leadership role level influenced their leader identity, efficacy, and psychological well-being. Participants were 165 working organizational leaders from a variety of industries, ages 19-72 years old with 1-40 years of leadership experience. Data was collected via online self-report survey using the Leader Self-Identity, Leader Efficacy Questionnaire, and Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being scales. Analyses revealed leader identity …

Understanding Of The Disclosure Of Child Sexual Abuse: A Phenomenological Research Design, Virginie Charles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the lived experience of those survivors of CSA through social media platforms. Social media platforms have become one of the best options for survivors to share their stories without revealing their identities. As a result, the researcher invited the users of social media platforms to participate in an interview to share their stories. The theory guided by this study of understanding the lived experience of this individual was the Social Ecological Model (SEM) and psychoeducational intervention through Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). SEM aimed to understand how the child’s environment affects …

Cardiovascular Disease In Rural Communities: Understanding The Challenges And Solutions – A Comparative Approach, Aariyana R. Britton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research project explored the effects of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in rural and underrepresented populations while solidifying ways of mitigation in localities with little to no healthcare access. Research included highly underserved individuals who live in or around healthcare deserts with low health literacy statuses and poor resource distribution. CVD has skyrocketed into becoming the leading cause of death in the United States of America, so it is pertinent to create methods of investigation regarding how CVD is currently diagnosed, handled, and projected in these areas where there is a shortage of proper health access and training. While CVD is …

Working With Different Generations In The Post-Covid Remote Workplace: The Millennial Perspective, Rhys Morgan Alexander

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Generational theory proposes that generations are inherently different from one another based on the events that occur within their lifetimes at various developmental stages. These differences have been studied in many contexts, including within the work environment. As older generations continue to remain employed, and with the shift to remote work post-COVID 19, this topic remains an important concentration for developmental and organizational researchers. The differences between generations have been found to impact on job satisfaction and general work value priorities to varying degrees. Based on this, a literature review was conducted followed by a phenomenological, interview-based study to explore …

Emotion Behind Casual Sex, Carla Thompson Ranalli

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Health institutions have reported that women of middle-age continue to enjoy sexual activity. As such, women who engage in casual sex may or may not have developed emotional attachments to their partners, which may impact sexual gratification. Attachment theory proposes that attachment style is either secure or insecure, such as anxious or avoidant. This study investigated the relationship between insecure attachment style and sexual gratification among women between 40-50 years of age who engaged in casual sex. To answer these questions, the Adult Attachment Scale (AAQ) questionnaire was used to measure anxious and avoidant attachment, the Experience in Close Relationships …

The Lived Experiences Of Micu Nurses During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study, Thomas Hopkins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of MICU nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and how these experiences may inform disaster preparedness in the nursing curriculum. This research is guided by Watson’s (1979) theory of human caring. The theory emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships and emotional support in nursing practice, and how these elements can be integrated into disaster preparedness training. Using interpretive phenomenological analysis, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, field notes, and guided journaling. The interviews were conducted via digital conferencing software over the internet. Field notes were recorded during the interviews. …

Engaging The Hindu Community Of Loudoun County, Va With The Gospel Of Jesus Christ: An Evangelism Course For Telugu Christian Fellowship Church, Ravinder Rufus Bhimanpalli

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Doctor of Ministry project addressed the lack of effective evangelism toward the Hindu community by the Telugu Christian Fellowship Church (TCFC) in Ashburn, Virginia. Located 35 miles from Washington, D.C., TCFC serves a suburban congregation of approximately 300 members, with an average weekly attendance of 250. The church is located in Loudoun County, one of America’s most diverse and affluent regions, home to over 44,000 Asian Indians and an estimated 18,000 Hindus. Despite this, the church’s outreach efforts had remained scattered and underdeveloped. Most church members lacked cultural sensitivity, feared offending them, or simply lacked the confidence to engage …

Describing The Retention Experiences Of Special Education Teachers In Rural California: A Phenomenological Study, Adriel Gama Reynoso

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the retention experiences of special education teachers who taught in rural elementary school districts in California. Retention was generally defined as a teacher who was influenced to stay with their district for a long time. The theory guiding this study was Herzberg’s two-factor theory of motivation-hygiene. This theory was particularly effective in addressing teacher retention because it provided a clear framework for understanding the factors that contribute to job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. This transcendental phenomenological study described the retention of special education teachers who taught in rural elementary school districts …

Exploring The Deficiencies Of Business Improvement Programs: A Qualitative Look Into Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, Eos, And Developing Hybrid Opportunities, Michelle Tucker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative case study researched the deficiencies of three established business improvement programs: Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, and Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), to discern the possibility of a tailored hybrid improvement program. Utilizing data collected through semi-structured interviews from the experiences of twelve business leaders representing different industries. All of the leaders had five or more years of direct experience with one or more of the business improvement programs. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding, applying Constructivist Grounded Theory. The analysis found that Continuous Improvement empowered employees and nurtured incremental changes, but it …

The Covid-19 Pandemic And College Students' Experiences: A Phenomenological Study, Mervin L. Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and comprehend the lived experiences of college students at North Carolinian colleges and universities during the interruption and transitions of studies amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This research used qualitative inquiry design and employed Schlossberg’s transition theory to guide the study. Schlossberg’s transition theory correlates with this research and phenomenological exploration because it underscores the varying abilities and incapacities of students to persist through their studies during challenging circumstances. The setting for this research was North Carolinian higher education institutions within Mecklenburg County which boast 17 colleges and universities within a 50-mile …

The Difference Of Self-Efficacy Between General And Special Education Teachers In Rural Elementary Co-Taught Classrooms: Quantitative Causal Comparative, Tilnisha Pritchard Rosser

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative causal-comparative study examined differences in teacher self-efficacy between general and special education teachers in co-taught classrooms within a rural school district in the southeastern United States. A convenience sample of 162 participants (99 special educators and 63 general educators) completed the short form of the Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale (TSES), which assesses instructional strategies, classroom management, and student engagement. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare student engagement scores, and a one-way ANOVA analyzed differences in instructional strategies, classroom management, and total self-efficacy. Findings indicated no significant difference in instructional strategies; however, special educators demonstrated significantly higher scores …

Parental Participation In A Christian Homeschool Co-Opertaive In A State In The Southeastern Us: A Single-Case Study, Emily E. Fowler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, single-case study was to explore parental participation in a Christian homeschool co-operative in a state in the Southeastern US, identified by the pseudonym Hope Homeschool Co-op. Christopher Watkin’s biblical critical theory guided this research, emphasizing how the Bible’s unfolding story centers around a relational God. This study examined the importance of having a Christian community to parents participating in Hope Homeschool Co-op. Using a single-case study approach, data were collected from 14 homeschooling mothers who had enrolled their families in Hope Homeschool Co-op during the 2024-25 academic school year. The Central Research Question asked, “What …

The Relationship Between Self-Care, Resilience And Burnout, And The Role Of Self-Esteem And Self-Awareness To Facilitate Self-Care Among School Counselors, Sarah C. Mccarthy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

School counselors play a pivotal role in fostering students’ academic, social, and emotional development. School counselors are responsible for addressing a wide range of student needs, such as academic advising, assisting in behavior management, crisis intervention, and mental health support. Being in this position that requires many responsibilities, coupled with high student-to-counselor ratios, many school counselors report having elevated stress levels, potentially leading to the feeling of burnout. Therefore, the purpose of this study focuses on three goals: (1) Determine which self-care practices, and at what frequency, are being used by school counselors to determine which type of self-care practices …

Leading Change: A Phenomenological Study Of Higher Education Leaders Implementing Innovative Emergency Medical Service Programs For Rural Students, Nichole S. Berge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to describe the lived experiences of education leaders in supporting the implementation of innovative programming in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) education for rural students. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s social cognitive theory (1986), as it explores how cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors influence the implementation of such programming. The central research question guiding this study is: What are the lived experiences of higher education leaders implementing innovative EMS programming for rural students? The methodology for this study is a transcendental phenomenological design, sampling higher education leaders involved in EMS education. …

Decreasing The Incidence Of Healthcare Associated Presure Injuries In The Acute Care Setting, Amanda R. Nichols

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Healthcare-associated pressure injuries (HAPIs) can cause great harm to vulnerable patients. Acquiring a HAPI during hospitalization can result in delayed wound treatment, prolonged hospitalization, risk for infection, reimbursement issues for the facility, and delayed patient discharge. Avoiding these injuries is essential to improve patient outcomes. Research reveals that the implementation of nurse education and two registered nurse skin assessments on admission, instead of one nurse skin assessment, can decrease the incidence of healthcare-associated pressure injuries. Using the Iowa model, the goal of this scholarly project is to implement evidence-based research to change the current process and decrease the incidence of …

Defining Moral Injury: A Delphi Study For A Comprehensive And Consensus-Based Definition, Darius J. Holland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study utilized a modified Delphi method to develop a consensus definition of Moral Injury across theological, clinical, and experiential domains. Recognizing the term's interdisciplinary ambiguity, the research engaged chaplains, clinicians, ethicists, and professionals from healthcare, military, and psychological contexts to discern shared language and conceptual frameworks. The Delphi process consisted of three iterative rounds, progressing from open-ended questions to structured Likert-scale responses and definition validation. While consensus (80% agreement) was not achieved, a majority (61.5%) of panelists affirmed a pneuma-oriented definition that positions Moral Injury as a wound to the spirit resulting from a violation of deeply held ethical …

The Effects Of The Menstrual Cycle On Movement Velocity In Female Athletes, Casey M. Krolikowski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the psychological and physiological impacts of menstrual cycle phase and hormonal contraceptive (HC) use on barbell back squat and bench press velocity, handgrip strength, and countermovement jump height. The aim was to determine whether HC use and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms affected performance during menstruation, the late follicular phase (LFP), or the mid-luteal phase (MLP). Fourteen college-aged female athletes (N = 14) were divided into HC users (n = 7), and naturally menstruating, eumenorrheic individuals (n = 7). Movement velocity data was assessed using RepOne linear position transducers, jump height with the Just Jump mat, and grip …

An Analysis Of The Health Disparities For Traumatic Brain Injury Care In Urban Vs. Rural Populations, Jeremy R. Russell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to examine how disparities between urban and rural environments impacted the amount, onset, and duration of care received by patients with mild traumatic brain injury, as well as differences in demographic characteristics such as age and gender. Mild TBIs, often referred to as concussions, involve a temporary disruption in brain function resulting from external force, leading to symptoms like confusion, dizziness, or memory issues. Guided by critical theory, this study explored how systemic structures contributed to unequal healthcare experiences. Since TBIs remained a leading cause of disability and death with potential long-term …

Social Media And Mental Health According To Generation Z: A Health Belief Model-Based Cross-Sectional Evaluation Of Generation Z Adults’ Attitudes And Perceptions Of Problematic Social Media Use And Its Relationship With Depression And Anxiety, Michael Chad Gann

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Purpose: This study aimed to examine Generation Z adults’ attitudes and perceptions of problematic social media use (PSMU) as they relate to mental health problems (depression and anxiety) through the lens of the Mental Health Belief Model.

Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey gathered data from a convenience sample (N = 353) of Generation Z adults (age 18-30) after receiving approval from the LU IRB. The previously validated instrument battery included the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), the Patient Health Questionaire – 9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder – 7 (GAD-7), and the Greene (2012) MHBM subscales for perceived susceptibility …

Predictors Of Self-Efficacy In Single Mothers Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Melissa L. Constable

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Single mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face significant difficulties. Challenges faced by these women have notable impacts on their psychological well-being and subsequently their families. Self-efficacy is a key construct to understanding psychological well-being and potentially a key area of intervention for these mothers. This study examined the factors of health care alliance, perceived social supports, and religious coping on maternal self-efficacy in 87 single mothers of children with autism. Findings from a regression analysis suggested that these variables have predictive power regarding maternal self-efficacy, F (4, 82) = 3.721, p =.008. Though when analyzed individually,© no …

Forgiveness, Spousal Infidelity, And Sex Addiction: Christian Wives’ Lived Experiences, Angela Roake Livingston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how betrayed Christian wives described their understanding of and motivation to forgive their husbands’ infidelity due to sex addiction in the United States. The theory which guided this study was Albert Bandura’s Self- Efficacy, as it examines one’s ability to use personal judgment in executing courses of action to contend with challenges. For this reason, the Self-Efficacy theory was best suited for understanding Christian wives’ lived experiences of forgiveness after experiencing sexual betrayal in marriage. Data was collected via virtual, open-ended, semi-structured interviews via Zoom following a thirty-two-question script addressing the …